Transcript Highlights:

• The Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation will to order.
• Today the committee will execute on one of Congress's most indispensable responsibilities, oversight.
• Department of Homeland Security and the U.S. Department of Homeland Security and the U.S.
• Department of Homeland Security. and the U.S. Department of Homeland Security and the U.S.
• Having served as chairman of the Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee, which is the primary

Committee: Senate Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee

Keywords: oversight, subpoena, illegal immigrants, Massachusetts Port Authority, O'Hare Airport, legislative practices

Summary: The meeting was convened by the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation, where robust discussions were held regarding the need for improved oversight within the Senate. The chairman emphasized the historical decline in oversight activities and proposed motions to authorize subpoenas related to an ongoing investigation involving the Massachusetts Port Authority and allegations of illegal immigrant sheltering at airports. This prompted a detailed examination of the current practices and measures needed to address such issues effectively, particularly in light of recent reports from O'Hare Airport. The committee engaged in deliberations that highlighted the importance of maintaining legislative oversight to safeguard national interests.

Transcript Highlights:

• Do we have any questions on C1A? Seeing no questions, what's the will of committee?
• Members, any questions on D2? All right, seeing no questions, what's the will of the committee?
• They have a grant from the Department of Homeland Security for the National Preparedness.
• They have another grant from the Department of Homeland Security for a construction project on their
• This is another Homeland Security grant for the National Preparedness Goal.

Committee: All ALC-PEER

Summary: The committee met to review a large slate of fiscal year 2026 and 2027 appropriation, transfer, and continuation requests across multiple sections. Early items included temporary appropriations for agencies such as Health, DHS, Education, Public Safety, State Police, Emergency Management, Aeronautics, Military, Economic Development, and Game and Fish, covering items like maternal health outreach, energy assistance repayments, Wynne High School tornado rebuilding, senior food services, cybersecurity, crime victim reparations, aviation grants, conservation incentives, and emergency tower maintenance. Members asked questions on several items, including DHS aging carry-forward funds and Treasury custodial banking fees tied to COVID-era balances; the committee also approved a disclosure by the chair on the Game and Fish-related item before voting to approve the section. The committee then approved continuation requests, CARES Act and ARPA reallocations, and federal grant appropriations. Notable discussion included the Boonville developmental disability project, ALIGN program reallocations at several universities, a small business technical assistance grant at UA Little Rock, and a Department of Public Safety highway safety grant, for which members requested more detail on operating expenses and professional fees. Additional approvals covered a transfer to the Merit Teacher Incentive program, restricted reserve fund transfers for military medical command and university projects, and a state central services deduction held at 2%. The Department of Commerce also received approval for a reallocation of positions and spending authority tied to its organizational realignment. Later sections included shared technology and higher education transfers, cash fund appropriations for school Medicaid reimbursements, corrections, youth mental health, narcotics detection canines, bike safety equipment, a state motor pool pilot, and law enforcement safety costs. The committee also reviewed budget classification transfers, including a Governor’s Office legal fee transfer related to a California lawsuit, and heard explanations about E-Rate reimbursements affecting the Office of State Technology. Members asked about VOCA funding levels for crime victim services and about the National Security Grant Program for nonprofits and faith-based organizations; officials said federal funding had declined from prior highs but appeared to have stabilized, and that the nonprofit security grant is an annual federal program. The meeting concluded with review of pay plan requests, DHS overtime funding for child protection caseloads, and a year-end adjustment request allowing DFA to make up to $1 million in transfers to close the books, after which the committee adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• HJr1024 updates the judicial nominating committee by removing the Restrictions on the members of the
• Also, remember if you're on the judicial nominating committee And you ultimately want to be a judge someday
• So, you got 6 Democrats on that one side.
• I've served on it for eight years, and it was a regular occurrence that the members in that committee
• It's a standard practice that happens in other committees that have certain expertise on them, but it's

Bills: HB4248 , HB4429 , HB2588 , HB3472 , HB4317 , HB3462 , HB2035 , HB3501 , HB3127 , HB3143 , HB3144 , HB3260 , HB4321 , HB3011 , HB3522 , HB3530 , HB3940 , HB3078 , HB3043 , HB3005 , HB3007 , HB3403 , HB1907 , HB3175 , HB3986 , HB3466 , HB3411 , HB4246 , SJR49 , HB3281 , HB4319 , HJR1086 , HJR1024 , HJR1087

Keywords: HB4248, hemp beverage, hemp drinks, THC beverage, cannabis beverage, intoxicating hemp, age restriction, under 21, minor possession, youth access, public health and safety, Title 63, Oklahoma Statutes, retail sales, alcohol-style regulation, controlled substances, beverage regulation, proxy advisory services, shareholder rights, financial transparency

Transcript Highlights:

• and nurse of the Direction of previous day's journal, House and Senate bills and joint resolutions on
• reports, and joint committee reports, motions placing new business before the House members Offering
• Fill them, each one with an overflow of hope, joy, and peace, and through them, bless a great state of
• Coach Parnell said that his training program is threatening Each one of them with a stick.
• He's well known for one in gastroenterology.

Bills: HB3840 , HB3431 , HB4422 , HB4117 , HB4300 , HB4298 , HB2984 , HB3344 , HB2979 , HB2980 , HB3662 , HB4107 , HB3082 , HB2997 , HB3083 , HB3055 , HB2951 , HB3469 , HB3173 , HB3287 , HB2947 , HB3784 , HB3901 , HB4275 , HR1031 , HB4359 , HB4115 , HB3467 , HB2978 , HB3026 , HB3032

Keywords: foreign ownership, land acquisition, military installation, critical infrastructure, affidavit requirements, state law, penalties, Attorney General, foreign ownership of land, foreign adversary, foreign government adversary, foreign government enterprise, foreign government entity, foreign terrorist organization, specially designated national, SDN, FTO, critical minerals, land ownership, real property

Transcript Highlights:

• The Committee on Judiciary and Civil Jurisprudence will come to order.
• This is a unique committee because everybody on this committee is a lawyer.
• Everybody on this committee spent three years studying to uphold the rule of law.
• I'm here on behalf of Texans... Thank you, Chairman Leach, members of the committee.
• The committee said it would look forward to a report back on a substitute.

Bills: HB2242 , HB2446 , HB2799 , HB4502 , HB2920 , HB2790 , HB5620 , HB5060 , HB5076 , HB5080 , HB5081 , HB5128 , HB5130 , HB3847 , HB5116 , HB2969 , HB4546 , HB4202 , HB5624 , HB3964 , HB4803 , HB872 , HB4775 , HB4777 , HB4961 , HB5570 , HB2988 , HB4260 , HB1375 , HB5009 , HB5411 , HB5134 , HB4388 , HB3095 , HB1387

Committee: House Judiciary & Civil Jurisprudence

Keywords: constables, civil rights, local government, law enforcement, policy-making authority, affidavit, medical bills, civil actions, reasonable charges, healthcare services, judicial statistics, court performance, family law, civil cases, efficiency reporting, court security, emergency management, harassment penalties, judicial safety, court committee

Summary: The committee heard testimony on several bills affecting civil practice, judicial conduct, and attorney regulation. HB 4961 and the similar HB 3095 would bar uninsured motorists from recovering non-economic damages after a collision, with HB 3095 also addressing certain exceptions and limiting economic damages in some cases. Supporters said the measures would encourage insurance coverage and fairness for insured drivers, while opponents argued they would unfairly punish injured people who were not responsible for the lack of insurance, including pedestrians, passengers, children, and others. HB 3095 drew constitutional concerns from witnesses, and the committee later withdrew the committee substitute and left the bill pending; HB 4961 was also left pending after questions about its scope, including passengers. HB 5570 would expand a continuing legal education exemption to attorneys appointed by the governor and confirmed by the Senate who serve on boards or commissions. The author and witness said the bill would free up time for public service while still requiring ethics training. A committee member raised a discrepancy in the number of attorneys covered, and the bill was left pending. HB 2969 would prohibit the State Bar from adopting rules or penalties that unreasonably burden attorneys’ religious exercise or free speech, especially in relation to sincerely held religious beliefs. Supporters framed it as a protection for lawyers of faith against an ABA-style speech code, while no one testified in opposition; the bill was left pending. HB 4260 would prohibit county judges and county commissioners from practicing law in courts over which they have jurisdiction. The author described it as an ethics measure to avoid conflicts of interest, but county officials and the County Judges and Commissioners Association opposed it, saying existing ethics rules already address conflicts and that the bill would impose hardships, especially in rural counties. The bill was left pending. HB 4388 would require all judges, including those who serve only in administrative roles, to remain subject to the Code of Judicial Conduct; supporters said some judges avoid discipline by relinquishing judicial functions, while opponents said the bill was unnecessary and could burden county judges who serve as administrators. It was also left pending. The committee also heard HB 5134, which would limit Rule 202 pre-suit depositions to people who have suffered or reasonably expect to suffer actual damages and allow attorney’s fees against abusive petitioners. The author said the bill would curb harassment and fishing expeditions, but members questioned how the standard would work in practice; the bill was left pending. Finally, HB 3964 would narrow common-law public nuisance claims by barring suits over lawful conduct, conduct already addressed by other remedies, and products, while preserving other causes of action. Supporters said the bill would prevent regulation through litigation and protect legislative authority; opponents said it would eliminate important remedies and that no Texas abuse had been shown. The author indicated he would revise the bill, and it was left pending.

Transcript Highlights:

• The Committee on Judiciary and Civil Jurisprudence will come to order.
• It clarifies that a court security committee meeting is not an open meeting.
• on court security issues over the years.
• So the court security committee fund is funded by local court costs.
• That court security committees are robust and educated on what recommendations they should be making

Bills: HB2242 , HB2446 , HB2799 , HB4502 , HB2920 , HB2790 , HB5620 , HB5060 , HB5076 , HB5080 , HB5081 , HB5128 , HB5130 , HB3847 , HB5116 , HB2969 , HB4546 , HB4202 , HB5624 , HB3964 , HB4803 , HB872 , HB4775 , HB4777 , HB4961 , HB5570 , HB2988 , HB4260 , HB1375 , HB5009 , HB5411 , HB5134 , HB4388 , HB3095 , HB1387

Committee: House Judiciary & Civil Jurisprudence

Keywords: constables, civil rights, local government, law enforcement, policy-making authority, affidavit, medical bills, civil actions, reasonable charges, healthcare services, judicial statistics, court performance, family law, civil cases, efficiency reporting, court security, emergency management, harassment penalties, judicial safety, court committee

Transcript Highlights:

• I refer to the Committee on Homeland Security Public Safety and Federal Affairs, HB 181, HB 192 by Bella
• and ammunition smuggling and terrorism, relating to the Committee on Homeland Security, Public Safety
• on Homeland Security, Public Safety and Veterans Affairs.
• Blame to prohibition of short barrel firearms referred to the Committee on Homeland Security, Public
• Related to prohibiting sex offenders from purchasing firearms referred to the Committee on Homeland Security

Transcript Highlights:

• engaged in committees and subcommittees getting ready for security.
• One of the other things that's affected mitigation is the fact that the Homeland Security Secretary has
• One of the other things that's affected mitigation is the fact that the Homeland Security Secretary has
• I anticipate a 50% match being levied on the Homeland Security grants.
• of Homeland Security, CISA, or Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency, the FBI, the State

Committee: House Technology, Economic Development, & Veterans

Summary: The committee held a work session focused on the effects of tariffs on Washington’s economy and agriculture. An OFM economist said tariffs are raising prices, reducing output and jobs, and lowering state revenue, with the most affected sectors including aerospace, food and beverage manufacturing, and agriculture. Members asked about newer trade deals, crop-specific impacts, inflation versus some deflationary effects in fuel, and whether the net employment effect was negative; the witness said retaliation by other countries largely eliminates any tariff benefits and that updated analysis would be needed as tariff rates change. Washington Department of Agriculture staff then described how import tariffs raise costs for farm inputs such as equipment, parts, packaging, and fertilizer, while export retaliation has hurt key markets, especially China and, in some sectors, Canada. They said Washington agriculture is highly export-dependent, with major exports including wheat, potatoes, apples, cherries, dairy, and wine, and noted that some growers support tariffs on competing imports because they see them as leveling the playing field. Commerce officials followed with an overview of small business export assistance, financing, business recruitment, and industry-sector support, emphasizing the importance of federal STEP funding, foreign consulting networks, and state efforts to attract investment and help businesses adapt to tariff pressures. The committee then heard a series of emergency management updates. The Military Department described 2025 disaster response, including the denied bomb cyclone disaster declaration, wildfire activity, and concerns that FEMA is shifting more responsibility and cost to states and locals, with possible reductions or restructuring of preparedness, mitigation, and disaster grants. Members discussed the need for a funded state disaster assistance framework, mitigation priorities such as unreinforced masonry and tsunami shelters, and language-access support. A cybersecurity briefing followed, outlining the state’s advisory committee, grant program, and plans for a volunteer cyber incident response team, with concerns about the loss of MS-ISAC funding and the need to preserve state matching funds. Finally, emergency management staff reviewed disaster resilience and tsunami preparedness, saying federal support is becoming less reliable while state programs face budget pressure. They highlighted mitigation grants, outreach, and planning work, including tsunami vertical evacuation structures and coastal evacuation mapping, and said Washington’s tsunami program depends heavily on NOAA and FEMA funding. The session concluded with a detailed update on World Cup and counter-drone planning, including federal security grants, fan zones, base camps, and the need for authority to mitigate unmanned aerial systems; members asked how local jurisdictions would participate and what mitigation tools might be used. No formal votes or legislative actions were taken.

Transcript Highlights:

• Chair, members of the committee, Major General Miguel Aguador from Homeland Security Emergency Management
• Okay, we got the one list. We never did Homeland Security, and then we got water. I'm sorry.
• Back to Homeland Security. Thank you guys for your patience. All right, good afternoon, Mr.
• I'm the LFC analyst for the Department of Homeland Security and Emergency Management.
• Security and what they operate on.

Committee: Senate Senate Finance

Transcript Highlights:

• engaged in committees and subcommittees getting ready for security.
• One of the other things that's affected mitigation is that the Homeland Security Secretary has implemented
• One of the other things that's affected mitigation is the fact that the Homeland Security Secretary has
• I anticipate a 50% match being levied on the Homeland Security grants.
• of Homeland Security CISA, or Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency, the FBI, the State Patrol

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:

• to work on.
• And for all of the members of this committee that continue to work on this.
• My apologies, we're on 3783. Do you have that one as well? I don't think I have that one. Sorry.
• I know you were presenting in another committee. We are on House Bill 3783. There is a PCS.
• Sorry, with 14, I, one day, my apologies, we will declare your bill out of committee.

Bills: HB3783 , HB2955 , HB3802 , HB4488 , HB2471 , HB3781 , HB3127

Committee: House Commerce & Economic Development Oversight

Keywords: HB3783, plumbing apprentice, endorsed apprentice, endorsed plumbing apprentice, journeyman plumber, plumbing license, Construction Industries Board, Committee of Plumbing Examiners, apprenticeship, trade license, vocational education, occupational licensing, professional licensing, Title 59, Plumbing License Law of 1955, licensure exam, journeyman examination, apprentice registration, plumbing industry regulations, administrative penalty

Transcript Highlights:

• I ask the committee to vote do pass on HB 120. Thank you. Thank you.
• I ask the committee vote do pass on HB-120. Thank you. Thank you.
• And I hope that's on the committee substitute. It's 19.25.
• So the Senate Rules Committee is the one standing committee that can meet in the interim.
• So the Senate Rules Committee is the one standing committee that can meet in the interim.

Bills: HJR6 , HJR7 , HB120 , HB60 , HB151 , HR1 , HM13 , SB40 , SB104

Committee: House House Judiciary

Keywords: constitutional amendment, legislative sessions, veto override, New Mexico legislature, session length, legislative session, even-numbered years, New Mexico Constitution, student behavior, physical restraint, seclusion, public schools, training, de-escalation, student safety, behavior interventions, criminal offenses, peace officer, Victims of Crime Act, law enforcement

Transcript Highlights:

• I've talked to a couple of people on this committee about that.
• I'm— Come on up, Noah. Noah, you have one minute. Aloha, Chair and to the rest of the committee.
• Come on up there. Come on up there. Mr. Chairman and committee members, my name is Ann Thompson.
• I commend the chairman when he works on a bill. He has plenty of officers in this committee.
• We have one more speaker, Barbara Bluster. Hello, Mr. Chairman and members of the committee.

Bills: HB2076 , HB2135 , HB2175 , HB2186 , HB2223 , HB2345 , HB2364 , HB2417 , HB2440 , HB2666 , HB2763 , HCR2043

Committees: House Judiciary , House House Judiciary Committee of Reference

Keywords: school safety, employee training, firearm certification, crisis response, school policies, reimbursement fund, local law enforcement, HB2135, Arizona, civil liability, private right of action, DEI, diversity equity and inclusion, critical race theory, anti-racism, race stereotyping, sex stereotyping, race scapegoating, sex scapegoating, gender identity

Transcript Highlights:

• Good afternoon, and welcome to the Committee on Housing for the Hawaii State Senate.
• The Committee on Housing is now back for decision-making.
• </c><00:40:40.560><c> The</c><00:40:40.800><c> committee</c><00:40:41.040><c> on</c><00:40:41.200><c>
• The committee on housing Good afternoon.
• The committee on housing is<00:40:41.760><c> now</c><00:40:41.920><c> back</c><00:40:42.160><c> for</

Bills: SB2060 , SB2063 , SB2062 , SB2069 , SB2070

Committee: Senate Housing

Keywords: rental housing revolving fund, HHFDC, Hawaii Housing Finance and Development Corporation, mixed-income housing, mixed-income rental project, affordable housing, low-income housing, housing finance, housing development, preservation, rehabilitation, pre-development, construction financing, equity investment, credit enhancement, collateral, gap financing, area median income, AMI, perpetual affordability

Transcript Highlights:

• So I'm proud to take that on along with this committee.
• So I'm going to be a no today in committee with the right to change my mind on the floor.
• I'm happy to get back to the committee on that.
• These lived experiences, and I think the non-health care providers on this committee are getting some
• Madam Chair, members of the committee, I'd like to make one comment.

Bills: HB2049 , HB2050 , HB2051 , HB2072 , HB2082 , HB2085 , HB2177 , HB2178 , HB2179 , HB2183 , HB2195

Committees: House Health & Human Services , House House Health & Human Services Committee of Reference

Keywords: radiation therapy, particle accelerator, critical access hospitals, patient care, rural healthcare, radiologic technologist, radiologist assistant, radiology, imaging, x-ray, diagnostic x-ray, fluoroscopy, mammography, computed tomography, CT technologist, nuclear medicine technologist, bone densitometry, radiation safety, radiation licensing, scope of practice

Transcript Highlights:

• House Committee on Insurance will come to order. The clerk will call the roll. Dean. Here. Beall.
• I ask the members of this committee to vote no on this legislation. Thank you for your time.
• The habitual question asker in this committee. So one follow-up question.
• Hi, committee members, I am Dr. Susana Carranza testifying on my own behalf against House Bill 778.
• There's no one on this committee that is going to... ...that's trying to do any of the things you've

Bills: HB778 , HB 1266 , HB1576 , HB2213 , HB2517 , HB2518 , HB2841 , HB3306 , HB3320 , HB3388 , HB3508 , HB3520 , HB3689

Committee: House Insurance

Keywords: credentialing, healthcare, physician assistants, advanced practice nurses, managed care, hurricane, windstorm, loss mitigation, grants, insurance discounts, property retrofitting, insurance, Texas Windstorm Insurance Association, board composition, coastal counties, property insurance, taxation, Texas FAIR Plan Association, premium taxes, maintenance taxes

Transcript Highlights:

• The House Committee on Insurance will come to order. The clerk will call the roll.
• We are one state.
• We are working on a committee substitute that will address more changes, working with all the stakeholders
• Hold on one second, we got some gremlins in the computer up here.
• I do anticipate working on a Committee substitute language to include electric co-ops, and I'm happy

Bills: HB778 , HB 1266 , HB1576 , HB2213 , HB2517 , HB2518 , HB2841 , HB3306 , HB3320 , HB3388 , HB3508 , HB3520 , HB3689

Committee: House Insurance

Keywords: credentialing, healthcare, physician assistants, advanced practice nurses, managed care, hurricane, windstorm, loss mitigation, grants, insurance discounts, property retrofitting, insurance, Texas Windstorm Insurance Association, board composition, coastal counties, property insurance, taxation, Texas FAIR Plan Association, premium taxes, maintenance taxes

Transcript Highlights:

• 2 3 The Committee on Public Health will come to order. The clerk will call the roll.
• I guess this is our third meeting of the Committee on Public Health. Happy Monday morning to you.
• And on this committee, I've only been on this committee for a short time, but I see we've got nothing
• We will probably be still doing a committee set. Okay, hang on. Thank you for that.
• The committee substitute that you mentioned fixes a drafting error we had... practice of medicine on

Bills: HB713 , HB827 , HB932 , HB499 , HB510 , HB163 , HB296 , HB879 , HB913 , HB163 , HB296

Committee: House Public Health

Keywords: healthcare, maternal health, reporting requirements, Texas Maternal Mortality and Morbidity Review Committee, health provider immunity, workplace violence, nurses, grant program, healthcare facilities, safety measures, safety, nursing, grants, healthcare safety, verbal abuse, physical abuse, nurse empowerment, occupational therapy, licensure, interstate practice

Transcript Highlights:

• Thank you very much for coming to the greatest show on earth, the Assembly Standing Committee on Public
• Jim Lindbergh, on behalf of the Friends Committee on Legislation of California, in opposition.
• They're essential homeland security partners.
• They're essential homeland security partners.
• The Department of Homeland Security..."

Summary: The committee heard several public safety bills, with extensive testimony and debate. AB 1535 would add political affiliation as a sentencing aggravator when a felony is motivated by a victim’s actual or perceived political affiliation. The author said the bill is intended to deter political violence while preserving judicial discretion; supporters framed it as a response to rising threats and attacks tied to politics. Opponents, including ACLU Cal Action, Initiate Justice, and public defender groups, argued the term is vague, could sweep in protected speech and association, and would expand punishment without addressing crime prevention. The bill was later moved on a due-pass recommendation and passed on roll call. AB 1656 would add human trafficking to the list of offenses that qualify for good-cause continuances so a vertical prosecutor can stay with a case. The author and a San Diego DA representative said the change would support trauma-informed prosecution and improve continuity for survivors. Most support testimony came from prosecutors, victim advocates, and civil liberties groups, while some public defender and justice organizations remained in opposition or pending review of amendments. The committee ultimately approved the bill on a due-pass-as-amended vote. AB 1589 would allow Level 1 reserve peace officers to use firearm suppressors while on duty, matching the exemption already available to full-time officers. The author and reserve officer witnesses said the bill is a narrow safety measure tied to hearing protection and parity in training and equipment. Opponents, including Brady and ACLU Cal Action, said suppressors are unnecessary, could endanger the public and other officers, and further militarize policing. After discussion about safety, fiscal concerns, and community trust, the committee passed the bill on a due-pass vote. The committee also took up AB 1566, which would align the statutory definition of severe neglect with the structured decision-making tool used by county child welfare agencies. Supporters said the bill would reduce overreporting, racial disparities, and unnecessary family trauma while keeping mandated reporting in place. Opponents, including school resource officer groups, warned it would lower reporting thresholds and risk missing serious abuse. Members debated the impact on child safety versus unnecessary investigations, and the bill was held on call after a split vote. In addition, the committee approved several consent items, including bills on human trafficking data, criminal procedure jurisdiction, firearms/unsafe handguns, and the Hugs Act of 2026.

Transcript Highlights:

• on Education and then under the original double committee reference to the Committee on Finance.
• on Education and then under the original double committee reference to the Committee on Finance.
• on Education and then under the original double committee reference to the Committee on Finance.
• Resolution will be referred to the Committee on the Rules. Bills on third reading.
• Resolution will be referred to the committee on the rules. Bill's on third reading.

Summary: The Senate convened with prayer and the Pledge of Allegiance, approved the journal, and spent much of the day recognizing pages, guests, school groups, and civic organizations visiting the chamber. Several communications from the House and committee reports were received, and a petition on support for new electric transmission lines was referred to the Committee on Energy, Industry, and Mining. Senate Resolution 61, urging the U.S. Supreme Court to reverse Obergefell, was referred to the Committee on Rules, while other resolutions and bills were held over or referred as required. The chamber then acted on a large number of measures, including concurrence in House amendments to Senate Bill 137 on parole eligibility for second-degree murder and voluntary manslaughter, and a conference committee was appointed on House Bill 4026 regarding integrated resource plans. Numerous House bills were advanced or passed after committee reports, covering topics such as industrial access roads, local airport hangar financing, college campus safety, youth and handicapped hunting, missing persons records, driver’s licenses, adjudicatory alternative dispositions, chronic absenteeism, party-switching deadlines for candidates, teacher/school personnel/state police pay raises, election official trainees, political committee filing notices, security personnel for the State Treasurer, post-secondary financial aid, legal practice rules, overseas voting, public officials’ residential information, homestead exemption, military juvenile jurisdiction, military interpersonal violence, kinship care subsidies, statewide prevention planning, contraband smuggling into federal prisons, forestry equipment taxation, microgrid and data center certification, transcript acceptance for students, emeritus medical licenses, higher education rule authorizations, board and commission reforms, managed care organization taxes, and deputy sheriff vacation carryover. Most of these measures passed with little or no opposition, and several received title amendments. The Senate also passed a series of supplemental appropriations, many with immediate-effect motions adopted by the required two-thirds vote. These included funding for the Department of Commerce, Workforce West Virginia, Homeland Security divisions, Health Facilities, Administration, Human Services, the Governor’s Civil Contingent Fund, the Department of Agriculture, and the Bureau of Senior Services. Votes were overwhelmingly in favor, with only a few measures drawing one or more dissenting votes. One bill on tourism appropriations was referred to the Committee on Rules, and several second-reading bills were advanced, including measures on the West Virginia Collaboratory, business-ready sites, volunteer fire companies, religious organization eminent domain restrictions, electric load forecasting, and funeral service licensure.