Transcript Highlights:

• In my home state of Iowa, small businesses are the largest lifeblood of our rural communities, and for
• Iowa experiences our fair share of disasters. We've seen... ratios, tornadoes, you name it.
• This happened in Iowa. This is unacceptable and it must be changed.
• But a little bit about our experience in Iowa.
• I commit to certainly looking at this legislation.

Committee: Senate Small Business and Entrepreneurship Committee

Keywords: SBA, small business, nominations, Bill Briggs, Casey Mulligan, regulations, capital access, public support

Summary: The Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship convened to consider the nominations of Bill Briggs for Deputy Administrator of the SBA and Dr. Casey Mulligan for Chief Counsel for Advocacy. The discussions highlighted the critical role of the SBA in promoting small businesses, with emphasis on overcoming challenges posed by excessive regulations and the need for improved access to capital. Several committee members expressed their concerns over recent layoffs within the SBA and the closure of district offices, which they believe undermine support for small businesses across the nation. The committee meeting saw extensive dialogue about the implications of regulations on small business operations and how the nominees plan to address these issues if confirmed. Public support for the nominees was acknowledged through letters from various stakeholders who advocate for small business interests.

Transcript Highlights:

• at</c><00:05:04.400><c> the</c> Boughenis, legislative director at the Boughenis, legislative director
• </c> done in northeast Iowa. done in northeast Iowa.
• </c><00:24:15.520><c> Um</c> line into Iowa. Um line into Iowa.
• </c> legislation, that is your prerogative. legislation, that is your prerogative.
• </c> engage more and more more legislation. engage more and more more legislation.

Committee: Senate Environment, Climate, and Legacy

Transcript Highlights:

• So this is a great piece of legislation.
• Wisconsin, Iowa, and Alabama.
• That way they don’t have to get a full license in Missouri and in Iowa.
• This is a good piece of legislation, and I urge the body to support it. Okay.
• I speak in support of this legislation. Thank you for your testimony.

Committee: House Professional Registration and Licensing

Summary: The committee first met in executive session on Senate Substitute No. 2 for Senate Bill 1233. Members adopted several amendments, including language allowing the Boards of Therapeutic Massage and Chiropractors to seek emergency suspension of licenses when there are criminal indictments or charges that could harm citizens; extending the RX CARES for Missouri prescription drug abuse prevention program by removing its sunset; updating pharmacy distributor licensing language to reflect national licensing practices; clarifying pharmacist immunization authority, including RSV immunizations and board oversight for future immunizations; allowing certain long-term care facility employees to administer additional subcutaneous medications; and adopting agreed-upon language related to interior designers. The committee then rolled those amendments into a committee substitute and voted the bill do pass by a 16-1 roll call vote. The committee then heard House Bills 2618 and 2644, which would join Missouri to the Respiratory Care Interstate Compact. The bill sponsors said the compact would improve licensure portability for respiratory therapists, help address workforce shortages, and allow Missouri to be among the first states shaping the compact’s commission. Supporters, including respiratory therapists, a hospital association representative, a student and military spouse, and a nursing association representative, said the compact would speed access to qualified therapists, aid rural and hospital care, help during emergencies like COVID-19, and benefit military families. Several witnesses emphasized that participating states would still retain their own licensing standards and scope-of-practice authority. Opponents argued that the compact would surrender state sovereignty to an unformed commission, create a “blank check” before the rules are written, and potentially allow rules to supersede state law. They also raised constitutional concerns about interstate compacts and questioned whether a reciprocal licensing approach would be preferable. Committee members asked about sovereignty, the legal basis for compacts, and whether Missouri could preserve its standards; sponsors and supporters responded that the compact would not remove state authority and that Missouri could still require its own standards. The hearing concluded without a vote on the respiratory compact bills.

Transcript Highlights:

• Foster legislate together.
• Foster legislate together.
• Foster legislate together.
• </c> reintroducing this important legislation reintroducing this important legislation I<03:21:04.359
• <03:21:34.040><c> hr1</c> legislation hr1 legislation hr1 1350<03:21:36.720><c> the</c><03:21:36.920>

Bills: HR240 , HR198 , HR1326 , HR359 , HB1534 , HR1368 , HR1350 , HR1325 , HR1318 , HR730

Keywords: resolution, death of a representative, honor, adjournment, Raul Grijalva, Raúl M. Grijalva, Arizona, House resolution, memorial resolution, condolence resolution, death of a member, adjournment in memory, tribute, obituary, congressional memorial, House of Representatives, committee funding, budget allocation, government expenditures, Congress

Transcript Highlights:

• Legislative proposals, including constitutional amendments.
• But this legislation asks... $8.60 a page. But this legislation asks only for a raise of $1.50.
• Our youngest son Acer was born in March of 2023 in Pella, Iowa.
• Our birth mother was in Iowa after a C-section.
• She had two other young children to care for in Iowa.

Committee: Joint Joint Committee on the Judiciary

Summary: The Judiciary Committee held its inaugural hearing of the session, led by Chair Michael Day and co-chair Senator Lydia Edwards, and reviewed a large slate of bills and constitutional amendments. The chair laid out hearing procedures, including three-minute testimony limits, priority for in-person witnesses, and deadlines for reporting constitutional amendments and House bills. The committee heard testimony on 29 proposals, with many witnesses and advocates speaking in support of measures they said would clarify the law, improve access to justice, or address public safety and fairness concerns. Several bills drew extensive testimony. Supporters of H.1686/S.1254 urged creation of a commission to study intentional misrepresentation of service animals, citing disruptive and dangerous encounters with fake service dogs and the need to protect legitimate service-dog teams. H.1649/S.1168 on court transcriber fees received strong support from transcribers and CPCS, who said rates have been frozen at $3 per page since 1988 and should be raised to $4.50, with an automatic CPI adjustment; they also described the work as time-consuming and essential to the justice system. H.1768/S.1037 on indigency was backed by CPCS, which said the bill would update eligibility rules, reduce unnecessary six-month reassessments, and eliminate the $150 counsel fee for indigent adults. H.1723/S.1193 to remove the charitable immunity cap was supported by legislators and attorneys who argued the current $20,000/$100,000 caps leave seriously injured people undercompensated and make Massachusetts an outlier. The committee also heard testimony on S.1046 regarding adoptions, with multiple adoptive parents, attorneys, and agency representatives describing recent probate court interpretations that have disrupted out-of-state surrender and finalization practices. Witnesses said the bill would restore predictability and allow birth parents outside Massachusetts to use either their home-state law or Massachusetts law, while preserving ICPC safeguards. Senator Feingold testified on H.1748/S.1109, “Conrad’s Law,” to criminalize coercing someone into suicide, arguing Massachusetts should join most other states in creating a specific offense rather than relying on involuntary manslaughter charges. Representative Donahue supported H.66 to remove “so help me God” from the constitutional oath of office. No votes were taken during the hearing; the committee simply heard testimony and thanked witnesses, with chairs indicating they would continue reviewing the bills and written submissions.

Transcript Highlights:

• This is a legislative cre priority.
• This is a legislative cre legislatively<00:46:35.119><c> created</c><00:46:35.520><c> program</c><00:
• </c><01:12:19.120><c> funding</c> do we um since the legislative funding do we um since the legislative
• ><c> had</c> University of Iowa, but each college had University of Iowa, but each college had their<
• Um, I'm going to punt before with Iowa.

Committee: House Higher Education Finance and Policy

Transcript Highlights:

• I've heard from small business owners all over Iowa who use that extra money to provide their workers
• Massive tax breaks under this legislation? That's just crazy.
• Jerry Akers is the president of Sharpness Inc. and Mocha Inc. and is from Palo, Iowa. Mr.
• He holds a bachelor's degree from Upper Iowa University. The Peacocks, right? That's right.
• Just like farmers come from Iowa, we have the same issue there.

Committee: Senate Small Business and Entrepreneurship Committee

Keywords: joint hearing, small business, Tax Cuts and Jobs Act, economic recovery, tax relief, job creation

Summary: In this joint hearing of the House Committee on Small Business and the Senate Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship, the primary focus was on the importance of making the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017 (TCJA) permanent. The chair emphasized that small businesses are crucial for the nation's economic recovery, especially in the wake of current federal policies perceived as detrimental. Witnesses shared their experiences and highlighted how the tax cuts facilitated job creation and business expansion, stressing the need for continued support through ongoing tax relief measures. The meeting included discussions about the economic implications of the TCJA's potential expiration, with members voicing their concerns regarding how this could impact small businesses and the broader economy.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> barriers, open new markets for Iowa barriers, open new markets for Iowa products,<00:46:04.240><
• legislation on the floor this week.
• Within the USS Iowa, tenacity of Ians.
• We legislated bills on this floor.
• </c><02:29:37.840><c> days</c> all members have five legislative days all members have five legislative

Bills: HR283 , HB1491 , HR282 , HR164

Keywords: committee election, House of Representatives, government structure, representation, foreign affairs, disaster relief, tax deadlines, Internal Revenue Code, collection notices, government response, Bureau of Consumer Financial Protection, Overdraft Lending, Digital Consumer Payment Applications, financial institutions, voting registration, citizenship proof, remote voting, proxy voting, parental rights, legislative process

Transcript Highlights:

• CoinFlip's transactions in Iowa were scams.
• So based on this investigation in Iowa, Iowans have lost over $20 million in transactions.
• It gives you all the details of what happened in Iowa. Thank you. defrauded.
• It gives you all the details of what happened in Iowa. Thank you. Thank you.
• Chair, he's out. ...gives you all the details of what happened in Iowa. Thank you.

Bills: HB 11 , HB14 , HB132 , HB1584 , HB1606 , HB5061 , HB 1041 , HB2286 , HB132

Committee: Senate Business & Commerce

Summary: The committee first took up pending business and quickly reported several measures favorably, including HB 12, SB 1361, SB 1705, SB 1749, SB 1897, SB 2344, SB 2566, HB 3809, and HB 4215, with most sent to the Local and Uncontested Calendar. HB 12’s substitute clarified a limited midterm review of regulatory agencies tied to Sunset Commission recommendations. SB 2696’s substitute changed med spa regulation from a license to a certificate, with training instead of an exam, plus background checks, continuing education, and two-year renewals. HB 3809 dealt with battery energy storage decommissioning and recycling, and HB 4215 was reported without a substitute. SB 1978, concerning interconnection of electric facilities in ERCOT and federal jurisdiction concerns, was reported out on a 5-3 vote after debate, but then the chair later announced the bill was withdrawn and left pending subject to the call of the chair. HB 1899 was also reported favorably, with one nay. A major portion of the meeting focused on HB 14, the advanced nuclear energy bill. Senator Schwertner described it as creating a Texas Advanced Nuclear Energy Office, a nuclear permitting coordinator, a development fund, a completion grant program, and a workforce development program. Testimony was sharply divided. Supporters, including representatives from Fermi America, Dow/X-energy, CPS Energy, Paragon Energy Solutions, Bridge to Nuclear, Aalo Atomics, and the Texas Association of Business, argued that Texas should lead in advanced nuclear, citing future baseload demand, data centers, industrial power needs, supply-chain development, and long-term energy diversification. Opponents, including Public Citizen, Texas Nuclear Watchdogs, Sierra Club, and individual citizens, argued the bill would subsidize unproven, expensive technology, create grants rather than loans, and expose taxpayers to major risk while doing little to meet near-term energy needs. Several members questioned whether the state should fund projects that may not produce grid power for years, and whether the bill’s grant structure and new office were justified. The committee also heard HB 5061, which Senator Schwertner said would prohibit unethical surveillance and misuse of confidential information by state contractors, create a confidential reporting system through the State Auditor’s Office, authorize Texas Rangers investigations, protect whistleblowers, and impose penalties including contract termination, fines, and contracting bans. No public testimony was offered, and the bill was left pending. HB 132, sponsored by Senator Hughes, would extend confidentiality protections for sensitive information to hostile acts by foreign adversaries; it was also left pending after no testimony. HB 1584 was then laid out, with Senator Schwertner explaining it would require utilities to maintain and update priority restoration lists for critical facilities after Hurricane Beryl exposed communication failures, but the transcript cuts off before any action on that bill.

Transcript Highlights:

• And he went on to state, if Iowa can force every station in the state to sell E-15, why can't we make
• Quaker Oats use Iowa oats?
• And the reason why Quaker does not use Iowa oats is because Iowa can't grow the oats.
• Quaker does not use Iowa oats because Iowa can't grow the oats that Quaker uses.

Transcript Highlights:

• reputation for leadership, service, and commitment to the people of Iowa County and Iowa.
• Iowa County and<00:24:41.279><c> Iowa.
• service to Iowa County and Iowa.
• </c> are supporting this legislation. are supporting this legislation.
• . legislation. legislation.

Bills: HR1181 , HR139 , HB6556 , HB3074

Keywords: Arab American, heritage, cultural recognition, National Arab American Heritage Month, diversity, community contributions, social justice, education, Iran, nuclear, sanctions, JCPOA, global security, U.N. Security Council, weapons proliferation

Transcript Highlights:

• The state of Iowa currently has one.
• The state of Iowa currently has one.
• , which has one, Wisconsin, which is Iowa, which has one, Wisconsin, which is getting<00:28:00.640><c
• The hope would be and the state of Iowa.
• </c><00:28:23.400><c> eligible</c><00:28:23.919><c> to</c> uh both Minnesota and Iowa eligible to uh

Transcript Highlights:

• The peer states for dairy that we selected were Iowa and New Mexico.
• And the closest states to us, in terms of total dairy production, were Iowa and New Mexico.
• New Mexico would have grown a bit more, Iowa a bit less, and the competitive effect is what we really
• The good news is we were doing better than New Mexico, but we weren't doing as well as Iowa.
• When you were talking about milk, and you were talking about our comparable states being Iowa and New

Summary: The House Agriculture and Natural Resources Committee held an interim work session focused on Washington agriculture’s viability, workforce, and competitiveness. Director Derek Sanderson of the Washington State Department of Agriculture and WSU Dean Raj Kosla described the size and diversity of the state’s farm sector, declining farm numbers, major export markets, and pressures from labor costs, low commodity prices, trade barriers, drought, regulatory burdens, and pests and disease. Kosla emphasized WSU’s land-grant role in education, research, and extension, including precision agriculture, broadband needs in rural areas, and the need for state support to help producers adopt new technologies and train the next generation of agricultural workers. Members asked about retaining farmland, increasing workforce capacity, and the role of precision agriculture. Kosla said precision agriculture can help address labor shortages and water scarcity, but adoption is limited by cost and rural broadband gaps. He explained precision agriculture as tailoring inputs to the right place, time, amount, and manner, and said WSU is working on low-cost sensor technologies and other innovations. Members also asked about how widely precision agriculture is used and whether it improves farm bottom lines; Kosla said adoption varies by tool and that he would follow up with more data. The committee then heard from Dr. Randy Fortenberry of WSU’s Impact Center on an agricultural competitiveness study and the effects of tariffs and trade. He reported that Washington’s competitiveness has generally declined relative to peer states in dairy, grapes, hops, apples, and wheat, with potatoes as the main bright spot. Surveyed producers said a substantial share of revenue is tied to regulatory compliance, with labor-related costs a major driver, and small diversified farms reported land access, capital, and profitability as bigger barriers than regulation. On trade, Fortenberry said Washington agriculture is highly export-dependent and vulnerable to retaliation, citing past losses in wheat, apples, pulses, and cherries when tariffs disrupted markets, while noting current uncertainty around China and India. The committee asked follow-up questions about compliance time, peer-state comparisons, and regulatory burdens; no votes were taken, and the department said it plans an interim report by the end of the year and a final report by June 2026.

Transcript Highlights:

• I may make a slight pitch here at next legislative session.
• I may make a slight pitch here at next legislative session.
• information came out and since the change came in Iowa.
• I haven't completely delved into the Iowa situation.
• I haven't completely delved into the Iowa situation.

Committee: Joint Information Technology Committee

Transcript Highlights:

• language in mid-January, and ultimately, without any legislative action from last year's legislation
• </c> ultimately without uh any legislative ultimately without uh any legislative action<00:10:33.120>
• :10:35.360><c> if</c> action from last year's legislation if action from last year's legislation if uh
• </c><00:10:39.800><c> uh</c> uh if the temporary uh legislative uh uh if the temporary uh legislative
• was part of the legislation from last year, to provide a full draft legislative language, also a best

Committee: House Environment and Natural Resources Finance and Policy

Transcript Highlights:

• of legislation.
• ><c> of</c><00:16:18.000><c> legislation.
• Um, this is so much past this legislation.
• And um, what roadblocks might appear with passing this legislation?
• And um, what roadblocks might appear with passing this legislation?

Summary: The meeting focused on two Parkinson’s-related bills in Minnesota: one to ban paraquat and another to create a state Parkinson’s research trust fund. Rep. Christy Purcell said the research bill would create a dedicated pot of money to coordinate and fund Parkinson’s research in Minnesota, with Sen. Mann as the Senate author. Supporters said Minnesota should act because Parkinson’s is growing rapidly, there is no cure, and state institutions could serve as a research hub. Several people living with Parkinson’s testified about the personal and family impact of the disease, including early-onset diagnoses, loss of work, mobility challenges, and the burden on caregivers. Speakers from the Parkinson’s Foundation and the Michael J. Fox Foundation supported both bills, arguing that paraquat is strongly linked to Parkinson’s, that exposure can affect farmers and nearby residents, and that prevention and research are both needed. The paraquat bill was described as especially important because alternatives exist and the chemical is reportedly used very little in Minnesota. During the discussion, Rep. Hansen said the paraquat bill would be held over and not voted on that day because a fiscal note was requested. He said the committee would hear the bill later that day and urged colleagues to keep an open mind. In response to questions, supporters said they anticipated little opposition beyond chemical-industry interests, and they emphasized that the bill was aimed specifically at paraquat rather than other chemicals. The research bill was discussed as a possible $25 million request, though no vote was taken on that proposal in the transcript.

Transcript Highlights:

• Representative Robbins addresses this issue by having Minnesota join other states like California, Iowa
• Representative Robbins addresses this issue by having Minnesota join other states like California, Iowa
• Representative Robbins addresses this issue by having Minnesota join other states like California, Iowa
• We are incentivizing them to go pick California, Texas, Iowa, Massachusetts, or Wisconsin to do their
• We are incentivizing them to go pick California, Texas, Iowa, Massachusetts, or Wisconsin to do their

Transcript Highlights:

• I continue to have concerns about the legislation.
• Well, in order to kind of more fully explain what the legislation does.
• And so I think this is a good piece of legislation, Mr.
• The goal of this legislation is really clear.
• And I think that it's a good piece of legislation.

Committee: Senate State Affairs

Transcript Highlights:

• To what you talked about today, and I was reading your legislation.
• </c> pissing off a future legislator. pissing off a future legislator.
• This was before for a road in Iowa.
• like</c> legislation or model legislation like legislation or model legislation like this<00:19:09.200
• currently</c> but similar legislation ex uh currently but similar legislation ex uh currently we<00:19

Summary: The committee discussed House Bill 353, a proposal to tighten eminent-domain procedures and property protections while still allowing public projects. Supporters said the bill would not prohibit condemnation, but would require proof that property is in blight, give owners notice and an opportunity to cure, require a reasonable plan and funding for the public use, and ensure the taking is limited to what is necessary. They argued this would protect good-faith property owners, prevent abandoned projects, and make the process more efficient for utilities and infrastructure by encouraging easements where possible instead of full takings. Much of the discussion focused on the proper measure of compensation and the broader constitutional limits on eminent domain. Several members argued that compensation should reflect current market value and that public benefit should not be treated as the standard for value. Others said market value can be unfair in cases involving unique property uses, damage to land, or public-private projects, and suggested owners should share in some upside. Members also raised concerns about Kelo v. City of New London, the risk of abuse by governments or large corporations, and the need to protect farmers and rural landowners from one-sided treatment. A number of legislators supported the concept but asked for more detail on how the bill would work in practice, whether it is based on model legislation from other states, and how it could be tailored to Kentucky. The bill sponsor said it was a modified model policy and was open to amendments to make it more Kentucky-specific. No vote or final action was taken in the portion of the meeting provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• So we seek to do our best, and we pray for successful legislation in this House which holds justice.
• integrity, who truly have the lives of their constituents. constituents in mind as they determine legislation
• We remember those legacies of those people who have come before us, you know as we at this legislative

Bills: HR34 , HR36 , HR38 , HR39 , HR41 , HR42 , HR43 , HR67 , HR68 , HR73 , HR77 , HR81 , HR104 , HR166 , HR201 , HR202 , HR223 , HR226 , HR233 , HR234 , HR246 , HR264 , HR266 , HR268 , HR271 , HR280 , HR282 , HR286 , HR291 , HR292 , HR296 , HR298 , HR319 , HR326 , HR329 , HR348 , HR354 , HR373 , HR376 , HR381 , HR385 , HR386 , HR387 , HR391 , HR394 , HR395 , HR396 , HR399 , HR400 , HR402 , HR403 , HR404 , HR408 , HR409 , HR410 , HR413 , HR414 , HR417 , HR418 , HR419 , HR422 , HR424 , HR429 , HR435 , HR439 , HR440 , HR22 , HR88 , HR94 , HR136 , HR194 , HR231 , HR302 , HR397 , HR416 , HR420 , HR421 , HR423 , HR430 , HR431

Keywords: Ramadan, Islam, Muslim community, spiritual observance, cultural recognition, Eid al-Fitr, celebration, Texas legislation, Mother's Day, family, women, honor, Father's Day, gratefulness, recognition, Diwali, festival of lights, Hinduism, unity, Veterans Day