Bills: SB5223, SB6178, SB5892, SB5177, SB6039, SB5941, SB5993, SB5831, SB5928, SB5912, SB6183, SB6071, SB5995, SB5966, SB5841, SB5840, SB6061, SB6058, SB5931, SB5944, SB5520, SB6011, SB6087, SB6076, SB5916, SB6016, SB5936, SB6137, SB5185, SB5956, SB6025, SB6009, SB5833, SB6161, SB6188, SB5890, SB5917, SB5820, SB5973, SJM8015, SB5816, SB6136, SB6091, SB6024

Keywords: criminal offense, fingerprinting, law enforcement, state regulations, public safety, SB6178, property insurance, insurance claims, assignment of benefits, AOB, post-loss assignment, post-loss benefits, homeowners insurance, policyholder, insured, restoration contractor, mitigation contractor, public adjuster, insurance commissioner, claims handling

Summary: The Senate opened with roll call, the pledge, prayer, and approval of the previous day’s journal, then received a House message announcing passage of engrossed substitute House Bill 1604. The chamber adopted Senate Resolution 8679 recognizing Taiwan, with remarks emphasizing Washington’s trade relationship, shared democratic values, and Taiwan’s support during COVID. The Senate also confirmed three gubernatorial appointments: Mark Silva to the Lower Columbia College Board of Trustees, Shilpa Tavari to the Higher Education Facilities Authority, and Christine Johnson to the Eastern Washington University Board of Trustees. The Senate then took up several bills on final passage. Substitute Senate Bill 5720, the Uniform Consumer Debt Default Judgments Act, passed after supporters said it strengthened consumer notice protections and reflected extensive stakeholder work. Substitute Senate Bill 5824 passed, allowing fifth-wheel travel trailers up to 46 feet and aligning length rules for legal sales and highway use. Substitute Senate Bill 5886 passed to protect personality rights by addressing name, likeness, and voice in the context of deepfakes and AI. Senate Bill 6013 passed to update ski area and winter sports terminology, and Substitute Senate Bill 6039 passed to let the Department of Labor and Industries use electronic or non-electronic notices at the recipient’s choice. Substitute Senate Bill 6036 passed to exempt certain former foster care providers from adult family home licensure, with supporters saying it would preserve stability for youth aging out of foster care. Senate Bill 6178 passed to prohibit post-loss assignment of property insurance benefits, with the sponsor saying it would keep homeowners in control of claims after disasters. Senate Bill 5892 passed to protect voter registration database information by routing requests through the Secretary of State, despite opposition over the bill’s felony penalty and strict process. Substitute Senate Bill 5941 passed to allow limited exemptions from renewable energy system requirements for certain school districts in cold, remote areas. Senate Bill 5177 passed to expand the topics considered in educator professional development on supporting historically marginalized and underrepresented students. Finally, engrossed substitute Senate Bill 5912 passed after an amendment assigning staff support for the Indigent Defense Task Force to the Office of Public Defense; supporters said the task force is needed to address public defender shortages and caseload standards. The Senate then announced a later start time for the next day and adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• reservation? reservation?
• . reservation. reservation.
• </c> Any members voting with reservation? Any members voting with reservation?
• </c> Any members voting with reservation? Any members voting with reservation?
• Any members voting in reservation? reservation? reservation?

Keywords: 910, house, all

Summary: The joint Education and Higher Education committees met on February 10, 2026, first hearing HB 1676, which would create an AI and education task force, require documentation from AI vendors before procurement or use, and appropriate funds. The Department of Education, Public Charter School Commission, and University of Hawaii all supported the bill’s intent and described existing AI literacy efforts, teacher training, guidance for students and staff, and privacy/monitoring safeguards. DOE said it had already convened an AI task force, produced a report, trained over 10,000 educators, and embedded AI into computer science and broader curricular guidance. Members questioned DOE about student privacy, harmful content monitoring, personal devices, cell phone policy, teacher training, and whether AI literacy should extend beyond computer science into all subjects and across rural schools. After discussion, the chair announced HB 1676 would be deferred to Friday, February 13, and that a HD1 draft would be prepared. The chair said the committee would revisit the task force composition and procurement standards, with possible elimination of the procurement section, and circulate the revised draft before the next hearing. The committee then recessed and later reconvened for HB 1811, a student loan repayment program for educators. Testimony from the Department of Education, Public Charter School Commission, University of Hawaii, Hawaii Teacher Standards Board, HSTA, and the Democratic Party of Hawaii Education Caucus was generally supportive, with HSTA and the Teacher Standards Board emphasizing teacher recruitment and retention, student loan burden, and the need to address the teacher shortage. In decision-making on HB 1811, the committees adopted the chair’s recommendation to pass the bill with amendments. The main amendment collapsed the repayment structure into a single disbursement of up to $25,000 after five years of service, with technical/non-substantive changes and a corrected effective date. Both the Education and Higher Education committees voted unanimously in favor. Later in the meeting, the Education Committee began hearing HB 1561 on student meals, which drew broad support from the Public Charter School Commission, Department of Health, HSTA, Hawaii Appleseed, Hawaii Children’s Action Network, and many individuals. Appleseed requested amendments to ensure charter schools are treated the same as other public schools if eligibility expands and to address reimbursement issues for schools already participating in the federal Community Eligibility Provision; members discussed those concerns but no action was taken in the portion of the transcript provided. The committee then moved on to HB 779, on expanding student meal coverage, where DOE supported the intent but said it could not support the bill in its current form because of fiscal constraints.

Transcript Highlights:

• Appropriations, Forestry Conservation Program, Wildland Fire Module, an act relating to the state forester
• House Bill 78, sponsored by Water, Forest Health Grant Program, an act relating to state forestry.
• Five, Agriculture, State, Public Lands, and Water Resources, to whom was referred House Bill 78, Forest
• </c><00:03:00.319><c> Health</c><00:03:00.640><c> Grant</c> House Bill 78, Forest Health Grant House
• </c> legislative stabilization reserve legislative stabilization reserve account<01:33:09.760><c> having

Keywords: 916, all

Transcript Highlights:

• You'll reserve your right to close. We will now move into public testimony. The Chair calls up...
• We will reserve your right to close. Is there anyone who wishes to testify for or against HCR126?
• Seeing none, we will reserve your right to close. Thank you, Chairman.
• Although we support the bill, we do have some reservations.
• I respectfully reserve my right to close. Do you have any questions at this time?

Bills: HB4568, HB5458, HB4543, HB2703, HB3728, HCR113, HCR126

Keywords: film industry, incentives, grants, Texas, moving image, economic development, production companies, content standards, HB 5458, Texas Parks and Wildlife Department, TPWD, chronic wasting disease, CWD, cervids, deer, elk, moose, wildlife management, game animals, disease management

Transcript Highlights:

• So that's about just over a million acres across the state, including the forest reserves, natural area
• reserves, and game management areas.
• So that's about just over a million acres across the state, including the forest reserves, natural area
• reserves, and game management areas.
• ><c> recommendation</c> reservations chair your recommendation reservations chair your recommendation

Keywords: 910, house, all

Summary: The committee held its first hearing of the 2025 session and began with housekeeping on testimony deadlines, hybrid participation rules, time management, and expectations for civility. The chair said testimony posted at least 24 hours in advance would be available to members and the public at the same time, late testimony would still be processed, and decision-making would generally be deferred to later in the day so morning hearings could adjourn before the noon floor session. The first bill heard was HB 673 on emergency management. Hawaii Emergency Management Agency administrator James Barros testified in opposition, saying the bill could undermine the executive’s unity of command during emergencies and objecting to provisions allowing the legislature to terminate a state of emergency by a two-thirds vote. Members asked about the difference between an emergency order and a state of emergency, whether other states use legislative checks and balances, and whether long-running emergencies such as COVID-19 or homelessness should have clearer end conditions. Barros said the agency, along with the Attorney General’s office and the governor’s office, would review the language and that the issue is setting conditions for when an emergency ends. The committee then heard HB 596, also on emergency management, which would clarify types of events that count as dangers and emergencies. Barros opposed the bill, saying the current list covers known hazards but should remain open-ended for future threats; he cited COVID-19 as an example of an unforeseen event and said the bill could limit flexibility. Members asked whether the list could be expanded, and Barros said the agency would look at that possibility. Testimony included support from the Grassroots Institute of Hawaii and concerns from the Tax Foundation of Hawaii about the bill’s special fund provisions; the committee also corrected testimony that had been submitted for the wrong bill. The final measure discussed was HB 1060 on emergency preparedness and the Community Readiness Center Program. Barros explained the proposal as part of HEMA’s effort to build local readiness centers and community hubs, with an initial target of 10 communities through a federal grant and a longer-term concept of roughly 100 statewide. The Climate Advisory Team supported the bill’s intent but urged that centers be developed with strong community and nonprofit involvement through the HARRP program. The Department of Taxation offered comments on the special fund, and members raised questions about cost, size, use of existing school facilities, public messaging, and equity across communities. Barros said the centers would provide backup communications, power, water, and food for a community group, would not function as general shelters, and would be designed to help communities hunker down and recover after a disaster.

Transcript Highlights:

• Senator Karen Housley said she represents Senate District 33, which is Stillwater, Forest Lake, and the
• Senator Karin Housley said she represents Senate District 33, which is Stillwater, Forest Lake, and the
• :09:56.839><c> which</c><00:09:56.959><c> is</c><00:09:57.040><c> Stillwater</c><00:09:57.519><c> Forest
• </c> District 33 which is Stillwater Forest District 33 which is Stillwater Forest Lake<00:09:58.079>
• And just to let folks know, we will reserve the budget overview for a future hearing as we start looking

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Although we've been proprietors of the resort for almost 15 years and worked with the Forest Service,
• service Dees and other with the forest service Dees and other agencies<01:46:35.599><c> on</c><01:46
• reserving enhanced aot permitting<01:48:29.560><c> for</c><01:48:29.760><c> larger</c><01:48:30.239>
• </c><02:11:33.280><c> are</c><02:11:33.480><c> considered</c><02:11:33.840><c> a</c> National Forest
• are considered a National Forest are considered a sensitive<02:11:34.559><c> resource</c><02:11:35.559

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• behind me determined to run that red light, so they get into the left turning lane that would be reserved
• Get into the left-hand turning lane that would be reserved for taking a left-hand turn, whip around me
• Remember that these landowners—so we do have the Kisatchie forests here.
• We also have state forests here. But the majority of our timber land is privately owned.

Bills: HB309, HB487, HB503, HB590, HB606, HB679, HB693, HB695, HB707, HB720, HB728, HB733, HB746, HB777, HB846, HB849, HB856, HB868, HB873, HB875

Keywords: pedestrian safety, cellphone usage, crosswalk regulations, traffic laws, distracted walking, red light, traffic signal, traffic-control signals, traffic violation, traffic safety, road rage, shoulder lane, turn lane, passing stopped vehicle, overtaking at intersection, intersection safety, motor vehicle, driver fine, citation, Louisiana traffic law

Summary: The House Transportation Committee met on March 16 with a quorum present and first deferred three local bills at the sponsor’s request: HB 590, HB 679, and HB 873. The committee then advanced HB 503, which cleans up prior local language for Golden Meadow by removing a reference to electric golf carts and updating the definition of utility terrain vehicles; the technical amendment set was adopted and the bill was reported with amendments. HB 720, dealing with tacit dedication of roads and preserving historic public access to waterways and related access points, was reported favorably after members agreed to continue working on the amendment language before floor debate. The committee spent substantial time on HB 309, which originally made it a crime to walk in a crosswalk while looking at a cell phone. After amendments converted the proposal to a $25 civil fine and added a rebuttable presumption of liability for damages, members from both parties raised concerns about enforceability, tourism and urban pedestrian patterns, free-will and overreach arguments, and the lack of data tying the conduct specifically to crosswalk crashes. The author argued the measure was intended to promote situational awareness and reduce pedestrian injuries and fatalities, but after opposition testimony the bill was voluntarily deferred. Members then reported HB 856, which expands DOTD’s use of indefinite delivery/indefinite quantity construction contracting and adds the Office of Louisiana Highway Construction, after technical amendments clarified the contracts are for construction-phase work. HB 487, increasing penalties for drivers who use shoulders or turning lanes to bypass red lights, was reported with a technical correction after police support testimony. HB 846, prohibiting license plate coverings or films that obscure plates, was reported favorably after law enforcement support and discussion of clear frames versus obscuring covers. HB 733 and HB 875, both tied to OMV fee and lapse-of-insurance recommendations from the Legislative Auditor, were reported with amendments adjusting grace periods and offense timing. The committee also took up HB 695 on consensual non-commercial towing permits. After extensive questioning about whether the bill applied to multiple vehicles, interstate travel, OMV implementation, and the practicality of an honor-system QR code permit, the sponsor agreed to amend the bill to cover multiple vehicles and then voluntarily defer it for further work with OMV and State Police. HB 777, requiring a driver’s license renewal knowledge exam, was amended at the department’s request and then voluntarily deferred for further review. HB 868, prompted by a fatal trailer accident involving a farmer’s wife, would require trailers to meet safety-chain and braking standards consistent with manufacturer specifications or federal standards; after concerns from members and the Agriculture Commissioner about impacts on older farm equipment, the bill was reported with amendments. Finally, HB 707 moved the LPG Commission’s marketing functions to the Department of Agriculture and Forestry and was reported with a technical amendment, HB 693 on legislative district highway signs was voluntarily deferred after amendments, and HB 746 on local oversized trucking permits opened a broader discussion about parish-by-parish permit disparities, with the sponsor proposing a one-year moratorium on new local standards while stakeholders work toward a more uniform system.

Transcript Highlights:

• all members, the new requirement had a particular impact on our firefighters within the Texas A&M Forest
• The ESF serves as the state's primary reserve emergency fund, a role that requires high liquidity and

Bills: HB104

Keywords: property tax, ad valorem tax, tax rate election, voter-approval tax rate, no-new-revenue tax rate, de minimis rate, local government, special district, tax increase, tax notice, public hearing, tax code, Health and Safety Code, Texas property taxes, taxing unit, election threshold, two-thirds vote, majority vote, budget approval

Transcript Highlights:

• **Senate Bill 33** relates to forest conservation, enacting the **Wildfire Prepared Act**, amending and
• interested in playing basketball in the pickup basketball game Tuesdays and Thursdays at Fort Mercy is reserved

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:15:41.199><c> or</c> without any mental reservation or without any mental reservation or purpose
• </c> reserve the balance of my time. reserve the balance of my time.
• Gentleman from Michigan res reserves.
• Gentle reserve. close. Gentle reserve. &gt;&gt; Gentleman<00:57:45.119><c> reserve.
• </c> I reserve. I thank the Speaker.

Keywords: U.S. House of Representatives Floor Proceedings on Thursday, December 4, 2025, 1012, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• And I've been, I was a member of the National Guard or Army Reserves National Guard for nine years, and
• </c><00:48:46.319><c> National</c> National Guard or Army Reserves National National Guard or Army Reserves
• Dorer State Forest. This bridge is currently closed for safety reasons.
• ><01:04:18.720><c> the</c><01:04:18.880><c> Bdora</c><01:04:19.520><c> State</c><01:04:19.760><c> Forest
• </c> and remodel at the Bdora State Forest and remodel at the Bdora State Forest Nursery.<01:04:21.280

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• That was slightly over each of the funds required to have a 5% reserve in statute.
• And then line 128 is the cancellation of that funding that won't be used to bring it to the 5% reserve
• And then line 128 is the cancellation of that funding that won't be used to bring it to the 5% reserve
• I so much appreciate, I know there's major cuts in the National Endowment for the Arts, for our forests

Keywords: 919, house, all

Summary: House File 2563, the Omnibus Legacy Bill, was presented as a roughly $779 million package funding projects across Minnesota through the four Legacy funds: Outdoor Heritage, Clean Water, Parks and Trails, and Arts and Cultural Heritage. Chairs Vang and McDonald described the bill as a responsible one-time spending measure with no ongoing base funding, emphasizing habitat restoration, water protection, parks and trails, and arts and cultural heritage. Nonpartisan staff then walked through the spreadsheet, explaining that the bill largely follows the recommendations of the relevant councils and governor, with some additions such as a Wilderness Inquiry partnership, an Ash River sewer extension, competitive grant funding, and several arts and history projects. Staff highlighted the major allocations and structure of the bill: Outdoor Heritage funding for land and habitat projects, Clean Water funding for water-quality work, Parks and Trails funding following the traditional 40-40-20 split, and Arts and Cultural Heritage funding for the State Arts Board, Minnesota Historical Society, Humanities Center, Indian Affairs Council, Department of Education, and other recipients. They also noted policy provisions requiring Clean Water Council recommendations to be broken out by fiscal year, requiring recent 990 forms for arts grantees, limiting arts funds from being used for capital construction except in specified cases, and extending a prior appropriation for the Sunni Lee memorial project. Members asked about land acquisition, the new 990 requirement, and reduced funding for children’s museums; chairs and staff responded that Outdoor Heritage includes land acquisition, the 990 is simply a documentation requirement, and children’s museum funding is lower because more money is now placed in a competitive grant pool. The chairs said the bill reflects compromise and an effort to keep the bill relatively clean of earmarks, while also noting that a Department of Revenue transfer of more than $31 million from legacy funds affected available funding and forced difficult choices. After discussion, the committee laid the bill over, with the chair noting it was also being done in honor of Representative Mary Murphy.

Transcript Highlights:

• We have Sam Houston State, TDCJ, the National Forest and the state park eating up those, uh, acres.
• So, um, thank you and I reserve my right to close. Thank you. We'll certainly give you that right.
• If not, Representative, we're going to reserve you the right to close. Thank you. Thank you.
• I do believe we have a witness on this, and I would ask for the court or ask for the chairman to reserve

Bills: HB153

Transcript Highlights:

• We have Sam Houston State, TDCJ, the National Forest, and the State Park eating up those acres.
• So, thank you, and I reserve my right to close. I certainly give you that right.
• If not, Representative, we're going to reserve you the right to close. Thank you.
• do believe we have a witness on this, and I would ask for the court, or ask for the Chairman, to reserve

Bills: HB153, HB1410, HB1461, HB1760, HB1762, HB3261, HB3773, HB153

Keywords: education, funding, student resources, technology access, equal opportunity, veterans treatment court, mental health, criminal justice, rehabilitation, eligibility criteria, veterans, treatment court, military service, legislation, private prisons, inmate confinement, criminal justice reform, Texas Department of Criminal Justice, government contracts, inmate housing

Transcript Highlights:

• The school is located in Stokes State Forest on top. Partisan support.
• The school is located in Stokes State Forest on 240 acres, with 63 buildings, a 12-acre lake, and a dam
• So they're kids like I was growing up that get to see a forest and hear the birds for the first time.
• Kalandra Ortiz Reserve, legal woman voters in Jersey: in favor, no need to testify.

Keywords: 1146, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Flash flood emergencies are reserved for the most significant types of flash flooding events.
• As we begin the testimony, I ask you to reserve your questions until each of the panel has finished their
• However, if you get into the meteorology of it, Chief Kidd has some understanding, but we may reserve
• The Forest Service, AgriLife, the Public Utility Commission, and our teams were ready to support weather
• The Texas A&M Forest Service brings four-wheel drive motor graders to the fight in the Panhandle and

Keywords: 997, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• So no rigs on the reservation. Really, we had a teacher seminar last week.
• So no rigs on the reservation. Really, we had a teacher seminar last week.
• The city of Bismarck does not want that growing in their city forest. And so...
• It's just Outlook, and you can reserve them that easy.
• It's just Outlook, and you can reserve them that easy.

Summary: The Budget Section Leadership Division met with a quorum and approved the March 18 minutes before hearing a series of informational updates. The Petroleum Council reported that North Dakota oil production is expected to remain relatively flat at just under 1.2 million barrels per day, with activity shifting northward in the Bakken as technology improves and three- and four-mile laterals boost well performance. The presentation also discussed oil and gas prices, gas taxation, flaring concerns, the importance of pipelines and other linear infrastructure, and enhanced oil recovery pilot projects supported by state and federal funding. Members asked questions about gas production taxes, natural gas liquids, and the outlook for drilling rigs and future production. The Office of State Tax Commissioner then reviewed the federal “big beautiful bill” and its estimated effect on North Dakota individual and business income tax collections. Staff explained that most of the individual income tax impact comes from the permanent increase in the standard deduction, while temporary provisions such as senior deductions, tip and overtime exclusions, and auto loan interest deductions have smaller or limited-term effects. They also noted that business tax changes, especially depreciation and expensing provisions, create a larger near-term cash impact, and that some FY25 collections likely reflected one-time oil field transactions that may have inflated the baseline used in earlier estimates. OMB provided updates on major capital projects and facility funding. For Capitol grounds improvements, officials described plans for 18th-floor renovations, wayfinding upgrades, public seating, lighting, tree management, and possible restroom and lobby reconfiguration, while also noting the governor’s residence security project and the discovery of human remains on the Capitol grounds. OMB and its consultants also reported on the state facility maintenance fund, including window replacement, boiler work, roof and foundation repairs, and a new facility conditions assessment covering more state buildings. Updates were also given on the new state hospital in Jamestown, the Minot state office building, and the use of federal state fiscal recovery funds, including possible future reallocations to the Department of Corrections. Finally, Legislative Council staff summarized the interim compliance report on legislative intent and trust fund activity, highlighting the status of lines of credit, Bank of North Dakota profit transfers, the statewide litigation pool, the new Office of Guardianship and Conservatorship, corrections planning, HHS program updates, and a likely future general fund request for the unemployment insurance modernization project. No formal votes were taken beyond approval of the minutes; the meeting was primarily informational, with members asking clarifying questions throughout.

Transcript Highlights:

• Almost 300 high schools sit on a waiting list to get their own Army Junior Reserve Officer Training Corps
• prior to women being able to serve in combat arms, cultural support teams, largely from the Army Reserve
• This is because their reserve units, who oversaw them administratively, were not there to document their
• To create a civilian cyber security reserve to provide Cyber Command with qualified civilian personnel
• It's pretty uniquely situated in that it's in a rural setting, with the Mark Twain Forest.

Transcript Highlights:

• I reserve. The gentleman reserves. back. I reserve. The gentleman reserves.
• I reserve. The tonight. I yield back. I reserve.
• I reserve.
• I reserve. The gentleman expired. I reserve.
• New Jersey reserves. I reserve. Madam New Jersey reserves. I reserve.

Keywords: U.S. House of Representatives Floor Proceedings on Wednesday, April 30, 2025, 1012, house, all