Transcript Highlights:

• All right, members, the Committee on Regulated Industries will now come to order.
• So if I could give you just some data from my district that I was able to pull in the last couple of
• I did hear your comments in one of the Regulated Industries committees previously.
• Prior to that, I served as general counsel for the Department of Business and Professional Regulation
• Earlier in my career, I also ...valuable experience in gaming regulation.

Bills: S0468, S0822, S1234, S1260, S1580, S1706

Keywords: animal cruelty, reporting, veterinary, protection, liability, regulation, community association, management certification, Florida Statutes, certified manager, association governance, building permits, inspections, offsite construction, local government, housing, property regulation, construction standards, state of emergency, emergency response

Summary: The Committee on Regulated Industries heard and approved several bills, beginning with SB 468 on animal cruelty, which would require veterinarians and veterinary technicians to report suspected past or ongoing cruelty to law enforcement or animal control and allow release of relevant medical records in good faith; it was reported favorably after supportive testimony from animal welfare advocates. The committee also approved SB 1706, narrowing eligibility for the My Safe Florida Condominium Pilot Program to buildings with at least 80% owner-occupied units and residents at or below 80% of area median income, with members noting the need to better target limited funding. Members then considered SB 1234 on building permits and inspections, which was amended to clarify permit extensions, narrow the hurricane/flood barrier exemption, preserve mechanical and gas permitting requirements, and refine private-provider and local-government procedures; the bill passed as amended. SB 1260 on building inspections during emergencies was also amended to require DMS state-term contracts for post-emergency inspection vendors and then reported favorably. SB 822 on community association management was amended to raise the threshold to associations with at least $750,000 in annual revenue and 100 or more parcels, while allowing direct-hire credentialed managers; supporters said it would improve professionalism and accountability, and the bill was reported favorably. The committee next approved SB 1580 on illegal gaming, after removing a fantasy sports provision by amendment. The bill increases penalties for illegal gambling houses and related offenses, adds enforcement tools, and drew support from law enforcement and gaming officials, while some witnesses urged clearer definitions and procedures for machine approvals and declaratory rulings. The committee also took up appointments to the Public Service Commission and Florida Gaming Control Commission, hearing testimony from appointees and asking questions about utility hardening oversight, gaming enforcement, and a contract for compulsive gambling services; all appointees on the agenda were recommended favorably in one block. At the end of the meeting, members recorded individual votes on selected bills, and the committee adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• And we should be encouraging our federal regulators, like the Environmental Protection Agency, to be
• Our federal regulators are deregulating every chance they get, and we need to be sending a strong message
• As the nurse, I absolutely love that we want to update licensing and require transparency, because data
• To calculate that, or get an estimate at least, it would require the department to collect data that
• To calculate that, or get an estimate at least, it would require the department to collect data that

Bills: SB1005, SB1202, SB1278, SB1279, SB1280, SB1287

Keywords: cosmetics, animal testing, prohibition, manufacturers, sales regulation, state preemption, groundwater, water conservation, Arizona water resources, drought management, water quality, solar radiation management, environment, regulation, Arizona Revised Statutes, weather modification, licensing, environmental impact, public safety, cloud seeding

Transcript Highlights:

• Our own Washington State Healthy Youth Survey data spells that out very clearly.
• And the '23 data...
• And these services exist solely to support the regulated insurance companies.
• Look at the data.
• House Bill 2232 would establish a system to collect and analyze data on these events.

Bills: HB2038, HB2297, HB2382, HB2487, HB2018

Keywords: HB2038, Washington, B&O tax, business and occupation tax, social media tax, platform tax, youth behavioral health, mental health, adolescent mental health, children's mental health, telebehavioral health, behavioral health account, state treasury, digital services tax, internet platform, social media companies, youth services, depression, anxiety, public health funding

Summary: House Finance held hearings on several tax-related bills. HB 2038 would impose a 0.4% additional B&O tax on businesses operating social media platforms starting in 2027 and direct the revenue to a new youth behavioral health account. The sponsor and supportive youth witnesses said social media contributes to youth anxiety and problematic internet use and that the bill would fund prevention and behavioral health services. Opponents from business and tech groups argued the tax unfairly targets one sector, could violate federal internet tax law, and should be funded through the general fund instead. HB 2297 would create local tax incentives to help grocery stores in underserved communities, including preferential city B&O rates, a sales tax exemption for security services, a property tax exemption program, a B&O credit, and a B&O exemption for certain locally owned or employee-owned stores. Supporters, including food access advocates, local officials, grocers, and residents of food-desert neighborhoods, said the bill would help preserve and attract grocery stores in communities that have lost access to healthy food. Counties supported the concept but raised concern about the bill’s sales tax exemption, saying local revenue losses should be minimized. HB 2382 would raise cigarette taxes by $2 per pack, restructure vapor and other tobacco taxes, and dedicate portions of the revenue to emergency medical services, tobacco enforcement, and public health accounts. Supporters said higher tobacco taxes reduce smoking, generate revenue, and help fund cancer research and public health programs. Retailers and industry groups opposed the bill, warning it would hurt small stores, push sales to illicit or out-of-state markets, and burden lower-income consumers. HB 2487 would narrow the B&O tax exemption for insurers after a 2024 Supreme Court decision, with retroactive application to 2019; DOR and patient advocates supported it as a clarification to prevent an overly broad exemption, while insurers and business groups opposed the retroactivity and warned of higher premiums and ambiguity affecting related insurance activities. HB 2018 would raise the solid waste tax by 0.5% annually for five years and create a local government solid waste assistance account; counties and solid waste officials supported it as a way to stabilize funding for waste management as landfill revenue declines, and the hearing included public testimony in favor. No committee votes were taken in the transcript.

Transcript Highlights:

• We look at the data.
• They're collecting data. Local jurisdictions are doing safety planning. They're collecting data.
• So I hope you can find in the report that there's really a data-driven roadmap for you to... ...report
• This process helps us sort of test some of the data that we get, the high-level data.
• This process helps us sort of test some of the data that we get, the high-level data.

Bills: SB6131, SB6155, SB6238, SB5824, SB6110, SB5839, SB6032, SB6148

Keywords: traffic safety, roadway fatalities, Washington traffic safety commission, policy update, road safety, accident prevention, disability, parking privileges, accessibility, special parking, local government, oil tankers, restricted waters, environmental safety, maritime regulations, state law, fifth-wheel, travel trailers, vehicle regulation, transportation

Summary: The Senate Transportation Committee held work sessions on two major WSDOT corridor projects. Brian White updated members on the U.S. 12 Walla Walla corridor, saying seven of eight phases are complete and phase 8 would finish the 11-mile project by adding a separated four-lane facility, new interchange work near Italia, and a jurisdictional transfer of the old highway back to Walla Walla County. He said the project has a large funding gap, but the state, local partners, and a $110 million federal Rural Surface Transportation grant are being used to try to piece together a buildable segment for 2027. Shar Kay then briefed the committee on the North Spokane Corridor, describing seven of eight highway miles open, major recent and ongoing construction, and the remaining I-90 connection work. She said the project is on track for design completion in 2027 and final completion around 2030, but faces risks from tight construction space, labor and consultant constraints, utility issues, and federal review of revised access plans. Committee members praised both projects and the community engagement around them. The committee also heard a presentation from the Cooper Jones Active Transportation Safety Council. Karen Mesmer summarized the council’s 2025 report and 2026 priorities, emphasizing that pedestrian and bicyclist fatalities remain too high and that the council is using a safe system approach to recommend changes in speed management, road design, land use, vehicle size, micromobility policy, driver education, and post-crash care. She highlighted concerns about toxicology delays, data quality, and the need for more targeted recommendations next year. In public hearings, the committee heard Senate Bill 6131, which would expand the Washington Traffic Safety Commission’s fatal crash review work by designating it a public health authority, allowing limited access to health information for traffic safety research, and creating a confidential fatality review committee. Supporters said the bill would help identify common contributing factors in roadway deaths while protecting sensitive information; a media representative said the bill preserved public access limits and was negotiated to avoid closing records that are currently open. The committee also heard Senate Bill 6155, which would extend disability parking privilege renewals from every five years to every 20 years and remove the need for a new health care practitioner signature at renewal; supporters said this would reduce burdens on people with permanent disabilities, while one testifier warned it could increase fraud. Senate Bill 6238, on oil tanker escort requirements in restricted waters, would set tug escort horsepower at 3,000 or 5% of tanker deadweight tonnage, whichever is greater; the Board of Pilotage said the change would align statute with existing practice and rulemaking. In executive session, the committee advanced several bills. It passed SB 5746 on EV charging infrastructure property crime, SB 5824 on fifth wheel travel trailer length, SB 6110 on e-bikes and e-motos after rejecting an amendment to add several agencies to the work group, SB 5839 on county ferry district authority, and SB 6148 on extending regional transit authority bond terms up to 75 years, despite one member calling it a bad idea. The committee then adjourned after signing committee reports.

Bills: HB82, HB109, HB202, HB211, HB82, HB109, HB202, HB211

Keywords: registrars, election, qualifications, salary, state employees, diversity, podiatry, state board, healthcare regulation, Alabama regulations, political appointment, law enforcement, immunity, civil liability, use of force, recruitment, Calhoun County, local act, halfway house, sober living

Bills: SB 3074, HB 49, HB 2440, HB 3556, HB 3619, HB 3866, HB 4042, HB 4112, HB 4271, HB 4413, HB 4426, HB 5033

Keywords: oil waste, gas waste, liability, treatment processes, environmental safety, beneficial use, motor vehicle, air quality, energy source, engine, state implementation plan, construction, wildlife impact, height restrictions, national wildlife refuge, environmental regulations, surface estate, well plugging, Railroad Commission, landowner rights

Bills: SB90, SB255, SB268

Keywords: Green County, racing, pari-mutuel wagering, gaming regulations, commission appointments, historical horse racing, local tax, SB255, cannabinoid, hemp, hemp-derived THC, THCa, delta-8 THC, HHC, CBD, THC, novel cannabinoid products, hemp products, intoxicating hemp, delta-8

Transcript Highlights:

• Certainly, the data and the science show that the impact...
• So one way to look at that is to truly look at a survey that was done, taking 53 years' worth of data
• March 31st is significant because a lot of the hunting regulations and books get printed around that
• For example, if this were to pass, our regulations books would not contain that information right now
• Is there any data showing firearm safety accidents in the shotgun zone on either side of it?

Bills: HF647, HF2824, HF1249, HF623, HF820

Keywords: water appropriation, aquifer management, potable water, water conservation, environmental policy, fishing regulation, angling, sustainability, biodiversity, game fish, Carley State Park, Minnesota state parks, state lands, park boundary expansion, Wabasha County, Department of Natural Resources, DNR, public lands, land acquisition, park addition

Transcript Highlights:

• We do maintain certain places special regulations for bass.
• We do maintain certain places special regulations for bass.
• For example, if this were to pass, our regulations books would not contain that right now, so we would
• </c> commissioner is there any uh data commissioner is there any uh data showing<00:32:03.000><c> firearm
• have data centers that require a large have data centers that require a large amount<00:50:11.319><c>

Bills: HF647, HF2824, HF1249, HF623, HF820

Keywords: water appropriation, aquifer management, potable water, water conservation, environmental policy, fishing regulation, angling, sustainability, biodiversity, game fish, Carley State Park, Minnesota state parks, state lands, park boundary expansion, Wabasha County, Department of Natural Resources, DNR, public lands, land acquisition, park addition

Transcript Highlights:

• I hear the concerns also about over-regulation.
• Up to see any supporting data because this is an area that’s new for me.
• There's a lot of data, new data that I put into the written testimony that kind of outlines the top 20
• Texas 2036 is a non-profit, nonpartisan, data-driven policy shop.
• We don't regulate the number of bedrooms.

Bills: HB24, HB2015, HB2149, HB2559, HB2701, HB2797, HB3172, HB24

Keywords: zoning, public notice, local government, residential development, protests, water conservation, municipal utility districts, Texas Commission on Environmental Quality, environmental regulation, groundwater management, nonconforming uses, zoning regulations, land use, property rights, municipal authority, municipal moratorium, development moratorium, property development, subdivision, site plan

Transcript Highlights:

• Regulations. Businesses like stability as well.
• Operators from overly restrictive local regulations that exceed the established NFPA standards.
• Because we don't have that operational data that the conservation plan requires. are set up for, so we
• I don't know how that data gets used by the state.
• In presenting those plans, the utilities rely on. historical data that would not be available to a MUD

Bills: HB24, HB2015, HB2149, HB2559, HB2701, HB2797, HB3172, HB24

Keywords: zoning, public notice, local government, residential development, protests, water conservation, municipal utility districts, Texas Commission on Environmental Quality, environmental regulation, groundwater management, nonconforming uses, zoning regulations, land use, property rights, municipal authority, municipal moratorium, development moratorium, property development, subdivision, site plan

Bills: SB198, SB179

Keywords: Alabama National Guard, National Guard legal services, legal assistance program, judge advocate, staff judge advocate, paralegal, military justice, military law, legal aid, preventive law, notary, notarial acts, Adjutant General, State Military Department, Office of General Counsel, Army Regulation 27-1, Army Regulation 27-3, Air Force Instruction 51-304, Air National Guard Instruction 51-504, Title 31

Bills: HB2122, HB2184, HB2910

Keywords: technical registration, engineering, architect, land surveyor, reciprocity, endorsement, qualification standards, fetal death, funeral homes, informed consent, abortion, women's rights, medical assistance, emotional support, contractors, administrative recovery, regulation, statute of limitations, residential contractors' recovery fund, 1182

Transcript Highlights:

• of that data is moving around at record pace through these data centers.
• of that data is moving around at record pace through these data centers.
• That's all data.
• That's all data.
• The question is not, are data centers good or are data centers bad?

Bills: SB6061, SB6234, SB6170, SB6176, SB6182, SB6335, SB5647, SB6047, HB2367, HB2606, SB6129, SB6228, SB6231, HB2235, HB2272, HB2340, HB2543, HB2554, HB2632, HB2464, HB2619

Keywords: tourism, self-supported assessment, funding, statewide promotion, economic development, sewage, grinder pumps, residential buildings, regulation, construction, contracting rules, state highway construction, procurement limits, state regulations, infrastructure funding, vehicle registration, enforcement, renewal, transportation, state law

Summary: The Senate opened with ceremonial items, then moved through gubernatorial appointments and a series of floor votes. It confirmed Acacia E. Ingram to the Evergreen State College Board of Trustees, Ashland J. Tibbet and David S. Frockt to the Western Washington University Board of Trustees, and Christine Rolfes to the Olympic College Board of Trustees. Members spoke in support of the appointees’ public service and ties to higher education. The chamber also heard a personal privilege statement honoring a Colfax basketball coach who died of pancreatic cancer, followed by a caucus break. The Senate then considered several bills, passing measures on derelict vessels (SHB 2199), radiologic technologist supervision (HB 2113), nitrous oxide retail sales (ESHB 2532), ambulance transport fund alignment (HB 2531), EMT recertification (HB 2540), affordable housing on religious property (2SHB 1859), factory-built housing standards (SHB 2151), social housing public development authorities (EHB 1687), the Washington Voting Rights Act and voter suppression claims (ESSHB 1750), privacy and data protection reporting and AI use (HB 2606), military family school stability (ESHB 2534), coal-fired utility treatment (HB 2367), and school access to albuterol (SHB 2360). Most passed on strong bipartisan roll calls, though the voting-rights bill and coal-utility bill drew the most debate and partisan division. Several bills were amended on the floor. The Senate adopted changes to the nitrous oxide bill, the factory-built housing bill, the social housing bill, the albuterol bill, and the 3D-printer/firearm-manufacturing bill (ESHB 2320), while rejecting some proposed amendments on the voting-rights and 3D-printer bills. Debate centered on whether the voting-rights bill set too low a threshold for lawsuits and whether the coal-utility bill gave improper treatment to coal generation; supporters framed both as needed protections or transition measures, while opponents warned about litigation and policy overreach. The chamber also discussed tribal consultation in energy siting (SHB 2496), ultimately passing it after a close vote, and later returned to the 3D-printer bill, which advanced after amendments narrowed exemptions for gunsmiths and dealers and clarified the bill’s focus on digital files used to manufacture firearms.

Bills: HJR1101

Keywords: Oklahoma Medical Marijuana Authority, OMMA, medical marijuana, cannabis, marijuana regulation, administrative rules, permanent rules, rule approval, joint resolution, legislative oversight, Title 75 Section 308, Oklahoma Administrative Code, OAC 442, patients, caregivers, licensees, dispensaries, growers, processors, 914

Transcript Highlights:

• changes so fast. regulations. regulations.
• <00:21:37.400><c> than</c> regulations than regulations than statute<00:21:39.040><c> because</c><00:
• We've been regulating regulating regulating &gt;&gt; [clears throat] &gt;&gt; [clears throat] &gt;&gt
• We're happy to be regulated.
• We are pro-regulation.

Bills: HB0098, HB0075, HB0041, HB0101

Keywords: gun control, Second Amendment, constitutional rights, misdemeanor, law enforcement, virtual currency, kiosk, financial institutions, regulation, Wyoming Money Transmitters Act, penalties, death benefits, retirement, survivor support, public safety, guardianship, monitoring, ward protection, financial independence, case management

Bills: SB 32, SB 464, SB 996, SB 1163, SB 1173, SB 1277, SB 1452, SB 1453, SB 1548, SB 1882, SB 1883, SB 2016

Keywords: ad valorem taxation, tax exemption, franchise tax credit, income production, personal property, fireworks, retail sales, regulation, public safety, holidays, municipal management, continuation elections, districts, debt management, voter approval, charter amendment, home-rule municipality, local government, petition requirements

Bills: SB 32, SB 464, SB 996, SB 1163, SB 1173, SB 1277, SB 1452, SB 1453, SB 1548, SB 1882, SB 1883, SB 2016

Keywords: ad valorem taxation, tax exemption, franchise tax credit, income production, personal property, fireworks, retail sales, regulation, public safety, holidays, municipal management, continuation elections, districts, debt management, voter approval, charter amendment, home-rule municipality, local government, petition requirements

Bills: SB 32, SB 464, SB 996, SB 1163, SB 1173, SB 1277, SB 1452, SB 1453, SB 1548, SB 1882, SB 1883, SB 2016

Keywords: ad valorem taxation, tax exemption, franchise tax credit, income production, personal property, fireworks, retail sales, regulation, public safety, holidays, municipal management, continuation elections, districts, debt management, voter approval, charter amendment, home-rule municipality, local government, petition requirements

Bills: SB 32, SB 464, SB 996, SB 1163, SB 1173, SB 1277, SB 1452, SB 1453, SB 1548, SB 1882, SB 1883, SB 2016

Keywords: ad valorem taxation, tax exemption, franchise tax credit, income production, personal property, fireworks, retail sales, regulation, public safety, holidays, municipal management, continuation elections, districts, debt management, voter approval, charter amendment, home-rule municipality, local government, petition requirements