Transcript Highlights:

• WAPA members manufacture about 98% of all the hot mix asphalt produced in Washington State.
• of a manufacturer prohibited by law from acting in the capacity of a motor vehicle dealer.
• of a manufacturer prohibited by law from acting in the capacity of a motor vehicle dealer.
• while keeping the guardrails in place to prevent abuse by our franchise manufacturers.
• Rivian manufactures all of its vehicles in the United States.

Summary: The Senate Transportation Committee held public hearings on three bills: SB 6225, a proposed substitute bond bill authorizing transportation funding bonds; SB 6005, the proposed substitute supplemental transportation budget; and SB 6354, a bill to expand access to electric vehicles through limited direct sales by qualifying EV-only manufacturers and changes to the documentary service fee. Staff explained that SB 6225 would authorize $1.1 billion in general obligation bonds, an additional $400 million for selected Move Ahead Washington highway projects, a $500 million increase in SR 520 bond authority, and the expiration of some older unused bond authorizations. For SB 6005, staff described a $17.5 billion supplemental budget with $1.5 billion in new funding, including reappropriations, preservation and maintenance spending, ferry investments, Climate Commitment Act-related adjustments, and a six-year balanced plan through 2031. For SB 6354, staff outlined the direct-sales framework for qualifying EV manufacturers, dealer licensing requirements, penalties for violations, and a fee increase that would direct revenue to EV rebates and multimodal transportation. Testimony on the budget and bond bills was broadly supportive from transit, local government, labor, construction, ports, and climate advocates, who praised preservation funding, ferry investments, safety programs, EV charging, rail electrification, and flood-response or local project funding. Several witnesses asked for specific project or account changes, including support for Skagit Transit, Day Road and Poplar Way bridge-related funding, Spokane TMC operating support, Kent corridor funding, and additional rail capital projects. Some speakers also urged more Climate Commitment Act funding for EV rebates, charging, and rail electrification, while others warned against deeper cuts to local programs and stressed the need for long-term preservation and bonding to stabilize the system. Testimony on SB 6354 was sharply divided. Rivian, Lucid, and several Washington auto dealers supported the bill as a compromise that would allow limited direct sales for EV-only manufacturers while preserving franchise protections and generating revenue for EV rebates. Climate advocates supported the bill as a way to accelerate EV adoption and asked that more of the fee revenue go to instant rebates for low-income buyers. In opposition, the Alliance for Automotive Innovation and Honda argued the bill creates unequal rules, weakens the franchise system, and was not the product of a true compromise. The committee announced that SB 6225 and SB 6005 would be in executive session Thursday at 8 a.m., with amendments due by noon the prior day, while SB 6354 would be scheduled for executive action later.

Transcript Highlights:

• policy and codifies the position of chief manufacturing officer to coordinate statewide manufacturing
• strategy. ...to manufacturing policy and codifies the position of chief manufacturing officers to coordinate
• statewide manufacturing strategy.
• There are a lot of manufacturers out there that haven't.
• There are a lot of manufacturers out there that haven't.

Bills: S0386 , S0528 , S0806 , S0696 , S0930 , S0874 , S0898 , S0826 , S0838

Committee: Senate Commerce and Tourism

Summary: The Commerce and Tourism Committee met with a quorum and considered several bills, most of them receiving favorable reports. SB 386, relating to farm equipment repair rights, was briefly explained by the sponsor as a lemon-law style measure for farm equipment; it passed without questions or debate. SB 528, aimed at strengthening Florida’s manufacturing sector by expanding Department of Commerce responsibilities, codifying the chief manufacturing officer role, creating a workforce development grant program, and requiring reporting, drew support from several appearance forms and was reported favorably. SB 806, a broader right-to-repair bill covering portable wireless devices and agricultural equipment, drew the most discussion: dealership and industry representatives opposed it, arguing existing manufacturer agreements already provide access to repair information and that the bill could force manufacturers into competition with dealers, while supporters framed it as pro-consumer and pro-repair access; it was still reported favorably. SB 696 on trademark registration modernization and SB 930 creating a Florida Retirement Savings Task Force were both explained as administrative/policy measures and passed without opposition. SB 874, which creates a professional licensure reciprocity path for out-of-state surveyors and mappers to address workforce shortages, also passed favorably. The committee then took up SB 826 on gift certificates, which the sponsor said is intended to target bank-branded “reward cards” that function like gift cards but expire, while not affecting loyalty programs. The Florida Restaurant and Lodging Association expressed concern about unintended consequences and asked to work on tighter definitions, but the bill was reported favorably after the sponsor said clarifying language would be added later. The committee also heard SB 838, as amended, on electronic payments for retail installment contracts; the sponsor said it would clarify that reasonable convenience fees for optional electronic payments are permissible, require disclosure, and preserve a fee-free option. Members raised concerns about what counts as a “reasonable” fee and whether the bill could authorize junk fees, but the committee substitute was reported favorably. Several votes were taken by roll call, with the bills above reported favorably and SB 898 temporarily postponed at the sponsor’s request. Members later asked to be recorded as voting affirmatively on bills they had missed. The meeting concluded after the final vote on SB 838 and a motion to adjourn.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> industrial economy and its manufactur industrial economy and its manufactur ufacturing<02:31:20.359
• </c><02:55:13.720><c> that</c> regulations on Tire manufacturing that regulations on Tire manufacturing
• </c> this topic no one in fact manufacturers this topic no one in fact manufacturers on<03:11:10.399>
• </c> asking for this on the the manufacturers asking for this on the the manufacturers and<03:11:26.160
• <03:32:04.120><c> at</c><03:32:04.319><c> about</c> manufacturer at about manufacturer at about $2,555

Transcript Highlights:

• area in the Minnesota House of Representatives, and I'm proud to be the legislator with the most manufactured
• today because there's about 180,000 Minnesotans across the state living in the state's around 800 manufactured
• home park communities, and about 90% of those residents who live in a manufactured housing community
• And over the last decade, as a result, manufactured home communities have become prime real estate for
• today: the Manufactured Home Park Resident Bill of Rights.

Transcript Highlights:

• There is a misconception that all manufacturing is done on large industrial scales, but over 70% of manufacturers
• tax credits or do not tax manufacturing equipment at all.
• Bay Area manufacturers...
• And you certainly have been a champion on manufacturing, along with our chair here. ...champion on manufacturing
• We know that manufacturing jobs are middle-class jobs.

Summary: The Assembly Committee on Revenue and Taxation heard a series of tax-related bills, with several measures referred to suspense and a few advancing. SB 284 would clarify Proposition 19 rules for inherited family homes in probate, including when the one-year residency clock starts and whether title consolidation among siblings triggers reassessment; supporters included the California Association of Realtors, while county assessors opposed the sibling-transfer language as creating ambiguity. The bill was sent to suspense. SB 863 was taken up on the consent calendar and passed 6-0 to the Assembly floor. SB 333 would let San Luis Obispo County voters consider raising a local tax rate limit to fund transportation projects; supporters said it would help the county become self-help for major road needs, while opponents argued it would make it easier to raise regressive sales taxes. The committee approved the bill 5-2, as amended with a five-year sunset. SB 376, which clarifies that charitable remainder trusts are not treated as incomplete gift non-grantor trusts for California income tax purposes, drew support from the California Lawyers Association and no opposition, and passed 5-2 to Appropriations as amended. The committee also heard SB 591, which would replace steep penalties for failing to use electronic funds transfer with fixed penalties of $100 for a first violation and $500 thereafter; supporters said current penalties can be excessive and out of proportion, and the bill was sent to suspense. SB 419 would partially exempt hydrogen fuel from the state sales and use tax while leaving the existing road fee in place; supporters said it would help hydrogen adoption and parity with other clean fuels, while one environmental group opposed unless amended, and the bill went to suspense. SB 587 proposed a state tax credit for local sales tax paid on manufacturing equipment to encourage investment and jobs; it had broad business support and no opposition, but was also sent to suspense. SB 710 would extend and update the property tax exclusion for solar installations, with broad support from clean energy and local government groups and some opposition from large energy consumers; it too was referred to suspense. Finally, SB 663 would extend deadlines and exemptions for wildfire victims and certain nonprofit and disabled veteran properties; it received support from assessors and committee members but was also sent to suspense for further work.

Transcript Highlights:

• <01:02:01.200><c> home</c> manufactured home manufactured home communities<01:02:03.079><c> 90%</c><01
• </c> establishes rent control on manufactured establishes rent control on manufactured homes<01:08:25.920
• </c> imposing rent control on manufactured imposing rent control on manufactured home<01:08:36.920><c
• </c><01:10:13.600><c> home</c> resident of the sron manufactured home resident of the sron manufactured
• </c> chair uh Mark Bruner manufactured chair uh Mark Bruner manufactured modular<01:22:03.840><c> home

Bills: HF1143 , HF1548 , HF1340 , HF2549 , HF2559 , HF1673 , HF2740 , HF2507 , HF2461 , HF2381 , HF2695

Committee: House Housing Finance and Policy

Keywords: education funding, unemployment aid, special education, Minnesota statutes, appropriations, housing, redevelopment, local government, trust funds, community development, HF1340, housing infrastructure bonds, Minnesota Housing Finance Agency, MHFA, affordable housing, supportive housing, permanent housing, adaptive reuse, area median income, AMI

Transcript Highlights:

• the statewide Office of Manufacturing within the Department of Commerce, led by the chief manufacturing
• There are currently 72,127 manufacturing companies in Florida.
• I look for your favorable support on this manufacturing...
• I look for your favorable support on this manufacturing bill.
• Can they be newly constructed manufactured homes, or can they be manufactured homes of any age?

Committee: Senate Appropriations Committee on Transportation, Tourism, and Economic Development

Summary: The Appropriations Committee on Transportation, Tourism, and Economic Development met with a quorum present and took up three bills. The first two, both by Senator Truenow, addressed Florida manufacturing. SB 600 would codify the Office of Manufacturing in the Department of Commerce, support workforce development grants, create a Florida Manufacturing Promotional Campaign, and require biannual reporting. A strike-all amendment clarified that the chief manufacturing officer already exists, the campaign is voluntary, the program falls under Chapter 288, and grant awards are at the department’s discretion. Florida Makes, Associated Industries of Florida, and the Florida Chamber of Commerce appeared in support, and the committee reported CS/SB 600 favorably. SB 602 established fees for the promotional campaign, with an amendment setting the fee at no more than $100 to administer the voluntary program; Florida Makes supported the bill, and the committee reported CS/SB 602 favorably. The committee then considered CS/CS/SB 184 by Senator Gates, an affordable housing and property rights bill requiring local governments to allow accessory dwelling units in single-family residential areas, while exempting planned unit developments and master-planned communities. The bill also limited local restrictions on parking and homestead treatment, allowed a density bonus for housing affordable to military families, and referenced an OPPAGA study on mezzanine financing. An amendment clarified that ADUs could not be used as short-term vacation rentals and must be rented for at least 30 days, allowed manufactured homes if they meet local standards, and removed a requirement that the unit be rented at an affordable rate or to a moderate- or low-income person. Senators asked about homestead exemption treatment, property tax impacts, and local control, and Gates explained that ADUs could be built later and would be separately taxed without affecting the original homestead exemption. Several groups appeared in support of SB 184, including AARP, Americans for Prosperity, Florida Realtors, and the Florida Chamber of Commerce. Senators Smith and Arrington spoke in favor, with Arrington noting concerns about parking flexibility for local governments. The committee adopted the amendment and then reported CS/CS/SB 184 favorably. At the end of the meeting, Senator Collins asked to be recorded as voting yes on tabs two and three, and the committee adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> manufactured housing investment grants. manufactured housing investment grants.
• 33.120><c> rights,</c><00:04:33.480><c> the</c> manufactured housing bill of rights, the manufactured
• It is manufactured housing infrastructure grants, which is another thing that manufactured housing is
• It is manufactured housing infrastructure grants, which is another thing that manufactured housing is
• It is manufactured housing infrastructure grants, which is another thing that manufactured housing is

Summary: The House considered the conference committee report on House File 1141, a housing bill, and moved to adopt the report and repass the bill as amended. Rep. Howard said the compromise would help build thousands of new homes, keep Minnesotans housed, and improve transparency and collaboration with the Minnesota Housing Finance Agency, while remaining budget-neutral. He highlighted investments in housing infrastructure bonds, greater Minnesota workforce housing, manufactured housing, EHPAP, supportive housing, and a new provision for greater public access at MHFA board meetings, while noting that some Senate proposals, including a manufactured housing bill of rights and a ban on private equity home purchases, were not included. Several members spoke in support of the compromise. Rep. Kozlowski emphasized the bill’s role in addressing housing instability, homelessness, and workforce shortages, citing investments in first-generation homebuyer assistance, supportive housing, and preservation of beds and units. Rep. Skraba and Rep. West also supported the bill, with Skraba praising the bipartisan process and West arguing the bill focused on supply-side solutions such as manufactured housing and easing development constraints. Rep. Schultz opposed the bill, arguing the money should instead go to school safety, fraud prevention, asset preservation, and lowering costs for taxpayers. After brief discussion, the House adopted the conference report and advanced the bill to third reading.

Transcript Highlights:

• So when it comes to the manufacturing side of this product, you know, Florida does have manufacturing
• , manufacturer—not a single person.
• HB 561, Manufacturing.
• H.B. 561 Manufacturing.
• Donnie Casey, Manufacturing Association of Central Florida, 6,000-plus manufacturers.

Summary: The committee met with a quorum and heard a lengthy agenda of bills, with the chair limiting public testimony to about one minute per speaker. Early action included passage of HB 203, which allows certain counties to opt back into transportation concurrency, as amended to narrow the bill to small counties. The committee also favorably reported CS/HB 43, allowing renters to reuse tenant screening reports for 30 days, and HB 897, a timeshare-related strike-all that clarified timeshare governance provisions and annual board meeting requirements. The committee then approved HJR 1,215, proposing a constitutional amendment to eliminate tangible personal property tax for farmers and agricultural businesses, with support from agriculture and business groups. A major portion of the meeting focused on the committee’s hemp package. Members discussed the committee bill PCB for HAT-25-01, which would create a regulatory framework for hemp-derived intoxicating products, including licensing, packaging and labeling restrictions, testing, and sales limitations. Testimony was mixed: industry representatives and distributors generally supported regulation but urged changes on branding, packaging, milligram limits, and sales locations; convenience store and petroleum marketers opposed restrictions that would exclude gas stations; and consumer-safety and addiction advocates supported tighter controls, including bans on synthetics, online sales, and child-appealing packaging. The committee also heard and approved PCB for HAT-25-02, a companion tax bill imposing excise taxes on hemp consumables and beverages, despite concerns raised about possible triple taxation and higher compliance costs. The committee next passed HB 211, expanding the definition of farm products to include edible and non-edible plants and clarifying agricultural preemption on bona fide farm operations. It also favorably reported PCS for HB 561, creating a chief manufacturing officer role within the Department of Commerce, a workforce development grant program, a voluntary manufacturing promotion campaign, and required reporting, along with PCS for HB 563, which adds an annual fee of up to $100 for participants in the promotional campaign. Both manufacturing bills drew broad support from industry and economic development groups. Finally, the committee took up HJR 1257 and its conforming bill HB 1259, which would create property tax benefits for long-term rental properties owned by Floridians with a separate homestead. Supporters argued the measure would encourage long-term rentals and investment in Florida, while opponents from counties and cities warned it would shift tax burdens and reduce local revenue. After debate, the joint resolution passed 9-4 and the implementing bill also passed 9-4, and the meeting adjourned after all agenda items were completed.

Transcript Highlights:

• That is a significant advantage for manufacturing facilities.
• So my good colleague and I have fought... in our manufacturing sector.
• Senate Bill 996 by Senator Padilla, an act relating to manufactured housing.
• Manufacturers and sellers have not held fast to this.
• Manufacturers and sellers have not held fast to this legal definition.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> uh governing manufactured home parks. uh governing manufactured home parks.
• </c> uh other changes to the manufactured uh other changes to the manufactured home<00:18:26.600><c>
• </c><00:41:43.600><c> home</c> challenges facing manufactured home challenges facing manufactured home
• :34.920><c> Bend,</c> manufactured homeowner, Sandpiper Bend, manufactured homeowner, Sandpiper Bend,
• </c> change the future of our manufactured change the future of our manufactured home<00:47:24.200><c

Summary: The conference committee on the housing omnibus bill began with member introductions and a staff walk-through comparing House and Senate provisions. House Research staff reviewed major policy differences affecting Minnesota Housing Finance Agency operations, including limits on how much the agency may retain from state appropriations for administrative costs, new reporting requirements, restrictions on transfers between appropriated accounts, and House-only language requiring annual expenditure of investment income from state appropriations. Senate provisions were also summarized, including tighter rules on when appropriations may be placed into Housing Development Fund bookkeeping accounts, updated operating-cost reporting, and Senate-only changes to how investment earnings may be used. Staff also described shared and differing provisions on program-money transfers, a lived-experience earnings exemption, and a long list of Senate-only policy changes, including manufactured home park tenant protections, low-income housing tax credit and bond-related changes, a task force on housing taxes and fees, and repealers affecting Housing Development Fund authority and certain older programs. Fiscal staff then reviewed the budget impacts. The House side included one-time appropriations for workforce housing development, family homeless prevention and assistance, a Minnesota Nice Home Share pilot, and homebuyer education, along with debt service for $100 million in housing infrastructure bonds and transfers/cancellations that produced a net zero general fund impact across the budget window. The Senate side noted a fiscal note for the housing taxes and fees task force and a smaller housing infrastructure bond authorization, with corresponding debt service costs and a total Senate budget-window impact of about $1 million in general fund debt service. After the staff presentations, the committee moved to public testimony. Commissioner Jennifer Ho of Minnesota Housing said the bill’s housing infrastructure bonds and continued support for family homeless prevention were important, and she supported the lived-experience earnings exemption, while noting concerns about the interest-earnings provisions. Testifiers from Greater Minnesota groups praised the workforce housing investments and Senate updates to the state housing tax credit and infrastructure grant program, though they suggested changes to the geographic distribution language. HOME Line urged funding for statewide tenant hotline services, citing rising demand and asking for $1 million if additional money becomes available. The Minnesota Consortium of Community Developers supported the bill’s investments and emphasized the need to pair housing development with supportive services. Housing First Minnesota praised housing infrastructure bonds and other investments but criticized the omission of the Minnesota Starter Homes Act. The Minnesota Multi Housing Association began testimony opposing certain rent-control-related provisions in the House bill. No votes or final actions were taken during the portion of the meeting provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:03:40.400><c> home</c> they declared that manufactured home they declared that manufactured home
• 05:09.760><c> rely</c> Many manufactured home communities rely Many manufactured home communities rely
• manufactured home loan product,<00:07:38.320><c> helping</c><00:07:38.560><c> manufactured</c><00:07
• :39.440><c> home</c> product, helping manufactured home product, helping manufactured home ownership<
• </c> mobile, you know, manufactured home. mobile, you know, manufactured home.

Committee: Senate Housing and Homelessness Prevention

Transcript Highlights:

• House Bill 2320 relates to the regulation of firearm manufacturing.
• House Bill 2320 relates to the regulation of firearm manufacturing.
• Going to the first component in manufacturing, the bill amends several existing restrictions on manufacturing
• Someone can now manufacture an untraceable firearm at home.
• Digital firearm manufacturing.

Summary: The committee held public hearings on House Bill 2255, House Bill 2548, and House Bill 2320. HB 2255 would regulate third-party litigation funding by requiring disclosure of funders and agreements, prohibiting funder control over litigation, capping funder recovery at 25%, and creating enforcement remedies. Supporters, including the sponsor, insurance groups, and liability reform advocates, described it as a transparency and consumer-protection measure that could improve court efficiency and reduce costs. Opponents, including the Washington State Association for Justice and the commercial litigation funding industry, argued it would burden plaintiffs, reveal protected work product, chill access to justice, and create satellite litigation. No vote was taken; the chair closed the hearing and asked testifiers to submit written comments. HB 2548 would expand state oversight of health care market transactions by broadening the types of mergers, acquisitions, asset sales, and ownership/control changes that trigger notice to the Attorney General, pausing transactions until information requests are substantially complied with, expanding interagency data sharing, and revoking nonprofit status in certain transactions. Supporters, including patient advocates, nurses, the Office of the Insurance Commissioner, the Attorney General’s office, physicians, and individual health care workers, said private equity and consolidation are driving higher costs, reduced access, and lower quality. Opponents from the Washington State Hospital Association and MultiCare said the bill is unclear, may contain drafting errors, does not adequately target private equity structures, and could create problems around nonprofit status and charitable assets. The hearing ended with the committee moving on to the next bill. HB 2320 would update Washington’s ghost gun laws to address 3D-printed firearms, CNC manufacturing, digital firearm manufacturing code, and the sale of machines marketed for firearm production, and would make certain violations per se Consumer Protection Act violations. The sponsor and supporters, including school officials, gun violence prevention advocates, a trauma survivor, a 3D-printing industry representative, and others, said the bill closes a public safety loophole and responds to the growing availability of untraceable weapons. Opponents, including the NRA, makerspace representatives, and some industry witnesses, argued the bill is overbroad, may sweep in lawful 3D-printing and CNC activity, raises First, Second, and Fifth Amendment concerns, and could create uncertainty through rebuttable presumptions and the CPA provisions. The transcript ends during the HB 2320 hearing, with additional testimony panels still to come and no final committee action recorded.

Transcript Highlights:

• The manufacturers to To ban them. So they have a choice.
• , and manufacturing accounts for over 11% of the state's total economic output.
• Well, and, and, and that may be true for some food manufacturers.
• Um, HEB is one of the largest food manufacturers in Texas, and, uh, we manufacture for Texas.
• I, I'm in manufacturing, although not food manufacturing, but it's pretty staggeringly hard for me to

Bills: HB25 , HB38 , HB997 , HB 1119 , HB25 , HB38

Committee: House S/C on Disease Prevention & Women's & Children's Health

Keywords: HB 25, Texas nutrition, nutrition education, healthy living, public health, school physical activity, recess, physical education, nutrition and wellness course, health curriculum, State Board of Education, Texas Nutrition Advisory Committee, ultra-processed foods, artificial colors, food additives, chronic disease, metabolic health, culinary medicine, functional medicine, dietary guidelines

Transcript Highlights:

• We're in the middle of a construction and manufacturing renaissance, both nationally and here in New
• This creates jobs, Mexico-based manufacturers.
• What this program will do is it will actually help our manufacturers here in state apply for...
• actually help our manufacturers here in state apply for EPDs for their products.
• When we passed the Advanced Energy Manufacturing Equipment...

Summary: The House Energy, Environment and Natural Resources Committee met on February 3 and first took up House Bill 153, the Low Carbon Construction Material Rebate Act, with a committee substitute that added an Environmental Product Declaration program and shifted administration to the Environment Department. Sponsor Representative Dixon said the bill would create rebates for buyers of lower-carbon construction materials, support local manufacturers, and reduce industrial emissions. Support came from the New Mexico Home Builders Association, Sierra Club, and the Greater Albuquerque Chamber of Commerce. Some members questioned whether the bill would actually lower housing costs or instead create future price pressure once subsidies expire, and raised concerns about rulemaking and whether some materials would be incentivized even without state help. The committee voted 7-4 to do pass the committee substitute and do not pass the original bill. The committee then heard House Bill 154, which would broaden and decouple New Mexico’s advanced energy tax credit definitions from federal law and add fusion energy and related components as eligible advanced energy products. Representative Dixon said the change would give the state more flexibility to include emerging technologies while keeping the existing credit structure and cap intact. The Greater Albuquerque Chamber of Commerce, a Santa Fe fusion company, a Los Lunas economic development official, and an online fusion company all testified in support, arguing the bill would provide certainty, attract investment, and help build a local supply chain. One member suggested future consideration of nuclear fission, while another questioned whether some renewable technologies were still appropriate, but the committee ultimately voted 9-2 to do pass HB 154. House Bill 184, a technical fix to the Land of Enchantment Legacy Fund, was then presented by Representative Small. The amendment adopted by the committee delayed the three-year moving average for distributions by one year and extended the time to use funds from two years to three years, with the sponsor saying this would better reflect the fund’s growth and give projects more time to complete. Witnesses from Western Resource Advocates, conservation districts, and Conservation Voters New Mexico supported the measure, saying it would strengthen successful outdoor, watershed, and conservation programs. The committee adopted the amendment and then passed the bill unanimously. Finally, the committee heard House Memorial 20, which would create a study group to examine barriers to renewable energy transmission and project development. The sponsor said the goal was to bring agencies, stakeholders, and possibly courts together to identify ways to speed up renewable infrastructure while preserving environmental review and public input. Sierra Club, Western Resource Advocates, Defenders of Wildlife, and the League of Women Voters supported the memorial, but several members said it should be broadened to include all energy infrastructure or more clearly address transmission, permitting, tribal, federal, and military coordination. In response to those concerns, the sponsor asked to roll the memorial for further discussion and possible revisions rather than advancing it that day.

Transcript Highlights:

• Additionally, PBMs have no say in the price that drug manufacturers set.
• That alone is done by drug manufacturers.
• Additionally, PBMs have no say in the price that drug manufacturers set.
• That alone is done by drug manufacturers.
• PBMs and insurers negotiate rebates with manufacturers.

Committee: Joint Joint Committee on Financial Services

Summary: The committee held a lengthy hearing on a large docket of pharmacy and drug-pricing bills, with most testimony focused on PBM reform, 340B drug discount program protections, specialty medication access, and medication adherence. Chair James Murphy and Senator Paul Feeney opened the hearing and took testimony from legislators, patient advocates, pharmacists, health center leaders, industry representatives, and policy groups. Several speakers described delays, denials, high out-of-pocket costs, and pharmacy closures tied to PBM practices, while others emphasized the importance of community health centers and independent pharmacies in serving patients. On the 340B program, supporters including Senator Eldridge, Senator Payano, Community Care Cooperative, Fenway Health, the Massachusetts League of Community Health Centers, and several community health center leaders argued that bills such as H. 1107 and S. 819 would stop discriminatory PBM and manufacturer practices, preserve contract pharmacy access, and protect safety-net providers that say they reinvest savings into care, pharmacy expansion, interpreter services, behavioral health, and other services. Opponents including PhRMA, the Community Liver Alliance, and a public policy analyst argued the program lacks transparency and accountability, has grown beyond its original purpose, and may benefit large hospitals and for-profit entities more than low-income patients. They urged more reporting and oversight rather than expanding protections. On PBM reform, testimony supported bills including H. 1157, H. 1234, S. 724, S. 831, and related measures that would require rebate pass-through, ban spread pricing, limit steering to PBM-owned pharmacies, and improve reimbursement for community pharmacies. Independent pharmacists and patients said current PBM practices raise costs, create administrative burdens, and threaten access to local pharmacies. PCMA, representing PBMs, opposed the reforms, arguing PBMs lower costs, that plan sponsors choose to contract with them, and that the Health Policy Commission and CHIA should complete their ongoing study before new mandates are adopted. The committee also heard support for H. 1322 and S. 734 on specialty medications, and for H. 781 and H. 1305 on medication synchronization to improve adherence. No votes or formal actions were taken during the hearing.

Transcript Highlights:

• Today, more than 41 drug manufacturers and 2,000 drugs are affected.
• They simply increase manufacturer profits.
• There's a perception that the bill would only impact manufacturers.
• First, it protects manufacturers from unilaterally changing how 340B works.
• First, it protects manufacturers from unilaterally changing how 340B works.

Bills: SB5904 , SB5915 , SB6025 , SB5933 , SB5990 , SB5981

Committee: Senate Health & Long-Term Care

Keywords: nursing titles, licensure, healthcare professionals, patient safety, professional standards, SB 5915, health technology assessment, HTA, clinical committee, medical technology review, coverage determination, state-purchased health care, Washington health care, RCW, evidence-based medicine, cost-effectiveness, safety and efficacy, Medicare coverage, national coverage determination, clinical guidelines

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> Minnesota help build manufacturing Minnesota help build manufacturing capacity<01:10:41.239><c>
• </c> help about 180 uh small manufacturers help about 180 uh small manufacturers like<01:18:54.440><c
• </c> they are doing regarding manufacturing they are doing regarding manufacturing is<01:21:11.440><c
• </c> that is that we not lose Manufacturing that is that we not lose Manufacturing in<01:21:16.920><c
• </c><01:21:23.440><c> and</c> continue to lead in manufacturing and continue to lead in manufacturing

Committee: Senate Jobs and Economic Development

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> of of PAS to use, say in a manufacturing of of PAS to use, say in a manufacturing setting,<00:18
• </c> we do follow up with the manufacturer. we do follow up with the manufacturer.
• </c><00:55:03.119><c> The</c> manufacturing Minnesota stops. The manufacturing Minnesota stops.
• For manufacturers of complex etc.
• </c><01:20:44.640><c> Maybe</c> necessarily as a manufacturer. Maybe necessarily as a manufacturer.

Committee: House Environment and Natural Resources Finance and Policy

Transcript Highlights:

• FOR THE MBIA MANUFACTURING COMMISSION IN DC.
• WHY DO WE NEED AI AND ADVANCED MANUFACTURING?
• Gantt: THANK YOU I WOULD LIKE TO TALK ABOUT THE MANUFACTURING PROCESS OR THE MANUFACTURING OUTLOOK.
• BUT I WANT TO KNOW WHAT GAPS IF THERE ARE GAPS AND BARRIERS IN MANUFACTURING OR KEEPING MANUFACTURING
• NOT A MANUFACTURING QUESTION.