Video & Transcript : 'gasoline standards' :
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WA
Washington 2025-2026 Regular Session
Senate Floor Session Feb 10th, 2026 at 10:00 am
Washington Senate Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- But it does so without opening the door to more owners' requirements that exceed federal standards.
- Standards, and why is that important?
- of care. ...safely and effectively medication according to the standard of care.
- It boosts efficiency without any spending increases or weakening any standards.
- It sets a routine and standards that we all can live by, and I urge support of this. Thank you.
Summary:
The Senate opened with roll call, colors, pledge, and a prayer by Sikh youth leader Gertit Singh Cocher, followed by recognition of guests from the Sikh Coalition and Kalsa Germath Center. The chamber approved the journal and then adopted Senate Resolution 8678 honoring the Chimicum High School Marching Band for being selected as Washington’s representative in the 2026 National Independence Day Parade in Washington, D.C.; senators praised the band’s dedication and rural-school achievement, and the band was recognized in the gallery.
The Senate then confirmed two gubernatorial appointments by 49-0 votes: Ryan Moran as Director of the Health Care Authority and Dennis Worsham as Secretary of the Department of Health. Supporters highlighted Moran’s Medicaid and health system background and Worsham’s long public health career, including local health leadership and work on HIV/AIDS and community health. The chamber also advanced and passed Senate Bill 6011, expanding court bailiff authority to conduct threat assessments for the Court of Appeals, and Senate Bill 5831, creating safe harbors related to mortgage modification recording requirements.
Several bills were debated and passed after amendment votes. Senate Bill 6188, concerning Labor and Industries’ asbestos training and certification rules, saw an amendment to align with federal standards rejected and then passed 38-19. Substitute Senate Bill 5917, dealing with access to abortion medications through the Department of Corrections pharmacy, had multiple proposed amendments rejected before passing 32-17 after extensive debate over access, labeling, distribution limits, and emergency status. The Senate also adopted an amendment to Senate Bill 6024 on developmental disability services confidentiality, then passed the bill 48-0-1 excused; passed Substitute Senate Bill 6091 on residential property marketing and fair housing by 49-0; and passed Substitute Senate Bill 5840 adjusting campaign finance expenditure reporting deadlines by 46-3. The body then recessed for caucus and lunch.
WA
Washington 2025-2026 Regular Session
Senate Labor & Commerce Jan 23rd, 2026
Transcript Highlights:
- suggesting very narrow and not very, it's not a huge change in terms of going beyond the federal standard
- So we often in our state do not adopt the federal standards on safety issues. So I urge a yes vote.
- Applicants must meet certain standards and be approved by L&I to become a member of the network.
- Without standards like these, we could see longer claim durations, higher costs, and less predictable
- It provides the same standard that you and I would enjoy under our private health insurance.
Summary:
The committee first held a public hearing on Senate Bill 6136, which would require Labor and Industries to publish actuarial indicated workers’ compensation rates for each risk class and disclose when rate increases are capped below those indicated levels. The sponsor and supporters from the hospitality, retail, business, and construction sectors said the bill would improve transparency about how rates are set and how reserve funds and investment earnings are used to hold down premiums. L&I testified that the bill would require publication of a large amount of rate-setting information, but said it was already developed in the normal process and that the bill had no fiscal impact. Questions focused on reserve use, advisory committee involvement, and how the actuarial calculations interact with investment returns. The committee then moved to executive session and took action on several bills, adopting substitutes or amendments and advancing bills including SB 5292, 6014, 5972, 5869, 5874, 6058, 6039, 5944, and 6180, with most sent to Rules and SB 5292 sent to Ways and Means.
The committee then heard Senate Bill 5847, which would expand injured workers’ access to medical care by allowing treatment outside the L&I provider network when no provider is available nearby, limiting employer steering to specific providers, shortening utilization review timelines, allowing provider deviation from L&I guidelines when medically appropriate, and expanding continued treatment and cancer monitoring. Labor and worker advocates argued the bill would better reflect the Murray decision and reduce delays in care, while L&I and employer groups said the current evidence-based guideline system works for most claims and warned the bill could weaken quality controls, create vague standards, and increase costs. Testimony also raised concerns about the 15-mile access rule, the employer communication restrictions, and the appeal process for provider removal. The sponsor said the goal was to improve individualized care and continue working with stakeholders.
Finally, the committee heard Senate Bill 6067, which would change workers’ compensation time-loss calculations so that 100% of the employer-paid health insurance contribution is included in the benefit calculation instead of the current partial inclusion. Supporters said the bill would help injured workers keep health coverage during recovery and reduce pressure to choose between medical care and income, while opponents argued it would not guarantee the money is actually used for health insurance, could be diverted to other uses or attorney fees, and would significantly increase costs for employers and the accident fund. L&I said the bill would require IT and administrative changes and estimated substantial ongoing benefit costs. The hearing ended without further action on SB 6067, and the chair closed the session after public testimony concluded.
WA
Washington 2025-2026 Regular Session
House Local Government Jan 21st, 2026
Transcript Highlights:
- But yes, I think that a standardized approach to engineering and the safety approach is advisable.
- But yes, I think that a standardized approach to engineering and the safety approach is advisable.
- The standard of care is to intubate the patient and then submerge them in ice baths to achieve rapid
- Some of the concerns are standards of the project itself, the outcome.
- Some of the concerns are standards of the project itself, the outcome.
Summary:
The House Local Government Committee held public hearings on four bills. HB 2174 would allow counties, cities, towns, or the Department of Transportation to designate accident risk zones on roads with repeated crashes, hold a public hearing, conduct engineering and traffic studies, increase enforcement, and use half of traffic fine revenue for safety improvements. The sponsor and local officials from Pasco and Colotis described serious crashes and fatalities on U.S. 12 and U.S. 395 and said the bill could provide a temporary safety tool while long-term fixes are pursued. Testifiers generally supported the concept but raised concerns about liability, implementation, youth penalties, and possible targeted enforcement, especially for motorcyclists; several suggested amendments and the committee discussed possible alignment with safe system practices.
HB 2267 would direct the Department of Commerce to create a model urban forest management ordinance, update it every 10 years, provide guidance on tree retention and mitigation, and create a grant program for local governments that adopt or substantially adopt the model. Supporters from Washington Conservation Action, The Nature Conservancy, FutureWise, and the Puget Sound Partnership said trees are important for stormwater, heat reduction, air quality, public health, and climate resilience, and argued the bill could help balance housing growth with canopy protection. Opposition from the Building Industry Association of Washington and the Master Builders Association focused on the grant condition tied to adoption of the model ordinance, concerns that the bill would effectively mandate local policy, and worries that prioritizing tree retention could constrain housing production and increase legal risk.
HB 2183 would require counties planning under the Growth Management Act to adopt extreme heat response plans by July 1, 2027, covering immediate response, long-term mitigation, protection of high-risk populations, tribal coordination, and public education. The sponsor and physicians from Washington Physicians for Social Responsibility cited the 2021 heat dome as a deadly disaster that overwhelmed emergency services and killed many people in their homes, arguing counties need coordinated planning for future heat events. Local public health officials supported the goal but asked for amendments to reduce duplication with existing emergency and mitigation plans and to clarify leadership roles; L&I requested that the bill reference existing worker-protection rules for outdoor workers. HB 1529 would let counties perform city roadway striping and paving work without counting it against city public works limits or bidding thresholds, if the county can do the work more cheaply or no bids are received. Supporters from Pasco and the Association of Counties said it would help cities use existing county equipment and crews more efficiently, while contractors and labor groups opposed it, warning about reduced competition, quality and oversight concerns, and the loss of prevailing-wage and small-business opportunities. No votes were taken on any of the bills, and the committee adjourned after the hearings.
TX
Transcript Highlights:
- Senate Bill 1241 aims to expand and the range of standardized college entrance examinations acceptable
- With this bill, universities can consider other standard assessments to determine both automatic and
- general admissions eligibility, broadening student access to various standard standardized tests aligned
- Likewise, the security of our examination has been vetted for highest standards by Florida, Arkansas,
- It's a betrayal, and it puts our standards, our students, and our economy at risk.
Bills:
SB530 , SB757 , SB769 , SB1085 , SB1241 , SB1242 , SB1409 , SB1878 , SB2138 , SB2314 , SB2231 , SB2361 , SB2431 , SJR59
Committees:
Senate Education , Senate Education K-16
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
Environment Committee Meeting - 2025-03-27
Environment and Natural Resources Finance and Policy
Transcript Highlights:
- been touched in too long, is necessary in order to bring our environmental protections up to 2025 standards
- However, it is critically important for us to hold people accountable to the environmental standards
- but also in a partnership in staff and in establishing the important science that underlies the standards
- or the Minnesota ambient air quality standards.
- . standards.
FL
Transcript Highlights:
- Also, looking at widely accepted standards related to nutrition and the ingredients of food is important
- Part of the technology, unfortunately, is due to the Clean Air Act and the emission standards that's
- A lot of the issues that come up necessarily are related to those emission standards.
- Additionally, equipment must meet EPA emissions standards, and disabling this technology is illegal.
- The selling distributor of the OEM equipment is responsible for maintaining these standards.
Committee:
Senate Agriculture
Summary:
The Committee on Agriculture met with a quorum present and first heard SB 1826 by Senator Martin, which would restrict ultra-processed foods served to public school students during the school day. Senator Martin said the bill is aimed only at government-purchased food in public schools, not parents’ lunches or after-school sales, and argued it is intended to protect children’s health and school performance. Members questioned the bill’s definition of ultra-processed food, its scope during the school day, and possible cost and compliance issues. Senator Rouson offered a friendly amendment extending the compliance date from July 1, 2025 to July 1, 2026, and the committee adopted it. Several industry groups and associations spoke against the bill, citing lack of a clear definition, FDA preemption concerns, costs, and the risk of a state-by-state patchwork; Moms for Liberty waived in support. Senator Martin then temporarily postponed the bill for further work.
The committee next took up CS for SB 1132 by Senator Truenow on consumers’ right to repair certain equipment, including agricultural equipment and portable digital devices. An amendment by Senator Boyd was adopted to exclude security and life-safety systems and remove automobile-related provisions. Public testimony included opposition from TechNet, which said the bill is unnecessary because repair parts, tools, and manuals are already available and asked for changes to make the bill prospective and remove the private right of action. Agricultural equipment dealers and manufacturers testified against the bill, arguing that current repair resources and a memorandum of understanding with the Farm Bureau already address repair access, while warning that the bill could undermine dealer margins, parts inventory, training programs, safety, cybersecurity, and emissions compliance. Some members supported the concept but noted the bill still needed work. The committee voted 4-0 to report CS for SB 1132 favorably.
The meeting concluded with a presentation from Florida 4-H youth leaders on the organization’s impact and goals. The presenters described 4-H’s role in leadership, agriculture, STEM, and healthy living, highlighted statewide participation and camp programs, and asked for continued support for camp improvements, especially the Camp Cherry Lake revitalization effort. Senators praised the students’ presentations and the value of 4-H before the committee adjourned.
HI
Hawaii 2025 Regular Session
House Chamber - Thu Feb 6, 2025, 12:00PM HST - Day 14
Hawaii House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- We have a duty to uphold proper standards for our disabled kids so all children may enjoy their right
- We have a duty to uphold proper standards for our disabled kids so all children may enjoy their right
- standards for our disabled<01:08:33.480><c> Kiki</c><01:08:34.199><c> so</c><01:08:34.480><c> all</c
- like bulletproof, and it's probably going to cost construction maybe about two to four times the standard
- </c> four times the cost that its standard four times the cost that its standard cost<01:11:13.120><c
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
Committee on State and Local Government - 03/19/26
State and Local Government
Transcript Highlights:
- Our existing building passed standard.
- Many of our neighboring Minnesota school districts are not required to meet the same standards.
- The average person has no idea this standard that's being applied even to all of our schools.
- ,</c><01:59:35.320><c> they</c> And all of those other standards, they And all of those other standards
- From a standards category, right?
Committee:
Senate State and Local Government
FL
Florida 2026 5th Special Session
Rules Mar 3rd, 2026
Transcript Highlights:
- If it does not meet that water quality standard, it will then be retreated over in the St.
- CS for HB 1175 on safety design standards for office surgery suites by Representative Rodondo.
- Because the three-patient cap is originally... ...patient care standards separately.
- This is that lower standard of care of which it is, or lower regulation of which it is.
- Standards of responsibilities.
Summary:
The Committee on Rules heard a long agenda of growth-management, elections, education, housing, and professional-licensing bills. The first major item was SB 354 on “Blue Ribbon Projects,” a framework for very large planned developments on at least 15,000 contiguous acres with 60% reserved area. After adopting a strike-all amendment, senators debated whether the bill adequately protected conservation land, local government authority, neighboring property, concurrency, and multi-county projects. Supporters argued it would create more orderly, master-planned growth and preserve large areas of land; opponents said the reserve areas were too weakly protected and the bill preempted local control. The committee adopted the amendment and then reported the bill favorably on a party-line style roll call, with Chair Pasadomo and Vice Chair Jones voting no.
The committee then approved SB 620 on candidate qualifying, which requires candidates to disclose any foreign citizenship and, through amendments, adds a 2026 congressional qualifying framework tied to apportionment and redistricting, including revised petition rules and deadlines. Members discussed disclosure, redistricting, and candidate vetting, and the bill was reported favorably. CS/CS/CS/SB 1452, a Department of Financial Services bill, was also amended and approved; the amendments addressed My Safe Florida Home, unclaimed property, firefighter hiring, workforce housing code accommodations, and related financial-services issues. CS/CS/SB 1620, the school board members’ bill of rights, was narrowed by substitute amendment to focus on access to records, fiscal transparency, NDAs, and related rights, and it passed after supportive testimony from school board and superintendent representatives.
The committee also passed CS/HB 245, which replaces the term “child pornography” with “child sexual abuse material,” after debate over whether the terminology change could affect the seriousness of the crime or existing case law. SB 1548, a Live Local/affordable housing update, was reported favorably with little debate. Finally, the committee approved the veterinary medicine bill creating veterinary professional associates, after amending it to require immediate supervision by a licensed veterinarian. Throughout the meeting, many public commenters and senators weighed in on the balance between development and conservation, local control, and the scope of state regulation, with several bills drawing both strong support and strong opposition before final votes.
NH
Transcript Highlights:
- </c><03:44:58.080><c> in</c><03:44:58.239><c> the</c> to loosen the standards in the to loosen the standards
- <03:46:19.960><c> in</c><03:46:20.560><c> this</c> standards in this standards in this directive directive
- the Europeans' health standards, including World Health Organization regulations.
- They're going to have to comply with all those standards in New Hampshire.
- </c> if you do not meet these standards if you do not meet these standards you're<03:48:17.080><c> subject
MN
Transcript Highlights:
- A standard thing that happens in state government.
- In this case, we were able to obtain those procedures, check them against the national standards, and
- and determine if they national standards and determine if they had<00:15:42.560><c> implemented</c><
- Sometimes there were already standards, policies, other things in place, and we just found that they
- Those standard data elements help us track who's responsible and the timeline for implementation.
Committee:
Senate Finance
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
Committee on Health and Human Services - Part 2 - 03/24/26
Health and Human Services
Transcript Highlights:
- </c> licensing standards are out of date. licensing standards are out of date.
- </c> implementation of modernized standards implementation of modernized standards out<02:57:38.120><
- But, just a few and the standards.
- standards also changed Licensing standards also changed mid-year. mid-year. mid-year.
- ,</c> develop uh, program quality standards, develop uh, program quality standards, strengthen<03:40:
Committee:
Senate Health and Human Services
FL
Florida 2026 5th Special Session
Appropriations Committee on Criminal and Civil Justice Jan 21st, 2026
Transcript Highlights:
- that some local governments already are using these, and so we're just requiring that they have standardized
- examiners from the governor to the Medical Examiners Commission, clarifies that the Criminal Justice Standards
- amends various sections of Chapter 943 to clarify that curriculum is approved by the Criminal Justice Standards
- examiners from the governor to the Medical Examiners Commission, clarifies that the Criminal Justice Standards
- amends various sections of Chapter 943 to clarify that curriculum is approved by the Criminal Justice Standards
Summary:
The Appropriations Committee on Criminal and Civil Justice heard and approved several bills. SB 504 and its related public records bill SB 506, both by Sen. Burgess, would allow local governments to authorize code enforcement officers to use body cameras under standardized policies and create a public records exemption for certain recordings; members raised questions about disclosure and when cameras may be used, and both bills were reported favorably. The committee also approved CS/SB 32 and SB 210 by Sen. Sharif, creating a new injunction for protection against serious violence by a known person and extending public records protections to petitions under that injunction category. Supporters included law enforcement, women’s advocacy groups, and justice organizations.
The committee then favorably reported SB 676 by Sen. Arrington, which creates a graduated penalty structure for adults who involve minors in certain animal cruelty offenses and increases penalties related to fighting or baiting animals. SB 432 by Sen. Yarbrough was also approved; it adds certain concentrated 7-OH to Schedule I, exempts FDA-approved veterinary xylazine products, creates penalties for candy-like xylazine products, and establishes trafficking penalties for xylazine. Sen. Osgood spoke in support of the bill, emphasizing the dangers of adulterated street drugs for people with substance use disorder.
Finally, the committee approved SB 524 by Sen. Simon, which makes a series of technical and administrative changes affecting the Medical Examiners Commission, district medical examiner appointments, the Criminal Justice Standards and Training Commission, and notice procedures for administrative complaints. The Florida Department of Law Enforcement appeared in support. All measures were reported favorably, and the committee adjourned without objection.
KY
Kentucky 2025 Regular Session
House Standing Committee on Families & Children (3-6-25)
Transcript Highlights:
- , this bill, House Bill 508, does one simple thing: it requires the cabinet to ensure that the standardized
- online portal. requires the cabinet to ensure that the requires the cabinet to ensure that the standardized
- <00:02:20.440><c> agreement</c><00:02:20.959><c> required</c><00:02:21.560><c> under</c> standardized
- agreement required under standardized agreement required under the<00:02:22.480><c> law</c><00:02:23.200
Summary:
The House Standing Committee on Families and Children met and heard only House Bill 508, sponsored by Representative Jennifer Decker. Decker explained that the bill amends the child care assistance program created under House Bill 499 by requiring the Cabinet for Health and Family Services to make the standardized agreement available on its website and allow submission by email, mail, or an online portal, rather than limiting participants to the current process. A member asked whether the change would expand options beyond online-only submission, and Decker confirmed the bill was intended to address that issue.
After discussion, the committee voted on House Bill 508 and passed it favorably by a 13-0 vote. The committee then briefly reviewed a referred administrative regulation; there were no comments or questions, and it was marked reviewed.
The chair noted this would likely be the committee’s last meeting of the session, thanked staff for their work, and entertained a motion to adjourn.
NH
New Hampshire 2025 Regular Session
House Executive Departments and Administration (01/22/2025)
Transcript Highlights:
- Part of developing the standard is to not break things, and so that calculation has been done.
- I'm not representing them, but I use their standards, one of their standards being ASHRAE 90.1, which
- </c><04:56:35.920><c> for</c> function having standards for function having standards for refrigeration
- As we know, energy codes are regulatory standards.
- </c><05:20:27.280><c> for</c> responsible for the gold standard for responsible for the gold standard
Summary:
The committee first took up House Bill 216, which Representative Carol Maguire described as a fix to a workers’ compensation/retirement “glitch.” The bill would remove the current limit that only one year of workers’ compensation time can be credited as retirement service time. Maguire argued the limit is arbitrary and affects only a very small number of grievously injured workers, while committee members asked about the fiscal impact, available data, and whether the change could affect workers’ compensation rates or incentives. Mark Kavar of the New Hampshire Retirement System said Labor could not provide data on how many people exceed a year on weekly indemnity benefits, so the fiscal note used a conservative estimate that could be scaled down; he also explained that workers’ comp is not earnable compensation, which is why service credit stops after a year, and noted that many long-term cases move into disability retirement or lump-sum settlements. The committee closed the hearing, entered executive session, and voted ought to pass on HB 216 by a 13-0 roll call, sending it to consent and noting it would also go to Finance.
The committee then acted on House Bill 85, adopting Amendment 0037 and then voting ought to pass as amended by another 13-0 roll call. The bill was described as allowing second-year respiratory therapy students to work under supervision using the skills they have already learned, with support from the Hospital Association and no opposition noted.
Finally, the committee took up House Bill 267, the animal chiropractors bill. Members said the bill had been approved previously but was vetoed because of a defect; the problem has now been corrected, and the bill is intended to reduce delays caused by requiring veterinary referrals before chiropractors can treat animals. The committee voted ought to pass 13-0 and placed the bill on consent.
NH
New Hampshire 2026 Regular Session
House Environment and Agriculture (02/17/2026)
Environment and Agriculture
Transcript Highlights:
- But I'm sure OS will have standards for that." "But I'm sure OS will have standards for that."
- </c><00:33:57.840><c> So</c> standards for that. So standards for that.
- But there are no federal standards yet for food. But there are no federal standards yet for food.
- But there are no federal standards yet for food.
- Acreage standards.
Committee:
House Environment and Agriculture
FL
Florida 2026 5th Special Session
Judiciary Apr 1st, 2025
Transcript Highlights:
- And I think that our medical care, the standards associated with it, are all outlined in our statutes
- And as long as they are followed and the applicable standard of care is applied, there is no vagueness
- If it's performed pursuant to the standards set forth in 390, then it would be within the applicable
- standard of care.
- And the child, if the applicable standard of care was not followed.
Summary:
The committee first took up SB 1272 on guardianship, which would limit a guardian’s ability to isolate an adult ward from family and require notice to family or other named persons about major events such as a ward’s death or medical relocation. Senator Jones said the bill was intended to curb abuse by bad actors while not affecting good-faith guardians. Fortuna Smuggler and Phyllis Smith spoke in support, describing the need for family notification and closure. The bill passed unanimously, 8-0, and was reported favorably.
The committee then considered CS/SB 1284 on wrongful death for an unborn child. Senator Graal explained that the bill would expand Florida’s Wrongful Death Act to allow parents to recover economic and non-economic damages for the death of an unborn child. An amendment was adopted to define “unborn child” as a member of the species Homo sapiens carried in the womb and to state that the act does not authorize a wrongful death action against the mother or a health care provider acting within the applicable standard of care. The amendment drew questions about abortion, medical emergencies, and whether fathers could sue; the sponsor said the bill was not intended to create claims against mothers or lawful medical care. Public testimony was sharply divided, with supporters arguing it gives families parity and accountability, and opponents warning it could be used to target abortion care, increase malpractice pressure, and worsen physician shortages. The committee approved the bill as amended by a 6-4 vote.
Finally, the committee heard a strike-all amendment to SB 1288 on parental rights. The amendment would strengthen parental consent requirements for minors’ medical care, with exceptions for emergencies, court orders, certain legal categories of minors, and other existing statutory exceptions. It also would require parental consent for treatment related to STD screening, give parents more control over school or health surveys, and address use of biofeedback devices. Supporters said the measure restores parents’ authority and protects children from inappropriate questioning or treatment, while opponents argued it could block needed care for minors in unsafe homes, reduce access to STI treatment and mental health services, and create unintended consequences. The amendment was adopted, and the committee continued hearing testimony on the bill.
TX
Texas 89th Regular
Senate Committee on Business and Commerce (Part II) Mar 27th, 2025
Business & Commerce
Transcript Highlights:
- These standards protect private landowners and have become a model for other states.
- We must prioritize safety and establish consistent statewide standards.
- for battery storage facilities based on national standards. standards, the UL 9540A and NFPA 855 standards
- that create more industry service to rely on proven national standards.
- It establishes clear, uniform fire safety standards based on nationally recognized benchmarks.
Bills:
SB458 , SB819 , SB1238 , SB1642 , SB1643 , SB1644 , SB1791 , SB1810 , SB1824 , SB1825 , SB758 , SB1455 , SB1706
Committee:
Senate Business & Commerce
HI
Hawaii 2025 Regular Session
HHS-HOU, HHS-LBT, HHS-CPN, TCA-HHS, AEN-HHS Public Hearings 02-07-2025
Health and Human Services
Transcript Highlights:
- Other standards that are being used and are still being used now are 2.0.
- those standards, and there need to be some resolution of what standards apply under which circumstances
- </c><00:19:09.120><c> that</c><00:19:09.280><c> are</c> websites uh other standards that are websites
- </c> resolution of what standards apply under resolution of what standards apply under which which which
- </c><00:19:37.840><c> that</c> new rules with new standards that new rules with new standards that haven't
Committee:
Senate Health and Human Services
Summary:
The joint Housing and Health and Human Services hearing began with Senate Bill 878, which would extend the sunset date for the state rent supplement program for kupuna to June 30, 2028. Testimony was uniformly supportive, including from the Statewide Office on Homelessness and Housing Solutions, Hawaii Public Housing Authority, Executive Office on Aging, Catholic Charities Hawaii, and others. Catholic Charities described a waitlist of seniors at imminent risk of homelessness and said the program helps seniors retain housing or secure units with landlord support. Members asked whether the bill would expand the number of households served; staff said the contract allows up to 127 households and that additional pending households could be funded, but applicants must still go through the program process. Both committees voted to pass SB 878 unamended.
The committees then heard Senate Bill 1610 on Ohana Zones. The Statewide Office on Homelessness and Housing Solutions supported the measure so long as it did not supplant existing funding, and described the funding as supporting homelessness services and wraparound supports. The Department of Human Services and Department of Land and Natural Resources offered comments, with DHS suggesting a definition of “kali” be added for clarity. The committee chair said the bill would receive technical amendments for clarity and consistency and accepted proposed amendments related to including “tales” in the program; the measure was advanced with amendments, with members voting in favor in both committees.
In the joint Health and Human Services and Labor and Technology hearing, Senate Bill 1496 on civil rights and website accessibility drew support from disability advocates and organizations, including the Hawaii State Council on Developmental Disabilities, the National Federation of the Blind, the Deaf and Blind Task Force, and the Disability and Communication Access Board. Testimony emphasized the need for stronger state protections amid concerns about federal enforcement, while one testifier raised concerns about jurisdiction, minimum contacts, the use of WCAG 2.1 standards, and the bill’s immediate effective date. The committees decided to pass SB 1496 with technical amendments, including adding a defective date to allow further work before conference, and the recommendation was adopted in both committees.
Later, the joint Health, Human Services, and Commerce and Consumer Protection hearing took up Senate Bill 404 on service animals. The Attorney General’s office raised a possible constitutional issue and the lack of an enforcement mechanism, while DHS deferred to other agencies. DCAB supported the bill but recommended amendments to identify an enforcement agency and require notices from professionals and sellers of service-animal or emotional-support-animal paraphernalia. Several advocacy and real estate-related groups testified in support. After discussion, the chair recommended deferring SB 404 for further work because of the Attorney General’s concerns, and the hearing adjourned without a vote on the measure. The final joint Transportation, Culture and the Arts, and Health and Human Services agenda heard SB 1526 on a drug and alcohol toxicology testing laboratory and SB 1492 on mobility management; both measures were advanced with amendments or as-is, with SB 1526 sent forward with technical amendments and SB 1492 moved ahead after members noted blank dollar amounts and requested the Department of Transportation provide figures.
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
House Workforce, Labor, and Economic Development Finance and Policy Committee 3/10/26
Workforce, Labor, and Economic Development Finance and Policy
Transcript Highlights:
- This is about the 2038 standard.
- </c><00:25:32.799><c> in</c> from a energy efficiency standard in from a energy efficiency standard in
- </c><00:37:08.960><c> uh</c> into their um new uh 2038 uh standard uh into their um new uh 2038 uh standard
- And what think has stricter standards.
- Um, which is why other states have seen, as they have adopted these standards and frankly stricter standards