Video & Transcript : 'forest practices' :
Page 374 of 500
CA
California 2025-2026 Regular Session
Senate Local Government Committee Apr 15th, 2026
Transcript Highlights:
- This bill takes a targeted, practical approach that will...
- This bill takes a targeted, practical approach that will require Riverside County to separate the sheriff
- There's no guarantee, as long as the current practice of the jail service, custody service is not proper
- So we think this is a practical fix to modernize sophistication, to meet, if you will, the technology
- So SB 1283 provides a practical fix. So SB 1283 provides a practical fix.
Summary:
The committee heard a long agenda of housing, local government, and governance bills, beginning without a quorum and proceeding as a subcommittee until quorum was established. SB 1003, by Senator Grayson, would create an Infrastructure Partnership Financing Program to help local governments and developers fund infill housing infrastructure; supporters said infrastructure costs often prevent projects from penciling out, while a senator questioned whether the state would actually fund the new program. The bill passed the committee 3-1 on call. The committee also adopted a consent calendar covering SB 1169, SB 1086, SB 1126, and SB 1439-1442, also 3-1 on call.
SB 1014 would require local jurisdictions to provide early good-faith estimates of on-site and off-site improvements and bar undisclosed later requirements; Habitat for Humanity, SPUR, and housing advocates supported the bill, while the City of San Mateo opposed the preliminary-application timing. Members raised questions about the 30-business-day deadline and coordination with other agencies. The bill passed 4-2 on call. SB 1036, which would require fee credits for prior site uses when redeveloping a site with similar prior uses, drew broad support and no opposition and passed 5-0 on call. SB 1145, a district bill for the Concord Naval Weapons Station reuse project, would streamline CEQA and federal base-closure review for qualifying projects; labor, the city, and county supported it, while housing legal advocates opposed unless amended over Surplus Land Act concerns. The bill passed 6-0 on call after discussion of affordability and enforceability amendments.
The committee then heard SB 908, which would streamline permits for energy-code-compliant residential window replacements and limit city/HOA design restrictions; supporters said it would let homeowners and affordable housing providers lower energy costs, while local government groups opposed, citing local control and design standards. It passed 3-1 on call. SB 1172, the Local Tax Savings Act, would add guardrails and transparency to local tax-sharing consultant agreements; the City of Shafter and League of California Cities supported it, and it passed 4-0 on call. SB 1379 would separate the Riverside County Sheriff-Coroner offices and create an independent medical examiner; supporters cited in-custody death rates and public trust concerns, while the sheriff’s association and county representatives opposed on cost and local control grounds. The bill passed 4-1 on call.
Finally, SB 1283 would expand streamlined permitting for EV charging stations to include canopies and on-site energy storage systems; EV industry supporters said the bill updates outdated rules, while cities and counties warned about safety review, liability, and litigation risk. Members discussed battery storage safety and local permitting authority, and the bill passed 4-0 on call. The committee also heard SB 1414, which would create an independent redistricting commission for San Bernardino County; supporters argued it would improve transparency and reduce political self-interest, while the county opposed due to its existing advisory commission and estimated implementation costs. The transcript cuts off during questioning on SB 1414, with no final vote shown.
LA
Transcript Highlights:
- you know I'm recording,' that's disclosure, and a person says, 'I don't want to be recorded,' what practical
- let you know i'm recording that's disclosure and a person says i don't want to be recorded um what practical
- Independent review is a standard best practice in many areas of health care and insurance, and I believe
- as guidelines but not be regulatory in nature, they'd be like, look, we think these are the best practices
- Basically, the Pharmacy Practice Act defines compounding and includes that compounding does not include
Keywords:
healthcare, criminal convictions, employment, background checks, prohibited offenses, homelessness, homeless shelter, emergency shelter, transitional housing, group home, halfway house, shelter standards, housing standards, sanitation, habitability, fire marshal, inspection, local permitting, parish government, Louisiana Department of Health
LA
Louisiana 2026 Regular Session
Commerce Mar 30th, 2026
Commerce, Consumer Protection, and International Affairs
Transcript Highlights:
- Like many legal things, this guidance made legal sense, but maybe not practical sense.
- But in practice, In practical terms, it put many pension plans and financial institutions in a bind.
- Violations of the bill would be considered violations of Louisiana's unfair trade practices and consumer
- this bill characterizes the failure to disclose this information as a violation of the Deceptive Practices
- bankers, with this bill, it says that it has to be in accordance with the Louisiana unfair trade practices
Summary:
The committee first took up House Bill 750 by Rep. Cox, the “Click to Cancel Act,” regulating automatic renewal contracts. After adopting technical and substantive amendments, members discussed easier cancellation methods, reduced notice requirements, shorter record-retention periods, a 30-day cure period, small-business exemptions, and limiting damages to actual damages. The bill drew support from consumer advocates and opposition cards from industry groups, and it was reported favorably as amended.
House Bill 259 by Rep. DeWitt addressed damage to underground infrastructure during BEAD-funded broadband excavation projects, requiring notice before digging and making contractors repair or pay for damage before final payment is released. An amendment added pre-construction coordination, a point of contact, and fault-based liability language. Members discussed rural utility damage, broadband buildout, and the need to protect small water systems; the bill was reported favorably as amended. The committee then considered HB 220 by Rep. Schlegel, which requires covered platforms to maintain an easy-to-use reporting mechanism for child sexual abuse material and exploitation. After technical and clarifying amendments, the sponsor and members discussed scope, nonprofit and small-business exclusions, AG enforcement discretion, and concerns about clear-and-conspicuous placement. The bill was reported favorably as amended.
Next, HB 830 by Rep. Wright required proxy advisors to disclose when anti-management recommendations are not based on written financial analysis and to provide that analysis when it exists. After amendments excluding certain affiliates and 501(c)(3) charities, the sponsor and a witness argued the bill was about transparency and fiduciary duty, while LASERS testified in opposition, saying the measure could make proxy advice unavailable and create a hardship for its internally managed portfolio. The bill was nonetheless reported favorably as amended. The committee also advanced HB 463 by Rep. McMakin, which raises the maximum local 9-1-1 service charge from $1.25 to $2.00, with an amendment requiring annual reporting and local governing authority approval; testimony explained the funding need for Next Generation 9-1-1, and the bill was reported favorably as amended.
Finally, the committee began HB 536 by Rep. Coates on wireless communication facilities near schools. After adopting technical and then lengthy substantive amendments narrowing the school proximity zone, adjusting setbacks, adding co-location and permit timing provisions, and clarifying uniform application, members raised concerns about whether the bill duplicated existing safety standards, could delay deployment, and whether it would apply only to new towers. The sponsor and a parent witness emphasized school safety and emergency planning, but discussion remained ongoing when the transcript ended.
OK
Oklahoma 2026 Regular Session
House of Representatives Second Regular Session of the 60th Legislature Day 30 Mar 26th, 2026
Oklahoma House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- Representative, does this bill change the current practice of equal access? Yes.
- . ...continue to use an accreditor that has used DEI practices if the accreditor formally repeals those
- practices.
- It's those practices that could be embedded that we're asking the institutions to look into and then
- So our private Christian universities are able to utilize DEI in their accreditation practices, but our
Bills:
HB3407, HB1242, HJR1081, HB3443, HB3781, HB1939, HB4237, HB3430, HB3321, HB3905, HB3329, HB4253, HB4421, HB4311, HJR1046, HB2015, HB3244, HB4265, HB3941, HB4203, HB2941, HB3695, HB3380, HB3132, HB3673, HB3134, HB3383, HB4490, HB4058
Keywords:
property rights, abandoned homes, manufactured homes, notification, salvage, real estate, Oklahoma Tax Commission, landowner liability, redemption, HB1242, cervidae, deer, elk, sales tax exemption, agricultural exemption, livestock, ranching, farm tax, agricultural sales tax, agriculture
Summary:
The House convened, heard an invocation from Rep. Kendrix, and recognized Dr. Jason Reagan as doctor of the day. Members then took up a long series of bills, with most moving through amendment, third reading, and final passage. Early measures included HB 3407 on abandoned personal property/manufactured homes, HB 1242 expanding agricultural sales tax exemptions to deer and elk, and HJR 1081 proposing a constitutional property-tax freeze for certain seniors; the senior tax resolution drew extended debate over valuation thresholds, renters, and county fiscal effects before passing. HB 3443 redirected funding for the Way Station Revolving Fund, HB 3781 changed insurance rate filing timing, and HB 1939 addressed Turnpike Authority notice procedures and landowner notification, including certified mail and a one-mile notification area. All three passed.
The chamber also approved several criminal justice and public safety measures. HB 4237 and HB 3430, both part of a negotiated criminal-justice package, passed after title-only amendments; HB 3321 shifted to reporting on cost arrest warrants and passed with an emergency clause; HB 3905 clarified GPS monitoring for certain domestic-violence and stalking defendants; HB 2941 required first responders to notify law enforcement about suspected overdoses and created immunity for good-faith reporting; and HB 3695 refined the definition of great bodily injury in DUI cases. HB 3329 repealed the long-term care facility advisory board, and HB 4421, “Leo’s Law,” aimed at protecting children from fentanyl exposure in homes, was amended to address residue cleanup and reporting concerns before passage.
Other notable actions included HB 4253, which would give teachers access to professional educator groups; it passed the House but the emergency clause failed. The bill prompted substantial debate over teacher choice, bargaining units, and whether the measure would create multiple representation arrangements. The House also passed HB 4311 increasing the Treasurer’s share of the unclaimed property administration fee, HJR 1046 providing a one-year ad valorem tax break for homes destroyed by disaster, HB 2015 on landlord-tenant issues, HB 3244 strengthening fraud and identity-theft laws, HB 4265 naming memorial roads and bridges, HB 3941 raising secretary/bailiff pay, HB 4203 allowing single-stair small multifamily units, HB 3380 on foster care transparency and outcomes, HB 3132 and HB 3134 on higher-education accreditation and DEI-related standards, and HB 3673 allowing certain expired electrical licenses to be reinstated. Most measures passed with broad support, while a few drew opposition over fiscal impact, legal concerns, or policy implications.
ID
Transcript Highlights:
- Practices vary between districts, charter schools, and private schools.
- Practices vary between districts, charter schools, and private schools.
- This establishes that student safety is a priority and consistent hiring practices are needed.
- now, and in my conversations with a variety of different charter school leaders who are currently practicing
- In practice, that is rarely the case.
ND
North Dakota 2026 1st Special Session
Budget Section Leadership Division Mar 18th, 2026
Transcript Highlights:
- reviewing state agency cash management technology and opportunities to improve state cash management practices
- , reviewing state- and opportunities to improve state cash management practices, reviewing state agency
- board remains in effect through June 30, 2028. and opportunities to improve state cash management practices
- Those practices can reduce investment earnings, add unnecessary complexity, or create timing misalignments
- These are practices that may make sense for the agency, but not from a statewide perspective.
Summary:
The committee met with a quorum, approved the previous minutes, and then received an update from Senator Jonathan Sickler on the Cash Management Board’s work under House Bill 1278. He said the board has been reviewing statewide cash, liquidity, and investment practices, finding that the state generally manages money well but could improve forecasting, automation, and coordination across agencies. He highlighted that the state has about $35 billion in liquid assets and investments, with most in longer-term investments, and described a change already underway replacing more than 500 six-month CDs with a special-rate savings account to reduce administrative work. Members also discussed the impact of House Bill 1176 on Legacy Fund earnings and the possibility of future legislation to avoid losing investment returns when large transfers are made all at once. The board also noted that some agencies still hold funds outside the Bank of North Dakota system, and that this is being reviewed.
Representative Nathan Toman then updated the Task Force on Government Efficiency, saying the group has focused on how to measure whether programs are actually working. He said the task force has not yet proposed legislation, but the administration has agreed that new and expanding programs should answer five questions, including who is affected, what outcome is expected, whether there is another way to do it, and how success will be measured. Members discussed the need for dashboards, program evaluators, better data collection, and possible use of artificial intelligence to identify duplicate or outdated programs. Toman said the task force will continue reviewing agency workflows, with upcoming presentations from courts, the university system, the auditor, and other agencies, and that future legislation or rule changes may be needed to require performance metrics.
Phil Davis of Job Service North Dakota presented labor market and program updates. He reported that North Dakota’s unemployment rate is 2.5%, labor force participation is about 68.7%, and the state continues to rank near the top nationally. He reviewed job openings, in-demand occupations, and several workforce programs, including H-2A agricultural worker inspections, the Job Placement Partnership Program with DOCR, and virtual and in-person job fairs. Davis said the DOCR partnership has shown strong results, with lower recidivism and higher earnings for participants, and he emphasized that Job Service tracks outcomes and reports them to federal and state partners. Members asked about child care subsidies, workforce participation, agency coordination, and whether more staff are needed for H-2A inspections.
Finally, Allen Knutson presented the updated S&P Global revenue forecast. He said oil prices have risen sharply since the last update, making the revenue outlook more favorable but still volatile. S&P’s baseline forecast showed the current biennium’s four major tax collections about $89 million above the legislative forecast, and a much larger increase for the next biennium, though he cautioned that federal tax changes and oil market uncertainty could alter the numbers. In an alternate scenario using higher near-term oil prices, he estimated about $242 million more in oil and gas tax collections and roughly $120 million more for the Strategic Investment Fund. Members asked whether another forecast should be requested once oil markets stabilize and about changes in tribal oil production assumptions.
ID
Transcript Highlights:
- . politically, often people would probably see this as opposing. and practically, politically, often
- This is already in practice in five other states, to include Florida and Texas, and it is effectively
- The proposal limits the absolute right to refuse NJP, which is a practice in 32 other states in some
- The ability to limit the right to turn down in NJP is practiced in 32 other states in some form, and
- I'm not aware of any state that prohibits these practices. I don't see any other questions.
WV
West Virginia 2026 Regular Session
Senate in Session Mar 13th, 2026 at 10:19 am
West Virginia Senate Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- Well, excuse me, he can sit on the bench, he can watch a practice, but he can't play.
- You've got to watch your teammates play because you've got to get a prerequisite number of practices
- And the coach said, well, can we count maybe the pregame warm-up as a practice to help him get out on
- They practice together. They do dances together. They do all these things together as a group.
- We actually make practical decisions up here in this body. I urge you to vote yes.
VA
Transcript Highlights:
- Speaker, SB 84 is a cognate of my HB 1330, which adopts guardrail language, good governance practices
- part where we don't get to establish religion, but miss the part where we don't prohibit the free practice
- Next up, we come to House Bill 489, which relates to restorative justice practices.
- This bill has to do, as the clerk noted, with restorative justice practices, to codify it into law.
- House Bill 808 now before you relates to insurance unfair claim settlement practices and modification
AZ
Transcript Highlights:
- child welfare services, substance abuse treatment centers, community organizations, and private practice
- Prior to joining the bench in April 2021, she was a partner in private practice.
- Her family practice includes a broad range of specialties.
- Prior to joining the bench in April 2021, she was a partner in private practice.
- Her family practice includes a broad range of specialties.
Summary:
The House convened, opened with prayer and the Pledge of Allegiance, welcomed Judges Day guests and other visitors, and read a proclamation recognizing March 2026 as Social Work Month. Members also made brief introductions of guests and the doctor of the day, Dr. Philip Williams. The chamber then moved through a long Committee of the Whole agenda, taking up numerous bills with committee and floor amendments, most of them receiving do-pass or due-pass recommendations after brief explanations and some debate. Notable discussion included HB 2444, where several members raised concerns about pharmacist-led care, patient safety, and rural health impacts, while the sponsor argued it would expand affordable access to care; HB 2726, which drew comments about a new sleep apnea device and whether it was a vendor-driven proposal; HB 2991, a bipartisan effort to address social media harms to children; and HB 4070, a bill framed as a “corporate death penalty” approach to combat sex trafficking. Other measures addressed kinship placement in child welfare, midwifery oversight, vulnerable adult protections, tuition waivers for children of disabled veterans, license plate omnibus language, and county and education-related issues.
After the Committee of the Whole reported, the House adopted the report and assigned measures for engrossing. The chamber then proceeded to third reading votes on several bills. HB 2123, dealing with financial institutions and gold/silver legal tender, failed on a 24-28 vote after an excusal request was granted to one member with a financial conflict. HB 2270, concerning county authority and sheriff’s posse dissolution procedures, passed 50-3. HB 2324, creating a state fire marshal-related provision, passed 53-0, as did HB 2404 on mental health services. HB 2495 on sentencing failed 26-27. HB 2557 on patient records passed 37-16, HB 2574 on traffic violation appeals passed 52-0, HB 2594 on domestic relations and address confidentiality passed 44-9, HB 2611 on child welfare passed 51-0, HB 2681 on the county employee merit system passed 53-0, and HB 2697 also passed 51-0. The session continued into additional votes beyond the excerpt.
CO
Colorado 2026 Regular Session
Colorado House 2026 Legislative Day 037 Feb 20th, 2026
Colorado House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- It is about making the law workable, enforceable, and practical for Colorado.
- workable, about making the law workable, enforceable,<00:50:50.559><c> and</c><00:50:50.800><c> practical
- </c> enforceable, and practical for Colorado. enforceable, and practical for Colorado.
- </c><00:55:00.640><c> and</c><00:55:00.880><c> things</c> dentist, family practices and things dentist
- , family practices and things like<00:55:01.200><c> this.
CA
California 2025-2026 Regular Session
Joint Hearing Joint Legislative Audit and Assembly Business and Professions Committee Feb 17th, 2026
Transcript Highlights:
- educating licensees on program rules, the department could not demonstrate that it has policies and practices
- The department could not demonstrate that it has policies and practices that position it to consistently
- We also recommended that the department develop policies and practices to ensure licensees who repeatedly
- We view this audit not simply as an evaluation of past practices, but as an opportunity to strengthen
- relies on broad terms like cartoon or appealing to minors without defining what those words mean in practice
Summary:
The Joint Legislative Audit Committee heard an audit on the Department of Cannabis Control’s oversight of cannabis packaging and labeling, focused on whether products attractive to children are being kept out of the legal market. The auditor said the department’s rules are often vague or subjective, leading to inconsistent enforcement, and that the state relies heavily on licensees to self-police because there is no upfront review before products reach the market. The audit cited examples involving cartoon-like images, bright colors, flavor references, candy-like imagery, strain names, and beverage packaging, and recommended clearer statutory standards, possible pre-approval of packaging, better enforcement tools, and stronger tracking of repeat violators.
Assemblymembers and senators largely agreed that child safety is the priority, but differed on the best policy response. Some members argued for clearer legislative limits and even plain packaging, saying products like root beer, cherry pie, and cereal-like designs are plainly appealing to children. Department officials said they had already begun reforms, including a centralized label-review team, a rubric, improved databases, and more attention to repeat violations, while also emphasizing that the illicit and intoxicating hemp markets are major sources of youth exposure and that resource constraints limit inspections. They said they are open to working with the Legislature on more specific standards and additional funding.
Public witnesses split between public health and industry perspectives. A pediatrician and public health advocate urged stronger restrictions, including plain packaging, limits on flavors and potency, and a pre-market review system, arguing that vague rules have failed children. Industry representatives said they support youth protections but want bright-line, objective standards so compliant businesses can know what is allowed; they argued that most youth-targeted packaging is in the illicit market and that the legal market needs clearer rules rather than broader bans. No formal vote or committee action was taken during the hearing.
MS
Transcript Highlights:
- Chairman, um, I think you've just retained the former practice of an alternative going on the ballot.
- ><00:10:28.959><c> the</c><00:10:29.040><c> the</c><00:10:29.600><c> former</c><00:10:30.079><c> practice
- </c><00:10:31.200><c> of</c> retained the the the former practice of retained the the the former practice
- a bill that does not work and<00:16:02.480><c> is</c><00:16:02.720><c> not</c><00:16:02.959><c> practical
- for them because of and is not practical for them because of course<00:16:04.240><c> they're</c><00:
VT
Transcript Highlights:
- She's been a practicing attorney for a total of 21 years, with 15 of those years in Vermont.
- At this private firm, her primary practice areas were as a defense attorney and a civil litigator.
- I believe this is a balanced amount of experience in different practice areas in courts.
- Dresser's direct state court experience arises from his time in private practice prior to his employment
- </c> arises from his time in private practice arises from his time in private practice prior<00:31:42.640
FL
Transcript Highlights:
- I mean, my response will not be a question, just to say that I would like for it to read and, in practice
- would directly conflict with both state and national accreditation standards, which reflect the best practices
- ...findings, rather, poor performance or policy or rule violation, then under the accepted best practices
- My professional background includes 17 years of clinical practice, with 16 of those years working with
- asks clinicians such as myself to convert nuanced clinical judgment into rigid legal conclusions, a practice
Keywords:
bail bonds, pretrial release, forfeiture, criminal justice, Florida statutes, bond conditions, surety, violations of release conditions, violent crimes, victim safety, public safety, warrantless arrest, probable cause, pretrial detention, first appearance hearing, law enforcement immunity, domestic violence, stalking, battery, aggravated assault
Summary:
The committee took up several criminal justice bills, beginning with SB 760 on violations of pretrial release conditions. A strike-all amendment narrowed the bill to make willful violation of a no-contact order a first-degree misdemeanor, authorize warrantless arrest on probable cause, and require detention until first appearance in certain cases. The amendment and the bill, as amended, were both adopted and reported favorably. The committee then heard SB 1536 on digital voyeurism, which would extend the expectation of privacy to backyards in the surveillance statute; it was reported favorably after brief questions and support from a Florida Smart Justice Alliance witness.
Members next considered SB 1012 on inmate services. The bill would expand use of contractor-operated institutions inmate welfare trust funds for reintegration and facility upgrades, and would require reimbursement for inmate emergency and specialty medical services at Medicaid rates, with telehealth and autonomous APRNs included as options. Safety Net Hospital Alliance of Florida opposed the bill as written, warning that tying Medicaid participation to treatment of inmates could reduce reimbursement and discourage provider participation, while the Department of Corrections and Florida Smart Justice Alliance supported it. Senators discussed costs, aging inmates, and possible future changes, and the bill was reported favorably.
The committee also passed CS for SB 600 on bail bond and pretrial release laws after adopting a strike-all that aligned it with the House companion and made technical changes to solicitation, training, and bond reinstatement rules. Public testimony raised concerns about who should receive returned bond money and how clerks would process payments, but the sponsor said the bill would continue to be refined. Later, the committee reconsidered and favorably reported SB 1750 on criminal sexual conduct, which increases penalties and mandatory minimums for serious sex crimes, especially those involving children. It also reconsidered and favorably reported SB 1544 on complaints against law enforcement and correctional officers, a bill requiring complainants to provide sworn complaints to officers before interrogation unless corroborating evidence is present; police chiefs and sexual violence advocates opposed parts of the bill, while supporters argued it would protect officers from unfounded complaints. Finally, SB 1488 on booking officer duties regarding minor children of arrested persons was reported favorably, and SB 1326 on prosecution of defamation was taken up for reconsideration with a delete-all amendment that narrowed the insanity defense, limited mitigation for severe mental illness in serious cases, and extended detention periods for incompetent defendants; opposition testimony from defense, public defender, and mental health advocates warned it would worsen treatment and increase costs.
WA
Washington 2025-2026 Regular Session
Senate Human Services Jan 26th, 2026 at 01:30 pm
Human Services
Transcript Highlights:
- districts, to local law enforcement—lots of different policies and programs and best management practices
- districts, to local law enforcement—lots of different policies and programs and best management practices
- the fidelity of the programs and the way of delivering the programs, as we've learned about best practices
- But it also has a best practice that's threaded throughout, and it also fiscally makes sense.
- We heard about not being able to get to visitations in a way that we know is best practice.
Bills:
SB6062
WA
Washington 2025-2026 Regular Session
Senate Environment, Energy & Technology Jan 20th, 2026 at 01:30 pm
Environment, Energy & Technology
Transcript Highlights:
- strength of this bill is Section 7, which provides that violations constitute unfair or deceptive practices
- ensures that individual consumers have a private right of action when they are harmed by unlawful practices
- Through these interactions, adolescents are practicing emotional disclosure, perspective-taking, and
- used as socio-emotional supports, they may alter the types of social experiences adolescents are practicing
- These intentional and deceptive design practices targeting vulnerable youth would never be allowed to
Keywords:
artificial intelligence, chatbots, regulation, technology, consumer protection, pollutants, tire regulation, 6PPD, environment, public safety, SB 6076, consumer-owned utilities, public utility districts, municipal procurement, competitive bidding, public works, clean energy, renewable energy, nonemitting generation, energy storage
WA
Washington 2025-2026 Regular Session
House Consumer Protection & Business Jan 20th, 2026
Transcript Highlights:
- But at the end of the day, making sure that we’re also following best practices in workplace law relative
- But at the end of the day, making sure that we're also following best practices in workplace law relative
- We urge you to please support this practical and evidence-based bill. Thank you. Thank you, Doctor.
- Instead, the practical effect will be to push out manufacturers that are currently complying, maintaining
- It prohibits the practice of selling vapor products below cost to avoid the impact of the higher tobacco
Summary:
The committee first heard House Bill 2483, which would create an annual data broker registry at the Department of Licensing beginning in 2027. Staff explained that data brokers would have to register, pay a fee, and disclose information about the types of data collected, security measures, opt-out options, and whether precise geolocation or consumer health data is involved. Prime sponsor Rep. Kloba said the bill is intended to make data collection and resale more visible to consumers and to address harms such as scams, tracking, and surveillance pricing. Testimony was mixed: TechNet, the Association of Washington Business, and the Washington Retail Association opposed the bill as drafted, saying the definition of data broker is too broad and could sweep in businesses that are not true data brokers, while the sponsor and committee members discussed possible clarifying amendments and public-data carve-outs.
The committee then heard House Bill 2400, which would regulate monetized social media content featuring children. Staff described provisions requiring vloggers above certain revenue thresholds to register with the Department of Revenue, creating trust accounts for minor children appearing in monetized videos, allowing young adults to request deletion of monetized childhood content, requiring reporting by social media services, and establishing civil penalties and statutory damages. Rep. Reeves said the bill is meant to draw a line between ordinary family posting and monetizing children online, citing concerns about child labor protections and exploitation. TechNet and AWB opposed the bill, arguing that social media platforms should not be made the middleman for trust accounts and that the private right of action and enforcement structure should be revisited; they urged further work during the interim.
Finally, the committee took testimony on House Bill 2439, an omnibus tobacco and vapor product bill. Staff said it would create a responsible vendor program, raise license fees and penalties, require retailers to buy from licensed wholesalers or distributors, add certification requirements for vapor manufacturers, study extended producer responsibility for vapor waste, expand lab testing authority, tighten age-verification rules, prohibit certain imitation or entertainment vapor products, remove state preemption so local governments could adopt stricter rules, and redirect portions of tobacco tax revenue to public health accounts. Supporters, including public health groups, King County, the American Heart Association, and pediatricians, backed the youth-prevention, local-control, and funding provisions. Industry and retail witnesses opposed the bill, focusing on the loss of preemption, higher fees, compliance burdens, and the risk of pushing sales to the illicit market; some also argued the bill should rely more on state-level uniform regulation and stronger enforcement rather than new restrictions.
LA
Louisiana 2026 Regular Session
Caleb Wilson Hazing Prevention T.F. Jan 8th, 2026
Transcript Highlights:
- And that is a practice in line with a national best practice from the Association of Student Conduct
- So we’ve seen where some campuses reported that as their practice, but it’s not defined in policy anywhere
- This is also consistent with national best practice, and the recommendation from the task force, should
- I'm wondering what this would look like in practice and if it would just be the Prevent Zone modules
- And I'm sure LSU will share with us their best practices. Thank you. Dr. Moore is recognized.
Summary:
The task force met with a quorum to review and adopt final recommendations responding to the death of Caleb Wilson and broader hazing prevention concerns in Louisiana higher education. Members and the Wilson family discussed the need for clearer legal definitions and stronger accountability, including whether Southern University’s expulsion of the Omega Psi Phi chapter was permanent; leaders said the current law leaves ambiguity and a legislative fix is needed to define suspension and expulsion. The committee also approved the November 3 minutes and received updates on hazing sanctions and hearing panel processes across the public postsecondary systems.
A major portion of the meeting focused on recommendations for annual hazing-prevention training for students, advisors, faculty, and staff, plus training for conduct panel members. Witnesses from LSU and other systems described current practices, including online modules and in-person training, while members raised concerns about scope, mandatory reporter obligations, and whether all employees should be covered. Several recommendations were adopted, including annual student training, annual advisor training, annual faculty and staff training with an amendment to apply to “appropriate” personnel, and a sustainable funding mechanism to support training and reporting. The task force also adopted an amnesty policy recommendation to encourage reporting and help-seeking, clarified that it would be left to legislation whether organizational amnesty is included, and supported reverting the evidentiary standard in institutional hazing proceedings from clear and convincing evidence back to preponderance of the evidence.
The committee further approved recommendations to add hazing incidents, prevention efforts, and compliance data to the annual power-based violence report, to impose clear penalties for noncompliance tied to bond commission consequences, and to align hazing reporting penalties with existing power-based violence reporting rules. For K-12 schools, the task force discussed expanding bullying and hazing materials to nonpublic schools, updating educational materials, and improving data collection. Closing remarks from student members, university leaders, and the Wilson family emphasized that hazing is a culture problem requiring education, accountability, and sustained leadership, and several system presidents and LSU representatives pledged to implement the recommendations and continue working with the legislature.
WA
Washington 2025-2026 Regular Session
Senate Local Government Dec 4th, 2025
Transcript Highlights:
- I do want to highlight some best practices that are coming out of local jurisdictions, especially those
- will help providers navigate the journey of developing early learning facilities and provide best practices
- And I've been doing my own research a little bit, trying to understand best practices across Washington
- And I've been doing my own research a little bit, trying to understand best practices across Washington
- I'm licensed in the state of Washington and have been practicing primarily in western Washington for
Summary:
The committee held a work session on form-based codes, child care facility siting, and street standards/frontage improvements. On form-based codes, Commerce’s Dave Anderson explained that these codes emphasize building form, orientation, and the public realm more than traditional use and density tables, and that they are typically applied in specific districts rather than citywide or statewide. Lacey’s Vanessa Dolby described the city’s Woodland District code, developed through community charrettes, fiscal and market analysis, and subdistrict-specific standards to create a walkable downtown. She said the approach has helped produce a more desirable built environment and more flexibility in permitted uses, but also noted it can be less user-friendly for applicants and still requires some use restrictions; both presenters said a hybrid approach is often best.
The committee then heard from DCYF and multiple providers about barriers to opening child care facilities. DCYF officials said Washington has more than 6,500 licensed providers and that a new pre-licensing support team is helping applicants navigate licensing, but local zoning, building, fire, parking, utility, and occupancy requirements still create delays and confusion. Testifiers described long permitting timelines, inconsistent local interpretations, costly upgrades, and utility hookup delays; one Yakima provider said county requirements, a floodplain-related elevation certificate, and a private well issue stopped her in-home child care proposal, while others described traffic impact fees, parking mandates, and zoning barriers that made projects infeasible. Enterprise Community Partners highlighted examples of successful local reforms, including fee waivers, expedited permitting, and zoning changes in several cities, and DCYF said it is working toward a 2026 action plan and a resource guide for providers.
In the final section, planners and developers discussed how street standards and frontage improvement requirements can undermine infill and middle housing. Poulsbo’s planning manager said current standards were designed for greenfield subdivisions and often force costly curb, gutter, sidewalk, stormwater, and utility upgrades on small infill sites, sometimes adding tens of thousands of dollars and causing projects to be abandoned. A Seattle-based developer made similar points about small middle-housing projects being burdened by frontage work, curb ramps, buried standards, and EV-ready parking requirements that can trigger expensive undergrounding. Committee members asked about possible state-level changes, including whether child care should be treated as an essential public facility and whether parking requirements had already been reduced; one senator noted that minimum parking requirements for child care facilities were eliminated in prior legislation, with implementation phased in over the next few years.