Transcript Highlights:

• The Burdoyne fire in Klickitat County was the most damaging.
• With respect to disasters where most of the expenditures or most of the damages are related to power
• But I'm also seeing a push toward higher caps or, pardon me, higher threshold.
• That's what's affecting their own bottom lines, having to constantly address these damage events.
• Really, it's about breaking a damage cycle.

Summary: The committee held a work session focused on the effects of tariffs on Washington’s economy, agriculture, and small businesses, followed by updates on emergency management, cybersecurity, disaster resilience, tsunami preparedness, and World Cup security planning. Office of Financial Management economist Abdelamintrawe Trieri said tariff increases are expected to raise prices, reduce output and employment, and lower state revenue over a four-year horizon, with the hardest-hit sectors including aerospace, food and beverage manufacturing, and agriculture. Members asked about updated tariff scenarios, crop-specific impacts, inflation versus deflation in different goods, and whether some manufacturing sectors could benefit; staff said updated numbers would need to be rerun as tariff rates changed. Washington Department of Agriculture representative Ryan Hamm described how tariffs raise costs for farm inputs such as equipment, parts, packaging, and fertilizer, while also affecting exports of key commodities like wheat, potatoes, apples, cherries, dairy, and wine. He said some sectors support tariffs on competing imports, but retaliation and market restrictions have hurt exports, especially to China and, in the wine sector, Canada. Department of Commerce representative Andrea Chartock outlined export assistance, business finance, recruitment, and industry-sector development programs, and proposed expanding tariff-resilience support through market diversification, supply-chain optimization, and efforts to attract investment and federal funding. She also noted uncertainty around delayed federal STEP funding for small business export assistance. Emergency Management Division Director Robert Ezell warned that federal disaster and mitigation funding is becoming less reliable, citing the denied bomb cyclone disaster declaration, delays in FEMA grant processing, and possible restructuring of FEMA that could shift more responsibility to states. He said Washington may need stronger state-funded public assistance, individual assistance, and mitigation programs, along with broader coordination among state agencies and local governments. Cybersecurity staff described state efforts to support local governments through the Cybersecurity Advisory Committee, threat intelligence sharing, vulnerability assessments, and a proposed volunteer incident response team, while noting the loss of MS-ISAC funding and the importance of continued state matching funds for cybersecurity grants. Hazard mitigation and tsunami staff emphasized the need for sustained investment in flood, wildfire, earthquake, lahar, and tsunami resilience, including vertical evacuation structures and language-access outreach. Ezell also briefed the committee on World Cup security preparations and federal grants for counter-unmanned aircraft systems, explaining that the state can buy mitigation capabilities but current authority to use them remains largely federal; the committee asked follow-up questions about fan zones, training, and the meaning of drone mitigation. No votes were taken, and the meeting ended with adjournment after the presentations and questions.

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:37:20.800> families, middle cap middle class families, middle cap middle class families
• claims: wind, hail, fire, theft, water damage.
• claims: wind, hail, fire, theft, water damage.
• fire theft water damage those were hail fire theft water damage those were the<00:43:10.000> overwhelming
• They were clearly not able to do damage?

Keywords: 919, house, all

Summary: The task force met on October 22, 2025, with a quorum present and several members participating remotely. Members approved the minutes from the previous meeting. Michelle Urick of the Legislative Coordinating Commission then gave an administrative update on proxy voting and the task force’s operating procedures. She said the enabling statute only authorizes the officially appointed member to act and vote, so proxy voting is not allowed, and votes must be cast in person at the meeting where the item is considered. She also said members may submit written positions, but not vote before or after a meeting. In response to concerns about attendance for future votes, the chair said the January meetings would be rescheduled if possible using a Doodle poll so more members could be present in person. The group also agreed to treat the revised document as operating procedures rather than a formal charter, with no separate adoption action needed at that time. The task force then moved into testimony on homeowners and commercial property insurance. Paul Edgar of Minnesota Realtors said rising insurance costs are adding to housing affordability pressures, citing an increase in the monthly principal, interest, taxes, and insurance payment on a median-priced Minnesota home from $1,622 in 2021 to $2,642 in September 2025. He said higher insurance costs and limited coverage can affect buyers’ financing, especially for condominiums and townhomes, and urged continued work on liability and insurance-related laws that may discourage condo development. He also referenced prior bipartisan reforms to Minnesota’s condominium construction defects law and said his organization supports further improvements to encourage more condo production. Keenan Ravery of the Minnesota Mortgage Association focused on how insurance requirements affect mortgage lending. He explained that lenders require insurance both at origination and throughout the life of the loan, with standards aimed at protecting collateral rather than providing full homeowners coverage. He said replacement-cost coverage has long been the norm, but recent issues with roofs, deductibles, HO-6 policies, and force-placed insurance have become pain points for consumers and lenders. He said his association is working with national trade groups on reforms that could allow more flexibility in coverage types and deductibles, and he expressed hope that Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac, and the Federal Housing Finance Agency may announce policy changes in the coming months or by early 2026. No votes or substantive policy actions were taken beyond approving the minutes and agreeing to pursue scheduling adjustments for January.

Transcript Highlights:

• The agency's FTE cap will remain at 183.5.
• So, in a few short months, we're primarily working on the end caps at the far east and west wings and
• The board also requests consideration for an adjustment to the exempt executive director's salary cap
• This year, we're going to administer over $4 billion in volume cap for the state.
• What I'm interested in, Madam Chair, is seeing if debt has ballooned since we've done revenue caps and

Bills: SB 1

Keywords: campground safety, youth camp regulations, flood safety, emergency evacuation, health and safety standards

Summary: The committee first heard the Legislative Budget Board and Secretary of State Jane Nelson on the Secretary of State budget. LBB said the recommendation would reduce the agency’s appropriation by about $40.3 million overall, with major changes including removing federal HAVA funding and one-time business system replacement money, adjusting the agency’s base request, deleting an outdated Interstate Crosscheck rider, and directing HAVA funds to be drawn down first. Secretary Nelson and staff defended the agency’s needs, emphasizing election security, business filings, international protocol, and the Texas Register, and requested additional staff, a new website, digitization of records, IT and cybersecurity upgrades, and renovation of the Rudder Building. Senators discussed voter-roll maintenance, cross-checking data, call-center response times, and the need for online voter registration and more efficient election administration. No votes were taken. The committee then took up the Office of the Governor and trustee programs. LBB outlined a $2.4 million decrease for the office proper and a much larger decrease in trustee programs, driven by unexpended balances and the removal of one-time federal and border-security items, while noting continued funding for disaster response, victim assistance, and $2.9 billion for border security at roughly the prior level. Governor’s staff said Texas remains focused on border security, economic development, and public safety, and discussed efforts to seek federal reimbursement for prior border spending. Members asked about the National Guard’s status, possible federal assumption of border costs, the music incubator program, the Semiconductor Innovation Consortium, the Governor’s University Research Initiative, defense economic adjustment grants, and a new $5 million nonprofit security grant proposal. Staff said the semiconductor program has 12 approved projects totaling about 948 jobs and $17 billion in capital investment, and that the nonprofit security request was added late to address threats to houses of worship and other nonprofits. No formal action was taken. Finally, the committee heard the Texas Facilities Commission and lease-payment recommendations. LBB said the Facilities Commission recommendation would reduce appropriations by about $2.0 billion, mainly by removing border wall construction funding and capital complex bond funding, while adding money for higher utility costs, Rudder Building refurbishment, and additional staff. The lease-payment recommendation would decrease general revenue by $9.3 million. LBB also noted new riders related to completing the State Library and Archives building, tenant communication during disruptions, and a space-utilization report. In agency testimony, members asked about border wall maintenance responsibility, total facilities-related debt, and the status of capital complex construction. The Rudder Building renovation and related security needs were repeatedly discussed as important one-time infrastructure investments.

Transcript Highlights:

• The existing bonding authority that's in law has a cap of $1.12 billion of outstanding debt at any one
• The board and the legislature at the time took action, particularly with House Bill 253, which capped
• know, there are some different types of preventative maintenance techniques, whether it's concrete caps
• It jumps up $10 to $80 in 2028 and then caps out according to this legislation until somebody you all
• If you damage a rim on a vehicle, it's 250 bucks. A tire is another 250 bucks, too.

Bills: SB2

Keywords: SB 2, State Highway Project Bonds, highway funding, transportation bonds, state road fund, motor vehicle fees, vehicle registration fees, electric vehicle fee, EV surcharge, plug-in hybrid fee, weight distance tax, road construction, infrastructure financing, Department of Transportation, State Transportation Commission, bonding authority, county road funds, municipal road funds, transportation improvement program, state highways

Transcript Highlights:

• That debt counts toward the 1.12 billion one-time cap but there's still a lot of capacity in there with
• about, and the board and the legislature at the time took action, particularly House Bill 253, which capped
• There are some different types of preventative maintenance techniques, whether it's concrete caps or
• It jumps up $10 to $80 in 2028. and then caps out according to this legislation until you all come back
• I mean, if you damage a rim on a vehicle, it's 250 bucks. A tire is another 250 bucks too.

Bills: SB2

Keywords: SB 2, State Highway Project Bonds, highway funding, transportation bonds, state road fund, motor vehicle fees, vehicle registration fees, electric vehicle fee, EV surcharge, plug-in hybrid fee, weight distance tax, road construction, infrastructure financing, Department of Transportation, State Transportation Commission, bonding authority, county road funds, municipal road funds, transportation improvement program, state highways

Transcript Highlights:

• And as well as damages, and we'll have to go from there. Thank you.
• Secondly, we're asking you to adjust the cap on our revolving fund according to Title 74 to 27.9.
• And we're unaware of anyone else who has this cap.
• The cap currently is $850,000.
• We rely on that two months of expenses to carry us through if we have the $850,000 cap as we do now.

Keywords: 914, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Members, this is a constitutional amendment. amendment, proposes to raise the cap on the maximum ESL
• This cap is reached, then transferred to the ESL thesis until the next cap is calculated.
• This constitutional amendment will change the cap from 10 to 15 percent as to constitutional amendment
• Secretary will read the cap.
• But when you think about these are multi-billion dollar market cap companies...

Keywords: legislation, Senate Joint Resolution 40, Senate Bill 871, constitutional amendment, emergency powers, governor authority, legislative oversight

Summary: The meeting focused on several crucial pieces of legislation, notably Senate Joint Resolution 40, which proposed a constitutional amendment to clarify the powers of the governor, the legislature, and the Supreme Court during emergencies. Senator Birdwell presented the resolution, emphasizing the need for legislative involvement during prolonged crises. It garnered broad support, passing with 29 votes in favor and only 1 against. Following this, Senate Bill 871, considered the enabling legislation, was also moved for discussion, with the aim of reinforcing the legislature's authority during emergencies while establishing clear guidelines for the governor's powers.

Transcript Highlights:

• insurance, the transfer or sale of a solar energy power plant or special use permit, the curing of damage
• if part of a solar energy power plant is damaged, and the decommissioning and site restoration plan
• insurance, the transfer of sale of solar energy power plant or special use permit, the curing of damage
• if part of a solar energy power plant is damaged and the decommissioning and site restoration plan for
• requires a solar energy power plant owner or operator, if part of the solar energy power plant is damaged

Bills: HB2014, HB2055, HB2145, HB2150, HB2696, HB2755, HB2763, HB2781, HB2782, HB2787, HB2795, HB2889, HB2975, HB2985, HB2986, HCM2009, HCR2020, HCR2038

Keywords: air emissions, fuel blends, environmental quality, feasibility study, Arizona Department of Agriculture, brackish groundwater, water supply development, desalination, Arizona Revised Statutes, water infrastructure, financial assistance, environmental reviews, fuel reformulation, gasoline standards, environmental regulations, ethanol supply, Air Quality, state land department, mineral lease, renewals

Transcript Highlights:

• contracts to cover medically necessary orthotics and prosthetics without lifetime or continuous-use caps
• Without early diagnosis and treatment, this condition can lead to rapid liver damage and ultimately liver
• Without early diagnosis and treatment, this condition can lead to rapid liver damage and ultimately liver
• It's a chronic lung disease where my airways become permanently damaged, widened, and thickened, making
• mucus, which leads to a cycle of infection, inflammation, and more damage.

Summary: The Appropriations Committee on Health and Human Services met with a quorum present and took up several health-related bills. CS/SB 1110, covering Medicaid and insurance coverage for medically necessary orthotics and prosthetics, including activity-specific devices without lifetime or continuous-use caps, received emotional testimony from families and athletes describing high costs and the importance of access for children and adults with disabilities. Members voiced strong support, and the bill was reported favorably. The committee also heard SB 1574, which would add biliary atresia screening to the newborn screening program using the existing birth blood specimen. The sponsor and a parent testified that earlier detection could prevent severe liver damage, transplants, and deaths, and the bill was reported favorably. CS/SB 794, dealing with background screening for employees at residential facilities and day training programs for people with developmental disabilities and a review of waiver support coordination, was amended to align with the House companion and then reported favorably after testimony emphasizing the importance of strong support coordinators for APD waiver families. Members then considered SB 162, requiring hospitals and ambulatory surgical centers to adopt policies for smoke evacuation systems during procedures that generate surgical smoke. Nurses and other supporters described surgical smoke as a serious occupational hazard, while the Florida Hospital Association said hospitals are already regulated in this area and the bill was somewhat prescriptive; an amendment was adopted and the bill was reported favorably. CS/SB 254, which tightens oversight of nursing education programs, adds preceptorship and provisional licensure pathways for graduates awaiting NCLEX results, and increases transparency and accountability for low-performing programs, drew support from nursing advocates and opposition from private nursing schools concerned about workforce impacts; after amendment, it was reported favorably. Finally, SB 688 to reestablish licensure and regulation of naturopathic doctors in Florida was heard with testimony both supporting expanded health care choices and opposing the bill over safety and scope concerns, and it too was reported favorably. The committee then adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• of that $25,000 Grant um that cap of that $25,000 Grant um current<00:45:14.160> projects<00:
• In the bill language that is crossed out, it mentions $500,000, but the agency caps it at $250,000.
• it at that so the agency does cap it at that so spending<00:45:44.880> 250,000<00:45:45.880><
• The removed language is highly damaging to property owners. identify<01:00:59.079> yourself<01
• to Property Owners so is highly damaging to Property Owners so for<01:02:36.640> instance<01:

Bills: HF1621, HF1701, HF1796, HF1676, HF40, HF1428, HF1540

Keywords: HF1621, CelluComp, Minnesota Department of Agriculture, appropriation, grant, commercialization, fiber-based barrier packaging, packaging materials, PFAS, perfluoroalkyl substances, polyfluoroalkyl substances, plastic reduction, sustainable packaging, environmental health, materials innovation, bio-based packaging, food packaging, agriculture finance, one-time grant, state subsidy

Transcript Highlights:

• authority, limits plan review verification, expands deemed approvals, reduces permit requirements, and caps
• communities by allowing property owners to administratively rezone properties that are environmentally damaged
• that's something we've been focusing on, and the clearer structure compared to previous versions, capping
• uses of public benefit, which included retention ponds and utilities, etc., is capped at 15 percent,

Transcript Highlights:

• contracts governing medically necessary orthotics and prosthetics without lifetime or continuous use caps
• Without early diagnosis and Senator Bracy Davis: treatment, the condition can lead to rapid liver damage
• and one month ago I was diagnosed with a chronic lung disease where my airways become permanently damaged
• thickening, making it hard to clear mucus which leads to a cycle of infection, inflammation, and more damage

Keywords: 999, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• in capo. in capo. consolidating<00:18:39.200> to<00:18:39.360> cap.
• <00:18:40.160> Well,<00:18:40.320> they're consolidating to cap.
• Well, they're consolidating to cap.
• <03:03:16.560> and the damage done, repair the damage and the damage done, repair the damage
• that were found and were those damages that were found and were those cured?

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Now, the complicating factor is, as a testifier stated, we also have the 2% cap in a separate proposal
• <00:33:38.320> um<00:33:38.639> in standard is on top of that cap um in standard is
• on top of that cap um in that<00:33:39.120> proposal<00:33:39.960> so<00:33:40.159>
• Many providers rely on referrals from case managers, and a conditional license can immediately damage
• their reputation uh even for damage their reputation uh even for minor<00:48:07.839> infractions<

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• to medical malpractice, clarifying definitions in the Medical Malpractice Act, limiting punitive damages
• ... ...care, amending definitions in the Medical Malpractice Act, limiting the amount of damages that
• the state treasury, expanding what can be funded to certain phases of a capital project, lowering the cap
• criminal offenses, creating the crime of unlawful squatting provided for a property owner to receive damage
• , Creating the crime of unlawful squatting, providing for a property owner to receive damages for injury

Bills: HB1

Keywords: feed bill, legislative appropriations, legislative branch, New Mexico Legislature, general fund, legislative council service, legislative finance committee, legislative education study committee, house chief clerk, senate chief clerk, per diem, mileage, session expenses, interim committees, district staff, capitol complex, capital outlay data system, legislative processing system, redistricting, census redistricting

Transcript Highlights:

• Cat Brady testifying for CAP. We support this measure.
• Cat Brady testifying for CAP. We support this measure.
• Cat Brady testifying for CAP. We support this measure.
• Cat Brady testifying for CAP. We support this measure.
• Yeah, a few people might die, but that's the collateral damage in the long run.

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Summary: The Judiciary Committee heard SB 1231, which would repeal the Parentage Uniform Act of 1973 and update Hawaii’s parentage laws, including parts of the Uniform Parentage Act of 2017. Supporters said the current statutes are outdated and do not adequately address assisted reproduction, surrogacy, and modern family formation. The Attorney General’s office supported the bill with technical amendments, including conforming changes to the Probate Code and child support provisions, and several testifiers urged passage as a needed modernization of the law. A major point of disagreement was Part 10, which concerns donor anonymity. Some supporters, including members of the task force, the Uniform Law Commission, fertility and family law practitioners, and LGBTQ+ advocates, backed the bill as written or said it should move forward even if Part 10 is removed. Others, including donor-conceived adults, parents, and advocacy groups, opposed Part 10 and urged the committee to adopt the 2024 version of Article 9 or delete Part 10 entirely, arguing that anonymous donation harms donor-conceived people’s access to genetic, medical, and identity information and that anonymity is not realistic in the DNA-testing era. One task force member and attorney said she supported the bill but preferred removing Part 10 if necessary to pass the rest. The hearing included extensive public testimony both in support and opposition, with many individuals describing personal experiences with adoption, IVF, surrogacy, and donor conception. No committee vote or final action on the bill was taken during the portion of the hearing provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• hard to understand in our current environment why any insurance company would offer coverage when damages
• There are a number of factors that these providers are clearly covered under SELA, which would cap their
• liability damages.
• Coverage for the policy limit, you literally, like, even at the cap, even if you risk it, if we didn't
• Capping buyouts and... Yeah, so if you could... Paul's going to ask you a question. Got a question?

Bills: SB397, SB481, SB596, SB760, SB855, SB1195, SB1196, SB1233, SB1257, SB1318, SB1368, SB1388, SB1398, SB1524, SB1558, SB1589, SB1677, SB1792, SB2034

Keywords: SB 397, telemedicine, telehealth, teledentistry, remote care, virtual care, consent documentation, patient consent, data collection, data sharing, audio-only telehealth, in-person examination, irreversible medical procedure, health professional regulation, Occupations Code, Texas Health and Human Services, medical records, provider compliance, data privacy, consumer rights

Transcript Highlights:

• There's no recommended changes to the agency's staffing cap.
• set the cap at 17.5.
• Recommendations include maintaining the FTE cap at 50.
• The recommendations maintain the cap at 57.3 FTEs.
• Delete this rider as agencies have deployed caps.

Bills: SB1, SB 1

Keywords: appropriations, budget, state funding, education, healthcare, infrastructure, campground safety, youth camp regulations, flood safety, emergency evacuation, health and safety standards, 1185, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Courts can order remedies to prevent unfair competition and restore victims, but not monetary damages
• More than 12,000 homes are damaged or destroyed.
• The bill creates the Community Anti-Displacement and Preservation Act, or CAP, within HCD.
• CAP was envisioned. and preserving it as deed-restricted housing for the long term.
• is designed as a partnership between HCD and HECD, to build new affordable housing, CAP is designed

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• We are capped out at this point in terms of our ability to hire new litigators.
• So it's people who are being harmed are getting damages. Mr.
• Chair, Representative Dow, that expansion... ...harmed are getting damages. Mr.
• As we think about sort of the cap,... Is very much in line.
• It could be damaging to... Very sensitive information and evidence.

Keywords: 996, all

Summary: The committee first heard an Aging and Long-Term Services Department budget presentation comparing the LFC and executive recommendations. The main differences were in the Aging Network, Adult Protective Services, Program Support, and Long-Term Care Division, especially the executive’s proposed $10 million infusion into the Kiki Savadra Senior Dignity Fund and $6.2 million for expanding New Mexico Care. LFC staff explained that the committee recommendation was lower in general fund and fund-balance use, while the executive emphasized rising senior population needs, meal and transportation costs, and the cost savings of keeping older adults at home. The secretary also reviewed the department’s special requests, including the conference on aging, outreach, emergency preparedness, and the Kiki fund, and described New Mexico Care’s growth, its evaluation results, and the department’s plan to separate Kiki into its own accounting fund. Members largely focused on senior services, rural meal delivery, transportation, caregiver support, and the Kiki fund. Several members urged stronger support for non-metro aging providers and for New Mexico Care, citing its role in keeping seniors out of nursing homes and the program’s reported savings and outcomes. Questions also covered eligibility, background checks for caregivers, respite care, dementia and Alzheimer’s screening, and whether Kiki funds can support home modifications such as ramps. The committee then voted to adopt the LFC recommendation with one executive language change: adding the executive’s page 14 language allowing an additional 12.5% distribution for initial payments to aging network providers at the start of FY27. Representative Dow opposed the motion. The committee then moved to the Attorney General’s budget. LFC staff explained that the office’s budget relies heavily on the Consumer Settlement Fund, with both recommendations reducing general fund revenue while increasing settlement-fund use, and that performance measures were in consensus. The Attorney General said the office was not seeking more general fund, but wanted greater ability to use funds it recovers. He highlighted major consumer and public safety work, including litigation against major social media and AI platforms, a case involving Snapchat and child exploitation/extortion, the statewide crime gun intelligence center, efforts to address oilfield theft, work on missing and murdered Indigenous persons, and efforts to protect federal funds coming into New Mexico.