Transcript Highlights:

• revenues collected as a result of the new fees and on economic conditions. for the franchise, mortgage lending
• been in talks with the department for over a year about insuring the California Residential Mortgage Lending

Transcript Highlights:

• The LCC is charged with the enforcement of the Military Lending Act on federally chartered banks.
• supervisions are insists that interest rates not go beyond 36% because doing so would be indicative of poor lending

Committee: Senate Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs Committee

Keywords: financial regulations, SEC, Comptroller of the Currency, Federal Transit Administration, nominees, Empowering Main Street in America Act, capital formation, economic growth

Summary: The committee meeting focused on several nominees within key financial institutions, including discussions surrounding the SEC, the Federal Transit Administration, and the Comptroller of the Currency. Notable dialogue included concerns over regulatory balance, with various members emphasizing a need to streamline regulations to foster innovation while ensuring accountability and safety for investors. The importance of the proposed 'Empowering Main Street in America Act' was highlighted as a means to facilitate access to capital for small businesses, underlining the current administration's approach towards financial regulations.

Transcript Highlights:

• We'd be happy to lend any expertise or assistance to this working group, as applicable, and I'd be happy
• We'd be happy to lend any expertise or assistance to this working group, as applicable, and I'd be happy

Summary: The Committee on Transportation and Culture heard a series of resolutions covering cultural preservation, civic education, dark-sky protection, Taiwan relations, aviation safety reporting, waterborne cargo subsidies, and Maui transportation planning. Testimony on the Hawaii Theatre resolutions (SCR 131/SR 110) came from the Hawaii Theatre Center in support, with a question about whether acquisition funding was in the current budget; the witness said he was not aware of any such funding. The state archivist strongly supported SCR 169/SR 138 on expanding public outreach and civic engagement, and a student testifier supported the measure while urging stronger language to include Indigenous culture and closer work with Native communities. On STR 12/SR 8 recognizing International Dark Sky Week, testimony emphasized light pollution’s effects on birds, marine life, human health, and astronomy, and suggested stronger lighting ordinances and possible dark-sky reserve efforts. STR 31/SR 17 on Taiwan received support from the Department of Business, Economic Development, and Tourism, while STR 180/SR 150 on aviation safety reporting drew support from Blue Hawaiian Helicopters but opposition from the Department of Transportation, which said much of the requested information falls under FAA jurisdiction and would be voluntary at the state level. STR 150 on waterborne cargo subsidies was supported by DOT, Young Brothers, and the Hawaii Food Industry Association, with DOT asking that the working group be smaller to speed a report to the 2026 session. STR 37/SR 21 and STR 38/SR 22 on Kihei road planning drew support from the Kihei Community Association, which described severe congestion and safety concerns in South Maui. In decision-making, the committee advanced SCR 131/SR 110 on the Hawaii Theatre as introduced. SCR 169/SR 138 was advanced with amendments to address comments about Indigenous culture. STR 12/SR 8 on International Dark Sky Week was deferred for further discussion until the following Tuesday. STR 31/SR 17 on Taiwan was advanced with technical, non-substantive amendments. STR 180/SR 150 and STR 150 were both deferred to the same later decision-making date to allow further work on possible amendments and jurisdictional issues. STR 37/SR 21 was passed as introduced, and STR 38/SR 22 was passed with technical, non-substantive amendments. In each vote taken, the measures were adopted without recorded opposition from the members present.

Transcript Highlights:

• borrowers are going to be at risk of unfair financial service practices including debanking, payday lending
• In fact if you look at some of that mortgage fraud is changes with the Military Lending Act where financial

Committee: Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee

Keywords: fiscal responsibility, government waste, foreign aid, funding resolution, legislative oversight

Summary: The committee meeting addressed government spending and foreign aid, with a particular emphasis on perceived wasteful expenditures. A significant portion of the meeting was dedicated to discussing a funding resolution for the committee, which received unanimous support from the members present. The chair noted a quorum at the beginning of the meeting, signaling that the committee was ready to conduct its business. Discussions highlighted ongoing debates concerning fiscal responsibility and the necessity of legislative oversight, notably regarding foreign aid allocations and their implications for domestic fiscal health.

Transcript Highlights:

• This means that we have experts in many areas who will be able to lend their expertise, especially with
• For major activities, the corporation contracts with lending agencies and organizations across the state

Committee: Senate Senate Rules

Transcript Highlights:

• This probably doesn't lend itself to that very well with a religious school, but it doesn't prohibit

Bills: AB302

Committee: Senate Education

Transcript Highlights:

• There is a name which appears on the screen after mine on the board, and that lends me to believe that

Bills: SB1558 , SB1983 , SB1796 , SB1806 , SB1426 , SB633

Committee: House Children, Youth and Family Services

Keywords: child care, licensing, definitions, foster care, child welfare, SB1983, resource family partner, resource family partners, Department of Human Services, DHS, foster homes, foster children, placement data, data sharing, de-identified data, aggregated data, sibling groups, placement disruptions, foster parent recruitment, foster parent retention

Transcript Highlights:

• The gold is not lending... is not a bank; it's a warehouse where bullion is stored on a one-to-one basis

Committee: House House Regulatory Oversight Committee of Reference

Summary: The Committee on Regulatory Oversight heard two bills related to Arizona bullion and gold-backed transactions. HB 2123 would establish an Arizona bullion depository under the State Treasurer, allow third-party administration and electronic payment systems, require insurance for deposits, and recognize gold and silver as legal tender. Representative Lisa Fink presented the bill as a way to provide an optional, inflation-resistant payment method and to make gold and silver more accessible to ordinary Arizonans; a witness from the Transactional Gold and Silver Project described the depository as a fully allocated, insured warehouse system tied to a debit card and said the model had been used in other states. The committee voted 4-0 with one present to give HB 2123 a do pass recommendation. The committee then considered HB 2140, which would allow state and local governments to use the Arizona bullion depository, permit the State Treasurer to place up to 10% of state monies in bullion there, and require rulemaking by the Department of Insurance and Financial Institutions. Representative Fink again argued that holding some bullion could diversify state assets and reduce counterparty risk, citing Utah’s treasurer and broader central bank gold accumulation. A member asked about the bill’s rulemaking language and the sponsor said she was open to discussing changes with the State Treasurer. With no public testimony, the committee voted 4-0 with one present to recommend HB 2140 do pass, and then adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• Even interviewing some of my Sacramento and district staff and lending a critical youth voice to this

Transcript Highlights:

• Entering into financing agreements with Commonwealth agencies, lending institutions, investors, investing
• Entering into financing agreements with Commonwealth agencies, lending institutions, investors, investing
• agreements with Commonwealth agencies, agreements with Commonwealth agencies, uh<00:32:03.920><c> lending
• </c><00:32:04.480><c> institutions,</c><00:32:05.440><c> investors,</c> uh lending institutions, investors
• , uh lending institutions, investors, investing<00:32:07.440><c> entities.

Summary: The committee first focused on a disputed KCNA procurement for a statewide network-related RFP. Members questioned why the RFP had been labeled non-technical, whether COT should have reviewed it, and whether the KCNA board could direct that it be withdrawn. Finance and Administration Cabinet counsel Barbie Dickens said the RFP was authorized by KCNA working with procurement services after termination of the prior contract and breach notices, was issued in November 2025, paused during a protest, later resumed, and remained an open procurement. She said the agency—not the board—directs the procurement process, though she acknowledged an agency and OPS could cancel or reissue an RFP if needed. Legislators pushed back, citing KRS 154 and House Bill 314 as evidence that the KCNA board controls contracts and operations, and one member said the board had requested the RFP be withdrawn. Dickens said she could not predict the outcome and was not KCNA’s counsel. The discussion also touched on whether the current director had asked to stop the RFP and whether that request had been denied, with no final action taken during the exchange. The committee then turned to Kentucky Wired Infrastructure Corporation and the Kentucky Wired refresh project. Jim Barnhart described the structure of the nonprofit corporation, the role of Quick and Quack in the financing and operations arrangement, and the board membership, noting that the refresh funding had been approved in the 2024-26 capital budget. He said the equipment upgrade is necessary because of end-of-life hardware and software support issues, and that the refresh would expand capacity, lower risk, and reduce operating costs. Barnhart said some equipment had already been received, the rest would be purchased later, and the project should begin before September and take about a year to complete. When asked about contract disputes involving Ledcor and whether the vendor had an ongoing contract, Barnhart and the authority representative said they had not been notified of any issues and were not directly involved in that contract dispute. Committee members also raised concerns about a prior market test and whether a lower-cost bidder had been blocked from a previous RFP process. Barnhart said he understood Quack could make that decision and that the Commonwealth did not have input so long as the network was maintained, but he was not involved at the time. A legislator then read from the KCNA statute and argued that the board, not agency staff, is supposed to direct KCNA contracts and operations, saying House Bill 314 did not change those duties. The chair agreed the committee’s intent was for the board to control KCNA and direct contracts, and the discussion ended with a transition away from the KCNA dispute toward future testimony, including a presentation from Zayo Networks on open access networks and broadband infrastructure.

Transcript Highlights:

• someone something with our Minnesota House of Representatives Centennial office space, they might lend
• someone something with our Minnesota House of Representatives Centennial office space, they might lend
• office space, Representatives Centennial office space, they<00:48:04.760><c> might</c><00:48:05.360><c> lend
• </c><00:48:06.120><c> credibility</c> they might lend credibility they might lend credibility to<00:48

Bills: HF3643 , HF4470 , HF4462 , HF4366 , HF4172 , HF3629 , HF4356 , HF3093

Committee: House State Government Finance and Policy

Transcript Highlights:

• Would you be able to lend us a hand and help come teach it a little?
• Would you be able to lend us a hand and help come teach it a little?
• Would you be able to lend us a hand and help come teach it a little?
• Would you be able to lend us a hand and help come teach it a little?
• our workforce challenge, and so we're trying to help augment their education ability challenge. ...lend

Committee: Senate Labor and Technology

Summary: The Senate Committee on Labor and Technology met on February 25, 2026, to consider gubernatorial nominees to the Hawaii Workforce Development Council under GM 630, GM 628, and GM 631. The chair explained hearing procedures, noted backup reconvening plans in case of technical failure, and said decision-making would occur after testimony if time permitted. Testimony on all three nominees was overwhelmingly supportive, including from Department of Labor and Industrial Relations officials, Workforce Development Council representatives, and various outside supporters. For GM 630, Carrie Miro described decades of work on career pathways and emphasized applied learning, internships, and stronger links between education and employers. Senators questioned how to restore hands-on trade and career education and how to connect students to real workforce opportunities; Miro said businesses should help shape training and that students need both credit and employment incentives. For GM 628, Rona Fukumoto said her experience leading Lanakila Pacific and working in homeless services would help the council better understand the needs of people with disabilities, older adults, and other vulnerable populations, and she stressed educating employers and the public. She also said youth programs, apprenticeships, and early intervention for “opportunity youth” are important, and noted that college-based programs like those at HCC can still provide effective hands-on pathways. For GM 631, Keith Dlo, who is seeking reappointment, said the Workforce Development Council should help create a future in Hawaii for younger generations by aligning schools, agencies, employers, and communities. He said his work on American Job Centers and the council’s convening power show it is an active body, not just a reporting mechanism. Senators pressed him on how to measure success beyond federal compliance, and Dlo said the council needs Hawaii-specific metrics focused on participation, completion, job placement, and retention of young residents, while also adapting to changes like AI. No votes or final confirmations were taken during the portion of the hearing provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• First off, I just want to thank you all for lending your expertise to this.
• First off, I just want to thank you all for lending your expertise to this hearing today.
• First off, I just want to thank you all for lending your expertise to this hearing today.
• First off, I just want to thank you all for lending your expertise to this hearing today.
• First off, I want to thank you all for lending your expertise to this hearing today.

Bills: SB 2

Committees: Senate Education K-16 , Senate Education

Transcript Highlights:

• And I think all of this is going to lend itself to a real lowering of costs for people.
• </c> going to lend itself going to lend itself to<00:59:42.920><c> a</c><00:59:43.000><c> real</c><00
• It's going to lend itself again to an efficiency and a cost of living—the money people can save not even
• It's<01:19:25.240><c> going</c><01:19:25.360><c> to</c><01:19:25.440><c> lend</c><01:19:25.560><c> itself
• again to an It's going to lend itself again to an efficiency<01:19:27.320><c> and</c><01:19:27.400><

Transcript Highlights:

• Um, I feel like banks may have a little bit of uncertainty about that type of lending.
• When we run out of money, we're hoping the bank in the future will say they'll lend us money again.
• Um and that's what that type of lending.
• </c><00:56:45.760><c> Um</c><00:56:46.559><c> for</c><00:56:46.720><c> a</c> they'll lend us money again
• Um for a they'll lend us money again.

Committee: Senate Education

Transcript Highlights:

• And if you're going to build a greenfield project across high fire threat districts, whoever's lending
• And if you're going to build a greenfield project across high fire threat districts, whoever's lending
• And if you're going to build a greenfield project across high fire threat districts, whoever's lending

Committee: House Utilities and Energy

Transcript Highlights:

• ’s some pretty old language that says that they can use watch persons and that every citizen shall lend
• the box on the right... ...for second class cities, and that statute still says every citizen shall lend
• So they should not be wearing a uniform or badge or anything that would lend itself to confusion.

Summary: The committee held a work session in Mill Creek focused first on the eviction process. Judge Michael Scott of King County Superior Court described historic highs in unlawful detainer filings across Washington, especially in urban counties, and said King County has reduced its backlog and average time to resolution to about 60 days by adding two dedicated eviction judges and using more judges when needed. He also described how King County and other counties are implementing the right to counsel for indigent tenants, and noted that additional housing commissioners may help. Office of Civil Legal Aid representatives Philippe Knapp and Jane Paxe said the statewide appointed counsel program has represented more than 30,000 tenants, referred clients to social services, and helped many remain housed, but they warned of a funding shortfall that could eliminate about 17 attorneys and leave roughly 2,000 tenants without representation. A landlord-side panel argued that eviction timelines remain too long and fragmented, creating unpaid rent, safety issues, and uncertainty for both landlords and tenants; they urged more uniform procedures, streamlined rental assistance, and procedural changes to reduce refiling and delays. The second work session addressed theft and vandalism of critical infrastructure, especially copper and telecom cable theft. Committee staff reviewed existing criminal and regulatory laws covering malicious mischief, theft, scrap metal businesses, and metal property deception. Comcast, Mason Public Utility District, and the Recycled Materials Association testified that theft of aerial cable and copper has become a crisis affecting power, internet, 911 service, schools, hospitals, and line-worker safety. Utility representatives described outages, hazards, and rising costs, and asked for stronger audits of scrapyards, tougher penalties for theft affecting critical infrastructure, and tighter rules on payment and identification. Recyclers said they oppose the thefts and already operate under heavy regulation, but acknowledged enforcement gaps and the need for better coordination; committee members discussed possible bill concepts and asked for written recommendations. The final work session covered standards for law enforcement personnel. Criminal Justice Training Commission Executive Director Monica Alexander and Assistant Director Kimberly Bliss explained current certification and decertification rules, including background checks, training requirements, mandatory and discretionary grounds for decertification, and the hearing process. They said elected sheriffs are not currently required to undergo the same pre-election background check as other applicants, though they can still be decertified if already certified, and they reported a backlog of more than 1,000 cases with about 70 to 80 new cases coming in each month. Retired Judge Ann Levinson then outlined ways the legislature could strengthen and align standards for chiefs, sheriffs, and marshals, including requiring certification within a set time, setting a minimum age, requiring recent state background checks, and making loss of certification a vacancy in office. Committee members asked questions about accountability for elected sheriffs, background-check administration, and decertification outcomes.

Transcript Highlights:

• families and friends; and whereas our Canadian neighbors provide aid to our country in times of crisis, lending

Summary: The Senate convened on February 24 with no roll call, approved the prior day’s Journal, and referred committee reports and listed measures as designated. One exception was Engrossed Substitute House Bill 2548, concerning health care market standards, which was sent to the Committee on Rules. The chamber then moved to the eighth order for resolutions. Senate Resolution 8696, recognizing Washington’s interconnected relationship with Canada, was read and adopted. Supportive remarks emphasized cross-border economic ties, family and community connections, shared environmental and scientific work, trade, border communities such as Point Roberts and Blaine, and cooperation with Canadian and Quebec officials. The Senate also formally recognized visiting Canadian and Washington guests in the gallery, including the Canadian Consul General, a Quebec delegate, the mayor of Blaine, and Western Washington University representatives. After a brief at-ease, the Senate returned to business and received supplemental standing committee reports, including Senate Bill 5998, the supplemental operating budget, and House Bill 2664, both referred to the Committee on Rules. The Senate then agreed to adjourn until 10 a.m. on Thursday, February 26, 2026.

Transcript Highlights:

• Lends at me. Flintz at I. Miller I. Unless of summer bottle I. Microphone I. Very closed.

Summary: The committee heard a series of bills, mostly on broadband, artificial intelligence, business law, public safety, funeral services, health care transparency, and licensing. HB 2293 extended the Oklahoma Broadband Office sunset to December 31, 2030 to allow it to administer remaining broadband grant funds. HB 3545 set standards for state agency use of AI, including human oversight for high-risk decisions, transparency for AI-generated content, and annual public reporting. HB 3546 prohibited AI systems and other non-human entities from being granted legal personhood under Oklahoma law. HB 3260 added the Oklahoma Funeral Directors Association to the list of approved continuing education providers for funeral directors. HB 3147 created a Route 66 centennial specialty license plate to support preservation and centennial activities, HB 3369 eased food truck fire code requirements by allowing portable extinguishers instead of mandatory automatic suppression systems, HB 4453 created the Oklahoma Health Care Cost Transparency Board, HB 3660 addressed national organic reduction, HB 3081 lowered the age for fire extinguisher technicians from 21 to 18, HB 2035 allowed funeral homes to sell certain third-party transportation packages, and HB 3498 modernized corporate and LLC statutes to improve Oklahoma’s competitiveness for business formation. Most bills were presented by their authors, several with proposed committee substitutes or corrections that were adopted without objection. Members asked a few questions, particularly on the AI bills, the Route 66 plate, the food truck fire code change, and the corporate law modernization. The AI personhood bill drew discussion about legal liability and human rights, while the corporate code bill was described as modeled on Delaware-style business law to attract and retain companies in Oklahoma. Votes were largely unanimous in favor. HB 3545, HB 3546, HB 3260, HB 3147, HB 3369, HB 4453, HB 3081, HB 2035, and HB 3498 all received do-pass recommendations, with vote totals ranging from 11-0 to 16-0. HB 3660 passed 15-1. HB 3673 was laid over at the author’s request, and Chairman West’s bill was also laid over to the committee’s next meeting on Thursday.

Transcript Highlights:

• Tuttweiler, representatives from the Attorney General's Office, and all of our invited witnesses for lending
• written that said, if a neighborhood was redlined, Black people, it's not desirable and we don't want to lend
• work with business owners from historically marginalized backgrounds and not only provide them the lending
• legislature continue to call on all partners doing this work, such as YW Boston and others in this room, to lend

Committee: Joint Joint Committee on Racial Equity, Civil Rights, and Inclusion

Summary: The Joint Committee on Racial Equity, Civil Rights, and Inclusion held an informational hearing on diversity, equity, and inclusion in Massachusetts; no bills were heard or voted on. Chairs Bud Williams and Liz Miranda opened by framing the hearing as a response to recent federal actions they said threatened DEI efforts, funding, and civil rights protections in education and other sectors. They said the committee would hear from experts, agencies, advocates, and businesses about the legality and benefits of DEI and the impact of federal actions on the Commonwealth. Secretary of Education Patrick Tutwiler testified virtually that Massachusetts is pushing back against federal efforts to restrict DEI, including guidance and certification demands directed at schools. He highlighted state investments in early education, child care, early college, career and technical education, and educator diversity, arguing these efforts help close opportunity gaps for Black and brown students, students with disabilities, English learners, and other underserved groups. In response to member questions, he said federal education dollars are core to services for students and that the state is prepared to fight funding cuts while monitoring impacts across K-12, early education, and higher education. Elizabeth Matos of the Attorney General’s Office said DEIA programs remain legal under state and federal law and described AG guidance issued to help institutions navigate federal confusion. She reviewed litigation the office has joined or won, including efforts involving withheld school funds, museums and libraries, the Minority Business Development Agency, Head Start, AmeriCorps, and other federal actions. Members asked about immigration-related fear and profiling, and Matos pointed to existing Know Your Rights guidance, said complaints to the Civil Rights Division have increased, and noted the office is seeing issues involving housing discrimination, employment, public accommodations, and threats to call ICE. She also said the office is open to further legislative ideas but did not discuss specifics. Evelyn Carter, a social psychologist, testified that diversity, equity, and inclusion are often misunderstood and defined the terms plainly, emphasizing that diversity is a group characteristic, equity addresses unequal starting points, and inclusion is about belonging and access. She argued that DEI matters because it creates guardrails against bias, helps make environments accessible, and addresses ongoing inequities. In response to questions, she suggested practical strategies such as using clear criteria and written records in decision-making, broadening who is considered part of one’s in-group, and pairing bias awareness with concrete behavior-change tools. The hearing also included testimony from Meredith Tewitt of the Massachusetts Commission on the Status of Women, who spoke about the importance of DEI for women, veterans, and people who rely on federal institutions, and urged lawmakers to continue supporting inclusion and access.