Transcript Highlights:

• Well, I hope that after this legislative year, we'll have most of them, right?
• Well, we're in a place where there's nothing... ...happens then?
• Well, then they don't have to.
• And they said, well, we'll make all our money during basketball season, and we won't do that well during
• And people are really looking forward to that as well.

Committee: House Joint Committee on Rural Economic Development

Summary: The Committee on Economic Development met with 13 members present and first went into executive session. It voted House Bill 3095 and House Bill 3249 do pass, both by 12-1 votes, and also adopted a House committee substitute for House Bill 2142 that rolled in House Bill 2058 before voting the combined measure do pass by 12-1. The transcript does not describe the substance of those bills in detail, but records the committee’s favorable action on each. The committee then held a public hearing on House Bill 3262, Representative Peters’ proposal to create an interstate massage compact. Supporters, including the sponsor, a massage business operator, a former state massage board regulator, and the Federation of State Massage Therapy Boards, said the compact would improve workforce mobility, reduce duplicate licensing and background checks, and preserve state authority over standards and discipline. An opponent argued interstate compacts are unconstitutional, could supersede state law, and raise concerns about gifts and closed meetings. No vote was taken on HB 3262 during the hearing. The final hearing was on House Bill 3157, which would create a single statewide permit for mobile food vendors. The sponsor and supporters from the Institute for Justice and the food truck industry said the bill would reduce duplicative local permits and inspections, lower costs, and help food trucks operate across jurisdictions while keeping health and safety standards. Opponents, including Kansas City and Springfield-Greene County health officials, argued the bill would preempt local control, shift regulatory authority to the state, and create enforcement and fiscal concerns. Committee members raised questions about local inspection authority, fees, and a possible committee substitute, but no final action was taken in the hearing.

Transcript Highlights:

• Well, Representative Terry, you are recognized. Well, Representative Terry, you are recognized.
• Well, technically, you are. I am. We all are.
• So I just want to make that clear as well.
• We get a lot of those complaints as well.
• as their families, as well as lawmakers, as well as taxpayers, and as well as members of our society

Committee: House Corrections and Public Institutions

Transcript Highlights:

• There's a companion to that, and that is eating well.
• There's a companion to that, and that is eating well.
• that we will have to have approval from CMS as well.
• Well, one more question. You may. Well, one more question. You may.
• Well, and if I could just ask one more, well, like the physical fitness test.

Summary: The Joint Policy Committee met to hear an overview of North Dakota’s Rural Health Transformation Program before taking up the related policy bills. Department of Health and Human Services staff explained that the state received a $198.9 million CMS award, with funding focused on four pillars: strengthening rural workforce, bringing care closer to home, connecting technology and data, and improving population health through prevention. They emphasized that the program is intended to benefit rural and frontier residents statewide, including areas near urban centers when the project serves rural patients, and that CMS approval, provider readiness, and sustainability will drive what can be funded. Committee members asked about how the program would treat border communities, frontier counties, urban providers serving rural patients, multilingual outreach, tribal consultation, and whether there would be information sessions for applicants. HHS said the website will include sign-up and translation features, more listening sessions and training will be offered, and a rural health tribal liaison will work alongside the existing Medicaid tribal liaison. Members also raised concerns about reimbursement timing, cash flow for providers, and whether projects in urban areas could qualify; HHS responded that urban projects may be eligible if they clearly benefit rural residents. The department then outlined the four policy bills tied to the grant scoring: nutrition continuing medical education for physicians, the presidential fitness test, the physician assistant compact, and pharmacist scope of practice. HHS said these policy actions were incentivized in the federal funding opportunity and that failure to pass them could reduce future funding. The committee did not take final action on the bills in this portion of the transcript and recessed for lunch before moving on.

Transcript Highlights:

• That's incredible support for us as well.
• The first to go to college in my family as well.
• The line worker demand actually increased yesterday, going well over 100.
• That funding model works extremely well.
• Well, I I would like to open it up now for public comment.

Transcript Highlights:

• Oh, very well. Thank you for that.
• Well, we could. We could, technically, Madam Chair.
• It is not something I am super well-versed on.
• Okay, well, I appreciate that.
• Well, I appreciate that. I appreciate coming to these.

Committee: House Investments & Pensions Oversight Committee

Transcript Highlights:

• Well, somewhere close to the top is stuff that nobody really wants.
• We'll have a bill coming to the floor soon for K-12. well.
• Thank you, that means so much to me. status on testifying as well.
• Well, Mr. Chairman, I'm not sure I can add to what you've said.
• Because everything you said is true, as well as the others.

Bills: SB207 , SB611 , SB920 , SB1174 , SB1207 , SB1325 , SB1396 , SB1551 , SB1619

Committees: Senate Education , Senate Education K-16

Transcript Highlights:

• Matic, with us as well.
• Well, we're trying to keep folks in the profession.
• Yeah, well, he's a policeman. I obey. Right, um, well, I was told I couldn't, but...
• Well, that all depends on how well your investments were made over that period of time.
• Well, you know, so we're not... ...worked. Well, you know, so we're not...

Bills: HB188 , HB52

Committee: House Ways and Means Education

Keywords: healthcare, insurance, patient rights, medical treatment, access, affordability, income tax, CHOOSE Act, education funding, ABLE account, tax credits, poverty threshold, legislative funding

Transcript Highlights:

• We think that, you know, this local governments would hear from us as well.
• The feel payroll as well.
• I'm well aware of the capabilities here.
• I understand the space, but let's frame it that way as well.
• The language is broad enough that PFA is likely to be pulling us into it as well.

Transcript Highlights:

• Well, good. taken a few. Um, excellent. Well, good.
• Well,<00:02:27.920><c> oh,</c><00:02:28.160><c> wait.</c><00:02:28.640><c> Georgia.
• </c> Well, oh, wait. Georgia. Well, oh, wait. Georgia. &gt;&gt; Georgia<00:02:30.879><c> Tech.
• </c><00:02:36.080><c> Well,</c><00:02:36.239><c> good.
• Well, good. Well, we are great school. Well, good.

Transcript Highlights:

• &gt;&gt; Well,<00:09:44.520><c> it's</c> &gt;&gt; Well, it's &gt;&gt; Well, it's This<00:09:46.200><c
• &gt;&gt; Well,<00:10:14.600><c> I</c> &gt;&gt; Well, I &gt;&gt; Well, I &gt;&gt; What<00:10:14.920><c
• &gt;&gt; Okay,<00:41:51.960><c> well,</c> &gt;&gt; Okay, well, &gt;&gt; Okay, well, &gt;&gt; Let's get
• &gt;&gt; Well, &gt;&gt; Well, &gt;&gt; Well, she's<00:57:48.840><c> gone</c><00:57:49.120><c> now,</c
• &gt;&gt; Well, no, I have not. &gt;&gt; Well, no, I have not.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> Medicare rate which is which is well Medicare rate which is which is well below<00:05:14.360><c>
• </c><00:14:40.120><c> to</c> applicable in these cases as well to applicable in these cases as well to
• </c><00:16:28.160><c> check</c> pediatrician um is doing a well check pediatrician um is doing a well
• well well Nora<00:42:28.440><c> valow</c><00:42:29.400><c> who</c><00:42:29.599><c> has</c><00:42:29.760
• </c> complying with the federal rules well complying with the federal rules well there<01:04:23.760><

Summary: The House Standing Committee on Health Services met with a quorum and took up House Bill 785, as amended by a committee substitute that combined language from HB 785 and HB 787. The bill was described as addressing Medicaid managed care organization (MCO) audits, provider contract notice and amendment procedures, mental health parity compliance, and related transparency requirements. Supporters said the measure would tighten notice to providers, limit repeated contract amendments and rate reductions, require more standardized audit procedures, and add reporting on Medicaid claims, appeals, and grievances. It also includes a provision requiring coverage of at least two evaluation-and-management billable services per physician per recipient per date of service, and a section addressing narcotic/opioid treatment program licensing and reimbursement language. Testimony in support came from Representative Kim Moore, John Inman of BrightView Health, Michelle Sandborne of the Children’s Alliance, and Kelly Cormic of RYSE. They argued that MCOs often use audits and recoupments in ways that are burdensome, opaque, and financially damaging to providers, especially smaller and rural ones. They cited examples of multiple audit requests in short timeframes, large record requests with short deadlines, delayed or absent feedback, and recoupments taken before appeals are resolved. They also said parity laws are not being consistently enforced and that the bill would give the Department of Insurance authority to suspend or revoke an MCO certificate of authority for willful or repeated parity violations. Committee members generally expressed support for provider protections and transparency, while asking for clarification on the narcotic treatment and E/M billing provisions. Tom Stevens of the Kentucky Association of Health Plans testified in opposition, saying the bill is complex to implement and should be handled through the broader Medicaid oversight work of House Bill 9, the MOAB. He said the issues raised were better suited for that bipartisan stakeholder process and noted the committee substitute had not yet been fully reviewed by his group. After discussion, the committee adopted the committee substitute and then moved to a vote on the bill; the roll call began, with several members recorded as voting yes, but the transcript cuts off before the final vote result is shown.

Transcript Highlights:

• Was this what the deal was as well?
• Was this what the deal was as well?
• Was this what the deal was as well?
• So, well, you're fine.
• </c> structure of this to that point so well structure of this to that point so well uh<01:05:05.760>

Committee: Senate Human Services

Transcript Highlights:

• Well, yeah, we drew a vote. Yeah, it's all...
• Well, basically, realizing that there was a... well, we had this other bill that we're about to get,
• </c><01:18:05.600><c> I</c> there'll be one or two favored well I there'll be one or two favored well
• </c><01:50:35.159><c> they</c> how they they got the waiver well they how they they got the waiver well
• </c> in front of this this Watering Hole well in front of this this Watering Hole well and<01:57:39.239

Summary: The subcommittee first took up an amendment to a bill dealing with digital assets, zoning, utilities, and noise. Members discussed removing the “private key” language, clarifying that the bill would prohibit state or local governments from treating digital asset mining differently from other industrial uses, and narrowing several provisions based on feedback from the Municipal Association. There was also discussion about electricity use, rate schedules, and whether the bill would allow payment of electric bills in Bitcoin; members clarified that bills would still be paid in dollars and that discriminatory rates were not allowed. The amendment was approved on a straw vote, and the committee then voted 7-1 to adopt the amended bill. The committee then considered a separate bill related to a paint stewardship program. The sponsor explained that the amendment would remove references to a fee structure that had troubled him in public hearing, while still preserving the plan and oversight by the Department of Environmental Services. Members discussed whether the bill’s liability and disclosure language affected antitrust concerns, and a representative from the American Coatings Association testified that the program’s environmental management practices and liability provisions were intended to ensure responsible handling and cleanup. The committee ultimately voted 7-1 to adopt the amended bill. Later, the subcommittee moved to liquor-related business. It first voted unanimously, 7-0, to retain a cannabis-related item. It then discussed a tavern license bill that would create a 21-plus tavern category, with the Liquor Enforcement Division explaining that the restriction was tied to alcohol-only venues and the potential for late-night entertainment and nightclub-style operations. Members raised concerns about local control and public safety, and the discussion referenced existing cocktail lounge rules and the possibility of towns opting into such a license. The transcript cuts off before a final vote on that item is shown.

Transcript Highlights:

• I'm well, and I hope you're well as well.
• well.
• </c> well, and I hope you're well as as well. well, and I hope you're well as as well. and<04:55:21.120
• Well, Mr.
• Well, Mr. couldn't get out of it. Well, Mr.

Summary: The committee first discussed a budget-related issue involving liquor commission enforcement staff and tobacco enforcement funding. A member explained that proposed cuts to “group two” enforcement positions at the liquor commission could jeopardize the tobacco enforcement money that flows to Health and Human Services, and expressed confidence that the enforcement division would ultimately be preserved. The main hearing was on Senate Bill 19, which would modernize hotel and motel statutes by repealing outdated requirements. The sponsor and the New Hampshire Lodging and Restaurant Association said the bill would remove obsolete rules such as the old guest book/card system and antiquated posting requirements for room rates and motel signs. Members questioned whether the bill would eliminate the requirement to record guest departure dates or affect inspection rights, and the witnesses said the intent was only to remove the book-and-card reference while leaving the rest of the recordkeeping requirement in place. Supporters argued the rate-posting rules are widely ignored, hard to enforce, and outdated in an era of digital reservations and variable pricing; the committee also discussed whether any consumer-protection purpose remained. The public hearing on SB 19 was then closed. The committee then heard Senate Bill 280FN, which would require food delivery services to have an agreement with a restaurant or food retail store before offering delivery from that business. The sponsor said the bill restores a prior law that had sunset and was intended to prevent third-party platforms from listing restaurants without consent. Restaurant industry testimony strongly supported the bill, describing problems with unauthorized listings, delayed deliveries, and reimbursement disputes, and saying the agreement requirement protects restaurant brands and consumer expectations. Members shared examples of delivery problems and voiced support for reinstating the safeguard.

Transcript Highlights:

• Well, we have several modalities that involve the application of heat or cold.
• We deal with a lot of joint and muscle pain as well as flexibility issues.
• Well, I think you answered my question.
• As well as we have a very strange answering system at the Board of Pharmacy.
• Well, one follow-up, Mr. Chairman, if I may. What’s the percentage?”

Committee: All ALC-OCCUPATIONAL LICENSING REVIEW SUBCOMMITTEE

Summary: The Occupational Licensing Subcommittee reviewed four entities moved up from the July schedule: the State Board of Acupuncture, State Board of Pharmacy, Auctioneer Licensing Board, and Motor Vehicle Commission. For acupuncture, the board described its public-protection role, its small size and limited number of active licenses, and efforts to grow the profession through lower fees and online licensing. Members asked generally about what acupuncture treats, and the review was completed without objection. The Pharmacy Board discussion focused heavily on GLP-1 drugs, compounding pharmacies, home delivery of prescriptions, and enforcement against unsafe or unlicensed distribution. Members raised concerns about access to obesity and diabetes medications, mail-order restrictions, and whether compounding pharmacies and out-of-state entities were properly licensed. The director explained the difference between traditional compounding, sterile compounding, and 503B outsourcing facilities, said the board has issued cease-and-desist orders when needed, and noted that retail pharmacy inspections are currently on a 12- to 15-month cycle. Members also asked about pharmacist impersonation, complaint handling, pharmacy technician registration and training, and whether the state has enough pharmacists, with the board saying Arkansas has a pharmacy in every county but still needs to keep attracting new professionals. The Auctioneer Licensing Board reported no major issues, but members asked about dormant license numbers, exemptions from licensure for charity auctions, personal property sales, and livestock auction barns, and whether the profession has adequate numbers. The director said old license numbers cannot be reissued under the current system, charity auctions and sales of one’s own items are exempt, and the field is generally stable with online auctions helping growth. The Motor Vehicle Commission reported on its licensing of franchise dealers and manufacturers, discussed the revocation and fine against Superior RV after an administrative hearing, and said the business is currently shut down while the commission monitors for possible reentry under a different name. Members also asked about dealer licensing requirements, whether boats are licensed by the commission, and workforce shortages; the director said the biggest need is for service and repair technicians, and the commission awarded $250,000 in grants to 12 high school and college automotive programs this year. The committee concluded all four reviews without objection, asked members to email any recommendations for the final report, and announced the next meeting for September 17 at 1:30 p.m.

Transcript Highlights:

• Well, welcome. And do I have Assistant Attorney General Julia Eisenhower?
• All right, well, welcome, Assistant Attorney General Eisenhower.
• All right, very well.
• Well, at this stage, you know, it's a... Allegations are true.
• Very well. I am in total agreement.

Summary: The Washington State Office of Administrative Hearings held oral argument before the Legislative Ethics Board in the matter of Tara Simmons, docket 401-645, on a respondent-filed motion for summary judgment. Judge T.J. Martin identified the issues as whether Simmons violated the Ethics Act by using her legislative position for the benefit of others and by holding outside employment that conflicted with her official duties, under RCW 42.52.070 and RCW 42.52.020, and, if violations were found, what penalties or sanctions would be appropriate. The judge clarified that board staff had not filed its own summary judgment motion, only a response to Simmons’ motion. Attorney Doug McKinney argued that the complaint and board staff’s allegations were legally insufficient because they did not allege a personal benefit to Simmons, only benefits to her employer, EEC, or to others. He contended that the Ethics Act has historically required a benefit to the legislator herself, that employees do not automatically have a disqualifying interest in their employers, and that the board’s position would create a new bright-line rule and unfairly change the law as applied to Simmons. He also addressed allegations involving a contract provision, a campaign surplus donation to AEG, a subcontract dispute involving AEG and EEC, and text messages with Anthony Powers, arguing none showed a special privilege or conflict of interest for Simmons. Assistant Attorney General Julia Eisenhower, for board staff, argued the motion should be denied because the record sufficiently alleged violations of both statutes. She said Simmons’ involvement in securing funding for EEC, her employment duties involving stakeholder and legislator connections, her donation of campaign surplus funds to AEG to help secure a job for someone she knew, her role in the AEG-EEC subcontract dispute, and her text messages referencing her official capacity all supported the allegations. A board member asked whether the allegations were sufficient to show a special benefit, and Eisenhower responded that the facts were enough at the summary judgment stage. After rebuttal by McKinney, the ALJ closed the hearing and the board went into deliberations; no ruling was announced during the transcript.

Transcript Highlights:

• And she might want to share some of that information as well. Sure.
• And he's very well aware.
• Overall commission vote as well. And my only negative on that is nothing.
• Well, you're going to get a big opportunity, sounds like.
• Well, I guess a few days after the outreach to Josh.

Summary: The subcommittee opened with roll call, introductions, and approval of the prior meeting minutes. Members then discussed a draft letter and planning for an apprenticeship-focused presentation or panel, noting outreach to the Executive Office of Labor and Workforce Development and interest in coordinating with the Division of Apprenticeship Standards. Chair Garlick and others said the draft looked good, and members agreed to keep trades and provider groups informed as the work moves forward. A major topic was how to make apprenticeships more accessible to people with disabilities and to the agencies that serve them. Members discussed recent Apprenticeship Week conversations, including employer concerns that the state’s process may not be as simple as advertised and that the $250 fee could be a barrier for small and mid-sized businesses. They also talked about the need to avoid stereotypes about which jobs people with disabilities can do and to focus on awareness, internships as a pathway to apprenticeships, and possible workforce gaps in fields such as direct support, home health, and child care. The group agreed that the proposed event should likely focus first on child care and home health, with possible inclusion of behavioral health as a related workforce area. Members also discussed inviting state officials, liaisons, and employer representatives, while keeping the panel manageable and relevant to the commission’s work. No final date was set, but members leaned toward proposing several options, likely in late May or June, and favored a Zoom format over hybrid for ease of scheduling and logistics.

Transcript Highlights:

• Well. They want to receive it in the language that they're most comfortable.
• And that also includes the monitoring piece as well. About what is accurate.
• We have a training component as well for the state workforce.
• We are running right on time, well done, team.
• Well, that is it. Last call. Thank you also very much. This was fantastic.

Summary: The Technology, Economic Development, and Veterans Committee held its first meeting of the session and began with member and staff introductions, followed by a work session on emerging technology, digital risks, and governance, focused on artificial intelligence in state government. Washington Technology Solutions officials Gretchen Perry, Katie Ruckel, and James Galvin described the state’s approach to balancing innovation with public trust, emphasizing human judgment, transparency, accountability, and the use of AI to augment rather than replace people. They outlined benefits such as automating repetitive tasks, improving fraud and anomaly detection, supporting multilingual access, and improving customer service and internal productivity. The presenters also discussed AI risks, including algorithmic bias, overreliance, hallucinations, and ethical concerns, and explained the state’s governance framework. That framework is based on NIST AI risk principles and includes statewide AI principles, inventory requirements, risk assessments for high-risk uses, accuracy and monitoring requirements, training, data-sharing controls, and restrictions on creating likenesses without consent. They noted the state adopted a statewide AI policy on December 11 and has created an AI community of practice and related subcommittees to support implementation. They also said the policy was bargained with unions where required and that agencies must give notice before consequential AI-related changes affecting working conditions. James Galvin highlighted current AI use cases across state agencies, including visual and spatial analysis for emergency response and flood recovery, the Department of Licensing’s Dolly chatbot for resident services, and an internal contract-assistance tool for staff that is limited to approved materials. Members asked about audit implications, language services and interpreters, the policy’s applicability beyond government, union involvement, return on investment, and whether the state uses off-the-shelf or custom AI models. The presenters said most uses rely on off-the-shelf large language models, that high-risk generative AI is not yet in production, and that the policy is designed to encourage low- and moderate-risk uses while adding more scrutiny for higher-risk applications. No votes or legislative actions were taken; the meeting concluded with committee housekeeping and adjournment.

Transcript Highlights:

• It's a Crime Stoppers, one of the oldest Crime Stoppers programs, worked very well.
• Yeah, then we have Joey Park in support as well with a lot of association.
• Well, I do have... Some... 303 304 305 306 307 Hang with us, we're adjusting.
• Thank you. attorney as well.
• I, as well, am happy to answer any questions you may have. Thank you.

Bills: SB384 , SB503 , SB565 , SB616 , SB740

Committee: Senate Water, Agriculture and Rural Affairs

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:

• And I do as well. I think your instinct is accurate, but we’ll find out in a second.
• Well, I will say that was at the discretion of the chair, so good luck with that.
• House Bill 305 shifts health care from reactive sick care to proactive well care.
• Well, I appreciate that.
• And so we are pleased to support this and the other bills as well.

Bills: HB305 , HB395 , HB341

Committee: Senate Health & Social Services

Summary: The committee met in late June with Senators Hansen, Buckson, Siegfried, Townsend, and Huxable present, and first approved the meeting minutes by voice vote. The opening bill, HB 341, would limit DFS from filing child support in foster care cases unless doing so would not hinder reunification; Children’s Department staff said the department has already decided to stop filing in all such cases, with an estimated fiscal impact of about $140,000 annually. Public testimony from the League of Women Voters supported the bill as a compassionate measure to help families reunite. The committee then heard HB 446/related anaphylaxis legislation for colleges and universities, which would allow institutions to stock and use intranasal epinephrine alongside auto-injectors and update training and reporting requirements. The Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America supported the measure, emphasizing the need for needle-free options and faster treatment of anaphylaxis. The committee also took up HS1 for HB 356 on PFAS, which would ban firefighting foam containing PFAS beginning in 2028, require disclosure if PPE contains PFAS, and address recalls; DNREC and the fire service supported it, saying most departments have already transitioned away from PFAS foam. A major portion of the meeting focused on HB 305, a diabetes wellness pilot program that would use continuous glucose monitoring, app-based care coordination, lab testing, and DHIN data analysis to shift care toward prevention and remission. Sponsor Senator Siegfried described the bill as a response to Delaware’s high diabetes costs and prevalence, and the Medical Society of Delaware supported it as a proactive model. The committee also discussed HB 395, which would regulate intoxicating hemp-derived products and synthetic cannabinoids by classifying products over a THC threshold as marijuana and creating penalties for unlicensed sales; the Office of the Marijuana Commissioner supported the bill, while hemp industry representatives and Senator Hoffner warned it could harm legitimate hemp retailers and access to hemp products. The final item, HS1 for HB 332, would ban sales and marketing of kratom products to those under 21 and direct the state to study testing and regulation of kratom and synthetic variants. Supporters, including the Delaware Healthcare Association and several recovery advocates, said age-gating is a reasonable first step and that synthetic products are the main concern; opponents and some senators argued the bill should go further and fully ban kratom or better distinguish synthetic products from natural leaf kratom. No formal roll-call votes were taken on the substantive bills during the transcript, and the meeting adjourned after public comment.