Transcript Highlights:

• 42.720><c> site</c> This proposal is focused uh this site This proposal is focused uh this site assessment
• ><c> on</c> This proposal is focused on eliminating the backlog of high-priority Superfund site assessment
• </c><00:14:04.160><c> and</c> prioritized first for assessment and prioritized first for assessment and
• And if in those assessments that you find that there are water quality impacts, air quality impacts with
• </c> environmental assignment work assessment environmental assignment work assessment worksheets.<01

Bills: HF1587 , HF2293 , HF2218 , HF1208 , HF1482

Committee: House Environment and Natural Resources Finance and Policy

Keywords: HF1587, Cass County, Minnesota Department of Natural Resources, DNR, condemnation, eminent domain, state land, surplus land, public waters, tribal land transfer, federally recognized Indian Tribe, tribal ownership, land conveyance, no consideration, land appropriation, natural resources, U.S. Highway 2, Section 27 Township 145 North Range 28 West, land return, Tribal sovereignty

Transcript Highlights:

• carrying out these duties, cross-referral systems, training needs, and plans for monitoring and assessing
• carrying out these duties, cross-referral systems, training needs, and plans for monitoring and assessing
• Effectiveness and a timeline assessing Effectiveness and a timeline for<00:20:38.919><c> ongoing</c>
• It's helped to identify areas in need, the scope of the issue, which I think we are still assessing and
• </c><00:37:51.880><c> and</c> uh I think we are still um assessing and uh I think we are still um assessing

Committee: Senate Labor

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• The legislature at that time can assess the risk and return it to customers.
• The legislature at that time can assess the risk and return it to customers.
• The legislature at that time can assess the risk and return it to customers.
• The legislature at that time can assess the risk and return it to customers.
• that the risk requires assess that the risk requires supplemental<00:26:54.559><c> contributions</c>

Committee: Senate Commerce and Consumer Protection

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Summary: The joint Senate hearing focused primarily on SB 1201, a wildfire measure that would create a wildfire recovery fund and allow securitization for electric utilities. Hawaiian Electric strongly supported the bill, saying it would help protect customers, property owners, insurers, and the broader economy from future catastrophic wildfire liability while improving the utility’s credit profile and lowering financing costs. Support also came from DCCA Consumer Advocacy, the Attorney General’s office on written comments, Ulupono Initiative, Clearway Energy Group, IBEW Local 1260, Par Hawaii, KIUC, the Chamber of Commerce Hawaiʻi, Plus Power, and numerous organizations and individuals. Opponents or commenters raised concerns about the liability cap, victim compensation process, and fund structure, including the Hawaiʻi Association for Justice, the Hawaiʻi Regional Council of Carpenters, and the Hawaiʻi Insurance Council; Henry Curtis of Life of the Land supported the concept of a fund but questioned the catastrophe threshold and whether the fund would be empty without a prudency finding. Much of the discussion centered on whether the proposed fund would actually help restore Hawaiian Electric to investment grade, with senators comparing the proposal to California’s wildfire fund. Hawaiian Electric said the bill was only one part of a broader process, alongside physical risk reduction and settlement finalization, and argued that without the bill the utility would not regain investment grade. Senators also questioned the proposed $1 billion fund size, the fairness of ratepayer contributions versus shareholder contributions, and whether customers should pay for consulting and administrative costs; Hawaiian Electric said its proposed amendment would remove those consulting-related charges. The company also said the fund would accrue interest and, if unused, could be returned to customers, and that there would be replenishment and supplemental contribution mechanisms if the fund were exhausted. The Attorney General’s office said it still had further amendments to discuss, and the departments had not yet resolved where the fund should reside administratively, though Hawaiian Electric said it believed DCCA was the appropriate place but was open to alternatives. KIUC requested two amendments. No vote or final committee action was taken during the hearing, and the measure remained under discussion with questions and proposed amendments still outstanding.

Transcript Highlights:

• This year it was $1.10 per $1,000 of assessed value, so a $1 million house, which is very common in the
• This year it was $1.10 per $1,000 of assessed value, so a $1 million house, which is very common in the
• This year it was $1.10 per $1,000 of assessed value, so a $1 million house, which is very common in the
• this year it was A110 per ,000 of assess value<00:21:01.120><c> so</c><00:21:01.320><c> a</c><00:21:
• </c><03:13:56.319><c> for</c> a a fee they might get assessed for a a fee they might get assessed for

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The committee heard testimony on HB 332, a bill to add protection and remediation of surface waters as a new authorized purpose for New Hampshire village districts. Prime sponsor Rep. Rosemary Rung said the bill is intended to give local voters in lake communities a voluntary tool to address cyanobacteria blooms and other water-quality problems through village districts, including the ability to raise revenue, adopt ordinances, and pursue treatments or watershed management measures. She emphasized that the proposal is meant to complement, not replace, state law and that any district action would still need to comply with existing permitting and environmental requirements. Supporters, including Andrea Laro of New Hampshire Lakes and Elizabeth Harper of the Lake Sunapee Protective Association, said the bill would help municipalities collaborate on lake protection when state resources are limited. They argued that local districts could bring subject-matter expertise, access grants and technical assistance, and respond more quickly to problems such as septic impacts, runoff, culvert repairs, and in-lake treatments. They also suggested clarifying the bill’s wording around “protection and remediation” to better define the scope of authorized activities. Opponents, including Steve Wolf and Chris Norwood of the New Hampshire Association of Realtors, argued that village districts can already be overly broad and sometimes expand beyond their original purposes. Wolf said existing town and state agencies already handle shoreline protection and warned that village districts can impose ongoing taxes and create governance problems. Norwood urged a study bill instead, citing concerns about the scope of village districts and examples where some districts have taken on planning and zoning powers beyond their original mission. No vote or final action on HB 332 was taken in the excerpt.

Transcript Highlights:

• Representative Keeler: Yes, our fiscal note would assess, you know, what are the current requirements
• </c> keer yes our fiscal note would assess keer yes our fiscal note would assess you<00:57:37.839><c>
• The level of care assessments, we're just kind of aligning timelines.
• The level of care assessments, we're just kind of aligning timelines.
• The level of care assessments, we're just kind of aligning timelines.

Bills: HF1 , HF98

Committee: House Human Services Finance and Policy

Keywords: Office of Inspector General, inspector general, legislative audit, fraud prevention, waste and abuse, public funds, grant oversight, state grants, grant management, whistleblower protection, retaliation, subpoena power, data practices, government transparency, accountability, law enforcement referrals, sanctions, debarment, payment withholding, public assistance fraud

Transcript Highlights:

• We recently held a joint meeting among the three commissions to assess how the commissions' work intersects
• If I could just say, I absolutely agree with your assessment. It's taking way too long.
• If I could just say, I absolutely agree with your assessment. It's taking way too long.
• federal funding and policy changes that are going to impact households. ...assess federal funding and
• But part of this is I'm trying to sort of assess how much state money is coming that could be potentially

Committee: Joint Joint Committee on Housing

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The Joint Committee on Housing opened its second hearing of the session with remarks from Chairs Haggerty and Cyr emphasizing that the hearing was a broad look at Massachusetts’ housing crisis rather than a single bill. They highlighted topics including zoning, permitting, rental assistance, public housing, homelessness prevention, and housing production. The first witness, Housing and Livable Communities Secretary Augustus, reviewed implementation of the Affordable Homes Act and the state’s new housing plan, citing a 1.6% vacancy rate, a projected need for 222,000 new homes over 10 years, and ongoing efforts such as ADUs by right, fair housing enforcement, eviction record sealing, seasonal communities planning, and new funding for affordable housing, public housing, and the Momentum Fund. He also discussed infrastructure support for municipalities, technical assistance for ADUs, and concerns about possible federal funding cuts. Committee members questioned the secretary about ADU financing and technical assistance, the likely unit yield from the Affordable Homes Act, infrastructure barriers in suburban and rural communities, public housing waitlist management, supportive housing, and federal budget risks. MassNAHRO then testified that public housing authorities are facing rising operating and capital costs, a statewide waitlist nearing 300,000, and uncertainty over federal Section 8 and HUD funding. Witnesses described recent state support for operating subsidies, capital improvements, vacancy turnover teams, and resident service coordinators, while warning that proposed federal cuts could sharply affect voucher issuance and agency operations. CDAC’s executive director Roger Herzog described the agency’s role as a quasi-public source of early-stage financing and technical assistance for nonprofit housing developers, noting its loan capital, supportive housing bond programs, home modification loans, and preservation work under Chapter 40T. He said CDAC has helped produce or preserve more than 55,000 units and stressed the importance of patient capital and preservation tools. CHAPA CEO Rachel Heller urged the committee to focus on production, preservation, planning, and political will, supporting goals for affordability, supportive housing, and homeownership, and endorsing policy changes such as YIGBY, clearer site plan review rules, stronger fair housing funding, and more support for vouchers and public housing. MassHousing then outlined its financing role, including mortgage lending, down payment assistance, the Community Climate Bank, and the Momentum Fund, while noting that permitting delays, capital gaps, and possible federal changes could affect production. Members also asked about transparency, prevailing wage compliance, and a recent internal restructuring related to diversity and business engagement.

Transcript Highlights:

• one-time special funds for the Air Resources Board and the Office of Environmental Health Hazard Assessment
• Despite these booming revenues, the state's underlying fiscal condition, in our assessment, is not sound
• So this leaves the state, in our assessment, really poorly positioned for any slip in revenues.
• And in fact, before the end of the eight years, there's an assessment period, which we call sort of a
• How would you respond to that assessment about pricing? How would you respond to that assessment?

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• So this bill would allow the insurance commissioner to assess a fine to insurers for failing to address
• So this bill would allow the insurance commissioner to assess a fine to insurers for failing to address
• 1209 ensures CDI has the authority to obtain the financial information and documentation needed to assess
• Prohibiting reliance on this information limits insurers' ability to assess risk holistically.
• Inspection outcomes vary widely and assessments may be influenced by contractor involvement or consumer

Summary: The committee heard three major insurance-related bills. SB 1209 by Senator Allen would give the Insurance Commissioner new authority to require insurers to implement corrective actions found in market conduct and financial exams, with penalties for failure to comply. Supporters, including Commissioner Ricardo Lara and his deputies, said current law leaves CDI without a direct way to compel remediation of repeated violations or obtain needed financial information, while opponents argued the bill expands CDI authority too far, could duplicate existing penalties, and should be limited to legal violations rather than recommendations. After discussion, members and the author agreed to narrow the bill through amendments, including tying it to legal violations, applying penalties per exam rather than per policy, and clarifying accounting language; the committee then passed the bill 5-1 to Appropriations, with one member on call. SB 1301, also by Senator Allen, would reform residential property insurance non-renewals by requiring clearer written explanations, giving homeowners a chance to mitigate correctable issues, and prohibiting certain unfair non-renewal bases such as claims below deductible or claims not paid by the insurer. The author and supporters said Californians face unusually high non-renewal rates and often receive vague notices that make it hard to keep coverage, while opponents warned the bill’s original 180-day notice period and reporting requirements were too burdensome and could worsen availability. Senator Richardson said he would support the bill after the author agreed to reduce the notice period to about three months and continue working on a mitigation-based process; the committee then approved the bill 4-1, with one member on call. The committee also considered SB 1026 by Senator Gonzalez, which would strengthen regulation of bail fugitive recovery agents by allowing CDI to suspend or revoke licenses without a criminal conviction, expanding prohibited conduct, and tightening insurance and appointment requirements. Supporters, including Commissioner Lara, said the 2022 licensing law left loopholes that allow misconduct to continue and that the bill would improve public safety and accountability. Opponents from the bail industry and crime victims groups argued the bill requires unavailable or impractical insurance coverage, including coverage for willful acts, and could reduce the number of recovery agents and delay justice. Members raised concerns about the insurance language and availability, and the author said the bill was still being worked on with opposition; the committee passed it 4-1, with one member on call. Finally, the committee heard SB 982 by Senator Wiener, the Affordable Insurance and Recovery Act, which would let the Attorney General seek recovery from fossil fuel companies for climate-related costs affecting the Fair Plan and private policyholders. The author said Californians are paying rising insurance and disaster costs while fossil fuel companies that contributed to climate change are not, and witnesses from flood and wildfire communities and climate policy experts supported the bill as a way to fund recovery and resilience. Opponents, including business and labor representatives, argued the bill would impose broad liability, invite litigation, and harm jobs and energy affordability. The hearing included extensive testimony, but no vote was taken on SB 982 in the portion provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• So this bill would allow the insurance commissioner to assess a fine to an insurer for failing to address
• So this bill would allow the insurance commissioner to assess a fine to an insurer for failing to address
• 1209 ensures CDI has the authority to obtain the financial information and documentation needed to assess
• Prohibiting reliance on this information limits insurers' ability to assess risk holistically.
• Inspection outcomes vary widely and assessments may be influenced by contractor involvement or consumer

Committee: Senate Insurance

Keywords: 987, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• They talked about identifying state-owned land and trying to assess what is best served for residential
• R-PACE stands for residential property assessed clean energy or resiliency.
• low-cost, long-term financing for energy efficiency, renewable energy, and resiliency upgrades. assessed
• clean energy or resiliency. assessed clean energy or resiliency.
• It's one of those areas where if we're going to assess a civil penalty, we don't actually have to give

Committee: Senate Commerce

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• And I hear the LAO saying that your assessment is no.
• And I hear the LAO saying that your assessment is no.
• And I hear the LAO saying that your assessment is no.
• So in our assessment, it seems likely that this would probably basically fund the existing technologies
• So it's very difficult to assess, but just given the amount of money available, we think it's unlikely

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• And I hear the LAO saying that your assessment is no.
• And I hear the LAO saying that your assessment is no.
• So in our assessment, it seems likely that this would probably basically fund the existing technologies
• So it's very difficult to assess, but just given the amount of money available, we think it's unlikely
• Assess, but just given the amount of money available, we think it's unlikely this is going to make a

Summary: The meeting began with a budget subcommittee hearing on a proposed sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) tax credit trailer bill. Assembly Members Ávila Farías and another member spoke in support, emphasizing union jobs, refinery investments, and the need to decarbonize aviation. The Department of Finance said the Governor’s proposal would provide a $1 to $2 per gallon credit against the diesel excise tax for SAF sold in California from 2026 to 2036. The Legislative Analyst’s Office recommended rejecting the proposal, arguing it is a relatively expensive way to reduce emissions, has uncertain environmental benefits, could significantly reduce transportation revenues, and conflicts with the spirit of voter restrictions on transportation taxes. Committee members questioned whether the credit would mainly benefit out-of-state producers, whether firms would have diesel tax liability to use the credit, and whether the proposal would shift production away from renewable diesel and raise fuel prices. Administration and CARB staff said the credit is intended to support aviation decarbonization, preserve jobs, and help keep California on track toward its 2045 climate goals. LAO and UC Berkeley testimony countered that the policy could mostly subsidize existing technologies, that feedstock supply is limited, and that the net emissions benefit may be small relative to the cost. Members also asked about the effect on local streets and roads, SHOP, and trade corridor funding; Finance estimated a $165 million annual revenue impact would reduce those programs, while LAO said the reductions would mean fewer projects over time. No vote was taken, and the chair said the issue would remain open for further discussion. The committee then moved to a zero-emission vehicle incentive trailer bill proposing a one-time $200 million appropriation to CARB for a new point-of-sale incentive program focused on first-time buyers and leases of new and used light-duty ZEVs. Supporters said the program would help offset the loss of the federal EV tax credit, maintain momentum in California’s ZEV transition, and use a one-to-one match with participating automakers to double the state’s investment. LAO recommended rejection, saying the proposal does not meet the high budget bar this year, lacks enough program detail to evaluate, is unlikely to move sales significantly given the size of the appropriation, and could duplicate existing state and utility programs. Members asked about current incentives across light-, medium-, and heavy-duty sectors, the recent decline in ZEV sales, and whether the program would help lower-income buyers rather than subsidize purchases that would have happened anyway. CARB said the proposal is meant to fill a gap in the light-duty market, where sales fell sharply after the federal credit expired, and noted existing programs for other vehicle classes. The Department of Finance also addressed a separate question about the Motor Vehicle Account, saying a previously planned GGRF transfer was no longer needed because updated forecasts showed the fund had sufficient balances, though LAO said the account still has a structural long-term imbalance. The discussion ended before any vote or action on the ZEV proposal.

Transcript Highlights:

• The district attendance team completed a district self-assessment around the six areas of actionable
• The team completed the assessment on a scale from strength to urgent need.
• Our three pilot sites completed school self-assessments.
• The team completed the assessment on a scale from strength to urgent need.
• Our three pilot sites completed school self-assessments.

Committee: Senate Education Policy

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• , sponsored by Representative Romer, Senator Cruz, and others, establishes a statewide property assessment
• working group to produce recommendations to establish state standards governing property assessment
• Come on. statewide property assessment working group to produce recommendations to establish state standards
• governing property assessment practices in Delaware.

Summary: The Senate reconvened, read committee reports, and assigned House Bill 89 with House Amendment 1 and House Bill 393 with House Amendment 1 to the Senate Finance Committee. It then adopted Consent Calendar 64, which included resolutions recognizing Take Our Children to Work Day, Juneteenth, National Farmers Day, Invisible Disabilities Week, Stonewall Uprising Remembrance Day, National Nonprofit Day, and two property-assessment working group resolutions. The calendar passed by a unanimous roll call, and the chamber heard remarks supporting Juneteenth, Delaware agriculture, invisible disabilities awareness, and the nonprofit sector. The Senate passed the fiscal year 2026 and 2027 revenue estimates in Senate Joint Resolution 16 and Senate Joint Resolution 17, and approved the fiscal year 2027 operating budget in Senate Bill 335 after extended debate on budget growth, recurring costs, health care, education, public safety, retiree obligations, and fiscal restraint. It also passed Senate Bill 336, the one-time supplemental appropriation bill, which includes one-time investments such as a $100 million transition toward a weighted education funding formula, election support, early childhood education, classroom projects, lead remediation, and campaign finance modernization. Several members praised the budget process and staff, while others cautioned against future spending growth. Among policy bills, the Senate passed House Bill 369 to codify the Office of Gun Violence Prevention and Community Safety, House Bill 268 to increase penalties for assaulting postal workers, House Bill 374 to require workforce reporting on large public works projects, Senate Bill 253 with House Amendment 1 to standardize school bullying parental-notification procedures, Senate Substitute 1 for Senate Bill 342 to modernize the Delaware Motion Picture and Television Development Commission, House Bill 402 to extend Clean Air Act Title V permit fees, and Senate Bill 346 with Senate Amendment 1 to streamline Environmental Appeals Board timelines. The Senate also began consideration of House Bill 293, which would add hate crimes to the Victims’ Compensation Assistance Program, but the transcript cuts off before its vote is shown.

Transcript Highlights:

• understand better the current status of hospitals in our state and consider financial metrics as we assess
• metrics<00:18:51.320><c> um</c><00:18:51.640><c> as</c><00:18:51.920><c> we</c><00:18:52.120><c> assess
• /c><00:18:53.000><c> how</c><00:18:53.160><c> to</c><00:18:53.240><c> better</c> metrics um as we assess
• how to better metrics um as we assess how to better support<00:18:54.120><c> our</c><00:18:54.240><c

Committee: Senate State and Local Government

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• She said this does not reflect an attempt to assess how long any given system needs to be put in place
• um<00:09:46.560><c> an</c><00:09:46.680><c> attempt</c><00:09:47.080><c> to</c><00:09:47.800><c> assess
• </c><00:09:48.320><c> how</c><00:09:48.480><c> long</c> um an attempt to assess how long um an attempt
• to assess how long any<00:09:50.320><c> given</c><00:09:50.640><c> system</c><00:09:51.200><c> needs

Committee: Senate Rules and Administration

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• That's the definition of a first responder, the first trained individual to assess, intervene, and begin
• That's the definition of a first responder, the first trained individual to assess, intervene, and begin
• That's the definition of a first responder, the first trained individual to assess, intervene, and begin
• That's the definition of a first responder, the first trained individual to assess, intervene, and begin

Bills: HCR92 , HCR46 , HCR172 , HCR147 , HCR112 , HCR100 , HR84 , HR42 , HR139 , HR104 , HR92

Committee: House Labor

Keywords: automated external defibrillator, AED, cardiac arrest, state buildings, health education, public health, lifeguards, first responders, public safety, ocean safety, emergency response, Hawaii, workers' compensation, auditor, procurement audit, compliance, Department of Human Resources Development, transparency, accountability, medical care

Transcript Highlights:

• yet, but maybe they have become known to you through a report of suspected neglect, and you folks assessed
• neglect,<00:25:55.200><c> and</c><00:25:55.440><c> you</c><00:25:55.560><c> folks</c><00:25:55.840><c> assessed
• </c><00:25:56.360><c> that</c><00:25:56.600><c> no,</c> neglect, and you folks assessed that no, neglect
• , and you folks assessed that no, there<00:25:57.080><c> is</c><00:25:57.640><c> we</c><00:25:57.760>

Bills: SB2479 , SB2557 , SB2861 , SB3204 , SB3324 , SB3325

Committee: House Human Services & Homelessness

Keywords: criminal procedure, family violence, dating violence, child abuse, evidence admissibility, reduced sentencing, homelessness, reporting requirements, statewide office, housing solutions, kauhale projects, public oversight, SB2861, Hawaii, Office of Wellness and Resilience, OWR, Department of Human Services, DHS, Kakou Pilot Program, Kakou

Summary: The committee heard testimony on several measures related to criminal procedure, homelessness, family resilience, Medicaid-funded services, and school Medicaid reimbursement. On SB 2479 SD2, the Judiciary testified in neutral opposition with concerns that the bill could require imprisonment even for probation-eligible defendants, expand sentence reconsideration in ways that could undermine finality for victims, conflict with existing sentencing statutes, and require additional judicial resources. The Office of the Public Defender supported the bill’s intent but asked for language changes so people serving sentences could raise the new evidence in Rule 40 petitions and so probation would remain available in appropriate felony cases. Written testimony also included opposition from several county prosecutors and police, and support from the Office of Hawaiian Affairs. The chair later deferred SB 2479 SD2, citing unintended consequences and problems with the bill. For SB 2557 SD1, which would require annual reporting by the State Office on Homelessness and Housing Solutions, the office said it supported the intent but noted it already produces annual and quarterly reports, that some requested data is already available, and that staffing and cost constraints could make the new reporting burdensome. The State Council on Mental Health supported the measure and suggested narrowing the reporting language to data on individuals with serious mental illness or co-occurring behavioral health conditions, to the extent practicable and in collaboration with relevant agencies. A committee member asked about the availability of point-in-time count data, and the office explained that some figures may not be available every year and may need to be generated through HMIS. Dr. Jack Lewin testified in support, saying the data would be useful for understanding health care costs. The committee passed SB 2557 SD1 with amendments, including a deferral of the effective date. The committee also heard SB 2861 SD2 and SB 3204 SD1, both family resilience pilot program measures. For SB 2861 SD2, the Office of Wellness and Resilience and DHS supported the bill but requested amendments to clarify that the office’s role is planning and advisory, that DHS is a key partner, and that federal compliance safeguards are included. The chair raised concerns about overlap with DHS’s existing Ka Ohana program and asked for language to avoid redundancy while allowing the bill to cover other at-risk children; decision-making was deferred to the next hearing. For SB 3204 SD1, which would create a peer-navigator-based family resilience pilot, the Office of Wellness and Resilience and DHS supported the measure, with the office requesting a two-year pilot period, and both agencies and several advocacy groups submitted support. The committee discussed funding, the proposed five peer navigators, and whether the pilot should be limited to one or two geographic areas; no final action was taken in the portion provided. The committee also heard and supported SB 3324 SD1 on Medicaid home and community-based services, with the Department of Health emphasizing caregiver shortages and the cost-effectiveness of community care, and SB 3325 SD1 HD1 on public school Medicaid reimbursement, where DOE and the Attorney General requested clarifying amendments to reporting language and position titles.

Transcript Highlights:

• live in a rural area and you have three little girls, and are saying that they have the right to assess
• But until that passes, and you guys can take your own assessment of how Congress is working right now
• But until that passes, and you guys can take your own assessment of how Congress is working right now
• It's an economic assessment of the proposal to transfer ownership of federal lands in the state of Idaho

Committee: Senate State Affairs

Keywords: 989, all

Transcript Highlights:

• [clears throat] Yes, I agree, Madame Chairwoman, with Ian's assessment there that the president has the
• Chairwoman, um with Yes, I agree, Madame Chairwoman, um with Ian's Ian's Ian's uh<00:31:05.919><c> assessment
• there</c><00:31:07.200><c> that</c><00:31:07.440><c> the</c><00:31:07.919><c> president</c> uh assessment
• there that the president uh assessment there that the president has<00:31:08.720><c> the</c><00:31:09.039

Keywords: 916, all

Summary: The Rules Committee met to consider a proposed Senate Rule 15-9 prohibiting campaign contributions in Senate-controlled areas of the Capitol, prompted by concerns about lobbyists and others distributing checks to legislators while legislation is pending. The chair read a leadership statement condemning campaign contributions during session when donors’ interests are under consideration, saying such conduct creates at least the appearance of impropriety and undermines public trust. The initial draft would bar soliciting, offering, delivering, accepting, or receiving campaign contributions in Senate-controlled spaces such as the chamber, gallery, floor, corridors, lounge, lobby areas, and committee rooms. Senator Barlo raised concerns about defining the Senate’s authority and the scope of the prohibited areas, asking whether the rule would apply year-round, during interim meetings, or to online donations received while in the building. Other members responded that the Senate could only regulate areas under its control and that the rule should focus on the Capitol building itself, where fundraising should not occur. The chair noted that many other states have similar restrictions, and members discussed whether the rule should also cover campaign contributions during legislative session, not just inside the building. Senators Guru, Rothfus, and Biteman generally supported a stronger rule aimed at preventing vote buying and preserving the integrity of the institution, while acknowledging the need to refine language for enforcement and scope. The committee reviewed examples from Alaska and Wyoming’s constitutional bribery language, and staff and members proposed revised wording that would prohibit any person from knowingly soliciting, offering, delivering, accepting, or receiving campaign contributions in the state capital complex at any time, and separately prohibit senators from knowingly soliciting or knowingly accepting contributions by affirmative act during regular or special session. The discussion ended with no final vote taken, and members indicated they would continue working on the language with staff.