Transcript Highlights:

• wouldn't constitute... ...prohibited discrimination when used for travel insurance, and those are the primary
• And then in terms of the democracy risks, massive data surveillance opens us to some really deep behavioral
• And then in terms of the democracy risks, massive data surveillance opens us to some really deep behavioral
• And so we are opening a tiny window into this activity, and for that reason, and because I am very, very

Bills: HB2428 , HB2399 , HB2087 , HB2629 , HB2483 , HB2477

Committee: House Consumer Protection & Business

Keywords: life insurance, policy lapse, policy cancellation, nonpayment of premium, premium grace period, lapse notice, termination notice, third-party notice, third-party designee, beneficiary protection, consumer protection, insurance regulation, insurer notice requirements, policyholder, beneficiary, Washington RCW, insurance code, unintentional lapse, coverage continuation, premium delinquency

Transcript Highlights:

• records until fiscal year 2030 and authorizes restricted records transferred to the state archives to be open
• requires candidates, incidental committees, and political committees expecting to participate in the primary
• That's a restaurant that could get open that might have taken longer before.
• So finally, I'll just note, you know, this bill provides the opening move, I think, of our larger permit

Summary: The Senate State Government, Tribal Affairs & Elections Committee met on January 16, 2026, and took executive action on four measures before moving to public hearings on two bills. The committee held Senate Bill 5842 for further discussion, then considered Senate Concurrent Resolution 8406, Senate Bill 5825, Senate Bill 5863, and Senate Bill 5840. SCR 8406 would reestablish the Joint Select Committee on Civic Health and was advanced unanimously to the Rules Committee. SB 5825, which authorizes the Washington State Leadership Board to solicit gifts, grants, and endowments, was amended with a technical change and then advanced. SB 5863, extending the moratorium on destruction of Lakeland Village records and addressing access to certain historical records, also advanced without opposition. SB 5840, which changes campaign finance expenditure reporting schedules, was amended to adjust the implementation date to January 1, 2028 and then advanced after the committee waived the amendment publishing rule due to the short session timeline. The committee then heard Senate Bill 5827, sponsored by Senator Gildon, which would allow veterans to use a pre-discharge certification to claim civil service preference before receiving a DD-214. Staff explained the bill and clarified that the underlying qualifying discharge categories would remain unchanged. Senator Gildon said the bill was prompted by a constituent who could not access preference points before leaving active duty, and the Veterans Legislative Coalition testified in strong support. The hearing record noted 40 people signed in in favor and two opposed. Finally, the committee heard Senate Bill 5968, sponsored by Senator Krishna Dawson, which would codify and expand the governor’s executive order on permitting and licensing timelines, require agencies to publish processing deadlines, phase in coverage of all credentials by 2030, and authorize fee refunds if deadlines are missed. The sponsor and staff said the bill is intended to improve predictability, accountability, and customer service, while agency flexibility would remain through OIRA. Support testimony came from the governor’s office, cosmetology, labor, construction trades, ports, business, and the Department of Health, all emphasizing delays’ impacts on jobs, projects, and access to care. The Department of Health reported substantial recent reductions in licensing times and said it lacked authority to issue refunds without the bill. The hearing closed with 26 people signed in, including supporters and opponents.

Transcript Highlights:

• OUR PRIMARY CONCERN IS IT WOULD CHANGE THE DEFINITION OF THE INDIVIDUALS REQUIRED TO COMPLY WITH THE
• THE LAW BUT ALLOWS FOR ESPECIALLY THINGS OUTSIDE OF THE DEBT COLLECTORS CONTROL LIKE WHEN A PERSON OPENS
• SENATE BILL 412 OPENS POWER WHEELCHAIR REPAIR MARKETS BEYOND ONE EXCLUSIVE AUTHORIZED REPAIR PROVIDER
• IT GIVES POWER CHAIR OWNERS TRACES, IT OPENS UP THE FREE MARKET AND REDUCE DELAY TIMES AND MOST IMPORTANTLY

Keywords: 999, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• She is one of Austin's top three primary care physicians and serves as Texas Family Medicine preceptor
• I think you did too on when the session opened. But I believe D.A.
• Chantier was all for this bill on opening day.
• President we need If somebody's going to make a trip on opening day up here and support a bill and then

Bills: SJR 5 , SJR 36 , SJR 5 , SJR 5 , SR 105 , SR 121 , SB 17 , SB 19 , SB 25 , SB 28 , SB 17 , SB 19 , SB 25 , SB 28

Keywords: bail, felony offenses, criminal justice reform, public safety, constitutional amendment, school safety, mental health, emergency response, education policy, law enforcement, SR 121, Senate Resolution 121, Pete Alfaro, Pedro Cuellar Alfaro, Pedro Alfaro, Baytown, Texas Senate tribute, in memory, memorial resolution, condolence resolution

Transcript Highlights:

• Our primary issue with the proposal here in Senate...
• </c> the discharge of firearms our primary the discharge of firearms our primary issue<00:22:20.360><
• in the open range any longer.
• So I'm certainly open to that.
• </c> um Senator green but I'm certainly open um Senator green but I'm certainly open as<01:22:16.120>

Committee: Senate Environment, Climate, and Legacy

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• And with that, I'd like to open it up for any questions.
• Why don't we go ahead and do the other BCPs, and then we'll go ahead and open it up for questions?
• That will keep another refinery open and prevent it from closing. Thank you.
• With that, we'd like to thank you for your time and support and open it up to any questions.
• As a result of California Competes, they opened and expanded their factory in the city of Bell.

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• So with that, I would open it up for questions, I'm sure.
• I mean, those are our primary ones.
• That concludes my remarks, and I think we're open for questions. Thank you, Tracy.
• We're certainly open to that, but with the continued emphasis on equity and consumer behavior.
• So that being said, we're certainly open to questions or, if we want to have Peter speak first, then

Summary: The committee held a work session on state environmental policy act (SEPA) implementation and carryout bags. Ecology staff Diane Buterak described the Clean Energy Programmatic Environmental Impact Statements (PEISs) completed for utility-scale solar, onshore wind, and green hydrogen, plus a new PEIS underway for sustainable aviation fuel. She explained that PEISs provide broad planning-level analysis to help developers and agencies avoid or mitigate impacts, but do not replace project-level review. Members asked about permitting timelines, greenhouse gas emissions from different hydrogen production methods, water use, agricultural land conversion, battery fire risk, and tribal consultation. Buterak said the PEISs identify potentially significant impacts and mitigation measures, including fire response planning, early tribal outreach, and agrovoltaics as an option for solar projects. EFSEC’s Amy Hofkimer then presented the transmission-facility programmatic EIS required by SB 5165 for 230 kV and higher transmission projects. She said the statewide review covers new lines and certain upgrades/modifications, analyzes impacts to water, cultural and tribal resources, habitat, and other areas, and uses general measures, design considerations, avoidance criteria, and sensitivity maps to guide siting and corridor planning. She said the final document would be issued in early October. Questions focused on reconductoring, tribal lands, scenic areas, and whether the review could affect existing lines crossing tribal lands. A Grant County planning director, Jim Anderson Cook, said Ecology’s PEIS would help with cumulative impacts for clustered solar projects, but noted tight local review timelines and the need for strong pre-application coordination, especially on cultural resource studies and decommissioning plans. Yakama Nation attorney Shona Leverett argued SEPA is only an assessment tool and said tribes face barriers from short comment periods, limited confidential tribal input, weak cumulative impact analysis, and challenges in the FSEC process; she urged better upfront developer diligence and more effective tribal coordination. Puget Sound Energy’s Sarah Leverett said the utility needs efficient and predictable permitting to meet clean energy mandates while maintaining reliable service and aging infrastructure. She described the scale of needed clean energy and transmission buildout, including a 10-year process for the Energize Eastside transmission rebuild, and said more consistent SEPA and PEIS processes could help. Members asked about future generation sources, reliability, and hydropower as a firming resource; she said PSE is pursuing an “all of the above” approach and would welcome more firm, dispatchable clean energy options. The committee then shifted to carryout bags. Staff Jacob Lipson and Tracy Taylor reviewed Washington’s bag law, its preemption of local ordinances, the current 8-cent charge, the scheduled increase to 12 cents, and the 2025 change delaying the 4-mil thickness requirement until 2028 while adding a temporary 4-cent penalty for thicker bags. Ecology’s Peter Lyon said the agency emphasizes education and complaint-based enforcement, has received 872 reports, and has not yet imposed any fines. Commerce’s Kirk Esmond summarized a WSU study finding fewer plastic bags distributed but more plastic by weight, and said Commerce and Ecology support keeping the 2.25-mil standard and not allowing thinner single-use bags again. Retail industry testimony from Brandon Housekeeper said grocers comply with the law but oppose the added 4-cent penalty and thicker-bag requirement, citing higher costs and confusion in the policy changes.

Transcript Highlights:

• I got five openings right now. So, we're down almost 20% are in truckers.
• </c><00:50:29.040><c> and</c> a way to provide as many openings and a way to provide as many openings
• Um, we have open gas at 2:45. We have until 3:00.
• Um, as far as, you know, the primary effect is on our revenue. We are a special fund agency.
• effect is on as, you know, the primary effect is on our<01:32:30.159><c> revenue.

Committee: Joint Appropriations

Keywords: Appropriations - Room 210; 22 January, 2026: 1:30 PM, 925, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Is the author open to that?
• Well, I certainly would be open to that.
• Well, I certainly would be open to that.
• Well, I certainly would be open to that.
• Well, I certainly would be open to that.

Bills: HB59 , HB74 , HB159 , HB167 , HB175 , HB255 , HB330 , HB364 , HB458 , HB525 , HB568 , HB656 , HB1033 , HB1034 , HB1070

Committee: House Administration of Criminal Justice

Keywords: public defender, funding, district court, East Baton Rouge, judicial expenses, Autism Spectrum Disorder, missing children, law enforcement, public safety, Spectrum Alert, inmate documentation, post-release employment, special identification card, Louisiana Department of Public Safety, reentry services, veterans, veterans services, lottery proceeds, special fund, grant board

Transcript Highlights:

• That's the primary goal of the board.
• For me, It opens a whole new host of questions.
• I think that really opens up a really great conversation line.
• I do have a bill file open for this. But what this is, is... ...file open for this.
• I have a bill file open.

Committee: Joint Education Interim Committee

Keywords: 985, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I think that I'm open to the testimony today.
• A spot opened up; several vehicles attempted to pass on the right.
• You're just not in that open space where you can just kind of feel like you can let it go.
• I'm open to any questions.
• We also have opened up a yard in Florida. We do heavy wrecking, recovery, and towing.

Committee: House Joint Committee on Transportation Oversight

Summary: The House Committee on Transportation met on Senate Bill 1408, which would allow Missouri to raise the maximum speed limit on rural interstates from 70 to 75 miles per hour. Senator Berger, the bill sponsor, argued the change would better match neighboring states, improve traffic flow, and reflect modern vehicle safety technology. Several members supported the idea as a practical adjustment, while others questioned whether the time savings were worth the safety tradeoff, raised concerns about driver behavior, truck speed governors, road design, fuel use, and the possibility that higher posted limits would lead to even faster driving. Testimony was sharply divided. Supporters, including a motorist advocate and some committee members, said 75 mph is common in surrounding states and worldwide, that most crashes are caused by inattention rather than speed alone, and that MoDOT should be able to set limits based on engineering and traffic conditions. Opponents included a Hazelwood police lieutenant, AAA, the Missouri Insurance Coalition, and MoDOT Director Ed Hassinger. They argued that higher speeds increase crash severity and fatalities, that Missouri’s roads and traffic volumes differ from flatter neighboring states, and that the bill could disproportionately affect young and older drivers as well as roadside workers. MoDOT said its data shows speed is a major factor in fatal crashes and cited fatality increases in Arkansas and Kansas after those states raised rural interstate limits. Committee members also debated whether the bill actually mandates 75 mph or merely authorizes MoDOT to set it where appropriate. MoDOT and AAA said any increase should be tied to engineering studies and roadway-specific analysis, while supporters argued the department already has that discretion and that the bill simply removes an outdated cap. No vote was taken in the excerpt. After closing the hearing on SB 1408, the committee moved on to House Bill 3447, a towing and recovery bill that would require more insurance for large commercial vehicles, improve notice and dispute procedures, and address abandoned vehicles; testimony on that bill began with the sponsor and representatives from the towing and trucking industries.

Transcript Highlights:

• But I would tell you that I would be open to that as well.
• Members, this is kind of a cleanup bill from our closed primary work that we did.
• Would you be open to maybe even staggering the penalties?
• Interrupting the proceedings of either House or Committee of, I think it's just wide open.
• I'm open If we think that we want to move sessions. I'm open to any suggestions.

Committee: House House and Governmental Affairs

Summary: The committee took up several House bills dealing mainly with ethics, elections, and legislative procedure. HB 858 by Rep. Riser, creating a public records exception for GPS data on wildlife and aquatic life held by the Department of Wildlife and Fisheries, was reported favorably without objection. HB 661, which expands existing nepotism exceptions to allow school board members and superintendents to hire immediate family members as paraprofessionals and janitors, drew support from members concerned about staffing shortages in schools; the Ethics Administrator noted the board’s concern that repeated exceptions erode the nepotism rules, but the bill was still reported favorably without objection. HB 359, a cleanup bill on the death of a non-major-party primary candidate, was also reported favorably without objection. HB 258, which clarifies that volunteer firefighters are not subject to dual office-holding restrictions and allows retired judges to serve on certain boards while still being available for ad hoc judicial service, passed on an 8-4 roll call vote. Rep. Newell’s HB 705, which would strengthen contempt of the legislature penalties and add provisions addressing disorderly conduct and interference with legislative proceedings, generated the most debate. Members raised concerns about the proposed jump in fines from $1,000 to $50,000, due process, and the breadth of language that could be read to cover ordinary advocacy or passionate testimony. After discussion, the author agreed the bill needed more work, and it was voluntarily deferred in committee. The committee also heard HB 177, allowing retired court reporters to return on a contractual basis to address shortages, which was amended and then reported favorably without objection. HB 238, which would remove a waiting period and population-based restriction for former school board members or certified psychologists to return to work in school districts, prompted a lengthy debate about the judiciary and per diem rules because of related ethics concerns raised in the discussion; the author ultimately asked to voluntarily defer the bill, and the committee agreed. Finally, HB 398, which would cap lodging, meal, and incidental expense reimbursements for state officials and employees at GSA rates and limit emergency exceptions, drew sharp opposition from several members and a retired judge who argued the current judicial per diem is reasonable and tied to safety and travel needs. The author said he would work on amendments and voluntarily deferred HB 398. The committee then began discussion of HB 752, which would move the timing of regular legislative sessions into joint rule and change the session start/end dates, with the author explaining it was intended to give the Legislature more flexibility without needing constitutional amendments.

Transcript Highlights:

• Hey, I'm always open for...
• And again, I'm open. We've discussed this.
• And I'm open to an amendment if you have some ideas.
• I think we're all open to discussion on this.
• And if your primary source for food is SNAP, it's not a lot.

Committee: House General Laws

Keywords: 959, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Floor is now open for testimony. on committee substitute for Senate Bill 569.
• Okay, at this time, we'll open up public testimony.
• I'm sorry Senate bill 10 clarifies I open the door.
• , are we gonna have to open it up for this and this and this and this?
• SEAT recognizes that students are primary stakeholders in education. We deserve a SEAT.

Bills: SB 10 , SB 11

Committees: Senate Education K-16 , Senate Education

Keywords: human trafficking, trafficking victim, compelling prostitution, affirmative defense, criminal defense, coercion, force fraud or coercion, sexual exploitation, victim protection, Penal Code, Texas criminal law, prosecution, party liability, affirmative defense statute, survivor rights, 1185, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Highway 610 has allocated two primary sites, and with overwhelming development requests, it's the Oxbow
• Highway 610 has allocated two primary sites, and with overwhelming development requests, it's the Oxbow
• I would be open for any questions.
• One of the primary deliverers of those services for taxpayers is Prosper and Prepare and Prosper.
• </c><01:34:22.159><c> um</c> Um, one of the um primary um Um, one of the um primary um uh<01:34:24.320

Committee: Senate Taxes

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• The next six slides relate to the primary government of the state.
• The next six slides relate to the primary government of the state.
• The primary reason for the variation in additions, or revenues, over this period was the fluctuation
• Their eligibility system controls whether or not that case remains open.

Committee: All LEGISLATIVE JOINT AUDITING

Summary: The Legislative Joint Auditing Committee met on June 5 and first adopted prior minutes and several committee reports. The executive committee report noted adoption of its minutes, staff updates on scheduled audits, approval of an annual financial audit for the City of Horseshoe Bend, and an update on the intern program. The Counties and Municipalities report covered delinquent private water and sewer audits, compliance follow-up with towns including Denning, Gum Springs, Omer, Fargo, Jericho, and Haynes, and review of current and deferred reports; the committee filed most current reports but deferred several and referred some matters to prosecutors and the Attorney General. The Educational Institutions report said 103 education audits were reviewed, most with no findings, while several school districts had findings and one Booneville School District finding was referred to law enforcement. The State Agencies report included findings at the Department of Finance and Administration and a deferred Department of Health report, and the committee filed 13 reports. The committee then received lengthy presentations on the State of Arkansas annual comprehensive financial report and the state single audit for fiscal year ended June 30, 2025. Legislative Audit issued unmodified opinions on the state financial statements, but identified two material weaknesses: insufficient internal controls at the Office of State Technology to monitor threats and unauthorized access, and improper methodology changes and documentation issues at the Division of Workforce Services affecting year-end estimates for unemployment-related accounts. The single audit covered $12.4 billion in federal awards across 469 programs, with 16 major programs reviewed. Auditors reported 33 findings overall, including 31 federal findings, $12.9 million in outstanding questioned costs, and qualified opinions for the Summer Electronic Benefit Transfer program, the Coronavirus Capital Projects Fund, and the Child Care Development Fund cluster. Committee members questioned DHS, the broadband office, OST, DFA, Education, and Workforce Services about the findings, corrective actions, cyber protections, federal drawdowns, child care reporting, and accounting methodology changes. Several agencies described corrective steps. DHS said it had changed how it draws Summer EBT funds, addressed provider revalidation and incarceration-related Medicaid issues, and updated internal processes and staffing. The broadband office said the questioned costs reflected invoice documentation disputes rather than missing payments and expected Treasury review to resolve the issue. OST said it was expanding logging, endpoint detection, and enterprise monitoring, and described broader cybersecurity investments, training, and a roadmap. DFA and Workforce Services addressed the workers’ compensation and unemployment accounting issues, with Workforce Services saying it had updated its policy and submitted the methodology to DFA. After discussion, the committee voted to hold the two statewide audit reports over until the August meeting, with members asked to submit specific questions in advance so only needed agencies would return. The final item was a special report on the Hot Spring County Solid Waste Authority for January 1, 2023 through June 30, 2025. The audit reviewed compliance with laws, board procedures, bidding, payroll, permits, inspections, and cash handling. It noted prior private audit findings on segregation of duties, that recent private audit reports had not been obtained for 2023 through 2025, and that the current administrator said prior office staff and bookkeeping contractors resigned when he was hired. The authority’s operations and revenue sources were described, and the report was presented for committee review.

Transcript Highlights:

• With that, we'll open up to questions. Representative Wooten, you're first on the list.
• That's probably the primary way that they're getting them inside the walls of our penitentiary.
• This was before she was ever elected, but after the primary, and there were 72 different... ...before
• she was ever elected, but after the primary, and there were 72 different items I felt like we need to

Committee: All JOINT BUDGET COMMITTEE

Keywords: 1204, all

Transcript Highlights:

• This just extends a similar provision to those who open up their private property for the purposes of
• Residence for voting purposes shall be the principal or primary home or place of abode...
• Residence for voting purposes shall be the principal or primary home or place of abode of a person.
• Principal or primary home or place of abode is that home or place in which his habitation is fixed and

Summary: The House convened with 68 members present, opened with prayer and the Pledge of Allegiance, and approved the House Journal. It also received communications appointing substitute legislators and committee reports on pending administrative rules, including recommendations to approve most rules while rejecting or partially rejecting a few dockets from State Affairs and Resources and Conservation. The chamber also received messages from the Governor and Senate listing numerous bills signed, enrolled, or transmitted for further action. The House then took up several measures on the second reading and motions calendar. It suspended rules and passed House Joint Memorial 22 on predatory birds after debate about pelican predation and fish losses, then passed House Bill 957 to repeal obsolete water-related code provisions, Senate Bill 1396 to repeal Idaho’s inactive participation in the Pacific Fisheries Legislative Task Force, House Bill 948 to have LSO provide an annual revenue estimate, and House Bill 959 to adjust property tax/new growth rules for fire and EMS districts. House Bill 967, which would provide a $4 million pay increase for Idaho State Police troopers by shifting liquor-account revenues, passed after substantial debate over whether it was a necessary retention measure or an improper tax shift to counties and cities. Later, the House passed House Bill 964 for the Fish and Game budget, House Bill 965 moving historic preservation funding to a new office, House Bill 966 funding county reimbursement for out-of-state placement costs tied to absconders, Senate Bill 1435 for Health and Welfare maintenance appropriations, Senate Bill 1429 for behavioral health enhancements, Senate Bill 1431 for Water Resources enhancements, Senate Bill 1389 on liability protections for private polling locations, Senate Bill 1391 as a trailer bill on surveyors and property rights, and Senate Joint Memorial 114 urging congressional action on college athletics NIL issues. Senate Bill 1401 on public health enhancements failed 30-36 after debate over funding priorities and program changes. The House also concurred in Senate amendments to House Bills 730, 928, 758, and 822, and received additional bills and appropriations measures for first reading and committee referral before recessing and later resuming business.

Transcript Highlights:

• This just extends a similar provision to those who open up their private property for the purposes of
• Residence for voting purposes shall be the principal or primary home or place of abode of a person.
• Residence for voting purposes shall be the principal or primary home or place of abode of a person.
• Principal or primary home or place of abode is that home or place in which his habitation is fixed and

Keywords: 989, all

Transcript Highlights:

• we are experiencing longer wait times for access to health care and a shortage of specialists and primary
• As a primary care doctor, a lot of what we see when you're looking at recruitment and retention of providers
• One thing we see is primary care clinics and practitioners who are operating in the outpatient space
• So you know, I'm open to what we need to do. No, thank you. Thank you, Madam Chair.

Committee: House House Health & Human Services

Keywords: 996, all