Transcript Highlights:

• Our ex officios include Senator Conway, Senator Holy, Representative Kloba, and Representative Waters
• The RCW in the Gambling Act does authorize our ex officio members to vote on proposed tribal-state compact
• And we then will have this before a public meeting of the commissioners and ex officio members on August
• But at that time, the commissioners and ex officio members will take public comment and vote then on
• He was part of the start of the fight for federal acknowledgment for the Cowlitz people.

Summary: A joint hearing of the Senate Business, Trade and Economic Development Committee and the House State Government and Tribal Relations Committee reviewed tentative tribal-state compact amendments involving the Tulalip Tribes and the Cowlitz Indian Tribe. Washington State Gambling Commission staff explained the compact approval process under IGRA and said the commission and ex officio legislators would take public comment and vote at an August 28 special meeting on whether to forward the agreements to the governor or send them back for further negotiation. The amendments would not take effect until published in the Federal Register. Tulalip Chairman Hazen Chappell testified in support of the Tulalip restated compact, describing tribal gaming as a governmental enterprise that funds health care, education, housing, elder services, public safety, natural resources, and other services. He said the tribe has employed more than 3,000 people, contributed over $113 million to charities and community programs since 1993, and continues to emphasize responsible gaming and regulatory cooperation. Commission staff said the Tulalip restatement consolidates 12 prior amendments, updates appendices and definitions, adds new appendices, removes some older provisions, and includes higher wager limits, jackpot sharing, and an option to increase player terminal allocations. Cowlitz Chairman William Ayala and Ilani Casino President Kara Fox LaRose presented the tribe’s sixth compact amendment. They highlighted the tribe’s history, community investments, education and elder programs, language revitalization, public safety support, and more than $35 million in foundation contributions since 2017. The proposed Cowlitz amendment would raise wager limits up to $1,000, create a special higher-limit player process with due diligence and responsible gaming safeguards, enhance signage and marketing requirements, allow temporary gaming areas, and adjust TLS ticket pricing when the state lottery raises ticket prices. Committee members asked about self-exclusion and credit practices; Cowlitz officials said hundreds of people have used the self-exclusion program and that higher-limit play is tied to front money or a $100,000 minimum credit line. No votes were taken at the hearing.

Transcript Highlights:

• We have four ex officio members that also will be participating in the vote of this compact amendment
• We have Senator Conway, Senator Holy, Representative Kloba, and Representative Waters that are ex officio
• And then at 9:30 this morning, the commissioners, as well as the ex officio members, will have a As well
• And the compact is a part of that as well, so we'll work alongside...
• And the compact is a part of that as well, so we'll work alongside...

Summary: The State Government and Tribal Relations Committee held a public hearing on July 10 at 8:30 a.m. on a proposed amendment to the Lummi Nation’s tribal-state gaming compact. Washington State Gambling Commission Director Tina Griffin and Tribal Relations Advisor Johnny Bray outlined the compact process under the Indian Gaming Regulatory Act and explained that the amendment had reached tentative agreement after negotiations with the Lummi Nation. Lummi Vice Chair Terence Adams and Councilperson Vindeen Washington described the amendment as the tribe’s sixth compact amendment and said it would expand gaming opportunities while supporting tribal governmental services, infrastructure, and jobs. The main changes discussed were authorization for electronic table games, extension of credit to customers, higher wagering limits, and the possibility of a second gaming facility. Committee members asked several questions about how credit limits would be set, how electronic table games work, whether online gaming was included, and how the systems would be tested and monitored. Witnesses said online gaming is not authorized by this amendment, that electronic table games must be certified by an independent lab and tested under state-tribal procedures, and that higher-limit tables could go up to $5,000 with no more than 25% of tables at those limits. Lummi representatives said credit policies would be developed responsibly after approval and that the tribe already uses strong internal controls. The Gambling Commission said seven tribes currently operate electronic table games and 13 tribes have adopted the limitations appendix related to credit and wager limits. The hearing was informational and part of the required public review before the commission’s later vote that morning on whether to forward the amendment to the governor or send it back for further negotiations. No vote was taken by the committee during this hearing, and the chair closed the meeting after thanking the presenters.

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:48:26.240><c> of</c> speakers shall be ex official members of speakers shall be ex official members
• In part, we have Article 12 with Hawaiian Affairs.
• </c> have the Constitution to uphold in part have the Constitution to uphold in part we<01:00:45.920>
• </c> be installed and some of the other parts be installed and some of the other parts of<01:00:56.839
• </c> years ago that I was invited to be part years ago that I was invited to be part of<01:11:04.400>

Keywords: 910, house, all

Summary: The House convened, completed roll call with 48 members present and three excused, deferred reading of the journal, and received Senate communications noting adoption of House Concurrent Resolutions Nos. 1 and 2. The chamber also recognized several visiting groups and guests, including Congresswoman Jill Tuda, Chamber of Commerce Hawaii participants and students, Okinawan visitors, Farrington High School students, James Campbell High School students, and Waiau High School students, many of whom were introduced in connection with Chamber Week activities and educational presentations. The main business was unfinished business on House Resolutions 6 and 7, which adopted the House rules for the 33rd Legislature, including rules for the Committee on Standards of Conduct. Members generally supported the rules package as a transparency and modernization update, citing earlier public access to testimony, a public list of Speaker appointees, changes to conference committee eligibility, telework for staff, social media guidance, and a public list of bills introduced by request. Several members raised reservations or opposition, focusing on concerns about staff involvement in approving written remarks, budget information timing, the Vice Speaker’s role, social media/free speech issues, and whether some changes reduced public access or conflicted with constitutional open-meeting requirements. No vote on the rules package is recorded in the excerpt. The debate ended with multiple members yielding time and the discussion continuing on the merits of the proposed rule changes, especially the balance between transparency, internal House procedure, and public participation.

Transcript Highlights:

• As a regulator and as a lawyer, I am bound by ex parte laws, which mean I cannot have conversations with
• The ex parte requirement for you is appropriate because the challenge in many cases is in regulating
• That is because with that ex parte rule, I only look at the papers that are in front of us.
• That is because with that ex parte rule, I only look at the papers that are in front of us.
• parte rule, I'm not saying, ...any senator calls that you will, whether it's an ex parte rule, I'm not

Summary: The Senate Committee on Nominations met with a quorum and first took up pending nominations from an earlier agenda. Members severed Douglas McReecken, nominated to the Texas Tech University System Board of Regents, from the rest of the list and then voted to report the remaining nominees to the full Senate by a 7-0 vote. The committee then voted on the severed nomination itself and reported Douglas McReecken to the full Senate as well, by a 5-2 vote. The committee heard testimony from Brooke Pop, reappointed as chair of the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality, and later from Commissioner Katarina Gonzalez, also of TCEQ. Questions focused on whether TCEQ rules comply with state law, ex parte restrictions, public transparency, concrete batch plant permitting, MUD approvals, water availability, illegal dams, enforcement, and the agency’s role in local environmental disputes. Both nominees said they follow the law as written, described internal legal review of rules, and emphasized transparency, public outreach, and enforcement; Gonzalez said she had already sent back two rules she believed did not comply with legislation. Members also discussed TCEQ’s authority limits and the need for clearer public communication about what the agency can and cannot regulate. The committee also considered Alethea Sullivan, nominated to the Texas Southern University Board of Regents. Questions centered on TSU’s status as an independent institution, the role of HBCUs amid DEI-related legal changes, and student outcomes. Sullivan said she would focus on ensuring taxpayer and student resources produce valuable credentials and noted concerns from her review of graduation and bar passage rates. The committee then heard from Benjamin Barkley, appointed chief executive and public counsel of the Office of Public Utility Counsel. Barkley said OPUC’s main need is additional funding to recruit and retain attorneys and expert witnesses, reduce turnover, and continue representing residential and small commercial consumers in utility rate cases; he said the office was involved in 73 contested cases and saved Texans $2.2 billion in FY 2024. No final action was taken on the later nominees, and the committee recessed with nominations left pending.

Transcript Highlights:

• Okay, and what is the second part? What damages are the damages?
• more of an issue, ...part of our current situation, and I foresee being more of an issue.
• Our concern is that this is part of something bigger.
• his ex-wife access abortion pills.
• Thank you. his ex-wife access abortion pills.

Summary: The Judiciary Committee took up two bills. SB 98, by Senator Harrell, would let self-storage facilities advertise lien sales either in a newspaper or on a qualifying website, while keeping other notice requirements in place and updating contact information provisions. Supporters, including the Florida Press Association and several newspaper/storage owners, argued print and digital newspaper notices already provide broad public notice and that the bill could reduce notice effectiveness; the sponsor said the bill is an optional modernization and does not affect government notices. After debate, the committee voted 8-1 to report SB 98 favorably. The committee then heard SB 164, by Senator Grall, which expands Florida’s Wrongful Death Act to allow parents to recover civil damages for the death of an unborn child at any stage of development, with carve-outs for the mother and lawful medical care. The sponsor said the bill aligns civil law with Florida’s criminal protections for unborn children and gives families a remedy where current law may not. Opponents, including the ACLU of Florida, health care workers, and others, warned it could invite lawsuits against doctors, hospitals, friends, family members, and people involved in abortion access, and could worsen OB-GYN shortages and deter care. Supporters said it recognizes unborn life and should be treated consistently with existing wrongful death law. The committee approved SB 164 on a 4-3 vote and then adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• Ex officio Campbell, here. McCorm is present, Madam Chair. Thank you, Zoe.
• My dad was part of a lawsuit many, many years ago in Alabama.
• I can tell you in my community, and I'm part of Sarasota, part of Charlotte County, it is the conversations
• I might agree with one or two parts of your bill, but there are some parts I don’t.
• Ex officio Campbell. Yes. Chair Koster. 15 yeas, zero nays, Madam Chair. Ex officio Campbell. Yes.

Summary: The subcommittee first took up HB 339, which would create liability for vaccine manufacturers that advertise in Florida and require them to stand behind their products if consumers are harmed. The sponsor argued the bill is meant to restore trust in vaccines, improve informed consent, and address inadequate federal vaccine-injury compensation systems; he said he was open to amendments and noted the bill was modeled on Texas law. Opponents, including a former vaccine-court official, a Florida Justice Reform Institute representative, and a physician, argued the bill is preempted by federal law, raises First Amendment concerns, is vague, and is unnecessary because existing federal compensation programs already provide a remedy. After an amendment delaying the effective date by three months was adopted, the committee heard extensive public testimony, mostly opposed, and then approved HB 339 as amended by a 12-4 vote. The committee then began HB 1001, a strike-all on official actions of local governments that would bar counties and municipalities from official DEI-related actions and spending, define DEI and related terms, add enforcement provisions, and include broad exceptions for holidays, observances, and certain content-neutral civic events. The sponsor said the measure is intended to curb what he described as divisive and wasteful DEI activity in local government while preserving compliance with anti-discrimination laws and other listed exceptions. Members questioned the lack of definitions for terms like “preferential treatment” and the bill’s possible effects on local festivals, language-access services, Pride events, memorials, and community programs; the sponsor said some concerns were addressed by exceptions and that he was open to further changes. Public testimony was overwhelmingly opposed, with speakers warning of overbreadth, preemption, frivolous lawsuits, harm to local autonomy, and impacts on marginalized communities, while supporters said the bill would restore neutrality, accountability, and merit-based governance. The amendment to HB 1001 was adopted, and the committee continued hearing testimony and debate on the bill as amended.

Transcript Highlights:

• parte relief.
• So someone in the judicial system would review that petition and decide what, if any, ex parte order
• It's called ex parte.
• When it's ex parte, that means that judge, because the clerk's office will file it, take it to either
• If they sign this ex parte order, this is only a temporary restraining order.

Bills: HR245, SCR30, SCR40, SB259

Keywords: transparency, justice, Epstein, Maxwell, investigation, human trafficking, government accountability, domestic violence, protective orders, online application, judicial administration, Louisiana, 965, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• So tourism is vital, part of Arizona's economic development.
• is what it's called, where they're using those types of things to continue to abuse their soon-to-be ex-partner
• or ex-spouse. ...where they're using those types of things to continue to abuse their soon-to-be ex-partner
• or ex-spouse.
• Because part of this, this is not just about, I mean, it's mainly about keeping kids safe and taking

Summary: The meeting covered seven Senate-amended House bills on the caucus agenda. HB 248 was described as changing prior language about private process servers and, in the Senate strike-everything version, prohibiting more restrictive utilization controls for FDA-approved non-opioid pain medications than those applied to opioid or narcotic drugs, with a repeal date of September 1, 2028. HB 2265 would continue limiting certain court fees charged to criminal defendants, though the Senate removed the provision barring courts from creating new fees without express legislative authorization. HB 2404 would require authorized transporters for certain mental health transports; the sponsor explained the Senate changes delay implementation until 2030 and preserve officer involvement when safety concerns exist. HB 2611 would strengthen DCS group foster home safety rules, including drug screening consequences for employees and additional security standards, with the sponsor emphasizing child safety and accountability. HB 2950 would authorize tourism improvement areas and lodging assessments, with the Senate shifting assessment approval to the governing body and removing some new-business assessment requirements. HB 2986 made multiple ADEQ-related changes, including replacing the recycling fund with the solid waste fee fund and expanding its uses. HB 2995 revised child custody and domestic violence standards to make domestic violence a dominant factor in custody decisions, with Senate amendments adjusting findings, evidence standards, burdens of proof, and adding an emergency clause. Most bills were met with sponsor concurrence and no recorded opposition. HB 2404 drew questions about whether peace officers would still be involved in transports; the sponsor clarified officers would still handle the initial pickup and could be recalled if the person remained high risk or aggressive. HB 2611 was supported as a child-protection measure based partly on recommendations from youth in group homes. HB 2950 was described as a private, opt-in tourism financing tool that would cost taxpayers nothing. HB 2986 was noted as having passed the Senate unanimously. HB 2995 generated the most discussion. Supporters said it addresses coercive control and financial abuse in domestic violence cases and was developed through a lengthy stakeholder process, including court input, to better protect children and families. One member objected that the bill’s wording could sweep in ordinary marital conduct, such as managing finances, making demeaning remarks, or threatening to call police or file for divorce, and urged an amendment to narrow the language. Supporters responded that the bill is aimed at coercive control in custody disputes, that the emergency clause reflects immediate need, and that fixes could be revisited later. The caucus ended with a reminder about a second caucus after floor for the budget bill.

Transcript Highlights:

• This is not part of any NASA legislation.
• This is not 87 part of any NASA legislation.
• I'm any changes involving 88 part of any NASA legislation.
• Is there another part of this that we need to be addressing?
• Are they not doing their part? Is there a better direction?

Summary: The Economic Infrastructure Subcommittee met to consider several bills, beginning with HB 335 by Representative Kendall, which sought to recognize space as a fifth mode of transportation, give voting rights to ex officio Space Florida board members, and reduce what the sponsor described as unnecessary state oversight of spaceport operations. The bill was presented as a response to feedback from NASA, Space Force, and other federal partners about clarifying the state’s role at federally owned facilities like Kennedy Space Center. Members raised questions about terminology, authority over federal property, and the role of Space Florida; the sponsor said an amendment would remove the voting-rights provision and instead require spaceports to provide an annual list of shovel-ready projects. The amendment was adopted, and HB 335 passed favorably. The committee then unanimously passed HB 885, which designates a road in Baker County near the courthouse in honor of former Representative and Judge John Cruz, and HB 403, which names a portion of the road leading into NAS Pensacola as Warriors Way to honor the sailors killed in the 2019 Pensacola attack and the broader naval community there. Both bills drew brief supportive remarks and no opposition. The committee also considered HB 25, a bridge designation for Coach Wilks, a longtime local basketball coach, and adopted a Senate amendment adding the Dickey Betts Memorial Highway designation on U.S. 41 in Sarasota County. HB 25, as amended, passed unanimously. The meeting concluded with adjournment after all measures on the agenda were reported favorably.

Transcript Highlights:

• Representative Eskamani, as ex officio, and a quorum is present. Thank you.
• Thank you so much, Sharon, and great to be here as ex officio as well.
• Or they may have to do a stopgap or stop out for life, or are part-time, or they need that longer runway
• Thanks for the opportunity to be ex officio.
• Ex-officio representative Eskamani? No. By your vote, the bill passes.

Transcript Highlights:

• Representative Gottlieb has been appointed to serve as ex officio member for this committee.
• I want to move to the part of the amendment that deals with seaports. This is on line 24. Rep.
• Ex Officio Gottlieb: Yes. Chair Botana: Yes. Clerk: 15 yea, one nay.
• Tendrich: [Inaudible] Ex Officio Gottlieb: Yes. Chair Botana: Yes. Clerk: 16 yea, zero nay.
• Ex Officio Gottlieb: Yes. Chair Botana: Yes. Clerk: 16 yea, zero nay.

Transcript Highlights:

• Our ex officio members include Senator Conway, Senator Holy, Representative Kloba, and Representative
• Waters, and we, the ex officio members, will be voting on the compact.
• Representative Kloba and Representative Waters, and we, the ex officio members, will be voting on the
• So as a part of that, they... ...restated compact.
• To make use of these flex or high-limit rooms requires screening on the part of the tribe.

Keywords: 904, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Aloha, my name is Angelina Wo, and I am a part of the Hawaii Youth Food Council.
• </c><00:31:22.279><c> of</c> would allow for the different parts of would allow for the different parts
• </c><00:44:27.240><c> the</c><00:44:27.359><c> data</c> is part the data is part the data sharing<00:
• We'll be sure to have the community's voice as part of the process.
• of the decision-making and to be part of the decision-making and to be part<01:21:25.239><c> of</c><

Keywords: 910, house, all

Summary: The committee on Economic Development and Technology heard testimony on several measures, with most witnesses either supporting the bills or offering technical concerns and suggested amendments. On SB 338, testimony came from the Department of Taxation, Tax Foundation of Hawaii, and Surpac, and the bill later moved forward with amendments. On SB 558, testimony was largely in support from the Department of Agriculture, Ulupono Initiative, Local Food Coalition, Hawaii Food Industry Association, Hawaii Farm Bureau, and the Agribusiness Development Corporation, which described the measure as supporting rural jobs, food-system development, and use of off-grade agricultural products. ADC requested flexibility for neighbor-island siting and funding allocations, while the committee also discussed whether the bill’s language should be made more general and whether it could raise constitutional concerns about overly specific site designations. The bill was advanced with amendments and a noted appropriation allocation of $350,000. The committee also heard SB 186, which drew support from the Office of Planning and Sustainable Development, Department of Agriculture, Ulupono Initiative, Hawaii Food Industry Association, Hawaii Farm Bureau, Hawaii Public Health Institute, DED, ADC, AAHU RC&D, and the Hawaii Youth Food Council. Supporters said the measure would improve coordination among agencies on food systems, help address food security and the state’s 30% by 2030 farm-to-school goal, and create a more organized statewide food systems effort. SB 328 received support from the Department of Taxation and Hawaii Farm Bureau, with Farm Bureau describing it as a way to repurpose existing dairy infrastructure to revive hog production and support livestock and farm-to-school goals; the Tax Foundation of Hawaii opposed the measure as a potentially narrow industry incentive that could unfairly benefit a specific taxpayer and said a direct appropriation would be more transparent. SB 89 was described by Hawaii Farm Bureau as a labeling measure intended to protect the integrity of a culturally relevant local product, though the group raised concerns about wording and implementation timing. Later, SB 742 received support from the Department of Labor and Industrial Relations, the Office of Wellness and Resilience, the Executive Office on Early Learning, the University of Hawaii System, Hawaii KidsCAN, the Hawaii Workforce Funders Collaborative, and the State Commission on the Status of Women. Testifiers said the bill would improve cross-agency data sharing, support workforce and education planning, and create public-facing dashboards; the Commission on the Status of Women asked to be included in the working group or as an advisory member. In decision-making, the committee adopted amendments and advanced SB 338, SB 558, and SB 1186. For SB 1186, the chair’s recommendation added three positions, specified committee-note funding amounts for those positions and operating funds, and revised working-group membership to have co-chairs appoint five members with relevant experience and expertise.

Transcript Highlights:

• In accordance with Rule 7.7, Pro Tem Duggan has been appointed to serve as our ex officio voting member
• Ex Officio Duggan. Chair Chaney. Clerk: 15 yes, zero no.
• Ex Officio Duggan. Chair Chaney. Fifteen yes, zero no.
• Ex Officio Duggan. Chair Chaney. Chair Chaney: Yes. Clerk: 15 yes, zero no.
• Clerk: Ex Officio Duggan. Rep. Duggan: Yes. Clerk: Chair Chaney. Clerk: 15 yes, zero no.

Transcript Highlights:

• These costumes are not incidental. ...as part of immigration-related detention and demonstrations.
• I'm not speaking to the other parts of the bill, just because that's our area of biggest concern.
• I'm not speaking to the other parts of the bill, just because that's our area of biggest concern.
• In my case, my ex-husband has repeatedly attempted to obtain my protected address.
• They are having ex parte communication with judges, and lawyers being appointed individually due to the

Summary: The committee first heard HB 2931, which continues the Arizona Civil Rights Advisory Board for eight years. The sponsor and a Civil Rights Division representative testified that the board helps examine civil rights issues and supports transparency and justice. The bill received a due pass recommendation on a 5-3 vote. The committee then considered HB 2862, a strike-everything amendment creating a sentencing enhancement for crimes committed while wearing a mask to conceal identity, narrowed by amendment to Title 13 offenses. Opponents, including CAIR Arizona and the ACLU, argued it could burden religious expression and protest activity, while supporters said it targets criminal concealment and improves accountability. The committee adopted the striker and amendment and gave the bill as amended a due pass recommendation by a 7-2 vote. HB 4042 followed, requiring a potential father in a paternity action to serve the mother to avoid waiving certain rights and allowing failure to do so to support termination of the parent-child relationship. An adoption attorney said the change would close a loophole and align termination law with adoption statutes. The bill passed unanimously with a due pass recommendation. The committee also heard HB 4136, creating unlawful entry into a residence where a vulnerable adult lives as a felony, with an amendment removing immediate-arrest language and other provisions. The sponsor described a case involving repeated harassment of a vulnerable adult, while opponents said existing trespass, burglary, and aggravating-factor laws already cover the conduct. The amended bill received a due pass recommendation on a 6-3 vote.

Transcript Highlights:

• But I guess are you just in case we get lucky and there's still a way to do this ex parte or at least
• You know, I think the worry that I would have is that it may reduce our ability to do wholesale ex parte
• parte process.
• We need to leverage data and use that by itself to do an ex parte process.
• That is absolutely part of our plan.

Keywords: 962, all

Summary: The Care Management Committee met to receive a status update on the DSS/CHN PCMH program and to discuss implementation of HR1, especially the new medical frailty requirements. CHN reported the PCMH program remained steady at 124 practices and 553 sites, with 54.6% of the HUSKY population attributed to PCMH providers, and noted ongoing recruitment, provider turnover, and recent practice consolidations/acquisitions that will shift some sites to Yale and Hartford HealthCare. CHN also reported strong quality improvement engagement for 2026, with 83% of contacted PCMHs engaged, and said preliminary 2025 results showed improvement across measures. The bulk of the meeting focused on DSS’s response to the June 1 CMS interim final rule on HR1. DSS explained that it had been building a medical frailty definition based on diagnosis codes and comparisons with other states’ approaches, but the new federal rule adds a requirement that the condition significantly impair a person’s ability to work or comply with community engagement requirements. DSS said it is still evaluating how to combine claims-based data with the new federal overlay, may submit comments to CMS during the open comment period through July 31, and is considering options such as self-attestation, especially given CMS’s allowance of self-attestation for calendar year 2027. Committee members raised concerns about the rule’s complexity, possible legal challenges, the need for a good-faith waiver or implementation delay, and the risk of noncompliance if the state gets the process wrong. Members also pressed DSS for broader outreach, clearer public communication, training, and better reporting on implementation impacts and costs. DSS said it is developing a website, webinars, and a communications plan, and is working with community-based organizations, community health workers, and administrative services organizations to reach potentially affected members. DSS said it is also building a Medicaid pre-screener to help people determine whether they may be subject to work requirements. In the PCMH Plus discussion, DSS said it was not yet ready to present the 2024 quality data but would try to bring the Wave 3, Year 5 results and related quality/shared savings information to the July 8 meeting, along with the regular PCMH update and another HR1 update. The committee also discussed future agenda items including community health worker reimbursement, peer support services, and the inmate medical program.

Transcript Highlights:

• Leader Driscoll Haskell as an ex-officio? Here.
• I would like to welcome Leader Driscoll as our ex-officio.
• Ex-officio member today to our committee.
• Next up, Ex Officio Driscoll. Thank you, Mr. Chair. Good afternoon, Reps.
• Ex officio. Driscoll, you're up. Thank you, Mr. Chair.

Transcript Highlights:

• This is a two-part question.
• A big part of the HEAL Act is understanding environmental harms or hazards.
• of the legislative process, is part of the...
• Because it is our understanding that is part of the legislative process, is part of the EJ process.
• As the ex officio? Okay, great. So you do have representation on that board. Fantastic.

Summary: The House Agriculture and Natural Resources Committee held a work session on HEAL Act implementation, beginning with an orientation from Environmental Justice Council member David Mendoza. He described the law’s purpose as integrating environmental justice into agency decision-making, community engagement, tribal consultation, strategic planning, and environmental justice assessments, with the goal of reducing environmental health disparities and improving accountability to communities and tribes. He also discussed the council’s role, the interagency work group, challenges with limited volunteer and agency capacity, and concerns about inconsistent assessment formats and future funding pressures. Committee members asked about council composition, including the balance of tribal, community, business, and other representation, whether the HEAL Act increases permitting time or costs, how “overburdened” and “vulnerable” populations are defined, and whether the council should be refreshed or audited. Mendoza said the statute is not limited to racial categories and can include rural and low-income communities, that the council has not quantified permitting delays, and that there is no formal audit requirement, though the council is discussing how to improve its work. Members also raised questions about the relationship between the Environmental Justice Council and the Office of Equity, with Mendoza saying the bodies are complementary but should coordinate more closely. The Department of Agriculture then reported on its HEAL Act work. Director of Equity and Environmental Justice Nicole Johnson said WSDA conducts environmental justice assessments for significant actions, applies an equity lens to licensing, funding, rulemaking, and strategic planning, and has completed 11 EJ assessments to date. She highlighted pesticide regulation, animal health, and weights-and-measures work as examples of environmental and economic justice, and said the department recently hired a full-time tribal consultant and has only 1.5 FTE supporting HEAL implementation. Members asked whether WSDA’s assessments apply to its role on boards such as the Forest Practices Board; Johnson said the department’s current understanding is that assessments are conducted on agency work. The Department of Natural Resources then presented on its HEAL Act implementation, focusing on strategic planning, community engagement, tribal consultation, environmental justice assessments, and equitable funding. DNR officials said environmental justice is being embedded in the agency’s 2025-2029 strategic plan, in its Community Access and Impact Plan, and in its advisory committee and board representation efforts. They reported conducting EJ assessments for sustainable harvest calculations, agency request legislation, and a prescribed burn manager certificate program, and said DNR has invested about $130 million in overburdened communities and vulnerable populations in fiscal year 2025 through wildfire resilience, youth education, and urban forestry programs. Committee members pressed DNR on how it identifies impacted communities, why landowners were not more visible in the process, how agency-request legislation is being assessed, and whether assessments are required for actions taken through other boards and commissions. DNR said its current interpretation is that assessments apply to internal agency actions, that some notices may appear on OFM’s notices page rather than the completed-assessments dashboard, and that it would follow up on specific questions about its posted assessments and process.

Transcript Highlights:

• . >> Ex Officio Hart: HERE. >> A QUORUM IS PRESENT MR.
• : WE ARE ALWAYS HONORED TO HAVE AN EX OFFICIO. >> Ex Officio Hart: YOU SAID WE WOULD BE ABLE TO GET A
• YES MA'AM, YOU ARE RECOGNIZED FOR A FOLLOW-UP. >> Ex Officio Hart: THANK YOU MR. CHAIR.
• >> Ex Officio Hart: LINE NUMBER 65. I THINK YOU ALL MOVED IT.
• WELL, REPRESENTATIVE HART. >> Ex Officio Hart: I AM SORRY.

Transcript Highlights:

• of the United States... ...religious laws around the world and in certain parts of the United States
• So the parts of the bill I'm hoping you can help me with specifically deal with arbitration decisions
• And I think we— The only exemption that was given was an amendment that was related to a part in the
• And I think we— The only exemption that was given was an amendment that was related to a part in the
• And I'm thinking also of potential victims of stalking, where I'm sure if somebody's ex, they know...

Keywords: 959, house, all

Summary: The Committee on Government Efficiency first established quorum and then went into executive session, where it voted House Bill 2809 do pass by a vote of 11 ayes, 0 noes, and 2 present. After that, the committee heard Senate Bills 977 and 1011, sponsored by Senator Nick Schroer. The bills were described as a restatement of the supremacy clause, barring foreign laws, foreign treaties, and certain foreign or religious legal systems from superseding the U.S. Constitution, the Missouri Constitution, or state law, except in limited circumstances such as voluntary business agreements and certain Hague-related matters. The sponsor and several members argued the bills were needed to protect fundamental rights and prevent courts or local officials from relying on outside legal systems; concerns were raised about private arbitration, family law, and whether the bills could affect custody or contract disputes. A witness from Liberty Link Missouri testified in support, saying the law should be restated even if unnecessary. No vote was taken on the Senate bills in the transcript. The committee then heard House Bill 2589, which would require only a rear license plate on vehicles. Representative Mike Jones said the change would simplify the law and save money for the state and drivers. Supportive members cited cost savings, the fact that many other states use only one plate, and the burden of drilling front-plate holes into vehicles. Some members asked about law enforcement concerns, including vehicle identification, camera enforcement, and stalking victims, and one member noted that highway patrol had opposed a similar proposal previously. The sponsor said he was open to reasonable exceptions, such as for vehicles for hire, but the hearing ended without a vote. No opposition witnesses appeared for either bill.