Bills: SB 10, SB 8, SB 15, SB 12, SB 6, SB 13, SB 9, SB 7, SB 17, SB 4, SB10, SB8, SB15, SB12, SB6, SB13, SB9, SB7, SB17, SB4

Keywords: sex designation, restroom access, civil penalties, private civil right of action, women's privacy, law enforcement, department file, employee records, misconduct, confidentiality, Texas occupations code, election laws, attorney general, prosecution, criminal offenses, criminal prosecution, jurisdiction, hemp, consumable hemp, hemp-derived cannabinoids

Transcript Highlights:

• 03:16:55.760><c> this</c><03:16:56.000><c> until</c><03:16:56.479><c> the</c> Uh, but I look at the map
• Uh but I look at the map in the budget.
• Uh but I look at the map of<03:18:38.319><c> getting</c><03:18:38.560><c> to</c><03:18:38.960><c> 201
• </c><04:30:03.199><c> waste</c><04:30:03.439><c> coordinator</c> to do with hazards waste coordinator
• to do with hazards waste coordinator program.<04:30:04.640><c> Uh</c><04:30:04.960><c> just</c><04:30

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The Committee of Conference on HB 1 and HB 2 met to review revenue estimates and begin working through the HB 1 detail change sheet. New Hampshire Lottery Director Charlie McIntyre reported stronger-than-expected lottery performance, raising the current-year return estimate to $27 million and the next biennium estimate to $200 million, with the increase attributed to improved scratch ticket sales and sports betting not hurting revenue as much as expected. Members questioned the assumptions behind the higher estimates, including the impact of $50 scratch tickets and whether the figures accounted for future conversion from historical horse racing (HHR) machines to video lottery terminals (VLTs). McIntyre and committee members discussed machine counts, per-day revenue assumptions, and the likelihood that VLT conversion would increase revenues over time, though the timing and pace of conversion remained an open question. The committee also discussed several gaming-related policy items in HB 2, including changes to kino hours and local option games of chance, and noted that the Senate and House differed on how gaming revenues would be allocated between charities, education, and general funds. Members emphasized that revenue projections should remain conservative because operators, not the state, would control the pace of machine conversion. Representative Sweeney noted that operators could earn more per machine under the VLT model, and McIntyre said the new facilities and expansions were largely concentrated near the Massachusetts border. The committee then moved to the HB 1 detail change sheet. It agreed to Senate position on the Department of Safety’s road toll bureau and international registration program changes, which were described as a zero-cost realignment of positions, and held the Department of Corrections section for later discussion. On the judicial side, members approved a technical footnote fix, but held a new contract counsel item for involuntary mental health admissions and deferred discussion of the public defender program increase. The committee also noted no change for the PE development authority, moved safety rest area funding from HB 2 into HB 1 with no additional cost, and flagged the tourism development fund and other judicial items as issues that may depend on overall available revenue.

Transcript Highlights:

• Last year, I brought the mapping bill that would try to get all the schools to map their, um... ...to
• get all the schools to map all of their facilities.
• Local school governing authorities must submit up-to-date blueprints and school mapping data, including
• data and preserves a privacy protection by exempting blueprints and mapping data from public records
• She said, quote unquote, 'They treated me like a walking hazard.' They sent her home.

Bills: HR249, HR251, HB395, HB902, SB83, SB132, SB157, SB338, SB450, SB484, SB501, SB507

Keywords: artificial intelligence, AI, BESE, State Board of Elementary and Secondary Education, content standards, K-12 education, public schools, curriculum, digital literacy, computer science, STEM, technology education, student privacy, ethical AI, workforce development, future-ready workforce, instructional resources, education policy, school standards, Louisiana education

Transcript Highlights:

• already prepare urban water management plans projecting water supply and demand, and the Subdivision Map
• Act requires a binding water supply verification before a map with more than 500 units can be approved
• separate study when they already must, and particularly as the witness said, pursuant to the Subdivision Map
• Act, they can't approve the project without a hard water... ...and Map Act, they can't approve the project
• by saying that many folks that live in rural communities that are in the SRA or are in high fire hazard

Summary: The committee first heard SB 1135, which would reestablish the California Wildlife Coexistence Program to promote nonlethal human-wildlife conflict reduction and support coexistence efforts for species such as wolves, bears, and mountain lions. Supporters, including wildlife groups and local government representatives, said the prior program was effective and that proactive tools like fladry, guardian animals, deterrents, reporting, and outreach reduce conflicts and costs. Ranching and agricultural groups were opposed unless amended, saying they supported the concept but wanted changes to the wolf-livestock compensation program, including clearer practicability standards, protection of compensation funds, and more flexibility on nonlethal requirements. The bill was moved to Appropriations on a 2-0 vote, with the measure left on call. The committee then took up SB 1085, which would preserve water supply assessments for large development projects even when those projects are exempt from CEQA, so local agencies still receive information about whether sufficient water exists for the project. The author and sponsor argued the bill would keep water planning and land use planning linked and prevent “paper water” problems, while the California Building Industry Association opposed it, warning it could add delay, uncertainty, and litigation risk for housing projects already subject to other water-supply safeguards. Members discussed how the bill would affect different local structures, especially cities that also operate their own water systems, and whether the assessment adds value in those cases. The bill passed 4-1 to Local Government and was left on call. SB 1270 was next, expanding the California wildfire mitigation home-hardening pilot beyond the original six counties to include four additional high-risk counties identified by Cal OES and Cal Fire, and directing future funding toward those areas. Supporters said the recent Los Angeles fires showed the need to broaden access to home-hardening assistance, while members discussed whether the program should remain geographically targeted or be made available statewide based on need. The bill was amended in committee and passed 5-0 to Emergency Management, left on call. Finally, the committee heard SB 895, a major proposal to place a $23 billion bond on the ballot to create a California Foundation for Science and Health Research and stabilize scientific research funding in the state. The author, UC, UAW, and many research, labor, health, and university groups supported the measure, arguing that federal cuts and instability threaten California’s research workforce, innovation, and economy. Some members raised concerns about the size of the bond and about political issues involving one sponsor, but the author said the foundation would operate under California law and the bill is intended to keep science funding open and collaborative. The bill was moved out of committee on a 5-0 vote and left on call.

Transcript Highlights:

• agencies already prepare urban water management plans, projecting water supply demand, and the Subdivision Map
• Act requires a binding water supply verification before a map with more than 500 units can be approved
• separate study when they already must, and particularly as the witness said, pursuant to the Subdivision Map
• Act, they can't approve the project without a hard water... ...and Map Act, they can't approve the project
• by saying that many folks that live in rural communities that are in the SRA or are in high fire hazard

Keywords: 987, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• So you showed a map where you have projects coming up here soonish to be built, and so those are going
• So you you showed a map clarification.
• Representative Ston asked whether he could expand on how hazardous it is and things like that. 72-hour
• </c> how hazard it is and things like that? how hazard it is and things like that? &gt;&gt; Mr.
• I mean, it's not like a highly hazardous material, but you have to handle it very carefully.

Bills: HF4059, HF76

Keywords: climate change, greenhouse gas emissions, financing, sustainability, environmental policy, renewable energy, Minnesota Climate Innovation Financing Authority, earned incentive release credit, release credits, supervised release, corrections, Minnesota Department of Corrections, sentence reduction, good time, prison time, incarceration, violent offenses, murder, criminal sexual conduct, sex offenses

Transcript Highlights:

• entrances, drives, and<01:08:58.040><c> walkways</c><01:08:59.080><c> become</c><01:08:59.480><c> hazardous
• become hazardous for EMS, patients,<01:09:02.000><c> and</c><01:09:02.240><c> caregivers.
• c> So,</c><01:20:32.480><c> I</c><01:20:32.560><c> have</c><01:20:32.840><c> a</c><01:20:32.880><c> map
• So, I have a map it's null and void.
• So, I have a map that's<01:20:33.400><c> in</c><01:20:33.480><c> my</c><01:20:33.600><c> slides</c><01

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• So I'll point out Gig Harbor and Sumner today and show just this map of the City of Gig Harbor.
• And I would hazard a guess that part of the reason why that's important is you're taking on financial
• By default now, after designation of the UGA, it's the county's land use map, the county zoning, and

Keywords: 904, all

Transcript Highlights:

• involved in the project including the Red River Watershed Management Board, the state of Minnesota Foot Hazard
• They have plenty of maps showing the government has a right of way, but they haven't paid for it.
• Three people from their office went over maps and abstracts. Some...

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• I think it's fair to say that Boise State football has done more than its share to put Idaho on the map
• That's the kind of optimism that has kept our schools on the map.
• Overnight hours present the highest risk for security incidents and the accumulation of waste and other hazardous

Keywords: 989, all

Summary: The committee heard and advanced several introductory bills and memorials. RS 33617, the “newspaper bill,” would help local jurisdictions with the cost of publishing notices in newspapers and was sent to print. RS 33591 would change allocation of off-highway vehicle and snowmobile-related funds, including support for avalanche and search-and-rescue purposes and changes to the OHV advisory committee, and it was also sent to print. RS 33628, from the Secretary of State, would extend online candidate filing to local offices and was introduced. RS 33644 would codify the Idaho Child Care Program into state law, including program integrity and oversight provisions, and it was introduced as well. The committee then advanced Senate Bill 1348, which revises a prior arrangement involving the Cordillera Skeet and Trap Club by shifting the project to Fish and Game land near Farragut State Park and using the previously approved Pittman-Robertson funding mechanism; it received a do-pass recommendation. Senate Bill 1350, supported by the Idaho Retailers Association, provides voluntary cash-rounding guidance as the penny supply declines, and it also received a do-pass recommendation after questions about tax treatment and rounding practices. Senate Bill 1351 would bar the governor from reappointing a person rejected by the Senate for one year and require vacancies to be filled within 90 days or before the next session; it was sent to the floor with a do-pass recommendation. Senate Bill 1359, a cryptocurrency kiosk fraud-prevention bill, drew strong support from AARP, law enforcement, and the Idaho Sheriff's Association, with testimony describing significant losses to seniors and the difficulty of recovering funds once converted to crypto. The sponsor asked for a small amendment, and the committee voted to send the bill to the 14th order for possible amendment. Senate Joint Memorial 114, urging Congress to address college athletics governance and instability, received testimony from Boise State leaders, Lewis-Clark State, and the State Board of Education about NIL, revenue sharing, conference realignment, and the economic importance of athletics; it was sent to the floor with a do-pass recommendation. Finally, House Bill 603, which would clarify rules against camping on Capitol Mall and other state property while allowing certain exceptions and Department of Administration rules, drew both support and opposition. Supporters said it would provide clearer time, place, and manner standards and help maintain safety and access, while opponents argued it would likely trigger more litigation and be unconstitutional. After debate, the committee passed the bill to the floor with a do-pass recommendation, with Senator Ruchti recorded as voting no.

Transcript Highlights:

• They also found a map that shows children who go to emergency departments, and it actually lines up with
• They also found a map that shows children who go to emergency departments, and it actually lines up with
• I know that's a health hazard. There is that I hear noise now in my house where I never used to.

Summary: The committee heard public testimony on three bills. SB 5652 would require the University of Washington, Commerce, the King County Department of Public Health, and the Port of Seattle to study and mitigate aviation-related air quality and noise impacts around Sea-Tac, create a work group and grant program, address failed noise insulation “port packages,” and require a state auditor review. The sponsor and supporters from affected cities and community groups described serious health and quality-of-life harms from airport noise and pollution, while the Port of Seattle, Washington Public Ports Association, and AWB opposed the bill, arguing it would impose new mandates, raise cost and governance concerns, and interfere with airport operations. Testimony on the bill was reopened after other business and then closed; no vote was taken. SB 6124 would direct Commerce to study an appliance affordability index that would consider repairability, maintenance, recyclability, performance life, and related factors. The sponsor said the bill is meant to help consumers compare lifetime costs and repair options, drawing on family experience with durable appliances. Consumer and environmental advocates supported the idea as a way to improve transparency and encourage repairable products, while industry groups opposed a state-specific index, warning it would create a patchwork of standards and compliance burdens. The hearing closed after testimony, with no action reported. SB 5466 would create a Washington Electric Transmission Authority, give it powers to support transmission development and, in some cases, acquire property and own or sell transmission projects, and provide a SEPA categorical exemption for certain transmission upgrades with tribal and resource-protection conditions. Supporters from clean energy, labor, utilities, and state agencies said the bill is needed to expand grid capacity, improve reliability, speed clean energy interconnection, and create jobs, though many asked for bonding or financing authority and refinements to the exemption language. Some utilities and business groups supported parts of the bill but opposed state ownership or said the authority should focus more on permitting and coordination; others raised concerns about ratepayer risk and duplication. The hearing closed after extensive testimony, with no vote announced.

Transcript Highlights:

• This is a map of current nuclear power reactors in the United States.
• And with me, I have Councilman Brian Sluskin, who chairs our radioactive hazardous waste committee that
• The state energy strategy is designed to map out our state's path toward fairly and reasonably priced

Bills: SB5821, SB6004, SB6010, SB5941

Keywords: nuclear energy, energy strategy, advanced technology, sustainability, state policy, renewable energy, public entities, electric generation, contracting, SB 6010, Washington energy siting, EFSEC, Energy Facility Site Evaluation Council, tribal consultation, government-to-government consultation, federally recognized tribes, energy facility siting, RCW, clean energy, alternative energy

Transcript Highlights:

• This is a map of current nuclear power reactors in the U.S.
• And with me, I have Councilman Brian Sluskin, who chairs our radioactive hazardous waste committee that
• The state energy strategy is designed to map out our state's path toward fairly and reasonably priced

Summary: The committee heard public testimony on Senate Bill 5821, which would direct the Department of Commerce, if funded by gifts or grants, to develop a nuclear power strategic framework and integrate it into the state energy strategy. Supporters, including Sen. Braun, Energy Northwest, public power representatives, and several pro-nuclear advocates, said Washington needs to keep advanced nuclear on the table to address rising electricity demand, reliability concerns, and clean energy goals. Opponents, including the Sierra Club, Columbia Riverkeeper, tribal representatives, and other environmental advocates, argued the bill gives nuclear special treatment, lacks sufficient guardrails on waste, safety, cost, and public process, and was rushed without adequate tribal consultation. Several tribal testifiers said the bill should require early, meaningful government-to-government consultation and stronger protections for treaty rights and cultural resources. The committee then held a work session on a Washington State Institute for Public Policy report reviewing state policies supporting small modular reactors. Staff and researchers explained that the report surveyed 79 policies in 35 states and found most states are still in preliminary planning stages, with policies focused on feasibility studies, siting, workforce development, permitting, financial support, and market integration. Members asked about water use, waste, footprint, and whether the report covered fusion; the researchers said it was limited to fission and that water needs vary by reactor design. Some senators noted the need to consider lifecycle impacts and compare nuclear with other energy technologies. The committee also heard Senate Bill 6010, which would change FSEC tribal consultation procedures by exempting most government-to-government consultations from the Open Public Meetings Act when there is no deliberation or commitments, requiring all FSEC members to participate in consultation, and giving tribes a chance to review and correct the consultation summary before it goes to the governor. Tribal witnesses and environmental groups supported the bill as a way to improve confidentiality and meaningful consultation, while the Association of Washington Business opposed it, saying it could add delays and suggesting timelines. Finally, the committee heard Senate Bill 6004, which would update contracting statutes so public entities can contract for renewable or non-emitting generation capability under CETA definitions; utilities supported the update as a modernization, while consumer and environmental opponents warned it could shift financial risk to ratepayers, especially for nuclear projects. No votes were taken in the transcript.

Transcript Highlights:

• However, as the work progressed, several unforeseen challenges emerged, revealing hidden hazards: building
• direct vehicles based on verified addresses; the geographic information system is the official master map
• together the different regions, if you have the interface controls between those two regions aren't mapped
• This declaration turned on the public assistance, individual assistance, and post-disaster hazard mitigation
• especially in the last year, experts in the delivery of the public assistance programs, as well as the hazard

Summary: The subcommittee met to hear budget-related updates from the Judicial Branch and the Office of Emergency Services, with no votes taken. The Judicial Council supported the Governor’s proposed budget, highlighting $70 million for increased trial court operating costs, additional funding for court-appointed counsel, Court of Appeal case processing, and courthouse construction and facilities. Trial court representatives emphasized staffing retention problems, especially in counties like San Bernardino, and said stable funding is needed to avoid delays and maintain access to justice. Members also discussed the branch’s remote proceedings program, which has been used in more than 6 million hearings statewide since 2022 and was described as especially important in rural areas and for vulnerable litigants; several members urged making the authority permanent rather than extending it temporarily. A major portion of the hearing focused on Proposition 36 implementation. Finance said the Governor’s budget maintains the $130 million provided in the 2025 Budget Act for court workload and pretrial services, but adds no new Prop. 36 court funding. Judicial Council staff reported nearly 35,000 felony Prop. 36 filings in 2025, with most cases still pending and only a small share of treatment-mandated cases already dismissed after treatment. Witnesses said courts are using the funds for staffing, coordinators, clerks, and treatment-court operations, but that workload varies widely by county and that data collection is limited because courts report aggregate information rather than case-level outcomes. The LAO raised a technical concern about the Department of Finance’s Prop. 47 savings estimate and recommended revising the methodology at May Revision. The committee also reviewed the Orange Central Justice Center facility modification project, where the Judicial Council explained that hidden construction deficiencies and fire-life-safety issues caused costs to rise substantially after demolition began. The LAO said the project itself was supportable but recommended that the Legislature set an ongoing funding level for court facilities, require a long-term facilities plan, and consider more oversight of facility modification projects. Finance said it continues to fund courthouse projects individually and through the State Public Works Board, while acknowledging project delays and cost increases. Finally, Cal OES and advocates discussed victim services funding. Cal OES said it administers about $315 million annually for victim service programs, including VOCA-funded services, but federal VOCA allocations have fluctuated sharply and the state has used one-time General Fund backfills to maintain services. Trauma recovery center advocates warned that an 85% reduction in funding would sharply reduce services for survivors of violent crime, while human trafficking advocates urged reauthorization of the Human Trafficking Victim Assistance Program before funding reverts to pre-pandemic levels in July 2026. Members asked about federal and state funding stability, referral pathways, and the long-term value of these programs in preventing worse outcomes and reducing public costs.

Transcript Highlights:

• However, as work progressed, several unforeseen challenges emerged, revealing hidden hazards: building
• direct vehicles based on verified addresses; the geographic information system is the official master map
• together the different regions, if you have the interface controls between those two regions aren't mapped
• This declaration turned on the public assistance, individual assistance, and post-disaster hazard mitigation
• in the last year, we are experts in the delivery of the public assistance programs, as well as the hazard

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• do some further cost savings for our local governments when it comes to dealing with some of the hazardous
• what Ecology is doing with wetlands, which they have a rating system and a mitigation system and a mapping
• And the Department of Fish and Wildlife has not gotten to a mapping system for eastern Washington, and
• their map system that they have right now and their ability to actually process and look to see what
• 80% of our shrub-step habitat, but we can use critical area ordinances and good planning, and the mapping

Bills: HB2289

Keywords: appropriations, budget, fiscal matters, state spending, general fund, supplemental budget, biennial budget, substitute bill, public defense, civil legal aid, courts, judicial branch, homelessness, supportive housing, affordable housing, behavioral health, juvenile rehabilitation, youth services, child welfare, foster care

Transcript Highlights:

• The maps were drawn exactly how they wanted them to be, just like the lawsuit against the redistricting
• The maps were drawn exactly how they wanted them to be, just like the lawsuit against the redistricting
• The maps are exactly. The maps are exactly how the advocates wanted them. No changes, Mr.
• Speaker, from an economist's perspective, that's moral hazard. Avoid it. Vote yes on the amendment.
• redistricted, that allows the prosecutor to basically check and recheck and chase around a district map

Bills: HB1160, HB1289, HB1339, HB1798, HB1065, HB1795, HB2107, HB2113, HB2124, HB2125, HB2133, HB2134, HB2140, HB2185, HB2191, HB2205, HB2211, HB2219, HB2245, HB2253, HB2283, HB2343, HB2406, HB2501, HB2531, HB2574, HB1170, HB1544, HB1834, HB2156, HB2188, HB2206, HB2360, HB2471, HB2478, HB2525, HB2605, HJM4012, HB1104, HB1152, HB1254, HB1443, HB1710, HB1750, HB1903, HB1941, HB1974, HB1982, HB1983, HB2006, HB2034, HB2105, HB2179, HB2203, HB2215, HB2223, HB2239, HB2247, HB2297, HB2303, HB2322, HB2329, HB2334, HB2338, HB2345, HB2348, HB2350, HB2353, HB2355, HB2363, HB2367, HB2379, HB2388, HB2399, HB2418, HB2420, HB2428, HB2441, HB2462, HB2464, HB2467, HB2495, HB2505, HB2534, HB2539, HB2544, HB2551, HB2554, HB2557, HB2575, HB2577, HB2588, HB2594, HB2604, HB2636, HB2714

Keywords: design review, local government, land use, zoning, project permits, housing density, middle housing, affordable housing, parking minimums, single-family zoning, infill development, growth management, comprehensive plan, permit streamlining, objective development regulations, architectural review, administrative review, transit-oriented development, accessory dwelling units, ADU

Summary: The House took up second reading and final passage on several bills. House Bill 2575, relating to reducing certain environmental reporting obligations, was amended to direct savings from reduced utility reporting toward low-income electricity assistance, then passed 95-0. House Bill 2334, on cash transaction rounding for the loss of pennies, passed 89-6 after debate over common-sense rounding, tax treatment, and concerns about moving away from cash. House Bill 2714, updating caseload forecasting for food and nutrition assistance programs including SNAP, passed 95-0. Engrossed Substitute House Bill 2557, concerning parental access to special education evaluation meetings and timelines, passed 95-0 after a technical amendment clarifying terminology and discussion about giving parents more time to prepare for meetings. The House also passed Substitute House Bill 2594, which codifies protections for unhoused students and aligns state law with federal McKinney-Vento protections; supporters described the bill as ensuring continued educational access for homeless youth, and it passed 94-1. House Bill 2348, updating timber sale process efficiencies, including electronic notice and appraisal/approval requirements for certain land sales, passed 95-0. Engrossed Second Substitute House Bill 2215, dealing with Climate Commitment Act compliance obligations for fuels, drew extensive debate over market fairness, fuel prices, rural impacts, and Ecology’s authority; after adopting a striking amendment and rejecting several others, it passed 57-38. The House then considered House Bill 1710, a Washington Voting Rights Act compliance bill creating a new chapter in Title 29A RCW. Members debated numerous amendments focused on preclearance standards, lookback periods, fee shifting, rulemaking authority, settlement treatment, and the use of citizen voting-age population. Some technical amendments were adopted, while many substantive amendments were rejected. The transcript ends during continued amendment debate on the bill, before final passage is recorded.

Transcript Highlights:

• What they did is they conditionally excluded it from hazardous waste management requirements.
• When you talk about hazardous versus regular, first you got to understand material versus waste.
• You have a hazardous waste because it meets what's called a code. In this case, it would be D001.
• When you say hazardous waste, codes, everything else, solid waste. Thank you. Thank you.
• When you say hazardous waste, codes, everything else, solid waste. Thank you. Thank you.

Summary: The House Natural Resources Committee met on House Bill 7 by Speaker Pro Tem Johnson, the Louisiana Landowners Protection Act, which would remove eminent domain authority for carbon capture and geological sequestration projects. After housekeeping and roll call, the committee adopted a set of technical amendments that cleaned up definitions, removed a stray statutory reference, and changed “commissioner” to “secretary.” The author then gave an extended presentation arguing the bill was needed to align Louisiana law with the state constitution’s property-rights protections and recent court rulings, and to ensure carbon capture projects proceed only through voluntary agreements rather than forced takings. Several members questioned the author and supportive witnesses about whether the bill would stop carbon capture, affect oil and gas pipelines, or disrupt investment. The author and supporters said it would not stop projects, only prevent taking land without consent, and argued that landowners—especially small and rural owners—should not face the threat of expropriation. Supportive testimony also emphasized family land, inheritance, and constitutional limits on takings. Some members raised concerns about changing the rules after prior legislative action and about the economic importance of carbon capture, but the author responded that the legislature had made a mistake in 2020 and should correct it now. Opposition testimony came from representatives of the Louisiana Mid-Continent Oil and Gas Association, the Louisiana Chemistry Association, and attorneys who handle right-of-way matters. They argued that eminent domain is a rare last resort, that existing law and the Landowner Bill of Rights already protect owners, and that the Constitution’s provisions for private-entity expropriation are different from the provisions discussed by the bill’s supporters. They warned that removing the tool for carbon capture would chill investment, threaten jobs and revenue, and could spill over into other energy infrastructure. The committee did not reach a final vote on the bill in the portion of the meeting provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• We then were able to obtain bar data, if you'll turn to the next page with the purple map, that shows
• That's like, by the way Google mapping does it.
• And Taylor County would leapt at the chance to do that, and we sat with them for a while mapping out
• I think that the system creates that hazard, yeah. Thank you.
• I think that the system creates that hazard, yeah. That's it. Okay. Any other questions? Okay.

Keywords: 1184, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• clerks and school offices were closed that date in recognition of the holiday, and it creates a safety hazard
• I was looking at the map yesterday of places where it's passed.

Summary: The Committee on Elections first met in executive session and took up a committee substitute for H.J.R. 122, which combined H.J.R. 122 with related measures H.J.R. 104 and H.J.R. 149. Representative Banderman offered and the committee adopted an amendment limiting leadership terms in the resolution from three terms to two for the House speaker and from two terms to one for the Senate president. The committee then adopted the revised substitute and voted the combined resolution do pass by a 9-1 vote. In public hearing, the committee heard HB 1987, a technical fix to local filing deadlines for declarations of candidacy when the deadline falls on a holiday. Representative Hinman explained the bill was requested by city and school clerks to avoid requiring offices to open on holidays such as New Year’s Eve or Christmas Day. Testimony from city, municipal, and county clerk organizations was unanimously supportive, and no opposition was offered. The committee also heard HCR 23, which urges Congress to recognize state authority over election laws and campaign finance. Sponsor Representative Perkins and supporting witnesses argued the resolution is a federalism measure grounded in the Tenth Amendment and noted that similar resolutions have passed in 24 other states. Some members questioned whether the resolution could conflict with federal election policy or allow inconsistent state approaches, but the sponsor said the measure simply affirms state authority and does not mandate any specific policy. Finally, the committee heard HB 1802, which would allow poll challengers and watchers to be present during in-person absentee voting in first-class and charter counties, with procedures for advance notice. The sponsor said the bill was intended to create consistency after differing county practices and to address issues seen in St. Charles County during the 2024 election. The St. Charles County election director supported the bill as a clarification of existing law, while some members raised concerns about unequal treatment of counties and the potential for disruption. The hearing concluded without a vote on HB 1987, HCR 23, or HB 1802.