Transcript Highlights:

• </c> eight uh deal with certified service eight uh deal with certified service providers.<01:02:50.559
• </c><01:34:26.800><c> for</c> uh deliverers of those services for uh deliverers of those services for
• . tax preparation services to low-income tax preparation services to low-income taxpayers<01:37:23.199
• This services in southwest Minnesota.
• people</c><01:39:45.679><c> keep</c> This service can help people keep This service can help people

Committee: Senate Taxes

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• We maintained service during and following the pandemic.
• That could mean reducing service frequency or eliminating routes.
• And once service is cut, it is incredibly difficult and expensive to restore.
• Now, there's also in this legislation that has more to do with the human services or human, I forgot
• So ensuring that they get the proper training so that when we do pay for the services of a treasurer,

Committee: House Elections

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Pet shops can continue to sell their products and services profitably and can showcase dogs and cats.
• Sell their products and services profitably and can showcase dogs and cats for adoption.
• And that was to recognize that we all benefit from the service and sacrifice of research animals that
• branch, in this body, to make sure that these animals have a chance at a better life after their service
• branch, in this body, to make sure that these animals have a chance at a better life after their service

Keywords: 1212, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Next up will be the Department of Human Services. Thank you.
• Each service line is going through an evaluation right now about what services are we offering, what's
• the contribution margin for each of those services.
• They were still operating as a fee-for-service entity.
• The fee-for-service sport doesn't exist anymore.

Summary: The subcommittee heard budget presentations and questions from several health and human services agencies, with members repeatedly emphasizing that agency numbers had been posted since October and that questioning should stay focused and brief. The Office of Juvenile Affairs said its $5.45 million request would support 162 employees receiving a pay adjustment, and members asked about juvenile care conditions and staffing. The Department of Human Services discussed major changes to child care subsidy funding, including a reduced subsidy request, a $11.5 million child care teacher recruitment/retention request, and planned eligibility and reimbursement changes; it also reviewed SNAP administrative cost shifts under federal law, the state’s SNAP error rate, and the risk of large future state costs if the error rate is not reduced. DHS also addressed TANF reserves, the DDS waiver wait list, the Greer Center buildout, the Advantage waiver supplemental, and meal service options for waiver members. OCCY described a largely personnel-driven budget, requests for more oversight staff, and workload pressures in juvenile competency evaluations. The Office of Disability Concerns reported a flat budget and said it relies mainly on mediation and informal resolution rather than enforcement. OSU Medical Authority said its Tulsa expansion, VA skybridge, and c-section suites remain on schedule, that psychiatric residency funding is being phased in over several years, and that it is working to reduce contract labor and evaluate service lines. J.D. McCarty Center reported its new ABA outpatient clinic is on time and on budget and is nearing full capacity. OMMA said its lab is following required standards, its FTE count is below budgeted levels because hiring depends on lab accreditation and other unknowns, and dispensary numbers continue to decline as the market matures. Oklahoma Rehabilitation Services said it needs about $1.4 million to avoid a maintenance-of-effort penalty and discussed aging campus capital needs and staffing vacancies. The Oklahoma Health Care Authority then outlined a very large budget requirement driven by utilization growth and the shift to value-based care, saying FY26 is currently stable but FY27 would likely require additional appropriations if the request is not fully funded.

Transcript Highlights:

• These are the young men and women who come fight for us, and they don't thank you for your service.
• He's used his platform to host service.
• Services. >> Thank you, Mr.
• Uh, we had MDITS, and the House made it Mississippi Department of Information Technology Services. >>
• Uh, we had MDITS, and the House made it Mississippi Department of Information Technology Services.

Keywords: MS Senate Floor - 25 March, 2026; 10:00 AM, 925, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Food and Drug Administration, and the Department of Health and Human Services have identified the distinct
• Chair, sir, what is the cost associated with this service?
• What is the cost associated for the state usually for this service?
• When accountability is paired with prevention and victim-centered services, communities are safer and
• With that, I say, for the questions. or path of any utility service.

Committee: House House Judiciary Committee of Reference

Summary: The committee first heard HB 2415, which would regulate kratom by treating certain synthetically derived compounds as narcotic drugs, raising the minimum sale age to 21, and penalizing sales of products exceeding a 400 parts per million cap. The sponsor and supporters argued the bill targets dangerous synthetic or highly concentrated kratom while preserving natural leaf products; testimony included a woman describing kratom addiction and treatment, family members describing harm from 7-OH products, and law enforcement and Attorney General’s Office support. Opponents, including criminal justice advocates, warned the bill could sweep in users and create harsh felony penalties, while some speakers urged a full ban and others defended natural kratom as distinct from synthetic products. The committee adopted the Wynn amendment and then gave HB 2415, as amended, a do-pass recommendation by a 6-3 vote. The committee then considered HB 2870, which would prohibit more than one Level 2 or Level 3 registered sex offender from residing in the same home unless they are related by blood, marriage, or adoption. The sponsor said the bill was prompted by a neighborhood case involving multiple sex offenders in one residence and argued it was aimed at residential homes, not supervised group homes. Supporters described fear and disruption in their neighborhoods, while opponents argued the bill would reduce already limited housing, make supervision harder, and potentially force people onto the streets; some also raised due process and recidivism concerns. After discussion about possible amendments and the distinction between group homes and unsupervised residences, the committee approved HB 2870 with a do-pass recommendation by a 6-3 vote. Next, the committee heard HB 2413, which requires GPS or electronic monitoring for registered sex offenders who are homeless or lack a permanent address until they obtain one. Supporters said the bill would close a gap because transient registrants are only required to check in every 90 days, leaving law enforcement without regular location information; a policy analyst said monitoring could be implemented through existing systems, though costs and administration would vary. Opponents argued the bill raises due process and equal protection concerns, duplicates existing reporting requirements, and could impose costs on people trying to stabilize their lives. The committee passed HB 2413 on a 5-4 vote. Finally, the committee took up HB 2720, which increases the penalty for purchasing prostitution to a class 6 felony and directs a $200 assessment to the anti-human trafficking fund, with an amendment clarifying the affirmative defense for trafficking victims and restricting use of the assessment to trafficking services. Supporters, including the sponsor, prosecutors, Phoenix police, and a city council member, said the bill targets buyers who drive demand and exploitation. Opponents from criminal justice and anti-violence groups argued the bill could still ensnare trafficking victims and sex workers, especially because the affirmative defense may be hard to assert in practice. After adopting the amendment, the committee gave HB 2720, as amended, a do-pass recommendation by an 8-0-1 vote.

Transcript Highlights:

• I guess you could say institutions that provide the service.
• Authorization of technology to be able to offset what the industry is doing is we're investing millions

Bills: SB15 , SB 15

Committee: Senate Business & Commerce

Keywords: real property, fraud, theft, elderly, disabled, statute of limitations, criminal offense, property rights, law enforcement, department file, employee records, misconduct, confidentiality, Texas occupations code, 1185, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• MAMMOGRAMS TO RULE OUT OR CONFIRM THE NEED FOR A BIOPSY IS NOT FORCED TO FORGO THIS MEDICALLY NECESSARY SERVICE
• TECHNOLOGY IS SO ADVANCED THAT WE AS A STATE CAN COME UP WITH THE OUT-OF-POCKET COST TO SAVE LIVES.

Transcript Highlights:

• And then we come here and we spend money on services to support those kids, whether it's high-dosage
• So there is an issue of where we're not doing this, or as, Public services more.
• But I do think making sure that regardless of the department that they're going to seek that service,
• So it was mainly for, if you think about, like, food services, but then I was thinking about the retail
• And I know that's, there's a lot of situations where that could apply in technology.

Summary: The committee first took up Senate Bill 162, which would change the workers’ compensation medical treatment schedule appeals process by allowing additional medical evidence submitted in court to be sent back to the medical director for review and a new opinion. The Attorney General’s office explained the bill, noting a 30-day deadline for the medical director to act before the case returns to court. The bill drew support from injured workers and several business and labor groups, and the committee adopted technical amendments and then reported the bill favorably without objection. House Bill 353, which would establish a state minimum wage starting at $12 in 2027, rising to $15 in 2029 and then indexed to inflation, prompted extensive testimony and debate. Supporters, including the sponsor, Invest in Louisiana, the Workplace Justice Project, 10,000 Women Louisiana, and the AFL-CIO, argued that Louisiana’s wages have lagged behind living costs, that many workers remain in poverty despite working, and that higher wages would help families and local economies. Opponents, including NFIB and several members, argued that the market is already setting wages above the federal minimum in many jobs, that a mandate would raise costs, compress pay scales, reduce hours or jobs, and hurt small businesses. After discussion, the committee voted on the bill and it failed on a roll call vote. The committee then reported Senate Bill 383 favorably with amendments. That bill expands the incumbent worker training program by increasing funding flexibility, shortening the business eligibility period from three years to two, and allowing unobligated funds to roll over. Members and the Louisiana Works secretary discussed workforce training, outreach, and how to connect workers to existing training programs and high-demand jobs. The committee also reported Senate Bill 382 favorably, which repeals the Workers’ Compensation Advisory Council, and began hearing House Bill 422, the “Behind-the-Counter Safety Act,” aimed at workplace violence protections for retail and food service workers, including signage, reporting, and enhanced penalties; the sponsor explained it was intended to address attacks on frontline workers and to give businesses a tool to warn against violence.

Transcript Highlights:

• Let me tell you why: It’s because we intentionally keep people poor in neighborhoods with few services
• And then we come here and we spend money on services to support those kids, whether it’s high-dosage
• tutors...” “...on services to support those kids, whether it’s high-dosage tutoring, remedial education
• Public services more.
• And I know there's a lot of situations where that could apply in technology...

Committee: House Labor & Industrial Relations

Keywords: 965, house, all

Summary: The House Labor and Industrial Relations Committee met on April 9 and first took up Senate Bill 162, which would change the workers’ compensation medical treatment schedule appeal process. The bill, presented as a collaboration between the Attorney General’s office and trial lawyers, would require additional medical evidence submitted on appeal to be sent back to the medical director for review before court review continues. Members discussed the 30-day turnaround for the medical director and whether the process would delay injured workers’ cases. After testimony from injured workers’ representatives and support cards from several business and labor groups, the committee adopted the technical amendments and reported SB 162 favorably. The committee then heard House Bill 353, which would establish a state minimum wage beginning at $12 per hour in 2027, rising to $15 in 2029 and then indexed to inflation. Supporters, including the sponsor, Invest in Louisiana, the Workplace Justice Project, 10,000 Women Louisiana, the AFL-CIO, and a young witness from People’s Promise, argued that Louisiana’s wages have lagged behind costs of living, that many workers remain in poverty, and that the bill would help families, reduce reliance on public benefits, and improve economic stability. Opponents, including NFIB and small-business advocates, argued that the market should set wages, that the bill would raise labor costs, compress pay scales, reduce hours or hiring, and potentially increase prices. After extended debate, the committee voted and HB 353 failed. The committee next considered Senate Bill 383 on the incumbent worker training program. Senator Bass and Louisiana Works officials said the bill would expand and make the existing program more flexible, increase available funding, shorten the business eligibility period from three years to two, and allow unused funds to roll over. Members focused on how the program would reach workers, how businesses and employees would learn about training opportunities, and how it would support workforce development in growing regions. Support came from business and economic development groups, and the committee reported SB 383 favorably with amendments. Finally, the committee began Senate Bill 382, which would repeal the Workers’ Compensation Advisory Council, described as the Senate version of a bill the committee had already considered. The transcript cuts off during discussion of the prior vote on the similar House version, and no final action on SB 382 is shown in the excerpt.

Transcript Highlights:

• Sarah Bridges, on behalf of the California Manufacturers and Technology Association, in opposition.
• Sarah Bridges, on behalf of the California Manufacturers and Technology Association, in strong opposition
• SB 1291 creates a hard compliance cliff at 50 service connections, disproportionately affecting the smallest

Committee: Senate Appropriations

Keywords: 987, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• ,</c> methods, land exchanges, technology, methods, land exchanges, technology, encumbrances<00:25:37.039
• Um financing<00:33:16.480><c> and</c><00:33:16.720><c> beneficiary</c><00:33:17.600><c> services</c><
• 00:33:18.159><c> about</c> financing and beneficiary services about financing and beneficiary services
• Exempt, um, even on the consultant services there's an exemption of that.
• So they show their services and then normally on the bottom there's a GET.

Keywords: 910, house, all

Summary: The Act 279 working group met for an informational briefing with DHHL on its use of the $600 million appropriation and progress on the department’s implementation plan. The chair reviewed the working group’s oversight role, noting that it was created to monitor expenditures, project development, and progress toward reducing the Hawaiian Homes waitlist, and that the group must submit a progress report before the 2026 session and a final report before the 2027 session. DHHL said it had provided an updated booklet reflecting the Hawaiian Homes Commission’s February 2024 recommendations and a detailed accounting of encumbrances and project progress across the islands. DHHL highlighted several implementation themes: innovative financing and construction methods, land acquisitions and exchanges, technology, beneficiary services, and partnerships with counties and private entities. The department described a “project lease” model that gives beneficiaries access to a project rather than a specific lot, with options such as turnkey homes, owner-builder, self-help, or rent-to-purchase arrangements depending on financial qualification. Officials said this approach is intended to serve lower-income beneficiaries, expand access for people on the waitlist, and allow beneficiaries to receive support services such as financial literacy and down payment assistance. The department reported that roughly $511 million had been encumbered for infrastructure, about $152.8 million for acquisitions, financing, and beneficiary services, and about $36 million in other covered costs, with about $588.9 million encumbered as of December 31 and about $120 million expected to be spent by that date. Officials said the original implementation plan covered about 2,722 units, while the updated plan projects roughly 6,000 to 7,000 leases and 2,472 lots to be occupied. They also described phase-two needs for additional funding, including projects on Hawaiʻi, Maui, Kauaʻi, and Oʻahu, and said they would need continued legislative support, including possible bonding and private activity bond set-asides, to complete remaining projects. Members discussed the distinction between encumbered and spent funds, and DHHL explained that encumbrances reserve money for specific contracts while construction spending occurs over time through progress payments. The department also showcased examples of innovative projects, including a high-rise project in urban Honolulu financed through a mix of private activity bonds, tax credits, and state funds, and an acquisition-based project in Kapaʻa, Kauaʻi using multiple funding sources. DHHL emphasized partnerships with the City and County of Honolulu and Maui County, and said it is still assessing future projects to keep infrastructure costs manageable and ensure homes are safe and affordable for beneficiaries.

Transcript Highlights:

• Wagner. right All right, I show you registered as Justin Wagner representing Touchstone District Services
• So I have districts that I work with currently that do offer video services and offer this kind of system
• also work in the industry with, uh, I have a communications company that, that provides website services
• , community engagement services, these kind of things.
• I have a BlackBerry, so I'm not good at technology, but I know that those tools exist and so all I think

Bills: HB 279 , HB 310 , HB 365 , HB 391 , HB 420 , HB 422 , HB 638

Committee: House Natural Resources

Keywords: HB 279, uranium mining, uranium permit, production area authorization, production zone, Texas Water Code, TCEQ, Texas Commission on Environmental Quality, contested case hearing, administrative hearing, groundwater restoration, groundwater baseline, water quality, mining permit, restoration values, natural resources, environmental regulation, in-situ uranium mining, permit amendment, public hearing

Transcript Highlights:

• and Washington Management Service.
• Our workforce is heavily governed by civil service rules and collective bargaining agreements.
• The civil service agreements are subject to the OFM financial feasibility test as well.
• Academic personnel make up about 20% of our workforce and are exempt from civil service.
• Academic personnel make up about 20% of our workforce and are exempt from civil service.

Committee: Joint Joint Committee on Employment Relations

Summary: The Joint Committee on Employment Relations met on May 8, 2026, to review goals and objectives for the 2027–2029 master collective bargaining cycle and to hear updates on higher education and Washington Management Service bargaining. OFM’s Jenny Sheehan outlined the state workforce, noting that most employees are represented, the workforce remains heavily governed by civil service rules and CBAs, and the state is entering bargaining under a constrained hiring and budget environment. She described the bargaining timeline, the role of the June revenue forecasts in determining whether targeted compensation increases can be funded, and the state’s goals of affordability, maintaining labor relations, supporting equity, and addressing non-economic issues such as AI use, leave, immigration-related workplace concerns, and union access in a hybrid work environment. Sheehan also reviewed the 2025–2027 bargaining cycle, including the prior WPEA ratification issue and the requirement that tentative agreements be submitted by October 1 for financial feasibility review and possible legislative funding. She said the 2025–27 agreements cost about $1.2 billion in general funds and $1.7 billion total, excluding the later-funded WPEA agreements. In response to a question, she explained that paid family and medical leave is not bargained over directly because it is governed by statute and ESD rules. She then presented on Washington Management Service bargaining, explaining that only certain WMS employees are eligible to bargain, that representation remains small, and that current WMS contracts are handled through addenda to existing agreements. She also described interest arbitration for certain groups, including ferries and public safety-related employees, and said arbitration awards still must be financially feasible and submitted by October 1. The committee also heard from Western Washington University and the University of Washington on higher education bargaining. Western described its locally bargained contracts, the importance of local bargaining for workload, tenure, grievance, and safety issues, and the impact of the state fund split on budget planning. Western said it has no state funding for student compensation and has requested inclusion of student employees in the wage base. UW outlined its large workforce and the different bargaining frameworks under RCW 41.56 and 41.80, emphasizing that state funding and tuition make up only a portion of its budget and that the fund split and health care cost increases significantly affect compensation planning. UW also highlighted its request for state funding for academic student employee compensation, saying rising costs are reducing the number of positions and affecting class sizes and the academic pipeline. No votes were taken, and the meeting adjourned after members discussed the upcoming bargaining and arbitration timelines.

Transcript Highlights:

• Programmable money is an emerging, rapidly emerging technology in the financial world.
• You kind of see where this is going with this technology.
• This is the technology that social scores get tied to.
• So I'm really of two minds on this bill, and I appreciate looking forward on technologies and so forth

Committee: House Business

Summary: The Business Committee met with a quorum and first approved the February 13 minutes without objection. It then heard House Bill 750, which would create protections around “programmable money” by defining it and prohibiting issuers from requiring it without a free non-digital alternative or from denying transactions based on factors such as race, sex, religion, political views, speech, medical history, or browsing/purchase history. The sponsors said the bill is intended to prevent social-credit-style controls and does not ban cryptocurrency, stablecoins, or digital payments. Members generally supported the measure, with one member noting concerns about the bill’s length but reserving the right to revisit it on the floor. A motion to send HB 750 to the floor with a do-pass recommendation passed, and one outside witness said the bill addressed theoretical concerns and clarified that stablecoins were separate from the issue. The committee next considered House Bill 738, which would allow LLCs with home-based businesses to use a commercial registered agent’s address instead of their home address on public filings, while still requiring certain ownership information. The sponsor said the change is meant to protect privacy and reduce the risk of people showing up at home addresses, while improving reliability of service for legal and business notices. There was a brief question about whether the bill applied to S-corporations; the sponsor said it applies only to LLCs. The committee voted to send HB 738 to the floor with a do-pass recommendation. Finally, the committee heard House Bill 648, a replacement bill related to parity for anti-cancer medications, including oral and intravenous treatments. The sponsor said the bill had been worked out with interested parties and advocates and was ready to move forward. The committee approved a motion to send HB 648 to the floor with a do-pass recommendation. The meeting then adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• Programmable money is an emerging, rapidly emerging technology in the financial world.
• You kind of see where this is going with this technology.
• This is the technology that social scores get tied to.
• So I'm really of two minds on this bill, and I appreciate looking forward on technologies and so forth

Committee: House Business

Keywords: 989, all

Transcript Highlights:

• He is in technology, I guess; he was technology chairman at once.
• He is in technology, I guess Montgomery.
• He is in technology, I guess he's<00:09:31.400><c> he</c><00:09:31.520><c> was</c><00:09:31.680><c> technology
• </c> he's he was technology chairman at once. he's he was technology chairman at once.
• And that's what's required when you're doing age verification in the technology that's out there.

Committee: Joint Judiciary, Division A

Keywords: Judiciary, Division A (Part 2) - Room 409, 3 March, 2026; 4:15 P.M., 925, all

Transcript Highlights:

• combinations of all those physical features I just mentioned with increasingly electronic safety technology
• say, these cars are getting more and more complex, and we are entrusting our safety to this new technology
• d have to think those would have to be included in inspection of vehicles that have that modern technology
• incorporated. ...of vehicles that have that modern technology incorporated.
• Presenter, really interesting concept, and to know that other states are also practicing this with the technology

Summary: The committee heard House Memorial 23, which asks the Motor Vehicle Division and the Regulation and Licensing Department to study whether New Mexico should reestablish a statewide motor vehicle safety inspection program. The sponsor and expert witness argued that modern vehicles are far more complex than when the old program ended in the 1970s, and cited studies from Texas, Pennsylvania, Missouri, Carnegie Mellon, and an international inspection organization suggesting safety inspections are associated with fewer fatalities. They said the study should examine feasibility, costs, where inspections would be conducted, what vehicles would be covered, and whether small businesses could be certified to perform inspections, similar to Bernalillo County’s emissions model. Several members raised concerns about added costs, burdens on rural drivers, possible lawsuits against inspection businesses, and whether the memorial was drafted as a study of benefits rather than a balanced look at pros and cons. Some questioned whether the Regulation and Licensing Department had the capacity to take on the work and whether the program would effectively become another mandate or fee. Supporters emphasized that unsafe vehicles endanger not only drivers but others on the road, and noted that the study could also consider subsidies for low-income drivers and the impact on areas with higher traffic density. The committee discussed how inspections might work, including whether they would cover physical components like tires, brakes, steering, and axles as well as electronic safety systems such as lane assist and collision avoidance. The presenter said commercial vehicles already face separate inspection requirements and that tribal lands and pueblos would not be covered. After public comment, the committee voted to pass the memorial on a roll call vote, with several members voting yes and others voting no; one member explained her no vote as opposition to added regulation and costs.

Transcript Highlights:

• I would say the definition from the federal law from the 60s left a gap because the technology didn't
• factors that we have to meet each and every year to be able to provide services to the residents that
• And anyone who doesn't own a home gets nothing other than diminished services.
• We also have no carve out for important services like hospital districts to take care of our poor.
• People like their services.

Transcript Highlights:

• development, pharmaceutical manufacturing, aerospace technology research and development, space domain
• awareness, or information technology design and production services.
• development, pharmaceutical manufacturing, aerospace technology research and development, space domain
• awareness, or information technology design and production services.
• </c> up independently of bills and services up independently of bills and services and<00:48:57.359><

Committee: Senate Economic Development and Tourism

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Summary: The committee first heard SB 2627, which would exempt Hawaii Tourism Authority contracts and agreements for sports projects, events, and related marketing from the state procurement code and other competitive bidding requirements. HTA, DBEDT, and the State Procurement Office testified in support or with comments, while one individual offered general support for sports tourism. Senators focused on narrowing the bill so the exemption would apply more specifically to sports-related projects and marketing, rather than broad marketing activities, and discussed whether the bill should require notice to the State Procurement Office or approval by the chief procurement officer. Procurement officials said a reporting requirement would be the most expeditious option, while still allowing post-event monitoring and public posting of exemptions. Members also discussed whether the exemption should be limited to situations involving sole-source sports entities, such as major leagues or international sports organizations, to better justify bypassing procurement rules. The committee did not take a final vote in the portion provided, but members and testifiers agreed to continue working on the language. The hearing then moved to SB 2074 relating to state facilities and naming rights for the Aloha Stadium and Hawaii Convention Center. The Stadium Authority, HTA, and DBEDT testified in support, while the Outdoor Circle and other organizations opposed the measure. Opponents argued the bill could create fiscal and legal risk, echoing concerns raised in prior legislation and by the attorney general, and warned it would mark a major shift by treating public facilities as commercial branding opportunities. Supporters said naming rights could generate significant revenue to help fund the stadium project and reduce the burden on the state and developers. Senators questioned how signage would be handled, especially whether it would be exterior-facing or limited to inward-facing signage, and the Stadium Authority said it was willing to work with the Outdoor Circle on language that would preserve community aesthetics while allowing revenue generation. A senator cited a prior study estimating naming rights could bring in about $1.5 million per year over 20 years, and asked what that revenue would buy for the public; the Stadium Authority responded that it would help advance the project toward a larger, improved stadium. No final action was taken in the excerpt provided.