Transcript Highlights:

• So we do a number of things on behalf of the National Conference of State Legislatures.
• That's sort of the underlying theory of some of the laws that they're trying to enforce.
• Some of the cases that, you know, I won't go through all of them, some of them that I would kind of highlight
• This was a case that involved a large amount, millions of dollars, tens of millions of dollars of federal
• This was a case that involved a large amount, millions of dollars, tens of millions of dollars of federal

Committee: House State Government & Tribal Relations

Transcript Highlights:

• State Department of Transportation, as well as the safety Commission had identified this as an incredibly
• Because of the number of lives that have been lost Be safe because of the number of lives that have been
• Thank you, Senator Leas and members of the committee, Mark McKechny from the Traffic Safety Commission
• Thank you, Senator Leas and members of the committee, Mark McKechny from the Traffic Safety Commission
• Next, we have some examples of what we are funding right now through our Traffic Safety Commission, some

Summary: The Senate Transportation Committee met in Yakima to focus on tribal traffic safety, with members and Yakima Nation leaders emphasizing the importance of safety, the right to travel, and continued partnership on U.S. 97 corridor improvements. Yakima Nation Vice Chair Christopher Wallachie and engineering staff described the Tribal Traffic Safety Committee, the U.S. 97 safety project, heritage connectivity trails, roundabout construction, and the use of federal grants and advanced sensing technology to identify hazards before crashes occur. They highlighted collaboration with WSDOT, the Traffic Safety Commission, the University of Washington, and other regional partners, and explained that the goal is to move from reactive crash response to proactive risk reduction. The Yakima Nation engineering team and AI Vision presented the MUST sensor project, which uses compact AI-enabled devices to collect traffic counts, speeds, near-miss events, roadway conditions, and pedestrian activity, with data transmitted to a dashboard and used for real-time warnings and longer-term planning. Committee members asked about speed tracking, driver behavior, enforcement, and partnerships with WSDOT and counties. Yakima Nation staff said the relationship with WSDOT has improved over time, especially after community outreach on proposed roundabouts, and that the tribe now supports several roundabout projects and broader safety coordination. The Washington Traffic Safety Commission then presented statewide fatality trends and tribal traffic safety data. Mark McKekney said 2024 showed a roughly 10% decrease in fatalities statewide, though recent years remain among the highest in decades. He noted that race and ethnicity data are only available for people who die in crashes, and that many American Indian and Alaska Native fatalities involve passengers, pedestrians, or bicyclists rather than drivers. Penny Rerick outlined tribal traffic safety coordinator grants and other state-funded tribal projects, including work with Yakama Nation, Colville, Kalispel, Makah, Port Gamble S'Klallam, Muckleshoot, Lower Elwha, and Puyallup, stressing that flexible state funding helps fill gaps left by federal programs and supports community-led solutions. The final presentation covered impaired driving enforcement and ignition interlock compliance in Yakima County. Yakima Police Chief Sean Boyle said the city created a DUI enforcement and education officer program that helped reduce serious injury and fatal impaired-driving crashes, supported by state funding and social media outreach. Yakima County District Court’s Nick Bazan described a supervision program for DUI offenders and interlock compliance, reporting more than 1,000 DUI convictions in 2024-25 and about 3,800 noncompliant interlock users countywide. He said the court is using a two-pronged approach—pretrial assistance for indigent clients and post-conviction accountability and case planning—to improve compliance and reduce impaired driving. The committee expressed support for the work, noted the progress made, and adjourned the work session after thanking presenters for their updates.

Transcript Highlights:

• So the Gambling Commission is made up of five commissioners. We have four positions still now.
• Today, I'll give an overview of the history of the tribe, a general overview of the history of the tribe
• Given an overview of the history of the tribe, addressing certain pieces of legislation that have impacted
• people of this land.
• Them with the annual cost of tuition equal to the University of Washington's annual rate of tuition.

Summary: The joint House and Senate committee meeting heard public testimony on tentative tribal-state gaming compact amendments for the Port Gamble S'Klallam Tribe and the Upper Skagit Indian Tribe. Staff from the Washington State Gambling Commission explained the compacting process, the role of ex officio legislative members, and that the amendments would next go to the Gambling Commission for a January 8, 2026 vote before possible governor review. The Port Gamble S'Klallam presentation emphasized how gaming revenue supports tribal government services, health care, housing, education, language revitalization, natural resources work, and community investment projects in Kitsap County. For Port Gamble S'Klallam, the proposed changes include expanded credit and wager limits, more gaming stations and player terminals, language for a second facility, and adoption of an electronic table games appendix similar to other tribes. Members asked about pre-screening for high-limit tables, including how the tribe would define problem gambling and self-exclusion; tribal counsel said internal minimum control standards were still being developed and more detail would follow. A question about green crab removal in Port Gamble Bay was deferred for follow-up because the natural resources director was not present. The Upper Skagit Indian Tribe described its history, sovereignty, gaming operations, and how gaming revenue supports member programs such as nutrition assistance, education aid, homeownership down payment help, and charitable giving in Skagit County. Its amendment would allow electronic table games after the tribe removed traditional table games due to staffing and cost pressures, with the goal of remaining competitive. Committee members also asked about air quality and smoking-related provisions in the compact; the tribe said it maintains separate smoking and non-smoking areas and supports smoking cessation efforts. Chairs from both chambers closed by thanking the tribes for their contributions to members, local communities, and natural resource protection.

Transcript Highlights:

• So there's a list of them.
• I guess that question came up at the Tax Commission, what that period of time was.
• Does that mean an itemized list of every item sold or a summation of what was sold at that sale?
• The first I've kind of covered.
• of principal and interest?

Committee: House Revenue and Taxation

Transcript Highlights:

• of thing, this<01:44:05.520><c> video</c><01:44:05.840><c> lottery</c><01:44:06.520><c> terminals</c>
• And we got to remember back in 2016 is when we got rid of the racing and charitable gaming commission
• </c><02:11:56.159><c> this</c> for a the continuation of this for a the continuation of this commission
• </c><02:11:57.920><c> The</c><02:11:58.079><c> top</c><02:11:58.239><c> of</c> commission to look at
• The top of commission to look at that.

Summary: The committee held a public hearing on SB 60, which would expressly authorize advanced deposit wagering for horse racing in New Hampshire and set the online tax rate at 1.25%, matching the existing rate for in-person horse betting at Seabrook and Belmont. Senator Tim Lang said the bill is intended to clarify that online horse betting is permitted, regulate the activity, and create a revenue stream while keeping the tax rate consistent with brick-and-mortar wagering. Members asked about the rate compared with other states, whether the bill was really about casino front money, and whether geofencing would apply; Lang and later witnesses said the bill is narrowly limited to parimutuel horse racing and would use geofencing to keep wagering within New Hampshire. Peter Bragdon, speaking for Churchill Downs, supported the bill and described advanced deposit wagering as remote betting on horse races under the Interstate Horse Racing Act of 1978. He said Churchill Downs and other operators have long been active in New Hampshire, but the state’s lack of a specific statute has created a gray area. Bragdon said Churchill Downs stopped its own New Hampshire online operations in 2022 after discussions with the Lottery Commission and attorney general, while competitors continued operating, and he framed the bill as a fairness and consumer-protection measure that would clarify the law going forward. He also said the bill would not affect historic horse racing machines and would not create cannibalization of charitable gaming. Lottery Director Charlie McIntyre said the Lottery Commission and attorney general had identified the issue as similar to the earlier fantasy sports situation, where legislation was used to regulate an activity rather than pursue enforcement. He said the commission requested the bill, would serve as the regulator, and would address violations through rulemaking and penalties. McIntyre said operators would maintain customer and transaction records, with the commission reviewing them as needed, and he noted that three operators are currently active in the state and not paying the proposed 1.25% rate. No vote was taken during the hearing.

Transcript Highlights:

• As of today, we have 2.2 gigawatts of signed contracts, As of today, we have 2.2 gigawatts of signed
• termination fees, the reduction fees, all of those things, the minimum billing demand, all of those
• So in your territory, of all the proposals that have been discussed at these county commissions and at
• And it is true that Senate Bill 4 did kind of prompt the issue, and the Public Service Commission has
• We asked the Public Service Commission to look at five or ten years' worth of electric payments, because

Committee: House Utilities

Summary: The Missouri House Committee on Utilities held an informational hearing on data centers, with the chair saying the goal was to hear different perspectives and better understand the issue before future legislation. No public testimony was taken, but three invited speakers presented: a labor representative, an Ameren Missouri executive, and a consumer advocate. The discussion focused on the economic benefits of data centers, including construction jobs, local hiring, apprenticeship opportunities, tax revenue for schools and local governments, and related spending by Missouri businesses. The labor witness described current Montgomery County projects, said hundreds of Missourians were already working there, and argued that closed-loop cooling and generator noise were manageable. Committee members also raised questions about water use, noise, cybersecurity, local hiring, and how much tax revenue a project could generate annually. Ameren’s Rob Dixon said Senate Bill 4 and the PSC’s large-load tariff provide key protections for ratepayers by requiring large customers to pay their own interconnection costs, sign long-term contracts, post collateral, and pay for most of their requested load even if they use less. He said those rules help prevent costs from shifting to other customers and that large loads can put downward pressure on rates by contributing to fixed system costs. Dixon also said Ameren is planning for significant new generation, including gas, nuclear, hydro, coal, and renewables, and that data centers are subject to the same load-shedding and emergency restoration rules as other customers. He noted that the protections apply to investor-owned utilities, not co-ops or municipal utilities. John Kaufman of the Consumers Council of Missouri argued the PSC protections are still too weak and warned that data centers could raise rates through construction work in progress, stranded generation costs, and other risks if projects are delayed, shrink, or fail. He urged stronger consumer protections, more upfront financial commitments from data centers, and greater transparency for ratepayers, while also suggesting community benefit agreements and cautioning against over-reliance on utility projections. Several members pushed back on his characterization of Senate Bill 4 and QIP/CWIP provisions, and the hearing ended with the chair thanking the witnesses and adjourned the committee.

Transcript Highlights:

• Moment of silence, members. States, please. Moment of silence, members.
• learned of the death of the Honorable Joe R.
• Sauter, The members of the Louisiana House of Representatives learned of the death of the Honorable Joe
• Please give a round of applause and possibly a moment of silence.
• House of Representatives upon the death of Reverend Dr.

Summary: The House convened with a quorum present, opened with prayer and the Pledge of Allegiance, and then moved through a series of personal privileges and ceremonial recognitions. Members offered remarks honoring Representative Wright’s uncle, a Korean War veteran, and presented House Resolution 4 honoring former Speaker Joe R. Sauter, with several members and family members speaking about his service, humility, faith, and character. The chamber also recognized the Louisiana Federal Directors Association, celebrated Representative Bagley’s mother’s 96th birthday, welcomed Miss Natchitoches City of Lights, and later welcomed the North Shore Focus group at the Capitol. The House received Senate messages on SCR 4, SCR 7, and SCR 8, all of which lay over, and enrolled H.R. 4 through 8. Members introduced several new measures, including resolutions on the death of Reverend Dr. William J. Shaw, support for a federal voter ID measure, Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority Day, a study of the Taylor Opportunity Program for Students, and support for eliminating the U.S. Department of Education; these were assigned numbers and lay over. The chamber also adopted, without objection, several resolutions already on the floor, including H.R. 10 recognizing Funeral Director’s Day, H.R. 11 honoring the crew of Eve’s 40th anniversary, H.R. 12 for Nurse Practitioner Day, H.R. 13 on Dorothy Prevost, and H.C.R. 13 honoring Crime Stoppers of Greater New Orleans. Committee reports and bill referrals were then taken up. New bills included a crime prevention and security district in Arlene’s Parish and consent-judgment appropriation measures. The House also received numerous committee reports, mostly favorable or with amendments, on bills dealing with court jurisdiction, child relocation, highway and bridge memorial designations, software standards of care, harmful material to minors, and ferry terminal naming. Several of these were ordered engrossed or had amendments adopted. The session ended with announcements about upcoming committee meetings, a reminder about interim emergency board ballots, and a motion to adjourn until Monday at 3:00 p.m., which passed without objection.

Transcript Highlights:

• The Gambling Commission is made up of five commissioners. We have four positions still open.
• Today, I'll give an overview of the history of the tribe, a general overview of the history of the tribe
• Today, I'll give an overview of the history of the tribe, a general overview of the history of the tribe
• people of this land.
• tuition equal to the University of Washington's annual rate of tuition.

Summary: The joint House and Senate committee meeting heard public presentations on tentative tribal gaming compact amendments for the Port Gamble S'Klallam Tribe and the Upper Skagit Indian Tribe. Staff from the Washington State Gambling Commission explained the compacting process, the role of ex officio legislative members, and that both amendments would next go to a Gambling Commission hearing on January 8, 2026, where commissioners and ex officio members would vote on whether to forward them to the governor or send them back for further negotiation. Port Gamble S'Klallam Chairwoman Amber Caldera described the tribe’s history, lands, and how gaming revenue supports government services such as health care, housing, education, language and culture, natural resources, and community investment. Commission negotiator Johnny Bray summarized the proposed compact changes for Port Gamble as updates to Appendix F, including higher credit and wager limits, more gaming stations and player terminals, language for a second facility, and adoption of Appendix G for electronic table games. Members asked about pre-screening for high-limit tables and the tribe’s handling of problem gambling and self-exclusion, and tribal counsel said internal minimum control standards were still being developed. A question was also raised about funding for green crab removal, but the tribe said it would follow up with more details. Upper Skagit Indian Tribe attorney David Hawkins gave a historical overview of the tribe, its gaming operations, and how gaming revenue supports member programs such as nutrition assistance, education, and down payment aid, as well as local charitable contributions and emergency housing. He said the tribe is seeking the amendment to add electronic table games after removing traditional table games before COVID, in order to remain competitive. Committee questions focused on air quality and smoking areas, and Hawkins said the tribe maintains a non-smoking floor with separate smoking rooms and supports smoking cessation efforts. Chair Kauffman closed by thanking both tribes for their contributions to tribal members and the broader community, including education, housing, culture, health care, and natural resource protection.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:16:39.759><c> this</c> commission is in strong support of this commission is in strong support
• of addresses um of includes disclosure of addresses um of candidates<00:18:25.600><c> and</c><00:18:
• Next, we have the Hawaii State Commission on the Status of Women in support. ...missing the appointed
• Next, we have the Hawaii State Commission on the Status of Women in support.
• The Hawaii State Commission on the Status of Women in support, Women Voters Hawaii in support, the Hawaii

Bills: HB1805 , HB2110 , HB2180 , HB2184 , HB2219 , HB2469

Committee: House Legislative Management

Summary: The House Committee on Legislative Management heard testimony on several measures. HB 1805, relating to child welfare, drew support from the University of Hawaii and concerns from the Attorney General about the bill’s definition of state agency and possible separation-of-powers and supremacy clause issues. During decision-making, the committee opted to move the child advocate function to the Attorney General’s office, accepted the Attorney General’s suggested scope and jurisdiction amendments, set the salary at 90% of the Department of Health deputy director’s salary, and passed the bill with amendments. HB 2110, relating to nepotism, received support from the Hawaii State Ethics Commission, which said the bill would apply the rule consistently and noted the existing good-cause exception process. The committee later deferred the bill, saying existing House rules on nepotism were already strict and that the proposal would be duplicative in statute. HB 2180, relating to voting boards, had no oral testimony in the room during the hearing, but the committee later amended it into a blank appropriations vehicle for the House of Representatives and passed it with amendments. HB 2184, relating to lawmaker safety, drew concerns from the Campaign Spending Commission that the bill would require redaction of address information and could create implementation issues, and the Attorney General noted missing language regarding appointed officials and an internal cross-reference issue. The committee adopted amendments to address those concerns and passed the bill with amendments. HB 2219, relating to disclosure of privileged communications to the Ombudsman, was clarified by the Ombudsman’s office as not requiring disclosure of privileged material, only preserving privilege if such material is voluntarily provided; the bill passed with amendments. HB 2469, relating to a regular session review working group, received testimony from the State Procurement Office, the Legislative Reference Bureau, and others in support and opposition, and the committee passed it with amendments after changing references and funding language.

Transcript Highlights:

• As of today, we have 2.2 gigawatts of signed contracts, As of today, we have 2.2 gigawatts of signed
• So in your territory, of all the proposals that have been discussed at these county commissions and at
• So all of these resources serve all of our customers.
• And it is true that Senate Bill 4 did kind of prompt the issue, and the Public Service Commission has
• We asked the Public Service Commission to look at five or ten years' worth of electric payments, because

Committee: House Utilities

Transcript Highlights:

• Administration and did not really align with some of the newer strategic plan of what the commission
• And we had a restoration of funding that got us back to where I believe the commission was in 2016.
• , and this was before I was even a part of the commission, in the fall of 2023, that the system support
• When that was not done, the commission decided to terminate the contract for cause and to restore the
• And what will happen, I think, there's a lot of questions about this contract that was terminated and

Committee: House A&B General Government Subcommittee

Transcript Highlights:

• termination, simply because of an algorithm.
• termination, simply because of an algorithm.
• Catherine Squire on behalf of the California Commission on the Status of Women and Girls in support.
• California Commission on the Status of Women and Girls in support.
• Catherine Squire, on behalf of the California Commission on the Status of Women and Girls, proud co-sponsor

Committee: House Labor and Employment

Summary: The Assembly Labor and Employment Committee heard and advanced a series of labor, workplace, and pay equity bills. SB 703 on port trucking misclassification would require ports to collect and report data to help identify misclassified independent contractors; supporters said the bill would improve enforcement and protect workers, while trucking and retail groups said recent amendments addressed many concerns. The bill passed 5-0 and was re-referred to Transportation. The committee also approved a consent calendar including SB 275, SB 648, SB 355, and SB 693. Members then heard SB 294, the Workplace Know Your Rights Act, which would require the Labor Commissioner to create a template for employers to annually notify workers of labor and civil rights protections, with supporters arguing workers need clearer information amid federal uncertainty and opponents from the restaurant industry raising concerns. SB 7, dealing with automated decision-making systems in employment discipline and termination, would require notice and human review; labor groups supported it as a safeguard against biased or opaque algorithmic management, while employer groups objected to broad definitions and burdens on businesses. Both bills passed and were re-referred to Judiciary and Privacy and Consumer Protection, respectively. The committee also approved SB 238 on workplace AI/surveillance transparency, SB 442 on self-checkout staffing standards, and SB 464 on expanding public-sector pay data reporting tied to reparations and pay equity goals. Supporters of SB 238 emphasized transparency and privacy, while business and public-sector groups warned about security and administrative burdens; SB 442 drew support from labor and retail workers who said self-checkout reduces hours and increases safety risks, while grocers argued it would raise costs and reduce flexibility; SB 464 was backed as a way to better measure representation and pay gaps, though counties and local government groups said the bill needed narrowing to avoid covering county workers. Finally, SB 642 on equal pay reforms and a longer recovery period for wage claims passed 5-0 after labor advocates said it would help workers recover lost pay, while business groups opposed the 10-year lookback as too burdensome.

Transcript Highlights:

• Rider 8B of the agency's bill patterns that sells. commission at 0.5% of projected gross lottery sales
• and obtain a significant number of lottery terminals in advance of that drawing.
• of terminals.
• They had a large number of your terminals and you said one of the things that you had you had done to
• commission. commission as establishing a cap for the program of $280,000.

Committee: House Appropriations - S/C on Articles VI, VII, & VIII

Transcript Highlights:

• Jay Henthorne, Chief of Police, City of Richfield. Thank you, Mr.
• I'm the chief of police of the City of Richfield.
• I'm speaking today on behalf of the Minnesota Chiefs of Police Association.
• </c><00:32:17.279><c> and</c> at a lot of a variety of topics and at a lot of a variety of topics and
• </c><00:41:56.000><c> of</c><00:41:56.359><c> some</c><00:41:56.599><c> pretty</c> be respectful of of

Committee: Senate Judiciary and Public Safety

Transcript Highlights:

• So, a lot of your local Workforce Commission boards will receive some funding. ...dollars, and additional
• from the Department of Public Safety to the Health and Human Services Commission.
• We're also supportive of many of the railroad commission programs, including the plugging program.
• I'm hopeful you've been made aware of the abrupt early termination of certain federal mental health block
• To provide local context, the Harris Center, our member in Houston, this termination means a loss of

Bills: SB1 , HB500 , SB 1

Committee: House Appropriations

Keywords: appropriations, budget, state funding, education, healthcare, infrastructure, state budget, mental health funding, education funding, infrastructure improvements, public safety, campground safety, youth camp regulations, flood safety, emergency evacuation, health and safety standards

Transcript Highlights:

• They have paid unfair prices for fuel bunkering at terminal stations as a result of government-granted
• Our next witness is Commissioner Daniel Maffei of the Federal Maritime Commission.
• Senator, let me first say that this is outside the scope of what the Federal Maritime Commission does
• That's actually the same company that runs terminals on both ends of the canal.
• In addition to your work on the Federal Maritime Commission, one example of China's influence with the

Committee: Senate Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee

Transcript Highlights:

• House Bill by Representative Phelps, Louisiana Sickle Cell Commission, membership of the commission,
• membership, functions of the commission, 237.
• , powers, duties, and membership of the commission, 271.
• Of course, we have the Louisiana-Ireland Trade Commission and our commission chairperson, Mr.
• the commission; definitions; duties of the commission; licensing, 939.

Summary: The House convened with a quorum, received and accepted multiple resignation notices from members representing Districts 37, 39, 60, 69, 97, and 100, and then recognized the election and qualification of the members-elect who filled those vacancies: Doyle Boudreau, Reese Broussard, Chasity Verrett-Martinez, and Edwin Murray. Each member-elect was sworn in, and the House also appointed committees to notify the Senate and the governor that it was ready to conduct business for the 2026 regular session. The chamber then handled a large number of procedural actions related to prefiled legislation. By motion and without objection, the House suspended rules to refer prefile bills to committee and introduced a broad slate of House bills and resolutions. Topics included the state budget and appropriations, retirement system changes, carbon capture and sequestration, criminal justice and bail, public safety, education, health care, local government matters, transportation, and several memorial or commemorative resolutions. Several resolutions and bills were noted as lying over, and some prefiled bills were withdrawn from the files. The House also received a Senate message that SCR 1 had been adopted, and the resolution was taken up without objection. The chamber then recessed for a joint session with the Senate to hear the governor’s address and a presentation honoring Technical Sergeant Adam W. Brister with the Distinguished Flying Cross. In his remarks, Governor Jeff Landry highlighted his administration’s priorities, including education, tax reform, workforce development, health and nutrition, insurance reform, transportation infrastructure, fiscal discipline, and criminal justice reform, while urging support for his agenda and several related bills and constitutional amendments.

Transcript Highlights:

• of the Special Legislative Commission on the Future of Payments and Sales Transactions by Credit Card
• Just to kind of set the table again, this is, I believe, our third meeting of this commission, our second
• My question kind of relates back to one of the more specific charges of the Commission, and, you know
• My question kind of relates back to one of the more specific charges of the Commission, and, you know
• Commissions, Bureau of Consumer Protection, Division of Financial Practices.

Summary: The Special Legislative Commission on the Future of Payments and Sales Transactions by Credit Card and the Impacts for Small Businesses held a public hearing focused on interchange fees, sales tax and tip processing, chargebacks, fraud, surcharging, and the broader future of payment systems. Chair Paul Feeney and co-chair Rep. Jamie Murphy opened by explaining the commission’s charge and inviting testimony from small businesses, industry groups, banks, and policy experts. Representative Sean Garballey testified first, arguing that Massachusetts tourism depends on universal card acceptance and stable interchange, and urging the commission not to disrupt the current system ahead of major events expected to bring millions of visitors to the Commonwealth. A large portion of the hearing featured independent restaurant owners and advocates describing thin margins and the burden of paying percentage-based processing fees on sales tax and tips that are not business revenue. Jen Ziskin, Kristen Canty, Nancy Cushman, Kerry Colzer, and others said restaurants often operate on very small profits and that processing fees on taxes and gratuities can amount to tens or hundreds of thousands of dollars annually. Ryan Lotz also urged reforms to chargebacks, including refunding chargeback fees when merchants prevail, requiring consumers to contact businesses before disputing charges, and limiting repeat abuse. Commission members pressed witnesses on whether tax and tip amounts could be separated at the point of sale, and several witnesses said current consumer card systems do not transmit that level of detail. Testimony from credit union, banking, and payments representatives largely opposed state-level changes that would carve out taxes or tips from interchange, warning of compliance burdens, higher costs, reduced rewards, and possible effects on fraud protection and access to credit. Alex Verine of America’s Credit Unions and Deb Peters and Keely McEwen of the Electronic Payments Coalition said the payment system is complex, that interchange funds fraud prevention and network infrastructure, and that new state mandates could create operational and legal uncertainty. Dan Swanson argued states have authority to act and pointed to Illinois litigation and federal court rulings, while Julian Morris and Brad Popolado emphasized the benefits of card acceptance, the decline of cash, and the need to consider other payment methods and check fraud as well. Several witnesses discussed international payment systems, instant payments, and QR standards as possible future directions. The chairs and members engaged in extended back-and-forth with witnesses about whether Massachusetts could exempt sales tax from swipe fees, whether surcharging should be revisited, and whether vendor compensation or other targeted relief might be more workable than broad changes to interchange. No votes were taken. At the close of the hearing, the chairs said the commission would hold one additional public hearing date to be determined, after which members would begin developing next steps and a report.

Transcript Highlights:

• cutting of the tendon of the limb, paw, or digit of a cat.
• cutting of the tendon of the limb, paw, or digit of a cat to prevent the normal movement of the claw
• , or the prevention of the normal functioning of one or more of the claws of a cat.
• These mid-contract changes are increasing, and notices of potential contract terminations are also increasing
• They're subject to no negotiation, and our only remedy is to take the nuclear option of terminating our

Bills: HB1904 , HB2106 , HB2211 , HB2247 , HB2329 , HB2339

Committee: House Health Care & Wellness

Keywords: animal welfare, cats, declawing, animal rights, pet care, healthcare, contract modifications, provider notifications, insurance carriers, health facilities, HB 2211, medically tailored meals, medical nutrition therapy, medical assistance, Medicaid, Health Care Authority, Department of Social and Health Services, nutrition support, chronic disease, dietary accommodations

Transcript Highlights:

• cutting of the tendon of the limb, paw, or digit of a cat.
• cutting of the tendon of the limb, paw, or digit of a cat to prevent the normal movement of the claw
• , or the prevention of the normal functioning of one or more of the claws of a cat.
• These mid-contract changes are increasing, and notices of potential contract terminations are also increasing
• They're subject to no negotiation, and our only remedy is to take the nuclear option of terminating our

Summary: The committee heard public hearings on several health-related bills. House Bill 1904 would prohibit cat declawing except for therapeutic purposes, with staff explaining definitions, fines, recordkeeping, and reporting requirements. The prime sponsor and animal welfare advocates described declawing as cruel and linked it to pain and behavior problems, while the Washington State Veterinary Medical Association supported the substance of the bill but asked to remove the added reporting and disciplinary provisions as redundant and burdensome. House Bill 2211 would provide guidance for medically tailored meals under existing Medicaid-related nutrition supports, including standards for Washington-based nonprofit providers where possible, menu review, and nutrition requirements. The sponsor said it would clarify implementation without expanding the program, and supporters from meal providers, food distributors, and local farms said it would improve health outcomes, keep dollars local, and support Washington jobs and agriculture. House Bill 2329 would allow licensed midwives to delegate certain tasks to medical assistants and to supervise medical assistants, with the sponsor and birth center operators saying it would fix an omission in current law and help rural and under-resourced birth centers operate more efficiently. Supporters said it would improve staffing and financial stability, while the sponsor indicated the lactation consultant language would likely be removed because those consultants are not regulated by the Department of Health. The committee then returned to House Bill 1904 for additional testimony from humane organizations, veterinarians, shelter leaders, and local officials, all supporting a ban on declawing and emphasizing animal pain, shelter impacts, and available alternatives. House Bill 2247 would expand and clarify veterinary telehealth and veterinarian-client-patient relationship rules, allowing a VCPR to be established in certain telehealth circumstances and setting guardrails for consent, practice standards, and when in-person exams are still required. Supporters from shelters, animal welfare groups, mobile clinics, and veterinarians said telehealth would improve access in rural and underserved areas, reduce shelter intake, and help animals receive care sooner; the veterinary association supported the bill with amendments to clarify recordkeeping and access-to-care findings. House Bill 2339 would update nursing license terminology and processes for advanced registered nurse practitioners, including title changes, controlled substance rules for CRNAs, transcript submission, and interim permits. Nursing board and ARNP representatives supported the technical updates, while the hospital association and medical association raised concerns about title language for clinical nurse specialists and the deletion of a reference to the medical profession. Finally, House Bill 2106 would require health carriers to give 90 days’ notice of significant mid-contract payer modifications and provide the actual modification language, with the sponsor and hospital and provider representatives saying insurers are increasingly making unilateral changes that affect payment, services, and patient access. UW Medicine and a rural hospital district described examples where insurers changed imaging or preventive service coverage mid-contract, causing financial losses and forcing difficult choices about network participation. Carriers were noted as opposing the bill, while providers and facilities argued it would improve transparency and prevent one-sided contract changes that disrupt care.