Transcript Highlights:

• I don't think anything we write in statute is going to answer every question for every one of the 424
• And, um, it's very difficult when we try to write laws that are specific to a circumstance.
• Um, and so writing things broadly, um, leaves more room for interpretation, which maybe picks up the
• I don't think anything we<00:36:39.599> write<00:36:39.760> in<00:36:40.000> statute
• Um and so writing things trouble.

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• And we can write a letter. ...where this information can and should be displayed, and we can write a
• I can just bring some more light to it because I spoke to these agencies while writing the bill, and
• they felt that they didn't need a... ...these agencies while writing the bill, and they felt that they
• I actually would love, if I can, recommend that we write a letter, and then also ask that D&B come and
• Well, certainly the letter I'm going to write, asking about the implementation on the driver's license

Keywords: Disability Commission, 976, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• in writing. then that controls.
• . writing. writing.
• They probably put something in writing.
• It's they've come up with in writing.
• It would give the department writing.

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• seeing is these, uh, license commissions and agencies are self-declaring an emergency so they can write
• 28.800> can self-declaring an emergency so they can self-declaring an emergency so they can write
• 04:29.840> rules<00:04:30.080> and<00:04:30.320> kind<00:04:30.479> of write
• emergency rules and kind of write emergency rules and kind of circumvent<00:04:31.120> the<00
• I'll write you a letter and you can do it. >> Yeah. >> Yeah, that makes sense. >> Yeah. Okay.

Bills: HB136, HB137, HB220, HB213, HB256, HB136, HB137, HB220, HB213, HB256

Keywords: Teacher's Retirement System, TRS, DROP, Deferred Retirement Option Plan, retirement benefits, teacher retirement, classroom teacher, Tier I, Tier II, public pension, pension reform, education employees, retirement system, sick leave, cost-of-living adjustment, COLA, beneficiary, lump-sum payout, rollover, service retirement

Transcript Highlights:

• Then, the parent also writes to the state department of Education and says that the school is in violation
• It does talk about and writes about it.
• President, you need it in writing. I'm sorry, could you repeat that?
• Yes, please provide it in writing. I'll bring it in writing. Thank you.
• Yes, please provide it in writing. I'll bring it in writing. Thank you.

Bills: SCR17, SB2104, SB2155, SB1428, SB1250, SB1651, SB1794, SB444, SB1061, SB1327, SB1425, SB1455, SB1458, SB1460, SB1480, SB1530, SB1543, SB1555, SB1593, SB1209, SB1730, SB1733, SB1769, SB1805, SB2069, SB2095, SB1503

Keywords: trusts, Oklahoma Uniform Trust Code, trust administration, trustee, beneficiary, qualified beneficiary, nonjudicial settlement agreement, trust accounting, fiduciary duty, forfeiture clause, no-contest clause, in terrorem clause, certification of trust, trust property, district court jurisdiction, venue, surcharge trustee, trust protector, trust advisor, principal distribution

Transcript Highlights:

• For example, a voter could write in a certain name in the write-in spot, or they could make a mark that
• <00:14:35.040> in<00:14:35.279> a example, a voter could write in a example, a voter
• could write in a certain<00:14:35.760> name<00:14:36.000> in<00:14:36.160> the<
• 00:14:36.320> write-in<00:14:36.800> spot<00:14:37.519> or certain name in the write-in
• spot or certain name in the write-in spot or they<00:14:38.079> could<00:14:38.240> make

Keywords: HB 534 (only one on the agenda) – 00:02:08, 958, all

Summary: The House Elections, Constitutional Amendments, and Intergovernmental Affairs Committee met to consider House Bill 534, sponsored by Rep. DJ Johnson, with a committee substitute. Johnson said the bill was the product of interim work with the Secretary of State’s office, the State Board of Elections, county clerks, KREF, and other stakeholders, and that the committee substitute folded in several election-administration changes. He highlighted provisions clarifying the timeline for felony voter-roll removals, allowing the Board of Elections to work with federal agencies to identify non-citizens on the voter rolls, creating a process for those individuals to prove citizenship and vote provisionally, and changing some KREF board appointments. He also described technical campaign-finance changes and said some provisions might still be adjusted through floor amendments. Members raised concerns about fiscal impact, timing, and voter privacy. Rep. Bivens questioned the cost and whether the bill could affect voter records; Johnson responded that the bill itself did not require new equipment or broad new spending, though a special election in a local government failure scenario could create costs. Rep. Hancock and Rep. Marzian argued the bill could create unnecessary burdens on county clerks and questioned whether there was a demonstrated problem to justify the changes. The county clerks’ association, through Rockcastle County Clerk Danetta Ford Allen, opposed the bill as introduced, warning that citizenship checks could wrongly remove eligible voters, that online ballot images or cast vote records could threaten voter privacy and facilitate vote buying, and that the emergency clause would force major changes too close to the May primary. Johnson defended the bill as a targeted response to a real local election failure and said the citizenship data sharing would be limited to name, date of birth, and Social Security number. He also explained that the ballot-image language was permissive and intended to let counties explore emerging technology, but he was open to removing that section or changing the effective date in a floor amendment. He further said he would consider preserving gubernatorial appointments to KREF with Senate oversight instead of shifting appointments to legislative leaders. After discussion, the committee voted 9-2 with one pass to report the bill out, with several members explaining yes votes as support for moving the bill forward while expecting further cleanup, and no votes citing cost, timing, and voter-access concerns.

Transcript Highlights:

• When I ran for office, folks asked me, what kind of bills are you going to write?
• I said, honestly, I'd like to repeal more bills than I write, because I think we've got way too many.
• When I ran for office, folks asked me, what kind of bills are you want to write?
• English I have a little trouble with, but, however, I can read and write the English language.
• But, however, I can read and write the English language.

Keywords: 959, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I understand, but I'm happy to follow up with these comments in writing.
• I UNDERSTAND BUT I'M HAPPY TO FOLLOW UP   344 WITH THESE COMMENTS IN WRITING. 345 >>
• The House bill passed in 2023, and we moved forward with the rule writing and rule adoption and having
• Very clearly, my daughter's a public health major, so I know there is a way you have to write so you
• And four, they should have it in writing when they signed the contract that they know what is happening

Summary: The Health Facilities Subcommittee met to receive implementation updates from the Agency for Health Care Administration on three bills passed in prior sessions. First, Deputy Secretary Brian Meyer reported on the transfer of the Children’s Medical Services managed care plan from the Department of Health to AHCA under HB 1085. He said the move was administrative only, with no change to enrollment, providers, services, or clinical eligibility functions, and that it was intended to create efficiencies by aligning procurement and shifting staff resources between agencies. Members then questioned AHCA about reports of reductions in private duty nursing and therapy services for medically fragile children, including concerns about appeals, provider credentialing, and whether families were losing services or being transitioned appropriately. AHCA said it was reviewing denials, monitoring the plan, and using contractual remedies while focusing on maintaining access for members. The committee also reviewed implementation of a bill creating permanent Medicaid eligibility for individuals with permanent disabilities. AHCA staff explained that the agency had submitted a federal 1115 waiver request after public comment and stakeholder meetings, but CMS had indicated it did not anticipate approving the requested authority. Members pressed AHCA on why the waiver was submitted later than the bill’s directive date and on whether the delay was avoidable. AHCA said the waiver was complex and required review, drafting, and public input, and noted that DCF already has a specialized unit to help with redeterminations while the agencies work on operational changes. The committee discussed the practical impact on families who struggle with annual eligibility renewals and the need for clearer communication and faster follow-up from the agency. Finally, AHCA presented on the home health aide program for medically fragile children and related Medicaid eligibility changes. The agency described the 2023 law that created a family caregiver provider type and the 2025 changes that increased the hourly rate, expanded hours, reduced training requirements, and removed caregiver earnings from Medicaid eligibility calculations, subject to federal approval. AHCA said it had completed state public comment, submitted the waiver amendment to CMS, and was awaiting federal action. Members raised concerns that some families may have enrolled or begun work before the eligibility fix was in place and may have lost benefits, especially in Broward County. AHCA said it would work with affected families and plans, review outreach through DCF and the health plans, and continue rulemaking, system updates, and provider training. The meeting ended with the chair noting that the committee had received the updates and adjourned without objection.

Transcript Highlights:

• It made no sense to sue poor families when you had an organization willing to write the check to cover
• This was a church group and they're willing to write a check, and I don't understand why.
• you had an organization willing to write you had an organization willing to write the<00:03:18.560
• a check and I don't understand write a check and I don't understand why.<00:03:57.760> So,<00
• We don't sort of write a narrative typically that explains why a policy is needed.

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The committee first heard Senate Bill 69, which would require local school boards to publicly vote on whether to accept or reject charitable gifts or donations, prompted by a case in which a church offered to pay off school lunch debt but the offer was refused and families were sued instead. Senator Keith Murphy said the bill is intended to force transparency and public accountability in similar situations, while acknowledging that boards may still reject gifts with strings attached or for ethical reasons. Members raised questions about anonymity, privacy, and whether school boards already have authority to address meal debt before litigation. Murphy said the bill was aimed at cases where money is refused and families are sued, and he said he would accept amendments to make the vote requirement apply to both accepted and rejected gifts. The hearing on the bill was then closed. The committee then took up Senate Bill 206, which requires public schools to adopt policies limiting student cell phone use during the school day. Trisha Milo, presenting for Senator Rashardi, said the bill is meant to improve focus, reduce distraction and cyberbullying, and create more consistent policies across districts, while still allowing exceptions for medical, disability, language support, and instructional needs. Committee members questioned whether districts would retain flexibility, whether the bill should apply to charter schools and other devices, and whether the annual policy-update requirement and enforcement language were too prescriptive. Milo said districts would still have flexibility in how they write their policies and that she would seek clarification from the senator on several drafting questions. Becky Wilson of the New Hampshire School Boards Association testified in support of the general concept of a cell phone policy, saying many districts already have some form of policy, though not all do, and that existing sample policies are outdated. She said the annual update requirement would likely be burdensome and that the enforcement language seemed intended to ensure administrative involvement rather than teacher discipline, but she suggested the wording may need revision. Members also discussed whether very small districts or districts without schools should be covered and whether the bill should better distinguish between classroom enforcement and student discipline. The chair closed the hearing on Senate Bill 206 after no further testimony, and the committee moved on to the next bill.

Transcript Highlights:

• There's a tremendous amount of evidence, submissions, their writings, and we are, especially at the end
• We can write op-eds. We can put social media out. There's lots of things we can do.
• We can write op-eds. We can put social media out.
• We're talking about write-ups? Yes, ordinarily we're looking at write-ups.
• There are different types of write-ups, serious rules violations, administrative, and behavior chronos

Keywords: 987, senate, all

Summary: The Senate Rules Committee met to consider several governor’s appointments, committee referrals, and a budget rule waiver. The committee approved Jim Cervantes and Martin Motto to the California Housing Finance Agency Board of Directors unanimously, and also approved Larry Schingold to the State Mining and Geology Board unanimously. Preston Prince and Stephanie Landergan were approved on 3-2 votes. The committee also approved a Budget and Fiscal Committee request to suspend JR61B10 so budget subcommittees 1 through 5 could meet during the blackout period on May 28. The committee then heard testimony from five appointees to the Board of Parole Hearings: William Munis, Michael Ruff, Rosalind Sergeant Burns, Mary Thornton, and Jack Weiss. Senators focused heavily on recent controversial parole decisions involving child sexual abuse cases, asking how commissioners weigh current risk, what discretion they have, how they use risk assessments and coping plans, and whether parole-board votes in en banc review should be made public. The commissioners repeatedly said they must follow the law, rely on structured, evidence-based assessments, and evaluate current unreasonable risk rather than the original offense alone. They also discussed recidivism data, reconsideration hearings, use of medical-assisted treatment records, and the role of age, time served, institutional behavior, parole plans, and community support. A major portion of the hearing centered on respect for victims and public confidence in the parole process. Commissioners described training and practices for handling victim participation, protecting privacy, and conducting hearings professionally. Senators expressed concern that some commissioners were too deferential to process and not sufficiently accountable in their own judgment, while others emphasized the need for transparency and the importance of the board’s quasi-judicial deliberations. Public commenters largely supported the confirmations, though one witness raised concerns about professionalism and questioning style, particularly regarding Commissioner Weiss. The hearing concluded with public testimony in support of the appointees.

Transcript Highlights:

• Seeing none, we'll put it on consent and Representative Paige will write the report. Okay.
• represent Paige will write the report. represent Paige will write the report.
• Representative Cole will write the report. The Chair then closed the executive session.
• Representative Cole will write the report. >> yes. >> yes.
• uh, Representative Cole, you'll write uh, Representative Cole, you'll write the<00:54:56.319>

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• She was writing this morning at six o'clock, and she'll be writing when I come home tonight.
• After two years, every day I write a poem. Thank you.
• They have attorneys on their staff, and they write bills that they're very fond of.
• The writing of legislation is as specialized a practice of law as any I've ever seen.
• I wouldn't begin to try and write a will for any of you all.

Transcript Highlights:

• um, that they need to put it in writing um, that they need to put it in writing and<00:08:20.400
• Um just as a those findings in writing.
• <00:20:43.200> um put those considerations in writing um put those considerations in writing
• writings um those findings in writing. writings um those findings in writing.
• They should be able to write this as zero.

Bills: HF3676, HF3683, HF3395

Keywords: Safe at Home, address confidentiality, domestic violence, sexual assault, stalking, harassment, victim privacy, survivor protection, confidential address, protected address, secret address, identity protection, residential confidentiality, program participant, nondiscrimination, court disclosure, protective order, service of process, driver's license, state ID

Summary: The committee first approved minutes from February 19 and February 26, while skipping the February 24 minutes because of a drafting error that would be corrected later. It then took up House File 3676, a Safe at Home program bill described by Rep. Nash as arising from a constituent’s dangerous identity exposure and intended to tighten protections for participants, including allowing emancipated minors to enroll. Testimony from the Secretary of State’s office explained that the bill would clarify who may apply for a minor, require proof of guardianship, strengthen court findings before a participant’s physical address can be disclosed, increase penalties for harmful disclosure, prohibit discrimination based on participation, require state agencies to designate a Safe at Home contact person, allow use of the Safe at Home card as proof of residence for certain ID purposes, and require judge training. Members raised concerns about federal compatibility, constitutionality of court-related provisions, and the need for a fiscal note on the felony penalty. Several sections were noted as being removed or modified in a later engrossment, and the committee voted to re-refer HF 3676 to the Transportation Finance and Policy Committee. The committee then heard House File 3683, which would direct the state budget forecast to include the estimated cost of fraud. Rep. Nash argued that fraud is a significant but unquantified drain on state resources and said the bill would adapt existing forecast language used for inflation to track fraud costs. Minnesota Management and Budget Deputy Commissioner Anna Mingi testified that fraud is unacceptable and that the agency works to prevent and detect it, but said the twice-yearly forecast is not the right tool for this kind of retrospective analysis. She explained that if fraud is identified, the forecast would reflect reduced spending through program integrity actions rather than a separate fraud-cost line item. The bill was moved and referred to the general register after a roll call was requested.

Transcript Highlights:

• If you do not get to say something, you are more than welcome to submit it in writing.
• If you do not get to say something, you are more than welcome to submit it in writing.
• You can submit the rest in writing. Thank you. Questions for the panel? Okay.
• Okay, any additional materials you want us to consider you can, of course, submit in writing.
• I'm going to just encourage you to submit your testimony in writing.

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The committee held a lengthy hybrid hearing of the Joint Committee on Municipalities and Regional Government, with testimony spanning local board training, animal welfare and enforcement, municipal charters, water district dissolution, and other home rule matters. Chairs Rausch and Lewis set strict time limits because of the large number of speakers and explained that written testimony would also be accepted. Members heard from local officials, advocates, municipal employees, and residents, with many bills receiving broad support from municipal and advocacy witnesses. Several speakers supported bills requiring or expanding training for local boards and commissions, including pre-service training for planning, zoning, and other land use boards. Supporters said training would help volunteers understand complex laws, improve consistency, reduce legal challenges, and speed up housing and development decisions. Related testimony also backed a bill to modernize historic district commissions and another to allow associate planning board members to serve more broadly when needed to maintain quorums. A major portion of the hearing focused on animal legislation. Witnesses supported bills to expand citations for cruel conditions beyond dogs, update dangerous dog procedures, improve animal health inspections and breeder oversight, strengthen tethering rules, and protect pet consumers. Animal control officers, humane organizations, and some victims of dog attacks described enforcement gaps and the need for clearer standards, while several dog trainers and the American Kennel Club opposed parts of the dangerous dog bill and tethering restrictions, arguing they would limit humane training tools and professional discretion. The committee also heard strong support for a bill to create a statewide pet shop and consumer protection framework. The committee also heard testimony on several local home rule petitions. Medford officials and residents strongly supported a new city charter that would replace the current at-large council with ward-based representation and periodic charter review. Wayland representatives supported a bill to preserve the library’s Millennium Fund as intended, Cambridge officials backed creation of an employment and job training trust, and Carver officials supported dissolving the North Carver Water District due to compliance and financial problems. No votes were taken during the hearing, and the chair repeatedly invited written testimony and follow-up materials.

Transcript Highlights:

• read prepared remarks, but please do not read from any testimony that you have already submitted in writing
• or that you will be submitting in writing.
• I'm sorry, time is expired, but we will happily take additional comments in writing.
• Okay, you're welcome to submit additional testimony in writing. Thank you for your testimony.
• Lampert, for your testimony, and we look forward to receiving your comments in writing as well.

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The Joint Committee on Environment and Natural Resources held a hybrid hearing with testimony on a range of environmental bills. Early testimony focused on H. 1018, which would update management of the Commonwealth’s water resources and limit new conditions on historic water registrations. Water officials from Wellesley and the Springfield Water and Sewer Commission supported the bill, arguing that drought-related restrictions on registered withdrawals are difficult to administer, create customer confusion, and can undermine utility revenue needed for infrastructure upgrades. A Massachusetts Waterworks Association representative also backed the bill, saying registered systems have long operated within their allocations and should not have those withdrawals conditioned by regulation. A major portion of the hearing centered on H. 1040, which would ban tire-derived materials on playgrounds and playing fields. The bill’s petitioner, environmental advocates, and an environmental chemist testified that crumb rubber and other tire-derived infill can release chemicals into soil and water and may pose risks to aquatic life and public health. Committee members asked about alternatives and costs; witnesses said natural grass and some organic infills are available, though more research is needed on some substitutes. Rep. Schwartz also testified on CSO-related bills, describing combined sewer overflows as a public health and environmental problem and saying the bills set deadlines but leave implementation methods to local and regional officials. Rep. Chacolo supported H. 909, a grant program for low-noise, low-emission landscape equipment, citing worker health, noise, and emissions concerns, and Sen. Cyr testified for bills addressing coastal and environmental acidification and nutrient pollution. The hearing also included extensive testimony on H. 4040, which would prevent discharge of radioactive materials from the Pilgrim decommissioning process. Speakers including a Sierra Club representative, a physician, and the Massachusetts Lobstermen’s Association opposed Holtec’s plan to dispose of radioactive wastewater through evaporation or discharge, citing public health, transparency, and economic risks to fisheries and coastal communities. Another large block of testimony addressed CSO legislation, especially H. 1046 and related bills for the MWRA service area. Environmental groups, residents, and river users described sewage overflows into the Charles, Mystic, and Alewife Brook, impacts on health and recreation, and the need for a timeline to eliminate or sharply reduce overflows. Industry representatives opposed the CSO and waste bills, arguing they would be costly, duplicative, and disruptive, while waste facility operators said they already use continuous emissions monitoring and comply with existing regulations. No votes were taken during the hearing.

Transcript Highlights:

• Who's going to write the reports for you, Carol?
• >> I wrote for 592, and Jerry should write for the second grade. Well, thank you, everybody.
• the reports for Who Who's going to write the reports for you,<01:03:21.400> Carol?
• for 592 and Jerry >> I wrote for I'll write for 592 and Jerry should<01:03:25.120> write
• for And you got the report should write for And you got the report for<01:03:26.600> second<01

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Summary: The committee held a work session on House Bill 592, which concerns regional conservation and energy resources planning for habitat strongholds and wildlife corridors, and a commission to study transferring ownership of the Winnipesaukee River Basin Program to another authority. Jason Stock of the New Hampshire Timberland Owners Association said his group was fine with the bill as printed, especially after Senate language clarified that habitat stronghold designations are for information gathering and not regulatory purposes. Ted Diers of the Department of Environmental Services strongly supported the bill’s Winnipesaukee River Basin provisions, saying the state’s role in operating the wastewater system is outdated and that the communities are now capable of taking more control; he also supported creating a higher-level engineering/director position to oversee aging infrastructure and help manage a possible transition. Committee members asked about the facility’s location, capacity, costs, staffing, the possibility of private operation, the commission’s membership, and whether the six-month study timeline was realistic. Diers said there would be no state savings beyond administrative time, that the communities already pay the costs, and that a report in six months should provide useful next steps even if it would not resolve everything. The chair closed the work session on HB 592 and announced a brief recess before later action, while a member indicated interest in proposing an amendment to change the commission’s membership.

Transcript Highlights:

• If we were writing the bill, it probably would be different.
• If you were writing the bill, it would probably be different.
• If we<00:05:02.560> were<00:05:02.720> writing<00:05:02.960> the<00:05:03.120>
• we were writing the bill, it probably would<00:05:03.919> be<00:05:04.080> different.
• If you were writing would be different.

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• And we can't write school procedures that override schoolboard policies.
• And we<01:10:40.640> can't<01:10:40.880> write<01:10:41.360> write<01:10:42.159>
• school<01:10:42.640> policies we can't write write school policies we can't write write
• And we can't write school statute.
• And so we should always be writing them.

Keywords: 916, all

Transcript Highlights:

• You really want to write the blurb on this right now? You have to write it. Okay, that's okay.
• <00:46:07.400> the to write the to write the blurb<00:46:09.040> what's<00:46:09.240
• Are you going to write a minority report?
• Okay, okay, so you write that here. Okay, and we say adoption, turn adopted.
• H correct okay okay so you write that H correct okay okay so you write that here okay<01:07:38.359>

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Summary: The committee met in executive session and first discussed scheduling, noting that Town Meeting Day would cancel the next Tuesday meeting, that they would meet Wednesday instead, and that remaining bills would be handled through subcommittees and a likely final executive session on the 19th to meet the deadline for committee action on the 20th. The committee then took up several bills, with repeated roll calls and votes, often placing measures on the consent calendar after committee approval. House Bill 185 on ambulance reimbursement rates was described as a perennial issue and was voted inexpedient to legislate, with members noting concerns that an any-willing-provider approach would make premium impacts hard to evaluate. House Bill 186 on cannabis legalization was retained for further work, with members saying the bill addressed stopping marijuana arrests but that the sales and implementation details still needed more development. House Bill 241 on treatment alternatives to opioids was also retained because the sponsor could not attend and the committee wanted more time to continue work. The committee then considered House Bill 302 on state treasury investments in digital assets and precious metals. The amendment narrowed the proposal, removing more complicated provisions like stable tokens and staking, lowering the authorized allocation from 10% to 5%, and limiting eligible digital assets to those with very high market capitalization; members discussed volatility, the treasurer’s discretion, and oversight through bond-rating concerns. The amendment and the bill as amended both passed, and the bill was placed on the consent calendar. Other measures moved quickly: House Bill 451 on a paint product stewardship program was amended to remove direct funding and framed as manufacturer-run enabling legislation, then passed and was placed on consent; House Bill 499 made technical corrections to insurance laws and passed unanimously; House Bill 538 on relocating Liquor Commission positions passed unanimously; House Bill 552 on children covered under the state retirement insurance plan was cleaned up to remove a student requirement and passed unanimously; and a blockchain/digital currencies bill was amended to address noise and local regulation concerns for data mining operations, with supporters emphasizing energy-use issues, municipal authority, and a separate commission studying regulation. That bill also passed and was sent to consent.

Transcript Highlights:

• I will write the majority report. Will there be a minority report? And who so will you write it to?
• I will write the report for the majority, and who will write the report for the minority?
• <02:23:45.800> the Alexander can I ask you to write the Alexander can I ask you to write the
• Um, all right, so I guess I will write the majority report. Who wants to write the Minority Report?
• Somebody wish to write? I'll write one, Mr. Chair. Oh, go ahead, Representative Cab.

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The House Judiciary Committee met in executive session and first took up HB 148, which would allow classification by biological sex in limited circumstances such as multi-use bathrooms, certain athletic events, and involuntary commitment facilities. Supporters argued the bill was needed to protect privacy and safety, especially for women and girls, and said it was consistent with recent federal actions and prior legislation. Opponents said the bill lacked a clear definition of biological sex, could create confusion and discrimination, and was unnecessary because existing law and sports rules already address the issues raised. After debate, the committee voted 10-8 to recommend ought to pass on HB 148. The chair asked for a majority report and noted that a minority report would likely be filed. The committee then considered HB 254, a bill related to end-of-life medical decision-making. Supporters framed it as a matter of liberty and relief from suffering for terminally ill patients, while opponents raised moral objections, concerns about suicide being normalized, and worries about deceptive wording and death-certificate reporting. HB 254 was approved on an 11-7 vote for ought to pass, with the chair indicating he would write the majority report and Representative Perez the minority report. The committee then moved to HB 611 with Amendment 2025-0638, a replace-all amendment restoring prior law on recoupment of appointed-counsel costs from indigent criminal defendants and juveniles. The chair explained the amendment as reversing 2020 changes that had limited cost recovery, and the discussion focused on financial affidavits and the Office of Cost Containment’s ability to review indigency claims. The transcript cuts off before the committee vote on HB 611.