Transcript Highlights:

• The governor, in the event of an emergency, is authorized to proclaim a state of emergency for the whole
• bidding requirements regarding the awarding of contracts and expand the use of state workforces in the event
• ’s in the proposed, or that would be the totality of what’s in the proposed substitute, with the exception
• plans and replace them with criteria that currently exist in another statute, which are identical except
• Another statute, which are identical except for the addition of a time frame for the application of the

Bills: HB2550 , HB2645 , HB2109 , HB2134 , HB2323

Committee: House Transportation

Keywords: transit, community colleges, student transportation, free rides, public transportation, HB 2645, HB2645, Fairfax Bridge, State Route 165, SR 165, Carbon River, Washington State Department of Transportation, WSDOT, emergency infrastructure replacement, bridge collapse, bridge closure, transportation emergency, public safety, infrastructure repair, bridge replacement

Transcript Highlights:

• The governor, in the event of emergency, is authorized to proclaim a state of emergency for the whole
• bidding requirements regarding the awarding of contracts and expand the use of state workforces in the event
• That would conclude what is in the proposed substitute, with the exception of a general provision granting
• plans and replace them with criteria that currently exist in another statute, which are identical except
• Another statute, which are identical except for the addition of a time frame for the application of the

Summary: The Transportation Committee held public hearings on House Bill 2550 and House Bill 2645, then moved to executive session on three other bills. HB 2550 would require certain community and technical college students enrolled in degree- or certificate-seeking programs to be allowed to ride transit for free as a condition of transit support grant eligibility. Staff said the current program already requires zero-fare access for riders 18 and under, and the bill would expand that requirement to CTC students. Testimony from the sponsor, students, and transit advocates supported the goal of reducing barriers to education, while the Washington State Transit Association raised implementation concerns, including how eligibility would be verified and the potential loss of fare revenue and added administrative costs. The fiscal note discussion estimated local impacts of roughly $10 million to $12 million per year for affected transit agencies. HB 2645 concerned the emergency replacement of the closed Fairfax Bridge on State Route 165. The bill and proposed substitute would declare an emergency and give WSDOT expanded authority to expedite bridge replacement by waiving or suspending certain state requirements. The sponsor and many local residents, business owners, recreation advocates, and emergency responders testified that the bridge closure has cut off communities, limited access to Mount Rainier and public lands, and significantly increased emergency response times. WSDOT testified that it is already moving forward with planning and design for a replacement bridge, but said much of the timeline is driven by federal requirements such as NEPA, historic preservation, and endangered species review. No vote was taken on HB 2550 or HB 2645 in the transcript. In executive session, the committee adopted a proposed substitute for HB 2109, which allows certain towed vehicles with debris on them to be covered instead of cleaned before transport, and passed it out of committee 27-0. The committee also adopted an amendment to HB 2134, which updates regional transportation planning requirements related to greenhouse gas and vehicle miles traveled reductions, and passed the bill out 16-12. Finally, the committee adopted two amendments to HB 2323 creating the Blue Envelope Program for traffic stops involving neurodiverse individuals, then passed the bill out of committee 28-0.

Transcript Highlights:

• Essentially, the SFEU was the state's only reserve balance, with very brief exceptions where the BSA
• Yes, except with the cap, it wasn't available. So it ended up resulting in a refund to taxpayers.
• And now we'll go to the main event. We have on it. was always available. Yes.
• Except with the cap, it wasn't available. So it ended up in resulting in a refund to taxpayers.
• And now we'll go to the main event. we have on it. And now we'll go to the main event.

Summary: The Assembly Budget Subcommittee on Accountability and Oversight held a hearing on proposals to reform California’s Budget Stabilization Account, or rainy day fund, ahead of the May Revision. Members and witnesses reviewed how Proposition 2 (2014) changed reserve rules, including mandatory deposits, a 10% cap on the fund, and limits tied to the Governor’s declaration of a budget emergency. LAO staff explained that California’s revenues are highly volatile, that current reserve rules are complicated by interactions with Proposition 98 and the Gann limit, and that under current law reserves would cover only about one-third of funding shortfalls in a benchmark scenario over 50 years. The LAO presented its report recommending a larger reserve target, including raising the cap to 50% by 2055 and pairing that with either broader, more flexible deposit rules or a simpler approach that deposits all excess capital gains. The Department of Finance described the Governor’s proposal to raise the cap from 10% to 20% and exempt BSA deposits from the state appropriations limit, while Assembly Member Valencia presented ACA 1, which would make similar changes and was described as an evolving proposal. Testimony generally supported saving more during boom years, but differed on how much to hardwire into the Constitution versus leave flexible, and on whether to broaden the deposit formulas beyond capital gains. Public witnesses and committee members raised additional issues, including whether reserve reforms should also address debt repayment, the treatment of unemployment insurance fund debt, and whether the Gann limit should be adjusted to better allow reserve growth. Supporters argued that stronger reserves would protect Californians from cuts during downturns and help the state weather volatility and federal funding threats. Some advocates warned that reforms should not come at the expense of current public needs, while taxpayer representatives cautioned against turning the BSA into a pass-through account that weakens constitutional spending limits. The hearing ended without a vote, with the committee chair noting the complexity of the issue and adjourning after public comment.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:09:10.880><c> And</c><00:09:11.120><c> today</c> this major geological event.
• And today this major geological event.
• Number two, attestation of an eligible weather condition or event.
• <00:43:24.880><c> of</c><00:43:25.680><c> um</c> exception of um exception of um of<00:43:27.760><c>
• Uh section weather condition or event.

Transcript Highlights:

• And note there's an exception to this process if that existing generator has added new... dispatchable
• and this is prospective. only on new projects on all 75 megawatt and higher loads. so that in the event
• Through this process we are trying to get the customers to feel comfortable shed event if they were a
• those would have the, that would have the effect of helping to mitigate the impact in a load shed event
• in our, you know, our demand response programs, we see that. 715 get very close to a to a scarcity event

Bills: SB 6 , SB6 , SB504 , SB765 , SB815 , SB929

Committee: Senate Business & Commerce

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:09:53.280><c> Um</c> we invite more exceptions to it. Um we invite more exceptions to it.
• The city flexible event space.
• </c> attend dry floor events annually. attend dry floor events annually.
• </c> regional tournaments and events. regional tournaments and events.
• </c> regional and national community events. regional and national community events.

Committee: House Taxes

Transcript Highlights:

• were greater than all combined adverse events from vaccines from the beginning of the VAERS system.
• The COVID reactions are vastly worse than all combined prior vaccine adverse events.
• And we weren't told anything except get down there and get your free shot.
• Chart one talks about adverse events.
• events attributed to all of the other vaccines in the VAERS database going back to 1990.

Committee: Joint Joint Committee on Emergency Preparedness and Management

Summary: The Joint Committee on Emergency Preparedness and Management held a hearing on several emergency management bills, with most of the testimony focused on Senate Bill 539, which would prohibit COVID-19 mRNA vaccination or gene-altering procedures as a condition of entry, employment, school attendance, or access to public venues. Senator Durant and many public witnesses supported the bill, arguing that COVID-era mandates were coercive, ineffective, and harmful, and that the state should not require proof of vaccination in future emergencies. One witness, Joanne Tuller, testified in opposition, saying the government should retain authority to impose public health measures in emergencies and warning against permanently limiting that power based on the COVID experience. The committee also heard testimony on Senate Bill 540, concerning the prevention of radioactive material discharge, with a Sierra Club representative and local residents opposing Holtec’s disposal of wastewater from the Pilgrim Nuclear Power Plant and citing health, environmental, and economic concerns in Plymouth and nearby communities. Senator Driscoll testified in support of Senate Bills 537 and 538, describing them as measures to strengthen the Commonwealth’s strategic preparedness stockpile and to create a framework for emergency response during surges in hospitalizations, including temporary waivers of prior authorization when hospitals are over capacity. In addition, Dr. Jennifer Carlson testified in support of H.885, a resolve creating a special commission on the field of emergency management, arguing that the profession should be more fully professionalized and staffed by dedicated experts rather than part-time “second hat” officials. Several other bills on the docket, including H.883 and H.84, had no sign-ups. The chair closed each bill’s testimony section as the list was exhausted, and the hearing was adjourned without any votes taken during the session.

Transcript Highlights:

• There is no general kids exception to the First Amendment.
• AB 1722 establishes a common-sense exception to take under the California Endangered Species Act.
• From a clinical standpoint, menopause is not a single event.
• So in any event, those are, you know, I see both sides to it.
• So, in any event, those are, you know, I see both sides to it.

Committee: House Judiciary

Transcript Highlights:

• So, if you think about it, the exception is the mass shooting active shooter event.
• So, if you think about it, the exception is the mass shooting active shooter event.
• So, if you think about it, the exception is the mass shooting active shooter event.
• So, if you think about it, the exception is the mass shooting active shooter event.
• So, if you think about it, the exception is the mass shooting active shooter event.

Committee: Senate Education Finance

Transcript Highlights:

• you know, that a case like that, where we are talking about very fact-dependent issues, a chain of events
• Charles County, you know, then, and we're talking about factual determinations on the chain of events
• Typically, you are accepting—obviously there's always some weird legal exception—but in the vast majority
• All right there, we have an exception where we have said in Missouri law, in statute, that there is already
• I didn't have that much concern, but the more I read 26 to 29, I think it is an economic seemingly event

Committees: House Judiciary , House Judiciary and Civil and Criminal Jurisprudence

Transcript Highlights:

• financing... programs that benefit companies, taxpayers, small businesses, the film industry, and special events
• Lisa was one of the two starters for all swimming events in the Paris Olympics.
• It's incredible to me that only two people did all that work because there were so many events, and it
• Veterans Affairs, prohibiting receiving compensation for assisting a person to obtain veteran's benefits except
• House Bill 245 prohibits compensation for assisting a person to obtain veteran's benefits except as permitted

Transcript Highlights:

• Our agency submitted four exceptional items.
• That exceptional item for this staff, I can't keep.
• The third exceptional item for our...
• TFC's final exceptional item is the...
• Those are the LAR exceptional item numbers.

Bills: SB1 , SB 1

Committee: Senate Finance

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> recommendation for any exception recommendation for any exception requests<00:39:41.280><c> and<
• So those those and there Exception or a carveout was uh daycare facilities.
• The relationship software number one has been purchased, and I believe you denied the exception request
• request um of denied uh the exception request um of $100,000<03:41:54.239><c> this</c><03:41:54.479>
• to only be effective in it should keep the Wyoming Capitol open on weekends for Stanford special events

Committee: Joint Appropriations

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><01:32:45.679><c> of</c> for these operations in the event of for these operations in the event of
• With the exception of one piece of that.
• With the exception requirements, right?
• I would strongly agricultural events.
• </c> people like you who attend these events people like you who attend these events uh<05:46:12.000>

Committee: House Environment and Agriculture

Transcript Highlights:

• In the event of the release of untreated water or undertreated sewage, Minnesota Statute 115.061c requires
• </c><00:03:12.600><c> Um</c><00:03:13.040><c> in</c><00:03:13.200><c> the</c><00:03:13.320><c> event<
• Um in the event of of sewage releases.
• Um in the event of of<00:03:14.680><c> the</c><00:03:14.800><c> release</c><00:03:15.160><c> of</c><00
• for when they bring legislature except for when they bring forward<00:15:20.800><c> uh</c><00:15:21.120

Committee: Senate Environment, Climate, and Legacy

Transcript Highlights:

• That was a monumental, life-changing event.
• They take the money that that event generated, and they give it to a qualifying event.
• They give it back to that qualifying event. Event.
• And so the same taxpayer money that was generated for that event is eligible to go back to that event
• They created an exception for liability.

Bills: SB15 , SB646 , SB800 , SB790 , SB748 , SB571 , SB1957 , SB1923 , SB1896 , SB1760 , SB1335 , SB2368 , SB2477 , SB2587 , SB2986 , SB2965 , SB1563 , SB1467 , SB1164 , SB1137 , SB614 , SB705 , SB918 , SB955 , SB869 , SB850 , SB863 , SB1055 , SB2206 , SB457 , SB2337 , SB1610 , SB1362 , SB926 , SB1494 , SB251 , SB456 , SB500 , SB1307 , SB2615 , SB2995 , SB2321 , SB2972 , SB973 , SB865 , SB506 , SB1522 , SB1558 , SB510 , SB667 , SB763 , SB2073 , SB1858 , SB1660 , SB2900 , SB1433 , SB1540 , SB1964 , SB1300 , SB1644 , SB2217 , SB2373 , SB2431 , SB1758 , SB974 , SB2480 , SB3039 , SB3047 , SB2781 , SB826 , SB766 , SB527 , SB1946 , SB2885 , SB1243 , SB2610 , SB857 , SB2501 , SB66 , SB268 , SB331 , SB1302 , SB519 , SB2807 , SB13 , SB7 , SB1718 , SB1567 , SB1233 , SB413 , SB2177 , SB30 , SB2024 , SJR1 , SCR27 , SB2018 , SB1580 , SB2121 , SB1049 , SB1266 , SB1400 , SB1596 , SB2753 , SB2221 , SB1719 , SCR9 , SB204 , SB437 , SB568 , SB612 , SB672 , SB710 , SB823 , SB876 , SB904 , SB905 , SB968 , SB1084 , SB1207 , SB1230 , SB1313 , SB1504 , SB1790 , SB2232 , SB2366 , SB2367 , SB2398 , SB2515 , SB2520 , SB2589 , SB2786 , SB2790 , SB3048 , SB3050 , SB3052 , SB3053 , SB3056 , SB3029 , SCR3 , SCR18 , SCR30 , HCR146 , HCR148 , HCR149 , HCR153 , HCR155 , HCR157 , HB5560 , HB762 , HB1584 , HB 107 , HB 114 , HB138 , HB4386 , HB2495 , HB581 , HB3348 , HB5323 , HB4341 , HB6 , HB2712 , HB171 , HB3153 , HB143 , HB2688 , HB3464 , HB449 , HB3486 , HB4263 , HB2 , HB1522 , HB24 , HB 1237 , HB2637 , HB3126 , HB3233 , HB4310 , HB3487 , HCR9 , HB5331 , HB1397 , HB163 , HB3250 , HB3071 , HB3463 , HB5033 , HB35 , HB3824 , HB216 , HB4226 , HB3512 , HB18 , HB5154 , HB 103 , HB851 , HB647 , HB4520 , HB3016 , HB2313 , HB2818 , HB2851 , HB4486 , HB4264 , HB1500 , HB5081 , HB2974 , HB2080 , HB4384 , HB5659 , HB493 , HB4903 , HB2516 , HB4488 , HB4530 , HB3689 , HB145 , HB43 , HB5247 , HB2221 , HB5671 , HB700 , HB3711 , HB 120 , SB17 , SB1637 , SB1833 , SB2155 , SB21 , SB2778 , SB379

Keywords: SB 15, Texas Local Government Code, zoning preemption, housing affordability, small lots, lot size, lot density, single-family zoning, residential subdivision, municipal land use, local control, state preemption, parking requirements, setbacks, infill development, missing middle housing, lot width, lot depth, homebuilders, housing supply

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> Bill 769 is amended with one exception Bill 769 is amended with one exception related<00:35:20.400
• Now, that event happened at the Capitol Jewish Museum in Washington, DC.
• Now, that event happened at the Capitol Jewish Museum in Washington, DC.
• And on that night, I learned how event.
• Now, that event to play ma jang.

Summary: The Senate convened with an invocation by Rabbi Ari Goldstein, whose remarks were journalized at the request of the senator from District 33. The chamber then recognized the doctor of the day, Dr. Maryann Lamont, for her 50 years in medicine and her work in neurology and stroke care, and also thanked a legislative aide, Samantha Briggs, who is leaving for law school. The presiding officer noted a quorum was present and moved into the day’s floor work. The Senate handled several messages and committee reports, including a conference committee appointment on Senate Bill 18, which concerns provisional social work licensure. In Finance, the chamber advanced Senate Bill 246 on Health Services Cost Review Commission member terms, Senate Bill 370 on acupuncture board revisions, Senate Bill 564 creating a Division of Data Protection in the Attorney General’s office and a related work group, Senate Bill 782 on telecommunications infrastructure protections, Senate Bill 808 on health insurance provider panel requirements, Senate Bill 849 on agricultural equipment warranties, Senate Bill 867 on the Maryland Aerospace and Technology Commission, and Senate Bill 982 on mutual insurance holding companies converting back to mutual insurers. Most of these bills were reported favorably with technical or conforming amendments, which were adopted without objection, and each was ordered printed for third reading. The committee also considered several House bills with Senate cross-files or identical measures. These included House Bill 118 on money transmitter licensing, House Bills 339 and 512 on Anne Arundel County Board of License Commissioners compensation, House Bill 1100 on telecommunications infrastructure protections, House Bill 1395 on agricultural equipment warranties, House Bill 1473 creating Maryland’s Future Board, House Bill 226 on Department of Disabilities housing programs, House Bill 278 codifying the Longevity Ready Maryland plan, and House Bill 746 on collaborative care model coverage and cost-sharing limits. In each case, the committee reports were adopted, amendments were approved where offered, and the bills were advanced to third reading or passed for third reading, with no recorded opposition on the floor.

Transcript Highlights:

• Bally Shreveport has provided documentation of correction of all deficiencies except for one and has
• At the last board meeting, I reported that all deficiencies had been cleared with the exception of the
• and demonstrated a willingness to protect the permittee instead of providing factual accounts of events
• Therefore, for these... events.

Summary: The Louisiana Gaming Control Board met on January 15, 2026, and first approved the minutes from its December 18, 2025 meeting. Staff then reported strong December gaming revenues across riverboats, Caesars New Orleans, racetrack slots, video gaming, sports wagering, and daily fantasy sports, with several categories showing month-over-month and year-over-year increases. Board members noted the overall growth in the industry and did not raise questions on the revenue report. The board next approved a temporary certificate of compliance extension for Bally’s Shreveport Casino and Hotel. Officials said most life-safety deficiencies from the annual inspection had been corrected, and the remaining issue involved the emergency generator, which had recently been repaired and tested successfully, though a final verification inspection was still pending. The temporary certificate was extended through February 28, 2026. The board also approved a $1,500 settlement with MPL Enterprises for late submission of required annual forms and fees. In the final agenda item, the board heard an appeal from Thomas Rasko challenging the revocation of his non-key gaming employee permit. Rasko acknowledged the underlying violation and asked for a shorter penalty, while the Division argued his conduct during an arrest showed he lacked the suitability required for gaming participation. The board voted to affirm the hearing officer’s decision, revoking his permit and finding him unsuitable to participate in Louisiana’s gaming industry, and then adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• Moving on to page three, we have another Senate-only provision similar to a previous section, except
• This would allow for new or existing customers to request a payout and creates an exception for virtual
• At the bottom of page five, there's some protections being established for borrowers in the event that
• </c><00:04:00.160><c> for</c> payout and creates an exception for payout and creates an exception for
• </c> Um these provisions are all same except Um these provisions are all same except for<00:14:25.120

Summary: The committee met to walk through nonpartisan side-by-side comparisons of House File 4188, focusing on differences between House and Senate language across consumer protection, insurance, financial services, health, and technical provisions. Staff highlighted numerous Senate-only items, including rules for financial providers communicating through trusted contacts, virtual currency requirements for banks and credit unions, a prohibition on virtual currency kiosks beginning in 2026, mortgage servicing and student loan servicing changes, the Rental Home Marketplace Guarantees Act, insurance and travel-related provisions, scrap metal licensing changes, protections related to minors accessing chatbots and AI companions, and several technical or conforming repealers. Staff also noted that some provisions were identical or substantially similar between the chambers, including mortgage originator standards, student loan borrower protections, securities-related changes, unclaimed property provisions, and technical updates in the bill’s miscellaneous articles. The Senate-only health-related articles were also summarized, including repeal of the prescription drug affordability advisory council, technical changes to the reinsurance program, and a series of health insurance provisions on enrollment-growth notices, limits on officer and director salary increases under certain capital conditions, guaranteed issue rights for certain Medicare supplement enrollees, data-sharing between Commerce and Health, restrictions on using artificial intelligence alone to deny claims, reimbursement for clinical trainees, home care nursing coverage, and PBM transparency. The Senate’s telecommunications article was described as largely technical and conforming, with repeals of obsolete statutes. Staff also noted that some standalone bills had already passed and would be removed from the comparison report. Public testimony followed. Thomas Elness of AARP Minnesota supported inclusion of the cryptocurrency kiosk bill, expressed support for guaranteed issue protections for a narrow group of consumers affected by discontinued plans, and urged adoption of changes to the consumer protection restitution account, including raising the cap to $10 million per fiscal year. Representative Lee testified that the restitution account proposal should be treated as policy rather than finance because it has a zero fiscal note, and said the House would accept the Senate’s $10 million cap. Robin Rowan, representing the Minnesota Insurance and Financial Services Council and the U.S. Travel Insurance Association, urged adoption of Senate travel insurance language, requested a House-style change to lead-generation recordkeeping language, and supported a Senate provision allowing employers and insurers to coordinate notice to employees when group policies are cancelled. The Department of Commerce then responded to questions, explaining that the prescription drug affordability council would be sunset because the board already has other avenues for public input, that the reinsurance changes were technical and did not alter the prior agreement, and that the abandoned cryptocurrency provisions rely on statutory definitions of inactivity and known examples such as keys stored in safes or deposit boxes.

Transcript Highlights:

• providers and military installations to connect with the department and the governor's office in the event
• And in the event that services or oversight is cut even further than it already is, I'm just not willing
• And in the event that services or oversight is cut even further than it already is, I'm just not willing
• Well, they beat me to it except, like, I wouldn’t know those—like, I think I’m a Class D, right?
• I have no opinion on any of the other plates, except I would point out that the proposed amendment is

Summary: The committee first heard House Bill 2134, which would create the Arizona Critical Infrastructure Protection Act to bar state and critical infrastructure entities from contracting with the People’s Republic of China or Chinese companies for access to Arizona critical infrastructure, and to prohibit Chinese-produced software in critical infrastructure. The sponsor and a witness from State Armor argued the bill was needed to reduce cyber and sabotage risks and to align Arizona policy with national security concerns. Some members questioned costs, overlap with federal law, and the Corporation Commission’s capacity, but the bill was approved on a 6-4 vote for a due pass recommendation. The committee then considered House Bill 2051, which would require AHCCCS contractors, subject to federal approval, to cover breastfeeding and lactation care services and, under a proposed amendment, create a voluntary state certification for lactation care providers through the Department of Health Services. Testimony from lactation consultants, maternal health advocates, and researchers emphasized improved maternal and infant outcomes, access gaps for Medicaid families, and potential cost savings. AHCCCS and ADHS were neutral but noted implementation costs and the need for CMS approval; the committee adopted the amendment and gave the bill a 9-0 due pass recommendation. House Bill 2700 would establish a 15-member technology-first study committee focused on assistive technology for people with disabilities, with an amendment adding appointments by legislative minority leaders. Supporters said the committee would help Arizona catch up on assistive technology, improve independence, and address staffing shortages and aging-population needs. The committee discussed the amendment and then approved the bill 9-0. House Bill 2800, which would increase penalties for knowingly lending a vehicle to a person with a DUI-related driving restriction if that person later causes serious injury or death, drew extensive debate over whether the felony penalty was too broad; the sponsor and family members of a victim supported it as a targeted deterrent, while some members raised due process and knowledge concerns. It passed 9-1. House Bill 2114, which would use motorcycle safety fund money for scholarships for rural and low-income riders and require at least one registered owner to have a Class M license before a motorcycle registration is issued, received supportive testimony from the sponsor, motorcycle advocates, and safety supporters; members noted a possible wording issue with existing endorsements, but the bill passed 10-0. The committee also took up House Bill 2127, a large special-plates bill that had been expanded into an omnibus measure; after discussion of a Kavanaugh amendment removing a duplicate Grand Canyon plate and withdrawal of an Alston amendment, the committee adopted the Kavanaugh amendment and gave the bill a due pass recommendation.