Transcript Highlights:

• Hearing none, all those in favor signify by saying I. Opposed?
• our</c><00:08:53.200><c> organizations</c> Before you hear from our organizations Before you hear from
• </c> hard-of-hearing community. hard-of-hearing community.
• It is a mix of both hearing again.
• Chair Miller, I couldn't hear that very well.

Bills: HF1082 , HF2099 , HF4177 , HF2742

Committee: House Public Safety Finance and Policy

Transcript Highlights:

• I certainly hear from my clerk of court, Ms.
• We hear our President talking about making America great.
• Okay, so I hear three or four questions there, Senator, and they're all valid.
• You are to be given a hearing time, and an order is to be entered within 30 days.
• Okay, I'm glad to hear that. You need to know that. Thank you. Thank you.

Committee: Senate Judiciary

Summary: The Judiciary Committee took up a long agenda of bills, beginning with SB 1434 on infill redevelopment. A late-filed strike-all narrowed eligibility to certain properties in Miami-Dade, Broward, and Palm Beach counties, added environmental and zoning criteria, and included exemptions for agricultural land, parks, military-adjacent land, and other areas. The amendment was adopted without opposition, and the bill was reported favorably 8-0. The committee then heard SB 212 on sexual offenders and predators, as amended to add public swimming pools and related child-centered locations to residency and presence restrictions. Testimony was sharply divided, with supporters emphasizing child safety and opponents arguing the bill lacked empirical support and would worsen homelessness and impose retroactive burdens. The committee adopted the amendment and reported the bill favorably 8-1. Members next approved SB 686 on agricultural enclaves after adopting an amendment allowing certain enclaves adjacent to interstate highways to be developed for commercial, industrial, or single-family residential uses while clarifying protections for critical areas, the Florida Wildlife Corridor, and military installations. The bill drew opposition from a county Republican committee representative who argued it would weaken zoning and comprehensive planning and encourage urban sprawl, while homebuilders and industry groups supported it. The committee also reported favorably SB 554 on nonprofit corporations, a Florida Bar-backed update intended to modernize and harmonize nonprofit corporate law, and SB 1338 on charitable giving, which would create donor remedies for endowment restrictions and limit state reporting burdens on certain charitable organizations; members noted the latter would need further work on cy pres and related issues. The committee then approved SB 532 on court fees after a strike-all that would let clerks retain all collections above revenue projections rather than splitting excess with general revenue, with clerks’ groups supporting the change and members citing long-standing funding shortfalls. SB 218 on land use regulations was also reported favorably; it would restore normal land-use authority to counties unaffected by the 2024 hurricanes while keeping SB 180 protections in place for damaged areas. SB 692 on cybersecurity standards and liability passed 9-2 after debate over whether the bill created enough compliance incentives and whether its liability presumption was retroactive; supporters said it would encourage adoption of cybersecurity frameworks and reduce class-action litigation, while opponents wanted stronger compliance requirements. Finally, SB 1138 on qualified contractors was amended and passed unanimously as a process-reform measure allowing licensed professionals to conduct pre-application reviews, and SJR 1104 on religious expression in public schools was reported favorably 8-3 after extensive testimony and debate over whether it would protect free expression or invite coercion and litigation. The committee also began consideration of SB 1106 on requiring state agencies and instructional materials to use “Judea and Samaria” instead of “West Bank,” with the sponsor framing it as historical accuracy and opponents arguing it erased Palestinian identity; the transcript cuts off during that item.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:02:58.640><c> Senate</c> chair and thank you for hearing Senate chair and thank you for hearing
• </c><00:54:01.040><c> you</c><00:54:01.400><c> miss</c> able to hear you miss able to hear you miss lefon
• Thank you for hearing Senate File 2293 today.
• </c> the bill we've already had one hearing the bill we've already had one hearing on<01:10:38.080><c
• </c> oppose something we don't need to hear oppose something we don't need to hear from<01:11:10.440>

Committee: Senate Taxes

Transcript Highlights:

• The first bill I'd like to hear is House Bill 392.
• Can you hear me? Yes. Hi, Kelly Toby. I am with Kentucky Voices for Health.
• Okay, am I hearing that you're not? See, you are okay. Okay, okay. I'm all right.
• Happy to hear that.
• hear hear that<01:22:17.760><c> representative</c><01:22:18.760><c> camuel</c><01:22:19.760><c> I</c

Summary: The committee first took up House Bill 392, sponsored by Representative Proctor, which would help the Department for Behavioral Health, Developmental and Intellectual Disabilities pay for emergency medical and psychiatric services provided to patients outside state facilities when those facilities cannot meet their needs. Proctor described it as a continuing improvement bill to address payment issues for services delivered at community-based facilities. The bill received no substantive opposition in the meeting and passed the committee with favorable expression by a vote of 15 yes, 0 no, and 1 pass. The committee then considered House Bill 580, presented by Representative Kim Moser and Elena Sweezy, which tightens oversight of peer support specialists. The bill was described as building on House Bill 505 from the prior year by reinstating supervision requirements, adding parameters around group sizes, creating a pathway for temporary peer support specialists to become fully registered after nine months, and addressing Medicaid reimbursement and accountability concerns. Members asked about reimbursement; the sponsor said Medicaid was okay with the bill and that commercial insurance coverage would be up to insurers. Representative Fleming emphasized the need for stronger financial oversight of the peer support code. The committee adopted a substitute and title amendment, then passed the bill with favorable expression. House Bill 688 was then heard, with Representative Bratcher explaining that it addresses two issues: preventing fraud in nurse licensure by giving the Kentucky Board of Nursing more discretion to review out-of-state credentials, and expanding school authority to administer certain emergency medications. He said the bill changes the board’s authority from “shall” to “may” so it can verify transcripts, curricula, accreditation, and exam passage. During discussion, Representative Sharp explained his yes vote by noting the bill also adds rescue medications such as glucagon and Solu-Cortef and allows prescribed emergency medications for known conditions in schools. The committee passed the bill with favorable expression. Finally, the committee heard House Bill 16, which would leave decisions about adding fluoride to drinking water to local governing bodies rather than maintaining a state mandate. Supporters, including Representative David Hale, Dr. Jack Call, and Cindy Batson, argued that fluoridation should be a local choice and raised concerns about cost, potential health risks, and the precautionary principle. Opponents, including Dr. Steve Robertson of the Kentucky Dental Association, defended fluoridation as beneficial for preventing tooth decay and warned that local removal decisions could increase Medicaid costs and may not reflect the broader public interest. The transcript provided does not show a final committee vote on House Bill 16 in the excerpt.

Transcript Highlights:

• Hearing no objection, so ordered.
• Hearing no objection, so ordered. Fourth order.
• Hearing no objection, so ordered. Committee. Hearing no objection, so ordered.
• Hearing no objection, so ordered. The House is now adjourned until 10:30 a.m. Monday, January 19th.

Transcript Highlights:

• Hearing no objection, so ordered.
• Hearing no objection, so ordered. Fourth order. Fourth order of business.
• Hearing no objection, so ordered. Hearing no objection, so ordered.
• Hearing no objection, so ordered. The House is now adjourned until 10:30 a.m. Monday, January 19th.

Summary: The House approved the previous day’s minutes without objection. It also adopted House Resolution 4669, which recognizes the contributions of Washington’s joint operating agencies, again without objection. Under the fourth order of business, the bills, memorials, and resolutions listed on the day’s introduction sheet were advanced to first reading and referred to the designated committees. House Bill 2525 was specifically referred to the post-secondary education and workforce committee. No recorded votes or debate occurred. The House then adjourned until 10:30 a.m. Monday, January 19, the 8th Legislative Day.

Transcript Highlights:

• I just keep hearing the same thing every year. What are we doing differently to adjust?
• And we just hear the cause potentially from, and bring that up to parity.
• I hear you.
• So if you train people for a bond hearing and then bond hearings are no longer a thing, and habeas is
• Hi, I'm—can you hear me? Yes. Am I close enough? Okay. Hi, I'm Zahn.

Transcript Highlights:

• Did I hear that correctly?
• </c> Did I hear understand that correctly? Did I hear understand that correctly?
• You know, I think it's always interesting to hear how you put together a project.
• </c><00:29:06.680><c> how</c> it's always interesting to hear how it's always interesting to hear how
• I'm all about transparency, as Senator Mohamed hears all the time in Jobs Committee.

Committee: Senate Housing and Homelessness Prevention

Transcript Highlights:

• With that, we will close the hearing. All right. We will now open the hearing on House Bill 1110.
• Seeing none, we will close the hearing.
• Thank you for hearing my testimony.
• </c><00:41:45.680><c> were</c> of the above codes, public hearings were of the above codes, public hearings
• Seeing none, we'll close the hearing.

Committee: Senate Executive Departments and Administration

Transcript Highlights:

• You'll hear that Federal Medical Assistance Percentage.
• You'll hear that Federal Medical Assistance Percentage.
• </c> what we refer to as fmap you'll hear what we refer to as fmap you'll hear that<00:21:19.159><c>
• We want to hear from them on how they see their role and how they see all of that.
• </c> continue with informational hearings continue with informational hearings next<01:21:33.199><c>

Committee: House Human Services Finance and Policy

Transcript Highlights:

• So that's what is covered in that last bullet. adjudicative hearing the board sits as adjudicative hearing
• </c> as a FactFinder in licensing hearings as a FactFinder in licensing hearings upon<00:23:05.440><c
• </c> benefit from discussing or hearing benefit from discussing or hearing raised<00:39:10.599><c> by
• I didn't hear that.
• </c> and with that I will close the hearing and with that I will close the hearing on<05:01:43.440><c

Summary: The meeting was an orientation-style overview from the Office of Professional Licensure and Certification (OPLC), led by Executive Director Deana Jurus and staff. They described the office’s mission to protect public health, safety, welfare, the environment, and the public trust, and outlined the agency structure: enforcement, licensing and board administration, operations, legal counsel, board counsel, and the hearings bureau. OPLC said it currently supports 57 boards, including seven advisory boards, and has about 104 filled positions out of 120 authorized. They also noted new voluntary certifications for doulas, lactation consultants, and community health workers that are in rulemaking. A substantial portion of the discussion focused on how boards and staff divide responsibilities under RSA 310:4. Staff explained that the office handles application processing, complaint intake and initial review, records retention, 91-A requests, and rule drafting, while boards make final decisions on licensure criteria, complaint dismissals or investigations, disciplinary actions, and some hearing matters. They also described the rule structure by chapter number ranges and the distinction between full licensing boards and advisory boards. The committee asked about complaint notifications, and OPLC said it is tightening policies so complainants are told whether a matter is closed or moving forward. The licensing process was discussed in detail, especially for nursing. Bethany Katrell explained that applicants apply through an online portal, may receive approval to sit for exams, can work under provisional authority in some cases, and then receive full licensure after exam results and criminal background checks are complete. OPLC said the portal now reduces back-and-forth paperwork and that, as of the latest biweekly report, 87% of applications were decided within the statutory 90-day period and 57% within 14 days. Members also raised questions about why some professions require board approval before taking an exam, and OPLC said that requirement varies by statute or board rule. No votes or formal actions were taken during the discussion.

Transcript Highlights:

• Uh, we have a hearing this morning for HB 566.
• </c> that I would like to begin our hearing that I would like to begin our hearing and<00:05:48.039><
• I think, you know, it’s just…” veterinarians that we hear from say it's veterinarians that we hear from
• The first bill that we are going to hear, going to open up the hearing on HB 355, relative to the membership
• </c><03:20:51.520><c> on</c><03:20:51.760><c> HB</c> the hearing on HB the hearing on HB 355<03:20:53.920

Summary: The Environment and Agriculture Committee held a hearing on HB 566, which would require permit applications for new landfills to include a detailed leachate management plan. The bill sponsor said the measure was prompted by recent reporting on leachate problems at New Hampshire landfills, including alleged violations at a Bethlehem facility and deficiencies at other sites, and argued the bill is meant to improve public health protections without dictating specific treatment methods or hindering innovation. The sponsor also said the proposal was developed with input from the Department of Environmental Services (DES) and industry representatives, and that a forthcoming amendment would revise the bill’s language to better fit the permitting process. The sponsor explained that the amendment would move several requirements out of the contract section and into the planning section, change references such as “permit for construction” to “operating approval,” include landfill expansions, and remove language that could be read as requiring long-term contracts. Questions from members focused on whether the bill would create enforceable consequences if a plan is not followed, whether it would limit operators’ flexibility, and whether existing DES rules already cover the subject. The sponsor said enforcement details should be addressed by DES and emphasized that the bill would not lock operators into any particular contract or technology. The Business and Industry Association testified in opposition to the bill as introduced, saying it appeared unnecessary because DES already regulates leachate through existing rules, including Env 806.53, and has authority to update those rules as technology changes. The witness argued that putting the requirements into statute could freeze the regulatory framework, create conflicts with future rulemaking, and make it harder for DES to respond quickly to new treatment methods or operational issues. No vote or final action was taken at the hearing.

Transcript Highlights:

• Hearing no objection, so ordered.
• Hearing no objection, so ordered.
• Hearing no objection, so ordered. Fifth Order of Business: Committee reports.
• Hearing no objection, so ordered.
• Hearing an objection, so ordered. The House is now adjourned until 9:55 a.m. Tuesday, January 27th.

Transcript Highlights:

• Received it in the hearing while I was sitting there. Right.
• Received it in the hearing while I was sitting there. Right.
• By the way, people listening online can hear us fine. Okay.
• I'm glad to hear this. Okay, we have two Brandons on you.
• Chairman Wilson was right: what we're hearing is good.

Summary: The Senate Committee on Higher Education met with a quorum, adopted its interim rules on a 6-0 vote, and heard opening remarks from members and staff introductions. The chair emphasized higher education’s role in workforce development and noted a Legislative Budget Board survey issue that was resolved after a community college initially did not respond because the survey was marked optional. The committee then focused on monitoring implementation of Senate Bill 37, which governs public higher education boards, curriculum review, faculty senates/councils, training for regents, and the ombudsman office. Testimony from Chancellor Brandon Creighton of Texas Tech, Commissioner Wynn Rosser, UNT Chancellor Michael Williams, and Ombudsman Brandon Simmons described how SB 37 is being implemented. They said boards now have stronger authority, faculty senates are advisory, and institutions are reviewing general education curricula and other programs for rigor, relevance, and workforce value. Rosser said the statewide advisory committee is reviewing the core curriculum and board training requirements are being administered, while Simmons reported the ombudsman office has received 73 complaints, opened two investigations, and expects a third, with many complaints outside its jurisdiction or harassing in nature. Members questioned witnesses about transfer credits, board training content, auditing, conflicts of interest, curriculum decisions, and whether any institutions were missing deadlines. Rosser said non-transferable credits have declined since reporting began under earlier law, and that the most common reason is courses outside degree requirements. Witnesses said they were not aware of institutions missing the SB 37 review deadlines. Senators also raised concerns about an appearance of impropriety in a Texas Tech-related matter and about whether a Dred Scott case should be taught in law school, with Creighton saying the curriculum review process did not prohibit teaching Supreme Court cases and that he would follow up. Later testimony from University of Houston, Texas State, UT, and Texas A&M system officials said their systems had updated policies, abolished prior faculty senates, created compliant advisory councils, and completed or were completing core curriculum reviews and related governance changes.

Transcript Highlights:

• Welcome to the Local Government Committee hearing.
• Welcome to the Assembly Local Government Committee hearing.
• Testimony for this hearing will be in person.
• So I'd love to hear more. Thank you.
• So I'd love to hear more. Thank you. Yeah, absolutely.

Summary: The committee heard several local government-related bills, with testimony focused on permitting, transportation funding, EV infrastructure, and commercial revitalization. AB 1578 by Assembly Member Jackson would require elected local and state officials to take anti-hate speech training through existing sexual harassment training. Supporters said elected officials should understand the impact of their words on hate and democracy; opponents argued the bill lacked a definition of hate speech and could chill protected speech, especially around sex-based issues. AB 2083, also by Jackson, would authorize a regional child care special district serving Moreno Valley and Paris to expand child care facilities and programs for five years. The California Association of Local Agency Formation Commissions opposed the bill’s mechanism but said it was working with the author. AB 1693 by Assembly Member Suber would streamline retail tenant improvement permits by extending a process similar to a prior restaurant permitting law, with qualified professional certification and tighter local review timelines. It drew broad support from retail, business, and property groups and no opposition. Assembly Member Gonzalez presented AB 1679, which would create a temporary commercial activation permit for pop-up businesses to operate in vacant storefronts for up to 120 days. Supporters said it would help fill vacancies and lower barriers for small businesses; there was no opposition, and the bill advanced. Gonzalez also presented AB 2418, which would set timelines for nonresidential plan checks and inspections and allow private plan checkers after excessive delay. Business groups supported it as a way to reduce costly delays, while local government groups had no position but continued discussions with the author; the bill advanced with amendments. Assembly Member Shevlin presented AB 1820, which would cap local permit fees for EV charging installations and create a statewide fee schedule. Supporters said fees vary too widely and can deter charger deployment, while cities and counties argued existing law already requires reasonable cost recovery and that the bill could undercut local budgets and public safety review. Assembly Member DeMaio presented AB 1783, which would prohibit state and local mileage taxes or road user charges. Supporters framed it as a defense against a new tax burden, while opponents said studying road user charges is necessary to address declining gas tax revenue and future transportation funding needs. AB 1693, AB 1679, and AB 2418 were moved forward with motions and roll calls; AB 1783 was taken up with a motion and roll call left open, and AB 1820 remained under discussion at the end of the excerpt.

Transcript Highlights:

• Welcome to the Local Government Committee hearing.
• Welcome to the Assembly Local Government Committee hearing.
• Testimony for this hearing will be in person.
• So I'd love to hear more. Thank you. Yeah, absolutely.
• I appreciate hearing their passion and their desire for this.

Committee: House Local Government

Transcript Highlights:

• Can you hear me? Yes, we can. Okay, thank you, Mr.
• I like what I hear."
• Um we have met moms who what I hear."
• Well, let Representative Craft go. because I was relieved to hear you say because I was relieved to hear
• </c><00:58:26.720><c> about</c> And out door knocking and hearing about And out door knocking and hearing

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> Been hearing for decades.
• </c> >> Is the proposal going to get a hearing?
• Thank you for hearing Senate File 3633.
• Madam Chair, thank you for hearing this bill.
• ><c> today</c> Uh hearing other testimony today Uh hearing other testimony today of<00:54:50.000><c>

Committee: Senate Taxes

Transcript Highlights:

• We we going to stop hearing where we going to get the money from.
• We we going to stop hearing where we going to get the money from.
• Uh, we want to thank you for hearing this measure.
• Uh it is uh it's hearing this measure.
• </c> been hearing been hearing &gt;&gt; soon.

Bills: SB2198 , SB2140 , SB3055 , SB3090 , SB3091 , SB3092 , SB2761

Committee: House Labor

Transcript Highlights:

• Hearing no objection, the motions prevail.
• In listening to what I'm hearing, they may not be the exact words, but what I'm hearing is that in our
• We did not hear this bill in Human Services Committee.
• We did not hear not this bill, right?
• </c><01:23:40.960><c> and</c><01:23:41.280><c> without</c> without a hearing and without without a hearing