Transcript Highlights:

• some other state has been doing it right the right way for a considerable amount of time, I'm not dedicated
• time, I<03:19:06.360> I<03:19:06.600> I'm<03:19:06.800> not<03:19:07.040> dedicated
• > to<03:19:07.800> the<03:19:08.120> the<03:19:08.280> idea I I I'm not dedicated
• to the the idea I I I'm not dedicated to the the idea that<03:19:09.200> we<03:19:09.400>

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• And we are grateful for their service and dedication to uncovering the facts.
• This has been a very aggressive timeline, as you know, and we have dedicated really our entire practices
• to this project... ...and we have dedicated really our entire practices to this project over the last
• submission to authority in that culture, with those counselors and those people that would have been dedicated

Keywords: 1185, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• After 20 years of dedicated service to the state of Vermont, Topper is going home to Mom, his college
• After<00:42:01.400> 20<00:42:01.760> years<00:42:02.080> of<00:42:02.200> dedicated
• <00:42:02.800> service<00:42:03.280> to After 20 years of dedicated service to After
• 20 years of dedicated service to the<00:42:03.520> state<00:42:03.800> of<00:42:03.880

Keywords: 926, house, all

Summary: The House opened with a devotional reading by poet April Osmon, who read two poems focused on bridging political divides and shared humanity. Members then recognized the final day of service for the legislative pages, thanking them for their work during the 2026 session and presenting each page with a pin and a photo opportunity. The chamber then handled bill referrals: Senate Bill 193, creating a forensic facility for certain criminal justice-involved persons, was referred to Judiciary; Senate Bill 198, regulating tobacco products and tobacco substitutes, went to Commerce and Economic Development; Senate Bill 214, concerning pre-kindergarten education in geographically isolated school districts, went to Education; and Senate Bill 218, reducing chloride contamination in state waters and carrying an appropriation, was referred to Appropriations. The House also read and adopted two concurrent resolutions: HCR 237 congratulating Vermont-associated 2026 Winter Olympic medal winners, and HCR 238 honoring the Vermont Association for the Blind and Visually Impaired on its 100th anniversary. Much of the remainder of the session consisted of tributes and guest recognitions tied to those resolutions. Members highlighted Vermont’s Olympic skiers and coaches, including Ben Ogden, Paula Moltzan, Ryan Cochran-Siegle, Jessie Diggins, Mikaela Shiffrin, Barbara Ann Cochran, Bill Koch, and others, and read a note from Diggins thanking Vermont for its support and emphasizing teamwork and community. Speakers also praised VABVI’s century of service and its role in helping blind and visually impaired Vermonters, and several members offered personal remarks honoring retiring Representative Francis “Topper” McFaun for his long service, mentorship, and family legacy.

Transcript Highlights:

• Education Support Staff Professional Award, a prestigious honor created in 2020 to celebrate those dedicated
• :31:41.480> to<01:31:41.600> celebrate<01:31:42.200> those<01:31:42.440> dedicated
• 2020 to celebrate those dedicated 2020 to celebrate those dedicated classified<01:31:43.880>

Keywords: 958, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I admire her tenacity, her esprit de corps, and her complete dedication in holding these truths to be
• 48.560> complete her esprit de corps, and her complete her esprit de corps, and her complete dedication
• 50.600> these<01:18:50.920> truths<01:18:51.320> to<01:18:51.440> be dedication
• in holding these truths to be dedication in holding these truths to be self-evident,<01:18:52.880>

Keywords: Senate streaming session for Friday, March 6, 2026, 960, senate, all

Summary: The Senate opened with an invocation by Pastor Jermaine Turner, followed by welcoming remarks for visiting students and a quorum call confirming the chamber was in session. The body then moved through introductions and began considering bills and messages, including a supplemental budget message from the Governor that was journalized and referred to Budget and Taxation for incorporation into the FY27 budget. The chamber also handled several committee reports and amendments, with multiple measures ordered printed for third reading after no objections. Among the notable committee actions, the Senate adopted amendments and advanced Senate Bill 538 on Baltimore City raffles for organizations affiliated with professional baseball and football teams, Senate Bill 108 on water resources and wetlands enforcement, Senate Bill 328 on property tax credits for disabled or fallen public safety and judicial officers, Senate Bill 587 funding the Maryland Patient Safety Center Fund, Senate Bill 765 on property tax sales heir protection and tax credits, and Senate Bill 767 on property tax credits for commercial buildings rented to small businesses. The chamber also adopted favorable reports for Senate Bill 503 on the Growing Family Child Care Opportunities Program and Senate Bill 519 on delaying and studying the Earned Income Tax Credit Assistance Program. The Senate then took up third-reading votes on a series of bills, passing measures including Senate Bills 540, 544, 578, 581, 634, 638, 852, 897, 69, 177, 241, 323, 776, and 439. The final bill, Senate Bill 439 on employment discrimination related to fire and rescue public safety employees’ use of medical cannabis, prompted extended discussion about off-duty cannabis use, impairment, and the difference between prescribed opioids and medical cannabis recommendations. The bill sponsor and other senators debated whether cannabis can be prescribed, the role of physicians, and the lack of a measurable standard for impairment, but the transcript ends before a final vote on that bill is shown.

Transcript Highlights:

• And this resolution is dedicated to the team with the highest admiration and sincere best wishes for
• And this resolution is<00:15:01.400> dedicated<00:15:01.920> to<00:15:02.000> the
• ><00:15:02.120> team<00:15:02.400> with<00:15:02.520> the is dedicated to the team
• with the is dedicated to the team with the highest<00:15:03.120> admiration<00:15:04.200>

Keywords: 1136, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• And additionally, because they have advantages such as signal priority, such as dedicated bus lanes or
• such<00:56:31.200> as as uh signal priority um such as as uh signal priority um such as dedicated
• 56:33.280> or<00:56:34.240> uh<00:56:34.799> tracks<00:56:35.359> in dedicated
• bus lanes or or uh tracks in dedicated bus lanes or or uh tracks in the<00:56:35.760> ground.

Keywords: 919, house, all

Summary: The committee heard a Met Council report from Charles Carlson on high-subsidy transit route analysis required by the transportation bill. Carlson explained that the study uses per-passenger operating subsidy, compares routes by type and service day, and is intended to help providers improve cost-effectiveness while recognizing transit’s importance for access, affordability, safety, and the region’s economy. He noted that routes more than 60% above peer averages are considered the highest-subsidy tier, and that the report also estimates the cost of Metro Mobility associated with those routes. Members asked several questions about why contracted service can cost less than directly operated service, whether contracting affects wages, union membership, or service quality, and why the Met Council targets about 20% of regular route service for contracting. Carlson said contracted service can be cheaper because of lower overhead and other market factors, that the council sets minimum wage and service-quality requirements in contracts, and that customers should not notice a quality difference. He also said the 20% target is meant to balance cost-effective service, geography, and a mix of providers, and that some routes may become more cost-effective with more frequent service depending on local demand. Carlson reported that in 2024, 206 of 264 routes met guidelines, 16 were in the lowest intervention tier, 14 in the middle tier, and 28 were in the highest-subsidy tier. He said the regional share of high-subsidy service was about 4.1%, but the share varied widely by provider, with some at 0% and others much higher. He estimated that discontinuing the highest-subsidy routes would save about $23 million annually and up to $72 million in capital costs. For Metro Mobility, he said the cost associated with trips tied to high-subsidy routes rose from about $368,000 in 2023 to about $6.1 million in 2024, largely because the mix of routes triggering federally mandated paratransit service changed, especially in the Shakopee area.

Transcript Highlights:

• receptive to the outreach and the suggestions that people offer, and hopefully then get them into dedicated
• 34.560> into offer, and hopefully then get them into offer, and hopefully then get them into dedicated
• <00:07:35.440> behavioral<00:07:36.000> health<00:07:36.240> follow-up, dedicated
• behavioral health follow-up, dedicated behavioral health follow-up, which<00:07:37.360> gives

Keywords: 958, all

Summary: The Health Services Committee heard a presentation from Dr. Steven Stack, Secretary of the Cabinet for Health and Family Services, on Kentucky’s Rural Health Transformation Program. He said Kentucky received about $213 million in federal funding, among the highest awards nationally, after a fast application and negotiation process. He emphasized that the grant is time-limited, must be used for the specific goals in the state’s application, and cannot be treated as a general bailout or replacement for existing funding. He also noted the state will use a website, ruralhealthplan.ky.gov, to share the full application, award terms, and future opportunities. Dr. Stack outlined five focus areas: maternal health and prenatal/early childhood supports; EMS and trauma response workforce and transfer capacity; behavioral health crisis care through the EMPATH model and mobile crisis services; oral health access through more hygienists, telehealth, and hub-and-spoke models; and rural community hubs for chronic disease prevention and innovation, including food-as-medicine and healthier lifestyle interventions. He stressed that the program is meant to be transformative, not duplicative, and that it cannot pay clinician salaries, fund new construction, replace EMR systems broadly, or duplicate billable services. He said the state will work with community partners, hospitals, universities, and others, including the Foundation for a Healthy Kentucky, to begin implementation. Members responded positively overall. Senator Berg praised the award and the goal of integrating care across the state, but raised concerns about access to prenatal care and about possible future changes to water fluoridation, warning both could harm children and rural families. The chair and other members thanked Dr. Stack for the update and congratulated him on the award. No votes or formal committee actions were taken during this portion of the meeting.

Transcript Highlights:

• Half of the Bill of Rights is dedicated to the rights of the accused and those who are in our justice
• Half of the Bill of Rights is dedicated<00:44:25.440> to<00:44:25.680> the<00:44:25.839
• > rights<00:44:26.079> of<00:44:26.160> the<00:44:26.319> accused dedicated
• to the rights of the accused dedicated to the rights of the accused and<00:44:27.280> those<00

Keywords: Convene 00:00:00 Senate Message 00:04:53 Calendar/2nd Readings 00:05:27 Report of Committees 00:06:16 Orders of the Day 00:08:42 SB 172 00:08:54 HB 392 00:11:47 HB 529 00:16:02 HB 456 00:22:04 HB 424 00:25:27 HJR 50 00:30:04 HB 577 00:32:29 HB 213 00:36:10 HB 58 00:40:22 HB 10 00:45:23 Motions, Petitions, and Communications 01:04:32 Introduction of New Bills and Resolutions 01:17:33 Recess for ConC/Rules Meeting 01:20:15 ConC/Rules Report 01:25:00 Floor Amendments 01:26:56 Adjournment 01:27:21, 958, all

Summary: The House convened with an invocation and Pledge of Allegiance, established a quorum of 96 members, excused absent members, and approved the prior journal. The chamber also received Senate messages transmitting Senate Bills 969 and 141. Several bills were reported from committee and placed on the calendar, including measures on on-farm animal health, insurance regulation, crimes and punishments, employment, artificial intelligence, utility fuel adjustments, education, and addictive online platforms. The House then took up and passed Senate Bill 172, which allows the Public Service Commission to spread sudden fuel cost spikes over several months to reduce consumer bill shock. It passed 95-0. House Bill 392, dealing with local public agency transactions and procurement, was amended by committee substitute to remove disputed best-value procurement and residential bidder preference provisions, lower the small purchase threshold increase to $50,000, and add indexing and other local purchasing changes; it passed 97-0. House Bill 529, concerning the parole board, was amended to stagger board terms, allow limited term extensions, authorize panel hearings, and adjust parole review timing; it passed 99-0. House Bill 456, relating to unclaimed property and the state treasurer, was passed 100-0 after adding an unclaimed property awareness week, removing a residency requirement for the treasurer, clarifying mineral royalty reporting, and tightening reporting requirements. The House also passed House Bill 424 on social work licensure, which exempts student interns and trainees, sets supervision standards, updates licensure rules including multi-state licensure, background checks, and telehealth, and requires board representation from social work education; it passed 94-0. House Joint Resolution 50, directing a study of child care regulations and processes by the Auditor of Public Accounts, was adopted 98-0. House Bill 577, modernizing economic development statutes by renaming and updating innovation programs, expanding the Kentucky Enterprise Fund, allowing certain out-of-state companies to qualify if they relocate within 180 days, and broadening angel investor participation, passed 98-0. House Bill 213, reducing the service requirement for rehiring retired police officers from 20 to 15 years and allowing local employers to offer health benefits, passed 98-0. House Bill 58, on privacy protection and automated license plate reader data, was taken up with a committee substitute and floor amendment allowing limited data retention and training use under redactions; the transcript cuts off during explanation of the bill after the amendment was adopted.

Transcript Highlights:

• The metals industry will always consider all employees and candidates, but having a dedicated pathway
• candidates, but at large employees and candidates, but having<00:17:17.280> a<00:17:17.520> dedicated
• <00:17:18.160> pathway<00:17:19.600> with<00:17:19.839> the having a dedicated
• pathway with the having a dedicated pathway with the education<00:17:20.720> system<00:17:21.280

Keywords: Meeting Start 00:00:00 Call to Order and Roll Call 00:00:22 Forging the Future: Kentucky's National Leadership in Metals Manufacturing 00:01:33 Improvements to Kentucky’s Incentive Programs 00:52:05, 958, all

Summary: The committee met for its third interim meeting, approved the prior meeting minutes, and heard a presentation from the Metals Innovation Initiative (MI2) on Kentucky’s metals industry. Speakers described metals manufacturing and recycling as a major economic backbone for the Commonwealth, including steel, aluminum, stainless steel, and copper operations, with broad impacts across production, fabrication, supply chains, and related businesses. They emphasized that the industry supports high-paying jobs, significant capital investment in Kentucky, and is aligned with broader efforts to expand U.S. manufacturing. A central theme was workforce development. MI2 leaders said the industry faces a persistent talent gap and that current education programs do not always produce the skills needed for modern metals jobs. They argued for stronger exposure and awareness, more direct industry involvement, and a dedicated metals career pathway through high schools, area technology centers, career and technical centers, and KCTCS. They also described pilot efforts in Logan, Warren, and Carroll counties that would introduce students to metals careers in middle school, move them into credits and pathways in high school, and connect them to internships, apprenticeships, and postsecondary training. Recycling and supply-chain security were the other major topics. Testimony stressed that recycled inputs are far cheaper than raw ore extraction and that recycling is increasingly important to competitiveness, environmental performance, and keeping materials from leaving the U.S. Speakers also raised concerns about China’s large steel and aluminum capacity and said unfair trade and global market manipulation make it harder for Kentucky producers to compete. Committee members and presenters framed MI2 as a collaborative effort among industry, state government, and academia to strengthen workforce pipelines, recycling, and long-term industry growth. No votes or formal actions were taken beyond approving the minutes.

Transcript Highlights:

• And then we've also dedicated some of the funding to go to the high schools themselves to either supplement
• <00:38:28.160> then<00:38:28.320> we've<00:38:28.560> also<00:38:28.720> dedicated
• And then we've also dedicated some work.
• And then we've also dedicated some of<00:38:29.440> the<00:38:29.599> funding<00:38:29.920

Keywords: 919, house, all

Summary: The committee first took up a series of “same and similar” provisions between the House and Senate higher education bills and adopted them one by one, with brief explanations from members and staff. The items included a cybersecurity addition for a doctoral degree program, Northstar Promise definitions and eligibility limits, self-loan provisions on institution eligibility and data disclosure, and dual training language requiring certificates, diplomas, or degrees to come from accredited postsecondary institutions. The committee also adopted an amendment to the private career school provisions that clarified exempt institutions remain within the act, and removed certain limited-license and renewal fees for institutions participating in dual training grants or the eligible training provider list. Each of these motions prevailed by voice vote. The committee then moved into policy differences between the House and Senate bills, beginning with emergency grants and hunger-free campus grants. Members discussed shifting funding from OHE-administered competitive grants to direct appropriations for the University of Minnesota and Minnesota State, while the Senate retained competitive grant access for private and tribal colleges and added reporting requirements. OHE Commissioner Dennis Olson said the added reporting would be an extra administrative task but raised no significant concerns. Testifiers from the University of Minnesota, Minnesota State, and the private college sector supported faster, more direct funding and described the grants as important for emergency housing, transportation, food insecurity, and other student basic needs. A LeadMN representative also supported the changes, saying campus staff and students wanted funds delivered more quickly. The committee also discussed direct admissions on R31. The Senate proposal would require public and charter high schools to participate in the direct admissions program by the 2029-2030 school year. Assistant Commissioner Wendy Robinson said OHE supports statewide expansion and that the program has improved FAFSA completion, college enrollment, and student retention in Minnesota. Members noted the bill had bipartisan support and heard from advocates such as Ed Allies and Students United. No votes were taken on the policy-difference items during this portion of the meeting, and the chair said further discussion of state grant and sexual misconduct policy differences would be held at a later hearing with additional OHE staff present.

Transcript Highlights:

• We're a non-partisan whole child research policy and advocacy organization dedicated to promoting children's
• We're a statewide organization that's dedicated to advancing equity and well-being by addressing the
• issued permits to early childhood educators but in the 60 years since there's never been appointments dedicated
• expertise would greatly benefit the workforce pipeline that we rely on. and the children that we are dedicated

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Because they have a whole dedicated section at HSEM that deals with school emergencies.
• > agement company because they have a agement company because they have a whole<01:12:27.400> dedicated
• section<01:12:29.719> at<01:12:29.960> HSM<01:12:30.920> that whole dedicated
• section at HSM that whole dedicated section at HSM that deals<01:12:31.360> with<01:12:31.560

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• These achievement gaps and opportunity gaps persist even with the dedication of many individuals and
• persist even gaps and opportunity gaps persist even with<01:07:22.400> the<01:07:22.559> dedication
• /c><01:07:23.200> of<01:07:23.520> many<01:07:23.839> individuals with the dedication
• of many individuals with the dedication of many individuals and<01:07:24.880> organizations<01

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• For instance, if for some reason Morrison Hall seems to be the place where they need to dedicate more
• place where they Hall seems to be the place where they need<01:05:59.599> to<01:05:59.760> dedicate
• of<01:06:01.119> the<01:06:01.359> $8<01:06:01.520> million need to dedicate
• more of the $8 million need to dedicate more of the $8 million appropriation<01:06:02.720> they

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The committee heard testimony on proposed improvements to the New Hampshire State Police gun range and training facility. Commissioner Robert Quinn and Major Brendan Davy said the range is used for realistic, scenario-based training that cannot be replicated at a standard static range, including movement, use of cover, vehicle-based drills, elevation, and training under elevated heart rates and stress. They said the facility is important not only for state troopers but also for local and federal partners, and that it is used regularly for qualifications, requalification, and special unit training. Members asked about specific limitations and costs. Major Davy said the PSTC range is handgun-caliber only because the backstop is not rifle-rated, and local law enforcement can use the State Police range for qualification. Representative Kazinski questioned the size and cost of the project, and Public Works Director Theodore Copper then explained the estimate: $1.5 million for building and site work, plus soft costs, utilities, design, and inflation, bringing the total to $2.3 million. He said the proposed facility would include office space, two classrooms, restrooms, and heating and air conditioning, and that the estimate was reasonable. The committee also heard from Milford School District Superintendent Christy Misho in support of CTE funding. She said Milford has been working for years to secure support for an applied technology center renovation, that prior local bond efforts fell short of the required threshold, and that the district now plans a CTE-only local bond of about $4 million while seeking $10 million from the state. She argued the investment is needed to modernize outdated equipment and support workforce training, and said the district remains committed to the project. In work session action, the committee corrected a prior vote on the Pease Development Authority warehouse removal and replacement project, increasing the amount by $353,300 to $1,973,300 and raising the agency subtotal to $4,155,300. The committee also approved adding two Community College System items: $500,000 for an energy management system and $1.3 million for critical maintenance, for a total addition of $1.8 million. No objections were raised to these motions.

Transcript Highlights:

• notice in the underlying bill the medical assistance account is stricken; that is a meaningless non-dedicated
• account is is stricken that is a account is is stricken that is a meaningless<00:42:54.240> non-dedicated
• c><00:42:55.000> account<00:42:55.640> in<00:42:55.760> the meaningless non-dedicated
• account in the meaningless non-dedicated account in the general<00:42:56.240> fund<00:42:56.599

Bills: HF2371, HF2147, HF2557, HF1165, HF2466, HF2465, HF2482

Keywords: informed consent, sensitive examinations, healthcare, patient rights, anesthesia, hot water pools, rental properties, public health, safety regulations, Minnesota Statutes, health care access, hospital surcharge, fund allocation, medical assistance, health funding, health care, education, bonding capacity, financing, Minnesota Higher Education Facilities Authority

Transcript Highlights:

• FTEs is dedicated to streamlining operations, negotiating cost-effective leases, and implementing best
• Implementing a mechanism to review these rule-making processes is a show of faith in our dedication to
• We're dedicated to ensuring... the constitutional separation of powers in courtrooms and capitals around
• Having a dedicated staff capable of assisting agencies with best practices will promote regulatory consistency

Bills: HB10, HB 12, HB675, HB10, HB12

Keywords: regulatory reform, government efficiency, administrative law, rulemaking, agency deference, judicial review, de novo review, Texas Government Code, Administrative Procedure Act, state agencies, plain language, regulatory burden, regulatory reduction, cost-benefit analysis, fiscal note, public benefits and costs, contested case, rule challenge, Texas Regulatory Efficiency Office, advisory panel

Transcript Highlights:

• similarly echo some of what the Farm Bureau had shared: the importance of restoring some of the dedicated
• restoring some shared the importance of restoring some of<00:34:45.200> the<00:34:46.079> dedicated
• <00:34:46.679> Staffing<00:34:47.240> and<00:34:47.399> funding of the dedicated
• Staffing and funding of the dedicated Staffing and funding that<00:34:48.040> were<00:34:48.200

Keywords: 910, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• health networks serve as a real liaison and champion of their communities, and this commission is dedicated
• communities and this commission um their communities and this commission um is<00:50:13.839> dedicated
• > to<00:50:15.400> exploring<00:50:16.000> that<00:50:16.200> and is dedicated
• to exploring that and is dedicated to exploring that and looking<00:50:16.720> for<00:50:17.160

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• junior at Iolani School, and I'm also the Youth Justice Advocate at Emua Alliance, an organization dedicated
• Advocate at Emua Alliance,<00:31:13.240> an<00:31:13.400> organization<00:31:14.200> dedicated
• <00:31:14.920> to Alliance, an organization dedicated to Alliance, an organization dedicated

Keywords: 910, house, all

Summary: The committee heard testimony on HB 963, which would make crimes against elders age 60 and over strict liability offenses by removing the requirement that the perpetrator knew or should have known the victim’s age. The Office of the Public Defender opposed the bill, arguing that removing the state-of-mind element would create unfair and subjective results and suggesting sentencing enhancements or broader vulnerability-based language instead. Supporters, including Sandy Wong and another testifier with elder-abuse experience, said the current knowledge requirement creates a loophole that lets offenders avoid the elder enhancement even when they target vulnerable older adults. No vote was taken on the measure in the portion provided. The committee also heard HB 384, which increases penalties for promoting minor-produced sexual images, extends probation terms for felony obscenity offenses, tolls the statute of limitations during a victim’s minority, and requires sex offender registration for certain felony obscenity offenses involving minors. The Public Defender opposed the bill as overly broad and warned of absurd results, while the Department of the Prosecuting Attorney supported it, saying the bill addresses sextortion and other exploitation cases where adults solicit images from minors and that the 3-year age-gap threshold preserves ordinary teen relationships. Committee members questioned whether the bill was aimed at adults only and whether the age-gap carveout was narrow enough; the prosecutor said it was intended to cover adult predators and not consensual peer conduct. No final action was reported. HB 1100, which renames the Neighbor Islands Blind and Visually Impaired Service Pilot Program to use “low vision” instead of “visually impaired,” was supported by the Department of Human Services and disability advocates, who said the current term is derogatory and that the change responds to the blind community. The department said it was beginning work on administrative rules and expected to seek an appropriation, with implementation hoped for in 2026. The committee then heard HB 1283, exempting paternity proceedings from mediation when domestic abuse is alleged; the Hawaii State Coalition Against Domestic Violence and others supported it as consistent with divorce law and important for survivor safety. HB 689, creating safe harbor protections for survivors of sexual exploitation who seek medical or law enforcement help, drew support from HPD, Emua Alliance, the Judiciary, and others, who said it would prevent traffickers from using prostitution charges to silence victims. Finally, HB 383, reinstating mandatory minimum jail terms for successive violations of protective orders and removing the court’s ability to suspend those minimums, drew opposition from the Public Defender, who said some repeat violations stem from mental health or substance use issues, and support from the Prosecuting Attorney, who argued the bill treats protective orders like temporary restraining orders and preserves judicial discretion within a misdemeanor framework.