Video & Transcript : 'Alabama Department of Insurance' :
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MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
Committee on Health and Human Services - Part 2 - 03/17/26
Health and Human Services
Transcript Highlights:
- Department of Health. Department of Health.
- 08:09.480><c> of</c> Inspector General at the Department of Inspector General at the Department of Human
- </c> relations for the Department of Health. relations for the Department of Health.
- Department of Health.
- Department of Health.
Committee:
Senate Health and Human Services
NM
Transcript Highlights:
- the Department of Finance and Administration for communication infrastructure, including cellular telephone
- for residential property insurance for payment of depreciation.
- child care facilities to register with the department, providing for revocation or suspension of licenses
- Exempting procurement by the Early Childhood Education and Care Department of child care for families
- Programs, providing for the administration of the pilot project, assigning duties to the department,
AZ
Arizona 2026 Regular Session
02/10/2026 - House Democratic Caucus Calendar #5
Transcript Highlights:
- a denied or unpaid insurance claim the abandoned by an owner as a result of a denied or unpaid insurance
- a child's record or credit report after entering the Department of Child Services, also known as DCS
- interviews with a child and the Department of Child Safety.
- Department of Health Services to provide a grant to implement a dementia care to mentoring program.
- interviews with a child and department of child safety.
Summary:
The committee worked through a very long minority caucus calendar covering a wide range of bills, with many items being described and then either left on consent, pulled from consent, or noted for votes. Topics included bullion and state depository proposals, a produce incentive appropriation, a biennial budget change, veterans services funding, driver licensing and traffic enforcement measures, procurement and public records changes, school board and school facilities rules, SNAP work requirements and verification, child welfare and juvenile justice provisions, housing and homelessness measures, energy and fuel policy, election administration, and several tax, commerce, and licensing bills. Members repeatedly raised concerns about constitutionality, federal preemption, duplication of existing law, and whether some measures were policy priorities that had been vetoed in prior sessions and were returning unchanged.
Several bills drew extended debate. Members objected to English-proficiency requirements for commercial drivers and motor carriers, arguing federal law and the supremacy clause would bar them. Earned wage access regulation prompted strong opposition over consumer harm, overdraft cycles, and high effective APRs. School-related bills were criticized for overregulating public schools while not imposing similar requirements on ESA/private-school programs, especially on fingerprint clearance and reporting. SNAP-related bills were also opposed as setting unrealistic mandates and repeating vetoed proposals. Other contested measures included a drag-show criminalization bill, a bill restricting photo enforcement, a bill limiting local regulation of unmanned aircraft, and a bill conforming Arizona tax law to federal changes, which members said would benefit wealthy taxpayers and corporations without a clear funding source.
The committee also heard a number of supportive or less controversial measures, including bills on veterans awareness, dementia care telemonitoring, Braille transcription funding, CPA licensure pathways, cash acceptance by retailers, and some child safety and court administration changes. Several bills were pulled from consent for further discussion, while others were noted as having unanimous or near-unanimous votes. The meeting ended with caucus announcements, including an affordability award presentation, an upcoming Latino Caucus discussion on community land trusts, and an invitation to African American Legislative Day activities, followed by adjournment.
HI
Transcript Highlights:
- </c><00:47:50.960><c> of</c> is a division of the Department of is a division of the Department of accounting
- </c><01:14:51.920><c> of</c> you uh apologies also Department of you uh apologies also Department of
- of</c> the Department of Health office of the Department of Health office of Hawaiian<01:21:51.560><
- </c><01:55:44.239><c> in</c> Department the Department of Health in Department the Department of Health
- of the department of um to the head of the department of health<02:17:05.240><c> is</c><02:17:05.399>
Committee:
House Finance
TX
Texas 89th 2nd C.S.
Senate Committee on Health and Human Services Jul 8th, 2026
Health & Human Services
Transcript Highlights:
- And so hospitals look at both the statute in Subchapter I of Chapter 160 and Department of State Health
- Audrey O'Neill, Commissioner, at the Texas Department of Family Protective Services.
- Ross said that she had to use some of her insurance. Am I correct on that? Ms.
- Department of Family and Protective Services. You should have a presentation.
- Thank you for complimenting the Department of State Health Services.
Committee:
Senate Health & Human Services
ND
North Dakota 2025-2026 Regular Session
HB 1229 Conference Committee Apr 16th, 2025 at 03:30 pm
Transcript Highlights:
- favor of it of moving the bill forward.
- favor of it of moving the bill forward.
- In talking to insurance companies, all of them don't want to release how they price.
- You know, the insurance company needs to know. And so I understand your point of view there.
- My name is Brad Schaefer, the Driver and Vehicle Director for the Department of Transportation.
Summary:
The conference committee on House Bill 1229 met to try to resolve differences between the House and Senate versions of the bill, which deals with reporting certain traffic offenses to driving records and, by extension, insurance companies. House members argued that the House position was driven by concern that reporting lower-level offenses would unfairly raise insurance costs, while Senate members said they opposed removing reporting because they wanted transparency and believed people who break the law should face consequences. The discussion focused heavily on whether the bill should continue to exclude offenses at two points and below from reporting, or whether a narrower compromise such as one point and below might be acceptable.
Committee members and DOT Driver and Vehicle Director Brad Schaefer reviewed a color-coded list of offenses and how they are currently reported. Schaefer explained that salmon-shaded items automatically appear on driving records because they trigger suspension or revocation, green items are commercial-driver violations that also trigger suspension, and the remaining unshaded zero-, one-, and some two-point violations were the main subject of the conference discussion. Members debated whether some low-point items, such as equipment violations, no child restraint, distracted driving, and failure to use due care, should remain reportable, while acknowledging that serious offenses like fleeing and human trafficking would remain reportable regardless.
No final compromise was reached. Several members expressed interest in a possible middle ground limited to one-point-and-below offenses, but others worried the Senate would not accept it. The committee agreed to adjourn and reschedule after members had more time to review the list and consider possible amendments.
ID
Transcript Highlights:
- It also specifies reporting requirements of the Department of Agriculture, the movement and location
- It also specifies reporting requirements of the Department of Agriculture, the movement and location
- Walt, Director of the Idaho State Department of Agriculture.
- Twenty years of that was with the Idaho State Department of Agriculture.
- It seems to be the topic of the day with our good director of the Idaho State Department of Agriculture
Committee:
House Agricultural Affairs
Summary:
The committee first approved the March 2, 2026 minutes without opposition. It then took up House Bill 771, and at the sponsor’s request moved to hold the bill indefinitely in committee. Representative Schurz said he would return with a replacement version that narrows the bill’s focus on THC products sold through a loophole.
The main item was Senate Bill 1271, as amended, which would declare Norway and roof rats a public nuisance and invasive pest, direct the Department of Agriculture to coordinate a statewide response with counties, public health districts, and the private sector, require a public abatement plan and reporting, and make state and local participation voluntary rather than mandating spending. Supporters, including the sponsor, Ada County, and Boise officials, argued the rats are spreading quickly, can cause major property, agricultural, and public health damage, and require coordinated action before the problem grows. Opponents from the pest management industry said rat control is already handled by licensed private professionals, warned the bill could create confusion with other abatement proposals, raise taxpayer liability and future costs, and compete with private businesses.
Public testimony on SB 1271 was split between those favoring a coordinated government-private response and those urging the issue be left to private industry and local control. After debate, a substitute motion to hold the bill in committee failed 9-6. The committee then voted 9-6 to send SB 1271, as amended, to the floor with a do-pass recommendation.
Afterward, the Department of Agriculture gave an extensive presentation on invasive species, focusing on quagga mussel detection and treatment in the Snake River. The director said Idaho’s treatment effort has reduced the impacted area and remains aimed at eradication, with monitoring, watercraft inspection stations, law enforcement partnerships, and a public-private treatment contract all part of the response. Committee members asked about fish mortality, environmental effects, enforcement of boat inspection rules, and the role of private contractors in the treatment program.
MD
Transcript Highlights:
- :40.159><c> General</c> >> House 338, Department of General >> House 338, Department of General
- </c> US Department of Health and Human US Department of Health and Human Services<01:32:12.880><c> overhauled
- </c> the department of budget and management. the department of budget and management.
- </c><02:02:37.679><c> of</c> >> House 1216, insurance certificates of >> House 1216, insurance
- 02:03:21.040><c> of</c> >> It is insurance certificates of >> It is insurance certificates
CA
California 2025-2026 Regular Session
Assembly Floor Session May 12th, 2025
California House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- Escorted by Assembly Member Harabedian is Chin Yu, an outstanding member of the Pasadena Fire Department
- The process of getting a permit through the California Department of Community Housing Development, in
- traveling far for additional services or lack of insurance, and thus go without getting the therapies
- or lack of insurance, and thus go without getting the therapies they desperately need.
- During the Eaton and Palisades fire this year, the LA Department of Water and Power saw a demand that
Summary:
The Assembly met in session, established a quorum, and opened with an Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month ceremony. Members adopted House Resolution 35 recognizing May as AAPI Heritage Month, with extensive floor remarks from caucus leaders and members highlighting AAPI history, contributions, and solidarity with other communities. The chamber then honored 14 AAPI honorees from across the state, including public servants, advocates, artists, health professionals, and community leaders, before moving to the regular file.
On the floor, the Assembly passed a series of bills on social media harms to minors, labor privilege, foster care family-finding, low-impact camping areas, student body association governance, drink-spiking prevention at music festivals, behavioral health access, greenhouse gas recapture, physical therapy access, housing enforcement, insurance licensing, density bonus clarification, water district proxy voting, park district updates, secured transactions, and property tax relief during emergencies. Most measures passed with broad or unanimous support; notable votes included AB 2 on social media platform accountability passing 59-0, AB 1109 on union communications privilege passing 45-4, AB 409 on student body association open meetings passing 55-6, AB 518 on low-impact camping passing 55-0, AB 668 on drink-spiking protections passing 72-0, AB 348 on behavioral health access passing 69-0, AB 663 on HFC recapture passing 71-0, AB 574 on physical therapy access passing 68-0, AB 712 on housing enforcement passing 57-1, AB 943 on insurance pre-licensing reform passing 63-0, AB 87 on density bonus law clarification passing 63-0, AB 523 on Metropolitan Water District proxy voting passing 62-1, AB 769 on park district code cleanup passing 68-0, AB 771 on secured transactions passing 69-0, and AB 1416 on property tax installment deferrals passing 66-0.
The Assembly also took up AB 446, the Surveillance Pricing Protection Act, which would prohibit businesses from using personal data to charge different prices for the same product or service. Supporters described the practice as predatory and discriminatory, while noting ongoing concerns about preserving legitimate discounts and loyalty programs. The bill was presented as a consumer protection measure aimed at preventing hidden price discrimination and reducing cost-of-living pressures. The transcript ends amid repeated and partially duplicated readings of AB 446, without a final vote shown for that item.
FL
Transcript Highlights:
- The Secretary of State, the Department I think you proved.
- The Secretary of State, the Department of State, has the ability today to do this.
- of the department, before the EPA.
- At the heart of this amendment is the creation of the Office of Rural Prosperity within the Department
- Department of And to add one more point, the Secretary of the U.S.
Summary:
The Senate opened with prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, and several recognitions, including interns, Denim Day awareness, and a resolution honoring Vietnam veterans exposed to Agent Orange. Senators also paid tribute to former Senator Karen Johnson Gendron with a moment of silence. The chamber then moved to special-order bills after routine announcements that no committee reports, governor’s messages, or House messages were on the desk.
The first major bill, SB 138/HB 687 on transportation offenses involving death, increased penalties for repeat DUI/BUI manslaughter and vehicular homicide offenses and added warnings and misdemeanor penalties for refusing lawful breath or urine tests. After a brief amendment and questions about attorney rights and prior impairing-substance language, the bill passed 37-0. SB 306 on Medicaid providers followed, requiring broader provider access, including after-hours availability and more primary care access for Medicaid enrollees; it also passed 37-0.
The chamber then took up the major condominium reform bill, SB 1742/HB 913, addressing post-Surfside safety, reserve funding, milestone inspections, budgeting, reserve flexibility, manager regulation, conflicts of interest, and condo sale rescission periods. Senators from both parties praised the sponsors for extensive stakeholder work and the bill passed 37-0 after multiple amendments. The final major item was SB 7016/HB 1205 on constitutional amendments and petition-gathering rules, with sponsors arguing the bill was needed to combat fraud in the 2024 petition process and opponents warning it would burden citizen initiatives. The Senate adopted the House bill and then considered numerous amendments on petition circulator rules, submission deadlines, invalid-signature thresholds, voter notification, and related enforcement provisions; several amendments were adopted, and the substitute was later withdrawn, leaving the chamber to continue on the underlying bill and remaining amendments.
FL
Florida 2025 Regular Session
April 7, 2025 - 03:30 PM
Transcript Highlights:
- taxpayer savings, efficiency of governance, and effectiveness of care.
- I tried to get with everyone ahead of time to answer any of those questions.
- I'm just interested in how this is going to work in terms of the property insurance, how that is going
- That home still has residential insurance, but they also have a separate commercial line of insurance
- Sort of.
Summary:
The Health and Human Services Committee heard and passed several bills. HB 293 would codify the Office of Faith and Community in the Executive Office of the Governor, create a liaison and advisory council, and was supported by faith-based and nonprofit groups; some members questioned possible duplication with existing services and the source of any future funding, but the bill passed 24-0. CS/HB 547 would create an exception to the 30-day notice requirement before hospitals and ambulatory surgical centers sell medical debt when the debt buyer agrees not to use interest, fees, or extraordinary collection actions and must return charity-care-eligible debt; it passed unanimously after brief support testimony. CS/HB 1553 would require reporting of uterine fibroid data to the Department of Health to create a de-identified public database and reauthorize funding for implementation; it also passed 24-0, with members noting the earlier database mandate had not been carried out.
The committee then took up CS/HB 1195, “Gage’s Law,” which would require hospitals and hospital-based emergency departments to test for fentanyl in urine drug screens for suspected overdose or poisoning cases. The bill was presented as a response to overdose deaths and the need to better detect fentanyl, and emotional testimony from a parent described a son’s death after a hospital did not test for fentanyl. Members from both parties spoke in strong support, emphasizing stigma, the need for better treatment and data, and the potential to save lives; the bill passed 24-0. CS/HB 47 on child care and early learning providers would streamline inspections, speed background screening, offer free online training/testing, update definitions, protect certain family child care homes from insurance issues, and create a license-exempt category for employer-provided child care; after questions about parent notice, database listing, background checks, and insurance, an amendment was adopted and the bill passed 24-0 as amended.
Finally, CS/HB 647 would allow advanced practice registered nurses to sign death certificates in hospice settings, addressing delays that can leave families waiting to complete burial arrangements. Support testimony came from advocacy and hospice groups, and members cited the bill’s importance for families and religious burial timelines. The bill passed 23-0. The committee then adjourned.
AZ
Arizona 2026 Regular Session
02/16/2026 - House Public Safety & Law Enforcement #2
Transcript Highlights:
- House Bill 2993 authorizes the Department of Public Safety to make expenditures for legal services independent
- and that's outside of the political purview of this Attorney General.
- It puts it back into the Department of Public Safety's authority to secure whatever legal representation
- Now the good news is that, after a year and a half of fighting with the insurance companies, the insurance
- Chair, sir, what did the insurance carrier argue that the lack of a comma meant?
Summary:
The Committee on Public Safety and Law Enforcement met and announced that HB 2691 would be held and not heard further that day. The committee also set limits on testimony for the meeting. The first bill considered was HB 2993, which would allow the Department of Public Safety to obtain legal services independent of the Attorney General and redirect $5 million from the Consumer Protection Consumer Fraud Revolving Fund; an amendment changed the destination of the funds from the Peace Officers Training Fund to the Gang and Immigration Intelligence Team Enforcement Mission Fund. Supporters argued the bill would protect law enforcement from political interference and better fund public safety efforts, while opponents said it was political retaliation that would divert money from consumer protection work. The committee adopted the amendment and then passed HB 2993 with a do pass recommendation by an 8-6 vote, with one member absent.
The committee then heard HB 2231, which makes clarifying changes to the list of cancers covered under the workers’ compensation occupational disease presumption for peace officers, firefighters, and fire investigators. The sponsor and firefighter testimony said the bill does not expand benefits but fixes a drafting problem involving punctuation that had led to litigation and claim disputes with insurers. Members discussed whether the presumption is rebuttable and the effect of the comma issue, with several noting the importance of precise statutory language. HB 2231 was passed with a do pass recommendation by a 14-0 vote, with one member absent. The committee then adjourned.
NH
Transcript Highlights:
- is the beneficiary of private insurance, their parents, during the course of a year or a week, when
- </c><01:13:59.600><c> of</c> developing such policy the Department of developing such policy the Department
- > they</c> the Department of Education that they the Department of Education that they have<01:14:31.360
- > Education</c> purview of the Department of Education purview of the Department of Education to<01:14
- </c><02:04:47.719><c> of</c> and school systems or the Department of and school systems or the Department
Committee:
Senate Education
NM
New Mexico 2026 Regular Session
House - Appropriations and Finance Jan 28th, 2026 at 02:54 pm
House Appropriations & Finance
Transcript Highlights:
- So that is a direct result of a lot of the programming that's being asked of the department.
- Representative Sariñana, it's not the priority of a bureau. It is the priority of the department.
- As most of you can understand, there is a lot of collaboration between departments within PSFA.
- Prior to me starting at the Board of Finance, I spent a significant amount of time at the Department
- Prior to me starting at the Board of Finance, I spent a significant amount of time at the Department
Committee:
House House Appropriations & Finance
TX
Transcript Highlights:
- HB 502 by Flores relating to the confidentiality of identifying information of victims of certain offenses
- of risk pool contracts of public educational entities.
- HB 534 by Gervin-Hawkins relating to an external audit of investigations conducted by the Department
- HB 573 by W.E. relating to the request of a member of the legislature for an unannounced inspection of
- HB 589 by Thompson relating to combating human trafficking by the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation
Summary:
The House met for first reading and referral of a large number of bills and joint resolutions, with no substantive debate on the measures themselves. The filings covered a broad range of topics, including agency rulemaking and regulatory deference, occupational licensing reciprocity, business entities, eviction procedures, higher education, public education, health care, elections and voting procedures, criminal justice, property tax and appraisal issues, transportation, agriculture, energy, and local government authority. Several proposals also addressed constitutional amendments on matters such as Medicaid expansion, property tax limits, quorum and special-session rules, voting citizenship proof, parental rights, reproductive autonomy, and state funding allocations.
Many of the measures focused on education, public health, and election administration. Examples included bills on financial literacy in schools, school nurses and librarians, student meal debt policies, suicide prevention notices, menstrual products, and community-based learning programs, as well as election-related bills on voter registration, disability access, ballot corrections, political advertising, and voting equipment or procedures. Other notable bills dealt with housing and property issues, including evictions, homestead tax exemptions, and land ownership, along with criminal justice measures involving sentencing, juror challenges, trafficking-related nondisclosure, and firearm reporting or transfer restrictions.
The House also referred a set of resolutions to the Local and Consent Calendars Committee. At the end of the proceedings, Mr. Bell moved that the House adjourn until 2:00 p.m. Tuesday in memory of James Edward Cook of Eustace, Texas. There was no objection, and the House adjourned.
MO
Transcript Highlights:
- Yes, this is from the DCI, Department of Commerce and Insurance, and they have just asked to remove some
- She met with several individuals from the DCI, and I believe the Department of Natural Resources as well
- So it is kind of building off of that question, is my understanding correct that the purpose of this
- This source of outside funding has changed the dynamics of what the intent of civil litigation is.
- of the bill.
Committee:
House Legislative Review
Summary:
The Committee on Legislative Review met in executive session and voted House Bill 2408 due pass by an 8-0 roll call. It then considered House Bill 3092, where a House Committee amendment was adopted and rolled into a House Committee substitute despite objections that the amendment had not received a public hearing and would repeal significant insurance-related provisions. The substitute for HB 3092 was then approved 6-3. The committee also adopted an amendment and House Committee substitute for House Bill 3004, which passed unanimously 9-0.
In open hearing, Representative Hausman presented House Bill 3090 as a transparency measure requiring the state treasurer to report annually on special treasury funds that have had no spending for five years and whether those funds were moved to general revenue. She said the bill would help lawmakers identify inactive accounts and unused money. Members asked how the reporting would work, what funds might be affected, and whether the bill would move unused balances into GR after five years; the sponsor said it would. No witnesses testified for or against, and the hearing closed.
The committee then heard House Bill 3205 from Representative Castile, which would regulate third-party litigation funding, require disclosure of outside and foreign-linked funders, restrict funding from foreign adversaries, and give enforcement authority to the Attorney General. Members questioned the bill’s scope, including whether the foreign-terrorist language could be read too broadly and how liability and funding-risk provisions would work. Testimony in support came from Associated Industries of Missouri, the Missouri Insurance Coalition/Missouri Civil Justice Coalition, and medical associations, all arguing that litigation funding can distort lawsuits, hide outside influence, and expose businesses and plaintiffs to abusive or foreign-backed financing. No opposition testimony was offered, and the hearing concluded.
MO
Missouri 2026 Regular Session
2026 Legislative Session - Day Forty Seven - Tuesday, April 7
Missouri House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- It directs the Department of Social Services to pursue a waiver to strengthen the nutritional value of
- of 90-day delay to them being able to get justice just puts too much power in the hands of insurance
- point of view, or even the insurance company's point of view, or even the... or out of work.
- of 90-minute delay to them being able to give injustice, just puts too much power in the hands of insurance
- point of view, or even the insurance company's point of view, or even the, ...serving this right to
HI
Hawaii 2026 Regular Session
JHA Public Hearing - Tue Feb 24, 2026 @ 2:00 PM HST
Judiciary & Hawaiian Affairs
Transcript Highlights:
- </c> from the insurance division of DCCA. from the insurance division of DCCA.
- Department of Health.
- </c> engagement of the department of health. engagement of the department of health.
- </c> behalf of the Department of Education. behalf of the Department of Education.
- On behalf of the Department of Gardner.
Committee:
House Judiciary & Hawaiian Affairs
Summary:
The House Committee on Judiciary and Hawaiian Affairs heard testimony on HB 1875, which would expand Hawaii’s existing protections to include gender-affirming health care, clarify permitted disclosures of protected health information, and bar certain adverse actions by malpractice insurers and health carriers against providers of lawful reproductive or gender-affirming care. The Insurance Division of DCCA supported the bill with a technical amendment, suggesting language tied to actuarial analysis rather than the phrase “actuarially sound.” The Office of Information Practices also provided comments.
Most testimony was strongly in support. State agencies and advocacy groups, including the Hawaii State Youth Commission, State Health Planning and Development Agency, Commission on the Status of Women, Hawaii Civil Rights Commission, Hawaii Public Health Institute, Stonewall Caucus, ACLU of Hawaii, PFLAG Oahu, Planned Parenthood Alliance Advocates, the Healthcare Association of Hawaii, and the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, said the bill would protect patient privacy, reduce chilling effects from out-of-state litigation, and help retain providers in a state already facing shortages. Several testifiers said gender-affirming care is medically necessary, evidence-based, and life-saving, and emphasized that Hawaii should protect its own health care decisions from outside political pressure.
A few individuals testified in opposition, arguing the bill was unnecessary or that it protected providers more than opponents of the bill, but these views were not echoed by most of the testimony. The chair repeatedly reminded testifiers to keep comments brief and maintain decorum. The transcript provided does not include a final committee vote or disposition on the bill.
LA
Transcript Highlights:
- Chairman, members, House Concurrent Resolution 5 by Representative Ogeron amends Department of Wildlife
- And it was just an urge and request of the Department of Wildlife and Fisheries Commission to no longer
- I see this as a knock to the incredible biologists at our department, a detriment to the recovery of
- Cole Garrett, I see you here wishing to speak, Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries.
- Basically, all it does is take a piece of land from the Department of Transportation and transfer it
Committee:
Senate Natural Resources
Summary:
The Senate Natural Resources Committee met on May 21 with a quorum, approved the May 14 minutes, and then took up a series of natural resources, wildlife, flood control, and transportation-related measures. HB 841 on expropriation procedures was amended to strip most of its substantive language and then deferred. The committee also adopted a technical amendment and reported SCR 54 favorably, which memorializes Congress to fully fund the Mississippi River Basin Fishery Commission Act to help address invasive carp and other aquatic invasive species.
Several wildlife bills were heard and reported favorably. HB 1248 allows licensed wildlife rehabilitators to possess white-tailed deer for rehabilitation, and HB 1258 codifies a policy for sick, injured, or orphaned wildlife so the department does not automatically euthanize animals that can be rehabilitated or released. HCR 5, which allows limited red drum harvest at certain established rodeos under strict guardrails, drew opposition from a fishing guide concerned about impacts to redfish recovery, but the committee still reported it favorably. HB 688 adds Atlantic tarpon to the definition of saltwater game fish, with support from the Louisiana Wildlife Federation and others, and it was also reported favorably.
The committee also advanced several infrastructure and flood-related measures. HB 595 requires local governments to respond within 30 days to certain road-use permit requests tied to natural resource development, and it was reported favorably after testimony from oil and gas and industry representatives. HB 802 creates a watershed restoration and conservation fund, narrowed to the Amite River Basin, and was reported favorably with support from conservation and levee interests. SCR 59, urging Congress to ensure FEMA lowers flood insurance rates once the Comite Diversion Canal project reaches 50% completion, was amended and reported favorably, and HCR 62, asking FEMA to review Louisiana flood maps every five years, was also reported favorably.
The committee deferred HB 1171, which would have authorized airboats in the Maripaw Swamp Wildlife Management Area, after extensive testimony from supporters and from LDWF officials who raised concerns about habitat sensitivity, migratory birds, user conflicts, and deed restrictions. Finally, HB 1161, transferring certain state property in Lafourche and Jefferson parishes to local governments, HCR 78 supporting the American Seafood Competitive Act, HCR 86 supporting a migratory waterfowl study, and HB 1189 requiring charter boat guides on certain waters to hold U.S. Coast Guard licenses were all reported favorably.
WA
Washington 2025-2026 Regular Session
House Technology, Economic Development, & Veterans Jan 23rd, 2026
Transcript Highlights:
- It adds certain Department of Transportation workers to the definition of emergency responders and removes
- The fire department bears the cost of the firefighters it sends as well as the apparatus.
- I am the fire chief of the McLean Black Lake Fire Department.
- I am the fire chief of the McLean Black Lake Fire Department.
- The career payments, which are the largest portion of costs for departments, do need a time frame put
Summary:
The committee first met in executive session on several technology and economic development bills. Staff briefed proposed substitutes and amendments for House Bill 2157 on high-risk AI, House Bill 2225 on AI companion chatbots, House Bill 2351 on emergency responder protections, and House Bill 2186 on federal fund acquisition for economic development. Members discussed the competing approaches in the two proposed substitutes for HB 2225, including enforcement, disclosures, minor protections, and crisis-response requirements. The committee then voted to adopt the proposed substitute for HB 2225 and report it out with a due pass recommendation, with a 7-3 vote and three excused. It also passed HB 2186 out of committee with a unanimous due pass recommendation after discussion about reducing fiscal impact.
The committee then held a public hearing on House Bill 2397, which would require timely reimbursement within 60 days for state agencies and local jurisdictions mobilized under the Washington State Fire Services mobilization plan. Fire officials and fire finance staff testified in support, describing reimbursement delays of six to ten months that strain local budgets and can discourage participation in wildfire deployments. Testifiers said the bill would improve cash flow and staffing stability, while also noting the need for technical clarification on when the 60-day clock starts and possible staffing needs at the State Patrol. No one testified in opposition.
The final public hearing was on House Bill 2417, which would add victim-rights protections to the Washington Code of Military Justice, aligning state military justice procedures with the federal Uniform Code of Military Justice. The prime sponsor and military legal experts testified that the bill closes a gap so victims serving in the Washington National Guard receive the same notice, participation, and fairness protections regardless of whether they are in state or federal status. Veterans’ advocates also supported the bill, saying it would improve trust, reporting, and accountability. The bill was scheduled for future executive action, and the meeting adjourned after the hearings.