Transcript Highlights:

• now says in plain English that the command may not, by rule or guidance, require any governmental entity
• does today, every day, I might add, the command may monitor the dark web or other channels only for entities
• Nichols, because they'll be able to work with law enforcement anywhere in the state with all those entities

Summary: The Senate Business and Commerce Committee met with a quorum and considered several House bills. House Bill 111 was taken up as a committee substitute; members briefly discussed what entities the bill would apply to, and the committee substitute was adopted and reported favorably to the full Senate by a 6-5 vote. House Bill 150, relating to the Texas Cyber Command, received extensive explanation of a revised committee substitute that made the command a standalone state agency, allowed flexible state partnerships, preserved vendor neutrality, added emergency purchasing guardrails and reporting, protected existing confidentiality laws, limited monitoring to contracted entities, and clarified coordination with law enforcement rather than direct prosecution. The substitute was adopted and HB 150 was reported favorably 11-0. The committee also reported House Bill 2517 favorably without debate, 10 ayes and 1 present not voting. House Bill 2963 was considered with a committee substitute that added a definition of “power sports vehicle” and exempted those items from the right-to-repair bill; the substitute was adopted and the bill was reported favorably, with a recommendation for the local and uncontested calendar. House Bill 3520 was reported favorably by a 7-4 vote, and House Bill 5435 was reported favorably 11-0 and also recommended for the local and uncontested calendar. After completing the votes, the committee recessed subject to the call of the chair.

Transcript Highlights:

• the management actions in October 2024, assessing 37 selected management actions from nine state entities
• The sunset Compliance report assessed recommendations impacting 24 entities, including 159 statutory
• Overall, Sunset staff found that the affected entities fully implemented 68% of the 163 changes requiring

Transcript Highlights:

• Um, but if you allow these parcels to go to private entities on ag land, it's a private entity, but you're
• Um, but if you allow these parcels to go to private entities on ag land, it's a private entity, but you're
• Um, but if you allow these parcels to go to private entities on ag land, it's a private entity, but you're
• Um, but if you allow these parcels to go to private entities on ag land, it's a private entity, but you're
• </c><04:20:48.880><c> to</c> a transition uh for the Maui entity to a transition uh for the Maui entity

Keywords: 910, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Lastly, AB 1534 makes clear that unaccredited entities may not exercise control over course design or
• First, we allow programs to partner with outside entities to provide instruction within federal limits
• First, we allow programs to partner with outside entities to provide instructions within federal limits
• Greater state-level alignment of the many state entities that oversee public education.
• There are about a baker's dozen of state entities that oversee public education in California.

Summary: The committee began without a quorum and first heard AB 302, which would prohibit schools from requiring students to use addictive social media feeds as a condition of participating in extracurricular activities and would require schools to offer a non-social-media way to communicate with students and families. The author and a student witness argued the bill protects minors from being forced onto addictive platforms, while senators asked how coaches and clubs would communicate; the author said email, built-in messaging, and other direct methods would still be allowed. The bill was held on call for absent members. The committee then took up AB 2504, creating a pilot program to train creative-industry workers for AI-related changes through partnerships among community colleges, employers, unions, and tech companies. Supporters from WME and the Community Colleges Chancellor’s Office said the program would help workers adapt to rapid industry change, while senators discussed the pilot’s size, geographic diversity, and sunset date. The bill passed on a due-pass motion to the Senate Privacy, Digital Technologies, and Consumer Protection Committee. AB 1534 followed, adding state guardrails for federal Workforce Pell short-term training programs, including limits on tuition, restrictions on certain financing products, and transparency rules for partnerships with unaccredited entities. Support came from TICAS, EdTrust-West, and the Campaign for College Opportunity; senators questioned the scope of state authority and why private institutions were not clearly included, and the author said the broader approval framework was being handled in trailer bill language. The bill passed on a due-pass motion to the Senate Labor, Public Employment and Retirement Committee. The committee also heard AB 1381, a gut-and-amend proposal to strengthen screening for school teachers with histories of egregious misconduct while balancing due process and privacy concerns. Supporters and opponents both emphasized student safety and the need for reliable information-sharing, and members noted the bill was similar to a previously held measure; the author said amendments were still being worked out. The bill passed to the Senate Privacy, Digital Technologies, and Consumer Protection Committee. AB 2202, which would create a Closing the Achievement Gap Commission to coordinate statewide efforts, drew broad support from school board and education groups but also concern that it could duplicate existing work and add bureaucracy; after extended debate about whether the commission would identify causes or solutions, it passed to the Senate Appropriations Committee. Finally, AB 1547, requiring a UC feasibility study for a branch medical school in Kern County, drew local support but opposition from a senator who argued the Legislature cannot direct UC’s internal operations under the state Constitution; the chair said the Legislature can make recommendations and the bill remained under discussion.

Transcript Highlights:

• So the activities of cross-agency could theoretically be managed by whatever entity we identify.
• </c><00:52:23.920><c> But</c><00:52:24.079><c> the</c> whatever entity we identify.
• But the whatever entity we identify.
• I mean if uh to to have other entities.
• </c> supplements and many times the entities supplements and many times the entities have<01:00:20.240

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Summary: The committee first took up Senate Bill 2693 relating to capital improvement projects for aerospace infrastructure. Members had no questions, and the recommendation to pass the bill with a defective date of July 1, 2050 was adopted unanimously. The committee then deferred decision making on Senate Bill 26980 relating to transportation and Senate Bill 2374 relating to the blue economy until Thursday, February 19, 2026, in Room 229, pending additional information. In the joint hearing on Senate Bill 2816 relating to state enterprise zones, agencies and organizations including DBEDT, HTDC, Taxation, the University of Hawaii Cancer Center, Oceanit, the Hawaii Medical Association, and the Queen’s Health System testified in support or submitted written comments. One public testifier urged expanding enterprise zones around the Kakaako/Cancer Center area and combining them with the foreign trade zone to reduce taxes and attract business. A senator questioned whether the enterprise zone program had ever been comprehensively evaluated, noting DBEDT said it had not done a full study in recent years and cited annual report figures including about $221 million in company revenues and $460,000 in foregone state revenue in 2022. The discussion focused on whether the bill would subsidize existing activity or support new economic development, and on the broader policy question of whether enterprise zones should be used to revitalize depressed areas or to target strategic sectors like health care technology. The committee then heard Senate Bill 2900 relating to sports officials. The Department of Education supported the measure, saying the Attorney General is best positioned to represent employees in temporary restraining order matters and that elevating intentional bodily injury of a sports official to a class B felony would improve safety. The Office of the Public Defender opposed the bill, arguing it would escalate conduct already covered by existing assault statutes and go beyond other protected classes. The Department of the Attorney General recommended narrowing the bill by inserting “substantial” before bodily injury in the criminal section and deleting a section that would make the AG’s office act like plaintiff’s counsel in civil matters, suggesting instead that departments adopt policies to help employees obtain TROs without creating an open-ended civil representation role. Several sports and school-related organizations testified in support, and members discussed whether the bill should be narrowed or coordinated with other measures before further action.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> process for each individual entity process for each individual entity that's<00:37:15.280><c> part
• </c> whether or not that that uh that entity whether or not that that uh that entity has<00:48:18.560
• licensed by the Wyoming Gaming entity licensed by the Wyoming Gaming Commission<01:27:10.239><c> and
• We represent an entity called Cowboy Racing.
• Um cowboy racing as a regulated entity.

Bills: HB0120, HB0043, HB0128

Keywords: energy production, natural gas, industrial sovereignty, manufacturing, tax exemptions, money laundering, illegal investment, financial institutions, criminal activity, Wyoming legislation, severance tax, oil production, tax exemption, energy sector, economic impact, 916, all

Transcript Highlights:

• The staff would educate other entities and agencies to do it.
• The staff would educate other entities and agencies to do it.
• The staff would educate other entities and agencies to do it.
• We were the original 340Bies for both entities.
• From July 1st, 2006 through entities.

Keywords: 910, house, all

Summary: The joint hearing opened with SB 1442, which would update the statute governing the Child and Adolescent Mental Health Division and clarify its role as the state Medicaid provider of intensive mental health services for children and adolescents with serious emotional disturbance. The Department of Health testified in strong support, saying the current statute is outdated and warning against any unfunded mandate because the division relies on federal funding and faces uncertainty about future resources. Written testimony from several organizations also supported the bill. The committees took no immediate action and said they would hold decision-making until later. The hearing then moved to SB 479 on ABLE savings accounts. The Hawaii State Council on Developmental Disabilities and the Hawaii Disability Rights Center supported the measure, arguing that ABLE accounts help people with disabilities save money without losing benefits and that the state needs more outreach and staffing to expand participation. A testifier with a disability said the bill would help people keep Social Security and housing stability. The chair indicated an intention to move the bill forward, and asked about funding; the discussion settled on a requested appropriation of about $75,000 for incentives. Next, SB 1245 on reimbursement of pharmacists drew broad support from the Hawaii Pharmacists Association, rural pharmacies, the Hawaii Primary Care Association, and others, who said the bill would improve access to care, especially on neighbor islands and in rural communities, and help pharmacies participate in 340B-related services. The Insurance Division and HMSA raised concerns about bill language, saying it could be read to cover pharmacists outside an insurer’s network and that the scope of reimbursable services needed clarification; the pharmacists’ association said the bill is intended to apply only to in-network pharmacists and should continue to reference existing scope-of-practice law. The hearing also took up SB 1279, which would allow pharmacists to authorize medications via telehealth under certain circumstances. The State Board of Pharmacy opposed the bill, citing patient safety, a pilot project with reported errors, concerns about controlled substances and unregulated technicians, and the view that in-person pharmacist services are safer and already available on the affected islands. Several pharmacies and health care groups supported the measure as a way to preserve 340B access and improve service on Lānaʻi and Molokaʻi, while some local pharmacies said they already provide in-person service and opposed remote dispensing. No votes were taken in the portion of the hearing provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:12:39.519><c> to</c><00:12:39.680><c> seek</c> requires uh government entities to seek requires
• uh government entities to seek reimbursement<00:12:40.399><c> for</c><00:12:40.560><c> all</c><00:12
• has been that search and rescue entities has been that they<00:16:43.759><c> didn't</c><00:16:44.000
• And so when you're trying to designation of water use permits, you're going to have one state entity
• And so when you're trying to designation of water use permits, you're going to have one state entity

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Summary: The joint committees heard testimony on several measures. SB 2723, which would designate April 27 as State Sheriff’s Day, was supported by the Department of Law Enforcement and a long-serving sheriff, who described the historical roots of Hawaii’s sheriffs in the Kingdom of Hawaii and said the bill would recognize that legacy. HGA submitted written comments, and there was no opposition or vote taken on the measure during the excerpt. The committees then heard SB 17 on wildfire mitigation. The Public Utilities Commission, DLNR, the State Fire Council, OPSD, the Attorney General’s office, and Kamehameha Schools all testified, mostly in support of the bill’s intent but with suggested amendments. Several witnesses said the bill should better define the working group’s structure, staffing, and funding, and the Attorney General noted constitutional concerns about placing the group outside a principal department and pointed out possible overlap with Acts 302 and 303 from the prior year. Committee members questioned whether SB 17 duplicated earlier wildfire legislation, and witnesses generally said it did not directly conflict but overlapped with existing efforts. On SB 2358, which would require reimbursement for search-and-rescue costs when people leave trails and enter closed areas, the State Fire Council and the Hawaii SAR Alliance testified in opposition or caution, arguing that reimbursement could deter people from calling for help and that Hawaii’s SAR system still has structural and administrative gaps. A committee member asked whether other jurisdictions had used similar measures without discouraging rescues; the Fire Council said Kauai has a similar law but it has not resulted in invoices being sent. No action was taken in the excerpt. The final measure discussed was SB 2475 on Red Hill remediation funding and reimbursement from the Department of Defense. The Board of Water Supply, DLNR, and other testifiers supported the bill, emphasizing the need for long-term research, monitoring, and cleanup, while also noting the unique groundwater conditions and the importance of keeping the funds focused on Red Hill contamination response. Committee members asked about existing federal and state funding, whether the state had received any direct federal money, and what would happen if reimbursement is not obtained. DLNR said it was still working through the reimbursement mechanism and that some federal funding had gone to the Red Hill registry, but not directly to the state for this purpose.

Transcript Highlights:

• This change empowers citizens to take action if they believe government entities are violating data access
• This change empowers citizens to take action if they believe government entities are violating data access
• 05:10.600><c> government</c> action if they believe government action if they believe government entities
• ><c> violating</c><00:05:12.440><c> data</c><00:05:13.360><c> access</c><00:05:13.880><c> it</c> entities
• are violating data access it entities are violating data access it creates<00:05:14.479><c> an</c><00

Bills: HF414, HF768, HF359

Keywords: data practices, filing fee, government transparency, complaints, public access, free speech, human rights, censorship, protected speech, Minnesota Department of Human Rights, real property, partition, eminent domain, transfer on death deeds, property rights, 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• They supply AEDs and cardiac response programs to law enforcement and government entities, and they are
• person um entity with the state<00:21:58.000><c> department</c><00:21:58.320><c> of</c><00:21:58.480
• </c><00:31:23.919><c> like</c><00:31:24.320><c> S</c> captures pastor entities like S captures pastor
• entities like S corporations<00:31:25.200><c> and</c><00:31:25.520><c> partnerships</c> corporations
• ><c> is</c><00:31:35.200><c> most</c><00:31:35.360><c> small</c> through entities which is most small

Keywords: MS Senate Floor - 25 February, 2026; 10:00 AM, 925, all

Transcript Highlights:

• An option that a public entity might consider is a self-funded victim's compensation fund, An option
• County or any public entity consider a victim's fund?
• Public entities are sued at an alarming rate for a vast array of claims, from serious allegations of
• County or any public entity consider a victim's fund?
• The only question I had is whether this would also extend to entities beyond counties, right?

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• nonprofit entity also match or be partner with this program.
• </c><00:15:43.320><c> or</c> to have a private sector entity or to have a private sector entity or non-profit
• </c><00:15:47.160><c> be</c> non-profit entity also match or be non-profit entity also match or be partner
• So, why couldn't we change the entity?"
• </c> another entity can handle this better. another entity can handle this better.

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Summary: The committee first took up SB 2045 relating to combat sports and recommended passage with SD1. Members adopted requested changes from DCCA and the boxing commission, including clarifying that the onsite medical professional must be a licensed physician, specifying when a deputy combat sports commissioner must file a written report, removing the combat sports registry language and ambulance requirement, clarifying promoter payment requirements, and requiring advance coordination with the nearest emergency room or hospital. The bill also makes technical amendments and sets an effective date of July 1, 2050. The measure passed unanimously among members present, with Senators Fukunaga and Kim excused. The joint hearing then considered SB 2187 relating to the Department of Business, Economic Development and Tourism. Testimony was brief and largely in support, and the committees agreed to pass the bill with SD1, making technical non-substantive amendments and changing the effective date to July 1, 2050. The committees voted to adopt the recommendation, with members present voting aye and some senators excused. A longer portion of the hearing focused on several economic development measures, including SB 2072 on tourism, SB 3049 on a trade-oriented production capacity grant program, and SB 3166 and SB 3167 involving technology development and the blue economy. SB 2072 drew questions about cost, benefit, and the practicality of promoting Michelin-star restaurants in Hawaii. SB 3049 received broad support from DBEDT, HTDC, chambers, and industry groups, but members questioned whether a new grant program was needed, why DBEDT could not do it without legislation, and whether the state should instead use existing entities like HTDC; the discussion also covered matching funds, likely beneficiaries, and administrative capacity. SB 3166 and SB 3167 were supported by technology and ocean-sector witnesses who said the state needs coordinated planning, specialized expertise, and support for advanced manufacturing and ocean innovation, but members raised concerns about relying on third-party consultants, duplication of existing public capacity, ethics, cost, and whether the work should instead be done by state staff or existing institutions. No final votes on the later bills were captured in the transcript excerpt.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><01:59:09.760><c> We</c> financial service entities. We financial service entities.
• We do that in two different entities.
• </c><02:11:40.560><c> that</c> Additionally, all the big entities that Additionally, all the big entities
• </c><02:13:04.079><c> under</c> reduce costs for the um entities under reduce costs for the um entities
• </c> the entity the entity um<03:15:38.080><c> at</c><03:15:38.319><c> the</c><03:15:38.560><c> time<

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• that nothing that is mandated was touched in the budget, but I'm curious about our the different entities
• It also permits a parent to sue any governmental entity, employee, or official that interferes with these
• The new amendment says that within six months of the general effective date, a governmental entity must
• The new amendment says that within six months of the general effective date, a governmental entity must

Summary: The meeting began with a JLBC presentation on the state budget proposal. Staff reviewed revenue changes from the April forecast, which lowered expected growth slightly, and then walked through major tax policy provisions. Those included full conformity with HR1 for the current tax year, a shift to the provisions of SB 1106 for future tax years, new deductions for retirement/pension distributions and Roth IRA contributions, an increase in the dependent credit, and a child and dependent care subtraction. Staff said the tax changes had an overall fiscal impact of about $1.4 billion over four years. They also described offsets from repealing several tax credits and exemptions, including solar-related tax breaks, a renewable energy production credit, a new employment tax credit, a refundable R&D credit for smaller employers, and a pollution-control device credit, totaling about $75 million in added revenue. Another budget item would redirect Arizona Commerce Authority Competes Fund lottery distributions to the general fund. Members asked questions about the budget’s effect on ACCESS eligibility checks, state employee health insurance funding, and cuts to one-time funding for area agencies on aging and Alzheimer’s programs. The committee then moved to caucus items on several bills. HB 2249, as amended by the Senate, would expand the parents’ bill of rights to include access to a child’s complete educational record and notice if school staff facilitate social transitioning, and would require investigation of prior violations; the sponsor concurred with the amendment. HB 2035 would require DCS and courts to identify and consider extended family for kinship foster care placement, with Senate changes shortening a reporting deadline and adding adopted family members to the definition. HB 2170 would bar state contracts for electronic or IT goods with PRC-controlled companies, with a certification requirement added in the Senate. HB 2573 would remove a waiting period for ignition interlock restricted licenses after DUI revocation and adjust psychotherapy language. HB 2415 on kratom would classify synthetic kratom as a narcotic drug and add advertising, packaging, and retail restrictions, but the sponsor intended to refuse the Senate changes. HB 2873 would let local petition sponsors withdraw municipal referendum petitions retroactively, which members noted could affect the Marana data center petition effort. The final bill discussed, SB 1798, would create a Financial Aid Awareness Program in the Department of Education to recognize schools that support FAFSA completion. Members questioned whether the department would need additional staff or resources, but no fiscal note had been provided. The meeting ended with recognition of interns and a brief photo opportunity before the caucus moved into closed session.

Transcript Highlights:

• the provision that provides that actual physical copies shall be available for free to judicial entities
• and certain law enforcement entities... ...for free to judicial entities and certain law enforcement
• entities as well as the General Assembly and provides that that is available in a web-based format for

Summary: The committee held a public hearing on Senate Bill 1470, presented by Representative Cupps on behalf of Senator Bernsketter. The bill would update statutes governing the Joint Committee on Legislative Research by allowing revised statutes to be provided free in web-based form rather than as free physical copies, directing sales revenue into a statutory revision fund, changing the committee’s required meeting frequency from at least once every three months to at least twice a year, and extending the time to appoint a chair after the General Assembly convenes from 10 to 30 days. Cupps said the changes were intended as cleanup and efficiency measures reflecting how the committee has operated since staffing reductions in 2015. Members questioned whether the bill would reduce accountability by lowering the minimum meeting requirement, whether any other statutes would need cleanup if hard-copy publication changes, and whether virtual meetings should be considered. Cupps and later staff said the committee could still meet more often if needed and that the bill was meant to avoid unnecessary meetings when there is no business to conduct. Representative Steinhoff raised concerns about the statutory revision fund cap and whether the fiscal note matched the bill’s change from supplement costs to general republication costs. Director Matt Morris testified that the free-copy language is outdated, that the committee no longer has authority to give away revised statutes for free, and that the fund currently nets about $8,300 to $8,400 annually; he said a general republication could cost roughly $270,000 to $300,000 or more, with the bill intended to preserve enough reserve for that possibility and for server costs. No witnesses testified in opposition. The hearing concluded with the chair indicating a House committee substitute would likely be prepared, and that another hearing may be held the following week. No vote was taken.

Transcript Highlights:

• Blue cards, or if you're with a government entity, white cards are for information only.
• Statute specifically states that all votes have to be voice votes for public entities, the local governing
• This just adds voice vote or electronic voting if a local government entity is capable of doing so.
• But I also know that some entities that vote electronically vote at the same time.

Bills: HB65, HB67, HB73, HB205, HB225, HB339, HB550

Keywords: sexual harassment, public employees, training requirements, mandatory education, elected officials, public records, personal information, protected individuals, ethics, transparency, public meetings, voting, electronic voting machine, government accountability, term limits, governor, Louisiana constitution, elections, gubernatorial, law enforcement

Transcript Highlights:

• Several states have enacted new entities to recognize risks.
• Several states have enacted new entities to recommend or study the use of AI in the government.
• So this map shows states that have either established a committee or some other entity that focuses on
• enacted the Artificial Intelligence Policy Act, which imposes disclosure obligations on covered entities

Keywords: 1182, all

Transcript Highlights:

• say, 'This is the person we want to hire,' and with the approval of city council, like any other entity
• Department or the police department, we don't know those specific nuances of those jobs and those entities
• professional background in fire or police, but yet there's still a cognizant authority over those entities
• Entities.

Summary: The committee first approved the minutes from February 10, 12, and 16, 2026, and welcomed a new page, Allie Silvers, who introduced herself as a 17-year-old from Twin Falls. The committee then took up three bills. House Bill 661, a solid waste measure, would make a one-word change from “county” to “city” so a contractor working for a city could choose its temporary waste container service; it was moved and sent to the floor with a due pass recommendation without opposition. House Bill 715 would change the process for hiring and firing directors of city-owned libraries by requiring city council approval in addition to the library board’s recommendation. Representative Cornilles said the bill was prompted by a problem in one city and would affect 55 cities. Testimony in opposition came from library supporters Heather Stout and Vicki Fadness, who argued the current system has worked for decades, that library boards have the expertise to manage directors, and that the bill would create two bosses and amount to government overreach. The bill’s supporters said elected officials should have oversight of city-paid employees, and the committee voted to send the bill to the floor with a due pass recommendation. House Bill 658 addressed vacancies on cemetery maintenance district boards when a quorum is lost through resignation, death, or other causes. The bill would let county commissioners fill vacancies, require appointees to be qualified electors and property taxpayers in the district, and allow counties to temporarily handle essential district functions until a board is restored. Sponsors described it as a fix for a gap in current law after a cemetery district board became defunct, and said the measure had support from counties and cities. After brief discussion, the committee voted to send HB 658 to the floor with a due pass recommendation.

Transcript Highlights:

• So the entity, the private entity that has agreed to allow their location to be used as a polling place
• Would it be the private entity who's just got insurance coverage from the state?
• Or would the private entity who's just got insurance coverage from the state, or would it be the state

Keywords: 989, all

Transcript Highlights:

• It's very interesting that we have three bills here today focused on essentially one entity, and they're
• So I'm a huge aye on this, and, you know, our friends in that particular entity need to watch it.
• So I'm a huge aye on this, and, you know, our friends in that particular entity need to watch it.
• And, you know, our friends in that a particular entity need to watch it. Vice Chairman Pena. Hi.

Summary: The Committee on International Trade heard a presentation from Alan Renteria, a Puerto Peñasco council member and chamber president, who promoted Rocky Point as a major tourism destination and binational partner for Arizona. He highlighted tourism, cross-border visitation, safety coordination, and possible commercial opportunities, including discussion of a future cruise port or cargo port, border improvements, and the continued importance of fishing and shrimp to the local economy. Members responded with personal comments about travel, student field work, and medical volunteer clinics in Puerto Peñasco, and Renteria offered to serve as a liaison for Arizona offices dealing with visitor or property issues. The committee then considered a series of Arizona Commerce Authority oversight bills. HB 2746 was removed from the agenda. HB 2751 would continue the Arizona Competes fund and subject its use to legislative appropriations; supporters said it would add balance and oversight, while an Arizona Free Enterprise Club representative opposed it, arguing the fund lacked accountability and should be repealed or tightly restricted. The bill passed on a due-pass recommendation. HB 2752 would move authority over trade offices from the ACA board to legislative appropriation and require annual reporting to JLBC; it also passed, with several members saying the legislature needed a stronger role in trade-office decisions. Finally, HB 2753, as amended, would add ex-officio members to the ACA board, including the chairs of the Senate Finance Committee and House International Trade Committee, plus ranking minority members or their designees. The committee adopted an amendment expanding minority-party participation and then passed the bill as amended. Throughout the debate, members emphasized that the measures were intended to increase legislative oversight and communication with the Commerce Authority rather than oppose the agency outright. The committee adjourned after approving HB 2751, HB 2752, and HB 2753 as amended.