Transcript Highlights:

• While NDAs, or non-disclosure agreements, have many legitimate uses in business agreements, such as protecting
• That they force the silence of the voice of a victim and settlement agreements as they relate to the
• It clarifies that the bill shall not be construed to prohibit an agreement to keep confidential.
• They countered with $25,000, but only $100,000 if I signed a nondisclosure agreement.
• Because my family refused to sign an NDA, a non-disclosure agreement, we refused to be silent.

Bills: HB34 , HB 128 , HB621 , HB748 , HB2259 , HB2960 , HB3113 , HB4749 , SB835 , HB128

Committee: Senate State Affairs

Transcript Highlights:

• I have the leadership agreement; it says the legislative leaders will not support amendments to the above
• After the bills are finalized by agreement of the leaders below, except where an amendment is agreed
• We had an agreement signed by all the leaders.
• When you stand shoulder-to-shoulder and you have differences, but you find your areas of agreement, you
• We do have a provision that allows MDE to continue a grant agreement if the nonprofit first contacts

Transcript Highlights:

• The settlement agreement resolved a civil action that arose from the alleged negligence of the county
• And I know you said you were willing to work with them to try to get to some agreement so that they felt
• It clarifies that a plan-based methodology must be used in the interlocal agreements and provides that
• existing interlocal agreements cannot be extended if in place prior to October 1st...
• Existing interlocal agreements cannot be extended if in place prior to October 1st, past their already

Summary: The committee met with a quorum present and heard a series of bills, mostly local claims and growth-management or permitting measures. SB 16, SB 14, and SB 24 were uncontested claims bills providing relief for injuries or damages involving the City of St. Petersburg and Miami-Dade County; each was described as settled or favorably reported by a special master, and each was reported favorably without debate. SB 288, a negotiated bill on rural electric cooperatives, was presented as a clarification to protect co-op authority over generation and power purchases while preserving consumer protections; it drew support from industry stakeholders and was reported favorably. SB 830 created a public-records exemption for certain local administrators and their families’ personal information, citing threats against city managers, and it also passed favorably. The committee also considered several land-use and permitting bills. SB 1138 would create a registry of qualified professionals to conduct pre-application review for plats and development, aiming to reduce delays and backlogs; local government groups raised concerns about preemption and preserving quasi-judicial authority, but the bill passed favorably with one no vote. SB 168 expanded public nuisance law to include gambling houses, increased penalties, and authorized attorney’s fees and foreclosure of unpaid fees; it was reported favorably. SB 686 revised the agricultural enclave statute to create a public-hearing process for certain residential projects in urban service areas, with a sunset date later amended to June 30, 2026; conservation and planning groups raised concerns about local planning authority and public participation, but the bill passed favorably. SB 548, a growth-management and impact-fee cleanup bill, clarified plan-based methodology, extraordinary circumstances, interlocal agreements, and refund procedures for impact fees. Local government and development stakeholders testified that it would improve predictability while preserving flexibility, though some sought further refinement on fee increases and refunds; the bill was amended and then reported favorably. SB 1234 addressed building permits and inspections, including permit validity, small-project exemptions, temporary hurricane protection, standardized permit forms, and expanded use of private providers; county officials objected to reduced oversight, while builders and private-provider advocates supported the measure. After testimony and debate, the bill was reported favorably. At the end of the meeting, Senator Jones requested to be recorded on several votes, and the committee adjourned after no further business.

Transcript Highlights:

• Is there any agreement between Republicans and Democrats on how to balance the budget going into this
• Is there any agreement between Republicans and Democrats on how to balance the budget going into this
• So there's a little bit of agreement with moderate Democrats, whether there's enough of them.
• I think that, you know, in that one area, we are in agreement.
• I mean, I think the silver lining, the prospect for hope, is that there is some agreement on the idea

Summary: House and Senate Republican leaders held a media availability on the second day of the 60-day legislative session, reacting to Governor Ferguson’s State of the State address and outlining their priorities. They said the top issue is affordability, and argued the governor and Democratic majority are responding with more taxes, regulation, and government spending rather than restraint. They criticized the prospect of a state income tax, calling it unconstitutional, politically unpopular, and likely to expand beyond high earners over time. They also said the state should avoid raiding the rainy day fund and instead look for savings through tighter budget management, reduced middle management, and a focus on core services. The leaders also discussed public safety, immigration enforcement, child care oversight, transportation, housing, and the Climate Commitment Act. On immigration, they said law enforcement coordination is essential and criticized mixed messages from state leaders about federal enforcement and sheriffs. On child care, they said allegations of fraud in subsidy programs should be investigated through audits and oversight, and rejected the idea that looking for fraud is offensive to honest providers. They said there is some bipartisan agreement on using Climate Commitment Act revenue for the Working Families Tax Credit, transportation, and wildfire prevention, but argued the tax itself is regressive and should be redirected to better uses. On the budget, Republicans said the current deficit will not be solved by a future income tax and that the state will likely need spending cuts or savings. They said there is some limited agreement with moderate Democrats against further tax increases and against using the rainy day fund as a first step. On housing and transportation, they said the real solutions are permitting reform, changes to the Growth Management Act and energy code, and more stable transportation funding, rather than more state spending on affordable housing or piecemeal fees. No votes were taken, and the event ended as a press availability with questions from reporters.

Transcript Highlights:

• , a provider, to execute a grant agreement before you guys without fully evaluating them.
• And so as I committed to on Tuesday and before and prior months, we will never bring a grant agreement
• , a provider to execute a grant agreement before you guys without we are fully evaluated them.
• This particular issue, though, with Navitus, we just weren't able to come to any kind of agreement to
• You have a review of an agreement in there, and I'll need a motion to file this as reviewed.

Committee: All ARKANSAS LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL (ALC)

Summary: The committee met and opened with a prayer, then approved the prior meeting minutes and received the monthly revenue report from the Bureau of Legislative Research. The report showed gross general revenue collections up year to date and net general revenue above forecast, with the staff noting changes driven by casino gaming transfers, income tax growth, and a lottery-related collection. No action was required on the revenue report. Several subcommittee reports were then presented and adopted, including the executive committee, administrative rules, game and fish/state police, hospital/Medicaid/developmental disability, occupational licensing, PEER, revenue, state insurance programs, and personnel. Topics included a Jackson County School District cooperative purchasing waiver, rulemaking updates from several agencies, federal immigration and wildlife issues, SNAP and Medicaid waiver reimbursement rates, occupational authorization reviews, temporary appropriations and transfer requests, a tire removal contract held for later review, EBD pharmacy and medical drug recommendations, and personnel items. The PEER report also included questions to the State Broadband Director about a provider with delinquent property taxes; he said the provider would not be brought forward until the issue is resolved and that broadband grant payments are tied to performance milestones. The most extended discussion came during review of a State Insurance Department report on pharmacy benefit manager oversight. Commissioners and members questioned Navitus Health Solutions’ refusal to provide certain claims data for self-funded plans in an affiliate pricing examination. The department said the matter is being briefed and set for an administrative hearing, likely in April, and that the dispute centers on ERISA preemption and state authority to request the data. Members also asked about the status of the other PBMs under review and whether they had raised similar objections. After all reports were adopted or filed as reviewed, the meeting adjourned with no further business.

Transcript Highlights:

• They have come to an agreement.
• Under this bill, private agreements that impose a negative use restriction upon real property, so as
• Under this bill, private agreements that impose a negative use restriction upon real property, so has
• A party who enters into one of these agreements must notify the Attorney General and the appropriate
• local jurisdictions within 10 days of entering the agreement.

Committee: Senate Business, Trade & Economic Development

Transcript Highlights:

• They have come to an agreement.
• Under this bill, private agreements that impose a negative use restriction upon real property, so as
• Under this bill, private agreements that impose a negative use restriction upon real property, so has
• A party who enters into one of these agreements must notify the Attorney General and the appropriate
• local jurisdictions within 10 days of entering the agreement.

Summary: The Washington State Senate Committee on Business, Trade, and Economic Development waived the five-day notice rule to consider Engrossed Substitute House Bill 2274 and Engrossed House Bill 2294. The committee first heard HB 2274, which would modify the Washington Commercial Electronic Mail Act by requiring false or misleading subject lines to be knowingly false or misleading, and reducing statutory damages from $500 to $100 or actual damages, whichever is greater. Representative Springer and retail witnesses described the bill as a compromise reached with consumer lawyers, retailers, and the Attorney General’s office, intended to address a surge in lawsuits after a recent Supreme Court ruling while preserving consumer protections. Consumer advocates testified that they supported the compromise as a temporary step, while one consumer-side attorney objected to the bill’s text-message damages change, arguing it was unrelated to the email issue and could weaken existing protections. The committee held the public hearing open and did not take final action on the bill during the meeting. The committee then heard HB 2294, which prohibits private agreements that restrict real property from being used as a grocery store or pharmacy, declaring such negative use restrictions against public policy and unenforceable after the bill’s effective date, with exceptions for preexisting agreements and limited relocation scenarios. Representative Farivar said the bill was prompted by grocery and pharmacy closures and aimed to prevent property covenants from blocking replacement stores in underserved communities. Supporters from the Washington Food Industry Association and Northwest Grocery Retail Association said the bill would help independent grocers and communities, though the retail association asked for further language refinement for retail-center situations and noted the bill preserves some limited protections for existing investments. The committee took public testimony but did not vote on HB 2294 during the hearing. In executive session, staff briefed Substitute House Bill 2428, which requires insurers issuing individual life insurance policies to send lapse notices to policyholders and designated third parties. The committee then adopted a due pass recommendation and sent the bill to the Rules Committee. The motion passed by voice vote, with the bill passed subject to signatures.

Transcript Highlights:

• It's all those things, and those are part of an agreement.
• </c><00:04:09.920><c> We</c><00:04:10.159><c> have</c><00:04:10.239><c> a</c> are part of an agreement
• We have a are part of an agreement.
• </c><00:04:44.080><c> What's</c><00:04:44.240><c> it</c> agreement on delivering votes.
• What's it agreement on delivering votes.

Transcript Highlights:

• So that would have to be an agreement made by the taxpayer and the taxing authority.
• And then the compromise was let's come up with an agreement between the two parties.
• Let's come up with an agreement between the two parties.
• They could come up to an agreement and say, okay, we can suspend it. All right. That's it.
• Unfortunately not, and that was what I'm working toward, but I could not come to that agreement.

Bills: HB1039 , SB423 , SB436

Committee: House Ways & Means

Keywords: local sales tax, local use tax, sales and use tax, tax audit, local collector, tax collector, prescriptive period, prescription waiver, interest suspension, delinquency penalties, estimated assessment, arbitrary assessment, certified mail notice, audit notice, taxpayer rights, installment agreement, Louisiana tax law, Title 47, revenue collection, tax administration

Transcript Highlights:

• And the last thing was the brokerage agreement. It was a grain broker.
• And the last thing was the brokerage agreement. It was a grain broker.
• And the last thing was the brokerage agreement. It was a grain broker.
• And the last thing was the brokerage agreement. It was a grain broker.
• And the last thing was the brokerage agreement. It was a grain broker.

Committee: Joint Agriculture

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> in agreement. in agreement.
• agreements.
• </c><00:56:47.359><c> or</c> either getting a written agreement or either getting a written agreement
• agreements, narrow the write a written agreements, narrow the written<00:57:31.240><c> agreements,</
• , agreements, agreements, uh<00:57:36.440><c> we</c><00:57:36.640><c> certainly</c><00:57:37.200><c>

Committee: Senate Judiciary and Public Safety

Transcript Highlights:

• Arbitration agreement on Senate evening. Arbitration agreement on Senate file<01:31:41.280><c> 4289.
• </c> require an arbitration agreement. require an arbitration agreement.
• Now, uh those agreements.
• agreement, "Yeah, sounds great
• . agreement. agreement.

Committee: Senate Judiciary and Public Safety

Transcript Highlights:

• They currently have a franchise agreement that runs to 2038. franchise agreement that runs to 2038.
• And that franchise agreement just says we pay nothing. Correct.
• We currently collect no franchise fee from our customers for the city of Birmingham until their agreement
• I will say we spoke with the city, the League of Municipalities, and this was the agreement we came to
• So we sat down with the league before we introduced this bill, and this was what we came to an agreement

Bills: SB271 , SB295 , SB309

Committee: Senate Transportation and Energy

Keywords: SB271, Alabama, municipalities, city fees, town fees, franchise fees, utility franchise, natural gas, manufactured gas, gas utility, public streets, public places, right-of-way, municipal consent, gross receipts tax, license tax, privilege tax, Public Service Commission, PSC, utility regulation

Transcript Highlights:

• We also have agreements with states like Tennessee, Louisiana, Arkansas, Florida, Mississippi, Georgia
• This is the first time that we've ever had agreements with every surrounding state, what we call the
• But the agreement says when you're done with it, you have to purge it. You have to clean it.
• These agreements are entered into... ... with it.
• But yes, there was an agreement or contract at some point. agreement or contract at some point once it

Bills: HB479 , HB480

Committee: House Constitution, Campaigns and Elections

Keywords: voting, elections, voter registration, voter rolls, list maintenance, address change, change of address, ERIC, Electronic Registration Information Center, AVID, Alabama Voter Integrity Database, Secretary of State, board of registrars, inactive voter, voter purge, duplicate registration, cross-state voter matching, National Change of Address, NCOA, driver license data

Transcript Highlights:

• , non-compete agreements and garden leave agreements, and establishes a more streamlined process than
• , non-compete agreements and garden leave agreements, and establishes a more streamlined process than
• The bill narrowly applies to covered non-compete agreements and to covered garden leave... ...agreements
• Treatment under non-compete and garden leave agreements.
• The amendment specifically applies to covered non-compete agreements and covered garden leave agreements

Committee: Senate Judiciary

Summary: The Judiciary Committee heard Senate Bill 1272 on guardianship, which would limit a guardian’s ability to isolate an adult ward from family and require notice of major events such as a ward’s death or relocation to a more restrictive setting. Senator Jones and supportive speakers said the bill was intended to protect wards from abuse and isolation by bad actors, while still preserving good-faith guardianship. With no opposition testimony or debate, the committee voted 8-0 to report the bill favorably. The committee then considered CS for Senate Bill 1284, which would expand Florida’s Wrongful Death Act to allow civil claims for the death of an unborn child. An amendment was adopted to define “unborn child” as a member of the species Homo sapiens carried in the womb and to state that the act does not authorize claims against the mother or against health care providers acting within the lawful standard of care. The bill drew extensive debate and testimony. Supporters argued it would give parents parity and fuller damages, including economic losses and mental anguish, when negligence causes the death of an unborn child. Opponents, including the ACLU, medical professionals, and reproductive rights advocates, warned it could be used to target abortion care, increase malpractice exposure, worsen physician shortages, and create speculative damages. The committee approved the bill 6-4. Finally, the committee took up Senate Bill 1288 on parental rights, with a strike-all amendment that would strengthen parental control over minors’ medical decisions, surveys, and biofeedback devices, while adding exceptions for emergencies, court orders, certain legal statuses, and situations involving abuse or out-of-home placement. Supporters said the measure restores parents as primary decision-makers and protects children from inappropriate questioning or treatment without consent. Opponents argued it could block minors from confidential care for STIs, mental health, or abuse-related issues, and could chill school and medical screenings. The transcript ends during testimony and debate on this bill, before any final vote is shown.

Transcript Highlights:

• We do it with single-case agreements. That's not predictable. That's not timely.
• We do it with single-case agreements. That's not predictable. That's not timely.
• This occurs because we are often having to develop single-case agreements between the insurers and the
• agrees to allow it, but they do not have a contract with that accepting facility, a single-case agreement
• Last year, the language was carefully reviewed, and we reached agreement on the language before you with

Committee: House Health Care & Wellness

Transcript Highlights:

• We currently use a staffing service known as a master agreement through the state.
• Currently, we have 338 employees that have telework agreements, and these agreements understand that
• We couldn't habitate that office, and so, you know, the telework agreement allowed us the flexibility
• Do you have any questions about the telework agreements?
• </c><00:47:35.960><c> okay</c> 338 have a current Tork agreement okay 338 have a current Tork agreement

Summary: The committee heard an overview from Department of Juvenile Justice Commissioner Randy White on the state’s juvenile detention network and several facility projects. He identified the currently operating detention centers as Boyd County for females, Breathitt County for low-risk males, Fayette County for high-risk males, Adair County for high-risk youth from Jefferson and surrounding counties, Warren County for high-risk males, and McCracken County for low-risk males. Members asked about capacity and staffing; White said Boyd County houses 33 and is usually near full, Breathitt County is about half full, Fayette County runs about 80-90% full, Campbell County’s operational limit is about 25 due to staffing, Adair County can hold 60 and has hit capacity several times this year, Warren County holds 43 and usually runs near capacity, and McCracken County holds 43 and is not currently full. He said staffing is generally harder in higher-risk facilities and in metropolitan areas because of wages and housing costs. White then updated the committee on the Louisville Detention Center downtown renovation and the Lyon facility project. For the Louisville downtown facility, he said schematic design and design development are complete, construction documents are expected by late February or early March, bids are anticipated in April, and completion is projected for March 2027. He explained the delay is due to extensive renovation work needed to bring the building up to current building, life-safety, ACA, and PREA standards, including security, mechanical, electrical, plumbing, food service, and roof work. The project is designed for 64 beds for high-risk Jefferson County boys, with the facility currently vacant and those youth being housed in Adair County and Campbell County. For the Lyon project, he said the contract was issued November 21, 2024, demolition is underway, completion is expected June 14, 2026, and the facility will have 34 beds in four pods for low-risk offenders; he said the project appears to be on time and on budget within the $4.5 million authorization. The committee also discussed the medical services contract. DJJ officials said they are reviewing whether to continue with the current state contract provider, Wellpath, or pursue an RFP, while retaining current merit staff and continuing oversight through four nurse program administrators. They said DJJ uses a state master agreement to staff nurses, APRNs, and the chief medical officer, and that the current contract is about $20 million per year. Members asked about Wellpath’s bankruptcy filing; officials said they were aware of it, asked questions, and were told it would not affect Kentucky service delivery or contracting, though they could not recall the bankruptcy type and offered to provide more detail later. They also said DJJ is working with the Cabinet for Health and Family Services to become a Medicaid provider, and any future contractual partner will need to be a Medicaid provider. Finally, White described the proposed high-acuity juvenile mental health treatment facility. He said DJJ must accept court-ordered youth even when they have severe mental illness, but detention centers are not equipped to treat those youth and private psychiatric hospitals often refuse them or discharge them early. He argued that a dedicated secure treatment facility is needed for a small number of highly violent, high-need youth who require intensive psychiatric care and are disruptive in detention. The facility would provide behavioral and psychiatric treatment, reduce delays caused by lack of beds or outside placements, and serve youth determined by clinical assessment to need a secure treatment environment. No votes were taken during the discussion.

Transcript Highlights:

• But when those agreements are structured without clear guardrails, development.
• But when those agreements are structured without clear guardrails, they can end up doing the opposite
• It does not eliminate tax-sharing agreements or local control.
• As the author so eloquently put forward, these local tax-sharing agreements, The author so eloquently
• put forward, these local tax-sharing agreements do have some beneficial use, no doubt.

Committee: Senate Revenue and Taxation

Summary: The committee heard several bills focused on public health, wildfire recovery, local government finance, transportation, and rural health care. SB 1124 by Senator Archuleta would require the California Department of Public Health to create and post lung cancer screening eligibility signage at tobacco retail locations. The author and a physician witness argued the bill would raise awareness of a highly underused screening that can save lives, while retailers and fuel/convenience groups raised implementation concerns about signage size, notice, and penalties. The bill passed to the Health Committee on a 4-0 vote after the committee later took up the on-call item. SB 1352 by Senator Valadao and Senator Allen would clarify that wildfire victims can rebuild homes up to 110% of the original size without triggering reassessment, so long as the property was destroyed in a governor-declared disaster. Supporters, including the L.A. County Assessor, the California Assessors Association, Realtors, and taxpayers groups, said the bill would reduce uncertainty and help families rebuild without higher property taxes. It passed to Appropriations on a 5-0 vote. SB 1343, presented by Senator Allen on behalf of Senator Dodd, would provide a $4,000 income tax credit for sales tax paid on furniture and appliances purchased to furnish a primary residence after a disaster; it drew one opposition witness from the California Teachers Association but otherwise had no public opposition and passed 5-0 to Appropriations. SB 1172 by Senator Hurtado would place caps and transparency requirements on consultant compensation in local tax-sharing agreements, responding to cases in Shafter and Dinuba where revenue was allegedly diverted to consultants. Local government and business groups supported the measure as a guardrail, while some members expressed concern about Sacramento limiting local control; it passed 4-0 to Appropriations. SB 1408 by Senator Arreguín would authorize the Contra Costa Transportation Authority to place a countywide sales tax measure of up to 1% on the ballot to continue transportation funding; transit agencies and local officials supported it, while taxpayer groups opposed it, and it passed 4-1. SB 1404 by Senator Stern would restore a fee on property owners in state responsibility areas to fund Cal Fire wildfire prevention and suppression, with supporters arguing the fee would broaden funding and opponents calling it an unfair tax on rural and wildfire-prone residents; it passed 4-1 to Appropriations. Finally, SB 1102 by Senator Dodd would create a $2,000 tax credit for frontline nurses working in rural hospitals; supporters said it would help recruit and retain nurses in underserved areas, and the bill passed 5-0 as amended to Appropriations.

Transcript Highlights:

• But when those agreements are structured without clear guardrails, development.
• But when those agreements are structured without clear guardrails, they can end up doing the opposite
• It does not eliminate tax-sharing agreements or local control.
• As the author so eloquently put forward, these local tax sharing agreements, The author so eloquently
• put forward, these local tax sharing agreements do have some beneficial use, no doubt.

Committee: Senate Revenue and Taxation

Transcript Highlights:

• They can be very prescriptive in these agreements that set up the governance of these properties, of
• The district and the city or county must enter into a master development agreement, and that agreement
• And it directs the state treasurer to create a standard master development agreement template.
• There's nothing in here that compels any city or county to enter into an agreement. Nothing.
• I trust the men and women To an agreement that wasn't good for that community.

Summary: The House convened, took a roll call, and heard the daily prayer and Pledge of Allegiance before several special presentations. Members recognized recipients of the Oklahoma Seal of Biliteracy, the Fort Gibson High School wrestling team, the Doctor of the Day Dr. Jason Lees, the Nurse of the Day Teddy Cole, and the 32nd Annual Cattlemen’s Leadership Academy group. The chamber then stood at ease while awaiting the Senate and later convened a joint session with the Senate to honor the Oklahoma National Guard. In the joint session, Lieutenant Governor Matt Pinnell presided over Oklahoma National Guard Appreciation Day. Chaplain Josh Byrd delivered the invocation, Major General Thomas Mancino and Representative Hildebrandt spoke in praise of the Guard’s service and history, and Lieutenant Colonel Neil Harvey read the proclamation. Speakers highlighted the Guard’s deployments, disaster response, and the commemorative arch and museum projects. The joint session was then dissolved. Back in the House, members considered Senate Bill 2060, the Build Act, which would authorize master development districts and alternative infrastructure financing for residential and other developments. Supporters said it would help finance roads, water, sewer, and other infrastructure without creating public debt, while opponents argued it created an unelected quasi-government entity with strong lien powers, limited local control, and similarities to State Question 833, which voters had rejected. After debate, the House passed SB 2060 by a vote of 54-40. The House also adopted and passed several committee reports and bills with emergency clauses: House Bill 4042, appropriating funds to the Department of Commerce for census-related technology and staffing, passed 90-6 with the emergency approved; House Bill 4037, increasing the Ethics Commission revolving fund cap as its oversight duties expand, passed 91-0 with the emergency approved; and House Bill 4043, appropriating resources to Oklahoma Task Force One and the Department of Emergency Management, passed 93-3 with the emergency approved. The House then recessed until 12:30 p.m.