Transcript Highlights:

• lies ahead, and I hope that we can learn from what happened during the pandemic and really put the power
• This abuse of power cost individual health care providers thousands upon thousands in legal fees and
• Peter Powers and Carter High and Sean Sams are invited testimony.
• So we’re going to start with Pete Powers, and let me thank all of you.
• My name is Pete Powers. I’m a pharmacist from Gilmer, Texas.

Bills: SB331 , SB883 , SB926 , SB1137 , SB1138 , SB1144 , SB1151 , SB1236 , SB1270 , SB1522 , SB1869 , SB2207 , SB2422

Committee: Senate Health & Human Services

Summary: The committee heard testimony on Senate Bill 883, which would protect physicians’ ability to prescribe off-label medications and treatments, framed by the author as a “Right to Treat” measure tied to COVID-19 care. Supporters, including physicians and patient-choice advocates, said the bill would safeguard the doctor-patient relationship and prevent interference by boards, pharmacies, or hospitals. Several witnesses described using hydroxychloroquine, ivermectin, budesonide, antibiotics, steroids, and monoclonal antibodies during the pandemic, and said they faced complaints, board scrutiny, or pharmacy refusals for those prescriptions. The bill was left pending after public testimony closed. The committee then took up Senate Bill 331, which would extend hospital price-transparency requirements to additional health care facilities such as freestanding ERs, urgent care and retail clinics, ambulatory surgical centers, outpatient clinics, and birthing centers. Proponents argued that broader disclosure of prices for shoppable services would help consumers compare costs and reduce surprise billing, while opponents from ambulatory surgery centers said the bill would impose costly compliance burdens on small providers and that insurers or the state already have much of the needed data. The bill was also left pending. Senate Bill 2422 would expunge Texas Medical Board records and impose reparations for disciplinary actions tied to COVID-era treatment decisions, including references to ivermectin, hydroxychloroquine, budesonide, and masks. The author and supporters argued that doctors were unfairly targeted for trying to save patients and should be made whole; the Texas Medical Board representative said most pandemic complaints were dismissed, that actions generally involved broader issues such as privileges, documentation, or informed consent, and that no physician was disciplined solely for prescribing off-label COVID medications. The bill was left pending. Finally, the committee heard Senate Bill 2207, which would loosen Texas Medical Board rules on physicians advertising themselves as board certified, especially by reducing barriers tied to maintenance of certification requirements. Supporters said the current rule is overly restrictive, inconsistent, and costly, and that it drives physicians out of practice; they also said Texas is one of only a few states with such a rule. Witnesses described hospitals using the rule against physicians and said the change would improve transparency and competition. The bill remained pending after testimony.

Transcript Highlights:

• 21:43.159><c> clean</c> testimony from the what is this clean testimony from the what is this clean power
• 00:21:45.679><c> it</c><00:21:45.960><c> just</c><00:21:46.159><c> got</c><00:21:46.480><c> to</c> power
• Alliance I'm sorry it just got to power Alliance I'm sorry it just got to us<00:21:47.440><c> U</c><
• more than this particular bill, because 743 has language in there for preferential energy rates for power
• more than this particular bill, because 743 has language in there for preferential energy rates for power

Committee: Senate Labor and Technology

Summary: The joint hearing covered Senate Bills 470, 828, 730, and 1383. SB 470 would create a deferred retirement option program for police officers. The Employees Retirement System warned it could worsen the system’s $14.1 billion unfunded liability by stopping employer and employee contributions during the DROP period, and the Attorney General raised possible tax-qualified status, Internal Revenue Code, and age-discrimination concerns. Police and other supporters testified in favor, but the committees ultimately recommended deferring the bill indefinitely. SB 828 would expand workers’ compensation medical benefits for firefighters to cover an additional respiratory condition. The Department of Labor and Industrial Relations and the Hawaii Firefighters Association supported the measure, citing occupational exposure and health risks. The committees recommended passage with amendments, and the motion was adopted by both committees. SB 730, which concerns allowance on service retirements, drew support from the Department of Human Resources Development and the Department of Law Enforcement, but also comments from the Attorney General and ERS. DHRD said the bill could help recruitment and retention but requested more time to work on language with ERS, Budget and Finance, and the AG’s office. The committees postponed decision-making until Friday, February 7, at 3:15 p.m. in Conference Room 225. SB 1383, relating to fire protection, received broad support from the Governor’s office, Department of Defense, DLNR, Hawaiian Electric, and others. The committees agreed to pass it with amendments, including language suggested by the Hawaii Insurance Council on wildfire-related insurance issues and a committee report link to the Lina fire forward-looking report, phase three. The amended recommendation was adopted by both committees. Later in the meeting, the committees also heard SB 1360 and SB 1361 on ERS administrative and reporting matters, SB 340 on HLRB enforcement authority, and SB 997 on energy; SB 1360 and SB 1361 were presented as housekeeping measures, SB 340 drew disagreement between the Attorney General and HLRB over enforcement authority, and SB 997 was amended to incorporate prevailing-wage renewable energy rate language from SB 743 and then passed with amendments.

Transcript Highlights:

• epinephrine auto-injectors' to 'epinephrine delivery systems' to align with SB 1619 that was sent to the governor
• the Health Professions Workforce Coordinating Council and reflects recommendation number one of Governor
• facilities permitted for construction after the effective date on January 1 of 27 must incorporate a backup power
• facilities permitted for construction after the effective date on January 1 of 27 must incorporate a backup power
• HHSC must establish construction and life-safety standards for the respective form of the backup power

Bills: HB163 , HB216 , HB721 , HB2035 , HB2038 , HB3057 , HB3153 , HB3233 , HB3595 , HB3801 , HB3812 , HB4076 , HB4129 , HB4377 , HB4535 , HB4666 , HB4730 , HB4743 , HB4903 , HB5149 , HB5155 , HB1534 , HB163 , HB216

Committee: Senate Health & Human Services

Summary: The committee met without a quorum at first, then established a quorum with five members present. Members heard and left pending several House bills, including HB 4743 on allowing hospitals to license mobile stroke units under a hospital license, HB 4129 on earlier DFPS enforcement tools for single-source continuum contractors in community-based foster care, HB 4903 creating a Quad Agency Child Care Initiative to coordinate child care regulations across state agencies, HB 3812 revising the gold card/prior authorization process for physicians, HB 4535 requiring written informed consent before COVID-19 vaccination and a standardized state information sheet, and HB 4666 reducing the frequency of some HHSC reports to the legislature. The chair also noted HB 35 would be voted on later after a subcommittee back was received, and that a large number of bills would be heard the next day. Most of the testimony focused on HB 4535 and HB 4730. On HB 4535, supporters argued the bill would strengthen informed consent for COVID vaccination by requiring written consent and clearer state-level information about risks, manufacturer liability protections, and adverse-event reporting; opponents, including a pediatrician and medical groups, said existing federal and state informed-consent materials already cover these topics and warned the bill could create duplicative paperwork and penalties. On HB 3812, the Texas Medical Association supported changes that would extend the gold-card evaluation period to one year, raise transparency, and make prior authorization exemptions easier to administer, while health plans said they were neutral and viewed the bill as a balance between reducing burden and preventing fraud or unsafe care. HB 4730 drew extensive testimony from adoption professionals, birth mothers, adoptive parents, and child welfare advocates. The bill would require DFPS to create a relinquishment form, train child-placing agency staff, and extend the minimum waiting period for voluntary relinquishment from 48 hours to seven days. Supporters of the current law argued the 48-hour period aligns with hospital discharge, allows informed decisions, and helps birth parents and adoptive families begin healing and bonding without pushing children into foster care or creating legal and Medicaid complications. The author said the bill would be revised and that the seven-day provision was a work in progress. No votes were taken on the bills during the meeting; each bill was left pending after public testimony closed.

Transcript Highlights:

• Item number three, messages from the governor. Mr. Clerk, are there any messages from the governor?
• For thine is the kingdom and the power<01:21:49.440><c> and</c><01:21:49.679><c> the</c><01:21:49.920
• </c> power and the glory forever. Amen. power and the glory forever. Amen.

Transcript Highlights:

• honorable Senate and Joint Convention for the purpose of hearing the budget addressed by Your Excellency Governor
• Representatives in joint convention for the purpose of hearing the budget address by Her Excellency Governor
• being an argument for freedom, this is the first time it is ever voiced in revolutionary era, that power
• Of them as masters we do not complain, but from what authority they assume the power to dispose of our
• Assume the power to dispose our lives, freedom, and property?

Transcript Highlights:

• The legislation for this particular study was proposed by Governor Walz, Lieutenant Governor Flanagan
• The legislation for this particular study was proposed by Governor Walz, Lieutenant Governor Flanagan
• The legislation for this particular study was proposed by Governor Walz, Lieutenant Governor Flanagan
• </c><00:02:15.879><c> walls</c> was proposed by Governor walls was proposed by Governor walls lieutenant
• back</c><00:02:18.760><c> in</c> lieutenant governor um Flanigan back in lieutenant governor um Flanigan

Committee: Senate Human Services

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> of 2018 42% of existing coal power of 2018 42% of existing coal power plants<00:20:11.360><c> were
• </c><00:24:30.200><c> facilities</c> not new large Hydro power facilities not new large Hydro power facilities
• </c><00:24:59.360><c> is</c> to make sure that the Hydro power is to make sure that the Hydro power is
• , and lifting the prohibition on expanding nuclear power in Minnesota.
• </c><00:56:35.559><c> by</c> 100% electric they all are powered by 100% electric they all are powered

Committee: House Energy Finance and Policy

Transcript Highlights:

• Commerce must establish an advisory group and provide a program evaluation and a report to the governor
• Our business is to provide low, effective, quality, reliable power to our small rule areas.
• You just explained our thought process for why the governor included this as a proposed supplemental
• Substitute House Bill 2429 requires the governor, to the extent possible with existing resources, to
• The bill authorizes the governor to use private funding to support that strategic plan.

Bills: HB2675 , HB2681 , HB2714 , HB2688 , HB2481 , HB2116 , HB1408

Committee: House Appropriations

Keywords: accounts, finance, business regulation, transparency, audits, cannabis, license fees, regulatory framework, revenue generation, legalization, HB 2714, caseload forecasting, food assistance, SNAP, Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, state food assistance, budget forecasting, caseload forecast council, caseload forecast supervisor, Washington State

Transcript Highlights:

• But I want you to think about and contrast that to the governor.
• The governor has many of his living expenses covered. The governor has a security detail.
• The governor has a driver, maybe part of the security detail.
• And when the governor travels, he travels on a private plane.
• That power rests with the legislature.

Summary: The Select Committee on Property Taxes heard first from city representatives through the Florida League of Cities, who argued that property taxes are a stable local revenue source that funds core services such as police, fire, parks, public works, and stormwater work. Casey Cook emphasized that cities are optional governments with widely different tax bases and service levels, that exemptions shift the burden to fewer taxpayers, and that transparency already exists through TRIM notices, public budgets, and local hearings. Sarah Campbell of Fernandina Beach, T. Michael Stavris of Winter Haven, and Stephen O’Kee of Port St. Lucie described their budget processes, the share of general-fund revenue coming from property taxes, reserve policies, debt and capital planning, and the impact of inflation, minimum wage increases, and personnel costs. They all said local governments need predictable revenue and that any property tax changes would require careful consideration of replacement funding or service reductions. Members questioned the city panel about whether homebuyers are clearly informed about city versus county taxes and services, the role of HOAs, how many lobbyists cities employ, reserve levels, average salaries, and whether utility revenues are used only for utility purposes. The panel said TRIM notices, realtor listings, and city websites provide tax information; HOAs generally do not provide emergency services; lobbyists help local governments track Tallahassee legislation; reserves vary by city and fund; and utility revenues are generally restricted, though some cities use limited transfers. Members also asked about revenue replacement if ad valorem taxes were reduced or eliminated, and the panel said options would likely include user fees, service cuts, or other local revenue shifts. The chair also asked about public safety consolidation, and the response was that such decisions are local and may shift costs rather than create true savings. The committee then heard from county representatives after an overview by the Florida Association of Counties’ Davin Suggs, who framed counties as shared partners with the state and emphasized the gap between rising market values and the shrinking share of taxable value after exemptions and assessment limits. He said counties face a mismatch between revenue based on taxable value and expenses driven by real-world costs, and noted that most counties either held millage steady or lowered it without reaching rollback rates. He also highlighted that property taxes are only one part of county revenue, with charges for services and intergovernmental revenue often larger in some counties, and that public safety at the county level includes more than law enforcement, such as EMS, emergency management, inspections, and corrections. Deborah Manzo of Okeechobee County described a fiscally constrained rural county with limited staff, a county-supported airport, heavy reliance on property taxes for the general fund, and major cost pressures from inflation, insurance, retirement, and state and federal mandates. She said the county lowered millage slightly over recent years but still depends on multiple revenue sources and special assessments, and she flagged Medicaid, medical examiner costs, and possible firefighter workweek changes as significant concerns. Bay County Administrator Mark McQueen said his county’s budget is shaped by Hurricane Michael recovery, non-discretionary obligations, and rapid growth; he described ongoing FEMA reimbursement delays, substantial borrowing to cover disaster costs, and continuing interest expenses while the county waits for reimbursement. The county panel was still in progress when the transcript ended.

Transcript Highlights:

• Line 419, this is another technical change of a governor recommendation, and the proposal directs payments
• <00:09:45.800><c> governor</c><00:09:46.120><c> recommendation,</c><00:09:47.480><c> uh</c><00:09:47.800
• ><c> and</c> governor governor recommendation, uh and governor governor recommendation, uh and the<00
• . governor. governor.
• Chair, I wouldn't give the commissioner the power.

Committee: Senate Human Services

Transcript Highlights:

• <c> for</c> Recent history has suggested that insulation has been a problem even for our current governor
• Um, I think that's critically important to make sure that again the power, leverage, and money of an
• Uh, I had the privilege to uh the power leverage and money of an uh the power leverage and money of an
• I believe the number was that was vetoed by the governor. It is very, very similar.
• </c><01:24:21.840><c> and</c> don't know which party is in power and don't know which party is in power

Committee: House Election Law

Transcript Highlights:

• We're part of a cohort with the National Governors Association on Workforce Pell implementation, and
• The Division of Higher Education has been appointed as that designee by the governor, and that's why
• The Division of Higher Education has been appointed as that designee by the governor, and that's why
• So there's a lot of power within the combination of plans that we think will change the further we see
• So there's a lot of power within the combination of plans that we think will change the further we see

Committee: All ALC-HOSPITAL, MEDICAID, & DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES STUDY SUBCOMMITTEE

Summary: The meeting focused on Arkansas’s workforce development reorganization and a set of federal waiver requests intended to consolidate and streamline the state’s WIOA system. Commerce officials said the department has already centralized shared services, split the old workforce agency into reemployment and Arkansas Workforce Connections, and submitted a combined WIOA/Perkins state plan. They described nine waiver requests, including replacing local workforce boards with a single statewide board, creating one planning and accountability structure, allowing more flexible movement of funds across regions, easing the “last-dollar” requirement for training and supportive services, reducing required youth program elements, and allowing affiliate sites instead of mandatory comprehensive centers. Officials said the goal is to reduce administrative costs and redirect more money to training, supportive services, and employer-driven programs. Legislators raised concerns about rural representation, local employer relationships, and whether local offices would close. Commerce officials said local offices would remain open, some current staff could be rehired, and regional business councils would preserve local employer input. They said the current system is fragmented and expensive, with roughly $14 million in federal workforce funds flowing through local boards but only about $1.9 million spent on training and supportive services last year; they argued the reorganization could raise training spending to about $6 million to $7 million annually. Questions also addressed board composition, performance accountability, and how funds could be shifted between regions when needs change. The State Board of Workforce Development had approved the waiver package 11-3 before it was submitted to the U.S. Department of Labor. Members also discussed workforce access for people with disabilities, child care and transportation supports, and the role of Arkansas Launch, apprenticeships, and career and technical education. Officials said vocational rehabilitation now has better access to the state job board and that referrals and data-sharing with DHS and other partners still need improvement. Several legislators emphasized the need for training to align more closely with employer demand, especially in manufacturing, technology, health care, and rural areas. The committee also heard a brief overview of Workforce Pell, with staff explaining that the new federal short-term Pell option has narrow eligibility rules and may not fit many existing programs, including some CDL and CNA programs.

Transcript Highlights:

• What they told us is powerful.
• It's an honor to carry the bill, and I want to make certain that I honor the governor today.
• It's an honor to carry the bill, and I want to make certain that I honor the governor today.
• I got to work with both of you on a bill that the governor recently signed or is about to sign, and I
• potentially having an explicit focus on racial equality, focusing on race, culture, systemic oppression, power

Bills: HR249 , HR251 , HB395 , HB902 , SB83 , SB132 , SB157 , SB338 , SB450 , SB484 , SB501 , SB507

Committee: House Education

Keywords: artificial intelligence, AI, BESE, State Board of Elementary and Secondary Education, content standards, K-12 education, public schools, curriculum, digital literacy, computer science, STEM, technology education, student privacy, ethical AI, workforce development, future-ready workforce, instructional resources, education policy, school standards, Louisiana education

Transcript Highlights:

• Governor Edwards vetoed it, and I took a lot of criticism for it and worked hard.
• collision repair, carpentry, HVAC, electrical, plumbing, generator repair, concrete, masonry, and outdoor power
• I will tell you, the numbers pretrial from what since Governor Landry took over, we have 107 more pretrial
• Our data proves that pairing financial support with professional development is a powerful tool for stabilization
• But the men of the round table work with Governor Landry, Secretary West Scott, Chief Set Smith, Warden

Committee: House Administration of Criminal Justice

Transcript Highlights:

• One is an emergency preamble to make sure that it takes effect upon the signature of the Governor, to
• President, it may seem like a simple measure, but it is so important and so powerful and so critical

Summary: The Senate considered a campaign finance and ballot question transparency bill, taking up a series of amendments. Several amendments offered by Senator Tarr were rejected, including proposals on safety-based redactions, standardized valuation/liability reporting, higher contribution limits, municipal ballot question reporting, tax-exempt entities in ballot campaigns, and post-election audits for all statewide elections. Amendments by Senators Rausch and DiDomenico were adopted, including late contribution reporting and retroactive reporting with an emergency preamble. Senator Feingold’s amendment to prohibit pay-per-signature arrangements for petition gathering was also adopted after a roll call vote. The bill, Senate No. 2898, An Act improving campaign finance reporting by state ballot question committees, was then passed to be engrossed by a 38-0 vote. The Senate next took up Senate No. 2903, An Act honoring Blue Star families, which would provide specialty license plates at no charge to the parent, child, or spouse of a law enforcement officer killed in the line of duty. Senators spoke in support, emphasizing the sacrifice of officers and their families, including the recent funeral of Officer Stephen LaPorteur. The bill was ordered to a third reading and then passed to be engrossed by a 38-0 vote. The chamber also approved several committee extension orders. These extended deadlines for the Committees on Aging and Independence, Education, Public Service, and Economic Development and Emerging Technologies, with members noting the limited number of bills and the need for additional time to complete review, cost analysis, or respond to commission reports. The Senate then adopted an order to meet again the following Tuesday at 11 a.m., dispensed with printing a calendar, and adjourned in memory of Stuart H. Altman.

Transcript Highlights:

• But I think the greatest power of the Legislature is that of oversight in ensuring that every dollar
• down the three prisons we have deactivated and continue to close down the prisons, as all three governor

Transcript Highlights:

• County commissioners have certain powers and duties in relation to roads and bridges, including to acquire
• If I was governor, I'd declare an emergency under RCW 43.06.220, WAC 197-11-908, because all I hear about

Bills: SB6211 , SB6234 , SB6242

Committee: Senate Local Government

Keywords: real estate, excise tax, growth management, uniformity, local government, sewage, grinder pumps, residential buildings, regulation, construction, shared stewardship, counties authority, land management, environmental agreements, local governance

Transcript Highlights:

• think really means a lot to us, and that's our spiritual connection with our gods and our higher powers
• to the COVID-19 pandemic that expired in 2022, with the termination of Proclamation 20-05 by the governor

Bills: HB2352 , HB2237 , HB2249 , HB2475 , HB2408 , HB2435 , HB2309 , HB2244 , HB2281

Committee: House State Government & Tribal Relations

Keywords: conflict of interest, transparency, state employees, municipal officers, ethics, fire safety, state fire marshals, regulation, public safety, emergency services, HB 2249, Washington Technology Solutions, WaTech, civil service, classified service, exempt employees, state employment, state personnel, network security, cybersecurity

Transcript Highlights:

• really... ...means a lot to us, and that's our spiritual connection with our gods and our higher powers
• related to the COVID-19 pandemic that expired in 2022 with the termination of Proclamation 20-5 by the Governor

Summary: The committee heard several bill presentations and took executive action on three measures. House Bill 2249 would remove a civil service exemption for Washington Technology Solutions cybersecurity employees, allowing those workers to be covered by state civil service law; the prime sponsor and a Washington Federation of State Employees representative said the bill would correct an unintended statutory discrepancy and let similarly classified IT security staff organize like counterparts in other agencies. House Bill 2475 would direct the Office of Equity to develop uniform language-access guidelines for state agencies and address interpreter and translator shortages; supporters from the Latino Community Fund, WFSE, and the Office of Equity said the bill would improve access to public services for limited-English-proficiency residents. House Bill 2237 would require deputy state fire marshal salaries to be competitive with comparable local fire agencies and direct a report on whether the State Fire Marshal’s Office should be made independent of the State Patrol; supporters said current pay is too low and hurts recruitment and retention. House Bill 2408 was described as a cleanup bill removing expired provisions and obsolete references to the Department of Personnel and other outdated statutes, and OFM supported it. In executive session, the committee adopted amendments and reported out three bills. Substitute House Bill 2281, concerning tribal traditional cultural places and consultation, was amended to narrow consultation scope, remove a reference to “contemporary” lands, and add a three-year statute of limitations; a proposed amendment to remove the cause of action was rejected, and the bill passed 4-3. House Bill 2309, which limits OFM from treating a postgraduate degree as the only way to show qualifications unless required by law, was reported out unanimously. House Bill 2244, a Sunshine Committee cleanup bill on ethics and public disclosure, was amended to restore exemptions for certain donor records and driver case records and then passed unanimously. The committee also heard House Bill 2352, which would lower the ownership threshold for state ethics conflicts from 10% to 1% to align state law with municipal ethics rules. Representative Paulette argued the current 10% standard is too lax and weakens public trust, but no vote was taken on the bill during the meeting. The hearing on House Bill 2435, which would create a Legislative Office on Indian Affairs to provide training and resources for legislators and staff on tribal affairs, featured strong support from Representative Lekanoff, who said it would strengthen the legislature’s government-to-government relationship with tribes. The committee then recessed and later adjourned after completing the remaining hearings.

Transcript Highlights:

• One is an emergency preamble to make sure that it takes effect upon the signature of the Governor, to
• President, it may seem like a simple measure, but it is so important and so powerful and so critical