Transcript Highlights:

• There was legislation.
• , from legislative staff, from the executive branch, and it's something we want to be very, very responsive
• , from legislative staff, from the executive branch, and it's something we want to be very, very responsive
• branch on some of the concerns we had during last legislative session, and it was brought up to me again
• branches came to a consensus.

Keywords: 996, all

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

Transcript Highlights:

• And I think you have to ask yourself, why do we get the legislation that is frustrating you, right?
• And the reason we've gotten that legislation: my father was a police officer for 20 years, a big-city
• Generated these legislative laws that come in front of us, and it forces us. And so then Mr.
• I know we worked with you on sponsored legislation to expand it.
• My branch is available... ...to assist local law enforcement agencies to work with their plans.

Summary: The committee held a hearing on active and mass shootings in California, focusing on prevention, response, training, communications, and gaps in preparedness across law enforcement, schools, campuses, fire, EMS, and state agencies. Opening remarks emphasized the frequency and impact of gun violence, the need for faster coordinated response, and the importance of learning from recent tragedies such as the Stockton-area mass shooting described by Sheriff Patrick Withrow. The first panel included representatives from police, sheriff, and campus public safety agencies, who discussed incident command, interoperable communications, next-generation 911, threat assessment, emergency notification systems, and the value of joint drills and cross-agency planning. Witnesses also highlighted differences in training and authority across jurisdictions, especially for private university public safety departments versus public campus police. Campus representatives said they rely heavily on municipal law enforcement for armed response, while also using run-hide-fight protocols, text alerts, surveillance, and threat assessment teams. Members raised concerns about standardized training, after-action reviews, mental health resources, school resource officers, and whether campus safety plans and drills are sufficiently consistent or workable. Sheriff Withrow argued that early intervention and accountability are being weakened by well-intentioned laws, while other witnesses stressed prevention through relationships, diversion, and coordinated support services. The second panel from Cal OES, the Department of Education, POST, and EMSA described statewide systems and standards. Cal OES outlined its Reduce the Risk initiative, gun violence restraining orders, mutual aid, unified command, after-action reporting, and nonprofit security grants. The Department of Education explained California’s statutory school safety framework, annual safety plans, regulated armed assailant drills, and local flexibility, while acknowledging compliance gaps and the need for more mental health support. POST described the new requirement for 16 hours of standardized active shooter training for recruits and ongoing local training options. EMSA explained its role in medical response and terrorism training standards. No votes or formal actions were taken during the hearing.

Transcript Highlights:

• So my follow-up to that is: are we not then transferring the authority of the legislative branch over
• So my follow-up to that is: are we not then transferring the authority of the legislative branch over
• So my follow-up to that is: are we not then transferring the authority of the legislative branch over
• So my follow-up to that is: are we not then transferring the authority of the legislative branch over
• So my follow-up to that is: are we not then transferring the authority of the legislative branch over

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• um to exempt and exclude a whole branch um to exempt and exclude a whole branch within<00:28:52.960
• And we hope to see this legislation move. Thank you. Thank you.
• Um, and we hope to see this legislation Um, and we hope to see this legislation move.<00:38:07.839
• However, we advocate continued dialogue rather than new rules or legislation.
• <00:58:49.119> also intake and certification branch also intake and certification branch also

Bills: SB2198, SB2140, SB3055, SB3090, SB3091, SB3092, SB2761

Keywords: workforce development, craftspersons, skilled trades, artisan, craftsmanship, trade recognition, award program, DLIR, Department of Labor and Industrial Relations, Meilleur Ouvrier de France, vocational education, career pathways, cultural preservation, workforce excellence, apprenticeship, Hawaii trades, economic diversification, public nominations, governor awards, historically significant venue

Transcript Highlights:

• We're going to be hearing from the judicial branch, the Board of Parole.
• We're going to be hearing from the judicial<00:20:57.760> branch,<00:20:58.880> the<00:
• judicial branch, the board of parole. judicial branch, the board of parole.
• <00:24:40.559> breakfast<00:24:40.960> for<00:24:41.200> the have the legislative
• breakfast for the have the legislative breakfast for the land<00:24:41.679> surveyors<00:24:42.240

Keywords: 981, all

Summary: The House came to order with a prayer-like musical intro, then proceeded with the Pledge of Allegiance and a roll call that showed 52 members present and 13 excused, barely meeting quorum. The chamber then approved the journal from Tuesday, January 20, 2026, as corrected by the chief clerk. Most of the remainder of the meeting consisted of announcements. Representative Mabrey previewed a Judiciary Committee SMART Act hearing later that day on the judicial branch, Board of Parole, Access to Justice Commission, Commission on Judicial Discipline, Behavioral Health Administration, and State Public Defender. Other members announced upcoming committee meetings and events, including a public safety power shutdown hearing, a Health and Human Services presentation, an Aerospace and Defense Caucus meeting on Artemis 2, a legislative breakfast for land surveyors, and an Agriculture, Water, and Natural Resources Committee hearing on three sunset reviews. Members also noted visits from student groups in the Capitol, excused absences, and a reminder that Friday would be “Bronco Friday” with relaxed dress. Majority Leader Duran moved that the House stand in recess until later in the day, and the motion was adopted without objection.

Transcript Highlights:

• widely regarded as, quote, among the most remarkable and consequential pieces of congressional legislation
• So you can say, you know, and when I say district, I don't mean 15th Legislative District.
• We are in communication with the judicial branch.
• And so we want to be a conduit to other branches. We want to be a partner to other branches.
• We want to be a conduit to other branches. We want to be a partner to other branches.

Summary: The committee held a work session on voting rights in the United States and Washington, beginning with testimony from Marissa Wright of Campaign Legal Center and David Montes of the ACLU of Washington. They described the federal Voting Rights Act’s main protections—preclearance, vote suppression, and vote dilution—and argued that Supreme Court decisions such as Shelby County v. Holder and Brnovich have weakened those tools. They said Washington should consider stronger state-level protections, including a preclearance program and broader safeguards against discriminatory voting practices. Members asked about Washington’s history of discrimination, voter roll purges, noncitizen registration, and remedies under the Washington Voting Rights Act, including ranked-choice voting and district-based systems. The committee then heard from the Office of Equity and several commissions, which described their roles in advising state government and working with communities. They focused on the immigration sub-cabinet created under Executive Order 2509, saying it is intended to improve coordination across agencies, the legislature, the courts, and community organizations on issues such as data privacy, language access, health care, education, and accountability under the Keep Washington Working Act. Members asked about the use of NGOs, accountability for KWW violations, and the sub-cabinet’s goals, and the panel said the effort is meant to help government respond more quickly and collaboratively while centering immigrant, disability, LGBTQ, and other communities. The final panel was from the University of Washington Elections Database Project, which presented data on vote-by-mail ballot challenges, cures, and rejections from 2020 to 2024. They reported that about 1.5% of ballots are signature-challenged in most elections, roughly 60% of challenged ballots are cured, and overall rejection rates are about 1% in general elections and 1.5% in primaries. The researchers said voters of color, younger voters, and some tribal-area voters experience higher rejection rates, and that differences appear tied to signature mismatch, language access, ballot timing, and familiarity with the system. In the last panel, Maria Fernandez and Vicki Frausto of EIA described voter education and civic engagement work in Yakima County and Sunnyside, including concerns about intimidation, language barriers, signature mismatch, and at-large election systems; they said stronger Washington Voting Rights Act protections would help communities elect candidates of choice. No votes were taken during the work session.

Transcript Highlights:

• Journal of the House, 94th Session, 2026, 51st Legislative Day, St.
• <00:12:56.480> of<00:12:56.640> government<00:12:57.839> uh another branch of
• government uh another branch of government uh do<00:12:59.200> not<00:12:59.560> and<00
• Our work here is not done, and we are not going to allow any other branch of government to tell us that
• Our work here is not done, and we are not going to allow any other branch of government to tell us that

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• addition to safety funding from, uh, as we heard for public officials when you're thinking the judicial branch
• 03:24.480> thinking<00:03:24.840> the<00:03:24.959> judicial<00:03:25.480> branch
• , you're thinking the judicial branch, you're thinking the judicial branch, elected<00:03:26.840>
• create an independent office of Inspector General because we had seen the way that the executive branch
• <00:04:57.560> under the way that the executive branch under the way that the executive branch

Keywords: 919, house, all

Summary: House Republican leaders held a brief end-of-session update describing a negotiated agreement with the governor and legislative leaders that they said would make Minnesota more affordable and improve fraud prevention. They highlighted passage of an independent Office of Inspector General, which they said was a top priority to combat fraud and waste in state government, along with county IT modernization as another fraud-prevention measure. They also said the deal includes $125 million in property tax cuts, $250 million in car tab fee reductions, and no extension of the Hennepin County ballpark tax, which they said allowed help for HCMC without raising taxes. The leaders also described additional spending and policy items in the agreement, including $30 million for distressed hospitals statewide, higher MA rates for HCMC, a nine-month delay in PFAS reporting requirements for businesses, and school safety funding. The school safety package was said to include anonymous threat reporting, school-linked mental health, mobile crisis teams, and security improvements for public officials and the Capitol campus. They said a $1.2 billion bonding bill remained part of the broader negotiations and would support infrastructure projects. In response to questions, the leaders said the House would continue to follow a single-topic committee process and would not take up broad omnibus bills. They said gun-violence-related bills had already been heard in committee and on the floor, where they failed on party-line votes, and argued that the school safety measures moving forward were bipartisan and did not include gun bans. They also said the car tab fee relief was only secured for one year, and expressed hope that future elections would give Republicans more leverage to continue the affordability agenda.

Transcript Highlights:

• has to have legislative authority as well. well. well.
• She is the WIC Services Branch chief and serves as our state WIC director.
• WIC services branch is operating under WIC services branch is operating under normal<00:57:43.200>
• <00:58:11.760> is Uh the wick services branch is Uh the wick services branch is communicating
• And then the legislative session >> Okay?

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Summary: The Senate Committee on Health and Human Services held an informational briefing on the federal shutdown’s impact on state benefits, with the main focus on SNAP. DHS Benefit, Employment and Support Services Division Administrator Scott Morish explained that SNAP serves about 86,229 households statewide, or 168,947 individuals, and averages roughly $58–60 million in monthly federal benefits. He said USDA directed states to suspend November SNAP benefits effective November 1 if the shutdown continues, while existing October balances on EBT cards remain usable and cash benefits such as TANF, General Assistance, and AABD are not affected. DHS said it has continued processing applications, recertifications, interviews, and required reporting, and has posted public guidance on its website. Morish also reviewed other SNAP-related changes taking effect November 1 under the One Big Beautiful Bill Act, including expanded able-bodied adult work requirements and tighter non-citizen eligibility rules. He said the work requirements now extend from ages 18–54 to 18–64 and apply to additional groups previously exempt, while only lawful permanent residents, COFA residents, and Cuban or Haitian entrants will remain eligible among non-citizens. He also noted Hawaii’s ongoing SNAP benefit reduction tied to a federal calculation error in the thrifty food plan, which has lowered benefits by about $8 per person per month for the past three years. On the state response, DHS said it is working with the Hawaii Food Bank and seeking $2 million in state funding to support it, and is also developing a Hawaii Relief Program using TANF reserve funds. The program is intended as a short-term housing and utility assistance program for families with dependent children under 300% of the federal poverty level, with up to four months of assistance. Senators questioned why rainy day funds were not being used and whether the state could directly fund EBT cards; DHS responded that the TANF approach was the fastest available option, that EBT delivery involves significant technical and administrative mechanics, and that the department is still in discussions with the vendor and other stakeholders about additional options.

Transcript Highlights:

• and the legislative branch.
• a proposal from the 2023 legislative a proposal from the 2023 legislative session<00:13:49.279><
• <00:15:48.440> and<00:15:48.600> the<00:15:48.759> legislative branch and the legislative
• branch and the legislative branch<00:15:51.920> and<00:15:52.120> with<00:15:52.319>
• proposals for this legislative proposals for this legislative session<01:39:11.280> first

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• He asked our staff to put together a memorandum on what are the different roles of the legislative branch
• This committee could draft legislation, or they could ask the tax committee to draft legislation.
• of the legislative session, the executive branch takes over and enforces those legislative provisions
• So it's a function of the three different branches of government, and the legislative role is unique
• , we need, as legislators, to have certain legislation that pertains to this area.

Summary: The committee convened, approved the prior meeting minutes, and received a memo summarizing major audit items. The State Auditor’s office and outside auditors then presented a series of audits, many of which were clean with unmodified opinions and no findings, including the Bank of North Dakota, the Guaranteed Student Loan Program, the Office of the Governor, the State Treasurer, the Office of Management and Budget, the Department of Transportation, the Department of Environmental Quality, Lake Region State College, and the Office of the Governor. The North Dakota Stockmen’s Association audit was also clean overall, but it repeated findings about limited segregation of duties and auditor assistance in preparing financial statements, which the auditor said were expected to continue because of the organization’s small size. Committee members asked about out-of-state board addresses, and the association explained those members were North Dakota residents using South Dakota mailing addresses. Several audits did include findings. The Council on the Arts audit identified two issues: payroll charged to federal awards without supporting time records, and $12,825 in Cultural Endowment Fund spending that was not allowable under state law, including staff training, retreats, and executive director candidate travel. The Department of Public Instruction audit found unsupported scholarship applications in the paraprofessional-to-teacher program, but additional testing confirmed the funds were credited properly and students completed required school district work, so no improper payments were identified. The University of North Dakota audit found a lack of documentation and transparency in School of Law admissions decisions; the auditor said the law school used a holistic process but did not keep notes or evaluation tools to show why applicants were admitted, waitlisted, or denied. UND leadership said the school is in good standing with the American Bar Association and agreed better documentation is needed, and the auditor said the issue was the missing documentation, not ABA accreditation itself. The most extensive discussion centered on the North Dakota Racing Commission audit, which found four findings: overspending the promotion fund’s 25% operating cap, grant conditions not being met, improper breeder fund awards, and improper procurement. The auditor said promotion fund spending exceeded the cap by $327,447 and the fund balance dropped sharply over the audit period. Racing Commission director Bruce Johnson said the agency had become complacent, that grant requests were treated as routine, and that controls and documentation need to be tightened. He also explained that the breeder fund overpayments involved two horses whose ownership transfers were not properly documented before racing, and that the procurement issue stemmed from an advertising contract that proceeded without proper written procurement procedures after a misunderstanding with the State Procurement Office. The auditor said the Racing Commission will now be audited every two years because of the findings. The committee also received updates on Dakota College at Bottineau’s bank reconciliations, which Minot State University said had been brought current after an 18-month backlog, with only one account still needing cleanup; members asked for a written report on the corrective actions. The North Dakota Fair Foundation was reported to have dissolved, with remaining funds transferred to another nonprofit account for continued support of the state fair. Finally, the Department of Public Instruction provided an update on school meal debt, revising the earlier estimate to about $1.1 million based on incomplete district survey responses, and said the Anti-Lunch Shaming law likely increased meal debt because schools must feed students regardless of account balance. Members discussed the need for a more accurate year-end debt figure and possible future reporting at a later committee meeting.

Transcript Highlights:

• In Arizona, Landmark operates eight licensed branches and serves approximately 7,000...
• I think it's a good idea to update and modernize this legislation.
• This legislation is applying that same standard to commercial payers. Mr.
• Senator Mark Finchum, Legislative District 1, for the record.
• Candlin, that always raises red flags with legislation, right?

Bills: SB1165, SB1206, SB1212, SB1291, SB1347, SB1516, SB1554, SB1649, SB1689, SB1812

Keywords: breast cancer, screening services, health insurance, cost sharing, preventive care, storm damage, catastrophic storm, hail damage, wind damage, roof repair, roof replacement, post-storm repairs, insurance claim, property and casualty insurance, adjuster, public adjuster, contractor licensing, homeowner protections, deductible waiver, insurance fraud prevention

Summary: The Senate Finance Committee approved committee amendments and then heard a series of bills covering consumer lending, health insurance, chiropractic practice, breast cancer screening, insurance claim practices, digital assets, vaccination-based reimbursement, agricultural property inspections, and aviation tax exemptions. Testimony generally split between sponsors and industry or advocacy supporters emphasizing modernization, consumer access, or fairness, and opponents raising concerns about higher costs, tax breaks for wealthy interests, or unclear policy changes. Several bills drew detailed debate over whether they would help consumers or shift costs, and multiple witnesses described personal or industry experiences in support of the health-related measures. SB 1689, which would raise consumer loan thresholds and change interest-rate tiers, was amended but failed on a tied vote after Senator Epstein opposed it as shifting costs to smaller borrowers. SB 1347, requiring coverage for fertility preservation for cancer patients, was amended and passed 4-2 after testimony from the sponsor, a nonprofit representative, and two cancer survivors. SB 1165, eliminating cost-sharing for diagnostic and supplemental breast exams, was amended and passed 5-1. SB 1206, updating rules for public adjusters and contractors after loss events, was amended and passed 5-1. SB 1649, creating a digital assets strategic reserve fund, passed 4-2 despite criticism that it was unnecessary and pro-crypto. SB 1212, barring different reimbursement rates based on vaccination status, passed 4-2. SB 1291, limiting county assessors’ ability to reclassify or inspect agricultural property for four years after a successful appeal, was amended to allow inspections if taxable improvements are made and passed 5-1 over assessor opposition. SB 1516, expanding aviation-related tax exemptions to more aircraft maintenance and repair property, passed 4-1 after supporters framed it as economic development and opponents called it a tax break for private jets. SB 1554, updating chiropractic language from “x-ray” to “diagnostic imaging,” initially failed, was reconsidered after additional questioning, and then passed 3-2 after members said the change mainly codified current practice and reduced liability concerns.

Transcript Highlights:

• He asked our staff to put together a memorandum on what are the different roles of the legislative branch
• of the legislative session, the executive branch takes over and enforces those legislative provisions
• The judicial branch also plays a role in this, in which, Enforces those legislative provisions.
• So it's a function of the three different branches of government, and the legislative role is unique
• So basically, we need as legislators to have certain legislation, So basically, we need as legislators

Summary: The committee was called to order, the Pledge of Allegiance and prayer were offered, and the minutes from the previous meeting were approved. Members then received a memo summarizing major audit items and began hearing audit presentations from the State Auditor’s Office and private auditors on a range of state agencies and organizations. Several audits were reported as clean, including the Bank of North Dakota, the North Dakota Guaranteed Student Loan Program, the Office of the Governor, the Office of the State Treasurer, the Office of Management and Budget, the Department of Transportation’s flexible transportation fund, Lake Region State College, and the Department of Environmental Quality. The North Dakota Stockmen’s Association also received an unmodified opinion, though repeat findings were noted for limited segregation of duties and financial statement preparation due to its small staff. The Council on the Arts audit found two findings: payroll charged to federal awards without adequate timekeeping records, and unallowable expenditures from a restricted cultural endowment fund. The Department of Public Instruction audit identified unsupported scholarship applications in the paraprofessional-to-teacher program, though additional testing showed the funds were used for their intended purpose. The most extensive discussion centered on the North Dakota Racing Commission audit, which identified four findings: overspending the promotion fund’s 25% operating limit, grant conditions not being met, improper Breeders Fund awards, and improper procurement for advertising services. Racing Commission director Bruce Johnson acknowledged complacency and weak controls, said the agency would tighten procedures, and explained that the commission had since worked with procurement and would follow the rules more closely. Auditors also explained that the commission would now be audited every two years because of the findings. Another major discussion involved the University of North Dakota School of Law, where auditors found a lack of documentation supporting admissions decisions for post-baccalaureate programs. UND officials said they remain in good standing with the American Bar Association but agreed better documentation and tools are needed; the committee pressed for more transparency and follow-up on admissions criteria. The committee also received an update on Dakota College at Bottineau, where Minot State University reported that bank reconciliations had been brought current after a significant backlog and would now be maintained through shared services. Members requested a written follow-up report on the issues and corrective actions. Finally, the North Dakota Fair Association explained that its foundation has been dissolved and remaining funds were transferred to another nonprofit for continued support of the state fair, and the Department of Public Instruction provided an update on school meal debt, saying the reported amount was about $1.1 million from a partial district survey and that debt remains a local issue, though it could be revisited if school meal funding changes.

Transcript Highlights:

• And and I don't know why if legislation.
• >> Call legislative citation, Mr.
• studies and this semester's legislative studies and this semester's legislative internship,<00:49
• House relating to branch budget bills.
• House relating to branch budget bills.

Keywords: Convene 00:00 Senate Message 05:49 Calendar/2nd Readings 06:27 Report of Committees 08:12 Orders of the Day/HB 485 09:40 HB 43 23:13 HB 139 25:09 HB 414 31:49 HB 297 36:16 Motions, Petitions, and Communications 41:08 Introduction of New Bills and Resolutions 51:25 Recess for ConC/Rules Meeting 53:41 ConC/Rules Report 56:40 Floor Amendments 57:54 Adjournment 58:17, 958, all

Summary: The House convened with an invocation, quorum call, and routine motions to excuse absent members, suspend rules for co-sponsorship and vote modifications, and approve the journal. The Senate clerk then announced Senate Bills 47, 85, and 159 had passed the Senate and requested House concurrence. The chamber also received second-reading reports on a number of bills, including measures on on-farm animal health, type 1 diabetes, employment, addictive online platforms, real property appraisers, educators, crimes and punishments, artificial intelligence, stalking, insurance, school food/funds, protective orders, public adjusters, and insurance regulation. Several committees reported bills favorably, including HB 534 on elections, HB 510 on organ donation safety, HB 220 on pension spiking, HB 467 on real property, HB 516 on retirement benefits for probationary employment, HB 589 on retired emergency personnel, and HB 168 on boating under the influence, which was sent to the Rules Committee after its second reading. The House then passed HB 485, a major mental health/civil commitment bill, after adopting House Committee Substitute 1 and two floor amendments. Supporters said the bill modernizes Kentucky’s 202A and 202C mental health commitment processes by adding intermediate treatment options, guardrails for outpatient/community-based care, clearer definitions, longer review intervals in some cases, and data/reporting requirements; they emphasized collaboration with mental health advocates, courts, and stakeholders. The bill passed unanimously, 95-0. HB 43, allowing a 180-day grace period for deputy coroners to complete required training, also passed unanimously, 96-0. HB 139, an elections “continuous improvement” bill, passed 92-1 after adoption of a committee substitute and a floor amendment that bars disclosure/reporting of votes cast for candidates who withdraw, die, or are disqualified and requires notices at precincts; the sponsor described the bill as the product of ongoing consultation with election officials and clerks. HB 414, on booking procedures in local jails, passed 73-18 after supporters explained it would allow DNA collection upon felony arrest, with destruction provisions if the person is not convicted or the charge is reduced or dismissed. HB 297, concerning Kentucky State Fair Board peace officers, passed unanimously, 96-0, to explicitly make those officers eligible for law enforcement fund benefits and related certification/training provisions. After the bills were completed, the House moved into motions, petitions, communications, and announcements. House Resolution 69 was brought from committee to the floor, and members were invited to a Kentucky State Police breakfast and a Louisville night event at the Foundry. The chamber also adopted Citation 32 honoring Dr. Hannah Huffman, who was recognized for her optometry career and leadership in the Kentucky Optometric Association, and Citation 31 honoring Valerie Greenhill, the new president of the Southern Regional Education Board. The House then adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• And so what I'm hearing as a representative in the legislative branch is that we need to do, we're the
• ><01:17:54.400> need<01:17:54.480> to<01:17:54.719> do legislative branch is that
• we need to do legislative branch is that we need to do we're<01:17:56.239> the<01:17:56.400><
• :57.840> the we're the only branch that initiates the we're the only branch that initiates the
• <01:18:02.719> important legislators and it's really important legislators and it's really

Keywords: 910, house, all

Summary: The committee held an informational briefing on federal and state authority over National Guard deployment in response to civil protest or unrest, prompted by recent federal actions and the California litigation in Newsom v. Trump. The chair explained the purpose was to help lawmakers and the public understand the legal background, the status of the California case, and possible Hawaii policy responses. David Day of the Attorney General’s office outlined several recent federal immigration-related executive actions and enforcement directives, then described Hawaii’s participation in multiple lawsuits challenging federal funding conditions, data-sharing demands, and the birthright citizenship order. A major portion of the briefing focused on Newsom v. Trump. Day summarized the June 2025 Los Angeles protests and the president’s memorandum federalizing National Guard units under 10 U.S.C. 12406, which California challenged as ultra vires, procedurally improper, and violative of the Posse Comitatus Act, the Tenth Amendment, and the APA. He said the district court initially granted relief, but the Ninth Circuit stayed the TRO and held, in a published decision, that review under section 12406 is highly deferential and that the president lawfully exercised authority under paragraph 3. He also noted California-law issues about orders being issued through the governor, and said Hawaii had supported California through amicus briefs and would continue to do so; the bench trial was scheduled for August 11-13. Members then asked how Hawaii law differs from California’s and whether the Ninth Circuit ruling would control here. Day said the standard-of-review aspects would likely apply, but the California-specific procedural language about orders issued in the governor’s name does not appear in Hawaii law. The committee also heard from Colonel Lloyd C. Phelps of the Hawaii Department of Defense, who explained that National Guard activations generally occur under Title 10 federal orders, state orders, or other statuses, and said the June 2025 federalization mechanism was a Title 10 call-up. He began addressing the president’s authority, the Posse Comitatus Act, and Hawaii’s own preparedness, but the discussion was cut short and members indicated they would return to the topic later. No votes were taken.

Transcript Highlights:

• <01:25:18.840> by<01:25:19.000> jeopardizing judicial branch by jeopardizing judicial
• branch by jeopardizing well-established<01:25:20.640> funding<01:25:21.000> stream<01:
• the veto message, the judicial branch the veto message, the judicial branch has<01:25:34.560>
• for the judicial branch. for the judicial branch.
• The governor makes clear that this legislation raises significant policy and implementation concerns.

Keywords: In an effort to stave off issues that may occur with long format live streams, we have split this stream into two parts., 958, all

Transcript Highlights:

• That's a judicial branch function. That's the courts. That's the judicial branch.
• We're the legislative branch. We make laws. We do appropriations, sure.
• or is it appropriate for that verdict to come to the legislative branch?
• Taxpayer funds, or is it appropriate for that verdict to come to the legislative branch for the legislative
• branch to appropriate taxpayer dollars?

Summary: The subcommittee first heard HB 6507, a claims bill for Marcus Button, who suffered severe permanent injuries in a 2006 school bus crash. Representative Andrade explained that a jury awarded Button more than $2 million in 2009, but only a small amount was paid under sovereign immunity limits. He said Pasco County later reached a settlement with Button, but believed it lacked legal authority to pay without legislative approval. The bill would give the county that authority. There was no opposition testimony, and the bill passed unanimously, 18-0. The committee then took up HB 301, which would substantially revise Florida’s sovereign immunity framework. Representative McFarland said the bill would raise liability caps for state and local governments from $200,000/$300,000 to $1 million/$3 million, with a later increase in 2030, align statutes of limitations with private suits, allow governments to settle above the caps without a claims bill, and prevent insurance policies from conditioning payment on legislative approval. She framed the bill as a way to reduce the need for the claims bill process and provide faster redress to injured people. Testimony on HB 301 was sharply divided. Local governments, school districts, counties, cities, hospital groups, and insurance representatives opposed the bill, arguing the higher caps would sharply increase insurance and taxpayer costs, especially for small or fiscally constrained entities, and that the claims bill process and special masters provide useful review and leverage. Supporters, including the Florida Justice Association and several members, argued the current system is too slow and political, leaves seriously injured people waiting years for compensation, and should be modernized to better hold government accountable. No vote was taken on HB 301 in the portion of the meeting provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• since, you know, we are more legislators since, you know, we are more closer<00:17:16.880> to
• Uh, I know the information sent out to the legislators, you know, to attend our meetings, and I know
• um you know to attend um the legislators um you know to attend our<00:19:56.240> meetings<00:
• So, we're continuing on to HCR 49 urging the executive branch to advance efforts to emerge as a global
• And this same the resolution the executive branch. Members, questions or concerns? Chair.

Keywords: 910, house, all

Summary: The Committee on Tourism met on March 31, 2026, to hear several resolutions related to tourism management, sustainable tourism, and visitor safety. HCR 188/HR 178 would ask the Hawaii Tourism Authority to create an agriculture tourism working group to review laws and ordinances and recommend ways to grow agritourism. HCR 51/HR 47 would direct HTA to require 30% of signature event funds be used to market events to out-of-state audiences. HCR 50/HR 46 would request a destination management task force, and HCR 49 focused on sustainable tourism and preserving cultural and natural resources. HCR 48 urged the governor to assure visitors they will be treated safely, legally, and ethically by state law enforcement. Testimony was limited and mostly supportive or informational. The Department of Agriculture and Biosecurity and HTA offered written support/comments on the agritourism measure. HTA also testified on the signature event and destination management measures, and members asked questions about making destination management more statewide rather than county-by-county. HTA explained its DMAP process, including island advisory groups, community meetings, and identification of “hot spots” that could face overcrowding or resource impacts. For HCR 49, HTA submitted amendments, and the committee later narrowed the resolution to one specific recommendation: obtaining certified sustainable destination designation from the Global Sustainable Tourism Council. HCR 48 had no registered testimony. In decision-making, the committee adopted HCR 188 and HR 178, and HCR 51 and HR 47, as introduced. HCR 50 and HR 46 were deferred. HCR 49 was passed with amendments reflecting only the sustainable destination designation recommendation. ACR 48 was also passed with amendments to extend the visitor-safety effort to all counties. The committee then adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• And I say that because I love the branch, I'm not trying to be a sharpshooter like the very the oldest
• Well, I know this last session we gave the the branch additional contract money to try to made some of
• I think that was my understanding of what our agreement was between at least the house and the branch
• And that wasn't personal to anybody in the branch. That's just institutional.
• But in order to do that, that's part of their legislative budget request.

Transcript Highlights:

• But this is a bill that is to allow the Legislative Education Study Committee to study not only K-12,
• And finally, the Legislative Education Study Committee is statutorily limited to K-12 and the colleges
• Cooperative, as I feel, through the Legislative Education Study Committee, we have been, and certainly
• I think part of this is the strangeness and us as a legislative branch having to act.
• As the executive branch, um, if we can have oversight into that branch, um, it's something for me that's