Transcript Highlights:

• The Senate will now refer to messages from the Senate.
• Are hereby announced the passage by the Senate of the Herewith returned as amended by the Senate, in
• as amended by the Senate.
• The Senate amendments are perfectly adequate.
• Any further discussion on the Senate?

Transcript Highlights:

• Vice chair Grall Senator Bernard here. Senator Boyd, Senator Burton hear Senator Rouson.
• Senator Grall is excused from today's meeting.
• We have Tim Salon with Cedar.
• It's a really good question, senator.
• Senator Rouson moves. We adjourn without objection.

Keywords: 999, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• We got Senator Tim O'Driscoll. We had Jeff Howe, who's now a senator.
• We had Representative Ty, I know that, uh, Senator Jeremy Miller down in Winona wants...
• It says final enactment applies to Anoka, Carver, Dakota, Hennepin, Ramsey, Scott, and Washington, but
• In the effective date, it says final enactment applies to Anoka, Carver, Dakota, Hennepin, Ramsey, Scott

Keywords: 919, house, all

Summary: The committee took up House File 269 and House File 749 together, both aimed at ending Northstar Commuter Rail service. The bill author described HF 269 as directing the Metropolitan Council and MnDOT to request a federal waiver and discontinue Northstar operations, with HF 749 setting performance requirements that would trigger a similar termination request. Supporters argued Northstar has low ridership, high operating subsidies, and large maintenance costs, and said the agencies now agree with the intent to terminate the line and possibly replace it with bus rapid transit. The chair moved HF 269 to the general register while also laying HF 749 over in committee, and testimony was heard on both bills at once. Testimony split sharply. Supporters of termination, including the bill author and Annette Meeks, said Northstar has consistently underperformed ridership projections, has required large taxpayer subsidies, and should be ended rather than extended. Opponents, including Jesse Cook, Darwin Scherlan, Joel Mueller, Katie Nicholson, and Annie Buckle, argued the line still serves riders, workers, and communities, that low frequency and underinvestment are the real problems, and that the state should improve service rather than shut it down. Several opponents emphasized Northstar’s role for commuters, special events, and future growth, especially the St. Cloud corridor. Met Council Chair Charlie Zelle and MnDOT Commissioner Danenberger said they support carefully evaluating alternatives to commuter rail and acknowledged the subsidy is not acceptable, but they also said the agencies are working with the federal government and BNSF on possible next steps. Zelle said the agencies believe bus service could provide more frequent and direct service, and when asked directly, he confirmed they are in favor of terminating Northstar and replacing it with bus service if feasible. No final disposition beyond the motion on HF 269 and the laying over of HF 749 was recorded in the excerpt.

Transcript Highlights:

• Say hi to Scott Wakeman for >> Thank you. Say hi to Scott Wakeman for me. me. me.
• <04:10:58.239> Believe out of the Senate. Believe it. Believe out of the Senate.
• But the Senate said no thank you.
• But the Senate said no thank you.
• My name is Scott D. Roach.

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• What I didn't hear you mention was any implications from Senate Bill 4.
• Senate Bill 4 changed the rate-making process.
• Thank you very much for that, Tim. Mr.
• Thank you very much for that, Tim. Mr. Representative Taylor, my apologies. Thank you.
• By the Office of Administration and the House of Representatives and Senate staff.

Keywords: 959, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Keith. >> Yes. >> Senator Aebersold. >> Yes. >> Senator Bolden. >> No. >> Senator Fate. >> Senator Curran
• Next, we will go to Senator Dames. Senator Dames has Senate File 3698.
• Senator Dames has Senate File 3698. Senator Dames has Senate File 3698.
• Senator<01:17:32.760> Utke. Senator Utke. Senator Utke.
• Senator Ibler. Senator Ibler.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Robert Brayton, Hunter Barrett, Tim—I’m going to get this wrong, I apologize—Night Dickon, Night Dickon
• Chair now calls Tim Nidiken.
• We have you registered as Tim Nidiken, representing the Livestock Marketing Association of Texas, speaking
• So I apologize, we didn't switch the male and the female side, so it's Tim Ratliff instead of Tim Needeck
• So I apologize, we didn't switch the male and the female side, so it's Tim Ratliff instead of Tim Needeck

Summary: The joint hearing focused on preparedness for the New World screwworm threat and brought together the House Committees on Culture, Recreation, and Tourism and Agriculture and Livestock. USDA officials, Texas Department of Agriculture Commissioner Sid Miller, and Texas Animal Health Commission leadership described the pest as a serious risk to livestock, wildlife, rural economies, and beef prices, and emphasized coordination among federal, state, industry, and Mexican partners. Witnesses repeatedly stressed that Texas is currently seeing no confirmed U.S. detections, but that recent confirmed cases in northern Mexico, including Nuevo León, remain a concern because of their proximity to the border. USDA testimony outlined current surveillance and response efforts, including more than 120 screw worm-specific traps along the Texas border and neighboring states, thousands of additional dual-purpose traps, wildlife inspections, weekly coordination with Mexico’s Senasica, and a new USDA New World Screwworm Directorate. Officials said the existing Panama sterile fly facility is maxed out at about 100 million flies per week, while a dispersal facility in Tampico is helping move flies farther north in Mexico. They also described plans for a retrofitted sterile fly facility in Metapa, Mexico, expected to come online in 2026, and a new domestic production facility at Moore Air Base, with phase one targeted for late 2026 or early 2027 and phase two adding substantially more capacity later. Members pressed USDA on timelines, production capacity, the reliability of Mexican reporting, the risk from wildlife, and whether modular or mobile facilities could be deployed faster. USDA said it is also exploring innovative technologies, including a genetically engineered sterile male fly, but that such tools still require EPA review and field validation. Commissioner Miller highlighted Texas biosecurity efforts, five permanent inspection stations, cooperation with FDA and EPA on treatments such as Exzolt, and other pest issues affecting Texas agriculture. He also noted research into fly bait and private-sector efforts to speed sterile fly production. Texas Animal Health Commission officials described extensive state preparedness work, including weekly coordination calls, field response trainings, outreach to producers and veterinarians, and a Texas Screwworm Response Team. They said Texas has trained more than 100 inspectors and other personnel, with additional trainings planned, and that the state is expanding its cattle fever tick rider program. No votes or formal committee actions were taken during the hearing; the main action was the exchange of testimony and questions about readiness, surveillance, and facility timelines.

Transcript Highlights:

• Tim Lewis with Children Now, in support.
• Tim Madden, representing the community of health care workers, in support.
• Tim Madden, representing the California Chapter of the American College of Emergency Physicians, in support
• Tim Madden, representing the California chapter of the American College of Emergency Physicians.

Summary: The Assembly Health Committee heard a long series of health-related bills, with most measures focused on access to care, administrative simplification, and behavioral health. Early items included AB 583, allowing nurse practitioners to sign death certificates; AB 492, requiring DHCS to notify local governments when new alcohol or drug recovery facilities are licensed; and AB 280, which would tighten provider directory accuracy requirements, add enforcement benchmarks, and allow use of a centralized database. Testimony on AB 280 highlighted the harms of “ghost networks,” while insurers and some provider groups opposed the bill as written, arguing it placed too much responsibility on plans and did not fully address provider-side data problems. AB 280 passed on a roll call vote, and several other bills were placed on consent and approved. The committee also advanced AB 636, expanding Medi-Cal coverage for medically necessary diapers for children up to age 21 and lowering the age threshold for access; AB 1041, streamlining physician credentialing with a uniform form and 90-day review deadline; and AB 787, requiring health plans to help enrollees find in-network providers quickly when directories fail. Supporters of these bills emphasized family financial strain, delays in care, and the burden of administrative red tape, while opponents of AB 1041 and AB 280 raised concerns about provider participation, accuracy, and liability. All three measures were approved and sent to Appropriations. The committee then took up AB 4 and AB 29. AB 4 would allow income-eligible Californians to buy Covered California coverage regardless of immigration status, and AB 29 would authorize Medi-Cal reimbursement for community health workers and doulas conducting ACE screenings. Both bills drew strong support from immigrant-rights, health access, and community-based organizations, and both passed on roll call votes, with AB 4 receiving some no votes. The committee also approved AB 416, which would allow emergency physicians to place 5150 holds in certain circumstances; supporters said it would reduce delays and overcrowding in emergency departments, while Disability Rights California and others warned it could increase unnecessary involuntary hospitalization and transfers to locked facilities. Despite those concerns, the bill passed and was sent onward for further consideration.

Transcript Highlights:

• We will now recognize Tim Brown, our Assistant Vice President... Thank you, Chief.
• We will now recognize Tim Brown, our Assistant Vice President of Northwest Regional Data Center, to give
• Tim Brown showed that table earlier.
• Now, most of these are some of the less complex, smaller systems like Tim Brown mentioned, the low-hanging

Summary: The subcommittee first heard a panel on state cloud modernization efforts after canceling an LBR on the Department of Corrections’ OBIS project because the presentation materials were not submitted on time. Florida Digital Service, the Northwest Regional Data Center, and several agencies described how the state is assessing and migrating applications to cloud environments under the cloud-first policy. Northwest explained its 2023 cloud readiness assessment of 890 applications from 24 agencies, the criteria used to rate readiness and risk, and its recommendation to tackle lower-risk applications first. Agency updates covered the Department of Corrections’ modernization of 98 legacy applications tied to OBIS and cloud-native infrastructure, the Department of Elder Affairs’ Microsoft Power Platform modernization, the Department of Health’s health management and child protection systems, and FDOT’s large cloud program for transportation systems. Members repeatedly asked about costs, data ownership, disaster recovery, single sign-on, security tools, and whether cloud migration actually saves money; presenters generally said the focus is more on modernization, resilience, and efficiency than immediate savings, and that cost analyses are often application-specific rather than enterprise-wide. The discussion also covered governance and architecture questions. Florida Digital Service said agencies remain responsible for their own databases and cloud tenants, while FLDS provides advice and an enterprise architecture framework; it does not have statutory oversight over most projects, except for OBIS project oversight due to its size. Northwest said it is acting as a cloud broker for some agencies and is consolidating Azure and AWS payer tenants to seek better pricing, but agencies still make system-by-system decisions based on business needs, risk, latency, and total cost of ownership. Members raised concerns about fragmented data structures, the lack of a complete statewide application inventory, and the need for better interoperability and enterprise standards. Several agencies said disaster recovery is built into their cloud plans, and FDOT and Corrections described ongoing efforts to keep systems current through core platforms, training, and ongoing support. In the second half of the meeting, the Department of State presented two new technology requests. Secretary Byrd described the SunBiz corporate registry system as a 34-year-old platform supporting more than 3.5 million business entities and generating over $575 million in annual general revenue. He said the department had already virtualized the legacy hardware after earlier modernization efforts failed and is now seeking $800,000 recurring for password protection and $5 million nonrecurring to continue procurement for a replacement system. The department also presented the Florida Voter Registration System modernization request, noting that the current system is outdated and requires manual workarounds for some statutory changes. The department requested $2.4948 million nonrecurring and $44,000 recurring to procure a modernized FVRS solution, and staff said the feasibility study recommended a hybrid approach. Members asked about the study’s findings and about creating a database for voter eligibility information for returning citizens; the department said that would require data sharing with all 67 clerks of court and other entities such as DOC.

Transcript Highlights:

• Senator Lamasao. Aye. Senator Lamasao. Aye. Senator<00:18:59.360> DeCoite.
• Senator DeCoite: no. Senator Richards: no. Senator Fevella: no.
• <01:31:18.000> Senator votes I. Senator Elefante. I. Senator votes I. Senator Elefante.
• Senator Elefante votes no. Senator Rhodes votes yes. Senator Favela votes no.
• Senator DeCoite, no reservation. Senator Richards, yes. Senator Favela, no.

Bills: HB1700

Keywords: housing, expedited permits, disabilities, access, functional needs, local government, affordable housing, reporting requirements, 912, senate, all

Summary: The joint committees heard several housing, land use, and infrastructure bills. HB 6019 HD2 on electric vehicle infrastructure and HB 1728 HD1 on rainwater catchment systems both drew limited testimony and were advanced. For HB 1728, the chairs said they would designate the Department of Health as the regulator and incorporate suggested technical amendments from plumbing and rainwater industry groups. Both measures were reported out with recommendations to pass, with HB 6019 passed unamended and HB 1728 passed with amendments. HB 1844, which would have required the Land Use Commission to reclassify lands designated for urban growth, drew significant opposition from the Hawaii Farm Bureau and Sierra Club, who argued it would bypass land-use review and threaten agricultural land, water planning, and long-term resilience. Grassroot Institute supported the bill, and the Land Use Commission said the bill raised concerns. After discussion, the chairs deferred the measure in one committee and later the recommendation to pass it with amendments was not adopted in the other committee. HB 1990 on penalties and liens for unresolved residential zoning violations was advanced with amendments. The chairs adopted Grassroot Institute’s suggested changes requiring any county sale of such property to be at no less than fair market value and requiring excess proceeds to be returned to the owner. HB 2424, which would allow county planning agencies to petition for temporary reclassification of certain agricultural lands to rural, also drew mixed testimony; the Land Use Commission raised due process concerns, and agriculture interests opposed it. One committee advanced it with amendments, but in the other committee the recommendation failed after members cited lack of county support. The later portion of the hearing began on HB 1738 and HB 1739. HB 1738 would expand county authority to amend district boundaries for housing on parcels over 15 acres; OHA, Sierra Club, and the Hawaii Farm Bureau opposed it, while Grassroot Institute supported it. HB 1739 would require transit-supportive densities in county TOD areas and limit local restrictions; DPP raised concerns about timing, permitting, and conflicts with existing TOD frameworks, while OPSD and Grassroot supported it. The transcript cuts off before final action on these later bills.

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:02:04.560> PA hunting Senate file 1251 and Senator PA hunting Senate file 1251 and Senator
• Senator P. Back to you. Senator P. Back to you.
• Pa, Senator Her, this bill, Senator Pa, Senator Her, Senator<00:08:00.000> um<00:08:00.400>
• >> Senator<01:43:02.000> Green. >> Senator Green. >> Senator Green.
• Uh Senator Dowski. Okay. Uh Senator Dowski.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Some may think Senator P is replacing Senator Balden, but really you're replacing Senator Balden to represent
• Thank you, Senator. And Senator Johnson Stewart is one of the co-vice chairs. Mr.
• Um, thanks Senator Dibble.
• Johnson<00:04:13.840> St you Senator and and Senator Johnson St you Senator and and Senator
• Senator tazinski then I'll go to Senator Senator tazinski then I'll go to Senator Nelson<01:20:01.760

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Senator Rousson: Here. Senator Berman: ? Senator Broder: ? Senator Burgess: ? Senator De Sigley: ?
• Senator Garcia, Senator Graal, Senator Harold, Senator Martin, Senator Mosullo, Senator McClain, Senator
• Pizzo, Senator Polsky, Senator Sharif, Senator Smith, Senator Trumbull, Senator Wright, Acorn is present
• Senator Graal? Senator Harold? Senator Martin? Senator Massulo? Senator McLean? Senator Pizzo?
• Senator Grawl, Senator Harold, Senator Martin, Senator Mosulow, Senator McLean, Senator Pizzo, Senator

Summary: The committee first took up CS for SB 896 on school safety, which would expand the Guardian program to public postsecondary institutions, require active assailant response plans and threat management protocols, improve reporting and information sharing, and make it a felony to discharge a weapon within 1,000 feet of a campus. A late-file amendment by Senator Polsky was adopted to clarify that students who are also employees or faculty at a public postsecondary institution are not eligible for the Guardian program. The bill drew strong opposition from faculty, students, and gun-safety advocates who argued that more guns on campus would create confusion, weaken safety, and undermine campus police; supporters said trained guardians would improve deterrence and protection. After debate, the committee reported the bill favorably by a roll call vote. The committee then considered SB 1690 on child care and early learning services, which updates child care laws, reduces some regulatory burdens, and expands the Florida Education Foundation’s authority to fundraise for early learning from birth through VPK. Members discussed oversight of the related direct-support organization and the removal of certain notice requirements, while supporters from Moms Rising and other advocates said the bill would help families access affordable, high-quality child care and support home-based providers. One opponent argued the bill added more government regulation, but the committee adopted the amendment and reported the bill favorably. Next, the committee passed CS for SB 118, a narrow bill on non-ad valorem special assessments for recreational vehicle parks, clarifying how assessments are calculated for RV spaces and campsites. The bill received supportive comments from RV advocates and was reported favorably without controversy. The committee then took up CS for SB 1220, the Department of Transportation package, which included provisions on seaports and airports, personal delivery devices, autonomous vehicles, broadband and utility permitting, and advanced air mobility. Amendments were adopted that revised research institute membership, limited some delivery-device provisions, and clarified cruiser light rules for law enforcement; after questions about utility preemption and PDD safety, the bill was reported favorably. Finally, the committee began hearing SB 1756 on medical freedom, which would require new vaccine educational materials, expand school-entry exemptions to include conscience-based objections, limit the Surgeon General’s emergency vaccination authority, and allow behind-the-counter ivermectin for adults with written information and liability protections. The bill drew extensive testimony from both supporters and opponents, with supporters emphasizing parental rights, informed consent, and vaccine injury concerns, and opponents warning about reduced immunization rates, public health risks, and the appropriateness of ivermectin provisions. The transcript ends during public testimony and debate on SB 1756, before final action on that bill is shown.

Transcript Highlights:

• Senator<00:09:03.240> Murphy. Senator Murphy. Senator Murphy.
• Senator Murphy. Thank you. Senator Murphy. Thank you.
• Senator Roswell. Thank you. Senator Roswell. Thank you.
• Thank you, Senator. Thank you, Senator.
• Senator Fuller.

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Messages from the Senate: there are none.
• Senate Bill 1364, Senate Bill 1259 with amendments, 974 with amendments.
• Senate Bill 1364, Senate Bill 1259 with amendments, 974 with amendments, 989 with amendments, 1088 with
• Senate Bill 1036 by Senator Grayson, an act related to land use.
• Senate Bill 1036 by Senator Grayson, an act related to land use.

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:10:05.560> that<00:10:05.720> existed<00:10:06.600> while<00:10:06.760> Tim
• <00:10:07.040> Walz<00:10:07.480> was problems that existed while Tim Walz was problems
• that existed while Tim Walz was the<00:10:07.680> governor<00:10:08.080> of<00:10:08.160
• governor, who will then hopefully choose one of those folks, but they will need a 3/5 vote in the Senate

Keywords: 919, house, all

Summary: House Fraud Prevention and State Agency Oversight Committee Chair Kristen Robbins opened the meeting by explaining that the committee’s majority report had been released after the minority declined to file a minority report, though the minority later issued a statement. She said the report reflects two years of work aimed at exposing fraud, strengthening internal controls, and creating a whistleblower portal, mnfraud.com, which will remain open during the interim to receive and review tips. Robbins and several Republican members described the report as documenting how fraud in Minnesota began with earlier CCAP-related schemes and then expanded into Feeding Our Future and other programs, including housing stabilization, autism services, sober homes, adult day care, assisted living, non-emergency medical transportation, and interpretive services. They argued that fraud was enabled by weak oversight, a culture of inaction, and retaliation against whistleblowers, and said the report includes findings and recommendations for future reforms. Members also highlighted bipartisan bills already passed to strengthen whistleblower protections, internal controls, and fraud reporting. Representative Pam Altendorf and others praised the report and said it exposed widespread misuse of public funds, citing housing stabilization and autism services as examples of programs with rapidly growing costs and weak oversight. Representative Isaac Schultz said the committee had uncovered “industrial-scale” fraud and that the state had failed to hold agencies accountable. He and Robbins said the new Office of Inspector General, created by legislation passed this session and set to begin in January, will have broad authority to investigate public dollars and, later, police powers; they also noted a salary-setting provision for the office would be added to a state government bill. The members said the next governor will need to change the culture of state agencies and enforce accountability.

Transcript Highlights:

• mimic what what or echo what um Senator mimic what what or echo what um Senator Sullivan<00:57:21.119
• Yeah,<01:18:12.320> Tim, Yeah, Tim, Yeah, Tim, >> I<01:18:13.280> I<01:18:13.679>
• It came out of ed policy and then went to the Senate, and it was combined in Senate Bill 57 with the
• And I hear Senator Sullivan's point.
• And I I I hear Senator >> I get that.

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The commission met to review and amend the minutes from its previous meeting, correcting the date, several spelling and wording errors, and clarifying references to a scholarship fund and a member’s title. The minutes were then approved as amended, with some members abstaining because they were not present at the prior meeting. The chair then turned to the commission’s work plan under SB 57, emphasizing the need to prioritize the statutory topics and identify which issues require additional research, documentation, and possible spreadsheets. Members discussed a broad range of special education cost drivers and policy questions, including student referral rates, why students are classified as other health impaired, whether referrals increased after COVID school closures, intervention processes before referral, the cost of services required under IEPs and 504 plans, differences between federal law, state law, and DOE rules, reporting of special education costs, out-of-district and residential placements, district sharing of resources, dispute resolution, graduation rates, and adult learning outcomes. Several members raised concerns that school environments, mental health, bullying, and possible overidentification may be contributing to rising special education numbers and costs, while others cautioned that some reported district percentages may be inflated or unclear because of how the data are counted. A major portion of the meeting focused on HB 742, which would eliminate prorated special education aid when state appropriations are insufficient and require the governor to draw a warrant to cover shortfalls. Representative Ames explained that the bill had been recommended for interim study because the commission is already examining special education costing, and he highlighted the gap between FY24 special education costs of about $977.1 million and state aid of $33.9 million for catastrophic aid, $67.4 million for differentiated aid, and $50.8 million in federal IDEA funds, leaving local districts to cover about $825.1 million. He argued the commission should ultimately make clear that both the federal government and the state should contribute more. The Department of Education, through Melissa White, answered questions about data and oversight. She said special education counts come from IEPs entered into the state system using SASIDs, that DOE monitors districts through both desk audits and on-site visits, and that billing is checked against the services listed in each student’s IEP. She also said DOE’s special education work is largely federally funded, with roughly $56.7 million received through IDEA this year and about $49.1 million flowing through to LEAs, while the department retains a small amount for administration and statewide support activities. Members also discussed how adequacy calculations use special education counts from the state system and how those figures are reported.

Transcript Highlights:

• COMMITTEE APPROPRIATION CHAIRS WILL COME TO ORDER, REPRESENTATIVE McCLURE I AM PLEASED TO ANNOUNCE THE SENATE
• HOUSE OFFER ON CRIMINAL AND CIVIL JUSTICE JUSTICE BUDGET AND PROJECTS. >> Chair McClure: GOOD STUFF, SENATOR
• ADMINISTERED FUNDS BUDGET I RECOGNIZE TIM ELWELL, YOU ARE RECOGNIZED TO EXPLAIN PRE-K-12 EDUCATION.
• CHAIRMAN, FOR SENATE OFFER ON THE BUDGET IN THE FEP PROJECT BUDGET SPREADSHEET INCLUDES THE INITIAL SENATE
• AND HOUSE BUMP AMOUNTS WITH THE SENATE OFFER LOCATED IN THE FAR RIGHT COLUMNS OF THE SPREADSHEET.

Keywords: 999, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I'm Tim Lyons with the Subcontractors Association, and we are opposed to this bill.
• I'm Tim Lyons with the Subcontractors Association, and we are opposed to this bill.
• I'm Tim Lyons with the Subcontractors Association, and we can't recommend this bill.
• Tim, are you concerned about the subcontractors themselves being changed in this 24-hour period?
• I guess with this proposal, you know, they could introduce complications like Tim mentioned, the bid

Keywords: 910, house, all

Summary: The committee heard testimony on several bills related to consumer protection, liquor regulation, construction procurement, and state contracting. On House Bill 565, DCCA and the Office of Consumer Protection stood on written testimony, and a committee member raised a question about whether creators of remains would have to hold them indefinitely if family members did not respond; the member indicated language would be fixed to address that issue. No vote was taken. House Bill 208, dealing with liquor law changes, drew strong support from Scarlet Honolulu and Maui Brewing Company, who said the measure would modernize liquor rules and add guardrails, while the Wine Institute and Anheuser-Busch opposed it as a special tax break or unnecessary expansion of liquor-related authority. Members questioned whether anonymous complaints should be allowed and whether the bill could lead to retaliation; the supporter said complaints should not be anonymous and suggested the Liquor Commission had been accused of writing complaints to target licenses. No action was taken. House Bill 939, concerning taxation of low-ABV spirits-based beverages, received support from Maui Brewing Company and Johnson Brothers, who said it would align tax treatment with existing categories and reduce confusion, while the Wine Institute and Anheuser-Busch opposed it as a narrow tax break that could reduce revenue and should instead be considered in a broader alcohol tax review. House Bill 808, on construction defect insurance or related protections for state projects, drew comments from DAGS, the State Procurement Office, and the Subcontractors Association, with the latter warning it would make state contracting harder and shrink the contractor base; the chair questioned what recourse the state has when defects appear after a project is completed. House Bill 809, addressing procurement and subcontractor-listing corrections, drew opposition from SPO, DAGS, and the Subcontractors Association, while the General Contractors Association supported it; members debated whether a 24-hour correction window would create abuse or simply allow minor ministerial fixes, and the bill’s sponsor said the goal was to reduce bid protests and procurement discretion. No votes or final committee actions were recorded in the excerpt.

Transcript Highlights:

• Senator Beasley, Senator Bell, Senator Butler here, Senator Chestine here, Senator Coleman Madison, Senator
• Gavan, Senator Roberts here, Senator Shelnut.
• Senator Roberts here, Senator Shelnut, Senator Stewart, Senator Weaver, Senator Williams here, Senator
• Stuts, Senator Nelson here, Senator Gudger.
• Motion by Senator Williams. Second. Motion by Senator Williams. Second.

Bills: HB441, HB425, HB416

Keywords: speech-language pathology, licensure, clinical supervision, educational qualifications, healthcare assistant, mental health, regional authority, board of directors, local governance, public health, sudden cardiac arrest, automated external defibrillator, AED, school safety, emergency response, cardiac emergency response plan, training, athletic events, first aid, sessions