Transcript Highlights:

• The educational programs to become an RRT are the same for individuals with both an RRT and a CRT credential
• This legislation will lower construction costs and fees for both private and governmental clients of
• if they are otherwise qualified and have met the necessary standards of their respective training programs
• This amendment is dealing with the residential care facilities and assisted living facilities on their

Committee: House Professional Registration and Licensing

Summary: The Committee on Professional Registration and Licensing met with a quorum and held a public hearing on Senate Substitute for Senate Bill 1083, which focused primarily on respiratory care licensure. The sponsor explained that the bill would require respiratory therapists in Missouri to hold an active RRT credential rather than a CRT, while preserving a grandfather clause for current CRT licensees, and would also add random audits at renewal to confirm credentials remain active. The bill was also described as carrying several other professional licensing provisions added on the Senate floor, including changes affecting interior designers, physician licensure background checks and disclosure requirements, social worker supervision standards, and speech-language pathologist clinical fellowship supervision rules. Testimony in support came from representatives of the Missouri Society for Respiratory Care, the Interior Designers Association, the Missouri Speech-Language-Hearing Association, the Missouri chapter of the National Association of Social Workers and Burrell Behavioral Health, and FGA Action. The respiratory care witness said the bill would improve patient care and close a loophole in current law. Interior design supporters said they had negotiated changes with the board, while a committee member disputed that the board was fully in agreement. Speech-language and social work witnesses described their provisions as technical fixes that would help recruit and license more professionals, especially in rural areas. One witness also urged adding unrelated legislation as an amendment. After the hearing, the committee moved into executive session on Senate Substitute for Senate Bill 183 and adopted an amendment that addressed residential care and assisted living facility accreditation, a temporary licensure issue tied to work experience, a cleanup fix for osteopathic college language, and clarification that the speech-language pathologist provision applies to supervision from any state. The committee then rolled the amendment into the substitute and voted do pass House Committee Substitute for Senate Substitute for Senate Bill 1083 by a roll call vote of 21 yes and 1 no, with Representative Nolte voting no.

Transcript Highlights:

• funding for schools with high populations of low-income students; the McKinney-Vento grant program for
• youth experiencing homelessness; grant programs for English learners, rural schools, literacy initiatives
• funding for schools with high populations of low-income students; the McKinney-Vento grant program for
• funding for schools with high populations of low-income students; the McKinney-Vento grant program for
• Assistance Program, or TFAP, which typically provides one meal for every nine offered through SNAP.

Keywords: U.S. House of Representatives Floor Proceedings on Tuesday, December 2, 2025, 1012, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• report represents months of careful work by the Senate and House General Investigating Committees to assist
• They did assist with getting girls over to rec hall. They didn't like go in and stay in rec hall.
• All cabins are constructed on high safe locations, end quote.
• They were not—they had no barriers during the flood to being physically available to assist.
• And it reminded me of a meditation that was led in my senior year of high school at Catholic High School

Keywords: 1185, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• So Owl would be graduating from high school, from Redwood High School in Marin County, in June.
• So Owl would be graduating from high school, from Redwood High School in Marine County in June.
• She was transitioning from middle school to a high school that none of her friends were attending.
• There are school-wide text message threads going on, like in my own kids' school.
• This will make the phone not work during the day at school.

Committee: House Privacy and Consumer Protection

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• So I had to use computer programs, essentially, is what it boils down to.
• So I set out to solve that problem, made some computer programs that can read through those texts of
• They successfully identified home construction regulations that were needlessly raising the cost of new
• costs... ...that didn't contribute to human safety, Virginia estimates that it lowered home construction
• And going to school for that for 600 hours is beyond their wherewithal.

Keywords: 965, house, all

Summary: The Special Committee on Regulatory Reform met as a study hearing with a quorum present but no plans to take votes. Chair Mark Wright opened by noting a draft resolution on regulatory reform and introducing Patrick McLaughlin of the Hoover Institution and Pacific Legal Foundation, who was invited to discuss his research on state regulatory accumulation and reform. McLaughlin described his method of measuring regulation through counts of binding terms like “shall” and “must,” and said Louisiana ranks among the most regulated states, with about 183,000 restrictions and faster-than-average growth in its regulatory stock. He argued that regulatory accumulation slows GDP growth, raises consumer prices, and disproportionately burdens small businesses and low-income households. McLaughlin pointed to reform models in British Columbia, Idaho, and Virginia, saying those states reduced regulations through centralized oversight, periodic review, simplified benefit-cost analysis, transparency tools, and AI-assisted comparison of rules across states. He said Virginia’s regulatory management office helped cut requirements and guidance, reduce licensing delays, and lower homebuilding costs, while similar reforms in Louisiana could produce significant economic gains. Committee members asked about the reliability of the research, the distinction between necessary and duplicative rules, the role of federal mandates, and how AI could help identify outdated or “gold-plated” regulations. McLaughlin said AI should assist human reviewers, not replace them, and emphasized that agencies need a process for reviewing old rules, not just issuing new ones. Members also discussed Louisiana’s own reform efforts, including LaDOGE, permit streamlining, and prior legislation creating public hearings and committee review of regulations. Chair Wright said he had filed a broader bill this session and was working with the administration on next steps. Representative Walters requested supporting data and examples from other states, and other members asked for practical comparisons, including how regulations affect housing, occupational licensing, and small businesses. The hearing ended without any votes or formal action.

Transcript Highlights:

• We have programs that give taxpayer dollars to these industries so that they will build this stuff.
• When we can use energy more efficiently, when we can conserve energy, when we invest in programs that
• When we can use energy more efficiently, when we can conserve energy, when we invest in programs that
• Clean energy investment offers programs.
• </c> highway or county stateass assisted highway or county stateass assisted highway. highway. highway

Committee: House Energy Finance and Policy

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• For the record, my name is Eddie Edwards, Assistant Commissioner, Department of Safety.
• </c><00:52:07.920><c> just</c> roundabout, which was constructed just roundabout, which was constructed
• She was a teacher in New Bedford schools for over 20 years.
• </c> Kathy was a school teacher in the city.
• </c><01:28:38.320><c> establishes</c> rules governing a program establishes rules governing a program

Committee: Senate Transportation

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:34:24.480><c> And</c> high school high school diploma. And high school high school diploma.
• </c> communication assistance. communication assistance. &gt;&gt; Exactly. &gt;&gt; Exactly.
• It could be a supported employment program. It could be some other kind of program or activities.
• Um, there is much less oversight of that program than there would be in the CASA program.
• My daughter's missed 300 days of school. She's finally back in school. Multiple DCF reports.

Committee: House Children and Family Law

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Programs and Services again is the half of the agency that assists Minnesota veterans and their families
• Programs and Services again is the half of the agency that assists Minnesota veterans and their families
• /c><01:25:14.480><c> a</c><01:25:14.560><c> year</c> assistance program has just uh a year assistance
• Working with our county veteran service officer partners and the State Soldiers Assistance Program is
• /c><01:25:56.719><c> way</c><01:25:56.880><c> I</c> assistance program is the best way I assistance program

Committee: House Veterans and Military Affairs Division

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• on the side, we've got lodging, food service, health care of groceries, laundry, dry cleaners and schools
• So so we have those those programs in place.
• The company currently has 2 pse approved programs Garden safe that are designed to enhance the safety
• Significant improvement has made to our systems through these programs by replacing problematic mains
• Some of the projects we have completed or that are in construction to meet this growth include up in

Transcript Highlights:

• So schools, housing developments, et cetera.
• There are entities that are working off FEMA grant programs.
• In blue schools—sorry, these markers are high schools in Washington in 2019. 2019 is the last year of
• We also look at using administrative high school data.
• likelihood of graduating high school in four years.

Summary: The committee heard a work session on earthquake insurance, beginning with background from the Office of the Insurance Commissioner. OIC staff explained that earthquake and earth movement are generally excluded from standard property policies, that earthquake coverage is usually purchased through endorsements or standalone policies with high deductibles and relatively high premiums, and that surplus lines are a limited backstop market not covered by the state guarantee fund. They also described parametric insurance and captive insurance as more specialized products generally suited to commercial or governmental buyers rather than ordinary consumers. A second panel of insurance and banking experts focused on commercial earthquake exposure, especially for older buildings, collateralized loans, and potential knock-on effects to banks and consumers if a major quake caused widespread damage. Members asked about consumer impacts, mitigation incentives, inventories of vulnerable buildings, and whether legislation such as prior work on unreinforced masonry could help reduce risk. The Washington Bankers Association said earthquake insurance is expensive and that affordability is a major concern, while also noting banks participate in disaster-recovery planning and would be affected by major regional losses. No votes or formal actions were taken. The committee then received a presentation from the Washington State Institute for Public Policy on its cannabis and Initiative 502 research. WSIPP staff described the agency as a nonpartisan research institute that conducts legislative-directed studies and explained that its long-term I-502 assignment includes periodic reports leading to a final benefit-cost evaluation in 2032. Staff summarized findings from a 2023 report showing that cannabis possession convictions fell sharply after legalization, though some racial disproportionalities persisted, and that closer retail access was associated with higher reported adult cannabis use, more fatal traffic crashes involving drivers from nearby areas, and higher rates of cannabis use disorder diagnoses among Medicaid enrollees. A 2023 youth-focused report found that students attending schools near retailers were more likely to report cannabis use, had more unexcused absences, and were less likely to graduate on time. In the newest 2025 Medicaid study, staff said retail access was associated with higher probabilities of cannabis use disorder diagnoses, related hospitalizations, inpatient treatment, and co-occurring mental health diagnoses, with event-study analysis suggesting the increases appeared after retailers opened rather than before. Members asked about racial disproportionality, the meaning of cannabis use disorder diagnoses, THC and impairment, whether the findings reflected medical versus recreational use, and how the results should be interpreted in light of broader trends and data limitations. No formal committee action was taken.

Transcript Highlights:

• to schools?
• living programs.
• House Bill 1000, Public Schools School Mapping Data Radius of School Grounds, favorable amendments, amendment
• </c><01:14:26.760><c> data</c> public schools school mapping data public schools school mapping data
• Amendment 2 removes a requirement that DoIT assist a local school system with compliance and instead

Keywords: House streaming session for Friday, March 20, 2026, 957, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Different than what we call safety net programs or benefit programs like Medicaid at the federal and
• It's a pilot program to see if it works, and I like that.
• It's a pilot program and see if it works, and I like that.
• Did you talk to them about administering this program? Mr.
• Chair and expert, who did you talk to at MFA about this program? Mr.

Committee: House House Taxation & Revenue

Keywords: 996, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Within this section, we’ve got multiple programs. Within this section, we’ve got multiple programs.
• One is the marine biotoxin program.
• So it varied what we had to do for each program. So it varied what we had to do for each program.
• But they've also continued to add additional layers to their program, like a transplant program.
• They've also continued to add additional layers to their program, like a transplant program, into their

Summary: The committee heard public testimony on Senate Bill 5816, which would add juice grapes to Washington’s Agricultural Marketing and Fair Practices Act. Staff explained that the bill would allow juice grape producers to form an accredited association to negotiate with processors under the same timelines used for pears, and the prime sponsor said the measure was intended to help growers obtain fairer prices. A grape grower testified that Washington producers face a small number of buyers, little real negotiation, and prices far below New York’s, arguing the bill would give growers a way to bargain collectively. The public hearing closed with 47 people noted in support and one in opposition. The committee then heard Senate Bill 5971, which would create a green fertilizer incentive program for low-carbon nitrogen fertilizer production and use in Washington. Staff described the bill as directing WSDA to establish the program, adopt rules by 2028, and report to the Legislature, with costs shown in the fiscal note. The prime sponsor and several supporters, including Atlas Agro, a port representative, labor, NRDC, WSDA, the League of Women Voters, and the Washington State Potato Commission, said the bill could reduce greenhouse gas emissions, support local manufacturing and jobs, stabilize fertilizer supply and prices for farmers, and help Washington compete for federal clean hydrogen tax credits. WSDA said the program was implementable with consultation and that the Climate Commitment Act could be a funding source, though it noted rulemaking costs. The committee then held a work session on commercial shellfish fee assessments after the Department of Health adopted major fee increases for shellfish licensing and certification. Shellfish growers and association representatives said the increases—described as ranging from roughly 233% to 789% overall, with some individual licenses rising much more—would hit small and family farms hardest, could force closures, and were based on a fee structure they said is outdated and not tied well to production. DOH explained that the program has long relied on general fund support, that federal shellfish safety requirements must be maintained, and that the new fees are intended to move the program toward full cost recovery after years without increases. The department said it had used a phased approach, reopened rulemaking to look for a fairer structure, and would continue working with industry and the Legislature; no vote was taken during the work session.

Transcript Highlights:

• Requests for data, assisting law enforcement.
• The initial proposal was for the construction of a 546,000-acre offshore wind farm.
• Now, ...offer through local programs that can make homes more efficient.
• We're behind Oklahoma and Arkansas on our energy efficiency program.
• mentioned earlier, which allows for program maturation.

Bills: SB383 , SB1012 , SB1181 , SB1705 , SB2075 , SB2221 , SB2586 , SB2864 , SB2994

Committee: Senate Business & Commerce

Keywords: SB 383, ERCOT, Texas Utilities Code, interconnection, wind power facility, offshore wind, coastal wind, nearshore wind, Gulf of America, Texas coast, three marine leagues, electric grid, transmission line, distribution facility, renewable energy, battery storage, energy storage, grid access, power grid, electric service

Summary: The committee took up a long list of pending bills before moving to several bills on the day’s posting. It reported favorably SB 438, SB 512, SB 647, SB 648, SB 715, SB 758, SB 1964, SB 2121, SB 2145, SB 2167, SB 2330, SB 2349, SB 2443, SB 2629, SB 2702, SB 1495, and SB 2268, with several of those adopted from committee substitutes. Some measures were sent to the local and uncontested calendar, while others were reported to the full Senate. Votes on the pending-business bills were generally strong, though SB 715 and SB 2330 drew recorded opposition; SB 647 and SB 648 had one member present not voting because of confusion over the deed-related bills. A major discussion centered on SB 715, which would establish a reliability standard and penalties/incentives for generation resources. Senator Sparks said the committee substitute would avoid unfairly penalizing existing dispatchable generation, allow wind and solar to qualify through storage or backup power, give the PUC flexibility to set standards and phase in the program, and exempt switchable units. Critics raised concerns that it could raise consumer costs and destabilize the market, while supporters argued it would improve reliability. The committee substitute was adopted and the bill was reported out 6-4. The committee also heard testimony on SB 2330, dealing with payroll deduction for association dues, where the author said the bill would end state involvement in dues collection except for first responders covered by meet-and-confer agreements. Members questioned why teachers and other employees were treated differently, and the bill was reported out 6-5. Other notable bills included SB 2864 on building-integrated photovoltaics, SB 1012 on sale of surplus state property, SB 2221 on fraudulent UCC filings, SB 1705 regulating cryptocurrency kiosks with licensing, transaction limits, fee caps, and a 72-hour hold, SB 1181 on combative sports licensing, SB 2586 on HOA transparency, SB 2075 as a TDLR cleanup bill, and SB 383 restricting offshore wind interconnection based on impacts to shipping, wildlife, and coastal interests. Several of these were left pending after testimony, with SB 1705 drawing both law enforcement support and industry concerns over the fee caps and limits.

Transcript Highlights:

• Putin has also been suspected of aiding North Korea's nuclear and missile projects. programs.
• So they have a space launch program, which is flimsy cover for an intercontinental missile program. that
• So thoughts on normalization, how we could assist with that with the kingdom?
• Obviously, there are concerns about the health of the program, so that would...
• We would like future cooperation. to be constructive.

Committee: Senate Senate Armed Services Subcommittee on Personnel

Keywords: defense, geopolitical tensions, military readiness, China, Russia, U.S. military, Indo-Pacific, alliance, procurement

Summary: The meeting focused on critical defense and security matters, particularly concerning the ongoing geopolitical tensions involving China and Russia. There were discussions surrounding U.S. military readiness, with significant emphasis on the potential threats posed by China in the Indo-Pacific region. Members expressed concerns about America's military capabilities in relation to the growing Chinese fleet and the importance of maintaining strong alliances with nations like Japan, South Korea, and Taiwan. Additionally, the notion of prioritizing the defense industrial base was highlighted, emphasizing the need for effective procurement and modernization efforts to counter adversarial threats. Furthermore, notable commentary included a reference to President Zelensky's remarks regarding peace negotiations with Ukraine, expressing a willingness for further cooperation with the U.S.

Transcript Highlights:

• Community water systems are designed and constructed to provide safe and reliable drinking water and
• Community water systems are designed and constructed to provide safe and reliable drinking water and
• Basically, it would reauthorize the construct of a redevelopment agency, but in the context of disaster
• Basically, it would reauthorize the construct of a redevelopment agency, but in the context of disaster
• These technicians at Cal OES program, diagnose, troubleshoot, and repair emergency communication systems

Committee: House Emergency Management

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• The Capital Investment Grant program, or the CIG, is the FTA discretionary grant program which funds
• The Capital Investment Grant program, or the CIG, is the FTA discretionary grant program which funds
• The Capital Investment Grant program, or the CIG, is the FTA discretionary grant program which funds
• The Capital Investment Grant program, or the CIG, is the FTA discretionary grant program which funds
• The Capital Investment Grant program, or the CIG, is the FTA discretionary grant program which funds

Committee: House Transportation Finance and Policy

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• New York's bill includes a regulatory program that includes licensing, examination, and enforcement.
• guess I have concerns about it sounds like there are no provisions of which this buy now pay later construct
• Cash assistance and consumer protections.
• year, we also heard a lot of fear and uncertainty about cuts coming down from the federal level to programs
• Also, we utilize what we call flooring programs from a financial company where they will loan me excess

Summary: The Consumer Protection and Business Committee held a work session on buy now, pay later (BNPL) transactions, focusing on how the products work, how they are used in Washington, and whether existing state law adequately protects consumers. Department of Financial Institutions staff described BNPL as short-term, usually no-interest installment financing offered at checkout, often with automatic payments, late fees, and varying credit-reporting practices. Members asked how BNPL compares with payday lending and earned wage access, whether it is effectively a loan or credit product, and whether Washington law already covers it. DFI explained that some BNPL structures may fall into a legal gray area under the Retail Installment Sales of Goods and Services Act because pay-in-four products may not meet the statute’s “more than four installments” language, while other structures may be covered; they also noted the Attorney General can enforce the act. DFI and committee members discussed consumer risks such as overextension, automatic debits, and lack of standardized disclosures, and DFI said it would follow up with additional data on defaults and related issues. Molly Gallagher of the Poverty Action Network and Nadine Chabrier of the Center for Responsible Lending argued that BNPL can help consumers but also poses significant risks, especially for lower-income consumers and consumers of color who already carry debt or use other alternative financial products. They said BNPL use has grown rapidly, often involves multiple simultaneous loans across providers, and can lead to overdrafts, late fees, and difficulty tracking obligations because payments are spread across different schedules. They emphasized concerns about weak disclosures, limited dispute protections, automatic payment structures, credit reporting inconsistencies, consumer overextension, and data privacy/dark-pattern marketing. They also described federal retrenchment, including the CFPB’s withdrawal of an interpretive rule that would have treated BNPL like a digital credit card, and pointed to state responses in places like New York, California, and Maryland. Committee members signaled interest in possible Washington legislation and stronger state oversight. Retail and business witnesses offered a more favorable view of BNPL as a cash-flow and sales tool. A Washington Retail Association representative described BNPL as an evolution of layaway and credit-card-style installment purchasing, noting that merchants receive payment up front minus fees while consumers get goods or services immediately and repay over time. A representative from a business using deferred-payment financing said the tool helps customers obtain equipment and helps the business manage inventory and cash flow, while NFIB said small businesses also use BNPL to bridge expenses and avoid higher-interest credit card debt. Members asked about merchant fees, consumer education, and whether BNPL is being used for impulse purchases or essential expenses like rent, car repairs, medical care, and travel. The chair concluded by saying the committee intends to pursue regulatory language and continue working with stakeholders, while also hearing from retailers to avoid eliminating legitimate financing tools.

Transcript Highlights:

• Of course, our agency doesn't take positions, but we did try to provide technical assistance, which is
• Chairman, this deals with the new construction rules, and new construction rules have one purpose in
• Years ago, legislation was passed to say no: within urban renewal areas, new construction should not
• And commensurate with that, the new construction was allowed for those that opted out, just like for
• But for the ones, for the new urban renewal areas, July 1, 2025, and subsequent, that new construction

Summary: The House Revenue and Taxation Committee met on February 5, 2026, and first considered RS 32981C1, sponsored by Representative Rick Cheatham. He said the proposal would codify a recent Idaho Supreme Court decision on the distribution of fees and interest collected on delinquent property taxes, ensuring taxing districts receive those amounts. Cheatham said the draft had been reviewed by the Association of Idaho Cities, counties, and other local jurisdictions, and that stakeholders were supportive. The committee voted to introduce the RS. The committee then heard House Bill 551, another Cheatham measure, described as a cleanup bill for prior legislation on property tax assessment for fire protection and ambulance districts in urban renewal areas. Cheatham said the bill corrects missing language affecting how those districts assess and receive levy funding, and he noted the Tax Commission had identified implementation problems in about 10 cases statewide. Alan Dornfest of the Idaho State Tax Commission provided technical explanation, saying the bill would fix an inconsistency in how new construction is treated for districts that opt out of urban renewal, especially for areas formed after July 1, 2025. No public testimony was offered, and the committee voted to send HB 551 to the floor with a due pass recommendation.