Transcript Highlights:

• Um, as the number and size of waste disposal oil and gas waste disposal facilities has grown, um, these
• applications for some of these large commercial disposal facilities take many months to process and
• , highlighting a growing connection between fires and lithium-ion batteries at these facilities.
• liable for batteries that end up in their facilities.
• These facilities cannot control or prevent.

Bills: HB16

Committee: Senate Natural Resources

Keywords: judicial administration, court reform, juvenile diversion, court security, mental health services, drug offenses, constitutional amendments

Transcript Highlights:

• Next up, House Bill 723, Children’s Residential Facilities.
• So the youth that are put in the facility... ...into the facility, and the kids will get it as well.
• So the youth that are put in the facility.
• There are applications for facilities. Facilities have to accept your child.
• There are applications for facilities. Facilities have to accept your child.

Committee: House Health and Welfare

Keywords: 989, all

Transcript Highlights:

• The school facilities reallocations.
• We have a university tennis facility.
• </c> the bids come in for the tennis facility the bids come in for the tennis facility and<00:07:30.319
• So, is was an indoor tennis facility.
• </c> indoor facility. That's correct. Yes. indoor facility. That's correct. Yes.

Keywords: 00:05 Call to Order and Roll Call 00:34 Approval of Minutes 00:56 Information Items 05:40 Project Rpt from Postsecondary Institutions 14:00 Project Rpt from Finance and Administration Cabinet 20:40 Lease Rpt from Finance and Administration Cabinet 24:53 Rpt from OFM – Ky Infrastructure Authority 40:38 Office of Financial Management 47:39 Remaining 2025 Meeting Dates 48:05 Adjournment, 958, all

Summary: The meeting began with routine business, including a quorum call, approval of the April minutes, and several informational reports. Those information items covered upcoming general obligation debt for Bullitt, Jefferson, and Warren counties; Kentucky Communications Network Authority updates tied to House Bill 6; Eastern Kentucky University asset preservation reallocations under House Bill 1; and School Facilities Construction Commission debt activity, including 20 prior debt issues totaling about $386 million with roughly 85% locally supported debt service and 15% SFCC participation. Members then discussed concerns about a Kentucky Communications Network Authority project, focusing on a reported discrepancy between an appropriation of $12.927 million and an apparent payment of about $8.532 million on a project with a cost estimate of $12.449 million. Several members asked for more detailed written information before the next Capital Projects meeting, noting that a lawsuit is pending and that they wanted to better understand the basis for the request and the spending to date. The committee also heard and unanimously approved a donor-funded Northern Kentucky University project to renovate tennis courts, with possible pickleball additions, after questions about why approval was needed, the project’s estimated $3 million cost, and its expected minimal ongoing operating costs. The committee next received Kentucky State University pool allocation reports for three projects: a $2 million McCullen Hall renovation, a $1.75 million walkway and miscellaneous repairs project, and a $2 million academic services building roof-and-window project. A member asked specifically about curb cuts and accessibility in the walkway project, and Kentucky State said existing curb cuts would be repaired and additional accessibility issues would be reviewed by engineers. The lease report from the Finance and Administration Cabinet included one lease modification requiring approval for the Attorney General’s office in Franklin County and one no-action modification for the Board of Cosmetology; the Attorney General lease was approved by roll call vote. Finally, the Kentucky Infrastructure Authority presented five loans and 37 grants, with action taken on the loan and grant items. The loans included a Hodgenville wastewater treatment plant increase, a Grant County sewer district treatment plant loan, a Mount Sterling dam rehabilitation loan, and two Morganfield drinking water loans for granular activated carbon treatment, one with full principal forgiveness. Members asked about the Morganfield project’s purpose and were told it was a remediation effort for a water-quality concern, and they also raised questions about engineering fees, which KIA said are compared against a U.S. Rural Development fee schedule that is industry accepted. The committee also reviewed cleaner water program grant reallocations from county allocation pools.

Transcript Highlights:

• I'm Yvonne Chung with the California Association of Health Facilities.
• We are the state association for skilled nursing facilities.
• We represent about 900 skilled nursing facilities.
• working in a non-health care facility...
• I'm a social worker at the California Health Care Facility in Stockton.

Summary: The Senate Committee on Business, Professions and Economic Development heard several sunset and policy bills affecting state boards and professional practice. SB 1302 would extend the Board of Registered Nursing for four years and make operational changes such as streamlining renewals, updating simulation and school-approval standards, and allowing certain out-of-state nurse practitioner experience to count toward California recognition; nursing groups supported it, while the California Medical Association raised a concern about the out-of-state NP provision. SB 1303 would extend the Board of Naturopathic Medicine to 2031 and add a fictitious name permit program, term staggering, and other technical changes; it drew support from the board and naturopathic doctors, but the California Naturopathic Association opposed it unless amended to clarify the board’s jurisdiction. SB 1304 would extend the Respiratory Care Board to 2031 and revise respiratory care rules, including LVN practice in certain settings; it was supported by some providers and respiratory therapists, but hospitals, skilled nursing facilities, and other groups opposed it unless amended to allow LVNs to perform basic respiratory tasks in more health care settings. SB 1363 would extend the Board of Barbering and Cosmetology and update apprenticeship, licensure, and tribal exemption provisions, and SB 1368 would extend the speech-language pathology, audiology, and hearing aid dispensers board while adding a retired license category and continuing-education oversight changes; both were supported and had no opposition. All of these bills were voted out of committee, generally on a 10-0 basis after the committee later established quorum and took recorded votes. The committee also heard SB 865, which would create a California Music Festival Preservation Grant Program within the Office of Small Business Advocate to support large independent multi-day music festivals. The author and supporters argued that festivals like Aftershock and GoldenSky generate substantial tourism, hotel nights, jobs, and tax revenue, and that state support would help keep events in California rather than other states. Opposition focused on the use of public funds during a deficit year and questioned whether profitable festivals should receive a grant subsidy. The bill passed on a 9-1 vote, with Senator Choi opposed. Members also heard SB 1297, which would create regional wildfire public-private partnerships and a financing structure using local commitments, a revolving fund, and state-backed revenue bonds coordinated with iBank to fund wildfire mitigation projects. Supporters said the bill would help address the state’s large wildfire mitigation funding gap by leveraging public and private capital for home hardening, vegetation management, and other prevention work; questions centered on where bond repayment funds would come from, and the author said the bill was still a work in progress and not intended to cost the state. The bill passed unanimously. Finally, SB 993, presented on behalf of Senator Ochoa-Bogue, would restore privacy protections for mental health professionals in correctional and state hospital settings by limiting routine disclosure of identifying information while preserving a complaint process; testimony described safety concerns and staffing impacts, and the bill passed unanimously.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> facilities. Is that correct? facilities. Is that correct?
• If I could have in these facilities.
• </c> with security to ensure all facilities with security to ensure all facilities not<01:17:45.520><
• We're doing our first facility audit. We have a facility audit scheduled for every month this year.
• now. >> facilities now.

Keywords: 910, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I'm Yvonne Chung with the California Association of Health Facilities.
• We are the state association for skilled nursing facilities.
• We represent about 900 skilled nursing facilities.
• working in a non-health care facility...
• I'm a social worker at the California Health Care Facility in Stockton.

Committee: Senate Business, Professions and Economic Development

Summary: The Senate Committee on Business, Professions and Economic Development met as a subcommittee due to the lack of a quorum, then later established quorum and took up a series of bills, mostly sunset extensions for licensing boards. SB 1302, SB 1303, SB 1304, SB 1363, and SB 1368 all dealt with extending board operations to January 1, 2031 and making related technical or policy changes. SB 1303 for the Board of Naturopathic Medicine added a fictitious name permit program and other administrative changes, while SB 1304 for the Respiratory Care Board drew significant testimony over whether licensed vocational nurses should be allowed to perform basic respiratory tasks in skilled nursing facilities and hospitals. SB 1363 updated barbering and cosmetology apprenticeship and licensing rules, and SB 1368 added a retired license category and strengthened continuing education oversight for speech-language pathology, audiology, and hearing aid dispensers. The committee also heard SB 865, which would create a California Music Festival Preservation Grant Program to support large independent multi-day music festivals. Supporters, including Visit Sacramento and festival promoters, said the bill would protect jobs, tourism, hotel nights, and local tax revenue; opponents raised concerns about using state funds during a deficit year and questioned whether profitable events should receive subsidies. The committee also heard SB 1297, which would create regional public-private partnerships and financing tools for wildfire mitigation projects; the author and supporters said it would help address the state’s large wildfire prevention funding gap by leveraging local and private investment, while members asked how the bonds would be repaid and whether the state would bear costs. SB 993, presented on behalf of Senator Ochoa-Bogue, would restore privacy protections for mental health professionals working in correctional and state hospital settings by limiting routine disclosure of identifying information while preserving a complaint process. Supporters described safety threats, stalking, and staffing concerns, and the bill passed unanimously. SB 1304 also passed after committee discussion, with members and the author noting ongoing negotiations over LVN scope and training in higher-acuity settings. SB 865 passed on a 9-1 vote, SB 1297 passed 10-0, and the sunset bills SB 1302, SB 1303, SB 1363, and SB 1368 all advanced unanimously to the Senate Appropriations Committee. SB 1333 was not heard, and SB 1445 was on the consent calendar.

Transcript Highlights:

• All right, up next on the agenda is docket number 16-0322-2501, residential assisted living facility.
• All right, up next on the agenda is docket number 160322-2501, residential assisted living facility.
• Additionally, the rewrite eliminates the requirement for facilities to comply with building standards
• I read 110 with regards to the facility license application.
• Some of these entities have facilities across the United States.

Summary: The House Health and Welfare Committee met with a quorum, welcomed Boise State nursing students, and noted a substitute member sitting in for Representative Egbert. The committee first considered Department of Health and Welfare rule dockets covering developmental disabilities agencies and residential habilitation agencies. Department staff said the rules were a comprehensive rewrite and consolidation to reduce duplication, improve clarity, and align related provider types under the same statutory authority. Members asked about physical restraint language, and staff said the definition was carried over from the residential habilitation chapter and was not intended to be more restrictive for that population. The committee approved the developmental disabilities docket and then approved the residential habilitation docket, which was described as a repeal-and-recodification into the consolidated chapter. The committee then took up the assisted living facilities docket, which also was presented as a rewrite focused on consolidation and clarification. Most of the discussion centered on criminal history and background check provisions, especially language allowing new employees to work while background checks are pending if they are supervised by cleared staff. Representative Kaler argued the revised language weakened protections for vulnerable residents and offered a substitute motion to strike the revised subsection; after discussion with department staff about existing practice, supervision standards, and the need to preserve FBI background-check access, he withdrew the motion. The committee also asked whether the rules applied to memory care units, and staff said they do. The docket was then approved in full. Finally, the committee approved a rule docket repealing the residential habilitation chapter because its substance had been recodified in the earlier consolidated developmental disabilities chapter. Members briefly discussed whether the rules would still be needed if the service were reduced in the budget, and staff said they would remain necessary so long as the service continued. The committee then introduced RS 33050, sponsored by Representative Redman, which would update Idaho’s midwifery statute to reflect modern evidence-based practice and allow licensed midwives to administer medications within their training and scope. The RS was introduced without opposition, and the meeting adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• Next up, House Bill 723, Children's Residential Facilities.
• Next up, House Bill 723, Children's Residential Facilities.
• So the facility could just do their thing, and I'm not picking on any one facility, but it's happened
• The Bill of Rights is for children while they are in a residential facility, right?
• There's applications for facilities. Facilities have to accept your child.

Summary: The committee first introduced RS 33403, a follow-on podiatry bill that would merge podiatry with the Board of Medicine and move certain rules into statute. Representative Ehlers explained it was a replacement for prior legislation, and the committee voted to introduce it without objection. The committee then heard House Bill 713 on copay accumulator policies. Representative Cannon and co-sponsor Representative Furman argued the bill would stop insurers from refusing to count third-party copay assistance toward deductibles and out-of-pocket maximums, especially for patients with expensive specialty drugs. Supporters, including patients and advocates, described serious financial hardship and treatment adherence problems caused by accumulators. Opponents, including the Idaho Association of Health Plans, argued the bill would raise costs and premiums, could conflict with Idaho’s anti-kickback law, and might interfere with private plan design. After debate, the committee voted 7-8 against the motion to send HB 713 to the floor, so the bill was held in committee. Next, the committee took up House Bill 655 and its related RS 33527, a pilot program to incentivize preceptorships by giving certain Medicaid providers a 12-month exemption from prior authorization requirements. The sponsor said the goal was to reduce administrative burden and increase training opportunities in rural areas and in family practice, psychiatry, and OB-GYN, with caps on participation and expansion to advanced practice providers and PAs in the RS. The committee first voted to hold HB 655 in committee, then approved RS 33527 for introduction and second reading. Finally, the committee heard House Bill 723 on children’s residential facilities. Representative Erickson said the bill would add quality-of-care oversight, annual unannounced inspections, resident and staff interviews, a youth bill of rights, and critical incident reporting, based on an OPE study and prior testimony about abuse and gaps in oversight. Testifiers, including parents and former residents, described abuse, isolation, and lack of reporting mechanisms in facilities and supported the bill. The committee discussed whether the bill created enforceable rights, but the sponsor said existing child protection and corrective action processes would apply. The bill was moved to the floor with a due pass recommendation.

Transcript Highlights:

• to another facility.
• I think you suggested that the person was moved outside of a facility.
• After 73 days, so they weren't in a facility. Is that correct?
• or DOC correctional facility being a flight risk.
• They've not necessarily operated out of an exotic dance or whatever you might call it facility.

Bills: SB1636 , SB1584 , SB1730 , SB1255 , SB1627 , SB137 , SB2062 , SB1470 , SB1284

Committee: Senate Public Safety

Keywords: cold case, unsolved homicide, violent crime, case file review, law enforcement, police records, victim family, immediate family member, designated person, forensic testing, witness reinterview, investigative leads, cold case unit, unsolved murder, public safety, Title 21, Oklahoma statutes, sexual assault, evidence kits, DNA testing

Transcript Highlights:

• So we and our terminal facilities.
• It's just been passive facility charges.
• Uh, we think we have passenger facility charge, customer facility charges, some charges, but the part
• 06.000><c> facilities</c><00:31:06.559><c> for</c> additional hangering facilities for additional hangering
• Um a advanced air mobility facilities.

Keywords: The live stream for this meeting was prematurely interrupted. The full version will be uploaded in the next few days., 958, all

Summary: The committee heard an update from Kentucky’s three major commercial airports: Lexington Blue Grass Airport, Louisville Regional Airport Authority (SDF and Bowman Field), and CVG. Lexington’s Eric Franco described post-COVID growth that has already exceeded pre-pandemic activity, along with a master plan focused on the whole airport, expanded surface parking, relocation of the air traffic control tower, and a major terminal project estimated at $500 million to $700 million. He emphasized the airport’s role in serving both passenger and corporate aviation across central Kentucky and thanked the legislature for prior funding, including $5 million for parking. Louisville’s Dan Mann reported record passenger growth, expanded nonstop service, and especially strong cargo activity driven by UPS, noting SDF is now among the busiest cargo airports in North America and Bowman Field remains the state’s busiest general aviation airport. He highlighted major infrastructure needs, including airfield and terminal work, parking expansion, and a planned federal inspection service facility to support international flights around events like the Kentucky Derby.

Transcript Highlights:

• , including cleaning bathrooms and facilities and other like facilities there.
• Bathrooms, fire cooking facilities, and campfire facilities.
• That's the group camp or facility.
• , and campfire facilities.
• So quickly, we'll talk about some of the new updated facilities.

Committee: House Resources and Conservation

Keywords: 989, all

Transcript Highlights:

• All right, up next on the agenda is docket number 16.03.22-2501, residential assisted living facility
• Residential Assisted Living Facility again. Jared Larson, Mr. Larson, the podium is yours.
• I read 110 with regard to the facility license application.
• I read 110 with regard to the facility license application.
• Some of these entities have facilities across the United States.

Committee: House Health and Welfare

Keywords: 989, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Madam Chair and members, Senate Bill 1137 modifies the underground facility statutes by requiring excavators
• Underground facilities operators must locate and mark the geographic area within 15 business days of
• Underground facilities operators must locate and mark the geographic area within 15 business days of
• Finally, the bill outlines the applicability of civil penalties for violating the underground facility
• I feel that we have presented updates to the underground facilities marking legislation that have the

Summary: The Committee on Regulatory Affairs and Government Efficiency met and approved the January 21, 2020 minutes. It heard Senate Bill 1137, which would require excavators to white-line proposed dig areas before submitting 811 notices, create coordination requirements for large projects, establish an interactive positive response system, and direct the Arizona Corporation Commission to adopt rules. Supporters from the construction industry said the bill would reduce delays and improve communication on complex projects, while the League of Arizona Cities and Towns raised concerns about the bill’s scope, staffing burdens, meeting requirements, and liability issues. The bill sponsor said the measure was a consensus effort to improve efficiency, and SB 1137 received a due pass recommendation on a 7-0 vote, with several members noting they wanted continued work with stakeholders before floor action. The committee then considered Senate Bill 1145, which would shift final authority over behavior analyst licensing and regulation from the Board of Psychologists to the Committee of Behavior Analysts, reduce the board size, and remove the requirement for two behavior analysts on the board. Testimony from the Arizona Association for Behavioral Analysis and an individual speaker supported the bill, saying the current structure creates delays and that the change would allow each group to focus on its own profession. SB 1145 was approved unanimously, 7-0. The committee also heard Senate Bill 1128, which creates a temporary study committee on scrap metal theft to review current laws, industry compliance costs, penalties, and crime deterrence, and to report recommendations by December 1, 2026. The scrap recyclers’ representative supported the study as a way to evaluate whether further changes are needed, while some members questioned the committee’s partisan appointment structure and whether a study committee was necessary; the bill still passed 7-0. Finally, the committee heard Senate Bill 1238, adopting the Physician Assistant Licensure Compact to allow licensed physician assistants to obtain compact privileges in participating states and to support interstate practice, military families, telehealth, and rural access to care. The Arizona State Association of Physician Assistants testified in support, and members asked about physician supervision, federal rural health funding implications, and which states have joined the compact. SB 1238 also received a due pass recommendation on a 7-0 vote. The sponsor of SB 1235 requested that bill be held, and the committee adjourned after completing its agenda.

Transcript Highlights:

• Why don't we, if we going to do that, just make a law and say, 'No child under a certain age is entitled
• a law and say, "No child under<00:44:43.160><c> a</c><00:44:43.200><c> certain</c><00:44:43.600><c> age
• /c><00:44:44.160><c> entitled</c><00:44:44.560><c> to</c><00:44:44.640><c> have</c> under a certain age
• is entitled to have under a certain age is entitled to have a<00:44:44.920><c> soda."
• While we also celebrate his long, fulfilling life that ended at the age of 90.

Keywords: 920, all

Summary: The Alabama Senate convened with prayer, the pledge, and a quorum present, then adopted a resolution honoring Dr. Todd Freeman, Superintendent of Vestavia Hills City Schools, as Alabama Superintendent of the Year. Senators praised his leadership in public education and noted the recognition was especially meaningful as one of the last such honors in the current chamber. The Senate also adopted a resolution commending the 2026 Alabama Law Institute Senate interns for their service, and members offered personal remarks thanking the interns and encouraging them to remain and contribute to Alabama in the future. The chamber then took up several conference committee and House messages. The Senate concurred in the conference report on Senate Bill 341 after extended remarks, and later concurred in the conference report on Senate Bill 32, described as a veterans-related bill that would make benefits automatic for those under the federal poverty level and allow cities and counties to opt in for veterans above that level. The Senate also received House amendments to Senate Bill 199, concerning sex offenders, and voted to non-concur and send the bill to conference, naming conferees. In resolutions from the Rules Committee, the Senate adopted an amended House Joint Resolution 198 establishing the Alabama Mental Health Task Force. It also adopted House Joint Resolution 326, which recognizes the need for a north-south transportation route in East Alabama. Throughout the meeting, senators made extended floor remarks about slowing down on legislation, focusing on rural hospitals and other priorities, and the importance of treating children, seniors, and low-income residents fairly.

Transcript Highlights:

• You want to be moved to a more appropriate facility, timely and predictably.
• You want to be moved to a more appropriate facility, timely and predictably. Thank you.
• For your health outcome, you want to be moved to a more appropriate facility, timely and predictably.
• A recent hospital survey showed delayed access to a skilled nursing facility is the top barrier leading
• Patients may also have to go to a facility that is not...

Committee: House Health Care & Wellness

Keywords: 904, all

Transcript Highlights:

• That would make this the largest medical waste facility in the United States.
• , well, really any facility—it's any facility in the state of Oklahoma that is going to incinerate regulated
• Are we okay with having any facility in the state of Oklahoma, not even really just this one?
• Because this is a solid waste incineration facility. That's what they've done historically.
• So all this says is any facility in the state of Oklahoma, if you are going to be... ...facility in the

Summary: The committee opened with prayer and then took up a series of House bills, most of them on natural resources, agriculture, energy, and economic development topics. House Bill 2988, dealing with efforts to address woody invasive species through a state income tax credit subject to appropriation, was explained as a response to underfunding concerns and was reported do pass unanimously. House Bill 4344 would exempt sales tax on frackwater sales; the author said it was a constituent request tied to oil and gas activity in western Oklahoma, staff indicated a minimal fiscal impact, and the bill passed 9-2. The committee then approved House Bill 3280, which raises the Homemade Food Freedom Act revenue cap from $75,000 to $300,000 to let home-based food businesses grow before facing more burdensome licensing and inspection requirements. Members asked about the fiscal impact and food-safety distinctions between perishable and nonperishable foods; the author said there would be no state fiscal impact and that existing safety limits would remain unchanged. House Bill 3917, imposing a surcharge on large-load data centers during peak demand periods and directing the revenue to a grid modernization fund, was presented as a way to protect ratepayers and passed unanimously. House Bill 4413, as amended by PCS, would require any Oklahoma facility incinerating regulated medical waste to follow EPA guidelines; the author said the measure was prompted by a Tulsa facility seeking a permit variance and argued the bill was needed to protect public health and safety. After extensive questioning about DEQ authority, EPA standards, and health risks from incineration emissions, the PCS passed 8-1. House Bill 3402 created a revolving fund for DEQ biosolids land-application research and passed 7-2, and House Bill 4476 created a community music infrastructure and events development revolving fund to support rural music festivals and local matching participation, passing 5-4. Finally, House Bill 4155, as amended by PCS, established a new economic development structure for events in Oklahoma and passed 6-3. The committee repeatedly reminded authors to provide detailed forms and Senate authors before full A&B consideration, and then adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> operation and maintenance of a facility operation and maintenance of a facility own<00:02:00.119
• But also, as part of that, facilities are required to upgrade.
• </c> The visitors' player facilities.
• Way, currently they do not assist with the facility standards.
• </c><00:32:04.840><c> have</c> future of St Paul these facilities have future of St Paul these facilities

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> of the uh that deals with the facilities of the uh that deals with the facilities lensure<01:47:
• and rehab facilities and hospitals.
• </c> talks about intermediate care facilities talks about intermediate care facilities and<01:49:43.679
• Intermediate care facilities and rehab facilities and rehab hospitals therefore need to be able to uh
• You can't just hospital or facility.

Committee: Senate Health and Human Services

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• after this facility ceases.
• These facilities have to have...
• Section 1 adds wireline networks and facilities to the definition of critical infrastructure facilities
• , or remove any component of the facility.
• If the damage to the facility causes any eruptions or degradation of the facilities, it will result in

Committee: House Utilities

Summary: The Committee on Utilities first took up House Committee Substitute for House Bills 2762, 2816, and 2402, a solar-energy measure. The committee substitute combined the bills’ titles and focused on three main areas: a taxation framework for solar projects, setback requirements from occupied dwellings and property lines, and a decommissioning/bonding framework for project cleanup. Supporters said the bill would create baseline rules for a growing industry, protect neighboring landowners, and ensure land is restored after projects end. Members asked about Chapter 100 agreements, the setback distances, county rulemaking authority, and how reclamation and bonding would work. The committee adopted the amendment, rolled it into a new substitute, and then voted the substitute do pass by 18 ayes and 2 noes. The committee then heard House Bill 2248, which would change Missouri’s economic development electric rate structure and close a loophole that could allow data centers under 75 megawatts to receive reduced rates. The sponsor and utility witnesses said the bill would make incentives more predictable by replacing a variable formula with a fixed discount for qualifying new industrial projects, while still requiring customers to pay full cost to serve and meet load-factor and other requirements. Witnesses from Evergy, Ameren Missouri, the Missouri Chamber, and Ford discussed the value of incentives for manufacturing, the difference between new load and retention of existing large users, and whether the bill should also address retention discounts. No action was taken on the bill during the hearing. Finally, the committee heard Senate Substitute for Senate Committee Substitute for Senate Bill 903, which would expand critical infrastructure protections. The bill adds wireline and broadband facilities to the definition of critical infrastructure, increases penalties for damaging or tampering with such facilities, and creates an offense for unauthorized possession of certain stolen materials such as copper and related telecom materials. The sponsor and witnesses from AT&T, Verizon, cable, railroad, electric cooperative, recycling, municipal utility, and chamber groups said the measure responds to rising theft and vandalism, including copper theft and fiber cuts that disrupt 911 and other services. Members asked about scrap dealers, fiber versus copper, trespassing concerns, and whether harsher penalties would deter theft. The hearing concluded without a vote, and the committee adjourned after testimony.

Transcript Highlights:

• , or training facilities that are associated with paid fire.
• There is also 588 training facilities within the state.
• You have to move folks out to other facilities.
• based upon the size of the facility.
• And I will add, we have a mental health facility. and a TDCJ facility across the street from our jail

Committee: House Intergovernmental Affairs

Keywords: 1184, house, all