Transcript Highlights:

• HB 2072, lactation care provider certification. Regulatory affairs and government efficiency.
• HB 822, lactation care provider certification. Regulatory affairs and government efficiency.
• A stakeholder brought up a potential misreading in the prior language, so we just clarified it.
• This is just mostly clarifying language to make the bill do what we're wanting it to do, which is to
• This is just mostly clarifying language to make the bill do what we're wanting it to do, which is to

Keywords: 1182, all

Summary: The Senate convened with prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, a quorum present, and several guest introductions, including visitors connected to a documentary on missing and murdered Indigenous women and representatives from charter schools. The chamber then moved through multiple Committee of the Whole calendars, considering a wide range of bills on drug offenses, firearms, child safety, health care, water, housing, tax, and government transparency. Most measures were advanced by voice vote out of committee, often after brief explanations of committee or floor amendments. On the first calendar, the Senate advanced SB 1061 on fentanyl sale thresholds, SB 1069 on prohibited weapons/muffling devices, SB 1081 on DCS case attorney appearance, SB 1127 on duty to report abuse/neglect, SB 1128 on a scrap metal theft study committee, and SB 1170 on narcotic drug sales to a minor. Several members argued against the drug bills as overly punitive mandatory-minimum measures that would reduce judicial discretion and fail to address addiction as a public health issue; supporters emphasized tougher penalties. SB 1127 and SB 1128 were amended before advancing. On later calendars, the Senate advanced SB 1021 on chiropractic board compliance training, SB 1120 and SB 1121 on radiation protection systems and health care institutions, SB 1171 on AHCCCS-related health care cost containment, SB 1174 on DCS intake hotline case history, SB 1188 on pharmacy scheduling/prescription authority, SB 1243 and SB 1244 on court-ordered treatment, SB 1166 on county school superintendent/GED preparation, SB 1241 on local planning and permitting, SB 1370 on patriotic youth group school access, SB 1024 on portable aircraft registration plates, SB 1075 on foreign entities and land conveyances, SB 1202 on groundwater, SB 1280 on the Game and Fish Commission, SB 1287 on groundwater/stock watering, SB 1167 on publication of notices, SB 1435 on explicit materials in schools and libraries, SB 1437 on public records fees, SB 1567 on sexually explicit materials, SCR 1031 on legislative boundaries, SB 1180 on income tax return conformity, SB 1221 on taxpayer protection, SB 1293 on GPLET abatement limitation, SB 1294 on property tax assessment, and SB 1429 on the Arizona Commerce Authority. Some bills drew substantive debate, including SB 1075, where an attempted floor amendment to address corporate homeownership was rejected, and SB 1202, where opponents criticized the bill as relying on outdated water data. The chamber then took up third readings on several bills. SB 1061, SB 1069, SB 1127, SB 1128, SB 1171, SB 1174, and SB 1188 all passed the Senate. SB 1021 failed on third reading, as did SB 1170, after members raised concerns about federal preemption, public safety, and mandatory minimum sentencing. SB 1243 also passed, despite objections that it expanded court-ordered treatment authority and raised due process concerns. The transcript ends with the Senate continuing through additional third-reading votes and procedural motions after the committee reports were adopted.

Transcript Highlights:

• We're very excited to be joining you to celebrate New Mexico's silver certification through our 2025
• Without further ado, we'd like to award our silver certification plaque to your committee for all of
• EcoServants doing some great forest thinning work down in the Ruidoso area—and Albuquerque Sign Language
• Fiscal Year 2026 Appropriation Language Extension for the Enterprise Project Management Office (EPMO)
• So we definitely be open to working and changing language if need be. Okay, perfect. Thank you.

Transcript Highlights:

• Senate Bill 17, though, for example, does require annual certification by September 1st of each year,
• or not receiving those certifications will follow up.
• So for the agency's responsibilities, Chairman, I would say that first certification. of the complete
• I don't have the bill language in front of me, Senator.
• The people of community colleges are there to learn a skill. to get a license, to get a certificate,

Keywords: 1185, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• It simply copies language that's already existing.
• Are you familiar with that language?
• I do think this is language that can be worked on.
• I did just want to point out from lines 1.14 on that this is new language.
• This is language that is in a bill that I am the author of.

Transcript Highlights:

• We're going to do—Senator Rasmusson had asked early on, even though we don't have the language in front
• We're looking to create a certification process for recovery residences.
• So we would establish a certification process aligning the existing standards identified in Minnesota
• We at the department would administer the certification process.
• aligning the certification process aligning the existing<00:13:35.920> standards<00:13:36.399

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• agency head is signing the certification agency head is signing the certification form<01:00:01.680
• documents and sign the certification.
• to mention that um<01:43:26.080> there<01:43:26.280> was um there was um there was language
• 01:43:31.119> kind<01:43:31.239> of<01:43:31.320> a<01:43:31.480> set language
• in 2023 about kind of a set language in 2023 about kind of a set aside<01:43:32.000> on<01:43

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Summary: The Senate Finance Committee met on January 9, 2025, to focus on internal controls, fraud prevention, and legislative oversight of state agencies. Legislative Auditor Judy Randall explained Minnesota’s internal control framework, based on the GAO Green Book, and described five core controls: assigning responsibility, separating duties, restricting access, maintaining policies and procedures, and keeping records. She tied each control to examples from recent audits, including DHS’s Medicaid provider debt recovery, the Minnesota State Academies’ travel reimbursement issue, privileged access at the Minnesota State Lottery, missing mileage-verification procedures at the Board of Firefighter Training and Education, and weak documentation in the Board on Aging’s senior nutrition program. Deputy Legislative Auditor Jod Mson Rodriguez then presented a new follow-up report on implementation of prior recommendations from 2022 through 2024, including special reviews. She said the office gathers agency documentation, evaluates progress, and categorizes recommendations from implemented to not applicable, while noting that some items require more work to verify and that this reflects OLA capacity rather than agency performance. Examples included the Department of Commerce, where some policy changes were verified but further work would be needed to confirm consistent investigator compliance, and the Metropolitan Council, where more data analysis would be needed to determine whether bonus payments were properly earned. She also noted that a legislature-directed recommendation to require grant manager training had not been implemented. Overall, OLA reported that state agencies had implemented or partially implemented close to 70% of its recommendations, while the legislature had implemented or partially implemented about 40% of recommendations from the last three years. Members generally praised the office’s work and discussed how agencies respond after reports are issued. Senator Westrom raised concerns about a recent media report on alleged fraud in CCAP, and Randall said OLA was aware of the issue but could not discuss details. Senator Draheim asked about post-report agency engagement, and Randall and Rodriguez said follow-up varies, with some agencies seeking private meetings and others engaging less, but that the follow-up process often prompts further discussion and improvement.

Transcript Highlights:

• It's the residency-based certification requirements.
• They teach the soft skills and give certificates. you take these really creative kids, you take these
• Skills through and give certificates, such as Build Your Biz, Build Your Bank, such as Build Your
• of this bill, can a >> Under the language of this bill, can a ship<02:49:28.560> embark
• ><03:01:51.760> authorize recommends adding language to authorize recommends adding language to

Bills: HB2118, HB2473

Keywords: business development, arts, cultural affairs, Hawaii, commissions, administrative transfer, funding appropriation, Hawaiian culture, sense of place, land management, environmental stewardship, cultural preservation, 910, house, all

Summary: The committee heard several bills related to permitting and economic development. On HB 2603, relating to permits, the Office of Planning and Sustainable Development said it supported the measure with comments. Committee discussion focused on the fact that the state’s facilitated permit process appears to have been rarely or never used, the need to identify specific projects that would use it, and whether DBEDT would need dedicated staffing to administer it. DBEDT said it had found no projects under the current process, had no capacity to run the program as structured, and estimated it would need about 7 to 9 FTEs, including permitting, coordination, data, systems, and possibly legal support. The chair suggested exploring a staff assignment and comparing the concept to federal FAST-41-style expedited permitting. On HB 2140, relating to essential permitting positions, the Office of Planning and Sustainable Development again supported the bill with comments. Testimony and questioning centered on a pilot program to help counties pay competitively for permitting staff. A DBEDT representative said the issue of competitive pay affected both county and state permitting offices and that the bill was intended as a temporary pilot, though a more permanent solution would be preferable. When asked how counties would fund the salary support, the witness said that was not yet discussed with the counties and agreed to follow up. The committee also noted the bill applies to participating counties. On HB 2598, relating to the Hawaii Technology Development Corporation, the State Procurement Office and HTDC offered comments, and the Department of the Attorney General raised constitutional concerns. The AG said the bill’s residency-based certification requirements, when tied to procurement, could implicate the dormant Commerce Clause, and that the required 1% contribution tied to state contracts raised unconstitutional-conditions concerns. In questioning, the AG characterized these as legal risks rather than automatic lawsuits. The committee did not take a vote. The committee then heard HB 2141, relating to state enterprise zones. Taxation, DBEDT, HCDA, the University of Hawaii Cancer Center, and HTDC testified in support, while the Tax Foundation noted the program was intended to help economically depressed areas create jobs. HTDC said the bill would help preserve the Maui Research and Technology Center’s enterprise-zone status after rezoning. Committee discussion focused on whether the enterprise zone program is being used effectively, how the bill might attract businesses to areas where the state is investing, and whether the program’s labor requirements are too burdensome for new businesses. DBEDT explained that the program requires a 10% workforce increase in the first year, which must be sustained, and said it promotes the program through county coordinators and in-person outreach. No votes or final actions were taken in the portion provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• This bill provides that when the commission is making decisions on a certificate of public convenience
• The bill provides that regarding the certificate of public convenience and necessity, the application
• The commission may not grant a certificate The commission may not grant a certificate of convenience
• Failure to satisfy these requirements constitutes grounds for denial of the certificate.
• Regarding the siting certificate, there are comparable provisions.

Keywords: 994, senate, all

Summary: The Senate Energy, Industry and Mining Committee met and took up the engrossed committee substitute for House Bill 4012. Counsel explained that the bill shortens several Public Service Commission timelines for certificates of public convenience and necessity, including deadlines for final decisions and final submissions, with different timeframes for smaller water/sewer projects and very large projects. The bill also requires applications to justify the need for a facility, including consideration of alternatives such as advanced transmission technologies, and adds requirements for electric transmission lines of 200 kV or greater, including a showing that costs are commensurate with benefits to West Virginia ratepayers and commitments to provide off-take facilities when requested. Comparable changes were also described for siting certificates, including a reduced decision timeline. After questions and no amendments, the vice chair moved to report the bill to the full Senate without recommendation as to passage, but with a recommendation that it be re-referred to the Energy, Industry and Mining Committee. The committee approved the motion by voice vote. The meeting then adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• 38.200> talking<00:52:38.520> about<00:52:38.760> so<00:52:38.880> I language
• that you're talking about so I language that you're talking about so I can<00:52:39.119> read
• It takes six months to build up a testing inventory to begin the process of ISO certification, and then
• the certification process itself takes anywhere between an additional six to 18 months.
• The certification process itself takes anywhere between an additional six to 18 months.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• somebody that is there for a certificate somebody that is there for a certificate program<01:26:
• <01:40:48.560> in<01:40:49.520> the language in the language in the policy<01:40:52.400
• <01:43:34.560> that this is a piece of Ohei language that this is a piece of Ohei language
• Section 66 uh back to agency language Section 66 uh back to agency language removes<01:47:02.320
• our our presidents and this language our our presidents and this language sets<01:58:02.000>

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Senate Bill 529 is unanimously recommended for certification. Oops.
• Senate Bill 1265 is unanimously recommended for certification.
• Senate Bill 1592 is unanimously recommended for certification.
• Senate Bill 1728 is unanimously recommended for certification.
• SCR 37 is unanimously recommended for certification.

Transcript Highlights:

• Before the author explains the bill, we have an amendment at the desk to insert the House language into
• Finally, this section removes outdated language in statute that relates to victim survivors of abuse.
• Finally, this section removes outdated language in statute that relates to victim survivors of abuse.
• The amendment is simply to insert the House language into the bill that came from the Senate.
• Um, this bill, um, this language bans the hosting, operating, and advertising on prediction markets.

Keywords: 919, house, all

Summary: The House took up Senate File 4760, a public safety package, and first adopted an amendment to insert House language into the Senate file. Members then heard brief explanations of several included provisions, including a section from House File 3870 that would make Office of Justice Programs research and victim-related data private, clarify privacy for data collected by the Missing and Murdered Black Women and Girls office and the Missing and Murdered Indigenous Relatives office, and remove outdated statutory language. Representative Novotny also described the package as combining a number of previously passed stand-alone bills and a few additional provisions. The chamber then adopted amendments A5, A7, and A8. A5 inserted House language and adjusted an effective date related to public employer discretion in hiring; A7 allowed the Office of Legislative Auditor to request BCA fingerprinting and federal tax information as required by federal rules; and A8 clarified language affecting jail medical services and custody-related safeguards after collaboration among Representative Witty, the sheriffs association, the Department of Corrections, and advocates. Representatives Hansen, Moller, and Witty all urged support for those changes. A proposed A3 amendment from Representative Duran, which would have kept the current age of delinquency rather than implementing the previously enacted change, drew extensive debate. Supporters argued counties, law enforcement, and other stakeholders were not ready for the change and lacked infrastructure, while opponents said the 2024 law was intended to address serious gaps in juvenile justice and child welfare and should take effect as planned. After a roll call, the House rejected A3 by a vote of 66 yeas to 67 nays. The transcript then indicates another Duran amendment, A2, was called up, but the excerpt ends before its disposition.

Transcript Highlights:

• Additionally, the bill's vague language could lead to legal challenges, with companies caught in prolonged
• Murphy, I would say that the chairs on my use of language were very well taken, and in this kind of,
• Our intent, despite my very poor use of language, is to pave a pathway. is to pave a pathway, and Mr.
• That language was put in there as a restatement of a language that was put in the Air Quality Control
• Expert stated that, yes, there is language regarding the emergency response plan.

Transcript Highlights:

• I'm looking for similar language for our agency. I want to clear.
• And I sent you guys copies of the Florida rulemaking. language so that you would have had it for your
• Census Bureau estimates that in Texas, over a third of Texans speak another language. than English at
• Other state licensing exams offer Spanish language... language option for teachers and for court interpreters
• And one of those is Spanish language services. Yes.

Keywords: 1184, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• As a point of clarification here, my understanding is that as we wrote the amending language of 1450,
• As a point of clarification here, my understanding is that as we wrote the amending language of 1450,
• future, and how do we plan for that together—all of those things with internships, mentorships, certificate
• <01:07:41.760> programs<01:07:42.240> it mentorships certificate programs it mentorships
• certificate programs it doesn't<01:07:42.599> even<01:07:42.839> have<01:07:42.960>

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Summary: The Public Higher Education Study Committee held an organizational meeting and received an update from the university and community college systems on implementation of recommendations from the governor’s higher education task force. The systems said the task force report contained about 40 recommendations, and they have focused first on operational items while continuing to work on larger policy issues, including better alignment of public higher education with workforce and economic development needs. The committee also discussed reporting requirements under the amended law and whether quarterly reports are required or whether annual updates are sufficient unless the committee requests more. A major topic was expanding Early College and dual-enrollment opportunities. The chancellors reported strong growth in Early College participation, significant student and family savings, and state scholarship support that they described as producing a strong return on investment. They said the goal is to build clearer pathways so students can earn college credit, reduce debt, and stay in New Hampshire for postsecondary education. They also noted ongoing work to simplify admissions and transfer processes, including about 100 transfer pathways between the systems, direct-admit efforts for community college and university students, and continued development of transfer equivalency tools. Members pressed the systems and the Department of Education on direct outreach to high school students, especially juniors, so students would know they are eligible for direct admission and other opportunities. The main obstacle discussed was access to student contact information, with officials saying the issue may involve contract limits with the College Board and possibly statutory constraints on sharing data. Department of Education staff said they are meeting with the systems and vendors to determine what changes are needed. Committee members urged faster action so students and families can receive letters or other notices about in-state options, affordability programs such as Granite Guarantee, and pathways to community college and university enrollment.

Transcript Highlights:

• <01:11:37.920> regarding contract the standard language regarding contract the standard language
• And is that the standard language for state, or I don't know if you want to— is that the standard language
• Uh, the Chair's recommendation is to amend the language in this bill to delete it and to insert the language
• Uh, the Chair's recommendation is to amend the language in this bill to delete it and to insert the language
• Uh, the Chair's recommendation is to amend the language in this bill to delete it and to insert the language

Bills: HB1946, HB1515, HB1514, HB1648, HB1644, HB1619, HB1571, HB1810, HB2475, HB1645, HB2301, HB1889, HB1840

Keywords: time shares, registration, renewal, real estate, Hawaii, Director of Commerce and Consumer Affairs, workers' compensation, functional capacity examination, occupational therapy, physical therapy, employer responsibilities, injured workers, medical stabilization, vocational rehabilitation, injury recovery, employment services, return to work, nonprescription drugs, over-the-counter medications, healthcare providers

Summary: The committee on Consumer Protection and Commerce met on February 26, 2026, and heard several bills, mostly in the areas of workers’ compensation and consumer protection. HB 1946 HD1 on timeshare registration renewal drew support from DCCA’s timeshare program and major industry groups including Hilton Grand Vacations, the American Resort Development Association, and Marriott Vacations Worldwide, with no opposition noted. HB 1515 HD1, which would allow an attending physician to request a functional capacity examination without employer permission, was supported by DLIR and the Department of Human Resources Development and had no other in-person testimony; the bill was then moved on without questions. The committee spent substantial time on HB 1514 HD1, which would streamline workers’ compensation vocational rehabilitation by clarifying provider selection and requiring vocational plans within 90 days. DLIR supported the intent but asked for amendments, saying the 90-day deadline was too rigid given case-by-case complexity, limited staffing, and the need for coordination among injured workers, employers, and counselors; members discussed possible extensions and whether a 120-day timeline or other flexibility would be better. Testimony on the bill included one individual in support and seven in opposition. HB 1648 HD1, concerning workers’ compensation and physician dispensing of non-prescription drugs, drew support from DHRD and comments from DLIR and industry witnesses. DLIR said the bill should be narrowed so it does not restrict medically necessary over-the-counter medications or oral guidance from providers, while Aloha Billing Company and Solera Integrated Medical Solutions urged tighter limits on physician dispensing and raised concerns about pricing abuse through average wholesale price. Members discussed clarifying the bill’s language so it targets written prescriptions rather than oral advice. HB 1644 HD1, requiring a standardized disclosure form for residential solar contracts, received support from the Hawaii Solar Energy Association and Kauaʻi Island Utility Cooperative, while DCCA’s Office of Consumer Protection supported the consumer-protection goal but proposed stronger remedies, including a three-day cancellation right, voidability for missing disclosures, and possible lender liability; members questioned how those remedies should apply to lenders, and no vote was taken on the measures in the portion provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• Assembly Bill 4525, entitled "Responsible ..." extends the deadline for submission of a temporary certificate
• And if anyone thinks I'm exaggerating, let's look exactly at the language in this bill.
• support to be assessed for conflicts of interest prior to receiving State funds, licensure, or certification

Keywords: 1146, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Members, this streamlines the single certification process for water and sewer service.
• HB 171 by Guillen relating to the certificate of medical examination for chemical dependency and the
• Clerk: HB 1748 by Darby, relating to the appointment of spoken language interpreters for certain court

Transcript Highlights:

• We do a pass-through process where they seek a certification from Florida Housing, and then they take
• We do a pass-through process where they seek a certification from Florida Housing, and then they take
• application for development, where we could redevelop existing affordable housing, as the statutory language

Summary: The Committee on Community Affairs held its first meeting and heard presentations focused on affordable housing implementation under the Live Local Act. Florida Housing Finance Corporation described its role in administering rental and homeownership programs, including SAIL, SHIP, the Low-Income Housing Tax Credit program, disaster recovery efforts, supportive housing, and the Live Local funding and tax incentives. Officials said the first year’s $150 million Live Local rental allocation was fully committed to 23 developments producing 3,171 units with mixed-income set-asides, and they outlined how projects were selected through competitive solicitations tied to statutory priorities such as mixed-use development, publicly owned land, foster youth, rural areas of opportunity, redevelopment, and housing near military installations. They also discussed the tax credit contribution program, the missing-middle property tax exemption, sales tax rebates, and the year-one ad valorem exemption for qualifying affordable projects. Members asked detailed questions about the data and program design, including the use of area median income figures, per-unit subsidy levels, county targeting, tenant relocation during redevelopment, and whether the programs were helping lower-income households. Florida Housing said it uses competitive scoring and data from the Schimberg Center and that redevelopment projects are supposed to include tenant relocation plans. The homeownership portion of the presentation covered the Hometown Heroes program, which provides down payment and closing cost assistance to first-time homebuyers, with exceptions for active-duty military and veterans. Staff said the program has assisted more than 21,000 families and leveraged over $6.5 billion in first mortgages, and members asked about repayment rates, credit scores, and whether participants were staying in homes long enough to show the program was serving intended buyers. The committee then heard from OPAGA on two required Live Local evaluations: affordable housing strategies in other states and affordable housing policies in Florida. OPAGA reported that Florida has a high share of cost-burdened households, with 1.5 million households cost burdened and 1.4 million severely cost burdened, and that Florida’s counties and municipalities reported more than $1.4 billion in affordable housing expenditures in fiscal year 2023-24. The report identified 13 innovative out-of-state programs, with three considered high-potential for Florida implementation, and summarized Florida local government practices such as SHIP-funded homeownership and rental assistance, expedited permitting, mixed-income zoning, rehabilitation programs, and interlocal cooperation. No votes were taken, and the meeting adjourned after the presentations and questions.

Transcript Highlights:

• President, your Rules Committee has approved the following certificates: Certificate of Appreciation,
• The Rules Committee has approved the following Certificate of Appreciation: Certificate Number Two, and
• President, your Rules Committee has approved the following Certificate of Recognition: Certificate Number
• Rules Committee, Certificate... Certificate of Recognition: Certificate Number Two.
• Rules Committee, Certificate Number Three of Recognition.