Transcript Highlights:

• Thank you, Chair, and first of all, thank you, you and your staff for providing this...
• And first of all, thank you, you and your staff for providing this amendment.
• And, Madam Chair, I have been working with your committee staff to prepare amendment barcode 970382,
• So with that, you know, my commitment to this, to the committee and the staff is that we'll continue
• So with that, you know, my commitment to this, to the committee and the staff is that we'll continue

Summary: The Senate Committee on Regulated Industries met with a quorum and considered four bills. First, the committee took up SB 1724 on municipal utility services. A late-filed strike-all amendment by Senator Martin was adopted after he explained it would require annual customer meetings for certain extraterritorial utility customers, cap the use of utility revenues for general government purposes, eliminate a 25% surcharge and reduce the rate differential cap, remove municipal natural gas utilities from the bill, and preserve certain surcharges only as needed to satisfy existing bond covenants. The Florida League of Cities raised implementation concerns about the July 1, 2026 effective date and the time needed for rate studies and budget adjustments, but the bill as amended was reported favorably. The committee then heard SB 936 on temporary door locking devices by Senator McLean. The bill would define temporary door locking devices, authorize their installation at any height, require the Florida Building Commission to add standards to the Florida Building Code, and require their use to be incorporated into safety plans, drills, and training. With no opposition or debate, SB 936 was reported favorably. Next, the committee considered SB 1014 by Senator Mayfield, which would prohibit municipalities from refusing water and wastewater service solely because a property owner declines annexation, if the property is near a municipal main line, not served by another utility, and the utility has capacity. An amendment narrowed the bill by defining “main line” and reducing the distance threshold from 2,000 meters to one-half mile. The Florida League of Cities opposed the bill as amended, citing concerns about large users, possible conflict with annexation law, potential enclave creation, and revenue impacts, but Senator Mayfield said he would continue working on the issues. The committee reported the bill favorably. Finally, Chair Bradley presented SB 1498 on community associations. A strike-all amendment was adopted that made technical changes to video conference recording, turnover inspection reports, and electronic voting, and added provisions requiring associations to provide records to law enforcement and prosecutors, creating a second-degree misdemeanor for willful refusal. It also targeted mandatory club or amenity fee structures controlled by developers or third parties, declaring such provisions against public policy, limiting assessments to proportional expenses, and allowing suits and conveyance of common areas after turnover. Testimony from homeowners described alleged governance abuses and opaque, profit-driven mandatory fees in their communities, while the Community Associations Institute supported the amendment. The committee reported CS for SB 1498 favorably. Members then recorded additional votes for the record, and the meeting adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• And the staff report is by Sandy Meyer. Good afternoon.
• For the record, Sandy Meyer, staff. Good afternoon.
• For the record, David Monarchy, staff to the committee.
• I'm Chris Thomas, staff to the committee.
• So I think the staff did a good job of briefing you on the bill.

Summary: The committee held public hearings on three transportation-related bills. HB 2467, sponsored by Rep. Timmons, would clarify how fifth-wheel RVs are measured for length purposes by measuring from the king pin to the rear-most point, allowing fifth wheels up to 46 feet under that method without increasing the current roadway length limits. The staff report said the bill has no fiscal impact for most agencies and a small indeterminate impact for Labor and Industries; the proposed substitute makes technical clarifications. The sponsor and several RV dealers, the Association of Washington Business, and the RV Industry Association testified in support, saying the bill would improve clarity, preserve safety, and help Washington dealers compete with neighboring states. No one testified in opposition during the hearing. The committee briefly suspended HB 2467 to hear HB 2495, sponsored by Rep. Thomas, which would give the City of Seattle authority to immediately remove vehicles blocking streetcar tracks or otherwise jeopardizing streetcar operations without waiting for police to first cite the vehicle. Staff said the bill applies only to Seattle, includes an emergency clause, and has no fiscal impact because impound fees are expected to offset costs. Rep. Thomas and Seattle Streetcar Program Manager Alison Redenz supported the bill, describing frequent track blockages and delays to service, especially after hours, and saying the change would speed restoration of transit operations. The committee then heard public testimony on HB 2552, which would authorize WSDOT and Sound Transit to use multiple award task order contracting (MATOC) for transportation construction projects. Staff explained that MATOC would let agencies prequalify contractors and then compete task orders among them, with required award and protest processes. Rep. Zahn said the bill would give agencies another tool to streamline delivery while preserving competition and including WMBE firms. Sound Transit supported the bill as a faster, more flexible procurement method that could broaden opportunities for smaller firms, while the Washington Aggregate and Concrete Association opposed it, arguing the approach is not well tested in Washington, could reduce competition, and should be reviewed by the Capital Projects Advisory Review Board. After testimony, the committee closed the public hearing on HB 2552 and adjourned after caucusing.

Transcript Highlights:

• I intend to be respectful of all members, staff, witnesses, and visitors, and we would respectfully request
• with populations under 3.3 million to exempt up to 10 positions, including their top deputies and staff
• an adequate staff to support the commission.
• I mean, is there somewhere else in another code that requires a certain number of staff, or how do we
• And so it seems more fitting that it should be the Commissioner's Court that employs the staff of the

Transcript Highlights:

• Staff report. Miss Emily, well, we'll start out with Miss Emily in regard to the budget.
• He's jumped right into providing our informal staff opinions to legislators and other members of the
• He is collecting financial disclosures of legislators, the major management staff, and legislators.
• He's jumped right into providing our informal staff opinions to legislators and other members of the
• I don't think there's anything else in the staff report.

Keywords: 958, all

Summary: The Kentucky Legislative Ethics Commission met on January 14, 2025, with a quorum present in person and by Zoom. The commission swore in new member Representative Jeff Greer, with Judge Willhoit administering the oath. Members then approved the minutes from the November 19, 2024 meeting without changes. Staff reported that the commission remained within budget for the year to date, noting a refund related to an earlier overcharge for record center storage fees. The commission approved the financial report. Emily also introduced new general counsel Steven Pum, who began work on December 16 and is handling financial disclosures and informal staff opinions. Staff gave updates on recent training, including the December 3 new legislator orientation and the January 8 current issues seminar, which featured former U.S. Attorney David Devillers discussing the House Bill 6 scandal. Donita reported on technology and communications improvements, including the new Zoom-capable conference room setup and the Constant Contact email system now being used for newsletters and reminder emails to employers, lobbyists, and the media. She said both systems were working well, and that the office was busy with financial and lobbyist forms. The commission noted that several informal opinions were available in the binder and could be discussed in closed session if needed. The members then voted to enter executive session under KRS 61.810(1)(c) and (k) to discuss confidential complaints and informal opinions.

Transcript Highlights:

• We have sergeant-at-arms staff who are wearing gold-yellow ties.
• We have sergeant-at-arms staff who are wearing gold-yellow ties.
• We have sergeant-at-arms staff who are wearing gold-yellow ties.
• In the evening, parents stay until the final staff member leaves.
• The people there are not just staff, they are family.

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• So we're working on getting all of our staff trained on those.
• </c><00:04:05.360><c> have</c> Microsoft products that our staff have Microsoft products that our staff
• all of our staff trained on those.<00:04:11.920><c> But</c><00:04:12.480><c> we</c><00:04:12.799><c>
• We're— Child care licensure is looking at the number of staff, the number of rooms available.
• The child care licensure is looking at the number of staff, the number of rooms available.

Keywords: Appropriations - Room 216, 28 January, 2026; 8:15 AM, 925, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I have been in this role for two as our first staff member, so we've really moved from being a coalition
• The plans must also be given to coaches and athletic staff members.
• All coaches, athletic staff, and identified faculty must be CPR- and defibrillator-trained.
• We don't have the staff.
• 17.199><c> have</c> tournaments with our staff and we have tournaments with our staff and we have trainers

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• So staff were going out traveling around and then they would submit their mileage for reimbursement,
• Thank your staff. We really do appreciate it.
• The internal control staff does present there on the basics of internal controls.
• </c><01:12:21.400><c> for</c> proposal for three additional staff for proposal for three additional staff
• </c><01:16:24.080><c> that</c> agency's staff the staff told them that agency's staff the staff told

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> community sheltering at home, our staff community sheltering at home, our staff delivering<00:25
• </c><00:59:12.360><c> support</c> could still visit, adding staff support could still visit, adding staff
• ><c> have</c> Staff and parent volunteers have Staff and parent volunteers have organized<01:08:44.000
• </c> our staff our staff and<01:12:53.720><c> our</c><01:12:53.880><c> clients</c><01:12:54.360><c> were
• </c> is the mental health toll on our staff is the mental health toll on our staff and<01:14:17.480><

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• And then she would call a staff person, a professional staff person from a committee who would be the
• I drafted my bill with care, line by line, with staff right there.
• Thank you to my rule staff, Shasta Patrick, and Cindy.
• directors and committee staff, who are brilliant and always available.
• To the staff in the Senate President's office, To the staff in the Senate President's office and in health

Keywords: 999, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• ongoing constraints of EV supply and access to affordable public charging infrastructure led CPUC staff
• Well, once again, thank you, Madam Chair and committee staff for your work with us on this bill.
• It requires transport services to use TrustLine-registered staff, Ziptied, blindfolded, and otherwise
• TrustLine-registered staff, get a state permit, train their staff on de-escalation and child abuse reporting
• Thank you for working productively with my staff to get the technical aspects correct.

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Cardona has maintained an open-door policy and listened to staff feedback.
• We have focused, aside from disciplinary action against staff...
• We have focused, aside from disciplinary action against staff at that time, which I cannot speak for,
• So I think lessons learned from Girardi is really some of it goes back to oversight of staff and note
• So thank you, and thank you to the staff. The staff is wonderful.

Keywords: 987, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I'm Peter Claudefelter, committee staff.
• I owe this committee and our staff an apology.
• And that concludes the staff report. Thank you. Do we have any questions for staff?
• Additional staff has not been hired on.
• Additional staff has not been hired abroad on.

Summary: The Consumer Protection & Business Committee held public hearings on two bills. House Bill 2616, described as an agriculturally resilient markets act, would create a broad package of agriculture-related policies and appropriations, including a strategy to expand state purchasing of Washington-grown food, temporary packaging and emissions exemptions for certain agricultural uses, changes to labor notice rules for agricultural and dairy layoffs, several grant and study programs, a transfer of cannabis production/processing/testing oversight to the Department of Agriculture, and an appropriation for the tree fruit leadership program. Representative Christine Reeves said the bill was intended as a state-level “farm bill” to address farm losses, food security, and regulatory burdens, and she emphasized stakeholder input and the need to support family farms and farmworker well-being. Testimony on HB 2616 was overwhelmingly supportive, with growers, commodity groups, dairy and potato representatives, and other agricultural stakeholders arguing that Washington farms face low margins, high regulatory and labor costs, refrigeration and processing challenges, and competition from foreign producers. Several speakers said the bill’s exemptions, grants, and studies would help keep farms viable and preserve local food production. Committee members asked about stakeholder outreach, the role of Washington State University and commodity commissions, the impact of federal versus state policy, and possible ways to reduce compliance burdens. The hearing ended without a vote, and the chair noted the bill was after cutoff and would not move this year, but that stakeholder meetings would continue over the summer. The committee then heard House Bill 2721, which would create a registration system for commercial interior designers, expand and rename the Board of Architects, set education, examination, and experience requirements, define the scope of practice, require seals and technical submission attestations, and establish penalties and a fee account. Supporters from interior design organizations said the bill would recognize a profession already performing code- and safety-related work in commercial spaces, align Washington with other states and national model law standards, and remove barriers to ownership and advancement, especially for women. Testifiers also said the bill would clarify responsibility for life safety, accessibility, and non-structural interior construction in schools, health care, and public buildings. The committee heard only supportive testimony, but members raised questions about how the profession compares with architecture, the impact of delaying the bill until 2027, and demographic diversity in the field. The chair closed the hearing noting the bill would not advance this session and that further interim work would be needed.

Transcript Highlights:

• [applause] And also today, Madam Speaker, I have my staff in the gallery.
• Um, Klay Denwi, staff in the gallery.
• I started working as session staff.
• Just be staff forever?"
• Just be staff What are you going to do? Just be staff forever?"

Bills: HB2198, HB2021, HB1881, HB1964, HB1990, HB2151, HB2599, HB2414

Keywords: gambling, prediction markets, Hawaii gambling laws, financial contracts, ethical concerns, electric bicycles, micro-mobility devices, safety regulations, traffic laws, insurance exemption, high-speed electric devices, land use, ropeway, transportation, state regulation, government exemption, building code, permitting process, training, state council

Transcript Highlights:

• Same curses, chief of Staff Dbpr. And Kristin Larson is the general counsel at DMs.
• Can we use AI and then the chief of staff and the agency secretary, the sides do we want to use AI?
• Sam Kerce chief of staff from Dbpr markers.
• Additionally, we require staff to ensure a do training.
• These are results have indicated that our staff find it helpful and increasing productivity.

Transcript Highlights:

• And the staff did amazingly well.
• So it's additional education to our staff.
• And a lot of it comes down to what are we doing for our staff? How are we taking care of our staff?
• Taking care of our staff is my number one responsibility.
• Because if I'm taking care of my staff, my staff is going to take care of the kids in a much healthier

Summary: The committee heard budget presentations from the Florida Department of Law Enforcement, the Department of Juvenile Justice, and the clerks of court. FDLE outlined 28 legislative budget requests for fiscal year 2026-27, including funding for a new Fort Myers regional operations center lease, technology and data system upgrades, moving several programs off uncertain federal grants, expanding the wellness office, cryptocurrency seizure efforts, cybersecurity, forensic equipment, digital forensics, criminal history modernization, training, and the SAFE fentanyl enforcement program. Members asked about the reported 79% increase in officer misconduct cases, the role of body cameras and masking, public records request burdens on local agencies, and the status of Fibers and the Uniform Arrest Affidavit systems. FDLE said the misconduct data covers all sworn officers and corrections personnel, that many cases would not be affected by body cameras because they involve off-duty conduct or internal matters, and that it is working with agencies and vendors to improve participation in reporting systems. DJJ Secretary Matt Walsh updated the committee on the Florida Scholars Academy, describing the new unified education system across 39 residential facilities. He reported first-year enrollment, course completions, graduations, and compliance results, and said the program now provides in-person and blended instruction, individualized support, mental health services, and career and technical education. He also discussed staffing shortages in some detention facilities, the need for more residential beds, and the importance of recognizing and supporting staff. In response to questions, he explained how the program addresses students with disabilities and behavioral needs through one-on-one instruction, paraprofessionals, and immediate mental health support. The clerks of court presented a budget request centered on funding shortfalls and rising costs. Clerk and Comptroller Stacey Butterfield said clerks are operating with outdated funding levels despite increased statutory duties, higher postage and staffing costs, and growing workloads in priority case types such as injunctions for protection and other high-risk matters. The clerks requested $22 million in direct appropriations, including support for due process costs, jury management, and staffing for 37 new judges approved last session. Members also asked about Senate Bill 532, which Butterfield described as a CPI-based measure to update court fines and fees that have remained unchanged since 2008. The committee took no votes on the presentations and adjourned after discussion.

Transcript Highlights:

• reason voters don't approve, despite your efforts to make it clear of the value, all those staff get
• I also just want to make sure you all are aware in your staff analysis.
• The staff put together the number of these, the specific number of local option sales taxes that are
• The staff analysis gives you a breakdown of how many counties are using this.
• Aldridge and his staff for their incredible support throughout this process.

Summary: The Ways and Means Committee met on March 20, 2025, and first approved HB 4025, creating the Duke Farm Stewardship District in Lee County, on a 17-0 vote. The committee then advanced HJR 1215, which proposes a constitutional amendment to exempt agricultural tangible personal property from property tax, after extended debate about the fiscal impact on counties, especially rural and fiscally constrained ones; it passed 16-1. HB 411 also passed unanimously after an amendment, extending affordable housing tax exemption treatment to certain nonprofit projects on leased land, including Habitat for Humanity projects. The committee likewise approved CS/HB 669, allowing local governments to purchase certain unrated bonds, and CS/HB 4017, codifying the Vermont Drainage District charter in Charlotte County, both without opposition. The committee also approved HJR 1039, which would let the Legislature prevent assessed-value increases for homestead properties that are improved to mitigate flood damage, and the related implementing bill HB 1041; both passed 17-0. Public testimony on these items included some opposition to the flood-related amendment, but no floor debate changed the outcome. The final major item was CS/HB 1221 by Rep. Miller, which would require local option taxes to be renewed by voter referendum every eight years, with longer terms allowed for bonded projects. That bill drew the most extensive testimony and debate, with counties, tourism groups, and local officials warning about impacts on tourism funding, infrastructure, schools, and public safety, while supporters argued for taxpayer accountability and periodic review. After debate, the committee reported the bill favorably on a 13-4 vote.

Transcript Highlights:

• I appreciate staff. I appreciate nonpartisan staff for hard work, dedication.
• I appreciate the DFLer staff.
• Thank you to nonpartisan staff and to partisan staff on both sides of the aisle.
• Thank you to nonpartisan staff and to partisan staff on both sides of the aisle.
• Thank you to nonpartisan staff and to partisan staff on both sides of the aisle.

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• They believed our students, families, and staff would benefit, and they convinced the entire staff at
• </c> service, and other staff year to year. service, and other staff year to year.
• It's easier to retain staff, news.
• It is more work for our staff. We don’t have enough money to pay staff.
• It is more work for our staff. We don’t have enough money to pay staff.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• This duplication consumes valuable staff time that could otherwise be devoted to serving Californians
• Shorter grant cycles make it difficult for nonprofits to recruit and retain qualified staff and create
• Jennifer Fearing, on behalf of Cal Nonprofits, I just wanted to thank you both and your staff so much
• I want to thank my staff and the Assembly members, Hart's staff, for helping run this.
• So it's all our office staff that are organizing these hearings. So I want to thank them.

Keywords: 988, house, all