Transcript Highlights:

• I'm saving the state $2.5 million. I know that. Well, I appreciate that.
• I'm trying to save the state $2.5 million in interest. Sure.
• I don't know, but we'll call council services. We need to place them on the agenda.
• If that comes as part of the ongoing package, but most of it is building out the IT systems.
• So, I mean, we don't have any microgrids really in the state.

Bills: SB152 , SB145 , HB2 , SB190 , HB247

Committee: Senate House Appropriations & Finance

Keywords: telecommunications, low-income assistance, lifeline, broadband, rural broadband, universal service fund, public regulation commission, PRC, 911 surcharge, telecommunications relay service, VoIP, mobile service, internet affordability, digital equity, digital inclusion, rural internet, broadband infrastructure, eligible telecommunications carrier, ETC, tribal consent

Summary: The committee first set aside Senate Bill 247 because the Attorney General and bill sponsor were not present. It then heard Senate Bill 190, which would authorize bonding to help Healer Regional Medical Center in rural southwest New Mexico replace an aging linear accelerator used for cancer radiation treatment. The sponsor and hospital representatives said the equipment is at end of life and that replacing it would keep patients from having to travel long distances for care. The committee adopted a friendly amendment adding an emergency clause, but members then questioned the financing, noting the $5.7 million cost, the lack of local matching funds, and the fact that the equipment’s useful life is only about 10 years while the proposed bonds would run for 30 years. After extended discussion about interest costs and timing, committee members explored alternatives to reduce the state’s borrowing burden, including using existing rural health care funds, federal grant money, or structuring a county lease arrangement rather than issuing bonds. The bill was left pending while staff and the sponsor were asked to look into those options and report back. The committee also briefly heard from the Department of Justice about concerns raised by the Public Education Department regarding Gallup-McKinley and online learning companies; DOJ said investigations were ongoing but it could not say whether a lawsuit would be filed. Members expressed concern about possible large liabilities and discussed bringing the Attorney General and PED Secretary back in executive session. The meeting then shifted to House Bill 2 and related budget matters. Staff walked members through numerous line items, flagging some as potentially duplicative, unspent, or in need of further review, including attorney general litigation funds, rural health, education, transportation, tourism, energy, and economic development items. The committee adopted the “grow” spreadsheet after members said they had reviewed it, and then discussed reserve targets. Staff presented several scenarios to raise reserves from about 26.7% toward the 27.5% target, including cuts to natural resource, environmental, higher education, and transportation appropriations. Members generally favored a flexible “scenario five” approach and were reluctant to sweep older capital outlay projects immediately, preferring to wait until the capital outlay changes bill is resolved. The committee planned to continue the budget discussion the next morning.

Transcript Highlights:

• Um, at the same time, we of state law.
• Council Council on<00:07:50.880><c> Zoom.
• ,</c><00:09:01.279><c> resulting</c> e-erts of the United States, resulting e-erts of the United States
• less</c><00:09:12.480><c> visible</c> council initially observed less visible council initially observed
• State your name. Okay. Mahalo.

Bills: HB1924 , HB2121 , HB1928 , HB1979 , HB1650 , HB1543 , HB1981 , HB1982

Committee: House Energy & Environmental Protection

Keywords: mattress recycling, waste management, producer responsibility, environmental health, steafardship program, electronic cigarettes, disposable devices, environmental protection, plastic pollution, lithium batteries, pollution control, public health, deposit beverage container, bottle bill, container deposit law, container redemption, recycling refund, extended producer responsibility, EPR, deposit return system

Summary: The committee heard testimony on several measures related to waste, recycling, and environmental review. On HB 1924, which would establish a mattress stewardship program, the Department of Health said it stood on written testimony and offered comments, while Hawaii Reef and Ocean Coalition and one individual supported the bill and the International Sleep Products Association opposed it. No questions were raised and the committee moved on. A large portion of the hearing focused on HB 2121, which would prohibit the sale of disposable vapes in Hawaii. The Department of Health supported the measure but suggested the bill may be better placed in a different part of state law because the cited waste-management section regulates products after consumption, while still praising the effort to remove disposable vapes from the market and environment. Testimony in strong support came from the Coalition for Tobacco Free Hawaii Youth Council, Hawaii Public Health Institute, Hawaii COPD Coalition, Hawaii Health and Harm Reduction Center, the City and County of Honolulu, and many individuals; supporters emphasized youth vaping, toxic waste, lithium battery fire risks, and environmental harm. There was at least one opposing individual and the International Sleep Products Association was listed in opposition. The committee noted there were many written testimonies and no immediate vote was taken. The committee also heard HB 1928 on the deposit beverage container recycling program. The Department of Health stood on written testimony. The Solid Waste Task Force of Hawaii Environmental Change Agents and Upstream supported the bill but urged amendments to better integrate reuse and reusables, strengthen enforcement, clarify definitions, and protect existing redemption centers. The Hawaii Food Industry Association supported the concept of a backdrop program but preferred strengthening the existing program and raised concerns about undefined fees, existing infrastructure, and future audit costs. The Chamber of Commerce Hawaii supported the bill, and the chair said the measure needs work and that decision-making would occur in a few days. Finally, the committee took up HB 979 on environmental review and HB 1650 on environmental assessments. For HB 979, OPSD offered amendments, HCDA supported the bill but suggested clarifying the affordable-housing definition, Kauai Island Utility Cooperative supported it, and Earthjustice was asked about the court process for environmental challenges; the chair asked about shortening the challenge period and the relationship between environmental court, the intermediate court of appeals, and the Supreme Court. For HB 1650, OPSD and the State Historic Preservation Division stood on written testimony, OHA asked to retain historic sites, and several groups and individuals testified in support or opposition. Opponents argued that removing Wiki special district and historic sites from Chapter 343 trigger language would weaken environmental review and risk impacts to iwi kūpuna and historic resources.

Transcript Highlights:

• authority to issue civil and investigative demands to investigate possible violations of the United States
• Constitution, the Washington State Constitution, to investigate possible violations of the United States
• Constitution, the Washington State Constitution, and specific state laws.
• civil investigative demand materials be consistent with Keep Washington Working Act requirements, state
• It's just stating current law. So there are no changes made to... Law.

Bills: SB5925 , SB6086 , SB6074 , SB5962 , SB6296 , SGA9272 , SGA9255 , SGA9256 , SGA9271

Committee: Senate Law & Justice

Keywords: Attorney General, civil investigative demand, CID, subpoena-like demand, investigative authority, consumer protection, civil enforcement, pre-suit investigation, document production, interrogatories, deposition, oral testimony, confidentiality, trade secrets, judicial review, enforcement action, Washington RCW, law enforcement powers, government transparency, due process

Transcript Highlights:

• My thought was we rotate between the two sides of the state.
• Why would we give tribal, but we do need to respect both sides of the state?
• My thought was we rotate between the two sides of the state.
• Why would we give tribal, but we do need to respect both sides of the state?
• ...give tribal, but we do need to respect both sides of the state.

Bills: SB5816 , SB5838 , SB5930 , SB5960 , SB5971 , SB6075 , SB6097 , SB6104 , SB6216 , SB6233 , SB6318 , SJM8015

Committee: Senate Agriculture & Natural Resources

Keywords: juice grapes, agriculture, commerce, state regulation, market access, tribal representation, natural resources, board of natural resources, environmental policy, community involvement, irrigation districts, director contracts, beneficial interests, transparency, governance, ungulate populations, wildlife management, habitat restoration, conservation, sustainability

Transcript Highlights:

• The state of Arizona should continue to rely on the state treasurer to invest public monies following
• One doesn't go to the state ever.
• instead of out of state?
• instead of out of state?
• They're both red and blue states as one of the, states who have already opted in.

Bills: SB1042 , SB1043 , SB1044 , SB1135 , SB1136 , SB1142 , SB1180 , SB1221 , SB1252 , SB1254 , SCR1003

Committee: Senate Finance

Keywords: public funds, virtual currency, bitcoin, investment, Arizona Strategic Digital Asset Reserve Act, state treasurer, retirement system, state payments, cryptocurrency, Arizona law, payment methods, government transactions, property tax, tax exemption, Arizona Revised Statutes, digital currency, workers' compensation, death benefits, burial costs, spousal compensation

Transcript Highlights:

• And many states didn't make that choice.
• We authorize that provider, and then the provider bills the state, and the state pays the provider directly
• I think that gives people a good sense of what we do in the state of the state of I think that gives
• The state operating budget appropriated one-time state funding of $1 million in fiscal year 2024 and
• The state operating budget appropriated one-time state funding of $1 million in fiscal year 2024 and

Bills: SB5952 , SB5961 , SB5969 , SB5841 , SB5943

Committee: Senate Early Learning & K-12 Education

Keywords: physical education, school districts, student requirements, education policy, high school, early literacy, childhood literacy, book distribution, Imagination Library, Dolly Parton Imagination Library, preschool, pre-K, reading readiness, school readiness, birth to age five, young children, nonprofit contract, OSPI, Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction, DCYF

Transcript Highlights:

• For example, state ID as well as your state driver's license.
• Chairman, the reason of that amendment, the bill actually had the state flower, but I removed the state
• </c> state flower but I removed the state state flower but I removed the state flower<00:10:46.959><c
• We do a good job with elections in this state.
• This just with elections in this state.

Bills: HB66 , HB79 , HB95 , HB145 , HB66 , HB79 , HB95 , HB145

Committee: House Ways and Means General Fund

Keywords: elder abuse, financial exploitation, inheritance, joint tenancy, conviction effects, off-label, pharmacists, medical treatment, state board of pharmacy, employment protection, HVAC, air conditioning, heating, ventilation, warranty transfer, manufacturer warranty, consumer protection, home sale, residential real property, real estate

Transcript Highlights:

• For example, state ID as well as your state driver's license.
• Chairman, the reason of that amendment, the bill actually had the state flower, but I removed the state
• Chairman, the reason of that amendment, the bill actually had the state flower, but I removed the state
• Elections post-election audit required. removing the state flower and giving removing the state flower
• This is one the state not just here.

Bills: HB66 , HB79 , HB95 , HB145 , HB66 , HB79 , HB95 , HB145

Committee: House Ways and Means General Fund

Keywords: elder abuse, financial exploitation, inheritance, joint tenancy, conviction effects, off-label, pharmacists, medical treatment, state board of pharmacy, employment protection, HVAC, air conditioning, heating, ventilation, warranty transfer, manufacturer warranty, consumer protection, home sale, residential real property, real estate

Transcript Highlights:

• Unlike other states, Our shared patriotism for our country.
• Codes, to confirm the codes to the source law from which they were derived, and revise codes as parts
• Similar to the bill that Senator Kolkhorst just laid out, this is a code update from Legislative Council
• Mize Azalea Garden, the largest in the state.
• Faculty are working to build on this.

Bills: HCR75 , HCR93 , SB644 , SCR2 , SCR17 , HB2703 , HCR92 , HCR7 , HCR126 , HB1615 , HB1610 , HB1620 , HCR86 , HCR7

Committee: Senate Administration

Keywords: Hemphill, bass fishing, tourism, state recognition, conservation, recreational activities, Nacogdoches, Garden Capital, public gardens, sustainability, horticultural heritage, hospice, palliative care, awareness day, healthcare, patient care, state regulation, taxation, education, local authority

Bills: HB 842 , HB 1907 , HB 2844 , HB 2892 , HB 3439 , HB 4211 , HB 4536 , HB 5111 , HB 5138 , HB 5182 , HB 5247 , HB 5269 , HB 5323 , HB 5435 , HJR 201 , SB 871 , HB 3896 , SJR 40

Committee: House State Affairs

Keywords: power lines, Gulf Coast, weather-related outages, Public Utility Commission, infrastructure, government contracts, Chinese companies, information technology, cybersecurity, state regulations, food safety, mobile vendors, licensing, permitting exemptions, health inspections, nonprofit organizations, personal information, government disclosure, privacy, criminal penalties

Transcript Highlights:

• This bill simply codifies the... right to privacy into state law.
• To date, 20 states have passed a version of this bill, including states such as Colorado and Alabama.
• a state ID or license. Correct.
• We would suggest, if you would like, the Texas Facilities Commission that oversees our state buildings
• And Cyrus raises a good point about the Facilities Commission, given how much state office building square

Bills: HB842 , HB1907 , HB2844 , HB2892 , HB3439 , HB4211 , HB4536 , HB5111 , HB5138 , HB5182 , HB5247 , HB5269 , HB5323 , HB5435 , HJR201 , SB871 , HB3896 , SJR40

Committee: House State Affairs

Keywords: power lines, Gulf Coast, weather-related outages, Public Utility Commission, infrastructure, government contracts, Chinese companies, information technology, cybersecurity, state regulations, food safety, mobile vendors, licensing, permitting exemptions, health inspections, nonprofit organizations, personal information, government disclosure, privacy, criminal penalties

Transcript Highlights:

• There is no significant fiscal impact to the state.
• state or whatever to complete that.
• Thank you, Madam Chair, council members.
• We're not building in that location.
• Enforcement of state laws is that correct?

Bills: HB842 , HB1907 , HB2844 , HB2892 , HB3439 , HB4211 , HB4536 , HB5111 , HB5138 , HB5182 , HB5247 , HB5269 , HB5323 , HB5435 , HJR201 , SB871 , HB3896 , SJR40

Committee: House State Affairs

Keywords: power lines, Gulf Coast, weather-related outages, Public Utility Commission, infrastructure, government contracts, Chinese companies, information technology, cybersecurity, state regulations, food safety, mobile vendors, licensing, permitting exemptions, health inspections, nonprofit organizations, personal information, government disclosure, privacy, criminal penalties

Transcript Highlights:

• I was at the state department as a deputy state superintendent for a a deputy state superintendent for
• Um about 10 years ago, um uh the the state department um uh the the state department um uh the the state
• of the state of the state of Alabama.
• And while we stated we would revisit the while we stated we would revisit the while we stated we would
• some somewhere else in the state and and some of those condos and buildings and things of those condos

Bills: HB258 , HB324 , HB333 , SB270 , HB258 , HB324 , HB333 , SB270

Committee: Senate County and Municipal Government

Keywords: primary election, election calendar, off-presidential year, May primary, second Tuesday in May, fourth Tuesday in May, runoff primary, special primary, presidential primary, election administration, candidate filing, ballot access, political parties, county election officials, state election law, Alabama elections, sheriffs, term of office, Alabama law, local government

Transcript Highlights:

• Welcome to the February 27th, 2025, Minnesota House State Government Finance and Policy Committee.
• </c> our work in redistricting in the state our work in redistricting in the state of<00:15:58.440><c
• Why not mandate something of the members of the State Government Committee?
• We do exciting work on state government, right?”
• </c> something of the members of the state something of the members of the state gov<01:09:30.560><c>

Bills: HF550 , HF412 , HF796 , HF140

Committee: House State Government Finance and Policy

Keywords: redistricting, Bipartisan Commission, Minnesota Constitution, census, legislative districts, HF412, Minnesota legislature, education committee, K-12 education, school observation, teacher observation, administrator observation, legislative transparency, legislator accountability, House rules, Senate rules, Legislative Reference Library, public reporting, education finance, education policy

Transcript Highlights:

• . device, you could cover the entire state for 600,000.
• But in the school building, they shouldn't have that issue.
• Sixty-eight percent of the cost is being paid by the state, 27% by the employee.
• Something that's not just a challenge in Montgomery but certainly throughout the state.
• I would love to see it expanded throughout the state.

Bills: HB205 , HB226 , HB234

Committee: House Ways and Means Education

Keywords: sales tax, use tax, exemption, tax conformity, tangible personal property, Alabama Department of Revenue, retail tax, consumer use tax, nonresident, religious publications, church magazines, Bible class materials, Sunday school materials, tax administration, indirect tax, state revenue, HB226, homestead exemption, ad valorem tax, property tax

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> organizations who under current state organizations who under current state law<00:03:57.239><c>
• </c><00:37:25.319><c> to</c> Year's Eve uh travel out of state to Year's Eve uh travel out of state to
• </c><00:51:06.880><c> of</c> for elections in the state of for elections in the state of Minnesota<00
• State Simon and make sure that you know State Simon and make sure that you know we<01:30:15.239><c> get
• he's stated the technical agressions uh he's stated there<01:32:03.679><c> could</c><01:32:03.840><c

Bills: HF72 , HF66 , HF69 , HF73

Committee: House Elections Finance and Government Operations

Keywords: campaign finance, state funding, political activity, nonprofits, government transparency, HF66, Minnesota second-degree murder, unintentional murder, protective order, order for protection, harassment restraining order, domestic violence, victim protection, cross-jurisdictional orders, out-of-state restraining order, tribal court order, Canadian protective order, public safety, criminal law, homicide

Transcript Highlights:

• Be with those who are responsible for governing our state.
• Also, she served as a commissioner of the Washington State Women's Commission.
• State your point of personal privilege. Thank you, Mr. President.
• Medical Commission and the Washington State Medical Association.
• They build a grocery store to provide food for that community.

Bills: SB5223 , SB5993 , SB5831 , SB5928 , SB6183 , SB6071 , SB5995 , SB5966 , SB5841 , SB5840 , SB6061 , SB6058 , SB5931 , SB5944 , SB5520 , SB6011 , SB6087 , SB6076 , SB5916 , SB6016 , SB5936 , SB6137 , SB5185 , SB5956 , SB6025 , SB6009 , SB5833 , SB6161 , SB6188 , SB5890 , SB5917 , SB5820 , SB5973 , SJM8015 , SB5816 , SB6136 , SB6091 , SB6024

Keywords: criminal offense, fingerprinting, law enforcement, state regulations, public safety, medical debt, interest charges, consumer protection, healthcare, financial burden, mortgage modification, uniform regulations, homeowners, financial stability, foreclosure prevention, wildfire risk, disclosure, safety, environmental policy, risk assessment

Summary: The Senate opened with routine proceedings, including the roll call, approval of the previous day’s journal, referral of committee reports and gubernatorial appointments, and the removal of Senate Joint Memorial 8003 from the consent calendar to the regular calendar. The chamber also received and referred Engrossed Substitute House Bill 1604 to the Committee on Human Services, and later took up several gubernatorial confirmations. The Senate adopted Senate Resolution 8682 recognizing the YMCA’s 150th anniversary in Washington. Senators spoke in support, describing the YMCA’s role in child care, swim lessons, youth programs, civic engagement, camps, and community health, and guests from YMCA organizations were recognized on the floor. The Senate then confirmed Jeffrey P. Fairchild to the Whatcom Community College Board of Trustees, Randall V. Scott to the Lake Washington Institute of Technology Board of Trustees, and Anna M. Franklin to the Community Colleges of Spokane Board of Trustees, each by unanimous or near-unanimous roll call votes. The chamber also observed a moment of silence for the family of Representative Tom Dent after his wife suffered a stroke. After caucuses, the Senate returned to floor action on two major bills. Substitute Senate Bill 5185, creating a pilot pathway to physician licensure for international medical graduates, was advanced to final passage and approved 39-1. Engrossed Substitute Senate Bill 5993, lowering the interest rate on medical debt, drew extensive debate about affordability, charity care, and the impact on rural hospitals; amendments were considered, including one to make the bill prospective rather than retroactive, which was adopted, while a rural-hospital differential-rate amendment failed. The bill ultimately passed 29-19. The Senate then adjourned until Monday, February 9, 2026.

Bills: HB145 , HB279 , HB292 , SB35 , HJM1 , HM7 , HM4 , HM22 , HM23 , HM24 , HM26 , HM32 , HM51 , HM1 , HM39 , HM29 , HM43 , HM30 , HM52 , HM64 , HM65 , HM66 , HM11 , HM14 , HM21 , HM34 , HM50 , HM17 , HM46 , HM13 , HM20 , HM54 , HM31 , HM35 , HM36 , HM59 , HM2 , HM16 , HM47 , HM53

Keywords: high-wage jobs, tax credit, job creation, New Mexico, economic development, healthcare privacy, electronic medical records, reproductive health, gender-affirming care, data protection, location tracking, confidentiality, sexual abuse, prison safety, correctional facilities, inmate rights, investigation procedures, judgeship, judiciary, court system

Transcript Highlights:

• We need change in the state.
• We need change in the state.
• with our state.
• This is for the state, so a state agency insect workshop.
• highways, our state roads.

Bills: HB145 , HB279 , HB292 , SB35 , HJM1 , HM7 , HM4 , HM22 , HM23 , HM24 , HM26 , HM32 , HM51 , HM1 , HM39 , HM29 , HM43 , HM30 , HM52 , HM64 , HM65 , HM66 , HM11 , HM14 , HM21 , HM34 , HM50 , HM17 , HM46 , HM13 , HM20 , HM54 , HM31 , HM35 , HM36 , HM59 , HM2 , HM16 , HM47 , HM53

Keywords: high-wage jobs, tax credit, job creation, New Mexico, economic development, healthcare privacy, electronic medical records, reproductive health, gender-affirming care, data protection, location tracking, confidentiality, sexual abuse, prison safety, correctional facilities, inmate rights, investigation procedures, judgeship, judiciary, court system

Summary: The House met on the final day of session with quorum present and spent much of the morning and afternoon on announcements, expressions of gratitude, and ceremonial business. Members repeatedly thanked committee staff, leadership, clerks, security, sergeants-at-arms, analysts, and family members for their work during the session. The Speaker also recognized committee chairs, vice chairs, and ranking members, and reflected on the importance of committee leadership and the personal perspective gained during the session. The chamber took up several memorials. House Memorial 4, requesting an LFC study on expanding health insurance access for public higher education educators and graduate student employees, passed 36-23 after debate over whether the study should focus on expansion and affordability. House Memorial 30, directing a study of public education governance and the possibility of a statewide education commission, passed 57-0. House Memorial 24, calling for a study of the possible consequences of restructuring the Las Vegas land grant, passed 60-0. House Memorial 26, a Wild Friends memorial about insects and an interagency workshop on insect identification, ecology, and habitat protection, passed after extensive supportive debate from members who emphasized science education, pollinators, and ecological balance. The House also approved a large consent calendar of memorials by a 55-0 vote, then cleared additional ceremonial memorials from the Speaker’s table, including New Mexico Food and Farms Day, International Year of the Woman Farmer, Lincoln County Day, New Mexico TRIO programs, and New Mexico Speech-Language-Hearing Association Day, which also passed 55-0. The chamber received a Senate message concurring in House amendments to Senate Finance Committee substitute for Senate Bill 273, as amended. The House then stood in recess subject to the call of the Chair while awaiting any further Senate messages and final adjournment business.

Transcript Highlights:

• I worked on these amendments with State Police.
• And once again, I worked directly with State Police to come up with some language to do that.
• I mean, I've been towed in another state before.
• Lieutenant John Nelson, Louisiana State Police towing and recovery.
• I said another state there. I had to go somewhere first and then go to the storage.

Bills: HCR96 , SB431

Committee: House Transportation, Highways & Public Works

Keywords: roundabout, traffic safety, public education, driving rules, Louisiana Department of Transportation, SB 431, Act 768, towing, tow truck companies, storage fees, nonconsensual towing, private property towing, vehicle release, impound, vehicle storage, gate fees, consumer protection, Louisiana State Police, Public Service Commission, stored vehicles

Summary: The House Transportation Committee met on May 18, 2026, with a quorum present and took up Senate Bill 431 by Senator Foil. The bill, as amended in the House, would apply only to non-consensual private-property tows and require towing companies to have someone available on weekends to release vehicles within 90 minutes of a call if they want to charge storage fees for Saturday and Sunday. Senator Foil said the measure was intended to help vehicle owners retrieve cars and belongings sooner, while not forcing companies to stay open; Lieutenant John Nelson of Louisiana State Police explained that payment would still occur at the yard and that the bill did not change the fee structure. Amy Seals of Riverside Towing opposed the bill, citing safety concerns, burdens on office staff, and fairness issues because it would not cover police-initiated tows; she suggested limiting weekend release hours to daytime. Despite her concerns, the committee moved SB 431 favorably without objection. The committee then considered House Concurrent Resolution 96 by Representative Adams, which urges the Department of Public Safety and Corrections, Office of Motor Vehicles, to provide educational materials on proper roundabout use. Adams said the resolution was meant to help drivers in smaller parishes and elsewhere who struggle with roundabouts. Several members supported the idea, noting confusion about roundabout navigation in their areas, and one member asked whether driver education already covers the topic. The resolution was moved favorably without objection. Before adjourning, the chair recognized a new DOTD staff member and a visitor from the Florida Women’s Republican group. Representative Spells then moved to adjourn, and the committee adjourned without objection.