Transcript Highlights:

• large who live or work in the service area to be appointed by the mayor of the city of Jackson and confirmed
• large who live or work in the service area to be appointed by the mayor of the city of Jackson and confirmed
• <00:06:36.240> by<00:06:36.400> the city of Jackson and confirmed by the city of Jackson
• and confirmed by the city<00:06:36.720> council<00:06:37.440> of<00:06:37.600> the<
• Section 13 requires a competitive and open procurement and bidding process.

Keywords: Energy - Room 409, 3 March, 2026; 1:30 P.M., 925, all

Summary: The committee first considered House Bill 1049, which was explained as a House vehicle used to insert two previously introduced Senate bills: the rural water oversight committee bill and a measure expanding PSC authority to reject certain certificated areas for municipalities serving customers more than one mile outside city limits, with water utilities added to the existing electric utility language. The committee adopted the strike-off amendment and then passed the amended bill, which was reported out. Next, House Bill 1305 was taken up. The bill would expand oversight of municipally owned electrical distribution systems by allowing the Public Service Commission to conduct audits, but it included a reverse repealer because further work was still needed. The sponsor said he wanted to ensure systems that do not need auditing are not unnecessarily included. The committee adopted the strike-off amendment and then reported the bill. The final and most detailed item was a bill creating the Metro Jackson Water Authority. The sponsor described it as a response to Jackson’s water crisis and warned that without action the city could face bankruptcy and bondholder enforcement. The bill would create a new authority covering Jackson water and wastewater service areas, establish a board with appointments by the mayor, governor, lieutenant governor, and others, transfer operations when the court-ordered process ends, and give the authority powers over rates, contracts, bonds, procurement, reporting, and related financial matters. A committee member asked whether population-based language would capture any city other than Jackson; the sponsor said Jackson is the only city over 100,000 population and acknowledged a drafting issue, noting the reverse repealer was included because the bill was not yet perfect. After the strike-off was adopted, the committee voted to report the bill.

Transcript Highlights:

• staff uh actually I I I had it confirmed staff uh actually I I I had it confirmed I<00:04:19.280
• done through partisan control processes done through partisan control processes and<00:22:39.080
• <00:22:52.200> is drawing process and when that process is drawing process and when that process
• <00:35:01.880> and concerns with the model process and concerns with the model process and
• <00:55:59.079> on thank you uh for the confirmation on thank you uh for the confirmation on

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• We know that this is impacting newborns, and their healthcare providers confirm that newborns are uninsured
• I know the agency and stakeholders are working to improve that automatic enrollment process, but this
• The process involves collecting DNA to determine paternity with the unknown father.
• Have you been able to confirm if you know if the third party?
• But basically, you can't confirm either way. So, so.

Bills: HB2646, HB3941, HB5153, HB5155, HB5394, HB 1106, HB426, HB4529, HB3984, HB4273, HB 1097, HB3940, HB1941, HB4377, HB3153

Keywords: child care, task force, high-quality care, affordability, prekindergarten partnerships, foster care, transitional living, Medicaid reform, youth assistance, independent living, services for youth, employment training, educational support, mental health services, health care, public health, child health program, reimbursement, local health entities, maternal health

Transcript Highlights:

• Um on that, what does the agency do to follow up and confirm or audit these reports?
• Um on that, what does the agency do to follow up and confirm or audit these reports?
• Um on that, what does the agency do to follow up and confirm or audit these reports?
• Um on that, what does the agency do to follow up and confirm or audit these reports?
• I mean even when we were process, right?

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• If confirmed, I would bring a balanced and thoughtful perspective, grounded in real-world experience,
• Bolick and Senator Leach, I really would like to do this because I have a lot of respect for the process
• Senate Regulatory Affairs and Government Efficiency Committee recommend to the full Senate the confirmation
• your vote of seven, I, zero, no, zero, not voting, you have recommended to the full Senate the confirmation

Keywords: 1182, all

Transcript Highlights:

• The referral and approval process should be streamlined.
• He would wait six to eight weeks for the referral to be processed to see a community care provider.
• In each of the nine times... that he went through this process, he's never been granted more than 12
• Collins' confirmation, America's national security is dependent on an all-volunteer military.
• This can be an agonizing process for some, particularly those who struggle to tell their story.

Transcript Highlights:

• It simplifies permitting processes.
• Is there a motion to recommend confirmation? Very good.
• Senator Bernard moves that we recommend confirmation of all appointees before us today.
• Yes, and by your vote, the confirmation of all of the appointees is recommended favorably.
• Tabs 4 and 7 in the affirmative, and tabs 10 yes to the confirmations. Thank you. Senator Burgess.

Summary: The Committee on Regulated Industries met with a quorum and heard several bills, with SB 1742 on condos temporarily postponed. SB 1298 on building construction was reported favorably after sponsor testimony about continuing education for building professionals, rural sharing of building officials, residential inspector limits, a planning examiner internship, permitting modernization, and contractor transition liability. SB 638 on home inspectors was also reported favorably after discussion of increasing required education from 120 to 200 hours, adding subject-specific exam and course requirements, and requiring $300,000 in errors and omissions insurance. SB 960 on elevator accessibility requirements was reported favorably, allowing additional shorter support rails in elevators while keeping the existing 42-inch rail requirement. The committee also unanimously recommended confirmation of a block of board and commission appointees. The committee adopted amendments and reported favorably CS/SB 940 on third-party restaurant reservation platforms, aimed at stopping bots and unauthorized resale of restaurant reservations; the Florida Restaurant and Lodging Association and Booking Holdings supported the bill, and members discussed how the measure would preserve direct restaurant-platform relationships like OpenTable and Resy while targeting third-party marketplaces that resell reservations. CS/SB 196 on foods containing vaccines or vaccine materials was reported favorably after amendments that defined mRNA vaccine use and added a cosmetics-related amendment addressing harmful chemicals such as PFAS, phthalates, formaldehyde-releasing agents, and mercury compounds; the Florida Retail Federation raised concerns but said it was working with the sponsor. CS/SB 1418 on heated tobacco products was reported favorably after an amendment clarifying the definition of heated tobacco products and excluding hookah, with support from the Florida Retail Federation and comments that the bill would distinguish these products from cigarettes for tax purposes. The committee also adopted a strike-all amendment and reported favorably CS/SB 1262 on construction contracting, which adds consumer protection and financial literacy topics to contractor continuing education, increases penalties for unlicensed contracting, creates a standardized disciplinary reporting system, and requires timely refunds and project completion standards; the Florida Home Builders Association supported the measure. Finally, CS/SB 1304 on solar facilities was reported favorably after extensive testimony from county commissioners and local officials supporting greater local oversight and decommissioning requirements for utility-scale solar on agricultural land; the bill would remove the current statewide by-right treatment for solar on agricultural land and authorize counties to adopt decommissioning ordinances. The meeting ended with members recording additional affirmative votes on selected bills and adjourning.

Transcript Highlights:

• And thank the chair and committee staff for their help during this process.
• , but that's definitely an area that we're looking at doing in this process as well.
• But that's definitely an area that we're looking at doing in this process as well.
• They're in the process of reviewing the amendments that are in the analysis.
• AB 1175 will modernize the licensing process for CPAs.

Summary: The Assembly Business and Professions Committee heard a long agenda of licensing, health care, and workforce bills. Measures discussed included AB 957, which would prohibit tobacco sales in licensed pharmacies; AB 447, which would allow patients to take home certain unopened medications started in emergency rooms; AB 427, joining the Social Work Licensure Compact; AB 667, allowing interpreters for certain licensing exams; AB 742, prioritizing descendants of slaves in licensing review; AB 873, changing infection-control training timing for dental assistants; AB 360, requiring a report on menopause education for physicians; and AB 1175, modernizing CPA licensure requirements and mobility. Testimony generally emphasized public health, access to care, workforce shortages, language access, and economic opportunity, while opposition or concerns focused on implementation, worker protections, compact authority, and constitutional issues in AB 742. Several bills drew broad support from sponsors, professional associations, and advocacy groups. AB 957 was backed by cancer and pharmacy advocates and pharmacists who said pharmacies should not sell tobacco; AB 447 was supported by emergency medicine and hospital representatives as a way to reduce waste and help patients leave with needed medication; AB 427 drew support from social work and mental health groups but concerns from AFSCME about standards and displacement; AB 667 was supported by immigrant-rights and community groups, with questions about whether translated exams would be preferable to interpreters; AB 360 received extensive support from women’s health advocates and medical groups, and opposition from CMA and ACOG was removed after amendments; and AB 1175 was supported by the Board of Accountancy and CPA groups as a way to expand the pipeline and improve mobility. The committee took votes after quorum was established. AB 360, AB 427, AB 447, AB 667, AB 873, AB 1175, and AB 742 were all approved and sent to their next committees, with AB 742 going to Judiciary and AB 1175 to Appropriations. AB 957 was initially held on call, then later passed after additional votes were recorded. The consent calendar bills AB 375, AB 1107, and AB 1496 were also approved. Most measures passed on largely party-line or near-unanimous votes, with some members not voting on certain items during the roll calls.

Transcript Highlights:

• We were able to confirm that the statute of limitations for any misdemeanor charges has expired since
• We were able to confirm through the Office of Personnel Management that that is not the case, that due
• process must continue through that.
• We were able to confirm through the Office of Personnel Management that that is not the case, that due
• process must continue through that.

Keywords: 1204, all

Transcript Highlights:

• You have to go through a privately negotiated process, and in this process every meeting, phone call,
• development variants in this process development variants in this process density<00:13:30.680><
• negotiated process and in this process negotiated process and in this process every<00:13:57.800
• members tell us that in this process members tell us that in this process every<00:14:07.079>
• So if you could confirm that, Mr.

Keywords: 919, house, all

Summary: The committee heard House File 1987, the Minnesota Starter Home Act, and first adopted the A1 author’s amendment, which made minor cleanup changes, removed sections two and three, adjusted ADU language, and tweaked density language. The bill authors described the measure as a bipartisan effort to address Minnesota’s housing shortage by allowing more starter homes, duplexes, townhomes, and accessory dwelling units, while also limiting some local zoning barriers and preserving city protections in certain sensitive areas. They emphasized that the state has a large housing gap, rising home prices, and that the bill is intended as one part of a broader housing package. Supportive testimony came from the Minnesota Chamber of Commerce, Housing First Minnesota, Habitat for Humanity, AARP Minnesota, and Americans for Prosperity. These witnesses argued that workforce and starter-home shortages are hurting families, employers, and economic growth; that restrictive zoning and lengthy approval processes raise costs; and that more middle housing and ADUs would expand options for older adults, caregivers, working families, and people seeking homeownership. Several supporters said the bill would reduce regulatory barriers, lower development costs, and help communities add needed housing supply. Opposition or cautionary testimony came from city and municipal representatives, including officials from Cambridge, Eagan, and Mankato, as well as the League of Minnesota Cities and related groups. They argued that local governments already are approving substantial housing growth and need flexibility to manage zoning, parking, infrastructure, stormwater, and community input. They warned the bill could weaken local control, remove practical standards, and create unintended impacts such as more rental conversion in some neighborhoods or development without adequate infrastructure. No final vote on the bill itself was shown in the transcript beyond adoption of the A1 amendment.

Transcript Highlights:

• Mary Westman to you today to be confirmed to the Oklahoma Department of Libraries Board.
• If confirmed, she will serve a six-year term replacing Mary Westman has an impressive record of knowledge
• declare the nomination to have passed and the nomination will proceed to the Senate for further confirmation
• And so I'm excited to be a part of this nomination process.

Keywords: 914, all

Transcript Highlights:

• <01:02:52.240> work how how does this process work how how does this process work typically
• that process.
• for a disability determination. understand the Medicaid process uh in in understand the Medicaid process
• Um and then for medical the process.
• Thank you so much. concerns to that process. I do think concerns to that process.

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The committee first approved the draft minutes from September 26. Senator Gray then raised the idea of creating a continuing subcommittee or recurring agenda item on palliative care and hospice, noting that the issues are evolving and suggesting the committee revisit the idea in coming months. The bulk of the meeting focused on Department of Health and Human Services updates. Officials described contingency planning for SNAP amid the federal shutdown, including a USDA notice that November benefits may not be fully funded, letters to participants warning of possible delays, and coordination with the New Hampshire Food Bank and local pantries. They said New Hampshire serves about 42,000 SNAP households, with average benefits around $300 a month, and that the department is also preparing to transfer funds for a special fiscal committee meeting. WIC was discussed separately: officials said WIC benefits had been extended through November 7 using additional USDA funds, but that some community agency-based WIC services may need to pause while money is redirected to food benefits. Officials also outlined New Hampshire’s rural health transformation grant application under the federal One Big Beautiful Bill, describing a potential five-year, up-to-$1 billion opportunity focused on critical access hospitals, small rural hospitals, federally qualified health centers, community mental health centers, and EMS. Members asked about transportation, workforce, and nursing retention; officials said transportation is included in the proposal, housing is not, and workforce supports may include lower tuition or awards but not loan repayment or traditional scholarships. They also said the final application would be submitted in early November and that priorities would be adjusted depending on the eventual federal award. Finally, Medicaid director Henry Lipman gave a quarterly postpartum coverage update. He said postpartum coverage is now nearly universal nationwide, and in New Hampshire 2,351 women had used the benefit through May 2025. He reported that mental health services were the most frequently used postpartum service, followed by preventive care, substance use disorder treatment, and cardiovascular-related care, and noted that Medicaid women have experienced a disproportionate share of maternal deaths. Committee members asked about rural distribution and the share of women receiving mental health services, and Lipman said the department would follow up with additional data. The meeting then moved into the annual update on New Hampshire’s 10-year mental health plan, with staff describing progress toward a more integrated continuum of care and improved data infrastructure.

Transcript Highlights:

• I believe deeply in due process.
• Every single person must have due process.
• I come before you as someone who went through the parole process and the en banc process myself.
• This bill would make an already conservative process ...more restrictive and politicize a parole process
• The current en banc process is rigorous.

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• So, we are voting to or the processes.
• <00:37:38.800> the supplemental hand count to confirm the supplemental hand count to confirm
• <01:29:12.639> or the NVR language is confirmation or the NVR language is confirmation or
• <01:45:12.400> of Representative C. in in the process of Representative C. in in the process
• <01:45:16.000> of uh I would assume that in the process of uh I would assume that in the process

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• and and do um analyses of of processes and and do um analyses of of processes and<00:15:16.160><
• then um confirm then um confirm residency<00:37:39.119> so<00:37:39.359> that's<00
• Okay, the process is different, however, for people who show up and register on Election Day.
• <00:54:52.119> and election day registrations processed and election day registrations processed
• the process the process procedure<01:44:07.920> uh<01:44:08.119> type<01:44:08.400

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• nurse<00:48:20.800> midwives, process for certified nurse midwives, process for certified
• allowing that process to go forward. allowing that process to go forward.
• <01:06:11.359> for we we have established processes for we we have established processes for
• . confirming. confirming.
• Um but I would um confirm that for sure.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• the beginning of the last legislative session, leaving the legislature with insufficient time to confirm
• Confirming residence to the Western New Mexico; 7.
• Setting forth the appointment process for Commission members.
• The four Senate committees that are going to hear the three bills plus the confirmation...
• Confirmation first, and then the three Senate bills.

Transcript Highlights:

• I gave direction to our staff at the start of that process.
• the process there.
• , Very similar to the RCO process.
• Obviously, this committee last spring went to the approval process, the confirmation process.
• Last spring went to the approval process, the confirmation process, for three commissioners appointed

Summary: The Senate Agriculture and Natural Resources Committee held a work session with an update from the Department of Natural Resources (DNR). Commissioner Dave Upthe Grove outlined DNR’s size and scope, previewed agency-request legislation, and emphasized budget priorities. He said DNR will seek authority to sell ecosystem service credits, better use underutilized water rights with tribal consultation, add a tribal representative to the State Board of Natural Resources, make minor timber-sales efficiencies, and include wildland firefighters in the LEOFF pension system. He also urged restoration of wildfire prevention and preparedness funding, warning that reduced funding would mean fewer firefighters, less forest health work, and less support for rural fire districts. He noted DNR’s wildfire suppression costs are rising and argued prevention spending can reduce larger, more expensive fires. State Forester George Geisler followed with a detailed wildfire season review. He said Washington now responds to fires year-round and also assists other states, including Texas. He described DNR’s use of 31 aircraft, 691 firefighters, and corrections-based crews, and said the agency’s success rate for keeping fires under 10 acres improved slightly from 93.7% to 94.1%. He highlighted increased arson activity, especially around Spokane, and described the Crescent Road Fire as an example of early detection, rapid response, and the use of bulldozers, aircraft, and hand crews to contain a fire to 182 acres with no structure losses. Senator Saldan praised the emphasis on prevention and the use of bulldozers as cost-effective tools. Assistant deputy supervisor Dwayne Emmons then reviewed the trust land transfer program, which was codified in statute in 2023 after being funded through the capital budget for decades. He said more than 130,000 acres of underperforming trust land have been transferred since the 1990s to other public or tribal entities for more appropriate use, while DNR acquires replacement lands to keep the trust whole. He described the current application and ranking process, including tribal input, and said DNR is requesting funding for remaining parcels from the last round, including portions of Tract C, Babcock Bench, and Middle Fork Snoqualmie. In questions, Senator Wagoner raised concerns about DNR’s decision to remove some acres from timber harvest rotation and its impact on local revenue and mills; the commissioner responded that current five-year harvest plans provide short-term stability and that any changes would be explored through the Board of Natural Resources process, not through immediate reductions in supply. The committee then received a history briefing from staff member Jeff Olson on the Washington Fish and Wildlife Commission and agency structure. He traced the evolution from early fish and game commissioners to the current commission-appointed director model adopted by voter-approved Referendum 45 in 1995. Olson explained the commission’s statutory duties, membership requirements, and how Washington compares with other states. Chair Chapman said he had no plans to hear a bill this session changing the commission’s makeup, but he expressed personal interest in exploring reforms, accountability, and possibly a future broader coalition or referendum process. No votes were taken; the meeting was informational only, and the chair adjourned the session with holiday and New Year’s wishes.

Transcript Highlights:

• They don't have a voice in this process.
• The board appreciates the committee's careful review during the sunset process.
• So the bill is not, the process is not duplicative, because it's a completely different process.
• From our perspective, as the process and methodology of the FCC, again, the process and the methodology
• say overly burdensome process.

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• It is faster, it's cheaper, but due process.
• But it's a due process.
• That means testing slows down the process.
• This is within, this is providing due process to the people that don't know that they have due process
• The due process is the hallmark of our country, and so we should uphold that due process by saying those

Bills: HB303

Keywords: jail standards, living conditions, Harris County jail, safety, inmate welfare