Transcript Highlights:

• Deanna Garcia, cannabis license dispensary owner of seven cannabis dispensaries and here on behalf of
• Deanna Garcia, cannabis license dispensary owner of seven cannabis dispensaries and here on behalf of
• In today's digital age, many people begin their search for a new pet online. 36% of dog owners use the
• I'm proud to present AB 408, which builds off years of work by this committee under my chairmanship.
• I strongly urge you to support AB 1341, which makes clear that our state's existing building laws are

Summary: The committee heard a long agenda of bills, with most measures drawing support from industry, professional, local government, and advocacy witnesses, and several receiving committee amendments before moving forward. AB 8 on hemp and cannabis drew the most extensive debate: supporters said it would close loopholes around intoxicating hemp products, strengthen enforcement, and bring THC products into the regulated cannabis supply chain; opponents, including small cannabis farmers and environmental groups, warned it could undermine Proposition 64’s closed-loop system, harm California cultivators, and reduce tax revenues for youth, environmental, and law enforcement programs. The author said the bill was intended to protect consumers and children and to work further with stakeholders. AB 476 on copper theft was presented as a public safety and infrastructure bill to tighten reporting, documentation, and penalties for scrap metal theft; supporters from cities, utilities, broadband, and recycling-related groups described major losses and outages from copper theft, and the remaining opposition moved to neutral after amendments, with the bill advancing with committee support. The committee also heard AB 985, which would allow nationally certified anesthesiologist assistants to practice under direct supervision of licensed anesthesiologists to address anesthesia workforce shortages. Supporters, including the California Society of Anesthesiologists, medical groups, students, and patients, said it would expand access and bring California in line with other states; nurse anesthesiology groups expressed concerns and sought further clarification, but there was no formal opposition at the hearing. AB 506, aimed at online pet sales, would void contracts that fail to disclose an animal’s origin or veterinary records or that require non-refundable deposits; animal welfare groups said it would curb puppy mill pipelines and deceptive online sales, and there was no opposition. AB 876, on certified registered nurse anesthetists, generated the sharpest health care policy dispute: supporters said it would codify existing practice and clarify CRNA duties, while physicians and medical associations argued it would expand scope too far and reduce patient safety. After a roll call, AB 876 passed the committee 9-0, as amended, to Appropriations. Other bills advanced with broad support after amendments. AB 432, the Menopause Equity Act, would require continuing medical education on menopause-related care for certain physicians; the author and medical experts said the bill addresses widespread gaps in menopause treatment and research, while CMA and ACOG opposed the mandate as an inappropriate CME requirement, though they agreed the underlying problem is real. The bill passed on call, as amended, to Health. AB 759 would allow eligible architectural candidates to use the title “architect in training” to encourage completion of licensure and improve diversity in the profession; it passed unanimously, as amended, to Appropriations. AB 967 would create an optional expedited licensure fee for out-of-state physicians to reduce delays in bringing doctors into California’s workforce; supporters said it would help address shortages and improve patient access, and the bill was presented with support from medical stakeholders.

Transcript Highlights:

• The bill builds on what we know, that transparency and accountability and chemical use are essential
• AB 405 builds on existing industry standards rather than creating new ones from scratch.
• Let alone be a small business owner or business owner in California.
• AB 626, California's single walled underground. storage tank deadline is fast approaching and tank owners
• It does not provide relief for tank owners who failed to act.

Committee: House Environmental Safety and Toxic Materials

Transcript Highlights:

• it then we the state is going to build it then we the state is going to build it then we going to turn
• it all right State's going to be a build it all right State's going to be a build it all right State's
• this and mold this and that we can build this and mold this and that we can build this and mold this
• but when I got to be building but when I got to be building but when I got to be 17 Jim 17 Jim 17 Jim
• this building this building Nobody Until J Richmond Pearson judge W Nobody Until J Richmond Pearson

Bills: SB 2

Transcript Highlights:

• My husband and I are small business owners.
• </c><00:42:48.160><c> He's</c><00:42:48.319><c> an</c> and I are small business owners.
• He's an and I are small business owners.
• soil resilience and protect that build soil resilience and protect our<01:37:25.040><c> natural</c><
• > center,</c><01:39:53.199><c> can</c> new land owner is a data center, can new land owner is a data

Bills: HF4253 , HF4257 , HF3236 , HF4264 , HF4149 , HF4019

Committee: House Environment and Natural Resources Finance and Policy

Transcript Highlights:

• That's on the independent owner and operator, not the franchisor.
• But in the situation where the injury results from the employee, it's going to be the independent owner
• charges, but it would be against that specific, let's say, Marriott or that specific Ramada and the owner
• I'm the owner of Wellness for Prevention, which is a private business specializing in telehealth for
• Like we're building an entity, where before it, when they start... ...and on and on, like we're building

Committees: House Economic Development , House Joint Committee on Rural Economic Development

Transcript Highlights:

• So yeah, the way it works is that first it's got to build up a certain amount of dollars.
• So we were just trying to build in some equity to that.
• And build resilience against drought and climate change.
• They build these multi-million dollar homes, and they only stay there for a year.
• For the restoration of our historical buildings.

Committee: House House Rural Development, Land Grants And Cultural Affairs

Transcript Highlights:

• As we celebrate Women's History Month, we honor their legacy and we commit ourselves to building a future
• career as a community resource connector and collaborator focuses on strengthening partnerships, building
• She is dedicated to public art, youth empowerment, and building inclusive community spaces through parks
• Valley Chamber of Commerce, building community connections through outreach and events.
• Linda Sadagi is a designer and entrepreneur best known as the owner of the LAB Anti-Mall.

Transcript Highlights:

• 00:04:50.880><c> Store</c> collector and Vermont Country Store collector and Vermont Country Store owner
• <c> Orton</c><00:04:53.080><c> placed</c><00:04:53.520><c> the</c><00:04:53.600><c> successful</c> owner
• Lyman Orton placed the successful owner Lyman Orton placed the successful $110,000 $110,000 $110,000
• He calls me GG, and he calls the building we're in GG's barn.
• :51.040><c> education</c> building a durable public education building a durable public education opportunities

Transcript Highlights:

• these topics continue to get very politically hot for all sorts of reasons happening beyond this building
• also want to thank very much everyone who came, everyone who's been supporting, everybody who's building
• By prioritizing current character and proven rehabilitation over past mistakes, California can build
• And you may, whether you're a McDonald's franchise owner, Chick-fil-A, And you may, whether you're a
• McDonald's franchise owner, you know, Chick-fil-A or not Chick-fil-A, I think they're very limited on

Summary: The Senate Committee on Health heard several bills focused on Medi-Cal access, HIV prevention, death certificate amendments, caregiver certification, advance care planning, and sugar-sweetened beverage labeling. SB 1422 by Senator Durazo would restore Medi-Cal access for income-eligible undocumented adults beginning January 1, 2027. The author and many supporters argued the enrollment freeze shifts costs to counties and hospitals, worsens health outcomes, and undermines California’s prior coverage gains. County, labor, health, immigrant-rights, and provider groups testified in support; there was no opposition. Committee members generally expressed support but also raised concerns about funding and the need for new revenue sources. The bill was discussed while the committee lacked quorum, so no vote was taken at that time. The committee also heard SB 1023 on PrEP access, SB 1071 on death certificate amendments after homicide findings, SB 1057 on criminal-history review for CNA and home health aide certification, and SB 1088 on POLST and advance care planning updates. SB 1023 would require insurers that cover injectable PrEP under the medical benefit to also cover it through the pharmacy benefit; supporters said this would reduce administrative barriers and improve access, while health plans and insurers opposed it as an unnecessary mandate that could blur benefit design lines. SB 1071 would allow next of kin to amend a death certificate’s manner of death to homicide after a final court determination; families and law enforcement supported it as a matter of truth and closure, while coroners opposed it as blurring medical and legal findings and potentially distorting public health data. SB 1057 would replace automatic denial with individualized review for certain convictions in CNA and home health aide certification, and SB 1088 would modernize POLST/DNR rules, including electronic signatures, out-of-state recognition, and clarifying who may sign; both drew support, though clinical nurse specialists opposed SB 1088 because they were not included as authorized signers. Several of these bills were heard without quorum, so no votes were taken during the discussion. After quorum was established, the committee heard SB 869 by Senator Weber-Pierce, which would require large chain restaurants to display a clear added-sugar icon next to beverages exceeding 50% of the daily recommended limit. The author and supporters, including the American Diabetes Association and an emergency physician, said consumers need simple, visible information at the point of purchase to better understand health risks tied to sugary drinks. The bill was framed as a public health transparency measure aimed at diabetes, obesity, and other chronic disease prevention. The transcript ends during testimony on SB 869, before any final committee action or vote is shown.

Transcript Highlights:

• Outside of these buildings, NDs collaborate with, refer to, and work alongside conventionally trained
• Mike Ennis here on behalf of the Building Industry Association of Washington, respectfully opposed to
• My name is Ryan Schuffelmeyer, and I'm co-owner of Whole Health Pharmacy in Ellensburg, and I am here
• Patrick Connor with NFIB, representing Washington's small business owners.
• Small business owners.

Bills: SB5904 , SB5915 , SB6025 , SB5933 , SB5990 , SB5981

Committee: Senate Health & Long-Term Care

Keywords: nursing titles, licensure, healthcare professionals, patient safety, professional standards, SB 5915, health technology assessment, HTA, clinical committee, medical technology review, coverage determination, state-purchased health care, Washington health care, RCW, evidence-based medicine, cost-effectiveness, safety and efficacy, Medicare coverage, national coverage determination, clinical guidelines

Transcript Highlights:

• Diana Garcia, cannabis licensed dispensary owner of seven cannabis dispensaries and here on behalf of
• Many people began their search for a new pet online. 36% of dog owners use the internet to find pets.
• I'm Co-Owner of the Sierra Pacific Anesthesia Regional Consultants. It's a long title.
• Chair members Scott governor behalf the Construction Employers Association the largest union building
• I strongly urge you to support AB 1341, which makes clear that our state's existing building laws are

Committee: House Business and Professions

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:03:24.959><c> amit</c> business owner amit business owner amit thanks<00:03:27.040><c> for</c
• We are building assets that are supposed to be there for 20, 30, 40, 50 years down the road.
• We are building assets that are supposed to be there for 20, 30, 40, 50 years down the road.
• </c><00:36:28.400><c> Um,</c> what ultimately builds companies.
• Um, what ultimately builds companies.

Summary: The meeting began with a quorum call and approval of the August minutes, then moved to an update from the Kentucky Chamber of Commerce on small business conditions. Chamber representatives John Hughes and Amit Patel said Kentucky has benefited from pro-growth policies such as lower income taxes, regulatory modernization, and workforce development, but they emphasized ongoing challenges including workforce shortages, child care access, housing availability, rising insurance costs, and inflation. Patel, speaking as a hotel operator, said recruiting and retaining staff has become difficult and that his company is considering child care stipends and other benefits to help employees. Members asked about child care benefits, community involvement, and health care costs; Patel said the business is discussing additional support for employees and noted that health care costs have tripled over three years. The chamber said it will prioritize child care and housing policy in the upcoming session. The committee then received an update from the Cabinet for Economic Development on the Kentucky Angel Investment Tax Credit program from David Brock of KY Innovation and Matt Wingate. Brock outlined the state’s broader innovation and entrepreneurship programs, including innovation hubs, SBIR/STTR matching funds, the Kentucky Enterprise Fund, SSBCI, and STEP, and said these programs have helped create jobs, raise capital, and support exports. He explained that the angel tax credit is intended to encourage private investment in innovative Kentucky small businesses with high growth potential. The credit is generally 25% of investment in non-enhanced counties and 40% in enhanced counties, with annual and per-investor caps and eligibility rules for both businesses and investors. Brock reported that 317 businesses have been certified, 117 have received at least one investment, 445 investors have made 750 investments, $57.2 million has been invested, $19 million in credits has been awarded, and 373 new jobs have been reported since 2021. Committee members asked about the relationship between the program’s industry verticals and university research, the difference between enhanced and non-enhanced counties, and where investments are occurring geographically. Cabinet staff said the verticals align with the original Innovation Act framework, and that enhanced counties are defined by statute, including distressed and disaster-impacted areas. They said most investments and credits have been in non-enhanced counties, though some examples were cited in Bath County and Auburn. No votes or formal actions were taken during the meeting beyond approval of the minutes.

Transcript Highlights:

• California law already prohibits civil immigration arrests inside courthouse buildings.
• Members, Keith Dunn, State Building and Construction Trades Council.
• It's sort of a fundamental building block beneath all of that.
• So, I mean, it's not like one property owner that you actually have to deal with.
• So with that, SB 1194 builds on a successful model.

Summary: The committee heard several bills focused on civil rights, housing, public safety, and administrative process. Early items included SB 46, which would authorize the Secretary of State to remove constitutionally ineligible presidential and vice presidential candidates from California ballots; SB 1078, requiring notice to the Civil Rights Department when court filings involve civil rights violations; SB 989, expanding access to Care Court by letting first responders refer cases through county behavioral health agencies; SB 998, clarifying and expanding discrimination prevention coordinators in the new Office of Civil Rights; SB 1146, requiring disclosure for AI-generated health advertisements and giving physicians a limited private right of action; SB 1164, a California Voting Rights Act expansion responding to federal voting-rights rulings; SB 1256, a housing bill aimed at limiting repeated litigation over the Harmony Grove Village South project; SB 1267, addressing HOA liability and indemnification for EV charger installations; and SB 1425, authorizing an encroachment permit program for high-speed rail right-of-way management. The committee also later heard SB 873, restricting ICE arrests near courthouses, and SB 1160, requiring eviction data reporting by zip code. Most bills drew support from sponsors, advocacy groups, labor organizations, or local officials, while opposition centered on concerns about county workload, due process, fire safety, civil liberties, or the scope of the policy changes. Members generally expressed support for the bills while noting unresolved issues and the need for amendments or further stakeholder work, especially on SB 1164, SB 1256, SB 1267, SB 1425, and SB 1160. The Judicial Council opposed SB 1160 because of the burden of adding zip-code reporting to court systems, while the author and supporters argued the data would help target eviction-prevention efforts. SB 873 drew strong support from public defenders, immigrant-rights groups, and court-related stakeholders, with the San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department opposing. SB 989 drew support from firefighters and family advocates, while Disability Rights California opposed, arguing Care Court is too costly and diverts resources from community-based services. SB 1164 received broad civil-rights and voting-rights support, with cities opposing unless amended over definitions, cure periods, and litigation risk. SB 1256 drew support from housing and labor interests and opposition from local residents and environmental groups concerned about fire safety and evacuation. SB 1267 was supported by the HOA and utility stakeholders after amendments addressing liability concerns. After quorum was established, the committee voted to pass a consent calendar and then approved the listed bills, sending them to the appropriate committees or to Appropriations, including SB 46, SB 873, SB 989, SB 998, SB 1078, SB 1146, SB 1164, SB 1256, SB 1267, and SB 1425. The transcript ends with SB 1160 still under discussion, with members indicating support for the bill’s goals but acknowledging the Judicial Council’s implementation concerns and the need for further work.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> codes do not slow down home building. codes do not slow down home building.
• <c> efficient,</c> buildings more energy efficient, buildings more energy efficient, Minnesota<00:09:
• </c> support high performance building support high performance building standards<00:09:56.399><c> that
• You will be and owners of new homes.
• </c><00:40:10.079><c> envelope</c> energy efficiency of a building envelope energy efficiency of a building

Transcript Highlights:

• We're building more of these with climate change.
• , you know, such as buildings after post-statehood to be classified as historic buildings and go through
• you know such as more to allow buildings you know such as buildings<01:54:38.400><c> after</c><01:54
• <c> and</c> be classified as historic buildings and be classified as historic buildings and go<01:54:
• With the counties on how we facilitate building permit reviews.

Committee: House Water & Land

Summary: The committee heard testimony on HB 1233, relating to storm management systems, which would add safety and maintenance requirements for detention and retention ponds. Supporters, including Alison Schafers of the Ki Injury Prevention Coalition and Kristen Herstead of the Hawaii Lifeguard Association, said the measure is needed because poorly maintained ponds can become hidden drowning hazards, especially for children, and argued that fencing, signage, and life-saving equipment would have minimal cost. Schafers described the death of her daughter in a detention pond and said the bill reflects recommendations in the Hawaii Water Safety Plan. Members asked about whether the issue should be handled at the county level; testifiers responded that a statewide standard is needed, though counties would likely handle permitting. No vote was taken on the bill during the excerpted discussion. The committee then heard HB 867, relating to recreational facilities, which would require accessible playgrounds. The Department of Land and Natural Resources said it submitted comments and that state parks do not generally have recreational facilities affected by the bill, while most such facilities are under county jurisdiction. The Hawaii State Council on Developmental Disabilities, the Disability Communication Access Board, and the Disability Rights Center all supported the bill’s intent but recommended changes, including replacing the term “special needs” with “accessible,” focusing the requirement on new and renovated playgrounds, and specifying wheelchair-accessible swings. Testifiers emphasized that accessible play spaces promote inclusion for children with disabilities and benefit all children. No final action or vote was reported. The committee also took up HB 1358, relating to a public land trust working group. DLNR supported the measure and said it had provided written comments, while the Office of Hawaiian Affairs strongly supported the bill and described longstanding problems with incomplete land inventories, self-reported revenue data, and disputed public land trust payments. OHA said an audit it funded suggests the state owes more than current payments reflect, and other supporters said the bill is needed for transparency, accountability, and a complete inventory of public trust lands, including submerged lands. Committee questions focused on how the public land trust information system is maintained, who updates it, and how revenue reporting works; DLNR said the system is older, has limited dedicated IT staffing, and relies on agency self-reporting rather than independent verification. No vote or final committee action was announced in the excerpt.

Transcript Highlights:

• Because what happens is that often these make multi-family housing essentially infeasible to build and
• It would start at $2.1 million for non-owner-occupied homes.
• This would also give a buyer, an owner-occupied buyer, essentially a big leg up when they're purchasing
• buyer</c><00:26:33.400><c> an</c> This would also give a buyer an This would also give a buyer an owner-occupied
• buyer essentially a big owner-occupied buyer essentially a big leg<00:26:36.040><c> up</c><00:26:36.280

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

Transcript Highlights:

• Jim Steed, owner of Neighborly Pest Management, as well as Max Perry, here to help answer any technical
• My name is Jim Steed, and I am an owner of a small business.
• I am Marie Cotman, pharmacist and former owner of Pacific Compounding Pharmacy in Stockton.
• If something were in place, I might be speaking to you as an owner instead of a former owner.
• They're the best staff in the building. Thank you all. Is there anything else? Enough said.

Summary: The Assembly Business and Professions Committee heard a full agenda of bills covering travel consumer protections, cannabis commerce with tribes, medical record integrity, pest control licensing, pawn and gold-buying regulation, pharmacy discipline, land surveying, and expedited licensing for veterans separated under a federal transgender military policy. Members also later heard AB 1973, which would expand the ability of advanced practice clinicians to provide abortion care, with supporters arguing it would improve access and opponents warning about safety and scope-of-practice concerns. Several bills were presented before quorum was reached, and the chair repeatedly urged absent members to arrive so the committee could vote. Testimony on the bills was largely in support. Authors and witnesses said AB 1758 would raise the seller-of-travel assessment cap to keep the Travel Consumer Restitution Fund solvent; AB 2506 would allow state cannabis licensees to sell products from tribal licensees while respecting tribal sovereignty; AB 1637 would prevent non-physicians from altering physician-authored medical notes; AB 2477 would create a short provisional period for pest control workers awaiting licensure; AB 2633 would close a loophole involving remote gold-buying events and stolen property reporting; AB 2141 would let the Board of Pharmacy resolve some cases through stipulated settlements before formal accusations; and AB 1933 would make technical clarifications to land surveying law. AB 1775 drew emotional testimony from transgender service members and advocates describing the impact of federal separation policies and the need for California licensing and support. Once quorum was established, the committee voted out the consent calendar and each of the heard bills, generally on party-line or near-unanimous votes. AB 1637, AB 1758, AB 1775, AB 1933, AB 2141, AB 2477, AB 2506, and AB 2633 all passed out of committee, most to Appropriations or another policy committee as noted. AB 1973 also passed, despite a no vote from some members and an opposition witness from the California Family Council. The committee later took vote changes and additional roll calls for absent members before adjourning.

Transcript Highlights:

• They have to build it so that it can have that consistency of beef.
• He said the committee had previously received an email from the owner and head chef of Kingfisher, who
• He noted that the email he shared before his testimony came from the owner and head chef of Kingfisher
• He said the Kingfisher owner and head chef had a cultivated salmon product on the menu for six months
• front of us currently would be a ban, and not just a ban, but it would actually create the restaurant owner

Bills: HB2155 , HB2156 , HB2162 , HB2762 , HB2791

Committees: House Land, Agriculture & Rural Affairs , House House Land, Agriculture & Rural Affairs Committee of Reference

Keywords: Arizona Beef Council, agriculture, market development, beef products, terminating council, livestock, compensation, funding, ranching, game and fish commission, wildlife, appointment, commission membership, Arizona Revised Statutes, food labeling, cultivated cells, cell-cultured products, consumer information, food safety, cell-cultured protein

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:04:04.079><c> seever</c> address this issue by building seever address this issue by building
• </c><00:20:26.200><c> and</c> transportation building and transportation building and multi-purpose<00
• </c> the ne uh features of this new building the ne uh features of this new building would<00:32:52.840
• Madam Chair, um, you decided not to, um, reconstruct, as it were, the 1903 building, and this building
• </c> renovate our our existing buildings renovate our our existing buildings where<00:35:59.599><c> it

Committee: Senate Taxes

Transcript Highlights:

• I think most restaurant owners don't know.
• I think most restaurant owners don't know.
• I think most restaurant owners don't know.
• I think most restaurant owners don't know.
• I think it happens a lot more than, you know, bar owners may know.”

Summary: The subcommittee first dealt with a brew pub license bill and corrected some sponsor/subcommittee roster confusion before voting to pass it without discussion. The main item of debate was a bill allowing patrons to take purchased alcoholic beverages into restrooms. The bill sponsor argued the current ban is outdated, rarely enforced, and can leave patrons vulnerable if they set drinks down and leave them unattended; he said establishments could still post their own rules if they wished. Liquor enforcement officials said they were neutral overall, noting both the risk of drinks being left unattended and the practical concerns of underage drinking, over-service, and restroom monitoring. Testimony split between those who saw the law as a non-issue and those who viewed it as a safety measure. One member said he had never seen anyone take alcohol into a restroom and opposed changing the law, while others cited drink-spiking concerns and suggested alternatives such as safe zones behind bars, drink covers, and alert apps. Industry representatives said many operators would prefer to keep the law as-is because it helps with policing drinking in their establishments, though they acknowledged the motivation behind the bill. Several members also raised drafting concerns, saying the wording was confusing about whether the rule applied to patrons or establishments. The committee ultimately voted 5-2 to recommend the bill ought to pass. Afterward, members discussed amending the language to clarify that establishments could still prohibit the practice, but one member suggested a simpler fix would be to strike the word “restroom” from the prohibition entirely. The committee then unanimously voted to reconsider its action so the language could be revised later, and the amendment discussion was left for a future meeting.