Transcript Highlights:

• of Texas, didn't invest any resources until well into the census year itself, at which point the practical
• right now, if they've not already begun to do so, is to conduct a kind of 2030 census readiness assessment
• This assessment, combined with a thorough review of the state-level results of the 2020 census, can help
• You are supposed to update that information when you change your address, but we know that in practice
• But do you think you'll be able to, yeah, will you be able to assess the scale of that?

Keywords: 1212, all

Transcript Highlights:

• She asked how he makes that assessment.
• The assessment will depend on how much each developer or participant chooses to use of the accelerator's
• I've been practicing in public finance for over 20 years now, and I've worked with Andy in a number of

Summary: The Senate Rules Committee met to consider several governor’s appointments and procedural items. The committee approved, largely on unanimous or near-unanimous votes, the appointments of Gina Castro Rodriguez to the Board of State and Community Corrections, Richard Stein to the California Arts Council, and Nicholas Hardiman to the California Housing Finance Agency Board of Directors. It also approved references to bills, committee appointments, subcommittee ratifications, joint committee appointments, and floor acknowledgments. A motion to grant rule waivers for Senators Perez and Padilla to introduce additional measures under SR 22.5 drew opposition from Senator Grove and ultimately passed on a 3-2 vote in the final tally. The committee then heard testimony on the appointment of Andy Nakahata as executive director of the California Infrastructure and Economic Development Bank (IBank). Nakahata described his background in finance and infrastructure lending and said he would focus on expanding access to IBank programs statewide, especially in underserved and rural areas. Members questioned him about outreach equity, county-by-county loan activity, creditworthiness standards, the California Transmission Accelerator, and financing for public hospitals and other infrastructure projects. He said IBank works through financial development corporations, municipal advisors, and other partners, monitors geographic reach, and can work with applicants to adjust loan size or identify additional funding sources when projects are not fully creditworthy. Public witnesses spoke in support of Nakahata, including representatives from Siebert William Shank and O’Melveny/other public finance firms, who praised his expertise and leadership. No opposition testimony was offered. The committee voted 5-0 to move Nakahata’s appointment to the full Senate for confirmation. After completing a final roll call on the earlier agenda items, the committee adjourned its public session and announced it would move into executive session.

Transcript Highlights:

• So what is different in this bill compared to the current practice? Chair: You are recognized. Rep.
• House Bill 4051 is a local bill amending the Pace Fire District non-ad valorem assessment formula to
• We have a few concerns and are working with the Representative concerning this tax assessment.

Transcript Highlights:

• that the prohibition on the imposition of an undue burden on certain tribal traditional cultural practices
• It notes their assessment is a roughly $5 million per biennium drop in receipts to them as a result of
• Their assessment is a roughly $5 million per biennium drop in receipts to them as a result of reduced

Summary: The Capital Budget Committee met in executive session on several bills before fiscal cutoff. Staff briefed Substitute House Bill 2236 on the State Housing Finance Commission, House Bill 2281 on state-tribal government-to-government relations, House Bill 2514 to establish a Global War on Terror memorial on the Capitol campus, and House Bill 2551 allowing certain school districts to sell real property under specified conditions. Staff also noted an updated fiscal note for HB 2281 showing a Department of Natural Resources estimate of about a $5 million per-biennium reduction in receipts due to reduced timber sales. HB 2236 was moved out of committee with a due pass recommendation after members discussed whether it expanded the Housing Finance Commission’s authority; the vote was 10-6 with three excused. HB 2514 also passed out of committee, with members generally supporting recognition of veterans and families affected by war, though some objected to the bill’s title and framing; it passed 12-4 with three excused. HB 2551 drew more concern, with some members arguing school districts should not sell capital assets to cover operating costs and others noting local jurisdiction impacts; after additional discussion and reopening of the vote, it ultimately passed 10-8 with one excused. HB 2281 was considered with a proposed substitute and two amendments from Representative Walsh. Amendment H-203, intended to protect critical infrastructure projects, and amendment H-202, intended to preserve access related to timber and natural resource sales, were both rejected. Members supporting the bill said it was meant to protect free exercise of religion and tribal interests, while opponents raised concerns about the bill’s effects and the need for more stakeholder work. The substitute bill then passed out of committee 10-8 with one excused.

Transcript Highlights:

• And I've heard a lot of controversy about Hillsborough County superintendents from some of the practices
• So this bill relates to non-ad valorem special assessments against recreational vehicle parks.
• The legislation clarifies that if local government levies a special assessment against an RV park or

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> custom and practice is uh July 1, 3000. custom and practice is uh July 1, 3000.
• </c> for uniform standard practices for uniform standard practices applicable<01:14:45.520><c> to</c>
• </c> necessary to implement these practices. necessary to implement these practices.
• ,</c><01:15:56.239><c> but</c> the legislative hammer of practice, but the legislative hammer of practice
• </c><01:25:43.920><c> that</c> of the different best practices that of the different best practices that

Keywords: 910, house, all

Summary: The Transportation Committee met on February 5 and heard testimony on a long agenda of transportation-related bills. Early measures included HB 2392, which would create an employer tax credit for transportation demand management benefits; HB 2462, which would bar auto manufacturers and dealers from charging post-sale fees for already-installed hardware; and HB 2423, which would require diesel sold for on-road use to contain at least 5% biodiesel. HB 2392 drew support from the Oahu Metropolitan Planning Organization and one individual, with the Department of Taxation and the Tax Foundation offering comments. HB 2462 drew support from DCCA and one individual, while the Alliance for Automotive Innovation opposed it. HB 2423 drew comments from the Hawaii State Energy Office and Hawaii Farm Bureau, support from Pacific Biodiesel and the Hawaii Transportation Association, and a question from the chair about whether biodiesel is exported; the witness said production stays local. The committee also heard HB 1771 on voluntary carbon offsets for air travel, HB 2081 on requiring firefighters exempt from CDL rules to follow equivalent alcohol and substance abuse policies, HB 2334 on allowing the Department of Transportation to assume NEPA responsibilities for certain projects, and HB 2336 on DOT agreements with the Department of Defense for work at military installations using federal funds. HB 1771 drew comments from Life of the Land warning that carbon offsets are often unreliable and could create liability, while Alaska Airlines and Hawaiian Airlines offered comments. HB 2081 received support from DOT, county human resources offices, fire departments, and county officials, with the Hawaii Firefighters Association in opposition. HB 2334 was supported by DOT, and the director said other states using NEPA assignment can complete projects in about half the time. HB 2336 was supported by DOT, HIEMA, DBEDT’s military relations office, and the Hawaii Military Affairs Council; the committee discussed the administrative fee as a way to recover costs under an intergovernmental agreement. The most extensive testimony centered on HB 1666, which would limit new motor vehicle markups above 5% of MSRP and require recordkeeping. Multiple dealer groups and the Hawaii Automobile Dealers Association opposed it, arguing it would threaten dealership operations, especially in Hawaii’s high-cost market and for vehicles without an MSRP. The committee also heard HB 2375 on uniform towing and parking enforcement standards on state and leased lands, including notice, disability protections, payment safeguards, and public reporting; DLNR, DAGS, and several advocacy groups testified, with strong public support and concerns about towing practices and ADA compliance. HB 2415, which would appropriate funds for crosswalks near school properties, drew support from DOT, DOE, and the Hawaii Bicycling League, and the committee discussed how counties would request projects and how funding would be allocated. Finally, HB 2451, which would move Hawaii toward fare-free public transit beginning in 2027 and create a dedicated funding source through a petroleum tax increase, received broad support from DOT, the Energy Office, public health and advocacy groups, and many individuals; DOE testified that it currently uses about $2.1 million for student bus passes and that the program is tied to savings from inactive school bus routes.

Transcript Highlights:

• office more responsive to minority-owned businesses and to increase transparency among wage and hour practices
• It seeks to align state policy and practice, local implementation, and community leadership.
• Ongoing structural inequities in educational access, standardized assessment, professional networks,
• Since these criteria were implemented, the number of practicing psychologists who identify as people
• Although it is too soon to assess their full impact, these changes undermine progress made to date.

Keywords: 1212, all

Transcript Highlights:

• And when a new report is needed, doctors and psychiatric nurses in the same practice will be treated
• The purpose of this bill is to ensure that biosolids and septage are treated at the highest practical
• Current law requires Current law requires that an out-of-state veterinarian must have practiced for three
• I ask, I know the former prosecutors know this, but I ask those who haven't practiced criminal law to
• I have a feeling, having someone who doesn't practice but has a general contractor's license, it always

Summary: The committee first confirmed six appointees on a single roll-call vote, then took up a series of bills, many of them on land use, housing, public safety, child welfare, education, and professional licensing. Early debate centered on CS/SB 208, which would require development fees to better reflect review costs and impose objective compatibility findings for residential projects. An amendment folded in additional housing-related provisions, including manufactured housing and a study of urban development boundaries, prompting extended discussion about Miami-Dade’s Everglades protection area and local control. A late-filed rural-boundary amendment was withdrawn. The bill was reported favorably after support from business, housing, and advocacy groups, with some senators voicing district-specific concerns. The committee then approved CS/CS/SB 686 on agricultural enclaves after amendments added conservation easement, wildlife corridor, and critical state concern protections, plus a further Everglades-related amendment. Members discussed balancing smart growth, infrastructure costs, and protecting environmentally sensitive areas. Other land-use and growth bills also advanced, including CS/SB 1434 on infill redevelopment, CS/SB 1138 on qualified contractor pre-application review, and SB 218 limiting the reach of prior hurricane recovery zoning protections in counties not affected by the 2024 storms. SB 1474 on biosolids management was amended to reduce the distance threshold for land application restrictions and delay the effective date, and SB 1708 on veterinary licensure by endorsement removed a three-year recent-practice requirement to address shortages. Several public safety, health, and family-related measures also passed. CS/CS/SB 436 expanded felony battery enhancement to include resisting an officer with violence and certain law-enforcement battery offenses. SB 830 extended public-records protections to county and city administrators and related family information. CS/CS/CS/SB 600 revised bail bond rules, and an amendment preserved the current treatment of charitable bail funds and nonprofits; the committee heard testimony from The Bail Project and others on both sides. CS/SB 914 expanded dry-needling supervision options for occupational therapists, CS/SB 1092 clarified podiatric use of certain cellular/tissue products, and SB 1504 and SB 1718 updated insurance licensing and educator certification pathways. On the education side, CS/CS/SB 7038 made broad postsecondary changes, including tuition waivers, residency clarification, and licensure rules, while CS/SB 186 required seizure-response training and action plans in schools. The committee also advanced multiple child welfare and health bills. CS/CS/CS/SB 560 streamlined psychotropic medication procedures for children in state custody and added youth-voice and insurance-review provisions. CS/CS/CS/SB 902 combined several Department of Health changes, including medical marijuana distance rules, autism microcredential eligibility, a neurofibromatosis grant program, and NICU nutrition information. SB 1002 expanded child welfare definitions to address parental drug abuse and neglect, and SB 1708 eased endorsement licensure for out-of-state veterinarians. Most bills were reported favorably on roll-call votes, with several amendments adopted along the way and limited opposition or abstentions noted on some measures.

Transcript Highlights:

• A site of practice for the physicians and physician and healthcare trainees of the OSU Center for Health
• We increased our outpatient psych assessments by 44% year over year.
• So, good business practices.
• We found some smarter business practices.
• We merged the University of Oklahoma's faculty practice with OU Medicine Inc and privatized that practice

Keywords: 914, all

Transcript Highlights:

• We've also been a national leader in quantifying the value of college and providing practical information
• Joe Pettibon, Vice President for Planning, Assessment, and Strategy to stand and testify on behalf of
• This examination is ongoing through a comprehensive strategic assessment and planning.
• However, the nature of the practice of law has changed and continues to evolve.
• Having practiced law at a very high level for many years, there are things that I focus on.

Keywords: 1184, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• We did an early assessment of the small local public body program; we actually hired...
• So I'm Assuming if we are assessed fees, Mr.
• The penalties for a UPA violation, an Unfair Practices Act violation, is $5,000.
• It is designed to incentivize certain practices we would like to see on state land.
• Some of those practices people already do. Like I said before, we have 3,500 grazing lessees.

Transcript Highlights:

• We also developed the best practices report. We put together implementation case studies.
• But lately, we've seen a pattern of local barriers that, while not always explicit, have the practical
• But lately, we've seen a pattern of local barriers that, while not always explicit, have the practical
• The ADA prohibits not only explicit discrimination, but also zoning and land use practices that have
• I'd like to walk you through a... ...assessments before any action can be taken.

Summary: The Housing Committee held work sessions on federal Continuum of Care homelessness funding and on state step-housing siting rules before moving into public hearings on House Bill 2266 and House Bill 2489. Commerce staff said HUD’s late and restrictive Continuum of Care funding notice put about $120 million a year in Washington operating support for existing homeless housing projects at risk, but a lawsuit led by the Attorney General forced HUD to restart renewal funding. Commerce also reviewed how local governments are implementing step-housing requirements, including model ordinances, planning updates, and ongoing compliance reviews under recent state law. House Bill 2266 would require cities and counties to allow step housing in all nonindustrial zones, apply the same permitting and environmental review as other residential uses, limit design review to administrative processes, and remove certain local standards and conditions on existing buildings and affordable housing. Supporters, including Plymouth Housing, Disability Rights Washington, King County, the Attorney General’s Office, and Catholic Community Services, argued the bill would reduce discriminatory barriers, protect people with disabilities, and make it easier to site shelters, transitional housing, and permanent supportive housing. Several city representatives and the Association of Washington Cities opposed or sought amendments, saying the bill was too broad and could limit local authority over operational agreements, safety plans, spacing, community engagement, and funding conditions; some asked for clearer carveouts for emergency shelters and related uses. House Bill 2489 would bar local governments from enforcing public-space anti-camping or similar laws unless adequate alternative shelter space is available, with “life-sustaining activities” and “adequate alternative shelter space” defined in detail. Rep. Gregerson said the bill would create a statewide floor and prevent punishment for survival conduct when no real shelter option exists. The ACLU, service providers, and shelter operators supported the bill, citing displacement from fragmented local ordinances, enforcement costs, and the need to align enforcement with actual shelter availability. Testimony also described low-barrier shelter operations and examples of people stabilizing once housed. The hearing on HB 2489 began with staff explanation and initial testimony; no votes were taken on either bill in the transcript.

Transcript Highlights:

• So in being a sole practitioner, I had a general practice, then a statewide criminal practice, and then
• a misdemeanor practice.
• I practiced architecture for a while but came back to New Mexico and attended law school.
• She's in Austin practicing architecture.
• The writing of legislation is as specialized a practice of law as any I've ever seen.

Transcript Highlights:

• The Jackson County assessment case, those of you in Jackson County know that there were massive assessments
• It's over some of their governance practices. And we will continue to work on that suit.
• So we draw from the Merchandising Practices Fund, which is money our office generates.
• This is coming from the merchandising practices revolving fund and not from GR.
• The Merchandising Practices Act fund had $2 million for E&E that didn't get spent.

Summary: Attorney General Catherine Hanaway presented the Office of the Attorney General’s FY 2027 budget request and outlined her office’s priorities: reducing violent crime, targeting illegal and unregulated activities she described as a “vice squad” focus, protecting Missourians from fraud, and improving the office’s legal work. She highlighted major cases and enforcement efforts, including litigation over insulin pricing, Dollar General pricing practices, a criminal prosecution in Hermann, the Jackson County assessment dispute, and a new lawsuit involving Misha’s board policy. Committee members asked about cybercrime enforcement, cooperation with federal authorities, VLTs, ballot and referendum litigation, and the office’s approach to diversity-related legal issues. Hanaway said cybercrime and no-call enforcement rely heavily on multi-state and federal cooperation, and she emphasized that many cases begin with citizen reports. Members also questioned the cost and scope of ongoing election-related litigation, including redistricting and referendum cases, and Hanaway said her office is defending the laws and ballot processes as required. She estimated roughly $600,000 in staff time over about six months for the referendum/redistricting work combined. Several members raised concerns about the Misha lawsuit and whether similar statutory provisions elsewhere in state government could raise the same legal issues; Hanaway responded that the case involved a board rule, not a statute, and turned on whether the requirement functioned as a quota. The committee also discussed child sexual exploitation, human trafficking, Medicaid fraud, and the use of outside counsel and pro hac vice fees. Hanaway said the office is using non-GR funds where possible and is not requesting pay increases this year. The Missouri Office of Prosecution Services then presented its budget. Officials explained that MOPS trains and supports prosecutors statewide, including on DWIs, child sex cases, and new prosecutor training, and that its budget request matches the governor’s recommendation. Members asked about support for local prosecutors, the nine counties without elected prosecutors, and the new conviction integrity unit; staff said the unit’s positions were shifted between line items and that the office can help answer prosecutorial questions through its general counsel. The committee then moved to the Department of Public Safety budget. DPS reviewed funding for crime victims notification, law enforcement recruitment and retention, drug task forces, academy scholarships, Blue Star grants, local crime prevention, school safety, World Cup security, 988 trainings, wastewater testing in schools, and other programs. Members asked about the $59 million federal FIFA World Cup grant, school safety app funding, and wastewater testing participation; DPS said the World Cup funds require no state match, the app funding is being phased out, and schools opted into the testing program. The committee recessed before finishing the DPS book, with plans to return later.

Transcript Highlights:

• So, this seems like a practical step that we could take.
• </c><00:24:18.480><c> when</c> eligibility eligibility assessment when eligibility eligibility assessment
• I practiced in Minnesota for 31 years.
• I practiced in Minnesota retired OBGYN.
• Just to be practical.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• It’s a very practical approach.
• What's your assessment?
• I'm in private practice and have been practicing for 30 years.
• This is an unethical and immoral practice that must end.
• In 2020, 95% of Republican voters backed a ban on this practice.

Bills: SB5, SB11, SB12, SB 5, SB 11, SB 12

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:

• I speak to you today both from a moral and a practical perspective.
• I speak to you today both from a moral and a practical perspective.
• Today, both from a moral and a practical perspective.
• In my clinical practice, I've seen examples of this from day to day.
• In my clinical practice, I've seen examples of this from day to day.

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The Joint Committee on Health Care Financing held a public hearing on a large docket of bills focused on MassHealth benefits and reimbursement, health equity, behavioral health, public health, dental access, 340B drug pricing, tobacco cessation, and coverage for children. The chairs emphasized rising health care costs, provider shortages, administrative burdens, and persistent inequities by income, race, geography, and immigration status. Much of the testimony centered on H.1416/S.901, an act to advance health equity, with legislators and members of the Health Equity Compact arguing for statewide benchmarks, stronger health equity leadership, reimbursement for interpreter services, community health workers and patient navigation, Medicaid graduate medical education support, and a health equity zone trust fund. Witnesses described disparities in life expectancy, maternal mortality, access to primary care, and the impact of federal Medicaid and social service cuts, and urged the committee to report the bill favorably. The committee also heard strong support for H.1368/S.847 on rapid whole genome sequencing for critically ill MassHealth children. Testifiers from industry, academia, hospitals, and families said early sequencing can end long diagnostic odysseys, improve treatment decisions, shorten hospital stays, and save money, while also providing emotional relief and information for families. The hearing then moved to H.1407 on MassHealth rate parity for inpatient behavioral health providers, where Rep. Scanlan and the Massachusetts Association of Behavioral Health Systems said the bill would codify existing administrative parity so managed care plans cannot pay less than the MassHealth fee-for-service rate. On H.1392/S.853 to preserve and protect public health, witnesses supported higher vaccine administration fees to improve provider participation and immunization rates. The committee also heard testimony on H.770/845 to protect 340B providers in MassHealth, and on S.848 to require reporting and transparency around 340B revenues and outside administrative costs. Additional bills drew testimony on tobacco cessation coverage for MassHealth members, with advocates supporting broader access to counseling and medications through medical, behavioral health, and dental providers. On H.1409, a nursing home operator asked for more flexibility in a MassHealth staffing-related penalty tied to patient days per resident. On H.1401/S.888, supporters of the “Take 10” dental access proposal said adult MassHealth dental coverage is underused because too few dentists accept MassHealth, leading to long travel times and avoidable emergency room visits; they urged incentive payments for dentists serving new adult MassHealth patients. Finally, on H.1403/S.855, “Cover All Kids,” advocates and immigrant community members urged removal of immigration status as a barrier to full MassHealth coverage for children, while also backing a related bill to ensure 12 months of continuous coverage for children. No votes were taken during the hearing; the committee primarily received testimony and asked questions on costs, reimbursement levels, and implementation details.

Transcript Highlights:

• The Pest Control Association's general guidelines and best practices include fairly rare use of glue
• </c><01:37:29.159><c> impossible</c> New Hampshire practically impossible New Hampshire practically impossible
• </c><03:56:41.359><c> that</c> third party to do an assessment that third party to do an assessment that
• </c><04:52:02.840><c> so</c> are who are doing the assessment so are who are doing the assessment so
• Another died on the way to the vet’s practice.

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The committee met in a work session on several environmental bills, beginning with HP 152, which would prohibit the sale and use of adhesive-based rodent traps. Members discussed whether the bill should be amended to allow professional pest control use while restricting retail sales to the public. Testimony and member comments focused on animal welfare concerns, the relative humaneness and effectiveness of glue traps versus snap traps, consumer education, enforcement difficulties, and whether the bill should instead be limited to professionals. No vote was taken on HP 152 during the discussion. The committee then turned to HB 171, establishing a moratorium on new landfill permits. Representative Gruber distributed an amendment shortening the proposed moratorium from five years to three years as a compromise. Members supporting the moratorium said it would give the Department of Environmental Services time to update rules and reflect recent landfill-siting reforms, while opponents argued that three years was too long, could tie the hands of a future legislature, and might be difficult to pass in the Senate. Others noted the House, Senate, and governor had each discussed different lengths of moratorium, making the bill a likely bargaining position in later negotiations. Throughout the landfill discussion, members emphasized that the three-year version was intended as a middle ground between a one-year proposal associated with the governor and a six-year Senate bill. Several members said the moratorium reflected years of bipartisan work on solid waste and landfill policy and would help create time for new rules to take effect. The transcript provided does not show a final committee vote or other action on HB 171 during this segment.

Transcript Highlights:

• And so, as amended, the rights, practices, options, and freedoms of...
• I have been licensed and practicing for over 10 years in other states.
• I currently practice in rural northeast Alabama.
• I've had them in my scope of practice for 10 years, and I currently do them as part of my practice in
• Tennessee. my scope of practice in Tennessee.

Bills: SB87, HB491, SB43, SB101

Keywords: midwifery, licensed midwives, State Board of Midwifery, licensure fees, professional liability insurance, complaints investigation, emergency care plan, out-of-hospital care, HB491, public schools, K-12, school nutrition, school lunch, cafeteria, artificial dyes, food additives, food coloring, synthetic dyes, Red Dye No. 3, Red Dye No. 40

Transcript Highlights:

• So we, as the state of Missouri, pay the provider tax, also euphemistically called the assessment, which
• Is that a correct assessment? I mean, an 1115 waiver alone would help us out enormously. It would.
• That's who provide these assessments per statute.
• I would not disagree with your assessment. Thank you. Even though it's a critical need.
• Here you'll find the DD provider assessment for $6.2 million in general revenue.

Keywords: 959, house, all