Transcript Highlights:

• We'll move immediately to paragraph C, and this will be a review of reports from the occupational authorization
• And if you do have somebody that has a violation, just how much authority do you have to deal with a
• So we have all of the authority to assess a civil penalty. All right. Thank you. Thank you, Mr.
• That's as far as our authority would go. That may be another department.
• Can you tell the cost for counties for them to send one of the officers to you for training?

Committee: All ALC-OCCUPATIONAL LICENSING REVIEW SUBCOMMITTEE

Summary: The committee first reviewed the Arkansas Division of Environmental Quality’s asbestos abatement program. DEQ explained that it licenses asbestos-related workers and businesses under federal and state law, including contractors, workers, inspectors, planners, designers, consultants, air monitors, and training providers. Members asked about the continued presence of asbestos in modern products, the status of the program’s grant fund, and why program expenses were expected to rise; DEQ said grants have not been issued in more than six years because revenues have not left a surplus, and the higher expenses reflect a reallocation of inspector salaries to the fund that supports the program. DEQ also described complaint-driven inspections, enforcement tools such as civil penalties and notices of violation, and the health risks of exposure, including asbestosis and mesothelioma. The report was accepted without objection. The committee then heard from the Arkansas Commission on Law Enforcement Standards and Training. The commission outlined its standards, compliance, decertification, basic academy, advanced training, and jail standards functions, and said it operates three basic academies in Camden, Benton-Bryant, and Springdale. Members asked about recruitment and retention, academy capacity, training hours, and costs to local agencies; the commission said attendance costs counties nothing because the state funds the academies, and that basic training is being expanded to 705 hours with a greater emphasis on practical instruction. The commission also described separate training for detention officers and school resource officers, and said law enforcement divisions in other agencies, such as the Department of Agriculture, are held to the same standards. It noted that most academy attendance requires agency hiring first, though a veterans-to-law-enforcement program allows some veterans to attend on their own and later seek employment. This report also was accepted without objection.

Transcript Highlights:

• and tribal governments, for counties and tribal governments, reports<00:06:58.280><c> the</c><00:06:
• We will adopt the authors' motions as one motion.
• We will<00:11:03.160><c> adopt</c><00:11:03.520><c> the</c><00:11:03.600><c> authors'</c><00:11:04.000
• I've spoken with both authors and have their approval.
• and it is my returned to the author and it is my bill. bill. bill.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> but um maybe to the author first. but um maybe to the author first.
• It also redefines the authority of county ag inspectors, entry of land, nonperformance by inspectors,
• </c><01:41:17.360><c> and</c> um what is the both the authority and um what is the both the authority
• So, to the question, Representative, in terms of counties, there's a county agricultural inspector that
• </c><01:43:11.280><c> to</c> able to give grants to the counties to able to give grants to the counties

Bills: HF4080 , HF3693 , HF1857 , HF4350

Committee: House Agriculture Finance and Policy

Keywords: agriculture, livestock, retailers, ownership interest, exclusive contracts, meat packing companies, dominant retailers, state law, Department of Agriculture, appropriation, funding, agriculture policy, state budget, animal welfare, cat declawing, animal cruelty, therapeutic procedures, civil penalties, Minnesota Department of Agriculture, aquatic life

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> our townships, our counties our townships, our counties retain<00:04:01.920><c> residents.
• Cook County is a really isolated county of the 87 counties that we have in Minnesota.
• </c> names like we memorized the counties. names like we memorized the counties.
• </c> of its kind in Hennepin County. of its kind in Hennepin County.
• </c> Hennepin County. Hennepin County.

Committee: Senate Capital Investment

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• The county flags, we said flag or city or county flags established after January 1st, 2003, and the reason
• The county flags, we said flag or city or county flags established after January 1st, 2003, and the reason
• Our family owns businesses in Canyon County, Ada County, Payette, and Gem counties.
• As well as even now we have a soccer stadium in Ada County that's on county land.
• I reside in Latah County, and I'm speaking for myself.

Committee: House State Affairs

Keywords: 989, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Spokane County Commissioner Chris Jordan, testifying today in favor of HB 2416, which the county fully
• And the cost per remaining ratepayer in Ferry County is estimated to be 12 times that of King County,
• Remaining ratepayer in Ferry County, that's maybe 12 times that of King County, the richest county, and
• we're the poorest county.
• Pacific County, $665, and San Juan County, $585.

Summary: The Environment and Energy Committee heard testimony on three bills. HB 2426 would allow the Pollution Control Hearings Board, with unanimous agreement of the parties, to use alternative board compositions for appeals, including a single member or other qualified environmental adjudicators, so long as one member is a Washington-licensed attorney and the panel has environmental law expertise. The bill sponsor and supporters from business and conservation groups said it was a narrow, consensus-based change intended to improve efficiency and predictability. ELUHO’s director supported the concept but flagged technical issues in the bill language about attorney and Growth Management Hearings Board member qualifications. HB 2416 would provide no-cost allowances under the Climate Commitment Act to Spokane’s waste-to-energy facility, which is not currently covered until the second compliance period. Supporters, including Spokane officials, labor, and local partners, said the facility protects a sole-source aquifer, provides waste disposal and electricity for about 13,000 homes, and faces large compliance costs that could raise rates and threaten jobs. Opponents from environmental groups and Ecology argued the bill would give the facility preferential treatment, subsidize most of its emissions through 2050, and fail to ensure real emissions reductions; AWB raised concern about market impacts if new allowances are added. No vote was taken. HB 2373 would require electric utilities to offer monthly bill discount programs with tiered income levels, expanded outreach and enrollment, and updated reporting on low-income energy assistance. The sponsor said the bill is meant to make assistance more consistent and accessible statewide, while utilities and rural co-ops warned it could create unfunded mandates and significant rate increases for non-low-income customers, especially in smaller systems. Supporters from community action agencies, Commerce, and some utilities said monthly assistance is needed because energy burdens are rising and current programs are patchwork, though several urged pairing the bill with state funding or amendments. The committee heard extensive testimony but took no final action on any of the bills.

Transcript Highlights:

• You will notice... ...and the counties, and you can see how many responses we received from each county
• We would like to note that two of those counties, Sioux County and Slope County, do not have licensed
• Many of you already know that 36 out of 53 counties are frontier counties.
• counties have no physicians.
• It's a problem in Cass County. It's a problem in Cass County.

Committees: Joint Human Services , Joint Human Services Committee

Keywords: 908, all

Transcript Highlights:

• , but how are counties and highway districts funded?
• Taxing authority, but there is state money that flows to them.
• I'm the Director of Highways for Eastside Highway District in Kootenai County.
• I'm general counsel for the Ada County Highway District.
• I'm general counsel for the Ada County Highway District.

Committee: Senate Transportation

Keywords: 989, all

Transcript Highlights:

• My name is Christy Lahi Johnson, and I am the responsible authority for Hennepin County.
• for Henipin County.
• Thank you authority for Henipin County.
• ><00:02:43.280><c> county.
• Henipin County against the county.

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• And so with that, I want to call forward the Oregon Health Authority.
• Many counties will have four.
• We also share data and work with the Oregon Health Authority.
• I'm the director of health policy and analytics at the Oregon Health Authority.
• serve every county in the state.

Keywords: 907, all

Summary: The committee held an informational hearing focused first on Oregon Medicaid coordinated care organization (CCO) finances and rate setting. Oregon Health Authority staff explained how 2025 CCO financial results will inform 2027 capitation rates, including reserve requirements, subcapitation arrangements, and major cost drivers such as behavioral health, pharmacy, rural hospital costs, and dental directed payments. They said the Legislature’s added 2025 funding materially improved CCO margins and that, without it, the program would have been negative overall. Members asked about retained earnings, subcapitation, behavioral health utilization, ABA therapy, and whether outcomes are being evaluated; OHA said rate setting is actuarial and that CCOs, OHA, and other partners all play roles in monitoring efficacy and access. OHA also reviewed House Bill 4039 changes intended to increase transparency and give CCOs earlier access to rate information and reconciliation exhibits. CCO representatives then testified that the system is under significant financial pressure and that behavioral health state-directed payments, benefit changes, and federal uncertainty from H.R. 1 are reducing flexibility. CareOregon said it has lost more than $500 million over the last couple of years and is now making provider terminations and other network changes to align spending with available funding, while emphasizing that CCOs must make hard decisions about which services and providers can be sustained. Eastern Oregon CCO said rural and frontier factors, cost-based hospitals, air ambulance needs, and statewide efficiency adjustments are not fully reflected in rates, and that dental funding is especially strained. Trillium similarly warned that state-directed payments and benefit expansion pressures are constraining the global budget model and that H.R. 1 could worsen acuity and volatility. Members pressed the witnesses on who is responsible for evaluating treatment effectiveness, especially for ABA and psychotherapy, and on how utilization limits and reimbursement changes are being used to control costs. The committee then shifted to an overview of the Affordable Care Act and Oregon’s commercial insurance market. Department of Consumer and Business Services staff explained actuarial value, metal tiers, premium tax credits, medical loss ratio rules, and the main drivers of premium rates: cost trend, utilization trend, and administrative costs. They said mandates have likely added only a limited amount to premiums over the past decade, though the exact effect is difficult to isolate, and they gave examples of how high-cost, low-volume services versus broad, high-utilization services can affect rates differently. Staff also noted that Providence Health Plan and PacificSource Health Plans are withdrawing from the individual market, though consumers should still have at least three insurer options in every county and may have four in many counties. The division said it is in the middle of reviewing proposed 2027 rates and will continue its public rate review process, including hearings and written comment.

Transcript Highlights:

• Now we ask the authority for now we ask for the authority to fully protect our people and the communities
• This authority is not just necessary, it's critical.
• It's just laws that were, you know, enacted by Congress that doesn't give us that authority.
• It also allows the governor to appoint a team to meet directly with Mexican authorities at the local,
• I have to happen to be from a county that previously had the 2nd highest. Death rate.

Bills: HB176 , HB180

Committee: House S/C on State-Federal Relations

Keywords: tax, ad valorem, voter-approval, local government finance, property tax, repeal, tax rates, school finance, tax reduction, compressed tax rate, education, funding

Transcript Highlights:

• But the smaller, every county has a veteran service officer, so anybody living in any county in North
• North Dakota has 53 counties, and 36 of them are frontier counties.
• Slope County has half a person per square mile.
• Senator Lee continued that North Dakota has 53 counties, and 36 of them are frontier counties, meaning
• Slope County has half a person per square mile.

Summary: The committee first approved the previous meeting minutes and then heard a detailed annual report from Dr. Thomas Arnold, chair of the Maternal Mortality Review Committee, on maternal mortality trends and policy issues. He explained the committee’s review process, confidentiality protections, and national and North Dakota data showing that most maternal deaths are preventable and that mental health conditions, substance use, cardiovascular issues, infection, hemorrhage, and embolism are the leading causes. Members asked about suicide, domestic violence, midwife training, home births, and whether pregnancy testing at death scenes should be expanded; Dr. Arnold said better coroner education, more investigation of unexplained deaths, and possible post-mortem pregnancy testing could improve case identification, especially in rural areas. He also noted that deaths often occur well after 42 days postpartum and that mental health-related deaths remain a major concern. The committee then heard from State Fire Marshal Dr. Matthew Clark on cigarette reduced-ignition-propensity standards and related fire prevention issues. He recommended updating the state’s cigarette propensity law to current national standards and also raised a separate recommendation to require fast-breakaway oxygen tubing for home oxygen users, citing fatal fires linked to smoking around oxygen. Members asked about implementation, cost, insurance coverage, and whether the standards apply in tribal communities; Dr. Clark said he would provide follow-up information and was willing to help with any legislation, but no agency bill had yet been planned. Next, Christine Greff of the Department of Health and Human Services reported on the North Dakota Stroke System of Care. She described the statewide network of stroke-ready hospitals, registry-based quality improvement, and performance data showing continued improvement in stroke recognition, imaging, thrombolytic treatment, transfers, and EMS pre-notification. She highlighted new quality measures for inter-facility transfers and intracerebral hemorrhage care, and said the system remains strong but depends on continued legislative and hospital support. Committee members asked about participation by the VA hospital and were encouraged to consider outreach to include it more fully in the stroke system. Finally, the committee began a presentation on prior authorization and non-opioid pain treatment from Taha Khan of Vertex Pharmaceuticals. He argued that prior authorization can delay access to non-opioid acute pain medications, especially in the 24- to 72-hour post-discharge window when pain is most severe, and said delays can push patients toward opioids. He emphasized that prior authorization has a role in utilization management but should not create barriers in acute pain care, and he noted that current use of the company’s non-opioid product remains very low. The discussion was still underway when the transcript ended.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:24:37.840><c> investigate</c> author with um authority to investigate author with um authority
• :24:48.320><c> tools</c><00:24:48.720><c> to</c> authority with investigative tools to authority with
• Um the the amendment that authority.
• </c><01:14:11.840><c> Um</c> share investigative authority. Um share investigative authority.
• So even if that authority to do.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• , Scott County, Carver County, and Anoka County would have lost funding that they could use for roads
• </c><04:10:27.279><c> and</c> County or represent Anoka County and Ramsey County, and we were about to
• Likewise, members, it's important to know that Anoka County, Dakota County, and some other counties have
• Likewise, members, it's important to know that Anoka County, Dakota County, and some other counties have
• :26:31.279><c> have</c> Dakota County, some other counties have Dakota County, some other counties have

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• County.
• County. And when I say largest in history, I'm talking about— ...was settled here in L.A. County.
• County. It's not a lot of places you can go.
• County. It's not a lot of places you can go.
• We're in 24 counties. And we will be growing. We're in 24 counties.

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• We'll go on to issue for the High-Speed Rail Authority.
• The project update report is the authority conducting that.
• The authority would perhaps put more information.
• I think perhaps the authority can speak in more detail.
• And also on behalf of Placer County.

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• It's incredible, and I know that they would love to come to all parts of Dona Ana County.
• Heart, being one of the first Big Brothers in Grant County.
• They serve 15 counties throughout New Mexico and over 3,000 youth throughout our state.
• , the limit of outstanding indebtedness of the authority.
• And state agencies in the definition of authority, clarifying the definition of right-of-way.

Transcript Highlights:

• I pray that you embolden them to make good, godly decisions that you deem right, based on the authority
• So it's a good amendment for the county. Perfect. Thank you, ma'am.
• Chairman, it adds some more protections for La Paz County to protect their water. Okay.
• And with the amendment, the floor amendment changes the 10% that goes to the county to 50% to the county
• . ...10% that goes to the county to 50% to the county.

Summary: The House convened with prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, approval of the prior journal, and recognition of the Doctor of the Day and several guests and community groups, including correctional officer Jacob Polanco, Pima Community Land Trust representatives, student interns, and Arizona PTA members. Members also adopted a proclamation recognizing Kosovo’s Independence Day in Arizona, with remarks highlighting the Kosovo American community’s contributions to the state. The chamber then moved into Committee of the Whole on a calendar of bills and resolutions. HB 2307 and HB 2758 were considered first; HB 2307 received committee amendments and was recommended do pass, while HB 2758 drew extensive debate over groundwater transport in La Paz County. Supporters argued the measure preserved a transportation-basin framework and added protections, while opponents warned it would facilitate water export for private investors and harm rural residents. After a division and recorded vote, HB 2758 failed to receive a due-pass recommendation. The House also considered HCR 2003, a referral related to transgender athletes in sports, where supporters framed it as a fairness and women’s sports issue and opponents argued it targeted a small population and should be left to athletic associations; it received a due-pass recommendation. HCR 2047 and HCR 2002, both relating to Judea and Samaria, also received due-pass recommendations after remarks citing biblical and historical references. After the Committee of the Whole report was adopted, the House referred the approved measures to engrossing and noted HB 2758 failed. The chamber then took up third-reading votes on several bills, passing HB 251, HB 262, HB 272, HB 296, and HB 2459, with brief explanations on some votes, including support for a Buffalo Soldiers monument, AHCCCS-related changes, water infrastructure authority, and mobile home park utility billing protections. The House also heard personal privilege remarks and announcements, including comments on antisemitism after vandalism at a University of Arizona campus center, a request to wear pink or green in support of a murder victim’s mother testifying on a bill, tributes to Jesse Jackson and Bishop Peter Bowie, and committee meeting notices before adjourning until February 18, 2026.

Transcript Highlights:

• I’m Keith Gainer, representing the 12th District, which is most of Snohomish and part of King County.
• I’m John Lovick, state senator from the 44th District, which is in Snohomish County.
• Bill with regards to the bond authorization to better understand those details.
• I'm Axel Swanson with the Association of Counties.
• That's a clear need that counties have come and talked to you all about many times.

Summary: The Senate Transportation Committee met on January 13, 2026, for a work session on Governor Ferguson’s proposed 2026 supplemental transportation budget and a public hearing on Senate Bill 6005, which makes supplemental transportation appropriations for the 2025–27 biennium. Committee staff reviewed the transportation budget outlook, noting that the 2025 session had balanced the transportation budget over four years with significant new revenues, but that recent fuel-tax and Climate Commitment Act forecasts had softened the long-term outlook. Staff and the governor’s budget team said the proposal still leaves the budget in positive shape while addressing major needs such as preservation, ferry replacement, maintenance, and the state self-insurance account. The governor’s office described a $16.8 billion transportation budget proposal centered on preservation and maintenance, including $3.1 billion in bonding for eligible preservation projects, $1.1 billion for three new ferries, additional ferry preservation funding, pavement and bridge work, maintenance funding, County Road Administration Board startup money, State Patrol communications upgrades, DOL service access improvements, dredging for the Lower Columbia River, and restored regional mobility grant funding. Committee members asked about ferry capacity, DOL mobile offices, self-insurance costs, and whether additional preservation money could be used in 2026. Testifiers from cities, counties, labor, ports, construction, business, and environmental groups generally supported the emphasis on preservation, ferry reliability, local road funding, and freight projects, while some urged broader transit and rail investment and one witness criticized the budget’s spending approach. During public testimony on SB 6005, speakers from Bainbridge Island and ferry communities supported ferry investments and reliability improvements; local government and labor representatives backed preservation funding and better working conditions for transportation workers; business and construction groups endorsed maintenance, paving, bridge repair, and the Lower Columbia dredging item; and port and environmental advocates supported freight, port electrification, and rail funding. One witness raised concerns about the cost and long-term implications of hybrid-electric ferry maintenance, and another urged restraint in spending. The hearing ended after testimony, with the chair noting the sign-in tally and adjourning the committee without a vote on the bill.

Transcript Highlights:

• TDI then has authority and responsibility to review those filings after the rates are in effect.
• TDI then has authority and responsibility to review those filings after the rates are in effect, are
• I know that you're not the author of the bill, and so you're laying the thing out, I don't know if you
• I insure a few thousand residents in the Williamson County area and across the state of Texas.
• Removes county-specific coastal representative provisions from the board.

Committee: House Insurance

Summary: The committee first took up several bills and voted them out favorably without amendment: SB 2857, relating to prescription drug purchasing proof for certain health benefit plan issuers and employers; SB 1307, relating to the biennial health coverage reference guide; and SB 527, relating to health benefit coverage for general anesthesia for certain pediatric dental services. Each of those motions passed on a 7-0 roll call. The main discussion centered on SB 1643, which would require prior approval from the Texas Department of Insurance for property and casualty rate changes above 10% from a previously filed rate. The chair framed it as a response to rate volatility and rising homeowners and auto premiums, while several members questioned whether it would slow a market that is already stabilizing and could encourage insurers to file repeated increases just under the threshold. Witnesses from consumer groups supported tighter oversight and argued for a lower threshold, while insurance industry representatives opposed the bill, saying Texas’s file-and-use system and competitive market work better and that the proposal could increase costs or create uncertainty. After testimony, SB 1643 was left pending. The committee then heard SB 1642, which would replace the single Texas Department of Insurance commissioner with a three-commissioner structure and an executive director. Supporters said it could improve accountability and transparency, while opponents argued the current single-commissioner model is more efficient and avoids confusion and added cost. Witnesses also raised concerns about open meetings issues, administrative expense, and the lack of a clear model from other states. SB 1642 was also left pending. Finally, the committee heard SB 2530, the Texas Windstorm Insurance Association omnibus bill. The bill would make a number of changes to TWIA’s governance and finances, including exempting TWIA from certain taxes, moving its headquarters to a coastal county, changing board composition and voting rules, and lowering the probable maximum loss standard from 1-in-100 to 1-in-50. Supporters said the bill would strengthen TWIA’s reserve funding and improve local relevance, while opponents warned it could increase assessments, reduce reinsurance protection, and create operational risks by relocating the headquarters to the coast. The bill was left pending, and the committee then adjourned.