Transcript Highlights:

• And they did their research and found out that those people were able... to the surprise, everyone in
• And they did their research and found out that those people were able.
• And they did their research and found out that those people were able to vote.
• If you research the recidivism rate, and this is the last thing I'm going to say, if you research the
• If you research the recidivism rate consistently over the last 20 years, you'll see three years is the

Committee: House Corrections and Public Institutions

Summary: The House Corrections and Public Institutions Committee held a public hearing on House Bills 2592, 2787, and 2834, which were described as having nearly identical language. The bills would restore voting rights for people with felony convictions who are no longer incarcerated and, in the versions discussed, remove language requiring completion of probation or parole before registering to vote. Sponsors and supporters said the measures would align Missouri with other states, promote civic engagement, and help reduce recidivism. Several members also noted that people on supervision often work, pay taxes, and remain active in their communities, yet cannot vote under current law. Committee members asked about practical implementation, especially how voting would work for people who are incarcerated or serving misdemeanor sentences, and whether absentee voting mechanisms would be needed. Witnesses and sponsors said current law already allows some absentee voting for pretrial detainees and suggested the issue could be addressed through further amendment or discussion. Members also raised questions about exclusions for certain offenses, such as election-related felonies, and about whether people on life supervision would be covered. Sponsors explained that the bills would not restore voting rights to people currently incarcerated, but would restore them upon release or while on probation/parole, depending on the bill language. Testimony was overwhelmingly in support. Bill sponsors Representatives Stennett, Collins, and Anderson testified in favor, along with advocates from Empower Missouri, the Center for Responsive Government Action, the League of Women Voters of Missouri, ACLU of Missouri, Missouri Appleseed, Justice for All, the Missouri State Conference of the NAACP, Americans for Prosperity, and the Missouri Voter Protection Coalition. Supporters emphasized rehabilitation, community belonging, and public safety, citing studies and personal experiences showing that voting rights restoration can reduce recidivism and encourage reintegration. No opposition testimony was presented. The committee took no final action and adjourned after the hearing.

Transcript Highlights:

• I work for the Office of Program Research, Appropriations, and Capital Budget Committees.
• So after I completed 30 years of staffing at the Office of Program Research, as mentioned, I went to
• Research shows that the QSBS exemption benefits multimillionaires and billionaire venture capitalists
• Yeah, I'd be happy to send other research that we've done around companies moving in response to tax
• You know, other research that we've done around companies moving in response to tax policies is not,

Bills: SB5893 , SB6229 , HB1376 , SGA9306

Committee: Senate Ways & Means

Keywords: forest health, wildfire reduction, appropriations, environmental policy, natural resource management, capital gains, taxation, small business, state revenue, investment, economic growth, tax prepayment, tax regulation, financial planning, economic policy, 904, all

Transcript Highlights:

• their bargaining relationships, and academic employees, which would be like teaching assistants or research
• Teaching assistants, research assistants, tutors, readers, graders, and similar student employees at
• Teaching Assistance, Research Assistance, student governments in support of this bill and the striking
• Teaching assistants, research assistants, tutors, readers, graders, and similar student employees at
• , nonpartisan organization that conducts and disseminates research on a host of economic, legal, and

Bills: HB1170 , HB1570 , HB1834

Committee: House Appropriations

Keywords: artificial intelligence, AI, generative AI, AI-generated content, deepfake, synthetic media, content provenance, provenance data, metadata, watermarking, disclosure, transparency, consumer protection, unfair or deceptive acts, unfair competition, Washington RCW, Title 19 RCW, platform regulation, AI detection tool, media authenticity

Transcript Highlights:

• We began expanding the use of the sun tracks, testing facility to conduct research and development of
• We're excited to integrate Air Transportation Research Center that's already impresses per portfolio.
• This includes on site classrooms, research labs and one of the state only state, but in research and
• And it'll be a key focus area in our Transportation Research Institute and we're very excited with some
• criteria through a safety lens and working with the FAA and NASA, by the way, it's done a lot of research

Transcript Highlights:

• think is a critically important piece of the puzzle and one you've spent an immense amount of time researching
• Empowering us with further information as new research is being done in this area.
• consumers, and facilitates scientific evaluation by providing critical data as we conduct further research
• That is significant exposure and so I started to try to research on my own which were safe and which
• We're not asking to ban or do anything as we want transparency and there's just very little research

Committee: House Environmental Safety and Toxic Materials

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Um, based on input from House research, we also took the opportunity to reorganize the statutes to make
• 00:05:09.919><c> input</c><00:05:10.320><c> from</c><00:05:10.479><c> House</c><00:05:10.800><c> research
• ,</c><00:05:11.280><c> we</c><00:05:11.520><c> also</c> on input from House research, we also on input
• from House research, we also took<00:05:11.919><c> the</c><00:05:12.160><c> opportunity</c><00:05:12.560
• Then the two other folks that I really want to call out are House Research Ben Johnson and DFL Research

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• All of our seniors do a senior portfolio project in research, and they follow that same deep dive approach
• the Regeneron International Science and Engineering Fair, which is the most competitive student research
• Additionally, we have one student researcher who presented at a conference on global health leaders at
• These are the things that make our students homegrown Alabama artists, researchers, makers, and innovators
• Today, I now work at the Mitchell Cancer Institute in South Alabama, researching cancer, specifically

Bills: SB1 , HB176 , HB86 , SB1 , HB176 , HB86

Committee: House Ways and Means Education

Keywords: workers' compensation, public education, employee injury, insurance trust fund, on-the-job injury, administrative procedures, HB176, Alabama sales tax, use tax, sales and use tax exemption, optical aids, eyeglasses, contact lenses, prescription glasses, vision care, optometrist, ophthalmologist, optician, medical devices, local option tax exemption

Transcript Highlights:

• A 100-plus years of research and practice has shown us that this approach doesn't work.
• A 100-plus years of research and practice has shown us that this approach doesn't work.
• A 100-plus years of research and practice has shown us that this approach doesn't work.
• We've done research; that's what we do.
• that's what we do we do research that's what we do we do evidence-based<01:56:51.440><c> research</c

Committee: House Public Safety

Keywords: 910, house, all

Summary: The Public Safety Committee held a hearing on House Bill 433, which would appropriate $4 million for Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation re-entry services to connect offenders with community-based services. Director Tommy Johnson said the department supports the bill’s intent but noted the governor’s executive budget already includes $4 million for the same purpose and asked that the measure defer to that budget. Supporters, including the Hawaii Correctional System Oversight Commission, Community Alliance on Prisons, and the ACLU, backed the funding but urged that it be tied to a clear re-entry plan, performance measures, transparency, and regular reporting to the legislature. They emphasized that re-entry should begin at intake and involve community partnerships, housing, treatment, employment, and family reunification services. Committee members questioned the department about current re-entry services, pre-trial detainees, and how the new funds would be used. Johnson said the department’s current statewide re-entry budget is about $1.5 million to $1.7 million, separate from the larger Corrections Program Services Division budget for in-facility programs. He described the proposed $4 million as supporting a mix of services, including a pilot apprenticeship program, substance abuse treatment, navigator or warm-handoff services, and short-term transitional housing. He also said the department already tracks performance outcomes in its annual report and can provide a matrix showing the intake-to-discharge process, program contracts, and volunteer organizations. The discussion also covered pre-trial detainees, electronic monitoring, and mental health services. Johnson said the department has limited jurisdiction over pre-trial detainees but works with courts to seek supervised release when possible; he noted that many requests are denied, though electronic monitoring has improved release rates somewhat. On mental health, he said the jail is not an ideal therapeutic setting for people found unfit to proceed and suggested a secure community-based step-down facility run by the Department of Health for those needing care above what the jail can provide but below forensic-level treatment. No vote or final action on the bill was taken during the hearing.

Transcript Highlights:

• I'm an assistant professor of mathematics education research.
• Research consistently shows that early mathematics development is one of the strongest predictors of
• Research consistently demonstrates that differences in mathematics outcomes are not reflections of ability
• That first leg about the research-based diagnostic, that's where a lot of our conversation began.
• Regarding brain development, research in early childhood shows that the brain in the TK and kindergarten

Committee: House Education

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• These and other actions have been taken based upon rigorous research and analysis, positioning us to
• The Mass Taxpayers Foundation is a nonprofit, nonpartisan research organization that looks at issues
• And I will say for some of the provisions in there, I think of the research and experimental expensing
• There was a lot said about its impact on research grants and employment in different sectors.
• We do timely research on live policy issues in a strictly nonpartisan way, working on fiscal policy,

Committee: Joint Joint Committee on Ways and Means

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The Senate and House Ways and Means chairs opened the FY 2027 consensus revenue hearing by emphasizing the need for a balanced, fiscally responsible budget amid federal funding cuts, health care cost pressures, and uncertainty around the federal tax law changes referred to as OB3. They also noted the state’s current revenue performance is slightly above benchmark and paid tribute to the late Representative Anne Margaret Ferranti. Secretary of Administration and Finance Matthew Gorkowitz echoed the call for caution, saying Massachusetts has protected core services while building reserves and that the FY27 budget process begins with a careful revenue estimate. Department of Revenue Commissioner Jeff Snyder, along with DOR staff, presented FY26 and FY27 tax forecasts and identified major drivers and risks: OB3’s negative impact on state revenue, surtax collections, labor market conditions, capital gains, and corporate/business excise taxes. DOR estimated OB3 would reduce FY26 revenue by about $664 million and FY27 by about $282 million, while surtax and capital gains were expected to remain strong in FY26 but soften in FY27. Members questioned the outlook for surtax, capital gains, and the potential fiscal effect of a ballot question reducing the income tax rate from 5% to 4%; DOR said that proposal could cost roughly $4.2 billion to $4.8 billion annually, with a smaller but still significant impact in FY27 because of phase-in timing. Treasurer Deb Goldberg testified next on the stabilization fund, lottery, PRIM, unclaimed property, and the Alcoholic Beverages Control Commission. She reported the rainy day fund at about $8.1 billion, said the lottery was on track for $1.5 billion in FY26 net profit and projected $1.25 billion in FY27, and highlighted that iLottery is expected to launch in summer 2026 with revenue beginning in FY27 and dedicated to child care initiatives. She also described strong PRIM performance and record unclaimed property returns, while members asked about the child care use of iLottery revenue, multilingual outreach, and the economic impact of expanded liquor licensing. Mass Taxpayers Foundation President Doug Howgate and Tufts’ Evan Horowitz then offered differing revenue outlooks and policy warnings. Howgate projected modest growth, cautioned against overusing reserves for ongoing obligations, and urged caution on federal tax conformity changes and health care spending pressures. Horowitz projected higher FY26 and FY27 revenues than other witnesses, warned that the surtax and capital gains make the tax system more volatile, and said a 4% income tax ballot question could reduce FY27 revenues by roughly $800 million to $1 billion. He also flagged the rent control ballot question as a potential risk to municipal finance and suggested the state consider giving a permanent home to the independent revenue model used by Alan Clayton-Matthews.

Transcript Highlights:

• To access firearm trace data for research and public policy purposes.
• sharing. ...and previous legislation authorized data sharing with the California Firearm Violence Research
• AB 1743 simply allows trusted government and research partners to put that data to greater use.
• Researchers can use trace and recovery statistics to understand illegal firearms markets.
• Research is... ...effectively converting an otherwise non-jailable offense into incarceration.

Committee: Senate Public Safety

Keywords: 987, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• gone private, we don't do effectively the research that we've done, but our agents that are boots on
• Effectively, the research that we've done, but our agents that are boots on the ground are not getting
• We have the research side, and, you know, the research over the years has grown yields, found efficiencies
• The other side of it is research and extension, which is code word for outreach.
• Well, we would use it for extension and researchers and staff and, you know, administrative assistance

Committee: All JOINT BUDGET COMMITTEE

Summary: The committee first received a report on the executive protection detail, which was filed without questions. Members were then given a long advance list of House and Senate bills ready for consideration, followed by several amendment requests from agencies. The committee adopted amendments for the Auditor of State to increase special deputy expense allowance, the Administrative Office of the Courts for court interpreters and substitute court reporters, and several other items including local sales tax refunds, county property tax redistribution, and local law enforcement funding. It also held one amendment on House Bill 1034 and moved a Northwest Arkansas Community College cash fund increase tied to tornado-related campus repairs. The committee then considered a series of member amendments and appropriation items, including increases for the Public Defender Commission and deputy prosecuting attorneys to cover higher bar license fees, and a $12 million federal appropriation-only item. A lengthy discussion followed on a proposal from Senator Wallace and Representative Tosh to fund a pilot program for prison cell-phone detection/jamming technology at two correctional facilities. Sponsors and Department of Corrections officials said the system would target illegal contraband phones, would be procured through an RFP, and would be a two-year pilot; members raised questions about legality, cost, scope, data, and whether the department should use existing budget authority. The committee ultimately advanced the item by motion. The committee also took up an amendment from Senator Caldwell for the University of Arkansas Division of Agriculture, seeking a $4 million appropriation increase. Testimony emphasized that the division’s extension offices and research functions are underfunded, that salaries are not competitive, and that the request would help with staffing and flexibility; other members questioned why the division needed more appropriation authority when it already had room under current limits and noted that the request exceeded the higher education board’s recommendation. The amendment was adopted after extended debate. Finally, the committee began acting on governor’s letters, adopting amendments for a $150 million increase to the homestead property tax credit, a $23,000 reallocation for the Insurance Department’s conference costs, $100,000 for property appraisal review work, $1.5 million for career and technical education professional development, $300,000 for DFA regulatory federal spending, $5 million for Inspector General fraud investigations, a consolidation of appraiser/abstractor/home inspector appropriations, deletion of a completed Fort Chaffee readiness center appropriation, and a revised reappropriation for corrections capital projects that would add special language restricting use of the $73.7 million prison-expansion reappropriation. The committee also heard a summary of a supplemental appropriations package involving fund transfers for pregnancy resource centers, senior centers, assistance grants, used tires, and UAMS pregnancy/stroke programs.

Transcript Highlights:

• Researchers testing these products have found some alarming outcomes.
• Researchers testing these products have found some alarming outcomes.
• Our recent research revealed several of these risks.
• All three were able to tell the researchers where to find dangerous objects, like matches and knives,
• Our recent research revealed several of these risks.

Summary: The committee held its first hearing and took up several privacy, AI, and consumer protection bills. SB 1106 (Cabaldon) would shorten the Delete Act data broker deletion response deadline from 45 days to 30 days; it received support from the California Initiative for Technology and Democracy, one senator said they would lay off pending implementation of the original law, and the bill passed on a due-pass motion to Appropriations with a 5-0 vote on call. SB 923 (Becker) would expand the CCPA deletion right to all personal information held by businesses and require online-only businesses to offer a web form or similar method for privacy requests; supporters included the California Privacy Protection Agency and privacy groups, while business groups raised concerns about scope, compliance, and the email/web-form requirement. The committee advanced it 6-0 to Appropriations, on call, with members noting continued work on amendments. SB 1142 (Becker) would regulate digital replicas and deepfakes, including takedown and notice provisions for large online platforms and protections against misuse of a person’s likeness, voice, or identity. Supporters emphasized harms from non-consensual synthetic media and fraud; opponents, including the Motion Picture Association and tech industry groups, raised First Amendment, due process, Section 230, and overbreadth concerns, especially around deceased persons and the 48-hour takedown process. Members said they would support the bill while working on constitutional issues, and it passed 6-0 to Judiciary, on call. The committee also adopted its rules without objection. The committee then heard several member bills. SB 867 (Padilla) would impose a four-year moratorium on AI chatbot-powered toys for children; supporters cited research showing sexual content, dangerous advice, and privacy risks, while opponents asked for narrower definitions and retailer liability protections. It passed 7-0 to Appropriations, on call. SB 1247 (Padilla) would give child influencers a right to request deletion or modification of images and likenesses used in monetized social media content; there was little testimony beyond a civil justice group’s opposition to a new private right of action, and it passed 7-0 to Judiciary, on call. SB 1114 (Cabaldon) would restrict sharing of state-collected LGBTQ-related data absent an enforceable order; Equality California and other advocates supported it as a safeguard against misuse of sensitive data, and it passed 6-0 to Appropriations, on call. SB 1159 (Cabaldon) would limit local governments’ obligation to treat AI bots and agents as persons in public participation and records processes; supporters said AI-generated comment floods and requests can drown out human participation, while opponents argued the bill should focus on fraud and warned about overreach. It passed 9-0 to Appropriations. Finally, SB 1050 (Ashby) would require disclosures when advertisements use AI-generated synthetic performers; supporters framed it as a truth-in-advertising and worker-protection measure, while opponents urged narrower, materiality-based standards and exemptions for broadcasters. Members generally supported the goal but raised concerns about breadth and alignment with existing law, and the bill was moved forward on a due-pass motion to Judiciary.

Transcript Highlights:

• We don't use—well, we have ISS as our agent, but as far as our research goes, I wanted to point this
• out: we do have a company in the United States called Boyer Research that makes all the recommendations
• So the concern that we had is that, and I've already talked with Boyer Research on this, they've pretty
• We don't use, we have ISS as our agent, but as far as our research goes, I wanted to point this out,
• we do have a company in the United States called Boyer Research that makes all the recommendations that

Committee: House Commerce, Consumer Protection, and International Affairs

Summary: The committee first took up House Bill 750 by Rep. Cox, the “Click to Cancel Act,” regulating automatic renewal contracts. After adopting technical and substantive amendments, members discussed easier cancellation methods, reduced notice requirements, shorter record-retention periods, a 30-day cure period, small-business exemptions, and limiting damages to actual damages. The bill drew support from consumer advocates and opposition cards from industry groups, and it was reported favorably as amended. House Bill 259 by Rep. DeWitt addressed damage to underground infrastructure during BEAD-funded broadband excavation projects, requiring notice before digging and making contractors repair or pay for damage before final payment is released. An amendment added pre-construction coordination, a point of contact, and fault-based liability language. Members discussed rural utility damage, broadband buildout, and the need to protect small water systems; the bill was reported favorably as amended. The committee then considered HB 220 by Rep. Schlegel, which requires covered platforms to maintain an easy-to-use reporting mechanism for child sexual abuse material and exploitation. After technical and clarifying amendments, the sponsor and members discussed scope, nonprofit and small-business exclusions, AG enforcement discretion, and concerns about clear-and-conspicuous placement. The bill was reported favorably as amended. Next, HB 830 by Rep. Wright required proxy advisors to disclose when anti-management recommendations are not based on written financial analysis and to provide that analysis when it exists. After amendments excluding certain affiliates and 501(c)(3) charities, the sponsor and a witness argued the bill was about transparency and fiduciary duty, while LASERS testified in opposition, saying the measure could make proxy advice unavailable and create a hardship for its internally managed portfolio. The bill was nonetheless reported favorably as amended. The committee also advanced HB 463 by Rep. McMakin, which raises the maximum local 9-1-1 service charge from $1.25 to $2.00, with an amendment requiring annual reporting and local governing authority approval; testimony explained the funding need for Next Generation 9-1-1, and the bill was reported favorably as amended. Finally, the committee began HB 536 by Rep. Coates on wireless communication facilities near schools. After adopting technical and then lengthy substantive amendments narrowing the school proximity zone, adjusting setbacks, adding co-location and permit timing provisions, and clarifying uniform application, members raised concerns about whether the bill duplicated existing safety standards, could delay deployment, and whether it would apply only to new towers. The sponsor and a parent witness emphasized school safety and emergency planning, but discussion remained ongoing when the transcript ended.

Transcript Highlights:

• Through the right mix of research, incentives, and collaboration, California agriculture is demonstrating
• Researchers come from all over the world to participate and hear the latest developments on the enteric
• So having said that, I'm going to present today some recent research of mine that I did along with two
• makes a case for so much more lobbying and requests at the federal government to continue to fund research
• I do know certainly in the research that CARB has done and in the research from UC Davis that without

Summary: The joint informational hearing examined how California agricultural programs have used cap-and-invest funding and what role agriculture should play in future climate investments. Committee chairs framed the issue as balancing climate goals, food production, rural economic vitality, and the fact that agriculture was not specifically funded in the recent cap-and-invest reauthorization. The first panel from CDFA and the Legislative Analyst’s Office described the state’s climate-smart agriculture portfolio, including Healthy Soils, SWEEP, the Dairy Methane Reduction Program, and Alternative Manure Management, and explained that GGRF revenues are now more constrained and may not fully support all tiered programs. LAO emphasized that agriculture is about 8% of California’s emissions, that most ag emissions are outside the cap, and that the Legislature should consider program effectiveness, the role of incentives, and GGRF priorities. CDFA testified that roughly $727 million has been invested in its flagship climate-smart ag programs, producing estimated reductions of 31 million metric tons of CO2e, 1.6 million acre-feet of water savings, and about 4,000 projects. The department said technical assistance is essential because farmers face risk when adopting new practices, and noted new Proposition 4 funding for Healthy Soils, SWEEP, and a regional farm equipment sharing program. University researchers then presented economic and methane-reduction analyses: UC Berkeley’s Dr. Hill described working landscapes as a major economic driver, while UC Davis’ Dr. Kibreab outlined dairy methane reduction pathways, including herd efficiency, digesters, alternative manure management, and emerging feed additives such as 3-NOP and seaweed, arguing that incentive-based programs have helped California move toward its methane goals. A later panel featured sharply different views on dairy digesters. Phoebe Seton argued that digesters worsen air and water quality, encourage manure liquefaction, and are an inefficient use of public funds, while CalCAN’s Brian Schobey and agricultural representatives said programs like AMP, SWEEP, Healthy Soils, FPIP, and the Farmer Program deliver measurable emissions reductions plus co-benefits such as water savings, lower energy costs, and improved air quality. Farm and industry witnesses stressed that stable, incentive-based funding helps family farms remain viable, supports co-investment, and should be treated as a partnership rather than a regulatory stick. No votes or formal actions were taken; the hearing ended with public comment and a continued call for future funding and policy discussion.

Transcript Highlights:

• Through the right mix of research, incentives, and collaboration, California agriculture is demonstrating
• Efficiency and Enhancement Program, the Alternative Manure Management Program, and the Dairy Digester Research
• Researchers come from all over the world to participate and hear the latest developments on the enteric
• So having said that, I'm going to present today some recent research of mine that I did along with two
• I do know certainly in the research that CARB has done and in the research from UC Davis that without

Keywords: 987, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I forgot what the topic was, but we talked about the importance of research and data and things like
• And I think the reason that those arguments fall short. talked about the importance of research and data
• There are 12 budgets within this, ranging from ag research to Idaho Public Charter School.
• There are 12 budgets within this, ranging from ag research to Idaho Public Charter School.
• Back in 2023, the Biden administration put forth the congressionally mandated research plan and initial

Summary: The House convened with a quorum, approved the journal, welcomed a substitute member, and received multiple Senate messages and committee reports. Several bills were introduced and referred, including measures on medical advanced healing, insurance/state property claims, stablecoins, solid waste, public assistance definitions, and foreign ownership of single-family homes. The chamber also advanced a number of bills to second or third reading, and adopted House Concurrent Resolution 32 on energy policy, which urged a focus on baseload energy sources, transmission, ratepayer protection, property rights, and aquifer protection; it passed by voice vote. The House passed a series of bills on the floor, including House Bills 838, 721, 817, 752, 680, 860, 875, 876, 877, 795, 826, 832, 843, and 872, along with Senate Bill 1373. The measures covered topics such as requiring draft policy bills with budget recommendations, plan review timelines for public projects, a mobile cigar business permit, restroom and changing-room restrictions, recorded investigative interviews of child abuse allegations, revisions to medical parental rights and emergency care language, vacancy-based budgeting calculations, the State Board of Education budget, vocational rehabilitation rent, a response to litigation over prior law, honey commission governance, CTE teacher recruitment, homeowners exemption proration, and ballot formatting. Most passed with comfortable margins, though House Bill 875 passed narrowly 35-34 and House Bill 752 drew substantial debate before passing 54-50-1. Debate was especially intense on House Bill 752, with supporters framing it as a protection for women’s privacy and safety and opponents arguing it would criminalize bathroom use and target transgender people. House Bill 875 also drew concern that codifying budget-calculation methods could constrain future budgeting flexibility, while supporters said it would improve transparency and prevent funding vacant positions. House Bill 876, the State Board of Education maintenance budget, prompted criticism over a 6.8% base reduction and warnings about layoffs and program cuts at colleges and universities. House Bill 826, 832, 843, and 872 were all considered under suspended rules and passed, and the House also adopted HJM 18 urging action against geoengineering, with members citing concerns about sky streaks and climate intervention. The House recessed and later returned to continue business, with additional Senate bills and House bills referred for committee action.

Transcript Highlights:

• They offer compassionate support, groundbreaking research, education, advocacy, working hard every day
• June's week serves three important purposes: awareness, support for families, and encouraging research
• Rare pediatric disease often receives limited attention and research funding.
• And encouraging research and innovation.
• Missouri has tremendous medical research capability through our hospitals, universities, and scientists

Summary: The House opened with prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, approval of the prior day’s journal by a 115-1 vote, and a long series of special guest introductions recognizing community groups, first responders, educators, health advocates, students, and local leaders visiting the Capitol. Members also marked several awareness days and advocacy events, including colorectal cancer awareness, public administrator day, hospice day, suicide prevention advocacy, and transportation advocacy day. The chamber then moved to committee reports and third reading of bills. Bills passed included House Bill 2774 on fuel-source neutrality in state and local purchasing (138-5), House Bill 2383 on copper theft and critical infrastructure protections (130-5), House Bill 3205 regulating litigation funding and disclosure requirements (144-1), House Bill 2146 expanding hospital investment options (143-1), House Bill 1756 establishing June’s Week to recognize rare pediatric diseases (147-0), House Bill 1783 allowing the health department to contract with public health organizations (138-6), House Bill 2099 on squatter removal procedures (136-1), House Bill 2896 loosening residency restrictions for university governing boards (111-17), House Bill 2505/2044 giving grandparents priority in certain custody cases (144-0), House Bill 1625 increasing penalties for drug trafficking (137-2), House Bill 2302 removing barriers to employment for people leaving incarceration (142-0), House Bill 1870 updating garnishment and debt-collection laws (137-9), and House Bill 2335 giving school districts more flexibility over teacher training schedules (146-2). Several bills drew notable debate. House Bill 1664/1610/1645/2182 combined an increase in the statute of limitations for adult survivors of child sexual abuse with a reduction in the personal injury statute of limitations; supporters emphasized victim access and alignment with other states, while opponents argued the personal injury change would harm other victims and benefit insurers. It passed 95-12 with 39 present. House Bill 3146, a ballot-summary and initiative-petition process bill tied to prior Senate Bill 22 litigation, prompted sharp arguments over ballot language, judicial review, and the initiative process before passing 90-55. House Bill 3035, setting depreciation rules for vehicle tax assessments, passed 100-43 after concerns about how it fit with other tax proposals. The day ended with House Bill 1827 being called up for third reading, but the transcript cuts off before its debate or vote.

Transcript Highlights:

• And decades of peer-reviewed research has shown consolidation is a major part of those rising costs,
• Vote Mama Foundation, a leading nonpartisan 501(c)(3) entity that provides research and analysis on the
• Chair Dhingra and members of the committee, I'm Caleb Banta Green from UW Medicine, where I'm a research
• professor and direct the Center for Community Engaged, Great Education, Epidemiology, and Research.
• Seventh, I'll point out that as my career as a scientist at a premier research institute, I observed

Summary: The committee first waived the five-day notice rule for five House bills, then held public hearings on several measures. On Engrossed Substitute House Bill 2548, the committee heard staff and sponsor testimony on expanding health care merger notice requirements to the Attorney General, adding transactions involving majority ownership/control and asset sales, requiring public posting of notices, pausing closings until information requests are substantially complied with, and adding filing fees. Supporters, including the sponsor, the Attorney General’s Office, the Office of the Insurance Commissioner, nurses, and patient advocates, said the bill would improve transparency and oversight of consolidation and private equity in health care; the Washington State Medical Association and Washington State Hospital Association were neutral after compromise language, though the hospital association raised concern about the added fees. The hearing closed with many people signed in pro and con but not testifying. The committee then heard Second Substitute House Bill 2333, which would allow candidates and elected officials to use campaign or surplus funds to reimburse personal security expenses related to threats tied to their public roles. The sponsor and several prosecutors described personal threats and argued the bill is needed to protect public servants, while public disclosure officials said current PDC processes and the state Address Confidentiality Program already provide some protections and cautioned against over-codifying agency discretion. Some testimony urged restoring earlier address-protection provisions, while county auditors said the revised bill removed operationally unworkable redaction language and was acceptable as amended. The bill had broad signed-in support and opposition, but no vote was taken. For Engrossed House Bill 1574, staff explained the bill would expand Good Samaritan-style protections for people seeking overdose help, bar arrest or conviction for possession in those circumstances, limit related penalties and forfeiture, and allow hospitals and other health facilities to distribute public health supplies without committing paraphernalia infractions. Supporters said it would save lives and improve access to drug checking and harm reduction services, while prosecutors and law enforcement groups said the bill was too broad, especially regarding arrest limits, protection-order violations, probation/parole, warrants, and civil forfeiture. The sponsor said the bill was intended to keep people alive and encourage calls for help. The committee also heard Engrossed House Bill 2156, which would let Attorney General investigators be designated limited authority peace officers to electronically serve search warrants in economic and financial crime cases; the AGO and retailers supported it as a tool against organized retail theft and wage theft, while sheriffs and police chiefs opposed it and urged added guardrails and deconfliction with local law enforcement. Finally, on Engrossed Substitute House Bill 2320, the committee heard a bill to regulate 3D-printed and digitally manufactured firearms and digital firearm manufacturing code. The sponsor and supporters, including students, pediatricians, and a gun-violence survivor’s family member, said it was needed to address untraceable ghost guns and keep pace with technology, while opponents argued the bill was overbroad, raised constitutional concerns, and targeted files and speech rather than criminal conduct. No votes were taken in the hearing excerpts provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• The goals of the CARE Fund are to optimize the use of public funds by giving priority to research using
• the best science, technology, and leveraging the state's existing cancer research talent and facilities
• And leveraging the state's existing cancer research talent and facilities.
• And we've also partnered with Seattle-King County Public Health on a research project to assess unmet
• Evidence from tobacco and vapor control research shows a consistent pattern.

Summary: The committee first heard House Bill 2483, which would create an annual data broker registry at the Department of Licensing beginning in 2027. Staff explained that data brokers would have to register, pay a fee, and disclose information about the types of data collected, security measures, opt-out options, and whether precise geolocation or consumer health data is involved. Prime sponsor Rep. Kloba said the bill is intended to make data collection and resale more visible to consumers and to address harms such as scams, tracking, and surveillance pricing. Testimony was mixed: TechNet, the Association of Washington Business, and the Washington Retail Association opposed the bill as drafted, saying the definition of data broker is too broad and could sweep in businesses that are not true data brokers, while the sponsor and committee members discussed possible clarifying amendments and public-data carve-outs. The committee then heard House Bill 2400, which would regulate monetized social media content featuring children. Staff described provisions requiring vloggers above certain revenue thresholds to register with the Department of Revenue, creating trust accounts for minor children appearing in monetized videos, allowing young adults to request deletion of monetized childhood content, requiring reporting by social media services, and establishing civil penalties and statutory damages. Rep. Reeves said the bill is meant to draw a line between ordinary family posting and monetizing children online, citing concerns about child labor protections and exploitation. TechNet and AWB opposed the bill, arguing that social media platforms should not be made the middleman for trust accounts and that the private right of action and enforcement structure should be revisited; they urged further work during the interim. Finally, the committee took testimony on House Bill 2439, an omnibus tobacco and vapor product bill. Staff said it would create a responsible vendor program, raise license fees and penalties, require retailers to buy from licensed wholesalers or distributors, add certification requirements for vapor manufacturers, study extended producer responsibility for vapor waste, expand lab testing authority, tighten age-verification rules, prohibit certain imitation or entertainment vapor products, remove state preemption so local governments could adopt stricter rules, and redirect portions of tobacco tax revenue to public health accounts. Supporters, including public health groups, King County, the American Heart Association, and pediatricians, backed the youth-prevention, local-control, and funding provisions. Industry and retail witnesses opposed the bill, focusing on the loss of preemption, higher fees, compliance burdens, and the risk of pushing sales to the illicit market; some also argued the bill should rely more on state-level uniform regulation and stronger enforcement rather than new restrictions.