Transcript Highlights:

• We're going to go ahead and start off with public hearings on three bills.
• drugs, physician fees, and other medical services.
• And we’ll go ahead and close public testimony on House Bill 2283 and open public testimony on House Bill
• So that concludes public testimony. ...that concludes public testimony on this bill, House Bill 2425.
• So that concludes public testimony on all the bills.

Summary: The committee held public hearings on House Bill 2261, which would require health care providers to wear badges showing name, credential, and relevant degrees, require similar disclosure in advertising, and restrict use of the title “physician surgeon” to certain physicians and osteopathic physicians. Supporters, including the Washington State Medical Association and patient advocates, said the bill would improve transparency and informed consent. Opponents from nurse, naturopathic, and adult family home groups argued it was overly broad, burdensome, confusing, and could harm access to care or residential home settings; several also said existing disciplinary laws already address misrepresentation. No vote was taken on HB 2261 during the hearing. The committee also heard House Bill 2283, which would raise the medical loss ratio for fully insured individual, small group, and large group health plans to 90 percent. Supporters, including small business, patient, and physician groups, said the bill would push more premium dollars toward patient care and lower costs or increase rebates. Insurers and the Office of the Insurance Commissioner warned it could destabilize the market, reduce flexibility for administrative services, and lead to carrier exits, though OIC said it was working on amendments. The bill was not voted on in the hearing. House Bill 2425, an agency-request bill on nurse delegation, would broaden what tasks registered nurses may delegate, remove some setting and training restrictions, expand emergency medication authority, and adjust liability and retaliation protections. The Board of Nursing, long-term care providers, and skilled nursing/assisted living representatives supported the bill as a modernization that could ease workforce shortages and improve care access, while the Washington State Association for Justice opposed the immunity provisions and raised patient safety concerns. The hearing ended without a vote on HB 2425. In executive session, the committee advanced several bills. HB 2110, with an amendment clarifying ambulance staffing and RN scope, passed 18-0 with one excused. HB 2113 passed 18-0 with one excused. HB 2122, as amended to require hospitals to offer flu vaccines with several flexibility and critical-access-hospital exemptions, passed 15-3 with one excused. HB 2152, as amended to require certain facilities to allow medical cannabis use for qualifying terminal patients and to add related exemptions and protections, passed 17-1 with one excused. The meeting then adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• This license will be issued by the Texas Commission.
• Review by the Texas Sunset Commission.
• Year-round aerial emergency medical service in Texas performs highly specialized emergency response services
• It means a great deal to public safety. Thank you.
• We create public education and transparency. We create a fraud hotline.

Bills: HB1 , HB2 , HB3 , HB5 , HB20 , HB22 , HB1 , HB2 , HB3 , HB5 , HB20 , HB22

Transcript Highlights:

• Public awareness and behavioral change were also noted as essential.
• Many of you understand the traditional ecosystem services, those provisioning services...
• Many of you understand the traditional ecosystem services, those provisioning services: timber, grazing
• These are all different ecosystem services.
• It's open to all members of the public to watch and participate.

Committee: House Agriculture & Natural Resources

Transcript Highlights:

• Hearing none, we're going to open up public testimony and close public testimony, and leave HB 3804 pending
• Hearing none, we're going to open up public testimony and close public testimony, and leave the bill
• But the Public Utility Commission of Texas plays a critical role in regulating some of the most essential
• Hearing none, we're going to open up public testimony and close public testimony.
• Hearing none, we're going to open up public testimony and close public testimony.

Bills: HB431 , HB1522 , HB1922 , HB2467 , HB2468 , HB3228 , HB3229 , HB3306 , HB3803 , HB3804 , HB3805 , HB3806 , HB4219 , HB4238 , HB4344 , HB4386 , HB4739

Committee: Senate Business & Commerce

Summary: The committee first took up pending business and favorably reported several House bills without opposition, including HB 11, HB 132, HB 1041, HB 1606, HB 2286, and HB 5061. Each was moved out of committee with a recommendation that it do pass and be printed, and several were also recommended for the local and uncontested calendar. The committee then heard HB 3306, which would extend existing construction-contract indemnity exceptions to electric infrastructure construction, maintenance, and vegetation management work for electric utilities and transmission and distribution utilities. The sponsor said the bill would reduce litigation and insurance costs for ratepayers, while construction industry witnesses argued it would shift liability onto subcontractors and create broad-form indemnity in a way Texas law has generally prohibited since 2011. HB 3306 was left pending. The committee also heard HB 4739, a Comptroller-requested cleanup bill to repeal an outdated Finance Code provision requiring remittance of a portion of certain delinquency charges to the state, and HB 3803, HB 3804, and HB 3806, all Department of Banking-requested cleanup bills dealing with confidentiality and supervision rules for perpetual care funds, state banks, and trust companies. Those bills were briefly explained and left pending without testimony. HB 4219, aimed at improving Public Information Act compliance by requiring timely notice when records do not exist or are being withheld, allowing complaints to the Attorney General, and imposing training and fee consequences for noncompliance, drew support from a journalist and a policy analyst and was also left pending. The committee then heard HB 4238 on coerced debt and identity theft. The sponsor explained that the committee substitute narrows the bill to court-ordered findings of identity theft/coerced debt, gives collectors seven business days to stop collection activity, and removes a section to avoid litigation over court orders. A law professor and a family violence advocate testified in strong support, describing coerced debt as a barrier for domestic violence and elder abuse survivors trying to rebuild credit and access housing, jobs, and utilities. The bill was left pending. HB 1522, which would require local governments to post meeting notices three business days in advance and make budget materials more accessible online and in physical form, also drew support, though a school business officials representative raised concerns about the timing language, proposed-budget wording, and taxpayer impact statements for school districts; the bill was left pending after discussion. Later, the committee heard additional pending bills, including a PUC background-check bill that would expand the commission’s authority to check current employees and contractors and obtain FBI criminal history information, HB 3805 updating money services business regulation, HB 431 extending HOA solar-panel protections to solar tiles, and HB 3228 and HB 3229 on wind and solar recycling financial assurance and recycler solvency. HB 3228 received support from a Sierra Club witness who said recycling and disposal plans are needed for end-of-life renewable energy equipment, and HB 3229 was described as requiring recyclers to show financial resources at 125 percent through a letter of credit or bond. These bills were heard and left pending.

Transcript Highlights:

• Senate services correctly printed. Senate Bill 120 correctly engrossed.
• Senate services services services &gt;&gt; correctly<00:31:08.320><c> printed.
• </c> Judiciary after commission comm Judiciary after commission comm consideration<00:32:01.760><c> of
• Plan, the members of Equalization, and the member of the Colorado Lottery Commission.
• We will not Colorado lottery commission.

Summary: The Senate met with a quorum, approved the February 23, 2026 journal, and received several committee reports. Education recommended Senate Bill 67 be amended and sent to Appropriations, and Judiciary recommended Senate Bill 70 be amended and sent to Appropriations. The Education Committee also recommended confirmation of several Institute of Cannabis Research Governing Board appointments, and later the chamber confirmed a consent calendar of governor’s appointments, including members of the GOCO Trust Fund board, the Colorado Agriculture Development Authority, and the Wildlife Habitat Stamp Committee. On the floor, the Senate passed several bills. Senate Bill 85 and Senate Bill 25, both on the consent calendar, passed unanimously. Senate Bill 5, concerning state court remedies for violations of federal constitutional rights during immigration enforcement, passed on a 20-11 vote after a brief reconsideration mix-up and was then repassed. Senate Bill 18, concerning legal protections for a minor and sealing a related name-change record, passed 20-11. Senate Bill 31, concerning lawful use of a prescription drug product containing a Schedule I controlled substance, passed 29-2. The chamber then resolved into Committee of the Whole and took up Senate Bill 46, a property tax administration cleanup bill. After a Finance Committee report and adoption of amendment L003, the bill passed second reading and was ordered engrossed. The committee also laid over Senate Bills 53, 43, and 84 until February 25. Later, the Senate concurred with House amendments to Senate Bill 52, concerning coal transition communities and just transition money, and then repassed it. The Senate adopted the Committee of the Whole report and recessed until 11:00 a.m. after announcements and personal privilege remarks recognizing the Scientific and Cultural Facilities District and Musical Therapist Day.

Transcript Highlights:

• The report is available to the public, to the members, and is now before the House.
• It includes all public sector employees in Virginia and home care workers.
• It includes all public sector employees in Virginia and home care workers, but for employees at public
• institutions of higher education, it includes only our service employees.
• This legislation relates to collective bargaining by public employees, public employee relations board

Transcript Highlights:

• This is the commission, and the commission can give us prospects and give us ideas of people that would
• Number five, new commission email. Michael, is that you?
• So it's just Oklahoma Ed Commission at gmail.com.
• Number seven is new items from the commission.
• I am the chair, co-chair of the Higher Ed AI Commission.

Committee: House Oklahoma Education Commission

Summary: The meeting focused heavily on planning the upcoming AI Symposium and on fundraising strategy. Nellie Sanders, former Secretary of Education, introduced herself and described her background in education, workforce development, and fundraising, saying she would help in a volunteer capacity. The committee discussed the symposium theme, “The ground has moved, building Oklahoma’s AI-ready future,” and confirmed the event dates at the Hard Rock Hotel in Tulsa from June 8 to June 10. They also reviewed the event’s structure, including keynote and speaker slots, vendor participation, and the need to finalize the agenda and printed materials soon. A major portion of the discussion centered on sponsorship levels and the need to expand fundraising beyond the original food-cost-based tiers. Members debated whether the current $6,000, $15,000, and $25,000 levels were too low and proposed adding larger sponsorship tiers, including $50,000 and $100,000 event sponsor options. Based on projected costs of roughly $130,000 to $150,000 and a goal of creating reserve funds for future AI work, the group ultimately discussed aiming for a $300,000 budget and increasing attendance from 200 to as many as 400 participants if funding allows. They also talked about using the symposium to create long-term value for sponsors by offering visibility, networking, and follow-up opportunities. The committee reviewed participant categories and numbers, including innovation grant recipients, libraries, higher education, CareerTech, K-12, corrections, tribal representatives, and commission members. They emphasized that attendees must complete a microcredential and leave with actionable deliverables, such as projects, cohort meetings, and shared AI practices they can replicate at their institutions. Several members stressed the importance of broader K-12 participation, especially for rural districts, and suggested adding administrator and teacher tracks if attendance grows. The group also discussed outreach to Google, tribal partners, and other vendors, and set a planning meeting for Monday at 5 p.m., with a follow-up full committee meeting scheduled for the 30th at 1 p.m. The meeting also included an update on legislation, especially proposed changes to bill 1782. The revised bill would create an AI-related infrastructure without state appropriations, allow funds from private and federal sources, add FERPA, accessibility, and transparency protections, and accelerate council activation. Members discussed using the bill to support future AI initiatives and possibly the symposium, though they noted that any such use would need to be written into the legislation. The meeting ended with updates on the commission’s podcast, “AI Unpacked: The Oklahoma Edition,” and a brief discussion of the commission’s unique cross-sector makeup and its role in representing learners across Oklahoma.

Transcript Highlights:

• Referred to the Committee on Public Health.
• Referred to the Committee on Public Education.
• Referred to the Committee on Public Health.
• HB 3509 by Ngo relating to the common characteristic or use of public projects in a public improvement
• HB 3536 by Thompson relating to the collaborative Task Force on Public School Mental Health Services,

Summary: The House met briefly to read a large number of first-reading bills, joint resolutions, and concurrent resolutions and refer them to the appropriate committees. The measures covered a wide range of topics, including public health, education, criminal justice, taxation, transportation, water and natural resources, elections, housing, veterans issues, local government, and constitutional amendments. Several bills focused on school policy, health care regulation, property tax and sales tax changes, criminal penalties, and local or state agency authority. Among the notable items were proposals on name and sex changes on birth records, college admissions inquiries into criminal history, foster care contractor liability, school nutrition and assessment policy, election procedures, homestead and franchise tax exemptions, public retirement system reporting, and numerous transportation and infrastructure measures. The House also received resolutions designating local honors and observances, including Brownsville as the bicycling capital of the Rio Grande Valley, Port Aransas as the fishing capital of Texas, and Selena Quintanilla Perez Day. Some measures proposed constitutional amendments on legislative procedure, homestead taxation, and election-law enforcement authority. No debate or testimony occurred in this segment; the action was limited to first reading and referral. The session also referred several resolutions to the Local and Consent Calendars. At the end of the proceedings, the House adjourned without objection until 2 p.m. Tuesday.

Transcript Highlights:

• If you'll flip to page 2, it talks a little bit about our constituent services and the services that
• One is to provide audit prep services to the small local public bodies.
• these services can apply.
• So the increased cost in this P code is 4.6% in personal services and 23.9% in contracts. services, and
• We have our Deputy of Public Affairs, Tara Nix.

Committee: House House Appropriations & Finance

Transcript Highlights:

• public resources.
• to the misuse of public funds or public<00:37:14.160><c> resources.
• </c> Human Services. All in favor say I. I. Human Services. All in favor say I. I.
• the</c> commission commission staff on the commission commission staff on the amendment.<01:12:24.719
• Chair and and services. Yeah, Mr.

Committee: Senate State and Local Government

Transcript Highlights:

• And I am the Senate's public appointee to the State Bar.
• I'm dedicated to public service, and I know firsthand its value and the difference it makes in the lives
• We are, as public servants, fiduciaries to the public. We hold their funds. We hold their trust.
• So we have a cake for you, thanking you for your service.
• I want to thank the public today, who is here to participate.

Committee: Senate Rules

Transcript Highlights:

• Six had public reprimands, and nine had public letters of reprimand.
• safety, the public... ...input from individuals responsible for public safety, the public, or the victim
• to address public safety at all.
• Non-public general acute care hospitals, non-public acute psychiatric hospitals, non-public psychiatric
• Medi-Cal specialty services.

Committee: Senate Health

Transcript Highlights:

• Our rivers and waterways are open for the public, not only just us, but for all the public.
• And the Forest Service...
• We're a public service. We're no different than law enforcement or education.
• About public health offices.
• Can't provide health care services.

Committee: House House Rural Development, Land Grants And Cultural Affairs

Transcript Highlights:

• We'll be hearing public testimony on 21 bills covering various policy matters.
• No one at the commission has been able to tell us why we do this.
• When I talked to the Commission about it, no one's heard about it.
• The Commission has struggled to establish a culture of accountability.
• The legislature and the public.

Committee: Joint Joint Committee on Cannabis Policy

Summary: The Joint Committee on Cannabis Policy held its first hearing of the 194th session to take public testimony on 21 cannabis-related bills. Chairs Donahue and Gómez outlined hearing procedures and noted that written testimony would also be accepted. Much of the hearing focused on the Cannabis Control Commission (CCC), with Senator Mike Moore urging support for S. 90 to create an inspector general unit within the CCC. He argued the commission has suffered from dysfunction, workplace harassment allegations, delayed governance reforms, missed fee collections, and high legal costs, and said stronger legislative oversight is needed. Committee members largely agreed the CCC needs reform, though some expressed hope that new leadership would improve operations. A major theme was market structure and business viability. Representative Tyler testified for H. 183 to raise adult-use purchase limits from one ounce to two ounces, saying the change would reduce confusion and help retailers compete with neighboring states. Senator Payano supported S. 100, which would require a study of cannabis supply and demand to guide cultivation licensing, warning that oversupply is driving down prices and threatening cultivators. The Massachusetts Cannabis Coalition, represented by Ryan Dominguez, backed a package of bills aimed at increasing revenue, reducing regulatory burdens, attracting investment, and stabilizing the market, including higher purchase limits, simpler badge and testing rules, and a phased increase in the retail license cap. Attorneys Kevin Conroy and Mike Ross also supported raising the cap, arguing that the industry lacks capital and that more investment and exit opportunities are needed for provisional and distressed licensees. The most contentious issue was whether to raise the retail license cap from three to six. Supporters, including several business owners and industry advocates such as Peyton Shubrick, Tito Jackson, Armani White, Sean Burt, and others, said the current cap traps owners in declining businesses, prevents exits, and limits access to capital. They argued that many social equity and economic empowerment operators are struggling, that oversupply has pushed prices down, and that allowing more ownership could help businesses scale or sell. Opponents, including Senator Liz Miranda and several social equity operators, warned that lifting the cap now would let larger operators and multi-state companies dominate the market and harm equity-owned businesses. Miranda’s S. 88 would instead strengthen enforcement of ownership limits through audits, whistleblower protections, an anonymous tip line, and greater transparency. Another major topic was worker and consumer safety: Laura Bruno, Danny Carson, Al Vega, and others supported H. 194 after the death of Lorna McMurray, arguing for a CCC workplace and consumer safety department, better ventilation and PPE standards, stronger testing oversight, and retaliation protections for workers. The hearing ended without votes, with members thanking testifiers and indicating the committee would continue reviewing the bills.

Transcript Highlights:

• Uh, and as both of you are very familiar with what we do, I will skip the public service announcement
• The plate advisory commission. The plate advisory commission. commission. commission.
• The plate advisory commission. &gt;&gt; Yes sir. The plate advisory commission.
• </c> of Military Affairs and Veteran Services of Military Affairs and Veteran Services produces<00:28
• </c> commission. Thank you. commission. Thank you.

Committee: Senate Executive Departments and Administration

Transcript Highlights:

• So heard through the public hearings.
• . commissions. commissions.
• We have to pay debt service.
• We have to pay debt service. We system. We have to pay debt service.
• </c> private entity or even a public entity. private entity or even a public entity.

Committee: House Public Works and Highways

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> in public safety, victim or HR issues. in public safety, victim or HR issues.
• </c> acknowledging those services. acknowledging those services.
• service deserves.
• . service. service.
• I serve as the Director of Business Services for Sauk Rapids-Rice Public Schools.

Committee: Senate State and Local Government

Transcript Highlights:

• Of available services.
• Thank you. of available services.
• Yolanda Benson, on behalf of the County Veterans Services Office.
• Is there any public testimony or members of the public who would like to state their position?
• Is there any public test or members of the public who would like to state their position and just a reminder

Summary: The Assembly Committee on Military and Veterans Affairs met as a subcommittee because a quorum was initially lacking, and heard six bills. AB 81 by Assemblymember Ta would require CalVet to study the mental health needs of women veterans; supporters from county veterans service officers, veterans organizations, and behavioral health groups said women veterans face higher rates of military sexual trauma, PTSD, depression, and suicide, while no opposition appeared. The bill was later passed 7-0 and re-referred to Appropriations. AB 826 by Assemblymember Gonzalez would prohibit unaccredited individuals or businesses from charging veterans fees to file or assist with VA benefits claims, impose a civil penalty, and direct penalty revenue to veterans services and district attorneys. Supporters argued the bill would curb predatory “claim sharks” and protect veterans from exploitation, while opponents from private claims consulting firms and several veterans said the measure could restrict access to legitimate help and should be narrowed to target bad actors instead of banning paid assistance broadly. After extensive testimony and discussion about federal law, accreditation, and possible amendments, the committee passed the bill 8-0 and re-referred it to Judiciary. AB 556 by Assemblymember Patterson would clarify that campus-level mandatory fees are covered under the CalVet fee waiver for dependents of certain veterans and Medal of Honor recipients. Supporters said the bill would fulfill the state’s promise to veterans’ families, while concerns were raised about fiscal impacts on CSU campuses and the need for more precise cost estimates. The bill was passed 6-0 and sent to Appropriations. The committee also adopted its rules 7-0 and approved the consent calendar, which included AB 264, AB 1508, and AB 1509, all re-referred to Appropriations.

Transcript Highlights:

• Welcome to the Senate Committee on Public Safety and Military Affairs.
• I'm the oversight coordinator for the Hawaii Correctional System Oversight Commission.
• From the Director of Human Services, State of Hawaii, we have Director Ryan Mane offering comments.
• So, on the commission of oversight's testimony, I did highlight that a report said 10,500 individuals
• of oversight's testimony I it commission of oversight's testimony I it did<00:05:05.160><c> highlight

Committee: Senate Public Safety and Military Affairs

Summary: The Senate Committee on Public Safety and Military Affairs heard several bills on January 27, 2025. SB 24, relating to identification, would require the Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation to help inmates obtain civil ID cards and other vital documents for reentry. Testimony was overwhelmingly in support from DCR, the Hawaiʻi Correctional System Oversight Commission, DHS, the Hawaiʻi Disability Rights Center, health and youth advocates, and others, with comments emphasizing that reentry should begin on day one and that lack of identification is a major barrier to housing and employment. A senator asked about the low number of IDs issued in 2022 and DCR said it already has a satellite ID card machine at Hālawa and plans to procure more for other facilities. The committee recommended passage of SB 24 as is. SB 474, relating to psychologists, would require DCR clinical psychologists to obtain licensure within 10 years of employment and would sunset in 2035. DCR strongly supported the bill, citing a severe staffing shortage, low exam passage rates, and many vacant positions, while the Hawaiʻi Psychological Association expressed concerns and one testifier argued psychologists serving incarcerated people should be licensed before employment. Committee members questioned whether the 10-year period was too long and discussed alternative solutions such as pay incentives and shortage differentials. The committee ultimately recommended passage with amendments, shortening the licensure period to 5 years, moving the sunset to July 1, 2030, and making other technical changes. SB 353, relating to emergency management, would clarify emergency authority, bar suspension of public records or vital statistics requests during emergencies, define “severe warning,” and allow the legislature or city councils to terminate a state of emergency. DHS and HMA opposed the bill, arguing it could limit executive flexibility and cut off access to the major disaster fund, while supporters included public-interest and good-government groups. The committee discussed whether legislative termination authority could interfere with ongoing emergency response and recovery, with the bill’s sponsor explaining it was aimed more at situations where emergency conditions have ended, such as prolonged COVID-era proclamations. The committee recommended passage with amendments, including a delayed effective date and committee report notes referencing DHS request data and HMA’s opposition. The committee also heard SB 259, relating to recordkeeping for secondhand dealers and pawn brokers, and SB 37, relating to recordings of law enforcement activities. SB 259 was set for amendment and deferred decision-making to January 29, 2025, so the committee could seek input from HPD. SB 37 drew support from the Legal Clinic and other advocates, with a clarifying question about civil enforcement actions, and the committee recommended passage with amendments and a delayed effective date. The meeting concluded with the committee adopting its recommendations and adjourning.

Transcript Highlights:

• Utilities Commission so that the Public Utilities Commission has more ability to upend future plans.
• utilities commission who of the public utilities commission who all<00:18:30.400><c> of</c><00:18:30.559
• </c> Utilities Commission so that the Public Utilities Commission so that the Public Utilities<00:18:
• <c> forced</c><00:26:58.480><c> to</c> Public Utilities Commission is forced to Public Utilities Commission
• ><c> I</c><03:08:17.239><c> will</c> Public Utilities Commission and I will Public Utilities Commission

Committee: House Science, Technology and Energy