Transcript Highlights:

• It also allows them to not have to count the write-in candidates of people who didn't file to be a write-in
• You know, people write in silly things.
• They write in Mickey Mouse and Donald Duck and Jesus Christ.
• The team that comes in to count write-ins wastes their time.
• They just won't have to do those write-ins.

Keywords: 959, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• So a lot of developers here, they write all the safety documentation for their authorization... ...with
• But the ability to have those help me, say, if I want to write code, you can do that at least 10 times
• But if I want to write a Python script, the process is really nice.
• Let’s write to like... ...and keep those things balanced.
• Now, I want you to take a mental picture of this or write it down so that you'll know where we begin

Keywords: 908, all

Transcript Highlights:

• So a lot of developers here write all the safety documentation for their authorization... ...with DOE
• If I want to write code, you can do that at least 10 times faster than I can without it.
• But if I want to write a Python script, the process is really nice.
• Let's write to like... And keep those things balanced.
• Now, I want you to take a mental picture of this or write it down so that you'll know where we begin

Summary: The meeting opened with remarks about the value of public engagement and the quality of questions from the group, followed by a series of technical presentations from Idaho National Laboratory staff. Joe Renovitz described recent nuclear regulatory changes tied to presidential executive orders, including NRC Part 53 for advanced reactors, the forthcoming Part 57 for very small reactors, and DOE updates to reactor authorization standards. He emphasized efforts to align DOE and NRC processes, use risk-informed and performance-based licensing, support reactor deployment for AI/data centers and national security, and use AI to speed communications and crosswalks between DOE and NRC requirements. In response to questions, he said there was no plan to merge agencies, but rather to improve coordination and public outreach through groups like GAIN and NEI. David Tolman then discussed the nuclear fuel cycle, including uranium mining, conversion, enrichment, fuel fabrication, spent fuel storage, transportation, disposal, and reprocessing. He explained high-assay low-enriched uranium (HALEU), why it is needed for advanced reactors, and DOE’s HALEU Availability Program and related investments in enrichment, transportation, deconversion, and supply chain development. He also covered spent fuel management, the possibility of centralized storage or a fuel-cycle campus, the Center for Used Fuel Research, and ongoing work on high-burnup cask testing and reprocessing technologies. Tolman described aqueous, pyrochemical, and fluoride-volatility reprocessing approaches, noting the advantages and waste characteristics of each, and said several companies are working with INL on these technologies. Ashley Shields presented INL’s AI and nuclear work, focusing on the Genesis initiative and the Prometheus effort to use AI to design, license, build, and operate reactors with far less human intervention. She described INL’s broad use of generative AI tools, the need to manage large volumes of legacy technical data, and applications in reactor design, materials discovery, autonomous laboratories, and digital twins. Shields said AI is being used to reduce the enormous documentation burden in nuclear licensing and to support autonomous or remotely operated reactor demonstrations, while stressing that humans remain in supervisory roles. In discussion, she addressed data security, model access, and the continued need for software engineers. The session then recessed briefly and resumed with Mitch Kerman beginning a presentation on critical minerals and materials.

Transcript Highlights:

• So a lot of developers here, they write all the safety documentation for their authorization... ...with
• But if I want to write a Python script, the process is really nice.
• Copilot is, I'd say, I've had less luck using it for those, like writing code or making plots, but it's
• Let’s write to like... And keep those things balanced.
• Now, I want you to take a mental picture of this or write it down so that you'll know where we begin

Summary: The meeting opened with remarks about the value of public engagement and the availability of presentation materials, then moved into a series of technical briefings from Idaho National Laboratory staff. Joe Renovitz described recent federal and DOE efforts to streamline nuclear regulation for advanced reactors, including NRC Part 53 and upcoming Part 57 rulemaking, DOE authorization updates, crosswalks between DOE and NRC requirements, and use of AI to speed licensing communications and document review. He emphasized that the goal is to align safety standards for advanced technologies, reduce rework for developers, and support deployment for commercial, defense, and research uses. In response to questions, he said there is no current plan to merge agencies, but there is more information-sharing and embedded NRC staff at DOE facilities; he also noted public outreach is supported through groups like GAIN and NEI. David Tolman then discussed the nuclear fuel cycle, covering uranium mining, conversion, enrichment, fuel fabrication, spent fuel storage, transportation, disposal, and recycling. He explained high-assay low-enriched uranium (HALEU), DOE’s HALEU Availability Program, and the need to expand domestic enrichment, deconversion, and transportation capacity to support advanced reactors and the 2050 nuclear growth goal. He also reviewed used fuel management, including on-site storage at operating and shutdown reactors, the Center for Used Fuel Research at INL, a high-burnup research cask project, and the long-term repository question, which he said is ultimately political as well as technical. He outlined reprocessing approaches—aqueous/Purex, pyrochemical, and fluoride volatility—describing INL’s work on electrochemical processing of EBR-II fuel and noting industry interest from several companies in recycling technologies. Ashley Shields presented on AI for nuclear applications, describing INL’s use of generative AI, high-performance computing, and digital-twin tools to accelerate reactor design, licensing, operations, and materials development. She highlighted the Prometheus effort to pursue highly automated reactor design and operation, the large documentation burden for reactor licensing, and ongoing work on autonomous control, remote operation, and AI-assisted materials qualification through the Vulcan challenge and related data platforms. In questions, she said AI tools are used under data-governance and security controls, with different models chosen for different tasks, and argued that software engineers and human oversight remain necessary. The session ended with a brief recess announcement and a transition to a later presentation on critical minerals and materials.

Transcript Highlights:

• um and her husband John Adams was busy in Philadelphia um among those five um gentlemen that were writing
• Abigail Adams writes to her husband, "I'd advise the husbands to provide women equal representation under
• <00:02:10.160> the five um gentlemen that were writing the five um gentlemen that were writing
• Abigail<00:02:25.360> Adams<00:02:25.960> writes<00:02:26.360> to<00:02:26.480><
• c> her<00:02:26.640> husband,<00:02:27.680> um Abigail Adams writes to her husband,

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Some states have counties that each write their own local charter automatically.
• In the commission makeup, so if they were to create a commission to write a charter, it mandates inclusion
• I think you are looking at a difference in ability to write local ordinances that are specific to that
• There's nobody in here that's smart enough to write enough legislation to be able to control that.
• Did I write this down correctly? Americans for Lower Drug Prices? That's correct.

Bills: SJR47, SB1491, SB1579, SB1806, SB1552, SB483, SB63, SB137, SB346, SB514, SB1344, SB1360, SB1380, SB1437, SB1189, SB1217, SB1221, SB1262, SB1272, SB1325, SB1339, SB201

Keywords: voter ID, elections, constitutional amendment, Oklahoma, proof of identity, presidential electors, vacancies, oath of office, political party, property tax, valuation increase, taxpayer rights, homestead, protest process, foster care, adoption assistance, transitioning youth, Department of Human Services, voluntary services, county home rule charter

Transcript Highlights:

• We can write or fail to write in all of these statutes the regulatory authority of any of these branches
• We can write or fail to write in all of these statutes the regulatory authority of any of these branches
• And I hope that the cabinet starts tomorrow, as the senator from Jefferson 36 says, to write a responsible
• Jefferson<00:38:16.640> 36<00:38:17.320> says,<00:38:17.640> to<00:38:17.760> write
• senator from Jefferson 36 says, to write senator from Jefferson 36 says, to write a<00:38:18.040

Keywords: 958, all

Transcript Highlights:

• You're not supposed to outlive your children, you know, and having to write this statement, the second
• this statement, the second half to write this statement, the second half of<00:26:51.760> this
• Oh man, I didn't write this dude's name down. >> It was in The Atlantic and it was about Minneapolis.
• Oh man, I didn't<01:01:01.200> write<01:01:01.359> this<01:01:01.520> dude's<01:
• didn't write this dude's name down. didn't write this dude's name down.

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• local governments that require that these fees be paid using uh different paper forms and to actually write
• local governments that require that these fees be paid using uh different paper forms and to actually write
• c><00:31:06.799> and<00:31:07.039> to<00:31:07.360> actually<00:31:07.679> write
• <00:31:08.000> a paper forms and to actually write a paper forms and to actually write a check
• And even the cost of a stamp and an envelope and the cost of writing a check, we believe, will offset

Keywords: Meeting Start 00:00:02 Roll Call 00:00:23 HB 414 Discussion 00:01:58 HB 414 Vote 00:22:34 HB 43 Discussion 00:24:56 HB 43 Vote 00:26:37 HB 518 Discussion 00:27:37 HB 518 Vote 00:45:20 Adjournment 00:46:35, 958, all

Summary: The committee met with a quorum and took up three bills. House Bill 414, sponsored by the chair, would require collection of DNA at booking for felony arrests. Supporters, including Sen. Julie Rocky Adams, Michelle Kyper, and Ashley Spence, argued that felony-arrest DNA collection is already used in many states and in the federal system, helps solve cold cases, and can exonerate innocent people. Kyper and Spence gave detailed personal testimony about sexual assaults and how delayed DNA collection allowed serial offenders to remain unidentified for years. Members asked about the removal of a $5 fee in the committee substitute and about what happens to DNA if a case is dismissed; the sponsor said the fee was removed to treat DNA collection like other booking procedures, and that dismissed-case language was taken out because of concerns about duplicate samples. The committee adopted the substitute and passed the bill favorably on a roll call vote. House Bill 43, sponsored by Rep. Diana Gordon, would create a grace period for deputy coroners to complete required annual training when extenuating circumstances prevent timely completion. Gordon said the bill was a repeat of last session’s HB 403 and was intended to let deputies remain employed rather than lose their license and reapply. After a brief question about how often extensions would be used, she said the grace period would be discretionary and limited to unusual circumstances. The committee then passed the bill favorably by roll call. House Bill 518, also with a committee substitute, addressed local tax collection and payment procedures. The sponsor described it as a compromise between business groups and local governments, aimed at simplifying payment of local occupational license fees and net profits taxes by requiring cities and counties to offer electronic payment options. Testimony from the Kentucky League of Cities, the National Federation of Independent Business, and the County Judge/Executive Association focused on reducing paperwork for businesses while preserving local control and avoiding forced centralization. The committee adopted the substitute and passed the bill favorably on a roll call vote.

Transcript Highlights:

• You are writing a check for someone else's suffering.
• You are<00:18:44.320> writing<00:18:44.640> a<00:18:44.799> check<00:18:45.280><
• are writing a check for someone else's suffering.<00:18:47.360> You're<00:18:47.679> inviting
• am Kalani Lam, president of Ali Pawahi Hawaiian Civic Club, and we have submitted our comments in writing
• Um, I just wanted to call to in writing.

Keywords: 910, house, all

Summary: The Economic Development Technology Committee met on April 17, 2025, to hear STR 121, a resolution to form a working group to explore legalized gaming in Hawaii. Supporters, including DBED, labor representatives, and some industry interests, argued the measure would allow the state to gather more information, consider economic growth, job creation, investment, and tax revenue, and include a range of viewpoints before any final policy decision. Several supporters emphasized that a working group would help ensure informed decision-making and community input. Opponents argued that legalized gambling would disproportionately harm low-income residents and Native Hawaiians, increase addiction and related social harms, and bring crime, corruption, and human trafficking. Some cited examples from other states, illegal game rooms in Hawaii, and concerns that gambling revenue would be limited while social costs would be high. Others said the conversation should be led by local communities rather than industry stakeholders, and one testifier requested community representation on any working group for a potential stadium-area project. The committee also heard from witnesses who framed the measure as a way to address money leaving the state and to create a regulated alternative to illegal gambling. No vote or final action on STR 121 was taken during the hearing, and the chair noted the committee would need to adjourn in time for floor session if the hearing ran long.

Transcript Highlights:

• of carriers who are permitted to write of carriers who are permitted to write in<00:15:35.920>
• to write in the state of New Hampshire. to write in the state of New Hampshire.
• . writings. writings.
• tax because they had no life writings. tax because they had no life writings.
• I’m able to write letters to the editor in it.

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• the staff do their own analysis and report writing, and the added benefit of that is that they would
• the staff do their own analysis and report writing, and the added benefit of that is that they would
• <03:11:05.920> or<03:11:06.800> send that available either in writing or send that
• available either in writing or send it<03:11:07.279> to<03:11:07.439> us<03:11:08.000><
• to write the report. to write the report. >> 24. >> 24. >> 24. >> Yes.

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• LLM, but the code inside the government code that we're going to need to be writing to fix us.
• you're not able to testify today, you're absolutely welcome to submit comments and suggestions in writing
• didn't have a chance or you're watching this remotely, we absolutely do welcome your comments in writing
• didn't have a chance or you're watching this remotely, we absolutely do welcome your comments in writing
• Also, thank you to. writing submitted to the Budget and Fiscal Review Committee on the website.

Keywords: 987, senate, all

Summary: The subcommittee heard several May Revision proposals, primarily from the Department of Food and Agriculture, the Government Operations Agency, the Department of Technology, and the Franchise Tax Board. CDFA presented funding for the animal care program under Proposition 12, a transition away from the state hemp program to USDA oversight by January 1, 2028, ongoing support for agricultural statistics reporting after USDA reorganization, and trailer bill changes to the department’s indirect cost cap. The LAO generally supported the animal care, hemp transition, and statistics proposals, while also urging future review of the Prop 12 funding once litigation is resolved. The indirect-cost-cap language was described as technical and not increasing charges to programs, and it was held open with no objections from the LAO or Finance. The committee also discussed the new federal Workforce Pell program and related Cradle to Career funding and trailer bill language. Finance said the state is still reviewing federal rules and is focusing on basic implementation steps, with the trailer bill assigning eligibility determinations to the California Student Aid Commission, requiring data sharing through Cradle to Career, and prioritizing public institutions first. The LAO urged caution because the federal rules were just finalized and said the Legislature should better define the process and costs before appropriating the $1.3 million requested for Cradle to Career. Members raised policy concerns about limiting the program to certain institutions and about aligning the proposal with pending legislation and broader workforce policy. The Department of Technology presented a $1 million request for Poppy, the state’s digital assistant, to expand a secure GenAI platform for state employees. Members asked detailed questions about data security, model training, bias controls, and whether the system could eventually support local governments; CDT said the system uses state-controlled cloud infrastructure, does not use user data for training, and quarantines new models for review. CDT also sought provisional authority for the Middle Mile Broadband Initiative to cover possible operating shortfalls while the network is still being built; the LAO remained concerned about broad spending authority, and several members questioned the revenue assumptions and oversight. FTB then proposed retaining a smaller set of CalFile resources after the federal Direct File program was discontinued, with the LAO saying the reduced staffing level was broadly reasonable but still worth legislative scrutiny. The committee also began hearing the administration’s revenue proposals, including a permanent limitation on business tax credits and a tax on electronically delivered prewritten software, with the LAO generally supporting the goal of raising ongoing revenue but recommending changes to the software proposal’s exemptions and business-use treatment.

Transcript Highlights:

• "A good contract is when both parties can sit down, neither under duress, and they can write down how
• And if you want to write something else into this contract, there's every section.
• Well, you can write in this contract that if that federal portion does not come down, then this money
• Well, you can write in this this down.
• Well, you can write in this contract<00:34:00.240> that<00:34:00.559> if<00:34:00.720><

Keywords: Consideration of HB 10 -- 00:03:22 Consideration of HB 456 -- 00:20:47 Consideration of HB 480 -- 00:31:24, 958, all

Summary: The House State Government Committee met and first considered House Bill 10, sponsored by Rep. Hodgson, as amended by a committee substitute. The bill was described as a transition-period ethics and accountability measure for statewide executive offices. It would require preservation of certain records such as emails and texts related to appointments, permits, pardons, contracts, and settlements; create whistleblower immunity for people providing credible evidence of wrongdoing; add extra review for large settlements and certain no-bid contracts; and extend probation periods for some employees who move back into merit positions near an administration change. Members raised concerns about constitutional issues, the Attorney General’s role, the whistleblower immunity provision, and the impact on merit-system employees and subject-matter experts. The committee substitute was adopted, the bill passed the committee 16-0 with four members passing, and a title amendment was also adopted. The committee then took up House Bill 456, sponsored by Rep. Freeland and presented with Deputy State Treasurer Russell Weber. The bill would designate the fourth week of September as Unclaimed Property Week, remove the requirement that the state treasurer live in Franklin County, allow mineral proceeds such as unpaid royalties to be reported as unclaimed property, and require more complete reporting information from holders. Supporters said the changes would help publicize unclaimed property and improve the return of funds to Kentuckians, noting that the office has returned about $88 million so far. Questions focused on why the residency requirement existed, whether the new week would limit claims, and whether the bill treated all constitutional officers consistently. The sponsor said the week was only promotional and claims could still be filed year-round. During discussion of House Bill 456, the chair asked the sponsor to look into a past $250,000 embezzlement reference mentioned in debate. The bill was then put to a roll call vote and passed the committee with 16 yes votes and four pass votes, and the committee moved a title amendment as well.

Transcript Highlights:

• does is it allows a physician or prescriber—in this bill, a physician, PA, or nurse practitioner—to write
• Either physicians did not want to write it or pharmacies did not want to dispense it, and so patients
• Um, and so patients have had issues either finding a prescriber, a prescriber willing to write it, or
• it or b a mechanism of willing to write it or b a mechanism of pharmacy<00:23:59.280> that's<
• A physician can write it, can dispense it just like any other drug. >> So, not being a physician and

Bills: HB161, HB146, HB289, HB290, HB31, HB146, HB289, HB290, HB31

Keywords: consumer protection, app store, age verification, parental consent, data protection, minors, HB146, ivermectin, pharmacist, standing order, prescription drug, non-patient-specific order, dispensing, physician assistant, nurse practitioner, licensed health care provider, pharmacy board, medical licensure, disciplinary action, drug access

Transcript Highlights:

• But I spent a lot of time as the adjutant of a battalion, also writing letters home to parents saying
• But I spent a lot of time as the adjutant of a battalion, also writing letters home to parents saying
• ago or so, I'd like to look at it and look at a couple statutes and maybe reply to the committee in writing
• the<03:25:35.760> way<03:25:35.840> it<03:25:36.080> is committee in writing
• , but the way it is committee in writing, but the way it is now<03:25:36.479> is<03:25:36.800>

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I just sent a letter to Dustin and I told him about the situation in writing.
• For one permit, they had to write a check for $850,000 to move.
• For one permit, they had to write a check for $850,000 to move.
• We're writing the bill in committee. We haven't had a chance to vet any of this.
• We're writing the bill in committee. We haven't had a chance to vet any of this.

Summary: The House Natural Resources Committee met on April 29, 2026, with a quorum present and took up several bills related to property rights, expropriation, renewable energy recycling, and local permitting. Representative Domangue first presented HCR 80 on private property rights, using it to highlight the 2025 landman code of conduct and the need for stronger guardrails in expropriation negotiations. She then deferred the resolution in order to allow Chairman Geymann to present HB 841, which was described as establishing a code of conduct for landmen and expropriation-related negotiations. The committee heard testimony and watched video examples from landowners describing intimidation, inadequate compensation offers, and the need for fair treatment. Amendments were adopted to broaden the bill to all certificate holders, prohibit threats about court costs and attorney fees, shorten response times, and add graduated fines and public posting for violations. HB 841 was reported favorably as amended, with no opposition cards recorded. The committee then considered HB 621 by Representative Coates, which would require recycling of decommissioned renewable energy infrastructure to the extent practical. After discussion with DEQ, the bill was amended to clarify that existing universal waste rules apply and to remove language that would have required the renewable facility owner to pay decommissioning costs in that section; the effective date was set for January 1, 2027. Testimony from renewable energy industry representatives supported the measure and explained that solar panels and related components can be recycled at high rates, with established markets for recovered materials. The committee adopted the amendments and reported HB 621 favorably. Next, Representative Jacob Landry presented HB 595, aimed at preventing local governments from unreasonably delaying or impeding energy projects through permit requirements, especially road permits affecting Haynesville Shale operations. After amendment, the bill required timely action on local road permits and deemed them approved if not acted on within 30 days. Supporters emphasized the economic importance of the Haynesville and the need for predictable permitting, while opponents argued the bill could further erode local authority, particularly regarding carbon capture and sequestration. The committee reported HB 595 favorably. Landry then presented HB 1191, creating a certificate of compliance process for oilfield and exploration and production sites to provide a cleaner path for cleanup, finality, and future investment. The bill drew technical and substantive amendments, including changes to definitions, confidentiality, and the role of DEQ; discussion continued over whether the bill should be deferred to allow more time to work through the remaining issues.

Transcript Highlights:

• I just sent a letter to Dustin, and I told him about the situation in writing.
• About the situation in writing. He already knew. I shouldn't say Dustin to the department.
• For one permit, they had to write a check for $850,000 to move.
• For one permit, they had to write a check for $850,000 to move.
• We're writing the bill in committee. We haven't had a chance to vet any of this.

Keywords: 965, house, all

Summary: The committee first heard HCR 80 by Representative Domangue, which expressed support for private property rights and reviewed the 2025 landman code of conduct. Domangue described concerns about aggressive landmen and expropriation threats, then voluntarily deferred the resolution so Chairman Geymann could present his bill. The committee then took up HB 841, also on expropriation procedures and landman conduct. Geymann explained the bill was aimed at how expropriation negotiations are conducted and enforced, not at whether expropriation is allowed, and cited a recent dispute involving a pipeline right-of-way and threatening letters to landowners. A video of affected landowners was played, and members from industry and landowner groups discussed the need for fair compensation and better communication. The committee adopted two amendment sets to HB 841. The first set made technical changes, removed some court-cost language, broadened the code of conduct to all certificate holders, added a prohibition on threatening landowners with court costs and attorney fees, shortened the response period for offers, and clarified that the rules apply across energy types rather than only carbon capture. The second amendment set added graduated fines for violations, required the Department of Conservation and Energy to collect the fines, and directed the department to post violators on its website. After support testimony and no opposition, HB 841 was reported favorably as amended. The committee next considered HB 621 by Representative Coates, which requires recycling of decommissioned renewable energy infrastructure to the extent practical. An amendment clarified that existing DEQ recycling rules apply. Members raised concerns about decommissioning language, costs, and whether the bill overlapped with existing hazardous-waste and universal-waste rules. Coates agreed to remove the bill’s last sentence on decommissioning costs and add an effective date of January 1, 2027. DEQ explained that many components are already covered under federal and state universal-waste rules, and industry witnesses said solar recycling is feasible and already occurring. HB 621 was then reported favorably as amended. Finally, the committee heard HB 595 by Representative Jacob Landry, which addresses local permits that impede natural resource development, especially road permits affecting Haynesville shale operations. An amendment clarified that local governments may not unreasonably interfere with permitted activity and that road permits not acted on within 30 days are deemed approved. Supporters said delayed parish permits can stall rigs, reduce investment, and hurt royalty owners, while opponents warned the bill could further erode local authority, including in carbon capture matters. Police jury representatives said they were willing to keep working on the issue and suggested a 30- to 45-day target for permit decisions. HB 595 was reported favorably as amended. The committee then began HB 1191 by Representative Landry, creating a certificate of compliance process for oilfield and exploration and production sites, with testimony that it could help clear environmental liability and bring properties back into commerce; the bill was still under amendment and questioning when the transcript ended.

Transcript Highlights:

• That means if there is the BP explosion or leaking or the First Horizon, they would have been able to write
• He doesn't have the ability to write a check off of it. I don't know where he gets a card from.
• He doesn't have the ability to write a check off of it. I don't know where he gets a card from.
• He doesn't have the ability to write a check off of it. I don't know where he gets a card from.
• And also, I remove the liability from the bank or the third party so they can easily write checks and

Bills: HB79, HB437, HB646, HB1089, HB1099, SB173, SB180, SB260, SB424, SB476

Keywords: carbon capture, damages, environmental liability, legal liability, site restoration, expert witness, expert testimony, witness fees, pecuniary interest, conflict of interest, civil procedure, evidence law, Louisiana evidence code, Louisiana civil litigation, expert report, discovery, pretrial disclosure, litigation transparency, settlement, damages award

Summary: The committee first heard Senate Bill 476, which would add clearer warning language for garnishees responding to interrogatories and create a limited procedure for a new trial when a garnishee shows it never held property of, or owed money to, the judgment debtor. After brief questioning about how garnishment works, the bill was reported favorably without objection. The committee then took up Senate Bill 260 on youth athletics, which establishes required injury-mitigation training content for youth sports coaches, including emergency preparedness, concussions, heat injuries, overuse injuries, equipment, heart defects, and sudden cardiac effects. An amendment was adopted to remove language allowing the department to spend donated funds to purchase the courses, and the bill was reported as amended. House Bill 79, which removes the damage threshold for carbon capture release, was also reported favorably after sponsor testimony that carbon capture should be treated like other industries and not receive a special liability cap. Senate Bill 424, clarifying service by mail, delivery, or electronic means by defining “counsel of record” as someone who actually represents a party, was reported favorably as well. Senate Bill 180, a constitutional amendment allowing the surviving spouse of a deceased disabled veteran to make a one-time transfer of an expanded property tax exemption to another qualifying property, received a ballot-language amendment and a 6.8A report, then was reported as amended. The committee spent the most time on House Bill 1089, which creates “care accounts” for future medical damages in delictual actions. The sponsor and supporters said the bill would ensure future medical awards are actually used for medical care, function like a money market/HSA-style account, and potentially reduce costs; opponents raised concerns about the account being owned by the judgment debtor, possible reversion of unused funds to the wrong party, unclear mechanics for payment, and the impact on survivors of trafficking and sexual abuse who may need flexible, non-billing-code-based care. Several members suggested exclusions or clarifying amendments for med-mal, intentional torts, and sexual abuse victims, and the bill was reported favorably on a 6-1 vote after amendment. Finally, House Bill 437 was taken up, which bars expert witnesses from having a pecuniary interest in the outcome of the case. An amendment excluding criminal traffic and juvenile proceedings was adopted, and members discussed that the bill would prohibit contingent-style expert fee arrangements while still allowing cross-examination about an expert’s prior testimony and payment history. The discussion emphasized that the rule would apply to both plaintiffs and defendants.

Transcript Highlights:

• But we need to do the comprehensive package, and, you know, we could write it.
• I have a laundry list of questions I will follow up on in writing and, as the counsel suggested, perhaps
• But you have that ability to do... ...not just blankly appropriate money and write blank checks.
• Thank you, Madam... not just blankley, appropriate money and write blank checks.
• are working in other states, systems that are working well, and use those systems rather than try to write

Keywords: 1183, house