Transcript Highlights:

• We as an industry have had three fatalities in the last two years in work zones where speed was a factor
• We as an industry have had three fatalities in the last two years in work zones where speed was a factor
• We as an industry...
• We as an industry do the best we can to try to finish jobs quickly and to remove the material from the
• I know the industry wants to protect their workers.

Committee: Senate Transportation and Infrastructure

Transcript Highlights:

• or if it be the health care industry itself.
• Is the insurance industry working toward results?
• Is the insurance industry working toward resolving the access to care in rural Missouri, and if so, what
• And if there's a shortfall, as I mentioned, there could be assessments on the industry, on the solvent
• industry.

Committees: House Insurance , House Insurance and Banking

Transcript Highlights:

• Over the past 15 years, Kent has invested heavily in our corridor through its manufacturing and industrial
• It's home to over 40 million square feet of industrial space, and it supports more than 70,000 family-wage
• So I had a half-hour conversation with people representing the industry and have had conversations with
• The RV industry has been in a steady downturn for the past...
• The RV industry has been in a steady downturn for the past five years.

Summary: The House Transportation Committee held public hearings on a proposed substitute for House Bill 2306, the 2026 transportation supplemental budget, and on proposed substitute House Bill 2711, a transportation resources bill. Staff described HB 2306 as revising the enacted 2025-27 transportation budget, increasing spending by about $1.1 billion to $16.5 billion, largely through reappropriations and new funding for preservation, maintenance, rail, transit, active transportation, ferries, licensing, and State Patrol needs. The chair and ranking member emphasized caution because of downward revenue forecasts, uncertainty around major project bids and future fish passage costs, and the decision to use existing bond authority without new bonding. Public testimony on HB 2306 generally supported preservation, maintenance, rail improvements, dredging, transit access, and local safety projects, while some witnesses urged more support for EV incentives and long-term transportation funding stability. For HB 2711, staff explained that the bill responds to administrative issues in last year’s transportation resources law, including fuel tax inflation adjustments, luxury vehicle/aircraft/vessel taxes, the indigent tow reimbursement program, tire fee language, and other tax administration provisions. The proposed substitute would repeal the luxury aircraft tax, adjust peer-to-peer rental car tax administration, restore authority for the Transportation Commission to exempt transit buses from tolls, waive certain penalties and interest tied to early compliance with the luxury vehicle tax, allow lease payments to be taxed incrementally, add exemptions for tribal members and nonresidents, change transfer timing between accounts, and create a Preserve Washington Account for highway preservation and maintenance. Fiscal notes projected additional revenue from aligning use tax with sales tax and modest administrative costs, while delaying the tow reimbursement program reduced near-term expenditures. Testimony on HB 2711 was mixed. RV dealers asked for a delay to the luxury vehicle tax, arguing the industry is already in decline and the tax could push sales out of state. WFSE supported the new Preserve Washington Account and urged higher bid limits for highway maintenance work. Committee members asked for clarification on the peer-to-peer rental car tax and the transit bus toll exemption. The chair announced that executive session on the bills, along with one other measure, would occur Wednesday, and members were told to submit amendment requests by the next day.

Transcript Highlights:

• Mitchell's death highlights the need for basic safety standards in a relatively new industry that serves
• What would you say the industry standard is for... Swim lessons in a group with one instructor?
• Industry standard, is it still kind of four, or is that just you guys go by?
• I have extensive experience in the wine industry. I've worked firstly for a winery.
• I think that's a very, very notable thing for the entire food and beverage industry, and I'd love to

Bills: SB650 , HB3667 , SB28 , HB3201 , SB1184 , HB1800 , SB 28

Committee: House Licensing & Administrative Procedures

Keywords: permit issuance, regulatory framework, business operations, efficiency, application process, lottery, gambling, internet gaming, mobile application, criminal offenses, lottery regulations, occupational licensing, fraud prevention, criminal background checks, lottery couriers, SB 1184, Texas Alcoholic Beverage Code, wine collection seller, collectible wine, vintage wine

Transcript Highlights:

• Um, why are we doubling down on an industry that's dying rather than doubling down on the industry that
• :09:02.000><c> is</c> doubling down on the industry that is doubling down on the industry that is rising
• </c> that's an industry that's going away. that's an industry that's going away.
• </c> modern industries modern industries uh<01:09:34.040><c> in</c> uh in uh in uh<01:09:35.480><c> film
• And I understand that, you know, you're trying to keep an industry alive, kind of like the horse industry

Transcript Highlights:

• Naomi Padron on behalf of the Computer and Communications Industry Association, we would echo the concerns
• Naomi Padraudon on behalf of the Computer and Communications Industry Association, we would echo the
• Members of the committee, I'm Jake Parker with the Security Industry Association.
• Industrialized speculation and gambling, which is what it has become.
• That is happening at scale by design, by hugely organized industrialized speculators.

Summary: The Senate Committee on Privacy, Digital Technologies, and Consumer Protection heard several bills focused on privacy, AI, surveillance, and consumer protections. AB 302 would bar schools from excluding students from extracurricular activities because they do not use social media and would require schools to use at least one non-addictive means of contacting students and parents; it drew support from Common Sense Media and no opposition. AB 1705, the Reclaim Act, would require websites hosting non-consensual pornography to verify consent before upload; district attorneys and the Commission on the Status of Women supported it, while TechNet and CCIA opposed or raised concerns. AB 2007 would separate parental consent for a child’s image/likeness from general program enrollment forms in youth programs; educators supported it, while local government and parks groups raised implementation and penalty concerns. AB 2212 would update higher education sexual harassment definitions to include tech-facilitated harassment such as cyberbullying, doxing, and nudification-related abuse; students and advocacy groups strongly supported it, with no opposition. AB 1837 would extend transit agencies’ authority to use camera enforcement in bus-only lanes and at transit stops, with privacy retention limits and human review; transit agencies supported it, while some senators expressed concern about automated enforcement and surveillance, and the bill was placed on call after a split vote. AB 2392 would create an intersegmental higher education working group on generative AI training and procurement standards; it passed 5-0 after amendments removed prerequisites tying AI deployment to completion of the report. The consent calendar was also approved on call. Later, AB 1798 would prohibit life and disability insurers from using non-diagnostic genetic information in underwriting; supporters argued it protects privacy and encourages testing, while insurers opposed the bill as undermining risk-based underwriting, and it advanced on a 3-0 vote on call. Finally, AB 1883 would restrict workplace use of emotion-recognition and neural-data surveillance tools; labor and privacy advocates supported it, employers and local agencies raised safety and litigation concerns, and it passed 3-0 to Labor after narrowing amendments.

Transcript Highlights:

• The other second point I want to make, just as a staple in the mind, is the bulk industry, motorcycle
• The other second point I want to make, just as a staple in the mind, is the bulk industry, motorcycle
• What it has done to them, the bulk industry, the families in SUVs, they are the people that keep that
• I came out of the lodging industry.
• I came out of the lodging industry.

Summary: The committee first approved the minutes from the prior meeting and then heard a presentation from Pike County/Pikeville tourism officials about improving signage for the Hatfield-McCoy historic sites. Bob Scott, Tony Tacket, and Jay Shepard said visitors increasingly come to the area but often cannot find the sites because cell service and GPS are unreliable in the mountains. They argued that clearer signage along routes 119, 319, and 1056 would help visitors navigate the historic loop, strengthen branding, and increase dwell time and local spending. The Pike County presenters emphasized the economic importance of tourism, citing growth in tourist spending from $72.93 million in 2017 to $103.2 million in 2023 and $114.6 million in 2024. They said tourism helps offset the decline of coal, supports local mom-and-pop businesses, and benefits from partnerships with nearby West Virginia sites such as Matewan and other Hatfield-McCoy-related locations. Members asked about cross-state promotion, lodging capacity, and the possibility of a dinner show in Kentucky; the presenters said lodging is up 33% but more is needed, a new Crown Plaza hotel is planned in Pikeville, and a dinner show would require local investment and community buy-in. Committee members from the region spoke in support of the tourism effort and the need to preserve and teach local history. The chair and others said signage would help visitors and noted that a business without signs is no business. The committee then moved on to a separate presentation from the Louisville Sports Commission, introduced by Senator Jason Howell, which began with an overview of the commission’s role in sports tourism and economic development in Louisville.

Transcript Highlights:

• Lauren Zerel from the Hawaii Food Industry Association, on Zoom. Robert B. on Zoom.
• </c><00:56:45.799><c> throughout</c> the majority of the industry throughout the majority of the industry
• </c> to miss a beat and uh the the industry to miss a beat and uh the the industry could<00:57:02.720
• Lauren Zille, Hawaii Food Industry Association, in support. Lauren, are you present? I see...
• Lauren Zille, Hawaii Food Industry Association, in support. Lauren, are you present? I see...

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.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> um for profitability within the industry um for profitability within the industry is<00:29:39.039
• </c> infestation that could cost our industry infestation that could cost our industry millions<00:33
• I'm not very apprised of what happens in the sheep industry, but in the cattle industry, I have a lot
• ,</c> translate to the the cattle industry, translate to the the cattle industry, but<01:09:33.600><c
• ,</c> um certain certain industries, um certain certain industries, even<02:33:55.840><c> a</c><02:33

Committee: Joint Agriculture, State and Public Lands & Water Resources

Transcript Highlights:

• You know, the bill provides obviously broad liability protections to a specific industry, but doesn't
• include other sectors of that same industry that provide basically the same utility, and as I'm often
• But I am going to protect industry from frivolity and weaponizing of the legal system.
• Industry is still working together, but obviously, with our timeline, we want to go ahead and get this
• water use, soil conservation, industrial water use, irrigation interest, and oil and gas production.

Bills: SB3 , SB1346 , SB1509 , SB1928 , SB2028 , SB2071 , SB2110 , SB2117 , SB2127 , SB2134 , SB259 , SB1191 , SB1246 , SB1314 , SB1439 , SB1613 , SB1930 , SB1976 , SB330 , SB2069 , SB2095 , SB3 , SB1346 , SB1509 , SB1928 , SB2028 , SB2071 , SB2110 , SB2117 , SB2127 , SB2134 , SB259 , SB1191 , SB1246 , SB1314 , SB1439 , SB1613 , SB1930 , SB1976 , SB330 , SB2069 , SB2095

Committees: House Energy , House Energy and Natural Resources Oversight

Keywords: industrial hemp, program licensing, agriculture, cannabinoids, state regulation, water infrastructure, wastewater, investment program, loans, local government, SB1509, groundwater, water wells, well spacing, water rights, Oklahoma Water Resources Board, OWRB, basin, subbasin, maximum annual yield

Transcript Highlights:

• But what we don't talk about, it is actually considered an industry.
• It's a multi-billion-dollar industry. Human trafficking is actually considered an industry.
• It's a multi-billion-dollar industry that is terrorizing our communities.
• and Chloe, who continue in their father's footsteps toward a career in the arts and entertainment industry
• Who continue in their father's footsteps toward a career in the arts and entertainment industry.

Summary: The Assembly convened after an initial quorum call and proceeded with routine business, including approval of the previous day’s journal, procedural suspensions, and several file items. Most second-reading, concurrence, veto, and reconsideration items were passed, retained, or continued without debate. The main floor action was on House Resolution 75, authored by Assembly Member Pellerin, designating January 26 as National Human Trafficking Awareness Month. Pellerin and several members from both parties spoke in support, emphasizing survivor-led advocacy, the prevalence of trafficking in California, risks tied to major events and vulnerable populations, and the need for better prevention, data collection, and victim services. The resolution was adopted by voice vote after 64 co-authors were added. Assembly Member Avila Farias’s AB 768, relating to mobile home park rent control and affordable housing, also passed with a 60-1 vote. The Assembly then held multiple adjournment-in-memory tributes for Joy Atkinson, a longtime Los Angeles civic leader and mentor to Black women in public service, with members recounting her work in government, political organizing, and the La P.I.E. leadership institute. Later, Assembly Member Haney offered an adjournment in memory of Bob Weir, founding member of the Grateful Dead, highlighting his musical legacy and philanthropy. The House adjourned until Thursday, January 22, at 9 a.m.

Transcript Highlights:

• The health care industry has one of the highest job vacancy rates in the state.
• And first of all, there is a workforce shortage in general, but especially in the health care industry
• um but especially in the<00:00:54.840><c> healthc</c><00:00:55.160><c> care</c><00:00:55.480><c> industry
• </c><00:00:56.480><c> uh</c><00:00:56.640><c> part</c><00:00:56.800><c> of</c> the healthc care industry
• uh part of the healthc care industry uh part of that<00:00:57.320><c> is</c><00:00:57.559><c> because

Transcript Highlights:

• the work product of discussions between the Department of Children and Families and the child care industry
• the work product of discussions between the Department of Children and Families and the child care industry
• And as I mentioned in my brief opening, working with DCF and those in the child care industry, I really
• A lot of industry reps can stand here and testify before you that the businesses they run save the residents
• The Legislature is contemplating legislation to improve or impact the health care service industry, that

Summary: The Appropriations Committee on Health and Human Services first heard and adopted the proposed fiscal year 2025-26 budget for the committee, which was presented as a $1.8 billion increase over the current base budget. The budget emphasized Medicaid and KidCare funding, IT modernization, workforce reductions tied to unfilled or augmented positions, provider rate increases, mental health and substance use funding, opioid treatment, elder care, veterans’ services, cancer research, and school nurse staffing. The committee approved technical adjustments and then adopted the budget proposal for submission to the full Senate Appropriations Committee. The committee then considered several bills, most of which were reported favorably. SB 152 on surgical smoke required hospitals and ambulatory surgical centers to adopt smoke evacuation policies; it drew strong support from nurses and other health care workers describing workplace and patient safety risks. CS/SB 958 on early detection of type 1 diabetes required the Department of Health to develop informational materials for schools and, by amendment, early learning coalitions. CS/CS/SB 170 on nursing homes required consumer satisfaction surveys, patient safety culture surveys, reporting to the health information exchange, financial reporting penalties, and Medicaid quality incentive reporting; an amendment exempted state-operated homes, including veterans’ facilities, and directed a study of quality incentive systems. CS/SB 738 updated and streamlined child care regulation, and CS/SB 1356 created the Florida Institute for Pediatric Rare Diseases at Florida State University and a related pediatric rare disease screening pilot. The committee also passed SB 1370, which reorganized ambulatory surgical centers into their own statutory framework, with testimony emphasizing their lower costs compared with hospitals. Finally, the committee considered CS/CS/SB 1626 on child welfare and related issues. After adopting multiple amendments that removed references to unaccompanied alien children and special immigrant visas, changed language on child abuse definitions, and required DCF to set room-and-board rates by methodology rather than fee schedule, the bill was explained as strengthening child welfare protections, codifying military-family coordination, improving domestic violence shelter certification, adjusting children’s services council appointments, clarifying missing-child procedures, and updating licensing and compliance provisions. The bill drew both support and opposition, particularly over missing-child jurisdiction and immigration-related concerns, and was ultimately reported favorably. A final motion to record a vote on SB 958 was also adopted.

Transcript Highlights:

• There is no industry. So this is kind of the carrot versus the stick, right?
• There are no industries that we go and say, hey, you have to meet these cybersecurity standards.
• Cameron Fink, Associated Industries of Florida, in support.
• Cameron Fink, Associated Industries of Florida, waves in support.
• We have seen some of the best people in this industry come up here, and they are a resource for this

Summary: The committee first took up House Bill 1183, by Rep. G. Lombardo, as amended by a strike-all. The bill would provide liability protection for local governments and private-sector entities that substantially comply with certain cybersecurity practices, including multi-factor authentication, disaster recovery plans, and related policies and procedures. Rep. Lombardo said the measure is intended to create incentives for better cybersecurity and to limit class-action exposure after incidents, while still allowing suits where negligence can be shown. Supporters included TechNet, the Florida Justice Reform Institute, the Florida League of Cities, Associated Industries of Florida, the Florida Association of Counties, and Dr. Edward Long of the James Madison Institute; Vice Chair Steele, Rep. Blanco, and Rep. McFarland also spoke in favor. Ranking Member Bracy Davis opposed the bill, saying she was not comfortable granting liability protections to entities that may have contributed to breaches and questioning whether substantial compliance would be self-attested. The amendment was adopted, and the bill was reported favorably by a 14-2 vote. After the vote, the committee shifted into an extended discussion about Florida’s state IT governance structure, procurement, and project management. Members criticized the current federated model as fragmented and lacking clear accountability, with repeated references to long-running problems such as cost overruns, weak vendor oversight, workforce shortages, and the troubled I-Connect system. Several members argued that the state needs a single accountable leader or stronger enterprise authority over agency technology decisions. Ranking Member Bracy Davis raised concerns about the impact of broken systems on vulnerable populations and asked about the role of advisory councils. Rep. G. Lombardo, Vice Chair Steele, Rep. Miller, and Rep. Groh all emphasized the need for centralized leadership, better alignment of authority and budget, and more disciplined procurement and integration practices. A public witness, Victoria Zep of Team 180, testified in support of a more enterprise-wide approach and said the private sector also wants more organization and transparency. She criticized short procurement timelines, limited competition, and poorly written scopes, and urged the state to post procurements more openly and seek broader vendor input. She also discussed the need to respect agency-specific federal requirements while still improving statewide coordination. The chair closed by asking members to bring forward ideas for immediate and long-term reforms, including review of Senate Bill 7026, and the meeting adjourned without further business.

Transcript Highlights:

• And it will position Florida as a hub for a $100 billion genomic medicine industry. Mr.
• We are forging collaborations with family foundations and industry partners.
• We are forging collaborations with family foundations and industry partners.
• We are forging collaborations with family foundations and industry partners to accelerate rare disease
• Florida stands at the forefront of a $100 billion genomic medicine industry by establishing the Sunshine

Summary: The Education Administration Subcommittee heard and approved four bills focused on school safety, student health, and classroom environment. HB 1403, Safety of Students, would expand Guardian program participation to child care facilities, require substitute teachers to receive campus safety protocols, and allow limited exceptions for certain CTE classrooms; it drew supportive testimony from school safety and education groups and passed 16-0. PCS for HB 907, the Sunshine Genetics Act, would create the Florida Institute for Pediatric Rare Diseases at FSU and launch an opt-in newborn whole-genome screening program funded with $20 million; supporters said it could speed diagnosis, save lives, and reduce health care costs, and it passed 17-0. HB 949 would prohibit student use of wireless communication devices during the full school day, while allowing districts flexibility in implementation and medical exceptions; supporters cited distraction and bullying data, and the bill passed 17-0. The committee also approved HB 723, the Type 1 Diabetes Early Detection Program, which requires the Department of Health to provide school-based informational materials to parents and guardians about early warning signs, risk factors, and screening for type 1 diabetes. An amendment broadened the notification to include voluntary pre-K, kindergarten, and first grade and shifted the annual notice to September 30. Testimony in support came from diabetes advocates and pediatric groups, and members spoke about personal experiences with diabetes and the value of earlier education. The bill passed 17-0 after the amendment was adopted. Across the meeting, members from both parties generally praised the bills as bipartisan efforts to improve student safety, health, and learning conditions. Several members raised questions or concerns about implementation details, including school guardian tracking, cell phone pouches and emergency access, and how the diabetes notice would be distributed, but no bill faced opposition in committee. All four measures were reported favorably.

Transcript Highlights:

• innovation has always been small businesses, and that still remains the same for the technology industry
• Technology is an ever-changing industry, and Senator... ...ever-changing industry, and Senator Cham,
• know, as far as referencing with other people in the... ...referencing with other people in the industry
• trying to figure out, do we have enough information to make an intelligent decision based on this industry
• legislation that I've ever carried up here, this legislation has more input from people that know this industry

Bills: SB186 , SB187

Committee: Senate Children and Youth Health

Keywords: internet filtering, child protection, obscene content, civil liability, manufacturers, app store, app store provider, app developer, mobile app, age verification, parental consent, minor safety, child online safety, parental controls, age gating, digital privacy, data protection, in-app purchases, online consumer protection, deceptive trade practice

Transcript Highlights:

• Um, the House Labor and Industrial Rehabilitation Services Committee looks at a wide variety of labor-related
• He's in the financial services industry and a great guy.
• </c><00:24:19.400><c> such</c><00:24:19.600><c> as</c><00:24:19.720><c> food</c> in certain industries
• such as food in certain industries such as food service. service. service.
• operating in New Hampshire as industry operating in New Hampshire as they<00:32:43.320><c> argue</c>

Committee: House Labor, Industrial and Rehabilitative Services

Transcript Highlights:

• And these activities will continue to... ...processing, transportation, and research of industrial hemp
• So this bill again does not change anything as far as legal limits of industrial hemp.
• We're simply just trying to help our farmers that this is part of our ag industry.
• Years ago, Idaho established... ...existing ag-industrial hemp statutes.
• within the energy industry.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> trial bar industry for mass torts. trial bar industry for mass torts.
• And my last comment is, if we stifle research from industry, we will stifle people from bringing new
• ,</c><00:24:28.880><c> we</c> if we stifle research from industry, we if we stifle research from industry
• And I don't think there's any other industry that shares the compassion in this goal that we have, and
• , how much these products are industry, how much these products are how<00:33:45.720><c> important</c

Committee: House Agriculture

Transcript Highlights:

• I mean, they've actually hired consultants that work in casino and gambling industries to addict people
• 00:37:52.120><c> gambling</c> that work in casino and gambling that work in casino and gambling industries
• </c> industries to addict people. industries to addict people.
• 117, Representative Stevenson, a concurrent resolution relating to the establishment of a beauty industry
• law task force to of a beauty industry law task force to complete<01:10:59.240><c> a</c><01:10:59.360