Transcript Highlights:

• Chairman, for taking me first. That's exactly what this does.
• My first piece of legislation was SCR 8 back in 2023.
• Chairman, for taking me first. That's exactly what this does.
• My first piece of legislation was SCR 8 back in 2023.
• Chairman, members, before you is House Bill 891 by our first... Mr.

Bills: SB2 , SB40 , SB50 , SB55 , SB69 , SB96 , SB101 , SB103 , SB104 , SB159 , SB160 , SB182

Committee: House Transportation, Highways & Public Works

Keywords: highway designation, Pointe Coupee Parish, Falcons Band, signage, local recognition, emergency vehicles, traffic safety, road regulations, vehicles on highways, vehicle procedures, memorial bridge, designate, public signage, Louisiana Highway 315, Terrebonne Parish, seat belt, safety belt, motor vehicles, vehicle restraint, driver safety

Summary: The House Transportation Committee met on March 11 with a quorum present and heard a series of specialty license plate bills. Committee members were reminded to turn off cell phones and testimony cards were explained. Several Department of Public Safety and Corrections/Office of Motor Vehicles amendments were adopted across the bills to require OMV to create plates only when statutory conditions are met and its electronic registration system is updated. HB 801 by Rep. Rhett Martinez created a classic black specialty license plate, with revenue directed to state police high-speed pursuit training. Members discussed the bill’s connection to a fatal high-speed chase in Martinez’s district and the need for better training and technology for law enforcement. The committee adopted amendments, including a change from “holding” to Zachary, and reported the bill favorably with amendments. HB 891 by Rep. Jacob Landry created wildlife/conservation specialty plates and adjusted revenue distribution to support Quail Forever, Ducks Unlimited, and the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries conservation fund. Testimony from Ducks Unlimited and Quail Forever emphasized habitat work, fundraising leverage, and conservation partnerships; the bill was reported with amendments after some questioning about waterfowl management and habitat projects. HB 587 by Rep. Dickerson created a PANS/PANDAS specialty plate to raise awareness and return money to the general fund. The bill was supported by testimony from Caitlin Jafreda, who described her daughter’s sudden onset illness, the difficulty of diagnosis, and how insurance coverage for IVIG treatment had recently helped another family. The committee also heard HB 331 by Rep. Mack for a Louisiana GOP specialty plate, HB 629 by Rep. Lyons for the Crew of Athena, and HB 428 by Rep. Baham for an LSU baseball national champions plate recognizing the 2023 and 2025 College World Series teams. All were amended and reported favorably. Rep. Walters voluntarily deferred HB 129, HB 130, and HB 854, and the committee adjourned after Rep. Broussard moved to adjourn.

Transcript Highlights:

• First, we'll have a five- to ten-minute opening statement from the nominee.
• First question was, will you be forthright and honest in your answers to the committee?
• The first, really high or really low.
• It always, of course, is consumer first, right?
• It always, of course, is consumer first, right?

Committee: Senate Director Nominations

Keywords: 1182, all

Transcript Highlights:

• The first recommendation I'll speak about is from the State Auditor's civil asset forfeiture report.
• The first recommendation was to continue collaboration between the Health Care Authority and DSHS to
• But first, resilience is top of mind.
• First, courts assess fines on offenders.
• First, courts assess fines on offenders.

Committee: Joint JLARC I-900 Subcommittee for SAO Performance Audits

Summary: The Joint Legislative Audit and Review Committee I-900 Subcommittee heard JLARC’s annual update on the status of legislative implementation of State Auditor recommendations, followed by two State Auditor performance audits. JLARC staff reported that for the 2024 review period there were three new legislative recommendations and three unresolved older recommendations. They said the legislature did not convene a work group on civil asset forfeiture, and no formal action was taken on two water-use-efficiency recommendations. Two recommendations related to concurrent Medicaid enrollments were addressed in a bill introduced this session, but that bill was not adopted. The first audit examined how Washington can ensure climate-resilient electricity infrastructure. The State Auditor found the state has opportunities to better adapt new energy infrastructure by using more site-specific climate information, broader collaboration, and vulnerability assessments. The report recommended expanding climate analyses through the University of Washington Climate Impacts Group if funding is available, using forecasted information in DNR wildfire maps, designating a non-regulatory office to coordinate siting and conflict resolution, and expanding vulnerability assessments in Ecology and Commerce processes. Agency witnesses generally agreed resilience is important but emphasized existing efforts, the need to avoid duplicative requirements, the importance of affordability and efficiency, and the role of current forums such as the Clean Energy Siting Council and SEPA processes. The second audit reviewed fines for human trafficking and related sexual exploitation crimes. Auditors found courts assessed fines inconsistently, collection rates varied, some revenues were sent to the wrong local government, and some jurisdictions did not use the money as required for enforcement, prevention, or survivor services. The audit recommended courts work with prosecutors to improve awareness of mandatory fines, and that King and Pierce County improve coding, templates, and tracking so revenues are routed and used correctly. King County testified that it appreciated the audit and described its existing prevention and survivor-support work. The committee took no votes or formal actions and adjourned after the presentations and testimony.

Transcript Highlights:

• First, we must seek to simplify the delivery mechanism.
• Our first witness is Kyle Dreyfuss-Wells, In this role, Mrs. Dreyfuss, Ms.
• investments first, and similarly the cost of getting all the lead out is extraordinary.
• PFAS MCLs, we first look at their source water to see if they can change source water.
• My first question is for Mr. Goulet.

Committee: Senate Environment and Public Works Committee

Keywords: Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, water infrastructure, lead service lines, federal reauthorization, sustainability, cybersecurity

Summary: The meeting primarily focused on discussions surrounding the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA) and its implications for local water systems. Various witnesses highlighted the transformative impact of the bipartisan infrastructure law, which has provided an unprecedented amount of funding to help address long-standing issues in drinking water infrastructure, particularly concerning lead service line replacements and sustainability in water management. The discussions emphasized the urgent need for federal reauthorization to continue supporting these initiatives, as many rural and disadvantaged communities still face substantial barriers in upgrading their water systems. Additionally, cybersecurity risks were noted, raising concerns over the vulnerability of water systems across the nation.

Transcript Highlights:

• I just have to make sure you keep a voice first.
• As some of you may know, Florida created the first...
• First things first, before discussing these workgroups, findings and recommendations.
• First, there's a security remedy.
• The first relates to court-ordered non-binding arbitration.

Keywords: 999, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Uh first item if it's actually needed.
• So that's the first one there's no need. First, second one is efficacy.
• First, second one one there's no need. First, second one is<00:44:56.319><c> efficacy.
• So that's the first article.
• </c> So, um that's the first article. So, um that's the first article.

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Summary: The committee met as a special House committee on COVID response efficacy, noted absences, and restated its mission to review New Hampshire’s pandemic response, including federal guidance, federal funds, emergency use authorization vaccination efforts, long COVID treatment, patient bill of rights implementation, and vaccination policies. The main business was discussion of a proposed letter or report language concerning current COVID vaccine recommendations for young children, especially those under age two, and how to support any conclusions with cited scientific and state sources. Representative Polozov argued that the committee should ask the governor or agencies to reconsider current recommendations, saying the committee should focus on whether vaccination is needed for that age group, whether it is effective, and whether the risks outweigh the benefits. He said he had distributed articles and wanted the committee to pair its conclusions with scientific and statistical data. Other members asked him to identify the specific New Hampshire DHHS and American Academy of Pediatrics sources for the recommendation, clarify the age range being discussed, and separate any evidence about adverse effects in other age groups from the infant/toddler demographic so the letter would be transparent and not misleading. Members generally agreed the letter should be carefully sourced and refined, with citations for each claim. The chair said the committee would treat the request as urgent and try to finalize a version by the next meeting, noting that some members would be traveling. The committee also discussed scheduling additional testimony in September and October, possibly with extra meetings, to continue gathering evidence and to hear from witnesses. The chair then began reviewing supporting articles, including studies he said were new since the 2024 report, and introduced a 2025 South Korea cohort study and another 2025 Italian cohort study as examples of the evidence he wanted to incorporate into an updated 2026 report.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> to uh make the A19 amendment first. to uh make the A19 amendment first.
• Um first up, we have John Frawley, Um first up, we have John Frawley, followed<00:29:13.240><c> by</c
• Um first<00:53:36.360><c> will</c><00:53:36.520><c> be</c><00:53:36.840><c> Peter</c> first will be Peter
• I want to first thank you for members. I want to first thank you for your<01:00:19.560><c> service.
• I first want to just address really, well, let me address you first and then I'd like to address something

Committee: Senate Environment, Climate, and Legacy

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> pipeline first if we can. pipeline first if we can. &gt;&gt; Yeah.<00:16:02.399><c> Okay.
• </c> &gt;&gt; You sure you don't want to DM first? &gt;&gt; You sure you don't want to DM first?
• First up, we have the weight list.
• </c> and I'll yield to the Hawaiian first and I'll yield to the Hawaiian first chair. chair. chair.
• First of all, pass with amendments.

Committee: Senate Health and Human Services

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Summary: The committee heard testimony on several health-related measures, with most of the discussion focused on bills addressing tobacco/vape enforcement, psychology licensure, hospital price transparency, prior authorization, and medical cannabis. The chair opened by explaining the one-minute testimony limit and that written testimony had been reviewed. For SB 2175 on disposable electronic smoking devices, the Department of Health said the bill’s placement in litter-control law was not a good fit because disposable e-cigarettes contain hazardous materials like lithium and nicotine, but it supported the intent and pointed to a related measure. Public health and tobacco-control advocates strongly supported the bill, citing youth use, toxic waste, battery fires, and the need to tighten definitions and remove exemptions; a long list of organizations and individuals were noted in support, with no opposition mentioned. For SB 2410, which would create a state directory and enforcement tools for authorized e-cigarette products, the Attorney General’s office strongly supported the measure and said it would help enforce the FDA-authorized list of products through certification, inspections, and civil penalties. The Department of Health said thousands of illegal products remain on the market and cited youth usage rates, while public health groups also supported the bill. One tobacco industry-related witness was noted in opposition. SB 2080, the psychology interjurisdictional compact, drew support from the Department of Corrections, which said it had severe staffing shortages and that the compact would help fill gaps, especially for forensic psychology and neighbor island facilities. Some committee members raised concerns about whether the compact would loosen licensure standards and reduce licensing revenue, and the Board of Psychology was said to be meeting and had not taken a formal position; testimony also noted the need for resources if the compact were adopted. The committee also heard SB 2276 on surgical assistance, with DCCA in opposition and a supporter from the field, but little discussion followed. SB 2277 on hospital price transparency drew support from consumer and patient advocates, who argued that clearer pricing would reduce medical debt and help patients shop for care; DCCA and the Department of Health offered comments, with the department suggesting an alternative enforcement model using outside review entities and noting that implementation would require significant staffing and funding. The Healthcare Association of Hawaii opposed the bill, saying federal transparency rules already cover the issue and state law could create duplication. SB 2282 on prior authorization received comments from insurers and providers; HMSA asked that the bill be set aside pending the report of the prior authorization working group created by Act 151, while the Hawaii Medical Association said prior authorization is a major burden but deferred to regulators on resources. Finally, SB 2413 on medical cannabis was supported by the Office of Medical Cannabis and others, who said the bill would close a patient-access gap by allowing viable seed sales; one witness suggested clarifying jurisdictional language and allowing dispensaries to sell seeds to each other. The committee then began SB 2425 on health insurance, where an addiction treatment provider testified that insurers’ refusal to honor assignment-of-benefits payments can delay reimbursement and create relapse risk for patients, but the transcript cuts off before further action on that bill.

Transcript Highlights:

• Grant was born on April 27, 1822, had many ties to the state of Missouri, including his first posting
• His first commitment to the Civil War was to clean out a band of Confederate militia who burned the first
• While the battle is considered a draw, it established Grant as a first-rate commander who understood
• Frankie Muse Freeman was the first woman appointed to the U.S.
• Frankie Muse Freeman was the first woman appointed to the U.S. Commission on Civil Rights.

Committee: House Special Committee on Tourism

Keywords: 959, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I'd like to call the first bill to order. Um HB59, Representative Underwood, you're up.
• I'd like to call the first bill to order.
• I'd like to call the first bill to order. Um HB59, Representative Underwood, you're up.
• </c><00:02:23.760><c> Um</c> to call the first bill to order. Um to call the first bill to order.
• I first of all want to introduce Lethart, who's here with us.

Bills: HB59 , HB128 , HB59 , HB128

Committee: House Boards, Agencies and Commissions

Keywords: early voting, electoral participation, voting centers, Alabama elections, absentee ballot, HB128, Alabama Board of Nursing, Sunset Law, sunset review, nursing board, nurse licensure, registered nurse, RN, licensed practical nurse, LPN, advanced practice nursing, certified registered nurse anesthetist, CRNA, consumer member, board appointments

Transcript Highlights:

• First up, we'll have Representative G. Lombardo, HB 649. Representative G.
• First up, we have Dr. Mario Lopez, M.D. First up, we have Dr.
• certification of CRNAs, which are advanced practice nurses, who begin their anesthesia journey by first
• I know the first question you ask when you look at these bills is patient safety, and the answer is that
• I think after Labor Day is the best time because if you're in schools the first two weeks, some people

Summary: The Health Professions and Programs Subcommittee met with a quorum and heard two bills. HB 649 would remove the current written physician protocol requirement for certified registered nurse anesthetists, allowing CRNAs to practice autonomously. The sponsor and supporters argued the change would modernize Florida law, address anesthesia workforce shortages, keep graduates in the state, and improve access especially in rural areas; opponents, including the Florida Medical Association and a cardiologist, warned that physician oversight is important for patient safety and that anesthesia complications can arise quickly. After debate, the committee passed HB 649 favorably by a vote of 12 yeas and 6 nays. The committee then heard HB 723, which requires the Department of Health, working with school districts, to develop informational materials on early detection of type 1 diabetes and have schools notify parents within the first 30 school days about those materials. The sponsor said the goal is to help parents recognize warning signs earlier and avoid emergency diagnoses such as diabetic ketoacidosis, with minimal fiscal impact because the materials would be distributed digitally. Members generally supported the bill and discussed timing and distribution methods, suggesting the notice not get lost in back-to-school paperwork. HB 723 passed unanimously, 18 yeas and 0 nays, and was reported favorably.

Transcript Highlights:

• About half are first in their families to go to college, and half are eligible for federal Pell grants
• The second cohort had the highest first-time pass rate in the nation on their board exams.
• This latest cohort passed 100% first time. Again, number one in the nation.
• First is the restoration of institutional enhancement funding.
• Approximately 2/3 of our students are first-generation students like me, a product of first generation

Committee: House Appropriations - S/C on Article III

Transcript Highlights:

• About half are first in their families to go to college, and half are eligible for federal Pell grants
• The second cohort had the highest first-time pass rate. on their board exams.
• This latest cohort passed 100% first time, again, number one in the nation.
• First is the restoration of institutions. funding.
• And 56% are first-generation students. Our students come from all, from 140.

Committee: House Appropriations - S/C on Article III

Keywords: 1184, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Now, we move on to House messages first, then committee reports.
• Okay, first I want to do the resolution. That requires unanimous consent. Any objection?
• female mayor and its first woman of color to hold this esteemed office.
• Later that month, Huntsville became the first racially integrated city in Alabama.
• Secretary, please call the first bill.

Bills: SJR 2 , SB 4 , SJR 36 , SJR 2 , SB 4 , SR 42 , SR 74 , SR 76 , HCR 5 , SB 710 , SB 710

Keywords: SJR 2, Senate Joint Resolution 2, constitutional amendment, homestead exemption, property tax relief, school property tax, ad valorem tax, residence homestead, school district taxes, Texas Constitution Article VIII, public school finance, homeowner exemption, elderly exemption, senior tax relief, disabled exemption, tax year 2025, voter approval, November 2025 ballot, local government, Ways & Means

Transcript Highlights:

• Uh the first tax expenditures.
• </c><00:10:21.760><c> home</c> you're voting against first-time home you're voting against first-time
• </c><00:30:38.720><c> some</c><00:30:39.039><c> context</c> First, I wanted to provide some context First
• The first term is the estimated market value.
• :22:14.560><c> county</c> first, administrative burden for county first, administrative burden for county

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• First, relating to wildfire mitigation.
• first on SB2475 Testifying first on SB2475 is<00:19:19.360><c> the</c><00:19:19.520><c> border</c><00
• ><c> 2002</c> testifying first on SP 2002 testifying first on SP 2002 is<00:32:23.600><c> uh</c><00:32
• </c> be state agencies first, my apologies. be state agencies first, my apologies.
• The first is eligibility criteria.

Committee: Senate Public Safety and Military Affairs

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Summary: The joint committees heard testimony on several measures. SB 2723, which would designate April 27 as State Sheriff’s Day, was supported by the Department of Law Enforcement and a long-serving sheriff, who described the historical roots of Hawaii’s sheriffs in the Kingdom of Hawaii and said the bill would recognize that legacy. HGA submitted written comments, and there was no opposition or vote taken on the measure during the excerpt. The committees then heard SB 17 on wildfire mitigation. The Public Utilities Commission, DLNR, the State Fire Council, OPSD, the Attorney General’s office, and Kamehameha Schools all testified, mostly in support of the bill’s intent but with suggested amendments. Several witnesses said the bill should better define the working group’s structure, staffing, and funding, and the Attorney General noted constitutional concerns about placing the group outside a principal department and pointed out possible overlap with Acts 302 and 303 from the prior year. Committee members questioned whether SB 17 duplicated earlier wildfire legislation, and witnesses generally said it did not directly conflict but overlapped with existing efforts. On SB 2358, which would require reimbursement for search-and-rescue costs when people leave trails and enter closed areas, the State Fire Council and the Hawaii SAR Alliance testified in opposition or caution, arguing that reimbursement could deter people from calling for help and that Hawaii’s SAR system still has structural and administrative gaps. A committee member asked whether other jurisdictions had used similar measures without discouraging rescues; the Fire Council said Kauai has a similar law but it has not resulted in invoices being sent. No action was taken in the excerpt. The final measure discussed was SB 2475 on Red Hill remediation funding and reimbursement from the Department of Defense. The Board of Water Supply, DLNR, and other testifiers supported the bill, emphasizing the need for long-term research, monitoring, and cleanup, while also noting the unique groundwater conditions and the importance of keeping the funds focused on Red Hill contamination response. Committee members asked about existing federal and state funding, whether the state had received any direct federal money, and what would happen if reimbursement is not obtained. DLNR said it was still working through the reimbursement mechanism and that some federal funding had gone to the Red Hill registry, but not directly to the state for this purpose.

Transcript Highlights:

• We have a question from Representative Munson first.
• This bill does suggest $10 million that would be available on a first-come, first-serve approach, with
• First, the board removed the former administrator, First, the board removed the former administrator
• But the first step in an appeal process That's something to be prepared for, but the first step in an
• We've got to bring it back first. Yeah, we've got to bring it back first.

Bills: HB1623

Committee: Joint Appropriations

Keywords: HB 1623, North Dakota, rural health, rural health transformation program, medical facility infrastructure loan fund, medical facility infrastructure loan program, rural health loan program, Bank of North Dakota, Department of Health and Human Services, HHS, federal grant, health care infrastructure, rural hospitals, critical access hospitals, nonprofit health care providers, gap financing, loan fund, public health funding, healthcare financing, Medicaid

Summary: The committee first heard House Bill 1624, the “Universal Lunch Bill,” from Rep. Mike Nathie. He argued the proposal should be placed in Century Code rather than the Constitution so future legislatures can adjust it if state finances tighten, and said the bill would start the program a year earlier with a $65 million appropriation for one school year. DPI testified that the estimate did not include nonpublic schools that do not participate, and members questioned the impact on Title I, free-and-reduced applications, private-school accountability, breakfast mandates for schools that do not currently serve breakfast, and whether the funding could come from the DPI budget or other sources. Supporters, including North Dakota United, the North Dakota Catholic Conference, a pediatrician, and the American Heart Association, said universal meals improve student health and learning, reduce family costs, and are better handled in statute than by constitutional amendment. No opposition testimony was offered, and the chair closed the hearing for later work-session action. The committee then took up House Bill 1627, introduced by Rep. Tye Dressler, which would raise the income threshold for the state-funded school lunch program from 225% to 300% of poverty, with an estimated cost of about $7 million for 2026-27. Dressler said the bill is intended as a targeted, budget-friendly alternative to the ballot measure and emphasized that the state should maximize federal meal dollars while improving participation in the current program. Members questioned whether raising the threshold would actually increase utilization, whether a dollar amount would be clearer than a percentage, and how the change would affect federal reimbursements and application rates. DPI said it could quickly calculate additional percentage levels, and the chair closed the hearing, directing DPI to prepare more numbers for the work session. Finally, the committee opened Senate Bill 2403, presented by Sen. Schiable, to create a short-term bridge-loan program for financially distressed hospitals, centered on Jacobson Memorial Hospital in Elgin. The bill would authorize up to $5 million per loan, with a $10 million appropriation available on a first-come, first-served basis, and would run only through June 30, 2027. Schiable said the hospital’s debt and operating problems threaten local health care, ambulance service, and the community’s economy, and that the proposal was designed narrowly with Bank of North Dakota review to avoid creating a broad precedent. Committee members asked whether the appropriation could be reduced and whether the bank would still apply commercial feasibility and repayment standards; Schiable said yes, the bank would still evaluate the loan and could reject it if it was not sound.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:05:16.720><c> 50</c> we'll just take say the first 50 we'll just take say the first 50 applicants
• </c> provides uh their first job. provides uh their first job.
• </c><01:03:35.880><c> So,</c> because this is their first job. So, because this is their first job.
• </c> their first uh paycheck. their first uh paycheck.
• First, check my emails, the office.

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• So I'm going to first invite Mr.
• So I'm going to first invite Mr.
• The first is the birthright actions.
• So the first is that the history.
• </c> first amendment activity. first amendment activity.

Keywords: 910, house, all

Summary: The committee held an informational briefing on federal and state authority over National Guard deployment in response to civil protest or unrest, prompted by recent federal actions and the California litigation in Newsom v. Trump. The chair explained the purpose was to help lawmakers and the public understand the legal background, the status of the California case, and possible Hawaii policy responses. David Day of the Attorney General’s office outlined several recent federal immigration-related executive actions and enforcement directives, then described Hawaii’s participation in multiple lawsuits challenging federal funding conditions, data-sharing demands, and the birthright citizenship order. A major portion of the briefing focused on Newsom v. Trump. Day summarized the June 2025 Los Angeles protests and the president’s memorandum federalizing National Guard units under 10 U.S.C. 12406, which California challenged as ultra vires, procedurally improper, and violative of the Posse Comitatus Act, the Tenth Amendment, and the APA. He said the district court initially granted relief, but the Ninth Circuit stayed the TRO and held, in a published decision, that review under section 12406 is highly deferential and that the president lawfully exercised authority under paragraph 3. He also noted California-law issues about orders being issued through the governor, and said Hawaii had supported California through amicus briefs and would continue to do so; the bench trial was scheduled for August 11-13. Members then asked how Hawaii law differs from California’s and whether the Ninth Circuit ruling would control here. Day said the standard-of-review aspects would likely apply, but the California-specific procedural language about orders issued in the governor’s name does not appear in Hawaii law. The committee also heard from Colonel Lloyd C. Phelps of the Hawaii Department of Defense, who explained that National Guard activations generally occur under Title 10 federal orders, state orders, or other statuses, and said the June 2025 federalization mechanism was a Title 10 call-up. He began addressing the president’s authority, the Posse Comitatus Act, and Hawaii’s own preparedness, but the discussion was cut short and members indicated they would return to the topic later. No votes were taken.

Transcript Highlights:

• First on the agenda, we have HB 989 relating to plans.
• </c> HD1 relating to child performers first HD1 relating to child performers first to<00:38:10.839><c
• </c><00:41:47.640><c> part</c> account laws so which is the first part account laws so which is the first
• So that would be the first step.
• </c> to HB 478 relating to employment first to HB 478 relating to employment first to<00:44:26.440><c

Committee: House Labor

Keywords: 910, house, all