Transcript Highlights:

• </c> Facility Prison. Facility Prison.
• facility.
• or a minimum security facility.
• . facilities. facilities.
• Minimum-security facilities.

Keywords: 910, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• non-partisan organization dedicated to empowering people. 50 and older to choose how they live as they age
• These facilities have absolutely no idea that surplus line policies are in there or where they could
• Texas optometrists from participation when more optometrists are needed to care for the growing and aging

Bills: HB139 , HB1818 , HB1942 , HB1959 , HB2221 , HB2254 , HB2563 , HB2067 , HB2275 , HB3211 , HB139

Committee: House Insurance

Keywords: HB 1818, Texas Insurance Code, Texas Department of Insurance, commissioner of insurance, health maintenance organization, HMO, insurer, utilization review, preauthorization, prior authorization, medical necessity review, health care services, medical care, insurance regulation, insurance examination, regulatory oversight, confidential records, public information exception, Chapter 843, Chapter 1301

Transcript Highlights:

• up</c> contractor has uh facilities set up contractor has uh facilities set up specifically<00:09:42.760
• or intoxication in the facilities or intoxication in the facilities<00:10:15.040><c> from</c><00:10:
• </c><00:14:54.880><c> State</c> of say Correctional facil State of say Correctional facil State Correctional
• doing</c> Correctional fac facilities were doing Correctional fac facilities were doing pretty<00:14:
• </c> some Contraband coming into facilities some Contraband coming into facilities because<00:18:11.320

Keywords: 919, house, all

Summary: The committee took up House File 327, which would increase penalties for introducing contraband into correctional facilities, especially drugs and other dangerous items sent through the mail or brought in by outside actors. Representative Ingan described the bill as a response to a sharp rise in violations and staff exposures in DOC facilities, arguing that stronger felony penalties are needed to deter people from sending in illicit substances. The bill was laid over for possible inclusion in the committee omnibus because it has a fiscal note. The committee adopted the DE1 author’s amendment after Representative Ingan explained it was intended to clarify language that could otherwise create a catch-22 for people arrested or booked into jail who already have contraband on them. Members then raised concerns about the breadth of the bill, including overlap with an existing DOC statute and the possibility that the language could sweep in incarcerated people in situations involving prescription medication or minor exchanges. House nonpartisan staff and members suggested the DOC provisions should be reconciled with existing law before moving forward, and some suggested narrowing the bill to focus more specifically on jails. Sheriff Brad Wise of the Minnesota Sheriffs Association testified in support, saying contraband in jails threatens staff, inmates, visitors, and administrators and that current penalties are not enough to deter smuggling. Commissioner Paul Schell of Corrections also testified, noting that DOC already has a separate statute with a higher felony penalty for certain contraband, described the department’s mail-scanning contractor process, and said it has reduced suspected drug incidents by about two-thirds. An A2 amendment tied to medication intake practices was offered by Representative Curran but then withdrawn after discussion, with members agreeing the issue of medication access in facilities should be handled separately.

Transcript Highlights:

• And if a patient is in a facility but a hospice outside is managing that patient inside the facility,
• Under the definition of facility, it means non-hospital facility, including a nursing facility, assisted
• Maybe my question is: are you licensing the facility, or are you licensing the individuals in the facilities
• Facilities, and it puts in place guardrails through the Department of Health to monitor those facilities
• She was in a deplorable facility.

Committee: House Health and Welfare

Summary: The House Committee on Health and Welfare met on May 12 and considered a wide range of health, social services, and licensing measures. Early in the meeting, the committee reported favorably HCR 98, which asks the Louisiana Department of Health to study whether SNAP recipients should be allowed to use benefits for grocery delivery fees. The author said the proposal would not change SNAP rules directly, but would examine access issues for elderly, disabled, rural, and transportation-limited residents. The committee also advanced SB 273, a hospice patient-protection bill requiring documentation of hydration, nutrition, and care decisions in inpatient licensed facilities where hospice is provided, with LDH oversight and enforcement authority; members discussed how responsibility is shared between facilities and outside hospice providers, and adopted technical amendments. The committee then approved SB 415, creating the Empower Louisiana Food Purchase Program, a privately funded charitable food-card program intended to let nonprofits distribute food-only cards to people in need. Members and the author discussed whether the cards would be reloadable, which retailers could accept them, and whether prepared foods could be included; LDH said the program could use all SNAP-authorized retailers, and the bill was reported favorably with amendments. SB 437, a cleanup bill for judicially referred residential substance abuse treatment facilities, was also reported favorably with amendments after LDH clarified that facilities providing treatment must be licensed, while residences only housing individuals would not be. SB 451, updating newborn hearing screening terminology and reporting requirements, was reported favorably after testimony that the bill would strengthen early detection and follow-up for deaf or hard-of-hearing children. Later, the committee advanced SB 426, which modernizes the addictive disorder regulatory authority and creates a formal peer support specialist licensing pathway. Supporters said the bill would strengthen the behavioral health workforce, improve accountability, and create a progression from peer support to higher credentials; the committee adopted technical and transition amendments and reported the bill favorably with amendments. SB 236, requiring LDH annual reviews and reports on kidney disease treatment services in Medicaid, was also reported favorably with amendments. Additional measures approved included SB 39, allowing provisional licenses for massage therapy graduates; SB 190, which tightens oversight of poor-performing nursing facilities in the CMS Special Focus Facility Program and sets an 18-month improvement timeline; SB 124, allowing hospitals within the same health system to share peer review records without waiving privilege; HR 174, urging study of fenbendazole as a possible cancer treatment; SB 270, allowing terminally ill patients to use medical marijuana in health care facilities; SB 359, changing terms for certain Morehouse Parish hospital district commissioners; and HR 194, requesting de-identified school visual acuity screening data for research. The committee adjourned after reporting all measures favorably, several with amendments.

Transcript Highlights:

• DTSC can shut down a facility that poses a danger to the surrounding community and requiring facilities
• Why it is that this facility gets to be so close to homes and schools, how a facility with the long record
• of the solid waste facilities.
• of the solid waste facilities.
• It's dangerous for workers to be around a non-compliant facility.

Summary: The Assembly Environmental Safety and Toxic Materials Committee heard several bills focused on wildfire preparedness, industrial safety, and recycling oversight. SB 1153 by Senator Caballero would require urban retail water suppliers to add wildfire-specific procedures to emergency plans and coordinate with fire agencies; supporters said it would improve planning while recognizing water system limits, and the bill was framed as protecting ratepayers and infrastructure. SB 811, also by Senator Caballero, would create a comprehensive DTSC permitting and regulatory framework for metal shredding facilities; supporters argued it would set clear statewide standards and protect communities, while opponents said it would weaken hazardous waste protections and carve the industry out of existing law. SB 883 by Senator Umberg would impose new safeguards for facilities storing reactive chemicals such as methyl methacrylate after the Garden Grove evacuation, including backup cooling, public review, emergency planning, and state tracking; industry groups opposed the breadth of the bill and sought further clarification, while environmental and community groups supported it. SB 1010 by Senator Ashby would strengthen oversight of appliance recyclers by improving reporting, inspections, certification, and funding for enforcement; supporters said it would reduce emissions and improve compliance, while recyclers raised concerns about fees and certification requirements. Each bill drew extensive testimony from industry, environmental, labor, local government, and community representatives. Supporters generally emphasized public safety, transparency, and the need for clearer statewide standards, while opponents warned about overregulation, reduced flexibility, or unintended impacts on existing hazardous waste and recycling systems. Committee members also raised questions about transparency, liability, size-based treatment of facilities, and whether the bills were narrowly tailored enough to address the problems identified. The committee voted to advance all four measures to the Committee on Appropriations, with votes taken on call and some members voting no or not voting on certain bills. The final add-on votes showed SB 811, SB 883, SB 1010, and SB 1153 all passing out of committee, with the roll left open for absent members before the meeting adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• Um, and we had increases to our uh ag units at Alcorn State and Mississippi Valley State.
• Um, and we had increases to our uh ag units at Alcorn State and Mississippi Valley State.
• Um, and we had increases to our uh ag units at Alcorn State and Mississippi Valley State.
• Um, and we had increases to our uh ag units at Alcorn State and Mississippi Valley State.
• Um, and we had increases to our uh ag units at Alcorn State and Mississippi Valley State.

Keywords: MS Senate Floor - 19 February, 2026; 10:00 AM, 925, all

Transcript Highlights:

• It has a direct impact on facility, etc.
• About a week ago, I visited Pine Tree Biomass facility up in Tamworth.
• So we've done an extensive review of all of our lands, and based on the growth analysis, the ages, and
• :04:54.880><c> the</c> and based on the growth analysis, the and based on the growth analysis, the ages
• , and so forth, uh we are going to ages, and so forth, uh we are going to be<02:04:58.000><c> cutting

Committee: Senate Energy and Natural Resources

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• will continue to increase as<02:00:34.960><c> these</c><02:00:35.199><c> dams</c><02:00:35.599><c> age
• > um</c><02:00:37.760><c> need</c><02:00:38.080><c> more</c><02:00:38.239><c> and</c> as these dams age
• and um need more and as these dams age and um need more and more<02:00:39.119><c> um</c><02:00:39.440
• It's managed and used as a timber resource or even ag land.
• </c> Facility there. Thank you for the question.

Committee: House Resources, Recreation and Development

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> transgender women in men's facilities transgender women in men's facilities over<00:25:08.600><c
• I represent Shakopee, where the Shakopee Correctional Facility is, and everyone in the facility is a
• I represent Shakopee, where the Shakopee Correctional Facility is, and everyone in the facility is a
• Facility is, and everyone in the facility is a constituent of mine, including everyone who’s in there
• ><c> the</c> facility facility facilities across the facility facility facilities across the state<00

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• So really, our facilities are unique facilities.
• facilities.
• They'll buy a facility, upkeep the facility, and lease it to the charter school itself.
• Are their worst facilities.
• Facility ranked very high.

Committee: House New Mexico Finance Authority Oversight Committee

Transcript Highlights:

• That facility will house...
• facility?
• The COPEG facility there in Panama to look at that facility, yes, sir.
• To the earlier discussion on this research facility, it's a USDA research facility.
• How modern is that facility?

Committee: House Agriculture & Livestock

Keywords: 997, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Dispersal facility there in Edinburgh. Um, that facility will house, uh, the COPEG production.
• And so having facilities.
• Would be done in that facility or would it be done somewhere near that facility or how would that work
• They're about to open a beautiful new facility, and even that facility is not built to the standards
• to the production facility.

Committee: House Agriculture & Livestock

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><01:12:21.480><c> are</c> infrastructure and public facilities are infrastructure and public facilities
• of Law Enforcement that civil immigration activity involving state and county participation or facilities
• shall only proceed under facilities shall only proceed under certain<01:26:20.680><c> conditions.
• and it is imperative state facilities and it is imperative that<02:24:36.680><c> we</c><02:24:36.880
• As this community ages further and technology accelerates in the opposite direction, I believe we should

Keywords: 910, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:07:33.199><c> with</c> lease agreement for the facility with lease agreement for the facility
• There are no facility identified?
• How busy will this facility be?
• . facility. facility.
• Um, but there was the facility.

Keywords: 0:00:01 Call to Order and Roll Call 0:01:19 NKU Capital Project Update 0:38:57 DJJ High Acuity Services Update 1:03:53 Adjournment, 958, all

Summary: The interim Budget Review Subcommittee for Justice and Judiciary received an update on Northern Kentucky University’s capital project to house the Northern Kentucky Medical Examiner’s Office and the Northern Kentucky Crime Lab in the former Highland Heights Civic Center building on NKU’s campus. NKU and Justice Cabinet staff described the project timeline: the building was identified in late 2022, lease terms were agreed to in early 2023, a pre-construction evaluation agreement was executed in May 2023, the General Assembly authorized $21 million in April 2024, and the lease and construction agreement were finalized in spring 2026. The project is now being prepared for bid, with construction expected to start in August and occupancy targeted for January 2028. About $1 million has been spent so far on design and related investigations. Testimony emphasized that the vacant building was structurally sound but required major upgrades, including HVAC, plumbing, electrical, roof, windows, a generator, specialized mechanical systems, security, and geothermal work to meet the needs of two separate operations sharing one facility. NKU said it is contributing $3.7 million to the project. Committee members asked about the condition of the building, the urgency of the project, and why the process took so long. Justice Cabinet and real properties officials said the medical examiner’s office had been shut down since roughly late 2017 or 2018, that the state had first sought funding in the 2022 budget for staffing, a lease, and equipment, and that it took time to find a suitable leased location because the facility has highly specialized requirements. Members also asked about operating costs, annual lease costs, and the impact of the office’s absence on families and counties in Northern Kentucky. Officials said the lease cost is based on NKU’s expected maintenance-related expenses, while utilities and staffing are covered through the Office of the State Medical Examiner or Kentucky State Police, with seven medical examiner positions funded in House Bill 500 and two additional KSP positions requested for the crime lab. They explained that, until the new facility opens, bodies from Northern Kentucky are generally transported to Louisville for autopsy, with transportation costs borne by the coroner’s office. No votes were taken, but the committee requested follow-up information, including lease cost numbers and additional details on facility usage and timing.

Transcript Highlights:

• facility."
• facility?"
• </c> &gt;&gt; Okay. in the facility. &gt;&gt; Okay. in the facility.
• > from</c> facilities or hospice facilities from facilities or hospice facilities from the<00:46:31.359
• </c> hospice facility? hospice facility?

Committee: Joint Public Health and Welfare

Keywords: Public Health and Welfare - Room 216, 25 February, 2026; 3:00 PM, 925, all

Transcript Highlights:

• We want to hold these facilities more accountable.
• We want to hold these facilities more accountable.
• when at those facilities for any violation?
• the facilities is we'll be meeting with the facilities.
• , held at the facility, and treated at the facility.

Summary: The joint oversight hearing focused on DTSC’s implementation of SB 158 reforms, including enforcement, community engagement, fee stability, the hazardous waste management plan, permitting backlogs, and the Safer Consumer Products program. Senators and Assembly members emphasized protecting overburdened communities and asked how DTSC and the Board of Environmental Safety are using their authority to improve accountability, reduce delays, and address hazardous waste facilities and consumer product chemicals. The hearing also included discussion of extended producer responsibility programs and whether DTSC can support them more efficiently, including through coordination with CalRecycle. DTSC Director Katie Butler said the department is now more transparent, accountable, and fiscally stable, citing stronger enforcement actions, an interactive inspections map, expanded community outreach, and emergency response work on the Los Angeles wildfire cleanup. She said DTSC has made progress on fee reform, the hazardous waste management plan, cleanup grants, permit renewals, and safer consumer products rulemaking, including adding microplastics to the candidate chemical list. Board Chair Andrew Rakestraw said the board has held multiple public meetings and hearings, is working on fee rates and performance metrics, and is revising the hazardous waste management plan after public comment, including removing a proposal to send certain contaminated soil to municipal landfills. He also noted remaining concerns about fee structure, permit delays, and the pace of the safer consumer products program. Public witnesses offered sharply different views. A representative of the California Council for Environmental and Economic Balance said SB 158 reforms have improved permitting and transparency, but urged more attention to risk-based decision-making, reduced duplication, and possible General Fund support for plan implementation rather than relying only on fees. Earthjustice argued DTSC remains too slow and that communities continue to suffer from long-delayed permits and weak protections, urging the Legislature to take a more active role and to prioritize eliminating hazardous substances rather than minimizing costs. Committee members pressed the witnesses on permit renewals, community impacts, and the pace of the safer consumer products program, while DTSC defended its progress and said further legislative collaboration may be needed on hazardous waste management and emerging waste streams.

Transcript Highlights:

• , information about emissions from each unit at the facility.
• in terms of what qualifies as an EITE facility, but right now I think none of those three facilities
• So I would just say there are a handful of facilities, large facilities in the state that have self-generation
• Almost all of these facilities...
• That's not necessarily true for all of those facilities.

Summary: The committee heard several bills and took testimony on each. SB 6013 would update ski lift terminology in State Parks law to include aerial tramways, tows, and conveyors; the sponsor and Washington State Parks said it is a simple technical update and a companion to a House bill previously passed by the committee. SB 6291 would extend from two to four years the time a non-certified on-site wastewater inspector may work under supervision before becoming certified; the sponsor and local public health witnesses said the change would help retain staff because the certification exam is difficult, offered only twice a year, and often results in turnover if the deadline is missed. The committee also heard ESB 6246, which would change policy for emissions-intensive, trade-exposed facilities under the Climate Commitment Act. The bill would require Ecology to produce a new report on post-2034 allowance reductions and leakage risk, and would require EITEs to submit periodic assessments of technically and economically feasible emissions-reduction options, reviewed by a licensed engineer. Supporters said the bill is a necessary first step to plan for decarbonization while keeping industry in Washington; environmental groups urged stronger third-party verification and clearer reporting, while industry groups supported the general framework but asked for changes on leakage analysis, confidentiality, and penalties. Ecology supported the overall direction but raised concerns about implementation language and resource needs. Finally, SSB 5982 would expand Clean Energy Transformation Act coverage to include port districts that distribute electricity and certain large self-generating or affected market customers, while preserving some exemptions for pre-existing cogeneration and certain PUDs. Supporters said the bill closes loopholes so all new generation is subject to clean electricity standards, especially as ports and data centers explore behind-the-meter or fossil generation. Opponents from industrial and business groups argued the bill could sweep in facilities that were not intended to be covered and could create additional costs during a period of tight power supply. Ecology and Commerce testified that the bill would clarify CETA but noted possible effects on no-cost allowance allocations under the Climate Commitment Act. No votes or final actions were taken in the hearing.

Transcript Highlights:

• Additionally, the facility itself is leased from the state.
• The facility is owned by the state of Washington and leased by the consortium."
• "Are you speaking specifically to juvenile detention facilities?"
• We're speaking specifically to a juvenile facility." "Okay, well, juvenile then.
• the adult or other private detention facilities.

Summary: The House Finance Committee held public hearings on two bills. HB 2730 would clarify how JLARC evaluates the effectiveness of existing aerospace tax preferences by requiring a rolling five-year comparison of Washington aerospace employment with other states and asking JLARC to consider broader aerospace-sector changes and economic conditions. The prime sponsor and labor testifiers said the bill would add needed clarity and accountability for major tax investments supporting aerospace jobs. A committee question raised whether JLARC would be directed to make recommendations for improving the incentive, and staff and the sponsor said the bill does not specifically require that. HB 2713 would impose a 1% B&O tax surcharge, beginning July 1, 2026, on operators of private detention facilities with more than $1 million in annual Washington gross receipts. The sponsor said the bill is intended to respond to harms associated with private detention and to help fund services and legal support for affected families and communities. A remote testifier urged a much higher surtax on GEO Group, which operates the Northwest Detention Center, while county representatives testified that the bill as written could unintentionally apply to Martin Hall, a juvenile facility in Spokane County that is publicly governed and operated day-to-day by a nonprofit contractor. They asked for an exemption for Martin Hall, and the sponsor said that inclusion of nonprofits was not intended and that she would work with them on amendments. No votes were taken on either bill. The committee closed testimony on HB 2730 and HB 2713 and then adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• forward for an organization that is in his district, I believe, that is kind of a hybrid licensed facility
• a.m. in 1200 this room to take up a package of memorial bills as well as the Commerce, Higher Ed, and Ag
• as well as the Commerce, Higher<01:16:40.320><c> Ed,</c><01:16:40.600><c> and</c><01:16:40.720><c> Ag
• </c> Higher Ed, and Ag omnibus bills. Higher Ed, and Ag omnibus bills.

Committee: Senate Finance

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• and incompetent defendants to the facility.
• He's in a facility, but it's not secure.
• He's in a facility, but it's not secure.
• So it will be at the state hospital in a secure facility.
• Or until a facility is built, which we should be doing; we put money aside for a facility that would

Keywords: 1182, all

Summary: The caucus briefly reviewed House Bill 2307, which addresses the placement and treatment of dangerous, incompetent defendants when no secure mental health beds are available in Arizona. Staff explained the Senate amendments would allow one such defendant to be housed temporarily at the Arizona State Hospital in a secure setting, require DHS to study the cost of building or converting a secure facility on ASH grounds, create a study committee on long-term secure mental health facility options, and include an emergency clause. The sponsor said the bill is intended as a temporary fix while the state works toward a permanent secure facility, and noted the individual would receive mental health treatment aimed at restoring competency to stand trial. Members asked about where the person would be housed, whether treatment would be provided, and whether out-of-state compacts might be used if needed. The group then discussed House Bill 272, which as passed the House would have created an optional state certification program for lactation care providers and a related advisory committee under the Arizona Department of Health Services. Staff reported that the Senate adopted a strike-everything amendment turning the bill into an emergency measure repealing Dr. Cesar Estrada Chavez Day. The sponsor, Representative Fink, was reported to concur with the Senate amendments. No votes were taken during the caucus discussion.