Transcript Highlights:

• The Committee on Health Policy will now come to order.
• Good afternoon, Chair and committee members.
• The amendment requires ACHA to adopt rules.
• The Medicaid rules would apply.
• Is there any business before the committee today?

Committee: Senate Health Policy

Keywords: 999, senate, all

Summary: The committee first considered SB 268, a public records bill for emergency physicians. A strike-all amendment narrowed and clarified the exemption, and the sponsor said it was intended to protect current emergency department physicians and eligible family members who submit a written request. Emergency physician Dr. Sean Patterson and several health care organizations supported the bill, citing threats, harassment, and safety concerns tied to mandatory reporting and patient encounters. The committee adopted the amendment and reported SB 268 favorably as a committee substitute. The committee then heard SB 514, creating the Doula Support for Healthy Births Pilot Program in Broward, Miami-Dade, and Palm Beach counties for pregnant and postpartum women, with priority for those affected by substance use disorder. Members discussed how the Department of Health would implement the pilot, collect data, and work with existing maternal health partners. An amendment changed the funding source to specific appropriations in the General Appropriations Act. Supporters said doula care can improve maternal and infant outcomes and help address Florida’s maternal health crisis. The bill was reported favorably as a committee substitute. SB 36, on use of professional nursing titles, drew extensive debate over whether nurses with doctoral degrees should be able to use the title “doctor” in clinical and advertising settings while clearly identifying themselves as nurses. The sponsor said the bill was about transparency and patient clarity, while several senators raised concerns that patients could confuse DNPs with physicians. Supporters from nursing groups said the bill protects earned credentials and does not expand scope of practice. The committee adopted an amendment aligning the bill with the House version and reported SB 36 favorably as a committee substitute. The committee also reported favorably SB 864, creating a public records exemption for uterine fibroid research data; SB 844, requiring continuing education on sickle cell disease care management for certain health professionals; SB 1404, revising memory care licensing for assisted living facilities; and SB 914, clarifying dry needling authority for occupational therapists. Finally, the committee took up SB 1758, a broad public assistance bill affecting Medicaid and SNAP. The sponsor described reforms including stronger fraud enforcement, a Medicaid work requirement for certain able-bodied adults, expanded behavioral health services through a waiver, pharmacy program changes, and SNAP fraud reduction measures. Members questioned the work requirement, implementation costs, eligibility verification, and due process concerns, while the sponsor said the bill would require federal approval and legislative review before implementation. Three amendments were adopted to adjust drug list update timing, expand public testimony on the high-cost drug list, and require faster prior authorization responses with a temporary supply in emergencies. The transcript cuts off before the final disposition of SB 1758.

Transcript Highlights:

• Over some of the orientation rules for the committee for the session.
• Chair, members of the committee, and audience. It's an honor to be here on this committee.
• , we abide by the rules. the 24-hour rule for amendments.
• Chair, more of a comment to again thank you for the new people on the committee. committee.
• The Finance Committee and then the Legislative Education Study Committee recommendations.

Committee: House House Education

Transcript Highlights:

• If you require assistance in registering to testify, please contact the committee staff.
• Thank you for allowing me to address this committee.
• Yes, the commissioner knows how to adopt these rules. She's done this for TUIA.
• Is there any further business for the committee to address?
• Hearing none, committee stands adjourned, subject to the call of the chair.

Committee: House Insurance

Transcript Highlights:

• The committee will now consider Senate Concurrent Resolution 127.
• Committee, I appreciate your indulgence on this.
• The committee then moved to telephone testimony.
• Committee, I appreciate the opportunity to close.
• The committee will stand adjourned.

Committee: House State Affairs

Keywords: 989, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Members of the committee, Jacob Lipson, staff to the committee.
• Thanks, Madam Chair, members of the committee. Jacob Lipson, staff to the committee.
• Members of the committee, Jacob Lipson, staff to the committee.
• Good afternoon, members of the committee.
• So rather than trying to change the rules, we ask for enforcement of the existing rule so that small

Summary: The committee heard testimony on several bills. House Bill 2272 would update state park inspection language for ski lifts and related equipment to better match current equipment and federal standards; the sponsor and State Parks said it was a simple modernization bill, and there was no opposition. House Bill 2245 would expand Clean Energy Transformation Act coverage to port districts that distribute electricity, utilities with a single customer, and certain affected market customers such as data centers; supporters said it closes loopholes and applies clean-energy rules more fairly, while ports, business groups, and some utilities warned of unintended consequences, added reporting burdens, and impacts on cogeneration and rural economic development. Ecology and Commerce supported the goal but raised concerns about allowance allocation, fiscal impacts, and possible double counting, and WAPUDA asked that existing single-customer PUDs be grandfathered. House Bill 2215 would lower Climate Commitment Act thresholds for gasoline, diesel, biodiesel, and propane suppliers and extend coverage to some purchasers; supporters said it would prevent entities from gaming the system and cover significant emissions now below the threshold, while Ecology, fuel distributors, propane suppliers, grocers, and business groups warned of compliance costs, supply-chain impacts, possible linkage issues, and the need to preserve existing reporting authority for natural gas. Ecology estimated about 50 additional covered entities could be brought in, and several opponents argued the bill would sweep in small family-owned businesses not intended to be regulated. House Bill 2090 would direct Commerce to develop a nuclear strategic framework for inclusion in the state energy strategy, contingent on outside funding. The sponsor and supporters argued the bill is only a planning measure to ensure Washington considers advanced nuclear as a firm, low-carbon, small-footprint resource amid rising demand, grid constraints, and land-use concerns; supporters included Energy Northwest, local governments, labor/environmental Democrats, and pro-nuclear groups. Opponents, including the Sierra Club, Columbia Riverkeeper, tribal representatives from the Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation, and several environmental advocates, said the bill gives nuclear special treatment, relies on private funding that could bias the study, and risks advancing projects at Hanford without early, meaningful tribal consultation. Tribes requested explicit consultation, independent and publicly funded analysis, and attention to treaty rights and historic nuclear impacts. Testimony also sharply divided over cost, waste, and land use, with supporters emphasizing reliability and footprint and opponents citing high costs, unresolved waste disposal, and the immaturity of small modular reactors. No votes or final actions were taken in the hearing.

Transcript Highlights:

• , if it leaves this committee.
• If approved by the committee today, will be processed by the housing committee amendments and allow Senate
• committees.
• I just want to highlight that this housing committee has been one of the hardest-working committees.
• I just want to highlight that this housing committee has been one of the hardest working committees.

Committee: Senate Housing

Summary: The committee opened its first Senate Housing hearing of 2026 by taking up several two-year bills and bond measures. SB 222 by Senator Wiener, the Heat Pump Access Act, would streamline permitting for heat pump water heaters and HVAC systems, allow video/phone participation by contractors during inspections, and limit HOA barriers. Supporters said the bill would cut costs, speed replacements, reduce pollution, and help Californians lower energy bills; the League of California Cities opposed unless amended, citing concerns about a permit fee cap and virtual inspections. After questions about fees, inspection liability, HOA authority, and electrical panel upgrades, the bill passed 10-0 to Senate Local Government. The committee then considered SB 677, a follow-up to SB 79. The author announced the bill would be narrowed to two definition changes and that broader SB 79 cleanup would come in a new bill later in 2026. Testimony reflected both support and concern: some local governments and counties said more clarity was needed on implementation, transit-related definitions, and timing, while housing and transit advocates supported the cleanup and the removal of the ferry-stop provision. The committee approved the amended bill 10-1 to Local Government. SB 417, the Affordable Housing Bond Act of 2026, proposed a $10 billion general obligation bond for affordable rental housing, supportive housing, homeownership, and preservation. Supporters argued that state housing funds had been exhausted, that thousands of shovel-ready units were waiting for financing, and that the bond would leverage federal tax credits and create jobs. Opponents, including Habitat for Humanity, asked for a dedicated CalHome set-aside for homeownership. Members debated state debt levels, bond repayment, and whether the state should rely more on direct appropriations, but the bill passed 8-1 to Appropriations. The committee also began hearing SB 492, the Youth Housing and Youth Center bond, which the author said was intended to be folded into a larger housing bond package. The bill would authorize bonds for youth housing and youth centers for transition-age youth up to age 25, with the author arguing that early intervention could prevent future homelessness. The transcript cuts off before the committee completed action on SB 492.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> the committee amendment? the committee amendment?
• Is there any discussion on the<02:08:30.960><c> committee</c> the committee the committee amendment?
• Senator Ganon for the committee. two. Senator Ganon for the committee.
• c> discussion on the committee discussion on the committee amendment?
• Is there any discussion on the<03:52:47.840><c> committee</c> the committee the committee amendment?

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Good morning, and welcome to the Friday, February 20th House Agriculture and Natural Resources Committee
• House Ag and Natural Resources Committee.
• I'm going to start by asking any members of the committee if they have questions.
• Good morning, Madam Chair, members of the committee. My name is Karina Allen.
• I will give the caveat to the committee that our team is very, very new.

Committee: House Agriculture & Natural Resources

Keywords: 904, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Madam Clerk, do we have any reports from select committees, any reports from standing committees?
• And this is all within the rules of engagement to hear this bill twice.
• In accordance with the Arkansas Constitution and House rules, I move that, having concluded our business
• move that the House of Representatives suspend the formal election processes provided for in House Rule
• The motion is adopted, and the formal election process in House Rule 10A is suspended.

Summary: The House convened with prayer, recognized guests, and adopted consent-calendar resolutions before taking up House Resolution 1052 regarding Arkansas Girls State. Rep. Vaught explained that about 150 eligible girls were denied registration because a counselor missed the deadline, and said the House would instead host an “elite Girls State” program for them this summer. He then moved to withdraw the resolution, and the withdrawal was accepted. The chamber also presented a citation to Pastor Richard Hamlin for his service during the session. The House then considered several Senate appropriation bills. Senate Bills 3, 4, 7, 15, 21, and 31 all passed with broad support and emergency clauses. Senate Bill 77, an unfunded appropriation related to Arkansas Television Network/PBS matching funds, drew extended debate. Supporters said it would encourage private donations and could help with programming and infrastructure, while opponents argued the department had not requested the money and that the House should not force additional funding. The bill failed on the first vote, was brought back for a second vote after questions about the rules and the nature of the appropriation, and failed again. After the fiscal session business concluded, Rep. Meeks moved to adjourn sine die, and the House agreed. The House caucus then met to elect the Speaker-designate for the 96th General Assembly. The chamber suspended the formal election process by voice vote and unanimously elected Speaker Brian S. Evans as Speaker-designate. Evans thanked members, reflected on the 95th General Assembly, and pledged continued leadership and accountability.

Transcript Highlights:

• The committee is ready for business. Good morning, committee. And House Appropriations is present.
• The committee is ready for business. Good morning, committee.
• Chairman, members of the committee. My name is Janet Jessup.
• I've talked to several people on that committee that was put together, and with that committee it was
• And multiple people on that committee had... ...that committee was looking more at the deer, elk, and

Summary: The committee first heard a budget presentation from the Department of Fish and Game. Legislative Services outlined the agency’s funding structure, noting it receives no general fund and is supported mainly by dedicated and federal funds, with most spending going to personnel and many requests being one-time items. Director Jim Fredericks described the department’s mission, staffing, hatcheries, wildlife management areas, habitat work, enforcement, and funding sources, including license and tag revenue, federal excise taxes, and mitigation funds. Members asked about rescissions, temporary employee restoration, fisheries inflation items, depredation claims, nonresident tag sales, communications with the public, predator management, chronic wasting disease, habitat projects, and the relationship with the Office of Species Conservation. Fredericks said the department is working to right-size depredation funding, that the new nonresident draw system appears to be maintaining strong revenue, and that many habitat and disease-related costs are rising because of changing conditions and expanded work. He also acknowledged the technology-rule advisory process could have been handled better, especially regarding wolves, and said he would have structured that committee differently in hindsight. The committee then took up the Office of Species Conservation. Janet Jessup explained that the office is small, mostly federally funded, and often passes grant money through to Fish and Game for on-the-ground work. Administrator Mike Edmondson said the office serves as the state’s technical, policy, and legal advisor on endangered and candidate species and works closely with Fish and Game on habitat and consultation issues. He described measurable work on sage grouse, salmon and steelhead, and grizzly bears, and said the office has concrete metrics such as acres treated, river miles restored, and conflict-reduction actions. Members asked about the overlap with Fish and Game, the number of species covered, and a proposed merger with the Office of Energy and Mineral Resources. Edmondson said there is strong synergy with OMER because many energy and mining projects come through species consultation first, and he said the office would support a merger if the Legislature pursues it, though he cautioned against cutting too deeply. Questions also touched on grizzly bear delisting, wolf-trapping litigation, and tribal consultation on salmon, steelhead, and other species. Finally, Attorney General Raul Labrador presented his office’s budget and performance. He argued that the office has returned more money to the state than it costs, citing $242 million recovered or settled over three years, and said the proposed reductions would force furloughs or elimination of positions because the office is mostly personnel costs and largely general-fund supported. Labrador highlighted major gains in the Internet Crimes Against Children unit, saying the backlog of cyber tips was eliminated, review times are now within 24 hours, and arrests have risen sharply; he also noted the Legislature expanded the child sexual abuse material law to cover AI-generated content. He described expanded civil defense and appellate work, creation of a solicitor general function through reorganization, more in-house handling of risk cases, and a reworked consumer protection division that now responds to complaints within 24 hours and has increased enforcement and direct consumer recoveries. Members asked about the source of the recovered funds, whether cyber crimes are increasing or just being caught better, and whether the office could help develop a framework for transferring incarcerated noncitizens to federal custody for deportation. The budget analyst later clarified that some of the office’s apparent underspending reflects vacancy savings and the ability to move funds between expenditure classes.

Transcript Highlights:

• Thank you for your of the committee.
• Thank you. committee. Uh Ray Gomez for HTDC. Uh committee. Uh Ray Gomez for HTDC.
• </c> up to the committee. up to the committee.
• Any questions from our committee? Any questions from our committee?
• Uh this um committee<01:32:55.720><c> has</c><01:32:56.040><c> moved</c> committee has moved committee

Bills: SB2580 , SB2578 , SB2259 , SB3084 , SB2816 , SB2928 , SB2075 , SB3322 , SB2377 , SB2436 , SB2835 , SB3248

Committee: House Economic Development & Technology

Keywords: SB2580, Hawaii film tax credit, motion picture tax credit, digital media credit, film production incentive, income tax credit, general excise tax exemption, DBEDT, DOTAX, local hires, local workforce, film industry, movie production, television production, streaming platform, streaming series, loan-out companies, motion picture project employer, qualified production, qualified production costs

Summary: The committee opened by reviewing hearing procedures and then took up SB 2580, which concerns Hawaii’s film production tax credit and related incentives. Testimony was strongly supportive overall, with witnesses saying the measure would help attract productions, extend the sunset date, include streaming platforms, and strengthen the state’s competitiveness. Several supporters asked for cleanup language on grant administration, tax credit management, local-hire uplifts, and limits on third-party audit requirements for smaller productions. The state film office said the bill was generally strong but suggested clarifying language and noted that DBEDT and DOTAX already provide oversight of the current credit. No vote was taken in the transcript, but the bill drew broad support with a few comments and one opposition noted later in the hearing. The committee then heard SB 2578 SD1, a measure to create a film commission and related grant structure. Testifiers said the proposal would formalize industry input, improve accountability, and help the state compete globally, but they also raised concerns about how a new grant program would interact with the existing tax credit system. The film office said the grant program and tax credit should be separated operationally, that the advisory structure should include industry voices and possibly union representation, and that county film commissioner language may need technical adjustment. A testifier also suggested a Hawaii film museum and related tourism opportunities. The measure was described as having 42 supporters, one opposition, and five comments, with no final action shown. The committee next considered SB 2259, a dementia training measure. Supporters, including the bill’s drafter and the Alzheimer’s Association, described personal caregiving experiences and said free dementia training could help workers and families. Suggested amendments focused on clarifying the relationship between EOA and DBED and allowing retraining every two years because of workforce turnover. DBED said the bill is worthwhile but is not really an economic development initiative, and it should align with existing dementia programs and be easy for businesses to use, preferably online. The committee then moved to SB 3084 SD1, which HTDC said would expand its R&D matching program beyond SBIR to other federal research grants because of uncertainty at the federal level; the transcript ends as testimony begins, with no vote or final action recorded.

Transcript Highlights:

• , which is the Finance Committee.
• , which is the Finance Committee.
• , which is the Finance Committee.
• </c> for rule-making related to the program. for rule-making related to the program.
• </c> that are currently in rule. that are currently in rule.

Committee: Senate Transportation

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Report of select committees. We have none, Mr. Speaker. Report of standing committees.
• Rules calendar. Gentleman from Rankin, you're recognized. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
• We've worked the Rules Calendar. That only leaves the Approps Calendar. I believe he passes.
• </c><00:17:45.280><c> That</c> We've worked the Rules Calendar.
• That We've worked the Rules Calendar.

Keywords: MS House Floor - 18 February, 2026; 2:00 PM, 925, all

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> Any questions from committee members? Any questions from committee members?
• They're not following the rules. They're not following the rules. Any questions?
• </c> They're not following the rules. They're not following the rules.
• from committee members?
• </c> to the membership of the committee. to the membership of the committee.

Committee: Senate Education

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• The House of Representatives, your standing committee on rules begs leave to report that it has carefully
• Okay, the clerk now receives reports from standing committees.
• I move that the rules be suspended for consideration...
• The rules be suspended for consideration of two time-sensitive resolutions. Any objections?
• Hearing none, the rules are suspended. Clerk, read the resolution.

Keywords: 1136, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I recognize the Rules Chair for a motion. Mr.
• Show HB 5203E referred to the Committee on Appropriations.
• Show HB 5207E referred to the Committee on Appropriations.
• Show HB 5403E referred to the Committee on Appropriations.
• Madam Rules Chair, you'll recognize again.

Keywords: 999, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Pursuant to Assembly Rule 96, I request unanimous consent to re-refer the following bills to committee
• ; SB 1315, Cabaldon, from the Insurance Committee to the Transportation Committee and the Judiciary Committee
• Pursuant to Assembly Rule 96, I request unanimous consent to re-refer the following bills to committee
• SB 1315, Cabaldon, from the Insurance Committee to the Transportation Committee and the Judiciary Committee
• Joint Rule 62A filing notice requirement to allow the Utilities and Energy Committee to hear SB 1350,

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• . >> Oh, committee reports. >> It's not on the script. Committee on Health and Human Services.
• Committee on Health and Human Services.
• on the merits, committee consideration on the merits, committee recommends<00:34:51.359><c> the</c><
• </c><00:34:54.639><c> of</c> amended, be referred to the committee of amended, be referred to the committee
• ><c> and</c> Committee on Local Government and Committee on Local Government and Housing<00:34:58.240

Keywords: 981, all

Transcript Highlights:

• You have adopted the committee substitute.
• Members of the committee, I'm Cameron Parker.
• But yes, so they reversed the Maryland ruling. And the ruling was 5-4.
• Good evening, committee. Do you want to introduce everybody? Good evening, committee.
• Good evening, committee. Do you want to introduce everybody? Good evening, committee.

Committee: House Crime and Public Safety

Keywords: 959, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I move to roll House Committee Amendment 1 into a House Committee substitute and adopt the substitute
• I move to roll House Committee Amendment No. 1 into a new House Committee substitute and adopt the substitute
• I move to roll House Committee Amendment No. 1 into a new House Committee substitute and adopt the substitute
• I move to roll House Committee Amendment No. 1 into a new House Committee substitute and adopt the substitute
• The Judiciary Committee hearing today. Thank you all.

Committee: House Judiciary and Civil and Criminal Jurisprudence

Summary: The Judiciary Committee met with a quorum and first went into executive session, where it voted House Bill 1711 do pass with no opposition. HB 1711 concerns the Uniform Interstate Deposition and Discovery Act. The committee then took up HB 1713 on limited liability companies, adopted a House Committee amendment and then a House Committee substitute that incorporated Secretary of State language on series LLCs and certificates of good standing, and voted the substitute do pass 10-0. The committee next considered a combined judgeships measure. It adopted an amendment and House Committee substitute that merged language from several bills, including provisions for additional judges or associate judges in Jefferson, St. Charles, Franklin, Miller, and Clay counties, and voted the substitute for HB 2968, 2427, and 3086 do pass 10-0. It also adopted an amendment and substitute for HB 3072, a workers’ compensation bill, and voted that substitute do pass 9-0. In public hearing, Representatives Smith and Dolan presented HB 2574 and HB 2163 together, both aimed at expanding limited driving privileges for people in treatment programs. They explained the bills would allow limited driving privileges through adult drug/treatment courts and, in one version, let offenders petition the sentencing court after completing a 120-day treatment program. Members discussed public safety concerns, ignition interlock devices, and insurance requirements, and one member noted personal experience with a drunk-driving fatality while supporting the goal of helping people maintain employment. Eric Jennings testified in support for the Judicial Conference of Missouri, saying the change would extend an existing tool from DWI courts to adult treatment courts with the same safeguards. No opposition or informational witnesses appeared, and the hearing was closed.