Transcript Highlights:

• House Bill 2200 fixes this by establishing an apples-to-apples standard.
• House Bill 2200 fixes this by establishing an apples-to-apples standard.
• Having different types of facilities collect, retain, and report differently based on different standards
• Guardians and families do not know what the standards are and cannot fairly compare and critique the

Bills: HB2185 , HB2200 , HB2230 , HB2319

Committee: House Early Learning & Human Services

Keywords: homelessness, youth programs, advisory committee, prevention, protection, developmental disabilities, residential settings, data access, safety, stability, community oversight, residential services, regulation, service providers, monitoring, HB 2319, residential habilitation center, state school renaming, Rainier School, Firecrest School

Transcript Highlights:

• House Bill 2200 fixes this by establishing an apples-to-apples standard.
• House Bill 2200 fixes this by establishing an apples-to-apples standard.
• Having different types of facilities collect, retain, and report differently based on different standards
• Guardians and families do not know what the standards are and cannot fairly compare and critique the

Summary: The Early Learning and Human Services Committee opened its 2026 session with member and staff introductions, then took up four bills. HB 2185 would expand the Homeless Youth Advisory Committee to include more members with lived experience of homelessness or involvement in public systems, broaden youth representation up to age 25, and allow members who turn 25 to finish their terms. The prime sponsor and testifiers from homeless youth advocacy organizations supported the bill, saying it would improve representation and the quality of advice to the Office of Homeless Youth. The hearing on HB 2185 was then closed. The committee next heard HB 2319, which renames Washington’s residential habilitation centers by removing the word “school” from their titles and updating related statutory references. The sponsor said the change is meant to reflect current services and reduce confusion, and advocates from The Arc of Washington, Disability Rights Washington, and self-advocates supported the bill as a needed terminology update that would better describe the facilities and avoid misleading the public. No opposition was heard. HB 2230 would limit DSHS to one annual routine review in specified subject areas for community residential service providers and require more document-sharing across divisions to reduce duplicate oversight. The sponsor and provider witnesses said the bill is intended to cut redundant audits and site visits so staff can spend more time on client care, while still preserving investigations and required oversight. HB 2200 would direct JLARC to review safety and stability outcomes across developmental disability residential settings and require a public dashboard comparing data such as 911 calls, ER boarding, placement terminations, and staff retention. The sponsor and several witnesses supported greater transparency, while provider representatives raised concerns about raw data being misleading without per-client or percentage-based context and about possible fiscal impacts. The committee did not take final votes on the bills in the transcript and adjourned after public hearings and caucus time were announced.

Transcript Highlights:

• House Bill 341, an act relating to labor standards. Representative Wilner.
• House Bill 341, an act relating to<00:12:25.279><c> labor</c><00:12:25.519><c> standards.
• </c><00:12:26.000><c> Representative</c> to labor standards. Representative to labor standards.

Keywords: Convene 00:00 Motions, Petitions, and Communications 00:55 Introduction of New Bills and Resolutions 11:09 Motion to Act on HR 21 15:13 Recess for ConC and Rules Meeting 23:52 ConC and Rules Report 29:29 Adjournment 31:04, 958, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Robotic harvesting, which is kind of the golden standard of what we want to see.
• Robotic harvesting, which is kind of the golden standard of what we want to see.
• In 2020, Robotic Harvesting, which is kind of the golden standard of what we want to see.
• federal rules and regulations would assist our producers in continuing to adhere to food safety standards

Committee: Senate Agriculture

Summary: The Committee on Agriculture convened, took roll, and heard Senate Bill 58 by Senator Harrow, which would create regulation for companion animal cremation. Harrow described a case involving mishandled pet remains and said the bill would require written service descriptions, prohibit false or misleading statements, require certification with returned remains, authorize Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services rulemaking, and impose civil penalties for violations. With no questions or public opposition, the committee voted the bill favorably. The committee then heard presentations on robotics in agriculture and aquaculture. Dr. Nathan Boyd of UF/IFAS discussed the rapid growth of agricultural robotics, including AI-driven weed detection, targeted spraying, autonomous tractors, and harvesting technology, emphasizing reduced pesticide use, lower input costs, and labor-saving automation. Dr. Nicole Kirchoff of Live Advantage Bait and Adrian Johnson of the Florida Shellfish Aquaculture Association highlighted aquaculture’s economic and environmental value, Florida’s strong position in the industry, and challenges including hurricane losses, lack of insurance, land-use instability, capital access, and water quality. They urged support for working waterfronts, risk mitigation, and policies to help the sector commercialize and expand. The committee also heard from dairy producers Kevin Lusher and Jacob Larson. Lusher described his family’s dairy and artisan cheese business, noting reliance on USDA grants, rising costs, labor shortages, and regulatory burdens, and asked for more grant support, marketing for Fresh From Florida products, and permanent funding for Farmers Feeding Florida. Larson discussed the broader dairy market, declining herd sizes due to efficiency gains, high production costs in Florida, and competition from out-of-state processing, suggesting incentives for local processing and supply management. Finally, FDOT Chief Planner Wayway Schen presented on arterial and local road funding programs, including ART, ARTW, SCOP, SCRAP, CIGP, and TRIP, and said rural road needs remain significant, with more than $16 billion in unfunded or partially funded project needs. The committee adjourned after brief discussion and thanks to the presenters.

Transcript Highlights:

• I have been told that there are both environmental and labor standards, and I hope that that is true.
• there are both environmental<00:03:36.640><c> and</c><00:03:37.040><c> labor</c><00:03:37.519><c> standards
• </c><00:03:38.239><c> and</c><00:03:38.480><c> I</c> environmental and labor standards and I environmental
• and labor standards and I hope<00:03:38.959><c> that</c><00:03:39.200><c> that</c><00:03:39.519><c>

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• hazmat materials by expanding these corridors to include them in, in any weights above Texas and US standards
• I think the important thing to point out, it was mentioned earlier, there is a standard for moving fuel
• So what you're seeing is Mexican trailers that are coming across it at their standard of equipment and
• And, and the reason being is because that is standard in our interstates to move at 80,000 pounds and

Committee: House Energy Resources

Transcript Highlights:

• It allows hemp manufacturers who are licensed to produce non-compliant products by Minnesota OCM standards
• 47.840><c> OCM</c> non-compliant products by Minnesota OCM non-compliant products by Minnesota OCM standards
• 50.160><c> as</c><00:02:50.400><c> they</c><00:02:50.640><c> are</c><00:02:50.879><c> labeled</c> standards
• as long as they are labeled standards as long as they are labeled for<00:02:52.720><c> not</c><00:02

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• You see the opportunity to have a thriving community, to have their lending standards that are in compliance
• with state and federal regulations, to make sure that that's a... ...lending standards that are in compliance
• I think a free market approach to... ...standards that are in compliance with state and federal regulations
• modern financial institutions operating in California are held to the same community investment standards

Summary: The Assembly Banking and Finance Committee met to hear several bills, beginning with a consent calendar that included AB 665 and AB 866, both adopted on a do pass basis and referred to Appropriations. The committee then took up AB 801, which would create a California Community Reinvestment Act to require covered financial institutions, including state-chartered banks, credit unions, residential mortgage lenders, and money transmitters, to meet the financial needs of low- and moderate-income communities and communities of color. The author and supporters argued the bill would close gaps left by the federal CRA, address redlining and discriminatory lending, and expand investment in housing, small business, and community development. Support came from community groups, CDFIs, labor, and housing advocates, while opposition from mortgage bankers and credit unions argued the bill would impose costly new reporting and regulatory burdens, especially on institutions they said already serve underserved borrowers well. Committee members discussed the scope of the bill, the experience of other states with state CRA laws, and possible carve-outs or tiered treatment for smaller credit unions. AB 801 was passed as amended and referred to Appropriations, with the roll left open and later completed; one member voted no and others were not voting or voted aye as the roll was finalized. The committee also heard AB 743, which would require licensing and surety bonds for commercial lawsuit financing and bring those transactions under DFPI oversight. The author said the bill was aimed at a largely unregulated, multi-billion-dollar industry and was intended to increase transparency and address concerns about foreign interests, fraud, and abusive litigation funding practices, while not affecting consumer legal funding. Supporters, including Unified Patents, the Civil Justice Association of California, the California Chamber of Commerce, the California Trucking Association, and the American Property Casualty Insurance Association, said the bill was an important first step toward disclosure and regulation. There was no opposition testimony. AB 743 passed unanimously as amended and was referred to Appropriations, with the roll held open briefly for absent members before the committee adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• So, you know, ensure the students are eligible, provide a standard form for a parent to apply for the
• So understanding how it would be very difficult to implement this on the timeline with our standard procurement
• things we would, probably a policy thing that you'd need to consider is do we need to go through the standard
• That you need to consider is do we need to go through the standard procurement processes of the state

Bills: HB1329

Committee: Senate Appropriations - Education and Environment Division

Keywords: government spending database, public expenditure transparency, open data, government transparency, school district spending, state spending, local government finance, education finance, budget database, expenditure reporting, salary transparency, benefits data, public records, Legislative Management study, North Dakota, school board training, superintendent, principal, business manager, higher education spending

Summary: The Education Division met with all members present and first took up House Bill 1329, which would create a transparency database and website for school spending information. Senator Schaible offered Amendment 0204 to turn the bill into a study, citing concerns that the proposal would impose major data-collection burdens on 168 school districts, require new data standards and privacy protections, and likely cost far more than the $500,000 in the bill. Several members supported transparency but agreed the implementation costs and technical feasibility were unclear. The committee adopted the amendment 4-1, then passed HB 1329 as amended on a 5-0 vote, with Senator Shively to carry the bill. The committee then discussed House Bill 1540, the education savings account/voucher bill. Representatives from the Bank of North Dakota and the Department of Public Instruction explained that they had not been consulted on the original drafting and outlined needed administrative changes, including clarifying the Bank as administrator, using a third-party program manager, involving DPI in rulemaking, adding audit and appeal procedures, and adjusting language on eligible purchases and school disqualification. They also said the current timeline was likely too aggressive to launch by the 2026-27 school year and estimated the program would require about 15 months to implement, with a fiscal note now around $5.1 million. Members also discussed policy-related amendments on means testing and application timing. Senator Shively proposed a 300% of poverty-level means test and a sign-up period to reduce costs and limit open-ended enrollment, while Senator Axman proposed a tiered approach that would keep all students technically eligible but phase in funding levels by income, preserving access for students who qualify for other federal supports. DPI said it could not currently disaggregate some data by family income and that the appeal process and procurement timeline still needed work. The committee did not move HB 1540 out that morning and instead recessed to continue discussion later after members had time to review the administrative and fiscal issues separately from the means-testing proposals.

Transcript Highlights:

• required to file a Minnesota income tax return if their Minnesota source income is greater than the standard
• Source earnings is for the purposes of that exemption we talked about that's tied to the single standard
• No, so then you would be exempt under current law based on that standard deduction amount I mentioned
• in the gig economy, which was what we just heard referred to, is going to be making more than the Standard

Bills: HF2048 , HF2360 , HF2006 , HF950 , HF912 , HF3140 , HF2931

Committee: House Taxes

Keywords: individual income tax, retirement contributions, tax corrections, annuity contracts, tax year attribution, tax credit, economic development, community investment, data disclosure, Minnesota regulations, tax increment financing, municipal authority, job creation, transferred increment, public hearing, nonresident employees, income tax exemption, Minnesota taxation, employment duties, tax withholding

Transcript Highlights:

• thereby targeting judges, or I should say, evaluating judges who are falling behind. the statewide standard
• execute the business of the court to include failure to meet deadlines, performance measures, or standards
• of clearance rates, deadlines, performance measures, or standards of clearance rate requirements set
• judges, along with the Supreme Court, are working to identify the judges who are not meeting the standards

Bills: HB4011 , HB2680 , HB4325 , HB4327 , HB4944 , HB1761 , HB4688 , HB3453 , HB40 , HB1707 , HB4749 , HB2322 , HB3647 , HB4139 , HB4081 , HB2203 , HB2100 , HB4170 , HB3104 , HB4623 , HB40

Committee: House Judiciary & Civil Jurisprudence

Keywords: partition, heirs' property, real estate, co-ownership, family property, non-heir cotenant, right of first refusal, pilot services, liability limitation, maritime commerce, Matagorda Bay, Lavaca Bay, transportation code, maritime industry, civil liability, barratry, penalties, legal actions, damages, wrongful death

Transcript Highlights:

• would simply ensure that all patients in cases of suspected overdose or poisoning receive the same standard
• I realize that your bill revises the child care facility license standard to eliminate health and nutrition
• and child development standards.
• The standard that we want DCF to meet is that they need to complete that background screening application

Summary: The Health and Human Services Committee heard and passed several bills. HB 293 would codify the Office of Faith and Community in the Executive Office of the Governor, create a liaison and advisory council, and was supported by faith-based and nonprofit groups; some members questioned possible duplication with existing services and the source of any future funding, but the bill passed 24-0. CS/HB 547 would create an exception to the 30-day notice requirement before hospitals and ambulatory surgical centers sell medical debt when the debt buyer agrees not to use interest, fees, or extraordinary collection actions and must return charity-care-eligible debt; it passed unanimously after brief support testimony. CS/HB 1553 would require reporting of uterine fibroid data to the Department of Health to create a de-identified public database and reauthorize funding for implementation; it also passed 24-0, with members noting the earlier database mandate had not been carried out. The committee then took up CS/HB 1195, “Gage’s Law,” which would require hospitals and hospital-based emergency departments to test for fentanyl in urine drug screens for suspected overdose or poisoning cases. The bill was presented as a response to overdose deaths and the need to better detect fentanyl, and emotional testimony from a parent described a son’s death after a hospital did not test for fentanyl. Members from both parties spoke in strong support, emphasizing stigma, the need for better treatment and data, and the potential to save lives; the bill passed 24-0. CS/HB 47 on child care and early learning providers would streamline inspections, speed background screening, offer free online training/testing, update definitions, protect certain family child care homes from insurance issues, and create a license-exempt category for employer-provided child care; after questions about parent notice, database listing, background checks, and insurance, an amendment was adopted and the bill passed 24-0 as amended. Finally, CS/HB 647 would allow advanced practice registered nurses to sign death certificates in hospice settings, addressing delays that can leave families waiting to complete burial arrangements. Support testimony came from advocacy and hospice groups, and members cited the bill’s importance for families and religious burial timelines. The bill passed 23-0. The committee then adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• Higher Education HP 3731 by Martinez. requiring the Texas Department of Motor Vehicles to establish standards
• HB 3732 by Martinez rulings to the compliance of the fire department, a certain minimum standards adopted
• the Texas Commission of Environmental Qualities in areas that exceed an ambient air quality and standard
• HB 3824 by King relating to the fire safety standards and emergency operation plans for the operation

Transcript Highlights:

• that the pool must be isolated from access from a home by an enclosure that meets the pool barrier standards
• inspector comes inspects a home for all sorts of things, elect electrical wiring, a other compliance standards
• And they would check to ensure that the you'll also meet one of these 5 pool safety standards at that
• It directs Kiwi PR to engage with the Florida Building Commission to develop a standardized servers.

Keywords: 999, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• This heat pump can replace standard heating and cooling systems, thereby eliminating the need for chillers
• 00:09:01.600><c> pump</c><00:09:01.880><c> can</c><00:09:02.079><c> replace</c><00:09:02.600><c> standard
• </c> this heat comp pump can replace standard this heat comp pump can replace standard heating<00:09:

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• It is, and it's not standard. It's not a standard thing that happens in every case.
• It is, and it's not standard. It's not a standard thing that happens in every case.

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:

• concern—that the words in line 21 of the bill, 'negative impact the environment,' was such a stringent standard
• > impact the environment was such a impact the environment was such a stringent<00:04:16.040><c> standard
• ><00:04:16.759><c> that</c><00:04:16.919><c> was</c><00:04:17.079><c> unachievable</c> stringent standard
• that was unachievable stringent standard that was unachievable and<00:04:17.919><c> I</c><00:04:18.000

Committee: Senate Commerce

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• to our timelines, and so I just wanted to make a public announcement that, whereas that's a great standard
• ><00:01:21.600><c> that's</c><00:01:21.799><c> a</c><00:01:22.159><c> great</c><00:01:22.560><c> standard
• </c> that um whereas that's a great standard that um whereas that's a great standard to<00:01:23.240>

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.

Transcript Highlights:

• Most importantly, Olympia holds herself to extraordinarily high standards and works to improve on every
• Most importantly, Olympia holds herself to extraordinarily high standards and works to improve on every
• Ultimately, any budget should be evaluated by a straightforward standard: Does it help everyday people
• Deductibles are standard practice across the board. She got rid of it.
• That's a higher standard deduction, no tax cuts. Tax cuts focus packages.

Summary: The House convened, approved the journal, and spent much of the opening portion recognizing guests and interns from both parties, along with former lawmakers and a newly seated member, Representative Sylvia Allen. The chamber then took up House Concurrent Resolution 2065 honoring the late Alfredo Gutierrez. Members from both parties gave extended remarks about his life as a civil rights advocate, student activist, legislator, and mentor, and the resolution was unanimously adopted and transmitted to the Senate. Family members of Gutierrez were recognized in the gallery during the memorial tribute. The House then moved into Committee of the Whole on the first budget-related measures. On House Bill 4138, the “feed bill”/budget operations measure, Democrats argued the budget favored corporations and data centers over seniors, health care, housing, universities, and vulnerable families, while Republicans defended it as a continuation of prior policy and said it preserved tax conformity and modest agency cuts. After debate and questions, the committee recommended the bill do pass and the House adopted that report, sending HB 4138 to engrossing. The chamber next considered House Bill 4139, the amusement/gaming-related budget bill. Members debated whether it was essentially unchanged from last year’s budget language, with Republicans saying it was a continuation bill and that gaming-related provisions would support rural economies and tourism, while Democrats questioned the broader budget context and its effects on working families. The committee recommended HB 4139 do pass, and the House adopted that recommendation. The House then began debate on House Bill 4140, the state budget implementation bill, focusing on the budget stabilization fund and a proposed government efficiency initiative; discussion was still underway at the end of the transcript.

Transcript Highlights:

• is the idea is to construct a body that will look at things that are not fully evaluated through standard
• c><00:04:08.720><c> the</c> evaluated through the evaluated through the through<00:04:10.240><c> standard
• </c> through standard regulatory review. through standard regulatory review.
• So, essentially, there are a set of reliability standards that an applicant needs to have.
• So, essentially, there are a set of reliability standards that an applicant needs to have.

Committee: Senate Energy and Natural Resources

Keywords: 1191, senate, all