Transcript Highlights:

• I would also like to draw your attention to the health mandate statement from the Kentucky Department
• from the Kentucky Department statement from the Kentucky Department of<00:29:30.200><c> Insurance</c
• </c><00:37:21.800><c> look</c> Health mandate statements look Health mandate statements look differently
• Another point I think that the Kentucky Employee Health Plan impact statement was mentioned here, and
• </c><00:47:51.280><c> the</c> employee health plan statement the employee health plan statement the fiscal

Keywords: Meeting Start: 00:00 Roll Call: 00:10 SB145 Discussion: 02:23 SB145 Vote: 05:13 SB183 Discussion: 06:13 SB183 Vote: 11:37 HB413 Discussion Only: 16:15, 958, all

Summary: The House Standing Committee on Banking and Insurance met with a quorum and first took up Senate Bill 145, sponsored by Sen. David Givens. The bill would update retail installment contract statutes for automobile sales, allowing retailers with installment contracts shorter than 28 days to begin collections after three days instead of waiting for multiple missed payments, and it also harmonizes a related dollar amount in statute from $10 to $15. The committee asked no questions, and the bill received a favorable expression on a roll-call vote. The committee then heard Senate Bill 183 from Sen. Matt Nunn, with testimony from Chris Nolan of the American Property Casualty Insurance Association. The bill would require proxy advisers acting for the State Retirement System to act solely in the financial interest of current and future retirees and to avoid political or social considerations in shareholder voting recommendations. Supporters argued it would keep politics out of public pensions and align proxy advice with fiduciary duties; members praised the bill and noted Kentucky could be among the first states to adopt such a model. The committee approved the bill with favorable expression after a roll-call vote. The committee also reviewed administrative regulation 808 KAR 9:10 from the Department of Financial Institutions, with no vote required. It then took up House Bill 413, a PBM rebate pass-through bill, with testimony from Sarah Wood of the Diabetes Patient Advocacy Coalition. She said the bill would require 85% of negotiated drug rebates to be passed through to patients at the point of sale, lowering out-of-pocket costs, especially for high-rebate drugs such as insulin, while still allowing 15% to remain with plans. She cited examples from other states and argued the bill would benefit about 650,000 Kentuckians. Hope McClaflin of Anthem opposed the bill, saying it would reduce employers’ ability to use rebates to lower premiums, could disproportionately favor high-cost brand-name drug users, and could create significant costs for state and fully insured plans. Members asked questions about other states’ pass-through rates and the effect on premiums, but no final action on House Bill 413 was taken in the portion of the meeting provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• Just, can you give us what you think the problem statement is that this bill seeks to solve in family
• child's age and the type of offense described in the statement.
• The statement may be... ...child's age and the type of offense described in the statement.
• And the bill expands the list of offenses that a child hearsay statement may describe.
• be admissible regardless of which offenses the statement describes.

Summary: The Civil Rights and Judiciary Committee held a public hearing on House Bill 2735, the “Troxel 2” bill relating to establishing a constitutional floor in family law cases. Staff explained that the bill would add legislative findings and intent to Chapter 26.09 RCW, emphasizing parental fitness, equal standing for similarly situated parents, and a duty to cooperate. The prime sponsor and public testifiers largely supported the bill, arguing that family courts too often restrict fit parents’ access to children without sufficient due process and that the bill would restore constitutional protections and reduce conflict. Some testimony also framed the proposal as a way to improve child safety, stability, and outcomes. No action was taken on the bill during the hearing. The committee then moved into executive session on multiple bills. It advanced bills on garnishment forms (ESSB 5865), child hearsay/testimony rules (SSB 5169, amended), immigration-enforcement policies for health care and related facilities (ESSB 5906, amended), compensation claims for wrongly convicted persons (SSB 5520), reinstating the Indigent Defense Task Force (ESSB 5912), preserving streamlined administrative and land-use review procedures (SSB 6009), authorizing court security threat assessments (ESSB 6086), adding superior court judges in Skagit and Yakima counties (SB 5868), requesting reinstatement of the limited license legal technician program (SJM 8006), expanding personality rights to digital likenesses (SSB 5886), and liability protections for certain children’s item donations, including car seats (ESSB 6087). Several bills were amended before passage out of committee. Votes were recorded on each measure, with most passing on strong bipartisan margins. Notable split votes occurred on SSB 5169 and ESSB 5906, reflecting concerns about balancing child protection, due process, and immigration-related enforcement issues. The committee concluded by thanking staff and adjourned after reporting all listed executive-session bills out of committee with do pass recommendations, some as amended.

Transcript Highlights:

• That is a correct statement.
• Mayor, do you have an open a statement? Yes.
• Do you have an opening statement?” “Yes.
• Monthly bank statements were not prepared.
• Do you have an opening statement, Mayor? Yes.

Committee: All LEGISLATIVE JOINT AUDITING-COUNTIES AND MUNICIPALITIES

Summary: The committee approved the prior meeting minutes and then received updates on delinquent water and sewer reports, including seven new reinstatements and a reduction to four remaining delinquent filers. Staff also reported on municipal accounting code noncompliance, removing Denning and Gum Springs from the 60-day clock after improved records were verified, and presenting repeat findings for Fargo, Lead Hill, Alma, Jericho, and Haynes. Members discussed repeated audit problems, the length of time some issues had persisted, and whether towns should be given additional time or face stronger action; motions were made and adopted to place some entities on a 60-day clock or defer action to later meetings. For Fargo and Alma, staff described extensive repeat accounting deficiencies, including missing budgets, bank reconciliations, financial statements, receipts, journals, and supporting documentation. Fargo’s mayor said the town had been understaffed and was beginning to improve its office systems; the committee voted to defer the matter for 60 days and file the report. Alma’s officials said they were trying to correct water audit and accounting issues, and the committee likewise deferred the matter to the August meeting while warning that water-audit delays could jeopardize turnback funds. The committee then reviewed misuse-of-street-funds findings for Jericho and Haynes. Jericho’s police chief and officials explained that traffic fines, drug-related arrests, and other citations had pushed the town over the statutory threshold, while staff clarified that the speed-trap calculation excludes certain add-on fines and is referred to the prosecuting attorney for any action. Haynes officials said repayment problems stemmed from lost revenue and staffing changes, including the loss of the police department, but staff reported the town remained behind on its repayment plan and also owed the IRS. The committee voted to defer the Haynes matter to September and to defer Jericho as well, with members emphasizing the need for consistency and possible broader legislative review of small-town viability. A special report on the Pulaski County Regional Solid Waste Management District drew substantial discussion. Staff cited findings involving board approval of payroll and contracts, credit card documentation, car allowances and personal vehicle use, competitive bidding, and unusually high advertising spending, as well as the sale of trailers and other equipment at low prices. The district director said the board had delegated authority for many expenditures, that personal use was reported for tax purposes, and that advertising was necessary to educate the public about recycling. Members questioned the procurement and disposal decisions and the size of the advertising budget; after discussion, the committee deferred the report to September and asked the director to return. The meeting also included brief deferred reports on Biggers, Gilmore, and Holly Grove, which were filed after local officials described ongoing efforts to resolve long-standing audit and tax issues.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><01:00:08.240><c> of</c> unit structures in the statement of unit structures in the statement of
• </c><01:00:31.000><c> because</c><01:00:31.119><c> it's</c> Surplus statements because it's Surplus statements
• We don't do a surplus statement on the fire fund, but if we did, you'd have how many surplus statements
• we don't do a you a surplus statement we don't do a surplus<01:02:06.079><c> statement</c><01:02:06.400
• </c> on the highway fund Surplus statement on the highway fund Surplus statement very<01:02:30.520><c

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The committee first heard Representative Sweeney present and defend the budget amendment legalizing video lottery terminals (VLTs) and setting a 30% tax rate, with 65% of the tax going to the state and 35% to charities. He argued the lower rate was needed to encourage operators of historic horse racing (HHR) machines to convert to VLTs, saying the higher 45% rate would discourage adoption. He walked through revenue projections for fiscal years 2026 and 2027, estimating significant increases in state and charity revenue as machines transition over time, and said the amendment was designed to expand charitable gaming revenue overall. Several members questioned the assumptions behind his projections and the basis for his analysis, including why his independent research differed from the governor’s and Lottery Commission’s estimates. Sweeney said his figures were based on research into other states and conversations over many years, and he maintained that a 45% tax would likely result in no VLT adoption. Members also debated whether the transition costs for operators would be quickly recouped and whether the state’s share should be larger. One member emphasized that the committee was effectively choosing between a lower operator share and a higher state share, while Sweeney argued the 30% structure would produce revenue for everyone. The committee then moved to other revenue items on the tracking sheet. It voted 7-0 to accept the Lottery Commission’s revised base revenue estimates. Members also discussed an amendment to repeal the local option requirement for Kino games, which would expand Kino availability and was estimated to generate additional lottery profit in fiscal years 2026 and 2027. That amendment drew opposition from members who said local control was an important part of the original Kino policy and that removing it would override municipal decisions. The committee also noted that the VLT/HHR revenue item had already been adopted and was being revisited only to confirm the associated revenue estimates.

Transcript Highlights:

• over the past quarter century statements over the past quarter century about<00:42:23.359><c> Jeffrey
• Speaker, disclosures are not enough.
• </c> that he withdraw the false statement that he withdraw the false statement that<03:57:04.239><c>
• Counter to the gentleman from California's statement, this requires a demonstration of sound science
• :15.119><c> this</c> from California's statement, this from California's statement, this requires<04:

Keywords: U.S. House of Representatives Floor Proceedings on Wednesday, March 18, 2026, 1012, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Finally, the bill establishes requirements and protocols related to statements of deficiencies issued
• I also would like to make this statement that I really have.
• Finally, the bill establishes requirements and protocols related to statements of deficiencies issued
• requirements on July 1, 2027, and requires a nursing care institution to comply with a statement of
• Madam Chair, sir, in your statement right now you said the counties may, right?

Committee: Senate Senate Health and Human Services COR

Summary: The committee approved minutes from February 18, February 19, and March 4, then took up several health-related bills. HB 2050, which updates radiologic technologist and radiologic assistant standards, school accreditation, clinical hours, supervision rules, fees, and telehealth definitions, received support from a radiologic technologist and a nurse practitioner and passed 7-0 with a do-pass recommendation. HB 2082, creating a Childhood Cancer and Rare Childhood Disease Research Commission and expanding the research fund, was amended to require at least $5 million in funding before commission allocations and to shift grant-awarding authority to the DHS director; it passed 7-0 as amended, though members raised concerns about oversight. HB 2176, which changes DHS licensing denial criteria and complaint-investigation procedures for health care institutions, also passed 7-0 after testimony from hospital and public health representatives supporting clearer timelines and transparency, with one member noting concerns about possible subjectivity in ownership-related denials. HB 2195, addressing DHS oversight of nursing care institutions, including personnel record access, deficiency timelines, and complaint-investigation deadlines, was amended to delay implementation until July 1, 2027 and allow off-site preliminary reviews; it passed 7-0 as amended, though one member said DHS should have been present to answer questions. HB 2202, appropriating $300,000 annually for a dementia care tele-mentoring program, drew support from the Alzheimer’s Association and a patient with younger-onset Alzheimer’s; it passed 6-1, with one no vote arguing medical schools should teach the material instead of the state funding it. HB 2307, an emergency measure to address placement of dangerous, incompetent, non-restorable defendants, was heavily debated and amended to use up to three beds at the Arizona State Hospital forensic campus temporarily, create a study committee, and sunset after five years; counties and DHS disagreed over whether counties should bear any costs, and the bill passed 4-3 as amended. Finally, HB 2584, which prohibits public funds from being used for genetic sequencing equipment or services tied to foreign adversaries, passed 4-3 after a sponsor and a national security witness argued it would protect genomic data from hostile foreign control. The committee then adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• Last session, there was a signing statement issued by the governor about the budget.
• And, again, last two weeks ago, I issued that policy statement.
• And I agree with Governor Abbott's statement. We can't create law on the budget.
• So ultimately, part of effectuating my policy statement.
• Speaker, may I make a short statement before I ask my question? Absolutely. Mr.

Committee: House Licensing & Administrative Procedures

Keywords: 1184, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• So the statement has to be willful with the...
• You can't get their statement, deposition. You can't get information.
• You can't get their statement, deposition. You can't get information.
• Does it require a recorded statement from the injured employee?
• The attorney refused to allow a statement.

Summary: The committee first voluntarily deferred House Bills 460 and 561, then took up House Bill 1101 on workers’ compensation. The sponsor said the bill would define maximum medical improvement, adjust fraud provisions, shorten temporary total disability and supplemental earnings benefit periods, and revise vocational rehabilitation rules; an amendment removed proposed age-based termination language for benefits. Business groups including LABI supported the bill as a way to reduce Louisiana’s comparatively high indemnity costs and align the state with regional norms, while injured-worker advocates and attorneys strongly opposed it, arguing it would cut benefits, shift medical and disability decisions away from treating physicians and judges, broaden fraud too far, and potentially push costs onto public programs. After debate, the committee voted to report HB 1101 with amendments. House Bill 282 was voluntarily deferred. House Bill 293, which would add sexual orientation and gender identity to Louisiana employment discrimination protections, drew generally supportive testimony from the sponsor and supporters, with some members raising questions about religious exemptions and federal law. The committee ultimately voted against reporting HB 293 favorably. House Bill 390, providing unpaid leave protections for domestic abuse survivors at larger employers, was presented as a tool for survivors, but the committee split 6-6 on a motion to report it favorably; the tie resulted in the bill being voluntarily deferred. The committee then heard House Bill 456, which would expand workers’ compensation petition requirements and allow employers or payers broader access to file disputed claims and seek discovery. Supporters argued employers currently lack a practical way to obtain records and challenge claims without first cutting off benefits, while opponents said the bill would revive a rejected 2012 approach, increase litigation, and undermine the no-fault workers’ compensation bargain. The discussion centered on whether the bill would preserve benefits while allowing discovery or instead encourage more disputes and penalties. The transcript ends with testimony still underway on HB 456, with no final vote shown.

Transcript Highlights:

• Thank you for that statement, but I want to revisit the question.
• Thank you for that statement, but I want to revisit the question.
• Recognize please, ma'am, if you would give us your statement, please.
• Is that your final statement? I didn't. I think we may have lost you again.
• Is that your final statement? I didn't. I think we may have lost you again.

Committee: Senate Appropriations Committee on Higher Education

Keywords: 999, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• That is just a statement. That is my statement. That is my statement.
• That is my statement. Let's all think about that for a minute. We got it, we got it.
• Is that a statement? That's a question. Are there any other questions, members?
• A statement? A statement, sure. Of sorts.

Keywords: 1182, all

Transcript Highlights:

• That is just a statement. That is my statement. That is my statement.
• That is my statement. Let's all think about that for a minute. We got it, we got it.
• Is that a statement? That's a question. Are there any other questions, members?
• A statement? A statement, sure. Of sorts.

Summary: The committee heard presentations on two Senate-passed HCRs that would refer constitutional amendments to voters. HCR 2040 would bar school districts from using public money or resources to support labor organizations, including payroll deductions for dues, use of internal communication systems for recruiting or political materials, and distribution of labor-related communications using public resources; it also would prohibit the state and political subdivisions from entering exclusive representation or collective bargaining agreements with labor organizations. The sponsor indicated an intent to concur with the Senate amendment, and the measure was left open for questions. HCR 2048 would amend the Arizona Constitution to prevent the state from confiscating money from scholarship accounts belonging to children of military families, and would void any later law or voter-approved measure after November 1, 2026, that violates that protection. Members asked how the proposal would work if a student moved out of state or no longer met scholarship eligibility requirements, and staff explained that funds could still be reclaimed if the student no longer qualified under the program. Questions also focused on the measure’s language making any conflicting future bill or initiative null and void, with staff explaining that courts would still apply severability principles in litigation. The discussion became sharply political, with one member criticizing the measure as a pretext to protect ESA voucher funds and another questioning whether the military-family framing raised DEI concerns. Another member argued the majority was using military families to shield fraudulent ESA spending and said voters wanted action on the issue. No votes were taken in the excerpt, and the chair ultimately closed the discussion after questions and comments.

Transcript Highlights:

• Ma'am, are you referring to her opening statement? Yes, I am.
• I'm struggling with your opening statement today.
• But yet, in your opening statement, you talked about $1.2 million.
• But yet, in your opening statement, you talked about $1.2 million.
• Okay, so maybe if you could clarify that statement? Counselor?”

Committee: House Commerce and Human Resources

Keywords: 989, all

Transcript Highlights:

• It is a statement of our Two.
• Since you have a surplus statements.
• Um, well, it's a surplus statement adjustment.
• Because that's going to statement, okay?
• So, that surplus statement I I Okay.

Committee: Senate Finance

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• which is to promote objective statement which is to promote the<00:13:20.240><c> development</c><00:
• in the previous objective statements in the previous slide.<00:14:02.320><c> So</c><00:14:02.480><c>
• And the credit for certain wifer, which has another objective statement...
• </c> which share the same objective statement which share the same objective statement which<00:17:39.520
• </c> like you know the objective statement like you know the objective statement here<00:24:45.840><c

Committee: House Taxes

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> considerations that's not a statement considerations that's not a statement that<00:21:06.840><c
• Can you help us understand how you arrived at that statement and how you didn't want to make that statement
• Can you help us understand how you arrived at that statement and how you didn't want to make that statement
• Can you help us understand how you arrived at that statement and how you didn't want to make that statement
• </c><01:35:02.880><c> which</c> the Consolidated fund statement which the Consolidated fund statement

Bills: HF3

Committee: House Ways and Means

Keywords: legislative auditor, reporting, accountability, state finance, executive agency oversight, 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• Do you agree with that statement, Mr. Chairman?
• So are you saying that you agree with them or you don't agree with that statement?
• So you don't agree with that statement? Well, I'm not saying I agree.
• Do you still stand by that statement, Mr. Chairman? I do. Thank you. Two more questions, Mr.
• Do you agree with me on that statement? For the most part, I don't know how to answer that.

Keywords: 1185, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Finally, the bill establishes requirements and protocols related to statements of deficiencies issued
• Finally, the bill establishes requirements and protocols related to statements of deficiencies issued
• But that Madam Chair. related to statements of deficiencies issued upon completion of an investigation
• The complaint investigation and statement of deficiency requirements on July 1, 2027, and requires a
• Madam Chair, sir, in your statement right now you said the counties may, right?

Bills: HB2050 , HB2082 , HB2176 , HB2195 , HB2202 , HB2307 , HB2584

Committee: Senate Health and Human Services

Keywords: radiologic technologist, radiologist assistant, radiology, imaging, x-ray, diagnostic x-ray, fluoroscopy, mammography, computed tomography, CT technologist, nuclear medicine technologist, bone densitometry, radiation safety, radiation licensing, scope of practice, health workforce, rural health care, critical access hospital, supervision, telehealth

Transcript Highlights:

• That being said, they may have made some positive statement or some, um, statement that helps to inform
• or some some um statement or some some um yeah,<01:16:35.679><c> some</c><01:16:35.920><c> statement
• These statements include law.
• is a corruption statement.
• that statement is a corruption<02:03:55.920><c> statement.

Keywords: 981, all

Transcript Highlights:

• This isn't a statement on ASRs at all.
• So I made a statement and not ask me a question. I did make a statement and not ask a question.
• I just made a statement that the stakeholders came in agreement on this. Is that a fair statement?
• Fair statement. We're in assisting growth within A&M. No. Right. Yes, sir. Fair statement.
• Is that a fair statement? Yes.

Committee: Senate Water, Agriculture and Rural Affairs

Summary: The committee met with limited attendance at first, then took up a series of water, agriculture, and rural affairs measures. HB 3898 would allow the Texas Water Development Board to provide financial assistance for brackish water desalination projects in certain border counties and related nonprofit suppliers even if the projects are not in the state water plan. Supporters said it is needed to address severe water shortages in places like Webb County and to support future planning; opponents, including the Texas Alliance of Groundwater Districts, argued it bypasses the regional and state water planning process. The bill was left pending after testimony. The committee also heard HB 5339, which would create a higher-education grant program for regenerative agriculture research. A rancher testified that regenerative methods improved soil health, water retention, and farm viability, while a senator noted existing university research but said better coordination could help. Public testimony was closed and the bill was left pending. Members then heard HB 1523, a temporary prohibition on TCEQ issuing Austin a Class 5 injection well permit for an aquifer storage and recovery project in Bastrop and Lee counties until December 2027. Local officials from Bastrop supported the pause, citing unanswered questions about water treatment, recovery rates, and impacts on the aquifer, while Austin Water opposed the substitute, saying the project is central to its long-term water plan and that stakeholder talks were already underway. TCEQ explained its ASR permitting process and said public participation is possible but not always used in the current authorization process. The bill was left pending. HB 5659, concerning the Northeast Texas Municipal Water District and requiring majority city-council approval before certain water sales or interbasin transfers, drew testimony from district officials who said the change could interfere with existing contracts and district authority, but the chair emphasized the need for local buy-in and said the stakeholders had reached a workable compromise; testimony was closed and the bill was left pending. The committee also heard HB 1690, which would expand notice requirements for groundwater export permits so neighboring landowners and potentially affected aquifer areas are informed by certified mail and publication. The sponsor tied the bill to impacts from the Vista Ridge project, and no one testified against it; it was left pending. HB 3333 would prohibit TCEQ from issuing new wastewater discharge permits directly into the Devils River in Val Verde County. The sponsor and a conservation witness said the bill protects one of Texas’s most pristine rivers and reflects a local stakeholder agreement, while TCEQ said it can ensure water quality but acknowledged the river’s unique sensitivity; the bill was left pending. The committee also heard HCR 108 urging continuation of the U.S.-Mexico tomato suspension agreement, with supporters warning of major Texas job and consumer-price impacts if it ends, and HCR 76 urging federal action on imported shrimp, citing public health and industry concerns; both were left pending. Additional measures heard and left pending included HB 4158 on compensation for Texana Groundwater Conservation District directors, HB 654 creating a dismissal path for certain first-time deer hunting violations after self-reporting and hunter education, HB 4530 requiring Texas Water Development Board review of groundwater rights placed in the Texas Water Trust, HB 2128 directing a study of rural versus urban firefighting and rescue disparities, and HB 278 requiring groundwater districts and management areas to track progress toward desired future conditions over shorter intervals. On HB 278, witnesses split over whether the bill’s interim tracking would improve accountability or create new triggers that could be used against local districts, but no final vote was taken and the bill was left pending.

Transcript Highlights:

• Um, just a short time ago ACAS developed their own mission statement.
• There was no mission statement such as this doesn't have a mission statement. Does it need one?
• </c> their own mission statement. their own mission statement.
• no mission statement such as Well,<00:30:22.760><c> just</c><00:30:23.000><c> like</c><00:30:23.200>
• </c> mission statement. mission statement.

Committee: Senate Rules and Administration

Keywords: 1187, senate, all