Transcript Highlights:

• A filed copy of the order is then provided to the applicant.
• </c><00:33:23.679><c> So,</c> were filed 17 in July and in August.
• So, were filed 17 in July and in August.
• </c> city and county of Honolulu, uh we filed city and county of Honolulu, uh we filed 81<00:33:45.519
• </c> manila folder and put it from one filing manila folder and put it from one filing cabinet<01:14:

Keywords: 910, house, all

Summary: The House Committee on Judiciary and Hawaiian Affairs held an information briefing on expungement and record clearance, with Chair David Tarnis and Vice Chair Mahina Poo Poy emphasizing second chances and the legislature’s recent work on state-initiated relief. The chair reviewed prior measures, including Act 62 (2024), which created Hawaii’s first state-initiated expungement pilot for certain non-conviction cannabis-related arrests, Act 159 (2023), which required automatic sealing or removal of expunged records from the judiciary’s public database, and Act 241 (2024), which created the Clean Slate Task Force. He said the committee invited the Clean Slate Initiative and Code for America because of their national experience with state-initiated record clearance systems. Phil Hickden of the Hawaii Criminal Justice Data Center and Attorney General’s office reported that Act 62 was implemented using existing resources and no new funding, initially covering single-charge, pre-2020 arrests in Hawaii County for possession of less than one ounce of marijuana and later expanded by Act 005 (2025) to all arrests under HRS 712-1249 regardless of drug type. He said the project identified 2,268 potentially eligible records, with 1,072 processed so far, 989 granted and 83 denied, and that the work has taken about 872 staff hours and roughly 45 days per expungement. He also said the office has identified about 412,000 people who could potentially qualify for expungement under broader legislation, though that estimate does not include case-by-case research. Michelle Acasta of the judiciary explained that Act 159 changed the process so HCJDC now digitally transmits expungement certificates to the court, eliminating the applicant’s second step of filing paperwork with the court. She said the courts still manually review eligibility, but the process is easier because certificates now include a case ID and HCJDC provides additional information to help locate records. She reported that since implementation the courts received 125 certificates in July and 87 in August, with 17 court orders filed in July and August, including 81 in the First Circuit, 14 in Maui, 7 in the Third Circuit, and 15 in the Fifth Circuit. She also noted that the Hawaii Supreme Court’s State v. Rogan decision affects procedure by requiring a written request or motion, an opportunity to be heard, and written findings for sealing court records, and that new Supreme Court rules are expected for public comment. Members asked about qualitative outcomes and whether the process could be expanded statewide; staff said they do not track recidivism or personal stories, and the chair encouraged further discussion before the next session to identify barriers and capacity needs.

Transcript Highlights:

• suggestions, which are contained in this bill, before I filed it.
• Nothing has to be filed. It could be anything.
• That does not mean that anything has had to be filed.
• The AG's filing of the Notice of Appearance would necessitate the filing by the local prosecutor of an
• The local prosecutor has to voluntarily send over whatever files or copies of files to the Attorney General's

Bills: HB24 , HB45 , HB15 , HB35 , HB38 , HB47 , HB318 , HB349 , HB554 , HB1359 , HB1373 , HB1647 , HB2254 , HB2259 , HB2853 , HB3073 , HB3088 , HB353 , HB355 , HB786 , HB762 , HB705 , HB932 , HB849 , HB 1160 , HB 1119 , HB1612 , HB3041 , HB713 , HB3104 , HB3970 , HB3962 , HB5061 , HB4042 , HB4115 , HB4490 , HB1731 , HB1705 , HB2607 , HB3556 , HB138 , HB3689 , HB1788 , HB1887 , HB1914 , HB2402 , HB2306 , HB1809 , HB2350 , HB3000 , HB3237 , HB3326 , HB3211 , HB 1056 , HB2081 , HB2187 , HB3092 , HB3308 , HB3526 , HB3750 , HB3527 , HB4219 , HB4230 , HB4290 , HB5238 , HB4804 , HB4749 , HCR6 , HCR12 , HCR34 , HCR50 , HCR55 , HCR58 , HCR70 , HCR71 , HCR72 , HCR74 , HCR75 , HCR78 , HCR80 , HCR93 , HCR100 , HCR107 , HCR116 , HCR117 , HCR90 , SB1806 , SB783 , SB1271 , SB326 , SB1637 , SB769 , SB897 , SB1035 , SB1706 , SB1185 , SB1194 , SB384 , SB1426 , SB1468 , SB1215 , SB1066 , SB599 , SB1930 , SB2065 , SB767 , SB1619 , SB1738 , HB1500 , HB718 , HB23 , HB34 , HB 119 , HB 128 , HB 130 , HB132 , HB2756 , HB166 , HB406 , HB186 , HB331 , HB380 , HB1583 , HB1584 , HB621 , HB303 , HB552 , HB366 , HB463 , HB 1211 , HB1327 , HB1461 , HB923 , HB1760 , HB2467 , HB5333 , HB1592 , HB1576 , HB1552 , HB2018 , HB3511 , HB1781 , HB2013 , HB2340 , HB2508 , HB2970 , HB865 , HB2851 , HB3385 , HB3336 , HB3309 , HB 1127 , HB 1232 , HB1397 , HB4236 , HB4041 , HB1965 , HB2730 , HB3698 , HB3699 , HB163 , HB201 , HB272 , HB405 , HB519 , HB654 , HB694 , HB791 , HB 1136 , HB 1240 , HB 1266 , HB 1275 , HB1437 , HB1532 , HB1675 , HB1842 , HB1868 , HB1894 , HB1943 , HB1990 , HB2029 , HB2061 , HB2286 , HB2523 , HB2622 , HB2652 , HB2692 , HB2842 , HB2885 , HB3016 , HB3096 , HB3248 , HB3255 , HB3479 , HB3611 , HB3623 , HB3803 , HB3804 , HB3805 , HB3806 , HB3810 , HB3816 , HB4129 , HB4163 , HB4187 , HB4238 , HB4454 , HB4588 , HB4643 , HB4738 , HB4739 , HB4945 , HB5015 , HB5616 , HB1749 , HB1775 , HB 118 , HB1762 , HB2520 , HB24 , HB45 , HB15 , HB35 , HB38 , HB47 , HB318 , HB349 , HB554 , HB1359 , HB1373 , HB1647 , HB2254 , HB2259 , HB2853 , HB3073 , HB3088 , HB353 , HB355 , HB786 , HB762 , HB705 , HB932 , HB849 , HB 1160 , HB 1119 , HB1612 , HB3041 , HB713 , HB3104 , HB3970 , HB3962 , HB5061 , HB4042 , HB4115 , HB4490 , HB1731 , HB1705 , HB2607 , HB3556 , HB138 , HB3689 , HB1788 , HB1887 , HB1914 , HB2402 , HB2306 , HB1809 , HB2350 , HB3000 , HB3237 , HB3326 , HB3211 , HB 1056 , HB2081 , HB2187 , HB3092 , HB3308 , HB3526 , HB3750 , HB3527 , HB4219 , HB4230 , HB4290 , HB5238 , HB4804 , HB4749 , HCR6 , HCR12 , HCR34 , HCR50 , HCR55 , HCR58 , HCR70 , HCR71 , HCR72 , HCR74 , HCR75 , HCR78 , HCR80 , HCR93 , HCR100 , HCR107 , HCR116 , HCR117 , HCR90

Keywords: zoning, public notice, local government, residential development, protests, peer support, first responders, mental health, confidentiality, emergency services, information network, health services, client referral, data privacy, disaster preparedness, accreditation, community services, sexual assault, victim rights, forensic examination

Transcript Highlights:

• I'm here today to testify in support of Senate File 469.
• file file 469<00:03:02.080><c> uh</c><00:03:02.200><c> cattle</c><00:03:02.480><c> producers</c><00:
• Thank you for the opportunity to testify in support of Senate File 469. Senate File 469.
• C File 304 will be held over for possible inclusion, and Senate File 302 will also be held over for possible
• C File 304 will be held over for possible inclusion, and Senate File 302 will also be held over for possible

Committee: Senate Agriculture, Veterans, Broadband, and Rural Development

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• drafting by 6 a.m. and approved, sorry, 6:30 a.m., excuse me, thank you, Randy, and approved for filing
• Everybody take note of the drafting and filing deadlines.
• Hearing amendments must be submitted to House bill drafting and approved for filing by 8:00 a.m.
• Hearing amendments must be submitted to House bill drafting and approved for filing by 8:30 a.m.
• We are adjourned. hearing amendments must be submitted to House bill drafting and approved for filing

Summary: The House Rules and Ethics Committee met on April 28, 2026, with a quorum present. The committee considered a proposed special order letter for the April 29 House session, which included time allocations for questions and debate on bills placed on special order. There were no questions, no public testimony, and no debate on the letter, and it was adopted by voice vote. Members were also reminded of the amendment deadlines for the Wednesday session. Main amendments were due to House bill drafting by 6:00 a.m., approved for filing by 7:30 a.m., and hearing amendments were due by 8:00 a.m. and approved for filing by 8:30 a.m. No further business was taken up, and the committee adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• Very first bill up is House File 1531.
• So with that, I will move House File 1531 be recommended to be re-referred to the general register.
• So with that, I will move House File 1531 be recommended to be re-referred to the general register.
• So with that, I will move House File 1531 be recommended to be re-referred to the general register.
• I renew my motion that House File 1531, as amended, be re-referred to the general register.

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• The following House files have been offered for introduction today.
• The following House files have been offered for introduction today.
• The chief clerk will report the House files and give them their first reading.
• Introduction of first reading of House files 3331 through 3336.
• First reading House files 3331 through 3336. Announcements.

Transcript Highlights:

• I'm curious, what was it that inspired you to file the amendment?
• of you and what was filed.
• As with the last bill, we do have three amendments, two timely filed and one late filed.
• There is a late-file amendment barcode 330146 by Senator Berman.
• Is there objection to taking up the late-file amendment?

Committee: Senate Appropriations

Keywords: 999, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Several amendments have been filed, which will be considered at this time.
• Amendment number three, again filed by the Senator from Essex and Middlesex, Senator Tarr.
• Amendment number four, again filed by the same Senator from Essex and Middlesex, which the clerk will
• Amendment number five, the Senator from Essex and Middlesex, Senator Tarr, has filed an amendment.
• The same Senator from Essex and Middlesex has filed an amendment, Senator Tarr, which the clerk will

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The Senate opened with the Pledge of Allegiance and then took up several bills and procedural matters. It adopted an emergency preamble and passed to be enacted a sick leave bank for Anisee Contreras of the Trial Court, and it also passed a bill reauthorizing the town of Swansea to issue additional on-premises liquor licenses. The chamber ordered several other bills to third reading, including a Wellesley bill on police and fire residency limits and a House bill on Commonwealth bond terms, along with multiple calendar items that were advanced without debate. The Senate then considered and passed the bill increasing access to disposable menstrual products in prisons, homeless shelters, and public schools. Senators Comerford and O'Connor spoke in strong support, describing the measure as a continuation of prior Senate action and a response to period poverty, with O'Connor highlighting community efforts by Free Period and related funding support. The bill was amended, ordered to a third reading, and passed to be engrossed by a unanimous roll call. The Senate also passed a bill on menstrual product ingredient disclosure after adopting a Ways and Means amendment; Comerford said the measure would require manufacturers to disclose ingredients and chemicals, citing concerns about PFAS and other harmful substances. That bill also passed to be engrossed by roll call. The chamber next took up a major public safety bill strengthening the move-over law. Senator Tarr described the bill as expanding protections to utility workers and disabled vehicles and adding escalating penalties, while Senator Feeney emphasized the dangers faced by workers on roadways and the need to protect them. Several proposed amendments were considered: one on municipally owned utility vehicles was adopted, while amendments on interior lights during stops, higher penalties, non-surchargeability, green lights for municipal emergency management vehicles, and public access to driving records were rejected or withdrawn. The amended bill was then ordered to a third reading and passed to be engrossed by a 39-0 roll call. The Senate also paused to honor the late Senator Edward J. Kennedy of Lowell, adopting a motion to adjourn in his memory after a tribute to his public service and community advocacy. Earlier, the chamber recognized a guest, Rocco LaGrasso, during Italian-American Heritage Month. The session ended with the Senate adjourning to meet again the following Monday at 11 a.m.

Transcript Highlights:

• And let's go to file item 9, AB 1987.
• Okay, we will return to committee to hear file item six from Assembly Member Brian.
• Okay, we will return to committee to hear file item six from assembly member Brian.
• All right, let's go back for file item 1. This was Assembly Member Hart.
• And lastly, file item 9, Aguiar-Curry, AB 1987. Thank you.

Summary: The Senate Natural Resources and Water Committee heard several measures focused on conservation, coastal protection, water supply, and invasive species. AB 1987 by Assemblymember Aguiar-Curry would direct fees and lease revenues generated by state wildlife areas back to those areas for operation and maintenance; the author accepted committee amendments, and Audubon California testified in support with no opposition. AB 1448 by Assemblymember Hart would strengthen California’s restrictions on offshore oil and gas development by limiting the use of existing infrastructure for new offshore drilling and adding review requirements for lease transfers and related actions; it drew broad support from coastal governments and environmental groups and no opposition, and was sent to Appropriations. AB 1894 by Assemblymember Rubio addressed imported water deliveries for groundwater recharge in the context of golden mussel control plans, aiming to prevent local restrictions from blocking deliveries that comply with state-approved invasive species plans; supporters said it protects groundwater reliability, while opposition argued it could weaken local authority and liability protections. After discussion, the committee approved the bill 6-0 and sent it to Appropriations. The committee also considered ACR 107 by Assemblymember Bauer-Kahan, a resolution recognizing the Diablo Range as a major conservation priority and highlighting its habitat, watershed, and 30 by 30 value. Support came from Save Mount Diablo, and members emphasized the range’s ecological importance and regional reach; the resolution was adopted on a 7-0 vote. Finally, AB 1946 by Assemblymember Bryan sought to elevate investment in urban conservation and park creation in historically underserved communities as part of California’s 30 by 30 goals. Testimony from Los Angeles County Parks and Recreation and park/recreation organizations stressed the need to reduce “nature poverty,” improve access, and remediate degraded urban lands; members discussed equity, biodiversity, and park maintenance, and the bill passed 7-0 to Appropriations. Several items, including AB 1987 and the consent calendar, were also approved on unanimous or near-unanimous votes, with some measures held on call before final roll calls were completed.

Transcript Highlights:

• And let's go to File Item 9, AB 1987.
• Okay, we will return to committee to hear File Item 6 from Assembly Member Brian.
• All right, let's go back for file item 1. This was Assembly Member Hart.
• And lastly, file item 9, Aguirre Curry, AB 1997. Thank you.
• And lastly, file item 9, Aguirre Curry, AB-1987. Please call the absent member.

Committee: Senate Natural Resources and Water

Keywords: 987, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I will move House File 4194. Representative Hicks, welcome to the Tax Committee.
• So, that being said, we now have House File 4194 to our bill.
• So, that being said, we now have House File 4194 to our bill.
• Um, I would like to point out that there are there's a stack of letters in members' files, folders from
• </c> House File 4194. House File 4194. Was<00:15:27.120><c> that</c><00:15:27.240><c> amended?

Keywords: 919, house, all

Summary: Representative Hicks presented House File 4194, which would change how Rochester’s approved local option sales tax funds could be used for a regional athletics facility. Hicks argued the city’s 2023 ballot materials promised substantial community and stakeholder engagement and an indoor/outdoor community recreation complex, but that the project shifted to an outdoor-only plan without meaningful public input. She said the bill was needed to center Rochester residents’ voices and prevent a precedent of approved projects being changed after the vote. Rochester City Council President Randy Schubring opposed the bill, saying the city is following the 2023 authorization and building as much as possible within the approved funding. He said the ballot question passed with 53% support and urged the committee not to overturn local election results, while asking lawmakers to work with the city and Rochester delegation on the remaining funding shortfall. Testifier Kamau Wilkins also opposed the city’s current direction, saying voters were promised indoor recreation facilities but are now getting mostly outdoor baseball diamonds, which he described as a bait-and-switch. Several members supported Hicks’ concerns, saying legislators have a duty to ensure local sales tax projects match what voters were told. Representative Lee raised a broader issue about legislative oversight of local option sales taxes and referenced a possible St. Paul-related fix. Hicks closed by saying she supported the tax originally but no longer believes the project matches what voters approved. The committee then laid House File 4194 over for possible inclusion in the omnibus tax bill.

Transcript Highlights:

• Badger; S. 2928, an act to establish a celiac disease screening pilot program, filed by Senator Lovely
• ; H. 5087, an act regulating the operation of medical spas, filed by Rep.
• Pyshe; and H. 5115, an act establishing statewide food truck regulations, filed by Rep. Hogan.
• And H. 5115, an act establishing statewide food truck regulations, filed by Rep. Hogan.
• But I'm happy to file this on the Senate side again.

Bills: H5013 , H5087 , H5115 , S2928

Committee: Joint Joint Committee on Public Health

Keywords: celiac disease, gluten intolerance, autoimmune disorder, pediatric screening, child health, public health, screening pilot, early detection, 12-year-olds, cholesterol screening, lipid screening, health care providers, Department of Public Health, patient advocacy, family support, Massachusetts, preventive care, diagnostic screening, nutrition, gastroenterology

Transcript Highlights:

• >> Next bill on the agenda is House File 29? 0, 6, Representative Smith.
• I will move that House File 29, 00:06 PM, referred to the Commerce Finance and Policy Committee.
• House File 296, this bill creates exactly the kind of framework we need to do this very safely.
• My name's West Cleaver, and I'm very heavily in support of House File 296.
• My name is Calvin Benson, and I'm here in support of House File 296.

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• So say for instance the report that we just filed. >> Yes, we have to keep that for four years.
• So four years from that date of filing, you can destroy that report if you were keeping it by paper or
• </c> instance the report that we just filed. instance the report that we just filed.
• ,</c><00:20:17.360><c> you</c> four years from that date of filing, you four years from that date of
• filing, you can<00:20:17.679><c> destroy</c><00:20:18.080><c> that</c><00:20:18.320><c> report</c><00

Bills: SB42 , SB166 , SB42 , SB166

Committee: House Constitution, Campaigns and Elections

Keywords: abandoned roads, land ownership, government regulations, property rights, transportation, Ten Commandments, public education, displays, funding, Alabama law, municipal elections, runoff elections, majority voting, electoral procedures, local governance, campaign finance, record retention, political action committees, Fair Campaign Practices Act, 1136

Transcript Highlights:

• SB1, as filed, implements requirements applicable only to youth camps.
• going to have zero tolerance for anyone that does not file an emergency plan?
• In SB1, RV parks will have a plan on file with the locals.
• And he said, his answer was, there are 19 counties in this county, and I have six on file.
• Senator Perry, you're recognized on file.

Bills: SB 9 , SB 7 , SB 17 , SB 4 , SB 1 , HB4 , HB4 , SB9 , SB7 , SB17 , SB4 , SB1 , SB2 , SB5

Keywords: school assessment, public education, accountability, transparency, education standards, STAAR, Texas Education Agency, TEA, public school accountability, school ratings, A-F ratings, assessment reform, student testing, benchmark tests, interim assessments, through-year assessment, diagnostic reports, college career military readiness, CCMR, local accountability plans

Transcript Highlights:

• House File or Senate File 3 is the environment bill.
• Senate File 3. The clerk will report the bill.
• Gordon moves to amend Senate File 3. The amendment is coded A3.
• Senate File 3. Third reading. Discussion to the bill.
• Senate file reading. Third reading. Senate file number<00:14:33.600><c> three.

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• It would clarify that a controlling person of a state bank is exempt from filing a new application to
• The committee substitute differs from the bill as filed in that it would recognize only a court order
• The committee substitute differs from the bill as filed in that it would recognize only a court order
• Ha ha. to cease debt collection activities, and it would strike subsection E to avoid lawsuits filed
• My company is currently facing five lawsuits that were filed after the right-to-repair was passed.

Bills: HB431 , HB1522 , HB1922 , HB2467 , HB2468 , HB3228 , HB3229 , HB3306 , HB3803 , HB3804 , HB3805 , HB3806 , HB4219 , HB4238 , HB4344 , HB4386 , HB4739

Committee: Senate Business & Commerce

Keywords: HB 431, Texas Property Code, Property Code Chapter 202, solar roof tiles, solar shingles, solar energy device, homeowners association, HOA, property owners' association, POA, renewable energy, residential solar, distributed solar, roof-mounted solar, homeowner rights, architectural control, open meetings, public notice, transparency, government efficiency

Summary: The Senate Committee on Business and Commerce met with a quorum and first took up pending business, reporting several House bills favorably to the full Senate, including HB 11, HB 132, HB 1041, HB 1606, HB 2286, and HB 5061, with some also recommended for the local and uncontested or contested calendars. The committee then heard and left pending HB 3306, which would extend construction-contract indemnity exceptions to electric infrastructure work, including construction, maintenance, and vegetation management for utilities. Supporters said it would align utility infrastructure work with public works and reduce litigation and ratepayer costs, while opponents argued it would shift liability onto subcontractors and create broad-form indemnity concerns. Members also heard HB 4739, a Comptroller-requested cleanup bill repealing an outdated Finance Code provision tied to delinquency charges on retail charge accounts, and left it pending without testimony. The committee then considered several Department of Banking cleanup bills, including HB 3803, HB 3804, and HB 3806, all left pending after brief explanations and no public opposition. HB 4219, dealing with public information requests, drew support from a journalist and a policy analyst who said it would improve transparency by requiring timely responses, notice when records do not exist, and training or fee consequences for noncompliance; it was left pending. The committee also heard HB 4238, a committee substitute addressing coerced debt and identity theft, which would bar collection of certain debts from victims who obtain a qualifying court order. A law professor and a family violence advocate supported the bill as narrow, protective relief for domestic violence and elder abuse survivors, and it was left pending. Other bills heard and left pending included HB 1522 on local government budget meeting posting and taxpayer impact disclosures, HB 4344 authorizing background checks for PUC employees and contractors, HB 3805 updating money services business regulation, HB 431 extending solar-panel HOA protections to solar tiles, HB 3228 and HB 3229 on wind and solar recycling financial assurance, and HB 1922 clarifying the accrual date for construction defect claims under right-to-repair law. The committee recessed subject to the call of the chair.

Transcript Highlights:

• Back to Senator Bradley for a late filed amendment bar. Code 4, 1, 5, 6, 0, >> All right.
• We have a late filed Amendment bar code 4, 1, 1, 5, 6, 0, by Senator Pizzo Senator Pizzo.
• There is one amendment timely filed bar code 4, 6, 9, 6, 3, 0, by Senator Rodriguez.
• The late filed amendment will take up late filed Amendment bar code 6, 6, 1, 1, 0, 6, by Senator Pizzo
• Timely filed amendment. >> Yep. Okay. Thank you, Mr.

Keywords: 999, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I filed it last week, and it has been referenced.
• acknowledged that this is a different approach compared to Senator Gaetz's legislation that she's filed
• So as of February 11, as stated earlier, the department did file a notice of rule development creating
• against you, or if you are filing an ethics complaint.
• You have an ethics complaint filed against you, or if you are filing an ethics complaint.

Summary: The Joint Administrative Procedures Committee heard a presentation from Representative Esposito on a proposal to strengthen oversight of agency rulemaking under Chapter 120. The bill would require cost-benefit analysis at the front end and after implementation, create an eight-year sunset and review process for rules, and require express legislative authority for agency rulemaking. Members questioned the lack of concrete examples of burdensome rules, the effect on already slow rulemaking, the choice of an eight-year sunset, and the bill’s origin; Esposito said she was working with stakeholders and cited her chamber-of-commerce background and research with the Cicero Institute. No vote was taken on the bill itself. Staff then reported on legislatively mandated rulemaking from 2023 and 2024, noting that most required rules had been adopted, proposed, noticed, or scheduled, with a few agencies still outstanding. The Department of Financial Services explained a delayed notice of rule development for the MySafe Florida Home condominium pilot program as an oversight that has since been corrected, and the Department of Education said it did not proceed with rulemaking for the Fostering Prosperity grants because the program received no funding in the 2025 budget. The Department of Health described delayed rulemaking for the sickle cell disease and trait registry, saying the registry and opt-out forms were being implemented and that notices of rule development had now been filed. Members pressed the department on why rules took so long and discussed the need for statutory deadlines. The Department of Children and Families reported on two 2023 human-trafficking-related rules: signage requirements for residential treatment facilities and children’s safe homes, and a new certification process for adult safe homes. DCF said the signage rule is now moving forward and the adult safe home certification rule has been submitted for final review after workshops and stakeholder feedback. Senators questioned the lengthy timeline and the lack of oversight during the interim, while the chair emphasized the need for time-certain deadlines in legislation and for JAPAC oversight hearings. The committee also considered staff-proposed amendments to Chapter 120 addressing emergency rules pending legislative ratification and the process for initiating ratification, including a one-year limit and notice to JAPAC. After discussion, the committee voted to forward the proposed amendments to the Senate President and House Speaker. Finally, members discussed a proposed amendment to the administrative law judge appointment and retention process under Section 120.65. DOAH’s interim director opposed the change, saying ALJs and workers’ compensation judges have different functions and warning against shifting appointment power to cabinet officers whose agencies appear before DOAH. Members raised concerns about timeliness, consistency, and accountability in DOAH decisions. The committee voted to forward this proposal as well, with Senator Smith voting no on that motion.

Transcript Highlights:

• Our response legislatively, if we don't like something, is to file a bill, and we do that.
• Our response legislatively, if we don't like something, is to file a bill, and we do that.
• Our response legislatively, if we don't like something, is to file a bill, and we do that.
• All regulations are deficient in our committee and null and void. is to file a file a bill and we do
• that is to file a file a bill and we do that U<00:10:45.120><c> we</c><00:10:45.320><c> file</c><00:10

Keywords: 00:00 Call to Order 00:07 Roll Call 02:14 SB 23 Discussion 13:11 SB 23 Vote 13:51 Adjournment, 958, all

Summary: The Licensing and Occupations committee met for its first meeting under Chair Rocky Adams, who opened by announcing a more flexible approach to committee procedure, including no egg timer, less emphasis on interim vetting, and a collaborative process with the House chair on amendments. The committee then took up its only agenda item, Senate Bill 23, sponsored by Senator Steve West, which would allow the Administrative Regulations Committee to conduct preliminary review of non-enacted regulations and require cabinet representatives to appear, provide information, and have authority to respond to deficiencies. West said the bill is intended to increase transparency earlier in the regulatory process and address past problems with cabinet participation. Members generally supported the bill and emphasized the importance of transparency and oversight in the regulatory process. Several questions focused on a possible notice requirement for committee review; West said the administration had requested five days’ notice, and he was open to that idea so long as no loopholes were created, including whether the same notice should apply to deferral requests. He also explained that the bill does not create strong enforcement teeth beyond existing committee powers to find a regulation deficient or request deferral, and that any stronger response would still come through separate legislation. Before the vote, members explained their support while noting concerns about notice and fairness. Senator Berg warned against surprise agenda changes and wanted a level playing field, while Senator Douglas said the bill would help constituents better understand regulations. The committee then voted to pass Senate Bill 23 with favorable expression and sent it to the Senate floor. The meeting adjourned afterward.