Transcript Highlights:

• It is aimed at commercial and larger-scale projects where these payment games are most commonly played
• also the GCs and the subcontractors that operate in the private market, specifically the private commercial
• Representative Castile, about this bill being targeted for commercial and large-scale projects, for people
• merit shop and 90% nationally, and they're the ones who are building mostly infrastructure and commercial
• Our main concern is that these are privately negotiated contracts on commercial enterprises, and now

Committee: House Joint Committee on Rural Economic Development

Summary: The committee first met in executive session and voted several bills do pass. House Bill 2409 was approved 14-0, House Bill 2654 was approved 15-0, and House Bill 2747 was approved after adoption of a House committee amendment and substitute, also by a 14-0 vote. The committee then moved into public hearing on House Bill 1915, which would regulate payment practices in private construction contracts. Representative David Castile, the sponsor, said the bill was intended to ensure timely payment to contractors, subcontractors, and suppliers, limit abusive contract clauses, and require written notice before withholding payment. He emphasized that it was aimed at larger private projects and not owner-occupied residential work. Testimony on HB 1915 was mixed. Supporters, including electrical, mechanical, and subcontractor associations, said delayed payment is common, especially for smaller firms, and argued the bill would improve cash flow and reduce the need for liens. Opponents, including general contractors and home builders, said the bill as filed was too restrictive, especially the seven-day downstream payment deadline and the limits on withholding and termination rights, and warned it could increase costs and burden small builders. Several witnesses said they were working with the sponsor on a committee substitute to more closely mirror Missouri’s public prompt pay law and to clarify the residential exemption. The committee then heard House Bill 2151, which would raise income eligibility limits for the Fast Track Workforce Incentive Grant from $40,000 to $50,000 for single filers and from $80,000 to $100,000 for joint filers. Representative Travis Wilson said the change was meant to reflect inflation and expand access for adults changing careers, apprentices, and other eligible students. Supporters from community colleges, chambers of commerce, and workforce groups said the program is working well, is budgeted, and helps fill workforce needs; one witness cited strong completion and retention rates among recipients. No opposition was presented, and the hearing concluded with adjournment of the committee.

Transcript Highlights:

• The rule promulgated under the Missouri Merchandising Practices Act requires commercial pornographic
• Under Missouri's rule, any commercial website or platform with one-third or more pornographic content
• It goes on and says in subpart three that any person or commercial entity covered by this chapter that
• And then there's also the proposal that a notice would be at the bottom of every page on the commercial
• if you will, to a third party. ...to accomplish that, but also provides that the entity or the commercial

Committee: House Children and Families

Keywords: 959, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• report to the legislature summarizing specific safety-related information for general aviation and commercial
• requesting the Department of Transportation to share information on the safety and performance of commercial
• requesting the Department of Transportation to share information on the safety and performance of commercial
• 16.720><c> from</c> uh and solicit voluntary responses from uh and solicit voluntary responses from commercial
• tour operators uh with with commercial tour operators uh with with respect<00:22:20.000><c> to</c><00

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Summary: The joint Transportation and Culture and the Arts and Education committees heard STR 1117 and SR 98, which urge the Department of Education, Department of Transportation, and Hawaii County to inventory bus stops used by children on Hawaii Island and develop safety improvements. DOE testified that routes are based on student locations, families must register riders, and access is complicated by county roads and privately owned or HOA-managed roads; members noted the need to focus on the most affected areas and on safety rather than just counting stops. The committees recommended both resolutions be passed with amendments, including adding the Safe Routes to School Advisory Committee and technical changes, and both measures were adopted by vote. The Transportation and Culture and the Arts committee then heard several resolutions on international relationships and transportation safety. STR 196/SR 76 supporting broader ties with Norway, STR 197/SR 77 supporting broader ties with Sweden, and STR 195/SR 175 supporting broader ties with Sweden all moved forward; testimony generally favored learning from those countries, and the committee adopted amendments to add collaboration language and, in the Norway measure, a reference to prisons and criminal justice. The committee also heard STR 181/SR 51 on lowering the blood alcohol limit from 0.08 to 0.05; the Hawaii Alcohol Policy Alliance supported the measure and suggested adding flexibility for the DOT director to appoint additional working group members. The committee amended the resolution to broaden the working group and direct it to examine data, impacts, and implementation issues, then adopted it. On later agendas, the committee approved CR 12/SR 8 recognizing International Dark Sky Week with amendments to create a task force on light pollution and dark skies. It also passed CR 180/SR 150, which would have DOT report on commercial tour operator safety and performance, after amending it to clarify the purpose, require online public information, involve the NTSB, and create a transparency/scoring framework. STR 150 on subsidizing waterborne cargo transport was also passed with technical amendments. Finally, STR 222/SR 197 on towing companies having on-site ATMs was amended into a task force proposal led by the Office of Consumer Protection, and the committee adopted that recommendation. In each case, the chair’s recommendation was to pass with amendments or, for one Sweden measure, pass unamended, and the votes were unanimous with no recorded opposition.

Transcript Highlights:

• Madam Whip, members, as passed by the House, House Bill 2133 requires any commercial entity that knowingly
• The Senate amended the bill by modifying verification requirements for commercial entities, removing
• the prohibition against a commercial entity retaining any personally identifying information, removing

Keywords: 1182, all

Summary: The Republican caucus reviewed several House bills with Senate amendments and discussed whether sponsors would concur or refuse. HB 2003 would lower the minimum age for an instruction permit from 15 and a half to 15 and extend permit validity periods, but the sponsor refused concurrence because the bill did not grandfather in applicants in the transition period, so the measure will go to conference committee. HB 2013, dealing with ADEQ exceptional event demonstrations for large wildfires on federally managed land, had Senate changes narrowing the wildfire threshold and impact criteria; the sponsor was reported to concur. HB 2133, which would require consent verification for online sexual material, drew a refusal from the sponsor due to a circular definition and an unintended entity being included, also prompting further fixes. HB 2226, concerning court inquiry into veteran status and referrals to veterans’ services, and HB 2693, revising bona fide association qualifications and adding a health insurance feasibility study, were both reported as having sponsor concurrence. HB 2032, which changes the statewide assessment testing window and reporting dates, also had sponsor concurrence after the Senate extended the testing window and adjusted the start date restriction.

Transcript Highlights:

• Madam Whip, members, as passed by the House, House Bill 2133 requires any commercial entity that knowingly
• The Senate amended the bill by modifying verification requirements for commercial entities, removing
• the prohibition against a commercial entity retaining any personally identifying information, removing

Summary: The Republican caucus reviewed several House bills with Senate amendments and asked whether sponsors would concur or refuse. On HB 2003, which lowers the age for an instruction permit and extends permit validity periods, the sponsor refused concurrence because of an oversight affecting people in the transition period, and the bill was headed to conference committee. On HB 2013, dealing with ADEQ duties related to wildfire smoke and damage from federally managed land, the sponsor was reported to concur with the Senate changes. HB 2133, concerning consent verification for online sexual material, was not concurred with because the sponsor said the definition of sexual material was circular and the bill also swept in an unintended entity, so further fixes were needed. The caucus also heard that the sponsor concurred on HB 2226, which requires courts to inquire about veteran status and provide information on veterans’ services, after the Senate clarified that the court—not the prosecuting agency—must provide the information. HB 2693, revising the definition of a bona fide association, had a Senate amendment requiring a feasibility study on state employee and public school district employee health insurance plans, and the sponsor concurred. HB 2032, which changes the statewide assessment testing window and reporting timeline, also had sponsor concurrence after the Senate lengthened the testing window and delayed its start. No votes were taken in the caucus; the discussion focused on concurrence decisions and whether bills would proceed to conference committee or advance with the Senate amendments.

Transcript Highlights:

• The House bill relative to the inclusion of commercial fishermen as a designated vocation for affordable
• The House bill relative to the inclusion of commercial fishermen as a designated vocation for affordable
• An act relative to the inclusion of commercial fishermen as a designated vocation for affordable and

Keywords: 1212, all

Transcript Highlights:

• business development across New Mexico, including awarding grant funds for early stage companies, commercializing
• Um, they're commercializing science, uh, out of the University of New Mexico, um, combating, uh, mosquito-borne
• This company fully intended to commercialize this New Mexico-born innovation elsewhere in Florida specifically

Transcript Highlights:

• If commercial property rises greater than 15 percent of physical inspection.
• If commercial property rises greater than 15%, a physical inspection of that property must be taken.
• Currently, residential property, we all have that assurance, and it's in statute now, but commercial
• So we're moving that assurance to the commercial property folks that if their assessment goes up more
• This one puts some similar guardrails into commercial property, simply saying that you can't make that

Keywords: 959, house, all

Summary: The House convened with prayer and the Pledge of Allegiance, then approved the House Journal for February 10, 2026 by roll call vote, 120-0. Members then used personal privilege and guest introductions to recognize fraternity members, students, advocacy groups, and other visitors. One member delivered remarks honoring Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, and another gave a personal statement about a cousin who died in a domestic violence-related murder-suicide, followed by a moment of silence. The main floor action focused on House Committee Substitute for House Bills 2780 and 2668, a major property tax reform package. The sponsor described the bill as a broad effort to stabilize Missouri’s property tax system after extensive statewide hearings and testimony. The bill and amendments addressed issues including clearer ballot language for tax measures, moving tax-related ballot questions to November general elections, prohibiting “no tax increase” ballot descriptions, standardizing ballot wording, changes to assessed valuation and inspection rules, quarterly tax payment options in some counties, and a fix to a CPI-related provision. Members debated the size and scope of the bill, concerns about local control, election timing, voter fatigue, and possible litigation. Amendments were adopted to narrow the title, add clear ballot language, exempt township counties from the election timing requirement, and remove duplicative language. After the previous question was ordered, the committee substitute as amended was adopted and ordered perfected and printed. The House also perfected House Bill 1917, a Jefferson County-specific water district bill. Supporters said it would allow detachment of a ratepayer from a water district under certain conditions so a large manufacturing project could proceed, describing the district’s demands as obstructive to economic development. The bill passed committee unanimously and was ordered perfected and printed after discussion about the federal loan issue, the district’s refusal to cooperate, and whether the measure should be limited to one district or expanded later. The chamber then moved to announcements, including upcoming committee meetings, a property tax issues presentation by FFA students, birthday wishes, and a recess until 2 p.m.

Transcript Highlights:

• These advances and discoveries have driven commercial development, spawned new industries, and ensured
• as I mentioned in my opening statement, the number of advances we've had has changed America's commercial
• These are things that are not commercially viable on their own, but have improved the science of the
• There are any number of regulatory and commercial hurdles to commercialization of nuclear, all of which
• And we will not be able to meet the commercial demand. of our companies if we don't ensure that there

Committee: Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee

Keywords: nuclear energy, permitting process, energy production, public lands, national parks, uranium imports, legislative bills, infrastructure development

Summary: The committee meeting was dominated by discussions on a variety of legislative bills including major topics such as nuclear energy advancement, the effects of regulatory hurdles on energy production, and proposals to improve national park staffing and maintenance. Members expressed concerns over the federal government's handling of uranium imports and the necessity for maintaining a robust domestic nuclear supply chain. Efforts to streamline permitting processes to facilitate more efficient energy project development were also a focal point, alongside public testimony from stakeholders in the energy and environmental sectors. The meeting highlighted the urgent need for infrastructure development to meet rising energy demands while addressing climate change impacts.

Transcript Highlights:

• ><c> fire,</c><00:54:10.320><c> it</c> After a recent commercial fire, it After a recent commercial fire
• </c> developing residential and commercial developing residential and commercial areas<01:25:46.960><
• Nearly 20% of traffic is heavy commercial vehicles.
• vehicles. of traffic is heavy commercial vehicles.
• </c><01:42:35.600><c> and</c> pressure for new commercial and pressure for new commercial and industrial

Committee: Senate Transportation

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• This middle stage is so incredibly important because without it, this commercial growth does not happen
• </c> this commercial growth does not happen. this commercial growth does not happen.
• technology</c> um initiative that supports technology um initiative that supports technology commercialization
• </c><00:10:32.560><c> And</c><00:10:32.800><c> the</c> commercialization as well.
• And the commercialization as well.

Keywords: Meeting Start 00:00:00 Roll Call 00:00:08 Infrastructure Grant Program 00:00:45 SB 76 Discussion 00:25:50 SB 76 Vote 00:31:55, 958, all

Summary: The committee met without a quorum at first, so it began with an informational presentation from Dr. Kristen Goodell, executive director of LifeKY, about innovation infrastructure and a proposed grant program to support life sciences and other startup facilities. She argued that Kentucky’s research investments only translate into jobs and companies if startups have access to physical lab and equipment space, and said shared facilities can serve many companies over time. Goodell described LifeKY’s Northern Kentucky facility as a proof of concept, noting it has attracted companies from other states and Japan, secured a Thermo Fisher Scientific partnership, and could be replicated elsewhere in the Commonwealth. Members asked about university pipelines, local talent development, sustainability, and how the grant program would measure return on investment; Goodell emphasized public-private partnerships, earned revenue, philanthropy, internships, and STEM programming as part of the model. The committee then took up Senate Bill 76, sponsored by Senator Bledsoe, which would limit school board occupational license tax increases by raising the population threshold for such increases from 300,000 to 500,000. Bledsoe said the bill was intended to respond to Fayette County’s recent tax controversy, restore public trust, and provide stability for employees, employers, and the school system. He argued that occupational taxes affect many commuters who work in Fayette County but live elsewhere, and said the measure would give time for community buy-in before any future increase. Supportive comments came from Senator Nunn and others, while Senator Boswell asked about the tax rate and cautioned against local tax increases offsetting state income tax reductions. After discussion, the committee called the roll on SB 76. The bill advanced on a roll-call vote, with Senator Armstrong explaining a no vote because he did not want to take tools away from local government and preferred local control. The transcript indicates the measure moved forward from committee after the vote.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> item SP2896 SD1 relating to commercial item SP2896 SD1 relating to commercial driver's<02:23:08.479
• Prohibits a commercially in the state.
• </c><02:23:22.560><c> approved</c><02:23:22.880><c> commercial</c> outside of a state approved commercial
• </c> has to be enrolled in commercial has to be enrolled in commercial driver's<02:24:31.520><c> education
• SB 2896 SD1, related to commercial driver's license.

Keywords: 910, house, all

Summary: The committee heard SB 2694 SD2, which would authorize the Public Utilities Commission to create automatic adjustment mechanisms for water carriers, including a water carrier inflationary cost index, and to waive certain requirements under the Hawaii Water Carrier Act. Testimony was sharply divided. The Department of Transportation, Young Brothers, and several shipping, harbor, labor, and business-related supporters argued the bill would modernize regulation, reduce the need for large catch-up rate cases, and help keep rates aligned with rising costs. Young Brothers said its current rate-setting process is expensive and delayed, and that annual adjustments with guardrails such as a 5% cap and periodic full reviews would support sustainable operations and the state’s supply chain. Some supporters also said the company’s less-than-container-load service and required inter-island routes create costs that are not fully covered by current rates. Opponents, including the Consumer Advocate, the Maui Chamber of Commerce, Hawaii Food Industry Association, restaurant and chamber groups, and other businesses, argued the bill would lead to higher costs for consumers and businesses and should not move forward. Several testified that shipping costs already significantly affect pricing and that automatic increases would worsen the cost of living. The Consumer Advocate said Young Brothers should focus on cost control and implementing its business plan rather than automatic rate increases. The Maui Chamber and others pointed to a recent PUC decision that imposed a two-year stay on rate increases and said the bill would undermine that protection. Some opponents urged the committee to defer to the PUC’s regulatory authority. The PUC explained that it regulates water carriers as public utilities under existing statute and said it had recently approved a temporary rate increase while imposing a two-year stayout period on further increases, with emergency relief still possible. PUC members said they were still examining whether they have authority to adopt the proposed WICI mechanism by rule and wanted legislative clarity. In response to questions, the PUC said it prefers the current two-year stayout as reflected in its order. Young Brothers also clarified that it serves less-than-container-load cargo, that some routes and services are cross-subsidized because they are not profitable, and that an independent observer is being put in place to monitor implementation of its updated business plan. The transcript ended with the committee still taking questions; no final vote or disposition on the bill was shown.

Transcript Highlights:

• I can tell you with certainty it's not up to the child, the income of their parents, or the zip code
• parents or the child the income of their parents or the<01:41:58.800><c> zip</c><01:41:59.040><c> code
• their</c><01:41:59.760><c> parents</c><01:42:00.159><c> choose</c><01:42:00.400><c> to</c> the zip code
• their parents choose to the zip code their parents choose to live<01:42:00.719><c> in</c><01:42:01.440
• Education should be a great equalizer, but all too often it's tied to zip codes or income levels.

Committee: Senate Education

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• , you know, they happen um commercials, you know, they happen um especially<01:38:27.920><c> during</
• have people who are not sworn officers of the state or a subdivision being executing the criminal code
• We decided that that study committee was necessary because looking at the code in its entirety, it's
• </c><02:25:31.359><c> in</c> because looking at the that the code in because looking at the that the
• code in its<02:25:32.040><c> entirety,</c> its entirety, its entirety, it's<02:25:34.560><c> been</c>

Committee: Senate Judiciary

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• is, you know, under current law, if you're going to drive, of course, if you're going to drive a commercial
• vehicle, a truck, you need to have a commercial vehicle license, right, the CDL. and what?
• A commercial vehicle license, right, the CDL.

Committee: Senate Transportation

Keywords: 989, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Washington's share of aerospace industry employment was significantly impacted by changes in non-commercial
• There's defense versus commercial, whereas... And there's other sectors in aerospace.
• There's defense versus commercial, whereas increases in defense outside of Washington State should not
• be looked at badly if commercial growth is growing in Washington State because that's the majority of

Summary: The House Finance Committee held public hearings on two bills. HB 2730 would clarify how JLARC evaluates the effectiveness of existing aerospace tax preferences by requiring a rolling five-year comparison of Washington aerospace employment with other states and asking JLARC to consider broader aerospace-sector changes and economic conditions. The prime sponsor and labor testifiers said the bill would add needed clarity and accountability for major tax investments supporting aerospace jobs. A committee question raised whether JLARC would be directed to make recommendations for improving the incentive, and staff and the sponsor said the bill does not specifically require that. HB 2713 would impose a 1% B&O tax surcharge, beginning July 1, 2026, on operators of private detention facilities with more than $1 million in annual Washington gross receipts. The sponsor said the bill is intended to respond to harms associated with private detention and to help fund services and legal support for affected families and communities. A remote testifier urged a much higher surtax on GEO Group, which operates the Northwest Detention Center, while county representatives testified that the bill as written could unintentionally apply to Martin Hall, a juvenile facility in Spokane County that is publicly governed and operated day-to-day by a nonprofit contractor. They asked for an exemption for Martin Hall, and the sponsor said that inclusion of nonprofits was not intended and that she would work with them on amendments. No votes were taken on either bill. The committee closed testimony on HB 2730 and HB 2713 and then adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• This rule covers three subchapters that address businesses registering or licensing commercial feeds,
• Beginning on page 141, subchapter A, commercial feed, here you'll see the updated reference to the American
• Subchapter A, commercial feed.
• and then clarify that registrants are not exempt from other sections of subchapter A or the Idaho commercial

Committee: House Agricultural Affairs

Keywords: 989, all

Transcript Highlights:

• deprivation of the beneficial use of real property engaged in agriculture or natural resource-based commercial
• The beneficial use of real property engaged in agriculture or natural resource-based commercial activities
• deprivation of the beneficial use of real property engaged in agriculture or natural resource-based commercial
• . the beneficial use of real property engaged in agriculture or natural resource-based commercial activities

Summary: The Senate Agriculture and Natural Resources Committee held an executive session on a series of bills and a joint memorial. Staff summarized measures on agricultural marketing (SB 5816, adding juice grapes), Board of Natural Resources membership and tribal representation (SB 5838), irrigation district hiring exemptions (SB 5930), ungulate population management and predator mitigation (SB 5960), a green fertilizer incentive program (SB 5971), mitigation grants for landowners (SB 6075), tribal participation in the Conservation Futures Program (SB 6097), agricultural impact statements and related protections for farmland (SB 6104), timber sale process modernization (SB 6216), increased wildlife penalty assessments for covered species trade (SB 6233), shellfish licensing and biotoxin fee caps (SB 6318), and a federal wildfire response memorial (SJM 8015). Several bills had proposed substitutes or amendments, including competing changes to SB 5838 and SB 5960, but some items were ultimately set aside with no action. The committee adopted a substitute for SB 5971 and advanced it to Ways and Means. It also adopted a substitute for SB 6097 and sent it to Rules. SB 5816, SB 6216, SB 6233, SB 6318, and SJM 8015 all received due pass recommendations, with SB 5971 and SB 6318 referred onward to Ways and Means. SB 5838 was debated at length over tribal representation on the Board of Natural Resources; amendments to require forest-management expertise or alternate east/west representation were rejected, and the proposed substitute was approved and passed. SB 6233 drew comments about possible unintended consequences, but the bill passed. The committee took no action on SB 5930, SB 5960, SB 6075, and SB 6104. The chair later confirmed that every bill on the executive session agenda had either been moved forward or dropped from the agenda. The meeting ended with the chair thanking staff and members for getting through the last committee meeting before the policy cutoff, and the committee adjourned subject to signature of the boards.

Transcript Highlights:

• This hourly rate includes their pay, their retirement, the benefits, and then we provide their uniform
• And then, as I said, the uniforms as well.

Summary: The meeting focused on integrated employment and related services for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities, with testimony from several provider agencies and state officials. Robin Arder and Belinda Stevens of ThinkAbility described how their organization supports people through residential services and self-created businesses because community employers often are not ready to hire people with disabilities. They said rigid service rules, difficulty fitting individuals into existing job definitions, and reimbursement requirements can prevent person-centered employment supports. They also reported that, in their experience, employees had not lost benefits when work was coordinated carefully with Social Security and benefits management. Tina Hannah of South Central Industries described a broad business model that includes manufacturing, janitorial and highway contracts, state-use products, a food truck, and an entertainment trailer, along with an adult day program and residential services. She said the organization uses a temp-service style model to make employers more comfortable and noted barriers such as employer concerns about productivity, lack of awareness of tax credits and accessibility resources, and the need for consistent job coaches. Miranda Figueroa of A New Leaf said her agency is moving toward a more person-centered model, including a Transition Academy for young adults that combines independent living instruction, community college classes, internships, and follow-along support; she said the program has an 85% placement rate but is expensive and not eligible for traditional student aid because it is not accredited. She also cited barriers including dual diagnoses, workforce readiness, and low reimbursement rates. Angela Decker and Deborah Copeland of DRTC described their long-running enclave contracts and a new Community Skills and Connection program that uses interest-based cohorts, community exploration, and volunteer experiences to build skills and networks tied to employment. They said the agency is phasing out its 14(c) subminimum wage certificate by the end of the year and is trying to expand community-based opportunities. DRTC and other providers emphasized the need to blend DDS and DRS services more effectively, reduce restrictive rules such as line-of-sight requirements, and better support people in congregate living settings. DRS representatives said the agency does provide school-based transition services, employer accommodations, and job carving support, and noted federal reporting requirements tied to wage outcomes. Members also discussed safety concerns, employer education, data collection, ABLE accounts, and the role of schools in preparing students for work and community life. The co-chairs proposed organizing the task force into three working groups: in-school/transition services, program support and service blending, and community integration/employer engagement. No votes were taken, and the meeting ended with plans for further working-group discussion and follow-up on data and policy ideas.

Transcript Highlights:

• agree on a lot of stuff, is that whatever we do in the energy sector, we need to have some kind of uniformity
• So the uniformity is important as we go through, but the responsibility component from the agency's point

Committee: House Natural Resources & Environment

Keywords: 965, house, all