Transcript Highlights:

• raised to the regulations, these regulations will take effect after the meeting.
• agency or finding the regulation deficient.
• The record will reflect that the committee has reviewed the regulation.
• I'm sorry, I just reviewed the regulation.
• Disadvantaged business enterprises regulation, 600 KAR 5:410.

Keywords: 958, all

Summary: The committee reviewed an administrative regulation concerning disadvantaged business enterprises, 600 KAR 5:410. Members noted that if no objections were raised, the regulation would take effect after the meeting, though the committee also had the option to defer, amend with agency agreement, or find the regulation deficient. The chair asked the Transportation Cabinet to explain the regulation before proceeding. John Johnson, Assistant General Counsel for the Transportation Cabinet, said the amendment does three things: it updates the definition section to align with federal CFR requirements, clarifies the voting majority for the committee that certifies disadvantaged business enterprises, and adds an appeal section required by the federal government. He explained that the new appeal process would proceed through the state appeals process under KRS 13B. No objections or substantive opposition were raised during the discussion. The chair thanked the cabinet for attending and stated that the record would reflect that the committee had reviewed the regulation. The meeting then moved on to ask whether there was any other business before the committee.

Transcript Highlights:

• So I guess my concern is that we see the problems, but we're regulating without knowing what we're regulating
• </c><00:42:45.960><c> without</c> problems, but we're regulating without problems, but we're regulating
• Sounds knowing what we're regulating.
• ,</c> identify what is it we're regulating, identify what is it we're regulating, how<00:43:04.320><c
• </c> makes us the agency who is regulating. makes us the agency who is regulating.

Committee: Senate Labor and Technology

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Summary: The committee first heard House Bill 2455, HD2, relating to employment practices. Testimony was limited, with support from the Hawaii State Commission on the Status of Women and UPW; the committee noted nine support, zero opposition, and zero comments. No vote was taken on this bill during the portion provided. The committee then took up House Bill 2165, HD2, relating to the Hawaii Employment Security Law. DLIR supported the measure but requested an amendment moving language in Section 2 from subsection A to subsection C to preserve the legal structure. Members questioned DLIR about a January 8 U.S. Department of Labor letter and whether the bill would keep Hawaii in conformity with federal unemployment insurance requirements. DLIR said the federal guidance requires the state to remove the carve-out for labor-dispute claimants, though unions with hiring halls and members in good standing could still be exempt from work-search requirements under an authorized list. UNITE HERE Local 5 opposed the bill and said the current law already gives the department discretion to exempt striking workers. The committee recessed the bill before any final action was taken in the portion shown. In the joint hearing with Commerce and Consumer Protection, the committees heard House Bill 1509, HD2, relating to workers’ compensation. DLIR supported the bill, DHER offered comments and requested an amendment, UPW supported it, and one Zoom testifier described personal experience with delayed care and urged faster decisions. After testimony, the committees voted to pass the bill with amendments. The adopted amendments restored the 7-day treatment-plan deadline from 10 days, changed the effective date to January 1, 2077, and struck the proposed $500 fine for employers who fail to respond within 10 days. Back in the Labor and Technology agenda, the committee heard House Bill 1515, HD2, also relating to workers’ compensation, with testimony noting seven in support, one in opposition, and one comment, but no action was taken in the excerpt. The committee also heard House Bill 1514, HD2, relating to workers’ compensation vocational rehabilitation plans. A Zoom testifier opposed the bill, arguing the 120-day timeline was unrealistic for complex cases. DLIR said the bill would give the director discretion to extend the vocational rehabilitation plan timeline beyond 120 days with no cap on extensions, and the committee noted five support, four opposition, and zero comments. Finally, the committee began House Bill 2458, HD3, relating to surveillance pricing. OCP said it stood on written testimony, while supporters argued the bill would prevent corporations from using personal data to set prices, especially for groceries. Retail and grocery interests opposed the measure, saying it was too broad and could restrict loyalty programs, promotions, and discounts; one witness asked that a loyalty-program exemption be restored.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> process the boards regulate process the boards regulate approximately approximately approximately
• </c><00:04:34.960><c> professional</c> created in 2003 we regulate professional created in 2003 we regulate
• <c> 2014</c><00:05:20.600><c> bbhg</c><00:05:21.400><c> regulated</c> doubled in 2014 bbhg regulated
• </c> where the largest Health regulated where the largest Health regulated Licensing<00:35:43.079><c>
• </c> monitoring services to uh regulated monitoring services to uh regulated Health<01:05:42.319><c>

Committee: House Health Finance and Policy

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• Uh, this particular year we have found three regulations deficient, and those are the regulations that
• </c><00:01:34.079><c> that</c> makes sure that any regulation that makes sure that any regulation that
• deficient and those are the regulations deficient and those are the regulations<00:02:01.439><c> that
• c> subject</c><00:02:07.040><c> matter</c> regulations but two subject matter regulations but two subject
• </c> these regulations will be null and void. these regulations will be null and void.

Committee: Senate Licensing & Occupations

Keywords: 00:00 Call to Order 0:22 Roll Call 1:05 SB 65 Discussion 9:30 SB 65 Vote 11:55 SB 177 Discussion 26:34 SB 177 Vote 30:05 SB 245 Discussion 33:07 SB 245 Vote 33:48 Adjournment, 958, all

Transcript Highlights:

• It would be the list of our regulated entities, obviously being the banking department, we regulate state
• We regulate trust companies.
• And then we regulate prepaid general contract sellers and perpetuators.
• we also regulate the community banks and I think our smallest bank that we regulate is about 37 million
• so we have a great diverse group of banks we regulate.

Committee: House Pensions, Investments & Financial Services

Keywords: 1184, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I mean, you talk about drinking water, you're talking about inspection of restaurants and places that
• I mean, you talk about drinking water, you're talking about inspection of restaurants and places that
• I mean, you talk about drinking water, you're talking about inspection of restaurants and places that
• That's the need to run the program without any unknown legislation or regulation that could increase
• </c> regulation that could increase the cost. regulation that could increase the cost.

Keywords: 924, joint, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Your community does not want to have regulated and taxed VLTs.
• We should have regulated it. And I regret that.
• This is our opportunity to regulate gaming in the state.
• If you have it, then it should be regulated and taxed.
• Speaker, I'm still. then it should be regulated and taxed.

Summary: The House convened with prayer and the Pledge of Allegiance, approved the prior day’s journal by a 134-0 roll call vote, and then moved through a series of introductions recognizing guests and student groups at the Capitol, including Turning Point USA chapters, CASA volunteers and staff, JAG students, university groups, nursing students, and several legislative interns. The chamber also handled a point of order about an unauthorized prop in the room, which was removed. The first major bill taken up was House Bill 1766, dealing with personal property tax treatment and new construction calculations. Supporters argued it would treat personal property more like real estate under Hancock-style limits and provide fairness to taxpayers, while opponents warned it could reduce revenue for taxing districts. After debate, the House passed HB 1766 by a vote of 94-50. The House then considered House Committee Substitute for House Bill 2989, a major gaming measure that would criminalize illegal gaming machines, create a regulated framework for video lottery terminals, give local governments an opt-out, and expand enforcement authority for the Attorney General and prosecutors. Members debated whether the bill was a needed enforcement tool or an inappropriate expansion of gambling, with concerns raised about addiction, local control, revenue distribution, and whether the bill should have gone to Fiscal Review. A motion to refer the bill to Fiscal Review failed 69-44, and the bill itself passed 83-66 with one present. The chamber next took up House Committee Substitute for House Bill 2014, the supplemental appropriations bill. The sponsor said it provided just over $3 billion in additional authority, including tax refund authority, disaster relief, St. Louis tornado recovery funding, and major MoDOT funding, along with other smaller items. Members from both parties supported the bill, while also noting concerns about reliance on supplementals and the need to budget more accurately in the future. The House adopted an amendment reducing some general revenue authority, then adopted the bill and perfected and printed it. The meeting ended with announcements, including a notice that the Super Committee on Tourism would meet immediately in Hearing Room 6.

Transcript Highlights:

• There is a gap in the NIL agents registry and regulation.
• So this is unrelated to athlete agent regulation entirely.
• We don't have parents that are involved directly with the rules and regulations.
• So there are different regulations in law for high school and college athletics.
• This bill mostly contemplates the regulations. It does not.

Bills: SB389 , SB525

Committee: House Civil Law and Procedure

Keywords: athlete agent, registration, endorsement contracts, name image likeness, eligibility, unfair trade practices, student athletes, unclaimed property, abandoned property, escheat, state treasurer, administrator, claimant, purchase agreement, assignment, property recovery, owner verification, documentation requirements, fraud prevention, bankruptcy

Transcript Highlights:

• So the model is still being regulated.
• And so there's no gaps in regulation.
• And so there's no gaps in regulation.
• They're regulated at the highest level, and we don't change that.
• It's just when we present our models, then they regulate us.

Bills: HB2016 , HB2104 , HB2105 , HB2174 , HB2256 , HB2289 , HB2477 , HB2903 , HB2939 , HB2979 , HB2996 , HB4103

Committee: Senate Finance

Keywords: tax penalties, filing, tax returns, administration, Arizona Revised Statutes, agricultural property, classification, county assessor, property inspection, appeal process, property tax, agricultural classification, Department of Revenue, property valuation, inspection notice, inspection report, on-site inspection, full cash value, rural land, farm land

Transcript Highlights:

• They need to definitely be regulated.
• I mean, we regulate.
• What are those laws that regulate that?
• Each state is federally mandated to regulate.
• Regulate combative sports.

Keywords: 914, all

Transcript Highlights:

• However, that effort has stalled, and today hydrogen pipelines remain subject largely to regulations
• That creates uncertainty for communities, regulators, and project developers alike.
• Current California law does not clearly identify which state agency is responsible for regulating the
• That creates uncertainty for the communities, regulators, and regulations, projects developers alike.
• It's not a regulated chemical under the U.S.

Summary: The Assembly Emergency Management Committee met late in the evening and first approved a consent calendar containing SB 837, SB 894, SB 973, and SB 1079, sending those bills to the Committee on Appropriations. The committee then heard SB 904, which would codify coordinated state response and permitting review efforts for wildfire recovery, and SB 1263, which would limit post-disaster debris removal work to properly licensed contractors with required hazardous-materials training. Both bills drew support from the authors and industry/public-safety witnesses, with SB 1263 also drawing an opposed-unless-amended position from contractors who said they were working toward agreement on final language. Both measures passed to Appropriations on unanimous or near-unanimous votes. The committee next heard SB 804, the Hydrogen Pipeline Safety Act, which would designate the State Fire Marshal as the safety regulator for interstate hydrogen pipelines and require hydrogen-specific safety standards. The author and supporters from building trades and pipe trades argued the bill would provide clear safety rules before hydrogen infrastructure expands, while one industry witness said the correct agency had been identified but that some concerns remained. The bill passed as amended to Appropriations, with Assemblymember DeMaio voting no. Finally, the committee considered SB 883, which would impose additional oversight on facilities storing methyl methacrylate and other reactive chemicals after a recent Orange County evacuation tied to a potential explosion risk. Supporters, including community, environmental, and public-health groups, said the bill would improve transparency, emergency planning, and safety protections near homes and schools. Chemical and manufacturing groups opposed the bill in its current form, citing undefined terms, concerns about mandated cooling systems, and possible conflicts with existing regulatory frameworks, but said they were willing to continue working on the measure. The bill passed to the Committee on Environmental Safety and Toxic Materials on a 4-2 vote, with Assemblymembers Hadwick and DeMaio voting no.

Transcript Highlights:

• So these both flow into what we call the marijuana regulation fund.
• “It also puts at risk the patients and consumers who rely on legal, regulated cannabis.
• Massachusetts voters chose a regulated system over prohibition.
• Regulated cannabis is popular, and it is safe... ...marijuana policy is dangerous.
• Regulated cannabis is popular, and it is safer than the alternatives.

Bills: H5005

Committee: Joint Special Joint Committee on Initiative Petitions

Keywords: environment, water conservation, natural resources, public funding, environmental justice

Summary: The Special Joint Committee on Initiative Petitions held a hearing on Initiative Petition 25-10 / House Bill 5002, “An act to restore a sensible marijuana policy,” which would repeal Massachusetts’ adult-use cannabis legalization framework. The chair explained the Article 48 initiative process and noted that, if the Legislature does not enact the measure as written, additional signatures would be needed for it to qualify for the 2026 ballot. The committee heard testimony from an expert, proponents of the petition, opponents, and members of the public, and accepted written testimony through March 27 at 5 p.m. Jessica Trow of MassBudget testified first, focusing on cannabis revenue and spending in Massachusetts. She said legalization has generated nearly $2 billion for the Commonwealth and municipalities since FY 2018, including excise tax, sales tax, local option taxes, fees, and community impact fees. She described how revenues are distributed to public health, the Cannabis Control Commission’s social equity efforts, the cannabis social equity fund, the MBTA, the School Building Authority, the general fund, and local budgets, and argued the industry has supported social equity and community investments. Opponents of the petition argued that repeal would harm public health, consumer safety, jobs, tax revenue, and social equity programs. Wendy Wakeman, speaking for the ballot committee, said legalization has increased potency, addiction, and mental health concerns, and that the state lacks sufficient data on harms. In contrast, business owners, clinicians, and advocates including Caroline Pino, Kristen Rogers, Drudus Ledbetter, Armani White, Lucas Thayer, and Jeff Rawson said the regulated market provides tested products, jobs, tax revenue, and pathways for people harmed by prohibition, while repeal would push consumers back to the illicit market and undermine equity goals. Committee members questioned witnesses about the evidence base, the role of out-of-state funding, the petition’s impact on existing businesses, and whether narrower regulatory fixes might address concerns instead of repeal. No vote was taken; the hearing was closed after testimony ended.

Transcript Highlights:

• We should act on HF 296 to create a regulated, supervised access pilot program to treat severe mental
• This bill creates a small, highly regulated program with a maximum of 1,000 patients and a maximum of
• In both Oregon and Colorado, regulated psilocybin programs already exist.
• Licensure and both Oregon and Colorado were regulated. Psilocybin programs already exist.
• That's exactly why a regulated framework matters.

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• or full zoning regulations.
• or full zoning site plan regulations or full zoning regulations<00:25:38.000><c> uh</c><00:25:38.120
• site plan review regulations around the site plan review regulations around the state<00:26:48.480><
• And the town can regulate as long as it's regulating all uses the same, so you don't have a different
• </c><00:30:26.880><c> all</c> can regulate as long it's regulating all can regulate as long it's regulating

Committee: Senate Judiciary

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I then completed the draft regulations and submitted them to MDAR's legal division.
• Years overdue, inadequate regulations, inadequate response. There's no excuse for it.
• How much discretion would you have in the regulations to apply sanctions like fines?
• Sort of in the absence of regulation, what types of things?
• So that's something that we're working on right now as we wait for the regulations.

Committee: Senate Senate Committee on Post Audit and Oversight

Summary: The joint Audit Committee hearing focused on implementation of Ollie’s Law, including MDAR’s progress on regulations for commercial boarding and training kennels and the new municipal reporting requirements. MDAR Director Mike Cahill said the department formed the required advisory committee, held two Zoom trainings for municipal officials, created a public information webpage, and completed draft regulations that are now under secretariat review. He reported that 269 of 351 municipalities had submitted kennel data, leaving 82 out of compliance, and said the department has been posting compliant and noncompliant municipalities online to increase transparency. Committee members pressed MDAR on the lack of a clear enforcement mechanism for municipalities that fail to report and on the delay in finalizing regulations. The chair urged the department to consider stronger sanctions and asked for a central reporting system for injury data, noting that injury reports currently go only to municipalities. Cahill said the statute does not give MDAR explicit authority to fine municipalities, though he supported a House bill that would grant that power. He also said the department could not easily add municipal penalties through regulation alone. Representatives from the Animal Rescue League of Boston and the MSPCA, including the advisory committee chair Jenny Mather, said the advisory process was thorough and aimed to balance animal safety, consumer transparency, and fairness to compliant businesses. They supported better municipal accountability, more standardized training and resources for animal control officers, and clearer reporting of injuries and kennel information to MDAR. They also raised concerns about third-party advertising platforms that may list unlicensed home-based kennels and argued that public education and enforcement should focus on bad actors rather than penalizing well-run facilities. The hearing ended without a vote or formal action, but with support expressed for the pending bill and for continued regulatory revisions.

Transcript Highlights:

• I then completed the draft regulations and submitted them to MDAR's legal division.
• Years overdue, inadequate regulations, inadequate response. There's no excuse for it.
• How much discretion would you have in the regulations to apply sanctions like fines?
• And if not, I'd like that in the revised regulations. I'd like that to be sent up. Okay.
• So that's something that we're working on right now as we wait for the regulations.

Committee: Senate Senate Committee on Intergovernmental Affairs

Summary: The joint Audit Committee meeting focused on implementation of Ali’s Law, including MDAR’s progress on kennel regulations and municipal reporting. MDOT/MDAR officials said the department formed the required advisory committee, held trainings for animal control officers and municipal clerks, created a public information webpage, and completed draft regulations that are now under secretarial review. They reported that 269 of 351 municipalities had filed kennel counts, leaving 82 out of compliance, and said the reported statewide total was 1,408 licensed kennels, with an estimated 1,800 to 1,850 statewide. Committee members pressed the department on the pace of rulemaking, the lack of a clear enforcement mechanism for municipalities that fail to report, and the need for stronger accountability. The chair said he wanted to avoid a formal investigation if answers could be obtained, but urged MDAR to move quickly and to consider stronger public reporting and possible sanctions. He also asked about injury reporting and suggested that injury data should be sent to the state and tracked in a way that provides context, such as the number of animals in a facility. Representatives from animal welfare organizations and the advisory committee supported the law’s goals but emphasized that rollout should be fair to compliant businesses and that municipalities and ACOs need better training, resources, and standardized guidance. They backed a filed bill, House Bill 4849, which would give MDAR authority to fine municipalities that do not comply and would add more detailed reporting, including last inspection dates and injury reports. They also raised concerns about third-party advertising platforms that may list unlicensed kennels and argued that public education, consumer transparency, and stronger oversight are needed to prevent bad actors from operating.

Transcript Highlights:

• I then completed the draft regulations and submitted them to MDAR's legal division.
• Years overdue, inadequate regulations, inadequate response. There's no excuse for it.
• “How much discretion would you have in the regulations to apply sanctions like fines?
• And if not, I’d like that in the revised regulations. I’d like that to be sent up.”
• So that's something that we're working on right now as we wait for the regulations.

Committee: Senate Senate Committee on Post Audit and Oversight

Keywords: 1212, all

Transcript Highlights:

• which is Representative Button's bill that we previously voted out relating to the certification regulation
• Harless's bill that we previously voted out relating to the licensing and regulation of certain real
• by the Texas Department of Licensing regulation, creating criminal offense, providing a civil penalty
• Uh, SB 1254 men's current statute relating to regulation of professional employer services.
• within the tech department license regulation.

Committee: House Licensing & Administrative Procedures

Transcript Highlights:

• When we regulate, we regulate people's lives, not just products on paper.
• When we regulate, we regulate people's lives, not just products on paper.
• Let's regulate it properly.
• Let's regulate it properly.
• even know what the regulation is supposed to be right now.

Keywords: 959, house, all

Summary: The House opened with prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, and approval of the previous journal by roll call. Members then offered personal privilege remarks honoring Dr. Penelope Martin Knox of Raytown Schools for Black History Month and introduced guests, including Adeline Overcast, who was made a page for the day, and visitors from a rural hospital in Rolla. Several new bills were first read, including measures on blind pensions, penalties for impeding first responders, and flag display in the state capitol. The chamber then took up multiple third-reading bills. House Bill 2596, dealing with multiple employee self-insured health plans for small businesses, passed unanimously after supporters said it would help small employers offer affordable health coverage. House Bill 1644, addressing franchisor liability and joint-employer issues, passed 103-45 after debate over whether it protected small businesses or limited workers’ ability to sue franchisors. House Bill 2423, increasing funding for the Division of Finance through fee authority, passed 146-0 despite concerns about higher costs being passed on to consumers. House Bill 2641, regulating intoxicating hemp-derived products and aligning state law with federal changes, drew extensive debate over a beverage carve-out, impacts on hemp businesses, and public safety; it passed 109-34. The House also passed House Bills 2498 and the combined House Bills 2637 and 3155. HB 2498, a juvenile justice reform bill shifting some referral responsibilities to prosecutors and expanding information sharing, passed 100-44 after strong debate over whether it would politicize juvenile cases and overburden treatment facilities, versus claims it would improve accountability and public safety. The combined sentencing bill, HB 2637/3155, passed 102-45 amid disagreement over whether it was truly a transparency measure or instead increased mandatory minimums and reduced judicial discretion. Finally, the House considered House Joint Resolution 154, which opponents described as an attack on Medicaid expansion tied to work requirements. Supporters argued it would encourage able-bodied recipients to work, volunteer, or attend school and reduce administrative costs, while opponents warned it would increase bureaucracy and risk coverage losses for vulnerable Missourians. The transcript ends during the procedural vote on the previous question for HJR 154, before the final disposition is shown.

Transcript Highlights:

• It focuses narrowly on disclosure, ethical safeguards, and does not regulate pricing.
• It focuses narrowly on disclosure, ethical safeguards, and does not regulate pricing.
• They allow it to some degree, but they have far more regulations than just disclosure.
• House Bill 2320 relates to the regulation of firearm manufacturing.
• House Bill 2320 relates to the regulation of firearm manufacturing.

Summary: The committee held public hearings on House Bill 2255, House Bill 2548, and House Bill 2320. HB 2255 would regulate third-party litigation funding by requiring disclosure of funders and agreements, prohibiting funder control over litigation, capping funder recovery at 25%, and creating enforcement remedies. Supporters, including the sponsor, insurance groups, and liability reform advocates, described it as a transparency and consumer-protection measure that could improve court efficiency and reduce costs. Opponents, including the Washington State Association for Justice and the commercial litigation funding industry, argued it would burden plaintiffs, reveal protected work product, chill access to justice, and create satellite litigation. No vote was taken; the chair closed the hearing and asked testifiers to submit written comments. HB 2548 would expand state oversight of health care market transactions by broadening the types of mergers, acquisitions, asset sales, and ownership/control changes that trigger notice to the Attorney General, pausing transactions until information requests are substantially complied with, expanding interagency data sharing, and revoking nonprofit status in certain transactions. Supporters, including patient advocates, nurses, the Office of the Insurance Commissioner, the Attorney General’s office, physicians, and individual health care workers, said private equity and consolidation are driving higher costs, reduced access, and lower quality. Opponents from the Washington State Hospital Association and MultiCare said the bill is unclear, may contain drafting errors, does not adequately target private equity structures, and could create problems around nonprofit status and charitable assets. The hearing ended with the committee moving on to the next bill. HB 2320 would update Washington’s ghost gun laws to address 3D-printed firearms, CNC manufacturing, digital firearm manufacturing code, and the sale of machines marketed for firearm production, and would make certain violations per se Consumer Protection Act violations. The sponsor and supporters, including school officials, gun violence prevention advocates, a trauma survivor, a 3D-printing industry representative, and others, said the bill closes a public safety loophole and responds to the growing availability of untraceable weapons. Opponents, including the NRA, makerspace representatives, and some industry witnesses, argued the bill is overbroad, may sweep in lawful 3D-printing and CNC activity, raises First, Second, and Fifth Amendment concerns, and could create uncertainty through rebuttable presumptions and the CPA provisions. The transcript ends during the HB 2320 hearing, with additional testimony panels still to come and no final committee action recorded.