Transcript Highlights:

• The Committee on State Affairs will come to order. Will the clerk call the roll? Bettencourt? Bird?
• Thirty-five other states currently allow charitable raffles to be sold online.
• They stated the app was not meant to be used to sell tickets.
• Corruption is foundational to government, especially the Texas state government.
• officials have operated with these lottery couriers and out-of-state interests.

Bills: SB82, SB1807, SB2254, HB119, HB130, HB581, HJR98, SB1988, SB 18, SB 34

Keywords: business liability, concealed carry, handgun policy, premises liability, criminal acts, civil liability, business premises, concealed handgun, property liability, property rights, gun regulations, criminal liability, protective order, confidentiality, personal information, court records, victim protection, charitable raffle, nonprofit, wildlife conservation

Transcript Highlights:

• This doesn't take any money away from the foundation school program or the state highway fund.
• Out there, public safety, and this program would fund grants to state agencies or political subdivisions
• We have a PA program that we created, and thank you to the state of Texas.
• of Texas and in the United States.
• and the State Highway Fund.

Bills: HB188, HB265, HJR35, HJR47, SB1901, HB188, HB265, HJR35

Keywords: Texas STRONG defense fund, severance tax revenue, oil and gas revenue, constitutional transfers, rainy day fund, economic stabilization fund, state highway fund, oil and gas production, qualifying county, county grants, water infrastructure, first responders, public safety, DPS staffing, commercial motor vehicle safety, gang violence prevention, human trafficking prevention, economic development, TxDOT grants, school districts

Transcript Highlights:

• childcare program or a public pre-K program, their world really opens up.
• That the school lunch program is sort of an interplay between the state and the federal government, right
• What then happens, since it's an interplay between state and... federal program. Great question.
• But if that is reduced or if they cannot fund these programs, then that would fall on on the state of
• So with our program.

Bills: HB367, HB497, HB549, HB983, HB 1188, HB 1290, HB1368, HB2243, HB2310, HB2849, HB3099, HB3546, HB3629, HB3627

Keywords: education, absences, severe illness, life-threatening, school policy, verification, healthcare, insurance, affordability, coverage, patient rights, school health, respiratory distress, airway clearance devices, medication training, public health, HB 983, Texas Education Agency, TEA, educator privacy

Transcript Highlights:

• to employ personnel to assist the board of fulfilling his duties.
• Just like other state agencies, my bill would allow SBOE employees to receive state employment and retirement
• requirements. that are there, because not all of these are state laws.
• The two main areas of focus that this is looking at is state law.
• Probably gotta do it for federal, then we do it for state.

Bills: HB367, HB497, HB549, HB983, HB 1188, HB 1290, HB1368, HB2243, HB2310, HB2849, HB3099, HB3546, HB3629, HB3627

Keywords: education, absences, severe illness, life-threatening, school policy, verification, healthcare, insurance, affordability, coverage, patient rights, school health, respiratory distress, airway clearance devices, medication training, public health, HB 983, Texas Education Agency, TEA, educator privacy

Transcript Highlights:

• We make this state run. My name is Grace Balich.
• <00:47:00.160> explicit Management and budget stated explicit Management and budget stated
• <00:52:30.520> of fault of the state of fault of the state of Minnesota<00:52:32.280> but
• doesn't achieve the goal that was stated doesn't achieve the goal that was stated by<01:09:05.080
• They're both controversial, but we'll figure it out as a state.

Bills: HF3023, HF3078, HF107, HF2171, HF3079, HF689, HF1316

Keywords: unemployment benefits, iron ore mining, economic support, workforce development, Minnesota, unemployment insurance, deferred resignation, employment, worker rights, benefits eligibility, Ellsworth Independent School District, ISD 514, school construction, school renovation, sales tax exemption, use tax refund, construction materials, HVAC replacement, boiler replacement, window replacement

Transcript Highlights:

• Almost all other states have already adopted these changes to their insurance regulations.
• included you can see that Most states included you can see that Most states have<00:04:31.880>
• <00:05:08.639> have standards almost all other states have standards almost all other states
• And the peg that the state of Minnesota was using is no longer valid or relevant.
• And with that, you can return to your regular programming, Mr. Chair.

Bills: HF2601, HF2607, HF2027, HF2608

Keywords: financial institutions, insurance regulation, insurance holding company, group capital calculation, liquidity stress test, NAIC, National Association of Insurance Commissioners, insurer solvency, affiliate transactions, groupwide supervision, internationally active insurance group, lead state commissioner, policyholder protection, hazardous financial condition, deposit or bond, contract for deed, conventional loan, cooperative apartment loan, mortgage interest rate cap, average prime offer rate

Transcript Highlights:

• Elnas and I serve as the state advocacy Elnas and I serve as the state advocacy director<00:05:48.240
• This money currently goes into the state general fund under state law.
• It also generally paid to the state.
• <00:08:40.479> This state general fund under state law.
• This state general fund under state law.

Bills: HF1392, HF2233, HF695, HF2228, HF1289

Keywords: consumer protection, restitution, attorney general, consumer enforcement, unclaimed funds, victim compensation, settlement funds, special revenue fund, general fund, restitution account, consumer fraud, state treasury, eligible consumers, distribution of funds, tax subtraction, income tax, refund, unpaid compensation, Minnesota Department of Revenue, consumer redress

Transcript Highlights:

• And I just wanted to thank him for coming to the state of Alabama.
• other things um passed here in the state other things um passed here in the state of<00:38:21.680
• <00:38:24.880> of thank him for coming to the state of thank him for coming to the state of
• Many of them did not even know that they were there, you know, in their state of mind.
• Alabama is the only bail state that does not have a reporting hub.

Bills: HB426, SB24, SB106, SB254, HB505, HB458, HB535, HB509, HB320, HB518, HB261, HB426, SB24, SB106, SB254, HB505, HB458, HB535, HB509, HB320, HB518, HB261, SB316, HB228, SB318, SB260, HB132, HB347, HB405, HB86, HB263, HB302, SB336

Keywords: Alabama Ad Valorem Advisory Committee, ad valorem taxes, property tax, real property, personal property, tax assessment, tax collection, county tax officials, Department of Revenue, Commissioner of Revenue, taxpayer representation, resident taxpayers, local government, property tax administration, Association of Alabama Tax Administrators, tax policy, advisory committee, public input, governance reform, body-worn camera

Transcript Highlights:

• We increased funding to the farm down payment assistance program.
• <00:10:33.040> We farm down payment assistance program.
• We farm down payment assistance program.
• We had $18 million cut through the local food purchasing assistance program, and in this bill we find
• program scope assistance heroes program scope clarification.<01:25:49.040> Want<01:25:49.199>

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• it's a pilot program of what the<01:41:50.280> bill<01:41:50.560> States<01:41:50.960>
• It is all out of state.
• It is all out of state.
• It is all out of state.
• had a on trusted Education in the state had a on trusted adult<03:55:39.439> program<03:55:40.040

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The Children and Family Law Committee opened a hearing on House Bill 285, which would add language to the parental rights and responsibilities statute directing judges to consider known mental health or medical conditions that could affect parenting. Representative Ball, the bill’s sponsor, said the intent was not to require disclosure of private records, but to give judges a reminder to ask whether anything in a parent’s condition could interfere with parenting and to help ensure children’s safety and best interests, especially in high-conflict or pro se family court cases. He said the proposal was meant as a guardrail and not as a way to reduce parenting time or take children from parents. Committee members questioned whether the existing best-interest factors already cover parenting ability, whether the new language could invite stigma or weaponization in custody disputes, and whether judges already have authority to ask these questions. Ball responded that judges often do not ask, that family court can be difficult for unrepresented parties, and that the language would simply make the issue explicit. He also said he would be open to amendments, including language that more directly instructs judges to ask the question. One member raised concerns about whether the bill should say judges “shall” ask rather than “may,” and Ball said he was willing to work with the committee on wording. Sarah Horn, a NAMI New Hampshire board member and parent, testified in opposition. She described her own history with OCD, ADD, PTSD, hospitalization, and recovery, and said mental illness had not harmed her ability to parent; she warned the bill could increase stigma and discourage people from seeking treatment. In response, Ball said her testimony was part of why he had considered an amendment to include physical health as well, so the bill would not single out mental health. The hearing ended without a vote in the transcript provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• Um, the small business assistance program.
• Um, the small business assistance program.
• Um, the small business assistance program.
• Um, the small business assistance program.
• We are seeing 40 other states have some other apprenticeship program.

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• > has<00:08:46.640> this other states, every state that has this other states, every state
• states together, an alliance of states states together, an alliance of states because<00:18:45.840
• itself, the state reserved to the state itself, the state of<00:18:54.400> New<00:18:54.640><
• <00:20:05.919> the<00:20:06.240> state it breaks down uh the state the state it breaks
• state passed this well, has any other state passed this yet?

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• integrity of the UI program. integrity of the UI program.
• in the state of Hawaii.
• the state our state AG is signed on to. the state our state AG is signed on to.
• So, the two largest states<01:24:42.000> with states with states with uh<01:24:43.320> practitioners
• out-of-state out-of-state um<01:32:44.000> consultation.

Bills: HB2323, HB2324, HB1509, HB2164, HB2165, HB2367, HB2619, HB1765, HB2187, HB1864, HB1452, HB2314, HB1898, HB2558, HB2319, HB1643, HB2121

Keywords: workers' compensation, treatment plans, vocational rehabilitation, electronic submission, reporting requirements, occupational safety, hoisting machines, discrimination protection, Department of Labor, safety standards, treatment plan, injured worker, medical treatment authorization, employer response deadline, secure electronic transmission, facsimile, fax, mail submission, denial of care, medical necessity

Summary: The committee heard several administration bills related largely to workers’ compensation and unemployment insurance. On HB 2323 HD1, which would modernize workers’ compensation notice and filing procedures, DLIR and other agencies testified in support of the original bill language but said HD1 removed key components and weakened the bill’s clarity and continuity. HB 2324 HD1, which would repeal state hoisting-machine certification requirements and the separate crane operator certificate, drew support from DLIR; members asked about whether the change would affect safety or local operators, and DLIR said OSHA-compliant certifications already exist and the union supported the change. HB 1509 HD1, which would require faster employer responses to treatment plans and impose penalties for nonresponse, received support from DLIR and others, while DHRD said it wanted an amendment. The committee also took up HB 2164 HD1 on compounded prescription drugs in workers’ compensation. DLIR supported the bill as a way to define compounded drugs and curb inflated pricing, but DHRD and a medical provider opposed it and asked for amendments. Testimony focused heavily on whether the definition should include 503B compounding facilities and whether physician dispensing should be limited to the first 30 days after injury. HB 2165 HD1, dealing with unemployment insurance eligibility and removing the two-year limit on recouping overpayments, was supported by DLIR but opposed by Unite Here Local 5, which argued it would make it harder for striking workers and other claimants. Members questioned the impact of changing reporting deadlines from calendar days to business days and raised concerns about future benefit offsets; DLIR said the bill was needed for federal conformity and that the committee would revisit the offset percentage and effective date. Later, the committee heard HB 2367 on pay transparency, requiring salary ranges in job postings and removing the small-employer exemption. The Hawaii Civil Rights Commission, AAUW, Hawaii Women Lawyers, and an individual testifier supported the bill, saying pay transparency promotes fairness, trust, and pay equity; one testifier described being underpaid compared with a predecessor and said posting ranges would save applicants’ time. HB 2619 HD1, concerning homemade food products and farm kitchens, received generally supportive comments from the Department of Health, which requested an amendment to preserve flexibility in future rulemaking. HB 1765 HD1, on spear-fishing safety warnings, drew support from a safety educator and comments from DLNR; supporters said warning labels would help prevent hypoxic blackout deaths and were low-cost and easy to implement. No votes or final committee actions were taken in the portion of the meeting provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• They let it go in the state court. Some depart from the state approach.
• They let it go in the state court. Some depart from the state approach.
• That's state law.
• rental assistance program, ensuring contributions are directed toward direct assistance more efficiently
• rental assistance program<02:27:51.280> ensuring<02:27:52.080> contributions<02:27:52.720

Keywords: 981, all

Transcript Highlights:

• state treasure. state treasure.
• She's the yellow ribbon coordinator, the state soldier and family readiness group leader, and she is
• state constitutions were first adopted. state constitutions were first adopted.
• of this issue in the state of Wyoming. of this issue in the state of Wyoming.
• their law or two other states.

Keywords: 926, house, all

Summary: The House opened with a devotional for Mental Health Awareness Month, focused on the fragility and renewability of mental health and the importance of human connection, kindness, and reaching out to people who are struggling. The chamber then handled several referral items, including first reading and referral of Senate Bill 329, an act relating to criminal procedures involving firearms, to the Judiciary Committee. It also referred Senate Bills 323 and 326 to the Committee on Appropriations because they carry appropriations, and noted that Senate Bill 278, relating to cannabis and state revenue, had been reported favorably with amendment and was referred to Ways and Means under House Rule 35A. The House took up Joint Senate Resolution 53 on weekend adjournment for May 15, 2026, and adopted it in concurrence by voice vote. The chamber also read House Concurrent Resolution 284 honoring former Senate Majority Leader and Department of State’s Attorneys and Sheriffs’ Executive Director John F. Campbell for his public service, including his work on marriage equality and gun control, and members gave remarks recognizing his leadership, humor, and impact on the institution. Several guests were welcomed and recognized during announcements, including a representative involved in a diaper drive, local officials, and Norma Malone, who was honored for decades of public service in Barry Town and related local boards. The main floor action was on Proposal 4, a proposed constitutional amendment on equality of rights. The Judiciary Committee recommended concurrence, and the member from Burlington explained the amendment’s purpose and process, emphasizing that it would add an equal protection guarantee to the Vermont Constitution covering race, ethnicity, sex, religion, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, and national origin, while preserving other constitutional protections. The member also reviewed the proposal’s prior passage in both chambers in the previous biennium and its current path toward appearing on the November 2026 ballot if approved again by the House and Senate. The transcript ends while the House is still hearing extended remarks on Proposal 4, with no final vote on the amendment shown in the excerpt.

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:01:50.399> and interesting to get around the state and interesting to get around the state
• morning the bagels uh we had state morning the bagels uh we had state government<00:02:33.720>
• <00:08:39.039> of first Latino community in the state of first Latino community in the state
• <00:13:18.199> patrol building the Minnesota state patrol building the Minnesota state patrol
• <00:29:03.600> so it becomes a cost neutral program so it becomes a cost neutral program so

Keywords: 1183, house

Summary: The committee met with a quorum and began with introductions from members and staff, who shared brief personal facts. Chair Franson then announced that the committee would hear the governor’s bonding request for state agencies, starting with the Department of Public Safety. Commissioner Bob Jacobson, BCA Superintendent Drew Evans, and State Patrol Colonel Christina Boich were introduced as the presenters. The Department of Public Safety focused on three capital projects: a new Southern BCA regional office and laboratory, an expansion of the BCA regional office and laboratory in northern Minnesota, and a new Minnesota State Patrol headquarters funded with trunk highway cash. Evans said the BCA’s St. Paul headquarters is severely overcrowded and that demand has grown because of sexual assault kit testing, digital evidence work, drug evidence, and a sharp rise in cybercrime and child exploitation cases. He said the regional facilities would improve turnaround times, reduce travel for testimony and evidence drop-off, expand training access for local law enforcement, and allow the BCA to serve southern and northern Minnesota more efficiently. Members questioned the high cost of the projects, including Representative Skraba’s concern about the per-square-foot cost. Evans responded that the facilities are expensive because they are specialized laboratories, not office buildings, and must include costly equipment, HVAC systems, redundant power, and other lab-specific features; he said retrofitting existing buildings would cost about the same as new construction. He also said the Southern Minnesota project had increased from about $48 million to $68.1 million due to final design changes, larger space needs, and rising construction costs. Representative Sexton asked about training availability, and Evans said the new facility would include a classroom for 40 to 60 students and could be used by other agencies at low or no cost. Representative Hansen asked about regional training centers, and Evans said the BCA uses them for specialized training but still needs this classroom-based regional space. No votes or formal actions were taken in the portion provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• CMS allows fully insured large groups to implement these programs, but current state law prohibits us
• Many PBMs, including our own in-state PBM, have these types of programs.
• Many PBMs, including our own in-state PBM, has these types of programs.
• Current Louisiana law allows only self-funded businesses to use copay assistance benefit programs to
• So don't think that these so-called copay assistance benefit programs are the only way that patients

Bills: HB591, HB765, HB826, HB870, HB938, HB1151, HB1162, HB1176, HB1196, HB1236, HB1241

Keywords: family leave, insurance, paid leave, employment benefits, caregiver support, liability insurance, coverage defenses, direct action, judgment enforcement, legal procedures, insurance referrals, compensation, non-licensed agents, consumer protection, insurance products, HB 870, Act 907, Louisiana insurance, health insurance, prescription drugs

Transcript Highlights:

• > state<00:23:08.760> law<00:23:08.920> remedies obtain state remedies state law
• There are reward programs.
• With the reward [snorts] programs<00:26:03.120> the programs the programs the customer<00:26:06.600
• thousands of homeowners in the state. thousands of homeowners in the state.
• program, should be strongly supported. program, should be strongly supported.

Bills: SB2607, SB2031, SB2043, SB2623, SB2876, SB2396, SB2964, SB2089

Keywords: landscape architecture, licensure, educational requirements, examination, professional standards, consumer protection, junk fees, live-event tickets, short-term lodging, transparency, pricing disclosure, deceptive practices, insurance, captives, regulations, policyholders, SB2623, Hawaii pharmacy law, Board of Pharmacy, registered pharmacy technician

Summary: The committee first heard HCR 168 and HR 158, which would create a temporary working group to study utility capacity, coastline infrastructure lifespan, and the costs of needed expansions. Public Utilities Commission staff said the commission was not the right entity to direct all of the work because it lacks authority over many affected agencies. Members discussed whether the study should be limited to a coastal area or broadened to the whole island, and in decision-making the committee amended the measure to focus on the County of Honolulu, correct references to the Public Utilities Commission, and revise the working group membership to include the PUC chair, legislative designees, and directors or designees from DLNR, DOT, HIEMA, and DCCA Consumer Advocacy. The committee then passed both resolutions with amendments; the vote was adopted unanimously, with some members excused. The committee next considered HCR 145 and HR 137, which would convene a working group on climate change impacts on insurance availability and affordability. The Insurance Division stood on its written comments, the Climate Change Mitigation and Adaptation Commission supported the intent, and the Attorney General opposed the measure, warning that a working group could create discoverable materials that might complicate the state’s climate litigation and noting a technical ambiguity in the reference to the Hawaii Hurricane Relief Fund administrator. After questions about discovery and the lawsuit, the committee amended the resolutions to replace the administrator reference with the chair of the Hawaii Hurricane Relief Fund Board of Directors, remove the Attorney General as convener while keeping the office as a member, and have the working group share findings and recommendations with the House CPC and Senate CPN committees instead of issuing a report. The committee passed the measures with amendments, with Rep. Martin voting with reservations. In the later agenda, the committee heard SB 2607, SD 1 on landscape architect licensure. The Board of Professional Engineers, Architects, Surveyors, and Landscape Architects supported the bill, explaining it modernizes licensure requirements to align with national standards and clarifies the profession’s design-focused role. The bill was discussed as distinguishing landscape architecture from groundskeeping and from civil engineering drainage work. No opposition was heard. The committee also heard SB 2031, SD 2 on consumer protection and price transparency for live ticket events and short-term lodging. The Office of Consumer Protection supported the bill, saying it largely mirrors an FTC rule requiring all-in pricing and would give the state enforcement authority and remedies. The Hawaii Financial Services Association opposed the bill as drafted and sought a limited exemption for credit card issuers relying on third-party hotel information, while the Hawaii Hotel Alliance supported the measure but asked for language deeming compliance with the federal rule sufficient for short-term lodging. Committee members questioned whether those proposed exemptions would conflict with federal law or weaken state enforcement, and the discussion focused on preemption, liability, and the value of state remedies such as restitution.

Transcript Highlights:

• Dear Lord, we thank you for the opportunity to serve you and serve the people of this great state of
• Dear Lord, we thank you for the opportunity to serve you and serve the people of this great state of

Bills: HB586, SB107, HB619, HB586, SB107, HB619

Keywords: HB586, Cullman, Cullman County, City of Cullman, annexation, municipal boundaries, corporate limits, local legislation, boundary adjustment, city limits, municipal expansion, zoning, municipal services, property tax, land use, metes and bounds, Alabama Highway 157, Judge of Probate, SSUT, simplified sellers use tax

Transcript Highlights:

• Would this defense be for the state of Arizona?
• programs to be available.
• So the program has been successful.
• Humane Society of the United States.
• as the state looks for new generation resources for the state.

Bills: HB2013, HB2026, HB2056, HB2098, HB2113, HB2156, HB2158, HCM2011, HCR2057

Keywords: air pollution, wildfires, environmental standards, public health, Arizona Revised Statutes, assured water supply, groundwater, commingling, commingled water, water supply, Arizona Department of Water Resources, ADWR, active management area, AMA, subdivision plat, development approval, water rights, municipal provider, private water company, certificate of assured water supply