Video & Transcript Research : 'restrictions'
Page 43 of 500
TX
Transcript Highlights:
- This bill restricts political subdivisions from issuing bonds to purchase personal property if the expected
- The committee substitute expands this restriction to include certificates of obligation and anticipation
- By including them in the restriction, the bill ensures that local governments do not use these alternative
- By including them in the restriction, the bill ensures that local governments do not use these alternative
- Bill 464 addresses the alarming prevalence of youth vaping by empowering local jurisdictions to restrict
Summary:
The Senate Local Government Committee met with a quorum and considered several bills and resolutions, beginning with Senate Bill 393. The bill would restrict political subdivisions from issuing debt for personal property whose useful life ends before the debt matures, and the committee substitute broadened the restriction to include certificates of obligation and anticipation notes as well as general obligation bonds. Members asked about how the weighted-average maturity calculation works, but no detailed explanation was provided. The committee adopted the substitute and left SB 393 pending without a final vote.
The committee then heard Senate Bill 464, a youth vaping measure by Senator Campbell. The committee substitute defined vaping apparatus, added a Class A misdemeanor, increased the school buffer from 300 feet to 1,000 feet, preserved limited local authority over tobacco-related retail regulation, and removed a 50% threshold. The substitute was adopted, and the bill was reported favorably; it was also placed on the local and uncontested calendar. The committee also took up SJR 81, which would create a general-law exception for up to $25,000 of tangible personal property held for production of income, and after no public testimony it was reported favorably.
Members next considered SB 32, a tax relief measure. The committee substitute reduced the franchise credit amount from $700 million to $500 million, paired with the recently passed $200 million from the related resolution to keep the total at $700 million over the biennium. The substitute was adopted and the bill was reported favorably and placed on the local and uncontested calendar. The committee also reported out SB 996, SB 1163, SB 1173, SB 1277, SB 1453, and SB 2016, with most passing on 5-0 votes; SB 1453 passed 4-1 and SB 2016 passed 4-1. SB 1163 was reported to the full Senate but not placed on the local and uncontested calendar. The committee ended the meeting by leaving SB 393 pending and then adjourning/recessing subject to the chair's call.
NH
New Hampshire 2026 Regular Session
Senate Energy and Natural Resources (03/10/2026)
Energy and Natural Resources
Transcript Highlights:
- to remove the you the word restrict to remove the you the word unrestricted?
- . account would not be restricted.
- And second, any data used to justify restrictions must be verifiable and lawfully obtained.
- </c> restricts their ability to do their job. restricts their ability to do their job.
- </c><02:09:49.040><c> um</c> be in some regards restrictive um be in some regards restrictive um particularly
CA
California 2025-2026 Regular Session
Assembly Business and Professions Committee Apr 7th, 2026
Transcript Highlights:
- These restrictions mean patients are turned away or forced to wait longer for care.
- So the current restrictions create artificial limits, and these are not...
- So the current restrictions create artificial limits, and these are not based in science, and I really
- I know firsthand how restrictions to abortion care impact pregnant people and how delays in necessary
- I know firsthand how restrictions to abortion care impact pregnant people and how delays in necessary
Summary:
The Assembly Business and Professions Committee heard a full agenda of bills covering travel consumer protections, cannabis commerce with tribes, medical record integrity, pest control licensing, pawn and gold-buying regulation, pharmacy discipline, land surveying, and expedited licensing for veterans separated under a federal transgender military policy. Members also later heard AB 1973, which would expand the ability of advanced practice clinicians to provide abortion care, with supporters arguing it would improve access and opponents warning about safety and scope-of-practice concerns. Several bills were presented before quorum was reached, and the chair repeatedly urged absent members to arrive so the committee could vote.
Testimony on the bills was largely in support. Authors and witnesses said AB 1758 would raise the seller-of-travel assessment cap to keep the Travel Consumer Restitution Fund solvent; AB 2506 would allow state cannabis licensees to sell products from tribal licensees while respecting tribal sovereignty; AB 1637 would prevent non-physicians from altering physician-authored medical notes; AB 2477 would create a short provisional period for pest control workers awaiting licensure; AB 2633 would close a loophole involving remote gold-buying events and stolen property reporting; AB 2141 would let the Board of Pharmacy resolve some cases through stipulated settlements before formal accusations; and AB 1933 would make technical clarifications to land surveying law. AB 1775 drew emotional testimony from transgender service members and advocates describing the impact of federal separation policies and the need for California licensing and support.
Once quorum was established, the committee voted out the consent calendar and each of the heard bills, generally on party-line or near-unanimous votes. AB 1637, AB 1758, AB 1775, AB 1933, AB 2141, AB 2477, AB 2506, and AB 2633 all passed out of committee, most to Appropriations or another policy committee as noted. AB 1973 also passed, despite a no vote from some members and an opposition witness from the California Family Council. The committee later took vote changes and additional roll calls for absent members before adjourning.
CA
California 2025-2026 Regular Session
Assembly Business and Professions Committee Apr 7th, 2026
Business and Professions
Transcript Highlights:
- the administrative staff at the Department of Education feels that they have the right to alter, restrict
- These restrictions mean patients are turned away or forced to wait longer for care.
- So the current restrictions create artificial limits, and these are not...
- So the current restrictions create artificial limits, and these are not based in science.
- I was forced to carry a wanted but non-viable pregnancy for four weeks because of restrictive abortion
WA
Washington 2025-2026 Regular Session
House Environment & Energy Feb 23rd, 2026 at 01:30 pm
Environment & Energy
Transcript Highlights:
- Those restrictions don't apply Those restrictions don't apply to the body of electronic cooking devices
- Separately, apart from those restrictions on lead in cookware, the Department of Ecology, through the
- Safer Products for Washington law, has the authority to adopt restrictions on priority chemicals in
- The amended version before you puts in place restrictions, phased restrictions on the levels of lead
- The legislature passed a restriction in 2024, amended the restriction in 2025, and now it's here before
WA
Washington 2025-2026 Regular Session
House Environment & Energy Feb 23rd, 2026
Transcript Highlights:
- Those restrictions don't apply Those restrictions don't apply to the body of electronic cooking devices
- Separately, apart from those restrictions on lead in cookware, the Department of Ecology, through the
- Safer Products for Washington law, has the authority to adopt restrictions on priority chemicals in
- The amended version before you puts in place restrictions, phased restrictions on the levels of lead
- The legislature passed a restriction in 2024, amended the restriction in 2025, and now it's here before
Summary:
The committee heard testimony on two main bills. ESSB 5975 dealt with lead limits in cookware and a proposed striker that would shift more of the standard-setting and testing process to the Department of Ecology under Safer Products for Washington. Supporters, including industry groups, Ecology, the Department of Health, and environmental advocates, said the striker would provide clearer, science-based, and more workable standards while still reducing lead exposure. Some witnesses, including environmental groups, argued the bill should remain stronger, while others said the striker was an acceptable compromise. No vote was taken on the bill during the hearing.
The committee also heard extensive testimony on ESSB 5360, which would create tiered criminal penalties for violations of the Water Pollution Control Act, Clean Air Act, and Hazardous Waste Management Act, including felony penalties for knowing or negligent conduct in certain circumstances. The prime sponsor and Attorney General’s Office said the bill targets egregious polluters, adds whistleblower and worker protections, and responds to serious environmental harm cases. Tribal, environmental, and advocacy witnesses supported the bill as a way to hold repeat polluters accountable. Labor, business, industry, county, utility, and forestry representatives opposed it, warning that the language could expose workers and permit holders to criminal liability for mistakes or routine operations and that the bill needed more stakeholder work.
At the end of the meeting, the committee took executive action on Substitute Senate Bill 6269, which updates the Motor Fuel Quality Act by modernizing the definition of motor fuel and folding alternative fuels into that definition. The bill passed the committee on a 19-0 vote, with two members excused, and was reported out with a do-pass recommendation.
FL
Transcript Highlights:
- Related to funding restriction, we have arbitrary funding caps, limiting infrastructure projects.
- Related to funding restriction, we have arbitrary funding caps, limiting infrastructure projects.
- The problem with this also is the statutory language is unclear, restricting the department's ability
- The problem with this also is the statutory language is unclear, restricting the department's ability
- These are not onerous restrictions. These are specifically focused on consumer protections.
Keywords:
special districts, funding, financial assistance, rural community, state agency, economic development, artificial intelligence, personal data protection, consumer rights, chatbot, deceptive practices, government contracts, public records, consumer protection, data privacy, investigations, proprietary information, chatbots, Florida statutes, nonprofit
Summary:
The Committee on Commerce and Tourism heard and advanced several bills focused on economic development, consumer protection, workforce issues, and technology. SB 1076 would raise Florida’s research and development tax credit cap from $9 million to $50 million beginning with the 2027 allocation, and it was reported favorably. SB 1266, as amended, creates a cybersecurity experiential internship and clearance-readiness program with Cyber Florida and was also reported favorably. SB 554, a Florida Bar-backed update to the not-for-profit corporations statute, was approved without opposition. SB 1004, aimed at protecting buyers of dogs and cats from deceptive sales practices and predatory financing at retail pet stores, received supportive testimony from animal welfare advocates and was reported favorably. SB 1074, which sets rounding rules for cash transactions if pennies are unavailable, also passed favorably.
The committee also considered SB 998, the Department of Commerce package, which combines updates to the Small Cities CDBG program, clarification of rural community eligibility, an exemption from a reverter clause for military-related land conveyances, and revisions to E-Verify enforcement. The E-Verify portion drew the most debate, with questions about employer cure periods, treatment of current investigations, and whether the bill creates a loophole for independent contractors. Senator Smith opposed the bill, arguing it creates unequal enforcement between employers and immigrant workers, while Senator Wright supported the military-related provisions. SB 998 was reported favorably on a divided vote.
SB 214, which expands the rural community definition to include special districts in rural counties, was reported favorably. The committee then took up SB 482, an artificial intelligence consumer-protection bill that creates an “AI bill of rights” covering companion chatbots, parental controls for minors, data privacy, de-identified data, unauthorized use of likeness, and enforcement by the Attorney General, with a limited private cause of action for minors. The bill drew extensive testimony both in support and in opposition, including concerns about privacy, age verification, and enforcement, but it was reported favorably. Finally, the committee approved SPB 7030, a public-records exemption tied to Department of Legal Affairs investigations under the AI bill, and adjourned after members requested to be recorded on certain votes.
NM
Transcript Highlights:
- You've heard me say several times the term 'least restrictive appropriate alternative.'
- That we want to make sure that somebody who's having a liberty restriction imposed upon them, which AOT
- Actually, that's a great segue because we're going to talk about the heightened liberty restriction,
- And that's again, we're dealing with the highest level of restriction of liberty because they do have
- Any decisions on restricting somebody's liberty for involuntary commitment must be made by clear and
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
Committee on Health and Human Services - 03/12/25
Health and Human Services
Transcript Highlights:
- So we're talking about a long-term care situation, an ongoing restriction, and so we have had calls of
- So we're talking about a long-term care situation, an ongoing restriction, and so we have had calls of
- by a facility, sometimes this restriction by a health care agent who disagrees, is one of those forms
- which is identified as Restriction which is identified as significant<01:16:46.760><c> physical</c><
- So that we have to have the presumption changing as it relates to the restriction.
ND
North Dakota 2025-2026 Regular Session
SB 2180 Conference Committee Apr 16th, 2025 at 03:30 pm
Transcript Highlights:
- And so to me, I would actually move to a yes vote with restricting it, allowing a subdivision to restrict
- wasn't discussed in the agenda, then, you know, unless obviously policies otherwise, it can be restricted
- You know, so we're still not restricting them. And then again, it's just a matter of the...
- We're still not restricting them, and then again, it's just a matter of these political subs, if you
Summary:
The conference committee met on Senate Bill 2180, relating to the opportunity to provide public comment at meetings of public entities. Members reviewed the 2002 House version and a proposed 2003 amendment, which largely kept the House language but clarified wording and added a provision allowing public comment to be limited by policy to the current meeting’s agenda topics and at least one preceding meeting’s agenda topics. Several members discussed the balance between allowing public participation and keeping meetings orderly, with comments from both House and Senate members supporting the restriction as a practical compromise based on experience with local boards.
Representative Vorey moved adoption of the 2003 amendment, seconded by Senator Wallen. The amendment was approved by majority vote on both the House and Senate sides. The committee then moved to accept SB 2180 as amended, and that motion also passed with majorities on both sides. The bill was declared a due pass by the conference committee and was to be forwarded to the appropriate chambers.
The committee also designated carriers for the bill: Senator Castile on the Senate side and Representative Osley on the House side. The meeting then concluded.
NH
New Hampshire 2025 Regular Session
House Education Funding (01/31/2025)
Transcript Highlights:
- Are you putting students in a more restrictive environment, or are you putting them in a less restrictive
- c> putting students in a more restrictive putting students in a more restrictive environment<00:40:34.480
- restrictive environment least restrictive<00:40:40.160><c> environment</c><00:40:40.599><c> is</c><00
- :40:40.760><c> really</c><00:40:40.960><c> fuzzy</c> restrictive environment is really fuzzy restrictive
- </c> many places least restrictive many places least restrictive environment<00:40:48.079><c> I</c><00
Summary:
The work session focused on special education, especially the differentiated aid component and special education aid, which members noted is still often called “catastrophic aid.” The chair said the committee was trying to better understand how special education costs are growing, how districts are delivering services through SAUs or internally, and how reimbursement formulas affect local costs. Members also discussed the need for better data before making decisions on several education funding bills, and Representative Brown was tasked with capturing questions for follow-up information from the department or elsewhere.
Testimony from the state special education director, Becky Fad, centered on why student counts in various disability categories have shifted over time. She said the categories themselves have not changed much, but autism has increased because of greater understanding and identification, developmental delay has grown because it applies to children under age 10 who may not yet have a clear diagnosis, and some students previously classified under speech/language or other health impairment are now identified in more specific categories such as autism. She emphasized that the IEP is based on a child’s individual needs, so a change in category would not necessarily change services, though it may help educators support the student differently.
Members asked about whether the shifts reflect better diagnostic capability, whether the department should gather more data on the reasons for the changes, and whether autism-spectrum data could be broken down further. Fad said the department does not currently have data on the causes of the shifts or on where students fall within the autism spectrum, but that collecting and analyzing such data is on its list of priorities and a new data manager had recently been hired. She also explained that each child is counted only once on the chart by primary disability, that the IEP or eligibility team determines the primary category based on evaluations, and that any child can be referred for special education by a parent, teacher, or doctor, after which the district must meet within 15 days to decide whether to evaluate. No votes or formal actions were taken in the portion provided.
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
House Transportation Finance and Policy Committee 2/12/25
Transportation Finance and Policy
Transcript Highlights:
- We passed in there restrictions as to how the funding could go.
- And what this does is it restricts the state. Representative T could get to your question, please.
- And what this does is it restricts the state. Representative T could get to your question, please.
- We passed in there restrictions as to how the funding could go.
- And what this does is it restricts the state. Representative T could get to your question, please.
CA
Transcript Highlights:
- AB 1684 prohibits a homeowners association from restricting a homeowner's ability to install, use, or
- an HOA's ability to require a homeowner By that, nothing shall limit or restrict an HOA's ability to
- And to clarify, an HOA may prohibit or restrict the installation of a cooling system where a permit is
- , and that restriction may cause them, trigger them to be getting a fine.
- I don’t know that I think that’s the definition of a restriction, and that restriction may cause them
FL
Florida 2026 Regular Session
FL House Floor Session - 2026-03-13 (10:00AM Session)
Florida House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- And also, at one point in time, there was actually a five-mile restriction from the data centers being
- And when you're in those boundaries, your land is going to remain restricted indefinitely, unless you
- And when you're in those boundaries, your land is going to remain restricted indefinitely, unless you
- And he said in your committee, Chair Hooper, please give us restrictions, give us guidelines, give us
- direction, tell us how you please give us restrictions.
Summary:
The Senate convened with opening prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, and several member introductions of guests and staff. The chamber then took up returning messages from the House and acted on several bills, including transportation facility designations (SB 628), affordable housing/Live Local Act changes (HB 1389), utility services (HB 1451), education (HB 1279 substituted for SB 7038), data centers (SB 484), and land use/development regulations (SB 208/HB 399). Several other measures were temporarily postponed, including education, emergency services, and environmental rule ratification bills.
On SB 628, the Senate concurred in the House amendment and passed the bill 31-4. On the affordable housing bill, senators discussed the fourth iteration of the Live Local Act, including a new provision allowing certain affordable housing on religious institution property, removal of accessory dwelling unit language, and changes to tax exemption and expiration provisions; the Senate concurred in the House amendment and passed the bill 35-0. On the utility services bill, the House amendment shortened the surcharge phase-out timeline and advanced reporting dates; the Senate concurred and passed the bill 30-6. The education package was substituted with the House companion, amended to include agreed-upon provisions on student health and safety, early learning, math, virtual instruction, career and technical education, school choice, accountability, tuition protections, and financial aid, and passed 36-1.
The data centers bill drew extensive debate over transparency and ratepayer protections. Senators questioned the removal of the Senate’s nondisclosure agreement prohibition, the 12-month confidentiality period, and whether costs could be shifted to residential and commercial customers. Supporters said the amendment strengthened ratepayer protections and maintained local land-use authority, while critics objected to the loss of transparency and the possibility of local NDAs. After debate, the Senate concurred in the House amendment and passed the bill 31-6.
The land use and development bill generated the most contentious discussion. Amendments addressed a Fontainebleau/Miami Beach resort water park issue, a sunset provision, and a major rural boundary/property rights proposal affecting counties such as Orange and Seminole. Senators debated whether the rural boundary language protected property rights or undermined local planning and environmental safeguards, with concerns raised about takings, county liability, and the use of an Attorney General opinion. The transcript cuts off during extended debate on that amendment, so no final vote on the land use bill is shown in the excerpt.
AZ
Arizona 2026 Regular Session
04/21/2026 - House Republican Caucus Calendar #19 & #20
Transcript Highlights:
- Madam Whip, members, as passed the House of Representatives, House Bill 2830 restricts public schools
- Madam Witt, members, as past the House of Representatives, House Bill 2830 restricts public school from
- and members, as passed the House, House Bill 2342 prevents a planned community association from restricting
- and members, as passed the House, House Bill 2342 prevents a planned community association from restricting
- Madam Whippen, members, as passed by the House, House Bill 2456 prohibits the prevention, restriction
Summary:
The Republican caucus reviewed a long list of House bills with Senate amendments, mostly hearing brief staff summaries and sponsor comments on whether they concurred. Topics included tax filing penalties, water and court procedures, vaccination and mask rules, bullion investment, nursing care complaint timelines, privacy protections for property and voter records, medical-record access, professional licensing procedures, school and family law changes, public records access for legislators, AI procurement, fingerprint clearance for traffic survival school instructors, development fees, infrastructure districts, distracted driving penalties, health aide scope of practice, eviction record sealing, backyard structure rules in planned communities, inmate transition services, nuclear-ready community designation, DCS parent-rights notices, domestic-violence evidence standards, inmate mental health study committee, legislative subpoena enforcement, trade office oversight, public power reporting, Native American language proficiency, mental health judicial review timelines, mobile food vendor licensing, medical-intervention requirements in schools, and school board training and meeting transparency.
In most cases, the sponsor or a representative indicated concurrence with the Senate amendments, and the caucus generally moved through the bills without extended debate. A few bills drew brief explanation from sponsors about the policy purpose, such as aligning nursing-facility oversight with federal requirements, improving access to medical records, clarifying rules for licensed health aides, and adjusting school-related provisions. Some bills were noted as being sent back to the Senate or otherwise set aside, including HB 2035 and HB 2249.
No formal votes were taken in the transcript; the meeting functioned as a caucus review of Senate amendments and sponsor concurrence before floor action. The caucus concluded after HB 2380, with members thanked for attending.
AZ
Arizona 2026 Regular Session
04/21/2026 - House Republican Caucus Calendar #19 & #20
Transcript Highlights:
- Madam Whip, members, as passed the House, House Bill 2830 restricts public schools from allowing an abortion
- Madam Witt, members, as past the House of Representatives, House Bill 2830 restricts public school from
- and members, as passed the House, House Bill 2342 prevents a planned community association from restricting
- House Bill 2342 prevents a planned community association from restricting the backyard installation or
- Madam Wippen, members, as passed by the House, House Bill 2456 prohibits the prevention, restriction,
Summary:
The Republican caucus reviewed a long list of House bills returned from the Senate with amendments, generally asking staff to describe the changes and then confirming whether the sponsor concurred. Many measures were accepted with little or no debate, including bills on tax filing penalties (HB 2016), court-ordered restitution for homeless or indigent defendants (HB 2028), vaccination and mask restrictions (HB 286), bullion investments by the state treasurer (HB 2140), nursing care complaint timelines (HB 2195), privacy protections for county records (HB 2327), cold plunge regulation (HB 2439), medical records access timelines (HB 2557), licensing board procedures (HB 2660), school and public records provisions, AI governance (HB 2592), fingerprint clearance temporary work authorization (HB 2916), development fees (HB 2946), affordability infrastructure districts (HB 2999), distracted driving penalties (HB 2109), health aide scope of practice (HB 2189), eviction record sealing (HB 2244), backyard structure rules in planned communities (HB 2342), inmate transition services (HB 2440), nuclear-ready community designation criteria (HB 2456), address confidentiality protections (HB 2594), groundwater/medical reimbursement changes (HB 2932), traffic citation signature authority (HB 2369), advanced math enrollment (HB 2423), school district training and intervention requirements (HB 2435), job order contracting limits (HB 2482), special education and placement rules (HB 2621), DCS parent rights notice changes (HB 2661), domestic violence expert testimony standards (HB 2662), inmate mental health study committee provisions (HB 2673), legislative subpoena enforcement (HB 2745), ACA trade office oversight (HB 2752), utility reporting changes (HB 2756), Native American language proficiency credit (HB 2895), mental health judicial review timelines (HB 2923), mobile food vendor licensing (HB 2118), medical intervention/school attendance rules (HB 2248), school board finance training (HB 2379), and school board meeting access/video requirements (HB 2380). Sponsors repeatedly stated they concurred with the Senate amendments, and no roll-call votes were taken in the transcript. A few items were set aside or sent back, including HB 2035 and HB 2249, and one bill (HB 2594) was left pending because the sponsor had not yet responded.
WA
Washington 2025-2026 Regular Session
House Environment & Energy Feb 2nd, 2026 at 01:30 pm
Environment & Energy
Transcript Highlights:
- that contain 0.25% or less of naturally occurring fibrous silicate material or asbestos from the restrictions
- that contain 0.25% or less of naturally occurring fibrous silicate material or asbestos from the restrictions
- It creates a new per se violation of the Consumer Protection Act for the restrictions or requirements
- Dye, 4548.5, is basically a striking amendment, so it would remove all of the requirements and restrictions
- This bill exempts specified commercial aggregates, like asphalt and concrete materials, from restrictions
Keywords:
distributed energy, renewable energy, energy resources, sustainability, energy policy, extended producer responsibility, paint waste management, environmental regulations, recycling, microplastics, pollution, environmental protection, washing machines, water quality, energy facilities, large energy use, regulation, state oversight, infrastructure, oil tanker
Summary:
The committee met to executive a series of bills related to transportation, environmental regulation, energy, and utility policy. Staff briefed House Bill 2436 on escort tug horsepower requirements for oil tankers, House Bill 2605 on exemptions for low-asbestos commercial aggregates, asphalt, and concrete, House Bill 2301 on expanding the paint stewardship program to additional paint products, House Bill 2496 on tribal government-to-government consultation during energy facility siting reviews, House Bill 2296 on meter-mounted devices and portable solar generation devices, House Bill 2212 on microfiber filtration requirements for washing machines, and House Bill 2515 on rules and fees for emerging large energy use facilities such as data centers and cryptocurrency facilities. Several proposed substitutes were also explained, including changes to paint collection convenience standards, tribal consultation procedures, meter-device utility authority, delayed microfiber enforcement, and revisions to data-center reporting, fees, and utility tariff provisions.
The committee took public discussion on the measures before voting. Supporters of the tug, paint stewardship, tribal consultation, and aggregate bills emphasized safety, recycling, affordability, and improved government-to-government relations. The meter-mounted device bill drew debate over utility cost recovery and local government authority; amendments to require customer-paid costs and restore local prohibitions were offered but both failed. The microfiber bill was not acted on at this meeting. The large energy use facility bill prompted substantial debate over fees, grid reliability, water use, labor protections, and the impact on data center development; members split between concerns about taxation and infrastructure impacts versus the need for safeguards and transparency.
Final actions were taken on the remaining bills. Proposed Substitute House Bill 2296 passed out of committee on a 14-7 vote. Substitute House Bill 2301 passed 19-1. Substitute House Bill 2515 passed 11-10. House Bill 2436 passed unanimously, 21-0. Substitute House Bill 2496 passed 15-6. House Bill 2605 also passed unanimously, 21-0. The committee adjourned after reporting those bills out with due pass recommendations.
TX
Transcript Highlights:
- In 1934, the National Firearms Act originally wanted to restrict handgun ownership, and the clause relating
- years the ATF does remove those short-barreled rifles from the NFA, then Texas law would be more restrictive
- coming down the line from the federal government, and it puts us in line instead of being more restrictive
- years the ATF does remove those short-barreled rifles from the NFA, then Texas law would be more restrictive
- coming down the line from the federal government, and it puts us in line instead of being more restrictive
Keywords:
elections, Election Code, poll workers, election clerks, presiding judge, alternate presiding judge, polling place, central counting station, county chair, political party, gubernatorial election, vote counting, election administration, Texas elections, precinct officials, ballot counting, county election officials, election integrity, election fraud, Attorney General
Summary:
The committee heard testimony on Senate Bill 1596, which would remove short-barreled rifles from the list of prohibited weapons in the Texas Penal Code. The author, Sen. Hagenbuch, said the bill would align state law with federal realities and argued that the current prohibition is arbitrary and unnecessary. Supporters, including representatives from Gun Owners of America and Texas Gun Rights, said the bill would reduce confusion, protect lawful gun owners, and preserve the ability to use shorter firearms for self-defense, hunting, and for smaller shooters. One supporter also described a recent case in which an AR pistol was mistaken for a short-barreled rifle and led to a state charge that was later dismissed.
Public testimony was split. Supporters said stabilizing braces and shorter firearms can improve accuracy, safety, and accessibility for women, children, and smaller-statured shooters. Opponents, including Texas Gun Sense and two Santa Fe shooting survivors, argued that short-barreled firearms are more concealable and dangerous, and pointed to the 2018 Santa Fe High School shooting as evidence of the risks of easier access. They urged the committee to keep the existing restrictions in place to protect public safety.
After public testimony closed, the committee took up pending business. Senate Bill 1505, relating to the Compassionate Use Program, was reported favorably to the full Senate on an 8-0 vote. Senate Bill 17, relating to the acquisition of real property by certain aliens or foreign entities, was first amended by adopting a committee substitute and then reported favorably to the full Senate by a 7-1 vote. The committee then recessed until after the Senate’s adjournment or final recess.
WA
Washington 2025-2026 Regular Session
House Consumer Protection & Business Jan 28th, 2026 at 01:30 pm
Consumer Protection & Business
Transcript Highlights:
- Prior to the occupant's removal of the personal property, the owner may place reasonable restrictions
- on the occupant's use of the storage unit, such as denying access. ...reasonable restrictions on the
- We should not allow brokerages to exacerbate these challenges by restricting access to available homes
- Restricting the use of pocket listings helps ensure that all qualified buyers have a fair opportunity
- The spirits, beer, and wine theater license by removing the 120 seats per screen restriction.
Keywords:
real estate, appraisal, consumer protection, business operations, regulatory compliance, HB 2501, real estate disclosure, seller disclosure notice, residential property, home heating oil tank, oil tank insurance, pollution liability insurance agency, PLIA, heating oil contamination, remediation assistance, Washington real estate, property sale, buyer disclosure, seller obligations, oil heat
Summary:
The Consumer Protection and Business Committee heard public hearings on several real estate, consumer, and business bills. House Bill 2477 would create a specific statute of limitations for claims against appraisers and related entities arising from appraisal reports, and limit liability to clients and intended users; the sponsor and appraisers testified that it would align Washington with other states, reduce recordkeeping burdens, lower insurance costs, and help attract new appraisers. House Bill 2512 would prohibit real estate brokers from marketing residential properties to exclusive groups unless the property is also publicly marketed; supporters framed it as a transparency and fair housing measure, while opponents argued it could limit homeowner privacy and off-market sales. House Bill 2240 would modernize self-storage rental agreements by allowing electronic execution, setting notice and acceptance rules, and clarifying procedures after termination or non-renewal; storage industry witnesses supported the clarity, while an advocate for unhoused people raised concerns about property loss and notice access. House Bill 2465 would require a Department of Health water-safety guide for short-term rentals with pools or similar facilities; the sponsor and hospitality industry supported it as a low-cost consumer safety measure, while cities raised implementation concerns that the sponsor said would be addressed by amendment. House Bill 2501 would update a seller disclosure notice to reflect the Pollution Liability Insurance Agency’s shift from a heating oil insurance program to a loan and grant/remediation program, and House Bill 2624 would exempt public entities, tribes, and nonprofit land conservancies from the “unsolicited real estate transaction” requirements adopted last year; conservation groups and DNR said the exemption was needed to preserve existing appraisal and grant processes.
The committee also took executive action on two bills. House Bill 2536, allowing wineries to hold a spirits, beer, and wine restaurant license or a beer and/or wine restaurant license at one location, was reported out with a due pass recommendation on a 14-1 vote. Substitute House Bill 2476, which narrows a proposal to remove the 120-seat-per-screen limit for spirits, beer, and wine theater licenses by restoring the cap except for theaters that admit only patrons 21 and older, was also reported out with a due pass recommendation on a 13-2 vote. The committee then adjourned.
WA
Washington 2025-2026 Regular Session
Senate Labor & Commerce Jan 19th, 2026
Transcript Highlights:
- A non-compete is void and unenforceable unless the employer complies with certain restrictions.
- An employer may not restrict space must not exceed three calendar days.
- An employer may not restrict an employee who's earning less than twice the minimum wage from having an
- State law also prohibits a franchisor from restricting franchisees from soliciting or hiring employees
- Non-competition agreements not only restrict professionals, but punish those who are simply trying to
Summary:
The Senate Labor and Commerce Committee heard testimony on several bills. SB 6152 would add physical and occupational therapists as attending providers in workers’ compensation claims. Supporters said it would reduce delays, improve access to care, and speed return to work; opponents, including the Washington State Medical Association, retail and business groups, and L&I, raised concerns about diagnosis, scope of practice, network enrollment, implementation time, and the $1.9 million fiscal note from accident and medical aid accounts. The committee also heard SB 5437, which would prohibit non-compete agreements and clarify non-solicitation rules. The sponsor and labor and physician groups supported ending non-competes as anti-competitive and harmful to worker mobility, while business, banking, and clinic representatives argued non-competes protect investments, confidential information, and patient/customer relationships and asked for narrower changes.
The committee then heard SB 6058, which would give L&I discretion over whether to investigate wage complaints and would toll civil statutes of limitation when a complaint is filed. The sponsor said it would better match agency resources, and testimony was entirely supportive. SB 5944 would require language access provider compensation bargaining to include missed or canceled appointments and make CBAs prevail over conflicting agency policies; the sponsor and union representatives said it would create consistency across agencies, with no opposition testimony. SB 6039 would modernize L&I communications by allowing electronic notices while preserving a non-electronic option; supporters called it a permissive modernization, while worker advocates warned email could be missed and could burden vulnerable workers, though L&I said the bill preserves choice and has no fiscal impact.
Finally, the committee heard SB 6117, which would place workers and employers not covered by the NLRA under PERC jurisdiction if federal law no longer applies, with card-check and secret-ballot procedures and interest arbitration provisions. Supporters said it would create a state backstop if federal labor enforcement fails and protect workers’ organizing rights; opponents from agriculture, business, and small business groups warned it was too broad, could sweep in agriculture and small businesses, and could weaken secret-ballot protections and disrupt harvest operations. The sponsor closed by saying the bill is intended to create a clear framework where federal jurisdiction is absent. No votes or executive actions were taken in the hearing.