Video & Transcript : 'Regional Security Operations Centers' :
Page 487 of 500
FL
Transcript Highlights:
- Task Force operations.
- Criminal illegal immigrants to include county jails not operated by the sheriffs.
- The first is Aureli Colom de La Rara, Southern Poverty Law Center. Thank you.
- La Rara, Southern Poverty Law Center, speaking against.
- This bill discourages that, making communities less secure.
Committee:
Senate Appropriations
Summary:
The Senate Appropriations Committee took up SB 2-C, a major immigration enforcement bill sponsored by Senator Gruters and co-introduced by Senator Fine. Gruters described the measure as a broad crackdown on illegal immigration that would replace a single immigration officer with a State Board of Immigration Enforcement, create a $250 million grant program for local law enforcement, fund additional Department of Agriculture interdiction staff and facilities, expand pretrial detention for certain unauthorized immigrants, increase criminal penalties, require more cooperation with ICE, and eliminate in-state tuition eligibility for undocumented students. He and supporters framed the bill as a way to support law enforcement, deter illegal immigration, and align Florida with federal enforcement efforts.
Committee questioning focused heavily on the bill’s education, detention, and enforcement provisions. Senators pressed Gruters and Fine on why the bill did not address employer sanctions or E-Verify, whether the tuition changes would affect students who had grown up in Florida, how sanctuary-policy enforcement would work, and whether the bill would create practical burdens for prosecutors, jails, and local officials. Gruters said he was open to working on E-Verify in regular session but not to amending this bill, and Fine argued the tuition repeal would apply to undocumented students who had qualified under existing law. Sheriff Bob Gualtieri testified in support, saying ICE bed capacity was still insufficient and that county jails needed more resources to honor detainers. Mark Schlachman of FSU Law offered historical context, noting prior state-federal cooperation efforts and warning of unintended consequences, while several public witnesses opposed the bill as unconstitutional, costly, and harmful to immigrant families and the economy.
Opponents from the Southern Poverty Law Center, ACLU of Florida, Florida Center for Fiscal and Economic Policy, Florida Policy Institute, AFL-CIO, and immigrant advocacy groups argued the bill would invite litigation, encourage racial profiling, harm the workforce and higher education, and punish law-abiding immigrants and their families. They emphasized that immigration is a federal matter, that K-12 education must be provided regardless of status, and that removing in-state tuition would reduce access to college and hurt Florida’s economy. Some speakers urged the committee to grandfather current students if the tuition waiver is repealed. The meeting ended with continued public testimony and no final vote reflected in the transcript provided.
MA
Massachusetts 2025-2026 Regular Session
Joint Committee on Tourism, Arts and Cultural Development Jun 21st, 2026 at 01:00 pm
Joint Committee on Tourism, Arts and Cultural Development
Transcript Highlights:
- What it does do is secure the freedom for other kids to read books chosen for the appropriate age by
- These discriminatory book bans target stories that center topics like gender, sexuality, and race.
- We need to prevent bans across the board—right, left, center—and that's what the legislation filed by
- But as a book publisher that operates under the auspices of a religious organization, we support these
- We just wrapped up next door on the Joint Committee on Municipalities and Regional Government, where
Summary:
The hearing focused on several bills related to access to library materials, including measures addressing book bans and censorship in public and school libraries, as well as legislation on digital library collections and e-book licensing. Committee leaders said testimony would be limited to three minutes and encouraged written submissions. Early testimony from Chair Brian Murray highlighted H. 3595, which would address challenges facing public libraries and digital resource collections by limiting restrictive publisher-library contract terms, protecting patron confidentiality, and creating a special legislative commission to study the issue.
A large number of legislators, librarians, authors, students, publishers, and advocacy groups testified in support of the free expression bills, including H. 3594 and S. 2328, arguing that book challenges in Massachusetts disproportionately target LGBTQ+ and BIPOC titles and that librarians and educators need protection from retaliation and harassment. Witnesses described local incidents of book removals, threats, and pressure campaigns, and several said the bills would create transparent challenge procedures, keep materials available during reviews, and ensure decisions are made by trained professionals rather than political actors. Congresswoman Ayanna Pressley’s office also submitted support, and multiple speakers cited national trends and Massachusetts-specific censorship attempts.
Testimony on the digital access bills emphasized that e-books and audiobooks are essential for readers with disabilities, homebound patrons, students, and others who rely on accessible formats, but that current licensing terms are far more expensive and restrictive than print purchasing. Library representatives said libraries spend millions on digital content, face long wait times for popular titles, and often must repeatedly re-rent the same materials. Legal and library experts supported the proposed commission as a practical step toward fairer licensing and stronger bargaining power for libraries. The hearing ended after extensive testimony; no votes or final committee action were taken in the portion provided.
NM
New Mexico 2026 Regular Session
Senate Chamber Feb 7th, 2026 at 12:19 pm
New Mexico Senate Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- They put certain security measures in place.
- A gas-operated semi-automatic firearm or gas-operated semi-automatic firearm with a fixed magazine.
- Because the militias were Operation.
- We talked about the security alarm systems, the side hardening, the video surveillance, the security,
- The committees include analysts, secretaries, and the now-ever-necessary Zoom operators, telephone operators
KY
Kentucky 2026 Regular Session
House Standing Committee on Appropriations and Revenue.(2-10-26)
Appropriations & Revenue
Transcript Highlights:
- and domestic violence centers, rape crisis centers.
- </c> funding on the child advocacy centers funding on the child advocacy centers and<00:02:33.360><c>
- domestic violence centers, rape and domestic violence centers, rape crisis<00:02:35.360><c> centers.
- ><c> and</c> centers domestic violence centers and centers domestic violence centers and rape<00:03:08.560
- :09.920><c> received</c> rape crisis centers may have received rape crisis centers may have received
Committee:
House Appropriations & Revenue
AZ
Arizona 2026 Regular Session
03/25/2026 - Senate Regulatory Affairs and Government Efficiency
Transcript Highlights:
- of extra-high-load-factor customers including data centers and data center facilities, and the construction
- and operation of thermal and non-thermal electric generating units... ...and the construction and operation
- It's a good idea to plan for where data centers and SMRs should go, and it's a good idea for data centers
- centers just don't make any sense at all.
- centers just don't make any sense at all.
Summary:
The committee took up House Bill 2308, which would prohibit a dental insurer or its holding company from owning interests in dental practices regulated by the Arizona Board of Dental Examiners. The sponsor and Arizona Dental Association argued the bill is meant to prevent vertical integration and insurer control over provider care, while Delta Dental opposed it, saying the measure would block nonprofit insurers from investing in clinics for indigent care and create divestment burdens. After discussion of possible exemptions and market-share caps, the committee passed HB 2308 on a 7-0 vote.
The committee then considered House Bill 4001, as amended, which creates a licensing and enforcement framework for alternative nicotine products beginning in 2028, increases penalties for sales to minors, restricts youth-oriented marketing, and licenses manufacturers and distributors. Supporters, including the sponsor, Border Security Alliance, Arizona Petroleum Marketers Association, and Vapor Technology Association, said the bill would improve supply-chain transparency and help curb illegal products and youth vaping. Opponents, including the American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network, argued it should instead use a full tobacco retail licensing model and that the bill’s enforcement structure lacks sufficient resources. The committee adopted the amendment and passed the bill 6-1.
House Bill 2873, as amended, was also approved unanimously. The strike-everything amendment allows a person or organization that filed a city or town referendum petition to withdraw it before ballot qualification, applies the rule retroactively to withdrawals filed on or after January 1, 2026, and bars tallying or canvassing votes for referenda with a withdrawal notice. The sponsor described it as a common-sense governance fix, and the committee gave it a 7-0 do-pass recommendation.
The committee next heard House Bill 2408, which revises Arizona Board of Nursing complaint procedures, confidentiality, investigation timelines, expungement authority, and related disciplinary processes. Nursing board officials opposed parts of the bill, warning that changes to nursing education oversight and tighter deadlines could weaken patient safety and increase costs and liability, while the Arizona Nurses Association and several nurses supported the bill as a way to prioritize serious complaints, improve timeliness, and allow expungement in appropriate cases. After adopting the amendment, the committee passed HB 2408 on a 5-2 vote. The committee also passed House Bill 2342, which limits HOA restrictions on backyard shade structures, and House Bill 2323, which extends Arizona’s motor vehicle lemon law protections to lessees, both by unanimous votes. Finally, the committee began hearing House Bill 4010 on creating a Board of Genetic Counselors, with the sponsor and supporters describing it as a licensure and patient-safety measure; the transcript ends during testimony on that bill.
NH
New Hampshire 2025 Regular Session
House Judiciary (01/15/2025)
Transcript Highlights:
- security officers and deploys security officers in the Circuit Court.
- <01:02:14.760><c> uh</c> security uh security uh Personnel<01:02:16.599><c> um</c><01:02:17.240><c> I
- we have a central um our a call center we have a central call<01:05:14.559><c> center</c><01:05:15.279
- </c> accordance with the plc's operating accordance with the plc's operating agreement<03:49:23.560><
- operations.
Summary:
The Judiciary Committee met for its first meeting of the new session with opening remarks, member introductions, and a discussion of committee logistics. Members described their backgrounds and priorities, including criminal justice, right-to-know and privacy issues, domestic violence, death-with-dignity legislation, abortion, firearms, landlord-tenant policy, housing, and technology/privacy concerns. The chair noted there were already 34 bills assigned to the committee and expected more, and said the committee would likely continue to have a heavy workload this session.
The chair also outlined how the committee would operate: meetings would generally be on Wednesdays, with possible Mondays as needed; hearings would not require a quorum, but executive sessions would; and members were asked to provide updated phone numbers and email addresses, especially cell numbers. He explained that the committee would continue its practice of seating members in a mixed partisan arrangement to encourage communication, and that the new clerk had joined the committee.
A significant portion of the meeting focused on procedures for executive sessions and meeting times. The chair said the committee would follow the traditional rule allowing executive sessions on bills heard that day if proper notice was given, but he would avoid taking up controversial matters without full attendance. Members then discussed whether meetings should start at 9, 9:30, or 10 a.m., with concerns raised about long commutes, evening obligations, and winter driving after dark. No formal vote was taken in the portion provided, but the chair indicated he would try to accommodate the committee’s preference while balancing the workload.
KY
Kentucky 2026 Regular Session
Government Contract Review Committee (5-12-26)
Transcript Highlights:
- The technology system was previously operated by Deote, and it is now operated by Crisp Shared Services
- </c> all of the maintenance and operations all of the maintenance and operations will<00:36:36.160><c
- So the the maintenance and operation.
- </c> the redesigning access for centering the redesigning access for centering equal<01:19:01.840><c>
- </c> team the service providers the security team the service providers the security the<01:21:53.360
Summary:
The committee first approved the April 13 minutes and then turned to a large agenda of contracts. Chairman Douglas said there were 52 contracts totaling about $369.3 million, and noted that most vendors were registered with the Secretary of State except for item 118 on the routine personal services green list and item 19 involving Morehead State University and Kentucky State University. The committee voted to defer item 118 to the June 26 meeting and later also deferred the Kentucky State University contract on the deferred list to the June 26 meeting.
The main discussion centered on a deferred personal services contract for the Kentucky Board of Optometric Examiners, involving outside legal counsel. Senator Meredith raised concerns about KRS 320 and whether the board had authority to hire outside counsel when the statute says the Attorney General shall provide legal services to the board. Dr. Mary Beth Morris, the board president, and Christopher Thacker of the Attorney General’s office testified after being sworn in. Thacker explained that the statute and related law allow both Attorney General assistance and independent counsel, and argued that outside counsel is appropriate for day-to-day legal work because it avoids conflicts, especially on open records issues, regulatory advice, and disciplinary hearings.
Senator Meredith said he agreed with approving the contract but questioned how the board had reached this point and whether the current statutes reflect modern practice. He raised concerns about transparency and accountability, referencing a prior advisory opinion involving the board’s handling of exam requirements during COVID and saying the board should have consulted the Attorney General before acting. Thacker responded that the Attorney General’s office serves the Commonwealth as a whole, not as counsel to one board, and that the board’s use of outside counsel is a reasonable and economical arrangement. The exchange ended with Meredith suggesting that broader legislative action may be needed to clarify reporting relationships and oversight for the board.
WA
Washington 2025-2026 Regular Session
House Consumer Protection & Business Jan 21st, 2026
Transcript Highlights:
- have to operate on multiple different types of regulation. restaurants and operations don't have to
- operate on multiple different types of regulations.
- I own and operate Child Logistics.
- My name is Jody Cowell, and I own and operate, with my husband, One Wines.
- So it's simply just making things easier for our existing restaurant to operate.
Summary:
The Consumer Protection and Business Committee held public hearings on several alcohol-related bills. HB 2128 would expand the sports entertainment facility liquor license to cover publicly or privately owned facilities where patrons engage in sports, amusement, or recreational activities, such as the Leavenworth Adventure Park. The prime sponsor and supporters said it would modernize the license while keeping LCB safety controls in place; one member questioned whether it amounted to an expansion of alcohol access. A fiscal note had been requested but not yet received, and the public hearing was closed without action.
The committee then heard HB 2207, which would create a bonded beer warehouse license and make related changes to bonded wine warehouse law. The sponsor said it would help a Ridgefield logistics warehouse store beer the same way it can already store wine and spirits, while supporters from the Washington Brewers Guild said it would give breweries parity with wineries. Distributors and other opponents raised concerns about direct-to-consumer shipping, public access to warehouses, and federal tax-and-trade restrictions; the sponsor said amendments were being considered to address some of those issues. The hearing was closed without action.
HB 2536 would allow wineries to hold spirits, beer, and wine restaurant licenses, or beer and/or wine restaurant licenses, at additional winery locations. The sponsor and winery representatives said the bill would reduce administrative burden and let wineries operate tasting rooms and restaurant-style spaces more flexibly, while opponents argued it could broaden alcohol access and create tied-house concerns. HB 2476 would remove the 120-seat-per-screen limit for theaters seeking a spirits, beer, and wine theater license; the sponsor and theater operators said existing alcohol control plans and other safeguards would remain in place, and the change would help theaters compete and attract patrons. The committee also heard HB 1701, which would allow multiple liquor licensees to operate within a shared facility and was described as a way to support a mixed-use winery/brewery/restaurant project; the sponsor said he was willing to remove the Public Records Act exemption again, and distributors urged transparency and guardrails.
In executive action, the committee took up HB 2229, revising the Professional Engineers Registration Act. After adopting Amendment CLA 407 to restore current law on the board’s name, the committee voted to report the substitute bill out with a due pass recommendation. Several members supported the bill as a modernization of registration and continuing-education provisions, while some members voted no, citing concerns about changes to board membership requirements.
HI
Transcript Highlights:
- through the end just gets us operating through the end of<00:29:18.000><c> June.
- Sometimes we only nutritional security.
- on the family, children's healthy living center, Hawaii nutrition center, and youth development program
- </c><00:52:41.760><c> HB2139</c> security, and cultural heritage.
- HB2139 security, and cultural heritage.
Committee:
House Education
Summary:
The House Committee on Higher Education met on February 13 and heard several bills, with most testimony focused on House Bill 2340, an emergency appropriation for the University of Hawaii to expand and sustain the Maui wildfire exposure study and Maui Health Registry. Supporters described the program as a critical, community-based response to the Maui fires that provides health screenings, mental health support, referrals, and workforce training. Testifiers said the study has identified serious health issues, including respiratory problems, heavy metal exposure, high blood pressure, diabetes, and anemia, and several emphasized that the program has saved lives and should be expanded to reach more children and underserved residents. Committee members also noted broad written support from medical, public health, and community organizations.
The committee then heard House Bill 65, HD1, on human and community resilience, which would fund development of a Human and Community Resilience Institute. The dean testifying for the University of Hawaii said the institute would take a data-driven, community-based approach to food and nutritional security, especially given Hawaii’s high food insecurity rate and the loss of SNAP-related positions. House Bill 6005, also on the agenda, drew testimony in support from the Hawaii Farm Bureau and others, though the transcript excerpt does not include the bill’s full description. The committee also heard House Bill 1605, HD1, expanding the Hawaii National Guard state tuition assistance program to graduate degrees; the Department of Defense, Hawaii Army National Guard, and University of Hawaii supported it, and members clarified that it is a state program separate from the federal GI Bill, though it may sometimes be combined depending on eligibility.
Later, the committee heard House Bill 1967, HD1, on permitting workforce development, which would implement recommendations of the speed task force by creating a permitting workforce pipeline with community colleges and coordinating with state and county permitting agencies. The Office of Planning and Sustainable Development and the University of Hawaii supported the measure. House Bill 2139, HD1, on invasive species, would fund research on treatment methods for the Queensland Longhorn Beetle; DLNR, the Farm Bureau, CGAPS, University of Hawaii at Hilo researchers, farmers, and others supported it, citing damage to native trees, culturally important plants, and crops such as cacao, and noting promising early results from nematode biocontrol trials. The final bill heard was House Bill 2383, HD1, establishing a statewide workforce PELL grant framework for short-term training programs; the Department of Labor and Industrial Relations, the Workforce Development Council, and the University of Hawaii testified, and a committee discussion followed about how responsibilities would be divided among DIR, WDC, and the governor’s certification role. No votes or final committee actions were taken in the portion provided.
CA
Transcript Highlights:
- Social Security number and my personal home address.
- Social Security number and my personal home address.
- And I do just want to say thank you to the Family Justice Center.
- They get cover because it happens by operation of law.
- They get cover because it happens by operation of law.
Committee:
House Judiciary
WY
Wyoming 2026 Regular Session
House Floor Session-Day 11, February 21, 2026-AM
Wyoming House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- </c> We know the people who run and operate We know the people who run and operate this.
- </c> operate the towers. operate the towers.
- </c> for our operations as a legislature. for our operations as a legislature.
- </c><00:41:24.560><c> of</c> center that Windy City in the center of center that Windy City in the center
- </c> regions, in politics, in legislation. regions, in politics, in legislation. 87%<03:15:19.920><c>
AZ
Transcript Highlights:
- Data centers have been popping up left and right.
- We're now one of the foremost destinations for data center development in the world.
- I hear what my colleague from District 17 is saying about data centers.
- Chair, this bill is not about data centers.
- That should be the job of security or the police.
WA
Washington 2025-2026 Regular Session
House Consumer Protection & Business Jan 14th, 2026
Transcript Highlights:
- retail center.
- So if there’s a retail center that has one of these...
- one center, but over time has been chopped up into, say, three different centers—one big piece of property
- She operates out of her garage.
- She operates out of her garage.
Summary:
The Consumer Protection and Business Committee held public hearings on three bills. House Bill 2229 would update the professional engineers registration act by removing the U.S. citizenship requirement for board members, increasing pro tem board positions, giving the board more discretion over experience and continuing education requirements, removing some registration exclusions, and making various technical updates. The bill sponsor and the board described it as a cleanup and modernization measure, and a board representative said one naming change in the draft was unintended and would be corrected. No public testimony was taken before the hearing was suspended and later closed.
House Bill 2274 would revise the Washington Commercial Electronic Mail Act after a Washington Supreme Court decision led to a wave of lawsuits over email subject lines. The bill would require a sender to have a “reliable basis” to know an email is held by a Washington resident, narrow when a subject line is actionable, require recipients to show they reviewed and relied on the email to recover damages, and repeal the act’s per se Consumer Protection Act violation while keeping statutory damages. Retailers, small business owners, hospitality groups, and e-commerce representatives supported the bill, saying the current interpretation is producing costly, technical lawsuits over ordinary promotional language and creating settlement pressure even without consumer harm. Consumer advocates opposed the bill, arguing it would weaken protections against deceptive subject lines and that the current law already targets false or misleading claims. The committee took no final action on the bill.
House Bill 2294 would prohibit future negative use restrictions on real property that block grocery stores or pharmacies, with exceptions for existing restrictions, relocations, and certain retail centers. The sponsor said the measure is intended to improve food and pharmacy access, especially after grocery closures such as the one in Lake City, and noted similar local ordinances already exist. Food industry and grocery association witnesses generally supported the bill as a way to reduce barriers to food access and help independent grocers, while also asking for clearer guardrails to avoid unintended effects on legitimate business arrangements. The sponsor said she was open to working on enforcement and other details. The committee then moved to executive session and passed House Bill 1269, which would adjust pawn broker loan terms, interest, document preparation fees, storage fees, and allow online payment for renewals. Members described it as a modest increase after 11 years without changes, and the bill was reported out of committee with a due pass recommendation by voice vote, with 15 members voting in the affirmative.
CA
California 2025-2026 Regular Session
Assembly Budget Subcommittee No. 5 on State Administration Nov 21st, 2025
Transcript Highlights:
- governments in Orange County, to design, develop, and construct and equip a state-owned and state-operated
- With $55 million already secured for a dedicated site and overwhelming public support, this project is
- veteran cemetery in Gypsum Canyon and authorized $25 million in previously secured state funding to
- You know, there's a... ...with CalVet when we get to that point of up and operating the cemetery.
- I'm also with the State Department of California's foreign relations and national security.
Summary:
The hearing focused on the long-delayed Southern California Veterans Cemetery project at Gypsum Canyon in Anaheim, with opening remarks from Assemblymember Sharon Quirk-Silva, Senator Tom Umberg, and Assemblymember Avelino Valencia emphasizing the project’s importance to Orange County veterans and families. Anaheim city leaders, including the mayor pro tem and council members, voiced strong support and described the city’s role in planning, utilities, and final approvals. Quirk-Silva reviewed the project history, including prior legislation, county and state funding commitments, and the recent federal determination that the site meets VA criteria for a state veterans cemetery.
The first panel, representing the veterans community, included the American Legion, American Gold Star Mothers, and Valor. They argued that Orange County—home to a large veteran population—still lacks a local veterans cemetery, forcing families to travel long distances to Riverside or elsewhere. Testimony stressed the emotional and practical burden on aging veterans and grieving families, and called for immediate action and possession of the property. Some speakers were sharply critical of CalVet and the pace of the process, saying veterans have waited too long and that the project should move forward without further delay.
The second panel, from Orange County, described the county’s and cemetery district’s support and the unique opportunity to develop a shared site for a public cemetery and a separate state veterans cemetery. County officials said the county has dedicated land and funding, and that shared infrastructure—roads, utilities, grading, and access—could reduce costs substantially if the two projects are coordinated. They also said the county is ready to transfer the property to CalVet when appropriate and that the project has already cleared major local approvals and litigation.
The final panel from DGS and CalVet explained the state’s feasibility study and current planning work. DGS said the 2023 study estimated the state’s portion of phase one at about $126 million, largely driven by site work and grading, though that estimate may change as assumptions are updated. CalVet said it is working with DGS and the county on a revised concept plan to lower costs and refine the timeline, and that legislative budget action will be needed to authorize spending from the Southern California Veterans Cemetery fund. No formal vote was taken; the hearing was informational, and the main action was continued coordination among the state, county, city, and veterans groups, with public comment at the end overwhelmingly urging faster construction.
MO
Missouri 2026 Regular Session
Corrections and Public Institutions Apr 8th, 2026
Corrections and Public Institutions
Transcript Highlights:
- Louis City Justice Center? I'm not sure about that.
- library materials for the Justice Center.
- We're losing cattle operations every day.
- I have babies, and everybody's operation is different.
- It's about safety and security of the institution.
Committee:
House Corrections and Public Institutions
ID
Transcript Highlights:
- Number two, it targets freestanding ERs, not hospitals, surgery centers, or urgent cares.
- It applies only to freestanding emergency facilities operating separately from licensed hospital systems
- So how many of these, how many did you say there are of these freestanding medical centers in Idaho?
- This is businesses in Idaho operating in a federally described sandbox.
- Our extended-stay services are centered around the patient's experience, complete with full amenities
Committee:
Senate Commerce and Human Resources
WA
Washington 2025-2026 Regular Session
House Environment & Energy Feb 2nd, 2026
Transcript Highlights:
- The reference is to data centers but also cryptocurrency facilities.
- We want to see jobs and data centers.
- Wenatchee, where the data centers are going at the moment.
- So there's so much positive that happens with data centers.
- These escorts provide an added layer of security.
Summary:
The committee heard and advanced several bills related to energy, environmental regulation, and utility policy. House Bill 2436, on escort tug horsepower requirements for oil tankers, was described as a technical cleanup measure and passed unanimously. House Bill 2605, which exempts low-level naturally occurring fibrous silicate materials in aggregates, asphalt, and concrete from certain asbestos-related labeling, use, and inspection restrictions, also passed unanimously. House Bill 2301, expanding the paint stewardship program to additional paint products and adjusting collection standards, passed 19-1 after members noted it was industry-driven and popular with constituents.
The committee also considered House Bill 2296 on meter-mounted devices and portable solar generation devices. The portable solar section had been removed in the substitute, leaving meter-mounted device provisions; two amendments were offered, one making utility cost recovery mandatory and another restoring local government authority to prohibit installations, but both failed. The substitute bill then passed 14-7. House Bill 2496, requiring government-to-government consultation with tribes during site certification reviews and exempting those consultations from the Open Meetings Act when no deliberation occurs, passed 15-6 amid comments supporting tribal consultation but raising concerns about public meetings and process details.
House Bill 2212 on microfiber filtration requirements for washing machines was briefed with a proposed substitute and amendments, but no action was taken on it during the meeting. House Bill 2515, addressing emerging large energy use facilities such as data centers and cryptocurrency facilities, drew the most debate over fees, taxation, energy use, water impacts, and economic development; despite concerns from some members that it was not ready or could discourage investment, the substitute passed 11-10. The committee then adjourned after reporting out the bills noted above with due pass recommendations.
WA
Washington 2025-2026 Regular Session
House Consumer Protection & Business Feb 20th, 2026 at 08:00 am
Consumer Protection & Business
Transcript Highlights:
- We recently settled a multi-year investigation of a senior living provider that operates 15 long-term
- Often that means scammers impersonating banks and convincing people there is a security risk.
- Often that means scammers impersonating banks and convincing people there is a security risk to their
- I also happen to have at home one of those official-looking letters from Social Security.
- I also happen to have at home one of those official-looking letters from Social Security.
Committee:
House Consumer Protection & Business
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
Committee on Housing and Homelessness Prevention - 02/25/25
Housing and Homelessness Prevention
Transcript Highlights:
- </c> administrative tools to develop operate administrative tools to develop operate and<00:04:06.200
- </c> 1.15 examine the current operating 1.15 examine the current operating expenses<00:10:11.600><c>
- </c> both public officials and operators both public officials and operators committed<00:19:48.799><
- And after that, there's an implicit expectation that operators will continue to help them operate in
- And after that, there's an implicit expectation that operators will continue to help them operate in
Committee:
Senate Housing and Homelessness Prevention
WA
Washington 2025-2026 Regular Session
JLARC – Joint Legislative Audit & Review Committee May 14th, 2025
Transcript Highlights:
- My name is Bo Kilmer, and I co-direct the Drug Policy Research Center, RAND.
- X-ray providers, outpatient physical therapy, and birthing centers.
- Juvenile rehabilitation serves young people through age 25, and DCYF operates two secure facilities,
- and equitably, and how DCYF sets the staffing level it needs for safety and security.
- I'm just curious about the safety and security.
Summary:
At the May 14, 2025 JLARC meeting, members approved the January 9 minutes and adopted the 2025–27 biennial work plan with a minor typo correction. Staff reviewed the new work plan studies, including a drug take-back program fee/expenditure review due in December 2025 and a state energy performance standard compliance review due in June 2027, and noted JLARC’s recent session activity, including several bills passed related to JLARC work and recommendations.
The committee then heard a preliminary cannabis market study showing Washington businesses likely produced two to three times more cannabis than retailers sold in 2023. Staff and RAND said LCB’s data systems are incomplete and unreliable, limiting regulation, tax verification, and diversion tracking; they recommended that LCB submit a plan by year-end for collecting accurate data by the end of 2026. Members and LCB discussed the long timeline for a new traceability system, the causes of missing sales and weight data, overproduction, diversion, and the social equity program’s effect on producer licenses.
JLARC also presented a preliminary hospital oversight report concluding that the Department of Health is late on many hospital inspections, does not verify third-party inspection standards, does not review adverse health event correction plans, and could make hospital data more accessible. The committee discussed fee funding, language access, and inspection timing, and DOH said it would work on a strategic plan and continue coordinating with JLARC. Members also heard a preliminary report on the public records survivor exemption, which found agencies are using it but need more guidance; JLARC recommended keeping the exemption and having the Attorney General provide additional training. Finally, the committee approved the DDA processes and staffing final report for distribution, which recommended performance metrics, stronger data quality controls, and workforce planning; DDA concurred. JLARC also introduced proposed study questions for a future DCYF juvenile rehabilitation review focused on safety, security, programs, staffing, education, and contraband, and the meeting adjourned after members asked about scope and facility conditions.