Transcript Highlights:

• The first amendment, on page two, the term private entities is defined starting at line four.
• The private entity did not otherwise have the ability to expropriate under existing law.
• The private entity did not otherwise have the ability to expropriate under existing law.
• property to then give it to some sort of private entity, which is not what's happening here.
• Private entity, correct? Rep.

Summary: The House Natural Resources Committee met on House Bill 7 by Speaker Pro Tem Johnson, the Louisiana Landowners Protection Act, which would remove eminent domain authority for carbon capture and geological sequestration projects. After housekeeping and roll call, the committee adopted a set of technical amendments that cleaned up definitions, removed a stray statutory reference, and changed “commissioner” to “secretary.” The author then gave an extended presentation arguing the bill was needed to align Louisiana law with the state constitution’s property-rights protections and recent court rulings, and to ensure carbon capture projects proceed only through voluntary agreements rather than forced takings. Several members questioned the author and supportive witnesses about whether the bill would stop carbon capture, affect oil and gas pipelines, or disrupt investment. The author and supporters said it would not stop projects, only prevent taking land without consent, and argued that landowners—especially small and rural owners—should not face the threat of expropriation. Supportive testimony also emphasized family land, inheritance, and constitutional limits on takings. Some members raised concerns about changing the rules after prior legislative action and about the economic importance of carbon capture, but the author responded that the legislature had made a mistake in 2020 and should correct it now. Opposition testimony came from representatives of the Louisiana Mid-Continent Oil and Gas Association, the Louisiana Chemistry Association, and attorneys who handle right-of-way matters. They argued that eminent domain is a rare last resort, that existing law and the Landowner Bill of Rights already protect owners, and that the Constitution’s provisions for private-entity expropriation are different from the provisions discussed by the bill’s supporters. They warned that removing the tool for carbon capture would chill investment, threaten jobs and revenue, and could spill over into other energy infrastructure. The committee did not reach a final vote on the bill in the portion of the meeting provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• The first amendment, on page two, the term private entities is defined starting at line four.
• The private entity did not otherwise have the ability to expropriate under existing law.
• The private entity did not otherwise have the ability to expropriate under existing law.
• property to then give it to some sort of private entity, which is not what's happening here.
• Private entity, correct? Rep.

Keywords: 965, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Medical devices exclusively from a specific entity.” “From a specific entity.
• Uh uh entities that fit that bill.
• One is imminently these entities.
• </c><05:16:09.040><c> As</c> entities that rely on risk pools. As entities that rely on risk pools.
• </c> to make this this these entities work. to make this this these entities work.

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The committee first heard Senate Bill 47, sponsored by Senator Regina Birdsell at the request of the Insurance Department. The bill would clarify that a birth mother’s health insurance is the primary policy for a newborn’s care unless the mother has no coverage or no employer-sponsored coverage. Birdsell and Insurance Commissioner DJ Benton Court said the measure simply codifies the department’s long-standing interpretation of existing law. Representative Miles asked whether the coverage would extend to a grandchild if a young woman on her parents’ plan had a baby, and Birdsell said it would. The hearing on SB 47 was then closed. The committee next heard Senate Bill 121, introduced by Grant Bosi for Senator Kevin Avard. The bill requires insurers to notify the Insurance Department when they stop writing an entire line of business or, in some cases, when they change Medicare Advantage offerings. Benton Court said the bill was prompted by disruption in the Medicare Advantage market, where consumers and the department were confused by carriers exiting, changing plans, or narrowing offerings. He said the department does not regulate Medicare Advantage itself, but does license the carriers, and the notice requirement would help the department advise consumers; he also said noncompliance could affect a carrier’s license and could lead to fines. Members discussed the notice period, and the department and AHIP indicated support for changing it from 120 days to 90 days to align with federal timing. The hearing was closed with plans to work on an amendment in subcommittee. Finally, the committee heard Senate Bill 247, introduced by Representative Brian Cole, which would prohibit network exclusion for pharmacies that refuse to dispense prescriptions when PBM reimbursement is below acquisition cost. Cole said the bill is meant to stop pharmacies from being forced to sell at a loss. Members questioned whether pharmacies voluntarily enter PBM contracts, whether the bill would raise consumer prices, and whether it would mainly affect independent pharmacies. Cole and others said the issue has changed over time because PBMs now control a much larger share of the market, and that the bill would let pharmacies refuse loss-making fills and direct patients to mail order instead. The discussion also noted that the bill excludes Medicare and Medicaid and that the current proposal does not create a middle-ground option for patients to pay a premium at the counter.

Transcript Highlights:

• So, like many other entities in Arizona, we have stored water underground.
• So we purchase credits that other entities have stored. Other entities have stored.
• In the third column you will see different groups of entities that are listed.
• Purchase water for tribal entities.
• Purchasing is the only way that we can acquire more credits for different entities.

Bills: SB1137, SB1176, SB1287, SB1335, SB1336, SB1445, SB1677

Keywords: underground utilities, utility locating, dig safe, call before you dig, 811, excavation safety, damage prevention, one-call center, locate request, white lining, large project coordination, buried infrastructure, subsurface utilities, utility marking, locator wire, locator strip, interactive positive response system, landlord duties, apartment community, mobile home park

Transcript Highlights:

• So those entities are already dealt with in a very similar manner.
• So those entities are already dealt with in a very similar manner.
• We're here opposed to this bill mainly because of the liability on page six for public entities.
• We're talking about a primary for any entity that wants to put up a candidate. Is that right?
• This is an open, we're talking about primary for any entity that wants to put up a candidate.

Summary: The committee first took up two RS introductions, RS 33088 and RS 32925, both of which were moved and approved without opposition. RS 33088 would add foreign species and foreign silver and gold to domestic language, and RS 32925 is a concurrent resolution concerning the Morse and Knudson Company’s work on Wake Island before and after World War II. RS 33193, dealing with restoring the presidential primary to March, was set aside until later in the meeting. The bulk of the meeting was devoted to House Bill 607, a proposal to require separate restrooms, changing rooms, locker rooms, and showers for biological males and females in government buildings and to extend premises-liability duties to places of public accommodation. The sponsor and supporting testimony argued the bill was about privacy, safety, and dignity, especially for women and girls, and said it would not require ID checks or other burdensome enforcement. Opponents, including transgender residents, clergy, business groups, and advocacy organizations, argued the bill would target identity rather than conduct, invite harassment and scrutiny, create liability for businesses, and harm transgender and intersex people. Business witnesses said the private right of action and “reasonable steps” standard were too vague and could pressure businesses to police restrooms. After closing remarks and questions, the committee voted 9-5 to send HB 607 to the floor with a due pass recommendation. The committee then returned to RS 33193. The sponsor said it would restore the presidential primary in March and keep a $50,000 per-candidate fee to offset costs. A substitute motion to move the primary to coincide with the regular May primary failed 13-1 after debate over cost, party support, and whether the state should fund a separate presidential primary. The original motion to introduce RS 33193 then passed, and the committee adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• , and a public entity may withhold certain information, such as the home address of.
• It can, it depends on, every entity is different.
• entities.
• Public entities, taxpayer entities.
• So there's no we're not regulating these entities.

Bills: HB512, HB2248, HB2679, HB2832, HB3112, HB3368, HB3490, HB3512, HB3623, HB3666, HB3700, HB3711, HB3770, HB3963

Keywords: grievance procedures, state agency, employee rights, workplace regulations, employment law, employees, employment actions, appeal, state employees, workplace rights, disciplinary actions, employment conditions, employment disputes, job protections, public information, transparency, government accountability, information access, notification requirements, federal funding

Transcript Highlights:

• And then regulated entities have to purchase allowances equal to their emissions.
• And then regulated entities have to purchase allowances equal to their emissions, and each year fewer
• So the covered entities, which are the businesses that are required to participate, can choose their
• First, EITEs are covered entities and they're subject to the program cap.
• So we're open to this conversation, and we hope that entities can come together.

Bills: HB2272, HB2285, HB2296

Keywords: ski areas, winter sports, terminology update, recreation, regulatory changes, carbon capture, clean energy, environmental regulation, sustainability, green technology, distributed energy, renewable energy, energy resources, energy policy, 904, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I don't know all the entities that would apply to, no.
• You know some of the entities that it might apply to?
• I don't know all the entities that would apply to, no.
• You know some of the entities that it might apply to?
• But any electricity that the affected market customer purchases from an entity that's not an electric

Bills: SB6013

Keywords: ski areas, winter sports, terminology, recreation, economic development, 904, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I don't know all the entities that would apply to, no.
• You know some of the entities that it might apply to?
• I don't know all the entities that would apply to, no.
• You know some of the entities that it might apply to?
• But any electricity that the affected market customer purchases from an entity that's not an electric

Summary: The committee held a public hearing on SSB 6269, which updates the Motor Fuel Quality Act by removing the separate definition of alternative fuel and broadening the definition of motor fuel to include gaseous products and fuels used for transportation purposes. The Washington State Department of Agriculture testified that the change would let weights and measures staff test a wider range of fuels, including hydrogen and other clean fuels, and Douglas County PUD supported the bill as necessary to help regulate the state’s first hydrogen fueling station and future hydrogen infrastructure. A question clarified that the bill concerns the purity of the final hydrogen fuel product, not certification of the production process. The committee then received a briefing on three amendments to SB 5982, which expands Clean Energy Transformation Act coverage to additional entities. Amendment 170 would remove a requirement tied to affected market customers consuming the same or greater share of non-emitting and renewable electricity for the same end uses; Amendment 171 would exempt electricity used solely for emergency backup purposes; and Amendment 173 would similarly exempt backup generation using de minimis fossil fuels and related load from CETA compliance. Members discussed whether the amendments were needed to protect cogeneration facilities and emergency backup systems, while others argued they could weaken CETA’s clean-energy goals. In executive session, SB 6013 was reported out of committee with a do pass recommendation by a 21-0 voice vote. On SB 5982, Amendment 170 failed, Amendment 171 failed, and Amendment 173 passed. The committee then adopted the amendments into a striking amendment and voted 12-8 to report Substitute Senate Bill 5982 out of committee with a do pass as amended recommendation. Members supporting the bill said it levels the playing field and preserves exemptions for backup power and existing cogeneration, while opponents argued it could undermine CETA and allow continued fossil-fuel use or create loopholes.

Transcript Highlights:

• I believe this is quite extreme authority to give any entity, let alone the ADC.
• Entities created by the Entities created by the state, empowered by law, enriched by privilege, but never
• What this bill does is define the limits of entities that exist only because the state has that exist
• created by the Nonprofits, entities created by the state are not given inherent powers.
• For these entities to spend money for political election activity.

Keywords: 910, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• So the repealer is, first of all, getting the government out of a private entity.
• So the repealer is, first of all, getting the government out of a private entity.
• And so I think there's been some ambiguity there on what defines an entity.
• So if individuals go through this educational entity, they're not fully certified.
• we giving three years' leniency to these particular entities that are not accredited?

Bills: HB1937, HB2153, HB3674, HB2978, HB3885, HB3671, HB3261, HB3021, HB3029, HB4274, HB3701, HB3076

Keywords: HB1937, Oklahoma schools, student communications, electronic communication, digital communication, parent notification, legal guardian, school personnel, teachers, coaches, administrators, charter schools, public schools, administrative leave, corroborated report, investigation, employee file, discipline, termination, school board

Summary: The Senate Education Committee first considered a series of executive nominations, including Brian Bobeck to the State Board of Education, Jonathan Daniels to the Oklahoma Board of Private Vocational Schools, Cody Swanee to OETA, Randy Squires to the Western Oklahoma State College Board of Regents, Dwight Spencer to the Carl Albert State College Board of Regents, V. Lee to the Oklahoma Arts Council, Adisha Chapman to the Murray State College Board of Regents, Trevor Pemberton to the Oklahoma State Regents for Higher Education, Jennifer Carlson and Melissa Yvonne to the Commission for Educational Quality and Accountability, Kevin Gross to the Tulsa Community College Board of Regents, and Barbara Myers to the Oklahoma Arts Council. Most nominees briefly described their backgrounds and reasons for serving, and the committee approved each nomination, with votes ranging from 8-1 to 10-0, sending them on to the full Senate or floor as applicable. The committee then took up several education bills. House Bill 1937, dealing with the Communications with Students Act, was amended to require corroborated evidence before immediate suspension and to narrow the definition of student; it passed 9-0. House Bill 2153, which would subject OSSAA meetings and hearings to the Open Meetings Act and repeal the statutory one-year sit-out rule for transfers, drew questions about recruitment and FERPA but passed 7-3. House Bill 3674, requiring school resource officer training on sexual assault and violence, annual continuing education, mandatory reporting, and closure of contractor loopholes, passed 9-0. House Bill 3885, setting a graduated discipline framework for third through fifth graders, prompted debate over classroom safety and student rights and passed 9-1. House Bill 3671, allowing a receiving district to accept a transferring teacher’s career status, passed 10-0. House Bill 3261, assigning employee numbers to school support staff such as coaches and bus drivers for tracking across districts, passed 10-0. Several other bills generated more extensive discussion. House Bill 2978, which would impose annual library audits, public online catalogs, a formal challenge process, and funding penalties for noncompliance, faced repeated questions about how it differed from existing policy and who could challenge materials; it failed 4-5. House Bill 3021, revising graduation requirements and preserving flexibility for applied math/science and local course approval while removing some language requirements, passed 8-2. House Bill 3029, requiring the Department of Education to develop a four-year plan, passed 9-1. House Bill 4274, expanding school choice options for military-dependent students living on base, passed 10-0. The committee also began consideration of House Bill 3076, which would clarify alternative teacher certification provider definitions and OEQA oversight, but the transcript cuts off before a final vote is shown.

Transcript Highlights:

• Next, we're going to jump to tab number six, SB 1698 on net zero policies by governmental entities by
• So the bill speaks to governmental entities.
• Thank you. essentially to prevent local entities, local government entities from essentially imposing
• It then prohibits all of these entities from adopting any net zero policy.
• It then prohibits all of these entities from adopting any net zero policy.

Keywords: 999, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Co-locating them in a fusion center breaks down the arm's-length relationships between these entities
• Co-locating them in a fusion center breaks down the arm's length relationships between these entities
• For example, SB 34 rightfully prohibited the sharing of ALPR data with out-of-state entities.
• Data sets that are owned by non-governmental entities.
• Entities, with bids expected to be submitted by late April.

Summary: The committee met as a subcommittee for much of the hearing because it initially lacked a quorum, then later established one and began taking votes. The state auditor gave a status update on ongoing audits, including several JALAC-requested audits in progress, other statutory audits, staffing growth in his office, and the number of new JALAC audits his office could start in the coming months. The committee also heard that one audit request on Prop. 28 was held, and another PUC-related request was moved off consent and heard on the regular calendar. Members then heard and discussed several audit requests. Senator Cervantes presented a request to audit California fusion centers, with witnesses from the FBI and ACLU supporting the need for transparency and oversight; opponents argued the request was politically motivated and could interfere with counterterrorism work. Senator Allen presented a request on CPUC enforcement of Rule 21 interconnection timelines for solar and storage projects, supported by industry and school representatives who described long delays and financial harm, while CPUC staff said the issue was being addressed through workshops and a formal proceeding. Senator Perez presented a request to audit Caltrans’ administration of the former SR 710 extension properties and affordable sales program, citing tenant complaints about maintenance, pricing, and transparency; Caltrans said it was working to complete sales and improve administration. Senator Umberg presented a request to audit the Orange County Board of Education over transparency, contracting, litigation spending, charter oversight, and whistleblower issues, while board representatives said there was no factual basis for an audit and that existing legal remedies had not been invoked. After quorum was established, the committee approved the consent-calendar DMV license revocation audit and then approved the PUC utility timeliness audit and the Caltrans SR 710 audit. The fusion center audit was left on call after a split vote, and the Orange County Board of Education audit continued with testimony from the board’s representatives after the committee had already moved on to other business.

Transcript Highlights:

• today's discussion and to hearing how the Governor's reorganization plan will ensure our licensing entities
• Now, although we propose to create two new entities, we have worked incredibly well together.
• I'm looking at the chart that has the housing and homelessness agency and then the five entities below
• ... ...proposes to make ICH its own independent entity within the Housing and Homelessness Agency.
• All of the entities that touch housing and homelessness are members of that council and now have this

Summary: The joint hearing focused on the Governor’s 2025 reorganization plan to split the Business, Consumer Services and Housing Agency into two new agencies: a Business and Consumer Services Agency and a California Housing and Homelessness Agency. Administration officials said the change would give each side more focused leadership, improve consumer protection and regulatory oversight, and better align housing and homelessness policy with the state’s broader housing goals. Leaders from the Department of Consumer Affairs, Cannabis Control, Alcoholic Beverage Control, and Financial Protection and Innovation all voiced support for the business-side reorganization, while housing officials emphasized that the new housing agency would help streamline funding, compliance, and coordination across programs. Members raised concerns about timing, budget impacts, office space, and whether the split would actually reduce bureaucracy. The administration said the plan would be included in the May Revision, was intended to be cost-neutral, and would not require fee increases for licensees or additional office space. On the housing side, officials said the new Housing Development and Finance Committee would work toward a single application and more coordinated award process for affordable housing funding, while preserving CalHFA’s statutory and financial independence. They also said the reorganization would improve compliance monitoring, data collection, and coordination with local governments, including Los Angeles homelessness programs. Public testimony was largely supportive. Industry groups representing beverage distributors, craft brewers, wine, mortgage lenders, and housing organizations backed the business-side split, and housing advocates such as Housing California, the California Housing Partnership, and the California Housing Consortium supported the housing agency concept and the proposed one-stop-shop approach. Several witnesses urged that tax credits, bonds, and other funding sources be better coordinated, and some said the plan should be paired with additional state investment and implementation resources. No formal vote was taken; the hearing was informational.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:05:34.320><c> so</c> work together across all the entities so work together across all the entities
• It's not—it's something to create consistency across all the entities.
• And so you see other entities that we're involved with.
• ><c> that</c><00:06:39.440><c> we're</c> you see other entities that we're you see other entities that
• </c><00:07:04.960><c> in</c> apply to all of these other entities in apply to all of these other entities

Keywords: 924, joint, all

Transcript Highlights:

• The department also partners with seven managing entities across the state to implement a comprehensive
• . ...report, which you'll get at the end of December. $48.3 million was amended into the managing entity
• population and need, historical funding utilization, submission of the managing entity enhancement plans
• More specifically, we can delineate the appropriations per ME, but each managing entity utilizes the
• So, to illustrate one success story, a managing entity shared the story of an individual who entered

Summary: The Human Services Subcommittee met to receive an update from the Florida Department of Children and Families on implementation of House Bill 7021, which revised the Baker Act and Marchman Act and was funded with a $50 million appropriation. Deputy Assistant Secretary Bill Hardin reported that the department has updated reference guides, training, administrative rules, and forms; launched regional behavioral health collaboratives; and created the Office of Children’s Behavioral Health Ombudsman. He said early data show continued declines in Baker Act use, high diversion rates from involuntary examinations through 988, mobile response teams, and care coordination, along with generally positive provider feedback on changes such as allowing psychiatric nurses to initiate emergency treatment orders and clarifying the 72-hour examination period. Hardin also described Marchman Act changes, including a streamlined petition process, remote testimony, improved discharge planning, and a new annual data report. He said the department has completed or is completing multiple training courses for providers and law enforcement, and has adopted or is finalizing numerous rules and forms. He reported that the regional collaboratives are identifying common statewide needs such as service capacity, resource sharing, funding flexibility, and peer support, while the ombudsman office is handling complaints and helping families navigate services. Members asked about whether the current funding is sufficient, future budget needs, outreach for the new ombudsman office, and services for juveniles. Hardin said DCF has posted legislative budget requests for additional forensic FACT services and short-term residential treatment beds, including children’s beds, and noted the ombudsman office is staffed with two FTEs and supported through existing complaint-management and regional systems. He said outreach is being done through regional collaboratives and coordination with other agencies, especially the Department of Education, and that juvenile transport and placement issues have improved with the new law. No votes were taken, and the meeting adjourned after the presentation and questions.

Transcript Highlights:

• I know that may sound not that easy, but it is between live online registration, video inspections, and
• I know that may sound not that easy, but it is between live online registration, video inspections, and

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• So looking at this first slide, as you see, there are five primary entities, those represented on the
• So looking at this first slide, as you see, there are five primary entities, those represented on the
• And so we have been planning for our load-serving entities, and our load-serving entities have been procuring
• These load-serving entities represent about 75% of all of the electricity load in California.
• Examples include resources contracted by entities. within the KISO balancing authority area.

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• This legislation provides for a limitation on annual increases in the maintenance budget of all entities
• However, the restrictions on annual increases to the maintenance budgets of the state entities may have
• This legislation will limit any annual increase in the maintenance budget of any entity of the state
• Entity of the state government of the state of Idaho to no more than the average percentage increase
• Now, if the consumer price index shows no average increase or decrease, the state entity maintenance

Summary: The Senate Local Government and Taxation Committee met on February 3 and first considered RS 32989, the “Rogue Act,” sponsored by Senator Foreman. The proposal would limit annual increases in state agencies’ maintenance budgets to the average CPI-U increase for the western region, while allowing exceptions for exigent circumstances, federal mandates, and other operational needs. Foreman said the bill was intended to restrain government growth without harming agency flexibility or the general fund. During the print hearing, several senators expressed concern about moving the measure forward given current budget pressures and cuts affecting Medicaid, public schools, and infrastructure. Senator Rowe asked how the bill would affect state-mandated education support units and other required spending, and Foreman responded that the bill’s flexibility language was meant to avoid interfering with necessary services. The committee then voted on a motion to send RS 32989 to print; the motion passed with at least one recorded nay. The committee also approved the January 20 and January 22 minutes. It then heard from the Idaho State Tax Commission on administrative rule docket 35-0102-2501, a zero-based rewrite of sales and use tax rules that removed restatements of statute, reduced restrictive language, and cut the rules by about 46 percent, or roughly 33,800 words. Commissioners explained that examples had been moved online with hyperlinks in the rules, and senators asked about usability for practitioners and whether any substantive changes remained; the commission said the remaining rules were intended to be clearer and easier for taxpayers to follow. The committee unanimously approved the docket. At the end of the meeting, senators noted that House Bill 559, the tax conformity bill, had passed the House and would likely come to the committee later in the week. Members emphasized that prompt action would be needed so Idaho taxpayers and the Tax Commission could update forms and software and proceed with filing season.

Transcript Highlights:

• This legislation provides for a limitation on annual increases in the maintenance budget of all entities
• However, the restrictions on annual increases to the maintenance budgets of the state entities may have
• This legislation will limit any annual increase in the maintenance budget of any entity of the state
• government of the state of Idaho to no more than the average entity of the state government of the state
• Now, if the consumer price index shows no average increase or decrease, the state entity maintenance

Keywords: 989, all