Transcript Highlights:

• made in terms of the original, I would say the original and...
• Counsel, I’m sorry, is soda a defined term?
• And in terms of the amendment, I support the amendment.
• a system that protects them when they do.
• No, it’s not five to, it’s not a definite term. This is an indefinite term, correct?”

Keywords: 994, senate, all

Summary: The committee first approved the minutes and then took up House Bill 4852, a strike-and-insert bill revising West Virginia’s food additive restrictions. Counsel explained that it moved the existing additive list into a new code section, kept the 2028 effective date, added exceptions for dietary supplements, alcoholic liquor, non-intoxicating beer, and small sellers under $5,000 per month, and created civil penalties for knowing violations. Testimony split between industry witnesses, who argued the bill and last year’s law would raise costs, burden interstate commerce, and conflict with federal regulation, and advocates who said the law is already prompting companies to reformulate and that the bill clarifies vague language tied to a federal injunction. Several amendments were offered to tie the law to FDA action or exempt soda, pepperoni rolls, frozen confections, and snack foods; some were adopted and others failed. The committee then adopted the strike-and-insert amendment as amended and reported HB 4852 to the full Senate with a do-pass recommendation. The committee next considered House Bill 5484, which creates felony offenses for interfering with a victim’s access to medical treatment or forensic care related to a sexual offense, or for forcing a victim of a sexual offense who becomes pregnant to have an illegal abortion, along with a conspiracy offense. Counsel said the strike-and-insert added clarifying language and definitions. Members raised concerns that the conspiracy language could be read to include the victim herself, and the bill sponsor said the intent was to target traffickers and abusers who keep victims from medical care and force abortions outside medical facilities. An amendment was adopted clarifying that nothing in the subsection imposes criminal liability on the victim of the sexual offense. The committee then adopted the strike-and-insert amendment, reported HB 5484 to the full Senate with a do-pass recommendation, and adopted a title amendment. The final bill discussed in the excerpt was House Bill 4468, which narrows confidentiality protections for victims in criminal complaints by limiting redaction to names and addresses, while still allowing disclosure to other governmental entities and permitting victims to request redaction of addresses from appellate decisions after July 1, 2026. Counsel said the bill would replace broader existing confidentiality language and remove provisions allowing disclosure upon a showing of justice or by subpoena. Members questioned whether the change would weaken victim privacy protections, noting that identifying information can include much more than names and addresses. The committee then began hearing testimony from a county prosecutor on the bill, but the excerpt ends before any vote or final action on HB 4468.

Transcript Highlights:

• Members, don't you think our election system deserves that same amount of care?
• ><c> the</c><02:49:04.080><c> long-term</c><02:49:04.680><c> care.
• </c> accessing the long-term care. accessing the long-term care.
• </c> condition of admission to a long-term condition of admission to a long-term care<02:49:14.840><c
• Long-term care imperative and the consumer advocates have been working together with MDH to come up with

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• This bill is necessary for long-term land stewardship. Thank you for your testimony.
• This bill is necessary for long-term land stewardship. Thank you for your testimony.
• </c> and long-term sustainability in mind. and long-term sustainability in mind.
• And these people care about our ATV systems.
• these people care about our ATV systems. systems. systems.

Keywords: 919, house, all

Summary: The committee heard House File 1012, as amended by the A1 amendment, and the author moved the bill to be laid over for possible inclusion in a future bill. The amendment, adopted on a voice vote, changed the timing for public input in trail planning, removed language on decommissioning trails, and combined the measure with another ATV-fee bill. The author said the bill would unify ATV trail signage policy statewide, align statute with DNR best practices, and not affect the forest trail inventory, existing ATV-accessible miles, or hunting exemptions. Testimony was sharply divided. Supporters, including representatives of the Minnesota Public Lands Coalition, tribal officials from the Max Band and Leech Lake Band of Ojibwe, a retired DNR conservation officer, a retired wildlife manager, and the Minnesota Environmental Quality Board, argued the bill would better protect wetlands, wildlife habitat, and culturally significant areas, improve transparency and tribal consultation, and make trail planning and enforcement more workable. The EQB said the amended bill’s rulemaking timeline was more workable, and the DNR described its existing multi-step trail review and consultation process. Opponents, including ATV Minnesota, county commissioners from northern counties, and a representative of the Minnesota Trappers Association, argued the bill would burden or restrict existing trail systems, increase costs, and threaten tourism and local economies. They said current trail development already involves DNR and local review, and that the bill could reduce access for riders, trappers, and other users. In member questions, the author and a Minnesota Association of Townships representative said the bill was intended to codify DNR best practices and bring local governments into the process earlier, while confirming that hunting exemptions were not removed.

Transcript Highlights:

• It's not just a punishment that happens; those fees have long-term consequences for them to launch.
• The first was that there's long-term negative effects and burdens of these penalties.
• </c> Uh the first was that there's long-term Uh the first was that there's long-term negative<00:14:14.440
• </c><00:14:21.280><c> effects</c> here is that crime has long-term effects here is that crime has long-term
• And to me, that's a worthwhile investment for society, given what we expect would then be the long-term

Committee: Senate Judiciary and Public Safety

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• So we're not talking about a lot of money in terms of a rebate, but we have an opportunity to take care
• Speaker and members, yes, this is a long time coming. Ms.
• Speaker and members, yes, this is a long time coming.
• This is all a long-term plan. Governance should not be done in silos.
• All right, while ensuring that victims get access to care.

Summary: The Assembly convened after a quorum call, prayer, and Pledge of Allegiance, then handled a series of procedural motions to re-refer bills, suspend rules, and remove items from the consent calendar. The chamber also heard guest introductions recognizing family milestones, a youth leadership program from Assembly District 13, a delegation of Japanese business leaders, and a Michoacan delegation. Later, members adopted several resolutions and consent items, including California Craft Beer Week, the Freedom Flag as a 9/11 remembrance symbol, Probation Services Week, and California Wildfire Week, along with other consent-calendar measures. The main floor debate centered on SB 417, a $10 billion housing bond for the ballot, with supporters emphasizing the state’s housing shortage, homelessness crisis, and funding for multifamily housing, supportive housing, homeownership, farmworker housing, student housing, tribal housing, infrastructure, and preservation of existing affordable units. Opponents criticized the proposal as adding debt without enough reform and objected to the use of veterans in the measure’s messaging. The Assembly passed SB 417 on urgency and on the measure, 54-7, and sent it to the Senate. Members then adopted ACA 20, which would expand and modernize the state Rainy Day Fund by increasing its cap and changing deposit rules; it passed 54-8 and was transmitted to the Senate. The Assembly also approved SB 623, a transportation-related bill addressing rideshare safety and medical lien practices. Supporters said it would curb abusive billing, restrict attorney conflicts and kickbacks, require stronger background checks for TNC drivers, and allow women riders and drivers to request women-only matches. The measure passed unanimously, 67-0. Later, the House adopted ACA 21, which removes ACA 13 from the November ballot, by 62-0, and ACA 22, which amends a ballot measure affecting taxation and local fiscal resources, by 64-0. The session concluded with an adjournment in memory of Dr. Dorothy Viola Calvin, followed by announcements, recesses, and final adjournment until the next scheduled floor session.

Transcript Highlights:

• I would not let this person talk for so long.
• this bill would help prevent some of the public shaming and online mugshot galleries, and reduce the long-term
• this bill would help prevent some of the public shaming and online mugshot galleries, reduces the long-term
• who repeatedly mistreat, neglect, or intentionally injure animals face felony-level consequences and long-term
• So this is a long-term... ...and long-term bans on animal ownership.

Keywords: 1064, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Long-term residents contribute to the texture of the neighborhoods and become part of that tapestry.
• Indeed, It was invented as part of the New Deal by the government to provide long-term housing stability
• need to think of it as a complement to them: a guardrail that protects existing tenants while the long-term
• It means you can remain grounded in empirical evidence of the long-term impacts of rent stabilization
• Our members care deeply about the long-term health, stability, and growth of the city.

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The Special Joint Committee on Initiative Petitions held a public hearing on Initiative Petition 25-21, House Bill 508, an act to protect tenants by limiting rent increases. Committee leaders explained the Article 48 initiative process and said the hearing was intended to gather testimony for a report to the legislature. The measure would replace current state law that prohibits rent control, cap annual rent increases at the lower of CPI or 5%, exempt certain properties including owner-occupied buildings of four or fewer units, subsidized, university, nonprofit, and short-term rental housing, and exempt new construction for 10 years. It would also eliminate vacancy decontrol, so limits would continue when units turn over, and enforcement would rely largely on tenants and the Attorney General through the courts. The hearing began with expert testimony from Whitney Airgood-Obrien of Harvard’s Joint Center for Housing Studies, who described Massachusetts’ severe rental affordability problems and reviewed research on rent regulation, noting mixed evidence on supply and quality effects but clearer evidence that rent regulation can slow rent growth and improve tenant stability. Supporters of the petition, led by Carolyn Chow of Homes for All Massachusetts, argued that rent stabilization is needed now to curb displacement and runaway rent increases, especially for low- and moderate-income renters. Laura Frost described her Arlington building being bought by a large firm that sought steep rent hikes, and said rent control would help prevent “tenant flipping” and community displacement. Dave Foley of SEIU Local 509 said the issue affects workers’ ability to live near their jobs, while Dr. Mark Paul and Tram Huang argued that the evidence supports well-designed rent stabilization, that vacancy decontrol encourages displacement, and that the policy should be seen as a complement to new housing production rather than a substitute. Committee members questioned supporters about the 10-year new construction exemption, the lack of vacancy decontrol, and whether rent stabilization could discourage development; supporters responded that the measure targets corporate rent gouging, that small landlords are protected by exemptions, and that production and rent stabilization can coexist. Opponents, including representatives of small property owners, chambers of commerce, and labor/building trades, argued the proposal would hurt small landlords, reduce investment, and slow housing production. They said operating costs such as taxes, insurance, and maintenance are rising faster than the proposed cap, and warned that the measure would reduce property values and tax revenue and could push investment to other states. Several opponents emphasized that many Massachusetts housing providers are mom-and-pop owners rather than large corporations, and said the policy would make it harder to maintain and improve housing. Committee members pressed both sides on the need for a middle ground between affordability and preserving development incentives, but no vote was taken at the hearing.

Transcript Highlights:

• the HJR, which I'll present here in a few minutes, is the number one The main goal is to ensure the long-term
• We must ensure that we protect its long-term viability.
• I am one of those who believe that we have a duty to protect the long-term viability of the corpus.
• Long-term cutoff access of like parents to a juvenile or the system.
• Is anything in long-term denial of access to the outside world? But thank you for the question.

Committee: House Rules

Keywords: 914, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Uh, you can care if you care about long-term financial sustainability, this bill is for you.
• about long-term financial care about long-term financial sustainability,<00:28:36.840><c> this</c><00
• </c><01:47:44.520><c> open</c><01:47:44.800><c> loop</c><01:47:45.040><c> system,</c> In lay terms, with
• an open loop system, In lay terms, with an open loop system, water<01:47:46.200><c> is</c><01:47:46.360
• loop system. system. system.

Keywords: 927, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• But right now, in terms of if the local governments, you know, certainly ...right now, in terms of if
• So it strengthens our commitment in terms of protecting our ratepayers.
• But I think it's good to know that the data centers will take care of their own.
• And when you hear the term rural boundaries, it is exactly what you think.
• I've stood with them on this issue for as long as I can remember.

Keywords: 999, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Another key undertaking and recovery effort was the completion of the Lahaina long-term recovery plan
• recovery plan paired with L long-term recovery plan paired with various<00:18:43.159><c> funding</c>
• These funds will work in parallel with our Lānaʻi long-term recovery plan and the CDBG-DR action plan
• These funds will work in parallel with our Lānaʻi long-term recovery plan and the CDBG-DR action plan
• where they have long-term debt on public public public transportation<00:55:00.119><c> the</c><00:55

Keywords: 910, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• In terms of providing a long-term solution to some of these challenges, do you have any thoughts about
• Yeah, what do you think about, like, in terms of long-term solutions to try to resolve this?
• This is essential to expanding equitable access to dual enrollment programs and supporting long-term
• Today is essential to expanding equitable access to dual enrollment programs and supporting long-term
• Today is essential to expanding equitable access to dual enrollment programs and supporting long-term

Keywords: 987, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• It gives 100% affordable housing the breathing room to move forward without abandoning our long-term
• SB 417 will help us do that by putting a $10 billion bond before voters and providing the stable long-term
• in it, too, rather than a grant-based system so that we have long-term longevity of the funds.
• to disperse the money on a long-term basis.
• events, bike lanes... ...including mixed-use projects, housing, building expansions, long-term events

Committee: House Housing and Community Development

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• In terms of providing a long-term solution, I think, to some of these challenges, do you have any thoughts
• Yeah, what do you think about, like, in terms of long-term solutions to try to resolve this?
• Today, this is essential to expanding equitable access to dual enrollment programs and supporting long-term
• Today, this is essential to expanding equitable access to dual enrollment programs and supporting long-term
• the most effective, evidence-based strategies available to improve college access, readiness, and long-term

Summary: The Senate Budget Subcommittee on Education heard the Governor’s proposals on dual enrollment, reading difficulty screeners, special education, school facilities, and Commission on Teacher Credentialing programs. For dual enrollment, the Department of Finance described a $100 million one-time Proposition 98 General Fund proposal to expand the Dual Enrollment Opportunities Grant Program, add flexibility for regional occupational centers, support justice-involved youth, prioritize higher-need LEAs, and allow funds for teacher professional development, along with a reduction in required instructional minutes for some dual enrollment students. The LAO recommended rejecting the new funding, saying it did not address a clear implementation barrier, while CDE supported the proposal and suggested reserving $10 million for technical assistance. Members and public commenters largely supported the expansion, with some urging additional technical assistance and broader access, including adult dual enrollment. The committee then discussed the reading difficulty screener proposal, which includes $40 million one-time Proposition 98 General Fund for implementation costs and statutory changes that would delay formal screening until the 91st day for kindergarten and the 46th day for grades 1-2. Finance said the timing was intended to reduce over-identification and align screening with sufficient exposure to instruction; the LAO recommended rejecting the funding and redirecting it to a discretionary block grant. CDE supported the investment but cautioned about the timing restrictions, and several members and public witnesses argued the proposed deadlines were too rigid and could delay early intervention, while others supported the structured timeline as a way to improve accuracy and reduce misidentification. On special education, Finance presented a proposal to increase the statewide base rate to $99 per ADA through a $509 million ongoing Proposition 98 General Fund augmentation, plus COLA and a negative growth adjustment. The LAO said the proposal should be adopted but estimated it could be achieved with less funding; CDE strongly supported the increase, citing rising enrollment and local cost pressures, and district and SELPA representatives described large local funding gaps and growing expenditures. The committee also reviewed school facilities funding under Proposition 2, with Finance and the Office of Public School Construction describing $1.5 billion in proposed bond spending, existing balances for new construction and modernization, and the use of bond authority for natural disaster recovery, including projects related to recent fires. For the Commission on Teacher Credentialing, the committee heard about the Student Teacher Stipend Program, the Golden State Teacher Grant, state operations funding for misconduct investigations and SB 848 implementation, and a $250 million proposal to extend the Teacher Residency Grant Program; CTC supported the proposals and highlighted new data systems and technical assistance, while public testimony broadly backed the investments and urged continued or additional funding for teacher recruitment, literacy screening support, and special education.

Transcript Highlights:

• taking care of us.
• The funding went to the HBCU Cares. At the end, HBCU Cares got the funding, so this...
• 650,000 that was for Cares.
• We don't care as long as it's a quality program.
• s kind of a placeholder at $50 million, but we're going to have to talk about what that looks like long-term

Keywords: 924, joint, all

Transcript Highlights:

• eastern Washington as well as statewide that does chart a path to compliance but also makes the right long-term
• Commitment Act, is a reasonable approach, giving our community more time to craft options to reduce the long-term
• Commitment Act, is a reasonable approach, giving our community more time to craft options to reduce the long-term
• Long-term greenhouse gas impact of the plant.
• Incineration is not a long-term solution, but there's obviously a lot going on here.

Summary: The Environment and Energy Committee heard testimony on three bills. HB 2426 would allow the Pollution Control Hearings Board, with unanimous agreement of the parties, to use alternative board compositions for appeals, including a single member or other qualified environmental adjudicators, so long as one member is a Washington-licensed attorney and the panel has environmental law expertise. The bill sponsor and supporters from business and conservation groups said it was a narrow, consensus-based change intended to improve efficiency and predictability. ELUHO’s director supported the concept but flagged technical issues in the bill language about attorney and Growth Management Hearings Board member qualifications. HB 2416 would provide no-cost allowances under the Climate Commitment Act to Spokane’s waste-to-energy facility, which is not currently covered until the second compliance period. Supporters, including Spokane officials, labor, and local partners, said the facility protects a sole-source aquifer, provides waste disposal and electricity for about 13,000 homes, and faces large compliance costs that could raise rates and threaten jobs. Opponents from environmental groups and Ecology argued the bill would give the facility preferential treatment, subsidize most of its emissions through 2050, and fail to ensure real emissions reductions; AWB raised concern about market impacts if new allowances are added. No vote was taken. HB 2373 would require electric utilities to offer monthly bill discount programs with tiered income levels, expanded outreach and enrollment, and updated reporting on low-income energy assistance. The sponsor said the bill is meant to make assistance more consistent and accessible statewide, while utilities and rural co-ops warned it could create unfunded mandates and significant rate increases for non-low-income customers, especially in smaller systems. Supporters from community action agencies, Commerce, and some utilities said monthly assistance is needed because energy burdens are rising and current programs are patchwork, though several urged pairing the bill with state funding or amendments. The committee heard extensive testimony but took no final action on any of the bills.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> contributing to our system. So, Mr. contributing to our system. So, Mr.
• I also want to thank you for putting this on your HEAPER request, and I think it is long, long, long
• The witness said it is a long, long, long overdue project.
• </c><01:36:02.560><c> long</c><01:36:02.639><c> long</c> and and I think it's a long long long and and
• I think it's a long long long overdue.<01:36:04.400><c> Um,</c><01:36:04.960><c> the</c><01:36:05.199

Committee: House Higher Education Finance and Policy

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• College System institutions and the 12 institutions of the State University System.
• communities, and the state by pushing Florida's research and economy into the future and increasing the long-term
• And that's exactly what this sensor system is all about.
• The system started in 2005 with a two-fan system, and that was really kind of a proof of concept.
• Yes, long division. Long division.

Committee: Senate Education Postsecondary

Summary: The Education Postsecondary Committee held its first meeting and focused on state university centers and institutes, with an overview from the Board of Governors on how the more than 500 centers and institutes across Florida’s public universities are categorized, overseen, and reported. The Board described three categories: state-level centers, legislatively established centers, and university-established centers. Members were told universities must maintain policies, notify the Board of changes, publish public inventories, and submit annual reports and compliance certifications. Senator Harrell asked about funding sources and whether underperforming centers are reviewed for elimination; the response was that funding varies by center and that universities decide whether to maintain or disband centers under their own policies, with annual reporting and audit findings shared with the Board. Four university presentations followed. Florida Atlantic University highlighted its Center of Excellence in Biomedical and Marine Biotechnology, describing research in marine-derived drug discovery, genomics, imaging, cancer, neurodegenerative disease, and ocean sustainability, along with spin-off institutes and partnerships that have generated significant grant and contract support. FIU presented its Center of Excellence for Hurricane Damage Mitigation and Product Development, emphasizing the Wall of Wind facility, hurricane and water intrusion testing, code and product innovation, insurance modeling, and future expansion toward higher wind speeds and flood simulation. Florida State University’s High-Performance Materials Institute described work in advanced materials, aerospace composites, sensors, nanocomposites, and AI-enabled materials development, along with patents, industry partnerships, and new facilities tied to economic development. The University of Florida’s Lastinger Center for Learning outlined its work on teacher professional learning, literacy, New Worlds Reading, tutoring, and mathematics supports, including microcredentials, statewide book distribution, and early results showing improved reading confidence and growth. Members generally praised the centers for their research, commercialization, workforce development, and education impacts. Senator Jones and Senator Harrell commended the Lastinger Center’s literacy work and the broader return on investment from these programs, while Senator Berman noted the value of the synergies across institutions. The chair emphasized that future funding requests should clearly show measurable success, commercialization, and statewide impact. The committee then adjourned without any formal votes on legislation.

Transcript Highlights:

• So I don't think the insurance companies want us to take two separate long-term enforcement actions against
• This has been around for a long time.
• working with stakeholders, the author, and the committee on targeted solutions that will truly improve long-term
• appreciate the chair's feedback and the amendments that he's given us because our goal is to come up with a long-term
• What happened to us is systemic. Underneath all of that are systemic delays.

Committee: Senate Insurance

Keywords: 987, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I'm in my last term. I have 13 more weeks left in my program.
• We need to make those decisions on what's recurring and what we invest in long term in the State.
• So they sometimes. deleted care and affected the quality of care that not only patients receive but families
• So this will Help to improve patient safety in the long term but also help to build You know, a bilingual
• And again, so much of what the patient will or will not do in terms.

Bills: SB106 , SB171 , SB179

Committee: Senate Senate Education

Keywords: graduate scholarship, higher education funding, New Mexico, appropriation, financial aid, education, documentary, historical figure, Padre Antonio Jose Martinez, Northern New Mexico State School, SB179, Senate Bill 179, UNM, University of New Mexico, medical Spanish, Spanish-language curriculum, health sciences, health professions education, language access, bilingual healthcare