Transcript Highlights:

• Also, I would say, and also force to get that breakdown, which is imperative, and I'd like to get a greater
• Everyone's doing it because in healthcare, oftentimes providers are forced to chase whatever dollar is
• Part of what's driving these forces is who gets into these lower beds is lack of minimum space availability
• And I think that that's kind of like what we're tasked with to some degree. And it's safe.
• I think that that's kind of like what we're tasked with to some degree, and it saves money, right?

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The commission opened an informal discussion focused on developing recommendations for its September report on correctional consolidation and cooperation. Chairs Dan Hunt and Senator Brownsberger emphasized that the group is still in an information-gathering phase, but should begin putting ideas on the table, including possible written recommendations, further hearings, and additional facility tours. Members discussed whether the commission should seek more input from frontline stakeholders such as sheriffs, probation, parole, reentry centers, unions, and the judiciary, and whether recommendations should be organized around specific issue areas like medical costs, programming, reentry, and facility operations. A major theme was the need for a more integrated and consistent correctional system. Participants raised concerns about fragmentation across DOC, county sheriffs, probation, and parole, and suggested exploring step-down pathways, minimum security, pre-release, day reporting, and regional reentry hubs to improve outcomes and reduce recidivism. Several speakers stressed the importance of uniform standards, evidence-based programming, better data on outcomes and spending, and clearer alignment between custody conditions and rehabilitation goals. There was also discussion of looking to other states and international models, as well as revisiting older reports and plans, including the 2009 commission report and the 2010 corrections master plan. Facility-specific issues were also raised, including the need to examine women’s facilities such as Framingham, Bridgewater, and restrictive housing practices in light of suicide concerns and mental health needs. Members discussed the relationship between correctional custody and behavioral health, the role of the judiciary in sentencing and reentry planning, and whether judges should be better informed about available programming and step-down options. There was broad agreement that collaboration, transparency, and accountability should be strengthened, with some members urging that recommendations be based on firsthand facts and data rather than opinion alone. The meeting also included presentation of a written set of eight high-level recommendations compiled by advocacy and legal organizations, which focused on clearer and more consistent programming, equitable application of rules, and reducing punitive conditions that function like solitary confinement. The chairs said the document would be shared with members and posted online. No formal votes were taken during the discussion, and the meeting ended with plans to continue the conversation at a future session, including possible follow-up on reentry centers, restrictive housing, and other systemwide reforms.

Transcript Highlights:

• in job creation, adding more jobs than any other state in 2020. ...and the size of the Texas labor force
• Last session, the agency was tasked with managing three more office buildings in addition to the Capitol
• Last session, the agency was tasked with managing three more office buildings in addition to the Capitol
• To compare other states, we obviously don't have the ability to force them or compel them to provide
• To compare other states, we obviously don't have the ability to force them or compel them to provide

Bills: SB1, SB 1

Keywords: appropriations, budget, state funding, education, healthcare, infrastructure, campground safety, youth camp regulations, flood safety, emergency evacuation, health and safety standards, 1185, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• want to talk with you about a new position in our consumer affairs office that was created in 2024, tasked
• want to talk with you about a new position in our consumer affairs office that was created in 2024, tasked
• We're being forced to jack the rates up," and all we're doing is getting the criticism out of us, and
• > rates<00:46:45.440> up,<00:46:45.599> and<00:46:45.760> all forced to jack
• the rates up, and all forced to jack the rates up, and all we're<00:46:46.079> doing<00:46:46.240

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• These next two slides will provide a timeline of the tasks completed by the standards committee in the
• Uh, the legislature assigned the Minnesota Department of Education a task.
• 50:58.800> a the Minnesota Department of Education a the Minnesota Department of Education a task
• <00:58:40.880> on<00:58:41.040> our done and then having it forced on our done and
• then having it forced on our local<00:58:41.440> school<00:58:41.680> boards.

Bills: HF3489, HF3550

Keywords: grooming, child protection, student safety, sexual exploitation, educator licensing, teacher discipline, mandatory reporting, mandated reporter training, school misconduct, predatory offender, child abuse, sexual abuse, sex trafficking, child sexual abuse material, child pornography, position of authority, school employee, school administrator, license revocation, license suspension

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:21:36.240> remain<00:21:36.360> a<00:21:36.559> dominant<00:21:36.919> force
• Minnesota will remain a dominant force Minnesota will remain a dominant force in<00:21:37.360>
• that our state can continue to make progress in our transition, no matter what our legislature is tasked
• that our state can continue to make progress in our transition, no matter what our legislature is tasked
• that our state can continue to make progress in our transition, no matter what our legislature is tasked

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• And we wrote this in conjunction with a task force through DOE that worked with teachers in developing
• And we wrote this in conjunction with a task force through DOE that worked with teachers in developing
• And we wrote this in conjunction with a task force through DOE that worked with teachers in developing
• And we wrote this in conjunction with a task force through DOE that worked with teachers in developing
• I think you're on a path where we already have something in force and now it's time to apply what we

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Commanding our armed forces and safeguarding our national security requires exemplary honor, experience
• and teaches the history eighth air force and teaches the history of<02:01:43.599> World<02:01
• And so they'll be forced to pay thousands and thousands of dollars more when their income is already
• This will absolutely be devastating to many of them if they're forced to shoulder this cost.
• This will absolutely be devastating to many of them if they're forced to shoulder this cost.

Keywords: U.S. House of Representatives Floor Proceedings on Thursday, December 4, 2025, 1012, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• prohibit outside water and then charge really high prices for bottled water, so it's effectively forcing
• <00:27:08.279> patient<00:27:08.559> to<00:27:08.720> change be able to force
• patient to change be able to force patient to change needed<00:27:09.399> drugs<00:27:09.840>
• patients to change from enroles forcing patients to change from the<00:27:25.679> medication<
• Health plans are tasked with trying to Health plans are tasked with trying to manage these extremely

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• c><00:14:48.440> behind<00:14:48.880> an<00:14:49.000> accessible the driving force
• behind an accessible the driving force behind an accessible for<00:14:49.920> all<00:14:50.160
• Stakeholder group was tasked with looking at how Act 250 permitting when the legislature passed Act when
• Stakeholder<01:55:43.960> group<01:55:44.720> was<01:55:45.000> tasked<01:55:46.080
• > with Stakeholder group was tasked with Stakeholder group was tasked with looking<01:55:46.720

Keywords: 926, house, all

Summary: The House opened with a devotional reflection on Nowruz, the Persian New Year, emphasizing renewal, spring, and the challenges facing Iranian families amid conflict. The speaker connected the holiday’s themes of hope and responsibility to Vermont and democracy, then the chamber moved to routine business, including first readings and referrals of five House bills: H.945 on hemp products, H.946 on utility advertising and costs in rental agreements, H.947 on a residential universal design building code, H.948 on membership of the Retired Employees Committee on Insurance, and H.949 on homestead and non-homestead property tax yields and technical education finance changes. Three Senate bills were also read and referred: S.189 on hospital service reductions, S.203 on penalties for repeat DUI offenses, and S.313 on transforming Vermont’s career technical education system. The House also recognized several guests and announcements, including family members of members, airport employees, a UVM student intern, and visitors from Brazil. A House concurrent resolution, HCR 168, was read and congratulated Girl Scout Troop 60336 of Milton on earning the Bronze Award for a community garden project that improved accessibility through rain barrels and raised beds. The resolution highlighted the troop’s leadership and the role of its co-leaders, and the chamber applauded the guests in attendance. The main floor action centered on House Bill 642, relating to youthful offender proceedings, where Representative Booton of Barre City offered an amendment to stop the scheduled expansion of Raise the Age to 20-year-olds. Supporters argued the change would preserve current treatment of 18-year-olds while preventing an automatic expansion they said could strain the system and raise public safety concerns; opponents, including the Judiciary Committee, urged waiting for required Department for Children and Families reports due in 2026 before making changes. After debate, a roll call vote was taken on the amendment, with members calling the roll as the vote proceeded.

Transcript Highlights:

• As we open the Senate today for business, we put into practice the task of governing as set forth in
• We also ask that you be with our men and women and our armed forces who find themselves in harm's way
• business, we put into practice the task business, we put into practice the task of<00:04:34.639>
• <00:04:56.320> who<00:04:56.560> find women and our armed forces who find women and
• our armed forces who find themselves<00:04:57.199> in<00:04:57.440> harm's<00:04:57.840

Keywords: 916, all

Transcript Highlights:

• When professionals tasked with carrying out the law are unified and warning you guys that the law
• Those officers were able to secure him without using deadly force.
• using deadly force. using deadly force. uh<00:27:39.679> he<00:27:39.919> was<00:27
• So, thank you. >> Sounds like a monumental task. >> So, on... called an asset management plan for each
• <00:51:08.640> like<00:51:08.800> a<00:51:09.040> monumental<00:51:09.599> task

Bills: SF0101

Keywords: Second Amendment, firearm regulation, state legislation, public safety, civil penalties, 916, all

Transcript Highlights:

• sharing standards, data governance guidelines, and so we develop those guidelines through the data task
• force and then they're distributed to the departments to adhere to and support.
• force and then they're distributed to the departments to adhere to and support.
• Those guidelines are developed through the data task force and then they're distributed to the departments
• Those guidelines are developed through the data task force and then they're distributed to the departments

Bills: HB1813, HB2429, HB2423, HB1996, HB1851, HB2546, HB2028, HB2583, HB2490, HB2545, HB2114, HB1859, HB2534, HB2474, HB1863, HB2475

Keywords: taxation, general excise tax, use tax, exemptions, Hawaii Revised Statutes, tax expenditure, tax expenditure evaluation, tax credit review, tax incentive, tax exemption, use tax exemption, income tax credit, DBEDT, Department of Business Economic Development and Tourism, Department of Taxation, fiscal oversight, budget accountability, tax policy, revenue loss, public spending

Summary: The committee opened with HB 1813 on taxation and HB 2429 on tax expenditure evaluation, taking mostly written testimony and limited oral discussion. On HB 2429, the Tax Foundation and Department of Taxation raised privacy and federal-law concerns, warning that the bill could require taxpayers to file duplicative returns and could risk disclosure of federal tax information if released publicly. Members and witnesses discussed using anonymized or summary reporting instead of individual public release, with the department saying summarized data would be preferable and that the state can ask for the information as a policy matter, but individual public release could create problems. The committee then heard HB 2423 HD1 on biodiesel, where Pacific Biodiesel said it can supply all biodiesel needed for B5 in Hawaii without imports and asked to move the implementation date earlier to November 2027 to allow rollout planning. HB 1996 HB1 on hearing aids drew broad support; a disability access representative said earlier insurance-based efforts had run into administrative problems and that this bill would immediately lower costs for consumers. HB 1851 HD1, also related to hearing aids, received support from the Department of Labor and Industrial Relations, while the Tax Foundation argued the program would be better funded directly rather than through the tax system, citing overhead costs and blank provisions that should be filled in before passage. On HB 2546, the research activities tax credit, HCDC said the credit supports long-term R&D and should be converted from a first-come, first-served system to proration so more applicants receive some benefit; the agency described the credit as helping companies move from idea to commercialization and noted the state is leaving potential jobs and federal dollars on the table. HB 2028 HD1, relating to Labor Day for construction workers, drew support from labor representatives who said it recognizes construction workers and helps offset cost-of-living pressures, while the Tax Foundation opposed it as an industry-specific subsidy and flagged technical issues with undefined terms and blank credit amounts. The committee also heard HB 2583, HB 2490, HB 2545, HB 2114, and HB 1859 HD1. HB 2490, concerning coastal erosion at Mokuhiki Bay, received strong support from a temple representative who described severe shoreline loss, years of temporary emergency work, and the need for a long-term, nature-based solution in coordination with state agencies. HB 2545, involving HCDC and SBIR commercialization, was supported as a way to turn R&D into economic development; HCDC said it had more applications than it could fund and that the bill could help create high-wage jobs. HB 2114, the Hawaii Benefits Hub, received comments from ETS and DHS emphasizing support for the concept but cautioning that operational, policy, cybersecurity, and data-sharing standards must be carefully aligned. HB 1859 HD1 on workforce development drew strong support from workforce and philanthropic groups, who said Hawaii faces a long-term gap between projected living-wage jobs and the number of young people entering the workforce, and argued the bill would create durable infrastructure for coordination and long-term planning. No formal votes or final actions were taken in the portion of the hearing provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• is generally funded, and it funds the Portsmouth Police Department Internet Crimes Against Children task
• force.
• <00:38:32.240> force.
• <00:38:33.040> Um crimes against children task force.
• Um crimes against children task force.

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The Joint Committee on Dedicated Funds met to review the House budget provision that would impose a 5% administrative charge on a broad list of dedicated funds, with some exemptions. Members discussed the House approach versus the Senate’s more general approach of leaving the governor discretion over which funds could be charged. The chair explained the committee was hearing from agencies about any legal, contractual, or practical reasons their funds should be exempt, and the agenda was expanded to include several departments and written submissions from others. The Department of Education testified first, identifying several funds it said should be exempt: a printing revolving fund that is funded by transfers rather than fees; teacher certification, which is self-funded by educator licensing fees and would require an immediate fee increase if charged; a vending stand set-aside tied to the federal Randolph-Sheppard program and subject to federal approval and vendor committee procedures; and a public school infrastructure/safety account, where most revenue is transferred from the education trust fund or general fund rather than generated by fees. Members questioned the department about the effect on school safety projects and whether the fee would simply reduce the number of projects completed each year. The Veterans Home asked for exemptions for three funds: a donation benefit account used for recreational activities and quality-of-life expenses for residents, a small memorial trust fund whose interest supports veteran activities, and a resident member account that holds veterans’ personal income such as Social Security and pensions. The department argued the charge would reduce donations, cut services, and effectively function like an income tax on vulnerable veterans. The Banking Department also requested exemption for its consumer credit administration license fund, saying it is used to keep exam fees low and is expressly intended by statute to reduce costs on regulated businesses; it said the 5% charge would undermine that framework and could eventually force higher fees. The Department of Justice began testimony on its dedicated funds, starting with the medical legal investigative fund, which pays for death investigations and related services under statute and without general fund support. No votes or final actions were taken in the portion of the meeting provided; the committee mainly heard testimony and asked questions about the practical and legal effects of applying the administrative charge.

Transcript Highlights:

• So, it's really changing it from armed forces to uniform services just to make it a little more clear
• <00:12:30.079> So, armed forces of the United States.
• So, armed forces of the United States.
• What that act did is it established a task force that was tasked with coming up with some minimal safety
• Uh, this bill disallows a person from using force, threat of force, or physical obstruction to interfere

Keywords: Senate streaming session for Tuesday, March 3, 2026, 960, senate, all

Summary: The Senate convened with an invocation, journalized the prayer, and recognized Read Across America Day with a special resolution congratulating the Maryland State Education Association on the program’s 28th anniversary. Senators also welcomed several guests and student groups, including Eleanor Roosevelt High School students, Maryland Federation of Republican Women members for Red Scarf Day, medical shadows from Johns Hopkins, a student page prospect, and a group from Matthew Henson Elementary School. The chamber then took up multiple Finance Committee consent calendars and individual local alcohol-related bills, all of which were reported favorably, adopted without objection, and ordered printed for third reading. Measures included changes to alcohol license fee refunds for uniformed service members, Anne Arundel County license classifications and compensation for liquor board officials, a Baltimore City racetrack license extension, a Cecil County license quota change, and new or expanded licenses for golf courses, sports venues, and barber shop/beauty salon establishments. The Senate also advanced bills on social work licensing, a rural readiness economic development program, a Maryland-Ireland Trade Commission extension, peer-to-peer car sharing insurance rules, telematics-based auto insurance disclosures and appeals, and veteran status notation on public profiles. Several bills were amended before being advanced, generally with technical or clarifying changes and no recorded opposition. Senate Bill 18 would create a provisional social work license; Senate Bill 351 would regulate insurer use of vehicle telematics data; Senate Bill 395 would revise insurance and liability rules for peer-to-peer car sharing; and Senate Bill 197 would alter comprehensive plan elements in land use law. Senate Bill 439, protecting fire and rescue public safety employees from adverse action based on medical cannabis certification, also moved forward without amendment. One measure, Senate Bill 69, which would make permanent the nonprofit navigator position in the Department of Commerce, was discussed at length after a member raised concerns about oversight of nonprofit grant funding. On request, the bill was special ordered to the next day for further consideration. All other bills discussed in the transcript were advanced to third reading by unanimous or near-unanimous voice action, with no recorded roll-call votes.

Transcript Highlights:

• Those serving in local office can be left without the guarantee of parental leave, and forced to divulge
• As Californians continue to face a housing crisis, we are tasked with increasing affordability and availability
• We are tasked with increasing affordability and availability in our housing stock.
• This may force some jurisdictions to admit that they allocated units to sites that are extremely unlikely

Summary: The committee heard eight bills, mostly on local government, housing, and public agency contracting. AB 1658 would make permanent higher change-order authority for Santa Clara and Los Angeles counties on large construction projects; supporters said it would reduce delays and save money on major projects, and the bill passed 6-0. AB 2263 would authorize the Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority to develop employee-preference affordable housing; supporters said it would help with workforce retention and long commutes, and it also passed 6-0. AB 2134 would require city councils to allow parental leave without forcing members to seek public approval or risk losing their seats; supporters described the bill as necessary to protect new parents in local office, and it passed 6-0. AB 2188 would raise Midpeninsula Regional Open Space District’s contracting authority to $250,000, with supporters citing administrative savings and faster project delivery; after committee amendments, it passed 6-0. AB 2033 would let general law cities use job order contracting for repair and maintenance work, with safeguards against employee displacement; supporters called it an efficiency tool, while AFSCME opposed it over workforce impacts, and it passed 8-0 after amendments. AB 1768 would authorize Los Angeles County and Contra Costa County to ask voters to approve a temporary transactions and use tax to help offset major federal health care cuts and preserve clinics and public health services. Supporters from community clinics, Planned Parenthood, labor groups, counties, and health organizations said the measure would let voters decide how to respond to funding losses; opponents, including CalTax and some cities, raised affordability and tax-burden concerns. Members also discussed equity concerns within Los Angeles County and the importance of local control. The bill was moved out on a 5-2 vote and left on call. AB 2415 would allow the city of Folsom to shift housing obligations away from its historic district and toward other transit-oriented sites; supporters said it would preserve the historic district while still meeting housing goals, and it passed 10-0. AB 2741, heard at the end of the meeting, would give cities a grace period to fix housing elements that were certified by HCD but later found noncompliant by a court, especially where cities relied on overlay zones. Supporters from the League of California Cities, Redondo Beach, and real estate groups said cities acted in good faith and should not be immediately subjected to builder’s remedy; opponents from California YIMBY and legal aid groups argued the bill would weaken housing accountability and reward noncompliance. The transcript ends during testimony on AB 2741, before a final vote is recorded.

Transcript Highlights:

• Those serving in local office can be left without the guarantee of parental leave and forced to divulge
• As Californians continue to face a housing crisis, we are tasked with increasing affordability and availability
• We are tasked with increasing affordability and availability in our housing stock.
• This may force some jurisdictions to admit that they allocated units to sites that are extremely unlikely

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Some time ago, I was fortunate to serve in Desert Storm and Joint Task Force Guantanamo Bay.
• They are commitments that make me who I am, and they are the force that compels me.
• We have an entire team that is tasked during legislative session and outside it.

Summary: The committee first considered the confirmation of Dr. John Lattell to the Florida Board of Medicine. In questioning, senators focused heavily on his views on abortion, vaccines, ivermectin, hormonal birth control, and the role of CDC/FDA guidance in board discipline cases. Dr. Lattell said the board should apply Florida statutes, described himself as strongly pro-life and skeptical of some federal health guidance, and said he would be sympathetic when judging fellow physicians because of his own experience in practice. Supporters praised his medical background, military service, and family medicine experience, while opponents argued his stated views could affect his ability to fairly discipline other doctors. The committee voted 5-2 to recommend confirmation, with Senators Polsky and Rouson voting no. The committee then took up the confirmation of Taylor Hatch as Secretary of the Florida Department of Children and Families. Hatch outlined her background at DCF and APD and described department priorities including streamlining services, improving child welfare and behavioral health systems, expanding peer support, and reducing SNAP error rates. Members asked detailed questions about Hope Florida, the number and role of Hope Navigators, agency responsiveness on bill analyses, and accountability for community-based care contractors. Hatch said Hope Florida is a partnership-based navigation effort aimed at self-sufficiency, that 143 Hope Navigators are in place, and that the department is working to improve transparency and oversight through contracts, audits, and a proposed funding model. Senators also pressed Hatch on the Hope Florida Foundation’s compliance history and on forensic audits of community-based care agencies, especially Northwest Florida Health Network. Hatch said the foundation is now in compliance and under audit, and that the contractor had completed corrective actions and was operating within current accountability limits. She said DCF had not yet conducted new forensic audits under her tenure but was preparing another round and was considering using contracted-services dollars to support that work. The discussion ended with continued questioning on oversight, staffing, and whether the agency could provide more formal bill analyses going forward.

Transcript Highlights:

• Kimal Task Force taamitak suge qagunta maasayya xakabuh an.
• Kimal Task Force daffeynal, usuk, quote, "Ta footimal kulli num yaaxigeh, awayih uddur qunxaaneyti...

Keywords: Judiciary, Division A - Room 216, 2 February, 2026; 3:30 PM, 925, all

Summary: The meeting focused heavily on proposed changes to Mississippi’s chancery court system, especially Senate Bill 2472 and related bills. The discussion centered on moving or expanding certain chancery court functions, creating a statewide or county-based structure for some positions, and whether those changes would be workable in practice. Speakers repeatedly emphasized that any reform should be functional, not just well-intentioned, and raised concerns about preserving court operations, confidentiality, and the ability of judges and staff to handle cases locally. A major theme was opposition from some chancery judges and related officials, who argued that the proposal could undermine the existing chancery system and create problems for CPS, delinquency matters, and other sensitive cases. Supporters of the reform said the current system is uneven and that a clearer, more modern structure is needed. There was also discussion of a pilot program in LeFlore County and comparisons to practices in Georgia and other states, with some testimony suggesting the pilot showed the concept could work. The transcript also touched on funding and implementation details, including judicial operations funding, budget notes, and the need for a roadmap before moving forward. Several speakers asked for the bill language to be clarified, including specific line references and effective dates, and discussed whether the changes would require amendments to existing law. The exchange ended with continued disagreement over whether the proposal should advance as written or be revised further before action.

Transcript Highlights:

• Or many courts, the collaborative courts, cannot undertake that task because they don't have the sufficient
• Those are pretty small counties and the number of judicial officers in those counties, you're just forcing
• on probation is something that's enlightening and understand the process a little bit better. are tasked
• The closure of the two temporary modular courtrooms that were there in Tracy has forced the South County

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• However, under this proposal, the department would instead be tasked with investigating whether or not
• However, under this proposal, the department would instead be tasked with investigating whether or not
• hysteria that these, um, that somehow, like, kids are being trafficked and harmed and, you know, forced
• Kids are being trafficked and harmed and, you know, forced to transition and all of these ludicrous things

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Summary: The Senate Committee on Commerce and Consumer Protection held decision-making on SB 146, SB 147, and SB 1166. SB 146 and SB 147, both relating to condominiums, were recommended to pass with amendments. The committee adopted amendments based on testimony from Anne Anderson, including mediator/arbitrator qualifications, clarifications about disputes involving managing agents, small claims timing, lien rights, and refund determinations by an early neutral evaluator. For both bills, the effective date was deferred to July 1, 2050 for further discussion. Each measure was adopted with no objections. SB 1166, relating to insurance, was also passed with amendments. The committee removed language that would have required insurers to bring claims and condition rates on doing so, replacing it with encouraging language. The amended bill adds a private cause of action against responsible parties, authorizes insurer actions under certain conditions, defines terms tied to climate-related events and fossil fuel products, and requires HPIA to report to the insurance commissioner on whether it exercised direct action rights. The effective date was likewise deferred to July 1, 2050, and the measure was adopted without objection. The committee then heard SB 985, relating to consumer protection and gift card fraud, and SB 1525, relating to electronic smoking devices and e-liquids. SB 985 drew support from a consumer fraud victim and others who said gift card scams disproportionately harm kupuna, while the Retail Merchants of Hawaii opposed the bill’s packaging/display requirements and suggested stronger penalties instead. The committee voted to pass SB 985 with amendments, deferring its effective date to July 1, 2050, and noted it would move on to Judiciary next. SB 1525 drew significant opposition from the Attorney General’s office, Department of Taxation, Department of Health, and public health groups, who argued it conflicted with federal tobacco law, was hard for Tax to administer, and would not effectively remove unauthorized vape products. After testimony, the committee recommended deferral of SB 1525 without objection.