Transcript Highlights:

• A racist law that was put into our Constitution to silence the voices of Black voters was valid in our
• participant in finding a resolution, understanding that for our backdrop, we do believe that these are valid
• Oregon, which said that this was a valid method to obtain a criminal conviction.
• It’s whether or not you’ve proven your case before a constitutionally valid jury under the law.

Summary: The Criminal Justice Committee met on May 6, 2026, and considered a series of juvenile justice, criminal procedure, public corruption, domestic violence, sentencing, and victim-notification measures. Early in the meeting, SB 396 was amended and reported favorably to allow children in Office of Juvenile Justice custody to attend review hearings by secure video conference, with OJJ staff also participating virtually. SB 181 was amended and reported favorably to create a limited raffle license for nonprofit health care organizations within a single health system. SB 81, a bill requiring prosecutorial consent before a defendant may waive a jury trial in a non-capital felony case, drew extensive debate; supporters said it would align Louisiana with federal practice and other states, while opponents argued it would give the state more power and reduce defendants’ control over their own trial rights. After testimony from district attorneys, defense lawyers, and advocacy groups, the committee reported SB 81 favorably by a 7-3 vote. The committee then took up SB 207, which extends the prescriptive period for prosecuting certain corruption offenses committed by elected officials and public employees to 10 years after they leave office. Supporters said it would help prevent officials from using their influence to avoid prosecution; opponents raised concerns about optics and scope. The bill was reported favorably by an 8-3 vote. SB 92, requiring district attorneys to submit sexual assault kits to the statewide tracking system, was also reported favorably without objection. SB 156, which increases the maximum penalty for negligent homicide and includes special treatment for cases involving children under 13, was reported favorably after sponsors said they would make a technical fix before floor debate. SB 58, imposing a mandatory minimum sentence for aggravated flight from a law enforcement officer and dedicating fine revenue to pursuit training and technology, was reported favorably after supporters cited fatal high-speed pursuits and law enforcement backing. Later, the committee approved SB 97, the constitutional amendment companion to SB 81, after similar testimony for and against the proposal; it was reported favorably by a 7-3 vote. SB 141, moving the Integrated Criminal Justice Information System Policy Board’s functions to the Louisiana Supreme Court, was reported favorably without objection. SB 410, increasing penalties for accessories after the fact to sex offenses, was also reported favorably. The committee then considered HB 251, which requires notice to victims or their families in resentencing proceedings; after amendments and testimony about post-conviction procedure and possible unintended consequences, it was reported favorably as amended. Finally, the committee heard HCR 50, a resolution calling for reports on opioid abatement and treatment programs in correctional facilities and guidance on available funding; the sponsor described it as a study effort to improve access to treatment and recovery, and the resolution was moved favorably.

Transcript Highlights:

• And the license would only be current and valid for the time that they are with the municipality.
• 26:31.800> current the license would only be uh current the license would only be uh current valid
• 26:33.560> that<00:26:33.720> they<00:26:33.840> are<00:26:34.320> with valid
• for the time that they are with valid for the time that they are with the<00:26:34.640> municipality

Keywords: 910, house, all

Summary: The House Committee on Labor met on February 19, 2026, and heard a series of bills largely focused on public employment, staffing, and professional licensing. Early measures included HB 2276 and HB 2472, both relating to Hawaii Employer-Union Health Benefits Trust Fund staff salaries, which were supported by trust fund representatives and received no opposition or questions. The committee also heard HB 1714 HD1 on housing, where the Hawaii Public Housing Authority testified with comments and the Deputy Attorney General raised concerns about the scope of autonomy, civil service, collective bargaining, and a possible separation-of-powers issue involving legislative approval of long-term contracts. The committee then considered several personnel and civil service bills. HB 2325 HD1, relating to civil service exempt positions at DLNR, drew support from DLNR and the Office of Planning and Sustainable Development, but HGEA opposed it and urged the department to seek other recruitment and retention solutions while keeping employees in civil service. HB 1541, relating to Department of Health positions, was supported by DOH on the grounds that the positions serve vulnerable populations and require specialized expertise, while HGEA opposed. HB 2140 HD1, relating to essential permanent positions, received support from OPSD, HGEA, and the Chamber of Commerce, with written comments from the city Department of Budget and Fiscal Services. HB 2315 HD1, relating to state employment benefits, was strongly supported by DOH, UPW, and HGEA as a recruitment and retention incentive; members questioned the pilot program, and DOH explained it would allow employees to cash out vacation leave earlier than current policy allows. The committee also heard HB 2295 on government contracting, with DOE support not present and IBEW 1186 in opposition. HB 1720, relating to professional engineers, drew strong support from the City and County of Honolulu’s planning department, which argued the bill would help with affordable housing review and only affect eligibility to sit for the licensure exam, but strong opposition from engineering industry and licensing board representatives, who warned it would lower licensing standards and harm reciprocity; members questioned both sides about plan review experience and licensure requirements. HB 2367, relating to employment earnings and pay transparency, received strong support from the Hawaii Civil Rights Commission, AAUW, the Commission on the Status of Women, and others, who said transparency helps small businesses and retention, while written opposition came from the Maui Chamber of Commerce and NFIB. Finally, HB 1935, relating to personal information, drew comments from the Attorney General and the Campaign Spending Commission about implementation burdens and disclosure requirements, with UPW supporting the home-address redaction portion but opposing the broader disclosure process; additional written testimony was noted from OIP, the League of Women Voters, Public Press Law Center, HGEA, and DCCA.

Transcript Highlights:

• And so normally the application would be approved on the contingent that the credit report does validate
• 20.800> does contingent that the credit report does contingent that the credit report does validate
• clears throat]<00:35:22.320> their<00:35:22.960> how<00:35:23.200> they validate
• [clears throat] their how they validate [clears throat] their how they assert<00:35:24.079> their

Bills: HB1849, HB2000, HB1753, HB1511, HB276, HB1513, HB2188, HB1876

Keywords: licensing, professional license, individual taxpayer identification number, immigration, state residency, right to repair, wheelchairs, consumer protection, repair providers, device documentation, HB1753, Hawaii Social Media Data Deletion Act, social media, account deletion, data deletion, privacy, consumer privacy, personal information, sensitive personal information, data retention

Summary: The committee on Consumer Protection and Commerce met on February 10, 2026, and heard testimony on several bills. HB 1849 relating to licensing drew comments from DCCA’s Professional and Vocational Licensing Division and the Hawaii Real Estate Commission, both of which stood on written testimony. The Hawaii Coalition for Immigrant Rights testified in strong support, emphasizing that some immigrants, including DACA recipients, are already contributing in Hawaii and that the state should help create pathways for them to remain and advance professionally. No vote or final action was taken on HB 1849 during the portion shown. The committee then heard HB 2000, the wheelchair right-to-repair bill. Encart opposed the measure, arguing that repair delays are largely driven by insurance prior authorization and that wheelchair repairs involve FDA-regulated medical devices where improper repairs could create health risks. Peter Fritz testified in support, saying the bill was modeled on similar laws in other states and that he had personal experience through his sister’s use of a wheelchair. Members questioned whether repairs done outside insurer networks might not be reimbursed, and Fritz said that was a concern but that the need for timely repair outweighed it. The committee also discussed HB 1753 on social media, where DCCA’s Office of Consumer Protection supported the bill but suggested an amendment to the definition of personal information. On HB 1511 relating to consumer protection, DCCA’s Insurance Division supported the bill, while the Alliance for Automotive Innovation and the Hawaii Automobile Dealers Association offered comments seeking to preserve legitimate manufacturer and dealer communications about vehicles, warranties, recalls, and related services. The committee also took up HB 276 HD1 and HB 1513 on condominiums. The Hawaii Real Estate Commission offered comments on HB 276 HD1. For HB 1513, the Hawaii Green Infrastructure Authority supported the bill, but DCCA’s Insurance Division opposed it, warning that diverting HHRF funds could weaken reinsurance arrangements and raise premiums for consumers who rely on the fund. Members questioned whether the proposed condo loan program would need HHRF money and whether the amounts in the bill were necessary, and the division said it opposed using HHRF for that purpose. The committee also heard HB 2188 on housing, where OCP supported the measure and the Hawaii Association of Realtors raised concerns about conflicts with the Fair Credit Reporting Act and the use of tenant screening reports, noting that a working group is already addressing landlord-tenant issues. Members asked OCP to research how other states handle similar laws and whether additional language is needed to avoid federal conflict. Finally, on HB 1876 relating to mental health, the Department of Health’s Adult Mental Health Division supported the bill but said it remains opposed to harmful, non-evidence-based treatment modalities; Pride at Work Hawaii also testified in strong support. No final votes or committee decisions were reported in the excerpt.

Transcript Highlights:

• Licenses will be valid for 5 years and must be updated if a camp changes its boundaries or adds new cabins
• Licenses will be valid<00:30:31.520> for<00:30:31.760> 5<00:30:32.000> years<00:
• 30:32.559> must<00:30:32.799> be<00:30:32.960> updated<00:30:33.360> if valid
• for 5 years and must be updated if valid for 5 years and must be updated if a<00:30:33.679> camp<

Bills: SB174, SB39, SB40, SB206, SB200, HB169, HB345, HB381, HB25

Keywords: business taxes, annual reports, Alabama Tax Tribunal, tax appeals, local government, board governance, occupational licensing, Sunset Law, public accountability, training requirements, SB40, Houston/Hunter Act, firearm hold agreement, gun storage, temporary firearm storage, firearms dealer, federal firearms licensee, FFL, civil immunity, gun owner

Transcript Highlights:

• bill would set up a review board that would review applications for awards, assess the accuracy and validity
• assess the applications for awards, assess the accuracy<00:30:56.559> and<00:30:56.799> validity
• <00:30:57.279> of<00:30:57.440> the accuracy and validity of the accuracy and validity

Keywords: 926, house, all

Summary: The House opened with devotional remarks from Representative Greer focused on perspective, kindness, and the idea that people “earn” respect and love through shared humanity. After that, the chamber suspended rules to introduce 17 House bills by number only, and adopted JRS 3 in concurrence, setting a joint assembly for Tuesday, January 20, 2026 at 1:00 p.m. to receive the governor’s budget message. Several announcements followed, including birthday wishes, a note about the new federal whole milk for schools law, guest introductions, and caucus notices. The House also approved committee transfers for H.393, an act relating to the prohibition of requiring face masks in schools, moving it from Education to Healthcare, and H.334, an act relating to limiting employer restrictions on individuals separating from employment, moving it from General and Housing to Commerce and Economic Development. The chamber then took up H.649 on captive insurance companies. The Commerce and Economic Development Committee explained that the bill, based on Department of Financial Regulation proposals, would prohibit risk retention groups from lending to or investing in members or affiliates, require annual and quarterly filings in NAIC form with a jurat page and actuarial certificate, and create new filing requirements for sponsored captive protected cells. The committee reported unanimous support, and the House amended the bill and ordered third reading. The House next considered S.60, establishing a Farm Security Special Fund. The Agriculture, Food Resiliency, and Forestry Committee and Appropriations described the bill as a response to repeated weather-related losses affecting farms and forestry operations, including flooding, freezes, drought, and other extreme events. The House version adds forestry and changes assistance from grants to payments to make aid faster and less cumbersome. The program would be administered by the Agency of Agriculture, Food and Markets, with a review board and payments of up to 50% of uncovered losses, capped at 5% of annual appropriations and $150,000 per application. The committee testimony emphasized the need for a permanent, predictable state relief mechanism, and the bill was advanced with strong support.

Transcript Highlights:

• I think uh the first uh and I think um uh Representative, you may have spoken to the validity of enforcement
• have<00:24:55.919> spoken<00:24:56.159> to<00:24:56.320> the<00:24:56.480> validity
• <00:24:56.880> of have spoken to the validity of have spoken to the validity of enforcement

Keywords: Meeting start 00:00 Attendance Roll Call 00:56 Approval of Minutes 02:26 Discussion of the Kentucky Communications Network Authority and Related Legislative 02:43 Presentation of Geoengineering and Related Legislation 07:42, 958, all

Summary: The meeting began with a quorum call and approval of the prior meeting’s minutes. Senator Williams then presented a discussion draft involving KCNA and COOT/Kentucky Wired governance changes. He said the proposal would make the COOT executive director the KCNA director, place the education CIO as chair of a new board of constitutional officers, terminate existing KCNA employees at inception, and return KCNA funds to the general fund. He described the measure as a temporary holding pattern focused on customer connectivity until an audit is completed next summer. Senator West asked whether the bill would change existing Kentucky Wired contracts, and Williams said the contracts would remain in place and COOT would simply handle the work without an extra layer of bureaucracy. No vote was taken; the item was for discussion only. The committee then heard a presentation on geoengineering and related legislation from Rep. John Hodgson, Sen. Rollins, and retired meteorologist Randy Baker. They described geoengineering as attempts to alter climate or weather, including solar radiation modification, stratospheric aerosol injection, marine cloud brightening, and cloud seeding. The presenters distinguished these activities from ordinary jet contrails, crop dusting, ground-level emissions, and airport fog control, and said the proposed Kentucky bill would exclude those ordinary activities. They argued Kentucky lacks a current prohibition on weather modification, said the bill would protect farmland, crops, animal agriculture, aquaculture, and human health, and cited public concern, federal uncertainty, and similar legislation in other states. They also said cloud seeding is used in some western states but remains scientifically unproven and potentially harmful. Members asked about enforcement, federal preemption, and whether other states’ actions could affect Kentucky. The presenters said high-altitude spraying would be difficult to hide, that satellite imagery could detect large releases, and that the bill was intended as an assertion of state sovereignty even if federal law later changed. They also said there were no known active geoengineering projects in Kentucky. The discussion remained informational, with no committee vote or final action taken on either topic.

Transcript Highlights:

• These are all valid reviewing cases, I guess we've got a mental mandate for independence, because to
• to choose to be gone, but we need to make sure that non-medical exemptions are being submitted for valid
• Parents constantly trying to validate what I knew was true about myself made such a huge difference.
• rights ...must be balanced with the child's individual rights, autonomy, and basic needs for safety, validation

Bills: HB1106, HB3284, HB541, HB713, HB1403, HB1586, HB1942, HB2070, HB2844, HB2851, HB3151, HB3749, HB3940, HB3963, HB4454, HB4466, HB4795, HB5154, HB5394, SB1357, HB1052, HB4099, HB4638, HB5147

Keywords: child abuse, neglect, gender identity, sexual orientation, child welfare, marriage, family, Texas Commission, family welfare, marriage support, stability, premarital education, child development, strong families, direct patient care, healthcare, physicians, medical services, insurance regulation, maternal health

Transcript Highlights:

• Wednesday or on a Thursday, hear it six days later on a Wednesday and just accept that it's true and it's valid
• and just accept that it's true<00:35:44.480> and<00:35:44.800> it's<00:35:45.040> valid
• ><00:35:45.359> and<00:35:45.599> it's<00:35:45.920> absolutely true and it's valid
• and it's absolutely true and it's valid and it's absolutely correct<00:35:46.720> and<00:35:46.960

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• right so that the in order to to participate in TA BIA district essentially has to meet standards of validity
• couple of things that I hear when I talk to teachers across the state. is that it's difficult to validate
• bit more specific as to how this works and just because a complaint comes in doesn't mean there's validity
• Any valid complaints about the school district teaching something they shouldn't be teaching?

Keywords: 1184, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:27:06.720> in<00:27:06.880> the unwieldy and try and utilize in the unwieldy and
• try and utilize in the budgeting<00:27:07.360> process.
• <00:56:18.079> That's<00:56:18.240> where<00:56:18.400> these utility grid.
• That's where these utility grid.
• that grant and it was done in a utilize that grant and it was done in a proactive<00:58:49.359> way

Keywords: Meeting start 00:00:00 Discussion of Nickels and School Facility Funding 00:02:13 Economic Development Projects in Elizabethtown and Hopkinsville 00:29:33 Correspondence and Reports Received 01:09:25, 958, all

Summary: The committee received an informational presentation from the Kentucky Department of Education and the School Facilities Construction Commission on school facilities funding. Staff explained the main funding sources used for school construction and renovation, including the mandatory “nickel” property tax levy, growth and equalized growth nickels, the equalized facility funding nickel, the Fort Knox/BRAC-related nickel for Hardin County, and the recallable nickel that districts can adopt locally. They also described the state equalization formula, noting that local construction costs have risen and that state support is formula-driven rather than a dollar-for-dollar match. The SFCC outlined how unmet facility need is calculated through district facility plans, which are developed locally with community, staff, and board input and then reviewed by KDE staff for consistency and reasonableness. The commission said it will update the statewide unmet need report this fall, adopt it in December, and provide the figure to the committee in January 2026. It reported that the statewide unmet facility need was about $7 billion in 2023, with about $951 million in local revenue available, and said its offers of assistance are paid as debt service over eight years. The commission also said the most recent legislative offer of assistance was its smallest since SFCC’s creation in 1985, and requested an additional $60 million for the next biennium. Members asked about how districts use nickel tax levies, who determines facility need, whether the process includes physical inspections, and how bonding capacity affects offers of assistance. Staff said nickel levies are generally adopted with regular tax rates, that facility need is locally developed but reviewed by KDE, and that KDE project managers and district-hired architects review plans on paper rather than through in-person inspections. They also explained that bonding capacity can affect a district’s ability to use or receive assistance. Questions were also raised about federal funds tied to earlier KIX grants and about districts with zero remaining offers of assistance; staff said most grant-funded projects are underway or complete, and that a zero balance means a district has spent its available assistance. No votes or formal actions were taken.

Transcript Highlights:

• It didn't, um, it wasn't utilized the way that we had hoped it would be.
• we feel like it’s a really good opportunity for Wyoming to explore keeping our patients here and utilizing
• specialty care in the utilizing specialty care in the surrounding<01:52:40.200> areas<01:52:41.040
• <03:09:13.880> very and and the point The point is very and and the point The point is very valid
• valid valid that<03:09:15.600> there's<03:09:15.840> a<03:09:15.960> major<03:09

Keywords: 916, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Joel Warsh in a recent book that he published states, “Every doctor will agree that there are valid medical
• This is recommending, prescribing, or utilizing a therapy that is not part of the current standard of
• This is recommending, prescribing, or utilizing a therapy that is not part of the current standard of
• and then, of course, you have the insurance influence on this, and so we're wondering, you know, how valid
• It seems to be the practice of recommending, prescribing, or utilizing a therapy that's not part of the

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• /c><00:35:04.800> being would be something that is being would be something that is being utilized
• > at<00:35:06.079> their<00:35:06.240> discretion<00:35:06.720> because utilized
• at their discretion because utilized at their discretion because there's<00:35:07.119> no<00:
• left open to officer discretion and that officers aren't going to be penalized in this state for utilizing
• visa holder or could resident or a valid visa holder or could be<02:30:12.880> a<02:30:13.040

Keywords: Senate streaming session for Thursday, January 29, 2026, 960, senate, all

Summary: The Senate reconvened after a snow delay, heard an invocation from Reverend Scott Shelton, and conducted several floor introductions and recognitions, including birthday wishes for staff, a welcome for a temporary office staffer, recognition of the Center for Urban Families, and introduction of the week’s pages. The chamber then approved the prior journal and moved through bill and bond initiative readings, referring the listed measures to their standing committees or the capital budget subcommittee. The first substantive action was adoption of a favorable committee report on Senate Bill 17, an emergency bill authorizing the Baltimore City Board of Licensed Commissioners to issue a related event promoters permit for the CIAA tournament. The floor leader said the bill had no amendments, no fiscal impact, and no opposition in committee. The Senate adopted the report without objection and ordered the bill printed for third reading. The Senate then took up Senate Bill 1 from the Judicial Proceedings Committee, which would require the Maryland Police Training and Standards Commission to adopt a statewide policy on law enforcement face coverings, apply it to state, local, and federal officers in Maryland, and enforce violations through a civil citation and discipline. The committee report included two amendments: one technical and one making the policy statewide and preempting local policies. During extended debate, the bill’s sponsor argued that masks undermine transparency and trust and that the measure would create a uniform standard. A senator from Frederick County questioned whether the bill would effectively create a policy for federal agents without Maryland-specific training and raised concerns about enforcement, temporary detention, complaints, and possible conflicts with federal authority. The sponsor responded that officers would retain discretion, that the bill would be enforced through civil citations, and that similar civil enforcement mechanisms have been upheld in Maryland. No final vote on the amended report is shown in the transcript excerpt.

Transcript Highlights:

• And I think a or utilized in any way.
• So, um, utilities go up, everything goes up, guest expectations go up.
• <01:51:22.639> and maintenance and utilities and maintenance and utilities and everything.
• I really question that this has any validity.
• will has has any validity. will has has any validity.

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• <01:12:56.080> Commission's Utilities Commission's Utilities Commission's um<01:12:58.159>
• <03:53:42.560> It to the utility property tax. It to the utility property tax.
• the backs stop supply from the utility. the backs stop supply from the utility.
• <04:39:17.439> Start hear next from the utilities. Start hear next from the utilities.
• utility to recover those costs." utility to recover those costs."

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• would also allow police to pull over any truck at any time for any reason and require proof and validation
• would also allow police to pull over any truck at any time for any reason and require proof and validation

Keywords: 1182, all

Transcript Highlights:

• detail, by facts, by evidence, and by the kind of information that we rarely go to the length of validating
• detail, by facts, by evidence, and by the kind of information that we rarely go to the length of validating

Keywords: 927, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I think they're validated. I think that I understand the concern there.
• I think they're validated. I think that I understand the concern there.

Bills: HB1268, HB3041, HB3075, HB3378, HB3463, HB3619, HB3620, HB3624, HB3722, HB4335

Keywords: retirement, public employees, deferred option plan, service credit, contributions, distributions, credit card transactions, payment methods, service charge, consumer rights, financial regulation, rounding, cash payments, public finance, Oklahoma Common Cents Act, political subdivision, science and technology, research, board appointments, emergency legislation

Transcript Highlights:

• Line 3, it says all teachers, instructional support providers, and school administrators who hold valid
• How do you keep your license valid? Mr. Chairman, Representative, I can speak for myself.

Transcript Highlights:

• impacts of high mobility, the data that we use to calculate mobility raises questions about its validity
• So, there are many questions about the validity and consistency of that data.