Transcript Highlights:

• also in the Senate.
• particular, one in South King County, which you can look up online. ...in particular, one in South King
• We live in unusual times.
• We'll turn to folks in the room in whatever order you'd like.
• If Washington were its own country, we're in... largest economy in the U.S.

Summary: The committee first heard staff and sponsor testimony on House Joint Resolution 4210, which would remove constitutional limits on the length of regular legislative sessions and instead let the legislature set adjournment dates by statute. Rep. Breonna Thomas and supporters said the measure would give lawmakers flexibility to set a sustainable schedule and improve working conditions, while opponents argued it would concentrate more power in the legislature and could lead to a year-round session. No vote was taken on the resolution during the hearing. Members then heard House Bill 2520, which would clarify that county governing bodies may hold emergency special meetings outside the county seat or remotely during true emergencies and may act at such meetings even if the public cannot first listen in. Rep. Deborah Lekanoff said the bill was prompted by the Skagit Valley flooding and was meant to help local governments respond quickly in disasters. Testimony was split: counties and some others supported the clarification, while open government advocates urged tighter language defining “emergency” and limiting the bill to state or federally declared emergencies. The hearing was closed without a vote. The committee also took testimony on House Bill 2499, in proposed substitute form, concerning conservation district supervisors. The substitute would let conservation districts opt into the general election system under Title 29A, remove the landowner requirement, keep a farm-operator requirement for some seats, extend terms from three to four years, and require financial disclosure filings in some circumstances. Supporters argued the bill would modernize elections, increase transparency, and improve voter access; opponents warned it could be costly for small districts, reduce participation, and create unintended consequences. No final action was taken in the hearing portion shown. In executive session, the committee voted 7-0 to report House Bill 2408, a cleanup bill removing obsolete references to the Office of Financial Management, with a due pass recommendation. It also voted 5-2 to report House Bill 2435, creating a legislative office of Indian affairs, with a due pass recommendation; some members supported the bill as improving government-to-government relations with tribes, while others wanted a fiscal note before fully supporting it.

Transcript Highlights:

• It's not in the bill, but it's in the handout that you brought in the very first sentence there.
• I'm a lifelong Idaho resident and live in District 22 in Meridian, the best district in the state.
• In fairness, I think you probably know more about the particulars than I do.
• So I don't see how this is fair to all patients in the medical arena. I'm definitely a no on this.
• And I think I think, um,... ...in this one bill, and I think it would be fair to say, and you can correct

Committee: House Health and Welfare

Keywords: 989, all

Transcript Highlights:

• the hearing in person in just a little while.
• We know that the total visitors in the tourism industry here in Massachusetts dropped in 2025 international
• in court.
• In India, they have UPI, and in Brazil, they have Pix.
• And I've operated systems in the U.S., in Europe, in Asia, and Australia.

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The Special Legislative Commission on the Future of Payments and Sales Transactions by Credit Card and the Impacts for Small Businesses held a public hearing focused on interchange fees, sales tax and tip processing, chargebacks, fraud, surcharging, and the broader future of payment systems. Chair Paul Feeney and co-chair Rep. Jamie Murphy opened by explaining the commission’s charge and inviting testimony from small businesses, industry groups, banks, and policy experts. Representative Sean Garballey testified first, arguing that Massachusetts tourism depends on universal card acceptance and stable interchange, and urging the commission not to disrupt the current system ahead of major events expected to bring millions of visitors to the Commonwealth. A large portion of the hearing featured independent restaurant owners and advocates describing thin margins and the burden of paying percentage-based processing fees on sales tax and tips that are not business revenue. Jen Ziskin, Kristen Canty, Nancy Cushman, Kerry Colzer, and others said restaurants often operate on very small profits and that processing fees on taxes and gratuities can amount to tens or hundreds of thousands of dollars annually. Ryan Lotz also urged reforms to chargebacks, including refunding chargeback fees when merchants prevail, requiring consumers to contact businesses before disputing charges, and limiting repeat abuse. Commission members pressed witnesses on whether tax and tip amounts could be separated at the point of sale, and several witnesses said current consumer card systems do not transmit that level of detail. Testimony from credit union, banking, and payments representatives largely opposed state-level changes that would carve out taxes or tips from interchange, warning of compliance burdens, higher costs, reduced rewards, and possible effects on fraud protection and access to credit. Alex Verine of America’s Credit Unions and Deb Peters and Keely McEwen of the Electronic Payments Coalition said the payment system is complex, that interchange funds fraud prevention and network infrastructure, and that new state mandates could create operational and legal uncertainty. Dan Swanson argued states have authority to act and pointed to Illinois litigation and federal court rulings, while Julian Morris and Brad Popolado emphasized the benefits of card acceptance, the decline of cash, and the need to consider other payment methods and check fraud as well. Several witnesses discussed international payment systems, instant payments, and QR standards as possible future directions. The chairs and members engaged in extended back-and-forth with witnesses about whether Massachusetts could exempt sales tax from swipe fees, whether surcharging should be revisited, and whether vendor compensation or other targeted relief might be more workable than broad changes to interchange. No votes were taken. At the close of the hearing, the chairs said the commission would hold one additional public hearing date to be determined, after which members would begin developing next steps and a report.

Transcript Highlights:

• In other words...
• My hope is that, ultimately in this case, we'll see a reduction in property taxes.
• If you're going to put a hard number in in 2007, why would you not adjust it?
• In '22, there was a meeting at the appraisal district in which I was present.
• Oh, okay, you are in.

Bills: HB511 , HB972 , HB 1035 , HB2481 , HB2723 , HB2742 , HB2894 , HB2962 , HB3077 , HB3093 , HB3307 , HB3684 , HJR67 , HJR72

Committee: House Ways & Means

Keywords: ad valorem taxation, caregiver exemption, Medicaid, long-term services, tax relief, assisted living, housing support, property tax exemption, caregiver support, residence homestead, tax exemption, unpaid caregiver, state tax code, property tax, caregiver, waiting list, intellectual disability, developmental disability, ad valorem tax, family support

Transcript Highlights:

• Healthcare workers in demand, in need.
• In this case, we're talking about health care workers in demand, in need.
• And so, care workers in demand, in need.
• </c><00:13:11.920><c> in</c><00:13:12.160><c> southeast</c> in es part particularly in southeast in es
• Um, so in October you had a bill that went into effect, the Minnesota Debt Fairness Act.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• The clause sort of in question in lines 38 through 40.
• In fact, these states are seeing a reduction in firms being named in the first place.
• place in the justice system, multiple mechanisms in place in the justice system, to deal with that.
• Look, you’re in the case. If you’re in the case, you’re in for a pound for a penny.
• “That’s fair. Oppose. Thank you, Mr. Chair. Any other questions?” “Next witness in favor of 2926.

Committee: House Joint Committee on Transportation Oversight

Summary: The Transportation Committee heard House Bill 2926, which would extend sovereign or derivative immunity and a liability cap to private contractors, subcontractors, and employees working on Missouri Department of Transportation projects. The sponsor and supporters said the bill is intended to protect contractors from being named in lawsuits before they begin work, and to limit exposure when they are following MoDOT plans and specifications, arguing that contractors are often sued as “deep pockets” even when they did nothing wrong. Several members pressed the sponsor on the bill’s wording and timing, noting confusion over whether immunity applies only before work begins or throughout the project and after completion. Supporters, including representatives from asphalt, construction, insurance, and business groups, said the current system drives up insurance costs, increases legal expenses, and discourages firms from taking roadwork jobs. They cited examples of contractors being sued before starting work or after following approved traffic-control plans, and argued that the bill would align Missouri with other states that provide similar protections. Opponents, including trial attorneys and injured workers and family members, argued that the bill would improperly extend government immunity to private businesses, reduce accountability, and limit recovery for seriously injured people. They said existing tort law already protects non-negligent actors and warned that the bill could make it harder for injured parties to find counsel or recover full damages. Testimony also focused on the $500,000 state liability cap, with opponents calling it too low and supporters saying it is already the standard for public entities and should apply to contractors acting on the state’s behalf. Several witnesses described tragic crashes and work-zone incidents on MoDOT projects, while others emphasized that distracted drivers, not contractors, often cause the accidents. The hearing ended without a vote; the committee took only testimony and then adjourned after hearing from both proponents and opponents.

Transcript Highlights:

• the hearing in person in just a little while.
• We know that the total visitors in the tourism industry here in Massachusetts dropped in 2025 for international
• in court.
• In India, they have UPI. In Brazil, they have Pix. And in Asia, they’re doing a lot of the same.
• And I've operated systems in the U.S., in Europe, in Asia, and Australia.

Summary: The Special Legislative Commission on the Future of Payments and Sales Transactions by Credit Card and the Impacts for Small Businesses held a public hearing chaired by Senator Paul Feeney and Representative Jamie Murphy. The commission reviewed its charge to gather input on payment trends, cashless transactions, credit card fees, mobile payments, buy now/pay later, and related issues affecting small businesses. Representative Sean Garballey testified in support of maintaining the current card system, emphasizing tourism’s importance to Massachusetts and arguing that universal card acceptance and interchange stability are especially important with major upcoming events and visitors. A large portion of the hearing focused on independent restaurants and small businesses arguing that credit card processing fees are burdensome and unfair when applied to sales tax and gratuities that are not business revenue. Testifiers including Jen Ziskin, Kristen Canty, Nancy Cushman, Kerry Colzer, and others described razor-thin margins and said restaurants pay fees on money passed through to the state or employees. Ryan Lotz also urged reforms to chargebacks, including refunding chargeback fees when merchants prevail, requiring consumers to contact businesses first, and making fees proportional. In response, credit union and banking representatives, including Alex Vereen, Brad Popolado, Deb Peters, and Keely McEwen, argued that interchange funds fraud protection, card infrastructure, and consumer protections, and warned that state-specific changes could create compliance burdens, higher costs, or reduced access to services. Several witnesses addressed legal and policy questions. Dan Swanson and David Montero said states have authority to regulate aspects of the payment system, but Montero warned that state-specific rules could create uncertainty and conflict with federal banking law. Julian Morris and other industry witnesses argued that card payments benefit consumers and merchants by reducing cash-handling costs and increasing spending, while critics of reform said changes could shift costs into bank fees or reduced rewards. Commission members questioned whether sales tax could be separated from card transactions, whether surcharging should be considered, and whether vendor compensation or other state-level relief might be more workable. The chairs said they were exploring a narrower, targeted approach rather than a broad overhaul, and announced plans for one additional public hearing to allow further testimony.

Transcript Highlights:

• In short, this is a reimbursement fairness and network access bill for CRNAs practicing within the scope
• Anybody in this committee is always fun in Senate Insurance.
• These amendments originating in committee are just technical in nature.
• as a few weeks ago in the Sixth Circuit and one in the Tenth, correct?
• Chairman, I think I put in a card in support over on the House side.

Committee: House Insurance

Keywords: 965, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• , beginning in 2027 and continuing in the tails.
• in 2027 and continuing in the tails.
• They're speaking to things that aren't in Senate File 3655 as if they're in the bill and speaking in
• Every single bill in the package is going to be a bill that's been heard in committees and it's in their
• </c> holding a fair debate. holding a fair debate.

Committee: Senate Finance

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• This is about fairness, justice, proportionality, and safety grounded in evidence, not fear.
• It's not lifetime even in prison. I would think that some probably should be in lifetime in prison.
• In 2024, it was 21.3. In 2025, it was the same, 21.3.
• You were involved in that? Involved in what?
• robbery in Tucson.

Bills: SB1048 , SB1071 , SB1092 , SB1314 , SB1391 , SB1400 , SB1401 , SB1452

Committee: Senate Public Safety

Keywords: juvenile services, Coconino county, rehabilitation, detox center, financial appropriation, Arizona Rangers, statutory repeal, security, state law, regulatory changes, probation, dangerous crimes, children, Arizona Revised Statutes, criminal justice, juvenile offenses, appropriations, salary increase, corrections, public safety

Transcript Highlights:

• Sorry, in rural school districts.
• I was going to say, when you make it so targeted, you're also in violation of fair housing laws.
• I was going to say, when you make it so targeted, you're also in violation of fair housing laws.
• I was going to say, when you make it so targeted, you're also in violation of fair housing laws.
• in support.

Summary: The committee worked through a long Minority Caucus calendar covering a wide range of bills, with many items on consent and several pulled for discussion. Early items included resolutions on Judea and Samaria, bullion depository bills, a produce incentive appropriation, a biennial budget proposal, and a veterans services appropriation. Members also heard transportation-related bills on driver permits, citations, boat insurance, English proficiency for commercial drivers and motor carriers, photo enforcement, and a measure restricting incarceration for unpaid fines and fees. Several members raised concerns about constitutional issues, public safety, or whether bills were duplicative or targeted at specific groups. A large portion of the meeting focused on education and school governance bills. These included proposals on school district bond advisors, restrictions on school property leases and purchases, public meeting requirements, term limits and training for school board members, patriotic youth group access to students, computer science proficiency, and a bill requiring fingerprint clearance cards for traffic school instructors. Members repeatedly criticized what they described as inconsistent treatment of public schools versus ESA/private school programs, and several education bills were pulled from consent for further discussion. Other bills addressed child safety and family law, including DCS credit freezes, recorded child interviews, parents’ rights notices, mandatory reporting of threats by minors, sex offender residency and GPS monitoring, and a bill on guardianship rights during DCS investigations. The committee also considered a number of social services, health, and labor/consumer bills. These included SNAP work requirement and verification measures, a SNAP error-rate audit, dementia care telemonitoring funding, a Braille transcription appropriation, court fee limits, a physician assistant compact, pediatric licensure compact, and a kratom regulation bill. Members debated an earned wage access licensing bill at length, with opponents calling it predatory and akin to payday lending, while supporters argued it provided a regulated consumer option. Other measures covered cash acceptance by businesses, 529-to-Roth IRA rollovers, AI rules for state agencies, and a bill on public nuisance actions by the Attorney General. Several of these drew warnings about constitutional problems, preemption, or burdens on vulnerable populations. Energy, water, and tax policy also featured prominently. The committee heard bills on fuel formulations, gas tax relief, data centers and small modular nuclear reactors, utility reporting, and a Commerce Authority mandate to reduce fuel prices. Members criticized some proposals as favoring industry, preempting local control, or lacking a clear funding plan. The meeting ended after additional items on veterans, sample ballot mailing dates, and other miscellaneous measures, with multiple bills noted as pulled from consent or subject to later votes; no final roll-call results were detailed in the transcript excerpt.

Transcript Highlights:

• in the state's budget.
• in the state's budget.
• </c><00:21:10.240><c> uh</c><00:21:11.240><c> the</c> increase in in health care or uh the increase in
• it in the process.
• in housing stability<00:24:51.080><c> greater</c><00:24:51.440><c> fairness</c><00:24:52.000><c> and<

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• This bill helps reinforce trust in legitimate law enforcement officers in our state and sends a clear
• This bill helps reinforce trust in legitimate law enforcement officers in our state and sends a clear
• So, it will cost us um $21 million in debt this year and then 159 in the next biennium.
• &gt;&gt; How does that play out in your &gt;&gt; How does that play out in your committee?
• </c> in fact in 2010 when in fact in 2010 when uh<00:20:58.640><c> this</c><00:20:59.440><c> limited<

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Let's go to God in prayer.
• </c> College in 1960. College in 1960.
• And<00:23:04.159><c> in</c><00:23:04.480><c> 1978,</c> And in 1978, And in 1978, seeing<00:23:07.360>
• </c> All in favor signify by saying I. All in favor signify by saying I.
• We have uh filed in the in the file room We have uh filed in the in the file room approximately<00:41

Keywords: MS Senate Floor - 20 January, 2026; 10:00 AM, 925, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Please join me in welcoming them. Please join me in welcoming them.
• </c> accepted $35,000 in 2022. accepted $35,000 in 2022.
• </c><01:01:05.760><c> a</c> engaged in. every time we sit in a engaged in. every time we sit in a hearing
• The question is how best we achieve it in a way that is credible, fair, and consistent with the constitutional
• a way that is best we achieve it in a way that is credible,<01:02:26.640><c> fair,</c><01:02:27.359>

Keywords: 910, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• It's Tuesday, March 11th, at 3:00 in the afternoon in Room 016.
• The chair notes three in favor.
• He said there has been a fair amount of discussion in the history of this measure regarding the cost
• </c> been a fair amount of discussion uh in been a fair amount of discussion uh in the<00:14:25.759><
• don't see him in the room.

Committee: Senate Energy and Intergovernmental Affairs

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Summary: The joint committees heard testimony on several energy- and environment-related measures. HB 242 HD1 on electric vehicle batteries drew support from the Department of Health, the Hawaiʻi State Energy Office, SERFCO, and the Alliance for Automotive Innovation; the Energy Office suggested a broader working group covering all lithium-ion batteries, and members later adopted amendments including a date change and revised timing language. HB 751 HD2 on statewide organic waste reduction and diversion received mixed testimony, with the Department of Health opposing it over concerns about compostable food packaging and incomplete testing data; the committee nonetheless moved the bill forward with amendments removing compostable food packaging from the definition of organic waste and changing the effective date to July 1, 2050. The committees also considered HB 1020 HD1 on a statewide program to characterize carbon sequestration potential and underground water resources. The Hawaiʻi State Energy Office and Ulupono supported the measure as part of a broader geothermal and energy security effort, while members raised concerns about overlapping roles between agencies and the need for a single coordinated voice. The committee ultimately amended the bill to place DBEDT in charge, with technical changes, and passed it. In a separate portion of the hearing, HB 350 HD2 on energy was heard with support from the State Energy Office, industry, and advocacy groups; opponents argued the existing solar water heater law is working and that variances already allow flexibility. The committee passed HB 350 unamended. Later, the committee heard HB 977 HD1 on energy financing, HB 1017 HD1 on the greenhouse gas sequestration task force, HB 1051 HD1 on energy efficiency portfolio standards, and HB 1406 HD1 on government procedures. HB 977 received support from the Public Utilities Commission, DCCA, and others and was advanced with technical, non-substantive amendments. HB 1017, which would repeal the greenhouse gas sequestration task force, and HB 1051, which sets energy efficiency benchmarks, were both passed unamended. HB 1406, a task force bill aimed at improving permitting and regulatory processes, was amended to add a Senate representative, include the State Energy Office, make the bill effective on approval, and note prior funding requests in the committee report; it was then adopted. Votes were recorded on each measure, with some members excused and HB 751 drawing one no vote from Senator Rhoads.

Transcript Highlights:

• And I know you have a deal to get the bill in the shape you'd like it in so that we could have a fuller
• </c> workers in workers in Minnesota<00:03:09.040><c> I'm</c><00:03:09.319><c> here</c><00:03:09.480>
• The experience we gain each year in the relationships we build are invaluable in doing what we do.
• In 196, where I live and work, it's the third-largest district in the state and growing.
• I don't think that's fair.

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> it in a little different way. it in a little different way.
• </c><00:09:00.320><c> in</c> right now and and and succeeding in in right now and and and succeeding
• </c> and and other interventions in that way. and and other interventions in that way.
• I'll get it out in a minute.
• I'll get it out in a minute.

Committee: House Primary and Secondary Education

Keywords: 958, all

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:15:52.959><c> a</c><00:15:53.120><c> more</c> refund in April leaves them in a more refund in
• 00.320><c> Mississippi</c><00:16:00.800><c> National</c> in Mississippi, the Mississippi National in
• <c> this</c><00:21:38.159><c> based</c><00:21:38.400><c> on</c> in addition this base this based on in
• </c> &gt;&gt; and that's not changed in this bill. &gt;&gt; and that's not changed in this bill.
• I walk in and I put down $2,800 cash to Western Union to Sob Sabad in Taiwan. >> It'd be 1.5%. >> Why

Bills: HB585 , HB585

Committee: House Financial Services

Keywords: Washington County, circuit clerk, compensation, county government, local legislation, money transmission, transaction fees, international wire transfers, income tax credit, suspicious cash transactions, Securities Commission, 1136, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> All those in favor say I. All those in favor say I. Opposed,<00:28:05.040><c> no.
• </c> School building built in 1921. School building built in 1921.
• </c><00:45:03.160><c> Uh</c> every once in a while. Uh every once in a while.
• </c> of it was covered in the in the tribute. of it was covered in the in the tribute.
• </c> who may be somewhere in this chamber. who may be somewhere in this chamber.

Keywords: 981, all

Summary: The Senate convened with a quorum, suspended Rule 1B to allow a non-senator to lead the Pledge of Allegiance, and heard a special guest introduction before approving the March 2, 2026 journal. The chamber then received committee reports and messages from the House and revisor, including action on several bills and appointments, and briefly moved out of order for personal privileges recognizing people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) and the challenges facing that community amid budget pressures. The Senate adopted House Joint Resolution 1018, designating State Highway 86 through Elbert County as the Plains to Pines Scenic Corridor, after lengthy remarks describing the route, local communities, and scenic and historic features. The resolution passed 35-0, and the current roll call was added as co-sponsors. The Senate also passed the consent-calendar bills on third reading: SB 59, SB 50, SB 51, SB 110, SB 61, and SB 26, with several senators recording no votes on SB 59, SB 50, and SB 51. SB 21, concerning the clean fleet enterprise and replacement of high-emitting trucks and fleets, also passed 33-2. The Senate confirmed governor’s appointments to the Colorado Tourism Office Board of Directors on the consent calendar, including Lisa Augustin, Carolyn Glover, Megan Letham, George Keriannac, and Lisa Boyer, all by a 35-0 vote. It also laid over general orders, second reading of bills, until March 4, 2026. The meeting ended with announcements about committee meetings, Read Across America Week, and a Colorado Optometrist Association reception, followed by a motion to recess until 11:00 a.m., which was adopted.