Transcript Highlights:

• I think there's some, you know, there's some technical difficulties going on behind us that we got to
• I think there's some, you know, there's some technical difficulties going on behind us that we got to
• I think there's some, you know, there's some technical difficulties going on behind us that we got to
• I think there's some, you know, there's some technical difficulties going on behind us that we got to
• I think there's some, you know, there's some technical difficulties going on behind us that we got to

Keywords: 923, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Well, this is the difficulty with the free market and the difficulty with not having certificates of
• Well, this is the difficulty with the free market and the difficulty with not having certificates of
• Well, this is the difficulty with the free market and the difficulty with not having certificates of
• Well, this is the difficulty with the free market and the difficulty with not having certificates of
• Well, this is the difficulty with the free market and the difficulty with not having certificates of

Keywords: Public Health and Welfare - Room 216, 3 February, 2026; 3:00 PM, 925, all

Summary: The committee met with a quorum and first took up several bills described as vehicles to keep options open for pending rural health issues, especially the rural health transformation fund and the Greenwood Hospital situation. The chair explained that Greenwood Hospital is struggling financially and operationally, including a Medicaid overpayment dispute in which Medicaid planned to recoup $2 million from a December payment, threatening payroll and continued operation. The committee discussed a proposed committee substitute that would delay recoupment until May 1 and preserve legislative flexibility to help Greenwood if a workable plan emerges. The committee adopted motions for title sufficiency and due pass on the block of bills, including the committee substitute and reverse repealer provisions. The committee then turned to two certificate-of-need bills. One bill, 2474, was presented as a rural hospitals measure that would let certain rural hospitals obtain certificates of need for services such as outpatient dialysis units, ambulatory surgical facilities, and geriatric psychiatric units, with definitions aimed largely at Delta and other rural counties. The chair also included a provision making the state health officer’s licensing decision final and not subject to judicial review, with only a short reconsideration process available. Senator Hill objected, arguing the bill concentrated too much power in the health department, eliminated meaningful court review, and unfairly picked winners and losers instead of letting the market work. The chair responded that the goal was to reduce costly, repetitive litigation and preserve access to care in areas where hospitals struggle financially. The committee then considered Senator Blackwell’s broader CO bill, which would address appeals and litigation more generally by shifting costs to the losing party in CO disputes. A reverse repealer was adopted first, and the chair explained that the bill was intended to reduce endless and expensive appeals while still allowing a limited opportunity for reconsideration. Senators Hill and others raised concerns about limiting judicial review and expanding health department power, while the chair said many states have no judicial review in this area and that the committee was exploring the issue further. The chair said he had asked several members to study the matter and contact the National Council of State Legislatures. The committee ultimately adopted the motions on the bills and amendments by voice vote, with the ayes prevailing each time.

Transcript Highlights:

• So what happens if a company is having difficulty?
• And you see carriers going into that market where we’ve seen difficulty in the Florida market because
• And you see carriers going into that market where we’ve seen difficulty in the Florida market because
• And you see carriers going into that market where we’ve seen difficulty in the Florida market because
• And you see carriers going into that market where we’ve seen difficulty in the Florida market because

Bills: HF4881, HF4867, HF4422, HF4223

Keywords: healthcare, insurance, regulation, financial institutions, prescription drug affordability, consumer protection, restitution account, financial compensation, attorney general, distributions, property insurance, homeowners insurance, fire and allied lines, hail insurance, appraisal clause, loss adjustment, alternative dispute resolution, insurance claims, claim valuation, actual cash value

Transcript Highlights:

• And many mentioned that they had difficulty testifying without knowing what the map looked like that
• testified—a number of them had testified in our regional hearings—and had said that they were having difficulty
• They were having difficulty testifying on specifics because there wasn't a map available at that time

Keywords: 1185, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Quite a number testified, and many mentioned that they had difficulty testifying.
• testified, a number of them had testified in our regional hearings and had said that they were having difficulty
• Redistricting in general, they were having difficulty testifying on specifics because There wasn't a

Transcript Highlights:

• asked whether the language on page two, referring to dysgraphia and other reading and writing difficulties
• <00:14:08.519> that reading and writing difficulties that reading and writing difficulties
• She explained that, currently in statute, dysgraphia is described as difficulty in automatically remembering
• She explained that, currently in statute, dysgraphia is described as difficulty in automatically remembering
• She explained that, currently in statute, dysgraphia is described as difficulty in automatically remembering

Keywords: 958, all

Summary: The committee heard testimony on several education bills and first received a presentation from Paige Cash of Kentucky FFA/Kentucky Association for Career and Technical Education. She described the reach of CTE in Kentucky, saying more than 143,000 secondary students are enrolled in CTE courses, and highlighted work-based learning, dual credit, industry certifications, and student organizations such as FFA, DECA, FCCLA, HOSA, TSA, and SkillsUSA. She said CTE funding has helped update lab equipment, support teacher training, fund field trips, and expand participation in career and technical student organizations. Representative Wilson presented House Bill 132, which would address home hospital instruction reimbursement in cases involving short stays, particularly mental health placements that are often under five days. He said schools continue providing instruction even when they are no longer reimbursed under current rules. The committee advanced the bill unanimously after a motion and second, with the measure passing with an expression of opinion that it should pass. The committee then heard House Bill 272 on dyslexia, sponsored by Representative Heavrin. The bill would require KDE to annually update the dyslexia toolkit, require local boards to adopt policies for identifying and assisting K-3 students with dyslexia, require KDE to report district implementation data to LRC, and require teacher preparation programs to include dyslexia instruction. Members discussed whether the bill would require teacher diagnoses, how it would interact with existing IEP/504 and RTI processes, and concerns about added reporting and district burden. Supporters said many students are falling through the cracks and that earlier identification is needed; Representative Willner noted a shortage of school psychologists. The committee passed HB 272 with a motion and second, though several members voted pass and explained concerns about reporting burdens, red tape, and district costs. Finally, the committee began hearing House Bill 193, a dual credit cleanup bill presented by Joe Carol Ellis of KHEAA. She said the bill would consolidate the statutes governing general education dual credit and CTE/work-ready dual credit scholarships to match current funding practice and reduce confusion for K-12 schools and postsecondary institutions. The presentation was underway when the transcript ended.

Transcript Highlights:

• I know you said this a couple of times, and I certainly respect the difficulty of the situation.
• And when you look at the hurricane spaghetti models, each one of those is a mathematical model that the
• No chain of command that did not begin to end with difficulty.

Keywords: 1184, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• some difficulty some difficulty in<00:26:26.960> in<00:26:27.279> securing<00:26:27.760
• difficulties as we performed our audit. difficulties as we performed our audit.
• experienced difficulties experienced difficulties obtaining<01:20:07.400> unusable<01:20:
• As you can imagine, one of the difficulties we've had over the last 15 years is we've gone from what
• As you can imagine, one of the difficulties we've had over the last 15 years is we've gone from what

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The committee first approved the March 21 minutes and then took up a consent calendar, withdrawing several items before adopting the remainder. It also moved item FIS 25103 to the table by a 6-4 vote after Senator Gray argued the Executive Council had not yet acted on a prior $5 million approval and that the committee should avoid adding to the rainy day fund draw. The committee then approved item 25106 for the Department of Natural and Cultural Resources/State Library after hearing that the department expected about a $400,000 lapse to return to the state. A major discussion centered on New Hampshire Police Standards and Training (item 2577). Senator Gray questioned whether a proposed equipment purchase could be delayed to the next biennium in light of the state’s deficit and rainy day fund use. The agency said the equipment was needed now for scenario training, vendors had already been identified, and delaying would likely increase costs and force continued reliance on unpaid volunteer help. The committee ultimately approved the item. The committee also approved Department of Energy item 2587 after hearing that federal weatherization funds are drawn down on a reimbursement basis, and item 2588 after similar testimony that weatherization work must be completed and inspected before reimbursement, limiting how quickly funds can be expended. Item 250094 had been withdrawn. Later, the committee discussed Senator Carson’s request for an LBA review of the YDC claims settlement fund, with members expressing concern about administrative costs, attorney fees, settlement-loan payoffs, and the need for more detailed reporting. The committee voted to direct LBA to conduct the audit described in Senator Carson’s memo, with the additional request that the review include the term over which attorney fees are paid. The meeting then moved on to an HHS staff item, where members began questioning the timing of dashboard data and reporting delays.

Transcript Highlights:

• you that if you adopt that opinion, you will effectively be hindering the program because of the difficulty
• That's the difficulty we're having in filling those positions is that we have said, in full disclosure
• like to add is, since being elected to the Treasurer position for my PAC board, I've had some difficulties
• I accept full responsibility as the treasurer, and in response to these difficulties, I've taken it upon
• Difficulties filing the reports and that she believed her account was closed after the completion of

Keywords: Texas Ethics Commission, legislative recommendations, general counsel appointment, foreign lobbying, political contributions, quarterly meetings, public testimony, rule amendments

Summary: The meeting focused on the Texas Ethics Commission's (TEC) evaluation of legislative recommendations and personnel updates, including the appointment of a new general counsel and discussions about upcoming quarterly meetings. Commissioner Schmidt reported on the progress of various bills, including amendments to existing laws, the need for increased regulation on foreign lobbying, and the publication of new rules in the Texas Register. Public testimonies were heard regarding compliance issues and proposed changes in political contribution regulations. The Commission agreed to schedule further review on the legislative items discussed and the proposed rule amendments.

Transcript Highlights:

• definitely saw, on the federal level, So definitely saw, on the federal level, people were having some difficulty
• indicator that we're not putting people in a position where, in the long term, they're going to have difficulty
• If a business is having difficulty repaying that bridge loan, do we look at—” “We also have, you know
• If a business is having a difficulty repaying that bridge loan, do we look at, you know—” Having a difficulty

Summary: The Natural Resources and Disaster Subcommittee met to continue its review of hurricane impacts and state response. The committee first heard from the Florida Division of Emergency Management, which described its four core functions—preparedness, response, recovery, and mitigation—and highlighted its 24/7 State Watch Office, regional training efforts, and disaster assistance work. Deputy Executive Director Keith Pruitt detailed the state’s 2024 storm response, including Hurricanes Debby, Helene, and Milton, citing large-scale mission support, flood-control deployments, meal and water distribution, power restoration, debris removal, and billions in disaster funding and mitigation dollars. He also discussed debris management challenges and recommended that local governments update and exercise debris plans and maintain contingency contracts.

Transcript Highlights:

• The reason that we use the state bonding process mostly for renovations is because of the difficulty
• <00:05:21.759> because<00:05:21.960> of<00:05:22.080> the<00:05:22.520> difficulty
• renovations is because of the difficulty renovations is because of the difficulty in<00:05:23.000

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• In many cases at Small World Learning Center in Blaine, you have many suspected cases of difficulties
• :53.319> of Blaine you have many suspect cases of Blaine you have many suspect cases of difficulties
• <00:15:54.399> with<00:15:54.560> mandated<00:15:55.000> reporter difficulties with
• mandated reporter difficulties with mandated reporter people<00:15:55.759> not<00:15:55.959><

Bills: HF1346, HF1169, HF1276

Keywords: mandatory reporting, training requirements, child maltreatment, abuse detection, local welfare agency, child protection, child welfare, paperwork reduction, social services information system, SSIS, Department of Children, Youth, and Families, foster care, children in placement, county social services, Tribal governments, private child placing agencies, case management, administrative burden, information technology, human services

Transcript Highlights:

• Uh but it just difficulty on their side.
• But if that were the way to do it, I would have no difficulty with it.
• I just having having difficulty with it.
• <00:36:13.040> with seeing too much of uh a difficulty with seeing too much of uh a difficulty
• <01:07:06.480> with<01:07:06.799> post-secary has difficulty with post-secary has difficulty

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Despite repeated outreach and providing her family with vision resources, we had difficulty getting her
• If you just recognize the fact that students who cannot see or have difficulty seeing— they can see,
• testing program explains that to them, and obviously to their parents, they just think that they have difficulty

Bills: HB 1178, HB1411, HB1441, HB1773, HB1813, HB2107, HB2598, HB2911, HB2967, HB3672, HB5263, HB3797

Keywords: education, temporary certification, out-of-state educators, teacher shortage, military spouses, personal leave, school holidays, employee compensation, overtime provisions, school safety, peace officers, mental health, de-escalation techniques, trauma-informed care, student trustee, school board, student representation, education policy, nonvoting position, school governance

Transcript Highlights:

• In the unlikely event that we experience technical difficulties and need to abruptly end this hearing
• In the unlikely event that we experience technical difficulties and need to abruptly end this hearing
• It looks like she's having audio difficulties connecting. Bummer.
• It looks like she's having audio difficulties connecting. Bummer.
• Chair, for questions for Retail Merchants: Yes, you know, in your testimony you talked about the difficulties

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Summary: The Senate Committee on Commerce and Consumer Protection held decision-making on SB 146, SB 147, and SB 1166. SB 146 and SB 147, both relating to condominiums, were recommended to pass with amendments. The committee adopted amendments based on testimony from Anne Anderson, including mediator/arbitrator qualifications, clarifications about disputes involving managing agents, small claims timing, lien rights, and refund determinations by an early neutral evaluator. For both bills, the effective date was deferred to July 1, 2050 for further discussion. Each measure was adopted with no objections. SB 1166, relating to insurance, was also passed with amendments. The committee removed language that would have required insurers to bring claims and condition rates on doing so, replacing it with encouraging language. The amended bill adds a private cause of action against responsible parties, authorizes insurer actions under certain conditions, defines terms tied to climate-related events and fossil fuel products, and requires HPIA to report to the insurance commissioner on whether it exercised direct action rights. The effective date was likewise deferred to July 1, 2050, and the measure was adopted without objection. The committee then heard SB 985, relating to consumer protection and gift card fraud, and SB 1525, relating to electronic smoking devices and e-liquids. SB 985 drew support from a consumer fraud victim and others who said gift card scams disproportionately harm kupuna, while the Retail Merchants of Hawaii opposed the bill’s packaging/display requirements and suggested stronger penalties instead. The committee voted to pass SB 985 with amendments, deferring its effective date to July 1, 2050, and noted it would move on to Judiciary next. SB 1525 drew significant opposition from the Attorney General’s office, Department of Taxation, Department of Health, and public health groups, who argued it conflicted with federal tobacco law, was hard for Tax to administer, and would not effectively remove unauthorized vape products. After testimony, the committee recommended deferral of SB 1525 without objection.

Transcript Highlights:

• vision screening despite repeated outreach and providing her family with vision resources we had difficulty
• if, if you, if you just recognize the fact that, that, that students who cannot see, uh, or have difficulty
• obviously to their parents, well, then, uh, they just think that they're, you know, they just have difficulty

Transcript Highlights:

• I'm smiling mostly because I sympathize with the difficulty, and I recall some of those conversations
• , and how will you go about trying to narrow in on that and increase your confidence, given the difficulty
• I'm smiling mostly because I sympathize with the difficulty and I recall some of those conversations
• and how will you go about trying to narrow in on that and increase your confidence given the the difficulty
• there's still—I don't think you were suggesting this—but it doesn't get us out of some of the difficulties

Summary: The Financial Estimate Committee met on July 6, 2026, to begin work on the financial estimate for IP 28, after reviewing the statutory process and confirming that only IP 28 had cleared the signature threshold for consideration. Staff explained the committee’s duties under ORS 250.125 and the timeline for draft statements, public hearing, and final adoption. The committee also designated Carol Moreno C. Fuentes to file the committee’s eventual statements. Staff from the Department of Administrative Services and the Legislative Revenue Office presented preliminary analysis of IP 28, describing major uncertainties in estimating impacts because the measure is not a tax law change and would affect multiple industries and government functions. Preliminary figures discussed included an estimated $56.5 million loss in the current biennium and $6.7 million in reduced expenditures, with larger projected revenue losses of roughly $244.1 million to $258 million and reduced expenditures of $30.7 million to $34.9 million in 2027–29, plus $87.8 million to $88.3 million in increased expenditures. Analysts said the biggest effects would likely involve agriculture, fish and wildlife, hunting and fishing, local government enforcement, and possible shifts in state funding, but many impacts remained difficult to quantify. Committee members raised concerns about local government costs, law enforcement and prosecution burdens, impacts on the hospitality and recreation sectors, possible effects on tribal governments and treaty rights, and whether the measure would affect shellfish and crabbing. They also discussed the Humane Transition Fund, subsidies, possible litigation costs, and whether the statement should include broader uncertainty language and multiple scenarios. Members generally agreed the draft should be revised to better reflect uncertainty, clarify assumptions, and possibly use bullets or other formatting to improve readability. No vote was taken. The committee agreed to treat the current draft as a working version, with staff to revise it based on the discussion and return an updated draft before the next meeting scheduled for July 17 at 2 p.m., with both in-person and virtual participation available.

Transcript Highlights:

• you adopt that opinion, you will effectively be killing a legislative program, um, because of the difficulty
• So they, um, have objection to that going forward and that's the difficulty we're having in filling those
• is, um, Since, uh, being elected into the treasurer position for my PAC board, I, I've had some difficulties
• these late filing fines, I accept full responsibility as a treasurer, and in response to these difficulties
• Um, in her request for appeal, filer stated she had technical difficulties filing the reports and that

Transcript Highlights:

• In the unlikely event that we have to abruptly end this hearing due to technical difficulties or false
• In the unlikely event that we have to abruptly end this hearing due to technical difficulties or false
• concerns about the sometimes statewide types of projects, such as biocontrol releases, and the difficulty
• concerns about the sometimes statewide types of projects, such as biocontrol releases, and the difficulty
• <00:42:56.599> of control releases and the difficulty of control releases and the difficulty

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Summary: The committee reconvened for decision-making on measures previously heard on February 6, 2025. Senate Bill 1513 was deferred indefinitely based on the testimony and issues raised. Senate Bill 786 was also deferred indefinitely and set aside for interim work on a proposed SD1 that could address the concerns discussed and incorporate ongoing federal changes. Senate Bill 1031 was amended and advanced as a Senate WAP 1; the amended version would allow the legislature to adopt non-binding advisory referendum questions only for general obligation bond proposals, require 30 days’ notice, require the legislature to consider the results, and require a written explanation if the final legislative action opposes the majority vote. The committee also set a far-future effective date and noted that any further review should examine opposition concerns and the fiscal, administrative, and legal implications of the proposal. The measure passed on a yes vote from the vice chair and supporting members, with one member excused. In the joint Government Operations and Water and Land hearing, Senate Bill 411, relating to capital improvement projects for boating and ocean recreation, drew support from the Department of Boating and Ocean Recreation and several written supporters, while Budget and Finance opposed it and the Deputy Attorney General warned it could be challenged because it implied funding without an appropriation. The chair recommended moving the bill with amendments and a defective date, and both committees adopted the recommendation to pass SB 411 with amendments. Senate Bill 1103, relating to community districts, generated substantial discussion and was ultimately recommended for deferral. Testimony raised constitutional and special fund concerns, while the Hawaii Community Development Authority supported the concept but suggested major changes, including clearer governance language, a dedicated staff position, and funding. Members debated whether elected boards would undermine county planning authority and whether the concept was more suitable for Oahu or the Neighbor Islands. Senate Bill 1308, relating to plans, was presented as an administration bill and supported by DAGS. The bill would remove outdated filing requirements, update fee schedules, give DAGS more discretion over plan format, and update drawing scales. A member asked whether it could help replace survey monuments lost in the Lahaina wildfire cleanup; DAGS said it would not directly replace monuments but could help with future mapping and surveying. The chair indicated the committee would note the monument issue in the report and work on technical cleanup language, with the measure moving forward subject to those amendments.

Transcript Highlights:

• 41.240> had p.m. okay we we all know that we've had p.m. okay we we all know that we've had difficulty
• 44.240> getting<00:37:44.560> things<00:37:45.079> out<00:37:45.280> of difficulty
• um with getting things out of difficulty um with getting things out of OSS<00:37:46.520> and<

Keywords: 1191, senate, all