Transcript Highlights:

• Um and then in SB 391 um it standards.
• Um, we have, I—the main standard is E1547, uh, 2018.
• </c><01:13:38.159><c> were</c> was what other national standards were was what other national standards
• So when we say national standards, IREC is not a national standard. It's interconnected procedures.
• </c> Do you think you've met that standard Do you think you've met that standard that<01:16:49.760><c

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Summary: The committee opened with housekeeping items, approved the minutes and consent agenda, and reminded the public that JLCAR’s role is limited to determining whether agency rules are within statutory authority, not to decide policy. Testimony was to be limited, and members noted that policy concerns should be addressed through the legislature rather than the committee process. The first major item was Public Utilities Commission rule 25-215 concerning natural gas suppliers. Staff said the proposal had been postponed because the PUC appeared to lack authority to impose fines and penalties in this rule set, especially suspending or revoking registrations, and recommended either a conditional approval removing those provisions or a preliminary objection for lack of statutory authority. PUC counsel responded that the cited authority had been incorrect, that the Department of Energy now has most registration rulemaking authority, but argued the commission still has jurisdiction over mediation and dispute resolution and may still have authority over fines because natural gas suppliers are not expressly excluded from public-utility status. Committee members discussed the split between PUC and DOE authority and the possibility that the transition in authority had not been fully cleaned up in statute. The committee then voted to grant a waiver of the time limit and postpone the item for another month so the agencies could work with counsel and clarify which parts of the rule could proceed. Members also urged that any needed legislative fix be brought forward quickly, noting that the Senate was not taking up non-germane amendments and suggesting the House as the likely venue for a cleanup bill. The committee next took up Department of Energy EN900 and EN1000 rules. Staff said the EN900 net-metering rules had been postponed previously and that the main remaining issue was a retroactive requirement in EN909.03(b), which the agency agreed to revise so the language would apply only on or after the 2026 effective date of the chapter. The agency described the EN900 rules as implementing net metering authority transferred from the PUC and expanding the chapter to cover municipal group net metering and low- and moderate-income community solar projects. The EN1000 interconnection rules were described as implementing 2024 legislation requiring uniform procedures for distributed energy resources. The department said both sets of rules were developed through extensive stakeholder input and asked for approval subject to the oral amendment already discussed."}】【。json

Transcript Highlights:

• Um so to above the cap on the standard.
• Carbon-free standard is technology neutral, as you all know.
• , pretty soon we don't have a 100% carbon-free standard.
• , pretty soon we don't have a 100% carbon-free standard.
• </c> renewable energy standard. Thank you. renewable energy standard. Thank you.

Committee: Senate Energy, Utilities, Environment, and Climate

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• So the same standard applies to both.
• So the same standard applies to both.
• So the same standard applies to both.
• So the same standard applies to both.
• </c><00:38:25.920><c> of</c> practice that are based on standards of practice that are based on standards

Committee: Senate Health and Human Services

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Those are mostly healthcare boards. the standard in there is the standard in there is basically<00:26
• So, this sets minimum standards.
• </c><00:42:39.680><c> as</c> could adopt more strict standards as could adopt more strict standards as
• </c><00:59:42.079><c> of</c> This is actually not the standard of This is actually not the standard of
• </c> or rule changes or considering standards or rule changes or considering standards or<01:02:57.920

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The subcommittee first took up House Bill 525, which would have transferred administration of the program for the deaf and hard of hearing and the related board to OPLC. The chair said the sponsor was no longer interested in moving forward, and Representative Schmidt moved ITL. The motion passed 14-0 with two members absent, and the bill was placed on the consent calendar. The committee then considered Senate Bill 182 on the maternal mortality review committee. The chair described a narrower amendment that would keep the name change, clarify operations so recommendations are returned to the appropriate entities, and expand contact with family members and close contacts, while dropping a proposed addition of a Department of Corrections member. The amendment was adopted unanimously, and the bill was then moved ITL and placed on the consent calendar. Senate Bill 185, dealing with OPLC investigations and backlog reduction, received an update from OPLC General Counsel Nicholas Fry. He described efforts to improve public communication, clear the complaint backlog, standardize intake and expert review, add automated responses and website updates, use weekly legal-viability reviews, create preliminary investigation protocols, and establish a process for law-enforcement referrals. Members asked about board involvement and criminal-conviction cases; Fry said boards are kept informed and that such matters can proceed either through complaints or application/background-check processes. Representative Groa requested a follow-up update in January, and the committee agreed to an oral report then if needed. The bill was then voted ITL unanimously and placed on the consent calendar. Finally, the committee heard House Bill 349 on optometrists performing ophthalmologic laser procedures. Dr. Angelique Sawyer testified in support, saying the amendment adds more specific proctoring and qualification requirements, based on language requested after earlier hearings, and that similar systems exist in other states. Representative Sers confirmed that the new sections were the key additions, while Representative Schmidt said he remained open to the concept but wanted a thorough review and asked about a subcommittee. The discussion was still ongoing when the transcript ended, with no vote recorded on HB 349.

Transcript Highlights:

• s declaration that claims gender-affirming care fails to meet professionally recognized standards of
• Health plans are required to submit annual reports detailing compliance with timely access standards.
• Yeah, so the time and distance standards, the timely access standards, we have geographic and ratio standards
• That's kind of our basic standard.
• So we're looking broadly at the category of a provider type, and we have standards there, but looking

Keywords: 987, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• It does not alter any board substantive practice standards or grounds for discipline.
• Uniform standards matter. Consistent, equal enforcement matters.
• So all of that is standard language.
• It doesn't invent new standards. It aligns directly with federal law.
• Those are all DOL standards, so that's already defined.

Committee: House Business

Keywords: 989, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Can you incentivize them to follow certain standards?
• Can you incentivize them to follow certain standards?
• As far as I know, there's nowhere in Louisiana law that talks about standards, LBMA standards, COMEX
• standards, which is what this bill includes.
• Sherry Teamer with CONS, Codes, and Standards.

Committee: Senate Commerce, Consumer Protection, and International Affairs

Summary: The committee took up several House measures. HCR 66, as amended, asked Louisiana Economic Development and the Governor’s Office of Rural Development to study rural parish assets, infrastructure, workforce, and development opportunities, and it was moved forward without objection. HB 387, a clarification to allow the fire marshal’s office to review architectural and engineering plans equally, also passed favorably without objection. HB 1223, which would have LED promote Louisiana’s clinical trial capacity and adjust internal review board processes, was amended and moved favorably. HB 950, aimed at helping older adults recognize and avoid fraud through materials and resources from the Office of Elderly Affairs, was reported favorably. HB 975, a routine measure to recreate the Public Service Commission, was also reported favorably. HB 1186, which would create a more uniform statewide building code and licensing system for inspectors, was amended and moved favorably. HB 1222, described as a Grocery Initiative Act to let LED identify ways to address food deserts and food insecurity, was introduced near the end of the meeting. The most extensive debate centered on HB 617, a consumer transparency bill requiring mandatory fees to be included in upfront pricing. The author said the bill was intended to curb hidden fees and help consumers compare prices, with examples such as hotel resort fees and automatic restaurant service charges. Supporters argued it would improve transparency, while opponents from grocery, restaurant, hotel, housing, retail, and business groups said the bill was too broad, vague about terms like “total price,” unclear on enforcement and penalties, and could create compliance burdens and litigation risk, especially for small businesses. Housing advocates opposed the bill’s housing carve-out, arguing it could weaken renters’ ability to bring unfair-practice claims. Senator Morris moved to defer HB 617, and the committee agreed without objection. The committee also heard lengthy testimony on HB 797, which would create a Bayou Gold certification for certain transactional gold vendors that meet state-defined standards such as segregation, insurance, and nearby storage. The sponsor said the goal was to give consumers confidence and encourage vendors to keep gold closer to Louisiana, while critics argued the program would amount to a state endorsement of private companies, create misleading consumer impressions, and expose the state to confusion or liability. The bill drew opposition from the Sound Money Defense League and others, but the committee ultimately reported HB 797 favorably, with the understanding it still had to go to Finance. HB 1228, a hearing-aid cleanup bill updating definitions, contracts, testing periods, and licensing rules, was also moved favorably without objection.

Transcript Highlights:

• Certification standards will comply with the standards maintained by the Vermont Alliance for Recovery
• both quality and accountability, giving residents confidence that the certified homes meet real standards
• ,</c> certified homes meet real standards, certified homes meet real standards, while<00:20:29.560><c
• At a minimum, the rule must require that certified residences comply with the standards of the Vermont
• of the Vermont Alliance of standards of the Vermont Alliance of Recovery<00:25:33.880><c> Residences

Keywords: 926, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• that And doing so through a subjective intent standard that really does create constitutional risk for
• And they should be held to a higher standard if they choose to commit crimes.
• They'll also They should be held to a higher standard if they choose to commit crimes.
• There were no written guidelines, no minimum standards, no requirements for proximity, monitoring, or
• Under Grayned v. the City of Rockford, criminal statutes must provide clear standards to individuals

Bills: HB2495 , HB2557 , HB2594 , HB2615 , HB2800 , HB2861 , HB2862 , HB2931 , HB2995 , HB4042 , HB4070 , HB4117 , HB4136

Committee: House Judiciary

Keywords: vulnerable adults, sentencing, felonies, criminal justice, enhanced penalties, medical records, patient rights, healthcare access, privacy, healthcare providers, timeliness, address confidentiality, domestic violence, privacy protection, voter registration, court proceedings, parenting time, supervised visitation, family court, high-risk cases

Transcript Highlights:

• Our compliance division has developed new procedural standards for inspection and investigative case
• Greater clarity around terms like cartoon and clear visual design standards will eliminate subjectivity
• Our goal is to help translate the auditor's findings into clear, enforceable standards, ...partners.
• It includes eight specific recommendations designed to clarify and operationalize the standard without
• And when standards remain undefined, pressure builds for blunt policy responses such as plain packaging

Summary: The Joint Legislative Audit Committee heard an audit on the Department of Cannabis Control’s oversight of cannabis packaging and labeling, focused on whether products are attractive to children. The auditor said the department’s rules are often vague, enforcement is inconsistent, and licensees are left to interpret standards without prior review. In a review of 80 packaging cases, the audit team disagreed with the department’s conclusions in 13 instances, and the report highlighted examples involving cartoon imagery, colorful fonts, candy-like references, flavor names, and cannabis beverages that resembled ordinary drinks. The auditor recommended clearer statutory definitions, possible consideration of plain packaging or pre-approval models like Oregon’s, better internal guidance, and stronger tracking and escalation for repeat violators. Committee members and Assembly Member Irwin emphasized the rise in poison control calls involving children under five since legalization and argued that legal-market packaging can contribute to accidental ingestion, especially when products resemble candy or drinks. Several members pressed the department on why items such as root beer, strawberry lemonade, and cherry pie strain names should be allowed if they may appeal to children. The Department of Cannabis Control responded that it has already centralized label review, added staff and technology tools, improved compliance-history tracking, and is using progressive discipline tools such as notices to comply, citations, embargoes, abatements, and license actions. The department also argued that the illicit cannabis and intoxicating hemp markets are major drivers of youth exposure and that enforcement resources must be balanced across those markets. Public health witness Dr. Lynn Silver urged stronger restrictions, including plain packaging, bans on added flavors and child-appealing imagery, lower THC limits for edibles and beverages, and a dedicated pre-market review process. Industry representatives from the California Cannabis Industry Association and the California Cannabis Operators Association agreed that youth protections are essential, but argued that clearer, objective standards are needed so compliant businesses can know the rules and enforcement can be consistent. They said most licensed products are already compliant, that the most blatant youth-targeted packaging is concentrated in the illicit market, and that the Legislature should refine definitions and guidance rather than rely on subjective case-by-case judgments. No formal vote or bill action was taken during the hearing.

Transcript Highlights:

• His dedication to the Texas A&M University system and the state of Texas has set a high standard for
• HB 4532 by Oliverson Eling, the endorsement of the roofs replacements to comply with certain standards
• HB 4642 by Gonzalo passed a ruling the standards of the out of state confinement of County Prisoners
• HP 4702 by Lilani relating the requiring the consideration of standardized test scores as a factor of
• HB 4791 by Schaffner relating to the waiver of certain minimum standards of law enforcement agencies

Transcript Highlights:

• date of when uh that training has to be accomplished by and it also sets out some certification standards
• and says that if you have uh met those certification standards uh towards you can put that towards the
• We did not weaken the standards but we are making sure that there’s adequate time uh three important
• standards and says that<00:02:42.400><c> if</c><00:02:42.640><c> you</c><00:02:42.800><c> have</c><00
• uh towards you certification standards uh towards you can<00:02:47.599><c> put</c><00:02:47.760><c>

Committee: Senate Labor

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• requiring DCS rather than the Arizona Department of Health Services to establish minimum security standards
• requiring DCS rather than the Arizona Department of Health Services to establish minimum security standards
• group foster homes rather than juvenile group homes, and the amendment details additional security standards
• The Senate amended the bill by revising required court findings and evidence standards, limiting findings
• The Senate amended the bill by revising required court findings and evidence standards limiting findings

Keywords: 1182, all

Transcript Highlights:

• We made it more consistent with those standards. Exemptions were tweaked and expanded.
• we made it more consistent<00:09:22.399><c> with</c><00:09:22.640><c> those</c><00:09:22.800><c> standards
• </c><00:09:23.519><c> Um,</c> consistent with those standards. Um, consistent with those standards.
• So we standardized that under parent, guardian, conservator. Um, opt-out changes.

Bills: HB351 , HB351

Committee: House Commerce and Small Business

Keywords: ad valorem tax, road funding, local government, referendum, Choctaw County, data privacy, consumer rights, personal data, data protection, Alabama Personal Data Protection Act, 1136, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• This bill seeks to align New Mexico's regulations with industry standards.
• would think that the higher paid actors and actresses, I'm sure that they're gonna expect certain standards
• sure, I think my biggest thing, we just want to make sure that we don't get away from our health standards
• of, even if they had A health class That said, he said, look, you got to make sure these are the standards
• in maybe not all cosmetology, but in the health standards if they had something like that and possibly

Transcript Highlights:

• Banning the culprit, synthetic 7-hydroxy, and other derivatives, mandatory GMP standards of raw goods
• Idaho now gets the opportunity to create a blueprint of a high-standard KCPA for other states to follow
• And I made the decision to, by national standards, send her to autopsy by a forensic pathologist that
• was... ...standards sent her to autopsy by a forensic pathologist that was able to review all of my
• Unfortunately, kratom cannot be tested in a standard UA.

Committee: House Health and Welfare

Keywords: 989, all

Transcript Highlights:

• our commission, and Amara Riemann, the apprenticeship liaison with the Division of Apprenticeship Standards
• whatever. and the Apprenticeship programs that we here sponsor at the Division of Apprenticeship Standards
• One of the concerns is what would be standard. There is a College of Direct Support.
• One of the concerns like what would be standard, there is a college of direct support.
• So huge kudos to the Undersecretary Cotler and Division of Apprenticeship Standards for really embracing

Keywords: 1212, all

Summary: The Massachusetts Commission on the Status of Persons with Disabilities held its quarterly meeting virtually and in person at the State House. The commission approved the December minutes, then heard updates from the chair on planning for the next “Meeting the Moment” community forum in Lowell on March 27, focused on digital accessibility, education-to-employment transition, workforce supports, long-term services and supports, and health equity. The chair also previewed planning for the commission’s October National Disability Employment Awareness Month event and invited commissioners and advisory council members to join the planning group. The commission received an update on the advisory council orientation, which was described as well attended and productive, and then heard a detailed presentation from the Attorney General’s Office on federal litigation affecting Massachusetts. Topics included challenges to federal actions involving diversity in education, immigration and Haiti Temporary Protected Status, NIH research funding restrictions, and mental health services grants; the presenter also addressed concerns about Medicaid-related federal actions and said the AG’s office is coordinating closely with the governor’s office and other states. Commissioners asked questions about whether disability-related work could be affected by vague DEI restrictions and about the status of CMS communications on Medicaid. The meeting also featured a presentation from Undersecretary of Labor Josh Cutler and apprenticeship liaison Amara Riemann on registered apprenticeship and pre-apprenticeship programs. They described apprenticeship as paid, structured, employer-driven training with classroom instruction and wage progression, and highlighted the Bridgewater State University Excel program for neurodivergent people and people with disabilities as a model linking pre-apprenticeship to apprenticeship. Commissioners discussed how to replicate similar pathways through community colleges and disability-service providers, especially in high-demand fields. Subcommittee reports followed, including updates on disability employment, long-term services and supports, and health equity, with discussion of a projected state budget gap tied to federal changes, PCA working group recommendations, crisis standards of care, and ongoing collaboration with MassAbility and the Massachusetts Office on Disability. The meeting ended with commissioner announcements, including several awards and upcoming events, and reminders about the Lowell forum and October planning efforts.

Transcript Highlights:

• Some of the major changes in each category include personnel, a $1.4 million increase due to standard
• That is comprised mostly of standard statewide adjustments at $1.3 million.
• Primarily due to standard statewide adjustments.
• This is due to standard statewide adjustments and professional services.
• This is due to standard statewide adjustments and professional services.

Committee: House Appropriations

Keywords: 965, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• understand that wage and hour law, and most of it comes from the federal law called the Fair Labor Standards
• reason is there's a federal statute, 29 U.S.C. 218, which is an integral part of the Fair Labor Standards
• The Fair Labor Standards Act prohibits states from enacting lower minimum wage or overtime thresholds
• The Fair Labor Standards Act, federal law, is going to preempt any law that provides less protection
• to an American worker than what the Fair Labor Standards Act does.

Committee: House Commerce

Keywords: 959, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• This is not about lowering standards.
• Recognizing that original functionality doesn't necessarily meet current fish passage standards.
• I'm trying to get the difference between the emergency repair and then the modern standard upgrade is
• I'm trying to get the difference between the emergency repair and then the modern standard upgrade is
• Sometimes it depends on the depth of your and then the modern standard upgrade is sometimes it depends

Summary: The committee heard several local government bills. Senate Bill 6181, sponsored by Senator Conway, would let county legislative authorities in certain large western Washington counties file a city incorporation petition without collecting resident signatures if the area is fully within an urban growth boundary and has more than 25,000 people. Supporters from Pierce County said the current signature requirement makes incorporation too difficult for large urban unincorporated areas like South Hill, while opponents argued the signature threshold is an important test of community support and raised concerns about boundaries, taxes, and the adequacy of the bill’s details. Senate Bill 6132 would give the Port of Moses Lake additional bonding authority tied to a tax increment financing area to help finish a rail project; the port said rising costs and a pending federal grant made the extra flexibility necessary. The committee also heard Senate Bill 6154, which would give local governments more flexibility in how they use hydraulic project approval permits for culvert replacement. Counties and cities testified that many emergency culvert repairs are expensive and that some sites provide little fish habitat benefit, so they want the option to redirect equivalent resources to higher-priority fish passage projects elsewhere in the watershed. A few commenters supported the bill as a practical way to improve habitat and flood resilience, while one remote witness objected to the broader legal framework for salmon habitat projects. Senate Bill 6189 would extend from July 1, 2026 to July 1, 2028 the deadline for creating an additional public facilities district for regional aquatics and sports facilities; Olympia, Tumwater, and regional partners said they need more time to complete feasibility and coordination work for a proposed aquatic center. In executive session, the committee took action on several bills. It adopted a substitute and passed Senate Bill 6037 to Ways and Means, adopted a substitute and passed Senate Bill 5983 to Rules, and passed Senate Bills 5995 and 6013 to Rules without amendments. For Senate Bill 6066, the committee adopted an amendment into a new substitute and passed the bill to the Transportation Committee. The committee did not take action on Senate Bills 5820 or 6064.