Transcript Highlights:

• The first is we're developing a path to bar admission through supervised practice as an alternative to
• With me today is Janine Lemker, Associate Dean for the Center for Career Development.
• Are you all of the three law schools willing to develop a similar program where you want to retain folks
• this. to places with maybe higher need that have sort of developed the support to support the interns
• We're able to pay them a competitive wage.

Summary: The work session began with a discussion of expanding opportunities in the legal profession, especially in response to shortages of lawyers in rural Washington and in public service roles. Washington State Bar Executive Director Tara Nevitt described a slowly growing but aging attorney population, noted that younger attorneys have declined, and outlined efforts such as supervised practice pathways to bar admission, reduced admission-by-motion experience requirements, expanded law clerk capacity, rural job fairs and grants, and a pilot program allowing innovative legal service delivery models. Members asked about bar passage score changes, loan repayment assistance, and the former Limited License Legal Technician program; Nevitt said the bar is monitoring other states and remains in dialogue with the court about paraprofessional licensing. Law school representatives from UW, Seattle University, and Gonzaga emphasized public service pipelines, financial barriers, and rural legal deserts, citing LRAPs, scholarships, stipends, clinics, and hybrid or regional programs designed to recruit and retain students in Washington. Seattle U highlighted its FlexJD and hybrid hub partnerships in underserved areas, while Gonzaga and UW reported substantial shares of graduates entering public service, though most still cluster in urban regions. The committee also heard from the Washington Association of Prosecuting Attorneys and the Office of Public Defense, both of which described severe recruitment and retention problems in rural counties, with vacancies, low applicant pools, and the need for higher salaries, housing help, internships, and loan support. The Office of Public Defense said its internship and fellowship program, created by SB 5780, has already placed interns in rural counties and produced some commitments to return after graduation. The Washington State Bar’s law clerk program was also presented as a pathway that helps people train locally and remain in their communities, including by supporting succession for aging solo practitioners. The committee then shifted to family law and guardianship issues. On Title 26 guardian ad litem practice, presenters from Northwest Justice Project and private family law practice said GALs can play an important role but that training, oversight, and consistency remain major concerns, especially in domestic violence cases. They described problems such as inadequate training, bias, inconsistent recommendations, high fees, and lack of accountability, and suggested stronger, standardized training, more use of mental health professionals for custody evaluations, and better oversight mechanisms. Members asked about county practices, including rotation systems for GAL appointments and whether King County’s family court assessors provide a useful model. The discussion then moved to minor guardianships under the Uniform Guardianship Act. A Superior Court judge said the 2021 changes increased the need for court visitors and appointed counsel, but courts are struggling to find qualified attorneys and visitors, especially in rural areas. A former commissioner said most of the bill under discussion was technical cleanup to align prior amendments, though it would add some fiscal burdens. Administrative Office of the Courts staff reported that the statewide reimbursement program for UGA implementation has repeatedly run out of money earlier each year, with minor guardianship costs making up most of the expense. The Office of Public Guardianship then described rapid growth in demand for adult guardianship and less restrictive alternatives, noting that referrals and caseloads have risen sharply, but that the office is constrained by a shortage of certified professional guardians and low compensation levels. Finally, the committee began an update on Blake implementation from the Office of Civil Legal Aid, which funds civil legal services related to the decision, before the transcript cut off.

Transcript Highlights:

• I just want to point out that there's $2 million to the Economic Development Department for the Healthy
• Chair, moving on to page 8, we can see the Economic Development Department.
• So the LFC recommendation of $35 million for site characterization and pre-development would be both
• That includes $25 million to establish a research and development deployment fund.
• Line 178 is $75 million for the development, implementation, and support of the strategic water supply

Transcript Highlights:

• Well, the competitiveness of our state compared to others is critical.
• I will be presenting tomorrow at the Legislative Development Commission.
• Relevant agency plans to the Water Development Coordinating Council.
• As we're developing this unified water infrastructure plan, we are in the process of developing a ranking
• And then it goes to the Water Development Coordinating Council.

Keywords: 985, all

Transcript Highlights:

• And this process that has been developed in the interest of justice does not provide justice for families
• We were there for every part of the development of the regulations and the oversight, have heard these
• SB 1203 will eliminate jobs making companies that seek to automate security functions more competitive
• , thereby displacing the very people. ...automate security functions, making them more competitive and
• And our existing jurisdiction under the unfair competition law is insufficient because it only allows

Keywords: 987, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• The organization has expanded its mission of affordability by developing energy-efficient homes that
• mission of affordability by developing mission of affordability by developing energy<01:50:21.360
• ,<03:30:02.479> which have to legalize competition, which have to legalize competition, which
• <03:30:11.200> and basically stop competition and basically stop competition and disruptive
• We got to, you know, add competition to our society.

Keywords: U.S. House of Representatives Floor Proceedings on Thursday, March 19, 2026, 1012, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Development Fund and due to the ongoing Development Fund and due to the ongoing success<00:06:16.479>
• I'm the Executive Director for Workforce Development and for the Workforce Development Board of Southeast
• > Port Regional development corporations Port Regional development corporations Port Authorities
• A lot of them have some attempt at some kind of ADA-type development or economic development, and they
• development uh or Economic Development development uh or Economic Development um<01:00:14.680>

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Model Laboratory Personal Finance Team for winning first place in the middle school division state competition
• Model Laboratory Personal Finance Team won first place in the middle school division of the state competition
• 43:38.480> Branscum, House Bill 795, Representative Branscum, an act relating to economic development
• House Bill 796, Representative Branscum, an act relating to economic development.
• House Bill 819, Representative Osborne, an act relating to economic development.

Keywords: 958, all

Summary: The House convened with an invocation and pledge, established a quorum with 95 members present, excused absent members, and suspended the rules to allow co-sponsorships and vote modifications. The chamber also received notice that the Senate had passed Senate Bills 33, 37, and 56 and requested concurrence, and it approved the journal from February 27, 2026. The House then considered several bills. House Bill 648, relating to motor vehicle dealers, was explained as closing loopholes in warranty compensation for class 7 and 8 heavy-duty truck dealers; it passed 94-0. House Bill 299, relating to machine gun conversion devices or “Glock switches,” was amended by House Committee Substitute 1, described as mirroring existing federal law so local law enforcement can enforce it; it passed 65-25, with one member explaining support as a constitutional gun restriction. House Bill 282, “Troy’s Law,” relating to vehicle lights for tow trucks, was amended to allow green flashing, rotating, or oscillating lights for wreckers and was presented as a safety measure honoring tow operators killed or injured on highways; it passed unanimously. House Bill 658, relating to limited commercial driver’s licenses for agricultural businesses, was amended with clarifying language and passed 93-0. House Bill 519, relating to a voluntary notation on driver’s licenses or IDs for people with communication disorders, was described as a non-stigmatizing safety tool for first responders and passed 92-0. House Bill 246, “Keion’s Law,” requiring animal control officers to receive training to identify and report child abuse and neglect, was amended to address county liability concerns and passed 85-0 after testimony about child maltreatment data and the link between animal abuse and child abuse. After the bills, the House took up additional business, including moving House Bills 619 and 651 from Appropriations and Revenue for second reading. The chamber also adopted Citation 52 recognizing the Model Laboratory School Personal Finance Team for winning a state competition, and Citation 51 honoring the Blueprint for Kentucky’s Children and Children’s Advocacy Week. Members announced committee meetings, an Americans for Prosperity Kentucky reception, and a Women’s History Month recognition highlighting Martha Layne Collins as Kentucky’s first and only female governor.

Transcript Highlights:

• example, in 2024, Zurich announced it would cease underwriting new oil and gas exploration and development
• example, in 2024, Zurich announced it would cease underwriting new oil and gas exploration and development
• From a competitive perspective, given they control approximately 97% of the advisory business, there
• is no competition to keep them in check.
• We're a very competitive industry. We want to do business with you in Texas.

Bills: SB312, SB945, SB946, SB1367, SB1861, SB2044, SB2337, SB2403, SB2819, SJR54

Keywords: public school funding, education, budget allocation, financial transparency, state law, local control, fiduciary responsibility, public retirement systems, investment management, proxy voting, financial factors, insurance, political shareholder proposals, fossil fuels, greenhouse gas emissions, environmental regulation, discrimination, credit extension, social credit, value-based standards

Summary: The committee heard Senate Bill 945, 946, 2044, 2819, 2403, 2337, and 312, with all bills left pending after testimony. SB 945 would restrict insurance companies from denying or limiting coverage based on oil and gas activity or ESG-related goals, and supporters argued it would protect Texas energy producers from politically motivated shareholder activism and insurance discrimination. SB 946 would bar creditors from using social credit, ESG, DEI, or religious/political affiliation as a basis for denying or limiting credit; witnesses said it would prevent viewpoint-based financial discrimination and protect access to capital for Texas businesses. SB 2337 would require proxy advisory firms to disclose when recommendations are based on non-financial factors or when they give conflicting advice to different clients; supporters said the measure would increase transparency and curb ESG-driven influence over shareholder voting. SB 312 would direct public retirement systems to focus on financial returns rather than social or political objectives, with the author saying the bill responds to activist pressure on pensions and would reinforce fiduciary duty. The committee also took up election and ethics measures. SB 2044 would strengthen electioneering restrictions for publicly funded education institutions and personnel, prohibiting use of official resources to promote political agendas; testimony focused on alleged school district electioneering in bond and tax elections. SB 2819 would prohibit county elections administrators from holding certain officer positions appointed by elected officials, addressing potential conflicts of interest. SB 2403, the Texas Ethics Commission sunset bill, would restructure complaint handling with a three-tier violation system, risk-based complaint prioritization, longer response times, bipartisan preliminary review panels, and expanded hearing options; members discussed amendments aimed at dismissing minor complaints, clarifying categories, and adjusting lobbying and penalty provisions, but the amendments were withdrawn during committee consideration. Across the ESG and finance bills, invited witnesses from the American Energy Institute, Heartland Impact, Consumers Research, ADF Action, Texas Civil Justice League, and related groups generally supported the measures, arguing that banks, insurers, proxy advisors, and asset managers have used ESG or reputational-risk standards to discriminate against energy, agriculture, firearms, and religious organizations. No opposition testimony was presented in the excerpt, and the committee closed public testimony on each bill and left them pending.

Transcript Highlights:

• The amendment exempts developers from the bill's requirements, prohibits meetings from being recorded
• The amendment exempts developers from the bill's requirements, prohibits meetings from being recorded
• is so extreme with extended development is so extreme with extended seclusion<01:09:56.040> um
• Over the weekend, we had the National Baby of the Year competition held in Louisville.
• Please give them a round of applause. the Baby of the Year competition was the Baby of the Year competition

Keywords: House streaming session for Monday, March 23, 2026, 957, house, all

Summary: The House took up the Appropriations Committee’s report on the fiscal 2027 budget, including Senate Bill 282, the budget bill, and Senate Bill 284, the Budget Reconciliation and Financing Act. The floor leader described a balanced budget with a $282 million cash surplus, $2 billion in rainy day reserves, and no new fees or taxes, while highlighting funding for child care scholarships and credentials, behavioral health services in schools, Medicaid and SNAP-related outreach, DDA services, domestic violence and rape crisis services, energy assistance, local government disparity grants, and private-sector investment. Both budget measures were special ordered until Wednesday, March 25, and the House adopted the committee’s motion in each case without objection. The chamber also considered several committee reports from Economic Matters, Government, Labor, and Elections, and Health. Among the measures advanced were House Bill 1529 on a Baltimore County local commission on common ownership communities; House Bills 571, 892, 893, 994, 1120, 1166, 1351, 1362, and 883; and health-related bills including House Bills 446, 658, 698, 1015, and 1048. Most bills were amended and then given favorable reports, with the House adopting the amendments and ordering the bills printed for third reading. Several bills drew brief floor questions. House Bill 994 would create a $300 annual registration fee for travel services providers, but the sponsor said it would not add new penalties beyond existing consumer protection laws. House Bill 1166 on front license plate display clarified that a signed statement can shift responsibility to the driver when a front plate cannot be installed, while the existing $500 fine for noncompliance remained current law. House Bill 1351, dealing with disaster mitigation services and MHIC licensing, was explained as bringing those providers under home improvement licensing rules after a transition period, and was special ordered until the end of the session at a delegate’s request. House Bill 1048 on sodium and added sugar warning icons was amended to include a QR code and remove some reporting and education provisions; members also clarified that the bill still uses a 25-gram threshold and that restaurant groups did not support the bill, though it had been worked through with them.

Transcript Highlights:

• Our currently Governor Ayotte is working with the agencies right now developing her proposed budget,
• Our currently Governor Ayotte is working with the agencies right now developing her proposed budget,
• This is a trail under development at this point in time.
• This is a trail under development at this point in time.
• This is a trail under development at this point in time.

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Good afternoon, Chairman W and members of the House Economic Development Tourism Committee.
• Thanks... ...Development Tourism Committee. Thanks for having us here today.
• This bill represents a compromise that would allow our companies to competitively distribute these products

Bills: HB521

Keywords: HB521, mixed spirit beverages, ready-to-drink cocktails, RTD alcohol, alcoholic beverages, liquor, spirits, ABC Board, Alabama Alcoholic Beverage Control, wholesaler license, retail license, distribution agreement, exclusive territory, three-tier system, excise tax, alcohol tax, liquor regulation, alcohol labeling, minors, package store

Transcript Highlights:

• Budget Subcommittee on Tourism, Economic Development, Energy, Environment, and Public Protection.
• And I view all of those activities as economic development. That's how we try to approach our work.
• General Assembly, the improvements to the property continued to make the property more and more competitive
• General Assembly, the improvements to the property continued to make the property more and more competitive
• General Assembly, the improvements to the property continued to make the property more and more competitive

Keywords: 00:01 Call to Order and Roll Call 01:32 Approval of Minutes 01:46 Public Protection Cabinet 19:05 Tourism, Arts and Heritage Cabinet 33:14 Adjournment, 958, all

Summary: The Budget Subcommittee met without a quorum at first, then approved the minutes once a quorum was reached. The first presentation was from the Department of Housing, Buildings, and Construction within the Public Protection Cabinet. Commissioner Max Fuller and Deputy Commissioner David Moore reviewed the department’s licensing structure, noting about 50 license types and roughly 42,000 active licenses, with most tied to plumbing, HVAC, and electrical work. They compared Kentucky’s fees and requirements with neighboring states and said Kentucky is generally in line or slightly below surrounding states when local and contractor licensing requirements elsewhere are considered. The department also described staffing and inspection pressures. Officials said boiler inspections have a measurable backlog, with about 18% of state-jurisdiction boilers and pressure vessels past due statewide and a higher percentage in Jefferson County. They said building code plan review turnaround has risen from about 30 days to roughly 33–35 days, and that some areas are struggling to maintain same-day plumbing inspections and three-day HVAC inspections. Members asked whether the agency could handle increased housing construction, especially in rural areas; the department said it had requested additional plumbing staff and a plan reviewer, particularly for the Bowling Green/Warren County area, and noted that electrical inspectors are stretched across the state and are also pulled into disaster response work. The committee then heard from Kentucky Venues and the Kentucky State Fair Board on the Kentucky Exposition Center renovation and related operations. David Beck, board chairman David Williams, CFO Tony Shrek, and others said the project is progressing ahead of schedule, with keys to the new building expected in December and the facility already booked for future events. They reported strong tourism and economic impact, including record activity at the Exposition Center and downtown convention center, and said the Farm Machinery Show and other events continue to drive demand. Members asked about budget status, and the presenters said inflation, delayed access to funds due to the RFP/design process, and added costs have left them short of money to finish all planned work. They identified phase three funding needs, including food and beverage service improvements and completion of Freedom Hall seating, and said they are considering bringing food and beverage operations back under their control to improve efficiency and revenue. The meeting ended with no formal votes on the presentations and an announcement that the committee would meet again the following Tuesday.

Transcript Highlights:

• number of programs, stay focused on the same goals and outcomes, but also transition from more competitive
• , you'll see in a little bit that the increased focus on federal grants, especially expanding competitiveness
• Teams in, of their transportation, their law enforcement, their economic development, to really build
• bids were so far above engineering estimates that we just couldn't accept that as being a real competitive
• It's important to our business and our community economic development, and it's important to the state

Transcript Highlights:

• actually look at the screen, I know it's small, but it's an intersection of science and policy to develop
• I know it's small, but it's an intersection of science and policy to develop management actions.
• New Bedford, Gloucester, and other coastal cities are facing immense development pressure.
• And I have competed in scallop shucking competitions.
• And, you know, a workforce development and youth engagement program.

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The joint hearing focused on the Atlantic sea scallop fishery, with particular attention to Massachusetts ports, federal scallop management, the proposed reopening of the Northern Edge on Georges Bank, and permit stacking/consolidation. The chair opened by noting the hearing would take written and oral testimony, that time was limited, and that the discussion was intended to inform legislative engagement with federal regulators rather than decide the issue directly. Dan McCarron of the Massachusetts Division of Marine Fisheries and Dr. Kate O’Keefe of the New England Fishery Management Council outlined the federal management structure under the Magnuson-Stevens Act, the role of annual catch limits and rotational closures, and the economic importance of scallops to New Bedford, Gloucester, and other Massachusetts ports. O’Keefe said the council’s current scallop framework is based on annual management, research surveys, and public input, and that recent environmental changes and uncertainty are affecting catch advice and biomass. Dr. O’Keefe and later Dr. Kevin Stokesbury of UMass Dartmouth described the fishery’s recent condition: abundance has increased in some areas, but biomass has fallen because many scallops are still too small to harvest, and changing ocean conditions and natural mortality are affecting the stock. They said the Northern Edge action was considered as a joint scallop/habitat framework but was discontinued in 2024 because the council could not reconcile competing objectives involving scallop yield, habitat protection, and impacts on other species such as cod, lobster, and herring. Stokesbury emphasized the long-running collaborative survey work with industry, said the fishery remains highly productive, and argued that the science supports careful rotational management and that the Northern Edge could be highly productive for scallops, though he acknowledged habitat tradeoffs. Committee members pressed both witnesses on why the issue had remained unresolved for so long and whether the council could revisit it through a future framework. Representatives of the Sustainable Scalloping Fund, including attorney Drew Kavage, John Lees, Sam Blasley, and Tony Alvernes, urged support for reopening the Northern Edge and for permit stacking, which would allow more than one scallop permit on a vessel while keeping ownership caps in place. They argued the fishery is a major economic driver, that industry-funded research has supported sustainable management, and that stacking would help family-owned operators reduce costs, improve safety, and avoid financial distress. They also stressed the need to protect working waterfront infrastructure in New Bedford and other ports. The chair said he was not opposed to stacking in principle but wanted to avoid a slippery slope toward excessive consolidation or private equity control; he noted that any stacking change would require an amendment to the fishery management plan or federal action. No votes were taken, and the hearing concluded with an invitation for continued engagement and future updates on the council process.

Transcript Highlights:

• This is the investigative phase, but you also continue investigating when a case is actually being developed
• the repair market continually evolving and adapting to consumer needs, we would rather see market competition
• and collaboration market competition and collaboration rather than state-level mandates.
• More places create competition, which then drives down the price.

Bills: SB324, HB395, HB222, HB310, HB285, HB144, HB251, HB380

Keywords: Morgan County, judge of probate, legal qualifications, equity jurisdiction, constitutional amendment, campaign finance, electronic notifications, civil penalties, Fair Campaign Practices Act, Secretary of State, sex offenders, treatment programs, electronic media, post office box restrictions, Class C felony, parole, probation, human cloning, criminal penalties, embryo

Transcript Highlights:

• developers a lower rate of interest. developers a lower rate of interest.
• <00:43:57.839> Um to developers. Um to developers.
• <00:46:33.200> can developer so that then the developer can developer so that then the developer
• developments, I think is important. developments, I think is important.
• specifically related to ADU development. specifically related to ADU development.

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• She previously worked for a classical conversations and as owner of Oay Beach Music Development.
• , and you have to remember the OSSAA not only handles athletics but they handle drama and band competitions
• and all sorts of competitions.
• individuals who we need to move through the pipeline and get them certified and get professional development
• to be innovative and flexible and try something here to try to get our teachers the professional development

Bills: HB1937, HB2153, HB3674, HB2978, HB3885, HB3671, HB3261, HB3021, HB3029, HB4274, HB3701, HB3076

Keywords: HB1937, Oklahoma schools, student communications, electronic communication, digital communication, parent notification, legal guardian, school personnel, teachers, coaches, administrators, charter schools, public schools, administrative leave, corroborated report, investigation, employee file, discipline, termination, school board

Transcript Highlights:

• Through our medical staff development plan, which is a demand analysis based on need, age of current
• because this is fake money, and we're spending more money because of prevailing wage than a more competitive
• health system stability, leverage New Mexico Finance Authority expertise, and provide economic development
• That has helped some of them to not only be able to stay viable, but to be competitive in salaries.
• I believe in public-private partnerships, and we developed a wonderful $40 million investment private-public

Bills: SB21, SB42, SB81, SB101, SB139

Keywords: SB 21, Medicare supplement, Medigap, open enrollment, guaranteed issue, birthday month enrollment, health insurance, insurance regulation, senior health coverage, elderly, retiree, Medicare beneficiaries, preexisting conditions, underwriting restrictions, premium discrimination, New Mexico insurance law, superintendent of insurance, health care coverage, policy portability, healthcare

Transcript Highlights:

• The adequacy standards were established in response to the 1999 Zuni lawsuit, leading to the development
• This methodology employed to develop this calculator is grounded in a statistical function that reflects
• There's a little bit of competition going on there, if you will.
• Ultimately, we want to share performance rating improvements and maybe set a competitive stage among
• a new Mexico invention, and that all of this that we have been doing is really things that we've developed

Transcript Highlights:

• aware of the fees they're being charged, and it's good public policy and results in trust and a competitive
• aware of the fees they're being charged, and it's good public policy and results in trust and a competitive
• While there is an effort by electric vehicle supply equipment charger producers to develop uniform standards
• annually starting in fiscal year 2028, and that is our presentation. equipment charger producers to develop
• equipment charger producers to develop uniform<00:06:35.440> standards<00:06:35.960> there

Keywords: 1187, senate, all