Transcript Highlights:

• House Floor Amendment 1 is mostly my DNA bill as in House Bill 414, with one substantial change.
• amendment number one is House floor amendment number one is mostly<00:44:16.920> my<00:44:17.160> DNA
• > in<00:44:18.400> House<00:44:18.640> Bill<00:44:18.840> 414 mostly my DNA
• bill as in House Bill 414 mostly my DNA bill as in House Bill 414 with<00:44:20.600> one<00:44

Bills: SB141, SB124, SB56, SJR116, SB94, SB37, SB127, SB197, SB66, SB70, SB133, SB160, SB214, SB312, SB52, SJR62, SJR75

Keywords: legal advertisements, tax rates, public hearings, transparency, local government, sick leave, education, teacher retirement, benefits, employee compensation, Medicaid, nonopioid analgesics, pain management, health care regulation, utilization controls, physician shortage, health care access, medically underserved areas, medical education, workforce development

Transcript Highlights:

• a big problem because the Olympics, that was a new discovery, and even today the man who discovered DNA
• <02:21:33.280> man<02:21:33.439> who<02:21:33.680> discovered<02:21:34.080> DNA
• even today the man who discovered DNA even today the man who discovered DNA just<02:21:34.880>

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Summary: The committee first recessed for a subcommittee meeting on HB 313, which concerned an open-meetings-related issue. In the subcommittee, members discussed concerns that the bill might be unnecessary because current law already allows a person to request an open meeting in advance; the subcommittee then voted ITL on HB 313 by voice vote and closed its work session. The full Judiciary Committee then reconvened and took up CACR 6, the proposed constitutional amendment on a “right to compute,” with members debating whether the language was too broad and could create unintended consequences. Supporters framed it as a forward-looking protection for computation resources and strong encryption, while opponents said it was too open-ended and better addressed by future legislation. The committee voted ITL on CACR 6 by a 17-0 roll call. The committee next turned to HB 232, as amended, concerning the rights of conscience for medical professionals. The amendment narrowed the bill to abortion-related objections, removed sterilization and artificial contraception, aligned the abortion definition with existing state law, and reduced damages from treble damages to actual damages. Supporters said the bill would protect conscience rights, give physicians and patients more choice, and could help attract providers to New Hampshire. Opponents argued it was overly broad, unclear in key definitions, and could interfere with employers’ ability to assign staff, especially in rural health settings. Members also raised concerns about the bill’s scope and enforcement, including the broad definition of “participate,” the lack of clarity around exceptions for providers whose services include abortion as a “major part,” emergency determinations, and the inclusion of nursing homes in the definition of health care institution. Some members argued the bill singled out abortion while other controversial medical procedures were not treated similarly, and others criticized the minimum-damages provision as potentially punitive and designed to deter participation. The discussion continued without a final vote shown in the transcript excerpt.

Transcript Highlights:

• During the interim, I have been working on looking at the role of guardian ad litem in DNA cases, TPR
• . at the role of guardian at light items at the role of guardian at light items in<00:51:57.920> DNA
• :59.599> um<00:51:59.839> TPR<00:52:00.480> cases<00:52:01.680> also in DNA
• cases um TPR cases also in DNA cases um TPR cases also guardianship<00:52:02.800> cases.

Keywords: 1. Call to Order and Roll Call – 00:00:24 2. Discussion of The Center for Courageous Kids – 00:02:46 3. Discussion of Adult Protective Services and State Guardianship Programs – 00:25:22 4. Discussion of Annual Report of the External Child Fatality and Near Fatality Review Panel – 01:00:34 5. Consideration of Referred Administrative Regulations – 01:33:41 6. Adjournment – 01:42:07, 958, all

Summary: The committee’s first interim meeting opened with roll call and a reminder that Kentucky had 8,641 children in out-of-home care with active placements as of June 1, 2025. The first presentation was from the Center for Courageous Kids (CCK), a donor-funded camp in Scottsville that serves children with lifelong illnesses and disabilities at no charge. Representatives described the camp’s history, its year-round family retreats and summer sessions, its medical and accessibility supports, and its impact on campers’ confidence and independence. They said CCK has served more than 43,000 campers from 46 states and 13 countries, including 22,000 from Kentucky, and noted plans to reach all 120 Kentucky counties. CCK also outlined future capital needs: a new art barn and a medical lodge. The organization said the art barn project would cost $2.5 million, with a legislative request of $1.5 million, and the medical lodge would cost $2.875 million, with a legislative request of $1.75 million. Members responded very positively, with several praising the camp’s work and one member asking about operational challenges. CCK said its main challenges are awareness, staff and volunteer recruitment, and expanding medical and housing capacity; it also said it is accredited by the American Camp Association and receives health and safety visits and audits. The committee then moved to a presentation on adult protective services and state guardianship programs from Jessica Wayne and Cliff Bryant of DCBS. They explained the legal framework for guardianship, the difference between full and limited guardianship/conservatorship, emergency appointments, and the state’s role as a last-resort guardian when no family member or private entity is available. They reported 4,464 individuals under state guardianship as of June 1, with most cases involving dementia, developmental disability, intellectual disability, nursing home or long-term care placement, severe mental illness, or brain injury. They also said the division has 89 field workers across 14 regional offices, with an average caseload of 52 and a goal of reducing that into the mid-40s through additional hiring.

Transcript Highlights:

• How, without no DNA, no recognition of what this means?
• <00:08:08.639> how<00:08:09.000> without<00:08:09.240> no<00:08:09.479> DNA
• <00:08:10.000> no you say that how without no DNA no you say that how without no DNA no recognition

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• You know, any DNA, any video information.
• <00:52:28.680> You<00:52:28.760> know,<00:52:28.920> any<00:52:29.200> DNA
• You know, any DNA, any forth witnesses.
• You know, any DNA, any video video video uh<00:52:34.080> uh<00:52:34.280> information.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• 03:50.599> um<01:03:51.000> right Our county facilities all have the fingerprints and DNA
• 02.079> and facilities all have the fingerprints and facilities all have the fingerprints and DNA
• 05:03.119> state<01:05:03.400> and<01:05:03.559> the<01:05:03.720> state DNA
• of the state and the state DNA of the state and the state legislator<01:05:04.839> support<01

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• So, I know that in a sample of these students, something like a quarter of them didn't meet the residency
• So, I know that in a sample of these students, something like a quarter of them didn't meet the residency
• So, I know that in a sample of these students, something like a quarter of them didn't meet the residency
• <00:23:20.600> sampling<00:23:21.000> and<00:23:21.080> then randomized sample
• sampling and then randomized sample sampling and then provide<00:23:21.600> you<00:23:21.800>

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Summary: The committee received an update from the LBA on three audits related to education programs. Christine Young reported that the special education audit is in report-writing, with 44 of 81 observations completed, and that a draft is expected early in the third quarter with a final report later in the summer. She also said the doorway program audit has a draft report with 12 observations, auditee responses were received May 14, an exit conference was held May 18, and the report is now expected to be presented at the June fiscal committee meeting. The bulk of the discussion focused on the education freedom accounts audit and a proposed expansion of scope. Beulah Skids explained that the original audit, required by the 2022 law creating the EFA program, would be expanded to examine whether students were New Hampshire residents at enrollment and throughout participation, and whether records of educational attainment satisfied program requirements. She described the current work, the draft cooperation agreement being developed with the Department of Education and the Children’s Scholarship Fund, and the department’s concerns about the audit period and the term "educational progress," which the LBA said it would revise. The committee discussed that the expanded work would depend on a written agreement giving the LBA access to needed records, policies, and staff, with the Department of Education potentially serving as an intermediary for data access. Members raised concerns about the scope period and data access. Senator Lang asked that the residency review be limited to the 2024-25 and 2025-26 school years, rather than the broader 2022-25 period, because those years captured the major program expansions; the committee appeared to agree, with clarification that the reference was to school years, not fiscal years. Members also discussed reconciliation of EFA funds, noting that the department has agreed to reopen rulemaking to make reconciliation more frequent so unused funds can be returned to the state sooner. Several members expressed frustration that access to data had been delayed, while LBA staff said the cooperation agreement is intended to prevent further roadblocks and that the AG’s office could review it if needed.

Transcript Highlights:

• > a<00:07:21.360> hundred Groundwater samples at over a hundred Groundwater samples at
• where sampling was conducted. where sampling was conducted.
• <00:32:17.279> You uh sample data that's put in there.
• You uh sample data that's put in there.
• Um, but my understanding is the cost of a sample is fairly significant.

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• So you'll take a water sample, and sometimes you'll find lead in that particular water sample, and then
• I had my son, now a fifth grader, bring me a sample so I could show you today.
• These are alarming data, and they're based on small samples, but they're not likely to get better.
• In this sample set, I've brought some diagrams here.
• I myself have performed this groundwater sampling for a commercial sand mine in New Jersey.

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The hearing covered a broad set of environmental and water-related bills, with much of the testimony focused on blue economy and circular economy proposals, drought management, drinking water safety, flood resilience, and water infrastructure funding. Supporters of bills such as H. 987 and H. 988 described grant programs for blue economy workforce development, research, small businesses, and public education about a circular economy. Other speakers backed measures on coastal erosion research, recreational boating dredging, cranberry water-right transfers, sand mining oversight, and a voucher program for home water filtration in PFAS-impacted communities. Several elected officials and advocates also urged passage of bills to require private well testing, improve school drinking water safety, and address sand mining pollution and PFAS contamination. Water supply and drought issues drew extensive testimony. Senator Eldridge and others supported legislation to let the state, through DEP and the drought management task force, impose regional water-use restrictions during droughts and make the task force permanent in statute. Advocates from watershed groups, farms, and environmental organizations said the current town-by-town approach is inconsistent and ineffective, and they described drought impacts on rivers, farms, private wells, and wildfire risk. A related bill on private wells was supported as a way to help homeowners test and remediate contaminated wells, especially in rural areas without public water. The committee also heard testimony on a bill to allow the Lynnfield Water District to join the MWRA, with local officials saying the move would help address PFAS and other contamination and improve supply reliability. Another major panel supported a water infrastructure funding bill, arguing that aging drinking water, wastewater, and stormwater systems need major new investment, including support for PFAS treatment, sewer rate relief, biosolids research, and regional interconnections. Members asked about costs, funding sources, and the relationship to existing revolving loan funds; witnesses said the bill would need to be paired with future bond funding and new revenue ideas. No votes were taken during the hearing, and the chairs repeatedly invited written testimony and noted the large number of speakers.

Transcript Highlights:

• Within this research and stuff, one of the challenges I've had with was testing: soil sample, pest sample
• Within this research and stuff, one of the challenges I've had with was testing: soil sample, pest sample
• <00:20:20.120> pest yeah soil sample pest yeah soil sample pest sample<00:20:22.679> you
• you you looking at incorporating sample you you looking at incorporating that<00:20:24.880> into<
• or what my soil sample does I can<00:21:10.080> wipe<00:21:10.279> out<00:21:10.440>

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Summary: The joint Committee on Higher Education and Agriculture heard Senate Bill 1158, which would authorize general obligation bonds and appropriations for a controlled environment agriculture research and demonstration facility at the Magoon Research and Teaching Site in Manoa. Testimony was overwhelmingly supportive from the University of Hawaiʻi, Department of Agriculture, Farm Bureau, Maui County, MetroGrow Hawaiʻi, and other agricultural groups, who said the project would strengthen food resilience, support year-round production, create clean jobs, and provide a demonstration site for urban vertical farming. University representatives said the project would include demolition of an existing condemned building, a research and lab component, and a multistory vertical farm, with an estimated cost of $6 million and a projected two-year build time. Members questioned whether Manoa was the best location, whether the project fit the university’s broader strategy, and whether the request would displace other priorities. The University said the site is tied to SEAR activities, close to students and faculty, and intended to support hands-on training and commercial-scale production. In response to concerns about soil testing and stakeholder needs, the University said it would restart the soil testing lab using internal funds, though not as part of this bill, and would request additional staff for efficiency. The committee then recessed and later reconvened in decision-making, where the chairs recommended and the committee adopted amendments to SB 1158, including a name correction and deferral to July 31, 2050, and the bill passed with amendments. The committee then took up Senate Bill 663, relating to the University of Hawaiʻi College of Tropical Agriculture and Human Resources and SEAR research and experiment stations. The University testified that the stations are important for locally relevant agricultural research but are short staffed, with 34 positions down since 2005, and that the bill requests eight new positions, including agricultural technicians and four county community coordinator positions, to improve station operations, community engagement, and workforce development. The Farm Bureau supported the measure, saying the positions are needed to revamp extension services and that Manoa is an appropriate urban location for the vertical farming component. Members questioned why vacant or existing positions could not be used instead of new ones, and the University explained that some listed vacancies reflected old federally funded positions or inaccurate counts, promised a written update, and said it was working to fill current openings. No final vote on SB 663 was reached in the portion provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• And then, Madam Chair, of the items that would be prohibited, could you give us a sample of what they
• And then, Madam Chair, of the items that would be prohibited, could you give us a sample of what they
• you<00:08:03.440> give<00:08:03.800> us<00:08:03.960> a<00:08:04.040> sample
• ><00:08:04.480> of<00:08:04.600> what<00:08:04.760> they could you give us a sample
• of what they could you give us a sample of what they were?

Keywords: 919, house, all

Summary: The Advisory Committee on Capitol Area Security met on April 20, 2026, with a quorum present and adopted the January 13, 2026 minutes. The chair thanked the State Patrol, sergeants-at-arms, and capital security officers for their work during the session, and noted that the committee’s earlier recommendations were reflected in Governor’s Executive Order 2602, including weapon screening at the State Capitol. The chair also said the committee’s annual report included recommendations for bonding, policy, and budget changes, and expressed hope the legislature would act on them. Department of Public Safety and State Patrol officials reported that implementation of weapon screening had gone well overall and said they were continuing to gather feedback for improvements. Colonel Bogayevich said that since the start of session, 121,598 people had been screened at the Capitol’s entrances, 548 permits were verified, and 52 prohibited items were turned away. Examples of prohibited items included knives, a camping/marshmallow skewer, and a screwdriver; no firearms were found in the Capitol building. She also said the busiest day produced a wait of about 15 to 17 minutes, and that staffing was adjusted to handle larger groups such as school tours. The Senate Sergeant-at-Arms reported that 49,277 people had come through Senate screening as of the previous Friday, including 196 concealed carry permits, and that 2,359 people had entered the West Gallery to observe Senate proceedings. He also said some Senate building access doors had been reduced to direct traffic and that an audit of key card access had begun. The House Deputy Chief Sergeant-at-Arms reported about 1,400 people had been screened for the House gallery, and noted that an NCSL visitor from Oregon would shadow House security staff to learn from Minnesota’s approach. Members from both bodies praised the professionalism of security staff and said the added trooper presence made members and the public feel safer. No members of the public signed up to testify, so the public comment period closed without testimony. The meeting adjourned after the chair reiterated that the goal of the security measures was to allow visitors, members, and public servants to participate safely.

Transcript Highlights:

• said there will be targeted scope monitoring reviews, including case file reviews and expenditure sample
• We don’t sample the cases for a month until that month is complete.
• And then once we get the sample, the quality control team has 90 days to complete those reviews for that
• So those are our top three in the federal QC sampling that we have to date.
• So we, well, we do, if we select a case out of the sample and it turns out to be an error, we document

Keywords: 1204, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Dne Wiggington and a geomicrobiologist using a flying laboratory to take air samples above, within, and
• below the trails found their analyzed samples to contain mostly aluminum.
• a flying laboratory to take air samples a flying laboratory to take air samples above,<00:46:26.400
• <00:46:30.079> to<00:46:30.319> contain found their analyzed samples to contain found
• their analyzed samples to contain mostly<00:46:30.960> aluminum.

Bills: SB174, SB39, SB40, SB206, SB200, HB169, HB345, HB381, HB25

Keywords: business taxes, annual reports, Alabama Tax Tribunal, tax appeals, local government, board governance, occupational licensing, Sunset Law, public accountability, training requirements, SB40, Houston/Hunter Act, firearm hold agreement, gun storage, temporary firearm storage, firearms dealer, federal firearms licensee, FFL, civil immunity, gun owner

Transcript Highlights:

• So we have concerns about sample size.
• So the smaller your sample, the less confidence you have in that information.
• unit effort data with a sample size of 15 people.
• with a sample size of 600 and and catch with a sample size of 600 and and catch per<00:30:47.440>
• <00:30:48.960> size per unit effort data with a sample size per unit effort data with a sample

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The committee first handled routine business, approving the consent calendar and the minutes. It then took up a Department of Employment Security rule, 24193, where the only issue was that a form had not been incorporated by reference. The department submitted an oral conditional approval request with revised language, and the committee approved the rule conditionally. A second Employment Security rule, 195, raised concerns that the notice language was too broad and vague and could amount to oral rulemaking; because the agency had not yet finalized revised language, the committee granted a one-month waiver so the rule could return next month with a conditional approval proposal. The Department of Safety’s contact person notification program rule, 24237, drew comments about Social Security number collection, unclear drafting on one section, and ambiguity about which application needed a signature. The agency agreed to remove Social Security number references from the rules and forms and to adopt the suggested clarifying language with minor edits. After discussion about why the identifiers were needed, the committee approved the rule conditionally with the oral changes. The committee then moved a previously consent-calendar item, OPLC rule 2547, off consent after Representative Maguire objected that the renewal application form was too health-care-focused and user-unfriendly for other professions; the agency said it would revisit the form, and the committee postponed action until next month without needing a waiver. The final major item was Fish and Game’s HB 2548, which changes licensing and permit rules for taking deer, bear, moose, turkey, and furbearing animals. Staff noted extensive public testimony, including a coalition submission, and said the main dispute was over what data the agency should rely on in setting seasons and take limits. Fish and Game explained that declining trapper participation made capture-per-unit-effort data less reliable, so it also uses hunter surveys and UNH research projects funded in part by federal money; the agency said current trapping removals are very low and do not appear to threaten populations. Committee members and public witnesses questioned whether the agency’s responses to comments were sufficiently specific under the new public-comment law, but no final vote on the Fish and Game rule was taken in the portion provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• legislature did provide a special appropriation of $5.7 million so that the DPS lab could outsource those DNA
• ... ...so that the DPS lab could outsource those DNA kits that can be processed out of state because

Bills: SB246, SB146, SB300, SB301, SB309, SM17

Keywords: massage therapy, licensure, health and safety standards, continuing education, establishment licensing, civil rights, sovereign immunity, damages, public body, lawsuit limitations, legal notice, child welfare, computing infrastructure, data management, Department of Health, appropriation, foster care, Indian children, cultural competency, training services

Transcript Highlights:

• SB 2460 by Creighton relates to rapid DNA analysis performed by certain law enforcement agencies on certain
• DNA databases, which is before the Committee on Homeland Security, Public Safety, and Veterans Affairs

Bills: HB2293, HB2694, HB2999, HB3694, HB3254, HB4662, HB5629, HB5632, HB5675, HB5664, HB5671, HB5680, HB5682, HB5693, HB4158, HB5695, HB4669, HB5696, HB5698, HB5677, HB5699, HB5694, HCR81, HCR83, HCR84, HCR89, HCR111, HCR142, HR868, SB682, SB1351, SB1895, SB1931, SB2141, SB3044, SCR1, SCR6, SCR37, SB458, SB482, SB927, SB984, SB651, SB1620, SB2124, SB2448, SB841, SB843, SB402, SB2662, SB2053, SB2332, SB2112, SB745, SB1247, SB1789, HB75, HB5354, HB4683, HB4847, HB1449, HB3833, HB265, HB1845, HB 108, HB1960, HB1955, HB2512, HB2581, HB2803, HB1738, HB636, HB2638, HB2655, HB871, HB 1107, HB1765, HB1822, HB3679, HB4099, HB3732, HB3171, HB3749, HB2814, HB3977, HB4204, HB4207, HB4449, HB1820, HB1876, HB1939, HB1347, HB2593, HB2136, HB2658, HB2757, HB2080, HB3063, HB3006, HB2844, HB3241, HB3680, HB3169, HB2078, HB2507, HB4559, HB3405, HB475, HB3463, HB3441, HB3520, HB3178, HB158, HB2060, HB4991, HB1991, HB5596, HB2014, HB2731, HB2417, HB2399, HB2301, HB3335, HB3234, HB3320, HB4848, HB4748, HB4769, HB4795, HB2086, HB2234, HB4916, HB5624, HB4505, HB5093, HB5302, HB5402, HB5606, HB4630, HB4924, HB3339, HB3793, HB3631, HB4882, HB5509, HB5499, HB5520, SB1177, SB1559, SB746, SB434, SB1383, SB1214, SB1079, SB3031, SB2141, SB2185, SB1895, SB1241, SB901, SB1883, SB552, HB 1249, HJR218, HB5623, SB687, SB1332, SB458, SB482, SB927, SB984, SB651, SB1620, SB2124, SB2448, SB841, SB843, SB402, SB2662, SB2053, SB2332, SB2112, SB745, SB1247, SB1789, HCR76, HCR127, HCR9, HCR40, HCR118, HR559, HCR59, HCR135, HCR141, HCR46, HCR109, HCR10, SB3037

Keywords: Sweeny Hospital District, board of directors, local governance, elections, healthcare administration, Brazoria Drainage District, commissioners, vacancies, resignation, hydrogen vehicles, weight limitations, transportation, environmental impact, clean energy, deep fake, intimate depictions, consent, digital media, criminal penalties, State Board of Education

Transcript Highlights:

• pretty telling that so many folks are confused about biology and what it means through the course of DNA
• pretty telling that so many folks are confused about biology and what it means through the course of DNA

Keywords: 919, house, all

Summary: House File 435 was taken up with an author's amendment that added a definition of “female,” “woman,” and “girl” based on biological sex. The committee debated the amendment at length, with supporters saying it was needed for clarity and opponents arguing it was unscientific, dehumanizing, and imported from outside model legislation. The amendment was adopted, and the bill was laid over because no fiscal note had yet been received. As amended, HF 435 would require the commissioner of Corrections to house only biological females at the Minnesota Correctional Facility in Shakopee and to transfer any nonbiological females out within seven days of enactment. Chair Franson described it as a common-sense women’s rights and human rights bill intended to protect incarcerated women. Alicia Beckman, a former Shakopee GED teacher, testified in support, saying the current policy had allowed biological males with violent histories into the facility and created fear, retraumatization, and safety concerns for staff and inmates. Several testifiers opposed the bill. Deva Guy, Lucy Ailia G., Reverend Dr. Justin Saia Tannis, and Jess Braverman argued that the bill would endanger transgender women, scapegoat a vulnerable minority, and conflict with research, the Prison Rape Elimination Act, and constitutional protections. They urged the committee to focus instead on broader prison conditions and safety issues. Committee members also questioned Department of Corrections Commissioner Paul Schnell about the placement process; he explained that transgender placements are reviewed through a multi-step process involving behavioral health and medical staff, a gender identity committee, and final review by the deputy commissioner and commissioner. He said 49 people systemwide have identified as transgender. The discussion ended with the bill laid over and the chair noting that a constitutional challenge would likely follow if the bill became law.

Transcript Highlights:

• So we have a great sample. NDSA and ACT, high school only, obviously.
• Any questions with sample size or anything that we've covered thus far? Okay.
• So we have a great sample. NDSA and ACT, high school only, obviously.
• Any questions with sample size or anything that we've covered thus far? Okay.
• So just we get a few more samples.

Keywords: 908, all

Transcript Highlights:

• 2021, a private company convinced the legislature to distribute their custom child fingerprint and DNA
• By being able to get a sampling of domestic violence high-risk teams, law enforcement, and people from

Bills: HB1455, HB1777, HB2101, HB2136, HB2609, HB3142, HB3552, HB3846, HB4155, HB4514, HB4879, HB4995, HB5014, HB5139, HB5228, HB5436, HCR40

Keywords: mental health, jail diversion, law enforcement, reporting requirements, criminal justice, data collection, criminal justice reform, intellectual disability, mental illness, data reporting, public safety, reporting, substance abuse, sex offender, driver's license, identification, gunshot detection, unreported gunshots, municipal police, crime investigation

Summary: The committee met with a quorum and heard several bills, generally leaving them pending after testimony. HB 4995 would create a training/certification program allowing licensed physicians and certain EMS personnel assigned to tactical units to carry firearms during high-risk deployments, with supporters saying it would protect tactical medical staff and improve emergency care; the committee substitute was withdrawn and the bill left pending. HB 2609 would repeal the OmniBase/failure-to-appear-or-pay license hold program; the author and supporters argued it unfairly compounds debt and traps drivers in noncompliance, while judges and municipal court representatives said it is an effective, voluntary tool that prompts court appearances and reduces warrants. HB 4879 would create a grant program to help local law enforcement pay for lab testing of suspected hemp/THC substances, and HB 5436 would allow licensed auto recyclers to purchase certain untitled vehicles for scrap or parts to curb illegal sales, VIN cloning, and chop shop activity; both bills drew supportive testimony and were left pending. The committee also heard HB 1777, which would place a discrete sex-offender designation on driver’s licenses and state IDs for registrants under Chapter 62. The author said the marker would help law enforcement and businesses quickly identify potentially dangerous offenders and cited other states and research in support, while opponents argued it would function as a scarlet letter, increase harassment, and punish people who are already complying with the law. HB 4155 would create a Family Violence Criminal Homicide Prevention Task Force in the Governor’s Office to study risk factors, coordinate agencies, and recommend policy changes; the author, HHSC, TCFV, and a survivor testified in support, emphasizing the number of family violence homicides and the need for coordinated, data-driven prevention, and the bill was left pending. Finally, HB 4514 would authorize DPS to use facial image verification, with consent and confidentiality protections, to help businesses verify identities and combat fraud. Supporters from the lumber and identity-verification industries said it would reduce losses from fake IDs and organized theft, while the author stressed privacy safeguards and limited, consent-based use. The committee substitute was withdrawn and the bill was left pending.

Transcript Highlights:

• Uh, I would like to acknowledge the sample supports group who are here on the floor from my today.
• Uh, I would like to acknowledge<00:35:31.760> the<00:35:32.000> sample<00:35:32.480>
• supports<00:35:32.960> group acknowledge the sample supports group acknowledge the sample

Keywords: 981, all

Summary: The Senate convened with a quorum, approved the January 27, 2026 journal as corrected, and noted several roll-call corrections. A committee report from State Veterans and Military Affairs recommended Senate Bill 4 be amended and sent to the Committee of the Whole with a favorable recommendation. The president also announced signing of Senate bills and Senate Joint Resolution 5. The bulk of the meeting consisted of announcements and recognitions. Senators highlighted visits from the Colorado Council of 911 Authorities, Colorado Mesa University, CASE members, physical therapists and students, Rooted Christian Academy, the state community college system, a sportsmen’s legislative reception, and an open house for National Unclaimed Property Day. Senator Carson recognized Mountain Vista High School students who created a financial literacy curriculum and app to teach budgeting, banking, credit, interest, and debt, tying their work to last year’s financial literacy legislation. Committee scheduling announcements included the Joint Health and Human Services Committee meeting after House adjournment with the Joint Budget Committee presenting the governor’s budget, no Judiciary Committee meeting that day, and the Senate Agriculture and Natural Resources Committee’s first meeting to hear confirmations, Senate Joint Resolution 1, and Senate Bill 103. The Senate then recessed until 11:00 a.m. after a motion by the Majority Leader.