Bills: HB130, HB190, HB123, HB250, HB130, HB190, HB123, HB250

Keywords: HB130, Alabama Board of Licensure for Professional Geologists, Sunset Law, sunset review, licensure board, professional geologists, geology, geologist licensing, board appointments, congressional district representation, gubernatorial appointments, state boards and commissions, professional licensing, regulatory board, Alabama Code 34-41-4, environmental engineering, geotechnical engineering, mining industry, petroleum industry, geological sciences

Bills: HB188, HB 265, HJR35

Keywords: emergency preparedness, flood-prone communities, Texas Rural Emergency Preparedness Fund, disaster relief, funding, youth camp, safety regulations, advisory committee, child welfare, health standards, summer camp, camp safety, child abuse reporting, child neglect, mandatory reporting, background check, criminal history check, sex offender registry, CPR training, first aid

Bills: SJR50, SJR52, SJR53

Keywords: Medicaid, federal funding, state law, healthcare, low-income adults, Oklahoma Constitution, Oklahoma Health Care Authority, OHCA, health care rules, administrative rules, major rule, Title 75, Title 317, Oklahoma Administrative Code, OAC 317:30, health policy, state health programs, provider regulations, benefits administration, rule approval

Bills: SJR50, SJR52, SJR53

Keywords: Medicaid, federal funding, state law, healthcare, low-income adults, Oklahoma Constitution, Oklahoma Health Care Authority, OHCA, health care rules, administrative rules, major rule, Title 75, Title 317, Oklahoma Administrative Code, OAC 317:30, health policy, state health programs, provider regulations, benefits administration, rule approval

Summary: The Administrative Rules Committee met to consider three joint resolutions approving major rules. Chairman Kendricks presented SJR 50 and SJR 52, both related to Oklahoma Health Care Authority rules, and SJR 53, which was clarified to concern the Oklahoma Medical Marijuana Authority. Members asked why the Health Care Authority rules were split into two separate resolutions, and were told they could have been combined but were being handled separately. Each resolution was moved for adoption, there was little to no debate, and the committee voted to approve them. SJR 50 passed 10-0, SJR 52 passed 11-0, and SJR 53 also passed unanimously. After the votes, members exchanged brief remarks thanking one another for their work during the year and noting the committee’s efforts to reduce bureaucracy. A member asked whether suggestions should be raised at that time, and was told that was not the appropriate time. With no further business, the committee adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• It requires the Department of Agriculture and Biosecurity to establish a breeder registry and adopt rules
• biocurity to establish a breeder biocurity to establish a breeder register<01:25:53.679> registry
• register registry and adopt rules. register registry and adopt rules.

Bills: HB2425, HB2596, HB2573, HB2017, HB1931, HB1736, HB1594, HB1828

Keywords: agriculture, sugarcane, permitting process, land use, conservation district, diversified agriculture, economic impact, invasive species, plant sales, weed risk assessment, consumer protection, environmental impact, workforce development, biosecurity, training program, partnerships, tax credit, Hawaiian home lands, investment costs, nonrefundable

Summary: The committee heard opening remarks and then took testimony on several agriculture-related bills. HB 2425 would exempt agricultural enterprises on former commercial sugarcane lands in conservation use districts from certain permitting and site plan requirements. The Department of Agriculture supported the measure and stood on written comments. The Hawaii Farm Bureau supported the intent but said the bill appeared to cite the wrong statute and suggested amending the conservation district law instead. Other testimony was generally supportive, while some witnesses raised concerns about using the right statutory vehicle. Committee members questioned whether the bill should be redirected through a different chapter. The committee then heard HB 596, which would require retail sellers of plants to disclose invasiveness risk, direct the Invasive Species Council to create a labeling system and weed risk assessments, and establish fines. The Department of Land and Natural Resources strongly supported the bill, saying point-of-sale labels would help consumers make informed choices. Supporters from the Coordinating Group on Alien Pest Species said the state’s noxious weed and restricted plant lists are outdated or incomplete and that the bill would help prevent harmful species from being purchased and planted. Opponents, including the Hawaii Farm Bureau and Hawaii Food Policy Foundation, argued the measure was too broad, could stigmatize plants and producers, and might be better implemented through voluntary education or narrower definitions. Committee discussion focused on possible amendments, including using printable labels from a website and limiting the bill to larger commercial retailers. HB 2573 would create a five-year agriculture and biosecurity workforce development pilot program involving the Department of Agriculture and Biosecurity, Leeward Community College, and the Department of Human Resources Development. DHRD said it supported the intent but wanted clearer responsibilities; the University of Hawaiʻi, the Department of Agriculture and Biosecurity, the Hawaii Farm Bureau, the Hawaii Food Policy Foundation, and others supported the proposal. DAB said the program would help build needed biosecurity staffing and training, and that law-enforcement-related curriculum could be incorporated. Finally, the committee began hearing HB 207, which would expand the important agricultural land qualified agricultural tax credit to include certain Hawaiian homelands and additional agricultural costs such as orchards, fruit crops, and clearing former sugar and pineapple lands. The Department of Taxation and DAB stood on written comments, while the Department of Hawaiian Homelands strongly supported the bill, calling it a potential game-changer for developing agricultural lands and offsetting infrastructure costs; the department also asked that the credit be broadened beyond agriculture alone.

Bills: HB462, HB8, HB8

Keywords: emergency medical services, military training, licensure, public health, veterans, tobacco regulation, vaping, sales restrictions, youth protection, tobacco compliance, education programs, electronic nicotine delivery systems, campus chaplain, chaplain, school chaplain, volunteer, public K-12 schools, public schools, public charter schools, education policy

Bills: HB43, SB81, SB178, SB138, SB89, SB183, HB27, HB188, HB199, HB190, SB117, HB43, HB27

Keywords: criminal procedure, split sentencing, probation, Class A felony, Class B felony, minimum confinement, custodial sexual misconduct, sexual misconduct, inmate abuse, prisoner exploitation, correctional staff, jail staff, detention center, probation officer, parole officer, Department of Corrections, Department of Youth Services, sheriff, county jail, municipal jail

Transcript Highlights:

• Dealing with mutual consent voluntary adoption registries.
• process and eliminate some barriers for individuals who are applying to a mutual consent adoption registry
• So, The central adoption registry maintained by DISHES allows an adult adoptee, birth parent, or sibling
• to place themselves on the registry to locate other family members who are also registered and to pursue
• There have been multiple cases of people who are eligible, um, to use the registry but have not been

Bills: HB 2510, HB 3589, HB 4611, HB 4655, HB 4665, HB 4666, HB 4670, HB 4700, HB 4730, HB 4798, HB 4838, HB 5136, HB 5243, HB 5302, HB 5539

Keywords: assisted living, healthcare, licensing, criminal offense, personal assistance, group home, regulation, health and safety, inspections, resident care, criminal background checks, adoption, parental rights, registry, vital statistics, disclosure, counseling, foster care, independent living, financial literacy

Transcript Highlights:

• finding of abuse or neglect before an individual's name is added to the central abuse or neglect registry
• The substitute removes professional caretakers; they would still be added to the registry as there are

Bills: HB2510, HB3589, HB4611, HB4655, HB4665, HB4666, HB4670, HB4700, HB4730, HB4798, HB4838, HB5136, HB5243, HB5302, HB5539

Keywords: assisted living, healthcare, licensing, criminal offense, personal assistance, group home, regulation, health and safety, inspections, resident care, criminal background checks, adoption, parental rights, registry, vital statistics, disclosure, counseling, foster care, independent living, financial literacy

Transcript Highlights:

• Dealing with mutual consent voluntary adoption registries, this bill seeks to streamline the application
• process and eliminate some barriers for individuals who are applying to a mutual consent registry within
• The Central Adoption Registry maintained by DSHS allows an adult adoptee, birth parent, or sibling to
• place themselves on the registry to locate other family members who are also... ...registered and to
• There have been multiple cases of people who are trying to use the registry but have not been successful

Bills: HB2510, HB3589, HB4611, HB4655, HB4665, HB4666, HB4670, HB4700, HB4730, HB4798, HB4838, HB5136, HB5243, HB5302, HB5539

Keywords: assisted living, healthcare, licensing, criminal offense, personal assistance, group home, regulation, health and safety, inspections, resident care, criminal background checks, adoption, parental rights, registry, vital statistics, disclosure, counseling, foster care, independent living, financial literacy

Bills: SCR7, SCR59, SCR182

Keywords: emergency care, reproductive health, abortion services, EMTALA, patient safety, hospital regulations, medical treatment, health care professionals, emergency response, licensure, disaster response, telehealth, SCR182, S.C.R. 182, Hawaii Trauma System, trauma care, trauma center, Tripler Army Medical Center, military-civilian partnership, civilian trauma patients

Summary: The Committee on Health heard testimony on three concurrent resolutions. SCR-7 would affirm that hospitals must provide life-saving emergency care to pregnant people; supporters included the Hawaii State Commission on the Status of Women, AAUW Hawaii, the Healthcare Association of Hawaii, and Hawaii Women’s Lawyers, with two individuals in opposition. A member raised a wording concern about “pregnant people” versus “pregnant women,” and the chair agreed to note the comment in the committee report. The committee then recommended passage, and the measure was adopted by vote, with Representatives Alcos voting no and Garcia not voting. SCR-59 SD1 would ask the governor to establish procedures allowing certain health care professionals to practice in Hawaii without a Hawaii-issued license during a state of emergency. The Hawaii Organization of Nurse Leaders strongly supported the resolution, citing emergency response problems during Kona low storms and the Lahaina wildfires when out-of-state licensed providers were available but could not serve. The committee recommended passage as is, and the recommendation was adopted, with Representative Garcia voting with reservations. SCR-182 would request that the governor and Department of Health work with the U.S. Department of Defense and other federal military partners to explore a military-civilian trauma partnership to strengthen Hawaii’s trauma system. The Department of Health supported the measure, and a member suggested the title should reflect “Department of War,” while another member noted the federal department name has not changed; the chair said the comments would be noted in the report. The committee recommended passage, and the resolution was adopted without objection, with Representatives Martin and Olds excused.

Bills: SB1290, SB1332, SB1369, SB1379, SB1381, SB1386, SB1390, SB1428, SB1584, SB1696, SB175, SB1778, SB1794, SB1806, SB1836, SB201

Keywords: 2-1-1 services, revolving fund, Department of Human Services, crisis pregnancy, abortion, legal funding, housing, infrastructure, water projects, Oklahoma Water Resources Board, economic development, zero-interest loans, clawback provision, local contractors, mental health, crisis services, 988 Lifeline, suicide prevention, behavioral health, human trafficking

Bills: HB226, HB24, HB309, HB315, HB272, HB24, HB226, HB309, HB315, HB272

Keywords: HB226, homestead exemption, ad valorem tax, property tax, property tax relief, widow, widower, unremarried spouse, surviving spouse, senior exemption, elderly, disabled, permanently and totally disabled, blind taxpayer, deed ownership, principal residence, school tax, county tax, municipal tax, Alabama Department of Revenue

Transcript Highlights:

• There's also some increase in the protections afforded to patients in terms of patient registry being
• or employers, and so it's really trying to address those people who are having issues as medical registry
• <00:04:49.840> being<00:04:50.240> denied terms of patient registry being denied terms
• patients in those key areas registry patients in those key areas thank thank thank you<00:05:13.720>
• <00:19:35.080> for fourth it creates a registry for fourth it creates a registry for businesses

Bills: HF1672, HF1877, HF1735, HF1734, HF1271, HF1634, HF1615

Keywords: medical cannabis, medical marijuana, cannabis, cannabinoids, hemp, marijuana registry, patient registry, visiting patient, Tribal cannabis, Tribal medical cannabis program, Tribal sovereignty, Office of Cannabis Management, designated caregiver, home cultivation, adult-use cannabis, cannabis flower, cannabis products, dispensary, cannabis retail endorsement, patient protections

Bills: HB8, HB380, HB8, HB380

Keywords: tobacco regulation, vaping, sales restrictions, youth protection, tobacco compliance, public health, education programs, electronic nicotine delivery systems, human cloning, criminal penalties, embryo, genetic modification, bioethics, campus chaplain, chaplain, school chaplain, volunteer, public K-12 schools, public schools, public charter schools

Bills: HB38, HB39, HB181, HB38, HB39, HB181

Keywords: district attorneys, prosecutorial function, law enforcement, criminal procedure, legal advice, paternity, putative father registry, adoption, legal rights, parental rights, HB181, Alabama Building Renovation Finance Authority, bond authorization, state bonds, capital improvements, public buildings, State Capitol, renovation finance, public office facilities, infrastructure financing

Transcript Highlights:

• updated the Texas immunization tracking system, or M-TRAC, and this is the state's immunization registry
• It is a secure... confidential registry that stores a child's immunization information electronically

Bills: HB150, HB869, HB876, HB 1043, HB1494, HB1522, HB150

Keywords: cybersecurity, state command, information resources, data protection, incident response, information technology, classification officer, job descriptions, state positions, competency-based, information sharing, government efficiency, public sector, private sector, distributed ledger, title registry, real estate, property liens, pilot program, healthcare

Bills: SB 384, SB 503, SB 565, SB 616, SB 740

Keywords: hunting license, fishing license, donation, operation game thief fund, wildlife conservation, livestock, electronic registry, marks and brands, Texas Animal Health Commission, animal identification, SB 565, Texas Water Code, TCEQ, Texas Commission on Environmental Quality, compliance agreement, enforcement suspension, utility consolidation, regionalization, water supply, sewer

Summary: The Senate Committee on Water and Agriculture and Rural Affairs convened under the leadership of Chairman Kelly Hancock, who opened the meeting with a prayer in remembrance of Chairman Perry, who was absent due to a personal loss. The session focused on the discussions surrounding SB384, which aims to support the longstanding initiative known as Operation Game Thief. Senator Flores presented the bill, emphasizing its essential role in the fight against poaching through public support. The operation has a successful track record of convictions but is currently dependent on donations and merchandise sales for funding. The committee aimed to vote on multiple bills during this session, contingent on achieving a quorum. Notably, discussions also revolved around fiscal notes on two bills that were set aside for later consideration, indicating the committee's intention to carefully manage their legislative decisions. The meeting showcased a productive atmosphere, with committee members actively engaged in the review and potential advancement of key legislative measures.

Transcript Highlights:

• hiring requirements like pre-employment letters when we already do OIG screenings, National Sex Registry
• hiring requirements like pre-employment letters when we already do OIG screenings, National Sex Registry
• , we do all of those. ...OIG screenings, National Sex Registry, we do all of those, as well as eliminating

Bills: HB946, HB1093, SB26, SB29, SB30, SB195, SB219, SB222, SB255, SB314, SCR2, SCR22

Keywords: healthcare transparency, hospital pricing, consumer protection, collection actions, fines, naturopathic medicine, Louisiana Board of Naturopathic Medicine, licensing, healthcare, prescriptive authority, natural therapies, opioid treatment, regulation, addiction recovery, state law, SB 29, Act 732, coroner, autopsy, child death

Summary: The committee first heard and favorably reported SB 255, which expands the educational qualifications for psychosocial rehabilitation services to include health sciences and therapeutic recreation degrees, and SB 314, which cleans up prior language on community psychiatric support and treatment services so a limited scope certified social worker license can still be issued even if the applicant is slightly late renewing. Members and witnesses said both bills were intended to improve access to behavioral health services, especially in rural areas, and there was no opposition on either measure. The committee then advanced SB 26, which repeals facility need review for opioid treatment programs to make it easier to open more OTPs in Louisiana, and SB 29, which requires child autopsy reports to include immunization records and access to the LINKS vaccine database. SB 29 drew some concern about whether singling out immunizations could imply causation, but the author and supporters said the bill is only about adding data and that the records would be part of broader medical information. Both bills were reported favorably. Members also reported favorably SB 30, as amended, to allow telehealth for obesity/weight-management treatment with synchronous interaction and other safeguards, though some providers warned the language should not unduly limit future board authority. SB 219 was approved to create an Office of Health and Nutrition within LDH, with testimony from the department, the Alzheimer’s Association, and Pennington Biomedical supporting the focus on nutrition, physical activity, and brain health. SB 222 was reported favorably with amendments to reduce duplicative behavioral health administrative requirements, streamline supervision rules, and expand telehealth for psychosocial rehabilitation. The committee also approved SB 195, the “Danny’s Dose” EMS bill, allowing EMS personnel to administer a patient’s own prescribed time-critical medication in emergencies; testimony from families with rare conditions described life-threatening delays under current rules. Finally, SCR 2 was adopted to update hospital construction standards to the most recent Facility Guidelines Institute edition, and SCR 22 was reported favorably to request a more detailed legislative auditor report on opioid settlement spending and outcomes. The committee then began hearing HB 1093 on naturopathic medicine, with the author proposing a licensing framework under the State Board of Medical Examiners and a large amendment set; members raised questions about scope, prescriptive authority, training, and whether the profession should have its own board, but no final action on the bill was taken in the portion provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:58:12.880> of establish and maintain a registry of establish and maintain a registry of
• keeping a registry?
• I mean, if we took out the enforcement provision, what's wrong with keeping a registry?
• are you opposed to keeping a registry? are you opposed to keeping a registry?
• That's the whole point of a registry, right? The registry is supposed to be public information.

Bills: SB2607, SB2031, SB2043, SB2623, SB2876, SB2396, SB2964, SB2089

Keywords: landscape architecture, licensure, educational requirements, examination, professional standards, consumer protection, junk fees, live-event tickets, short-term lodging, transparency, pricing disclosure, deceptive practices, insurance, captives, regulations, policyholders, SB2623, Hawaii pharmacy law, Board of Pharmacy, registered pharmacy technician

Summary: The committee first heard HCR 168 and HR 158, which would create a temporary working group to study utility capacity, coastline infrastructure lifespan, and the costs of needed expansions. Public Utilities Commission staff said the commission was not the right entity to direct all of the work because it lacks authority over many affected agencies. Members discussed whether the study should be limited to a coastal area or broadened to the whole island, and in decision-making the committee amended the measure to focus on the County of Honolulu, correct references to the Public Utilities Commission, and revise the working group membership to include the PUC chair, legislative designees, and directors or designees from DLNR, DOT, HIEMA, and DCCA Consumer Advocacy. The committee then passed both resolutions with amendments; the vote was adopted unanimously, with some members excused. The committee next considered HCR 145 and HR 137, which would convene a working group on climate change impacts on insurance availability and affordability. The Insurance Division stood on its written comments, the Climate Change Mitigation and Adaptation Commission supported the intent, and the Attorney General opposed the measure, warning that a working group could create discoverable materials that might complicate the state’s climate litigation and noting a technical ambiguity in the reference to the Hawaii Hurricane Relief Fund administrator. After questions about discovery and the lawsuit, the committee amended the resolutions to replace the administrator reference with the chair of the Hawaii Hurricane Relief Fund Board of Directors, remove the Attorney General as convener while keeping the office as a member, and have the working group share findings and recommendations with the House CPC and Senate CPN committees instead of issuing a report. The committee passed the measures with amendments, with Rep. Martin voting with reservations. In the later agenda, the committee heard SB 2607, SD 1 on landscape architect licensure. The Board of Professional Engineers, Architects, Surveyors, and Landscape Architects supported the bill, explaining it modernizes licensure requirements to align with national standards and clarifies the profession’s design-focused role. The bill was discussed as distinguishing landscape architecture from groundskeeping and from civil engineering drainage work. No opposition was heard. The committee also heard SB 2031, SD 2 on consumer protection and price transparency for live ticket events and short-term lodging. The Office of Consumer Protection supported the bill, saying it largely mirrors an FTC rule requiring all-in pricing and would give the state enforcement authority and remedies. The Hawaii Financial Services Association opposed the bill as drafted and sought a limited exemption for credit card issuers relying on third-party hotel information, while the Hawaii Hotel Alliance supported the measure but asked for language deeming compliance with the federal rule sufficient for short-term lodging. Committee members questioned whether those proposed exemptions would conflict with federal law or weaken state enforcement, and the discussion focused on preemption, liability, and the value of state remedies such as restitution.