Transcript Highlights:

• This is a great piece of legislation.
• The legislation defines naturopathic medicine and naturopathic doctor.
• I don't know a single person in my community who is asking for this legislation.
• If the goal is strong schools, this legislation moves us in the wrong direction.
• Members, because there is no need for this piece of legislation.

Committee: Senate Fiscal Policy

Keywords: 999, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• The legislation empowers the Board of Pharmacy to create clear, responsible rules to expand pharmacy
• The legislation empowers the Board of Pharmacy to create clear, responsible rules to expand pharmacy
• I'm the legislative director of the Wyoming Pharmacy Association.
• </c><00:55:19.599><c> I</c><00:55:19.920><c> remember</c> is legislatively designated.
• I remember is legislatively designated.

Bills: HB0143 , HB0129

Committee: Senate Labor, Health & Social Services

Keywords: health care providers, free speech, discrimination, governmental agencies, civil remedies, physician access, internationally trained physicians, medical licensing, provisional license, healthcare workforce, 916, all

Transcript Highlights:

• When you of of legislation this session.
• So that's why I support this legislation.
• So we took legislation<00:31:55.120><c> action</c><00:31:55.679><c> legislative</c><00:31:56.799><c>
• action</c><00:31:57.519><c> in</c> legislation action legislative action in legislation action legislative
• They are not legislative processes.

Keywords: 958, all

Summary: The Senate Standing Committee on Health Services heard Senate Bill 18, a bill described by the sponsor and podiatry witnesses as a modernization of Kentucky’s podiatry laws. The bill would recognize and regulate podiatric assistants, podiatric residents, and supervising podiatrists; allow podiatrists to supervise physician assistants in podiatry practices with approval from the relevant licensing boards; require new podiatrists licensed after January 1, 2027 to complete at least two years of residency; and extend disciplinary authority to the new categories. Witnesses said the measure would improve access to foot and ankle care, especially in rural areas, without expanding scope of practice. The Kentucky Medical Association was said to be neutral after working on the language with the sponsors. Committee members raised concerns about the meaning of “supervision,” whether it required direct or indirect oversight, and whether the bill could broaden billing or coding privileges. Dr. Roberts said supervision could mean direct supervision or indirect supervision, including being available by telephone, and noted the bill mirrors language used in allopathic PA supervision. He also said the bill would not change office staff billing roles and that podiatric assistants would not bill separately. Several senators said they supported moving the bill forward but remained concerned about workforce, cost, and scope creep. The committee adopted a committee substitute, then voted on the bill. The motion passed unanimously with favorable expression. After the vote, the committee moved on to a presentation on outpatient pediatric therapies, where providers described Medicaid reimbursement pressures, workforce turnover, and long waiting lists for children’s therapy services, but no action was taken on that presentation in the portion provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• For yours is the kingdom and the power... ...and the leader of the legislators, hear our prayer.
• Thank you, Senator Creighton, for this excellent piece of legislation.
• I think it's a great piece of legislation. Thank you. Thank you, Senator Parker.
• That's all we're trying to do with this piece of legislation.
• Senator Bettencourt, thank you for this, for helping with this important legislation.

Summary: The Senate opened with an invocation by Pastor Tedrick Woods, followed by routine chamber actions including excusing Senator Gutierrez and receiving House messages that the House had passed HB 21 and HB 49. Senators also recognized advocates visiting the gallery on focal segmental glomerulosclerosis awareness and introduced the Doctor of the Day. The chamber adopted several resolutions, including HCR 66, by voice vote. The Senate then took up and passed a series of measures, often by suspending the regular order and the constitutional three-day rule. Among the bills finally passed were HJR 2, which would prohibit state death taxes; HB 206, limiting counties from requiring cash bonds for pipeline construction; HB 517, barring property owners associations from fining homeowners for discolored vegetation during watering restrictions; HB 2756, requiring TDCJ correctional officers to receive de-escalation and behavioral health training; HB 451, expanding screening for commercial sexual exploitation risk among children in DFPS and TJJD custody; SB 705, cleaning up the air conditioning and refrigeration contractors advisory board; SB 2017, creating an offense for burnouts and wheelies; SB 1858, expanding body armor grant eligibility to ISDs; SB 1400, directing a study on transfer-student outcomes for community college funding; SB 2764, requiring notice to manufactured home buyers about converting homes to real property; SB 748, a licensing cleanup bill on laser hair removal; SB 2519, restricting certain ad valorem tax uses and bonds after amendment; SB 2878, the courts bill with amendments on Brazoria County courts and youth diversion provisions; SB 466, allowing families to request fetal death certificates at any gestational age; SB 1608, requiring timely physical exams for inpatient mental health admissions; SB 1730, limiting civil damages claims arising from certain uses of force or deadly force; SB 2417, clarifying Attorney General antitrust investigation work product and discovery rules; and SB 1946, creating a family violence, criminal homicide prevention task force. The Senate also passed HB 3204, renaming and updating the Polytechnic College at Sam Houston State University, and SB 1986, requiring opioid warning labels. Several bills drew brief debate or amendments. Senators discussed broader HOA reform while considering HB 517, and SB 2203 on TCEQ discovery procedures was amended to require party motions, set a 15-day expiration for certified issues, and limit hearing abatement. SB 2017 was amended to change the mens rea language from knowingly to intentional. SB 2519 was narrowed by amendment to a forward-looking policy statement separating maintenance-and-operation taxes from debt-service taxes. SB 2878 also received amendments to reduce the number of new Brazoria County courts and add youth diversion and crisis-response provisions. SB 466 prompted a floor debate over whether fetal death certificates are appropriate for pre-20-week losses, with supporters emphasizing family closure and opponents arguing the document has no estate-related purpose. SB 1730 also prompted questions about the relationship between criminal findings and civil liability in self-defense cases. The session concluded with additional House and Senate measures being signed in the presence of the Senate and continued consideration of SB 2177, a grant program to help local law enforcement solve violent and sexual offenses.

Transcript Highlights:

• One of the underappreciated aspects of this legislation is the benefits that it would have on a lot of
• One of the underappreciated aspects of this legislation is the benefits that it would have on a lot of
• Without the legislation, which part of this bill guarantees that or secures that?
• We're paying for that out of shareholders in this legislation.
• </c> rather have us not pass the legislation rather have us not pass the legislation or<00:52:32.880>

Keywords: 910, house, all

Summary: The joint committees heard testimony on HB 982 HD1, a wildfire-related measure aimed at creating a wildfire recovery fund and a financing structure to address future catastrophic wildfire liability. The Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs, the Division of Consumer Advocacy, and the Public Utilities Commission submitted comments and were available for questions. Supporters included IBW Local 1260, Kauai Island Utility Cooperative, Clearway Energy Group, Hawaiian Electric, Par Hawaii, and others, while Charter Communications and the Hawaii Association for Justice opposed or raised concerns. Life of the Land supported the bill but urged changes to the definition of a catastrophic wildfire and noted concerns about prudency review language. IBW Local 1260 asked to restore language from the original draft, and Charter warned the bill could impair existing contract and indemnity rights unless amended. A major focus of the hearing was Hawaiian Electric’s position on the HD1 version. Hawaiian Electric strongly supported the original bill but objected to the HD1 requirement for an additional $500 million shareholder contribution, arguing it was not feasible and could delay or prevent the fund from operating. The company said the bill would help protect customers and improve credit ratings by creating a dedicated revenue stream and a bankruptcy-remote financing structure, which it said would lower borrowing costs over time. Members questioned how the $1 billion securitization amount was chosen, whether credit rating agencies had indicated it was sufficient, and how the bill would work in bankruptcy; Hawaiian Electric said the amount was a balance among interests, not based on a specific agency directive, and that it would follow up on bankruptcy questions. Opponents and skeptics raised concerns about liability caps, the new claims process, and unclear language on damages above the fund’s limits. The Hawaii Association for Justice argued the bill limits victims’ remedies and gives too much authority to the new entity without clear guardrails. Committee members also pressed Hawaiian Electric on comparisons to California, the feasibility of the shareholder contribution, and whether alternative capital-raising or divestiture options had been considered. No vote or final action was taken in the portion of the hearing provided; testimony and questioning continued with follow-up information requested from Hawaiian Electric and others.

Transcript Highlights:

• soon as he gets the legislation written, bring it to us.
• We've also, NFIB has supported ICR legislation in other states this year.
• We're really grateful for that legislation.
• the Vice Chair of the national chapter of Legislative Affairs come July 1.
• consider transparency legislation before you move forward with any legislation that would significantly

Committee: House Insurance

Keywords: 1184, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• legislative decisions on funding.
• When we look at of legislation.
• </c><01:07:37.960><c> to</c> Minnesota legislators to Minnesota legislators to to<01:07:39.400><c> enact
• And I just want to make sure that we're not creating legislation that is the role of a parent.
• </c><01:21:09.760><c> that</c> creating legislation that creating legislation that is<01:21:10.880><c

Bills: HF4502 , HF3388 , HF4106 , HF400 , HF4138 , HF4118 , HF4203

Committee: House Commerce Finance and Policy

Keywords: trusted contact, financial exploitation, elder abuse, elder financial abuse, fraud prevention, financial institution, banking, credit union, broker-dealer, account security, dormant account, consumer protection, scam, suspicious activity, protective services, law enforcement reporting, Minnesota Statutes chapter 45A, HF3388, Minnesota premium security plan, reinsurance

Transcript Highlights:

• not the legislator trying to take control of these funds.
• ><00:26:12.800><c> trying</c> from or it's not the legislator trying from or it's not the legislator
• Yes, the federal legislation did come with that.
• </c><00:35:46.400><c> just</c> like this piece of legislation just like this piece of legislation just
• </c> of legislation. of legislation. &gt;&gt; Thank<00:43:36.280><c> you.</c> &gt;&gt; Thank you.

Committee: Joint Public Health and Welfare

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

Transcript Highlights:

• And the federal legislation program.
• Speaker. much needed legislation. I think um we much needed legislation.
• >> Call a legislative citation. Mr. Speaker, yes, sir.
• </c> &gt;&gt; Call a legislative citation. Mr. &gt;&gt; Call a legislative citation. Mr.
• Call legislative citation, please. sir? Call legislative citation, please.

Keywords: This version of the House chambers was retrieved from back up and uploaded. The original live stream contained issues where audio and video got out of sync., 958, all

Summary: The House convened with an invocation and pledge, established a quorum, approved the prior journal, and received committee reports on several bills. Reported measures included House Bills 1 and 2 from Appropriations and Revenue, along with bills on animal control officers, emergency services revenue, postsecondary education, proactive postsecondary admission, vehicle lights, motor vehicle operation, motor vehicle dealers, and machine gun conversion devices. The chamber also took up Senate Bills 52 and 124 for concurrence, and House Bill 1 was moved from rules to the orders of the day for immediate action. The House then considered House Bill 568, which would regulate public adjusters by prohibiting new licenses, allowing renewals for current licensees, imposing conflict-of-interest and contract requirements, capping fees at 5%, and barring adjusters from negotiating claims. Supporters described it as a consumer-protection measure responding to complaints and investigations, especially after recent storm-related exploitation. The bill passed overwhelmingly, 95-1. The House next debated House Bill 1, which would opt Kentucky into the federal education freedom tax credit program and authorize the Secretary of State to administer the state’s participation without using state general funds. Supporters argued it would bring federal scholarship dollars into Kentucky for K-12 students, including public school students, and could generate significant private donations for scholarship-granting organizations. Opponents raised concerns about shifting resources away from public education, the speed of the process, and a proposed waiver of Eleventh Amendment immunity. A motion to table the bill failed by a wide margin, and members continued debating the bill and its implications for public schools and state sovereignty.

Transcript Highlights:

• Thank you for your time and consideration of this legislation.
• Thank you for your time and consideration of this legislation.
• Thank you for your time and consideration of this legislation.
• Thank you for your time and consideration of this legislation.
• Thank you for your time and consideration of this legislation.

Committee: House Housing Finance and Policy

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• auditor recommended that the legislative auditor recommended that the state<00:21:01.360><c> move</c
• </c> issue just sort of the the legislative issue just sort of the the legislative Logistics<00:29:03.200
• </c> um by the office of the legislative um by the office of the legislative auditor<00:30:17.840><c>
• What do you think prompted the governor to make this a priority, this legislation?
• You always make a better legislator by your answers, so thank you for that.

Bills: HF1470 , HF1310 , HF1837

Committee: House State Government Finance and Policy

Keywords: opioids, substance use, addiction recovery, mental health, state cabinet, HF1310, Office of Cannabis Management, cannabis, marijuana, tribal consultation, government-to-government relationship, Minnesota tribes, Tribal governments, state government, consultation, rulemaking, Indian affairs, cannabis regulation, tribal sovereignty, state-tribal relations

Transcript Highlights:

• The Pollution Control Agency very much appreciates the intent of the legislation here.
• </c><00:34:44.679><c> in</c><00:34:44.879><c> section</c> in this legislation in section in this legislation
• </c><00:36:10.880><c> auditor</c> this morning the legislative auditor this morning the legislative auditor
• Next up, we have Vita Canet from the DFL Environmental Caucus Legislative Committee.
• </c> that's my target with the legislation that's my target with the legislation that's<01:07:55.000>

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:52:10.280><c> update</c> legislative update legislative update here<00:52:12.920><c> so</c><00:52
• <01:25:42.520><c> just</c><01:25:42.679><c> a</c> legislation just a legislation just a theoretical<01
• legislative legislative action<01:26:17.960><c> if</c><01:26:18.280><c> this</c><01:26:18.840><c> bill
• <02:02:31.199><c> and</c> legislation and legislation and um<02:02:34.320><c> it</c><02:02:34.560><c>
• </c> rules has to have a legislative rules has to have a legislative imperative<04:40:06.320><c> so</

Committee: House Science, Technology and Energy

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Welcome to the Joint Legislative Audit and Review Committee's Committee to hear State Auditor's Office
• And to my right is Legislative Auditor Eric Thomas. Eric, you have an announcement to make?
• And that requires a legislative statutory change? Correct. Thank you very much.
• When the legislative auditor and JLARC adopt reports, we send a letter... ...and JLARC adopt reports,
• And legislative statutory request to implement the recommendations? We sure hope so. Okay.

Summary: The Joint Legislative Audit and Review Committee held a public hearing on the State Auditor’s Office performance audit of Washington’s Restoring Quality Home Care Initiative (I-1163). Auditors said the initiative’s background checks and 75-hour training requirement are widely viewed as safety measures, but the state lacks pre-2011 data to directly measure safety outcomes. They also found Washington’s long-term care workforce is still short, though the state ranks better than many others in workers per disabled person, and that some groups and regions have larger gaps between authorized and actually used Medicaid care hours, suggesting access problems for certain clients. The audit focused heavily on the certification process for home care aides. Auditors reported that many applicants never finish certification, that the process often exceeds the 200-day legal deadline, and that delays can cause lost income, job loss, and in some cases repeated employer changes that allow aides to keep working without becoming certified. They recommended that the Department of Health accept applications only after training and testing are completed, move testing into training programs more broadly, and eliminate redundant DOH verification of FBI background checks. Committee members asked about testing contract incentives, language access, and the role of immigration in workforce shortages; auditors said they found no financial performance standards in the Prometric contract, did not specifically study immigration status, and did not focus on language barriers in this audit. Department of Health and Department of Social and Health Services officials largely agreed with the audit’s findings and recommendations. They said they have already made improvements, including expanded in-program testing, more staffing, and rule changes, and that testing has been integrated into more than 110 training programs. DSHS noted testing is offered in 13 languages. Both agencies said they support further streamlining and expect continued collaboration, including possible budget or legislative requests. No public testimony was offered, and the committee adjourned without taking any vote or formal action on the audit.

Transcript Highlights:

• Notably, during his tenure in the House, he introduced legislation to prohibit discrimination on the
• During his tenure in the House, he introduced legislation to prohibit discrimination on the basis of
• sexual orientation, which was the first legislation introduced in Massachusetts to protect the rights
• This legislation created critical guardrails on financial institutions to help address the...
• This legislation created critical guardrails on financial institutions to help address the underlying

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The Senate took up House No. 4646, an act enhancing child welfare protections, and considered a series of amendments focused on child welfare, school discipline, truancy, foster care transparency, and related services. Several amendments were withdrawn, including Senator DiDomenico’s proposal to create a Massachusetts children’s cabinet and Senator Tarr’s amendments on timeout and isolation standards, the best-interest-of-the-child standard, and mandated reporter definitions. Other amendments were adopted, including Senator Rauch’s amendments on student transfers and reasonableness, Senator Tarr’s amendment on information management integrity and youth engagement in the Office of the Child Advocate, and the Senate Ways and Means amendment. Amendments on school compliance before CRA filings, probation certification before accepting a child requiring assistance petition, and statewide truancy and engagement standards were rejected. After the amendments were resolved, the Senate ordered the bill to a third reading and then passed it to be engrossed by a roll call vote of 39 in the affirmative and none in the negative. The chamber also adopted a motion to adjourn in memory of John Edwards and Hadley Boucher, with moments of silence held for each. Later, the Senate also adjourned in memory of former U.S. Representative Barney Frank, with remarks highlighting his civil rights work, his role in financial reform, and his historic service as the first openly gay member of Congress. Before adjournment, the Senate took up a House amendment to the Senate bill establishing the Massachusetts Data Privacy Act, voted not to concur, and requested a committee of conference. The chair appointed Senators Creem, Finegold, and O’Connor to the conference committee. The Senate then adopted an order to reconvene on Monday at 11:00 a.m. and dispense with printing a calendar, and finally adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• This legislation is an attempt to provide carriers with additional tools needed to retain such small
• The legislation would also, for the broader merged market, allow insurers to offer year-end incentives
• After six years, we are still asking why this legislation continues to stall.
• I would encourage anyone in our legislature to talk to the legislators in Ohio and ask them how they
• The fight for this legislation is going to continue until this legislation is adopted and put into law

Committee: Joint Joint Committee on Financial Services

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The Joint Committee on Financial Services held a hearing with Chair Jamie Murphy and Senate co-chair Senator Feeney presiding. Members asked witnesses to keep testimony to three minutes and noted that written testimony could still be submitted. The committee heard testimony on several health insurance and pharmacy-related bills, including a proposal to allow controlled prescriptions to be transferred between pharmacies within the same chain, legislation affecting health savings account (HSA)-compatible plans and future insurance mandates, a bill on small business health insurance incentives, and H. 1212 on emergency insulin access. Several parents and patients testified in support of emergency insulin access, describing severe diabetes emergencies, diabetic ketoacidosis, prescription delays, and the need for pharmacists to dispense insulin in urgent situations when doctors or insurers are unavailable. A parent also described the burden of repeatedly obtaining new prescriptions for ADHD medication when pharmacies are out of stock. Witnesses supporting the HSA bill argued that state coverage mandates can unintentionally disqualify HSA-qualified plans and that the bill would preserve tax advantages for enrollees while avoiding repeated legislative fixes. A representative of the Retailers Association supported the small business health insurance incentives bill, saying it could help retain small employers in the merged market by allowing carriers to offer financial incentives tied to cooperative purchasing and utilization efforts. One witness, Kathleen Demarest, testified against a co-pay assistance restriction, saying a state rule had unexpectedly cut off her drug assistance before a generic was actually available, leaving her with very high out-of-pocket costs. Committee members asked a few clarifying questions about HSAs, insulin dispensing, and school support for diabetes care. After all scheduled witnesses had testified and no additional testimony was offered, the committee voted to close the hearing.

Transcript Highlights:

• I'm Representative Larry Springer, representing the 45th legislative district, which is East King County
• So we crafted legislation to address that.
• The legislation before you represents several hours and days of negotiation between the consumer law
• I'm Daria Farvar, State Representative from the 46th legislative district, which includes the Lake City
• Our industry supports hundreds of thousands of jobs in every county and legislative district.

Committee: Senate Business, Trade & Economic Development

Keywords: 904, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I'm Representative Larry Springer, representing the 45th Legislative District, which is East King County
• So we crafted legislation to address that.
• The legislation before you represents several hours and days of negotiation between the consumer law
• I'm Daria Farvar, State Representative from the 46th Legislative District, which includes the Lake City
• Our industry supports hundreds of thousands of jobs in every county and legislative district.

Summary: The Washington State Senate Committee on Business, Trade, and Economic Development waived the five-day notice rule to consider Engrossed Substitute House Bill 2274 and Engrossed House Bill 2294. The committee first heard HB 2274, which would modify the Washington Commercial Electronic Mail Act by requiring false or misleading subject lines to be knowingly false or misleading, and reducing statutory damages from $500 to $100 or actual damages, whichever is greater. Representative Springer and retail witnesses described the bill as a compromise reached with consumer lawyers, retailers, and the Attorney General’s office, intended to address a surge in lawsuits after a recent Supreme Court ruling while preserving consumer protections. Consumer advocates testified that they supported the compromise as a temporary step, while one consumer-side attorney objected to the bill’s text-message damages change, arguing it was unrelated to the email issue and could weaken existing protections. The committee held the public hearing open and did not take final action on the bill during the meeting. The committee then heard HB 2294, which prohibits private agreements that restrict real property from being used as a grocery store or pharmacy, declaring such negative use restrictions against public policy and unenforceable after the bill’s effective date, with exceptions for preexisting agreements and limited relocation scenarios. Representative Farivar said the bill was prompted by grocery and pharmacy closures and aimed to prevent property covenants from blocking replacement stores in underserved communities. Supporters from the Washington Food Industry Association and Northwest Grocery Retail Association said the bill would help independent grocers and communities, though the retail association asked for further language refinement for retail-center situations and noted the bill preserves some limited protections for existing investments. The committee took public testimony but did not vote on HB 2294 during the hearing. In executive session, staff briefed Substitute House Bill 2428, which requires insurers issuing individual life insurance policies to send lapse notices to policyholders and designated third parties. The committee then adopted a due pass recommendation and sent the bill to the Rules Committee. The motion passed by voice vote, with the bill passed subject to signatures.

Transcript Highlights:

• Members of AZDAC continue to meet with legislators to discuss key issues, share experiences, offer new
• I have some folks from Legislative District 25, constituents from the West Valley and from Yuma, with
• It says right here, legislative intent.
• I'll read it off in case you, again, It says right here, legislative intent, I'll read it off in case
• So Arizona highways generally get their names changed only after review by the legislatively created

Summary: The Senate opened with prayer and the Pledge of Allegiance, then recognized several guests in the gallery, including a pastor, disability advocates visiting for Disability Day at the Capitol, and other constituents. The chamber also received gubernatorial nominations for the State Board of Psychologists Examiners and withdrew SB 1131 from the Education Committee. It then moved into the Committee of the Whole to consider SB 1010 and SB 1439. SB 1010, relating to historic names and the renaming of Loop 202, was amended with a legislative intent clause clarifying that the underlying freeway segments would retain their existing names, including the Congressman Ed Pastor Freeway. The bill drew significant debate on the floor, with opponents arguing it politicized highway naming and could erase existing honors, while supporters said the amendment protected current segment names and was meant to honor Charlie Kirk. The Senate adopted the Committee of the Whole report and passed SB 1010 on third reading by a vote of 16 ayes, 9 nays, 12 excused, and 2 not voting. SB 1439, relating to special plates, was also amended and advanced through the Committee of the Whole. During floor debate, Senator Sundareshan asked the sponsor whether he or affiliated companies had received compensation from the beneficiary organization, and the sponsor answered no. The bill then passed on third reading by a vote of 16 ayes, 12 nays, and 2 not voting. The Senate also announced upcoming committee meetings, heard a brief personal privilege statement about Ramadan and Lent, and adjourned until the next day.

Transcript Highlights:

• Members of AZDAC continue to meet with legislators to discuss key issues, share experiences, offer new
• To have some folks from Legislative District 25, constituents from the West Valley and from Yuma, with
• President, your Committee of the Whole, having under consideration the legislation listed below, makes
• It says right here, legislative intent.
• So Arizona highways generally get their names changed only after review by the legislatively created

Keywords: 1182, all