Video & Transcript : 'State Building Code Council' :
Page 499 of 500
FL
Florida 2025 Regular Session
February 4, 2025 - 03:00 PM
Transcript Highlights:
- I am the code enforcement officer. I'm the building inspector.
- But if they're not building to the code, they're probably uninsurable.
- But if they're not building to the code, they're probably uninsurable.
- Florida Building Code works.
- Florida Building Code does work. We need adherence to the Florida Building Code.
Summary:
The Economic Development Budget Subcommittee received a lengthy presentation from Kevin Guthrie, Executive Director of the Florida Division of Emergency Management, on disaster costs, recovery operations, sheltering, and major capital projects. He reviewed the 2024 hurricane season impacts from Debby, Helene, and Milton, explaining how FEMA public assistance and state reimbursement work, how cost shares can shift from 75/25 to 90/10 after a federal threshold is reached, and how Florida uses prior storm data and inflation to estimate recovery costs. He also described the state’s faster reimbursement timelines, crediting legislative investments in technology and digital field documentation, and said the division is working to reduce disaster closeout timelines from decades to about seven years.
Members asked about debris removal, FEMA de-obligations, local preparedness, and whether regional shelters or co-located emergency operations centers could be used more efficiently. Guthrie said debris assistance is complicated and should generally remain tied to local contracts and planning, though the state will help fiscally constrained communities when needed. He explained de-obligations as FEMA clawing back previously approved funds after later review, and said Florida’s FROC program is helping local governments reduce those risks through standardized documentation, procurement review, and training. He also urged more mandatory emergency-management training for local and state officials and cautioned against weakening the FEMA 50% rule for rebuilding damaged structures.
Guthrie provided updates on the new central Florida warehouse in Auburndale and the new State Emergency Operations Center in Tallahassee. He said the warehouse will improve logistics, include cold and ultra-cold storage, and be run by a private vendor with virtual inventory tracking, while the new EOC is designed for Category 5 conditions and expanded partner capacity. He acknowledged budget pressures that reduced the size of the EOC project and said an additional IT request was needed because those costs were not originally included. The meeting ended with praise for FDEM’s work and no votes or formal actions beyond adjournment.
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
House Rules and Legislative Administration Committee 5/14/26
Rules and Legislative Administration
Transcript Highlights:
- office building?
- > building?
- </c> state of Minnesota, you see a state state of Minnesota, you see a state business<00:19:59.200><c
- ><00:21:24.960><c> state</c> employees using state emails with state employees using state emails with
- ><c> building.
Committee:
House Rules and Legislative Administration
ID
Idaho 2026 Regular Session
Agenda Feb 16th, 2026
Transcript Highlights:
- It is set up as such in code. And it is also a deficiency fund, meaning that it is set up in code.
- and rule, and so there has been Meets code and rule.
- In the state of Idaho, we also have the Department of Water Resources.
- 39-7602 of Idaho Code, and it receives federal funds that are received by the state to provide drinking
- The state is required to provide a 20% match to that capitalization grant.
Summary:
The Joint Finance-Appropriations Committee heard budget presentations for the Endowment Fund Investment Board, the Department of Lands, and the Department of Environmental Quality. The EFIB presentation emphasized its small staff, low administrative costs, and a modest request for a laptop replacement. The Department of Lands presentation focused heavily on fire suppression funding, the fire suppression deficiency fund, and the agency’s endowment and forest management work. Director Dustin Miller said 2025 fire costs were just over $40 million, noted that the Legislature had previously funded the deficiency account, and warned that current holdbacks could reduce staffing for fire operations, especially in eastern Idaho. He also explained a proposed shift of 1.25 FTE and $160,000 from the Abandoned Mines Lands Fund to the Navigable Waterways Fund, and discussed House Bill 511 as a possible future fire-preparedness funding source.
Committee members asked detailed questions about how the fire suppression deficiency fund works, when it can be used, and whether it can cover prevention or only active fires. Staff explained that the fund is for active suppression and that any negative balance would later be settled through a supplemental request. Members also asked about staffing, vacancy rates, and the impact of budget reductions on fire readiness and forest health work. Miller said the agency had filled many key vacancies but still faced recruitment challenges, and he described the Eastern Idaho Forest Protective District and the agency’s growing Good Neighbor Authority work with the U.S. Forest Service.
The Department of Environmental Quality presentation covered staffing, water infrastructure funding, loan and grant programs, air and water quality, and solid waste oversight. Director Jess Byrne said targeted pay increases had reduced turnover and vacancies, and that DEQ had distributed more than $835 million in grants and low-interest loans over five years, mostly to small communities. He also said the agency has fewer staff than 25 years ago despite a much larger population, leading to permit backlogs and reduced monitoring. Byrne explained that the Drinking Water Loan Fund is built from federal capitalization grants, state match, and repayments, and that its rising balance reflects awarded but not yet reimbursed projects rather than unused money. He also said DEQ is considering fee increases in air quality and drinking water programs, and supported a proposed solid waste transfer only if it includes a fee structure. No votes were taken, and the committee adjourned after the presentations and questions.
FL
Florida 2025 Regular Session
Rules Mar 12th, 2025
Transcript Highlights:
- There's a high likelihood that President United States.
- So and would building codes still be required to be followed in connection with this?
- All state building codes. Yes. Okay. Thank you. Any other questions on the bill.
- Madam Chair, State Senate Memorial 3.14, urges Congress to impel the United States National Guard Bureau
- Nearly 30 other states are doing the exact same bill.
MD
Transcript Highlights:
- So, it would allow them to maintain maintain maintain out-of-state out-of-state out-of-state for<00:17
- </c><01:29:36.040><c> back</c> do to build back do to build back better?
- code? code?
- </c> an opportunity to state their case. an opportunity to state their case.
- Other states do this. every single year. Other states do this.
ID
Transcript Highlights:
- So we have the expectation that we want the state to pursue contracts that ensure that the state receives
- And then once the challenge is decided, if it's determined in favor of the state, the state retains the
- This was the section of code that was used as part of the process to dispose of the ITD building on State
- can actually move back in that building?
- can actually move back in that building?
Committee:
House State Affairs
Summary:
The House State Affairs Committee approved the minutes from March 13, 2026, then heard and advanced several bills with due pass recommendations. House Bill 873, an elections cleanup bill, would standardize filing and canvassing timelines, align soil and water conservation district supervisor elections with other local offices on odd-numbered years, restore the 45-day mail-ballot timeline for remote precincts, and clarify canvassing deadlines. It passed without opposition after a brief question period and no testimony.
The committee then considered House Bill 889, a major procurement reform bill. Representative Raibald described changes including new definitions, clearer bid and scoring procedures, use of subject matter experts, multiple-award contracts, prior-performance standards, confidentiality rules for technical information, vendor debarment, a one-year cooling-off period for certain officials and employees, protest bonds, and disclosure of procurement-related expenditures over $50. Members asked about the scope of the cooling-off period and whether the bill covered ITD contracts; Raibald said ITD procurement is outside the act, while health and welfare contracts are included. The bill was sent to the floor with a due pass recommendation.
House Bills 890 and 900, also by Raibald, addressed state property disposal and insurance claims. HB 890 repeals a vague surplus-property disposal section and returns the process to existing code with clearer deadlines and transparency, prompted by concerns over the ITD State Street building disposal. HB 900 creates a clearer process for claims of $100,000 or more on state property, including a confidential report, legislative review, possible separate appraisals, Board of Examiners resolution if needed, and public meetings if a claim leads to a change in operations or sale of property. Members asked how insurance proceeds would be used, and Raibald said they would generally return to the affected agency or dedicated fund to repair the property unless the property had been declared surplus. Both bills passed with due pass recommendations.
Finally, the committee considered Senate Bill 1321, presented by Representative Heather Scott, which builds on prior transparency legislation requiring agencies to report agreements, MOUs, and contracts to the state controller. The bill sets a process for noncompliance: written notice, a 30-day correction period with a possible 60-day extension, and then inclusion in the controller’s annual report to the legislature, which could inform budget holdbacks. The committee approved the bill with a due pass recommendation and then adjourned.
MO
Missouri 2026 Regular Session
Subcommittee on Appropriations - General Administration Mar 2nd, 2026
Subcommittee on Appropriations - General Administration
Transcript Highlights:
- MoDOT's not under this particular umbrella. 840 state building supported.
- , no code.
- But state, as you all know, state government's a big thing.
- in a state.
- state of Missouri.
Summary:
The subcommittee held an informational hearing on the Information Technology Services Division (ITSD) within the Office of Administration, with no quorum present and no formal action taken. Chair Voss said the purpose was to review ITSD’s programs, budget needs, and future plans, and members emphasized the value of an informed appropriator. Representative Riggs cautioned that the state should avoid jeopardizing federal broadband funding and asked that AI-related work remain consistent with federal expectations.
ITSD leadership, including CIO John Loren and Deputy CIO Tara Damp, outlined the division’s scope and recent modernization efforts. They said ITSD supports 15 executive agencies plus the governor and lieutenant governor, manages about 1,200 production software solutions, handles roughly 35,000 help desk requests per month, and defends against billions of cyberattacks monthly. They highlighted investments in layered security, data center and network redundancy, a unified Microsoft 365 environment, modern development tools, and portal platforms. Damp reviewed the history of IT consolidation, noting budget reductions after 2007, then increased investment beginning in 2020 and especially with ARPA funds in fiscal 2023. Members asked about spending projections, subscription-based licensing, procurement modernization, and the role of non-consolidated agencies such as MoDOT and Conservation.
The committee also discussed future funding needs and benchmarking. ITSD said its current spending is about $287 million, with a projected ongoing need of about $345 million to maintain and modernize services, while Gartner comparisons suggested Missouri spends less per employee and as a share of operating budget than peer states. Members asked for more detailed fiscal-year spending profiles for major initiatives and for clarification on what is and is not included in the projections, including Social Services and HR1-related work. ITSD said it would provide additional detail.
A major portion of the hearing focused on AI strategy and governance. Tim Marsheski, ITSD’s director of AI and innovation, described a cautious, pilot-based approach centered on secure use, human oversight, and data governance. He cited examples such as an internal HR chatbot that reduced average response time from about 45 minutes to two minutes, pilots with DESE data transformation, and efforts to use AI for code assistance, document scanning, and workflow support. Members asked about workforce impacts, training, closed versus open models, and whether AI could help with auditing and fiscal analysis. ITSD said it is still early on workforce forecasting, but it is building governance, acceptable-use policies, and feedback loops to test tools, measure results, and scale only when they provide value and remain secure.
HI
Hawaii 2025 Regular Session
JHA Public Hearing - Thu Mar 13, 2025 @ 2:00 PM HST
Judiciary & Hawaiian Affairs
Transcript Highlights:
- </c> 1970s the late 70s for their lot code 1970s the late 70s for their lot code where<00:47:37.480><
- </c><01:10:07.159><c> have</c> like to state that um states that have like to state that um states that
- </c> happens and you know um as he s stated happens and you know um as he s stated you<01:43:37.560><
- </c> now to secure uh you know a building now to secure uh you know a building that<01:46:28.920><c>
- </c> in um eight states with uh four states in um eight states with uh four states currently<02:09:57.480
Committee:
House Judiciary & Hawaiian Affairs
Summary:
The committee met on March 13, 2025, and took up several firearms and fireworks measures. On SB 227, which would create an illegal fireworks enforcement division in the Department of Law Enforcement and appropriate funds, DLE supported the bill, saying fireworks enforcement has become a full-time job requiring dedicated staff rather than a collateral-duty task force. Members discussed whether the bill and the related task force bill were both needed; DLE said yes, explaining that the new division would provide full-time state employees while the task force funding covers interagency costs such as transportation, storage, overtime, and personnel. Testimony on SB 227 was reported as 12 in support and 6 in opposition.
On SB 222, which would fund the illegal fireworks task force and extend its sunset to June 30, 2030, DLE and the Honolulu Police Department supported the measure, emphasizing continued enforcement pressure and interagency coordination. An opponent from the Libertarian Party of Hawaii argued the bill was a waste of time, criticized fireworks prohibition as cultural overreach, and performed a song in opposition. Representative Shimizu asked about results from the extra enforcement effort, and DLE said enforcement has driven up street prices and made investors think twice, which they described as a goal of pricing people out of the market. The chair reported 13 testimonies in support and 6 in opposition.
The committee then heard SB 1324, a more comprehensive fireworks bill that would revise definitions and penalties, create first- and second-degree fireworks offenses, add infractions, and increase penalties for serious injury or death. DLE and the Attorney General strongly supported it, saying the bill would improve enforcement, address black-market activity, and help prosecutors when fireworks have already exploded and evidence is destroyed. The Public Defender opposed the bill, arguing existing laws already punish these offenses and that the real issue is enforcement; the office also raised constitutional concerns about the bill’s concurrent civil infraction and criminal trial process. Honolulu Police supported the bill, while the Honolulu Prosecutor’s Office said the alternative definitions would help in cases involving exploded versus seized fireworks. The chair noted 17 testimonies in support, 7 in opposition, and 3 comments, and members discussed whether the bill could be amended to address the public defender’s concerns.
The committee also began hearing SB 308, which would expand the state’s magazine-capacity restrictions to firearms with detachable magazines over 30 rounds, with a grandfathering provision for certain magazines obtained before January 1, 2026. DLE supported the bill as a fair balance that would grandfather existing magazines while preventing new high-capacity acquisitions. Opposition testimony from Jerry Yuan of the Pool, Oil, Rifle, and Pistol Club argued the proposal was another shifting restriction and opposed magazine bans generally. The hearing continued with additional testimony not fully captured in the excerpt.
WA
Washington 2025-2026 Regular Session
Senate Law & Justice Feb 20th, 2026
Transcript Highlights:
- In some cases, the state is... In some cases, the state is, you know, one of the factors.
- As of today, 20 states have brought their state statutes in line with federal regulations.
- I'm a Washington State resident.
- They don't have to build anything.
- Who does the state blame?
Summary:
The committee first waived the five-day notice rule for five House bills, then held public hearings on several measures. On Engrossed Substitute House Bill 2548, the committee heard staff and sponsor testimony on expanding health care merger notice requirements to the Attorney General, adding transactions involving majority ownership/control and asset sales, requiring public posting of notices, pausing closings until information requests are substantially complied with, and adding filing fees. Supporters, including the sponsor, the Attorney General’s Office, the Office of the Insurance Commissioner, nurses, and patient advocates, said the bill would improve transparency and oversight of consolidation and private equity in health care; the Washington State Medical Association and Washington State Hospital Association were neutral after compromise language, though the hospital association raised concern about the added fees. The hearing closed with many people signed in pro and con but not testifying.
The committee then heard Second Substitute House Bill 2333, which would allow candidates and elected officials to use campaign or surplus funds to reimburse personal security expenses related to threats tied to their public roles. The sponsor and several prosecutors described personal threats and argued the bill is needed to protect public servants, while public disclosure officials said current PDC processes and the state Address Confidentiality Program already provide some protections and cautioned against over-codifying agency discretion. Some testimony urged restoring earlier address-protection provisions, while county auditors said the revised bill removed operationally unworkable redaction language and was acceptable as amended. The bill had broad signed-in support and opposition, but no vote was taken.
For Engrossed House Bill 1574, staff explained the bill would expand Good Samaritan-style protections for people seeking overdose help, bar arrest or conviction for possession in those circumstances, limit related penalties and forfeiture, and allow hospitals and other health facilities to distribute public health supplies without committing paraphernalia infractions. Supporters said it would save lives and improve access to drug checking and harm reduction services, while prosecutors and law enforcement groups said the bill was too broad, especially regarding arrest limits, protection-order violations, probation/parole, warrants, and civil forfeiture. The sponsor said the bill was intended to keep people alive and encourage calls for help. The committee also heard Engrossed House Bill 2156, which would let Attorney General investigators be designated limited authority peace officers to electronically serve search warrants in economic and financial crime cases; the AGO and retailers supported it as a tool against organized retail theft and wage theft, while sheriffs and police chiefs opposed it and urged added guardrails and deconfliction with local law enforcement. Finally, on Engrossed Substitute House Bill 2320, the committee heard a bill to regulate 3D-printed and digitally manufactured firearms and digital firearm manufacturing code. The sponsor and supporters, including students, pediatricians, and a gun-violence survivor’s family member, said it was needed to address untraceable ghost guns and keep pace with technology, while opponents argued the bill was overbroad, raised constitutional concerns, and targeted files and speech rather than criminal conduct. No votes were taken in the hearing excerpts provided.
MN
Transcript Highlights:
- I ... of the United States.
- </c> so very much with that being stated so very much with that being stated thank<00:12:02.000><c> you
- with our trust code.
- is the great state it is.
- </c> reason why the state is the great state reason why the state is the great state it<00:40:44.680>
TX
Transcript Highlights:
- So, we will not miss an opportunity to make the state of the law better for the state of Texas.
- This is a cleanup bill that was requested by legislative council.
- Please state your name and whom you represent for the record.
- Thank you for your service to the state. Thank you, sir. Thank you. Chair calls.
- Please state your name and whom you represent. Good morning. My name is Ms.
Committee:
Senate Natural Resources
Keywords:
Texas Commission on Environmental Quality, water regulation, environmental protection, pesticide management, natural resources, LP-gas, property owner notice, gas installations, safety notification, petroleum theft, task force, oil and gas, law enforcement, economic impact, environmental regulation, water permits, water quality, land application, 1185, senate
HI
Hawaii 2025 Regular Session
CPC Public Hearing - Thu Feb 13, 2025 @ 2:00 PM HST
Consumer Protection & Commerce
Transcript Highlights:
- codes and standards and it just runs contrary to adopt a code that allows counties to circumvent minimum
- </c> counties to uh go under uh building counties to uh go under uh building codes<00:37:40.319><c> and
- I mean, that seems to be the main method of funding, or state funds if there's state funds available.
- I mean, that seems to be the main method of funding, or state funds if there's state funds available.
- </c> funding or state funds if there's State funding or state funds if there's State funds<00:43:50.640
Committee:
House Consumer Protection & Commerce
Summary:
The committee heard testimony on HB 818 HD1, which would establish the Waiawa Community Development District. The Attorney General’s office said the bill may not comply with requirements for a special fund, and DLNR asked for further amendments so lease revenues would remain with DLNR while it continues managing the lands. DLNR cited ongoing costs, including the Uncle Billy’s demolition debt and management needs at Banyan Drive/Banyan Country Club. HCDA/Waiawa representatives supported the bill, agreed that DLNR should keep lease revenues while it remains the land manager, and said a future transfer of land management would change where revenues should go. Members focused on whether removing lease revenue would undercut the bill and on how existing and future revenues should be allocated.
The committee then took up HB 338 HD1 and HB 339 HD1 on renewable energy-related utility transactions and procurement. Testimony came from the Consumer Advocate, the State Energy Office, the Public Utilities Commission, Hawaiian Electric, IBEW Local 1260, Ulupono Initiative, and Life of the Land. Supporters generally backed the measures, while some asked for labor-related strengthening language. Discussion centered on how the PUC should handle competing bids or offers in utility merger or acquisition situations, with concerns raised about NDAs, timing, and whether the original version or amended language better allowed public and intervenor participation. A witness from Life of the Land argued that utilities should not negotiate under NDA in a way that blocks later public competition, and a PUC-related witness said the current language was changed from the original to address PUC testimony.
Finally, the committee heard HB 1467 HD1 on housing resiliency. OIP was not present, while B&F raised concerns about placing federal funds into a special fund, saying federal grant money should remain in a separate P fund for transparency, accountability, and single-audit compliance. State agencies and groups including OPSD, Hawaii Emergency Management Agency, the Climate Advisory Team, and Hawaii Realtors supported the measure. Testimony emphasized that many older roofs lack hurricane clips and that strengthening homes could reduce disaster sheltering and temporary housing costs. IBEW Local 1260 supported the bill but argued that building to current standards upfront is preferable to retrofitting later. Members questioned funding structure, eligibility, and whether the program should be needs-based; the bill was described as limited to households under 140% AMI. No votes or final actions were taken in the portion of the meeting provided.
AL
Transcript Highlights:
- </c><00:15:45.519><c> to</c> where she was charged from the state to where she was charged from the state
- </c> title and the first act from the state title and the first act from the state of<00:24:23.840><c
- </c> rest of the state. rest of the state.
- </c> or the school board or the city council or the school board or the city council they<01:09:30.880
- </c> exempt from paying state exempt from paying state >> exactly<01:56:14.159><c> taxes.
ID
Transcript Highlights:
- Start by stating your name and legislative district.
- code being under that umbrella of the statute. state code being under the that umbrella of the statute
- They have since notified us that this particular state code being the unbearless statute for all of our
- There's also codes for reckless driving. There's code for inattentive and careless.
- There's also codes for reckless driving. There's code for an intent of them and careless.
Committee:
House Judiciary, Rules and Administration
MN
Transcript Highlights:
- Do you know, Miss Hassamer, how we're paying for the state office building?
- We did actually sell certificates of participation for the state office building financing.
- Madam Chair, it's the state of Minnesota for both buildings. Then who's leasing it?
- for chair it's the state of Minnesota for both<00:47:23.839><c> buildings</c><00:47:25.119><c> then<
- Council. to the state.
Committee:
Senate Capital Investment
TX
Transcript Highlights:
- Welcome to your state capitol.
- The men in the Texas House, uh, State Representative Ron Reynolds, Alpha Phi Alpha, State Representative
- But the State Bar of Texas is a public organization.
- Using the coercive power of the state.
- It's chapter 161.001B10 of the Family code.
CA
California 2025-2026 Regular Session
Senate Human Services Committee Apr 20th, 2026
Transcript Highlights:
- Other states, in response to increasing or addressing the needs in their states, have done so.
- And while this isn't a standard application across all states, each state is looking at the unique needs
- The Silver State The Silver State Academy, run by a private contractor, Right of Passage, in 2015 had
- This is a California state report.
- Why are we not stating that this is the standard up and down the state? Yeah, yeah.
Summary:
The committee first adopted a 4-0 consent calendar for SB 1345, SB 1410, and SB 1421. It then heard SB 1200 on child care, which would redefine infant and toddler age categories so providers could count 18- to 24-month-olds as toddlers without changing ratios. The author and family child care providers said the bill would better reflect child development, improve reimbursement, increase capacity, and help keep family child care businesses open; there was no opposition, and the bill passed 4-0 to Appropriations.
The committee next approved SB 971, a permissive framework for counties to offer senior education and technology training through local public health systems and community partners. Supporters said it would help older adults with digital literacy, fraud awareness, health, and social connection, while remaining optional and locally tailored. There was no opposition, and the bill passed 4-0 to the floor. The committee also passed SB 1234, which requires fentanyl to be included in court-ordered drug testing in dependency cases when drug testing is already ordered. The author, an angel family member, and a sheriff’s office witness described child deaths and fentanyl exposure risks; the bill passed 4-0 to the floor.
SB 1109, dealing with oversight of short-term residential therapeutic programs in small rural counties, drew substantial testimony. Supporters from Alpine County argued that two facilities there strain local emergency response and that annual review should be triggered by repeated serious citations or placement in counties lacking basic infrastructure. Opponents said the bill was too broad and could destabilize needed placement capacity. After discussion, the author accepted committee amendments, and the bill passed 4-0 to Appropriations as amended. The committee also passed SB 961, which would notify financial aid applicants that they may be eligible for CalFresh; students and advocates said it would reduce food insecurity and improve college success, with no opposition, and it passed 4-0 to Appropriations.
Later, SB 1099, clarifying local governments’ authority to provide state or local public benefits to all residents under federal PRWORA exemptions, was heard and supported by local government attorneys; it was held on call after a 2-0 roll. SB 1190, creating licensing and safety rules for youth transport companies used in out-of-state residential placements, was supported by survivors and advocacy groups, with some support-if-amended testimony; it passed 4-0 to the Public Safety Committee. Finally, SB 1325, a narrow San Diego County measure to allow Feeding San Diego to participate in Cal Food under specific conditions, drew support from the author and Feeding San Diego but opposition from the California Association of Food Banks, which argued it would shift limited resources and add administrative burden. The transcript ends during committee discussion on SB 1325, before a final vote is shown.
NH
New Hampshire 2025 Regular Session
House Commerce and Consumer Affairs (03/05/2025)
Transcript Highlights:
- It has been passed in many other states, but in other states they had money involved, and as far as I
- It has been passed in many other states, but in other states they had money involved, and as far as I
- It has been passed in many other states, but in other states they had money involved, and as far as I
- state of State of little examp a public state of State of New<00:59:27.079><c> Hampshire</c><00:59:27.400
- You're going out of state.
Summary:
The committee met in executive session and first discussed scheduling, noting that Town Meeting Day would cancel the next Tuesday meeting, that they would meet Wednesday instead, and that remaining bills would be handled through subcommittees and a likely final executive session on the 19th to meet the deadline for committee action on the 20th. The committee then took up several bills, with repeated roll calls and votes, often placing measures on the consent calendar after committee approval.
House Bill 185 on ambulance reimbursement rates was described as a perennial issue and was voted inexpedient to legislate, with members noting concerns that an any-willing-provider approach would make premium impacts hard to evaluate. House Bill 186 on cannabis legalization was retained for further work, with members saying the bill addressed stopping marijuana arrests but that the sales and implementation details still needed more development. House Bill 241 on treatment alternatives to opioids was also retained because the sponsor could not attend and the committee wanted more time to continue work.
The committee then considered House Bill 302 on state treasury investments in digital assets and precious metals. The amendment narrowed the proposal, removing more complicated provisions like stable tokens and staking, lowering the authorized allocation from 10% to 5%, and limiting eligible digital assets to those with very high market capitalization; members discussed volatility, the treasurer’s discretion, and oversight through bond-rating concerns. The amendment and the bill as amended both passed, and the bill was placed on the consent calendar.
Other measures moved quickly: House Bill 451 on a paint product stewardship program was amended to remove direct funding and framed as manufacturer-run enabling legislation, then passed and was placed on consent; House Bill 499 made technical corrections to insurance laws and passed unanimously; House Bill 538 on relocating Liquor Commission positions passed unanimously; House Bill 552 on children covered under the state retirement insurance plan was cleaned up to remove a student requirement and passed unanimously; and a blockchain/digital currencies bill was amended to address noise and local regulation concerns for data mining operations, with supporters emphasizing energy-use issues, municipal authority, and a separate commission studying regulation. That bill also passed and was sent to consent.
AL
Transcript Highlights:
- Psalm 99:4 states that the ruler loves justice.
- I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the Republic... ...States of America
- I thought we codified the common law portion of... excuse me, code law within the code section maybe
- We are codifying that particularly in the business code here so that it's in this code.
- How is it applicable to the business code?
HI
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