Transcript Highlights:

• First up, we will take HB 1347, Clinical Laboratory Personnel, by Representative Gerwig.
• The laboratory industry in Florida is experiencing a critical shortage of personnel qualified under Florida's
• care and would encourage more individuals with four-year science degrees to consider a career in laboratory
• House Bill 1347 addresses laboratory personnel shortages and strengthens the health care system for the
• Next up, we have Jessica Love with Laboratory Corporation of America waiting in support.

Summary: The Health and Human Services Committee considered eight bills and reported all of them favorably, several as amended. HB 1347 on clinical laboratory personnel was presented as a response to staffing shortages in Florida labs; the sponsor and Quest Diagnostics supported aligning state licensure with CLIA standards to improve hiring and turnaround times. The bill passed 24-0. CS/HB 47, dealing with specific medical diagnoses in child protective investigations, drew extensive emotional testimony from parents and advocates who said children had been wrongly removed after misdiagnoses; the bill was amended to tighten timelines and record-sharing requirements, then passed 26-0. CS/HB 287 created a public records exemption for applicants, owners, operators, and references of family foster homes and passed unanimously. The committee also approved CS/HB 439, allowing chiropractors to inject vitamins and nutrients under training and safety limits, after an amendment clarified they may not prescribe prescription drugs; it passed 26-0. CS/HB 1021 would allow pharmacists to administer medications in trauma centers under physician direction, and an amendment added pediatric trauma centers; it passed 26-0. HB 867 would let occupational therapists perform dry needling after specified training and supervision, and it passed 25-0. HB 1309, which shortens deadlines for patients to access their medical records and aligns nursing home access rules with federal law, drew opposition from health information management groups over privacy and portal/data-security concerns, but supporters argued it simply speeds access to records; it passed 21-5. CS/HB 915 codifies and expands Medicaid eligibility protections for working people with disabilities so they can keep coverage while employed, with strong support from disability advocates and emotional testimony from the sponsor about her son’s benefits concerns; it passed 26-0. After these votes, the committee adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• Our other laboratory is a national leader in the metrology field, ensuring traceability of field standards
• Our other laboratory is a national leader in the metrology field, ensuring traceability of field standards
• ><c> a</c><00:26:52.159><c> national</c> Our other laboratory is a national Our other laboratory is a
• </c> measures in France through the national measures in France through the national institute<00:27:
• </c> testing EVSSE through the National testing EVSSE through the National Council<00:29:12.880><c> on

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• Orthodontic lifetime maximum is increasing from 3,000 to 3,200, and a new national network benefit will
• individuals who see a dental provider outside of Minnesota that is in their dental administrator's national
• 42.879><c> new</c> increasing from 3,00 to 3,200 and a new increasing from 3,00 to 3,200 and a new national
• network benefit will be national network benefit will be available<00:03:45.200><c> for</c><00:03:45.519
• </c><00:26:40.880><c> participating</c> marine benthic laboratory participating marine benthic laboratory

Keywords: 918, senate, all

Summary: The Senate Committee on Rules and Administration met virtually on January 6, 2026, and took up four administrative policy items. Darren Hoff, Senate Human Resources Director, presented updates to the Legislative Coordinating Commission benefit book, including insurance changes tied to SEGIP, mental health and substance use office visit cost sharing, dental plan updates, dependent eligibility clarifications, a new voluntary legal services benefit, a 17% increase in Medicare premiums, and multiple leave-policy revisions to conform with the new paid leave law and other employment rules. Senator Pappas moved adoption of the benefit book with the LCC’s November 10, 2025 changes and staff technical corrections, and the motion passed. Secretary Tom Bern described a proposed Senate Policy 1.56 allowing written rules of conduct for visitors in Senate spaces, aimed at setting clear expectations for behavior such as not blocking hallways or using shouting and profanity, while being developed with consultation to address First Amendment concerns. Senator Marty moved adoption, and the committee approved the policy. Council Lexi Stangle then presented a change to Senate Policy 2.47 on severe weather emergencies that would allow employees who work remotely on severe weather days to accrue compensatory time with supervisor approval; Senator Johnson moved adoption, and the motion passed. The committee also considered a modernization of the Senate information systems policy. Secretary Bern and staff explained that the policy had not been substantially updated in about 20 years and was being condensed and updated to reflect current technology and practices. The revisions reduced the policy from 29 pages to 10, removed obsolete references, added a purpose statement, clarified email inspection and hardware/software procedures, updated website rules and accessibility guidance, and removed the secondary member page option. Senator Coleman moved adoption of the Senate information systems update, and it was approved. After the Rules Committee adjourned, the Subcommittee on Committees met and approved two appointments: one public member to the Legislative Citizen Commission on Minnesota Resources through December 31, 2030, and Senator Gustafson to the Financial Crimes Advisory Board Task Force. Members asked about the task force’s scope and the public appointee’s background; staff explained the task force advises on identity theft and financial crimes, and identified the public appointee as Sha Lang of Preston, Minnesota. Senator Pappas moved adoption of the appointment list, and the subcommittee approved it before adjourning.

Transcript Highlights:

• Associate of Housing uh NARO, National Associate of Housing Redevelopment<00:40:59.839><c> Officials
• National Sports Center asset preservation. $7 million for Mighty Ducks grant program. $1 million for
• Southern Minnesota Regional Office and Laboratory, $68.684 million.
• He had a question about what went on with the National Sports Commission and why we're moving it into
• </c><01:26:03.760><c> Sports</c> what went on with the National Sports what went on with the National

Committee: Capital Investment

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• projects through the Pacific Coast Salmon Recovery Fund, the Bonneville Power Administration, and the National
• ongoing to increase operating and maintenance costs at the department-operated fish hatcheries and laboratories
• These funds specifically would be used for inflation at the Eagle Fish Health Laboratory, the Eagle Fish
• Genetics Laboratory, and Idaho Power Company fish hatcheries operated by the department.

Keywords: 989, all

Summary: The Joint Finance-Appropriations Committee met with a quorum and first considered a trailer appropriation for House Bill 730, which changes how SNAP eligibility is determined. The committee heard that the bill would require $351,000 one-time from the General Fund for system changes in the Division of Welfare. One member argued the change was unnecessary because Idaho already has a low SNAP error rate and uses existing verification systems, but the motion passed in both chambers and received a do-pass recommendation. The committee then took up trailer actions for House Bill 898, moving the State Historic Preservation Office from the Idaho State Historical Society to the new Office of Species, Minerals, and Energy Coordination. Members discussed whether the move was requested by the governor and whether it would improve coordination and permitting efficiency; supporters said it would streamline federal review and the historical society director supported the move. The committee approved reducing the Historical Society budget by 12 FTP and $1,699,700, then approved adding the same staffing and funding to SMEC, and also adopted language exempting SMEC from certain transfer restrictions. Next, the committee considered Senate Bill 128, creating the Idaho High Need Students Fund for extraordinary special education costs. The analyst explained that the recommended one-time $5 million dedicated fund appropriation would also require a $5 million cash transfer, and that increasing special education spending could raise the state’s federal maintenance-of-effort obligation. The committee approved the $5 million appropriation and two transfers: $1 million from the Idaho Career Ready Students Program Fund and $4 million from the driver training account, all with do-pass recommendations. Finally, the committee revisited the Department of Fish and Game budget. After discussion of habitat projects, Good Neighbor Authority work, fisheries inflation, wolf depredation, communications, OITS replacements, and replacement items, a substitute motion that would have funded a larger package failed in the House, and the original motion passed instead. The committee approved a reduced Fish and Game budget package and adopted language directing the $200,000 wolf depredation enhancement specifically to wolf trapping. The meeting ended with brief discussion of the next day’s agenda and timing, including pending items such as rural health transformation and state police-related legislation.

Transcript Highlights:

• We've learned, and what some best practices from federal—I'm sorry, federal—from national organizations
• And again, this recommendation comes from national best practices and recommendations from national organizations
• am working with the village of Corrales to create a community village mural that will involve the Sandia
• I'm a bilingual certified, national board certified teacher.
• I'm at the top of my pay scale; I cannot get a higher licensure than I already have nationally, but I

Transcript Highlights:

• First off, I do believe that that's all across the nation.
• First off, I do believe that that's all across the nation.
• First off, I do believe that that's all across the nation.
• But in Utah, we were the very first bill that passed in the state in the nation.
• Parents all across the nation are asking for this legislation or asking for support.

Bills: SB1176, SB1186, SB1235, SB1286, SB1446, SB1458, SB1515, SB1616, SB1641, SB1668, SB1670, SB1678, SB1747, SB1787

Committee: Regulatory Affairs and Government Efficiency

Keywords: stormwater, water storage, replenishment credits, groundwater, aquifer, Arizona Revised Statutes, disclosure, state contracts, procurement records, donations, transparency, EMS, reciprocity, interstate compact, paramedics, emergency medical technicians, licensure, public safety, military personnel, veterinary telemedicine

Transcript Highlights:

• allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the republic for which it stands, one nation
• test or even to get to get laboratory test or even to get procedures<00:11:41.519><c> done.
• 28:58.640><c> for</c> attended a national conference for attended a national conference for physicians
• Paul Church, National Underground Railroad Network to Freedom Day in the Commonwealth of Kentucky.
• Network</c><01:23:52.560><c> to</c> National Underground Railroad Network to National Underground Railroad

Keywords: 958, all

Transcript Highlights:

• is Dan DiOrio, and I'm vice president of state policy for the Data Center Coalition, which is the national
• State policy for the Data Center Coalition, which is the national membership association for the data
• And now it mainly benefits a group of really large national distributors, not patients.
• I'd have to get back to you on the degree, but it predominantly impacts the three national, very large
• Before you is Senate Bill 5880 concerning toxicology testing by certified or accredited laboratories.

Summary: The committee began with a work session on aircraft fuel taxes, hearing from WSDOT Aviation about the FAA’s aviation fuel tax rules, Washington’s compliance history, and the potential consequences of noncompliance. WSDOT said the state has collected roughly $210 million in aviation fuel taxes since the federal compliance period began, and that FAA has questioned some of the state’s claimed offsets. Members asked about the federal authority behind the rules, who pays the taxes, and whether Boeing is affected. The committee then moved to public hearing on several bills tied to aviation fuel tax revenue. SB 5989 would redirect a small share of state sales and use tax on aircraft fuel to the aeronautics account and require reporting on airport project funding. Supporters, including port, airport, and pilot groups, said it was a measured step toward FAA compliance and airport investment; the bill’s staff summary said it would reduce general fund revenue and increase DOR costs. SB 5898 would redirect hazardous substance, petroleum products, and oil spill-related taxes on aircraft fuel to the aeronautics account. Supporters said it would bring Washington into compliance and help airports, while Ecology, counties, and ports warned it would significantly reduce MTCA and related environmental funding. SB 6240 would create a new noise and air quality mitigation account funded by a portion of hazardous substance tax revenue; airport and aviation groups opposed it as duplicative or noncompliant with FAA rules, while community and environmental advocates from Sea-Tac area cities supported it as a needed mitigation source. The committee also heard SB 6244, which would extend a hazardous substance tax exemption for certain pesticides used in Washington agriculture through 2038. Agricultural and logistics witnesses supported it as important for food security, storage, and competitiveness, and staff said it would have a small revenue loss and administrative cost. SB 6231, a governor-request bill, would repeal the sales tax exemption for data center refurbishments while keeping the exemption for original server equipment; OFM and local government groups supported it as a revenue-raising budget measure, while data center, labor, and business representatives opposed it, warning of lost investment, jobs, and competitiveness. SB 6228 would repeal the preferential B&O rate for prescription drug resellers; OFM supported it as an outdated preference, but pharmacies, wholesalers, and business groups argued the cost would be passed through to pharmacies, hospitals, insurers, and patients and could worsen pharmacy closures. The committee then heard SB 6220, which would narrow and clarify a property tax exemption for nonprofit low-income homeownership property by allowing temporary community use and preserving the exemption when property is transferred to another exempt nonprofit. The sponsor said the bill was intended to let a community land trust host local performances without jeopardizing affordable housing plans. Finally, the committee heard SB 5880, which would allow blood and breath toxicology results to be admissible if tested by ISO/IEC 17025-certified labs, in addition to the state toxicologist process. Seattle’s city attorney supported it as a way to reduce a long toxicology backlog and speed DUI cases, while counties raised concerns about shifting costs to local governments and creating unequal access based on local resources. No votes were taken in the transcript provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• I am Jamestown-S'Klallam and Bella Coola First Nations and the Executive Director of the American...
• I am Jamestown-S'Klallam and Bella Coola First Nations and the Executive Director of the American Indian
• These metrics are also endorsed by the National Alliance of Healthcare Purchaser Coalitions.
• This... metrics are also endorsed by the National Alliance of Healthcare Purchaser Coalitions.
• And that is from Thomas Insel, former director of the National Institute of Mental Health.

Bills: HB2555, HB2658, HB2683, HB2685, HB2168, HB2196, HB2545

Committee: Health Care & Wellness

Keywords: Medicaid, healthcare, traditional practices, health insurance, coverage expansion, mental health, insurance coverage, transparency, consumer protection, efficiency, health carriers, providers relations, tribal data, data protection, privacy, sharing of information, Indigenous rights, overdose prevention, data sharing, public health

Transcript Highlights:

• I pledge allegiance to the United States of America and to the republic for which it stands, one nation
• And whereas, J.B. was classified as a top 100 player in the nation by the website Rivals.com.
• I also like to introduce Lieutenant Colonel Jordie Womack, United States Air Force and Air National Guard
• Solomon, in addition to having a great personality, is a junior at Sandia Prep.
• The response said national data show that, for example, 58% of students who have experienced restraint

Bills: HB111, HB103, HB60, HB108, HB120, HB145, HB154, HB164, HB291, HJR6, HR1, HJM2, HJM3, HJM1, HM7, HM17, HM4, HM22, HM23, HM24, HM26, HM2, HM16, HM32, HM13, HM47, HM11, HM14, HM21, HM34, HM50, HB38, HB47, HB63, HB64, HB127, HB165, HB184, HB200, HM20, HM51

Keywords: water law, state engineer, civil penalty, compliance order, water rights, overdiversion, illegal diversion, groundwater storage and recovery, well license, permit violation, water enforcement, New Mexico water code, irrigation district, conservancy district, water diversion, unauthorized water sales, measuring device, district court appeal, water resources, water compliance

Transcript Highlights:

• Air Force special operations base, we can really think about water security through the lens of national
• This is a critical project for national security and military readiness as well.
• Water security equals mission readiness and lethality and therefore national security.
• But it also matters right now because of national security and mission readiness and lethality on the
• National Lab, so that would be an afternoon sort of optional day before we get going with the regular

Transcript Highlights:

• Washington is the leading apple-producing state in the nation, accounting for more than 60% of U.S. apple
• as her higher education advisor, but also for the Association of Community College Trustees, the national
• But again, the benefit of this is that it is an engaging learning living laboratory.
• And again, those geo-eco nodes are going to serve as a living laboratory for our students and the greater
• And again, those geo-eco nodes are going to serve as a living laboratory for our students and the greater

Bills: SGA9314, SGA9282, SGA9288, SGA9296, SGA9232, SGA9233, SGA9235, SGA9236, SGA9237

Committee: Higher Education & Workforce Development

Keywords: 904, all

Bills: HR33, HR138, HR200, HR243, HR267, HR307, HR353, HR383, HR443, HR446, HR449, HR451, HR453, HR457, HR459, HR460, HR461, HR462, HR464, HR466, HR467, HR474, HR475, HR477, HR479, HR481, HR482, HR483, HR484, HR486, HR487, HR490, HR491, HR497, HR502, HR505, HR509, HR510, HR511, HR512, HR513, HR515, HR516, HR527, HR531, HR532, HR541, HR542, HR547, HR548, HR549, HR550, HR555, HR557, HR564, HR568, HR574, HR575, HR576, HR577, HR578, HR580, HR584, HR586, HR587, HR588, HR589, HR594, HR595, HR597, HR599, HR606, HR607, HR608, HR609, HR610, HR611, HR612, HR613, HR615, HR616, HR617, HR619, HR620, HCR65, HCR119, HR434, HR447, HR450, HR454, HR455, HR458, HR463, HR476, HR478, HR488, HR489, HR492, HR496, HR499, HR522, HR523, HR524, HR533, HR534, HR535, HR536, HR537, HR539, HR546, HR552, HR553, HR554, HR556, HR579, HR582, HR598

Keywords: autism, neurodiversity, awareness, acceptance, public health, HR 138, H.R. 138, House Resolution, Texas House, 89th Texas Legislature, Susan Christian, Houston Mayor's Office of Special Events, MOSE, retirement resolution, congratulatory resolution, ceremonial resolution, Houston, special events, city events, civic events

Transcript Highlights:

• First off, I do believe that that's all across the nation.
• But in Utah, we were the very first state in the nation to pass a bill like this.
• Parents all across the nation are asking for this legislation, or asking for support.
• These are the tightest bills that are running in the nation right now.
• The nation right now, and, of course, they're going to be legally challenged.

Summary: The Committee on Regulatory Affairs and Government Efficiency approved the February 11, 2026 minutes and then heard several bills. SB 1668, dealing with funeral and disposition timelines and related requirements for unborn children and minors, drew emotional testimony from funeral industry representatives and a parent about burdensome deadlines and problems obtaining signatures from an ex-partner; it also drew opposition over language referencing abortion clinics and reproductive freedom. The committee adopted a due-pass recommendation on a 4-3 vote. SB 1286, on veterinary telemedicine prescription limits, was amended to shorten non-antimicrobial prescriptions to 30 days and allow antimicrobial prescriptions for up to 14 days without an in-person exam; veterinarians and industry representatives were neutral with caution or supportive, while opponents warned about overprescribing and inadequate diagnosis. The amended bill passed 4-3. The committee then passed SB 1235, joining the emergency services personnel licensure interstate compact, on a 7-0 vote, with the sponsor describing it as a reciprocity measure for EMTs and paramedics. SB 1446, which changes dialysis social worker documentation from monthly to quarterly to match federal and most state practice, also passed unanimously after support from DaVita. SB 1515, an Industrial Commission cleanup bill that renames positions, removes obsolete private employment office oversight language, and shifts publication of fee schedules online, was amended and passed 7-0. SB 1678, concerning documentation and oversight in health care institutions and group homes for vulnerable adults, was amended to remove a patient-form requirement and instead require DHS investigation when EMS personnel complain that a DNR was not provided; providers moved to neutral or support after the amendment, and the bill passed 6-0 with one not voting. Finally, the committee began hearing SB 1747, which would require social media platforms to terminate accounts for minors under 14 and certain 14- and 15-year-olds without parental consent and impose age-verification and harmful-content restrictions. Opponents from NetChoice, TechNet, and Meta raised privacy, security, and constitutional concerns and argued for app-store-based parental controls instead, while a parents’ advocate supported the bill as a starting point for child safety. The transcript ends during that hearing without a final committee action on SB 1747.

Transcript Highlights:

• or drug testing performed on a race animal is required to be conducted by the TVMDL or another laboratory
• Item 4, interagency procurement and forensic laboratory services.
• Um, it's a laboratory in California. In California. Why are we going to California and not here?
• Not every state in the nation can say that. We have a competitive market and.
• Our program administers state and national examinations required for licensure in Texas and qualifies

Transcript Highlights:

• Washington is the leading apple-producing state in the nation, accounting for more than 60% of U.S. apple
• as her higher education advisor, but also for the Association of Community College Trustees, the national
• as her higher education advisor, but also for the Association of Community College Trustees, the national
• But again, the benefit of this is that it is an engaging learning living laboratory.
• And again, those geo-eco nodes are going to serve as a living laboratory for our students and the greater

Summary: The Senate Higher Education and Workforce Development Committee first waived the five-day notice rule and held a public hearing on Substitute House Bill 2525, which would establish a Heritage Orchard Program at Washington State University. Staff explained the bill was narrowed from the original version and would require WSU to maintain a registry of heritage orchards and a list of rare and lost apple varieties, with a null and void clause and fiscal note available. Representative Gloria Mendoza testified in support, describing Washington’s apple history and the effort to identify and preserve old apple trees still found on farms and trails around the state. Members asked questions about how the program would locate trees and preserve historic varieties, but no vote was taken on the bill during the hearing. The committee then heard several gubernatorial appointments to higher education boards. Representative Deborah Inteman was nominated to the State Board for Community and Technical Colleges, Bryce W. McKibben to the Pierce College Board of Trustees, former Senator David Frockt to the Western Washington University Board of Trustees, and former Senator Christine Rolfes to the Olympic College Board of Trustees. Each appointee described their background in higher education, public service, and community college or university advocacy, and members asked about attendance, board service, and how they would help bridge legislative and institutional priorities. The committee also held a work session on Central Washington University’s geothermal and decarbonization efforts, with staff explaining the university’s open-loop geothermal system, planned geo-eco plants, and climate action goals tied to state clean building and decarbonization mandates. CWU officials said the project is intended to reduce emissions, support campus heating and cooling, and serve as a living laboratory for students. In executive session, the committee moved to report a panel of gubernatorial appointments, including the higher education appointments heard that day, with a recommendation that they be confirmed. The motion passed by voice vote, and the committee adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• Ultimately, our goal is to make Minnesota the most fire-safe state in the nation, and we do that in a
• Ultimately, our goal is to make Minnesota the most fire-safe state in the nation, and we do that in a
• in the counties where there are local crime laboratories.
• in the counties where there are local crime laboratories.
• </c><01:15:21.600><c> and</c> Partnerships with tribal Nations and Partnerships with tribal Nations and

Committee: Judiciary and Public Safety

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• was burning and we needed a large air tanker, we would be in competition with California, and the National
• 2024, 44 days of that three month time period, large air tankers were UTF, unable to fill at the National
• because wildfire across the nation does seem to be getting worse and the aircraft out there are limited
• Amy Swinford, testifying neutrally on behalf of Texas A&M Veterinary Medical Diagnostic Laboratory.
• I'm Amy Swinford, the director of the Texas A&M Veterinary Medical Diagnostic Laboratory.

Bills: HB294

Committee: Agriculture & Livestock

Keywords: energy efficiency, tax exemption, residential properties, sustainability, real estate

Transcript Highlights:

• We have a laboratory that you all might be familiar with if you look at our building; it's the one wing
• There'll be a fire program at the national fire summit in Alva this August. they really a lot of national
• So we want Oklahoma to be the best place in the nation to live, work... And do business.
• philanthropic dollars we have, they will match it with a national dollar.
• Industry sector partnerships are a very formalized national model.

Committee: A&B Natural Resources Subcommittee

Summary: The meeting began with a budget presentation from the Oklahoma Department of Agriculture, Food and Forestry. Secretary Blaine Arthur and Deputy Commissioner Jan Lee described the agency’s divisions and recent efforts to improve efficiency, including expanded online licensing, electronic veterinary inspection certificates, and a new laboratory information system. They highlighted youth and workforce programs, local food initiatives for schools, market development efforts, and ongoing animal health concerns such as avian influenza, equine herpesvirus, and the threat of New World screwworm. They also discussed staffing, turnover, and uncertainty around federal cooperative agreement funding, while noting they were not requesting new or additional appropriations for the upcoming fiscal year. Members asked about meat inspection staffing, the use of one-time forestry firefighting funds, biosecurity and national security coordination, and agency staffing levels. The department said meat inspection was currently in good shape but dependent on federal funding stability, and explained that prior firefighting dollars had been used for equipment purchases. They also said they work with state and federal partners, including DHS and FBI, on threat preparedness and have reduced turnover by adjusting salaries and maintaining staffing at or below prior levels. The Oklahoma Conservation Commission then presented its budget and program overview. Staff described the agency’s long history and current work in water quality, flood control, soil health, unpaved roads, wetlands, and woody species control, especially eastern red cedar removal. They emphasized data-driven, voluntary conservation practices, citing stream cleanups, flood-control dam benefits, pond cleanouts during drought, and the Cherry-Peach watershed project as examples of programs that improve water resources and reduce wildfire risk. The agency said its workload has grown significantly and requested funding for critical dam repairs, local conservation district staffing, continued unpaved roads work, and expansion of woody species control statewide. Members asked about county matching for road and dam projects, who to contact about flooding roads, sediment removal from pond cleanouts, and the effectiveness of county training programs. Commission staff explained that county in-kind work can count as match, local conservation districts are the first point of contact, and the road training has produced measurable savings and better maintenance practices. They also clarified that “high hazard” dams are those where failure could threaten people or infrastructure downstream, not necessarily dams that are structurally failing.