Transcript Highlights:

• Senator, you may begin whenever you are ready. Well, good morning, Chair.
• Senator Hurtado, you may present when you're ready.
• Senator Hurtado, you may present when you're ready.
• Senator Cervantes, you may begin when you're ready.
• So you may begin when you're ready, Senator. Thank you.

Committee: Senate Education

Summary: The committee heard SB 1067, which would require annual math screening for kindergarten through second grade students beginning in 2028-29 to identify early numeracy difficulties and connect students to evidence-based supports. Senator Weber and supporters, including EdVoice, UC Davis researcher Charles Wilkes, and several education and community advocates, argued that California’s math performance is too low and that early screening would help close gaps before they widen. Opponents, including the California Mathematics Council, county superintendents, and the CTA, said the bill could narrow instruction, overemphasize deficit-based measures, and should instead be paired with stronger investments in teacher training and implementation of the California Mathematics Framework. Committee members generally expressed support for the bill’s goals while discussing how the screener would work and what kinds of follow-up supports would be needed. The committee also heard SB 1110 on child care subsidy administration, which would restructure funding for alternative payment programs and core contracts as the state moves to enrollment-based funding. Supporters said the bill would stabilize child care providers, improve payment timelines, and better reflect the administrative work of enrolling families and managing services; there was no opposition testimony. SB 1374, supported by the CSU and UC systems, would allow public higher education institutions to seek temporary restraining orders when credible threats are directed at a campus rather than a specific person. Supporters described recent campus threats that created safety concerns but did not fit current restraining-order law; there was no opposition. Senator Nilo presented SB 1321, which would direct the State Auditor to review remedial course use and student preparedness at selected UC and CSU campuses after a UC San Diego report showed a sharp decline in incoming students’ math readiness. Supporters argued the audit would help identify gaps in college readiness and the effects of K-12 changes, while some members raised concerns about bypassing the usual legislative audit process; the bill was held on call. The committee then took up SB 1086 on microschools, which would define microschools and direct model ordinances for local land-use regulation. Supporters said it would create a clearer path for small, individualized learning communities, but several members questioned whether the concept was sufficiently defined and whether the state had enough information to draft model ordinances; the bill was also placed on call after a quorum was established. Finally, SB 1181 was presented as a limited pilot program in Central Valley counties to connect schools with regional threat assessment centers when credible safety concerns arise. The author and supporters, including the mother of a student killed in a shooting and several students, said it would improve early intervention and communication; committee members raised privacy and federal-sharing concerns but indicated support, and the bill was moved forward on a vote once quorum was present.

Transcript Highlights:

• Any benefit would have to be agreed to in a future contract funded by a future legislature.
• </c> in a future contract funded by a future in a future contract funded by a future legislature<00:05
• I am here on behalf of my union, SEIU Minnesota and Iowa.
• </c><00:57:14.240><c> and</c> the vbr rates going into the future and the vbr rates going into the future
• </c><01:31:36.040><c> Solutions</c> inform our current and future Solutions inform our current and future

Bills: HF2367 , HF2319 , HF2523 , HF1742 , HF671 , HF2331 , HF2722 , HF2406 , HF1674

Committee: House Human Services Finance and Policy

Transcript Highlights:

• You know what the future is? We didn't do here. I don't stand a downstep.
• Hopefully, we're going to change some lives with this for future kids who may come across this.
• respiratory care interstate compact, which has been enacted by five states: Washington, Montana, Wisconsin, Iowa
• Respiratory Care Interstate Compact, which has been enacted by five states, Washington, Montana, Wisconsin, Iowa

Committee: Senate Health and Human Resources

Transcript Highlights:

• So I'm encouraging, empowering what could be another great client of mine in the future, potentially.
• I didn't come from 10 cents in the farm of Iowa.
• And I came here with a lot of ambition and ideas, and... ...from the farm of Iowa, and I came here with
• But I look forward to discussing more with you all in the future. Thank you. No further debate.

Summary: The State Administration Budget Subcommittee met with a quorum and took up one bill, House Bill 499, which would allow malt beverage manufacturers producing less than 31,000 gallons annually to sell and deliver directly to vendors. The sponsor and several craft brewery owners and industry advocates testified in support, arguing the measure would help small breweries reach local restaurants, improve quality control, create jobs, and serve as a bridge into the three-tier system for businesses too small to attract distributors. Opponents, including the Florida Beer Wholesalers Association, argued the bill would undermine the three-tier system, weaken accountability and tax collection, and create risks for consumer protection and market fairness. During debate, several members said they supported the bill as a small-business measure while noting they remained protective of the three-tier system. Some members raised concerns about tax tracking and long-term distributor contracts, but others said the bill appeared limited enough to preserve the existing system while giving small breweries a chance to grow. The committee then voted on the bill and it passed, with one recorded no vote. After the bill vote, the subcommittee revisited prior questions about Department of Lottery Secretary Davis’s travel reimbursements. Members reviewed updated documents showing more than $50,000 in travel reimbursements from January 2021 through November 2024, including about $27,840 tied to Orlando destinations, and expressed concern that some reimbursements may have covered commuting between Tallahassee and Orlando. The chair said the information would be sent to Secretary Davis for an explanation, and the meeting adjourned after no further business.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> visibility and an enhanced job Readiness visibility and an enhanced job Readiness in<00:42:25.359
• </c> anyone honestly anyone to get them ready anyone honestly anyone to get them ready in<01:03:30.839
• </c><01:18:46.520><c> budget</c> possible inclusion in a future budget possible inclusion in a future
• </c><01:19:33.600><c> uh</c><01:19:33.840><c> ready</c> represent Schultz we're ready uh ready represent
• Schultz we're ready uh ready when<01:19:34.159><c> you</c><01:19:34.239><c> are</c><01:19:34.440><c>

Bills: HF339 , HF1272 , HF2121 , HF2122 , HF1216 , HF1003 , HF2319

Committee: House Workforce, Labor, and Economic Development Finance and Policy

Transcript Highlights:

• There are ways this could be strengthened in the future.
• So in future years, I hope we could work toward more comprehensive renter disclosure.
• And states have, in Iowa, New Jersey, Florida, and North Carolina, adopted innovative mapping tools that
• funds, a state-run acquisition program that facilitates buyouts post-flood when people are really ready
• Thank you for the opportunity to share our perspective, and we remain available for any future potential

Summary: The Senate Housing Committee held public hearings on three bills. SB 6237 would require landlords to disclose flooding history and flood risk to new tenants, along with notices that renters’ insurance and flood insurance may be needed and that county or local government sources have hazard information. The sponsor said the bill was a simple disclosure modeled on other states’ laws after recent flooding in Washington. Testimony was generally supportive, with an environmental nonprofit urging a broader jurisdiction-based disclosure instead of only county government, and housing industry groups saying they were neutral or concerned about added lease disclosures and asking for clearer language about what flooding information must be disclosed. No vote was taken on the bill. The committee then heard SB 6214, which would authorize public corporations, housing authorities, and certain nonprofits to operate as land bank authorities for affordable housing, with requirements for affordability covenants, annual reports, priority access to tax-foreclosed properties, and tax exemptions for qualifying land bank property and transfers. Supporters from Spokane, counties, housing authorities, affordable housing groups, and developers said land banking would help lower land costs, speed development, and expand affordable housing production. One member of the public opposed the bill, arguing it could remove land from the market and affect rural land supply. Department of Revenue staff flagged a technical issue, saying the bill needs a clearer definition of a qualifying land bank authority so the exemption can be administered, and confirmed the proposal would shift property off the tax rolls. The committee also asked whether the bill would allow non-housing uses such as parks or green space; staff said the bill requires affordable housing use, though the other half of land bank activity is not specified. The committee also heard SB 6139, which would require landlords to keep accepting previously used payment methods and continue to accept partial rent payments during an unlawful detainer process, while making clear that partial payments do not reinstate a lease or stop an eviction unless the parties agree in writing. The sponsor said the bill was intended to address cases where tenants can make partial payments but landlords shut off payment portals and refuse them, forcing judges to issue case-by-case standstill orders. Tenant advocates opposed the bill, arguing it would encourage evictions, remove judicial discretion, and could trap tenants by inviting partial payments that do not protect their housing. Landlord and property management groups were concerned about requiring continued access to payment portals and about ambiguity over whether accepting partial payments would waive eviction rights, though they said the bill was a good starting point and suggested clearer receipts and statutory protections. The public hearing was closed without action on SB 6139. In executive session, the committee adopted a proposed substitute for SB 6091, which limits broker marketing restrictions without requiring open access to homes and removes a Washington Law Against Discrimination provision, then voted the bill do pass to Rules. The committee also voted to recommend confirmation of gubernatorial appointments 9278, Pedro Espinoza, and 9279, Diana H. Perez, to the Housing Finance Commission.

Transcript Highlights:

• Please begin when you're ready. Good morning, Madam Chair and members of the committee.
• Please proceed when you're ready. Let me just one second.
• Please proceed when you're ready. Good morning, Madam Chair and committee.
• Iowa is another, and I... States. Iowa is another.
• Please begin when you're ready. Thank you, Madam Chair.

Committee: House Health and Mental Health

Transcript Highlights:

• Chair, is she ready on that one? Oh, yeah. What's the number?
• The sub is not ready. Okay, then. No, they just brought it.
• Senator Gutierrez, you ready? I am, sir. Give me a number. House Bill 5424.
• We're just getting the next generation ready.
• My understanding is that this will continue perpetually into the future.

Bills: SB3038 , SB3045 , SB3065 , SB3069 , SB3071 , HB2025 , HB2149 , HB3370 , HB4205 , HB4506 , HB5424 , HB5652 , HB24 , HB3687 , HB24

Committee: Senate Local Government

Transcript Highlights:

• Mitigation Bureau works to reduce or eliminate future loss of life and property.
• of future disasters.
• This can lead to not meeting expectations of being ready to fulfill the...
• of heavy equipment ready to move.
• When a storm is getting ready to make landfall, we actually...

Summary: The Natural Resources and Disaster Subcommittee met to continue its review of hurricane impacts and state response. The committee first heard from the Florida Division of Emergency Management, which described its four core functions—preparedness, response, recovery, and mitigation—and highlighted its 24/7 State Watch Office, regional training efforts, and disaster assistance work. Deputy Executive Director Keith Pruitt detailed the state’s 2024 storm response, including Hurricanes Debby, Helene, and Milton, citing large-scale mission support, flood-control deployments, meal and water distribution, power restoration, debris removal, and billions in disaster funding and mitigation dollars. He also discussed debris management challenges and recommended that local governments update and exercise debris plans and maintain contingency contracts.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> future fiscal crisis. future fiscal crisis.
• </c><00:34:28.320><c> fiscal</c> likely we are to face a future fiscal likely we are to face a future
• We're not fully dependent on, let's say, agriculture like Iowa is, or North Dakota's highly dependent
• 41:50.079><c> say,</c><00:41:50.319><c> agriculture</c><00:41:51.040><c> like</c><00:41:51.359><c> Iowa
• </c><00:41:51.839><c> is</c><00:41:52.000><c> is</c> let's say, agriculture like Iowa is is let's say

Summary: Minnesota Management and Budget officials presented the February 2026 budget and economic forecast, saying the state remains in a strong financial position but faces continued structural imbalance and significant uncertainty. Commissioner Aaron Campbell said the FY 2026-27 balance is now projected at more than $3.7 billion, up about $1.3 billion from November, and the FY 2028-29 planning period is projected to end with a $377 million positive balance. He emphasized that the improvement comes largely from higher projected revenues, especially individual income and corporate franchise taxes, but warned that the state is increasingly reliant on more volatile sources such as capital gains, interest income, and corporate profits. State Economist Dr. Anthony Becker said the national outlook improved slightly, with stronger projected GDP, consumer spending, and investment, but weaker payroll growth and ongoing trade-policy uncertainty. He noted that the forecast was complicated by missing federal data because of the federal shutdown, and that tariffs, immigration policy, equity markets, and possible AI-related shifts all present risks. Revenue projections were raised for the current biennium, including individual income tax receipts, sales tax revenue, corporate franchise tax revenue, and other revenues, while Becker stressed that federal funding threats, especially involving Medicaid and other entitlement programs, could materially alter the outlook. State Budget Director Anna Mingi said general fund spending in the current biennium is projected to be $68 million lower than previously estimated, but planning-year spending is up $152 million. The biggest spending changes came from education, where special education costs rose sharply after updated local spending data, and from human services, where a new prepayment review process for certain Medicaid benefits reduced projected spending by $133 million this biennium and $105 million in the next. She also said discretionary inflation is now estimated at $1.04 billion, up $104 million from November. Campbell closed by saying the state’s reserve remains at a record $3.8 billion and that Minnesota’s AAA bond rating and reserve policy help protect against downturns. He cautioned, however, that the long-term structural imbalance remains about $3.4 billion in the planning years, or $2.3 billion excluding discretionary inflation, and urged policymakers to offset any new spending with reductions. No votes or formal actions were taken; the meeting was a presentation and question-and-answer session on the forecast.

Transcript Highlights:

• Please begin when you are ready. Please begin when you're ready. Thank you so much, Madam Chair.
• Please begin when you're ready. Thank you so much, Madam Chair.
• So I look forward to hearing from the people in the future. Yeah, as do I.
• Please proceed when you're ready. Just make sure your mic's on.
• Please proceed when you're ready. Just make sure your mic's on.

Committee: House Special Committee on Intergovernmental Affairs

Summary: The committee first took up House Bill 2901 in executive session. After a brief explanation from the bill sponsor, the committee adopted a House Committee amendment ending in 0.07 that set a five-year expiration date and clarified where reports must be filed. The committee then rolled the amendment into a substitute and voted the House Committee substitute do pass by a roll call of 13 ayes and 0 noes. The committee then heard House Bill 3000, which would fix the signature threshold for petition-driven audits by tying the required number of signatures to the gubernatorial election in effect when the petition process begins, rather than when signatures are submitted. The sponsor and the State Auditor’s office said the change would prevent the required number from shifting during the petition period and provide consistency. No vote was taken on the bill during the hearing. House Bill 313 was then heard, a fentanyl-poisoning response bill that would require naloxone in public buildings, designate October as Fentanyl Poisoning Awareness Month, require fentanyl education for students in grades 6 through 12, and require training and investigation procedures for law enforcement in drug-related deaths. The sponsor and multiple family members who lost loved ones to fentanyl strongly supported the bill, emphasizing prevention, access to Narcan, and more thorough death investigations. Committee members generally expressed support, raised questions about the definition of public buildings, school implementation, and funding, and testimony suggested opioid settlement money as a possible source. No committee action was taken on HB 313 in the transcript.

Transcript Highlights:

• We stand<00:09:50.160><c> ready</c><00:09:50.320><c> to</c><00:09:50.560><c> meet</c><00:09:50.720><c
• </c><00:14:28.800><c> as</c><00:14:29.040><c> well</c><00:14:29.120><c> as</c> including that in Iowa
• Welcome to the committee, Senator Dames, and begin when you're ready, please.
• So, are we ready for that? I guess that's my only question. Senator Dames, are we ready for that?
• </c> Madam Chair, to Senate File 1024, when you're ready. You have an A1 author's amendment.

Committee: Senate Health and Human Services

Transcript Highlights:

• most impacts Asian-Americans today could be radically different from what impacts the seniors of future
• The future of American capital markets and our national security are deeply connected.
• Commodity Futures Trade Commission.
• I would want to be the most advanced as fast as I could in AI just to prepare for warfare in the future
• they hurt our domestic manufacturers and producers, particularly in rural communities like mine in Iowa

Committee: Senate Aging (Special) Committee

Keywords: Chinese Communist Party, retirement security, investment risks, SEC enforcement, Bipartisan action

Summary: The meeting primarily addressed concerns regarding the impact of the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) on American investments and the financial security of retirees. The chair discussed legislation aimed at ensuring the protection of American investors against the risks posed by Chinese companies. There was a consensus among the members regarding the necessity to enforce existing policies that require compliance from foreign companies wishing to trade on American exchanges. The discussion included testimony from various stakeholders highlighting the urgent need to limit exposure to the CCP in retirement portfolios. Additionally, there were calls for increased accountability of regulatory bodies such as the SEC to better shield American investors from potential loss.

Transcript Highlights:

• What did they say in Iowa?
• This is in Iowa.
• </c> they say in Iowa?
• In Iowa, they said they say in Iowa?
• Is the gentle lady ready to recognized. Is the gentle lady ready to close?

Bills: HR1048 , HR242 , HB1534

Keywords: House resolution, committee assignment, standing committee, House Committee on Science, Space, and Technology, committee membership, committee seniority, Mr. Menefee, Mr. Riley of New York, House organization, congressional procedure, internal rules, legislative administration, Energy Conservation, Energy Standards, Department of Energy, Higher Education Act, Foreign Contracts, rules resolution, House Rules Committee, Congressional Review Act

Transcript Highlights:

• I'm going to call on you first to go ahead when you're ready.
• Iowa, Canada, Japan. ...based practice models to pass this: Iowa, Canada, Japan, Tennessee, Delaware.
• Whenever you're ready, state your name and go right ahead.
• Go right ahead when you're ready.
• Go right ahead when you're ready. Thank you.

Summary: The Senate Health and Long-Term Care Committee first met in executive session and advanced five bills out of committee. SB 5999, as amended by a substitute, would let rural counties under 100,000 population appoint an APRN or physician assistant as an acting local health officer; SB 5185 would create a pathway for international medical graduates to physician licensure through a Washington Medical Commission pilot; SB 5845 would revise timely payment rules for health carriers, including longer acknowledgment and payment timelines and clarifications on scope; SB 6071 would standardize overpayment recovery timelines for carriers; and SB 6258 would create a non-disciplinary pathway for relinquishing Washington Medical Commission licenses. Each bill received a due pass recommendation and was sent to Rules, with the bills passed subject to signatures. The committee then heard SB 6226, which would protect the clinical autonomy of audiologists and ensure hearing-instrument and communication-device rules are applied consistently across care modalities, including telehealth. Testimony was overwhelmingly supportive, emphasizing access for rural and mobility-limited patients and the importance of teleaudiology, though one association cautioned the bill could affect broader regulatory authority. The hearing closed with 54 pro, zero con, and two other sign-ins. Next, the committee heard SB 6305, the Truth in Mental Health Coverage Act, which would require carriers to submit standardized annual data to the Office of the Insurance Commissioner on mental health and substance use disorder coverage, access, utilization, reimbursement, and network participation, with public posting in raw and dashboard form. The sponsor and supporters said the bill would improve transparency and accountability without changing benefits, while opponents argued it could duplicate recent parity reforms and add administrative burden. The hearing closed with 396 pro, two con, and zero other sign-ins. Finally, the committee heard SB 5924, a proposed substitute expanding pharmacists’ prescriptive authority for certain limited conditions and products, including some preventive and minor-illness treatments, and allowing limited diagnosis within defined bounds. Supporters said it would improve access, especially in rural and underserved areas, reduce administrative barriers from collaborative drug therapy agreements, and align with the sunrise review; opponents, including the medical association, said the bill went beyond the review and needed more time, while some testimony raised concerns about psychiatric prescribing. The hearing closed with 279 pro, six con, and four other sign-ins, and the committee adjourned after concluding its business.

Transcript Highlights:

• So I think in the future I would like to have the word vicious defined."
• So I think in the future I would like to have the word vicious defined."
• I have to get ready to get copies. Oh, you're going to get copies?
• <00:57:57.200><c> to</c><00:57:57.640><c> get</c> ready to get ready to get cop<00:57:59.520><c> 20</
• </c><02:04:04.960><c> for</c> discern whether something's ready for discern whether something's ready

Summary: The committee opened a hearing on HR 18, a resolution urging New Hampshire’s congressional delegation to seek federal changes that would let very small slaughter plants use custom-exempt inspection criteria with a third-party inspector present, so beef, pork, lamb, and goat could be sold as individual cuts directly to consumers. Representative Judy Aron said the resolution was drafted in lieu of state legislation because the issue is governed by USDA rules, and she noted she was also working on an amendment to ensure the measure covered federal “very small” plants. Representative Miner asked for clarification about custom slaughter versus retail sales, and Representative Scully supported the resolution while suggesting language to make clear it applied only to local end consumers. Joyce Brady of the New Hampshire Farm Bureau testified in support, saying the state’s four USDA slaughterhouses and the bottleneck in custom cutting made the issue important. After no further testimony, the chair closed the hearing. The committee then moved into a work session on several bills. For HB 616, members discussed an amendment that had been revised after public comments and Commissioner Jasper’s feedback; Representative Guber said it balanced the competing positions, and Representative Penza and Representative Ger said the language now addressed concerns about animal suffering by allowing euthanasia if a treating veterinarian determines the animal is in extreme suffering. The committee then discussed HB 77, with Representative Penza describing changes to landfill-related standards, including replacing aquifer references with drinking water wells, removing a penalty section, changing discretionary language to mandatory language for the department, and adjusting an in situ soils standard. Members praised the compromise, though Representative Scully raised concerns about the 1,500-foot setback and suggested engineering controls such as berms; Penza responded that current rules do not include such controls and that the setback was intended to address surface spills. Several members said the bill reflected a hard-fought balance and should not be rewritten at the last minute. For HB 505, the freeze-dried food bill, Representative Aron explained that the amendment replaced a simple exemption with a requirement that homestead food operations selling freeze-dried foods from a farm stand, farmers market, or retail food store obtain a homestead food license under RSA 143-A:4. She said the amendment defines freeze-dried foods as fruits, vegetables, and commercially prepared dairy products, and delays the effective date 120 days to allow rulemaking. Members generally supported the approach as a light-touch oversight mechanism for potentially hazardous foods, though Representative Ktoa asked for clarification about how the amendment interacts with existing licensing and inspection exemptions, and Aron clarified that these products would not be exempt from licensing under the relevant law. The committee then turned to HB 250, concerning local authority over dog muzzling, where members broadly supported the amendment as a simple solution, while Representative Ktoa asked about the underlying definition of a vicious dog and whether all listed behaviors would warrant muzzling. The discussion noted that the amendment would allow towns to require muzzling for dogs meeting the statutory definition, while excluding hunting, working, herding, and similar dogs.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> Outlook and consider possible future Outlook and consider possible future directions<00:12:40.040
• </c><00:50:56.720><c> and</c> will be a key enabler to our future and will be a key enabler to our future
• </c><00:52:52.040><c> National</c> position us for future National position us for future National investment
• </c> dollars so I think we have to be ready dollars so I think we have to be ready for<01:19:09.159><
• </c><01:38:24.639><c> to</c> else before we get ready to else before we get ready to go<01:38:26.360>

Committee: Senate Jobs and Economic Development

Transcript Highlights:

• When you're ready, please. My speaking in the microphone.
• When you're ready, please. My speaking in the microphone.
• That could expand in the future.
• Another data center is here, another data center in West Des Moines, Iowa.
• And I think we heard that's the measure data in West Des Moines, Iowa.

Committees: House Water, Parks and Wildlife , House Water, Parks, and Wildlife

Transcript Highlights:

• The Vice Chair—ready to come up? Is he here?
• The San Carlos Apache Tribe stands ready to collaborate with you... ...and regulatory gaps.
• Colorado and Iowa have HCBS programs which allow Medicaid-funded long-term care programs for SMI, and
• Look at it like a pilot program, but it can be expanded in the future. Thank you. Thank you.
• And if you have any future questions, I can meet with you. Thank you.

Bills: SB1086 , SB1193 , SB1318 , SB1345 , SB1346 , SB1451 , SB1496 , SB1611 , SB1630 , SB1631 , SB1632 , SB1672

Committees: Senate Health and Human Services , Senate Senate Health and Human Services COR

Keywords: reimbursement, healthcare, laboratory services, noncontracting providers, Arizona health care cost containment, personal identifying information, PII, privacy, confidential records, public records exemption, commercial disclosure, data privacy, licensure, certification, health professions, health care licensing, Arizona Department of Health Services, ADHS, emergency medical care technician, EMCT

Transcript Highlights:

• Next up is Melissa Wolf, Minnesota ... make future planning decisions third make future planning decisions
• And that’s when we have to be ready to work together.
• And that’s when we have to be ready to work together.
• And that’s when we have to be ready to work together.
• And that’s when we have to be ready to work together.

Bills: HF1704

Committee: House Agriculture Finance and Policy