Transcript Highlights:

• My background is in statistics and research methods, but to me that’s disadvantageous because it’s a
• My background is in statistics and research methods, but to me that’s disadvantageous because it’s a
• My background is in statistics and research methods, but to me that’s disadvantageous because it’s a
• My background is in statistics and research methods, but to me that’s disadvantageous because it’s a
• </c><00:58:39.720><c> I</c> assessment and institutional research I assessment and institutional research

Committee: House Higher Education Finance and Policy

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• I'm the House research analyst, and my favorite food is chocolate chip banana bread.
• I am Sean Haor, DFL research, and my favorite food is beef stew with biscuits. I'm L.
• Go, research, and I'm the big wings guy.
• Go, research, and I'm the big wings guy.
• Go, research, and I'm the big wings guy.

Committee: House Agriculture Finance and Policy

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• If you look into Research New England Aquarium, a big whale researcher, they received $1.5 million from
• They should finish the research first before going into commercial leasing.
• They should finish the research first before going into commercial leasing.
• We have not done enough proper research on the EMF effect.
• We have not done enough proper research on the EMF effect.

Committee: House Science, Technology and Energy

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I did do some of my own research.
• And I had to even do my own research. Thank you for the question.

Bills: HB3419 , HB3624 , HB3748 , HB4335

Committee: Senate Local and County Government

Keywords: corruption, nonpublic information, government accountability, criminal law, public office, counties, property taxation, watercourse, boundaries, effective date, county government, administration, local resources, public institutions, construction, maintenance, animal welfare, pet shops, commercial breeders, county regulations

Transcript Highlights:

• Arkansas's Administrative Office of the Courts, and our circuit court judges' abilities to conduct legal research
• Arkansas's administrative office of the courts, and our circuit court judge's abilities to conduct legal research

Committee: All CODE REVISION COMMISSION

Summary: The commission approved the prior meeting minutes and then adopted the annual authorization for expense reimbursement for commissioners under Arkansas Code 25-16-902. Members noted that legislative commissioners would not receive reimbursement for the meeting day itself, consistent with their understanding of legislative per diem rules. The commission next considered LexisNexis pricing and replacement volume proposals. Company representatives proposed roughly a 7% price increase, citing higher costs and the Producer Price Index, and recommended replacing three volumes in 2026 and four in 2027 based on supplement size and age. Members asked about pricing for the public, the criteria for selecting replacement volumes, and the number of state sets sold. LexisNexis said the state pricing was tied to the public price structure and explained that replacement decisions are driven by keeping supplements manageable and volumes current. The commission approved the pricing and replacement volumes. Senator Tucker also raised the possibility of a statewide legal research contract for circuit judges, and LexisNexis said it would connect him with its sales team. Staff then updated the commission on the funds codification project. They reported reviewing state treasury funds and identifying many that are codified in more than one place, with the goal of moving the technical creation language into Title 19 only and repealing duplicative language elsewhere. The project is intended for inclusion in a fall technical corrections bill, after coordination with BLR Fiscal and DFA. Members discussed whether obsolete funds could also be identified for possible cleanup legislation, and staff said DFA maintains a list of obsolete funds and that any such information could be incorporated into future technical corrections work. The commission concluded by noting that no further business was expected before a later fall meeting to review technical corrections, and then adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• They have a good research institution.
• Liberal arts or research schools, I don't really care where I go, just as long as I get the most out

Summary: The Idaho Judiciary and Rules and Administration Committee approved the minutes from March 19, 2026, and recognized page Obregon for his service, including remarks about his college plans and interest in law and public service. The chair presented him with a committee gift and signed card. The committee then heard House Bill 614, which Rep. Brandon Mitchell said would modernize Idaho’s mental health and developmental disability laws, update definitions to include neurocognitive disorders such as Alzheimer’s and dementia, and create clearer pathways for treatment and civil commitment in cases where defendants are found incompetent and not restorable. Nez Perce County Chief Civil Deputy Prosecutor Travis Hartshorn testified in support, explaining that the bill addresses gaps in current law that can leave such individuals without a commitment option, especially in rural counties, and that the added sexual-offense language was intended to cover cases where harmful conduct is not strictly physical. After questions about guardianship boards and the scope of the problem, the committee voted to send HB 614 to the floor with a due pass recommendation. The committee also considered Senate Bill 1330 as amended, sponsored by Sen. Cody Galloway and Rep. John Schurz, which would raise Idaho’s small claims court limit from $5,000 to $15,000. Supporters said the increase would better reflect inflation and help small businesses and individuals resolve modest disputes without hiring attorneys. After a brief discussion, including a question about whether claimants could waive amounts above the new limit, the committee voted unanimously to send SB 1330 to the floor with a due pass recommendation. The chair then thanked members for their work and indicated the committee’s session work was concluded.

Transcript Highlights:

• road, and proceeds support the work of the Florida Wildflower Foundation, which includes wildlife research
• and proceeds support the work of the Florida Wildlife Flower Foundation, which includes wildlife research

Summary: The Transportation Committee met and considered several transportation-related bills, including multiple honorary roadway designations, specialty license plates, and Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles agency measures. SB 628, by Senator Gates, designated a portion of South Navy Boulevard in Pensacola as Warrior Sacrifice Way to honor three sailors killed in the 2019 Naval Air Station Pensacola attack; it passed favorably without debate. SB 174, by Senator Rodriguez, designated part of State Road 985 in Miami-Dade County as Charlie Kirk Memorial Avenue. Senator Arrington spoke in opposition, citing Kirk’s controversial public statements, while Senator Rodriguez said the bill honored civic participation rather than ideology; the bill passed favorably. SB 388, by Senator Arrington, raised the annual use fee for the Florida wildflower specialty license plate from $15 to $25, with an exception for certain fleet purchases, to support conservation and education programs; it received supportive public comment and passed favorably. The committee also approved SB 470 by Senator Wright, which opens the existing Fraternal Order of Police specialty license plate to the general public and allows a redesign to increase sales and funding for law enforcement memorial efforts. A representative of the FOP testified in support, explaining that the memorial benefits fallen officers’ families. SB 584, by Vice Chair Avala, authorizes DHSMV and county tax collectors to enter agreements allowing local enforcement of certain commercial driving school laws, aimed at reducing fraud and improving oversight; it passed favorably with supportive comments from lobbyists. The committee then took up DHSMV agency package bills: SB 488, which updates motor fuel tax and vehicle-related provisions, including IFTA compliance, online filing, higher crash-reporting thresholds, and email communications; and SB 490, the companion public records exemption for email addresses used under SB 488. Both were reported favorably, with SB 490 noted as requiring a two-thirds vote. At the end of the meeting, members recorded missed votes in the affirmative on SB 628, SB 174, and SB 388. The committee then adjourned without objection.

Transcript Highlights:

• road, and proceeds support the work of the Florida Wildflower Foundation, which includes wildlife research
• and proceeds support the work of the Florida Wildlife Flower Foundation, which includes wildlife research

Bills: S0174 , S0388 , S0470 , S0488 , S0490 , S0584 , S0628

Committee: Senate Transportation

Keywords: transportation, memorial, honorary designation, Miami-Dade, Charlie Kirk, license plates, Florida Wildflower, vehicle registration, annual use fee, specialty plates, Fraternal Order of Police, license plate, funding, memorial foundation, law enforcement, motor carriers, fuel tax, military exemptions, safety regulations, electronic submissions

Summary: The Transportation Committee heard and advanced several bills, mostly related to honorary roadway designations, specialty license plates, and Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles administration. SB 628 designated a portion of South Navy Boulevard in Pensacola as “Warrior Sacrifice Way” to honor Ensign Joshua Watson and Petty Officers Muhammad Hatham and Cameron Walters, who were killed in the 2019 Naval Air Station Pensacola attack. The bill passed favorably with no debate or opposition. The committee also considered SB 174, naming a portion of State Road 985 in Miami-Dade County as Charlie Kirk Memorial Avenue. Senator Arrington opposed the bill during debate, citing Kirk’s public statements as inconsistent with the honor, while Senator Rodriguez argued the designation was an honorary roadway naming that did not require agreement with Kirk’s views. The bill was reported favorably. SB 388, which raises the annual use fee for the Florida Wildflowers specialty license plate from $15 to $25 while keeping the lower fee for owners with more than 10 vehicles, also passed favorably after a support-only public comment. Members then approved SB 470, which opens the Fraternal Order of Police specialty plate to the general public and allows redesigns to help sustain sales and increase funding for law enforcement memorial efforts. Public testimony from the FOP supported the change. SB 584 authorized DHSMV to enter agreements allowing county tax collectors to enforce certain commercial driving school provisions, aimed at addressing fraud and licensing abuses, and it passed favorably with support. Finally, the committee approved SB 488, the DHSMV agency package updating IFTA compliance, online filing, crash reporting thresholds, registration procedures, email communications, and tank vehicle definitions, along with SB 490, the companion public records exemption for email addresses used under SB 488; both were reported favorably, with SB 490 noted as requiring a two-thirds vote.

Transcript Highlights:

• Also thank our nonpartisan staff from House Research and the Revisor's Office for their work on putting
• , Jackie Clinton, and my legislative assistant, Ayanna Smith Kyman, and our researcher Ryan Majaras.
• I also have to make mention of our Republican researcher Tom Dashida. Excellent work.
• And uh Ryan Majeras, the Democrat researcher, also always open.
• I'm grateful to my researcher, Danny Gillis, and I would encourage a green vote.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I want to make sure that our school libraries can still be a place for them to research because some
• for there to do this type of research for their<01:30:09.280><c> classes.
• He said he has done the research and that when he talks to people who work in libraries, they say it
• </c><03:01:48.640><c> So</c><03:01:48.800><c> they</c> wanted to research a little bit.
• So they wanted to research a little bit.

Keywords: 916, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I have a forensic company that does research on this kind of stuff.
• Obviously, we are researchers, and we are also educators as well.
• Since 2017, our research has been sponsored by TxDOT.
• This is the largest single research project in This is the largest single research project in the history
• support of our research effort.

Summary: The joint Senate and House disaster preparedness hearing convened in Kerrville with quorum, public testimony limited to three minutes and invited testimony to 10 minutes. Leaders from both chambers, along with the lieutenant governor and speaker, framed the hearing as an unprecedented joint effort focused on learning from the July 4 flood, honoring victims, and identifying actions to reduce future loss of life. The committee also heard opening remarks about decorum, logistics, and the intent to continue work in future sessions. The first panel included Kerr County Judge Rob Kelly, Sheriff Larry Leitha, Emergency Management Coordinator William B. Thomas IV, Kerrville Mayor Joe Herring Jr., Kerrville City Manager Dalton Rice, Upper Guadalupe River Authority representative William Rector, Kendall County Judge Shane Stolarczyk, and Real County Judge Bella Rubio. They described the flood as sudden and catastrophic, with Kerr County reporting 108 deaths and two missing. Local officials emphasized that they received no timely warning of the scale of the event, that responders and volunteers acted heroically under extreme conditions, and that communications, cell coverage, and rural emergency resources were strained. Several witnesses said the county’s existing alert systems were limited by geography, sparse broadband, and the speed of the flood. Testimony focused on possible improvements, including real-time flood gauges and predictive monitoring, stronger rural emergency management staffing and training, better interoperability and alerting tools such as IPAWS, CodeRED, WENS, and sirens, and expanded broadband and radio coverage. Kerrville asked for a flood warning system before next summer and state help for stormwater, floodplain, and disaster recovery funding. UGRA described its past and current flood-warning and mitigation efforts, including gauge funding, a new software-based flood prediction project, and consideration of additional retention dams. Kendall and Real counties highlighted successful or needed alerting and evacuation practices, while also stressing the difficulty of funding and maintaining such systems in small rural counties. Members asked detailed questions about the timeline of the flood response, low-water crossings, communications failures, sirens, bridges, and whether regional consolidation or additional infrastructure could improve future preparedness.

Transcript Highlights:

• from House Research, Mary Davis from<00:04:14.879><c> House</c><00:04:15.200><c> Research,</c><00:04
• They did a Chelsea Ray, uh, researcher.
• And Chelsea Axelson, our<00:37:48.960><c> researcher.
• </c> our researcher.
• She's a great researcher our researcher.

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• Research staff. Mr.
• Members, any questions for the research staff? Seeing none, thank you.
• Any questions for research staff? Seeing none.
• Any questions for the research staff?
• Any questions for our research? Yes, go ahead. Mr.

Committee: House House Appropriations Committee of Reference

Summary: The committee opened by announcing a heavy agenda and noting that Senate Bill 1176 would be held. It then took up several Senate bills, beginning with SB 1272, which appropriates $5 million for the City of Douglas as a state match for the Douglas Port of Entry project. The bill was amended to draw the money from the Water Supply Development Revolving Fund instead of the General Fund. Senator Gowen, the Douglas mayor, and city staff described the project as a $678 million federal investment opportunity that would support water, wastewater, and broadband infrastructure, create jobs, and improve border security. The committee approved SB 1272 as amended on a 15-0 vote with three present and one not voting. The committee next approved SB 1503, as amended, which expands the state death benefit to include civilian pilots employed by law enforcement agencies and applies the change retroactively to January 1, 2026. Senator Gowen and DPS leadership testified that the change was needed so the family of a pilot killed in a February helicopter crash would qualify for the benefit. The bill passed 18-0 with one not voting. SB 1274, as amended, created a separate timeshare salesperson license and training path; supporters said it would streamline licensing for people who only sell timeshares, while one member objected to the added rulemaking discretion. It passed 17-1 with one not voting. The committee also approved SB 1286, which expands veterinary telemedicine by allowing longer prescription periods for certain medications after an electronic exam, with shorter limits for antimicrobials. Supporters said it would help rural and disabled pet owners and had been negotiated to the satisfaction of veterinarians and telemedicine advocates. The bill passed 18-0 with one not voting. SB 1519, as amended, raised the off-highway vehicle weight threshold from 2,500 to 3,500 pounds and revised related registration and funding provisions; supporters argued it would reflect newer enclosed-cab vehicles and better align Arizona with neighboring states, while opponents warned of trail damage and said the study process was not complete. It passed 10-7 with one present and one not voting. Finally, the committee approved SB 1618, which restructures the Military Affairs Commission, adds members with defense and aerospace expertise, requires more frequent meetings and reporting, and updates the Military Installation Fund and related duties to better attract and retain defense missions. Supporters said the changes would help Arizona compete for military and defense investment, while some members questioned whether the commission’s mission was being broadened too far and whether the existing structure should instead be handled through other agencies. The bill passed 10-6 with one present and one not voting. The committee then considered SCR 1020, which would index legislative salaries to inflation or deflation starting with future officeholders if approved by voters. Supporters argued the current $24,000 salary had eroded significantly since 1998 and limited who could serve, while opponents objected to legislators voting on their own pay or preferred reducing session time instead. The resolution was approved and sent forward for voter consideration.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> nonpartisan public policy research nonpartisan public policy research organization.<01:17:59.199
• including um random controlled research including um random controlled trial<01:23:24.480><c> studies
• </c><01:23:31.920><c> Um</c><01:23:32.239><c> our</c><01:23:32.480><c> research</c> Pew as well as IDES
• Um our research Pew as well as IDES 42.
• Um our research has<01:23:33.040><c> also</c><01:23:33.280><c> compiled</c><01:23:33.760><c> a</c><01

Committee: House Judiciary & Hawaiian Affairs

Keywords: 910, house, all

Summary: The House Committee on Judiciary and Hawaiian Affairs heard House Bill 2095, which would provide supplemental appropriations for the Judiciary for the 2025-2027 biennium. Judiciary Administrative Director Brandon Kimura testified in strong support and outlined a request for about $6.4 million in supplemental operating funds, plus four permanent full-time position conversions. He grouped the request into security, services to court users, and staffing needs, including $3.25 million for supplemental armed private security at judiciary facilities statewide, nearly $200,000 for cybersecurity staffing and support, restoration of funding for substance use treatment purchase-of-service contracts, restoration of funding for the Office of Public Guardian on Kauaʻi, salary commission funding, a Kona court operations position, and two Court-Appointed Special Advocates positions converted from temporary to permanent. He also described five capital improvement requests totaling $55.4 million, led by $30 million for construction of a new South Kohala courthouse, $1.2 million each for air conditioning upgrades in Hilo and Kauaʻi, $15 million for elevator upgrades at Kahumanu Hale, and $8 million in lump-sum bond funds for emerging projects. Several organizations testified in support, including Parents and Children Together and the True Cost Coalition. Supporters emphasized the importance of the purchase-of-service funding for domestic violence and substance use treatment services and said the restoration would return funding to pre-COVID levels and help providers maintain capacity. Kimura explained that the Judiciary often shifts funds among contracts during the year to avoid service interruptions, but that the reduced funding has caused delays and operational problems for providers and probationers. Members asked detailed questions about the capital projects and operating requests. Representative Shimizu asked for more information on the lump-sum bond funds and the elevator project, and Kimura explained that the Kahumanu Hale request covers four remaining elevator shafts after earlier funding addressed the first five elevators. Representative Cochran asked about the absence of Maui County projects, and Kimura said the Judiciary is still planning for its older Maui facilities with DAGS. Chair Tarnas questioned the need for armed private guards and discussed whether court security should be prioritized within the Department of Law Enforcement; Kimura said the Judiciary needs additional personnel now and has not asked DLE to deprioritize other missions, though the chair suggested further coordination between the agencies. No vote or final action on the bill was taken in the portion of the hearing provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• "Yeah, I mean, from the research that I've done, kind of looking through the HRSs and, you know, the
• was on average found from that research was on average there's<01:31:25.520><c> an</c><01:31:25.760>
• Research shows that impairment begins well below 0.08.
• of opinions on some of the research.
• Research shows that your 0.05 to 0079.

Bills: HB1694 , HB1695 , HB1986 , HB1797 , HB1879 , HB2034

Committee: Senate Transportation

Keywords: sustainable aviation fuel, tax credit, greenhouse gas emissions, renewable energy, Hawaii, economic development, carbon footprint, aviation sector, renewable fuels, local production, energy resilience, agricultural innovation, job creation, clean fuel standard, alternative fuels, carbon intensity, emission reduction, greenhouse gases, transportation, autonomous vehicles

Summary: The committee opened by explaining hearing procedures, including a two-minute oral testimony limit and that decision-making would follow after testimony. It then took up SB 20008, which would set 55 mph as the maximum speed limit on all parts of the DKI/Saddle Road highway. The bill’s introducer described it as a response to safety concerns and noted prior public opposition when the speed limit was lowered from 60 mph; the Hawaii Police Department was listed in opposition, while DOT and several individuals testified in support. No vote was taken during the portion provided. The committee next heard SB 20009, requiring new plates/tags or emblems for used motor vehicles transferred between private individuals, and SB 2026, which would require drivers approaching stationary vehicles on the shoulder or roadside to slow down and, if necessary, change lanes. The Attorney General supported SB 2026 but recommended narrowing and clarifying the language by removing references to shoulder/roadside, collision or mechanical problem, and other limiting definitions so the duty would apply more broadly and be easier to enforce; AAA and OMA also supported the measure. Members discussed the practical need for a mandatory move-over rule, especially for roadside workers and tow operators, and the committee heard concerns about enforceability on two-lane roads and in accident scenes. SB 2053 was then heard, authorizing electronic signatures on supporting documents used to transfer ownership of total-loss vehicles to insurers without notarization and requiring insurers to indemnify the finance director for claims arising from those electronic title issuances. The Hawaii Insurers Council, Copart, the City and County of Honolulu, and others supported the bill, with Copart describing it as a modernization that would reduce delays for total-loss settlements; technical amendments were requested. The committee also heard SB 2172, which would allow all-terrain vehicles to operate at night if equipped with lights and a slow-moving vehicle emblem, adjust helmet requirements, define utility terrain vehicles, and include ATVs in motor vehicle insurance law. DOT said it could support the bill only if limited to low-speed areas, and the insurance industry warned it could create a new insurance scheme; the City and County of Honolulu opposed while the Hawaii Farm Bureau and an individual supported. Finally, SB 2253 was introduced to expand first-degree negligent injury to include injuries negligently inflicted by intoxicated drivers, with DOT, county prosecutors, and the Honolulu Prosecutor’s Office in support; Honolulu prosecutors said they would oppose a proposed amendment because they wanted the language to preserve the offense as a lesser included offense tied to negligent homicide.

Transcript Highlights:

• Um, New Hampshire Fiscal Policy Institute did some independent research on this.
• Research shows this bill will not primarily benefit local shops or family businesses.
• </c><00:53:55.280><c> Research</c><00:53:55.599><c> shows</c> HB155 actually serves.
• Research shows HB155 actually serves.
• </c> research and development uh tax, right? research and development uh tax, right?

Committee: Senate Ways and Means

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Ben Johnson: Madam Chair, I'm Ben Johnson with House Research Department.
• Aaron Bercy with GOP Caucus Research. Kate Miller: Hi there. I'm Kate Miller.
• research Department I primarily<00:06:35.280><c> staff</c><00:06:35.639><c> the</c><00:06:35.720><c>
• In this evaluation, we really researched two main questions.
• In this evaluation, we really researched two main questions.

Committee: House Fraud Prevention and State Agency Oversight Policy

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• are available in passenger vehicles, trucks, and on farm equipment; therefore, CHS is conducting research
• </c><00:54:30.200><c> and</c> Therefore, CHS is conducting research and development on how automated
• My company's efforts are centered around our mission of advancing the research and deployment of emerging
• </c> our mission of advancing the research our mission of advancing the research and<00:57:20.079><c>
• test and deploy companies to research test and deploy their<01:01:34.480><c> Technologies</c><01:01:

Committee: Senate Transportation

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> particular so in some of our research particular so in some of our research and<00:28:50.880><c>
• </c><00:29:55.440><c> because</c><00:29:55.840><c> there's</c> further uh researched because there's
• further uh researched because there's currently<00:29:57.039><c> uh</c><00:29:57.120><c> or</c><00:29
• um what are me sort of do some research um what are this<04:23:34.680><c> this</c><04:23:35.680><c>
• those two things I'm hopeful we research those two things I'm hopeful we can<04:42:27.360><c> get</c

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The committee heard testimony on HB 332, a bill to add protection and remediation of surface waters as a new authorized purpose for New Hampshire village districts. Prime sponsor Rep. Rosemary Rung said the bill is intended to give local voters in lake communities a voluntary tool to address cyanobacteria blooms and other water-quality problems through village districts, including the ability to raise revenue, adopt ordinances, and pursue treatments or watershed management measures. She emphasized that the proposal is meant to complement, not replace, state law and that any district action would still need to comply with existing permitting and environmental requirements. Supporters, including Andrea Laro of New Hampshire Lakes and Elizabeth Harper of the Lake Sunapee Protective Association, said the bill would help municipalities collaborate on lake protection when state resources are limited. They argued that local districts could bring subject-matter expertise, access grants and technical assistance, and respond more quickly to problems such as septic impacts, runoff, culvert repairs, and in-lake treatments. They also suggested clarifying the bill’s wording around “protection and remediation” to better define the scope of authorized activities. Opponents, including Steve Wolf and Chris Norwood of the New Hampshire Association of Realtors, argued that village districts can already be overly broad and sometimes expand beyond their original purposes. Wolf said existing town and state agencies already handle shoreline protection and warned that village districts can impose ongoing taxes and create governance problems. Norwood urged a study bill instead, citing concerns about the scope of village districts and examples where some districts have taken on planning and zoning powers beyond their original mission. No vote or final action on HB 332 was taken in the excerpt.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> to research and find something? to research and find something?
• don't know until we have a<01:00:23.440><c> chance</c><01:00:23.520><c> to</c><01:00:23.760><c> research
• > But</c><01:00:24.559><c> if</c><01:00:24.799><c> you</c><01:00:25.040><c> have</c> a chance to research
• But if you have a chance to research it.
• So that's an example of the type of research we have to do some of our interpretation, but we could look

Committee: Joint Veterans, Military Affairs, & Public Protection

Keywords: 958, all