Transcript Highlights:

• Members, in closing... Members, in closing, I will tell you this is an important issue.
• Do you have any closing comments there, Representative Gress? Very briefly, Mr.
• Okay, you have any closing comments, ranking member?
• In closing, members, I would ask for your support.
• And so that was the primary concern.

Committee: House Government

Keywords: 1182, all

Transcript Highlights:

• The secretary will close the key and take the tally.
• The secretary will close the key and take the tally.
• The Secretary will close the key and take the tally.
• The secretary will close the key and take the tally.
• The secretary will close the key and take the tally.

Keywords: 908, all

Summary: The Senate opened with prayer, the pledge, and a quorum call, then took up House amendments to Senate Bills 2009, 2147, and 2113. On motion, the Senate refused to concur in the House amendments and appointed conference committees for each bill. The chamber then considered several House bills, adopting amendments and passing House Bill 1556, which creates a Children's Cabinet work group to study out-of-home placement and treatment for children with behavioral health issues, and House Bill 1363, which directs development of a customizable cardiac emergency response plan template for schools and athletic events. House Bill 1533, requiring students to complete a half-unit of financial literacy for graduation, also passed after amendment. House Bill 1226, dealing with masks in public places and protest-related identification concerns, passed after the Judiciary Committee removed language about complying with law enforcement requests to unmask.

Transcript Highlights:

• So wants to do is to close a hospital.
• </c><01:10:50.560><c> additional</c> will be forced to close additional will be forced to close additional
• We're a little too close to hospital.
• </c><01:21:25.679><c> their</c> as others across our region close their as others across our region close
• But procedure um cost close to 45,000.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• My primary function here at NRF is to handle the payments policy portfolio, both at the federal and a
• And there’s a lot of people in small businesses that, you know, are closing doors because the cost is
• You know, I stayed at the Pennyweight, I think is the name of the hotel, and I walked by three closed
• I walked by three closed, you know, restaurants. So, you know, the pain’s real.
• We closed last year, and it was because of a lot of things. And it was because of a lot of things.

Summary: The Special Commission on the future of credit card payments and their impacts on small businesses heard testimony from credit union, retail, banking, and payments industry representatives. Much of the discussion focused on proposals to exclude sales tax and tips from interchange fees, the Illinois Interchange Fee Prohibition Act and related litigation, and whether similar state action in Massachusetts would help small businesses or instead create a patchwork that burdens state-chartered institutions. Witnesses from defense and community credit unions argued interchange helps fund fraud prevention, cybersecurity, member services, and low-fee products, while retail and NRF representatives said merchants are paying significant swipe fees and that state laws like Illinois’s are aimed at reducing costs that are not being passed on to consumers. Several witnesses emphasized that the current payment system provides security, fraud protection, rewards, and access to credit, and that many of the costs merchants complain about are actually bundled processor or acquirer fees rather than interchange itself. Others countered that small businesses are struggling with rising overall costs and that Massachusetts should consider reforms such as allowing surcharging, improving transparency in merchant contracts, and studying collection costs. There was also discussion of the recent Visa/Mastercard antitrust settlement, with industry witnesses describing it as meaningful relief for merchants and opponents saying it is temporary and incomplete. No formal votes were taken on legislation. The commission accepted oral testimony, noted that written testimony would be accepted through July 31, and concluded the meeting by unanimously voting to adjourn. The chair and members said they would continue gathering testimony and work toward recommendations, with the chair stressing the need to find a fair middle ground that supports both small businesses and the broader payments ecosystem.

Transcript Highlights:

• My primary function here at NRF is to handle the payments policy portfolio, both at the federal and a
• You know, I stayed at the Pennyweight, I think is the name of the hotel, and I walked by three closed
• I walked by three closed restaurants. So, you know, the pain's real.
• We closed last year, and it was because of a lot of things. And it was because of a lot of things.
• In the meantime, many small businesses will be closing down because of increased costs, which include

Keywords: 1212, all

Summary: The Special Commission on the future of credit card payments and their impacts on small businesses heard extensive testimony from credit unions, retailers, payment industry groups, and a credit card issuer. Much of the discussion focused on proposed state laws that would limit interchange fees on the tax and tip portions of transactions, especially Illinois’s Interchange Fee Prohibition Act and similar efforts in other states. Witnesses opposing the proposals argued that interchange helps fund fraud protection, cybersecurity, rewards, and access to credit, and warned that state-by-state rules would create a patchwork that could harm state-chartered banks and credit unions, raise compliance costs, and reduce consumer access to credit. Supporters of reform argued that swipe fees are a significant burden on merchants, especially small businesses, and that current pricing is opaque and often bundled with other processor charges. Several witnesses emphasized that the current payment system provides major benefits to merchants and consumers, including security, convenience, faster settlement, online commerce, and broader access to credit. One witness from Capital One said the industry’s losses from fraud and default are substantial and that interchange helps offset those risks; he also noted that merchants already have some tools, such as surcharging where allowed and negotiating clearer processor contracts. Retail representatives and the National Retail Federation countered that small businesses are under pressure from many costs and that interchange and related fees remain a real pain point, with some urging the commission to consider reforms that would return more money to businesses without disrupting the system. There was also discussion of the recent Visa/Mastercard antitrust settlement, with industry witnesses describing it as a significant merchant win that includes temporary rate reductions, more surcharge flexibility, and the ability to decline certain card tiers. No votes were taken. The meeting concluded after all scheduled testimony was heard, with the commission chair saying the session had been productive and that the committee would continue gathering testimony and written comments before making recommendations.

Transcript Highlights:

• Chairman, Senator Wintrow, we work very closely.
• Collaborative effort, but as far as what our function was, our primary function was just to assess the
• Can I make a closing statement? You can close out if you want to, yes.
• You kind of just now mentioned how Fish and Game and your office worked together closely.
• If you have anything closed on, feel free. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Thank you, committee members.

Summary: The committee first heard a budget presentation from the Department of Fish and Game. Legislative Services outlined the agency’s funding structure, noting it receives no general fund and is supported mainly by dedicated and federal funds, with most spending going to personnel and many requests being one-time items. Director Jim Fredericks described the department’s mission, staffing, hatcheries, wildlife management areas, habitat work, enforcement, and funding sources, including license and tag revenue, federal excise taxes, and mitigation funds. Members asked about rescissions, temporary employee restoration, fisheries inflation items, depredation claims, nonresident tag sales, communications with the public, predator management, chronic wasting disease, habitat projects, and the relationship with the Office of Species Conservation. Fredericks said the department is working to right-size depredation funding, that the new nonresident draw system appears to be maintaining strong revenue, and that many habitat and disease-related costs are rising because of changing conditions and expanded work. He also acknowledged the technology-rule advisory process could have been handled better, especially regarding wolves, and said he would have structured that committee differently in hindsight. The committee then took up the Office of Species Conservation. Janet Jessup explained that the office is small, mostly federally funded, and often passes grant money through to Fish and Game for on-the-ground work. Administrator Mike Edmondson said the office serves as the state’s technical, policy, and legal advisor on endangered and candidate species and works closely with Fish and Game on habitat and consultation issues. He described measurable work on sage grouse, salmon and steelhead, and grizzly bears, and said the office has concrete metrics such as acres treated, river miles restored, and conflict-reduction actions. Members asked about the overlap with Fish and Game, the number of species covered, and a proposed merger with the Office of Energy and Mineral Resources. Edmondson said there is strong synergy with OMER because many energy and mining projects come through species consultation first, and he said the office would support a merger if the Legislature pursues it, though he cautioned against cutting too deeply. Questions also touched on grizzly bear delisting, wolf-trapping litigation, and tribal consultation on salmon, steelhead, and other species. Finally, Attorney General Raul Labrador presented his office’s budget and performance. He argued that the office has returned more money to the state than it costs, citing $242 million recovered or settled over three years, and said the proposed reductions would force furloughs or elimination of positions because the office is mostly personnel costs and largely general-fund supported. Labrador highlighted major gains in the Internet Crimes Against Children unit, saying the backlog of cyber tips was eliminated, review times are now within 24 hours, and arrests have risen sharply; he also noted the Legislature expanded the child sexual abuse material law to cover AI-generated content. He described expanded civil defense and appellate work, creation of a solicitor general function through reorganization, more in-house handling of risk cases, and a reworked consumer protection division that now responds to complaints within 24 hours and has increased enforcement and direct consumer recoveries. Members asked about the source of the recovered funds, whether cyber crimes are increasing or just being caught better, and whether the office could help develop a framework for transferring incarcerated noncitizens to federal custody for deportation. The budget analyst later clarified that some of the office’s apparent underspending reflects vacancy savings and the ability to move funds between expenditure classes.

Transcript Highlights:

• In section one of the bill, I think you assume that the county clerk can go and get a motion to close
• We have Jeremiah Miller to close out this panel.
• We have Ryan Lufkin. to close out this panel. And then up next, we have our next panel.
• In closing, we urge the committee to align these provisions with how other criminal justice In closing
• It is important that these loopholes are closed.

Summary: On January 20, 2026, the committee held public hearings on House Bill 2102, House Bill 2161, and House Bill 2332. HB 2102 would sharply limit legal financial obligations by prohibiting courts from imposing costs unless specifically authorized by statute, repealing many fees and interest on restitution, and making eliminated debts unenforceable and satisfied. The sponsor and supporters argued that LFOs are harmful, inconsistently applied, and create uncollectable debt that burdens indigent defendants and hinders reentry. Opponents, including local government and collections representatives, warned the bill would shift costs to cities and counties, reduce accountability tools, and could cost local jurisdictions millions. No vote was taken. HB 2161 would expand the Attorney General’s authority to issue civil investigative demands for possible violations involving civil rights, labor standards, jail standards, immigration-related restrictions, and police use-of-force laws. Supporters from the Attorney General’s office, labor groups, and civil rights advocates said the bill would make investigations faster and more effective, especially in wage theft and discrimination cases, while not changing substantive enforcement authority. Opponents from law enforcement, cities, and business groups argued the bill was overbroad, lacked sufficient standards, and could create due process, confidentiality, and separation-of-powers concerns. Members asked about safeguards, and staff and the AGO described court challenge procedures and internal review standards. No action was taken. HB 2332 would regulate automated license plate readers used by state and local agencies, generally limiting use to specified law enforcement, parking, toll, and transportation purposes, restricting sharing and retention, and prohibiting uses tied to immigration enforcement or protected health care. The sponsor and privacy, immigrant-rights, and reproductive-rights advocates said the bill was needed to prevent misuse of sensitive location data and to close loopholes that could allow out-of-state or federal access. Law enforcement, cities, vendors, and some business and campus representatives supported privacy guardrails but said the 72-hour retention limit, warrant requirements, and other restrictions were too strict and could hinder investigations, victim recovery, and parking enforcement. The hearing ended with testimony still underway and no vote or final action reported.

Transcript Highlights:

• We're closing the door on the possibility of having this kind of neighborhood retail in the future.
• And that concludes our testimony on this bill and closes the public hearing on it.
• Hearing none, we will close the public hearing on Senate Bill 6018 and move into our public hearing on
• All right, hearing none, we will close the public hearing on Senate Bill 6018 and move into our public
• With that, we will close the public hearing on Senate Bill 6027 and move into the public hearing for

Summary: The committee heard Senate Bill 6026, which would require cities and counties planning under the Growth Management Act with populations of 30,000 or more to allow residential uses in commercial and mixed-use zones and bar local governments from requiring ground-floor commercial or retail as a condition of housing approval, with exemptions for certain sensitive areas and a carve-out for transit-oriented development station areas. The prime sponsor, Senator Alvarado, and supporters from the governor’s office, Commerce, housing advocates, developers, and major employers argued the bill would unlock underused land, reduce costs, and help address the state’s housing shortage. Opponents and local government representatives from small towns, counties, and cities said the bill could harm commercial corridors, small businesses, tax base stability, and local planning flexibility, and asked for narrower exemptions or additional carve-outs. No vote was taken on SB 6026 during the hearing. The committee then held executive action on Senate Bill 5937 and Senate Bill 5938. SB 5937, dealing with smart access systems and tenant privacy, was amended to clarify that keypad-only entry is not covered, require written privacy policies within five days of installation, and add operational purposes to allowable data collection; the committee adopted the amendment and advanced the bill with a due pass recommendation. SB 5938, which changes the foreclosure prevention fee and directs a Commerce study on a state homeowner assistance fund, was also amended to extend the study deadline and related expiration date; the committee adopted the amendment and moved the bill forward with a due pass recommendation. The committee then heard Senate Bill 6018, which would expand and modernize the Washington State Housing Finance Commission’s authority, including allowing direct mortgage lending to borrowers, extending bond counsel selection cycles, removing advance notice requirements for bond issuance, and repealing an outdated housing finance plan/program. The sponsor and the commission said the bill would improve efficiency and create new financing tools for affordable housing, while banking groups said they supported the goal but wanted clearer limits to ensure the commission would not enter first-mortgage lending for homebuyers. The sponsor and commission said they would work on clarifying language. Finally, the committee heard Senate Bill 6027 and Senate Bill 6028. SB 6027 would expand the use of local housing sales taxes and the Affordable Housing for All account to support operations, maintenance, rehabilitation, and preservation of existing affordable housing, update REET exemption timing, and align the definition of emergency housing with the Growth Management Act; local governments, housing providers, and advocates strongly supported the bill as a way to preserve existing housing amid rising costs and federal funding uncertainty. SB 6028 would create a revolving loan fund administered by the Housing Finance Commission to finance mixed-income affordable homeownership projects with long-term affordability covenants; the sponsor said it would help builders who have entitled sites but face high capital costs, and the hearing began with staff briefing and sponsor testimony, with questions from members starting as the transcript ended.

Transcript Highlights:

• And so it's getting close. I don't know.
• We're just in the process of closing out this fiscal year.
• Yeah, once everything is closed out.
• For the most part, I think we've been pretty close on time.
• I think we're getting close to where that's going to hit.

Committee: House Investments & Pensions Oversight Committee

Transcript Highlights:

• Yes, this is just clearing up a bit of a math error in the primary amendment.
• The clerk will close the roll. There being 69 ayes. 64 nays.
• The clerk will close the roll.
• The clerk will close the roll. All in favor? Aye.
• The clerk will close the roll. Thank you.

Transcript Highlights:

• You're recognized to close on your amendment. We've closed.
• Seeing none, you're recognized to close on the amendment. We close.
• You are recognized to close on your amendment. I'll waive close.
• I'll close. Thank you.
• Seeing none, you are recognized to close on your amendment. Wait, close.

Summary: The subcommittee first heard HB 461, which would allow registered or preregistered students to volunteer at polling locations to earn community service hours, including on weekends. The sponsor and several supporters, including the Duval County Supervisor of Elections and League of Women Voters representatives, said the bill would promote civic education and give students firsthand experience with elections. After brief questions and overwhelmingly supportive testimony, the committee voted unanimously to report HB 461 favorably. The committee then took up HB 1071, an omnibus education bill described by the sponsor as reinforcing parental rights, student safety, early learning accountability, and oversight of scholarship and instructional programs. Members adopted eight amendments, including provisions on charter school discipline during improvement plans, child care and attendance accountability, medically accurate embryologic/fetal development materials, school space calculations, reading notifications, law enforcement access to campuses and canine units, lab school admissions criteria, and the composition of the FHSAA advisory council. Debate and testimony focused heavily on the bill’s provisions restricting DEI- and activism-related spending, the fetal development video requirement, and the law enforcement amendment; supporters framed the bill as promoting merit, safety, and parental rights, while opponents warned about vague definitions, censorship, and potential impacts on students and school programs. Public testimony on HB 1071 was extensive and sharply divided. Supporters included organizations such as Florida Voice for the Unborn, the Christian Family Coalition, and various individuals who backed the fetal development instruction and limits on DEI-related spending. Opponents included Planned Parenthood Florida Action, the Southern Poverty Law Center, Equality Florida, the ACLU of Florida, the Florida Education Association, teachers, parents, and students, who argued the bill was too broad, could chill instruction and student activities, and could introduce ideological content into health education. The transcript ends during closing debate on the amended bill, before a final vote is shown.

Transcript Highlights:

• Yeah, so, you know, my primary experience is in Hennepin County, right?
• Yeah, so, you know, my primary experience is in Hennepin County, right?
• Representative Johnson, closing comments. Thank you, Representative Witte, for those comments.
• comments this is a chair nney closing comments this is a good<00:42:14.400><c> bill</c><00:42:14.720
• Chair Wy, do you have a closing statement? Vice Chair Woody, do you have a closing statement?

Committee: House Public Safety Finance and Policy

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• As of March 3, 2026, 28 FFAs have closed.
• In terms of future closures, we cannot predict whether additional FFAs might close.
• We've seen FFA's closed. There was nine April last year and now 28.
• So total of 21 in the last year that have closed due to the insurance crisis.
• We've already seen multiple STRTPs close, and just our membership alone, 15 have closed, and more may

Keywords: 987, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:34:36.000><c> test</c> the grand state test is the primary test the grand state test is the primary
• The executive session on HB 221 is closed.
• </c> Okay, we'll close the executive session now on House Bill 672.
• So with that, we'll close the executive session on House Resolution 15.
• And with that, we'll close the executive session on House Bill 710.

Committee: House Science, Technology and Energy

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> this because China is a closed society. this because China is a closed society.
• Speaker, I have no more close. Mr.
• </c> consume for the purpose of closing. Mr. consume for the purpose of closing. Mr.
• Uh prepared to close. No recognized. Uh prepared to close. No further<04:20:12.680><c> speakers.
• </c><04:20:18.159><c> You're</c> the purpose of closing. You're the purpose of closing.

Keywords: U.S. House of Representatives Floor Proceedings on Monday, May 5, 2025, 1012, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Well, Illinois, close to Saint Louis. Not Minnesota.
• ><c> to</c><00:15:39.640><c> Saint</c> Saint Well, Illinois, close to Saint Saint Well, Illinois, close
• Our primary concern is regarding any language that mentions reuse.
• Our primary concern is regarding any language that mentions reuse.
• Our primary concern is regarding any language that mentions reuse.

Committee: House Taxes

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> Representative Anderson, um any closing Representative Anderson, um any closing comments?
• </c><00:45:34.480><c> chair</c> close your bill? Yes. Thank you. chair close your bill? Yes.
• </c> thing I would like to say before I close thing I would like to say before I close is<01:25:44.000
• Uh in closing this stretch our dollar.
• I appreciate the closing comments on that.

Committee: House Transportation Finance and Policy

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• Sarakuk, you're recognized to close the debate. Thank you.
• Debate is closed. The question before this... Debate is closed.
• Very well, Senator Cook, you are recognized to close the debate. Debate is closed.
• President, debate is closed. Debate is closed.
• Let our deceased rest in peace, and with that, debate is closed. The debate is closed.

Summary: The Senate opened with roll call, prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, and approval of the prior day’s journal. It then moved through routine committee reports and bill referrals, including printing and committee assignments for several Senate bills and House messages. Early action also included referral of Senate Concurrent Resolution 128 and multiple House and Senate bills to the appropriate committees or later orders of business. The chamber then took up several appropriations and policy bills on third reading. Senate Bill 1401, an appropriation to the Department of Health and Welfare for Public Health Services, was debated as a mix of federal pass-through funding, vaccine purchasing, laboratory testing, ARPA grants, HIV/hepatitis prevention, suicide prevention, and a transfer of the Idaho Home Visiting Program; it passed 21-14. Senate Bill 1423, dealing with the FAST Act and a framework for stablecoin payments, drew debate over efficiency, banking costs, state control, and privacy/risk concerns; it passed 22-13. Senate Bill 1429, a behavioral health appropriation and supplemental, was presented as a series of restorations and fund shifts tied to prior budget cuts and settlement obligations, and it passed 21-14. Senate Bill 1431, an appropriation and transfer for the Department of Water Resources, including aquifer monitoring and stream gauging/adjudication staffing, passed 26-7. The Senate also passed House Bill 855, revising lifetime fish and game license residency requirements from six months to five years, by a vote of 23-11. Later, House Bill 752, which would prohibit knowingly entering opposite-sex restrooms or changing rooms in government buildings and public accommodations except under specified exceptions, prompted extensive debate. Supporters argued it protected privacy, children, and women’s safety; opponents argued it criminalized transgender people, was discriminatory, and could harm Idaho’s reputation and economy. The debate continued at the end of the transcript, with the bill still under consideration.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><01:18:27.040><c> to</c> Um we've identified probably close to Um we've identified probably close
• So, this closes that loophole. Um I tax. So, this closes that loophole.
• On campus, in close proximity.
• </c><05:50:16.640><c> So,</c> On campus, in close proximity. So, On campus, in close proximity.
• </c> more closely aligned. more closely aligned. Thank<05:54:10.840><c> you.

Bills: HB2459 , HB1616 , HB1799 , HB1604 , HB1732 , HB1736 , HB1931 , HB772 , HB2153 , HB2122 , HB2009 , HB2012 , HB1779 , HB2296 , HB2397 , HB2398 , HB1596 , HB2233 , HB1976 , HB1563 , HB815 , HB1655 , HB1851 , HB1941 , HB2037 , HB1635 , HB2201 , HB1943 , HB1163 , HB2452 , HB2429 , HB2148 , HB2306 , HB2007 , HB2049 , HB2616

Committee: House Finance

Keywords: food innovation, agribusiness, food safety, market access, branding, economic diversification, performance indicators, agriculture, aquaculture, commercial activity, swine production, Korean natural farming, housing development, commercial projects, county authority, public works, construction standards, exemption, zoning, housing

Transcript Highlights:

• So we're monitoring that very closely.
• I'll just close and say thank you for the great work. I know.
• Close those gaps.
• And they're not close next door to each other either.
• So I plan to work closely with you on some things.