Transcript Highlights:

• We need to know about the massive benefit of the Navajo Code Talkers, but acknowledge the history of
• We need to know about the massive benefit of the Navajo Code Talkers, but acknowledge the history of
• We need to know about the massive benefit of the Navajo Code Talkers, but acknowledge the history of
• it would imply that students zip code it would imply that students Health<01:37:30.920><c> needs</c>
• like I think standards is the ZIP code like I think standards is supposed<01:42:07.560><c> to</c><01

Committee: House Education Policy

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• Our project addresses two key areas within our city: a commercial corridor with our industrial park and
• The city's 47-acre commercial park is currently home to 11 businesses that operate from 15 commercial
• The Economic Development Authority now plans to expand the commercial park.
• The northern half is paved and connects the commercial park to Highway 34 and ultimately to I-94.
• the absence of a 10-ton roadway has deterred many businesses from establishing locations in the commercial

Bills: HF568 , HF433 , HF1689 , HF3135 , HF3137 , HF3145 , HF2887 , HF2819 , HF2802 , HF2664 , HF2267 , HF799 , HF800 , HF3049 , HF296 , HF580 , HF1438 , HF1237

Committee: House Capital Investment

Keywords: special education, education funding, construction, Minnesota, regional educational programs, HF433, Cloquet Area Fire District, fire station, capital investment, bonding bill, state bonds, general obligation bonds, public safety, emergency services, fire protection, local infrastructure, Minnesota capital budget, DEED grant, municipal facilities, station construction

Transcript Highlights:

• Florida Institute for Human and Machine Cognition to establish a for-profit subsidiary in order to commercialize
• Florida Institute for Human and Machine Cognition to establish a for-profit subsidiary in order to commercialize
• want to be able to do what Moffitt does: have co-ventures or partner with for-profit companies to commercialize
• want to be able to do what Moffitt does: have co-ventures or partner with for-profit companies to commercialize
• what Moffitt does and that is have co-venture or partner with for-profit companies to be able to commercialize

Committee: Senate Education Postsecondary

Summary: The Committee on Education Postsecondary heard a presentation on Florida’s maritime and ocean economy from Florida Atlantic University, the College of the Florida Keys, and Star Center. Speakers emphasized the importance of maritime industries such as aquaculture, marine engineering, shipbuilding, transportation, coastal resilience, and offshore renewable energy, and described workforce programs, certifications, and partnerships designed to train students and workers for these fields. They also highlighted federal and state initiatives supporting ocean economy research and commercialization, including tech hubs and innovation programs. The committee then considered SB 312 relating to the Florida Institute of Human and Machine Cognition. Senator Gates explained that the bill would allow IHMC to create a subsidiary to commercialize research, similar to Moffitt Cancer Center. Senator Fine offered and the committee adopted a friendly amendment addressing board membership concerns tied to a University of West Florida trustee. However, after questions arose about whether the bill and analysis aligned on whether subsidiaries would be for-profit or not-for-profit, the bill was tabled. Finally, the committee took up SB 270 on the Bright Futures Scholarship Program. The bill would extend eligibility for students in certain military/public-service family situations, giving families more time to establish Florida residency after returning to the state. Senator Fine’s amendment was adopted to add AP Capstone Diploma students to the automatic Bright Futures eligibility provisions, alongside IB and Cambridge AICE students. The committee then reported the bill favorably as amended by a vote of 7-0, and adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• The bill says that the subpoena has to do with the violation or possible violation of the educator code
• The code has to do with child safety; it has nothing to do with curriculum.
• </c><00:38:56.319><c> of</c><00:38:56.839><c> conduct</c> educator code of conduct educator code of conduct
• has to do with educator um the uh code has to do with child<00:39:07.400><c> safety</c><00:39:08.400
• There's no uniformity of application.

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The committee first took up House Bill 313 and, on motion by Representative Perez, voted to retain the bill because members felt it needed further work and was not ready for final action. The motion passed 18-0, and no further action was taken on the bill. House Bill 391, an anti-SLAPP measure, was then discussed; supporters said it addressed a real problem and should move forward, while opponents raised concerns that it was too broad, could affect criminal cases, and might create procedural complications. The committee voted 18-0 to retain HB 391 as well, and it was placed on consent. The committee next considered House Bill 462, establishing a cause of action for unwarranted video imaging of residential properties. Representative McFarland moved OTP, saying the bill raised First Amendment and property-rights concerns. The motion passed 18-0, and the bill was also placed on consent. The committee then turned to House Bill 509, which would require reporting on forfeitures. Supporters argued the information was useful for future legislation, while opponents said the reporting would be costly, duplicative, and potentially split data across fiscal years. The committee voted 11-7 to recommend OTP, with a minority of members opposed. House Bill 520, authorizing Department of Education hearing officers to issue subpoenas, drew the most extended debate. Supporters argued DOE needed the same tools other agencies have, while opponents said DOE already had access to needed information, the Attorney General could handle subpoenas, and the bill would create an unbalanced process and raise due process and student-record concerns. Representative Tur offered Amendment 0842H to shift subpoena power from DOE hearing officers to the Attorney General; after debate, the amendment failed 10-8. The transcript cuts off as the committee begins the roll call on the underlying bill after rejecting the amendment.

Transcript Highlights:

• recognition tech, but there isn't any known way that we have are they using that sort of terrible Python code
• recognition tech, but there isn't any known way that we have are they using that sort of terrible Python code
• recognition tech, but there isn't any known way that we have are they using that sort of terrible Python code
• It is also commercially available. I think this bill is not broad enough.
• I don't want people purchasing this commercially to use in their businesses.

Bills: HF3661 , HF2380 , HF3468 , HF3483

Committee: House Judiciary Finance and Civil Law

Keywords: facial recognition, privacy, government surveillance, public safety, data protection, civil liberties, disability rights, discrimination, accommodations, employment, housing, public services, education, civil action, failure to render aid, damages, Minnesota Statutes, legal liability, trespass, civil immigration enforcement

Transcript Highlights:

• clinical areas and life safety, which is compliance with, say, fire drills and other life safety building codes
• illegal kickback, so they're not permitted under Medicare and Medicaid, but they are permitted in the commercial
• 51.320><c> in</c> Medicaid but they are permitted under in Medicaid but they are permitted under in commercial
• <01:50:52.119><c> commcial</c><01:50:52.639><c> commercial</c><01:50:52.960><c> space</c> commercial
• commcial commercial space commercial commcial commercial space they're<01:50:53.599><c> permitted</c>

Committee: Senate Health and Human Services

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• This is a change from the average commercial rate which was a previous cap.
• And the average commercial rap became that the average commercial rate became the previous cap during
• So this bill reduces the from an average commercial rate to 110% of Medicare for not expansion states
• designated cancer hospitals and reimburse is a difference between Medicaid payment rates and the average commercial
• So we're looking at reimbursements for hospitals about what their the commercial, what the cost of care

Transcript Highlights:

• So it’s allowed to be used for residential, commercial, warehousing, and light industrial projects.
• </c><00:16:14.319><c> tax</c> losing over 40% of our commercial tax losing over 40% of our commercial
• </c> that the battery storage is commercially that the battery storage is commercially viable<00:21:50.799
• I'll flat out say I don't want commercial foraging on our public lands.
• </c> consumption or commercial consumption or commercial foraging<01:17:11.320><c> I'll</c><01:17:11.480

Committee: House Environment and Natural Resources Finance and Policy

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> particularly that allows commercial particularly that allows commercial property<00:20:27.600><c
• </c> &gt;&gt; Are you talking about commercial &gt;&gt; Are you talking about commercial vehicles?
• </c> oversight now of that commercial oversight now of that commercial vehicle.<01:10:14.960><c> That's
• </c><01:11:42.000><c> inspection</c> guidance for those commercial inspection guidance for those commercial
• </c><01:12:01.280><c> motor</c> provide oversight commercial motor provide oversight commercial motor

Committee: Senate Finance

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• sale of sex, including increased enforcement of commercial sex laws.
• The classification of commercial sexual exploitation is elevated from a misdemeanor to a Class C felony
• I first experienced commercial sexual exploitation as a runaway, living with my dealer, and having sex
• I'm a survivor of the commercial sex trade. I was trafficked for six years.
• My name is Alison Titchenal, and I am a survivor of commercial sexual exploitation, which is important

Summary: The House Community Safety Committee held public hearings on several bills. House Bill 2209 would add 12- or 24-month sentencing enhancements for theft-related offenses when the value of stolen, possessed, or trafficked property exceeds $20,000 or $50,000, respectively. Rep. Mari Leavitt said the bill targets organized retail theft and related violence, emphasizing business losses, worker safety, and links to broader criminal activity. Supporters included prosecutors, retailers, law enforcement, and city officials who described organized retail crime as coordinated, underreported, and harmful to employees and communities. Opponents argued theft trends are declining, existing penalties are sufficient, and sentencing enhancements would worsen incarceration and racial disparities. The hearing on HB 2209 was left open for additional testimony. House Bill 2403 would revise penalties for failure to register as a sex offender or kidnapping offender, including lowering the seriousness level for second and subsequent offenses from level 2 to level 1 in the proposed substitute. Testimony was overwhelmingly supportive or neutral. Proponents from the Sex Offender Policy Board, sentencing commission, public defenders, prosecutors, and sheriffs’ representatives said the bill reflects long-negotiated recommendations, better matches the offense’s administrative nature, and may improve compliance by pairing shorter prison terms with community custody and supervision. The committee then closed the public hearing on HB 2403. House Bill 1591, in a proposed substitute, would create a sentencing alternative, resentencing option, and conviction-vacation process for defendants who are verified survivors of domestic violence, sexual assault, or human trafficking, where abuse was the primary and proximate cause of the offense. Supporters, including survivor advocates, prosecutors involved in diversion programs, and researchers, said many incarcerated women are survivors and current law often fails to account for coercion and trauma. Some witnesses urged broader eligibility and less reliance on formal documentation. Prosecutors and sheriffs’ representatives expressed concerns about discretion, potential public-safety impacts, and whether existing sentencing factors already address these cases. The committee also heard extensive testimony on House Bill 2526, which would rename patronizing a prostitute as commercial sexual exploitation, expand the offense to include providing anything of value, elevate it from a misdemeanor to a Class C felony, and increase associated fees. Supporters framed it as a response to trafficking, exploitation, and violence against women and children, while opponents—many of them sex workers or survivors—argued it would criminalize consensual adult sex work, push the industry further underground, and reduce safety and income for vulnerable people.

Transcript Highlights:

• So we moved these resources from commercial data centers to the universities where we had facilities
• So, at a fraction of the cost of commercial internet, the vast majority of the internet, commercial and
• </c><00:08:44.560><c> cloud</c> moved to to uh commercial cloud moved to to uh commercial cloud providers
• provider and you're you're commercial provider and you're you're talking<00:10:15.839><c> on</c><00:
• providers and it would be commercial providers and it would be extremely<00:11:53.040><c> expensive.

Keywords: Meeting Start 00:00:00 Attendance Roll Call 00:00:11 Approval of Minutes 00:02:00 Information Items 00:02:25 CPE Special Report 00:03:26 Review of Executive Branch Agency Plans 00:31:48 A. Attorney General 00:32:10 B. Court of Justice 00:36:41 C. Cabinet for Economic Development 00:50:44 D. Kentucky Public Pensions Authority 00:56:06 E. Board Discussion of Planning Issues 01:05:12, 958, all

Summary: The Capital Planning Advisory Board opened its fourth meeting, confirmed a quorum, approved the prior meeting’s minutes by unanimous voice vote, and then heard information items and agency presentations. The main substantive presentation came from the Council on Postsecondary Education, which outlined its capital planning recommendations for the 2026–28 biennium. CPE staff described the role of Kentucky’s research and education network (Kron), including connectivity to cloud services, Internet2, identity services, and new local AI/inferencing capacity, and argued that the network is now essential to higher education, health care, and extension services. They said the network’s recent upgrades were driven by privacy, security, redundancy, and the need to support modern research and AI workloads at lower cost than commercial providers. CPE also presented its broader higher-education capital request: $700 million for asset preservation and $1.73 billion for new construction, for a total recommendation of about $2.4 billion. Staff said they do not plan to recommend IT projects or equipment in this cycle, despite reviewing 48 IT submissions totaling nearly $1.4 billion and equipment requests totaling $322.6 million. For asset preservation, they said the recommended allocation method would remain based on each institution’s share of Category 1 and 2 square footage, and they noted that the state’s prior facility assessment is now 12 years old, with deferred maintenance still estimated in the $7–9 billion range. For new construction, they said the requests are heavily focused on STEM and health-related facilities that are difficult to retrofit into older buildings. Board members asked about how asset-preservation amounts were determined, including why Northern Kentucky University’s request was much larger than its prior allocation. CPE staff responded that campus size, building age, and institutional prioritization affect the requests, and that schools are asked to submit more projects than are likely to be funded. The board then moved on to an Attorney General capital plan overview, where senior counsel Will Schroeder began describing the office’s technology needs and the office’s prior reliance on a 2020 appropriation to replace legacy systems and improve security.

Transcript Highlights:

• military jets, research and development flights, slow-moving recreational aircraft, helicopters, and commercial
• 58:41.040><c> in</c> Bloomington, they have 5.5 billion in Bloomington, they have 5.5 billion in commercial
• </c><00:58:42.319><c> We</c><00:58:42.480><c> have</c><00:58:42.720><c> 2</c> commercial property values
• We have 2 commercial property values.
• Paul College studying computer editing or computer coding.

Bills: HF1972 , HF229 , HF1090 , HF1084 , HF1307 , HF1274 , HF1609 , HF2110 , HF211 , HF216 , HF222 , HF224 , HF225 , HF203 , HF206 , HF207 , HF208 , HF227 , HF246 , HF427 , HF466 , HF502 , HF680 , HF971

Committee: House Capital Investment

Keywords: community center, Breckenridge, capital investment, state bonds, economic development, HF229, North Branch Area Hockey Association, Stacy Ice Arena, Chisago County, general fund appropriation, grant, ice arena, hockey rink, youth sports, recreational facility, community arena, nonprofit, DEED, Department of Employment and Economic Development, local infrastructure

Transcript Highlights:

• And there's no governing law on pools like, you know, we had a bill to do away with uh commercial or
• c><00:12:31.839><c> away</c><00:12:32.079><c> with</c><00:12:32.800><c> uh</c><00:12:33.200><c> commercial
• </c> had a bill to do away with uh commercial had a bill to do away with uh commercial or<00:12:33.920
• >> Yes. >> Or if it's commercial, maybe the contractor built the hotel or whatever has their phone.

Bills: HB610 , HB620 , HB582 , HB610 , HB620 , HB582

Committee: House Commerce and Small Business

Keywords: state bank, public bank, government funds, financial services, constitutional amendment, tax abatements, international headquarters, publicly traded companies, economic incentives, Alabama tax reform, social-emotional learning, education policy, parental consent, K-12 education, teacher training, student surveys, disciplinary action, automatic renewal, consumer protection, cancellation policy

Transcript Highlights:

• children's health care by prohibiting cost sharing for children's health care services in large group commercial
• And we've already prohibited cost sharing in commercial plans for school-based mental health services
• Under current law, commercial health plans impose cost sharing at the point of care on most health care
• Chipperberg analysis estimates that this would result in approximately less than 1% increase in the commercial
• large group market and approximately... ...increase in the commercial large group market and approximately

Summary: The Assembly Health Committee met on January 13, 2026, and heard several two-year bills, with AB 634 (Gonzalez) and AB 298 (Bonta) receiving the most discussion. The chair also announced consent items AB 96 (Jackson), AB 1126 (Patterson), and AB 1366 (Flora), all with motions to do pass to Appropriations. Committee procedures, witness limits, and conduct rules were reviewed at the start of the hearing. AB 634 would prohibit the manufacture, distribution, or sale of tianeptine in California. Assembly Member Gonzalez described the drug as a dangerous substance sold in retail settings and said the bill had been amended to shift penalties from criminal to civil, narrow its scope so employees without authority over sales would not be targeted, allow cost recovery, and avoid a Commerce Clause issue. The California Narcotic Officers Association supported the bill, and there was no recorded opposition. The committee voted the bill out on a do pass to Judiciary motion. AB 298 would eliminate out-of-pocket costs for children’s health care services in large group commercial plans. Bonta argued that deductibles, copays, and coinsurance deter care and create financial strain for families, while noting the bill would not change provider reimbursement and that he would pursue cost-saving amendments in Appropriations, especially for CalPERS. Support came from Health Access California, Family Voices of California, and several medical and pediatric organizations, while the Chamber of Commerce and health plan groups opposed it, warning of premium increases and possible employer shifts to self-insured coverage. The committee advanced the bill on a do pass to Appropriations vote, and the chair later noted the bill was on call before final add-on votes were completed. The consent calendar items were also approved, and the hearing adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• Yeah, so the ADA, when it was passed for commercial Title III entities, actually required them to what
• curious how modifications<00:12:02.800><c> happen</c><00:12:03.200><c> in</c><00:12:03.360><c> commercial
• </c><00:12:03.920><c> or</c> modifications happen in commercial or modifications happen in commercial
• </c><00:12:14.360><c> for</c><00:12:14.480><c> title</c><00:12:14.760><c> three</c> it came to commercial
• for title three it came to commercial for title three entities<00:12:15.680><c> is</c><00:12:15.800>

Bills: SCR63 , SCR8 , SCR160 , SCR90 , SCR93

Committee: House Human Services & Homelessness

Keywords: disability, accessibility, healthcare communication, sign language interpreters, deaf, hard of hearing, deaf-blind, auxiliary aids, building permits, seniors, health care, safety modifications, county regulations, expedited processing, housing ladder, move-up housing, subsidized housing, public housing, affordable housing, housing mobility

Summary: The House Committee on Human Services and Homelessness heard several resolutions focused on disability access, housing, and support for Native Hawaiian beneficiaries. SCR 63 SD1 would have the Disability and Communication Access Board study communication needs in health care settings for people who are deaf, hard of hearing, or deaf-blind and revise provider guidance; testimony was strongly supportive, including from the board, a physician, and a family member who described harmful delays in care, and the committee later recommended passage as is. SCR 8 would require counties to act within 45 days on completed permit applications for home modifications needed for an older adult or person with a disability; testimony noted delays in permitting and financing, and the committee recommended passage as is. The committee also heard SCR 160, which urges state housing agencies to create a “housing ladder” program to help individuals and families move from subsidized to unsubsidized housing. Hawaii Public Housing Authority and other agencies supported the concept, and DHS described its family self-sufficiency program and said prior federal resident-services funding had declined over the past 20 years. The committee acknowledged the program may already exist in some form but still recommended adoption of the resolution as is. SCR 90 would ask county planning departments to establish kupuna-friendly building permit requirements for parking accessibility in private businesses. The committee moved it forward with an HD1 for technical amendments; a member raised concern that the measure did not specify the age threshold for “kupuna,” and said they would vote with reservations. Finally, SCR 93 would direct DHHL and the Statewide Office of Homelessness and Housing Solutions to develop a coordinated support and stabilization pathway for Native Hawaiian beneficiaries experiencing homelessness or very low income. DHHL said it is already operating a transitional housing effort called Ka Leo Opu Mama for about 18 beneficiaries using more than $6 million in federal Nah Ho Sa funds, with no dedicated state funding, and the committee recommended passage as is. The meeting ended with the chair thanking testifiers and members and adjourning the hearing.

Transcript Highlights:

• We're joined by the CEO of Switch Maritime, Elias Van Sickle, and Seamus Nolan, the Director of Commercial
• I'm Seamus Nolan, Director of Commercial and Government Affairs at Switch Maritime.
• Coast Guard, which clears it for commercial operations.
• Aircraft excise taxes are essentially, generally on most non-commercial aircraft.
• It also imposes that aircraft excise tax on commercial drones.

Bills: SB6352

Committee: Senate Transportation

Keywords: transportation, infrastructure, resources, funding, state law, 904, all

Transcript Highlights:

• And Seamus Nolan, the Director of Commercial and Government Affairs.
• I’m Seamus Nolan, Director of Commercial and Government Affairs at Switch Maritime.
• It is the first hydrogen fuel cell vessel that is commercially operating in the U.S. and certified by
• Coast Guard, which clears it for commercial operations.
• Aircraft excise taxes are essentially, generally, on most non-commercial aircraft.

Summary: The Senate Transportation Committee met for a work session and public hearing on February 19, 2026. In the work session, Switch Maritime presented a proposal for hydrogen fuel cell ferries for Washington State, including a budget proviso directing the Joint Transportation Committee to study hydrogen propulsion and a lease model for future Washington State Ferries procurement. The company described its Sea Change vessel, said the design could be adapted for Washington routes such as San Juan Islands–Anacortes, and emphasized that hydrogen fueling could be delivered through a mobile supply chain without new charging infrastructure. Senators asked about vessel flexibility, size, hydrogen availability, and terminal compatibility. The committee also received an update from WSDOT on the new public-private partnership program authorized in 2025. Staff said the agency is developing a four-phase implementation process, including consultant selection, a steering committee, a program manual, stakeholder engagement, and candidate project identification, with a report due to the transportation committees on September 1, 2026 and program launch targeted for January 1, 2027. The presentation stressed that the program manual will provide flexibility within the statute and that legislative input is being sought on engagement and project timing. The public hearing was on Senate Bill 6352, an omnibus transportation resources bill that revises and expands provisions from last year’s ESSB 5801. Staff outlined sections covering a mobile driver’s license and ID card program, a reduced-fee ID card for older drivers, changes to alternative fuel and aviation taxes and fees, revised sales tax distributions for ferry and multimodal funding, transit and bicycle education grants, fish passage permitting, clean energy siting on WSDOT right-of-way, toll notice procedures, older driver safety outreach, traffic safety camera revenue sharing, and a delay to the tow-truck indigent impound reimbursement program. The prime sponsor highlighted two priorities: digital driver’s licenses and dedicated ferry funding. Testimony was mixed. Supporters included airlines and aviation groups backing mobile ID and repeal of the luxury aircraft tax, transit and bicycle safety advocates supporting grant flexibility and continued bike education funding, and ferry advocates supporting dedicated ferry revenue. Local governments, including Bellevue, Kenmore, and Tacoma, raised concerns about the traffic camera revenue change, saying the shift from net to gross revenue would reduce local safety funding and could discourage new camera programs. The Association of Washington Cities also warned about unintended consequences in the fish passage and traffic camera provisions. RV dealers sought a delay to the luxury vehicle tax, and peer-to-peer car-sharing platform Turo asked for clarification on documentation requirements. The committee took no final vote and announced it would consider executive action the following week.

Transcript Highlights:

• I think my last count was about 16 or 17 new commercial HVAC units around campus that were about 30 years
• HVAC</c><00:07:05.680><c> units</c><00:07:06.080><c> around</c><00:07:06.400><c> campus</c> new commercial
• HVAC units around campus new commercial HVAC units around campus that<00:07:07.039><c> were</c><00:07
• you've mentioned, you can't hardly get an individual to come do the work for your farm or your commercial
• </c> farm or your your commercial property. farm or your your commercial property.

Keywords: 958, all

Summary: The House Budget Review Subcommittee on Postsecondary Education met to hear from Morehead State University President Jay Morgan, who outlined the university’s budget and capital priorities. He described Morehead as a Kentucky-serving, largely low-income student institution with an aging campus, and said the university’s long-term plan is to renovate existing facilities, decommission older buildings, and replace outdated space with more efficient construction. He thanked the General Assembly for prior support, especially asset preservation funding, fire and tornado insurance premium support, and a prior university inflationary adjustment. On the operating side, Morgan asked that insurance premium support continue, that the earlier inflationary adjustment roll forward, and that the Kentucky Council on Postsecondary Education’s request for a minimum distribution in the performance funding formula be supported. He noted Morehead has received little or no performance funding in recent years and said that if no additional formula funds are added, the university would prefer a line-item appropriation. On the capital side, he requested continued asset preservation funding and outlined several construction priorities: a new applied science building, a new agriculture science building, a new space science technology building, and a cost-share replacement for the aging Maze Hall residence hall, with the state covering $10 million of a $20 million project and Morehead matching the rest. Morgan also discussed the Craft Academy, saying the current appropriation supports 200 students and that the university would like to increase the line item to expand enrollment by about 20 students. In response to questions from Chairman Tipton, he said Morehead had previously explored but ultimately rejected a public-private partnership model for housing, preferring to own and control its residence halls to keep housing costs manageable for students. He also explained that the land surveying courses in the applied science proposal are a popular part of related programs and that Morehead’s space science program is a major research-and-contracts-driven operation with about 250 students, federal and private research ties, and graduates working both in Kentucky and elsewhere. The committee then approved the prior meeting minutes and discussed that upcoming postsecondary budget meetings would continue over the next several weeks to gather input on the new budget process.

Transcript Highlights:

• In terms of the six items that are part of Education Code 61.031(c), I defer to the ombudsman on how
• recollection is that investigatory authority is related to the items that were outlined in that section of code
• requirements, including Senate Bill 2972, our institutions have undertaken careful reviews of student conduct codes
• us, would like to have a public event with our white... ...public event, you know, with our white uniforms
• So criminal trespass, and my iPad's gone dead, so in code is defined as?

Summary: The joint Senate and House Select Committee on Civil Discourse and Freedom of Speech in Higher Education convened for its first public hearing, adopted its proposed rules without objection, and framed the hearing as an organizational, invited-testimony-only session. Members repeatedly condemned political violence and the assassination of Charlie Kirk, saying the committee was created in response to concerns about civil discourse, intimidation, and hostility on college campuses. Several members emphasized that the goal was not to suppress speech but to protect open expression while maintaining order, due process, and institutional accountability. The first witness, Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board Commissioner Wyn Rosser, outlined implementation of Senate Bill 37. He described the General Education Advisory Committee, which is reviewing broad core-curriculum knowledge and skills and may recommend reducing the current 42-hour core, while leaving review of specific courses to individual institutions. He also explained the new Office of the Ombudsman, the board’s role in supporting it, and existing training and certification requirements for governing board members. Members asked about enforcement tools, transparency, and whether the ombudsman would investigate complaints involving censorship, retaliation, or political bias; Rosser said some enforcement exists in certain laws, but he deferred on the exact scope of the ombudsman’s investigatory authority and on issues outside the agency’s role. University of Texas at Austin President Jim Davis testified that UT Austin supports free speech, academic freedom, and civil discourse, and he described three areas of focus: speech on campus grounds, classroom discourse, and how people treat one another. He said the university enforces time, place, and manner rules, expects professors to present alternative views on controversial topics, and has created internal reporting and appeal processes for students and faculty. Members questioned him about heckler’s veto incidents, protests, off-campus participants, complaints about professors, hate speech, and whether the university would protect speakers and students from disruption or unfair targeting. Davis said the university would not tolerate disruptions, would use due process and factual review, and is working to align campus practices with the new law and regents’ expectations. Ricky Adam Jr. of Turning Point USA’s Club America described the group’s campus and high-school organizing, praised Charlie Kirk’s approach to open debate, and said the organization is expanding in Texas. He raised concerns about school administrators and a counselor at an Early College High School in Killeen allegedly interfering with a student club and withholding footage, and committee members said they would seek information and, if necessary, use legislative process to investigate. Members from both chambers reiterated support for free speech, criticized political violence and campus suppression of viewpoints, and stressed that future hearings would continue examining implementation and enforcement issues.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:45:33.520><c> uh</c> unit that would be on the commercial uh unit that would be on the commercial
• The commercial policy would policy.
• The commercial policy would respond<00:45:35.520><c> to</c><00:45:35.680><c> that.
• </c><01:58:31.840><c> So</c> their commercial interests, right?
• So their commercial interests, right?

Keywords: 910, house, all

Summary: The joint committees held an informational briefing on efforts to expand insurance capacity in Hawaii’s property market, especially for condominium and homeowners coverage. The Insurance Commissioner reviewed the background: a legislative task force, the governor’s emergency proclamation in August 2024, and Senate Bill 1044 in May 2025 led to new condo insurance products. He said the work over the past two and a half years was producing positive results and introduced representatives from HPIA and HHRF/HHR to provide updates. HPIA’s board chair and its administrator described the organization’s history, structure, and current products. HPIA said it was created in 1991 as a residual market for homeowners insurance, now writing four residential products: HO2 homeowners, renters, HO6 condo unit owners, and dwelling fire. They reported policy counts have grown again as admitted-market carriers tightened underwriting, and they discussed financial pressure from reinsurance costs, though those costs had declined in 2025 after different purchasing decisions. They also said the market has become more favorable overall, with some capacity returning and deductibles beginning to ease. Members focused much of their questioning on HPIA’s proposed higher dwelling limits. HPIA explained that the current $450,000 limit for homeowners and dwelling fire was set in 2023, but agents are now asking for a higher limit in the $650,000 to $750,000 range because construction costs have risen and many policies are not being submitted when the limit is too low. HPIA said it has the authority to raise the limit through a filing with the Insurance Division and expects more submissions if the cap increases. They also discussed the shift in the book of business from roughly 70% lava-zone coverage to closer to a 50/50 split between lava and non-lava risks. HPIA outlined strategic initiatives: a new policy administration system that went live October 1 and now allows online payments, online claims reporting, and electronic notices; a filed request to raise the homeowners and dwelling fire limit to $650,000 effective March 1 for new business and April 1 for renewals; an increase in the HO6 condo unit owners limit from $5,000 to $100,000; and a planned commercial property all-other-perils-excluding-hurricane condo product targeted for filing by January 31. No votes were taken, and the meeting was informational only.