Transcript Highlights:

• Um, I have an emotional companion pet, and I've had him for 4 years.
• And what they're doing, they're using AI.
• 01:07:15.680><c> doing,</c><01:07:15.920><c> they're</c><01:07:16.080><c> using</c><01:07:16.560><c> AI
• </c><01:07:17.160><c> And</c><01:07:17.720><c> if</c> they're doing, they're using AI.
• And if they're doing, they're using AI.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• They teach information and digital literacy, and we were at the AI briefing that this committee kind
• c> digital literacy and we were we're at digital literacy and we were we're at the<00:33:19.000><c> AI
• <c> that</c><00:33:19.919><c> this</c><00:33:20.039><c> committee</c><00:33:20.399><c> kind</c> the AI
• briefing that this committee kind the AI briefing that this committee kind of<00:33:20.639><c> hosted
• testimony that we submitted, I wanted to make comments on other testimonies I saw in the Senate companion

Keywords: 910, house, all

Summary: The House Committee on Education met on February 6 at 2:00 p.m. and heard testimony on a series of education-related bills. HB 1200, which would codify teacher ratios in statute, drew support from the Department of Education, the Democratic Party of the Education Caucus, and 11 individuals; no opposition was noted and the committee moved on without questions. HB 1344, concerning mandatory FAFSA completion, received testimony from the Department of Education, Hawaii P20, and a University of Hawaiʻi student who cited unclaimed Pell Grant funds and low FAFSA completion rates as reasons to support the bill. Committee members asked about current outreach efforts, and DOE and P20 described FAFSA tracking data, hotlines, email support, school-based FAFSA nights, and coordination with counselors; members also raised concerns about federal education funding and Pell Grants. The committee then heard HB 1499, which would authorize staff and volunteers to administer certain medications. The Department of Education, Department of Health, University of Hawaiʻi nursing leadership, and the Hawaii State Center for Nursing all testified in support, along with several individuals and the Democratic Party Environmental Caucus. The next measure, HB 902 on the Public Safety Power Shutoff program, was supported by DOE, the Public Utilities Commission, and Hawaiian Electric, but it prompted extensive questioning from the Vice Chair about whether taxpayers should fund a study to help schools remain open during shutoffs. Hawaiian Electric said the bill would help DOE assess impacts in wildfire-risk areas and noted its wildfire safety strategy, outreach efforts, and potential community resource centers, while the Vice Chair argued the utility should bear more of the cost. The committee also heard HB 961, a bill on school libraries and a CASS pilot program, with DOE offering comments and HSTA and the Hawaii Library Association strongly supporting it. HSTA argued certified librarians are important for literacy, research, and digital literacy, and said many schools lack them because of cost; the association and 14 individuals testified in support. HB 962, a related bill on DOE libraries and the system, also drew support from DOE, HSTA, and the Hawaii Library Association, with 15 individuals in support. Finally, HB 730, concerning the Civil Rights Compliance Branch, received support from DOE, White Children’s Action Network, AAW of Hawaiʻi, and many individuals. Testifiers said the branch needs more resources and training and handles more than Title IX, including Title VI, Title VII, and ADA matters. A student plaintiff in a Title IX lawsuit described unequal treatment in athletics and facilities, and another supporter said the bill would help ensure compliance with federal civil rights laws. No votes were taken during the portion of the meeting provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• There is no companion. There is no companion. But we have background.
• It passed the House 90 to 1, and there is no companion.
• Senate companion. This is a bill you heard on Friday.
• Senate companion. This is a bill you heard on Friday.
• There was a companion, I think I said companion before, but it was slightly different: Senate Bill 6199

Bills: HB1526, HB1069, HB1347, HB2091, HB2264

Keywords: liquor license, snack bar, state regulations, alcohol sales, business licensing, collective bargaining, retirement benefits, employee rights, public sector, supplemental benefits, education, funding, student loans, affordability, higher education, public employers, employee information, bargaining representatives, labor relations, union representation

Transcript Highlights:

• Seventy-five percent of women who have companion animals report a history of their companion animal being
• Companion animal? I didn't see that in there. What's the definition of a companion animal?
• So the definition will be companion animal. So dog, cat. Okay. Yeah.
• She talked a lot about companion animal, but nowhere in here does it say companion animal.
• She talked a lot about companion animal, but nowhere in here does it say companion animal.

Summary: The Special Committee on Urban Issues held a public hearing on House Bill 2292, sponsored by Rep. Holly Jones, which would require cross-reporting and training between child/elder abuse systems and animal welfare personnel. Jones said the bill is intended to help identify abuse earlier by training investigators to recognize signs of abuse in both people and companion animals, and she announced planned amendments to narrow the definition of animal to dogs, cats, rabbits, and birds and to extend training time from one hour to one and a half hours. She emphasized the bill is focused on companion animals, not livestock, and said it would use existing agencies rather than create a new department. The committee heard questions about the definition of companion animal and the scope of the bill. Supporters included Humane World for Animals, the Jackson County Prosecutor’s Office, the Missouri Alliance for Animal Legislation, the Missouri Animal Control Association, the Animal Legal Defense Fund, Wayside Waifs, and the St. Louis County Police Association. They argued that animal abuse is closely linked to child, elder, and domestic abuse, that animal control officers and humane investigators often see warning signs first, and that cross-reporting would improve early intervention and save lives. Several witnesses described cases where animal abuse coincided with child abuse or other violence, and some said current reporting systems are inconsistent or delayed. One witness also said the training could be provided at low cost through existing mechanisms. Opponents, including the Missouri Pet Breeders Association, Missouri Cattleman’s Association, Missouri Federation of Animal Owners, and Missouri Animal Husbandry Association, raised concerns about the bill’s wording, possible inclusion of commercial breeders or livestock-related issues, and the role of humane investigators. They argued that animal abuse is already reported to law enforcement, that the bill could create confusion about authority or access to private property, and that it could impose costs and training burdens on agencies already stretched thin. Some rural witnesses said they wanted any investigations to remain with law enforcement and the Department of Agriculture, not animal welfare groups. The hearing ended without a vote or other action on the bill.

Transcript Highlights:

• Seventy-five percent of women who have companion animals report a history of their companion animal being
• Companion animal? I didn't see that in there. What's the definition of a companion animal?
• So the definition will be companion animal: dog, cat. Okay. Yeah.
• She talked a lot about companion animal, but nowhere in here does it say companion animal.
• She talked a lot about companion animal, but nowhere in here does it say companion animal.

Keywords: 959, house, all

Summary: The Special Committee on Urban Issues held a public hearing on House Bill 2292, sponsored by Representative Holly Jones. The bill is intended to encourage cross-reporting between child, elder, and companion animal abuse investigations, and to require related training for investigators and mandated reporters. Jones said the revised bill would limit the animal definition to dogs, cats, rabbits, and birds, exclude livestock, and increase the training time from one hour to one and a half hours. She argued the measure would improve early detection of abuse and use existing agencies more efficiently. Supporters included representatives from Humane World for Animals, the Jackson County Prosecutor’s Office, the Missouri Alliance for Animal Legislation, the Missouri Animal Control Association, the Animal Legal Defense Fund, Wayside Waifs, and the St. Louis County Police Association. They said animal abuse often co-occurs with child, elder, and domestic abuse, and that animal control officers and social service workers are often the first to see warning signs. Several witnesses described cases where animal abuse revealed broader household violence, and some said the bill would improve reporting, collaboration, and early intervention. A Missouri Animal Control Association witness also said animal control officers are not law enforcement and need training to recognize hidden signs of abuse, while another witness said cross-training can be done at low cost. Opponents included the Missouri Pet Breeders Association, Missouri Cattlemen’s Association, Missouri Federation of Animal Owners, and Missouri Animal Husbandry Association. Their main concerns were that the bill could be read to affect commercial breeders or rural property owners, could create or expand authority for humane investigators or animal rights groups, and could impose unnecessary training and administrative costs. They argued animal abuse is already reported to law enforcement and that the bill should more clearly exempt livestock and commercial breeders. Some opponents also said the state should rely on law enforcement and the state veterinarian rather than animal welfare associations. No vote was taken during the hearing.

Transcript Highlights:

• Now before us today is HB 4, the companion to SB 4 that passed out of the House yesterday.
• This is the companion to SB 4, and it's been very common practice in the Senate forever that if it's
• We do a lot of times every session when companion bills catch up. Would you agree? Mr.
• It is different than the companion SB 4.
• I picked it up and filed it in the Senate as a companion.

Summary: The Senate Special Committee on Congressional Redistricting met to lay out House Bill 4, the House companion to Senate Bill 4, and no public testimony was taken at this hearing. Senator King explained that HB 4 was based on the House’s revised congressional map, which he said made only minor changes from SB 4 while aiming to comply with law, improve Republican political performance, and keep districts compact. He noted changes affecting several districts, including moving Fort Bliss into CD 16, placing all of Navarro County into CD 6, and moving Liberty County into CD 9, and said counsel had reviewed the map and found it legally compliant. Several senators criticized the process and the substance of the map. Senators Alvarado, Miles, and Hinojosa objected that the House substitute had not been subject to a public hearing and argued that communities in Houston, El Paso, the Rio Grande Valley, and South Texas were being split or paired with unrelated areas. They also questioned the compactness of the districts and raised concerns about racial effects, including changes in Black voting-age population in CD 9 and CD 18. Senator King responded that the committee had already heard extensive testimony on redistricting, that the Senate was following its usual companion-bill process, and that he had not relied on racial data but on historical voting patterns and legal review. After debate, Senator Parker moved to report HB 4 favorably to the full Senate with the recommendation that it do pass and be ordered not printed. The committee approved the motion by a 5-3 vote, with one absent, and then recessed subject to the call of the chair.

Transcript Highlights:

• We voted out the companion, which was my bill, House Bill 1761, 11 to 0, during our April 28th formal
• Representative Leach offers up Senate Bill 293, the companion to House Bill 1761.
• The subcommittee heard the companion House Bill 1980 by Representative Hickland during their May 5th
• This is the companion to House Bill 551 by Moody. God, thank you. Thank you, sir. Okay. Okay.
• We voted out the companion House Bill 1181 by Representative Raymond, 10 to 0, during our April 24th

Bills: SB1015, SB2933

Keywords: statutory probate courts, probate court fees, judicial fund, county reimbursement, comptroller, Texas Government Code, Local Government Code, court fees, fee allocation, excess contributions, judicial education and support fund, presiding judge salary, county finance, court administration, Texas judiciary, revenue distribution, SB 2933, elder abuse, neglect, judicial training

Summary: The Committee on Judiciary and Civil Jurisprudence heard testimony on Senate Bill 1015, which would clarify that the comptroller is responsible for distributing excess judicial fund payments back to statutory probate courts. Judge Guy Herman testified in support, saying the bill would help ensure probate courts receive funding they are entitled to, while Ed Heimlich testified against the bill with broad criticism of probate courts and judicial practices. The committee then heard Senate Bill 2933, which would add elder abuse training to required judicial education for several categories of judges and judicial officers; Dr. Bruce Hargrave supported the bill, citing the prevalence and underreporting of elder abuse and the need for judges to recognize warning signs. No votes were taken on either of those bills, and SB 2933 was left pending. The committee then reconsidered Senate Bill 38, an eviction-related bill, and Vice Chair Hayes described two agreed floor amendments: one limiting the summary disposition procedure to forcible entry and detainer cases involving squatters, and another requiring a notice to pay rent or vacate for tenants who had been timely payers but missed a payment. After discussion, the committee voted 6-4 to report SB 38 without amendments. The committee also adopted or advanced a series of other bills and resolutions, including SB 293, SB 1141, SB 1448, SB 1536, SB 1558, SB 1838, SB 1940, SB 2127, SB 53, SB 251, SB 311, SB 387, SB 441 (with a substitute), SB 1164, SB 1335, SB 1574 (with a substitute), SB 1719, SB 1760, SB 1839, SB 1923 (with a substitute), SB 2807, and SJR 27 (with a substitute). Most measures were reported favorably on largely party-line or near-unanimous votes, with a few close votes on SB 942, SB 311, SB 2807, and SJR 27. SB 942, relating to retroactive child support beginning at conception, initially failed 5-5 but was reconsidered and then passed 6-5. The committee adjourned after completing its agenda.

Transcript Highlights:

• We voted out the companion, which was my bill, House Bill 1761, 11 to 0, during our April 28th formal
• The subcommittee heard the companion House Bill 1980 by Representative Hickland during their May 5th
• This is the companion to House Bill 551 by Moody. God, thank you. Thank you, sir. Okay. Okay.
• Filed by a governmental entity, we voted out the companion House Bill 551 by Speaker Moody, 10 to 0,
• We voted out the companion House Bill 1181 by Representative Raymond, 10 to 0, during our April 24th

Bills: SB1015, SB2933

Keywords: statutory probate courts, probate court fees, judicial fund, county reimbursement, comptroller, Texas Government Code, Local Government Code, court fees, fee allocation, excess contributions, judicial education and support fund, presiding judge salary, county finance, court administration, Texas judiciary, revenue distribution, SB 2933, elder abuse, neglect, judicial training

Transcript Highlights:

• We voted out the companion.
• The Companion to House Bill 1761. Representative Leach offers up a committee substitute.
• We voted out the companion House Bill 3376 by Chairman Capriglione, 11 to 0.
• This is the companion to House Bill 5551 by Moody. God. OK. The chair lays out Senate Bill 1838.
• We voted out the companion.

Transcript Highlights:

• The underlying bill here was the Senate companion for House Bill 1870, which we TAFP’d a week or so ago
• I said AI infrastructure. I do see that about what your... I do see the potential for that too.
• I'm the one that introduced the bill to put a cap on water usage for AI infrastructure.

Keywords: 959, house, all

Summary: The House convened with prayer and the Pledge of Allegiance, then approved the House Journal by a 129-0 roll call vote. Members used a series of personal privilege remarks and special introductions to recognize law enforcement wellness, personal health updates, departing colleagues, interns, guests, and a House resolution honoring Dana Powell and her Chocolate Diamonds Foundation. The chamber also received Senate messages on HB 1871 and HB 2818, and committee reports recommending passage of SB 953, SB 1470, HB 1871, and HB 1940. The House agreed to conference on HCS for SBs 835 and 1111 and on HCS for SB 1020, with a conference committee appointed for SB 1020. The body then passed Senate Substitute for SBs 97 and 1011 by a 99-45 vote after extended debate over a provision barring foreign law and international bodies from having authority in Missouri; supporters framed it as protecting constitutional rights, while opponents argued it was unnecessary, politically motivated, and potentially disruptive to existing conflict-of-law and arbitration practices. The House next took up HCS for SB 1470, a legislative research/oversight cleanup bill. Members adopted an amendment removing privacy-sensitive sections and changing a requirement for the state auditor to assist in fiscal notes from mandatory to permissive, and then adopted a second amendment debate on committee composition that was ultimately defeated 50-94. The bill passed 148-1. Members also adopted an amendment to keep the statutory revision fund sweep threshold at current law, then passed HB 1470. Finally, the House adopted and finally passed HB 1940, the newspaper/public notice bill, and began debate on HB 1871, which combines county clerk and election administration changes with Senate-added campaign finance and polling-place provisions; the bill was described as improving transparency, donor notice, election testing, and clerk procedures, with further debate continuing on electioneering distance rules.

Transcript Highlights:

• There is no companion.
• It passed the House 90 to 1, and there is no companion.
• There is no Senate companion. A fiscal note is available.
• There was a companion, I think I said companion before, but it was slightly different: Senate Bill 6199
• There was a companion, I think I said companion before, but it was slightly different: Senate Bill 6199

Summary: The committee heard testimony on several bills. Second Substitute House Bill 2479 would create a wage recovery program within L&I to advance part of unpaid wages to low-wage workers facing immediate hardship, funded by civil penalties, while also increasing and restructuring wage theft penalties and complaint prioritization. Supporters, including the prime sponsor, labor advocates, and employer representatives from the work group, said it would help workers get paid faster and was a consensus proposal; questions focused on how the current complaint process works and whether general fund money would be needed. Engrossed House Bill 1941, as amended, would allow licensed cannabis producers to form agricultural cooperatives, with the striking amendment limiting any cooperative to three producer licenses; supporters said cannabis producers should have the same cooperative tools as other agricultural sectors, while some testimony urged future changes for interstate commerce and warned against consolidation. Engrossed Substitute House Bill 2476 would expand the spirits, beer, and wine theater license from 120 to 200 seats per screen and add stronger alcohol-control measures when minors are present; theater operators and LCB supported the change, and committee questions focused on youth access and enforcement. House Bill 1526 would allow snack bar licensees to sell wine by the glass in addition to beer; the sponsor said it simply modernizes the license, and LCB noted a likely fee alignment issue and a small revenue impact. Engrossed Substitute House Bill 1155 would void non-compete agreements and expand related notice and non-solicitation rules, with testimony split between labor and worker advocates supporting broader worker mobility and business and health care groups seeking narrower exemptions for executives, physicians, and financial institutions. Engrossed Substitute House Bill 2303 would prohibit employers from requesting or coercing employees to accept microchip implants, with no testimony offered. Substitute House Bill 2405 would create a three-year pilot for earlier PTSD treatment coverage in workers’ compensation for eligible occupational disease claims, with L&I supporting it as a way to improve outcomes and reduce long-term costs. The committee also took public testimony on these bills, with strong pro and con positions noted on the wage recovery, cannabis cooperative, and non-compete measures. In executive action, the committee adopted a striking amendment and passed House Bill 1069, narrowing it to Department of Corrections employees and making supplemental retirement bargaining mandatory, despite concerns from one member about the change. The committee also adopted a striking amendment on House Bill 1347 concerning cannabis testing labs, then passed it to Rules; passed Second Substitute House Bill 1701 on liquor licensees sharing property; passed House Bill 291 on employee information for public employers to Ways and Means; passed Engrossed Substitute House Bill 2229 updating engineer registration provisions; passed House Bill 2264 on unemployment eligibility for workers in employer-initiated layoffs; passed Substitute House Bill 2472 adding enforcement for sprinkler contractors and fitters; and passed Second Substitute House Bill 2345 on paid family and medical leave premium allocation. A striking amendment to Second Substitute House Bill 1128 creating a child care workforce standards board was not adopted, and the bill then passed to Rules. The committee also announced it would hold House Bill 1066 for later action and planned to return the next day for its final executive session.

Transcript Highlights:

• As you may recall, this committee heard the companion to this measure, House Bill 2513.
• Thank you for sponsoring the companion. And thank you to all the stakeholders.
• It is the companion to House Bill 2218, which the committee heard earlier this session.
• This is the companion to House Bill 2478.
• This is the companion to House Bill 2478.

Bills: SB6134, SB6136, SB6188

Keywords: unemployment insurance, UI benefits, striking workers, strike, labor dispute, retroactive wages, overpayment assessment, overpayment recovery, Employment Security Department, ESD, claimant notice, benefit recoupment, Washington unemployment law, worker notice, federal unemployment tax credit, state unemployment fund, workers' compensation, industrial insurance, premium rates, rate transparency

Transcript Highlights:

• And so I think as much as people say AI can translate it, well, there's massive legal liabilities if
• I'm pleased to present AB 2647, a companion measure to SB 100, signed in 2018.
• I'm pleased to present AB 2647, a companion measure to SB 100, signed in 2018, signed in 2018. 4647,
• a companion measure to SB 100.

Summary: The committee heard a long series of bills, beginning with AB 2026 on groundwater recharge. The author and supporters said the bill would streamline permitting for recharge projects, codify long-standing CEQA exemptions for flood diversions to recharge, and add tribal consultation and other guardrails. Water agencies and local districts supported the measure as a way to capture high-flow water and reduce groundwater subsidence, while environmental groups and some irrigation districts opposed it, warning that the bill’s exemptions and broader diversion authority could harm rivers, Delta resources, and public trust values. The bill was discussed but not voted on because the committee lacked a quorum at that point. The committee then took up AB 1577 on data center energy accountability, which would require monthly reporting of energy-use data and permit-related estimates of energy and water demand. The author and the Little Hoover Commission argued the bill would improve transparency, help protect ratepayers, and give regulators better information for grid planning. Data center industry representatives opposed it as duplicative, burdensome, and uniquely targeted, while local governments, environmental groups, and some utilities supported it or supported it if amended. The bill was later reported out with a due pass recommendation once a quorum was established. Members also heard AB 2245 on a producer responsibility program for lubricant products and containers, AB 2170 on CEQA language-access and environmental review protections for overburdened communities, AB 2059 on rural transportation and VMT mitigation, AB 1808 on Western Joshua tree permitting and fee relief, AB 2182 on industrial energy efficiency program changes, and AB 2231 on streamlining two hospital projects. Testimony was mixed on most of these bills: supporters emphasized affordability, local control, environmental justice, or project urgency, while opponents raised concerns about CEQA scope, regulatory duplication, costs, and environmental impacts. Several measures received due pass recommendations and roll-call votes, including AB 2170, AB 2059, AB 1808, AB 2182, and AB 2231, with some members voting no or not voting and some bills left open for absent members.

Transcript Highlights:

• Now before us today is HB 4, the companion to SB 4 that passed out of the House yesterday.
• This is the companion to SB 4, and it's been very common practice in the Senate forever that if it's
• have to take public testimony again when... when you're considering the companion in the committee.
• We do this a lot of times every session when companion bills catch up. Would you agree, Mr.
• It is different than the companion SB 4.

Keywords: 1185, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• The Senate companion is over and eligible.
• The Senate companion is over and eligible.
• The Senate companion is over and eligible.
• The Senate companion is over and eligible.
• The Senate companion is over and eligible.

Bills: HB1520, HB1545, HJR110, HJR203, HB245, HB1465, HB1482, HB294, HB793, HB809, HB3928, HB334, HB2037, HB1973, HB285, HB4341, HB4264, HB 1043, HB837, HB 1234, HB 1193, HB 1194, HB1646, HB1729, HB2498, HB1314, HB2295, HB1353, HB1531, HB1988, HB5398, HB3960, HB3923, HB1407, HB1764, HB2221, HB2214, HB2517, HB2518, HB2213, HB5008, HB5092, HB3421, HB3663, HB3748, HB3800, HB3756, HB2613, HB3782, HB5246, HB4344, HB4044, HB4066, HB2702, HB2807, HB2869, HB2898, HB3181, HB3250, HB4153, HB2091, HB2115, HB2542, HB2768, HB3349, HB3352, HB4406, HB1593, HB1899, HB3133, HB4432, HB4960, HB3214, HB3915, HB3508, HB2145, SB304, SB608, SB2312, SB494, SB530, HB45, HB2520, HB35, HB47, HB318, HB349, HB554, HB1359, HB1373, HB2254, HB2259, HB2853, HB3073, HB3088, HB353, HB355, HB786, HB762, HB705, HB932, HB849, HB 1119, HB3041, HB713, HB3104, HB3970, HB4042, HB4490, HB1731, HB2607, HB3689, HB1788, HB1612, HB138, HB15, HB1971, HB1338, HB2989, HB267, HB 1201, HB2954, HB5265, HB1804, HB5061, HB1520, HB1545, HJR110, HJR203, HB1887, HB1914, HB2402, HB2306, HB1809, HB2350, HB3000, HB3237, HB3326, HB3211, HB 1056, HB2081, HB2187, HB3092, HB3308, HB3526, HB3750, HB3527, HB4219, HB4230, HB4290, HB5238, HB4804, HB4749, HB245, HB1465, HB1482, HB294, HB793, HB809, HB3928, HB334, HB2037, HB1973, HB285, HB4341, HB4264, HB 1043, HB837, HB 1234, HB 1193, HB 1194, HB1646, HB1729, HB2498, HB1314, HB2295, HB1353, HB1531, HB1988, HB5398, HB3960, HB3923, HB1407, HB1764, HB2221, HB2214, HB2517, HB2518, HB2213, HB5008, HB5092, HB3421, HB3663, HB3748, HB3800, HB3756, HB2613, HB3782, HB5246, HB4344, HB4044, HB4066, HB2702, HB2807, HB2869, HB2898, HB3181, HB3250, HB4153, HB2091, HB2115, HB2542, HB2768, HB3349, HB3352, HB4406, HB1593, HB1899, HB3133, HB4432, HB4960, HB3214, HB3915, HB3508, HB2145, HCR6, HCR12, HCR34, HCR50, HCR55, HCR58, HCR70, HCR71, HCR72, HCR74, HCR75, HCR78, HCR80, HCR93, HCR100, HCR107, HCR116, HCR117, HCR90

Keywords: Angelina and Neches River Authority, river authority, Sunset Advisory Commission, Texas Sunset Act, Special District Local Laws Code, local government, natural resources, board of directors, director training, board governance, public testimony, open meetings, public information, conflict of interest, ethics, complaint system, general manager, board president, staggered terms, removal of director

Transcript Highlights:

• Again, you heard the companion bill a few weeks ago, and so I'll be very quick with my comments.
• Representative Timmons and I co-sponsored the companion bill for that.
• And let's have a short briefing, because this is not a companion bill.
• I had a companion bill, and it's a bill I started with, and I asked her to do a companion bill because
• Reid for sponsoring the companion bill that passed this committee.

Keywords: 904, all

Transcript Highlights:

• It passed the House 68 to 26, and it had a companion bill that was not heard. 68 to 26 and it had a companion
• It passed the House 93 to 1 and there is no companion.
• There is no Senate companion.
• There is no companion.
• There is a Senate companion, Senate Bill 6199.

Summary: The committee heard testimony on House Bill 1347, which would streamline cannabis testing lab accreditation by requiring the Liquor and Cannabis Board to accept Department of Agriculture accreditation as the basis for initial certification under certain conditions and to reduce duplication between agencies. The prime sponsor and several industry witnesses said the bill is intended to clarify authority, improve efficiency, and preserve consumer safety, while LCB said it had no policy objection but wanted implementation concerns addressed. Several witnesses supported the concept but said an amendment was needed to clearly assign accreditation authority to WSDA and avoid overlapping requirements. The committee also heard and later took action on several bills. House Bill 2229 would update the Professional Engineers Registration Act by changing board membership rules, increasing pro tem members, and revising registration and exam provisions; the sponsor and board director said it modernizes qualifications without changing licensure standards. House Bill 2091 would require more complete employee contact information to be shared with exclusive bargaining representatives under the Personnel System Reform Act; union witnesses supported it and a policy witness opposed it as a privacy intrusion. Second Substitute House Bill 1128 would create a Child Care Workforce Standards Board to make recommendations on child care worker standards; supporters said it addresses workforce shortages and retention, while providers and associations argued it duplicates existing work and could lead to unfunded mandates. In executive action, the committee voted do pass on Substitute House Bills 2492, 2107, 2151, 2355, and Gross Substitute House Bill 2471, and sent them to Rules. It also voted do pass on Second Substitute House Bill 2105 and referred it to Ways and Means. Other bills heard included House Bill 1701 on shared liquor license premises, where a small business owner supported more flexible shared-space arrangements and LCB suggested amendments to prevent undue influence; House Bill 2264 on unemployment benefits for employer-initiated layoffs, which was supported as a clarification to protect workers who opt into reduction-in-force programs; Substitute House Bill 2472 on fire sprinkler work enforcement, supported by labor and industry witnesses; and Second Substitute House Bill 2345, which would adjust paid family and medical leave premium allocations to address IRS tax guidance, with broad support from labor, business, and the agency.

Transcript Highlights:

• We have a Senate companion bill, exact same language, already through the Senate. It's over here.
• We have a Senate companion bill, exact same language, already through the Senate. It's over here.
• Every day we've got new advancements in AI, data centers, cryptocurrency, robots, electric vehicles.

Keywords: 959, house, all

Summary: The House convened with prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, and approval of the House Journal by roll call vote, 104-0. Members then offered numerous personal privileges and introductions, including tributes to a deceased mentor, recognition of astronauts, guests connected to military service and law enforcement, school and university visitors, and special honors for community figures Corey Johnson and boxer Devin Alexander. A moment of silence was observed for the representative’s mentor, and several guests were welcomed from the gallery. The chamber then took up House Committee Substitute for House Bill 2481, a bill dealing with SNAP and related public benefits. The sponsor said the measure was intended to align Missouri law with federal eligibility rules, require proof of citizenship or lawful presence, use the SAVE system throughout eligibility, and direct the Department of Social Services to seek a waiver to promote healthier SNAP purchases. Members debated the bill extensively, with supporters framing it as accountability, fraud prevention, and healthier nutrition, while opponents argued it was unnecessary, could harm children, families, pregnant women, and people in food deserts, and could increase administrative costs. An amendment from the gentleman from Johnson was adopted to add MoHealthNet applicants and cleanup language, and after debate the previous question was ordered 91-46; the House then adopted the substitute and perfected and printed HB 2481 as amended. The House next considered House Committee Substitute for House Bill 1869, which would create a fund to repair damaged veteran headstones in public and private cemeteries when tree roots or other damage affect gravesites. Supporters said it would extend existing veterans’ cemetery repair assistance to more burial sites and preserve dignity for veterans and families. The bill was approved without opposition, with the substitute adopted and the bill perfected and printed. Finally, the House took up House Bill 2927, which would require settlement demands tied to extra-contractual or bad-faith insurance claims to be in writing, held open for 90 days, and reference the relevant statute. Debate centered on whether the 90-day requirement would help insurers evaluate claims or instead delay justice for injured people; concerns were also raised about bad-faith litigation and settlement timing. The House ultimately adopted the bill and ordered it perfected and printed.

Transcript Highlights:

• The ability of scammers and fraudsters is improving daily with the advent of AI and other things that
• The ability of scammers and fraudsters is improving daily with the advent of AI and other things that
• The ability of scammers and fraudsters is improving daily with the advent of AI and other things that
• </c><00:41:39.040><c> and</c><00:41:39.280><c> other</c> daily uh with the advent of AI and other daily
• Can this be utilized in place of one of those or in companion with one of those? Right.

Keywords: Education - Room 216, 22 January, 2026; 10:30 AM, 925, all

Transcript Highlights:

• As you may recall, this committee heard the companion to this measure, House Bill 2513.
• You may recall, this committee heard the companion to this measure, House Bill 2513, on January 27th.
• Thank you for sponsoring the companion. And thank you to all the stakeholders.
• It is the companion to House Bill 2218, which the committee heard earlier this session.
• It is the companion to House Bill 2478.

Summary: The Labor and Workplace Standards Committee held public hearings on several labor-related bills. SB 6197 would change plumbing license suspension rules from three infractions in three years to five infractions in five years, remove the advisory board recommendation requirement, and require L&I enforcement updates; the sponsor said the bill was narrowed after stakeholder talks, though one transition-timing issue remained unresolved. SB 6134 would require the Employment Security Department to notify striking workers applying for unemployment benefits that they may later owe overpayments if they receive retroactive wages; the sponsor and a testifier said the bill would prevent workers from being paid twice. SB 5292 would replace the PFML program’s statutory look-back premium formula with a forward-looking actuarial method while keeping the 1.2% cap and adding a four-month reserve requirement; labor, business, and policy witnesses offered support or concerns about the reserve. SB 6106 would exempt tribes and tribally owned businesses from the state WARN-style notice law and protect affected workers’ names and addresses from public disclosure; ESD and business groups supported it, while agricultural witnesses asked for a future fix for seasonal agriculture. The committee then moved into executive session on six bills. It adopted amendments to ESSB 5847, which expands access to medical care in workers’ compensation, including allowing certain outside-network providers and authorizing additional claims managers; the bill was reported out 7-2 as amended. SSB 6014, a cleanup bill correcting a date typo and protecting sensitive L&I records from public disclosure, passed unanimously. SSB 6039, allowing L&I to use electronic communications while offering a non-electronic option first, also passed unanimously. ESSB 6058, giving L&I discretion to prioritize wage complaints, was amended to align with the House companion and then passed unanimously. SB 6136, requiring publication of actuarially indicated workers’ compensation rates and disclosure when rates are set below them, passed unanimously. On SB 6188, which would expand L&I’s asbestos-certification rulemaking authority, the committee rejected an amendment that would have restored current-law limits and instead passed the bill without amendment. Members supporting the bill said it would let Washington strengthen asbestos protections if federal standards weaken, while opponents argued it could create conflicting requirements and unnecessary regulatory expansion. The bill was reported out 6-3. The committee adjourned after announcing the votes and noting it would reconvene the next day.