Transcript Highlights:

• begin when you're ready Thank You madam chair members 8930 is before you to ensure that all vote-by-mail
• AB 920. response to a lack of transparency by requiring local governments to offer a centralized application
• portal that allows applicants to track and manage their permits all in one place.

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• As a result, there has been confusion and inconsistent. application across trial courts.
• And it's led to considerable inconsistency and unpredictability. in the application of the best interest
• that original will physically. to the other county, and the only delivery method we had was certified mail

Bills: SB387, SB1650, SB1838, SB1839, SB1923, SB1940, SB2052

Keywords: judicial bond, guardianship, probate law, county judge, statutory county court, attorney general, criminal prosecution, public order, law enforcement, jurisdiction, attorney ad litem, parent-child relationship, compensation, legal representation, government entity, probate, court proceedings, record delivery, wills, legal documentation

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:02:03.159> a<00:02:03.560> low-risk<00:02:04.560> uh<00:02:05.119> mail
• <00:02:05.520> facility<00:02:06.119> in uh a a low-risk uh mail facility in uh a a
• low-risk uh mail facility in breath<00:02:07.039> County<00:02:08.039> a<00:02:08.200>
• program administrators who currently oversee the medical program and ensure compliance with all applicable
• <00:16:27.759> standards Compliance with all applicable standards.

Keywords: 958, all

Summary: The committee heard an overview from Department of Juvenile Justice Commissioner Randy White on the state’s juvenile detention network and several facility projects. He identified the currently operating detention centers as Boyd County for females, Breathitt County for low-risk males, Fayette County for high-risk males, Adair County for high-risk youth from Jefferson and surrounding counties, Warren County for high-risk males, and McCracken County for low-risk males. Members asked about capacity and staffing; White said Boyd County houses 33 and is usually near full, Breathitt County is about half full, Fayette County runs about 80-90% full, Campbell County’s operational limit is about 25 due to staffing, Adair County can hold 60 and has hit capacity several times this year, Warren County holds 43 and usually runs near capacity, and McCracken County holds 43 and is not currently full. He said staffing is generally harder in higher-risk facilities and in metropolitan areas because of wages and housing costs. White then updated the committee on the Louisville Detention Center downtown renovation and the Lyon facility project. For the Louisville downtown facility, he said schematic design and design development are complete, construction documents are expected by late February or early March, bids are anticipated in April, and completion is projected for March 2027. He explained the delay is due to extensive renovation work needed to bring the building up to current building, life-safety, ACA, and PREA standards, including security, mechanical, electrical, plumbing, food service, and roof work. The project is designed for 64 beds for high-risk Jefferson County boys, with the facility currently vacant and those youth being housed in Adair County and Campbell County. For the Lyon project, he said the contract was issued November 21, 2024, demolition is underway, completion is expected June 14, 2026, and the facility will have 34 beds in four pods for low-risk offenders; he said the project appears to be on time and on budget within the $4.5 million authorization. The committee also discussed the medical services contract. DJJ officials said they are reviewing whether to continue with the current state contract provider, Wellpath, or pursue an RFP, while retaining current merit staff and continuing oversight through four nurse program administrators. They said DJJ uses a state master agreement to staff nurses, APRNs, and the chief medical officer, and that the current contract is about $20 million per year. Members asked about Wellpath’s bankruptcy filing; officials said they were aware of it, asked questions, and were told it would not affect Kentucky service delivery or contracting, though they could not recall the bankruptcy type and offered to provide more detail later. They also said DJJ is working with the Cabinet for Health and Family Services to become a Medicaid provider, and any future contractual partner will need to be a Medicaid provider. Finally, White described the proposed high-acuity juvenile mental health treatment facility. He said DJJ must accept court-ordered youth even when they have severe mental illness, but detention centers are not equipped to treat those youth and private psychiatric hospitals often refuse them or discharge them early. He argued that a dedicated secure treatment facility is needed for a small number of highly violent, high-need youth who require intensive psychiatric care and are disruptive in detention. The facility would provide behavioral and psychiatric treatment, reduce delays caused by lack of beds or outside placements, and serve youth determined by clinical assessment to need a secure treatment environment. No votes were taken during the discussion.

Transcript Highlights:

• salt application.
• salt application.
• salt application.
• salt application.
• salt application.

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• applicability, providing an appropriation,<01:48:40.080> and<01:48:40.320> providing<01
• ,<01:50:29.760> and<01:50:29.920> providing<01:50:30.320> for applicability, and
• providing for applicability, and providing for effective<01:50:31.040> dates<01:50:31.520>
• taxes, removing the requirement for specified notices relating to sales and use taxes to be sent by mail
• sent by mail authorizing electronic notices<01:51:00.639> making<01:51:00.960> conforming<

Keywords: 916, all

Transcript Highlights:

• bill requires a second summons for a vehicle speed violation captured by a photo speed camera to be mailed
• bill requires a second summons for a vehicle speed violation captured by a photo speed camera to be mailed
• We come to House Bill 1095, relating to high school students' completion of certain applications for
• The House version required high school seniors to complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid
• Application for Federal Student Aid or opt out.

Keywords: March 11, 2026 - Regular Session, 976, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Through her innovative application of real estate, she not only fortifies communities but also inspires
• in between those two years, they have to do a special election that they have to pay for, and it is mail
• They already have to, for special elections, determine who can vote on those mail-in ballots.
• out most elections we have... ...mail out most elections we have.
• We can mail out permanent absentee ballots if you apply to get on that list, so I know that's going to

Keywords: 996, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Chains are turning them away; mail order won't complete all their orders.
• What we see is, you know, the old adage of, "Hey, the PBM mail order pharmacy is saving money" is not
• As I recall, I believe that mail order pharmacy...
• order or specialty pharmacies. use mail order or specialty pharmacies.
• ...a mail order.

Keywords: 923, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Contract 154 is also with the Department of Parks, Heritage, and Tourism, for mail services.
• So are we going to pay $1.114 million for the next year for this aerial application, or is that part
• I think I was looking at this in conjunction with the Tommy's Flying Service aerial application at the
• Also, aerial application at the Tucker farm. I'm just curious if staff knows.
• I'm just curious if those are lumped together or if these are separate aerial applications.

Keywords: 1204, all

Transcript Highlights:

• This team provides information to Congress on emerging technologies and their application in government
• We need to think about the reliability and application of this technology.
• of government where they can be applicable.
• Natural language processing, of which LLMs are one type of application, can digest mountains of text
• IG findings are based on facts and applicable law and are guided by OIG standards.

Keywords: artificial intelligence, waste reduction, fraud prevention, government efficiency, improper payments, data reliability, oversight

Summary: The meeting was chaired by Chairman Schweikert and involved a comprehensive discussion on how to utilize artificial intelligence (AI) for reducing waste, fraud, and improper payments within federal programs. Key witnesses, including Mr. Andrew Canarsa from the Council of the Inspectors General, provided insights on the potential of AI in enhancing government efficiency. The committee emphasized the importance of reliable data and thorough examination of AI application to avoid unintended consequences while addressing the estimated $162 billion in improper payments reported by the federal government. Concerns were raised regarding the recent firing of inspectors general and the impacts that could have on oversight and accountability processes.

Transcript Highlights:

• The only thing this bill does is simply clarify the application of the statute.
• Well, the application, some trial courts are saying that the plaintiff must introduce those things.
• Some judges in the application are striking that. Instead... Seeking the damages at all.
• Use of Tracking Devices or Applications to Commit Dangerous Crimes. You're recognized.
• Luring or enticing a child was the only applicable charge, a misdemeanor.

Summary: The committee met with a quorum and considered a large agenda of bills, mostly in the criminal justice, courts, civil procedure, and family/consumer protection areas. Early measures included CS/HB 1161 on removing altered sexual depictions posted without consent, HB 403 modernizing LLC law to allow protected series LLCs, CS/HB 97 on service of process in protection proceedings for vulnerable adults, and HB 813 as the state courts package addressing duty judges, arbitrator compensation, and notarization by judges. All of those bills were reported favorably, with HB 403 and HB 813 amended. The committee also heard and advanced CS/HB 947 on evidence of medical damages in personal injury and wrongful death cases, which drew substantial opposition from insurers, business groups, and defense-oriented witnesses, while the sponsor argued it would let juries hear all relevant evidence; it passed 19-3. Members also approved CS/CS/HB 615 allowing electronic delivery of landlord-tenant notices by email, after an amendment requiring opt-in language and written notice to update an email address; tenant advocates still raised concerns about eviction-related notices and receipt verification. HB 663 increased penalties for using tracking devices or apps to commit dangerous crimes and passed unanimously. CS/HB 385 made technical changes to the Florida Trust Code and passed unanimously after a conforming amendment. CS/HB 255, known as Dexter’s Law, increased penalties for aggravated animal cruelty and was supported by law enforcement and animal welfare groups; it passed unanimously. Later in the meeting, the committee approved HB 513 on electronic transmittal of court orders after the sponsor withdrew an amendment that would have changed the deadline from six hours to six business hours, following concerns that the delay could be too long for urgent orders. CS/HB 1099 gave law enforcement discretion in arrests involving individuals with significant medical conditions in facilities and passed unanimously. HB 653 added aggravating factors for capital felonies involving assassinations or attempted assassinations of heads of state; it drew opposition from the Florida Conference of Catholic Bishops and passed 20-2. CS/HB 59 expanded wrongful incarceration compensation by extending the filing deadline, removing the clean-hands bar, and allowing exonerees to choose between civil suit and the state claims process; it passed unanimously. PCS/HB 777 increased penalties for in-person luring or enticing of children and barred certain age-based defenses, passing unanimously. Finally, CS/HB 437 increased penalties for tampering with electronic monitoring devices; two amendments softened the bill by clarifying juvenile treatment and giving judges limited discretion to avoid automatic revocation of pretrial release, and the bill passed 21-1 before the meeting adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• Um, I've been pretty adamant about mail.
• <00:14:10.400> voting our online voter our mail-in voting our online voter our mail-in voting
• We don't promote any candidates in our mailings or anything like that.
• We don't promote any candidates in our mailings or anything like that.
• We don't promote any candidates in our mailings or anything like that.

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Summary: The Judiciary Committee heard Governor’s Message 572, the nomination of Kirsten Walker to the Commission on the Status of Women, and received testimony in strong support from representatives of the Hawaii State Commission on the Status of Women, the Hawaii State LGBTQ+ Commission, and others. Walker described nearly a decade of community advocacy focused on women, gender-diverse people, homelessness, domestic violence, substance use, reproductive and gender-diverse health care, and support for criminalized communities. Members asked about the commission’s past work and future priorities, and Walker said it should continue supporting community initiatives, studies on violence, and women-led efforts. The committee voted to recommend advise and consent, with the measure adopted unanimously by the members present. The committee then considered Governor’s Message 685, the nomination of Arielle Castillo to the Board of Registration of the Island of Oahu. Testimony from supporters emphasized her civic engagement, volunteer work, and willingness to serve in uncompensated state work. Castillo said she had worked in local politics and voter engagement, including with Hawaii Alliance for Progressive Action, and explained her background in voter registration, election rules, and good-government efforts. Members questioned her on how she would handle close voting issues and whether her activism could affect her service; she said she would apply the law fairly, protect voting rights, and that her organization is nonpartisan and does not endorse candidates. The committee again recommended advise and consent, and the nomination was adopted. Finally, the committee heard Governor’s Message 686, the nomination of Jonathan Simons to the Board of Registration of the Island of Hawaii. Supporters described him as thoughtful and analytical, and Simons said he is a Hilo civil engineer with a strong interest in civics and good governance. He said his role on the board would be to protect the franchise by preventing improper disenfranchisement and ensuring votes are counted appropriately, citing his mother’s work enforcing the Voting Rights Act. Members asked whether he would apply election laws fairly and without partisan bias; he said he would. The committee voted advise and consent on GM 686 as well, and all three nominations were adopted before adjournment.

Transcript Highlights:

• NMFA is currently working on the application and will have a standard application system that providers
• And evaluate the application to determine if the project and applicant are eligible.
• ...over by larger applicants.
• So when they submit the application...
• . applicants.

Transcript Highlights:

• Companies will still be required to register. ...and pay the applicable fees.
• The majority of these notices are done through certified mail.

Bills: HB227

Keywords: HB227, kratom, Mitragyna speciosa, kratom products, kratom processor, kratom retailer, controlled substances, Texas Controlled Substances Act, Health and Safety Code, Penalty Group 1, tianeptine, 7-hydroxymitragynine, mitragynine, synthetic kratom, kratom alkaloids, adulterated products, product testing, lab testing, ISO 17025, labeling requirements

Transcript Highlights:

• Representative DeGraaf continued: 35 days after the penalty is mailed.
• Now, that's pretty generous, I think, after the penalty is mailed because that actually assumes that
• <01:35:20.480> building<01:35:20.719> or excuse me, applicable building or excuse me
• , applicable building or electrical<01:35:21.520> codes.
• So, if you want it to be that, if you're actually no-kidding confident that this is not applicable to

Keywords: 981, all

Summary: The House convened, established a quorum, and approved the journal. Members then took up Senate Joint Resolution 4, which designates September 20-26, 2026, as Frontotemporal Degeneration Awareness Week in Colorado. The resolution was read at length, with Representative Clifford speaking in support and describing FTD as a devastating, early-onset dementia that affects families during working and child-rearing years. The resolution passed on a 60-0 vote. The chamber also handled scheduling motions, including removing House Bill 1110 from special orders and placing several bills on special orders for March 4. The meeting then shifted into committee-style consideration of House Bill 1205, concerning changes to state law to reflect the federal expansion of good neighbor authority agreements. After a minor committee-report correction adding wildlife habitat language and removing the safety clause, the report was adopted and the bill passed. Sponsors said the measure aligns state law with federal statute and supports recreation projects and cross-ownership coordination in wildfire-prone landscapes. The bulk of the discussion focused on House Bill 1145, concerning water quality in mobile home parks. Sponsors Velasco and Phillips said the bill responds to longstanding water problems in mobile home communities, including discolored, foul-smelling water and contaminants such as arsenic and E. coli, and that it strengthens testing, complaint, and enforcement authority. Two amendments were offered by Representative Richardson and Representative DeGraaf to narrow or clarify the bill’s standards and hearing provisions; both were defeated. The committee report was then adopted and the bill advanced, with supporters emphasizing public health and financial burdens on residents and opponents warning about vague standards, penalties, and possible unintended effects on park owners.

Transcript Highlights:

• Then in 2011, because people were having trouble, we required that they send a notice by regular mail
• And we've asked to, as I said, be sent by certified mail rather than my initial plan by regular mail
• So, the appraisal district is going to incur expenses sending it by certified mail.
• and maybe it's not worth sending out a certified mail.
• They've put bike lanes there, so you can't pull your car up to get mail anymore.

Bills: SB 1079, SB 1243, SB 1504, SB 1579, SB 1708, SB 1844, SB 1851, SB 1879, SB 1921, SB 1951, SB 2237, SB 2238, SB 2406, SB 2407

Keywords: SB 1079, Texas, county government, commissioners court, Local Government Code, Chapter 263, surplus property, salvage property, data storage device, hard drive, electronic media, digital records, confidential information, protected information, privacy, records retention, information security, data destruction, device disposal, sensitive data

Summary: The meeting of the Senate Committee on Local Government was marked by significant discussions on multiple bills aimed at enhancing governance and protecting taxpayer interests. Among the notable legislations was SB1951, where Senator Paxton emphasized reforms to reduce erroneous penalty notices imposed by appraisal districts, eliminating the financial incentive for such penalties. The session concluded with public testimonies that highlighted the importance of transparency and accountability in taxpayer dealings. Additionally, Senator Middleton presented SB1504 and SB2237, focusing on the operational frameworks of local authorities and executive severance payments, respectively, both of which sparked considerable debate among committee members.

Transcript Highlights:

• This study will focus on how L&I enforces laws applicable to farm workers.
• Second, are our ...and retaliation laws applicable to farm workers.
• One of the metrics, number two, it says you're going to use the number of approved applications that
• I would imagine applications are based on There.
• communities, um streets in the applicable communities.

Summary: The Joint Legislative Audit and Review Committee met on September 17, 2025, in hybrid format. After roll call, the committee initially lacked a quorum and deferred approval of the July 15 minutes until Representative Berg arrived; the minutes were then adopted. Members also discussed the proposed 2026 JLARC meeting schedule, including possible changes to address crowded July meetings and the annual tax exemption review workload. Staff presented the annual lodging tax expenditures report, noting that 213 municipalities received distributions in 2024, with 91% reporting compliance, $114 million awarded for more than 1,700 activities, and no independent verification of the self-reported data. Several members questioned the value and usefulness of the report, and the executive committee indicated it may recommend removing the statutory reporting requirement. The committee then heard the preliminary performance audit of the Office of Privacy and Data Protection, which found the office meets its statutory responsibilities and has high user satisfaction, but recommended updating the statute to better match the office’s current capacity and focus and improving performance measures to reflect long-term privacy outcomes rather than outputs. Members asked about FERPA and other federal privacy laws, and OPDP staff said they provide general privacy training and consultation but not law-specific training unless requested. The committee adopted the final report on Washington State recreational boating programs without recommendation, after staff reported that boating revenues support both general government and boating activities and that no participating agencies submitted formal comments. Members asked about boater safety education and possible overlap among the six agencies involved; Parks staff said education has reached more than 500,000 boaters and that fatalities and incidents have declined. The committee also reviewed planned study questions for a JLARC review of Labor and Industries’ enforcement of farm worker laws, with members raising scope questions about the term “farm worker” versus “agricultural worker,” and for DNR’s Eastern Washington sustainable harvest calculation, which JLARC will review as DNR completes its recalculation. Finally, staff outlined the 2026 tax preference performance reviews covering seven preferences, and members asked about racial equity, environmental impacts, disclosure of beneficiary savings, and how the reviews will measure effectiveness; the meeting adjourned before noon.

Transcript Highlights:

• we've received almost 6,000 applications we've received almost 6,000 applications for<00:25:34.440
• had a hard time getting from applicant to actually award.
• My own district had 227 applicants and 37 awarded.
• <00:47:42.720> and of going through these applicants and of going through these applicants
• <00:48:19.160> and<00:48:19.319> awardees goom's applicants and awardees goom's applicants

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• so this would require the notice to be sent by certified mail and by June 1st so everybody's certain
• rather than by initial blunder of having it put by uh regular mail so that taxpayers.
• So the appraisal district is going to incur expense sending it by certified mail, right, right, right
• This amount of money to the appraisal district for certified mail and that should be taken out of the
• They've put bike lanes there so you can't pull your car up to get mail anymore.

Bills: SB 1079, SB 1243, SB 1504, SB 1579, SB 1708, SB 1844, SB 1851, SB 1879, SB 1921, SB 1951, SB 2237, SB 2238, SB 2406, SB 2407

Keywords: SB 1079, Texas, county government, commissioners court, Local Government Code, Chapter 263, surplus property, salvage property, data storage device, hard drive, electronic media, digital records, confidential information, protected information, privacy, records retention, information security, data destruction, device disposal, sensitive data

Transcript Highlights:

• And now, if mail order pharmacies can use this, now we're giving the mail order pharmacy the additional
• So right now, you know, mail use this?
• > this, now we're giving the mail order this, now we're giving the mail order pharmacy<01:02:22.680><
• Um my not to include the mail order.
• intent, keep it focused locally, no mail intent, keep it focused locally, no mail order.<01:03:57.280

Bills: HF4712, HF4801, HF3756, HF4860, HF4931, HF4289, HF4460

Keywords: residential pools, swimming classes, certification, private business, health safety, health care, prior authorization, managed care, medical assistance, mental health, substance use treatment, chronic conditions, health insurance, insulin, healthcare access, pharmacy regulations, patient assistance, affordable medication, healthcare, pharmacy

Summary: The committee met at 1:00 p.m., confirmed a quorum, and approved the April 8, 2026 minutes. The first bill heard was House File 4712, which was laid over after the committee adopted a DE2 amendment. Representative Schultz said the bill would create a narrow additional exception to public pool limitations so highly certified swimming instructors could use certain pools for specialized infant, youth, and developmental-disability swim instruction. The only testifier, Tessa Seppelt, described ISR instruction as water-safety and drowning-prevention training for very young children and children with developmental delays, and said access to appropriate facilities is the main barrier. Members raised questions about emergency egress, public safety, and insurance coverage, and the author said he would follow up on those concerns. The committee then took up House File 4801, a bill by Representative Nadeau aimed at health care program integrity. He said it would align commercial and Medicaid partners to reduce waste, fraud, and abuse by changing prior authorization and retrospective review processes, improving data sharing on suspected fraud, addressing conflicting or duplicative services, allowing managed care organizations to verify provider credentials, and making risk corridors in MCO contracts permanent. The Minnesota Council of Health Plans supported the bill, saying it would help detect fraud and improve coordination, while the Minnesota chapter of the American Academy of Pediatrics opposed it, arguing that expanded prior authorization would delay care, increase physician burden, and harm children with chronic conditions. Members debated patient safety, fraud detection, and whether the bill would undermine recent prior-authorization reforms. The bill was laid over. House File 3756, a technical update to the insulin safety net program, was also laid over. Representative Backer said the bill clarifies that a hospital-use intravenous insulin product is not part of the program because it is sold only to health care institutions and infused by practitioners, not dispensed to patients for self-use. The Board of Pharmacy testified that the language was drafted to avoid affecting future legitimate uses, and members asked whether the definition could limit new uses if treatments change. The committee then began House File 4860, but the transcript cuts off before the bill’s presentation is completed.