Transcript Highlights:

• the DOGE committee, and what it does is it removes a part of code for the treasurer for securities lending
• the DOGE committee, and what it does is it removes a part of code for the treasurer for securities lending

Committee: House State Affairs

Transcript Highlights:

• Recently relocated to Seattle, Washington, so I came down to lend my voice.
• Those who are at the closest proximity to the issues have their experiences lend to the solutions that
• And then, obviously, my background quite lends itself to being the Administrative Services Director.
• Obviously, my background quite lends itself to being the Administrative Services Director.
• even though if you’re looking at peer numbers, the population made—and I’m using this thing—quote, lends

Committee: Senate Rules

Summary: The Senate Committee on Rules first established quorum and took up several routine items, including two governor’s appointments to the Court Reporters Board, references of bills to committees, and floor acknowledgments. Heather Lynn Gonzalez’s appointment was approved 3-1, Allison Salton-Sall’s appointment was approved 4-0, and the other routine items were approved 4-0. The committee then heard testimony on two Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation appointments, Kathleen Ratliff and Joseph Tuggle, both associate directors in the Division of Adult Institutions. Senators focused heavily on the California model, staff safety, prison violence, sexual abuse prevention, retaliation concerns, and visitation. Ratliff and Tuggle said the California model is meant to balance rehabilitation with safety, that CDCR has improved communication and training, and that incidents such as the pepper-spray event at Central California Women’s Facility led to discipline, investigations, retraining, and policy review. They also described PREA reporting systems, anti-retaliation protections, statewide visiting meetings, and efforts to make visiting more family-centered and consistent. Public commenters largely supported both nominees, citing their work on rehabilitation, reentry, and sexual abuse response. The committee unanimously voted 4-0 to send both Ratliff and Tuggle to the Senate floor for confirmation. It then heard from Jason Johnson, nominated as CDCR Undersecretary of Operations. Senators questioned him about parole supervision, public safety, contraband, prison rape prevention, workplace culture, whistleblower retaliation, and repeated allegations in late-filed opposition letters. Johnson said parole risk is assessed through established scoring and supervision levels, that sex offenders are subject to GPS monitoring and treatment, and that operations use investigations, training, and collaboration with law enforcement to address contraband and misconduct. He emphasized rehabilitation, culture change, accountability, and his commitment to staff and public safety, while acknowledging criticism and the difficulty of leading a large institution. No vote on Johnson was taken in the portion provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• Recently relocated to Seattle, Washington, so I came down to lend my voice.
• Those who are at the closest proximity to the issues, having their experiences, lend to the solutions
• And then, obviously, my background quite lends itself to being the Administrative Services Director.
• Obviously, my background quite lends itself to being the Administrative Services Director.
• recent oversight hearing, is that even though, if you're looking at peer numbers, the population may lend

Summary: The committee first handled routine actions, including quorum, governor’s appointments not required to appear, references to bills, and floor acknowledgments, with those items approved on 3-1 or 4-0 votes and left open for add-ons where noted. It then heard testimony on several CDCR appointments: Kathleen Ratliff and Joseph Tuggle as associate directors for adult institutions, and later Jason Johnson as Undersecretary of Operations. All three nominees emphasized long careers in corrections, support from family and colleagues, and a commitment to public safety, rehabilitation, and improving staff and institutional culture. Much of the questioning focused on the California model, staff safety, sexual abuse prevention, use-of-force incidents, visitation, and rehabilitation. Ratliff and Tuggle said the California model was poorly communicated at rollout but is intended to improve both staff wellness and rehabilitation, not weaken security. They described training, root-cause reviews, statewide calls, and direct engagement with staff and incarcerated people. On a widely criticized pepper-spray incident at Central California Women’s Facility, Ratliff said staff were disciplined, some terminated, and the facility received additional training on de-escalation, communication, use of force, and report writing. On sexual abuse and retaliation concerns, both nominees pointed to PREA training, multiple reporting channels, anti-retaliation monitoring, and a zero-tolerance policy. Members also pressed the nominees on visitation consistency, family reunification, contraband, and the San Quentin transition program. CDCR leaders said visitation is essential to rehabilitation and that the department is working toward more consistent statewide rules and a more family-friendly visiting environment. They also said contraband interdiction is being strengthened through K-9 searches, drone interdiction, and information sharing. Johnson, whose confirmation drew late opposition letters and a lawsuit alleging retaliation and workplace culture problems, said he was driving culture change, had improved reentry and community partnerships, and viewed rehabilitation as central to CDCR’s mission. After public support from former incarcerated people, advocates, and nonprofit leaders, the committee voted 4-0 to advance the appointments to the Senate floor.

Transcript Highlights:

• Recently relocated to Seattle, Washington, so I came down to lend my voice.
• Those who are at the closest proximity to the issues, having their experiences, lend to the solutions
• And then, obviously, my background quite lends itself to being the Administrative Services Director.
• Obviously, my background quite lends itself to being the Administrative Services Director.
• that even though, if you're looking at peer numbers, the population made—and I'm using this, quote, lends

Committee: Senate Rules

Transcript Highlights:

• So Kentucky Hospital Association has strategically partnered with the Department of Agriculture to lend
• So Kentucky Hospital Association has strategically partnered with the Department of Agriculture to lend
• Department of partnered with the Department of Agriculture<00:25:54.720><c> to</c><00:25:54.960><c> lend
• 00:25:55.520><c> farmer</c><00:25:56.000><c> prosperity</c><00:25:56.559><c> as</c> Agriculture to lend
• farmer prosperity as Agriculture to lend farmer prosperity as the<00:25:57.120><c> result</c><00:25:

Committee: House Health Services

Transcript Highlights:

• It's not a lending party. This is the school.
• issues that I hear, but that one, to me, I mean, we protect the military when it comes to payday lending
• And that's when the payday lending company showed up. They promised me the world.
• What the company actually gave me was a predatory lending deal disguised as a marketing contract.

Committee: House Arts, Entertainment, Sports, and Tourism

Transcript Highlights:

• There's nothing to say that they can't lend something to this one once they establish that, but they
• But there's resources there that I'm sure that they may or may not be able to lend to this.
• There's nothing to say that they can't lend something to this one once they establish that.
• But there's resources there that I'm sure that they may or may not be able to lend to this.

Bills: HB471 , HB798 , HB947 , HB1140 , HB1186 , HB1195 , HB1222

Committees: House Commerce , House Commerce, Consumer Protection, and International Affairs

Keywords: surveillance, price discrimination, consumer protection, automated decision systems, data privacy, broadband, cable service, price increase, notification, digital assets, abandonment, custodian, escheatment, blockchain, cryptocurrency, unclaimed property, state treasurer, telecommunications, spoofing, call authentication

Transcript Highlights:

• Virtual reality headsets would be distributed via a lending-library model to strategic partners identified
• 00:26:46.000><c> be</c><00:26:46.159><c> distributed</c><00:26:46.559><c> via</c><00:26:46.960><c> lending
• </c><00:26:47.360><c> library</c> would be distributed via lending library would be distributed via lending

Summary: The House Budget Review Subcommittee on Postsecondary Education met without a quorum, so no minutes were approved. The committee then heard a presentation from Western Kentucky University President Timothy Kabone, who highlighted WKU’s recent gains in graduation rate, retention, degree production, graduate enrollment, research activity, and financial stability. He said WKU’s FY 2026 budget is structurally balanced without one-time reserves, and he tied the university’s growth to its strategic plan and to Senate Bill 77, which created a pathway for WKU’s first PhD program. WKU’s initial PhD offering is planned in data sciences for fall 2027, and Kabone said the university continues to pursue R2 research status. Kabone also outlined WKU’s budget requests, including a 4.5% base appropriation increase for each year of the biennium, a $30 million increase in the performance funding pool, a $30 million trust fund for tuition waiver reimbursement, and $2 million per year for the Gatton Academy. He also requested continued funding for the Kentucky Mesonet, 8.9% of proposed asset preservation funding, and support for a $280 million new Potter College facility. He emphasized inflationary pressures, rising fixed costs, and the burden of mandated tuition waivers, and said the university supports performance funding but wants the model adjusted to better reward student success rather than enrollment growth. Members asked about WKU’s student housing situation and the transition away from the former student life foundation model. Kabone said the foundation structure had run its course, that the university had lacked adequate oversight under the old arrangement, and that WKU is moving to a public-private partnership with Gilbane and the College Housing Foundation. He said the new model would not increase the university’s debt load and would replace older residence halls with a roughly 1,000-bed complex, eliminate community-style bathrooms over time, and expand living-learning communities. Representatives McCool and Tipton praised WKU’s graduation and retention results and asked questions about the housing project and its timeline. The committee then heard from CareerVXR and KCTCS about a proposed career exploration pilot. Company representatives said the platform uses web-based and virtual reality experiences to show students real jobs and workplaces, with the goal of addressing an “awareness gap” in workforce participation. They proposed a $1.8 million, two-year pilot to reach 50,000 to 60,000 students in three regions, including Hazard Community and Technical College, Southeast Community and Technical College, and western Kentucky. Members asked about cost, funding source, and locations, and were told the request would come through the KCTCS budget. The meeting ended with notice that the next meeting was scheduled for Thursday, February 26.

Transcript Highlights:

• So we oftentimes note that that's a requirement and sometimes private is acceptable if the actual lending
• So we oftentimes note that that's a requirement and sometimes private is acceptable if the actual lending
• So in the event of a loss, the Lending institution allows it.
• But we've got a lot of existing relationships and partnerships and capacity that I think can lend support

Summary: The Consumer Protection and Business Committee held public hearings on three bills and then moved into a work session on insurance-related topics. House Bill 2428 would require life insurers to send advance written notice of an impending lapse or cancellation, including notice to a designated third party, and to provide proof of delivery; it would also require applicants to be told they may designate such a third party. The prime sponsor and the Office of the Insurance Commissioner supported the bill as a consumer protection measure for older or vulnerable policyholders, while the life insurance industry supported the concept but requested a delayed implementation date and a small technical amendment. The committee then heard House Bill 2399, which would prohibit post-loss assignments of benefits in property insurance. Staff and the prime sponsor described the practice as allowing contractors to step into the policyholder’s shoes and potentially take control of claims, litigation, and settlement, often to the consumer’s detriment. The Office of the Insurance Commissioner, the Washington State Association for Justice, PEMCO, and the National Insurance Crime Bureau all supported the bill, emphasizing consumer vulnerability after disasters and the risk of fraud or inflated claims. Members asked about steering by adjusters, alternative ways for homeowners to authorize others to help with claims, and the $50,000 per-violation penalty, which would go to the general fund. House Bill 2087 would enact a Washington Travel Insurance Act based on the NAIC model, creating a more detailed statutory framework for travel insurance licensing, travel retailers, travel administrators, disclosures, and prohibited sales practices. The sponsor and industry witnesses said the bill would expand consumer choice and standardize rules, while the Office of the Insurance Commissioner supported the compromise language but raised a remaining concern about claims being adjusted by unlicensed adjusters. The Attorney General’s Office testified that the bill should not be read to supersede Washington’s anti-discrimination and consumer protection laws, and the sponsor said amendments were being worked on to address that concern. In the work session, OIC and Department of Natural Resources staff presented the wildfire mitigation and resiliency work group report. They said the group reached consensus on several areas, including the importance of community-level mitigation, better data sharing, improved transparency around wildfire-related nonrenewals and cancellations, and a voluntary grant program to help homeowners retrofit to IBHS wildfire-prepared standards. Members asked about leadership for the recommendations, overlap with existing programs, privacy concerns in data sharing, and how the proposals would fit with broader statewide wildfire planning. The committee also received a briefing on flood insurance markets and claims after the December atmospheric flooding event, with staff noting that private flood policies generally offer broader coverage than the federal NFIP, and that Washington had seen about 700 federal claims and roughly $18 million paid out so far.

Transcript Highlights:

• So more lenders, it makes it easier for lenders to lend against modular projects.
• So more lenders, it makes it easier for lenders to lend against modular projects.
• Our barriers to scaling modular are, I think, the biggest is that construction lending doesn't fit modular
• It falls more like under asset-based lending, a pretty risky part of the business based on what your

Transcript Highlights:

• So, for more lenders, it makes it easier for lenders to lend against modular projects.
• So more lenders, it makes it easier for lenders to lend against modular projects.
• Our barriers to scaling modular are, I think, the biggest is that the construction lending doesn't fit
• It falls more like under asset-based lending, a pretty risky part of the business based on what your

Summary: The committee held its second hearing on housing construction innovation, focusing on factory-built and modular housing as a way to lower costs, speed delivery, and expand housing supply. The chair framed the effort as a search for practical innovation paired with land use, financing, and regulatory changes that could make housing more affordable for working families. Government witnesses from HCD, the Strategic Growth Council, and the tax credit and bond allocation agencies explained how factory-built housing is regulated, how California standards and third-party approvals work, and how state programs are trying to build regional demand and financing pipelines for modular production. Testimony from investors and developers emphasized both the promise and the risks of modular construction. JP Morgan Chase and the Housing Accelerator Fund described projects that achieved meaningful time and cost savings, but said lenders still see elevated risk because of manufacturer solvency, upfront deposits, transportation and installation issues, and the need for standardized designs and experienced teams. They urged more standardization, more local factories, better alignment between financing timelines and construction schedules, and state support such as backstops, top-loss capital, and scoring preferences in tax credit and bond programs. Several speakers noted that recent federal changes to the 4% tax credit program increased production capacity, but warned that without continued state investment the pipeline could face a future funding cliff. The workforce panel, including union contractors, factory supervisors, and labor representatives, said modular construction can support good jobs if it is paired with union labor, training, and fair standards. They described benefits for workers such as steadier schedules, less commuting, improved safety, and better work-life balance, while also stressing the need for wages, health coverage, retirement benefits, and apprenticeship opportunities. Union representatives supported a model that keeps both factory and on-site work unionized and said the industry could create more jobs overall if California builds more factories and develops a stable, long-term demand pipeline. No formal votes or actions were taken during the hearing.

Transcript Highlights:

• It's about stepping up when others step back, about lending a hand when it's needed most.
• It's about stepping up when others step back, about lending a hand when it's needed most.
• > uh</c><04:22:08.960><c> predatory</c><04:22:09.439><c> lending</c> Bel and Road uh predatory lending
• </c><04:23:14.479><c> standards</c> and aderes to The Lending standards and aderes to The Lending standards
• Most notably, this currency basket influences the IMF lending rate.

Bills: HR736 , HR692 , HR965 , HR975 , HR386 , HR224

Keywords: diaper need, infant health, family well-being, basic needs, public health, childcare, September 11, terrorist attacks, education, curriculum, first responders, national security, temporary protected status, Haiti, immigration, refugees, quorum, House of Representatives, business proceeding, legislative procedure

Transcript Highlights:

• Throughout his career, he was known for his selflessness, leadership, and willingness to always lend
• the extra mile for his brothers and sisters in the fire service, always willing to help mentor or lend
• P.J. was a friend who never hesitated to lend a hand.

Transcript Highlights:

• Not sure if Representative Keithley's bill includes all those ways, but one way is lending.
• Not sure if Representative Keithley's bill includes all those ways, but one way is lending.
• So when I mentioned the lending earlier, you're using your Bitcoin on hand as collateral in order to

Committees: House Commerce , House Commerce, Consumer Protection, Energy and the Environment

Transcript Highlights:

• It was the legislature's intent to stimulate the lending institutions that were community, defined as
• It was the legislature's intent to stimulate the lending institutions that were community, defined as
• Lending institutions that were community, defined as community banks.

Summary: House Finance held a bill briefing and executive session on a large set of tax and revenue measures, with staff outlining proposed substitutes and amendments for bills affecting grocery store incentives, insurance premium/B&O tax treatment, tobacco taxes, financial institutions, lodging taxes, fire district levy rules, local tax increment financing, limited equity cooperatives, tourism assessments, and sustainable aviation fuel credits. Members also heard brief summaries of bills on nonprofit assembly hall property tax exemptions and a city levy adjustment related to fire protection districts. Two bills scheduled for public hearing were not reached and may be rescheduled after House of Origin cutoff. In executive session, the committee adopted or rejected several amendments before voting bills out. HB 2297 on grocery stores in underserved communities advanced after the committee rejected an amendment to remove the property tax exemption; the bill was reported out 9-5-1. HB 2487 on insurance tax treatment advanced after the committee rejected an amendment to remove retroactivity and clarify annuity treatment; it was reported out 8-6-1. HB 2382, which raises cigarette and other tobacco taxes and changes tobacco tax structures, adopted amendments redirecting some revenue to health accounts, excluding nicotine-free vapor products, and restoring current-law treatment for modified-risk tobacco products before passing 8-6-1. HB 2451 on tax increment financing, HB 2590 on limited equity cooperatives, HB 2325 on a tourism self-supported assessment program with a tribal opt-in amendment, HB 2278 extending a lodging tax charge, HB 2224 adjusting levy rules for fire protection districts, and HB 2322 on sustainable aviation fuel tax credits all advanced, with some by voice vote. During debate, supporters generally framed the bills as targeted incentives or clarifications to support food access, wildfire mitigation, tourism promotion, housing affordability, or clean fuel investment, while opponents raised concerns about tax shifts, affordability, retroactivity, and whether dedicated revenues should instead come from the general fund. Several members noted that some measures still needed further work before floor action, especially HB 2487 and HB 2382. The committee adjourned after reporting the listed bills out with due pass recommendations.

Transcript Highlights:

• not only single-family Why Housing New Mexico has used taxable bonds for some of its single-family lending
• Banks, especially in terms of their lending, I think some of For example, the issue of privatization
• are a lot of issues I believe we holding, and Izzy may have to answer this: Are we using stronger lending

Committee: House Mortgage Finance Authority Act Oversight Committee

Transcript Highlights:

• And by that, I mean, do we have new money to lend?
• We are now starting to lend to land grants and some other smaller communities that don't have access
• So in the last couple of years, our lending staff, which we've been increasing in size, are the faces

Committee: House House Rural Development, Land Grants And Cultural Affairs

Transcript Highlights:

• Currently, VIDA lends on commercial projects and now would be able to lend on residential.
• Currently, VIDA lends on arena.
• Currently, VIDA lends on commercial<02:06:49.600><c> projects</c><02:06:50.280><c> and</c><02:06:50.520
• </c><02:06:53.840><c> And</c> able to lend on residential. And able to lend on residential.
• </c><02:21:06.120><c> capacity</c><02:21:06.840><c> in</c> in expanded lending capacity in in expanded

Transcript Highlights:

• If you're purchasing a home, we oversee mortgage lending in the state.
• If you're purchasing a home, we oversee mortgage lending in the state.
• in the state we oversee mortgage lending in the state we also<00:04:56.800><c> see</c><00:04:57.240>
• </c> that's real estate um mortgage lending that's real estate um mortgage lending is<00:14:33.399><c
• </c> like it's not the same as payday lending like it's not the same as payday lending um<01:07:35.680

Committee: House Commerce Finance and Policy

Transcript Highlights:

• Third question is about predatory lending, and this is for, I don't know, DTC.
• We thought you were going, you were talking about lending. I meant suppliers.
• Third question is about predatory lending, and this is for, I don't know, DTC.
• We're going to do some things we hope in legislation. things to try to stop the predatory lending.
• We thought you were going, you were talking about lending. I meant suppliers.

Committee: Joint Joint Committee on Ways and Means

Summary: The Joint Committee on Ways and Means held a public FY27 budget hearing at Barnstable Town Hall, with opening remarks emphasizing the Cape and Islands’ seasonal infrastructure, housing, transportation, workforce, and digital needs. The hearing began with testimony from the Executive Office of Labor and Workforce Development, which outlined the Healey-Driscoll administration’s budget priorities for job training, apprenticeship, youth employment, reentry programs, and unemployment insurance modernization. The secretary highlighted proposed funding for the Workforce Competitiveness Trust Fund, Career Technical Initiative, YouthWorks, reentry workforce development, and services for young adults with disabilities, along with a proposal to streamline youth work permits. Members also discussed the unemployment trust fund, the COVID assessment on employers, rising unemployment, and the need to improve DUA customer service and claims processing. Committee members asked about job seeker barriers such as child care, housing, transportation, and out-migration of young workers, as well as how to keep Cape Cod graduates and seasonal workers in the region. The administration said its strategy is to pair training with broader affordability investments and to expose students to career pathways earlier, including through middle school, early childhood STEM, YouthWorks, pre-apprenticeships, and Building Pathways. Senators and representatives also raised concerns about regional funding disparities, especially for Hampshire Franklin MassHire, and the administration said it is reviewing MassHire funding and service equity through a policy committee and statewide workforce board. On unemployment assistance, officials reported major improvements in wait times and claims processing, but said they are still working through backlogs and staffing challenges while maintaining program integrity. The committee then heard testimony from the Executive Office of Economic Development. The secretary described House 2 as a fiscally restrained budget with no new taxes or fees, while preserving core programs and using the Mass Leads Act tools to support competitiveness. EOED’s proposal included funding for the Community One Stop for Growth, rural economic development, social enterprise operating grants, regional economic development organizations, the Workforce Investment Trust Fund, Community Workforce Partnerships, Pathmaker, advanced manufacturing training, life sciences, innovation vouchers, AI initiatives, small business assistance, and tourism and live theater support. The Office of Consumer Affairs and Business Regulation also testified on its FY27 request, focusing on consumer protection, licensing, banking, insurance, and public safety regulation. No votes were taken during the hearing.