Transcript Highlights:

• The skill, teamwork, and dedication to their sport that they exhibited in the tournament is inspiring

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The House began with the Pledge of Allegiance and then took up several committee reports and procedural motions. The Committee on Rules recommended adoption of resolutions honoring Frontal Temporal Degeneration Awareness Week, congratulating Eagle Scout Diati Pepinini, and recognizing retiring Bellingham Town Administrator Dennis Frayne; the House suspended the rules and adopted all three. Members also welcomed the Rolling Warriors vault hockey team of North Attleboro, congratulating them on winning the first U.S. gold medal in the North American Vault Hockey Championship and wishing them well at the upcoming World Cup in Sweden. The House approved extensions of reporting deadlines for the Committees on Economic Development and Emerging Technologies and on Transportation, and suspended Joint Rule 12 to allow referral of several petitions, including one on alcohol sales and delivery regulation, one seeking a MassHealth asset-limit exemption for personal vehicle value, and one establishing a sick leave bank for a Department of Correction employee. The Steering, Policy and Scheduling Committee then placed several bills on the calendar, including measures on postural screenings in schools, motor vehicle battery storage, alcohol licensing and permitting, check cashing rates, and local liquor licenses for Somerset and West Springfield. The House suspended Rule 7A, gave the bills second reading, and ordered them to a third reading. On final action, the House passed to be enacted a bill increasing the membership of the Mattapoisett Select Board. It also engrossed a Holyoke alcohol-license bill and a Conway special fund bill. For House Bill 4264, the Somerville charter bill, Representative Walsh offered a substitute amendment, which was adopted, and the bill was then passed to be engrossed as amended. The House then adopted an order to adjourn and recessed until Monday at 11 a.m. in informal session.

Transcript Highlights:

• And through my work, I've developed strong skills in governance, strategic decision-making, community

Committee: Senate Local and County Government

Summary: The Senate Committee on Local and County Government met and first considered the nomination of Mary Westman to the Oklahoma Department of Libraries Board. Senator Standridge presented Westman, highlighting her background in nursing, health care, law, and business. Westman said she would focus on working within the board’s statutory authority, supporting local communities, and using resources efficiently. After a brief question-and-answer period, the committee voted 6-0 to advance her nomination to the full Senate. The committee then considered the nomination of Samuel Alaback to the same board, presented by Senator Reinhardt. Reinhardt emphasized Alaback’s leadership experience at Oklahoma State University and his work as a middle school literature teacher. Alaback said he wanted to help address the state’s literacy challenges and support libraries as community spaces, while learning from other board members. Following questions about his priorities and plans, the committee voted 6-0 to advance his nomination to the Senate. The meeting then adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• You've got a lot of variability in matchups for skill sets.

Committee: Senate State Affairs

Summary: The Senate State Affairs Committee met with a quorum and first approved the January 30, 2026 minutes on a motion by Senator Adams, seconded by Senator Thames. The committee then considered the gubernatorial appointment of Ryan Lanham to serve as state athletic commissioner through October 1, 2026. Lanham described his background in combat sports, including more than 20 years as a coach, participant, and corner, ownership of a boxing gym in Meridian, and prior amateur boxing matches. Members asked about his experience, the role of the athletic commission, and his views on the future of combat sports in Idaho; he emphasized athlete safety, fair matchmaking, and support for regulated expansion of sports such as boxing, Muay Thai, and bare knuckle, while expressing skepticism about “Power Slap.” The committee did not vote on the appointment, noting it would likely be taken up at a later meeting. The committee also heard RS 33216 from Senator Guthrie, which would phase in an increase in alcohol, beer, and wine licensing fees over three years rather than imposing the full increase at once. After brief discussion, Senator Harris moved to introduce the RS, Senator Den Hartog seconded, and the motion passed unanimously. The meeting ended with notice that the committee likely would not meet again on Monday, and the committee adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• My math skills are still okay. Thank you for your testimony. Thank you for your testimony.

Keywords: 908, all

Summary: The conference committee on Senate Bill 2133 met to resolve the remaining disagreement over fees for a proposed blackout specialty license plate. The Senate held to a $25 annual fee after dropping an initial $15 fee, while the House argued for $10 or, at most, $20, saying the plate does not support a cause and should be priced to encourage use. Members also discussed whether the plate should be treated like other specialty plates and whether any revenue should be dedicated to a specific purpose, but no particular cause was identified. The Department of Transportation testified that the $25 annual fee would go into the highway distribution fund, the same as personalized plate fees, and explained that the fund is distributed to the state, counties, and townships. DOT estimated the blackout plate could be very popular, projecting about 10% of eligible vehicles and motorcycles might choose it, based on experience in Minnesota and other states. Members noted that Minnesota saw strong demand even with higher fees. After discussion, the committee moved and adopted the Corey amendment setting the annual fee at $25. The roll call showed support from the Senate chair and Senator Paulson, with Representative Johnston voting no and Representatives Casper and Hendricks voting yes. With the amendment adopted, the committee reached agreement and adjourned, with Senate and House members designated to carry the report forward.

Transcript Highlights:

• They were able to instruct me in some independent living skills and then once I finished that training

Bills: HB451 , HB645 , HB 1041 , HB 1151 , HB 1155 , HB1536 , HCR12 , HCR12

Committee: House Human Services

Keywords: commercial sexual exploitation, child sex trafficking, human trafficking, child welfare, foster care, DFPS, Department of Family and Protective Services, juvenile probation, risk assessment, needs assessment, trauma screening, child abuse prevention, exploitation screening, validated screening tool, evidence-informed tool, conservatorship, juvenile justice, at-risk youth, trafficking prevention, Child Sex Trafficking Prevention Unit

Transcript Highlights:

• And so I would point more towards labor health. >> I think that's a valid point.
• Um, we could always tweak who's on the advisory board to include a member of labor health, um, include
• </c> board to include a member of labor board to include a member of labor health<00:19:07.440><c> um
• is obviously uh labor health and and<00:42:45.280><c> social</c><00:42:45.599><c> services.
• The speaker said they did intend to bring that as an interim topic through the Labor Health Committee

Committee: Joint Appropriations

Keywords: 916, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I am general counsel with the Department of Labor. Um, the department is neutral on the bill.
• Of Labor. Um, the department is neutral on the bill. We take no position.
• It takes you five minutes, but that's five minutes of labor.
• ,</c> describe all the costs both in labor, describe all the costs both in labor, materials,<01:08:44.560
• That's a lot of labor. Yeah. per label. That's a lot of labor. Yeah.

Committee: Senate Commerce

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• We have the Department of Labor and Industrial Relations in support.
• </c><01:29:26.159><c> and</c> we have Department of Labor and we have Department of Labor and Industrial
• , and enforcing labor standards.
• </c> is critical to um safeguarding labor is critical to um safeguarding labor protections<01:37:29.159
• </c><01:37:32.119><c> standards</c> agreements and enforcing labor standards agreements and enforcing

Committee: House Judiciary & Hawaiian Affairs

Keywords: 910, house, all

Summary: The House Committee on Judiciary and Hawaiian Affairs heard SB 104, which would restrict the use of restrictive housing or solitary confinement in state-operated and state-contracted correctional facilities, with specified exceptions. The Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation strongly opposed the bill, saying its existing policy already meets or exceeds ACA and National Institute of Corrections standards, and objecting to language they said would give the oversight commission operational decision-making authority. The Hawaii Correctional System Oversight Commission supported the bill, but also said it was not intended to run operations and described concerns about restrictive housing practices, including CoreCivic’s SHIP program at Saguaro. Supporters included the Office of Hawaiian Affairs, the Office of the Public Defender, the Disability Rights Center, ACLU Hawaii, Easter Seals Hawaii, and individual testifiers. They argued that Native Hawaiians are disproportionately impacted by incarceration, that solitary confinement is harmful and linked to depression, anxiety, suicidality, and poor reentry outcomes, and that confinement beyond 15 days is widely condemned under international standards. Several testifiers cited suicides and deaths in custody as reasons to codify limits in statute rather than rely on policy alone. The department responded that it already has 24/7 medical care, though not 24/7 mental health coverage at one facility, and explained that it uses four custody categories: disciplinary segregation, administrative segregation, protective custody, and placements for inmates seeking separation for safety reasons. Members questioned the department and commission about the SHIP program, whether the bill was based on other states’ laws, and how current policies compare with national standards. The director said the bill was too ambiguous in places and that the department was willing to work with the commission on policy changes, but still opposed the measure as written. The committee took testimony and questions; no vote or final action was taken in the portion provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• As the insurance rates have gone up due to the higher labor and material costs, a lot of the elderly
• due to the higher labor and material costs.

Committee: House Insurance and Banking

Summary: The Insurance Committee held a public hearing on House Bill 2250, sponsored by Rep. Jacqueline Zimmerman, which would require insurers to cover full siding replacement when storm damage affects only part of a home and matching siding is not reasonably available. Zimmerman said the bill would codify existing Missouri case law, address homeowner complaints after hailstorms, and make clear that insurers must restore a reasonably uniform appearance. Committee members generally expressed support for the goal, while also discussing possible scope changes, such as limiting coverage to street-facing elevations, and possible disclosure requirements to better explain policy coverage to consumers. The Missouri Insurance Coalition testified in opposition, saying the bill could increase premiums for all homeowners and that consumers should be able to choose more affordable policies with less coverage. Coalition witnesses said matching siding issues are often cosmetic, that carriers already offer different policy options and riders, and that requiring full wrap coverage could create upward pressure on rates. They also noted that severe weather has made these disputes more common and said the Department of Commerce and Insurance and brokers can help consumers understand their policies. Committee members debated whether partial repairs truly make homeowners whole, and several compared the issue to blending paint on cars or matching repairs after hail damage. After the HB 2250 hearing ended, the committee established a quorum and moved into executive session on House Bill 3328. The committee adopted a House committee substitute that renamed the program the Stronger Home program, removed IBHS certification in favor of a non-biased third-party testing lab, and removed an adjuster cap. The committee then voted 9-0 to report the House committee substitute for HB 3328 do pass, and the meeting adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• As the insurance rates have gone up due to the higher labor and material costs, a lot of the elderly
• folks who are on a fixed ...due to the higher labor and material costs.

Committee: House Insurance

Keywords: 959, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• This requires the Department of Labor and Industries to consider, when adopting rules for factory-built
• This requires the Department of Labor and Industries to consider when adopting rules for factory-built

Summary: The Senate Rules Committee met to place a large package of bills on the floor calendar, along with several individual measures. The package poll was advanced with bipartisan support, though Senator Braun noted some bills would face debate on the floor. Most motions were approved without objection, and the committee repeatedly advanced housing, education, health care, transportation, labor, public safety, and administrative measures. Among the bills discussed were proposals on housing supply and permitting efficiency, including measures affecting residential development in commercial and mixed-use zones, peer review fees for housing applications, and factory-built housing standards. Other bills addressed wildfire-resistant building materials, disabled placard renewal periods, preschool access for military families, insurance fraud penalties, higher education support for student parents, affordable health coverage, rural hospital reimbursement and critical access status, and collective bargaining in agriculture. Several members voiced support for bills they described as bipartisan or practical, while some opposition was raised to measures involving sheriffs’ accountability, immigration-related protections, and agricultural labor issues. A few bills drew more substantive debate. Senate Bill 5974, concerning sheriff accountability and replacement standards, advanced despite Senator Short’s objection that sheriffs are locally elected and should not be subject to state replacement procedures. Senate Bill 6045, which would create a framework for agricultural collective bargaining, was opposed by Senators King and Mazzol, but after a division vote it advanced 10-6. The committee also advanced measures recognizing Diwali, protecting privacy in government records, limiting immigration enforcement access in certain public spaces, and establishing a public-private P-20W partnership account. The meeting concluded after all listed measures were advanced and the committee adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• This is the fruit of your labors.
• Labor, as I'm sitting here, is that with all the odds against me as the ranking member on this committee

Transcript Highlights:

• This bill does not lower the cost of 2x4s or lower the cost of labor for new construction.
• This bill does not lower the cost of 2x4s or lower the cost of labor for new construction.
• This bill does not lower the cost of 2x4s or lower the cost of labor for new construction.
• This bill does not lower the cost of 2x4s or lower the cost of labor for new construction.
• This bill does not lower the cost of 2x4s or lower the cost of labor for new construction.

Bills: HF4319 , HF3295 , HF3589 , HF3587 , HF3588 , HF4295 , HF3571 , HF3895

Committee: House Elections Finance and Government Operations

Keywords: public utilities commission, Lake City, port authority, Red Wing, terms of appointment, local government, elections, open meeting law, transparency, public engagement, social media, government accountability, voter access, polling place, ballot, unexpected needs, election judge, public information, political parties, HF4295

Transcript Highlights:

• We also had written comments from the Department of Labor and Industrial Relations, written support from
• from the we also had written comments from the Department<00:42:26.480><c> of</c><00:42:26.720><c> Labor
• of Labor and Industrial Relations, Relations, Relations, uh,<00:42:29.680><c> written</c><00:42:30.079
• replacing assumptions with documentation because if the state allows its contractor to force unpaid labor
• Because if the state allows its contractor to force unpaid labor on people, that isn't caregiving.

Bills: HB2488 , HB2456

Committee: House Human Services & Homelessness

Keywords: disability, communication access, deaf, hard-of-hearing, deaf-blind, healthcare, sign language interpreters, auxiliary aids, weight loss, GLP-1 drugs, obesity, Medicaid, healthcare costs, 910, house, all

Summary: The committee heard testimony on HP 1972, which would create a nonrefundable family caregiver tax credit, and on a related tax measure to increase the existing dependent care tax credit. Supporters of HP 1972, including AARP, the Executive Office on Aging, the Hawaii Public Health Institute, Hawaii Children’s Action Network, and others, said unpaid caregivers are essential to keeping kūpuna and other loved ones at home and described significant out-of-pocket costs. The Department of Taxation and the Tax Foundation raised technical concerns, including the need to avoid overlap with existing credits and to prevent double-dipping. The department said taxpayers can claim credits to the extent allowed, but recommended explicit language barring the same costs from being claimed under more than one credit. No vote was taken in the excerpt, and the chair moved the bill along after questions. The committee then heard HP 1975, which would repeal the sunset on the state rent supplement program for kūpuna. AARP, Catholic Charities Hawaii, the Executive Office on Aging, and others supported making the program permanent, saying it helps low-income older adults avoid eviction and homelessness and allows them to remain in affordable housing. Catholic Charities described clients who were paying unsustainable shares of income for rent before receiving the supplement. Members also shared a constituent example of an elderly retiree who needed the subsidy to stay housed. Written support was noted from additional organizations and individuals. Next, the committee took up HB 1706, which would expand Medicaid prospective payment reimbursement to include mental health services furnished in federally qualified health centers and rural health clinics by mental health professionals under supervision. The Office of Hawaiian Affairs supported the bill, and DHS said it appreciated the intent to address workforce shortages and expand training, but cautioned that unlicensed professionals cannot currently bill Medicaid and that a state plan amendment would be needed, with limited precedent for approval. Members asked about the likelihood and timing of federal approval and whether the bill could help rural areas; DHS said approval is uncertain and the process can take time, though it saw possible alignment with the state’s rural health transformation efforts. The committee also discussed HB 546, a three-year health coverage continuity pilot program for people losing Medicaid coverage. DHS, the Attorney General’s office, DCCA, Catholic Charities, the University of Hawaii, and others testified, with DHS warning that federal changes could increase uninsured rates and that the state may need to act quickly. Catholic Charities and others emphasized the risk to Medicaid recipients, including homeless and near-elderly residents, while DHS explained the state’s existing premium assistance program for certain immigrants and compared it to the proposed pilot. The excerpt ends during discussion of that comparison, with no vote shown.

Transcript Highlights:

• Chair, members, Sarah Flock, California Federation of Labor Unions, in support. Thank you.
• I'm proud to represent this bill on behalf of SEIU because it's important for labor to be involved in
• expertise, to coordinate accountability measures when labor violations rise to an egregious level.
• Chair, Member, Sarah Flachs, California Federation of Labor Unions, in support. Mr.
• Chair, Member, Sarah Flock's, California Federation of Labor Unions, in support. Thank you.

Summary: The committee heard testimony on several bills related to reproductive access, child safety online, immigration enforcement in schools, health privacy, location data, digital provenance, reparations, and age assurance. AB 54 would protect the medication abortion supply chain and shield providers and others from liability; AB 1137 would strengthen reporting and enforcement tools for child sexual abuse material on social media; AB 49 would limit ICE activity at California public schools; AB 82 would expand privacy and safety protections for gender-affirming care patients and providers; AB 1355 would restrict the collection, use, and sale of precise location data; AB 853 would expand provenance requirements for AI-generated and authentic content; AB 62 would create a pathway for restitution for racially biased eminent domain takings; and AB 1043 would create a device-based age assurance framework for online services. Supporters generally framed the bills as necessary responses to current harms: reproductive rights advocates emphasized California’s role as a safe haven; child safety witnesses described the persistence and re-victimization caused by CSAM online; immigrant rights and education advocates said schools should remain safe from immigration enforcement; health and LGBTQ+ advocates stressed privacy and safety risks tied to tracking and harassment; privacy and consumer groups backed limits on location data and stronger provenance tools; and reparations advocates said AB 62 would help address historic injustices. Opposition came from family policy, tech, business, law enforcement, and industry groups, who raised concerns about safety claims, constitutional issues, implementation burdens, transparency, law enforcement access, and the need to preserve existing privacy frameworks and voluntary standards. The committee members largely expressed support for the policy goals while noting implementation concerns on some measures. Several members asked for or were offered coauthor status on bills. AB 1137, AB 54, AB 49, AB 82, AB 1355, AB 853, and AB 62 all received do-pass votes to Appropriations, with some members voting no or not voting on certain bills. AB 1355 and AB 853 were advanced with amendments or ongoing work promised with opponents, and AB 1043 was presented with discussion of possible amendments on parental consent and age assurance details, though the transcript cuts off before final action on that bill.

Transcript Highlights:

• Beekeeper labor is double what it used to be.
• </c><01:27:20.960><c> Beekeeper</c><01:27:21.520><c> labor</c><01:27:21.920><c> is</c> 50 pounds per
• Beekeeper labor is 50 pounds per hive.
• Beekeeper labor is double<01:27:22.560><c> what</c><01:27:22.800><c> it</c><01:27:23.040><c> used</c>
• </c><01:29:44.159><c> number</c> used to be. um and that labor number used to be. um and that labor number

Committee: Senate Agriculture, Veterans, Broadband, and Rural Development

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• consolidation and competition from dominant national chains like Walmart and Amazon, steeply rising labor
• I know that there's some concerns from some labor organizations related to retail pricing technology
• Restrictions that slow responsiveness or increase labor costs ultimately put upward pressure on prices
• </c><00:43:08.600><c> costs</c> responsiveness or increase labor costs responsiveness or increase labor
• ,</c><01:12:48.000><c> based</c> which is just the price of labor, based which is just the price of labor

Bills: HF3794 , HF3408

Committee: House Commerce Finance and Policy

Keywords: surveillance, price discrimination, wage discrimination, automated decision systems, consumer protections, data privacy, biometrics, consumer protection, price setting, biometric data, retail, privacy, 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• And then I also want to mention that this project will be built entirely with union labor and will feature
• I want to do it as a labor of love, not a necessity. I love doing it, but not like this.
• want to do<01:30:27.280><c> it</c><01:30:27.719><c> as</c><01:30:27.800><c> a</c><01:30:27.960><c> labor
• of love not a do it as a labor of love not a necessity<01:30:30.840><c> I</c><01:30:31.000><c> love<
• </c><01:37:39.679><c> Statistics</c><01:37:40.679><c> and</c> 31st by Bureau Labor Statistics and 31st

Bills: HF1143 , HF1548 , HF1340 , HF2549 , HF2559 , HF1673 , HF2740 , HF2507 , HF2461 , HF2381 , HF2695

Committee: House Housing Finance and Policy

Keywords: education funding, unemployment aid, special education, Minnesota statutes, appropriations, housing, redevelopment, local government, trust funds, community development, HF1340, housing infrastructure bonds, Minnesota Housing Finance Agency, MHFA, affordable housing, supportive housing, permanent housing, adaptive reuse, area median income, AMI

Transcript Highlights:

• content, and supports state curriculum standards and teaches critical research and information literacy skills
• and and teaches critical research and information<00:09:02.240><c> literacy</c><00:09:02.800><c> skills
• </c> information literacy skills. information literacy skills.
• foster a love for literature, guide students in research, and provide essential digital literacy skills

Committee: Senate Education Finance

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• And our range allows us to train that entire gamut of skills so that our people can be ready to do the
• Train that entire gamut of skills so that our people can be ready to do the whole job, not just parts
• we've been working with local businesses, the businesses in the Milford area want our students to be skilled
• Uh, I appreciate the opportunity to come up and speak with you and, uh, certainly if you have any skilled
• to come and work in Milford um skilled to come and work in Milford um businesses.<00:38:44.320><c> Um

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The committee heard testimony on proposed improvements to the New Hampshire State Police gun range and training facility. Commissioner Robert Quinn and Major Brendan Davy said the range is used for realistic, scenario-based training that cannot be replicated at a standard static range, including movement, use of cover, vehicle-based drills, elevation, and training under elevated heart rates and stress. They said the facility is important not only for state troopers but also for local and federal partners, and that it is used regularly for qualifications, requalification, and special unit training. Members asked about specific limitations and costs. Major Davy said the PSTC range is handgun-caliber only because the backstop is not rifle-rated, and local law enforcement can use the State Police range for qualification. Representative Kazinski questioned the size and cost of the project, and Public Works Director Theodore Copper then explained the estimate: $1.5 million for building and site work, plus soft costs, utilities, design, and inflation, bringing the total to $2.3 million. He said the proposed facility would include office space, two classrooms, restrooms, and heating and air conditioning, and that the estimate was reasonable. The committee also heard from Milford School District Superintendent Christy Misho in support of CTE funding. She said Milford has been working for years to secure support for an applied technology center renovation, that prior local bond efforts fell short of the required threshold, and that the district now plans a CTE-only local bond of about $4 million while seeking $10 million from the state. She argued the investment is needed to modernize outdated equipment and support workforce training, and said the district remains committed to the project. In work session action, the committee corrected a prior vote on the Pease Development Authority warehouse removal and replacement project, increasing the amount by $353,300 to $1,973,300 and raising the agency subtotal to $4,155,300. The committee also approved adding two Community College System items: $500,000 for an energy management system and $1.3 million for critical maintenance, for a total addition of $1.8 million. No objections were raised to these motions.