Transcript Highlights:

• any enforcement efforts to implement the provisions of oversight over PBMs, the department had the authority
• but in my conversation with them this morning, they said that they believe that they do have the authority
• necessary to clarify that the new section that's being created here falls within the scope of that authority
• Green Guard, Randall Johnson, with the Independent Pharmacy Association, present.
• On the bill: it provides relative to the authority of the Joint Legislative Committee on the Budget.

Summary: The Senate Finance Committee met with eight members present and deferred HB 127. It then considered a series of bills, most of which were reported favorably without opposition. HB 22 revised COLA rules for the clerks of court retirement system, allowing more frequent COLAs when the system is better funded; HB 324 made judicial stipends permanent and added future COLAs subject to available funding; HB 233 increased jury mileage reimbursement; HB 47 reorganized assessor retirement COLA statutes; HB 533 allowed St. Tammany Parish to transfer unused witness-fee account balances to the 22nd Judicial District Court; HB 980 adjusted eligibility for the Firemen’s Supplemental Pay Board; HCR 45 urged Congress to clarify ARPA deadlines for water projects; HB 559 increased court costs in the 4th Judicial District; HB 290 recreated the Department of Treasury and related entities in statute; and HB 382 addressed Joint Legislative Committee on the Budget review authority over Group Benefits plans. The committee also reported HB 1157 favorably, creating a financing bank mechanism for infrastructure projects, and HB 575 favorably, giving youth aging out of foster care preferred access to surplus state vehicles through the Louisiana Property Assistance Agency. Several measures drew more discussion. HB 1236, dealing with pharmacy benefit managers and professional dispensing fees, prompted extensive testimony from the sponsor, the Legislative Fiscal Office, the Department of Insurance, independent pharmacies, and PBM representatives. Supporters said it clarifies and strengthens enforcement of existing PBM law and protects independent pharmacies; opponents argued the bill’s requirement that PBMs bear dispensing-fee costs would be difficult to implement and could raise premiums. The sponsor said he would work on amendments, including clarifying language and a delayed effective date, and the bill was nevertheless moved favorably. SB 25, on registrar of voters compensation, was amended to a revised pay structure and then reported favorably. HB 47 and HB 533 were also presented as funding and administrative cleanups for retirement and court-related accounts, with local support noted. The committee also heard HB 233 on jury duty mileage reimbursement, which the sponsor said updates a 1961 rate and would be funded locally at an estimated average increase of about $4,000 per judicial district. HB 324 on judicial salaries was described as self-funded by the judiciary and subject to available funding, with no budget impact. HB 575 on foster youth transportation was presented as a non-appropriation measure aimed at helping youth aging out of foster care by giving them preferred access to surplus vehicles. HB 382, which concerns the Joint Legislative Committee on the Budget’s role in approving Group Benefits plans, was reported favorably with little discussion. The meeting ended after a motion to adjourn.

Transcript Highlights:

• detention sergeant, a member of SWAT, a state gang task force detective, and a proud member of the Honor Guard
• only people who can serve process are process servers, law enforcement officers, or attorneys if authorized
• It seems to me, upon my review, that it may be a backdoor authorization for agencies to share this impact
• It may be a backdoor authorization for agencies to share this information, for example, pursuant to an
• interstate compact, where that would not be authorized under Arizona law.

Keywords: 1182, all

Transcript Highlights:

• In fact, I... the author of Senator Johnson's bill that would establish strong regulations for adult
• The legislature does not have the constitutional authority to take the powers of one branch of government
• It exceeds the authority of this legislature.
• leaders are absent from the conversation, and it becomes easier to claim fairness while caught off-guard
• the passage of this legislation has not been the will of this legislature or the last ten times the author

Bills: SB5, SB11, SB12, SB5, SB11, SB12

Keywords: hemp regulation, consumable products, cannabinoids, occupational licenses, criminal offenses, SB 11, Texas attorney general, election crimes, election law enforcement, criminal prosecution, Election Code, Government Code Chapter 402, local prosecutors, county attorney, district attorney, grand jury, probable cause reports, state election offenses, voter fraud, election integrity

Transcript Highlights:

• The bill provides clear statutory authority for addressing such cases and strengthens the processes involved
• This bill authorizes an institution to immediately fire a professor for discriminating against a student
• fight anti-Semitism and religious discrimination within all levels of education, and I thank the author
• intended to prevent unnecessary disruption and ensure campus safety, allowing governing boards the authority
• My mom went to Kent State after the National Guard murdered four students; the pain of what happened

Bills: SB2972, SB1909, SB2815, SB735, SB2233, SB800, SB1069, SB2683, SB2986, SB2058, SB2310, SB2055, SB1032

Keywords: expressive activities, freedom of speech, public forum, higher education, protests, student rights, antisemitism, public institutions, disciplinary policy, student organizations, compliance, institutional policy, disciplinary sanctions, diploma designation, institution merger, academic records, student options, Holocaust education, Holocaust Remembrance Week, genocide education

Transcript Highlights:

• ACCORDINGLY TO SFO IS ALSO AUTHORIZED TO USE TAX CREDIT CONTRIBUTIONS UP TO 3 PERCENT OF FES AND FPC
• AS OF JANUARY THIS YEAR THE OFFICE WAS AUTHORIZED 36 FULL-TIME EQUIVALENT POSITIONS AND ACCORDING TO
• AS NECESSARY THE DEPARTMENT SHALL WORK WITH THE LEGISLATURE TO ENSURE IT HAS SUFFICIENT AUTHORITY FOR
• WE HAVE THE STATUTORY AUTHORITY TO WITHHOLD OF EACH FUTURE PAYMENT BASED ON THE CERTIFICATION. >> Chair
• IN RED GUARDS TO THE UA PROGRAM, I WOULD ASSESS A QUESTION REGARDING THE $367 MILLION OF UNUSED FUNDS

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:03:27.760><c> to</c> relates to the state's authority to relates to the state's authority to
• So area of exclusive federal authority.
• This authorizes environmental review.
• Coast Guard. He became my mentor in all things relating to the ocean.
• </c><02:03:12.719><c> to</c> limit emergency quarantine authority to limit emergency quarantine authority

Bills: SB2709, SB3154

Keywords: biosecurity, Department of Agriculture, quarantine, Akamai Arrival Program, importation regulations, pests control, plant health, animal health, compliance mechanisms, environmental review, transportation projects, NEPA, state sovereignty, federal compliance, streamlining, Hawaii Department of Transportation, 912, senate, all

Summary: The hearing began with SB 2709, which would require the Department of Agriculture and Biosecurity to establish rules to enforce the Okami arrival program and strengthen quarantine enforcement for plants, non-domestic animals, and microorganisms. The Department of Land and Natural Resources and the Hawaii Invasive Species Council supported the bill, as did DAB, saying it would improve biosecurity and make some provisions mandatory rather than optional. Alaska/Hawaiian Airlines supported the goal but raised concerns about language changing inspections from “may” to “shall” for aircraft, warning of possible federal preemption and operational conflicts unless the bill is clarified to align with federal aviation safety, security, and operational requirements. Committee members questioned DAB about inspection timing, scope, and compliance; DAB said the measure is intended to increase enforcement, improve form completion rates toward a 90% goal, and expand beyond airlines to other entry modes, while also noting plans to restore detector dog use and improve software/AI tools for processing forms. Decision-making on SB 2709 was deferred to February 17 at 3:02 p.m. in Room CR229. The committees then took up SB 3154, an administration measure authorizing the Department of Transportation to assume certain National Environmental Policy Act responsibilities for highway, rail, public transportation, and multimodal projects, with the aim of streamlining environmental review. DOT supported the bill and explained that it would allow the department to work directly with federal resource agencies such as U.S. Fish and Wildlife and SHPO rather than routing everything through federal highways. After brief discussion, the Committee on Transportation voted to pass SB 3154 with technical amendments, and the AEN committee followed with the same recommendation; the measure was adopted with five votes in favor. A later portion of the transcript shifted to SB 2374 on the blue economy. DBED said it supported the concept but noted that it already sits on many working groups and would need resources if a new working group is created. DBED suggested the committee could instead request research through a letter or memo, and said agencies including ADC, HTDC, and Agriculture had already begun internal discussions. Testimony in support came from IMUA Alliance, Hawaii Food Policy, and others, emphasizing the potential for blue economy ventures to support survivors, align with climate and cultural goals, and create economic opportunity. No final vote on SB 2374 appears in the excerpt.

Transcript Highlights:

• EPA does have the authority to hold sanctions against the state.
• </c><01:19:02.000><c> to</c><01:19:02.800><c> uh</c> uh EPA does have the authority to uh uh EPA does
• have the authority to uh hold<01:19:03.280><c> sanctions</c><01:19:03.840><c> against</c><01:19:04.120
• States up in the northeast or on the no States up in the northeast or on the East<02:17:06.160><c> Coast
• new positions but within the authorize new positions but within the within<04:05:09.080><c> the</c><

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The committee first heard House Bill 119-FN, which would allow rental companies registering a rental fleet to choose New Hampshire as their base jurisdiction under the International Registration Plan. The DMV witness said the state already has this capability under the IRP and did not support the bill, adding that no additional staffing should be needed. Committee questions focused on whether the bill would change where registrations are done, what implementation would require, mileage tracking, decals, and inspection requirements. A representative of the Motor Transport Association also said the bill was unnecessary because the option already exists, while noting some related truck-registration and property-tax issues. The chair then closed the public hearing on HB 119-FN with no further speakers. The committee next heard House Bill 612, which would let youth operators renew up to 30 days before turning 21 and receive a temporary license so they can transition to a standard horizontal license without an extra DMV trip. The sponsor and DMV director strongly supported the bill, describing a long-standing problem where early online renewals can trigger another vertical youth license, forcing a duplicate transaction and fee after the birthday. The DMV said the change would reduce confusion and workload, and estimated a one-time system update cost of $48,000. Members asked about whether the proposal was effectively a 30-day extension, how law enforcement would view the temporary status, and whether the system could handle printing and mailing the new horizontal license; the director said the DMV could manage it and that the bill was the best approach. The chair closed the hearing after no one else testified. Finally, the committee heard House Bill 209, which would exempt new vehicles from inspection in the second year after purchase, effectively allowing two years before the next inspection. The sponsor argued the bill would save taxpayers money and reduce unnecessary trips for owners of new vehicles. Supporters said newer vehicles are already maintained through warranties and routine service. Opponents, including the New Hampshire Auto Dealers Association and a service manager from a dealership, argued the bill was not limited to truly new cars, would weaken safety by delaying inspections on vehicles that can still develop tire, brake, and other defects, and could raise costs for everyone else if inspection volume drops. The Motor Transport Association clarified that commercial motor vehicles remain subject to annual federal inspection requirements. No vote was taken in the transcript, and the hearing remained open with testimony continuing.

Transcript Highlights:

• Did you tell the bill author that?
• No, a district has the authority.
• To reduce unnecessary prior authorization burdens on physicians.
• It was authored by Chair Frank and passed in the 88th Legislative Session.
• I mean, there's some degrees that, Authority over what degrees are there.

Keywords: 1184, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• On page 28, Senate Bill 252 by Senator Hatcher and others regarding the Governor's Mansion Authority.
• On page 28, Senate Bill 252 by Senator Hatcher and others regarding the Governor's Mansion Authority.
• On page 28, Senate Bill 252 by Senator Hatcher and others regarding the Governor's Mansion Authority.
• </c> governor's mansion authority BR pending. governor's mansion authority BR pending.
• I want to be his guardian file a guard.

Keywords: 920, all

Summary: The Alabama Senate convened with a quorum, opened with prayer and the Pledge of Allegiance, excused absent senators, and adopted the previous day’s journal. The chamber received several House messages referring local bills to the Committee on Local Legislation, including measures affecting Lawrence, Clayurn, Limestone, Shelby, and Alabaster. The Senate also recognized guests in the gallery, including local leaders, law enforcement officials, and a Jackson County Junior Leadership group. During personal privilege remarks, Senator Figures offered a tribute to Reverend Jesse Jackson, Sr., highlighting his civil rights legacy, political influence, and impact on Black voter participation and representation; the Senate observed a moment of silence. Senator Smitherman also thanked her for the remarks. The Senate then adopted Senate Joint Resolution 47, mourning the death and celebrating the life of John J. Guthrie Jr., and Senate Joint Resolution 48, commending Tommy Jax for emergency actions to help a sick child. The Senate considered numerous confirmations from the Committee on Confirmations, all receiving favorable reports and being confirmed by unanimous or near-unanimous roll calls, including Walter Bracie and Eric Bone to the Alabama Manufactured Housing Commission, Morgan Garner and Susie Beal to the Alabama Electronic Security Board of Licensure, and Joe Brown, Brian Williams, James Spears, Charles Hedrickk, and Kathy Pierce to the Alabama Board of Polygraph Examiners. Committee reports also advanced several bills, including local legislation and county/municipal government measures. On the floor, the Senate adopted a special order calendar and passed or adopted several bills: SB 239 on child custody jurisdiction enforcement, SB 190 on a sales tax exemption for an ocular eye service company, SB 252 on Governor’s Mansion Authority employees and leave benefits, SB 170 on health savings account regulatory coordination, SB 210 on the chiropractic board, SB 242 on commercial driver’s licenses, and SB 70 on crimes and offenses. SB 247 on insurance was carried over at the sponsor’s request for further work, and SB 83 on guardianships and conservatorships was taken up with discussion of a committee amendment to clarify removal of proceedings from probate to circuit court and notice requirements; the transcript cuts off before final action on that bill.

Transcript Highlights:

• We did a huge exercise with the National Guard and continue to build that relationship for earthquake
• that can, if we know weather's coming our way, we could put somebody on orders or with the National Guard
• The National Guard are colocated with us, and having the general in his role, he has a lot of influence
• <01:05:53.039><c> with</c><01:05:53.200><c> the</c><01:05:53.359><c> National</c><01:05:53.680><c> Guard
• </c><01:05:54.000><c> or</c> orders or or with the National Guard or orders or or with the National Guard

Keywords: 958, all

Summary: The committee met with a quorum, approved the prior meeting minutes, and then spent much of the meeting recognizing members of the Falmouth Police Department and related support personnel. Representatives and senators described the department’s response to a May 17, 2025 shooting between two vehicles, saying officers secured the area, apprehended suspects, and prevented further harm within about 30 minutes. They also recognized Officer Jonathan Bis for helping rescue a person from a burning storage facility on May 3, and honored Chaplain Abram Croer and police administrator Marilyn Belure for their support roles. Members praised the officers’ service and presented citations; one member also noted the recent flooding in Falmouth and the strain on local responders. The committee also observed a moment of silence for a firefighter who died after a vehicle crash while responding to a call. The committee then recognized Sergeant Major Jimmy Thorne, USMC (Ret.), with a lengthy citation for his military service and community involvement. The citation highlighted more than three decades of service, including Vietnam, Lebanon, Somalia, multiple injuries, exposure to Agent Orange, and numerous decorations such as the Purple Heart and Meritorious Service Medal. Speakers also noted his continued civic work in Williamstown and Grant County. Thorne thanked the committee, said enlisting in the Marine Corps and moving to Kentucky were two of his proudest decisions, and received a committee coin. Members and guests offered additional remarks about his character and service. Finally, Brigadier General Charles Jones and Kentucky Emergency Management Director Eric Gibson gave an update on spring storm response and recovery. They said Kentucky has had three declared disasters and one undeclared event this year, with 113 of 120 counties affected in the last 12 months, including February flooding, April flooding, and May tornadoes; a January ice storm appeal was denied. Gibson emphasized the rising frequency and cost of disasters, citing about $350 million in public assistance over the first 10 years of the period reviewed versus about $2 billion in the last five years. He reported on sheltering, disaster recovery centers, FEMA and SBA assistance, and said about $57 million in individual assistance had been paid and nearly $69 million obligated, while public assistance projects were still moving through review and payment.

Transcript Highlights:

• Steel Guard, Steel Guitar Association,<00:04:04.720><c> Mr.
• </c><00:31:25.279><c> to</c> Land and Natural Resources authority to Land and Natural Resources authority
• Because ultimately we'd still have to authorize a statutory fix, uh, or change, to authorize any other
• Because ultimately we'd still have to authorize a statutory fix, uh, or change, to authorize any other
• </c> ultimately we'd still have to authorize ultimately we'd still have to authorize a<01:12:57.840><

Bills: SB2603, SB2083, SB2341, SB2306, SB2782, SB2756, SB2161, SB2477

Keywords: Hawaii Symphony Orchestra, state funding, public performances, educational programs, cultural arts funding, historic properties, preservation, inheritance, working group, public-private partnerships, sustainable funding, historic preservation, Hawaii Revised Statutes, construction, state review, burial sites, cultural artifacts, development review, phased review, administrative fees

Summary: The committee heard testimony on Senate Bill 2603, which would designate the Hawaii Symphony Orchestra as the state orchestra of Hawaii. Testimony was uniformly supportive from the Attorney General’s office, the State Foundation on Culture and the Arts, Retail Merchants of Hawaii, Hawaii Youth Symphony, the Hawaii Symphony Orchestra, the Hawaiian Steel Guitar Association, and others. Supporters emphasized the bill’s value to arts education, cultural vitality, and the visitor economy. The chair noted there were also many written testimonies submitted, and the bill was left without questions or action in the excerpt. The committee then took up Senate Bill 2083, which would create a state-owned historic properties preservation plan working group within DNR. The State Historic Preservation Division supported the bill and said it would help create a statewide database and better planning for state-owned historic properties, while noting its current review work is reactive and project-by-project. The committee asked about duplication and existing consultation processes; SHPD said it already reviews state projects under existing law and has in-house architectural staff. The measure was then set aside after brief discussion, with no vote shown in the excerpt. Next was Senate Bill 2341, which would authorize phased review of certain private-property projects and change SHPD’s review deadlines. SHPD and the Office of Planning and Sustainable Development supported the bill, saying it could encourage more proactive, programmatic review and that the current average review time for simple projects is about 56 days. Several opponents, including Sierra Club of Hawaii, Bianca Isaki, Malama Kane Lua, and Tara Roas, argued phased review would delay projects, create conflict, and weaken historic preservation protections, especially for iwi kūpuna and burial sites. Committee members raised concerns about whether the bill conflicted with prior court decisions and asked SHPD for its view; SHPD said it was not a legal question for them and suggested a programmatic alternative. The bill was not voted on in the excerpt. Finally, the committee began hearing Senate Bill 2306 on administrative fees for the Bureau of Conveyances. HGEA opposed the measure, focusing on a provision allowing the special fund to be used for qualified contractors, while the Bureau of Conveyances supported the bill as a fee correction that would equalize recording fees between systems. The bureau said specialized technical work sometimes requires outside contracting and that it could consider a contract period; the chair and members discussed the HGEA concern and asked whether the issue could be addressed. No final action was shown in the excerpt.

Transcript Highlights:

• The drug is dangerous, and I applaud the author.
• And the author, I mean, I've briefly talked.
• I'd love to be a co-author.
• I want to commend the author for taking a meaningful amendment.
• I want to thank the author.

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Because state law preempts local authority, we cannot restore stronger standards on our own.
• So going to 20 cents would be a significant outlier here on the West Coast, which, as you know, tends

Bills: SB5965, SB6030, SB5975, SB5941

Keywords: environment, retail bags, sustainability, pollution, customer impact, plastic bags, retail, waste reduction, cookware safety, lead regulation, consumer protection, interstate trade, health standards, SB 5941, Washington State Energy Code, State Building Code Council, renewable energy, solar panels, school district exemption, public school construction

Transcript Highlights:

• to statutes giving us really broad jurisdiction, you all have given us pretty strong authority to do
• </c><00:20:05.080><c> to</c><00:20:05.280><c> issue</c> it we do have the authority to issue it we do
• What we really envision is it being an independent authority or oversight authority, and that can complement
• Authority or oversight Authority<01:35:43.960><c> um</c><01:35:44.679><c> and</c><01:35:44.840><c> that
• </c><01:35:44.960><c> can</c><01:35:45.239><c> complement</c> Authority um and that can complement Authority

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I'm the author of SB 99, which is sponsored by the U.S.
• The author is not back yet.
• And once the author arrives, we can direct them to the author.
• And I just want to summarize the amendments the author has agreed to take.
• And once the author arrives, we can direct them to the author.

Summary: The Senate Committee on Public Safety heard two bills. SB 99, by Senator Blakespear, would improve coordination between military and civilian law enforcement in domestic violence cases involving military protective orders. The author and a Department of Defense witness said the bill would help courts and police identify existing military protective orders, allow them to be considered in restraining order proceedings, require notification to military authorities when violations are suspected, and encourage memoranda of understanding between agencies. The ACLU California Action opposed unless amended, citing due process concerns because military protective orders are issued by commanders without court procedures. Members generally supported the bill as a way to protect survivors, and it passed the committee 5-0 to the Judiciary Committee. SB 758, by Senator Umberg, addressed nitrous oxide and concentrated 7-hydroxymitragynine (7-OH) products sold in retail settings. Supporters, including local officials, law enforcement groups, and parents, argued that nitrous oxide misuse and concentrated 7-OH products are harming youth and communities and that the bill would restrict sales while preserving legitimate culinary uses of nitrous oxide. Opponents, including kratom and drug policy advocates, argued the bill would criminalize adults, that 7-OH is a naturally occurring kratom component with limited evidence of severe harm when used alone, and that regulation rather than prohibition would be preferable. After discussion, the committee adopted amendments narrowing the bill and voted 5-0 to send SB 758 as amended to Appropriations.

Transcript Highlights:

• I know with Senator Perry being the author of the bill on the floor, I know you both will have a robust
• there if there's an opportunity to work with Senator Perry on any challenges or changes that the author
• average for insurance costs, because I sympathize with the schools that have the Tuiya, you know, the coast
• Testimony against the bill is not a negative against the author.

Bills: HB2

Keywords: public education, teacher compensation, certification, funding, school finance, educator rights, education funding, charter schools, staff compensation, state aid, retention allotment, 1185, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• This bill does not remove park owner authority.
• It simply requires owner authority.
• </c><04:23:14.399><c> rails</c> solutions within certain guard rails solutions within certain guard rails
• </c><04:56:32.718><c> and</c> register with the proper authorities and register with the proper authorities
• </c> electric down by a a sign and a guard electric down by a a sign and a guard post<05:00:58.560><c

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I’m the author of SB 99, which is sponsored by the U.S.
• I’m the author of SB 99, which is sponsored by the U.S.
• The author is not back yet.
• And once the author arrives, we can direct them to the author.
• And once the author arrives, we can direct them to the author.

Keywords: 987, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> this does have the proper guard rails. this does have the proper guard rails.
• :12.559><c> be</c> authority.
• Assessments must be authority.
• It simply defines the separation between personnel authority and fiscal authority.
• </c><04:45:17.040><c> It</c> it's it's removing their author. It it's it's removing their author.

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• And I'm always looking at our National Guard... ...committee here in the state.
• And I'm always looking at our National Guard, our reserves, and our veterans and so on, and their families
• And I'm always looking at our National Guard. committee here in the state.
• And I'm always looking at our National Guard, our reserves, and our veterans and so on, and their families

Keywords: 987, senate, all