Transcript Highlights:

• You voted yes on health care authority receiving additional funds.
• You are requesting $2.5 million that would be in one or all of the listed counties in the six counties
• or seven counties that are listed in this bill.
• Madam Chair, this bill does not abridge their rulemaking authority in any way.
• There are, though, no fines authorized against pharmacies.

Committee: House House Health & Human Services

Keywords: 996, all

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> jar of ash from Bucks County jar of ash from Bucks County Pennsylvania<00:29:50.120><c> saying</
• Next we have Daniel op, Hawaiʻi Tourism Authority, in support, in person.
• Daniel, no, interim CEO and president of the Hawaiʻi Tourism Authority.
• Daniel, no, interim CEO and president of the Hawaiʻi Tourism Authority.
• Daniel, no, interim CEO and president of the Hawaiʻi Tourism Authority.

Committee: House Energy & Environmental Protection

Keywords: 910, house, all

Summary: The committee on Energy and Environmental Protection heard several measures focused on water quality, waste management, aquifer protection, wastewater, and climate-related funding. SB 984 on water pollution drew opposition from DLNR and the Hawaii Cattlemen’s Council, with the latter arguing the bill could unfairly blame landowners for runoff caused by terrain and storm events; the chair noted there were also supporters and commenters submitted in writing. SB 639 on underground storage tanks received support from the Department of Health, the Board of Water Supply, and the Sierra Club, with testimony emphasizing environmental restoration standards after jet fuel releases; no opposition was noted in the live testimony. SB 946 on wastewater management was presented as clarifying that the ban on discharging wastewater or raw sewage into state waters applies to treatment plants, and it drew support from the County of Maui, DOH, and Hawaii Reef and Ocean Coalition, with no questions or opposition raised in the hearing. The committee also heard SB 438 on waste disposal facilities near significant aquifers. DOH and the Water Commission offered comments, while the City and County of Honolulu’s Department of Environmental Services opposed the bill because of a provision affecting ash recycling; the Board of Water Supply and Sierra Club supported the measure, and the Makakilo-Kapolei-Honokai Hale Neighborhood Board and Energy Justice Network raised concerns about fly ash and bottom ash recycling, landfill capacity, and potential contamination of aquifers. Testimony reflected a split between environmental protection concerns and arguments that the bill could block beneficial reuse of ash. The committee then took up HB 1395 on state funds, which would direct interest from the Emergency and Budget Reserve Fund to the general fund when the reserve exceeds the state’s target. The Governor’s office, emergency management, the State Energy Office, the Hawaiʻi Green Infrastructure Authority, the Nature Conservancy, and several other groups supported the bill’s climate-resilience intent, while the Tax Foundation and committee discussion raised concerns that the measure functioned mainly as a revenue transfer without a dedicated spending mechanism. Members discussed whether a special fund or legislative appropriation process would better ensure the money was used for climate mitigation and related projects.

Transcript Highlights:

• I want to be clear, House File 3405 does not attempt to regulate the operational authority of federal
• I want to be clear, House File 3405 does not attempt to regulate the operational authority of federal
• I want to be clear, House File 3405 does not attempt to regulate the operational authority of federal
• She said it is about ensuring the BCA has the access, tools, and authority to do its important work,
• to do its access and tools and authority to do its important<00:23:17.919><c> work.

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• Substitute Senate Bill 5053 allows certain counties to include the boundaries of a school district when
• I'm the director of the PEBB and SEBB programs at the Health Care Authority.
• My name is Brandon Shwecky, and I work as a paraeducator in King County.
• I'm Ramona Hattendorf with The Arc of King County, testifying in support of Senate Bill 6163.
• Health Care Authority would provide the capitation amount, and then it would use also Health Care Authority

Summary: The Ways and Means Committee met on January 20, 2026, hearing several bills related to retirement systems, school employee health coverage, port district pensions, environmental fee accounts, developmental disability services, legislative budget transparency, and a new Apple Health employer assessment. Early in the meeting, the committee heard SB 5834, which would make permanent a temporary expansion allowing certain retirement trust fund earnings to pay broader administrative expenses, and SB 5835, which would raise the lump-sum retirement allowance threshold for Plan 2 members from $50 to $250. Both bills were presented by Department of Retirement Systems staff and supported by the department, with questions focused on the scope of the administrative-expense language in SB 5834 and the technical nature of SB 5835. The committee then entered executive session and moved three bills without recommendation to the Rules Committee: Substitute SB 5249, allowing kit homes as emergency housing; Substitute SB 5053, allowing certain counties to include school district boundaries when forming a public facilities district; and Substitute SB 5203, directing state agencies to develop a wildlife habitat connectivity strategy and creating related accounts. After returning to public hearing, members heard SB 5883 on SEBB eligibility for school employees in their second school year of employment. Supporters, including labor representatives and individual school workers, said the bill would reduce coverage gaps and improve recruitment and retention, while school district officials and administrators argued it would create an unfunded mandate, increase costs, and add administrative burden. No action was taken on the bill. The committee also heard SB 5905, which would exclude certain port district employees from PERS if they are covered by the federal Railroad Retirement Plan or a collectively bargained defined benefit pension plan. Port representatives, labor stakeholders, and the Department of Retirement Systems described it as a narrow technical fix to avoid duplicate pension coverage and retroactive liabilities, and the bill drew support. SB 6151 would create dedicated accounts for Ecology fee revenue tied to laboratory accreditation and landfill methane work; Ecology and county representatives supported the measure as a way to reinvest fees in the programs that generate them. SB 6163 would require the Individual and Family Services waiver for developmental disability services to be budgeted at maintenance level; advocates said it would stabilize services and prevent waitlists, and no opposition was heard. The final two bills were SB 6177, which would require LEAP’s budget website to display additional budget detail such as carry-forward data, program and subprogram expenditures, and balance sheets for all public accounts, and SB 6173, which would create an Apple Health employer assessment on larger private employers with workers enrolled in Medicaid expansion coverage. SB 6177 was framed as a transparency measure, while SB 6173 drew extensive testimony both in support and opposition: supporters said it would help offset expected Medicaid losses after federal work requirements take effect and stabilize the health safety net, while opponents argued it would be an unfunded tax, create administrative and legal complications, and could discourage hiring or reduce hours. The committee heard no final votes on the public hearing bills, and staff reminded members that signature sheets would be held for 24 hours under Senate rules.

Transcript Highlights:

• From the state level down to the counties, having our tribal partners involved, having the voices of
• Kitsap, Jefferson, and Kallum counties.
• FSEC is the permitting and certifying authority for citing major energy facilities in Washington.
• As a public utility rate payer, I'm greatly concerned about the potential authority.
• Sharon Abru of San Juan County, Orcas Island. As a longtime invite... One County, Orcas Island.

Bills: SB5821 , SB6004 , SB6010 , SB5941

Committee: Senate Environment, Energy & Technology

Keywords: nuclear energy, energy strategy, advanced technology, sustainability, state policy, renewable energy, public entities, electric generation, contracting, SB 6010, Washington energy siting, EFSEC, Energy Facility Site Evaluation Council, tribal consultation, government-to-government consultation, federally recognized tribes, energy facility siting, RCW, clean energy, alternative energy

Transcript Highlights:

• Before you have to get another authorization.
• When people talked earlier about authorizations, that's prior authorizations.
• For the People talked earlier about authorizations. That's prior authorizations for those services.
• The Texas Council represents all 39 local authorities across all 254 Texas counties.
• It's not the authority.

Committee: House Human Services

Keywords: 1184, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• We appreciate that this bill maintains a strong focus on public safety by explicitly authorizing the
• House Bill 2207 creates a bonded beer warehouse license to authorize the storage and handling of beer
• As way of background, a domestic winery license authorizes a winery to manufacture wine, sell wine of
• and a small portion of Benton County.” “...legislative district, which is a good chunk of Yakima County
• and a small portion of Benton County.

Summary: The Consumer Protection and Business Committee held public hearings on several alcohol-related bills. HB 2128 would expand the sports entertainment facility liquor license to cover publicly or privately owned facilities where patrons engage in sports, amusement, or recreational activities, such as the Leavenworth Adventure Park. The prime sponsor and supporters said it would modernize the license while keeping LCB safety controls in place; one member questioned whether it amounted to an expansion of alcohol access. A fiscal note had been requested but not yet received, and the public hearing was closed without action. The committee then heard HB 2207, which would create a bonded beer warehouse license and make related changes to bonded wine warehouse law. The sponsor said it would help a Ridgefield logistics warehouse store beer the same way it can already store wine and spirits, while supporters from the Washington Brewers Guild said it would give breweries parity with wineries. Distributors and other opponents raised concerns about direct-to-consumer shipping, public access to warehouses, and federal tax-and-trade restrictions; the sponsor said amendments were being considered to address some of those issues. The hearing was closed without action. HB 2536 would allow wineries to hold spirits, beer, and wine restaurant licenses, or beer and/or wine restaurant licenses, at additional winery locations. The sponsor and winery representatives said the bill would reduce administrative burden and let wineries operate tasting rooms and restaurant-style spaces more flexibly, while opponents argued it could broaden alcohol access and create tied-house concerns. HB 2476 would remove the 120-seat-per-screen limit for theaters seeking a spirits, beer, and wine theater license; the sponsor and theater operators said existing alcohol control plans and other safeguards would remain in place, and the change would help theaters compete and attract patrons. The committee also heard HB 1701, which would allow multiple liquor licensees to operate within a shared facility and was described as a way to support a mixed-use winery/brewery/restaurant project; the sponsor said he was willing to remove the Public Records Act exemption again, and distributors urged transparency and guardrails. In executive action, the committee took up HB 2229, revising the Professional Engineers Registration Act. After adopting Amendment CLA 407 to restore current law on the board’s name, the committee voted to report the substitute bill out with a due pass recommendation. Several members supported the bill as a modernization of registration and continuing-education provisions, while some members voted no, citing concerns about changes to board membership requirements.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> hardship in Eastern Duvall County. hardship in Eastern Duvall County.
• </c> Guard Authorization Act of 2025. Guard Authorization Act of 2025.
• RA author expiration last year.
• </c><07:11:56.798><c> It</c><07:11:57.040><c> authorizes</c> Defense Authorization Act.
• It authorizes Defense Authorization Act.

Keywords: U.S. House of Representatives Floor Proceedings on Wednesday, July 23, 2025, 1012, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• We have board of directors in less populous counties and a board of directors in populous counties, and
• There are approximately 50 counties that fall into the populous counties bracket and they all had those
• So there may be a split in a county that's just too small.
• The red counties in this map are the counties that have an average home value. value less than $100,000
• Marshal, now comes on county government, because these are now county prisoners.

Committee: House Ways & Means

Keywords: 1184, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• By way of background, the Health Facilities Authorities Act allows counties and municipalities in the
• I don't know the specific number for the states, I mean, for each county, but in St.
• Lucie, For each county, but in St.
• Lucie County, where I live, it was well over a thousand that would have been affected.
• We've had situations in my county, Volusia County, where we found out that people volunteered to become

Summary: The Health Care Facilities and System Subcommittee met and heard three bills, all of which passed favorably. HB 229 by Rep. Oliver would update the Health Facilities Authority Act to reflect modern health system structures, allowing not-for-profit LLCs and not-for-profit parent corporations of health systems to use the financing authority, and clarifying that authorities may use loan agreements as well as lease financing. An amendment narrowing and clarifying the not-for-profit definition was adopted without objection. AdventHealth testified in support, and the bill passed 17-0. The committee then heard HB 527 by Rep. Trabulsi, which creates a public records exemption for current and former AHCA personnel who investigate complaints, Medicaid fraud, abuse, waste, or inspect licensed health facilities. The sponsor said the exemption is intended to protect investigators and their families from retaliation. There was no public testimony, and members discussed balancing transparency with safety. The bill passed 17-0. Finally, the committee heard HB 431 by Rep. Trabulsi, which extends by one year the requirement for athletic coaches and similar youth sports volunteers to complete Level 2 background screening through AHCA’s clearinghouse, with the sponsor saying the delay would give the system time to expand and reduce costs over time. Public testimony from youth sports organizations supported the goal of screening but raised concerns about cost, implementation details, and age thresholds for screening. Members generally supported the bill as a child-safety measure, and it also passed 17-0. The meeting then adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• The new appropriations proposed by Governor Ferguson total $396 million with a remaining bond authority
• We're trying to create a new 1,200-acre community forest in eastern Pierce County.
• and King County.
• Finally, Skamania County sends our fondest wishes to Representative Tharinger at this time.
• I'm Axel Swanson with the Association of Counties.

Summary: The House Capital Budget Committee opened its first hearing of the session on HB 2295 and briefly heard a presentation from OFM Senior Budget Advisor Jen Masterson on Governor Ferguson’s proposed supplemental capital budget. She said the proposal uses about $396 million in new appropriations, leaving roughly $5.4 million in remaining bond authority, and includes major investments in housing, urgent state facility needs, climate-related projects, K-12 school safety and modernization, and higher education minor works. The housing package was the largest share, with $225 million for the Housing Trust Fund, plus funding for homeownership, preservation, manufactured housing communities, and flood-impacted home repair. Committee members asked follow-up questions about Rainier School and juvenile rehabilitation projects, and staff said Rainier School was on the plan and that juvenile rehabilitation funding included flexible capacity funding and facility improvements. Public testimony was largely supportive of the governor’s housing, education, climate, and natural resources proposals, while several speakers urged changes. Housing advocates, Habitat for Humanity, community land trusts, and service providers backed the Housing Trust Fund and homeownership funding, including support for manufactured housing preservation and transit-oriented affordable housing. School and college representatives supported small district modernization, seismic safety, lead remediation, and minor works funding, while some asked for additional support for specific projects such as Cascadia College’s new building, Central Washington University’s feeder line replacement, and WSU Spokane health education renovations. Natural resource and tribal witnesses supported salmon recovery and community forest investments, but asked for more funding for RCO community forest and estuary programs. A major recurring concern was the proposed $75 million transfer from the Public Works Assistance Account, which cities, counties, sewer and water districts, and the Public Works Board said would jeopardize low-interest loans already awarded for local infrastructure projects and shift costs onto distressed communities. Other testimony opposed the budget’s omission of certain projects, including the University of Washington’s power plant decarbonization work and a Spokane cultural hub, while some local governments requested funding for wastewater and flood-control projects. No votes were taken; the chair closed the public hearing after testimony concluded.

Transcript Highlights:

• And so there was a giant county share, which had been a big property tax increase.
• And so there was a giant county share, which had been a big property tax increase.
• Well, one thing it does is there's no county shifts.
• So, the there's no county shifts.
• </c> services arena, but you've authored services arena, but you've authored other<00:14:06.000><c> pieces

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Thank my co-authors, who are most of this committee, Senator Boldon, Lieske, and you, Madam Chair, Senator
• Authority for the Board of Medical Practice to recognize the training of PAs received in other states
• During the 2020 HHS conference committee, authority for the Board of Medical Practice to recognize the
• </c> community incl including henen County community incl including henen County the<00:14:35.279><c>
• </c><00:45:26.280><c> and</c> trainings and support for counties and trainings and support for counties

Committee: Senate Health and Human Services

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> authorized to enforce this section. authorized to enforce this section.
• So, what's happening in one county and how it's read is going to be different in another county.
• I'm coming from seven counties.
• Larimer County.
• </c> the local counties and municipalities. the local counties and municipalities.

Keywords: 981, all

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> Avenue bridge owned by Henipin County Avenue bridge owned by Henipin County passed<00:23:15.039>
• </c><00:24:24.880><c> have</c> Minnesota and Henipin County have Minnesota and Henipin County have recognized
• </c><00:27:12.559><c> is</c> I I know that um the Henipin County is I I know that um the Henipin County
• Hennepin County has the resources to pay for this.
• There is plenty of money for Hennepin County.

Bills: HF2438

Committee: House Taxes

Keywords: transportation finance, transportation policy, MnDOT, Minnesota Department of Transportation, Department of Public Safety, Metropolitan Council, highway funding, trunk highway fund, county state-aid highway fund, municipal state-aid street fund, state aid roads, local roads, bridge funding, road construction, transit funding, passenger rail, freight rail, aviation, airport development, safe routes to school

Transcript Highlights:

• The receiver of a school district that must consolidate as outlined does not have the powers authorized
• This is a very important issue in my county, in Yuma County.
• This is a very important issue in my county, in Yuma County.
• Unfortunately, the school district that is in receivership is in an area of the county that does not
• The United States Supreme Court has made clear that schools may not use their authority.

Bills: SB1004 , SB1424 , SB1497 , SB1507 , SB1572 , SB1684 , SB1711 , SB1741 , SB1754 , SB1763 , SB1798 , SCR1012 , SCR1041 , SCR1051

Committee: Senate Education

Keywords: sex offender registration, sex offender registry, A.R.S. 13-3821, sexual offenses, public safety, GPS monitoring, electronic monitoring, transient offender, homeless registrant, online identifiers, internet identifiers, sheriff notification, Department of Public Safety, DPS, DNA collection, juvenile adjudication, kidnapping of a minor, unlawful imprisonment of a minor, lifetime registration, community notification

Transcript Highlights:

• The woman that returned faith to the criminal justice system in Hillsborough County.
• Up next, HB 4059 Compensation for Healthcare Services for Inmates, Polk County.
• It's supported by the Polk County Board of County Commissioners and America's favorite Sheriff, Grady
• Zane Gory: Polk County Board of County Commissioners. Waive in support. Chair Alvarez: Thank you.
• Chair: Up next, proponent Brian Pray from Palm Beach County. Chair: Local 928.

Transcript Highlights:

• Members, any questions for the bill author? Thank you.
• The one on the left is installed at the Tennessee Valley Authority.
• of the author, this bill has to do with all threats.
• No questions for the author. So we'll open up public testimony.
• No questions for the author. So we'll open up public testimony.

Bills: SB75 , SB715 , SB776 , SB1299 , SB1405 , SB1968 , SB2021 , SB2077 , SB2148 , SB2321 , SB2330 , SB2411

Committee: Senate Business & Commerce

Keywords: electric generation, reliability, ERCOT, Public Utility Commission, penalties, performance requirements, energy policy, construction contracts, compensatory damages, government delays, contractor, legislation, nonprofit donor privacy, membership lists, supporter confidentiality, volunteer privacy, association rights, public records exemption, Texas Public Information Act, government transparency

Summary: The committee first took up pending business and favorably reported several bills without objection or by recorded vote, including SB 783, SB 1238, SB 1706, SB 1791, SB 458, SB 1644, and SB 1810, with some of them also sent to the local and uncontested calendar. The committee then moved into hearings on additional bills. SB 1968, by Senator Schwertner, would update the Real Estate License Act by repealing subagency, requiring written buyer-agent agreements before showings, and clarifying when a formal buyer representation agreement must be signed. Texas Realtors testified in support, saying the bill modernizes agency rules and increases transparency, while a committee substitute corrected drafting issues. SB 2411, the annual update to the Texas Business Organizations Code, was also laid out and left pending after supportive testimony from the Texas Business Law Foundation and drafting committee representatives. The committee also heard SB 2321, which would codify ERCOT’s current practice of notifying TCEQ when backup generation needs enforcement discretion for grid reliability; Sierra Club and a chamber of commerce witness supported it with suggestions for clearer emissions reporting, and the bill was left pending. SB 2077 would broaden eligibility for the Texas Mutual Insurance Company board by narrowing conflict restrictions tied to insurance-related interests; Texas Mutual supported the change and the bill was left pending. SB 1405, a broadband bill, would align state law with FCC standards and streamline Broadband Development Office processes; it was left pending after supportive testimony. SB 1299, protecting nonprofit donor privacy, drew support from privacy advocates and concerns from one witness about transparency for publicly funded nonprofit operations; it was left pending. The committee then heard SB 776, which would bar government construction contracts from shifting delay damages to contractors when delays are caused solely by the public owner. Contractors, surety representatives, and water infrastructure advocates supported the bill, arguing it would improve fairness and reduce inflated bids, while water utilities and critical infrastructure entities opposed it, warning of more litigation and higher costs; the bill was left pending. Finally, SB 715, which would apply reliability requirements retroactively to all generation resources in ERCOT, drew opposition from renewable and storage groups and support from some critics of renewable subsidies, with witnesses split over whether it would improve reliability or raise costs; testimony was underway when the transcript ended.

Transcript Highlights:

• thank you that you've chosen these humble men and women, I've given them the responsibility and the authority
• Regional Mobility Authority, Carl P.
• Mooney, Brazos County, etc. The Chair recognizes Senator Campbell on the report. Thank you, Mr.
• , Terri Lynn Rankin Swan, Ward County, David Francis Shirts, Parker County, Lavaca Navidad River Authority
• , Brian Lee Turan, Jackson County, and others.

Transcript Highlights:

• John's County is the fastest growing county in the state.
• County.
• Districts in Broward County. How do I reconcile that to voters in my county?
• you add Indian River County, Highlands County, Okeechobee County, and Glades County?
• County or someone in Orange County?

Keywords: 998, house, all