Bills: HB2241, HB1163, HB1514, HB1696, HB2021, SB2135, SB2466, SB2727, SB3082, SB3097, SB2861, SCR100, SB3096, SB99, SB2138, HB2289, HB2319, HB1711, HB2270, SB3138, SB3076, HB1642, HB2338, HB2171, HB1785, SB2881, HB2505, SB2552, HB1518, HB1815, SB3125, SB3234, SCR162, SB2614, SB3118, SB2053, SB2494, SB2851, SB3073, HB1678, HB1721, HB2475, HB2246, HB1667, HB1516, SB2532, SB3131, SB3154, HB2297, HB1737, SB2143, SB2398, SB2623, HB1740, HB1920, HB1682, SB2153, SB3140, HB2158, HB1718, HB2207, HB1801, SB3229, SB2338, SB3069, SB2600, HB2300, HB1800, HB1960, SB2999, SB2060, SB2866, SB2239, HB1741, HB1713, HB2023, HB2417, SB2877, SB2598, SB2921, SB2645, HB2547, HB2275, HB2452, HB2329, HB2339, HB1838, HB1509, HB1661, HB2271, HB2272, HB2344, HB1888, HB1707, SB2340, HB2474, HB1576, HB1853, HB1804, HB1854, HB2095, HB2050, HB472, SB3215, SB2247, SB2400, HB1618, HB1802, HB1969, HB1541, HB2310, HB2498, HB2443, HB2218, HB649, HB2104, HB1710, SB2802, HB1973, HB1974, HB1894, HB1891, HB1890, SB177, SB2101, SB3320, SB2487, HB2429, HB1870, HB1839, HB2583, HB1391, HB2094, SB2671, SB2673, SB2892, SB2057, SB3245, HB306, HB2592, SB3157, SB3204, SB3324, SB2580, SB2074, SB411, SB3025, SB2934, SB2567, SB2125, SB3238, SB2367, SB2599, SB3007, SB2001, SB2756, SB3029

Keywords: renewable energy, income tax credit, solar energy, wind energy, low-income households, energy policy, commercial drivers license, non-domiciled, federal regulations, commercial learner's permit, citizenship, lawful residency, Department of Transportation, workers' compensation, vocational rehabilitation, injury recovery, employment services, return to work, commercial driving, driver's license

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> >> Going to take a recess? >> Take a recess, Mr. >> Short recess.
• > be</c><00:05:53.880><c> to</c><00:05:54.000><c> be</c><00:05:54.120><c> chartered</c> uh what it takes
• to be to be chartered uh what it takes to be to be chartered in<00:05:54.640><c> the</c><00:05:54.720
• About kind of a corporate dissolution, but taking away the powers and putting it back.
• out a provision in I ended up taking out a provision in this<00:14:32.080><c> bill</c><00:14:32.720>

Bills: HB2241, HB1163, HB1514, HB1696, HB2021, SB2135, SB2466, SB2727, SB3082, SB3097, SB2861, SCR100, SB3096, SB99, SB2138, HB2289, HB2319, HB1711, HB2270, SB3138, SB3076, HB1642, HB2338, HB2171, HB1785, SB2881, HB2505, SB2552, HB1518, HB1815, SB3125, SB3234, SCR162, SB2614, SB3118, SB2053, SB2494, SB2851, SB3073, HB1678, HB1721, HB2475, HB2246, HB1667, HB1516, SB2532, SB3131, SB3154, HB2297, HB1737, SB2143, SB2398, SB2623, HB1740, HB1920, HB1682, SB2153, SB3140, HB2158, HB1718, HB2207, HB1801, SB3229, SB2338, SB3069, SB2600, HB2300, HB1800, HB1960, SB2999, SB2060, SB2866, SB2239, HB1741, HB1713, HB2023, HB2417, SB2877, SB2598, SB2921, SB2645, HB2547, HB2275, HB2452, HB2329, HB2339, HB1838, HB1509, HB1661, HB2271, HB2272, HB2344, HB1888, HB1707, SB2340, HB2474, HB1576, HB1853, HB1804, HB1854, HB2095, HB2050, HB472, SB3215, SB2247, SB2400, HB1618, HB1802, HB1969, HB1541, HB2310, HB2498, HB2443, HB2218, HB649, HB2104, HB1710, SB2802, HB1973, HB1974, HB1894, HB1891, HB1890, SB177, SB2101, SB3320, SB2487, HB2429, HB1870, HB1839, HB2583, HB1391, HB2094, SB2671, SB2673, SB2892, SB2057, SB3245, HB306, HB2592, SB3157, SB3204, SB3324, SB2580, SB2074, SB411, SB3025, SB2934, SB2567, SB2125, SB3238, SB2367, SB2599, SB3007, SB2001, SB2756, SB3029

Keywords: renewable energy, income tax credit, solar energy, wind energy, low-income households, energy policy, commercial drivers license, non-domiciled, federal regulations, commercial learner's permit, citizenship, lawful residency, Department of Transportation, workers' compensation, vocational rehabilitation, injury recovery, employment services, return to work, commercial driving, driver's license

Transcript Highlights:

• So what it takes into account are four specific metrics. One, it looks at demand.
• And then it also takes into account... ...what production we see forward-looking two weeks.
• I'll tell you, 2019 to 2026, we weren't getting any drill permits in California.
• And if we had a price-gouging penalty, we could take it back.
• And if we had the tool of the penalty, we could take it back.

Keywords: 987, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• permits issued by third parties using instant permitting platforms.
• It is the most widely used off-the-shelf instant permitting or smart permitting product in the country
• is known as the solar automated permitting process. solar permitting platform which is known as the
• about solar permitting today.
• So if there were, you ought to take a look to perhaps work with Permit Power and other organizations

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The hearing focused broadly on solar policy and several related bills, especially S. 2269, S. 2270, H. 3520, H. 3521, and related measures on distributed energy resources, municipal solar caps, permitting reform, and tax credits. Testimony from the Air Force supported S. 2232, which would exempt federal military installations from renewable energy production caps and net metering limits to support energy resilience at bases like Hanscom. Most other witnesses argued that Massachusetts needs to speed up rooftop, municipal, and community solar deployment to address high electricity prices, federal tax credit rollbacks, grid reliability, and climate goals. A major theme was streamlining permitting through automated or “smart” solar permitting, including a statewide platform managed by DOER. Permit Power, SEIA, Vote Solar, 350 Mass, and others said current local permitting is fragmented and costly, and that instant permitting could reduce soft costs and speed installations. Several witnesses also urged changes to interconnection rules, including flexible interconnection, remote inspections, and faster utility approval timelines. Some speakers raised concerns about small towns lacking staff to meet short deadlines and suggested a state-hosted platform to reduce the burden on municipalities. Another major topic was lifting caps on solar deployment. Municipal officials from Lexington and Cambridge said the 10-megawatt municipal cap and regional caps are blocking shovel-ready projects and should be removed, including for behind-the-meter municipal solar and MBTA-community housing. Other witnesses described additional limits on project size, net metering, and residential tax credits, and called for making the state residential solar credit refundable and larger. Several speakers also supported virtual power plants, distributed energy resource targets, solar canopies, microgrids, and expanded access for affordable housing, tenants, and low- and moderate-income customers. No votes were taken. Committee members asked questions about permitting timelines, grid modernization, the rationale for caps, balcony solar, and interconnection delays, and witnesses said they would follow up with additional information where needed. The hearing ended with broad support from industry, municipal, environmental, and advocacy groups for advancing the solar and distributed energy bills, while some witnesses opposed provisions they viewed as overly restrictive, such as mandatory SMART participation for all solar projects.

Transcript Highlights:

• Finally, I want to take a moment, Mr.
• up 90% of our time uh probably taking up 90% of our time and<01:08:48.199><c> and</c><01:08:48.359><
• </c> quarantine of the premises uh permitted quarantine of the premises uh permitted milk<01:18:55.280
• The activities that our poultry division is taking on with the AMPV response.
• The activities that our poultry division is taking on with the AMPV response.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• take permit process, which would be much more expensive and onerous on homeowners.
• for emergency management, incidental take permitting for development of housing and other things, and
• So what do I take that take to bring here at Cal OES?
• For me, I fundamentally, So what do I take that take to bring here at Cal OES?
• Don't take offense to this.

Keywords: 987, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Just for clarification, to the author, it doesn't take effect until 2027, is that right?
• No, let's take it for. The chair lays out as a matter of pending business, House Bill 4464.
• So with that, I'll close and take any questions. Thank you. Members, any questions?
• taking place pre-COVID, that there's not enough.
• I won't take too much time or reiterate what has already been said.

Keywords: 1185, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• So we're not talking about incidental collections of, or incidental obtaining of, speech as part of a
• So we're not talking about incidental collections of, or incidental obtaining of, speech as part of a
• So we're not talking about incidental collections of, or incidental obtaining of, speech as part of a
• So we're not talking about incidental collections of, or incidental obtaining of, speech as part of a
• So we're not talking about incidental collections of, or incidental obtaining of, speech as part of a

Keywords: 919, house, all

Summary: House File 768, sponsored by Vice Chair Hudson, was heard with an author’s amendment (A4) adopted to remove a technical section and put the bill in the intended form. Hudson described the bill as a response to concerns about government monitoring of protected speech, saying it would bar the Minnesota Department of Human Rights from creating or maintaining a database of constitutionally protected speech while preserving the department’s ability to investigate actual discrimination, harassment, threats, or illegal conduct. He emphasized First Amendment protections and argued the state should not track speech simply because it is controversial or unpopular. The main testimony in support came from Ran Lee of Americans for Prosperity, who echoed the free-speech concerns and said databases of bias incidents can capture lawful speech and create a chilling effect. Representative Rest said she generally supported the free-speech goal but wanted to preserve the Department of Human Rights’ ability to produce biennial reports and analyze de-identified trend data on civil rights incidents, including emerging threats or hateful rhetoric, so lawmakers can respond to patterns without recording individuals’ protected speech. Representative Curran raised concerns that speech trends can relate to public safety and argued that attacks on human rights often begin as speech. Hudson responded that the Department of Human Rights is not a law enforcement agency and that the bill would not impede criminal investigations. He argued that trying to monitor “trends in thought” would be constitutionally problematic and produce unreliable data, and he distinguished protected speech from criminal conduct. Representative Feist said the department’s existing report already uses aggregate, non-investigative data and suggested there may be room to refine the bill’s language. The bill was laid over for further consideration, with Hudson indicating he was open to continued discussion and possible language changes.

Transcript Highlights:

• All right, the clerk will take the call.
• </c> All right, the clerk will take the call. All right, the clerk will take the call.
• </c> bill takes effect on July 1st, 2026. bill takes effect on July 1st, 2026.
• With 45 the clerk will take the call.
• If not, the clerk will take the call.

Keywords: Senate streaming session for Tuesday, February 24, 2026, 960, senate, all

Summary: The Senate convened with an invocation by Reverend Jod Gun, whose prayer was journalized by unanimous consent. The chamber then recognized several guests, including representatives from the National Alliance on Mental Illness, who were present for a resolution honoring Tardive Dyskinesia Awareness Week, as well as former Delegate and physician Dan Moheim, Towson University students, a veteran guest, and parents and young children visiting for Maryland Family Network’s Day in Annapolis. The Senate adopted a resolution recognizing the National Alliance on Mental Illness for its advocacy on tardive dyskinesia screening, early detection, and treatment, and designated May 5–9 as Tardive Dyskinesia Awareness Week. The resolution was read and adopted without objection. The chamber also unanimously welcomed the guest groups and thanked them for their service and advocacy. In second-reader action, the Senate advanced several bills with committee amendments adopted without objection. Senate Bill 113, the Longevity Ready Maryland Act, was amended to refine aging-related planning, website reporting, and Commission on Aging membership, then ordered to third reading. Senate Bill 123 updated the membership of the Oversight Committee on Quality of Care in nursing homes and assisted living facilities and was also sent to third reading. Senate Bill 336 extended the Task Force on the Responsible Use of Natural Psychedelic Substances for one year and added an HBCU representative. Senate Bill 394 expanded expedited partner therapy to bacterial vaginosis and added licensed certified midwives as authorized practitioners. Senate Bill 444 changed certificate-of-need requirements for certain intermediate care facilities, and Senate Bill 461 conformed the SNAP Heat and Eat Program to federal eligibility rules; both were advanced to third reading. The Education, Energy, and the Environment Committee then took up Senate Bill 108, which would authorize the Maryland Department of the Environment to impose administrative penalties for certain water, wetlands, dam, and riparian-rights violations and expand administrative enforcement tools. Several senators raised concerns about the scope of the bill, its effect on shoreline restoration, dams, stormwater and wetlands enforcement, and whether it could allow penalties without adequate process or encourage payment instead of correction. The floor leader responded that the amendment requires notice, an informal meeting, and consideration of good-faith efforts before penalties are imposed in certain cases, and said the bill does not change permit requirements. The debate continued as members sought clarification on how the bill would apply to private dams, HOAs, farmers, and shoreline projects.

Transcript Highlights:

• in and and taking control over this?
• Like, to get a building permit, they still have to go through the building permit process.
• And there are permit process.
• and non-permitted erosion um permitted and non-permitted erosion control<01:13:35.280><c> structures
• I'll take that deal.

Bills: HB1739, HB1741, HB2606, HB2362, HB2608, HB2294, HB2431, HB2375, HB2582, HB2585, HB2231, HB1601, HB2424, HB1956

Keywords: transit-oriented development, zoning, land use, urban planning, density, local governance, housing, inclusionary zoning, inclusionary mandate, affordable housing, below-market-rate housing, inclusionary housing, development exaction, impact fee, housing affordability impact fee, needs assessment study, financial feasibility, rough proportionality, essential nexus, county ordinance

Summary: The committee on Water and Land met on February 19, 2026, and the chair opened by emphasizing strict time limits and that all bills would be deferred if the agenda was not completed before the noon session. The first major measure discussed was HB 1739 HD1, which would preempt county land-use authority in transit-oriented development areas. The Department of Planning supported the bill, saying it could promote state-funded TOD and infrastructure, while the city and county’s position was raised in questioning. Unite Here Local 5 opposed the bill, arguing it would strip counties of self-determination, disrupt state-county policy collaboration, and remove a check on unrestrained development. Committee members pressed the supporters on whether the bill was really about higher density and whether it would override local zoning and sustainability concerns. The committee then heard testimony on HB 1741 HD1, a housing bill described by supporters as reducing inclusionary housing mandates and increasing supply. Grassroots Institute of Hawaii argued affordability mandates reduce overall housing production and raise market-rate prices, while a Zoom testifier said the bill would improve housing stability, health, and community outcomes for working families, kupuna, and young residents. Members asked about the bill’s needs assessment and who would conduct it, with a witness saying the counties would likely contract it out but that the bill did not clearly specify the reviewer. HB 2668 HD1, dealing with water heating systems, drew testimony from the Hawaii State Energy Office and industry representatives. Supporters generally backed adding heat pumps to the law, but one solar-water-heater industry witness asked for amendments to remove or extend the current 15-year statutory life limit for solar water heaters and to update outdated standards and variance rules. A Kauaʻi Climate Action Coalition witness opposed the existing solar-only structure, arguing heat pump water heaters are cheaper, align with climate goals, and should be allowed without a variance. The Energy Office said the current law already allows variances in some cases, suggested adding high-efficiency heat pump water heaters to the exemption, and said the 15-year figure may be too short, with 18 years mentioned as a possible alternative. The committee also briefly moved through several other bills, including HB 2606 HD1 on off-site construction and HB 2362 HD1 on housing, with no notable testimony or action recorded in the excerpt.

Transcript Highlights:

• a repository for permit applicants.
• The permits that were inventoried and reported on were limited to environment and business permits, such
• a repository for permit applicants.
• When the state takes children and locks them up, it takes on the responsibility to be accountable.
• When the state takes children and locks them up, it takes on the responsibility to be accountable and

Bills: SB6294, SB6211, SB5650, SB6033, SB6297, SB6343, SB6067, SB6082, SB6323, SB6324, SB5862, SB5923, SB6151

Keywords: local government finance, Washington state, RCW, real estate excise tax, REET, sales and use tax, property tax levy, county tax, city tax, affordable housing, housing services, behavioral health, mental health, developmental disabilities, children and families services, youth services, utility tax, low-income utility assistance, veterans assistance, homelessness

Summary: The Ways and Means Committee held a public hearing on several bills, beginning with Substitute Senate Bill 6026, which would require cities and counties over 30,000 population to allow residential uses in commercial and mixed-use zones, with limits on requiring mixed-use or ground-floor retail and some height flexibility where such requirements are imposed. Committee staff described the bill as governor-request legislation with a fiscal note for Department of Commerce implementation and local zoning updates. Lieutenant Governor Denny Heck testified in strong support, calling it a major housing bill that would add needed capacity without burdening housing with retail requirements. The committee then suspended the hearing and moved to other bills on the agenda. Senate Bill 6294 drew extensive testimony. Staff said it would expand local fiscal tools in eight parts, including broader uses for certain REET revenues, a new option for cities to impose the affordable housing REET with voter approval, a county utility tax, a new local sales tax for children and family services, expanded uses for existing housing sales tax revenues, possible standalone county veterans and behavioral health levies, longer voter-authorized levy lid lifts, and expanded uses for rental car tax revenue. Supporters from cities, counties, housing, and public health groups said the bill would provide needed flexibility for housing, child care, public health clinics, and county budgets. Opponents, including wireless, water and sewer, auto dealer, realtor, and energy industry representatives, objected to the county utility tax, the new sales tax, or the REET provisions, citing regressivity, higher costs, and housing affordability concerns. The committee also heard Substitute Senate Bill 5400 on local news sustainability, which would create a Department of Commerce grant program funded by a surcharge on covered tech platforms, with revenue also supporting the Murrow Journalism Fellowship at Washington State University. News organizations, civic groups, and journalism advocates testified that local news is in decline and that the bill would help preserve reporting jobs and community accountability, while technology industry representatives warned of legal risks and argued the bill unfairly targets online platforms. Other bills heard included SB 6211, which would let voluntarily planning GMA jurisdictions impose REET-2 without voter approval; SB 5650, which would authorize local cannabis excise taxes, drawing support from local governments and opposition from cannabis businesses that said the industry is already overtaxed; SB 6033, which would waive penalties and interest for certain taxpayers who failed to collect new retail sales tax on services, supported by small business advocates; SB 6297, which would exempt temporary staffing services for nonprofit behavioral health entities from sales tax, supported by behavioral health providers; and SB 6343, which would extend and expand tax relief for property damaged by natural disasters, with support from local officials in flood-affected communities.

Transcript Highlights:

• However, it takes away the provision for transactional or blanket immunity.

Bills: SB2, SB3, SB5, SB9, SB10, SB14, SB16, SB34, SB18, SB 2, SB 3, SB 5, SB 9, SB 10, SB 14, SB 16, SB 18, SB 34

Keywords: flooding, public safety, outdoor warning sirens, disaster preparedness, emergency response, flood warning, outdoor sirens, local government, safety measures, flood management, emergency preparedness, municipal safety, disaster response, disaster relief, emergency funding, Meteorological forecasting, local government assistance, training facilities, hemp regulation, consumable products

Transcript Highlights:

• We will be taking public testimony today if you are here. and planning to testify on any of the bills
• And in that program and are willing to take on those cases.
• Are the paramedics willing to drive the hours and hours away as well, taking?
• that person and take him to the hospital.
• They could take, yes.

Bills: HB 3772, HB 1656, HB 4504, HB 1896, HB 4420, HB 4421, HB 4076, HB 3708, HB 2806, HB 3540, HB 1586, HB 5459, HB 4553, HB 4535, HB 3811, HB 3749, HB 4255, HB 4051, HB 5098, HB 3554, HB 4539, HB 5274

Keywords: e-cigarettes, health and safety, regulations, directory, penalties, regulation, certification, compliance, manufacturers, FDA, nicotine, mental health, emergency detention, paramedic authority, mental illness, healthcare facility, public health, covenants not to compete, health care practitioners, physicians

Transcript Highlights:

• To repay the bondholders, the local government is permitted to draw upon regular property tax revenue
• developed within that area are necessary for the private development of projects that are seeking permit
• But I'm happy to take questions. And so we'll be asking for amendments, I'm guessing.
• But I'm happy to take questions. Any questions for our prime sponsor?
• The preferential B&O tax rate and tax credits would take effect only after the Department of Revenue

Summary: The committee heard several public hearings on tax and housing-related bills. HB 2451 on local tax increment financing was briefed as a negotiated trailer bill adding new limits and consultation requirements for increment areas, including restrictions on using areas that already have needed public improvements, earlier sunset rules, more detailed project analysis, and stronger notice, mediation, and arbitration procedures for affected taxing districts. Supporters from cities, ports, and fire districts said the bill rebalances the process and protects impacted jurisdictions; the hearing then closed. HB 2322 would change the alternative jet fuel tax incentive program by replacing the current production-capacity trigger with a fixed effective period beginning in 2031 and ending in 2046, while clarifying carbon-intensity requirements. The sponsor said the change adds certainty and supports cleaner aviation fuel. A refinery representative supported the program but asked for clarification to include Pierce County or define “blender,” while a climate-health opponent argued the bill subsidizes continued fossil-fuel combustion and should be rejected. HB 2590 would revise the limited equity cooperative definition and exempt such cooperatives from WUCIOA unless they opt in, while preserving the property-tax exemption requirements; supporters said it would reduce red tape and better fit cooperative housing, while members raised concerns about unintended restrictive membership rules and asked for fair-housing guardrails. HB 2655 would create a new sales and use tax exemption for construction and equipment at certain new data centers in eastern Washington, subject to labor, wage, apprenticeship, employment, and sustainability requirements. Supporters framed it as a jobs and clean-energy opportunity tied to hydrogen development and regional competitiveness, while opponents said it was a subsidy for large corporations and could strain water, power, and public revenues. The committee then moved to executive action and advanced HB 1983, the second substitute for HB 1974, the substitute for HB 2334, HB 2367, and the substitute for HB 2650, all with due pass recommendations. Amendments were adopted on HB 1974 and rejected on HB 2367; the other bills were advanced without amendment. Votes were recorded on each measure, with HB 1974 passing 10-4, HB 2334 passing 13-1, HB 2367 passing 11-3, and HB 2650 passing 14-0.

Transcript Highlights:

• I ask you to take this into consideration when it's your turn to testify.
• So we ask you to take this bill under consideration.
• And thank you for everyone taking time to testify about him.
• Consideration of any amendments should take care to continue to satisfy these.
• Consideration of any amendments should take care to continue to satisfy these three tests.

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The Joint Committee on the Judiciary held a late-file hearing on several bills, with Chairs Michael Day and Lydia Edwards outlining hearing rules, testimony limits, and written-testimony procedures. The first bill discussed was H. 4876, a proposal to strengthen supports for survivors of abuse. Representative Carol Faiola testified on behalf of a constituent who described how a lifetime restraining order was effectively undermined after a family member’s death, arguing the bill should limit abusers’ legal standing after death, improve survivor notification and privacy protections, expand coercive-control definitions, and create education and resource programs. The committee then heard testimony on H. 5111, which would strengthen the Massachusetts Antitrust Act. Representative Dave Rogers and Attorney General’s Office antitrust chief Anthony Mariano said the bill would give the state more tools to pursue anti-competitive conduct, including conduct with multi-state effects, while allowing enforcement even when federal authorities are also involved. They said it would increase penalties, clarify that invitations to conspire are violations, protect labor markets, remove limits affecting some housing transactions, and extend the statute of limitations. The committee also heard support for a related “universal 1983” bill, S. 2976/H. 2976, creating a state cause of action for constitutional violations by federal, state, or local officers acting under color of law; supporters said it would fill gaps in remedies against federal officers while preserving qualified immunity. Testimony also supported H. 4783, a bill affirming the rights of people experiencing homelessness. The Massachusetts Coalition for the Homeless said the measure would push back against growing criminalization of homelessness, especially after the Supreme Court’s Grants Pass decision and local encampment bans, and would protect the use of public spaces without discrimination based on housing status. On H. 4826, condo owners and advocates said Chapter 183A is outdated and leaves owners with too little say and too few remedies against mismanagement, citing problems such as unsafe water, major assessments, and lack of meaningful dispute resolution. The committee also heard strong support for H. 5116, renaming the Dorchester Division of the Boston Municipal Court the Judge Leslie E. Harris Courthouse, with testimony from family members, legislators, attorneys, and community leaders describing Judge Harris’s mentorship, community service, and commitment to second chances. Later testimony covered S. 2975, a bill to deter ICE courthouse arrests and protect access to justice; CPCS, law students, and defense advocates said courthouse arrests chill participation by defendants, witnesses, and victims and disrupt pending cases. The committee also heard support for H. 5244, repealing an archaic law criminalizing concealment of a child’s death, with advocates arguing it has been used to punish pregnancy loss and should be removed. The hearing concluded with additional testimony in favor of S. 2976 and more support for the Judge Harris courthouse renaming, after which the chairs closed the hearing and reminded the public how to submit written testimony.

Transcript Highlights:

• It takes 54 votes. The clerk will open the roll. It takes 54 votes. The clerk will open the roll.
• addition to local land use permits from the county, can take years and cost thousands of dollars.
• So AB 518, which permits from the county can take years and cost thousands of dollars.
• Without objection, we will now take a voice vote on the resolution.
• He is not taking those amendments because that would gut the bill.

Summary: The Assembly met in session, established a quorum, and opened with an Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month ceremony. Members adopted House Resolution 35 recognizing May as AAPI Heritage Month, with extensive floor remarks from caucus leaders and members highlighting AAPI history, contributions, and solidarity with other communities. The chamber then honored 14 AAPI honorees from across the state, including public servants, advocates, artists, health professionals, and community leaders, before moving to the regular file. On the floor, the Assembly passed a series of bills on social media harms to minors, labor privilege, foster care family-finding, low-impact camping areas, student body association governance, drink-spiking prevention at music festivals, behavioral health access, greenhouse gas recapture, physical therapy access, housing enforcement, insurance licensing, density bonus clarification, water district proxy voting, park district updates, secured transactions, and property tax relief during emergencies. Most measures passed with broad or unanimous support; notable votes included AB 2 on social media platform accountability passing 59-0, AB 1109 on union communications privilege passing 45-4, AB 409 on student body association open meetings passing 55-6, AB 518 on low-impact camping passing 55-0, AB 668 on drink-spiking protections passing 72-0, AB 348 on behavioral health access passing 69-0, AB 663 on HFC recapture passing 71-0, AB 574 on physical therapy access passing 68-0, AB 712 on housing enforcement passing 57-1, AB 943 on insurance pre-licensing reform passing 63-0, AB 87 on density bonus law clarification passing 63-0, AB 523 on Metropolitan Water District proxy voting passing 62-1, AB 769 on park district code cleanup passing 68-0, AB 771 on secured transactions passing 69-0, and AB 1416 on property tax installment deferrals passing 66-0. The Assembly also took up AB 446, the Surveillance Pricing Protection Act, which would prohibit businesses from using personal data to charge different prices for the same product or service. Supporters described the practice as predatory and discriminatory, while noting ongoing concerns about preserving legitimate discounts and loyalty programs. The bill was presented as a consumer protection measure aimed at preventing hidden price discrimination and reducing cost-of-living pressures. The transcript ends amid repeated and partially duplicated readings of AB 446, without a final vote shown for that item.

Transcript Highlights:

• Some of these are incidental items is the reason I'm asking that.
• need 800 gallons per minute to be able to treat to take on Newelton.
• You mentioned that you said if granted it would take 15 months...
• You're about to take it over. No, we'll take the customers over. Their water plant will go away.
• We're taking their customers. But, and assuming their... We're taking their customers.

Keywords: 965, house, all

Summary: The Water Sector Commission met with a quorum and opened with a reminder that no funding had yet been appropriated for future project awards, so any discussion of upcoming grants was speculative until the legislature acts. The committee then approved the December 10 minutes and moved through a series of deadline extensions for Phase Two state-funded projects, including Delcambre, Faraday, Meyer Branch, and Waterworks District No. 1 of Pointe Coupee Parish. Members also approved a scope change for St. Tammany Parish Project 845 to relocate an unmarked fiber optic line discovered during construction. The committee spent substantial time on Tallulah’s water rehabilitation project, where Mayor Yubon Lewis explained that the city is trying to isolate and fund the purchase of four permanent media filters, plus related electrical work, from the original approved project scope. Members questioned whether the request was a true scope change or a way to use existing funds while the city continues to rely on temporary filtration and state-led triage. After discussion, the committee approved the request and asked to be kept informed as the state continues seeking additional support for the system. The committee also approved additional funding requests for Kaplan, Ponchatoula, St. Martin Parish, and West Allen Water Works. Ponchatoula’s request included multiple change orders tied to sewer and force main work, including emergency levee repair, equipment changes, and rerouting around unmarked fiber. St. Martin Parish’s increase was tied to land acquisition and added costs for a new well site in a multi-phase consolidation project. West Allen’s increase stemmed from a failed well drilling effort and was supported by cost reductions from the contractor and engineers, which members treated as in-kind match. In contrast, Tensaw Water Association’s very large request to consolidate Newellton drew significant concern over cost growth, scope, and timing; after extensive questioning, the committee deferred that item to the next meeting for further review. The meeting ended with an update that about 42.11% of ARPA funds remain, 16 projects are now considered high risk, and staff will continue ground-truthing project status and pushing ARPA dollars out first before adjournment.

Transcript Highlights:

• Um, take this for consent. Second. Okay. Um, take this one. one. one.
• I think I take it. Yeah. Yeah. that. I think I take it. Yeah. Yeah.
• Thank you for taking<01:46:35.760><c> my</c> taking my taking my question.<01:46:38.000><c> Just</c><
• /c> pants to take a pants to take a whiz?
• </c> taking my question. taking my question.

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• But our largest city is very eager to take advantage of this.
• In Seattle, it takes 22 months for us to get a toxicology report back.
• And that might take, you know, half a day.
• We're not going to take a plea offer to reduce.
• We're not going to, we're not going to take a plea offer to reduce.

Summary: The committee heard briefings and testimony on several bills, with members repeatedly noting limited time and that some measures were already familiar from prior hearings. Second Substitute Senate Bill 5880 would allow cities and counties to use ISO/IEC-accredited private toxicology labs for blood or breath testing, accept private donations for that purpose, and reimburse the State Patrol for evidence transport costs. Senator Wagoner said the bill is a temporary fix for a major toxicology backlog that delays justice; prosecutors, police chiefs, and the Seattle City Attorney supported it as a way to relieve the backlog, while defense representatives said it would not solve the problem and raised due process concerns about out-of-state labs and access to witnesses. Members discussed possible amendments on in-state/out-of-state labs and litigation logistics, and the bill was set for executive action the following Tuesday. Engrossed Substitute Senate Bill 5436 would create a gross misdemeanor for willfully or recklessly interfering with access to or from a place of worship or disrupting religious services through obstruction, trespass, repeated calls or electronic communications, or threats. Senator Solomon said the bill responds to rising intolerance and is modeled on protections for health care facilities; supporters from the Anti-Defamation League, Faith Action Network, Jewish and Sikh community organizations described harassment, threats, and security costs at houses of worship. Defense and law enforcement groups raised concerns about overbreadth, possible impacts on peaceful protest, and unintended effects on law enforcement or immigration enforcement, and asked for clarifying amendments. The sponsor said he was open to changes, and the committee indicated it would continue working on the bill before executive action next Tuesday. Second Engrossed Substitute Senate Bill 5105 would expand child sexual abuse material offenses to cover digitally created or altered obscene depictions, even when the minor is not identifiable, extend the statute of limitations for those felony offenses from three to ten years, and broaden sexual exploitation of a minor to include knowingly causing a minor who is unconscious or unaware to be photographed or part of a live performance. Supporters including the Attorney General’s Office, prosecutors, and sheriffs’ chiefs said the bill is needed to address AI and other technology that can evade current law and to keep pace with rapidly changing digital abuse material. Opponents from the defense bar and the Sentencing Guidelines Commission argued the bill may still be overbroad and raise First Amendment problems under Ashcroft v. Free Speech Coalition, especially where no actual minor is identified. The committee also heard and then quickly acted on other bills: Second Engrossed Substitute Senate Bill 5268, requiring one year of community custody for unlawful possession of a firearm, was amended and reported out due pass as amended; Engrossed Senate Bill 5272, addressing penalties for violence against referees and school volunteers, was reported out due pass; and Engrossed Senate Bill 5286, concerning reimbursement for costs in cities with state psychiatric hospitals, was also reported out due pass.

Transcript Highlights:

• If you need permitting personnel, I can fly to Maui and take advantage of that. I'm just joking.
• agency... ...and then again we take the agency comments and we see if there are other permits required
• Regarding pump installation permits, what we take to the commission are pump intakes that may affect
• And then if the pump is under 27 gallons per minute, but a water use permit is also required, we take
• That's why it takes so long to process permits. Statutorily, we have 365 days.

Keywords: 910, house, all