Transcript Highlights:

• Our objections lie not with the intent of this bill, but with the mechanisms for pursuing it.
• Just wanted to kind of express some similar sentiments, starting with appreciation for the intent of
• Again, really trying not to take an oppositional position because we agree with the intent.
• And so this is an issue that is important to me, and I'm supportive of the intent of the bill.
• this piece of legislation.

Summary: The Assembly Committee on Agriculture heard three bills. SB 18 by Senator Rubio would create a Food Desert Elimination Grant Program at CDFA to help open or improve grocery stores in food desert communities. Supporters said it would improve access to healthy food, create jobs, and help underserved neighborhoods; opponents argued it could favor large chains, lacked community input and accountability, and should better prioritize tribal, BIPOC-owned, and community-led retail. Committee members raised concerns about population thresholds, community engagement, and long-term commitments, and the author said the bill could be strengthened with guardrails. SB 18 passed 7-0 and was sent to Appropriations. SB 312 by Senator Umberg would require out-of-state shippers of dogs to electronically submit health certificates to CDFA and make them available to buyers and enforcement agencies, aiming to improve consumer protection and traceability in the puppy import pipeline. Supporters from animal welfare and humane organizations said the bill would help stop sick or misrepresented puppies from entering California and give investigators a central record. Members asked about privacy and enforcement, and the author indicated amendments could address consumer privacy concerns. The bill passed unanimously and was sent to Appropriations. SB 493 by Senator Becker would change how compensation is set for secretary managers of district agricultural associations and fairgrounds, shifting salary-setting authority to CDFA and requiring periodic salary surveys. Supporters said fairgrounds are critical emergency-response and community facilities and that the bill would help recruit and retain qualified leaders with fairer pay. Some members expressed concern about local control and appointment delays, but clarified the bill only addressed salary, not appointments. SB 493 also passed unanimously and was sent to Appropriations.

Transcript Highlights:

• That inconsistency was not the intent of the law.
• It not the [snorts] intent of the law.
• <00:58:42.799> He'll legislation that we get to it. He'll legislation that we get to it.
• The intent of both co-chairs and the author is to bring this back.
• and that's the whole whole intent. and that's the whole whole intent.

Bills: HF1667, HF2526, HF68

Keywords: correctional fees, supervision fees, probation, Department of Corrections, criminal justice funding, electronic home monitoring, drug testing, restitution collection, community service work, postprison supervision, court-ordered services, fee sunset, fee phaseout, offender fees, community corrections, supervised individuals, 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• Uh the intention is to wait for 4567.
• This is what we recommend in terms of legislation.
• This is what we recommend in terms of legislation.
• He said HCDA appreciates the intent of the resolution.
• Um, we appreciate the intent comments.

Keywords: 910, house, all

Summary: The House Committee on Water and Land met on March 25, 2025, and first announced it had deleted HCR 3 and HCR 4567 from the agenda pending similar Senate measures. It then heard HR 35/HCR 40, which urges DLNR and other state agencies to work with community groups to co-steward community forests on public lands. DLNR’s urban and community forester testified in strong support, and several organizations and individuals submitted support; there were no questions or opposition noted. The committee next heard HCR 64, asking OPSD to convene a working group on establishing and placing an Office of Resilience and Recovery. OPSD and the Governor’s Office of Recovery and Resilience supported the resolution and suggested friendly amendments, including replacing county civil defense representatives with mayors or their designees and allowing subject-matter experts to serve. Members questioned the office’s role, funding, and relationship to other resilience and emergency management offices, and the witness explained it was created after the Maui wildfires to coordinate long-term recovery, with special-project funding and a focus distinct from response and mental health functions. The committee also heard HR 59/HCR 65 on coordinating concurrent reviews of general plan, district boundary, and zoning amendments during land reclassification. OPSD testified with comments and warned that the proposal could facilitate spot zoning if individual landowners could use the concurrent process, recommending it be limited to county-initiated actions. A related discussion followed on HR 118/HCR 122, which would create a collaborative working group on surveying and protecting iwi kūpuna and related coastal erosion issues; DNR, OHA, and others supported it with suggested additions, and testimony emphasized cultural sensitivity and community-specific decision-making. Members asked about burial practices and a recent court ruling, and witnesses said the working group could help guide broader policy and communication. Finally, the committee heard HR 145/HCR 151, requesting DLNR to report on its lease enforcement process and procedures. DLNR said it was recruiting staff to conduct lease inspections but had difficulty filling positions due to compensation, and explained that new or extended leases can include inspection requirements, while retroactive cost-shifting would raise contractual issues. Members asked for information on lease renewal timelines and whether inspection provisions were being added to renewals; DLNR said those decisions are made in public sunshine meetings and agreed to provide additional information. No votes or final actions were taken in the portion of the meeting provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• Wagman from ATV Minnesota, who is joining via Zoom and will discuss the broader impact of this legislation
• on Riders and impact of this legislation on Riders and communities<00:02:23.120> across<00:02
• the legislation requires that an<00:10:24.480> ordinance<00:10:24.880> be<00:10:25.120
• And also, the size of the rebate—would that need to be adjusted if that was really our intent?
• 3:31 uh it is there's no legislative 3:31 uh it is there's no legislative business<00:54:17.880>

Bills: HF2066, HF340, HF341, HF566, HF2107, HF2130

Keywords: electric bicycles, tax rebate, transportation, environment, local economy, fleeing peace officer, culpable negligence, traffic laws, public safety, motor vehicle offenses, driving violations, penalties, license suspension, traffic enforcement, all-terrain vehicle, ATV, class 1 ATV, class 2 ATV, road rights-of-way, public roads

Transcript Highlights:

• And on a couple more fundamental points, legislation is not a time machine.
• Virtually every single legislator on the Budget Committee has districts.
• The legislature's intent is that the bill will apply prospectively.
• You know, this legislation addresses a...
• Our main opposition to this particular legislation is to the moratorium.

Keywords: 1146, all

Transcript Highlights:

• And this is legislative wisdom that we must carry forward.
• Is that the intent? >> Mr. President, no, it is not the intent. YIELD? >> YES.
• IS THAT THE INTENT? >> Mr. PRESIDENT, NO.
• THE LEGISLATION IS CLEAR.
• WE NEED TO TAYLOR OUR LEGISLATION -- TAILOR LEGISLATION TO BE RESTRICTED AND PROTECT THE PEOPLE THAT

Keywords: 993, senate, all

Summary: The Senate convened, approved the prior journal, and handled several motions to discharge and substitute identical Assembly or Senate bills, along with a number of amendments. The chamber also welcomed student visitors from the League of Women Voters’ Students of Albany program and a group of Staten Island titleholders, and later adopted previously approved resolutions honoring Dorothy E. Reid for her role in Brown v. Board of Education and recognizing Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. on Delta Day, with multiple senators speaking in support of both recognitions. The bulk of the floor session was devoted to third-reading votes on a large number of bills, most of which passed with broad support. Measures addressed public health, workers’ compensation, education, environmental conservation, insurance, labor, criminal procedure, domestic relations, tax, municipal authority, and correction law. Several bills were explained by sponsors as advancing stormwater management authority, labor-law transparency, public health protections, and stronger penalties for trafficking-related offenses; one bill on immunization in summer camps drew a defense from Senator Skoufis as a child-protection measure, while another on correction law passed with some Republican opposition. The chamber also took up a controversial public health/electronic health records bill by Senator Fernandez. Senator Martin questioned the bill at length about redacting certain categories of information, emergency access, provider obligations, and the impact on doctors’ ability to see complete medical histories. Fernandez said the bill was intended to protect patients from discrimination and to limit access to a small list of sensitive services, while also noting emergency exceptions and support from more than 200 health care providers. The debate remained focused on balancing privacy protections with concerns about continuity of care and record integrity.

Transcript Highlights:

• . >> And my only comments on the bill is the intent of this is to only codify what is going on today.
• bill >> And uh my my only comments on the bill is<00:03:02.400> the<00:03:02.640> intent
• of this is to only codify is the intent of this is to only codify what<00:03:05.040> is<00:03
• So we appreciate the legislation. Uh, are there any other questions or comments?
• So we appreciate<00:17:43.120> the<00:17:43.280> legislation.

Keywords: Meeting Start 00:00 Call to Order and Roll Call 00:09 Discussion SB 118 00:58 Vote SB 118 03:25 Discussion SB 153 04:39 Vote SB 153 17:48 Discussion SB 158 19:41 Vote SB 158 24:09, 958, all

Summary: The Senate Banking and Insurance Committee met for its first meeting of the 2026 session, called the roll, and welcomed new member Senator G. Gary Clemens. The committee first took up Senate Bill 118, which concerns credit property insurance and would codify existing practice in the Kentucky Revised Statutes. Sponsor Senator Brandon Storm explained that the bill clarifies the treatment of the product and, through a committee amendment, excludes GAP/vehicle protection products from its scope and aligns filing language with current law. The amendment was adopted, the bill passed with favorable expression, and the amendment was rolled into a committee substitute. The committee then heard Senate Bill 153, relating to the prevention of harmful and fraudulent practices. Senator Greg Elkins and witnesses from the Attorney General’s office, Kentucky Farm Bureau Insurance, and State Farm described the bill as a response to storm-chaser and contractor fraud after major weather events. They said the measure would codify current coordination between the Attorney General and the Department of Insurance, allow criminal enforcement in addition to civil actions, and formalize an emergency registration/placard system for out-of-state contractors and volunteer groups during disasters. Members asked about how the bill would affect homeowners who directly hire contractors and whether volunteer groups such as disaster relief organizations or Amish/Mennonite volunteers would be required to register; sponsors said direct hiring would not be affected and volunteers would be handled through a separate identification process. The committee substitute was adopted, the bill passed as amended, and members emphasized the need to protect homeowners from fraud and inflated costs. Finally, the committee considered Senate Bill 158, relating to vehicle financial protection. Senator Jason Howell and representatives of the Guaranteed Asset Protection Alliance explained that the bill modernizes and regulates GAP waivers and related consumer protection products, such as debt waiver and depreciation benefit agreements, while keeping them legal in Kentucky. Supporters said the bill would ensure providers are properly funded and bonded and would align Kentucky with other states. The bill passed with favorable expression, and the meeting ended on a note of bipartisan agreement on all three measures.

Transcript Highlights:

• You need us legislators in your community to get that work done.
• That's not happening through this legislation. And we always have a a Tennessee.
• I really believe that your intent is good.
• And that's the kids that I feel about falling through the cracks with this type of legislation.
• I think Senator Yarborough said it correctly that he says the intent of this legislation is create more

Keywords: 999, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Nuclear Energy Fund or this legislation will do that as well.
• You mentioned putting it in legislation regarding how to reform 4CP.
• So, back to us just legislatively enacting a replacement for 4CP.
• If that's the intent of the legislature, that's fine.
• We have seen the intentions and unintended consequences of legislation that doesn't quite work to the

Bills: SB 6, SB6, SB504, SB765, SB815, SB929

Keywords: hemp, consumable hemp, hemp-derived cannabinoids, CBD, cannabidiol, CBG, cannabigerol, delta-8, delta-9, intoxicating hemp, hemp gummies, hemp vape, edibles, cannabinoid regulation, hemp licensing, retailer registration, product registration, QR code labeling, child-resistant packaging, minor access

Transcript Highlights:

• Obviously, the intent is not to disturb residential areas.
• Can you give us an example of how this would play a part with this piece of legislation?
• However, when it comes to this piece of legislation, it's not there yet.
• I also come from... ...when it comes to this piece of legislation, it's not there yet.
• intent of building housing.

Summary: The committee heard five housing- and resilience-related bills. HB 793 would create an International Aerospace Innovation Fund administered by Space Florida to support aerospace research, workforce development, and commercialization; it was amended with a clarifying change and passed unanimously. C.S. for HB 411 would extend an affordable housing property tax exemption to certain nonprofit projects on leased land through a housing finance authority, such as Habitat for Humanity projects; it also passed unanimously. HB 701 would require local housing assistance plans to allow mobile home owners on leased land to seek help with lot rent, and it passed unanimously after an amendment and testimony from mobile home advocates and AARP in support. The committee also considered C.S. for HB 393, which expands the My Safe Florida Condominium Pilot Program to help eligible condominiums fund hurricane mitigation projects, including roof-related work, with added eligibility and inspection requirements. The bill drew support from condo and housing groups and passed unanimously with committee substitute. The final and most extensive measure, HB 943, would significantly revise state land-use and development rules to promote affordable housing by limiting local restrictions, changing zoning and approval standards, adjusting parking and impact fee rules, and expanding accessory dwelling unit and mixed-use provisions. It generated extensive testimony, with many local officials, city and county groups, and preservation advocates opposing it as overly broad and preemptive, while housing and business groups supported it. HB 943 was amended several times during the meeting, including changes related to church-owned property, parking, historic landmarks, manufactured homes as accessory dwelling units, and fair housing language. The sponsor repeatedly said the bill was a work in progress and that additional changes would be made. After debate from members emphasizing both the need for more housing and the need to preserve local control, the committee approved HB 943 on a 14-1 vote, with Rep. Casello voting no.

Transcript Highlights:

• So I believe the intention is to... Yes.
• Like I support the intent of this bill.
• And it didn't take any legislation to create.
• <00:58:02.319> Follow idea to for future legislation.
• > control<02:13:59.280> to legislation restoring local control to legislation restoring

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• And the intention of these funds is just to provide a bridge so that these hospitals can stay open until
• The legislative analyst had his hand to be recognized. Okay, sure, please.
• That is an intent. What about you, ma'am? Is it going to save the 10-day hospital individuals?
• That is the intent. I know it's the intent. Is it going to save them? We are—that is the goal.
• The intent is yes, they will.

Keywords: 987, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Is it your all's intention to implement these five pillars statewide, focus more in rural areas?
• design and as part of our intentional design and as part of our intentional approach.<00:27:09.600
• Any changes will happen legislatively if they do. So, I appreciate your time and your effort.
• changes will happen happen legislatively changes will happen happen legislatively if<00:57:28.880
• Listen, you're going to have a chance to do something about this legislatively.

Keywords: 00:00:20 - Call to Order/Roll Call 00:02:00 - Update on Rural Health Transformation Program 00:29:20 - Discussion of 26RS HB 134 00:36:35 - Roll Call Vote on 26RS HB 134 00:37:41 - Consideration of Referred Administrative Regulations 01:09:44 - Adjournment, 958, all

Summary: The Health Services Committee met to receive an update from Cabinet for Health and Family Services Secretary Steven Stack on Kentucky’s Rural Health Transformation Grant. He explained that all 50 states applied and were awarded funding, and Kentucky received about $212.9 million over five years, with the first year treated as a nine-month period. He emphasized that the award is a cooperative agreement with CMS, is not Medicaid funding, cannot be used to supplant existing funds, and is limited to the five areas approved in Kentucky’s application. He also said the state must submit a revised budget before major spending begins, and that CMS could claw back money if performance metrics are not met. Secretary Stack outlined the five focus areas: maternal health, mental health, oral health, emergency medical services, and chronic disease prevention/management, especially obesity and diabetes. He described possible approaches such as expanding behavioral health crisis stabilization models like EMPath, using teledentistry and mobile services, strengthening EMS staffing and treat-in-place options, and building healthier nutrition and activity supports. He said the application was developed quickly with broad stakeholder input and that the state plans to work with universities, nonprofits, and other partners through procurement and other formal processes. He also noted the program will be overseen by the public health department, with Commissioner John Langfeld leading the effort. Committee members asked about the grant timeline, the split between formula and competitive funding, the role of certificate of need, and whether new laws or regulations would be needed. Stack said the state believes it can implement the approved projects under current law, though some broader policy issues such as certificate of need were not included because they would be risky to change within the grant timeline. Members also asked how stakeholders can submit ideas; Stack pointed them to the public website and contact email, saying additional partner information will be posted soon. The committee did not take any formal vote or action during this discussion.

Transcript Highlights:

• the guard rails that we as legislators the guard rails that we as legislators can<00:15:26.839><
• However, I think this legislation doesn't do that. It doesn't help the process.
• there however I think this legislation there however I think this legislation doesn't<00:27:35.720
• communities to just in the legislation communities to just in the legislation just<00:48:25.079>
• I think if that was a concern, that would have to be done with or without this legislation.

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• This legislation helps restore confidence in California's justice system by ensuring diversion programs
• My intent is not to take individuals who truly need mental health diversion and put them in a prison
• That's just not the intent.
• Everything associated with the DSM-5 list, which is about nine pages... ...the intent.
• Well, I really appreciate the intentions of the author.

Keywords: 987, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• provide the legislative report.
• provide the legislative report.
• provide the legislative report.
• provide the legislative report.
• intent. Um I believe that's the intent. intent. Um I believe that's the intent.

Bills: HF2438

Keywords: transportation finance, transportation policy, MnDOT, Minnesota Department of Transportation, Department of Public Safety, Metropolitan Council, highway funding, trunk highway fund, county state-aid highway fund, municipal state-aid street fund, state aid roads, local roads, bridge funding, road construction, transit funding, passenger rail, freight rail, aviation, airport development, safe routes to school

Transcript Highlights:

• Um, EOA appreciates the intent and supports the intent behind this measure to lessen some of the financial
• the intent and supports the intent<00:12:37.440> behind<00:12:37.760> this<00:12:38.079
• We appreciate the intent of this bill.
• <00:38:34.640> of we very much appreciate the intent of we very much appreciate the intent
• We need legislative body has provided.

Bills: HB2488, HB2456

Keywords: disability, communication access, deaf, hard-of-hearing, deaf-blind, healthcare, sign language interpreters, auxiliary aids, weight loss, GLP-1 drugs, obesity, Medicaid, healthcare costs, 910, house, all

Summary: The committee heard testimony on HP 1972, which would create a nonrefundable family caregiver tax credit, and on a related tax measure to increase the existing dependent care tax credit. Supporters of HP 1972, including AARP, the Executive Office on Aging, the Hawaii Public Health Institute, Hawaii Children’s Action Network, and others, said unpaid caregivers are essential to keeping kūpuna and other loved ones at home and described significant out-of-pocket costs. The Department of Taxation and the Tax Foundation raised technical concerns, including the need to avoid overlap with existing credits and to prevent double-dipping. The department said taxpayers can claim credits to the extent allowed, but recommended explicit language barring the same costs from being claimed under more than one credit. No vote was taken in the excerpt, and the chair moved the bill along after questions. The committee then heard HP 1975, which would repeal the sunset on the state rent supplement program for kūpuna. AARP, Catholic Charities Hawaii, the Executive Office on Aging, and others supported making the program permanent, saying it helps low-income older adults avoid eviction and homelessness and allows them to remain in affordable housing. Catholic Charities described clients who were paying unsustainable shares of income for rent before receiving the supplement. Members also shared a constituent example of an elderly retiree who needed the subsidy to stay housed. Written support was noted from additional organizations and individuals. Next, the committee took up HB 1706, which would expand Medicaid prospective payment reimbursement to include mental health services furnished in federally qualified health centers and rural health clinics by mental health professionals under supervision. The Office of Hawaiian Affairs supported the bill, and DHS said it appreciated the intent to address workforce shortages and expand training, but cautioned that unlicensed professionals cannot currently bill Medicaid and that a state plan amendment would be needed, with limited precedent for approval. Members asked about the likelihood and timing of federal approval and whether the bill could help rural areas; DHS said approval is uncertain and the process can take time, though it saw possible alignment with the state’s rural health transformation efforts. The committee also discussed HB 546, a three-year health coverage continuity pilot program for people losing Medicaid coverage. DHS, the Attorney General’s office, DCCA, Catholic Charities, the University of Hawaii, and others testified, with DHS warning that federal changes could increase uninsured rates and that the state may need to act quickly. Catholic Charities and others emphasized the risk to Medicaid recipients, including homeless and near-elderly residents, while DHS explained the state’s existing premium assistance program for certain immigrants and compared it to the proposed pilot. The excerpt ends during discussion of that comparison, with no vote shown.

Transcript Highlights:

• . management legislation.
• <00:26:41.600> council planning commission legislative council planning commission legislative
• So our intention is to be sending them more to work on.
• section that creates a joint legislative section that creates a joint legislative environmental<
• report monthly to the joint legislative report monthly to the joint legislative oversight<01:46:

Keywords: 927, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• The gist here is to add to existing legislative policy.
• The gist here is to add to existing legislative policy.
• But that’s really the intent of this legislation: to just make clear... ...that our Texas driver’s licenses
• So that was really the intent. I do appreciate very much your time this morning. Thank you.
• So that's, that was really the intent. I do appreciate very much your time. Uh, this morning.

Summary: The Committee on State-Federal Relations heard testimony on HB 3484, which would formalize agreements between border municipalities and treat certain infrastructure, services, and facilities as Texas assets for funding eligibility if they are within 30 miles of the border. Representative Van Deaver and a witness from Texarkana described how the bill would help Texarkana, Texas, secure state funding for jointly used facilities such as wastewater, water treatment, and airport assets that are physically located in Arkansas but serve Texas residents. Members asked about whether Arkansas benefits from the facilities and whether the bill would apply only to U.S. border cities; testimony clarified that it applies to Texas municipalities bordering another U.S. state, and the bill was left pending after the committee substitute was withdrawn. The committee also heard HCR 112, by Representative Perez, which urges Congress to allow state-issued Real ID cards, including Texas driver’s licenses, to be accepted as identification for U.S. citizens re-entering the country at land and sea ports of entry. Perez argued that Texas already verifies citizenship and lawful presence for Real ID issuance, that most Texans already have Real ID-compliant licenses, and that acceptance at the border would reduce costs and delays for routine cross-border travel without weakening security. Members asked about the security features of Real ID, implementation timing, passport delays, and how border crossings currently work; Perez said the resolution would not replace passports for international air travel and would apply only to U.S. citizens returning at land and sea ports. HCR 112 was also left pending, and the committee adjourned after HDR 125 was withdrawn from the schedule.

Transcript Highlights:

• Thank so legislation to the books?
• So that's why we have the legislation. Thank you.
• So that's why we have the legislation. Thank you.
• Are there any the legislation. Thank you.
• Next, legislative issues for the next decade.