Transcript Highlights:

• I'm excited: a few months ago we created the pre-licensing support team within DCYF.
• I'm excited a few months ago we created the pre-licensing support team within DCYF.
• We've supported the development of over 80 different facilities through funding, support, guidance, and
• Highlighting a couple of examples, live examples of projects we've supported.
• That support allowed us to initiate a full site search from February 2024 through January 2025.

Summary: The committee held a work session on form-based codes, child care facility siting, and street standards/frontage improvements. On form-based codes, Commerce’s Dave Anderson explained that these codes emphasize building form, orientation, and the public realm more than traditional use and density tables, and that they are typically applied in specific districts rather than citywide or statewide. Lacey’s Vanessa Dolby described the city’s Woodland District code, developed through community charrettes, fiscal and market analysis, and subdistrict-specific standards to create a walkable downtown. She said the approach has helped produce a more desirable built environment and more flexibility in permitted uses, but also noted it can be less user-friendly for applicants and still requires some use restrictions; both presenters said a hybrid approach is often best. The committee then heard from DCYF and multiple providers about barriers to opening child care facilities. DCYF officials said Washington has more than 6,500 licensed providers and that a new pre-licensing support team is helping applicants navigate licensing, but local zoning, building, fire, parking, utility, and occupancy requirements still create delays and confusion. Testifiers described long permitting timelines, inconsistent local interpretations, costly upgrades, and utility hookup delays; one Yakima provider said county requirements, a floodplain-related elevation certificate, and a private well issue stopped her in-home child care proposal, while others described traffic impact fees, parking mandates, and zoning barriers that made projects infeasible. Enterprise Community Partners highlighted examples of successful local reforms, including fee waivers, expedited permitting, and zoning changes in several cities, and DCYF said it is working toward a 2026 action plan and a resource guide for providers. In the final section, planners and developers discussed how street standards and frontage improvement requirements can undermine infill and middle housing. Poulsbo’s planning manager said current standards were designed for greenfield subdivisions and often force costly curb, gutter, sidewalk, stormwater, and utility upgrades on small infill sites, sometimes adding tens of thousands of dollars and causing projects to be abandoned. A Seattle-based developer made similar points about small middle-housing projects being burdened by frontage work, curb ramps, buried standards, and EV-ready parking requirements that can trigger expensive undergrounding. Committee members asked about possible state-level changes, including whether child care should be treated as an essential public facility and whether parking requirements had already been reduced; one senator noted that minimum parking requirements for child care facilities were eliminated in prior legislation, with implementation phased in over the next few years.

Transcript Highlights:

• Very much supportive of HB 1904 by Chairman Canales.
• Testified in support of House Bill 3997.
• So we're hugely supportive of it.
• We are very supportive of House Bill 4519.
• I'm here to testify in support of House Bill 5057. ...in support of House Bill 5057.

Summary: The committee first heard House Bill 1904, which would classify intentionally released helium balloons as litter and create criminal penalties for balloon releases. The author and supportive witnesses argued that balloon releases harm wildlife, livestock, waterways, and infrastructure, and that the bill would close a loophole in current litter law. Several members questioned whether criminal penalties were appropriate, and the author said he was willing to work toward civil penalties and fines instead. No vote was taken, and HB 1904 was left pending. The committee then took up several pending bills and reported them favorably to the full House, including HB 3249, HB 3866, HB 4112, HB 1768, HB 1499, HB 573, and HB 464. These measures dealt with topics such as TCEQ contested-case procedures, outdoor storage containers, high-level radioactive waste, concrete plant permitting and grants, unannounced concrete batch plant inspections, and a scrap tire grant program. Most were adopted with substitutes and passed on recorded votes, generally with unanimous or near-unanimous support. A major portion of the meeting focused on HB 3997, which would create expedited permitting timelines for LNG facilities and related wastewater permits. Industry witnesses said the bill would provide certainty for multibillion-dollar projects without eliminating public participation, while environmental groups opposed parts of the bill that they said could limit contested-case participation and be unrealistic for SOAH timelines. TCEQ staff described the current wastewater permitting process and said some of the bill’s timing provisions could be workable, especially with an expedited fee. The bill was left pending after the author said he would continue working on committee substitute language. The committee also heard HB 1237 on extending the renewal window for expired TCEQ occupational water licenses, and HB 4519, a TERP consolidation bill that would combine several clean transportation grant programs into fewer programs. HB 1237 was left pending without testimony, while HB 4519 drew broad support from environmental and industry witnesses who favored simplifying the program, though some asked for stronger emphasis on particulate matter and hydrogen funding. The committee withdrew the substitute on HB 4519 and left it pending. Finally, HB 5033, which would eliminate the motor vehicle emissions inspection and maintenance program if federal authority changes, drew opposition from environmental and inspection-industry witnesses who warned it would weaken air-quality protections and could remove an important enforcement tool. The author said the bill was intended as a trigger mechanism and would be refined, and HB 5033 was left pending. The committee also heard HB 1227 on municipal solid-waste franchise fees and private-provider access; the author said he would bring a substitute after hearing concerns from cities, and the bill was left pending.

Transcript Highlights:

• So, in HB2 of 2025 for the current biennium, there was an appropriation made in general funds to support
• I believe it sets in place a very good process, and I'm going to ask you to support it.
• the auto pass so we can get it support the auto pass so we can get it to<00:53:50.040><c> the</c><00
• </c><01:19:11.400><c> how</c><01:19:11.520><c> we</c> ways that we could demonstrate how we ways that
• So, we have used transitional housing very effectively in support of the 10-year... where the entire

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• House Bill 577 modernizes Kentucky's economic development statutes to better support early-stage and
• startup growth across that supports startup growth across Kentucky.
• , recruit and support scaling companies, allow<00:34:09.520><c> more</c><00:34:09.760><c> flexibility
• Good policy should<00:50:29.680><c> solve</c><00:50:29.920><c> a</c><00:50:30.160><c> demonstrated</c
• ><00:50:30.720><c> problem,</c> should solve a demonstrated problem, should solve a demonstrated problem

Keywords: Convene 00:00:00 Senate Message 00:04:53 Calendar/2nd Readings 00:05:27 Report of Committees 00:06:16 Orders of the Day 00:08:42 SB 172 00:08:54 HB 392 00:11:47 HB 529 00:16:02 HB 456 00:22:04 HB 424 00:25:27 HJR 50 00:30:04 HB 577 00:32:29 HB 213 00:36:10 HB 58 00:40:22 HB 10 00:45:23 Motions, Petitions, and Communications 01:04:32 Introduction of New Bills and Resolutions 01:17:33 Recess for ConC/Rules Meeting 01:20:15 ConC/Rules Report 01:25:00 Floor Amendments 01:26:56 Adjournment 01:27:21, 958, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Now, are the people that are supporting the muzzling thing going to be content with this?
• Now, are the people that are supporting the muzzling thing going to be content with this?
• Now, are the people that are supporting the muzzling thing going to be content with this?
• Now, are the people that are supporting the muzzling thing going to be content with this?
• Now, are the people that are supporting the muzzling thing going to be content with this?

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The committee worked through a draft bill amending animal cruelty and protective custody provisions, focusing on how animals may be seized, cared for, and returned, and on what rights owners have when animals are taken. Members discussed adding language requiring officers to inform a charged person in writing of the right to petition for a veterinarian of their choice, clarifying that any documents presented for signature must be fully and honestly explained, and revising language so confiscated animals cannot be altered without notarized owner authorization. They also considered a new prohibition on using confiscated animals for fundraising or donations, ultimately preferring the term “financial gain” over “profiteering.” The discussion also covered protective custody procedures, including adding “municipal animal control officer” to the list of officers involved, allowing return of animals to the owner or caretaker if no charges have been filed or no warrant establishing probable cause has been sought or issued, and clarifying the distinction between criminal seizure and temporary protective custody. The commissioner’s comments led to several proposed deletions or revisions, including removing language viewed as redundant or inconsistent with protective custody, and striking references to live racing provisions that are no longer relevant. Members further addressed lactating animals, agreeing to add language that confiscated lactating animals should not be separated from their nonweaned offspring. They also discussed a proposed confidentiality provision requiring people assisting in investigations or taking possession of seized animals to sign a binding nondisclosure agreement, though members noted similar protections may need to be duplicated in the temporary custody section as well. The conversation was largely about drafting and legal clarity, with no final vote or formal action recorded in the excerpt.

Transcript Highlights:

• House Bill 2693 is that option, and we hope you can support it. Thanks so much.
• I'm here to speak in strong support of the Minus Act.
• This clearly demonstrates why not.
• I'm not seeing statistical documentation to support this.
• NHCA also supports this bill, so please support HB 2199, which will expand this education, helping both

Bills: HB2010, HB2192, HB2199, HB2279, HB2310, HB2459, HB2501, HB2555, HB2690, HB2693

Keywords: digital goods, advertising, ownership, license, consumer protection, refund policies, streaming services, minors, content creators, online platforms, compensation, trust accounts, child protection, video content, privacy, employment, mobile homes, recreational vehicles, landlord tenant laws, tenant rights

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:12:44.399><c> program</c> rental assistance demonstration program rental assistance demonstration
• So we thank you very much for your past support, and we ask for your continued support now and in the
• Because of the support that you've given us and the support that the city's given us, now we've chipped
• </c> was $45 million because of the support was $45 million because of the support that<01:16:01.520>
• </c> that you've given us and the support that you've given us and the support that<01:16:02.639><c>

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• of funding for attention and support of funding for supportive<00:32:00.400><c> services.
• </c> supportive services. supportive services.
• </c> receive critically needed supportive receive critically needed supportive services<00:32:07.360>
• </c> legislature demonstrated just this week. legislature demonstrated just this week.
• Finally, we strongly support the governor's $33 million proposal for supportive housing services.

Keywords: 918, senate, all

Summary: The conference committee on the housing omnibus bill began with member introductions and a staff walk-through comparing House and Senate provisions. House Research staff reviewed major policy differences affecting Minnesota Housing Finance Agency operations, including limits on how much the agency may retain from state appropriations for administrative costs, new reporting requirements, restrictions on transfers between appropriated accounts, and House-only language requiring annual expenditure of investment income from state appropriations. Senate provisions were also summarized, including tighter rules on when appropriations may be placed into Housing Development Fund bookkeeping accounts, updated operating-cost reporting, and Senate-only changes to how investment earnings may be used. Staff also described shared and differing provisions on program-money transfers, a lived-experience earnings exemption, and a long list of Senate-only policy changes, including manufactured home park tenant protections, low-income housing tax credit and bond-related changes, a task force on housing taxes and fees, and repealers affecting Housing Development Fund authority and certain older programs. Fiscal staff then reviewed the budget impacts. The House side included one-time appropriations for workforce housing development, family homeless prevention and assistance, a Minnesota Nice Home Share pilot, and homebuyer education, along with debt service for $100 million in housing infrastructure bonds and transfers/cancellations that produced a net zero general fund impact across the budget window. The Senate side noted a fiscal note for the housing taxes and fees task force and a smaller housing infrastructure bond authorization, with corresponding debt service costs and a total Senate budget-window impact of about $1 million in general fund debt service. After the staff presentations, the committee moved to public testimony. Commissioner Jennifer Ho of Minnesota Housing said the bill’s housing infrastructure bonds and continued support for family homeless prevention were important, and she supported the lived-experience earnings exemption, while noting concerns about the interest-earnings provisions. Testifiers from Greater Minnesota groups praised the workforce housing investments and Senate updates to the state housing tax credit and infrastructure grant program, though they suggested changes to the geographic distribution language. HOME Line urged funding for statewide tenant hotline services, citing rising demand and asking for $1 million if additional money becomes available. The Minnesota Consortium of Community Developers supported the bill’s investments and emphasized the need to pair housing development with supportive services. Housing First Minnesota praised housing infrastructure bonds and other investments but criticized the omission of the Minnesota Starter Homes Act. The Minnesota Multi Housing Association began testimony opposing certain rent-control-related provisions in the House bill. No votes or final actions were taken during the portion of the meeting provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> in Turkey, Ban, Oman, Somalia in support in Turkey, Ban, Oman, Somalia in support of<00:24:30.320
• But if you are an supports you.
• </c><01:29:10.400><c> It</c> eliminating support for UNFPA. It eliminating support for UNFPA.
• </c> colleagues will support my amendment. colleagues will support my amendment.
• They need our support. And so I alone. They need our support.

Keywords: U.S. House of Representatives Floor Proceedings on Wednesday, July 15, 2026, 1012, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Very much in support of this bill. 1983 was an important... important year.
• So, I am very much in support.
• I'm here today testifying in support of...
• I'm testifying to support the bill.
• We think it is the right thing to do, and we are very much in support of it.

Bills: HB2766, HB2891, HB3334, HB3791, HB3911, HB4021, HB4041, HB4042, HB4384, HB4426

Keywords: inactive wells, oil and gas regulation, environmental protection, Railroad Commission of Texas, well plugging, Railroad Commission, penalties, violations, pipeline safety, civil penalties, criminal penalties, wildfire prevention, oil and gas, safety inspections, administrative penalties, excavation, notification, utilities, underground facilities, regulatory compliance

Transcript Highlights:

• This amendment supports that.
• It's electronic monitoring, which this amendment supports.
• Please support your committee. Representative Capplement. Thank you, Mr.
• So if we can back the blue, we can be fair on crime, and we can support rehabilitation by supporting
• I support CPAC before this bill 100%. to I support CPAC before this bill 100%.

Keywords: 908, all

Summary: The House convened with prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, and a quorum present. Representative Hoverson offered remarks recognizing World Autism Day, and the House then handled conference committee motions on several bills, including House Bills 1460 and 1248 and Senate Bills 2262, 2070, 2294, and 2297, with the Speaker appointing members to each conference committee. The chamber also set aside Senate Bill 2200 for re-referral to Appropriations and moved to amendments on Senate Bill 2128, which was the main subject of the day. Senate Bill 2128, a major criminal justice and corrections bill, drew extensive debate over truth-in-sentencing, mandatory minimums, parole, transitional facilities, work release, electronic monitoring, and the fiscal impact of longer incarceration. Division A of the amendments removed mandatory minimums for resisting arrest and felony simple assault while keeping consecutive-sentence language; supporters said this preserved judicial discretion and reduced costs, while opponents argued it weakened public safety. Division A was adopted 70-23. Division B proposed broader changes to preserve transitional programming, add penalties for tampering with electronic monitoring and escape, limit some work-release restrictions, create a parole board study, and fund electronic monitoring with a $600,000 appropriation. Supporters framed it as a compromise that balanced rehabilitation and public safety; opponents said it undercut the bill’s intent and left dangerous offenders with too much access to transitional release. Division B failed on a 46-46 tie. The House then took up the bill itself, with the Judiciary Committee reporting a do-not-pass recommendation as amended, and debate continued over whether the amended bill should advance, with members split between concerns about victims and public safety versus rehabilitation, prison capacity, and recidivism.

Transcript Highlights:

• And we support people who need help.
• And we support people who need help.
• </c> John Coughlin does support this bill. John Coughlin does support this bill.
• So, I'd ask the clerk to call the roll. supporting this, but I I also do want to supporting this, but
• </c> and the communication uh that supports and the communication uh that supports this<01:46:44.159>

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• and residential development, but does not have sufficient water, sewer, roads, or storm damage to support
• We own the property in the proposed special district and we support the district's creation.
• And so to create a safer environment, I'm asking for your support for HB 769.
• I'm here representing Farm and City in support of HB 769. Uh, sidewalks are not extra.
• So please support HB 769. Thank you very much.

Transcript Highlights:

• But does not have sufficient water sewer roads or storm damage to support development and there are no
• The county supports the creation of the district and the projects and the financing plan.
• And so to create a safer environment, I'm- I'm asking for your support for HB 769.
• I'm here representing Fireman City in support of HB 769. 9. Sidewalks are not extra.
• So please support. HB 769. Thank you very much. Thank you for your testimony.

Bills: HB769, HB2132, HB3383, HB3792, HB5431, HB5682, HB5677, HB5678, HB5680, HB5681, HB5683, HB5684, HB5685, HB5686, HB4078

Keywords: environmental regulation, sustainability, business compliance, state oversight, local control, pollution, renewable resources, grant program, neighborhood organization, pedestrian infrastructure, Texas Department of Housing, financial assistance, neighborhood organizations, grants, urban development, safety, public safety, housing development, low income housing, tax credits

Transcript Highlights:

• SMALL BUSINESS SENATOR OF DEVELOPMENT TELLING US ABOUT THE GOOD WORK THAT THE SPD'S HE DOES IN SUPPORTING
• THIS BILL WOULD CREATE A FIVE YEAR DEMONSTRATION PROJECT. IT IS CALLED FIRST STEP LICENSING.
• WAIVING IN SUPPORT. IS THERE DEBATE?

Keywords: 999, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Fidley Public Schools supports Latino. Fidley Public Schools supports HF<00:09:07.760><c> 3435.
• </c> I respectfully ask you to please support I respectfully ask you to please support this<00:53:39.040
• Minnesota or EPC, speaking in support of Minnesota or EPC, speaking in support of House<00:56:58.160>
• </c> bipartisan support. bipartisan support.
• ><c> their</c><01:10:18.400><c> families,</c> yes is supporting kids, their families, yes is supporting

Bills: HF3435, HF3409

Keywords: school access, school site, school district, charter school, federal agents, DHS, Department of Homeland Security, ICE, Immigration and Customs Enforcement, CBP, Customs and Border Protection, USCIS, immigration enforcement, judicial warrant, student privacy, school safety, sanctuary schools, warrant requirement, federal warrant, school grounds

Transcript Highlights:

• We have Senator Paul Feeney here to support House Bill 5138.
• I'm here to testify in support of House Bill 5138, the penny bill.
• I'm here to testify in support of House Bill 5138, the penny bill.
• We support that.
• So again, we support penny bill. We oppose the tariff bill.

Bills: H5036, H5138

Keywords: tariff transparency, consumer disclosure, price transparency, vehicle pricing, Monroney label, auto dealer, car manufacturer, retail pricing, shelf tag, receipt disclosure, online storefront, import duties, trade taxes, Chapter 93A, Attorney General enforcement, consumer protection, federal preemption, customs, supply chain costs, tariff surcharge

Transcript Highlights:

• I have some concerns and reservations with supporting the motion.
• I represent the Idaho State AFL-CIO and stand in strong support of House Bill 641.
• I initially supported the introduction, though I had a few reservations.
• With that said, I fully understand and support the need for this change.
• I'm here today to testify my strong support for House Bill 642.

Summary: The committee first agreed to hold House Bill 640 in committee after a motion and voice vote. It then heard House Bill 641, which would require employers offering sick leave to allow employees to use accrued leave without retaliation, while still complying with applicable federal FMLA and ADA provisions. The sponsor described it as a light-touch measure to prevent employers from disciplining workers for using earned sick leave. Testimony from workers and labor representatives supported the bill, describing cases where employees were disciplined or feared discipline for using sick time for illness or family medical needs. Some members raised concerns about referencing federal law in state statute, but the committee passed the bill on a roll call vote, 10-2, with a do-pass recommendation. The committee next heard Senate Bill 1221, which changes language from “irrigation district” to “irrigation or drainage entity” in a PERSI-related exception so the seasonal work allowance applies more consistently. The sponsor said the change was intended to clarify and align the law for eligible entities. With no substantive opposition, the committee passed the bill by voice vote and sent it to the floor with a do-pass recommendation. Finally, the committee considered House Bill 642, which expands death benefits for EMS workers, firefighters, and police officers killed in the line of duty. The bill would provide a $500,000 lump-sum benefit and an annual pension for surviving spouses, or a lump-sum benefit for children if the worker was unmarried, and it applies retroactively to July 1, 2021. Testimony from law enforcement, PERSI, and public safety representatives strongly supported the measure and emphasized that the benefit changes were funded without adding a state burden. After a brief clarification of the pension amount, the committee unanimously passed the bill with a do-pass recommendation and then adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• I am here today in support of Senate Bill 2779.
• Thank you for the opportunity to testify in support of SB 1030 today.
• Supporting the MRO business means more training, more hiring, and more opportunity for Texans to grow
• I come to you today in, uh, support of Senate Bill 1453.
• I want to thank you for the opportunity to testify in support of SB 1453.

Transcript Highlights:

• State resources provide personnel, equipment, and logistical support across jurisdictions.
• We're not getting any of the money we need to help us support that.
• We're not getting any of the money we need to help us support that.
• Trend despite additional resources to help support our students.
• supports around the clock.

Keywords: 988, house, all