Transcript Highlights:

• We also have much more robust data integrity and standardization of data this time around.
• Current technology has evolved significantly since the system was created, thus integration of the legacy
• Current technology has evolved significantly since a system was created, thus integration of the legacy
• This money is integral for good union jobs and services. Thank you. Good afternoon, Madam Chair.
• firefighters in California in support of budget item number one regarding the VLF, this money is integral

Transcript Highlights:

• of any statute, ordinance, regulation, custom, or usage of the United States or of any state or territory
• of any statute, ordinance, regulation, custom, or usage of the United States or of any state or territory
• /c><00:32:18.399><c> any</c><00:32:18.559><c> state</c><00:32:18.720><c> or</c><00:32:18.960><c> territory
• </c><00:32:19.840><c> uh</c> States or of any state or territory uh States or of any state or territory

Transcript Highlights:

• I'd just like to go over our service territory.
• Federal agencies, and in our territory we have a lot of federal land that we cross, and they typically
• could be stretched thin because a lot of these will be going on at the same time, not just in our territory
• could be stretched thin because a lot of these will be going on at the same time, not just in our territory
• , but also. then because a lot of these will be going on at the same time, not just in our territory,

Committee: House Utilities and Energy

Summary: The committee first heard AB 13, which would restructure the Public Utilities Commission by adding legislative liaisons, requiring more frequent and detailed reporting on rate decisions, and changing commissioner representation to increase geographic diversity and accountability. The author and supporters argued the CPUC is too insulated from public pressure and that Californians need more transparency and oversight on utility rate hikes. Support came from former CPUC Commissioner Loretta Lynch, Jeff Shields, wildfire survivor Will Abrams, TURN, and San Diego Gas & Electric in a support-if-amended position; there was no opposition testimony. Members generally praised the transparency goals, and the bill passed 10-0 to Appropriations, with the roll left open for absent members. The committee then adopted the 2025-2026 committee rules and approved three consent items: AB 61, AB 365, and AB 406. Those measures were moved on consent without substantive debate and passed unanimously. The committee also held AB 99, which would limit investor-owned utility rate increases above inflation except for specified costs such as safety, modernization, and fuel or commodity expenses. The author and supporters, including the California Senior Legislature, said the bill was needed to protect seniors and other ratepayers from repeated utility hikes, while opponents argued it was overly simplistic, could harm labor and reliability, and failed to account for major cost drivers like wildfire mitigation and mandated programs. Despite broad concerns from utilities, labor, business, and environmental groups, the bill advanced 11-0 to Appropriations, with several members noting they supported continued work on the measure. After the bill votes, the committee opened an informational hearing on strategies to reduce California transmission costs, the second part of its energy affordability series. Public Advocates Office staff presented data showing a large and growing backlog of approved-but-unbuilt transmission projects, rising transmission access charges, and long project timelines driven mostly by utility pre-application and construction phases. Panelists from D.H. Infrastructure, Net Zero California, IBank, and PG&E discussed alternative financing models, including public-private partnerships, public ownership, tax-exempt debt, loan guarantees, and grants, arguing these tools could lower capital costs and speed development. Members focused on whether the CPUC is the right venue, how to shorten permitting and pre-application delays, and how public financing could be structured to reduce costs without shifting burdens elsewhere.

Transcript Highlights:

• You know, like my first ancestor came here in Louisiana Territory, the Valets, in the 1700s.
• that you might not have integrity.
• Yes, ma'am. both running for office and voting, because they were all about integrity of the ballot and
• integrity of the process and saying that these specific crimes point to the possibility that you might
• not have integrity.

Committee: House Administration of Criminal Justice

Summary: The committee first handled housekeeping items, voluntarily deferring HB 63 and HB 622 at the authors’ requests. It then heard HB 131 on post-conviction relief, which would remove the word “inexcusably” from the PCR statute and delay bail eligibility after relief until the state’s appeals are exhausted through the Louisiana Supreme Court. The bill drew support from the Attorney General’s office and district attorneys, with opposition cards from the Southern Poverty Law Center, and it was reported favorably. HB 789, concerning seizure of off-road vehicles used unlawfully on roadways, was amended to direct forfeiture proceeds to the Attorney General when acting as district attorney ad hoc; it was then reported as amended with support from law enforcement and no opposition testimony.

Transcript Highlights:

• So, how many electrical inspectors do you have statewide, and are they assigned to a territory?
• they assigned you have statewide and are they assigned to<00:14:16.600><c> a</c><00:14:16.640><c> territory
• </c> to a territory? to a territory? &gt;&gt; Yes. &gt;&gt; Yes. &gt;&gt; Yes.

Summary: The Budget Subcommittee met without a quorum at first, then approved the minutes once a quorum was reached. The first presentation was from the Department of Housing, Buildings, and Construction within the Public Protection Cabinet. Commissioner Max Fuller and Deputy Commissioner David Moore reviewed the department’s licensing structure, noting about 50 license types and roughly 42,000 active licenses, with most tied to plumbing, HVAC, and electrical work. They compared Kentucky’s fees and requirements with neighboring states and said Kentucky is generally in line or slightly below surrounding states when local and contractor licensing requirements elsewhere are considered. The department also described staffing and inspection pressures. Officials said boiler inspections have a measurable backlog, with about 18% of state-jurisdiction boilers and pressure vessels past due statewide and a higher percentage in Jefferson County. They said building code plan review turnaround has risen from about 30 days to roughly 33–35 days, and that some areas are struggling to maintain same-day plumbing inspections and three-day HVAC inspections. Members asked whether the agency could handle increased housing construction, especially in rural areas; the department said it had requested additional plumbing staff and a plan reviewer, particularly for the Bowling Green/Warren County area, and noted that electrical inspectors are stretched across the state and are also pulled into disaster response work. The committee then heard from Kentucky Venues and the Kentucky State Fair Board on the Kentucky Exposition Center renovation and related operations. David Beck, board chairman David Williams, CFO Tony Shrek, and others said the project is progressing ahead of schedule, with keys to the new building expected in December and the facility already booked for future events. They reported strong tourism and economic impact, including record activity at the Exposition Center and downtown convention center, and said the Farm Machinery Show and other events continue to drive demand. Members asked about budget status, and the presenters said inflation, delayed access to funds due to the RFP/design process, and added costs have left them short of money to finish all planned work. They identified phase three funding needs, including food and beverage service improvements and completion of Freedom Hall seating, and said they are considering bringing food and beverage operations back under their control to improve efficiency and revenue. The meeting ended with no formal votes on the presentations and an announcement that the committee would meet again the following Tuesday.

Transcript Highlights:

• And B4, it was uncharted territory that we needed to make sure for law enforcement that we had oversight
• And B4, it was uncharted<00:29:16.440><c> territory</c><00:29:17.000><c> that</c><00:29:17.160><c> we
• </c><00:29:17.320><c> needed</c><00:29:17.600><c> to</c> uncharted territory that we needed to uncharted
• territory that we needed to make<00:29:17.840><c> sure</c><00:29:18.400><c> for</c><00:29:18.640><c>

Committee: Senate Judiciary

Transcript Highlights:

• regular rulemaking should be undertaken, you know, all expedience, given the fact that um this is new territory
• that um<00:23:03.600><c> this</c><00:23:03.840><c> is</c><00:23:04.159><c> new</c><00:23:04.559><c> territory
• </c><00:23:05.200><c> and</c><00:23:06.000><c> uh</c><00:23:06.159><c> since</c> um this is new territory
• and uh since um this is new territory and uh since there<00:23:06.640><c> is</c><00:23:06.720><c> a<

Summary: The committee opened its September meeting, seated alternates to establish a quorum, approved the prior minutes and consent agenda, and then moved to the regular calendar. The main substantive item was the kinship care home licensing standards rule (2025-130), which had a conditional approval request with three comments. Committee discussion focused on whether the rule and statute aligned on temporary permits, renewal, and whether a statutory amendment might be needed. Department of Health and Human Services and DCF staff explained that kinship care licenses are issued for two years and may be renewed, while the temporary six-month permit is meant to bridge applicants until licensure. They also said the rule was amended to reflect statutory language, and members suggested adding clearer language to avoid confusion. The committee then approved the conditional request, including oral amendments for clarity, and noted that any needed statutory cleanup would be added to a running list of possible changes for future filing. The committee next took up an emergency rule from the Lottery Commission concerning games of chance and video lottery terminals. Staff said the emergency rule was needed to avoid substantial fiscal harm to the state and loss of expected revenue, and that it largely builds on existing charitable gaming infrastructure. Members questioned the emergency basis and asked about precedent for using fiscal harm as justification, but staff said they did not have precedent information immediately available. The commission representative said regular rulemaking was already underway and would be brought to the commission at its October meeting. The committee did not take adverse action on the emergency rule during the discussion. Finally, the committee reviewed Department of Safety Commissioner Emergency Rule 14357 on school bus transportation qualifications. The rule creates an exception for applicants whose driver’s license validity had a gap of no more than 30 days due to suspension or non-renewal, which staff said would help address a school bus driver shortage and reduce transportation problems for students. Members raised the possibility of a legislative fix to distinguish administrative lapses from safety-related suspensions, and staff said that could be considered. The committee noted the emergency rule is only effective for 180 days and will return through regular rulemaking for fuller review. The meeting ended with scheduling for the next regular meeting on October 17 and adjournment.

Transcript Highlights:

• looking to get ahead of the curve here, you know, when we are competing against 50 states and six territories
• This law dates all the way back to when we became a territory, so it's very old.
• New Mexico has a history of strong fiscal accountability going back to when New Mexico was a territory
• Accountability going back to when New Mexico was a territory.

Committee: Senate Senate Finance

Transcript Highlights:

• Putin and his territorial aspirations? Sure, I can point to my record.
• We agreed that U.S. disengagement from the United Nations would simply cede territory to our adversaries
• Israel's right to defend itself and demanded Israel end unlawful presence in occupied Palestinian territory
• Refugee Agency, which is supporting thousands. of displaced individuals from the Russian-occupied territory

Committee: Senate Foreign Relations Committee

Transcript Highlights:

• Republicans and Democrats agree that the Quad is an integral part of a free and open Pacific.
• Republicans and Democrats agree that the Quad is an integral part of a free and open Pacific.
• Republicans and Democrats agree that the Quad is an integral part of a free and open Pacific.
• Republicans and Democrats agree that the Quad is an integral part of a free and open Pacific.
• Republicans and Democrats agree that the Quad is an integral part of a free and open Pacific.

Bills: HR1286 , HR1263 , HB1578 , HR1364 , HB2201 , HB1823 , HB1815 , HR1147 , HR217 , HB1701 , HB1453 , HR1223

Keywords: trade policy, tariffs, trade enforcement, workers rights, labor standards, environmental standards, Buy America, domestic content, offshoring, manufacturing jobs, factory closures, family farmers, small business, supply chains, dumping, countervailing duties, antidumping, trade agreements, USMCA, investor-state dispute settlement

Transcript Highlights:

• The green section is Northern Regional Territory and covers 10 counties, and the gold is Western Regional
• Territory and covers 8 counties.
• This year, we amended our NOFA, the Notice of Funding Availability, and so we used to have set territories

Committee: House Mortgage Finance Authority Act Oversight Committee

Transcript Highlights:

• as potential fraud in May, which demonstrates that the tool continues to help us protect program integrity
• DOL has twice sent letters to every state and territory threatening to rescind federal UI administration

Summary: The Commission on Unemployment Compensation met, established a quorum, and elected Delegate Destiny LeVere Bolling as chair and Senator Mike Jones as vice chair. The commission also adopted its electronic meeting policy and heard introductions from new members, staff, and officials from the Secretary of Labor’s office and the Virginia Employment Commission (VEC). Secretary Jessica Lumen outlined the administration’s workforce and labor priorities, including supporting workers, employers, and program transparency, while members raised concerns about business climate, job losses, labor participation, and the implementation of paid family and medical leave. Staff provided legislative updates on recent unemployment-related bills. These included increases to the weekly unemployment benefit amount enacted in 2025 and 2026, a bill on labor dispute disqualification that changed how lockouts are treated for benefit eligibility, and a budget item providing $75,000 for actuarial support to the commission. The commission also discussed the 2025 work group on annual adjustments to weekly benefit amounts; staff reported that the work group did not complete its charge, and members agreed to revisit whether to reconstitute it at a future meeting. Delegate Martinez expressed support for continuing the work, and the chair said the issue would be taken up at the next meeting. Deputy Commissioner Joanna Darkus gave a detailed presentation on Virginia’s unemployment insurance system, including current claims data, eligibility rules, employer tax structure, benefit levels, trust fund solvency, fraud prevention, and customer service operations. She reported that Virginia’s unemployment rate remains low, weekly claims are modest, the current weekly benefit range is $160 to $478, and the trust fund balance factor is projected at 50.9 percent, near the threshold for additional employer charges. Members asked about the taxable wage base, trust fund solvency, the effect of benefit increases, fraud controls, and the planned paid family and medical leave program. VEC said it is implementing that program through regulations, staffing, IT procurement, public listening sessions, and consultation with other states. A public commenter from the Virginia Poverty Law Center urged the commission to strengthen state investment in unemployment insurance and warned that federal support is uncertain. The commission then adjourned without taking further action.

Transcript Highlights:

• as potential fraud in May, which demonstrates that the tool continues to help us protect program integrity
• DOL has twice sent letters to every state and territory threatening to rescind federal UI administration

Transcript Highlights:

• I think the author has kind of covered some of this territory.
• becomes how long it lasts for the health of our families, the stability of our hospitals, and the integrity

Bills: HB3312 , HB3700 , HB2981 , HB2961 , HB3016 , HB4478 , HB4326 , HB3025 , HB3710 , HB4125 , HB2951 , HB3082 , HB4142 , HB4106 , HB1752 , HB3268 , HB4440 , HJR1067 , SB1144 , SB1145 , SB1146 , SB1147 , SB1148 , SB1156 , SB1157 , SB1158 , SB1159 , SB1161 , SB1162 , SB1163 , SB1164 , SB1165 , SB1166 , SB1149 , SB1167 , HJR1024 , SB1174 , SB1175 , SB1176 , HB3419 , HB3748 , HB4335 , HB3057 , HB3279 , HB4428 , HB3420 , HB3040 , HB4140 , HB1638 , HB3298 , HB4113 , HB1082 , HB4301 , HB3269 , HB3587 , HB4226 , HB4324 , HB4339 , HB4342 , HB3278 , HB3996 , HB4236 , HB4352

Keywords: firearm safety, public schools, education policy, student safety, gun control, opt-out option, grading system, student assessment, academic integrity, state funding, opinion conduct, open meetings, school boards, transparency, public access, education governance, HB2961, TSgt Marshal Dakota Roberts Gold Star Survivor Act, Gold Star family, Gold Star recipient

Transcript Highlights:

• I think a lot of the CC&Rs will protect the neighborhood integrity of a lot of these homes and these
• The Idaho Territory outlawed usury in 1879. That law stuck until 1980. Outlawed usury in 1879.

Committee: House Business

Transcript Highlights:

• And, you know, I mean, I think the integrity of... ...our contractors. Could it happen? Yes.
• Just so you know, the bi-state metropolitan development district, which shall embrace the following territory

Committees: House Transportation , House Joint Committee on Transportation Oversight

Transcript Highlights:

• it's in the heart of Hawaii County, and Hawaii County was the first county with the for the Idaho Territory
• They're also becoming an integral part of the community. They certainly work with folks.

Committee: House Resources and Conservation

Transcript Highlights:

• important that we give them a little bit of grace in complying with this new, really legally uncharted territory
• Representative Cortes for bringing forward a bill that addresses concerns cities have with the operational integrity

Bills: HB2186 , HB2351 , HB1170

Committee: House Technology, Economic Development, & Veterans

Keywords: economic development, federal funds, state funding, infrastructure, grants, local government, emergency responders, emergency response, disaster response, obstruction of law enforcement, gross misdemeanor, public safety, incident command system, emergency operation zone, emergency management, law enforcement restrictions, warrant requirement, search and seizure, civil liberties, due process

Transcript Highlights:

• important that we give them a little bit of grace in complying with this new, really legally uncharted territory
• Representative Cortes for bringing forward a bill that is as concerned as cities are with the operational integrity

Summary: The committee first took executive action on House Bill 1170, which would require disclosures when content is developed or modified by artificial intelligence and address provenance tools and enforcement. Staff described a proposed substitute and several amendments. The committee rejected amendments that would have applied the bill to public entities and tribal nations, added technical-and-commercial-feasibility language, and created a geo-blocking provision or a right to cure. It adopted amendments allowing comparable existing detection tools to satisfy the bill, protecting covered providers from liability when disclosures are unintentionally altered despite reasonable preservation measures, and setting a January 1, 2028 effective date. Members then debated whether the bill was ready for enactment, with supporters emphasizing transparency and consumer trust and opponents warning it was premature and could hinder innovation. The committee voted 7-4, with two excused, to report the bill out of committee with a do-pass recommendation. The committee then heard House Bill 2186, which would expand state support for applicants seeking federal economic development funds, create a matching-funds account, and require a study of available federal grants. The prime sponsor said the bill would help Washington capture more federal dollars, especially for projects that require matching funds, and would expand the Fund Hub WA website beyond environmental grants. Testimony in support came from the Port of Seattle, the Washington Economic Development Association, the City of Pasco, a downtown Kennewick nonprofit, and the Department of Commerce, all saying the bill would improve competitiveness, help underserved communities, and leverage state dollars for larger federal returns. Commerce said it was still developing the fiscal note and technical edits. The hearing on HB 2186 was then closed. Finally, the committee opened a hearing on House Bill 2351, which would protect emergency responders and emergency response operations. Staff explained that the bill would bar local governments and incident command systems from assisting enforcement actions targeting emergency responders based on protected status, create emergency operation zones with restrictions on law enforcement activity, and change the obstruction statute to cover obstruction of emergency responders. The prime sponsor and many local officials, firefighters, and advocates testified in support, citing incidents where federal enforcement actions disrupted wildfire response and other emergencies. Some witnesses raised concerns about administrative burden, ambiguity, and possible unintended consequences, including a proposed mental-health defense and clarification of responder identification. The Association of Sheriffs and Police Chiefs and the Association of Washington Cities said they supported the goal but wanted changes to avoid conflicts and reduce burdens. The hearing concluded without a vote.

Transcript Highlights:

• To keep pace with the rising costs, particularly for technology-integrated learning essential to 21st-century
• dead last, but there is no way to effectively measure that because No state has the same test, no territory