Transcript Highlights:

• This would force us to combine stops for students of varying ages, meaning elementary and high school
• This would force us to combine stops for students of varying ages, meaning elementary and high school
• This would force us to combine stops for students of varying ages, meaning elementary and high school
• So for that reason, I would hope that you would support this bill, and I'm happy to take any questions
• So for that reason, I would hope nature.

Committee: House Transportation

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• What we really are hoping for is to have the ability of giving the consumer the choice to use their rewards
• Visitors don’t come here for chains. They come here for us.
• So when you pay for your rent, when you pay for your food, when you pay for your alcohol, you know how
• And we also have the added cost of processing wages for our employees due to the high use of credit cards
• And we also have the added cost of processing wages for our employees due to the high use of credit cards

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The commission met for its second hearing to study the future of credit card payments and sales transactions and their impacts on small businesses. Members heard extensive testimony from credit unions, retailers, restaurants, and payment-industry representatives on interchange fees, processing fees, fraud, chargebacks, rewards programs, and the ability of businesses to pass fees on to customers. Several witnesses argued that swipe fees have risen sharply, are especially burdensome for restaurants and other small businesses, and are charged on taxes and tips that are merely pass-through amounts. They urged state action to prohibit fees on tax and tip portions, improve transparency, and allow surcharging or convenience fees, while opponents warned that state regulation could reduce fraud protections, increase compliance costs, and threaten consumer rewards programs. Business owners and trade groups described thin margins, rising costs, and the difficulty of understanding merchant statements or negotiating with processors. Restaurant witnesses said card-not-present and online transactions create the greatest fraud and chargeback risk, with money often removed immediately from merchants’ accounts and disputes rarely resolved in their favor. Retail witnesses gave examples of rising effective rates, higher fees on rewards cards, and the burden of processing fees on low-value transactions. A representative from the Massachusetts Restaurant Association and others said restaurants are effectively paying fees on meals tax and gratuities, which they argued should not be subject to interchange charges. On the other side, the Cooperative Credit Union Association said interchange revenue helps credit unions fund fraud prevention, rapid card replacement, and member protections, and warned that state limits on interchange could weaken those safeguards and lead to higher consumer costs or reduced services. Airlines for America testified that airline credit card rewards are popular, support travel and jobs in Massachusetts, and could be harmed by interchange reform. The National Restaurant Association and a payments-policy attorney countered that interchange fees are set by card networks rather than competitive markets, that banks remain highly profitable even with rewards, and that states can act after recent court decisions. No votes were taken; the hearing consisted of testimony and questions from commissioners.

Transcript Highlights:

• :56.119><c> for</c> benefits that they're looking for for benefits that they're looking for for our<00
• </c> high amount of money 800 million for high amount of money 800 million for roads<00:52:57.880><c>
• means for us to balance a budget that's already hard, I hope that the members in this committee on both
• means for us to balance a budget that's already hard, I hope that the members in this committee on both
• means for us to balance a budget that's already hard, I hope that the members in this committee on both

Committee: Senate Finance

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• What we really are hoping for is to have the ability of giving the consumer the choice to use their rewards
• The payments industry is a strong economic engine for Massachusetts for small businesses and for consumers
• Visitors don’t come here for chains. They come here for us.
• So when you pay for your rent, when you pay for your food, when you pay for your alcohol, you know how
• And we also have the added cost of processing wages for our employees due to the high use of credit cards

Summary: The commission met to hear testimony on the future of credit card payments and swipe fees, with a focus on impacts to small businesses, especially restaurants and retailers. Members and witnesses discussed interchange fees, processing fees, chargebacks, fraud risk, rewards programs, and the growing use of card-not-present and digital wallet transactions. Several witnesses urged the commission to support legislation that would prohibit fees on the tax and tip portions of transactions and allow businesses to pass credit card fees on to customers if they choose, while others warned that state regulation of interchange could reduce fraud protections and harm consumer rewards programs. Small business owners and trade groups described rising costs and thin margins, saying card fees are now among their largest expenses and are often charged on money that is merely passing through the business, such as sales tax and gratuities. Restaurant representatives said the current system shifts fraud and chargeback losses onto merchants, with little ability to negotiate rates or recover disputed funds, and argued that transparency and fee relief would help keep independent businesses open. Retailers gave similar testimony, citing rising swipe fees, complex statements, and the burden of online and phone transactions. A representative from the airline industry opposed interchange reform, arguing that airline credit card rewards are popular with consumers and support travel and jobs in Massachusetts. Credit union representatives cautioned that state-level interchange limits could weaken fraud prevention and force higher rates or reduced services, while the National Restaurant Association and a payments-policy attorney countered that banks and networks already operate under fee caps in other contexts and that interchange rates are fixed rather than competitive. Commission members asked questions about how chargebacks work, how fees are broken down, whether businesses can negotiate with processors or POS providers, and how consumer behavior has shifted toward cards, online ordering, and delivery since the pandemic. No votes or formal actions were taken during the hearing.

Transcript Highlights:

• Standing for questions? Okay, questions for Senator Rogers.
• So thank you for allowing me to speak, and I'll stand for any questions. Mr.
• Another question for the testifier, if I could. Go for it.
• The government pays vendors all the time for business supplies, for lots of things.
• Thank you for asking that.

Bills: HB2015 , HB2060 , HB2129 , HB2170 , HB2210 , HB2228 , HB2352 , HB2460 , HB2533 , SB1019 , SB1045 , SB1050 , SB1078 , SB1083 , SB1167 , SB1184 , SCR1006

Committee: Senate Government

Keywords: budget procedures, late filing penalty, accounting standards, financial reporting, state appropriations, abortion, educational institutions, health education, state aid, public schools, municipal libraries, annual reporting, state legislation, transparency, government accountability, procurement, foreign adversary, China, state contracts, information technology

Transcript Highlights:

• So, you know, I do want to... ...projects that are high priority for the state.
• She's received many accolades for the teaching that she's done within Mark Keppel High School and within
• I hope my colleagues see this for what it is. I think you do see it for what it is.
• I hope my colleagues see this for what it is.
• I think you do see it for what it I hope my colleagues see this for what it is.

Committee: Senate Joint Legislative Audit

Keywords: 987, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• So my apologies for<00:03:10.000><c> that.</c> for that. for that.
• High risk could just be an organization that's relatively new to our process, for example.
• for bringing &gt;&gt; Thank you uh for testifies for bringing uh<00:58:35.200><c> Representative</c>
• /c><00:59:05.280><c> pinching</c><00:59:05.839><c> for</c> Johnson, thank you for pinching for Johnson
• for this committee is for the important for this committee is for the last<01:19:39.760><c> two</c><

Bills: HF4072 , HF3691 , HF4613

Committee: House Workforce, Labor, and Economic Development Finance and Policy

Keywords: workforce development, journalism, local news, internships, media training, emergency management, essential employees, public safety, law enforcement, workforce, economic development, appropriation, Twin Cities Marathon, Explore Minnesota, grants, 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• And we, you know, we'll see what we hope we can do something for this.
• For ed tech to sell their educational platforms on a device, they need high engagement, which means they
• By the time it made it to us, we were starting one-to-one devices in 2017 for middle and high school
• High school students may be developmentally ready for such a high level of access, but I'm a middle school
• As advocates, my organization deals with having to fight for high-quality direct instruction for students

Committee: House Elementary and Secondary Education

Keywords: 959, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Excuse me for mispronouncing a name. Joe, are you there? I am here. I hope you can hear me.
• Thank you for your consideration, and I hope that we can come to some solution in which to keep especially
• </c><00:38:03.040><c> that</c> you for your consideration and hope that you for your consideration and
• 23.679><c> for</c><01:51:23.960><c> and</c><01:51:24.079><c> then</c> High School will apply for and
• then High School will apply for and then there<01:51:24.320><c> are</c><01:51:24.480><c> grant</c><01

Committee: House Education Policy

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• And we will have a bill for that, which I hope to present in the state and local government committee
• ><c> to</c> have a bill for that which I hope to have a bill for that which I hope to present<00:01:18.880
• Uh, the housing crisis in our community is at an all-time high, making it impossible for many people
• Uh, the housing crisis in our community is at an all-time high, making it impossible for many people
• the state and valuable investment for the state and hope<01:09:32.159><c> to</c><01:09:32.319><c> see

Committee: Senate Housing and Homelessness Prevention

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Thank you for being here today.
• Thank you, Commissioner, for being here. for what y'all are doing.
• Unfortunately, and in March of 24, we had a spillover event that went into. for high path avian influenza
• The High Plains region can be credited for the lion's share of these losses.
• for processing dates.

Committee: House Agriculture & Livestock

Keywords: 1184, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• We were hoping this to be something we could work together on to improve the outcomes for children.
• We were hoping this to be something we could work together on to improve the outcomes for children.
• We were hoping this to be something we could work together on to improve the outcomes for children.
• Health Center housing programs for high-acuity individuals from the current rate of approximately $278
• programs for high Health Center housing programs for high Acuity<03:42:02.960><c> individuals</c><03

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• So I hope for your support. Thank you, Senator Torres.
• So to all the members that will be working on this, just know that we have extremely high hopes for the
• But for now, I'm going to ask for a no vote on this amendment.
• Chiefs and marshals have several eligibility criteria for appointment, including having a high school
• As a law enforcement leader, I support high standards for our profession that are clear, consistent,

Bills: SB5865 , SB5880 , SB5912 , SB5855 , SB6011 , SB6009 , SB5868 , SB5974

Committee: Senate Law & Justice

Keywords: garnishment, debt, form standardization, financial protection, legal processes, toxicology testing, laboratories, accreditation, public health, standards, indigent defense, task force, criminal justice, legal aid, public defense, face coverings, law enforcement, public safety, civil liberties, court security

Transcript Highlights:

• That's why I'm for HB4568, and that's why I hope you will be as well. Thank you very much.
• Remember part of the creative choice for where you shoot is the geography and how high waters brought
• Hope. That's for sure.
• Back in 1986, as a senior in high school and a vet by my government teacher, I ran for my first political
• Thank you for them for coming.

Bills: HB4568 , HB5458 , HB4543 , HB2703 , HB3728 , HCR113 , HCR126

Committee: House Culture, Recreation & Tourism

Keywords: film industry, incentives, grants, Texas, moving image, economic development, production companies, content standards, HB 5458, Texas Parks and Wildlife Department, TPWD, chronic wasting disease, CWD, cervids, deer, elk, moose, wildlife management, game animals, disease management

Transcript Highlights:

• In my vice chair capacity, sitting in for Chair Tharinger, I appreciate you all joining us for our work
• The high and low figures on the left of this slide are summed figures for the 2025 through 2031 period
• The high and low figures on the left of this slide are summed figures for the 2025 through 2031 period
• So for now, we have to assume that it's full steam ahead, and we hope that this bill will help the legislature
• Callan and Abbarno, for your strong visible support for this bill.

Summary: The committee first received a Commerce overview of capital budget grant programs, including behavioral health facilities, Building for the Arts, Building Communities Fund, early learning facilities, library capital improvements, and youth recreational facilities. Commerce described program eligibility, match requirements, funding cycles, and project examples such as an early learning center in Spokane, a rural library in Stevens County, and a youth clubhouse in Prosser. Members asked about behavioral health capital projects, including how many facilities have been opened and how capital planning aligns with operating funding; Commerce said it could provide more data later and noted it focuses on capital while HCA, DSHS, and DOH handle operating requests. Members also raised concerns about nonprofit financial stability, project licensure, siting, and the burden of non-state match, while Commerce emphasized shovel-ready projects, community match, and efforts to reduce application burden. The committee then heard an update on the Clean Buildings Performance Standard from Commerce. Staff reviewed Washington’s building emissions laws, compliance tiers, exemptions, incentives, and district energy system decarbonization planning under House Bills 1543, 1976, and 1390. Commerce reported nearly 5,000 inquiries in 2025, a fellowship program that has helped more than 250 buildings in 16 counties, and review of nearly 30 district energy plans. The presentation highlighted that over half of Tier 1 buildings are already meeting targets, that Tier 2 incentive applications suggest the 30-cent-per-square-foot incentive often covers compliance costs, and that district decarbonization plans face common challenges such as aging infrastructure, grid readiness, workforce, and inconsistent cost reporting. Members asked what additional legislative action might help, and Commerce said it was still learning from the new rulemaking and implementation changes. Western Washington University and Corex then presented on WWU’s campus heating conversion project and a possible off-campus thermal energy partnership with the Port of Bellingham. WWU described its aging steam system, high emissions, maintenance costs, and the $51 million in Climate Commitment Account funding it has received to transition toward an electric hot-water system using technologies such as geo-exchange, heat recovery chillers, and air-source heat pumps. Corex explained its existing district energy system at the Port of Bellingham, which uses industrial waste heat and is operating at very high efficiency, and said it is exploring a heat transmission line to WWU and possibly sewer-heat recovery. Testimony from WSU and UW supported the broader decarbonization effort but raised concerns about the scale of costs, deferred maintenance, and the need for predictable state funding. A contractor witness urged the state to think bigger about public-private partnerships and other financing tools rather than forcing campuses to compete for limited funds. The committee then held a public hearing on House Bill 2330, which would create a prioritization process for capital funding for state campus district energy system decarbonization projects. Staff said the bill would establish a Commerce committee to score and rank projects, issue a preliminary framework report by December 30 of this year, and provide biennial recommended project lists beginning in 2028, while also studying barriers to energy-as-a-service contracts and public-private partnerships. The prime sponsor said the bill is intended to create a thoughtful, predictable process for deciding which projects to fund, emphasizing energy savings, emissions reductions, operating cost reductions, shovel-readiness, and the value of public-private partnerships. Testimony was mixed but generally supportive: WSU and UW backed the bill as a way to advance compliance and predictability, though WSU warned that compliance costs could be very large and that the university would likely seek state help if fines were imposed. A contractor witness supported the concept but argued the bill should help build a larger funding “pie” through partnerships and financing tools rather than simply dividing scarce resources. The committee then opened and heard testimony on House Bill 2338, which would authorize community-scaled weatherization projects. Commerce staff said the bill would allow weatherization funds and matching funds to be used for neighborhood-scale projects affecting multiple dwelling units, while still prioritizing low-income households; the fiscal note estimated about $273,000 in FY 2027 and about $237,000 per biennium ongoing for administration. Supporters from community action agencies and Spark Northwest said the bill would improve health, safety, affordability, and contractor participation by allowing weatherization to be done at a community scale, especially in mobile home parks and low-income neighborhoods. No votes were taken in the transcript.

Transcript Highlights:

• It's the same band that we use for our high school. So, I would ask you to defeat this.
• </c><00:44:53.599><c> our</c><00:44:53.920><c> high</c> same FTE band that we use for our high same FTE
• band that we use for our high school.<00:44:54.560><c> So,</c><00:44:54.720><c> I</c><00:44:54.880><
• So, for that reason, I hope you can support the amendment. Senator Scott. >> Mr.
• So, for that reason, I hope you can support the amendment. Senator Scott. >> Mr.

Keywords: 916, all

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> for the public. for the public.
• for for enforcement of that provision for emergency<00:15:50.120><c> vehicle</c><00:15:50.480><c> sale
• </c> f- for those expenditures. f- for those expenditures.
• for me And thank you for the opportunity for me to<00:23:54.840><c> testify</c><00:23:55.400><c> on<
• We are going to get the work done for the people of Minnesota, and I hope the other body gets their act

Committee: Senate Finance

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I apologize for being late.
• For each of the measures being presented today, For joining us as temporary replacements for Vice Chair
• Thank you, Senator, for raising this important issue, for the work that you've done for this industry
• Thank you so much for your strength, for your advocacy, and for turning pain into a regulation that will
• The bill this year is to create a training for all middle school and high school students, teachers,

Committee: House Business and Professions

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• It's what's best, I mean, for business, what's best for the kids, you know.
• Idaho high school students can receive credit for a year or two of college by successfully passing Advanced
• I just think for Idaho and for everybody, it's just a uniform start date, just as it works for the legislature
• kid got out for harvest for a week in this state.
• What's a reasonable expectation for this school for academic outcomes?

Committee: House Education

Keywords: 989, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I appreciate that for sure.
• My question's for, and I hope I say your name right, Brisee, and... ...and I hope I say your name right
• Yes, this is a priority for us, for sure. Thank you, Mr. Chairman.
• Yes, this is a priority for us, for sure. Thank you, Mr. Chairman.
• Thank you for being here, and thank you for those remarks.

Summary: The Joint State Agencies committee met to approve the October 8, 2025 minutes and then held an extended hearing on the death of Zachary Moore at the Southeast Arkansas Human Development Center. DHS officials Lori McDonald, Jennifer Brise, and Melissa Weatherton described the HDC system, staffing and resident needs, and said Moore died after being held in a prone restraint for about 13 minutes, followed by a delayed chemical restraint and delayed CPR. They said the family settled a wrongful death claim for $725,000, 13 staff were terminated, the facility leadership was changed, and at least five staff had been criminally charged, with the death certificate later described as homicide and the cause of death as physiologic stress associated with struggle and prone restraint. Members pressed DHS on why the family was not kept informed, whether there was a written restraint protocol, how staff are trained, and why the agency did not have more complete information ready for the hearing. DHS said staff receive CPI restraint training, annual restraint training is mandatory, and a consultant is reviewing policies, retraining staff, and conducting a root cause analysis under a directed plan of correction from the Office of Long-Term Care. Legislators also raised broader concerns about low pay, staffing shortages, use of float and contract staff, and a waiting list of about 2,000 people for home- and community-based care. DHS said it is working on a retention and recruitment plan and a rate report for certain PASS services, but that the PASS rate study does not cover CNA pay. Several members said the incident reflected both a failure of restraint practice and a broader staffing and oversight problem. DHS acknowledged that prone restraint should not have been used, that the chemical restraint was given at the wrong time, and that multiple breakdowns occurred in supervision, communication, and equipment use. The committee also discussed whether there should be more regular independent audits of HDC policies, and DHS said it does not currently have a separate annual policy audit beyond existing oversight. At the end of the meeting, the committee asked DHS to keep it updated on recruitment, consultant reports, and to contact Moore’s mother about the communication she had been promised. The meeting adjourned without any additional formal action beyond approving the minutes.