Transcript Highlights:

• This is actually one of our legislative proposals for our department.
• Some of those had to do with the initial legislation and adding individuals that could have influence
• I mean, we've seen legislation stop for a few hundred thousand dollars. I just can't even imagine.
• And to be honest, for future legislative bodies.
• We can’t have anything too complex so that future legislative bodies don’t know what to do with it.

Keywords: 959, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• To ask a question, Senator, so in the interim, my visit with you all on this legislation and Senator
• Follow up: The last paragraph of this legislation adds a bunch of federal oversight.
• Does this legislation grow government? Thank you for the question. No, I do not believe it does.
• this legislation in the Capitol?
• I'm reading from the only legislation that I Have in my committee from you, Mr. Chairman.

Bills: SB2122, SB330, SB2071, SB2169, SB2069, SB2095, SB2157

Keywords: poultry, agriculture, out-of-state processing, Oklahoma Department of Agriculture, regulation, food safety, elk population, wildlife management, Oklahoma State University, veterinary medicine, ecosystem health, habitat assessment, milk, dairy, dairy farm, milk products, Grade A milk, pasteurization, raw milk, milk inspection

Transcript Highlights:

• I get to represent the 37th legislative district, which is southeast Seattle.
• I'm Darya Faravar, a state representative from the 46 legislative district.
• But this legislation does not change any of the services that are being provided, any of the operations
• For the record, I am still Darya Farivar, state representative from the 46th Legislative District.
• Okay, so this legislation came from an interesting conversation we had around committee days this year

Summary: The Senate Human Services Committee heard several House bills. Substitute House Bill 2539 would raise the indigent inmate account threshold from $25 to $100, allowing incarcerated people to retain more money for commissary items like hygiene products, postage, and medications before deductions for legal financial obligations, child support, and other debts. Representative Street said the bill is meant to better cover essentials without stopping debt repayment. Testifiers from Civil Survival, incarcerated people, and family advocates supported the bill, describing current commissary prices, low prison wages, and the burden on families. The committee also heard that the Department of Corrections expects some indeterminate implementation costs and IT expenses. No vote was taken. House Bill 2510 would require the Department of Corrections to supervise anyone sentenced to community custody for stalking, regardless of risk classification. Representative Burnett said the bill is intended to protect victims and give them peace of mind. Staff explained that the bill is narrower than a related measure heard earlier because it applies only to people sentenced to community custody, typically at the superior court level. Victim advocates and survivors testified in strong support, describing stalking cases that escalated to severe threats and violence and arguing that mandatory supervision could prevent future harm. The hearing was closed without action. The committee also heard Engrossed Substitute House Bill 2319 and Substitute House Bill 2350, both concerning residential habilitation centers. HB 2319 would rename Fircrest School and Rainier School to remove the word “school” and better reflect their current role as residential habilitation centers; supporters said the old terminology is outdated and confusing, while the sponsor said the bill is a clarification only and does not change services or funding. HB 2350 would require DSHS to notify residents, guardians, and other designated people when an RHC falls out of compliance with federal CMS requirements, and to post plain-language notices at the facility. Supporters from Disability Rights Washington, The Arc, and self-advocates said the bill would improve transparency and accountability. The committee closed public hearing on both bills, and the meeting adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• We believe that the study that's called for in the legislation is also good, and we understand that there
• LESC, the Legislative Education Study Committee, had been promoting a 3% and it was taken out without
• Without this legislation, you'd lose $37 per unit in every district in New Mexico.
• Without this legislation, you'd lose $37 per unit in every district in New Mexico.
• I'm looking at the Legislative Education Study Committee bill analysis. Okay.

Summary: The committee first heard House Bill 47, the school employee insurance “80-20” bill, which would require school districts and charter schools to pay 80% of employee health insurance premiums, bringing K-12 employees into parity with other public employees. Supporters from school superintendents, school boards, charter schools, teachers, AFT, NIA, and labor groups said the bill would improve recruitment and retention, reduce the burden of rising premiums, and increase take-home pay, especially in rural districts. One amendment proposed by Senator Ramos would have expanded the bill to require a cooperative purchasing process and more insurance options, but it was opposed as a structural change not vetted for this bill and was withdrawn. The committee then approved HB 47 on a roll-call vote and sent it to the Senate floor. The committee next took up House Bill 253, the public education changes bill, which focuses on full-time virtual education and related funding issues. The sponsor and education officials said the bill preserves virtual learning options, requires districts and charters to report virtual enrollment, creates an evaluation/certification process for full-time virtual programs, and includes a temporary funding fix to address budget shortfalls caused by virtual enrollment growth. Testimony from school leaders and boards supported the compromise, noting the need to avoid a statewide loss in unit value while also addressing the Gallup-McKinley situation and other funding distortions. Several senators raised concerns about impacts on small rural districts, out-of-state students, and the treatment of full-time virtual students in rural-unit calculations, but officials said emergency supplemental funding could address shortfalls and that a broader study would be done in the interim. The committee then passed HB 253 on a roll-call vote and advanced it to the Senate floor.

Transcript Highlights:

• What this legislation does, however, is it kind of Dr.
• So those are the reasons that I have serious concerns with this piece of legislation.
• So this particular legislation is covering that again. We're not talking about construction.
• And I'd just like to add I didn't get any appointment request either on this legislation.
• Application of the pilot program is subject to annual legislative appropriation.

Transcript Highlights:

• This bill is just a simple disclosure modeled after those pieces of legislation.
• WMFA is neutral on this legislation as currently drafted.
• I’m Drew Hanson from the 23rd Legislative District.
• This sounds like something that we could actually solve legislatively, so you don’t have to do it case
• I'm happy to share that language with this committee ahead of the exact date to keep this legislation

Summary: The Senate Housing Committee held public hearings on three bills. SB 6237 would require landlords to disclose flooding history and flood risk to new tenants, along with notices that renters’ insurance and flood insurance may be needed and that county or local government sources have hazard information. The sponsor said the bill was a simple disclosure modeled on other states’ laws after recent flooding in Washington. Testimony was generally supportive, with an environmental nonprofit urging a broader jurisdiction-based disclosure instead of only county government, and housing industry groups saying they were neutral or concerned about added lease disclosures and asking for clearer language about what flooding information must be disclosed. No vote was taken on the bill. The committee then heard SB 6214, which would authorize public corporations, housing authorities, and certain nonprofits to operate as land bank authorities for affordable housing, with requirements for affordability covenants, annual reports, priority access to tax-foreclosed properties, and tax exemptions for qualifying land bank property and transfers. Supporters from Spokane, counties, housing authorities, affordable housing groups, and developers said land banking would help lower land costs, speed development, and expand affordable housing production. One member of the public opposed the bill, arguing it could remove land from the market and affect rural land supply. Department of Revenue staff flagged a technical issue, saying the bill needs a clearer definition of a qualifying land bank authority so the exemption can be administered, and confirmed the proposal would shift property off the tax rolls. The committee also asked whether the bill would allow non-housing uses such as parks or green space; staff said the bill requires affordable housing use, though the other half of land bank activity is not specified. The committee also heard SB 6139, which would require landlords to keep accepting previously used payment methods and continue to accept partial rent payments during an unlawful detainer process, while making clear that partial payments do not reinstate a lease or stop an eviction unless the parties agree in writing. The sponsor said the bill was intended to address cases where tenants can make partial payments but landlords shut off payment portals and refuse them, forcing judges to issue case-by-case standstill orders. Tenant advocates opposed the bill, arguing it would encourage evictions, remove judicial discretion, and could trap tenants by inviting partial payments that do not protect their housing. Landlord and property management groups were concerned about requiring continued access to payment portals and about ambiguity over whether accepting partial payments would waive eviction rights, though they said the bill was a good starting point and suggested clearer receipts and statutory protections. The public hearing was closed without action on SB 6139. In executive session, the committee adopted a proposed substitute for SB 6091, which limits broker marketing restrictions without requiring open access to homes and removes a Washington Law Against Discrimination provision, then voted the bill do pass to Rules. The committee also voted to recommend confirmation of gubernatorial appointments 9278, Pedro Espinoza, and 9279, Diana H. Perez, to the Housing Finance Commission.

Transcript Highlights:

• That is a natural question that we ask: Are you going to be responsive to legislators?
• Are they released to us as the legislative body? Not that I'm aware of. Okay. Thank you very much.
• ...an audit that was bipartisan in its request through the Joint Legislative Audit Committee of some
• That's part of the transparency that is part of the legislation.
• I think that there was a lot of public attention on it, but there was a lot of legislative attention

Summary: The Senate Committee on Rules convened with quorum and first approved several governor’s appointments not required to appear, including Deborah Garns, Davis Rabbit, Cindy Silva, Vincent Wells, and Lee Herrick as California Poet Laureate, all by 5-0 votes. The committee also approved reference of bills to committees and floor acknowledgments, each by unanimous 5-0 votes. The committee then heard testimony on the appointment of Trista Gonzalez as Director of the Department of Tax and Fee Administration. Gonzalez described her 33-year career in tax administration, emphasized taxpayer service, efficient collection, and support for small businesses, and answered questions about lithium extraction tax registration, online sales tax enforcement under Wayfair and AB 147, and CDTFA’s work with illicit cigarette, tobacco, and cannabis activity. Members praised her responsiveness to legislators and constituents, and public commenters from Ryan LLC and the California Society of Enrolled Agents supported her confirmation. The committee voted 5-0 to send her nomination to the full Senate. The committee also heard from Aaron McGuire, executive director of the Board of State and Community Corrections, on his confirmation. He discussed the board’s expanded responsibilities, including annual detention facility inspections, grant administration, and the new in-custody death review division. Members questioned him about grant oversight, audits, implementation of SB 519, access to local agency records, standards for detention facilities, and conditions in Los Angeles County juvenile facilities. McGuire said the board is using inspections, technical assistance, and public reporting to improve compliance and transparency, and that additional trailer bill language clarified access to records. Public support came from nonprofit reentry providers and Giffords. The committee approved his nomination 5-0, and then adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• My name is Jane Sterneke, and I'm Legislative Council for the Uniform Law Commission.
• My name is Victoria Hunt, and I represent the Fifth Legislative District.
• The Fifth Legislative District is in Southeast King County.
• So this legislation would fix that problem. It would void such contracts.
• But we do believe that this legislation will be a model for other states to follow.

Bills: SB5831, SB6031, SB6178, SB5928, SB5919

Keywords: mortgage modification, uniform regulations, homeowners, financial stability, foreclosure prevention, public safety, insurance fraud, law enforcement, crime prevention, penalties, SB6178, property insurance, insurance claims, assignment of benefits, AOB, post-loss assignment, post-loss benefits, homeowners insurance, policyholder, insured

Transcript Highlights:

• Also, we have our legislative co-chairs, Leah Valenti from Charlotte County and Ron Turner from Sarasota
• I think that's something that the legislators have been discussing and working on.
• for the upcoming 2026 legislative session, Mr.
• Our request is that you support legislation to close the gaps with verifiable, transparent processes.
• Our request is that you support legislation to close the gaps with verifiable, transparent processes.

Summary: The Committee on Ethics and Elections met with a quorum present and took up Senate Bill 62 by Senator Errington, which would create an enforceable requirement that partisan candidates meet the 365-day party affiliation or no-party registration requirement before qualifying. The committee adopted an amendment changing the effective date to upon becoming law, heard no opposition, and then approved the bill. The committee also approved a slate of 15 gubernatorial nominees en bloc and recommended them to the floor. The Florida Supervisors of Elections presented their 2026 legislative priorities. Their requests included automatically updating voter records when DHSMV changes driver license numbers, treating verified petition signing by inactive voters as voter activity that restores active status, adding election equipment and ballots to the state’s critical infrastructure protections, clarifying public-records treatment of election worker names and addresses, allowing more flexibility for early voting sites when a supervisor’s office is not suitable, eliminating the need for provisional-ballot envelopes when polling hours are extended by emergency order, and allowing vote-by-mail voters to remain on the list for the next general election unless they opt out. Senators asked questions about inactive voter status, security implications, early voting site requirements, and vote-by-mail renewal, and several members expressed support or interest in the supervisors’ proposals. During public testimony, several speakers urged stronger election-integrity measures, including proof of citizenship, tighter chain-of-custody controls, more hand-counting or manual audits, quarterly list maintenance, and reduced reliance on vote-by-mail and voting machines. They also criticized current audit systems and cited outside reports and research they said showed vulnerabilities in Florida’s election process. No additional committee action was taken after public testimony, and the meeting adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• We seek to protect the right of all who participate in the legislative process so that we can have effective
• We will not permit conduct that disrupts, disturbs, or otherwise impedes the orderly conduct of legislative
• To be clear, AB 470 is the legislation about voice telephone services, not broadband internet service
• Lastly, thank you to Assembly Member McKinnor, the committee chair, and staff legislative leadership,
• I'm Terry Nicole Baca, Vice President of Legislative Affairs for AT&T California, the state's largest

Summary: The Assembly Communications and Conveyance Committee heard AB 470 by Assembly Member McKinnor, a bill to modernize California’s carrier-of-last-resort rules for voice telephone service and create a process for carriers to transition away from obsolete copper networks in favor of advanced telecommunications infrastructure. The author and supporters said the bill is aimed at preserving reliable voice and 911 access while encouraging private investment in fiber and other modern networks, and emphasized that it is not a broadband bill. Support came from AT&T, business groups, and a former Cal OES director, who argued the bill provides a careful, phased modernization with CPUC oversight and increased public-safety investment requirements. Opposition came from TURN, CWA District 9, digital equity organizations, labor groups, and several local governments and county representatives. Critics raised concerns about the adequacy of the mapping process, reliance on broadband and wireless coverage data, the lack of on-the-ground verification, the challenge process, possible loss of Lifeline protections, and the impact on workers and union jobs. They also argued the bill could allow carriers to reduce universal-service obligations without enough safeguards for rural and vulnerable customers. Committee members discussed those concerns at length, especially the map-making process, the challenge procedure, and whether the bill sufficiently protects workers and customers who could be left behind. The author said the bill includes a 10-year backstop if service is lost, a CPUC-led process, and a three-to-one fiber buildout requirement tied to relinquishment, and expressed willingness to continue working with labor on workforce language. The committee ultimately passed AB 470 on a 7-0 due pass vote.

Transcript Highlights:

• The current legislation allows for proper detachment by resolution. or a petition duly validated by the
• Three board members discussed the possibility of legal and rightful legislation in order to consider
• If this is a stopgap bill, why not address the original legislation as it is?
• It was simply a concept that was allowed legally under the existing legislation.
• Yes, there's some ambiguity in the current legislation, but this does not need to overlay with additional

Bills: HB4, HB54, HB775, HB850, HB 1122, HB 1249, HB1405, HB2336, HB2757, HB3372, HB3622, HB4442, HB4687, HB4893, HB5089, HB5515, HB5606, SB10, SB24, HB1573, HB3369, HB4, HB54, SB 10, SB 24

Keywords: non-human behaviors, education, Texas schools, policy, regulation, funding, teacher salaries, school districts, state budget, non-enrolled students, University Interscholastic League, participation, eligibility standards, school participation, academic standards, Texas education, interscholastic league, extracurricular activities, academic proficiency, AED

Transcript Highlights:

• So with that, let's hear from Senator Li Baldon of Rochester, who can tell you about the legislation
• I'm really grateful and honored to carry this legislation that would appropriate funds for an awareness
• I'm really grateful and honored to carry this legislation that would appropriate funds for an awareness
• I'm honored to carry this legislation and look forward to continuing that work as we move forward.
• uh that would um this legislation uh that would um appropriate<00:03:24.879><c> funds</c><00:03:25.239

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I don't think there's any need for legislation of any type.
• </c> would have to be separate legislation would have to be separate legislation that<00:54:19.680><c
• </c> I think I’ll make the motion to inexpedient to legislate.
• Those who are opposed to inexpedient to legislate: two people.
• They can come back and say, here's what you need to do legislatively.

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The subcommittee first dealt with a brew pub license bill and corrected some sponsor/subcommittee roster confusion before voting to pass it without discussion. The main item of debate was a bill allowing patrons to take purchased alcoholic beverages into restrooms. The bill sponsor argued the current ban is outdated, rarely enforced, and can leave patrons vulnerable if they set drinks down and leave them unattended; he said establishments could still post their own rules if they wished. Liquor enforcement officials said they were neutral overall, noting both the risk of drinks being left unattended and the practical concerns of underage drinking, over-service, and restroom monitoring. Testimony split between those who saw the law as a non-issue and those who viewed it as a safety measure. One member said he had never seen anyone take alcohol into a restroom and opposed changing the law, while others cited drink-spiking concerns and suggested alternatives such as safe zones behind bars, drink covers, and alert apps. Industry representatives said many operators would prefer to keep the law as-is because it helps with policing drinking in their establishments, though they acknowledged the motivation behind the bill. Several members also raised drafting concerns, saying the wording was confusing about whether the rule applied to patrons or establishments. The committee ultimately voted 5-2 to recommend the bill ought to pass. Afterward, members discussed amending the language to clarify that establishments could still prohibit the practice, but one member suggested a simpler fix would be to strike the word “restroom” from the prohibition entirely. The committee then unanimously voted to reconsider its action so the language could be revised later, and the amendment discussion was left for a future meeting.

Transcript Highlights:

• c> legislation actually can provide legislation actually can provide additional<00:58:00.960><c> tax<
• </c> are supportive of this legislation. are supportive of this legislation.
• </c><01:44:36.560><c> legislation</c><01:44:37.440><c> legislators</c> the legislator legislation legislators
• the legislator legislation legislators feel<01:44:38.400><c> it's</c><01:44:38.639><c> improper,</c>
• We are in voted on this legislation.

Bills: SF0110, SF0044, SF0046

Keywords: property tax, residential real estate, tax assessment, primary residence, tax revenue, gambling, lotteries, raffles, social relationships, charitable gaming, gaming, liquor establishments, skill based amusement games, regulations, age restrictions, 916, all

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:01:28.240><c> committees</c> members of the legislative committees members of the legislative
• </c><00:01:48.399><c> to</c> costs. include any draft legislation to costs. include any draft legislation
• /c><00:02:10.479><c> of</c> enabling legislation, the overview of enabling legislation, the overview
• </c> draft legislation that um comes of it. draft legislation that um comes of it.
• </c> legislation. Thank you. legislation. Thank you.

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• Not all legislators seek a members.
• :40:46.240><c> carried</c> 2018 pension reform legislation carried 2018 pension reform legislation carried
• This legislation solves both of of 1.5%.
• </c> group which is a piece of legislation. group which is a piece of legislation.
• Is is there a legislator that question.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• It seems to me it may have a little bit from bills filed by the same legislators last session, which
• This important legislative effort is great for the environment and local taxpayers.
• This important legislative effort is great for the environment and local taxpayers.
• This legislation includes a mechanism to reinstate the Clean Environment Fund.
• You have the legislation before you. It has been vetted. Please report it out favorably.”

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The hearing focused mainly on two subjects: expansion of the Massachusetts bottle bill and bills to remove woody biomass from state clean-energy and greenhouse-gas programs. On the bottle bill, supporters from municipal, environmental, public health, and local government groups argued that the 5-cent deposit is outdated, redemption rates have fallen, and expanding coverage to more beverage containers—especially water, sports drinks, and small alcohol bottles—would reduce litter, cut plastic waste and microplastics, and save cities and towns money. Several speakers also backed raising handling fees for retailers and redemption centers, and some supported restoring a Clean Environment Fund so unclaimed deposits would support recycling-related purposes. Opponents, including the Massachusetts Beverage Association and the National Waste and Recycling Association, argued that curbside recycling and transfer-station systems are more convenient, that the targeted containers are valuable to local recycling programs, and that the proposal would shift costs onto consumers and municipalities. Committee members questioned witnesses about redemption rates, handling fees, the 2014 ballot question, and whether the bill had changed from prior sessions. The biomass portion drew strong support from Springfield officials, state legislators, environmental advocates, and public health groups. They said woody biomass should not count as clean energy because burning wood produces particulate pollution and carbon emissions, and they warned that current law contains a loophole that could help finance the proposed Palmer Renewable Energy biomass plant in Springfield. Witnesses emphasized Springfield’s air-quality and asthma burdens, the public health impacts of PM2.5, and the need to close the loophole before a January 1, 2026 deadline. One forest-industry witness supported a separate bill promoting modern wood heat with pollution controls, arguing it is cleaner than older wood systems and has minimal ratepayer cost, while noting that those credits would be affected if the governor’s broader energy affordability bill repeals the alternative energy portfolio standard. No votes were taken during the hearing. The chairs managed testimony by alternating between the bottle bill and biomass topics, asking speakers to keep remarks brief and to note when they agreed with prior testimony. Several legislators also testified in support of the bills, and committee members asked follow-up questions on deposit levels, retailer handling fees, recycling economics, and the public-health rationale for the biomass restrictions.

Transcript Highlights:

• I'm with the Employment Development Department as a legislative analyst, and I strongly support this
• As legislators, I know we have often complained many meetings could have been an email, right?
• The union should not be able to use the legislative process to get concessions from the university.
• Jim Lindberg, Friends Committee on Legislation of California, in support. Thank you.
• And so we really support this legislation because we believe... It's the AI's assessment.

Keywords: 987, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• We've done a lot, I think, in this legislative body to streamline and expedite much-needed housing in
• Legislation that the author has carried half of it, and the rest of y'all, since I'm a freshman, the
• We'll likely need to refine this language as it moves through the legislative process, but I'm urging
• We look forward to continuing to work with you on this legislation and coming on in official support.
• From an affordable housing perspective, this legislation makes all kinds of sense in that it streamlines

Keywords: 987, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• You don’t necessarily need legislation to... ...adjust that to a permit.
• So you don’t necessarily need legislation to do it. No. Okay. And I understand... Yes.
• So you don’t necessarily need legislation to do it. No. Okay.
• I think maybe we can address that through prior legislation that this committee had.
• We don't need this legislation to do that. Am I wrong? Secretary? I said, yes.

Summary: The committee heard House Bill 706 by Representative Riser, which would set a more detailed process for commercial saltwater disposal wells, including site-specific modeling and pressure review. Riser and industry witnesses argued the bill would provide clearer, more predictable rules for operators who have faced long delays and changing requirements, while Department of Conservation and Energy officials said they are already developing guidance and that any pressure standard must remain site-specific to avoid fracturing confining layers, protecting drinking water, and staying within EPA primacy requirements. The department emphasized that geology varies widely across Louisiana and that a fixed pressure number in statute could be unsafe in some locations. Members also discussed the fiscal note, the need for additional staff, and whether the bill would tie the department’s hands or force approvals; witnesses said the bill’s modeling requirements were conservative, but opponents warned the statutory pressure ranges could conflict with site-specific safety determinations. After a technical amendment was adopted, the committee voted on the bill and it failed on a 6-6 tie. The committee then took up House Concurrent Resolution 4 by Representative McCormick, which would suspend Louisiana’s deer baiting ban for 18 months in areas affected by chronic wasting disease (CWD). McCormick and Hunter Nation representatives argued that baiting bans have not stopped CWD in other states, that deer feeders and food plots are part of hunting culture, and that Louisiana should rely on science and a more flexible approach. They cited Wisconsin as an example where CWD spread despite long-standing feed bans and said there has been no proven human transmission. Department of Wildlife and Fisheries officials said bait bans are one of the few tools available to reduce artificial congregation of deer and help limit disease spread, and they explained that the department is also working with a CWD task force and another proposal that would tie restrictions to a 1.5% prevalence threshold rather than an across-the-board suspension. The discussion ended with the department providing information on the impacts of both measures, but no final action on HCR 4 was recorded in the transcript.