Transcript Highlights:

• Those are part of what we're training for at our union hall and training center. St.
• Center St Paul pip Fitters Local 455 had Center St Paul pip Fitters Local 455 had the<00:23:54.120><c
• power plant for a nuclear conventional power plant for a nuclear power<00:26:31.240><c> plant</c><00
• We are entering a time of rapid load growth driven by data centers, EVs, and a desire to electrify the
• We are entering a time of rapid load growth driven by data centers, EVs, and a desire to electrify the

Committee: House Energy Finance and Policy

Transcript Highlights:

• . ...Center for Responsible Lending and strong support.
• Earlier this year, we released a report on the growth of data centers and how the data centers should
• First, make sure that the financial burden of data centers falls on the centers, not on ratepayers.
• Earlier this year, we released a report on the growth of data centers and how the data centers should
• First, make sure that the financial burden of data centers falls on the centers, not on ratepayers.

Summary: The committee heard a long agenda of bills, with members repeatedly noting that votes would likely be held later because a quorum was not yet present. Early measures included AB 2393, which would create fixed statutory damages for false arrest or imprisonment claims involving aggravating conduct such as face coverings, restraints, forcible transport, or firearms; supporters said it would help victims obtain accountability, while no opposition appeared. AB 2050, the HOA reserve-funding bill, drew support from HOA and housing finance advocates who said underfunded reserves lead to special assessments and safety risks, while consumer groups warned of large cost increases; Senator Laird said he would move it when a quorum was available. AB 1564, making employee-union communications confidential in certain public-employment disputes, was supported by labor groups and opposed by counties, school administrators, and other local agencies who argued it would hinder investigations. AB 2231, a CEQA streamlining bill for two Sutter Health hospital projects, was backed by the author and health-care supporters but opposed by a construction trade group that said it would strip workers of wage-and-hour remedies. The committee also heard AB 2689, which would allow non-renewal of subsidized housing leases for over-income tenants under specified conditions; there was little testimony beyond the author’s presentation. AB 801 would require the Department of Financial Protection and Innovation to regularly examine lenders for fair lending compliance; supporters framed it as a response to federal retreat from consumer protection, while credit unions and bankers said they shared the goal but wanted more work on impacts to smaller institutions. AB 2721, as amended, would require hotels to post notice when they have actual knowledge of ICE or CBP reservations; hospitality workers and labor supporters said it would improve worker safety, while hotel industry groups said they were moving toward neutral after amendments, though some owners remained opposed. AB 2035 would create a narrow, court-supervised alternative vote threshold for a single HOA, Laguna Woods Village, to amend outdated CC&Rs; the author and HOA representatives said the change was needed because repeated elections had failed to reach quorum. Later bills included AB 1827, which would raise the small-claims limit for businesses from $6,250 to $15,000 and allow up to three filings per year; supporters said it would modernize access for small businesses, while the Judicial Council opposed it as likely to crowd calendars and shift small claims away from its intended purpose. AB 1577 would require data centers to report energy-use information to the Energy Commission and local agencies; supporters said better data is needed for grid planning, while one industry group remained opposed in print but encouraged by amendments. AB 2164 and AB 1854 both expanded California shield-law protections for reproductive and gender-affirming care providers and related entities against out-of-state legal actions and extradition requests; supporters said the bills were needed to protect providers and patients after Dobbs, while opponents argued they would shield harmful medical practices and interfere with parental rights and other states’ investigations. AB 2529 would require claims against public agencies to include a declaration that the contents are true and correct, and AB 2247 would create the Thrive Act to fund trauma-focused mental health services for youth affected by gun violence; both drew support from local agencies or survivors, with no significant opposition recorded in the excerpt. The final bill discussed, AB 1821, would change Public Records Act response timelines from calendar days to business days to address large, complex, or bad-faith requests; the author said it would better match agency work capacity while preserving access, and the hearing continued with testimony as the transcript ended.

Transcript Highlights:

• So back to Columbia Center Boulevard, this is just some of the economic drivers.
• If you're on the tour this morning, I mentioned the convention center we're sitting in now.
• There's improvements going on with Columbia Center Mall. Our mall actually does really well.
• I mentioned the convention center we're sitting in now.
• There's improvements going on with Columbia Center Mall. Our mall actually does really well.

Committee: Joint Joint Transportation Committee

Summary: The meeting began with introductions from members of the Joint Transportation Committee and a presentation from the Association of Washington Cities and the public works directors of Richland, Kennewick, Pasco, and West Richland. The cities described the Quad Cities region as one of the fastest-growing in the state and outlined shared transportation priorities that align with the committee’s focus on safety, multimodal access, climate resilience, and economic development. They emphasized Vision Zero efforts, complete streets, ADA accessibility, regional trail and bike/pedestrian planning, and coordinated long-range transportation and land-use planning to manage growth. The city officials also discussed major funding and delivery challenges, including rising construction costs, project phasing, pavement preservation, right-of-way acquisition, and delays caused by state and federal permitting and review processes. They highlighted regional cooperation through the Benton-Franklin Council of Governments, Good Roads, and local funding tools such as impact fees, transportation benefit districts, REET, tax increment financing, and state and federal grants. Specific projects discussed included Richland’s SR 240/Aaron Drive complete streets project and downtown connectivity work, Kennewick’s Columbia Center Boulevard improvements and rail study, Pasco’s Court/Road 68, Sylvester Street corridor, I-182 bridge/interchange work, and a new north-south bridge study, and West Richland’s SR 224 Red Mountain corridor project, which officials said was awarded under budget and is scheduled to begin construction. Committee members asked questions about sidewalk connections to schools, state-agency right-of-way timelines, apprenticeship utilization, contractor selection, and whether complete streets requirements add burdens to pavement preservation projects. The city officials said new development is generally meeting sidewalk standards, but older infill areas remain a gap; that state right-of-way transactions can take much longer than expected; that apprenticeship requirements are common but harder for smaller contractors and local labor markets; and that low-bid contracting leaves little room to screen for performance history. They also said complete streets requirements are usually manageable on major projects but can be difficult to absorb in smaller preservation work. The committee then shifted to a JTC-funded study on transit-oriented development, presented by Urban Institute researcher Yona Freemark. The study examined TOD conditions in 33 cities in Snohomish, King, Pierce, Clark, and Spokane counties near rail and bus rapid transit stations. Freemark said Washington’s housing affordability crisis is severe, especially near transit, and found that high-cost cities have seen more development near stations but also signs of gentrification and loss of affordable housing, while lower-cost cities have had less development and worsening affordability relative to income. He identified barriers including high debt costs, land costs, infrastructure costs, zoning and parking rules, and limited subsidies for affordable housing. He recommended more neighborhood infrastructure funding near stations, stronger affordable housing investment, and better use of public land, noting that HB 1491 and related legislation are already changing some local requirements.

Transcript Highlights:

• They're getting conventional x-rays. You're getting triage care.
• They're getting conventional x-rays. You're getting triage care.
• They're getting conventional x-rays. You're getting triage care.
• They're getting conventional x-rays. You're getting triage care.
• or or some kind of other uh uh centers or or some kind of other uh uh any<00:33:59.160><c> other</c>

Summary: The committee met in a special-called session of the Interim Joint Committee on Banking and Insurance and first took up three Department of Insurance regulations tied to House Bill 256, the Strengthen Kentucky Homes program: 806 KAR 22:00, 22:10, and 22:20. Commissioner Sharon Clark said the program would provide $5 million in grants to help homeowners strengthen roofs, with regulations covering eligibility and operations, contractors and evaluators, and reinspections in cases of suspected fraud. A committee substitute to 806 KAR 22:10 was explained as a technical correction to conform to the statutory preference for in-state contractors and evaluators. Representative Hampton moved and Representative Rudy seconded approval of the substitute, and it was adopted by voice vote; the amended regulations were then reviewed. Clark also said the grant money would be distributed statewide rather than targeted to storm-prone areas. The committee then heard an update from Commissioner Clark on mental health parity in response to questions from Representative Pollock. Clark said the department reviews insurer filings and conducts market conduct examinations, but does not have authority over provider reimbursement rates or to require providers to join insurer networks. She said complaints are investigated and, when needed, teams review claims and data on site to check compliance with parity requirements. No action was taken on that discussion. After approving the November 4 meeting minutes, the committee heard testimony on a proposed PIP reform package from Representative Josh Bray, the Kentucky Hospital Association, the Kentucky Justice Association, and State Farm. Supporters said the bill would apply the workers’ compensation fee schedule to most PIP medical claims, keep the $10,000 PIP limit in place while stretching benefits further, reduce balance billing, modernize benefit amounts, and address fraud and delayed billing. They noted hospitals would be exempt from the fee schedule, while hospital-based physical therapy would be included, and said the compromise reflected negotiations among stakeholders. Some members questioned whether exempting hospitals undercut the bill’s purpose and asked about possible rate effects; proponents said they had not done a rate analysis and that the bill could lead to more treatments within the existing PIP limit. No vote was taken on the PIP proposal during this meeting.

Transcript Highlights:

• If our legislators could make their way to the tables, and if our Membry's Medical Center can come up
• We made one loan to a small childcare center, a home-based childcare center in Las Cruces, and it worked
• Now create new centers.
• We have, for instance, already made a loan to a center in Tucumcari.
• We've made loans to child care centers through our commercial lending program.

Committee: House New Mexico Finance Authority Oversight Committee

Transcript Highlights:

• It has 90% fewer climate emissions than conventional jet fuel, coupled with its ability to scale and
• language is crucial to getting this ultra-low carbon SAF closer to market competitiveness with conventional
• It has 90% fewer climate emissions<00:32:02.440><c> than</c><00:32:02.600><c> conventional</c><00:32:
• 03.160><c> jet</c><00:32:03.400><c> fuel</c> emissions than conventional jet fuel emissions than conventional
• </c> with conventional oil-based jet fuel. with conventional oil-based jet fuel.

Committee: Senate Taxes

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> centered alternative that restores centered alternative that restores choice,<03:19:44.479><c> restores
• Let's conventional thought is before.
• was opened in Muslim community center was opened in Houston.
• </c><03:39:38.160><c> profit</c><03:39:38.640><c> centered</c> to have profit centering profit centered
• to have profit centering profit centered ways<03:39:39.920><c> to</c><03:39:41.040><c> create</c><03

Transcript Highlights:

• have to turn to national accrediting bodies, which often have burdensome requirements and are not centered
• I was previously a primary care doctor at Lummi Nation Health Center, a tribal clinic where I prescribed
• Senate Bill 5768 in 2023, which we strongly opposed, and places the Department of Corrections at the center
• like UW Medical Center in Harborview.
• At our Washington State Labor Council Convention in 2025, over 350 delegates voted unanimously to pass

Bills: SB5915 , SB5988 , SB6025 , SJM8002

Committee: House Health Care & Wellness

Keywords: SB 5915, health technology assessment, HTA, clinical committee, medical technology review, coverage determination, state-purchased health care, Washington health care, RCW, evidence-based medicine, cost-effectiveness, safety and efficacy, Medicare coverage, national coverage determination, clinical guidelines, patient advocacy, public comment, medical necessity, rare disease, life-threatening disease

Transcript Highlights:

• She stood on the side of the freeway doing chest compressions on a male patient at the center of the
• He was driving, swerved three lanes of traffic before hitting the center divider, ending up parallel
• Performing Arts Center stands on Washington Boulevard today, named after him in 2003. I met Mr.
• served as treasurer to Senator Chuck Schumer for over four decades and was a delegate at multiple conventions

Transcript Highlights:

• McGee, when you're ready, we'll start with LSU Health Science Center. Good morning, members.
• And then they also serve as a governing body for a Lallie Kemp Medical Center located in Independence
• I am Lisa Brule, the CEO at Lallie Kemp Medical Center, and I have Chad Thompson, our CFO, with me.
• The agency also houses two facilities: the Pinecrest Supports and Services Center in Pineville and the
• Central Louisiana Supports and Services Center in Alexandria.

Committee: House Appropriations

Transcript Highlights:

• There's obviously a lot of talk about data centers, pro and con.
• Do y'all distribute that directly to the centers, or does it go through the COGs?
• We do not partner with the centers directly; we partner with mostly councils of government.
• We oversee 38 state parks, 6 lodges, 7 golf courses, and 9 travel information centers.
• Also, we've leveraged that money again this year for the Heritage Center.

Committee: House A&B Natural Resources Subcommittee

Summary: The committee first heard a presentation from the Oklahoma Department of Commerce on its FY26 priorities, recent performance, and budget requests. Commerce said it had helped announce about 8,000 direct jobs and nearly $14 billion in investment year-to-date, while noting challenges such as tariffs, workforce recruitment, staffing/FTE management, and the condition of its 100-year-old office building. The agency highlighted projects and initiatives including a new Taiwan trade office, Route 66 Centennial planning, the National Main Street conference in Tulsa, Olympic-related coordination, census outreach, and continued improvements to its grants and CRM systems. Requested funding included $8.3 million for building repairs or relocation planning, census support, $300,000 for EDGE, $135,000 for IT/cybersecurity upgrades, $250,000 for the Taiwan office, and additional support for Head Start, senior nutrition, and the Strategic Air and Space Commission. Members asked about the meaning of the investment totals, the building condition, delays in senior nutrition distributions, and staffing vacancies; Commerce said the investment figures reflected formal company capital announcements, the building had significant facade and roof damage, delays were due to multiple contracting layers, and several open positions were expected to be filled soon. The Oklahoma Tourism and Recreation Department then presented its FY26 budget and goals. New director Amy Blackburn and special advisor Sterling Zearley said the department oversees 38 state parks, six lodges, seven golf courses, and nine travel information centers, and emphasized tourism’s economic importance. They reported savings from bringing marketing and tracking functions in-house and from shared services, but said the department faces more than $271 million in deferred maintenance needs, staffing shortages, and connectivity problems at parks. Their goals include increasing park visitation to 10.2 million, raising occupancy to 36%, and growing travel to Oklahoma, with major marketing tied to the Route 66 Centennial, America 250, the FIFA World Cup, the Olympics, and other events. The department also discussed a request to raise its purchasing exemption cap from $25,000 to $75,000, a possible TravelOK.com redesign, and efforts to improve restaurant operations at lodges through a new RFP structure. Members questioned the apportionment cap, the size and timing of deferred maintenance requests, park revenue, and the use of parking pass funds; tourism said annual park-related revenue is about $32 million to $34 million and parking pass revenue is about $2.5 million. Finally, the OSU Veterinary Medicine Authority presented its budget request and program updates. The authority said it supports the veterinary teaching hospital and related student training, and that its FY26 budget is entirely state-appropriated. It requested continued support for hospital operations, the large animal scholarship program, and a new $12.5 million annual payment tied to the $250 million Legacy Capital Fund authorization for the veterinary teaching hospital, along with additional funding to expand in-state enrollment. Officials said in-state enrollment had increased from 58 to 69 students after prior funding, with a goal of reaching 90 of 106 total seats, and that there were 195 in-state applicants this year. Members asked whether standards would be lowered; the authority said academic standards would not change and noted strong board-pass rates and retention outcomes. It also said accreditation concerns tied to faculty shortages and off-site teaching had been addressed by bringing students back to the main campus and improving staffing. The committee ended by thanking the presenters and announcing its next meeting date.

Transcript Highlights:

• business, and I'm familiar with people that are licensed to do this that actually travel, like to a convention
• People that are licensed to do this that actually travel, like to a convention or to a street, and so
• Madam Chair, my name is Riley Massey, for the New Mexico Center on Law and Poverty.
• a lot of money, and that money was going toward services, whether it was Meals on Wheels, senior centers
• You'd like to join us here in the center? Please introduce yourself, and you have two minutes.

Summary: The committee first heard Senate Bill 246, which would require licensure and inspections for massage therapy establishments. The sponsor and Regulation and Licensing Department said the bill is intended to close a gap in oversight, improve sanitation and public safety, and help address human trafficking and prostitution concerns. Supporters from the massage therapy profession and industry groups said establishment licensing would create accountability and protect legitimate practitioners, while AMTA took a neutral position but supported the rulemaking process. Several senators raised concerns about privacy, home-based businesses, and whether mobile or traveling therapists would be affected; the department said the bill would apply to establishments, not individual therapists, and that home inspections would be governed by rules. The committee voted 8-0 to give SB 246 a do pass recommendation. The committee then took up Senate Bill 300, an appropriation for CYFD computer hardware and software to improve compatibility with the national child welfare management system. The sponsor said the goal was to reduce delays and improve data sharing, especially in child welfare and ICWA-related cases. Members asked about the current system and how the funding would help, and the sponsor said the bill was aimed at better interoperability. The committee voted 8-0 to send SB 300 forward with a do pass recommendation. Finally, the committee considered Senate Bill 146, which would amend the New Mexico Civil Rights Act. The bill and committee substitute would align the legal standard more closely with federal deliberate indifference language, reduce damages caps, shorten the statute of limitations, require 90 days’ notice, and bar double recovery under both the Civil Rights Act and Tort Claims Act. Supporters, including county and city representatives, law enforcement, AFSCME, and risk management officials, argued the changes were needed to control rapidly rising claims costs and protect public budgets. Opponents from the ACLU, civil rights, poverty, immigrant, and LGBTQ advocacy groups said the bill would weaken accountability, reintroduce qualified immunity-like protections, and make it harder for people harmed by government actors to seek justice. After a failed motion to table and a 5-5 vote on the committee substitute, the bill remained in committee and did not advance.

Transcript Highlights:

• is all of the sources that are needed to put a financing transaction together with credits and conventional
• So the conventional market does come up into this capital equation that we have.
• That would be conventional financing, or if we had state resources, they would be used to fill that 30%

Summary: The Senate Committee on Director Nominations met to consider Ruby Dylan Williams for Director of the Arizona Department of Housing. Williams described her long career at the department, her work on operational improvements, housing development, manufactured housing, and efforts to expand supply, preserve existing housing, and improve transparency through data and technology. She also said she would work with the legislature, local governments, tribal nations, nonprofits, and private partners, and emphasized the department’s role in addressing housing affordability and homelessness across the housing continuum. Members questioned her about the department’s response to Auditor General findings, including fraud prevention, payment verification, site inspections, and oversight of grantees. Williams said the department had rewritten policies, retrained staff, added stronger controls, and implemented verbal verification steps for wire transfers after a fraud incident. Senators also pressed her on budget priorities, possible cuts, and her view of homelessness policy, with some members characterizing her approach as closer to shelter or transitional housing before permanent placement. Williams said interventions should be individualized and that the department works with local jurisdictions and service providers to match people with appropriate support. Public testimony was overwhelmingly supportive. Developers, housing industry representatives, and nonprofit partners praised Williams’ private-sector housing finance experience, her knowledge of LIHTC and the QAP process, and her leadership in making the agency more efficient and business-friendly. After debate, the committee voted 3-2 to recommend her confirmation to the full Senate. Two members voted no, citing concerns about her answers on fraud oversight, cost controls, and homelessness policy, while the majority supported advancing her nomination.

Transcript Highlights:

• , how the product is made, that is all calculated, and the baselines are established with your conventional
• Conventional materials, and then, you know, a certain minimum reduction.
• So for the production incentive, you have to have reduced at least 40% below conventional emissions.

Bills: HB253 , HB153 , HB255 , HB287 , HB371 , SB151 , HB8 , SB177

Committee: House House Appropriations & Finance

Keywords: distance learning, virtual instruction, public education, student enrollment, school funding, education standards, pandemic education response, low-carbon construction, construction materials, rebate, environmental product declaration, EPD, embodied carbon, carbon intensity, greenhouse gas emissions, decarbonization, industrial incentives, clean manufacturing, cement, concrete

Transcript Highlights:

• , how the product is made, that is all calculated, and the baselines are established with your conventional
• And the baselines are established with your conventional materials, and then, you know, a certain minimum
• So to get the production incentive, you have to have reduced at least 40% below conventional emissions

Summary: The committee first took up House Bill 253, a committee substitute dealing with virtual and distance learning programs and school funding. Sponsors and staff explained that the substitute removed several earlier restrictions on virtual education, including residency requirements, the 10% enrollment cap, the ban on K-5 distance programs, and the moratorium on new enrollments. It also changed the State Cyber Academy Act to the Distance Learning Act, added reporting and evaluation requirements for districts and charter schools, and allowed the Public Education Department to withhold funding if programs are out of compliance. Members discussed concerns about impacts on rural districts, charter schools, and programs like Mosquero and the New Mexico Communications Academy, as well as the temporary funding fix for Gallup Public Schools, which was amended to average prior-year and current-year enrollment rather than use current-year membership alone. Public testimony on HB 253 was largely supportive, with school leaders and education organizations backing the amendment and the broader substitute while noting that more work may be needed on oversight and funding formulas. Committee members then debated the bill’s temporary provisions, the study requirement, and whether the changes would adequately address the Gallup funding issue and broader virtual-learning accountability. The committee adopted the amendment and then gave the House Appropriations and Finance Committee substitute for HB 253 a do pass recommendation. The committee then heard House Bill 153, a voluntary industrial decarbonization package that combines an Environmental Product Declaration grant program, a rebate or incentive program for lower-carbon building materials, and production tax credits and capital grants for eligible industrial products. Members asked detailed questions about environmental product declarations, hydrogen, anti-donation concerns, funding sources, and whether the bill would support sawmills, engineered wood, biofuels, and forest-thinning-related industries. Supporters from the Greater Albuquerque Chamber of Commerce and Clean Air Task Force testified that the bill would encourage innovation, attract private investment, and reduce emissions without imposing mandates. The committee adopted the substitute and then voted do pass on the bill, with Representative Brown noted in opposition. Finally, the committee heard House Bill 255, which consolidates public safety workforce funding into a single competitive fund for recruitment, retention, and professional development in law enforcement, firefighting, corrections, and public attorney offices. Testimony from counties, the chamber, AFSCME, and State Police supported the measure as a targeted response to staffing shortages and public safety vacancies. The committee took no extended debate and approved HB 255 with a do pass recommendation. The meeting ended with notice that the committee would meet again the next day.

Transcript Highlights:

• Land is being constantly abused by these conventional practices.
• We try to center ourselves in the population.
• The boundary is the center of the main channel of the Missouri River.
• We also created in the legislature an AI data center committee.
• We also created in the legislature a AI data center committee.

Committee: Joint Tribal and State Relations Committee

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> treatment because the conventional treatment because the conventional approaches<00:18:27.440><c
• </c> conventional chemotherapies anymore. conventional chemotherapies anymore.
• </c> truly unique center. truly unique center. &gt;&gt; Yeah. &gt;&gt; Yeah. &gt;&gt; Yeah.
• </c> centers that we heard today on HB734. centers that we heard today on HB734.
• We could have direct pay centers.

Committee: House Health, Human Services and Elderly Affairs

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> and the Minnesota Association Convention and the Minnesota Association Convention of<00:14:07.040
• 29:54.840><c> of</c><00:29:54.960><c> Minnesota</c><00:29:55.480><c> Tourism</c><00:29:55.919><c> Center
• </c> University of Minnesota Tourism Center University of Minnesota Tourism Center found<00:29:56.640
• I'm the public policy coordinator for PACER Center and a manager of our parent training and advocacy
• When families contact PACER Center, they often do not understand what transition should or could look

Bills: HF1124 , HF1457 , HF1803

Committee: House Education Policy

Transcript Highlights:

• Fuji for AIDS Support Center.
• After the Republican convention in 2014 about medical cannabis.
• I was inspired as a kid to actually work at Johnson Space Center. I had an interest.
• I love the innovation of the smart people that we had at the Space Center.
• CBD and Nutrition Centers for the past six years.

Bills: SB3 , SB810 , SB965 , SB1073 , SB1119 , SB1505 , SB 3

Committee: Senate State Affairs

Transcript Highlights:

• In the taxes working group, there was dispute about the sales tax exemption for data centers, and it
• There are a number of things happening around data centers and a wide variety of perspectives on this
• But I think the issue of data centers is one that has really captivated this legislature this year.
• We want to make sure if data centers are building here in the state of Minnesota, and there are a lot
• and it sounds like there's been centers and it sounds like there's been a<00:13:43.519><c> spin-off<