Transcript Highlights:

• will provide much needed relief to veterinarians, particularly in overcrowded animal shelters and humane
• The Committee on Committees has met and reassigned the following: to Licensing, Occupations, and Administrative
• Reassigned to licensing,<01:06:42.559> occupations,<01:06:43.119> and licensing, occupations
• , and licensing, occupations, and administrative<01:06:43.920> regulations,<01:06:44.480> House

Keywords: Convene 00:00:00 Senate Message 00:05:34 Calendar/2nd Readings 00:06:28 Orders of the Day 00:08:10 HB 542 00:08:34 HB 565 00:23:06 HB 611 00:25:32 HB 657 00:28:39 HB 762 00:31:07 HB 108 00:34:54 HB 67 00:39:02 Motions, Petitions, and Communications 00:46:48 Introduction of New Bills and Resolutions 00:58:42 Recess for ConC/Rules Meeting 00:59:12 ConC/Rules Report 01:02:18 Floor Amendments 01:03:42 Adjournment 01:04:02, 958, all

Summary: The House convened with an invocation and pledge, established a quorum with 92 members present, excused absent members, and approved the journal. The chamber also received notice that the Senate had passed Senate Bills 5, 12, and 73 and requested concurrence. Members then moved through second reading of several bills, including measures on geoengineering, video teleconference meetings, dissolution of marriage, licensed child care centers, city franchises, trophy catfish, peer support specialists, and House Joint Resolution 25 on Kentucky becoming a “food is medicine” state. The House then considered and passed several bills on third reading. House Bill 387, relating to the Controlled Substance Prescribing Council, was amended and passed 91-1 after debate over veterinarians’ reporting requirements; the bill bars such reporting by regulation, removes an emergency medicine physician and acute care nurse from the council, and adds two veterinarians. House Bill 45, modernizing CPA licensure, passed 93-0. House Bill 369, adding PTSD to conditions eligible for hyperbaric oxygen therapy for veterans, passed 93-0. House Bill 333, concerning faith-based small-scale affordable housing and shelters, passed 90-1 after discussion of housing needs, zoning limits, affordability requirements, and shelter standards. House Bill 50, addressing removal of persons unlawfully occupying real property, passed 92-0, and House Bill 388, a cleanup bill for the CASPER prescription monitoring program, passed 92-0. The House also passed House Bill 385, clarifying that the Commonwealth and Cabinet for Health and Family Services are financially responsible for non-elective medical care for patients of state-operated mental health facilities, by a 91-0 vote. House Bill 212, allowing licensed veterinary technicians to administer rabies vaccinations to dogs, cats, and ferrets under veterinarian supervision, passed 92-0. After these actions, the House took up House Resolution 58 recognizing February 6, 2026, as National Wear Red Day in Kentucky; the sponsor spoke about heart disease awareness and two young constituents awaiting heart transplants, and the resolution was adopted without objection. Later, the House received announcements about caucus meetings and committee meetings, then introduced a large slate of new bills and House Resolution 61 commemorating the 100th anniversary of Black History Month. The Committee on Committees and Rules Committee reported referrals and postings, including referral of several bills to standing committees and posting House Bills 748, 266, 305, and 470 for Monday, February 9, 2026. The session ended after introduction of floor amendments to House Bill 356.

Transcript Highlights:

• And at one of the informational hearings, the staff reported that they had actually secured a live human
• Senator Cabaldon just alluded to: a million dollars in liability insurance, a million dollars in occupational
• Unlike UIM, the occupational accident insurance provided under Proposition 22 excludes compensation..
• Occupational accident insurance is not the same coverage.
• The occupational accident insurance I referenced, or excuse me, the liability insurance that I referenced

Summary: The committee heard several insurance-related bills. SB 371 by Senator Cabaldon would lower uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage requirements for rideshare companies from the current $1 million level to $100,000 per person and $300,000 per incident, with added transparency and data-reporting provisions. Uber, Lyft, and several business groups supported the bill as a way to reduce fares and improve affordability, while consumer attorneys, labor groups, and others opposed it as a major cut in protection for injured passengers and drivers. Committee members raised concerns about whether savings would actually reach riders and drivers, but the bill was approved on a do-pass vote to the next committee, with one member not voting. SB 487 by Senator Grayson would change how settlement or judgment proceeds are distributed when peace officers or firefighters are injured by a third party, ensuring they receive at least two-thirds of the at-fault party’s liability insurance limits in certain cases. Supporters, including public safety unions and an injured deputy sheriff, said current law can leave injured first responders with little or no recovery after employer reimbursement, while opponents representing cities, counties, and public agencies argued the bill would reduce recovery of taxpayer-funded workers’ compensation costs and lacked sufficient data. The committee members who spoke largely supported the bill, and it passed on a do-pass vote to Appropriations, with one member not voting. SB 616 by Senator Rubio would create an independent community hardening commission within the Department of Insurance to develop statewide wildfire mitigation recommendations and a post-catastrophe reporting process. The Department of Insurance, local governments, consumer groups, and fire-related organizations supported the measure as a way to improve wildfire resilience and insurance availability, while water agencies opposed provisions touching water infrastructure and warned of litigation and ratepayer impacts. The bill advanced on a do-pass vote to Appropriations, with some members not voting and one member voting no. The committee also heard SB 547 by Senator Perez, coauthored by Senator Rubio, which would extend wildfire-related insurance cancellation/nonrenewal moratoriums to commercial properties; insurers removed their opposition after amendments, and the bill passed to Appropriations on a do-pass vote.

Transcript Highlights:

• It allows for a bracket in the statute to include Midland to receive a state sales tax and hotel occupancy
• While we qualify to participate in the existing state sales tax and hotel occupancy tax program for conventions
• Texas Baptists support, uh, legislation that promotes the flourishing of, of humans and, and all Texans
• These revenues or rebates include the state sales tax, state hotel occupancy tax, and the state mixed
• And receive rebates of state sales taxes and state hotel occupancy taxes for 10 years.

Bills: HB249

Keywords: real property, ad valorem tax, tax appraisal, property value limitation, real estate taxation, property ownership

Transcript Highlights:

• We remember that this work is not just political, it is also deeply human.
• First reading of Senate File number 3298, an act relating to health occupations.

Keywords: 919, house, all

Summary: The House convened with prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, and a roll call establishing a quorum. The journal from the previous day was approved as corrected. The chamber then moved through routine business, including second reading of House File 5074, first reading of House Files 5122 through 5177, and receipt of Senate Files 3298 and 4476. Senate File 3298, relating to health occupations, was referred to the Committee on Health, Finance, and Policy, while Senate File 4476, relating to state government, was referred for comparison with House File 4338. The Committee on Rules and Legislative Administration reported designating Senate File 476 and House Files 4546 and 1695 for the calendar on Monday, May 11, 2026, and requiring pre-filing of amendments to those bills. After that report, Representative Niska announced that Republicans would caucus, and Representative Long announced that Democrats would caucus as well. Representative Niska moved a recess to the call of the Speaker, and the motion prevailed. The House then stood in recess.

Transcript Highlights:

• You're talking about human intuition, human intervention in the way to analyze, and, you know, what I
• It's an automating job that cannot be done by a human being.
• AI threatens to remove human beings.
• Humans should make these kinds of decisions; at the very least, humans should be in the loop.
• And so they can be deactivated with little or no human review.

Keywords: 987, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• renting and they're trying to transition, and in that transition you can't get your certificate of occupancy
• right to certificate of occupancy because they're not being inspected.
• I know Health and Human Services would like it as well.
• I believe LFC was mentioned, Health and Human Services was mentioned.
• , I'm not aware of that, but one way we address entrepreneurship is we have a very liberal home occupation

Transcript Highlights:

• Another $822,000 supports allied health programs including occupational therapy, clinical laboratory
• including occupational therapy Clinical Laboratory<00:34:42.159> science<00:34:43.119> it<
• This breadth allows us to lead in human, animal, and public health, with campuses in the Twin Cities,
• <01:09:18.359> and physical and mental health human and physical and mental health human and
• therapy and medical laboratory occup therapy and medical laboratory Sciences<01:10:57.719> across

Keywords: 1183, house

Bills: HR206, SB3083, SB2377, SB2816, SB3248, SB2436, SB2259, SB2928, SB2577, SB2697, SB2399, SB2665, SB2851, SB3102, SB2521, SB3157, SB3255, SB3016, SB2765, SB1432, SB17, SB2401, SB2972, SB3014, SB3032, SB3137, SB847, SB2261, SB2271, SB2272, SB2804, SB3007, SB3019, SB3250, SB2603, SB3022, SB2256, SB2147, SB2014, SB2114, SB2115, SB2117, SB2246, SB2519, SB3055, SB3095, SB3144, SB3264, SB2325, SB2211, SB3245, SB2090, SB2803, SB2866, SB2250, SB2497, SB2032, SB2487, SB3136, SB2756, SB2615, SB3262, SB2024, SB2177, SB2552, SB2319, SB2407, SB2153, SB2321, SB2805, SB3010, SB2892, SB2781, SB2489, SB2174, SB2169, SB3123

Keywords: Robert Bob Toyofuku, Hawaii legal community, House Resolution, commendation, honorary resolution, legal education, continuing legal education, CLE, William S. Richardson School of Law, University of Hawaii law school, Pacific Law Institute, attorney training, legal ethics, professional responsibility, legal mentorship, legal profession, court-annexed arbitration, alternative dispute resolution, appellate decisions, Hawaii Supreme Court

Transcript Highlights:

• Unlike humans, AI doesn't... ...or should do is tremendous. Unlike humans, AI doesn't get tired.
• It's organizing files for human review? It's organizing files for human review? Mr.
• It's organizing files for human review? Mr. Chair, Representative Colleton.
• Infantz, but all the human has to do is sign.
• That's got to make clear humans have final decision-making authority.

Bills: HB2006, HB2165, HB2245, HB2348, HB2806, HB2901, HB2902, HCR2016

Keywords: sample ballots, elections, primary election, general election, mailing deadline, ballot mailing, county election officials, board of supervisors, secretary of state, early voting list, election administration, voter information, postal service, USPS processing center, city elections, town elections, special district elections, Arizona election law, ballot proofing, party chair

Transcript Highlights:

• When class sizes increase a human one.
• The bill solves a math problem by creating a human one.
• The bill solves a math problem by creating a human one.
• This bill solves a math problem by creating a human one.
• And in public by creating a human one.

Bills: SF0059, SF0053

Keywords: language proficiency, literacy education, reading interventions, dyslexia support, Montessori methods, individualized reading plans, amateur status, high school athletics, student eligibility, sports regulation, monetary compensation, 916, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Florida's current occupational therapy statute does not explicitly authorize licensed occupational therapists
• A bill to be entitled an act relating to dry needling by occupational therapists.
• But union representation or occupation is not a protected class in the 14th Amendment.
• But union representation or occupation is not a protected class in the 14th Amendment.
• No first or occupation is not a protected class in the 14th Amendment. No further questions.

Summary: The Senate convened with prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, and a brief introduction of the doctor of the day before moving to the special order calendar. The chamber first took up several claims bills, including SB 6/HB 6507 for relief of L.E. through the Department of Children and Families, which was described as compensation for severe injuries after DCF returned the child to unsafe parents; the House bill was substituted and passed 34-0. SB 26 for the estate of Mark Legata, involving catastrophic injuries tied to FDOT negligence, was also substituted with the House version and passed 35-0. SB 42/HB 47 on specific medical diagnoses and child protective investigations passed 34-0 after supporters said it would require child protection teams to consider certain medical conditions that can mimic abuse. Later, SB 1002 on child welfare passed 37-0 after sponsors said it clarifies that parental drug abuse can constitute harm or neglect and allow earlier court intervention and services, while not changing parental rights law. The Senate then considered education and health-related measures. SB 206/HB 851 on students with autism spectrum disorder was amended to the House bill and passed 35-0; the sponsor said it expands teacher preparation, requires autism-related training, creates a loan forgiveness program, and adds salary supplements for teachers with autism endorsements. SB 556/HB 453 on high school diploma requirements passed 36-0 and would allow students with disabilities to use Special Olympics participation to satisfy PE requirements, while also fixing a marching band credit issue. SB 688 on naturopathic medicine passed 33-3, reestablishing licensure and regulation of naturopathic doctors. SB 878/HB 1347 on clinical laboratory personnel passed 37-0 to address staffing shortages by aligning Florida more closely with federal CLIA standards. SB 914/HB 867 on dry needling by occupational therapists passed 37-0, clarifying authority for that treatment. SB 530 on state lotteries passed 36-0 with updates to operations, security, and retailer rules. SB 964/HB 6011 on financial disclosures and gifts/honoraria passed 36-0 after an amendment restored a percentage-based reporting option. The chamber also approved several government-administration and public-records measures. SB 326/HB 131 on curators of estates passed 36-0, updating probate rules for temporary court-appointed curators. SB 758/HB 625 on the Justice Administrative Commission passed 37-0 after an amendment broadened the judicial member to a judge or senior judge rather than only a circuit judge. SB 830 on public records passed 31-5, creating exemptions for the personal information of county and city managers and certain family members. The Senate also passed SB 21/HB 218 on land use regulations, which preserves hurricane-recovery restrictions in affected counties while lifting them later for unaffected counties, and the sponsor thanked colleagues for helping address unintended consequences from prior law. SB 354 on Blue Ribbon Projects was debated extensively over concerns about local control, conservation protections, and vague standards; after a late amendment excluding data centers from commercial areas, the bill was temporarily postponed rather than passed. Finally, SB 1632/HB 1471 on ideologies inconsistent with American principles and domestic terrorist designations drew significant debate over references to Sharia law, religious freedom, notice, and due process; one amendment striking Sharia references failed, and a second amendment with broader revisions was under discussion when the transcript ended.

Transcript Highlights:

• And that was a response to their constituents, because they were, according to Health and Human Services
• It might be a good thing, a humane thing, to pass the ordinance to protect those workers.
• Probably a humane thing to do, a pro-family, pro-worker thing to do. Let's pass an ordinance.
• pain... ...so much that they want to cause as much pain, all the while forgetting that there are humans
• rights, Texas human rights.

Keywords: 1184, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Grants Trust Fund for the preschool developmental grant from the United States Department of Health and Human
• The three drivers on these shortfalls are linked directly to the increased occupancy at our veteran state
• announce, thanks to efforts on your part with salary increases to nurses and bonuses, we're now at 96% occupancy

Keywords: 999, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Grants Trust Fund for the preschool developmental grant from the United States Department of Health and Human
• The three drivers on these shortfalls are linked directly to the increased occupancy at our veteran state
• announce, thanks to efforts on your part with salary increases to nurses and bonuses, we're now at 96% occupancy

Summary: The Legislative Budget Commission met to consider 21 budget amendments, beginning with the Department of Education’s request for $14.751 million in federal grant authority for the Preschool Development Grant. Members asked whether any funds would support VPK or provider payments; the department said the money is for birth-to-kindergarten early learning work, including IT modernization, workforce credentialing, training, and streamlining director certification. The amendment was adopted without objection. The commission then approved amendments for the Department of Veterans Affairs to shift $2.2 million within its trust fund to cover higher nursing home occupancy and reduce staffing agency use, and for the Department of Health to realign about $9.1 million for disability determinations amid a backlog of roughly 140,000 cases. The Agency for Health Care Administration presented multiple Medicaid-related amendments, including $766 million for indirect medical education, $1.9 million for managed care network adequacy audits, $209 million for the Rural Health Transformation Program, and several large supplemental payment programs for KidCare, hospitals, physicians, cancer hospitals, nursing IME, and public hospital payments. Members questioned network adequacy, rural access, and the KidCare surplus and expansion; the KidCare realignment drew debate, with some members objecting because the 2023 eligibility expansion has not been implemented, but the amendment passed on a roll call vote. Other amendments adopted included FDLE’s $16.3 million for counter-UAS detection and mitigation equipment, DJJ’s $1.6 million for Florida Scholars Academy and a Social Services Block Grant realignment, and emergency management pass-throughs for FIFA World Cup security and counter-drone funding to the Miami host committee. The Department of Commerce received $148.4 million for disaster recovery under the CDBG-DR program, with questions about the split between housing, infrastructure, and administrative costs. The Department of State also received $408,377 for arts and culture grant authority. Most amendments were adopted without objection, and the commission adjourned after completing the agenda.

Transcript Highlights:

• What this is, as a member, we are members of the Health and Human Services Committee here in the House
• There is a list in the bill of the occupations, the licensed medical providers.
• It does not matter what your occupation is. It matters what your income is.

Keywords: 996, all

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:37:58.720> connection automated notice with human connection automated notice with human
• Their next step is human connection.
• While the pilot funding has been a vital catalyst, we must be candid about the human cost.
• we must be candid about the human cost. we must be candid about the human cost.
• student stories to illustrate the human student stories to illustrate the human impact<01:18:21.520

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• We care about them as human beings. And I think that's one of the takeaways.
• We care about them as human beings. And I think that's one of the takeaways.
• It also means aligning with those high-need occupations.
• Christine Stephan, I'm Associate Dean for Research in the College of Health and Human Sciences.
• Programs are certainly an in-demand occupation that maybe they might have a pass, but it's your chance

Summary: The Higher Education Institutions Committee met at NDSU and heard an extensive presentation from President David Cook/President Stewart and NDSU leadership on the university’s priorities, including enrollment, student success, research growth, and use of New Horizons funding. Leaders emphasized NDSU’s land-grant mission, its role in workforce development, and its goal of becoming more distinctive through strategic planning, recruitment and retention, commercialization, and partnerships. They highlighted that NDSU awarded 2,370 degrees in 2025, produces a large share of the state’s engineering, nursing, and agriculture graduates, and reported strong outcomes for graduates staying and working in North Dakota. They also noted enrollment headwinds, competition from other institutions, and the need to manage tuition waivers more carefully through a scholarship optimization effort. Provost Sherry Vale outlined academic stewardship efforts, including review or consolidation of low-producing programs, strategic hiring tied to institutional priorities, faculty workload policy changes, and expanded online and regional offerings. She said the university is using New Horizons dollars to strengthen advising, student support, and programs in engineering, agriculture, and health. NDSU leaders also described new or expanded academic offerings such as robotics and automation, artificial intelligence, material science and engineering, nuclear engineering certificates, accelerated nursing, nurse practitioner certificates, a Master of Health Administration, and a clinical research master’s program with Sanford Health. They stressed that these investments are intended to improve student completion, meet workforce needs, and increase return on public investment. The committee also heard testimony from students and recent graduates who described the value of NDSU’s education, mentorship, internships, research opportunities, and support services. Alyssa Hodges spoke about pharmacy education, public health work, and campus support as a parent and student; Ethan Blessy described engineering coursework, internships with Marvin, and career preparation; and Aiden Freolic discussed neuroscience research, federally funded projects, and plans for graduate study. Their testimony was followed by presentations on partnerships with Gateway to Science for K-12 STEM outreach and with Sanford Research on biomedical research, clinical trials, obesity research, and a joint biostatistics hire. NDSU also highlighted systemwide shared services, Governor’s School programming, and research growth, including a reported 8% increase in research expenditures from $199 million to $215 million. No bill votes were taken; the meeting was informational and featured presentations, testimony, and discussion of future planning and partnerships.

Transcript Highlights:

• Obviously, education, a hugely important institution for our society and for our economy, human services
• Obviously, education, an important, a hugely important institution for our society and for our economy; human
• about 75, over 75% of state operating revenues, and that's the retail sales tax, the business and occupancy
• about 75, over 75% of state operating revenues, and that's the retail sales tax, the business and occupancy
• that the law removes the exclusion from digital automated service for services primarily involving human

Summary: The committee first received a presentation from Dr. Reich on the Economic and Revenue Forecast Council (ERFC), including how the council’s joint executive-legislative forecasting process works, the main state revenue sources, and recent economic conditions. He said Washington’s economy is slowing, with weak employment growth, softer taxable sales, and uncertainty from tariffs, federal spending, and the federal shutdown. He also noted that the September forecast was reduced, mainly because of lower sales tax and real estate excise tax collections, and that the state still expects modest growth rather than a recession. Members asked about whether Washington tends to lag national downturns and how forecast information should affect budgeting; Dr. Reich said the forecast is a revenue tool, not a budgeting decision, and that spending choices remain with elected officials. The Department of Revenue then presented on Washington’s sales and use tax structure and the implementation of Senate Bill 5814, which expands retail sales tax to several services effective October 1, 2025. Steve Ewing explained how sales and use tax are sourced, how reseller permits and the multiple points of use exemption work, and how the new law applies to live presentations, temporary staffing, investigations and security services, IT services, custom website development, advertising services, and custom software. He said DOR held listening sessions, issued interim guidance, and set up a centralized landing page and outreach efforts to help taxpayers understand the changes. He also described a six-month grace period for certain pre-existing contracts through March 31, 2026, but said penalties and interest still apply under the statute. Committee members raised concerns about how businesses and individuals will know when a service is taxable, who is responsible for collecting and remitting tax, and how sourcing will work for services delivered across multiple locations or online. DOR staff walked through examples involving accounting services, live lectures, virtual events, advertising campaigns, and search engine marketing, including the use of reasonable allocation and pool codes when exact sourcing data is unavailable. Members also questioned the administrative burden on small businesses and professionals newly subject to tax, and whether additional legislative fixes or relief from penalties and interest may be needed. No votes or formal actions were taken in the work session.

Transcript Highlights:

• This is relating to the Hawaii Occupational Safety and Health Law.
• There's some data from the Department of Human Services we cited in our testimony, but I'd like to just
• There's some data from the Department of There's some data from the Department of Human<00:06:41.520>
• <00:31:59.160> Services, going back to the House Human Services, going back to the House Human
• This is relating to the Hawaii Occupational Safety and Health Law.

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Summary: The committee heard testimony on several measures. HB 2271 HD2, making emergency appropriations for public employment cost items, drew support from state agencies and other entities, including HPHA, the University of Hawaiʻi, DLNR, OYS, DAGS, DOH, DOA/Biosecurity, and the Behavioral Health Administration; no opposition was noted. HB 2324 HD2, relating to the Hawaii Occupational Safety and Health Law, was supported by DLIR, which said the bill removes a duplicative Hoisting Machine Operators Advisory Board requirement and aligns whistleblower investigation timelines with federal standards. HB 2387 HD1, relating to workers’ compensation medical benefits, also received support from DLIR and the State Fire Council, with the chair noting 40 supporters and no opposition or comments. HB 2116 HD2, relating to grants, was presented as a response to federal SNAP-related eligibility changes. Supporters included the Office of Community Services, Hawaii Public Health Institute, Catholic Charities Hawaii, and several other organizations. Testimony said the bill would help nonprofits provide volunteer opportunities that could count toward an 80-hour monthly work requirement and help vulnerable residents avoid losing benefits; witnesses cited potential impacts on older adults and households with dependent children. HB 1682 HD1, relating to the disclosure of intimate images, drew strong support from advocates, the Uniform Law Commission, the Commission to Promote Uniform Laws, the Hawaii State Commission on the Status of Women, and others. Testifiers emphasized the harms of non-consensual image sharing, the need for civil remedies, confidentiality protections, and the bill’s alignment with a uniform act already enacted in other states. HB 2468 HD1, relating to internship programs, received support from the University of Hawaiʻi, DLIR, the Hawaii State Council on Developmental Disabilities, and others. Testimony focused on the Hālau Mua internship program, workforce development, and the need to clarify sponsor contracts, background checks, and onboarding; committee members asked about a former intern now working in an 89-day hire position and how to streamline hiring into civil service roles. HB 2091 HD2, relating to petitions to restrain and enjoin harassment of DOE employees, was supported by DOE, the Attorney General’s office, UPW, and others; the AG’s office requested a data-driven appropriation amount, and members discussed a $300,000 figure for the full two-year pilot. The chair also asked for confirmation of prior cost figures for HB 2116 before moving toward decision-making.

Transcript Highlights:

• has a responsibility to ensure that its land use policies do not enable human right abuses.
• This bill ensures that its land use policies are not used to facilitate human right abuses.
• So let's build some humanizing ones and be responsible about it.
• No human being should be held in facilities meant for product supply for profit.
• They employ a lot of people to go out and make human-based decision-making regarding a person's legal

Keywords: 987, senate, all