Transcript Highlights:

• study to assess the number of veterans eligible for benefits in each county, the current. number of claims

Bills: HB101 , HB290

Committee: Senate Veteran Affairs

Keywords: voter approval, local tax, disaster declaration, tax rate increases, community funding, PFAS, agriculture, criminal offense, pollution, Johnson County, environmental regulation, 1185, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• It's a clean bill, so you may present your bill. Thank you, Mr. Chairman.

Summary: The Rules Committee met briefly and first took up Senate Bill 2184, described as a clean duplicate-sections bill that does not create new law but consolidates multiple versions of statutes and repeals duplicative sections. In response to a question about what happens if such a bill does not pass, members explained that the duplicate provisions remain in statute, which can create confusion and make future cleanup bills larger; they also referenced a prior attorney general request aimed at guiding judges when duplicate sections remain. The committee then voted 7-0 to report SB 2184 as due pass. The committee next considered an amended version of Senate Bill 171, using a PCS as the working draft without objection. The bill would increase the number of armed security personnel/sergeants from one to two, with the additional commission coming from an existing staff member rather than a new hire; the commission would end when that person leaves service. After brief discussion, the committee voted 7-0 to report SB 171 as due pass.

Transcript Highlights:

• An act to amend the Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation Law in relation to the cleaning of playground

Committee: Senate Cultural Affairs, Tourism, Parks And Recreation

Keywords: 993, senate, all

Summary: The Senate Standing Committee on Cultural Affairs, Tourism, Parks, and Recreation met on March 17, 2026, with a quorum present and several members participating, including Chair José Serrano, Ranking Member James Tedisco, Senator Pamela Helming, and later Senators Michelle Hinchey and April Baskin. The committee took up a six-bill agenda focused on parks, cultural institutions, and related public safety issues. The committee reported several bills: S.1057, requiring reporting on the alienation of useful parkland; S.1378A, providing financial assistance to museums, zoos, botanical gardens, aquariums, and other cultural institutions in low-income communities or serving students there; S.1380A, addressing cleaning of playground equipment after pesticide exposure; S.5400, creating an emergency-response exemption for law enforcement and fire department vessels; and S.6487C, authorizing the Council on the Arts to designate Little Gamut as a cultural district. Senator Helming recorded a “without recommendation” vote on some measures, but none were opposed. The final bill, S.9301, which would establish a new state park, was moved and seconded but was referred to the Civil Service Committee rather than reported from the committee. After completing the agenda, Chair Serrano adjourned the meeting.

Transcript Highlights:

• It's a clean-up bill as he just mentioned.
• So this bill just cleans up that language, removing their providing that they're already on the checklist
• So this bill just cleans<01:43:53.200><c> up</c><01:43:53.320><c> that</c><01:43:53.520><c> language<
• /c><01:43:53.920><c> removing</c> cleans up that language removing cleans up that language removing their

Committee: House Election Law

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• But these are clean, and I think this is a simple example.
• And so that’s where we also, we want to clean this up, but we also recognize in cleaning this up, we
• want to verify or at least clean up the code here with these component units.
• Yeah, and I think in some extent, coming clean, we've talked a lot about data dashboards, measuring things

Committee: Joint Legislative Task Force on Government Efficiency

Summary: The task force met with a quorum and first reviewed a memorandum summarizing a survey of state agencies on possible statute revisions. Levi reported that 20 agencies submitted 70 proposals, with about 33 potentially becoming agency pre-file bills. Common themes included procurement, concessions, architect/engineering services, liability limits, and IT-related efficiencies. Members asked about sharing the survey results more broadly and about cross-agency coordination, especially with higher education and ITD-related issues. OMB then presented three topics from its survey responses: concessions, pre-qualification of architects/engineers/construction managers/land surveyors, and publication of legal notices. OMB said the current concessions law is too rigid because it requires award to the highest responsible bidder and does not fit newer concession models, and it suggested a best-value approach, a higher threshold, and standardized templates. On architect/engineering pre-qualification, OMB said the law is fragmented across several statutes and should be consolidated and expanded for broader use. On legal notices, OMB described the current rate-setting and publication process, noted rising costs and shrinking newspaper availability, and proposed a collaborative effort to modernize notice delivery, improve accessibility, and explore online options. The task force discussed how to move these ideas forward, and a motion passed directing OMB to implement its suggestions and report back at the next meeting. The University of North Dakota then presented several proposed revisions focused on public buildings and procurement. UND recommended raising the threshold for treating routine maintenance and one-for-one replacements as construction, arguing that the current $250,000 threshold forces unnecessary architect/engineer involvement and adds cost. It also proposed changes to bid advertisement language to reflect electronic bidding, revisions to construction manager-at-risk selection criteria, changes to architect/engineer procurement criteria, a higher direct-hire threshold for design services, and an increase in the legislative approval threshold for privately funded projects. Members discussed the need for data, risk and complexity considerations, and collaboration with counsel and industry groups. A motion passed directing Levi and counsel to work with UND on bill drafts based on its proposals for a future meeting. DPI followed with a shorter presentation on credentialing and statutory cleanup. It suggested reviewing the department’s 23 credential categories for relevance, and said DPI and the Education Standards and Practices Board have discussed transferring some credentialing authority to ESPB. DPI also recommended removing outdated school safety patrol language, cleaning up waiver provisions, and updating dyslexia screening reporting requirements so districts are not burdened by obsolete reporting mandates. Members agreed the screening itself should remain in place, while the reporting requirement could be reconsidered. The committee then recessed until the afternoon session.

Transcript Highlights:

• So this is simply cleaning that up, and I am proud to support this.
• So this is simply cleaning that up, and I am proud to support this.
• ><01:32:36.400><c> this</c><01:32:36.639><c> is</c><01:32:36.800><c> simply</c><01:32:37.120><c> cleaning
• </c><01:32:37.440><c> that</c> So this is this is simply cleaning that So this is this is simply cleaning

Keywords: 981, all

Transcript Highlights:

• and that's minerals and economic development as you support business that's good for Wyoming that's clean
• and that's minerals and economic development as you support business that's good for Wyoming that's clean
• and that's minerals and economic development as you support business that's good for Wyoming that's clean
• and that's minerals and economic development as you support business that's good for Wyoming that's clean
• that's minerals and economic development, as you support business that's good for Wyoming, that's clean

Bills: HB0116 , HB0056

Committee: House Minerals, Business & Economic Development

Keywords: water rights, beneficial use, industrial production, hydrogen, applications, public welfare, carbon capture, energy standards, public utilities, environmental regulation, state law, 916, all

Transcript Highlights:

• doesn't matter because we'll still be here picking up the pieces of the destruction and trying to clean
• doesn't matter because we'll still be here picking up the pieces of the destruction and trying to clean
• doesn't matter because we'll still be here picking up the pieces of the destruction and trying to clean
• doesn't matter because we'll still be here picking up the pieces of the destruction and trying to clean
• Here, picking up the pieces of the destruction and trying to clean up the messes from the work that we've

Keywords: 919, house, all

Summary: The committee took up House File 3403, authored by Vice Chair Rep. Kazowski, and first adopted an A1 amendment. The amendment made technical and implementation changes recommended by the Department of Revenue, allowed a small portion of funds for county and tribal administrative costs, and clarified timing and reporting for spent and unspent funds. After the amendment was adopted, the bill was moved to Ways and Means. Rep. Kazowski described HF 3403 as a $50 million emergency rental assistance measure to help stabilize households facing eviction, with $44 million directed to counties and $6 million reserved for tribal nations, administered through the Department of Revenue using the existing local homeless prevention aid formula. Supporters said the bill would provide immediate, targeted help to renters and landlords, prevent evictions, and reduce downstream costs to shelters, schools, employers, and health systems. Several testifiers, including representatives from Greater Twin Cities United Way, St. Louis County, Hennepin County, Minneapolis, social workers, a resident, and tribal housing leaders, said local resources were insufficient to meet rising need and emphasized the impact of federal immigration enforcement and related economic disruption on families, workers, and communities. Testimony highlighted sharp increases in rental assistance requests, rising eviction filings, depleted county funds, and the strain on nonprofit and mutual aid efforts. County and city officials said emergency rental assistance and related legal services had already prevented thousands of evictions, but current funding was not enough. Tribal testimony stressed disproportionate homelessness among Native Americans and supported the bill’s tribal allocation. During member discussion, Rep. Amani Hiltsley said the bill was an economic stabilization tool and requested a roll call vote, noting safeguards against fraud and the broader costs of inaction.

Transcript Highlights:

• In other words, uh, trying to clean up some of the legal issues here raised by the AG and hopefully the
• ,</c><01:00:54.799><c> uh</c><01:00:54.960><c> trying</c><01:00:55.119><c> to</c><01:00:55.280><c> clean
• </c><01:00:55.359><c> up</c><01:00:55.520><c> some</c> other words, uh trying to clean up some other
• words, uh trying to clean up some of<01:00:55.680><c> the</c><01:00:55.839><c> legal</c><01:00:56.079
• So hopefully that cleans up two birds with one stone there. And this goes on to the House.

Bills: SB2341 , SB2306 , SB2782 , SB2161 , SB17 , SB2358 , SB2367 , SB2240 , SB2547 , SB2401 , SB3031 , SB1406 , SB521 , SB3247 , SB1654 , SB1112 , SB1301 , SB2443 , SB2996

Committee: Senate Water, Land, Culture and the Arts

Keywords: historic preservation, Hawaii Revised Statutes, construction, state review, burial sites, cultural artifacts, development review, phased review, administrative fees, bureau of conveyances, land court, transaction fees, public services, cost recovery, notary public, fraud, real property, Bureau of Conveyances, title recording, property rights

Summary: The committee heard testimony on several measures related to hunting, trespass enforcement, conservation banking, coral reef resilience, and search and rescue. SB 2130 would require DLNR to increase the percentage of public land acreage designated for public hunting areas; DLNR offered comments, the Hawaii Cattlemen’s Council expressed concern, and a Game Management Advisory Commission member urged adequate funding for both study and maintenance of any expanded hunting areas. SB 2128 would require forfeiture to the state of firearms or motor vehicles used in hunting trespass on private land; the Hawaii Cattlemen’s Council supported the bill, and another signer testified without additional detail. The committee also heard SB 3053, which appropriates funds to DLNR’s Division of Aquatic Resources for mangrove removal and shoreline/stream maintenance in the Westlock and Middleock shorelines and watersheds. DLNR supported the measure and noted staff involved in mangrove removal work; no other testimony was offered. On SB 20005, which authorizes conservation banks for compensatory mitigation in habitat conservation plans and incidental take licenses, DLNR supported the bill but said a House measure, HB 1802, would place key safeguards in statute rather than administrative rules. Earthjustice opposed SB 20005 for lacking statutory safeguards and said it would support incorporating the House language, while CARES supported the bill as a modernization that could reduce permit processing time and provide more predictable costs. A lengthy discussion followed on SB 3201, which would direct DLNR to prioritize coral reef resilience and set performance targets for coral cover and herbivore biomass. DLNR said it supported the intent but wanted more flexibility because outside factors such as climate and emissions policy affect reef conditions; the Nature Conservancy shared that concern and asked for more flexible language. For the bill, For the Fishes strongly supported stronger protections and suggested adding abundance as a metric, while NOAA and DLNR discussed the difficulty of setting universal benchmarks because reef conditions vary by location. Randy Kosaki and CARES supported the bill, emphasizing coral decline and the need for measurable goals, while committee members asked about restoration projects, benchmarks, and whether the bill’s deadlines were meant to require a plan rather than immediate achievement. Finally, the committee took up SB 2937, which would create a search and rescue card program and special fund to reimburse state, county, and volunteer search-and-rescue operations. DLNR’s wildlife division said it stood on its written testimony, and the Hawaii SAR Alliance supported the concept but said Hawaii first needs a stronger search-and-rescue framework, including a state coordinator, before implementing such a program. No votes or final actions were taken on any of the measures in the portion of the meeting provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• 12.240><c> the</c><00:23:12.480><c> governor</c> And it was much more what the governor had called a clean
• pointed out, and that we thought the budget adjustment wasn't that, you know, trying to keep this as clean
• wasn't that you know trying to keep this wasn't that you know trying to keep this as<00:57:48.480><c> clean
• > possible</c><00:57:49.680><c> but</c><00:57:49.920><c> we</c><00:57:50.160><c> definitely</c> as clean
• as possible but we definitely as clean as possible but we definitely heard<00:57:50.880><c> a</c><00

Keywords: 927, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• So it would make a clean passage.
• </c> so it would make a clean passage. so it would make a clean passage.
• I don't know if it's clean enough language at this point. ...the cost is $1,500 to $3,000 minimum.
• I don't know if it's clean enough language at this point.
• I don't know if it's clean enough language at this point. >> Mr.

Committee: Senate Judiciary and Public Safety

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• break that these sure it's a clean break that these sure it's a clean break that these students are
• wrong because they can easily mix the wrong because they can easily mix the wrong chemicals just to clean
• a table and have chemicals just to clean a table and have chemicals just to clean a table and have everybody
• Response to the Alabama Dry Cleaning Response to the Alabama Dry Cleaning Response Trust Fund Board.
• up it's just somebody trying to clean up it's just somebody trying to clean up their mess and it gives

Bills: HB 1535 , HB 123 , HB 111 , HB 180 , HB 342 , HB 1027 , HB 1178 , HB 610 , HB 1277 , HB 1615 , HB 1620 , HB 5342 , HB 4885 , HB 4751 , HB 4689 , HB 4530 , HB 4488 , HB 2149 , HB 2041 , HB 2071 , HB 1813 , HB 2282 , HB 2248 , HB 2243 , HB 2522 , HB 2310 , HB 2513 , HB 2300 , HB 1902 , HB 3719 , HB 4284 , HB 4327 , HB 3743 , HB 3778 , HB 3801 , HB 5153 , HB 5147 , HB 4877 , HB 4850 , HB 3158 , HB 3261 , HB 3005 , HB 3033 , HB 3138 , HB 3099 , HB 2849 , HB 2967 , HB 3488 , HB 3477 , HB 3466 , HB 3396 , HB 3469 , HB 2594 , HB 2776 , HB 2564 , HB 2298 , HB 5331 , HB 5646 , HB 5247 , HB 5323 , HB 2015 , HB 4384 , HB 3896 , HB 4014 , HB 3627 , HB 3594 , HB 2524 , HB 510 , HB 561 , HB 5111 , HB 5446 , HB 1181 , HB 3963 , HB 2785 , HB 1661 , HB 2460 , HB 24 , HJR 138 , HB 3800 , HB 42 , HB 129 , HB 677 , HB 668 , HB 2128 , HB 2038 , HB 2316 , HB 3686 , HB 2563 , HB 1160 , HB 3883 , HB 2788 , HB 2663 , HB 3305 , HB 3474 , HB 1105 , HB 3490 , HB 3597 , HB 1295 , HB 3512 , HB 3783 , HB 2017 , HB 3010 , HB 3112 , HB 4215 , HB 3223 , HB 3464 , HB 3120 , HB 4214 , HB 4081 , HB 4783 , HB 4063 , HB 2783 , HB 5085 , HB 2510 , HB 3426 , HB 4361 , HB 1169 , HB 2516 , HB 4700 , HB 3560 , HB 3860 , HB 3146 , HB 184 , HB 198 , HB 247 , HB 367 , HB 449 , HB 1778 , HB 514 , HB 632 , HB 2582 , HB 766 , HB 2715 , HB 2712 , HB 3069 , HB 3505 , HB 1269 , HB 4224 , HB 5032 , HB 2240 , HB 5180 , HB 3348 , HB 4668 , HB 4665 , HB 3395 , HB 3157 , HB 4395 , HB 4325 , HB 4386 , HB 4273 , HB 2760 , HB 2820 , HB 1828 , HB 1579 , SB 2349 , SB 1268 , SB 610 , SB 1577 , SB 1369 , SB 2032 , SB 2034 , SB 1057 , SB 1044 , SB 922 , SB 1759 , SB 1143 , SB 1506 , SB 1403 , SB 2361 , SB 870 , SB 372 , SB 72 , SB 1583 , SB 2314 , SB 1267 , SB 1273 , SB 765 , SB 552 , HB 2145 , HJR 112 , HB 1804 , HJR 110 , HB 1194 , HB 1531 , HB 5008 , HB 3421 , SCR 27 , HB 5398 , HB 1407 , HB 426 , HB 1535 , HB 123 , HB 1773 , HB 1871 , HB 2035 , HB 2448 , HB 2492 , HB 1411 , HB 4753 , HB 4666 , HB 4529 , HB 1499 , HB 1610 , HB 2028 , HB 1506 , HB 886 , HB 3546 , HB 796 , HB 223 , HB 1475 , HB 3556 , HB 4638 , HB 111 , HB 180 , HB 342 , HB 1027 , HB 1178 , HB 610 , HB 1277 , HB 1615 , HB 1620 , HB 5342 , HB 4885 , HB 4751 , HB 4689 , HB 4530 , HB 4488 , HB 2149 , HB 2041 , HB 2071 , HB 1813 , HB 2282 , HB 2248 , HB 2243 , HB 2522 , HB 2310 , HB 2513 , HB 2300 , HB 1902 , HB 3719 , HB 4284 , HB 4327 , HB 3743 , HB 3778 , HB 3801 , HB 5153 , HB 5147 , HB 4877 , HB 4850 , HB 3158 , HB 3261 , HB 3005 , HB 3033 , HB 3138 , HB 3099 , HB 2849 , HB 2967 , HB 3488 , HB 3477 , HB 3466 , HB 3396 , HB 3469 , HB 2594 , HB 2776 , HB 2564 , HB 2298 , HB 5331 , HB 5646 , HB 5247 , HB 5323 , HB 2015 , HB 4384 , HB 3896 , HB 4014 , HB 3627 , HB 3594 , HB 2524 , HB 510 , HB 561 , HB 5111 , HB 5446 , HB 1181 , HB 3963 , HB 2785 , HB 1661 , HB 2460 , HCR 98 , HCR 92 , HCR 126

Keywords: Trinity River Authority, river authority, Sunset Advisory Commission, Texas Sunset Act, board of directors, governor appointment, public water authority, regional water authority, water resources, local government, natural resources, board training, ethics, open meetings, public information, conflict of interest, complaint procedures, public comment, director removal, governance reform

Transcript Highlights:

• It's clean and simple. It's what they want, and I'm on board with it now.
• and simple it's what this it's clean and simple it's what they<01:10:48.360><c> want</c><01:10:48.560
• That two motions or one, you can do two just so it's clean, okay?"
• Two motions or one—you can do two just so it's clean."
• </c> host Bill 563 retained so I'll clean host Bill 563 retained so I'll clean this<03:19:18.040><c>

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The Division 2 Finance Committee work session focused primarily on House Bill 115 and a proposed amendment, 114H, which would carry over language from HB 2 into HB 115 and place limits on Education Freedom Accounts (EFAs). Representative Murray described the amendment as a way to keep the 350% federal poverty eligibility cap, require students to have attended a charter public school in grades K-12 for the preceding year before entering the voucher system, and add guardrails against universal eligibility. She argued the state was facing a severe budget crisis, that expanding EFAs would divert money from other programs, and that public testimony and local votes showed widespread opposition to expansion. She also cited a letter from former Finance chair Neil Kirk opposing expansion. Other members responded that the committee should not revisit policy already decided by the House, though some said the amendment was fair to discuss because of its fiscal implications and supported it on that basis. The discussion then broadened into a debate over the fiscal impact of universal vouchers and the reliability of enrollment and cost estimates. Representative Luno argued that prior EFA projections had relied on assumptions that could badly underestimate state exposure, pointing to Arizona as a cautionary example and saying New Hampshire should not expand the program without better analysis. Representative Papovich similarly warned that universal eligibility could create a large, unexpected cost, estimating a potential exposure of about $285 million based on school-age children not currently in public, charter, or EFA programs. In contrast, Representative Weyler said EFAs can save money because public school spending is already high and parents using EFAs still pay taxes and take on more responsibility for their children’s education. After discussion, Representative Murray moved to accept the amendment, and Representative Bean seconded it. There was some procedural clarification about voting on the original bill and the amendment. The transcript ends before a final recorded vote on the amendment or on HB 115 itself, though the committee had also been told it would likely reconsider several retained bills later in the week, including HB 129, HB 133, HB 671, and HB 781.

Transcript Highlights:

• You can't be on this land for 20 years, not noticed by anybody, and then claim it's yours under adverse
• You can't be on this land for 20 years, not noticed by anybody, and then claim it's yours under adverse
• You can't be on this land for 20 years, not noticed by anybody, and then claim it's yours under adverse
• years, not noticed by anybody,<00:43:00.160><c> and</c><00:43:00.400><c> then</c><00:43:00.560><c> claim
• it's yours under anybody, and then claim it's yours under adverse<00:43:02.240><c> possession.

Committee: House Judiciary

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• So I would like to dig a little deeper into that and find out if we're claiming that this is a successful
• that this is a successful claiming that this is a successful program<00:28:58.240><c> what</c> Thank
• Bedrick goes on to claim that the EFA award was only $5,24 on average, and in some instances it was only
• c> the</c><00:39:48.480><c> EFA</c><00:39:49.079><c> award</c><00:39:49.640><c> was</c> goes on to claim
• that the EFA award was goes on to claim that the EFA award was only<00:39:50.319><c> $</c> only $ only

Committee: Senate Education Finance

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• <01:31:39.440><c> smaller</c><01:31:39.760><c> pieces</c><01:31:40.080><c> to</c><01:31:40.320><c> claim
• </c><01:31:40.719><c> multiple</c> into smaller pieces to claim multiple into smaller pieces to claim
• You know, it depends on what we would need to claim and how.
• c><01:44:43.520><c> to</c> it depends on what we would need to it depends on what we would need to claim
• Um I think that um claim and how.

Committee: Senate Ways and Means

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• it's not the successful in that claim it's not the custom<00:40:13.000><c> that</c><00:40:13.119><c>
• And if they don't provide it, they have to either claim a medical or religious exemption.
• And if they don't provide it, they have to either claim a medical or religious exemption.
• The bill also prohibits a drug manufacturer from requiring certain claims or utilization data from a
• The bill also prohibits a drug manufacturer from requiring certain claims or utilization data from a

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• The House is on a paper from the Senate: House Bill 5175, relative to energy affordability, clean power

Summary: The House received a gubernatorial message requesting fiscal year 2027 appropriations, which was referred to the Committee on Ways and Means. Members then took up House Bill 5175 on energy affordability, clean power, and economic competitiveness. The House suspended the rules but voted not to concur with the Senate’s amended version, and then agreed to appoint a committee of conference; the conferees named were Mr. Cusack of Braintree, Mr. Mike Woods of Boston, and Mr. Jones of North Reading. The chamber next considered several bills on third reading. House 5430, designating the Hyannis Transportation Center as the Thomas C. Cahir Cape Cod Transportation Center, was passed to be engrossed. House 4924, concerning the Boston Finance Commission and establishing the Boston Inspector General Oversight Commission, was amended by substitution with House 5585 and then passed to be engrossed as amended. After a recess, the House returned to enact Senate 3106, a bill relative to toxic-free medical devices, which passed. The House also adopted an order to adjourn to Monday at 11 a.m., and then adjourned to that time in informal session.

Transcript Highlights:

• So just appointed in September, so pretty squeaky clean here, and I'm trying to figure things out.

Committee: House Business

Keywords: 989, all

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><01:01:03.520><c> So,</c> Franzen's claiming under this rule.
• So, Franzen's claiming under this rule.
• </c> It reopens the window for certain past claims and requires the Commissioner of Public Safety to
• review previously denied claims dating back to early 2020 under updated eligibility standards.
• If those claims now qualify, benefits must be awarded. So, Mr.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all