Transcript Highlights:

• Primary witnesses in opposition must have their opposition registered with the committee as well.
• Primary witness testimony is limited to two witnesses in support and two in opposition.
• We will leave the roll open for absent members. Thank you very much. Thank you.
• We've tried very hard to be open to the opposition and move.
• Okay, that item's out and we'll leave it open for absent members.

Summary: The Assembly Environmental Safety and Toxic Materials Committee heard several bills focused on wildfire preparedness, industrial safety, and recycling oversight. SB 1153 by Senator Caballero would require urban retail water suppliers to add wildfire-specific procedures to emergency plans and coordinate with fire agencies; supporters said it would improve planning while recognizing water system limits, and the bill was framed as protecting ratepayers and infrastructure. SB 811, also by Senator Caballero, would create a comprehensive DTSC permitting and regulatory framework for metal shredding facilities; supporters argued it would set clear statewide standards and protect communities, while opponents said it would weaken hazardous waste protections and carve the industry out of existing law. SB 883 by Senator Umberg would impose new safeguards for facilities storing reactive chemicals such as methyl methacrylate after the Garden Grove evacuation, including backup cooling, public review, emergency planning, and state tracking; industry groups opposed the breadth of the bill and sought further clarification, while environmental and community groups supported it. SB 1010 by Senator Ashby would strengthen oversight of appliance recyclers by improving reporting, inspections, certification, and funding for enforcement; supporters said it would reduce emissions and improve compliance, while recyclers raised concerns about fees and certification requirements. Each bill drew extensive testimony from industry, environmental, labor, local government, and community representatives. Supporters generally emphasized public safety, transparency, and the need for clearer statewide standards, while opponents warned about overregulation, reduced flexibility, or unintended impacts on existing hazardous waste and recycling systems. Committee members also raised questions about transparency, liability, size-based treatment of facilities, and whether the bills were narrowly tailored enough to address the problems identified. The committee voted to advance all four measures to the Committee on Appropriations, with votes taken on call and some members voting no or not voting on certain bills. The final add-on votes showed SB 811, SB 883, SB 1010, and SB 1153 all passing out of committee, with the roll left open for absent members before the meeting adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• It's tied to the homestead definition, so it has to be your primary residence, and it can also only be
• Would Jobe be open to anything like that or to discuss it?"
• "I would certainly be open to that and to the discussion about, you know, how that's going to work in
• I'm open to any and all questions. I think you bring up a really good point, unemployability.
• I think that opens a really good conversation for that.

Summary: The committee met with a quorum and first went into executive session, where it adopted committee substitutes and voted do pass on House Bills 383, 2940, and 1869 by unanimous roll-call votes. The chair then moved to public hearings and announced shortened testimony times because of the late hour. A large portion of the hearing focused on several nearly identical proposals to provide property tax relief to disabled veterans and, in some versions, surviving spouses. Representatives Jobe, Crosley, Bolerking, Schmidt, and Jones described different approaches: tiered exemptions based on VA disability ratings, homestead-based exemptions, county opt-in or opt-out provisions, sunsets, and in some bills relief tied to assessed value or personal property/vehicle taxes. Committee members raised questions about acreage limits, transfer of benefits to new residences, remarriage of surviving spouses, annual recertification, and whether counties should have discretion. Several witnesses in favor, including veterans and veterans’ advocates, urged broader eligibility, especially for 100% permanent and total veterans and those with individual unemployability, and argued the benefit would help veterans remain in Missouri. A public advocate opposed the bills on fiscal grounds, citing large projected costs to local governments, school districts, and state funds. The committee also heard testimony from veterans and advocates on the importance of recognizing spouses and families, and on the need to avoid burdensome county administration. Representative Schmidt presented two related bills, one offering a percentage-based property tax discount and another creating a homestead tax credit with county participation and a market-value cap; members discussed combining the measures and revising sunset and spouse language. Representative Jones presented bills extending relief to 100% disabled veterans and to personal property/vehicles, emphasizing that counties could opt in and that the credit should not shift costs to other taxpayers. The hearing ended before the final witness finished, and the committee adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• It's tied to the homestead definition, so it has to be your primary residence, and it can also only be
• As long as it's used as his or her primary residence and he or she does not marry.
• Would Jensby open to anything like that or to discuss it?
• I'm open to any and all questions. I think you bring up a really good point, unemployability.
• I think that opens a really good conversation for that.

Keywords: 959, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> positions but only money for two go open positions but only money for two go open it<00:27:17.799
• </c> they either enrolled as the primary they either enrolled as the primary parent<02:51:13.600><c>
• I think what you will find from this department is that we are very open to having open conversations
• I think what you will find from this department is that we are very open to having open conversations
• I think what you will find from this department is that we are very open to having open conversations

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The Finance Division III work session focused on the Department of Health and Human Services’ Division of Public Health Services budget. Department staff said Public Health has a relatively small budget compared with other DHHS divisions, is supported mostly by federal and other non-General funds, and contains nearly 100 accounting units and more than 50 federal grants. They emphasized that the governor’s budget did not include significant cuts, but that federal funding uncertainty and the winding down of pandemic-era resources were major factors affecting the division. The division also explained that some apparent budget growth reflects reorganizations, including moving the Bureau of Emergency Preparedness, Response, and Recovery and some programs from other DHHS divisions into Public Health. The presentation described Public Health’s mission as serving the entire state through food and water safety, disease surveillance, emergency response, maternal and child health, chronic disease prevention, WIC, community health center support, and public health data collection. Members asked about bird flu, and staff explained that human-health response would involve Public Health’s lab, infectious disease, and emergency preparedness units, while animal-health issues are handled with the Department of Agriculture; they also noted ongoing milk testing requested by FDA and USDA. The division said its organizational structure includes bureaus for Family Health and Nutrition, Infectious Disease Control, Public Health Protection, Emergency Preparedness, Prevention and Wellness, Statistics and Informatics, and Public Health Laboratories, with about a 15% vacancy rate. Committee members questioned whether the division’s budget and staffing had really grown since pre-COVID, and staff responded that full-time authorized staffing is about the same as in 2018, with the increase largely due to federal pandemic funding that has since receded and to program transfers between divisions. They said Public Health’s General Fund share is about $24 million out of roughly $1.1 billion in DHHS General Fund spending, or about 2.2% of the department total. Members also asked about the 3,000-position cap and unfunded positions; staff explained that the cap remains in chapter law through June 30, 2025, that 394 positions were unfunded in the governor’s budget, and that the division expects flexibility to move money from personnel lines and fill unfunded positions to manage changing needs. No votes or formal actions were taken in this portion of the work session.

Transcript Highlights:

• The primary recommendation is to establish the Washington Thriving Strategic Plan as a state initiative
• Now I’d like to share more about the primary recommendations of the work group, Washington Thriving,
• Now I’d like to share more about the primary recommendations of the work group, Washington Thriving,
• Perhaps navigation wouldn't be necessary if fewer than seven agencies were the primary mode of delivery
• Perhaps navigation wouldn't be necessary if less than seven agencies were the primary mode of delivery

Bills: HB2429, HB2171, HB2314, HB2364, HB2415

Keywords: behavioral health, youth support, mental health services, children's health, support services, foster youth, child welfare, education, mental health, dental care, habilitation centers, residential services, healthcare access, patient rights, poverty, task force, legislative, executive, social programs, fatalities

Transcript Highlights:

• We’ll hold the roll open for other members. We’ll hold the roll open for other members.
• We’ll hold a roll open for absent members. You’re good. You’re good.
• We'll hold the roll open for a roll open for a Aye.
• We'll hold the rule open for other members. It will be out.
• So, you know, I've bought primary tickets.

Summary: The committee heard AB 749, which would create a blue ribbon commission to study equitable access to youth sports and recommend a statewide framework, including coaching standards, PE modernization, and funding models to reduce barriers for families. The author and supporters, including youth sports advocates, educators, coaches, and former athletes, argued that sports improve health, school engagement, and long-term opportunity, while noting racial and income disparities in participation. One member raised concerns that a new commission could add cost and regulatory burdens, but the bill was framed as a study measure rather than immediate regulation. The committee also took up AB 549, aimed at coordinating state and local security planning for major upcoming sporting events such as the FIFA World Cup, Super Bowl, and Olympic and Paralympic Games. Supporters said the bill would improve interagency coordination, protect visitors and communities, and help prevent human trafficking and discrimination during mega-events. Members discussed the need to avoid over-policing and to center community values, but the bill advanced on a due pass recommendation to Appropriations. AB 1291 addressed ticket purchasing for concerts, sports, and other live events by requiring electronic proof of purchase and allowing it to be used for entry if a ticket cannot be accessed through no fault of the buyer. Supporters said the measure would give consumers more certainty and help address problems in a monopolized ticketing market, while opponents from venues, sports teams, and entertainment groups warned it could undermine anti-scalping tools, create security problems, and burden venues with duplicate or fraudulent proofs of purchase. The committee approved the bill on a due pass as amended basis to Privacy and Consumer Protection, with the roll held open for absent members. The consent calendar item, AB 644, was also approved.

Transcript Highlights:

• We have Hawaii Primary Care Association. We have Hawaii Primary Care Association, Eric Obby.
• Eric Obi, Hawaiʻi Primary Care Association, in support.
• And then open data and analyst, because we have a great open data platform, but people are not using
• And then open data and analyst, because we have a great open data platform, but people are not using
• </c><00:31:37.039><c> Care</c> support okay Hawaii Primary Care support okay Hawaii Primary Care Association

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Summary: The Committee on Labor and Technology heard testimony on several measures. Senate Bill 327, relating to internships, drew broad support from the Department of Education, Department of Labor and Industrial Relations, University of Hawaiʻi, DBEDT, P20, HFIA, Hawaiʻi Electric, the Hawaii Primary Care Association, and the Chamber of Commerce, with suggested amendments to clarify the internship purpose, limit some responsibilities to the state executive branch, and address staffing and reporting details. The committee later recommended passing SB 327 with amendments, including changes to the internship language, private-sector references, work-hour limits, reporting requirements, and a deferred effective date for further discussion. Senate Bill 716, relating to the Hawaii Employment Security Law, received support from the Department of Labor and Industrial Relations as a step toward modernizing unemployment insurance, and the committee recommended passage with housekeeping and technical amendments. Senate Bill 717, relating to collective bargaining, would allow certain exempt employees to grieve suspensions or discharges. The City and County of Honolulu and the Department of Human Resources Development said the issue should remain a collective bargaining matter, while HGEA and United Public Workers supported the bill. DHRD opposed changing the statute and pointed to existing internal complaint procedures. The committee nevertheless recommended passing SB 717 with amendments and deferred the date for further discussion. Senate Bill 742, relating to data sharing, would create a data sharing and governance working group within the Office of Enterprise Technology Services and include appropriations. OETS, the Executive Office on Early Learning, the University of Hawaiʻi, DOE, Hawaiʻi Kids Can, Hawaiʻi P-20, and others supported the measure, with OETS estimating a total cost of about $2.64 million, including software, consulting, and six FTE. The committee recommended passage with amendments and a deferred effective date, and noted the budget request in the committee report. The final measure, Senate Bill 855, relating to the Hawaii Retirement Savings Act, would shift the program from opt-in to opt-out and appropriate startup funds; former Senator Brian Taniguchi and AARP supported it, while Retail Merchants of Hawaiʻi and the Tax Foundation of Hawaiʻi opposed it over costs and burdens on small businesses and concerns about adding mandates before the program is implemented. The committee recessed briefly on a proposed AARP amendment, then returned and indicated support for the opt-out language before taking the bill up for decision-making.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> I will open it up. I will open it up. All<00:48:04.319><c> right.
• some of that primary care issue as<01:14:12.480><c> well.
• He was able to see a primary provider that day.
• He was able to see a primary provider that day.
• I appreciate your comments. reduce access to primary care, to reduce access to primary care, to behavioral

Keywords: 00:00:00 - Call to Order/Roll Call 00:02:20 - Discussion of 26RS HB 689 00:13:13 - Discussion of 26RS SB 201 00:27:45 - Discussion of 26RS HB 583 00:46:37 - Discussion of 26RS HB 488 00:48:13 - Discussion of 26RS HB 2 01:14:34 - Discussion of Kentucky State Plan Amendment (SPA) 26:0001: School-based Medicaid Services Program 01:18:24 - Public Comment, 958, all

Summary: The Medicaid Oversight Board met on March 9 with a quorum present and no minutes to approve. The chair reordered the agenda to hear House Bill 689 first. Representative Amy Neighbors presented HB 689, which would authorize Kentucky to seek CMS approval for a Medicaid state-directed payment program for physician and non-physician professional services delivered through qualifying hospital-affiliated groups, beginning January 1, 2026, with retroactive payments for that year. She said the bill is intended to improve access to care in rural and underserved areas, support workforce retention, and generate about $29 million annually in federal Medicaid funds without using general fund dollars. Representatives from Owensboro Health and St. Elizabeth Healthcare testified in support, describing staffing and subsidy pressures, lower Medicaid and Medicare reimbursement, and the importance of the program for maintaining access and quality in rural and safety-net settings. Committee members noted the bill had already passed the House Health Services Committee unanimously and discussed broader concerns about Kentucky’s low reimbursement rates and the need to consider other systems not covered by the proposal. The board then heard Senate Bill 2011 from Senator Donald Douglas and Cody Hunt of the Kentucky Medical Association. The bill would address a Medicaid coding issue by ensuring that coverage limits do not reduce payment to fewer than two evaluation and management service units per provider, per patient, per day. Douglas argued the current one-visit, one-issue limitation forces multiple visits, increases no-shows, and prevents providers from treating the whole patient. Hunt explained that the bill is meant to correct a longstanding regulation that limited E&M services to one per physician per recipient per date of service, which can prevent providers from coding additional medically necessary work during the same visit. He said DMS has already filed a regulatory amendment to fix the problem, but a statutory change is still needed to prevent the issue from returning. He also said the bill is not intended to change reimbursement policy, only coding rules, and that MCO payment practices vary. Members generally supported the concept. Senator Berg asked about fiscal impact and private-payer billing; Hunt said there should be no fiscal impact because the bill does not change payment policy, only coding. Representative Moore said the proposal could reduce costs and improve convenience by avoiding extra visits. Chairman Meredith said the bill illustrated problems with fee-for-service care and supported moving toward a more holistic delivery model. Dr. Schuster raised a drafting concern about the bill summary language, and Hunt responded that the regulatory amendment should address the issue generally for providers. No votes were taken on either bill during this portion of the meeting.

Transcript Highlights:

• What that means is there will be two primary witnesses in support, two primary witnesses in opposition
• Primary witnesses opposed? Any me-too testimony opposed?
• Any primary witnesses opposed to the bill?
• Primary witness opposed: Hi, good afternoon.
• Do we have a primary witness in opposition to the bill?

Keywords: 987, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I opened my first store in North Bismarck, and I made sure that before I put any brand or product on
• And I really appreciate your time and attention, and I'm open for any questions.
• And I appreciate your time, but I'm certainly open to questions. Questions from the committee?
• In 23 of these cases, these substances were identified as the primary cause of death.
• open meetings laws.

Summary: The Kratom Working Group met to hear public testimony and expert presentations on whether North Dakota should prohibit or regulate kratom and 7-OH products. Early testimony split sharply between speakers who described natural kratom as a helpful, lower-risk alternative for chronic pain, opioid withdrawal, PTSD, and recovery, and speakers who urged prohibition because of dependence, overdose risk, and the growth of concentrated or synthetic 7-OH products sold in gas stations, smoke shops, and online. Several witnesses, including consumers and shop owners, argued that banning kratom would push people to more dangerous drugs or unregulated internet sources, while public health and medical witnesses said the marketplace is confusing and inadequately controlled. A number of witnesses, including representatives of the North Dakota Public Health Association, the state crime lab, and addiction-treatment and pediatric clinicians, emphasized risks from adulterated or concentrated products, lack of labeling and age restrictions, contamination concerns, and harms to adolescents, pregnant patients, and newborns. The crime lab described recent cases involving mitragynine, 7-OH, and pseudoindoxyl, and said products purchased in a smoke shop were inaccurately labeled. A Sanford pediatric hospitalist testified that kratom exposure in pregnancy can cause severe neonatal withdrawal and that adolescents are using the product. By contrast, American Kratom Association representatives and other advocates argued that natural leaf kratom should be distinguished from synthetic 7-OH, that deaths usually involve other substances, and that a regulatory framework with testing, labeling, age limits, and product registration would better protect consumers than a blanket ban. No formal bill was debated or voted on in this transcript. The working group heard testimony, asked questions, and took no final action before breaking for lunch and later resuming with additional presentations.

Transcript Highlights:

• Clerk, ring the bell and open the board. Thank you. Has everyone voted? Has everyone voted? Mr.
• Well, English is the primary language of our country.
• They can speak it, but it might not be their primary language.
• Clerk, please ring the bell and open the board. We're going to be.
• Clerk, please ring the bell and open the board. As everyone voted. Mr.

Keywords: 959, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Comments are open until the end of our hearing and are posted upon adjournment for our hearing.
• If there is, uh, the traditional ballot is open first.
• So special elections, primary elections are the other two examples.
• Support opening up the option to use instant runoff voting in certain elections.
• election and a primary runoff election.

Transcript Highlights:

• Primary witnesses and support must be those accompanying the author or who otherwise have registered
• Primary witnesses in opposition must have their opposition registered with the committee as well.
• Each primary witness will have two minutes to give their testimony.
• We will leave the roll open for about 15 minutes, and hopefully we can get those members here.
• We will leave the roll open for about 15 minutes and hopefully we can get those members here.

Summary: The ESTM Committee convened on January 13th and announced that the hearing would be brief, with only one consent item on the agenda. The chair reviewed testimony procedures and quorum was established by roll call. The sole measure was AB 763 by Assembly Member Ward, which was placed on the consent calendar and recommended as due pass to the Committee on Appropriations. A motion was made and the committee took a roll call vote on the consent calendar. Members present voted aye, and after the roll was briefly left open for absent members, additional ayes were recorded. AB 763 passed the committee on a 7-0 vote. No opposition or substantive testimony on the bill was presented during the meeting. After the vote was completed, the chair announced that the matter was out and the hearing was adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• So long as you provide the intention that you are going to return to the primary address in question
• Why is it in here for being elected but not for your homestead exemption as a primary residence?
• But not for your homestead exemption as a primary residence. Representative Braybald. Mr.
• , would you be open to amending it to remove that and only have military service as the only exemption
• , would you be open to amending it to remove that and only have military service as the only exemption

Keywords: 989, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I will allow primary witnesses here in the room today to speak for two minutes, with two primary witnesses
• Primary witnesses in opposition must have their opposition registered with the committee.
• We'll go ahead and leave it open for additional votes. And to some comments, Ms.
• We'll leave it open for additional votes. Okay, thank you.
• We'll leave it open for additional votes. Okay, thank you. Thank you. Okay.

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• So I think, I think, let me just open it up for a little bit of discussion.
• So those would be, I think, our primary concerns based on the work we did in the subcommittee.
• It's open-ended. It's not definitive.
• Okay, the clerk would open the key and/or take the roll. I think they're probably not on there.
• All right, it's open. Thank you, Chairman. Senator Wabama? Yes. Senator Powers? Yes.

Keywords: 908, all

Summary: The conference committee on House/Senate Bill 2129 met to resolve the House amendment to the Senate-passed bill, which concerns exemptions related to veterinary practice. The main dispute centered on the House language adding terms such as “specialized or holistic trade” and expanding exemptions to include acupuncture/acupressure and non-veterinary dentistry, while the Senate preferred a narrower, more definitive list of exempt activities. Senators and House members discussed whether the word “includes” made the exemption open-ended, and whether equine dentistry should be treated as veterinary medicine or allowed as a separate practice. Testimony from Dr. Sarah Lyons of the North Dakota Board of Veterinary Medical Examiners and veterinarian Troy Dutton emphasized that dentistry, including equine dentistry, is generally considered the practice of veterinary medicine and can involve invasive procedures and animal safety risks. They argued the House amendment lacked educational or licensing requirements and could allow untrained individuals to perform procedures such as dentistry or acupuncture. House members raised concerns about rural access, shortages of veterinarians, and the practical reality that some horse owners and equine practitioners currently perform float work and similar services. After extended discussion, the committee did not reach agreement. Members noted that the House amendment language differed from the Senate version on the key exemption provisions, and that further review of proposed alternative language would be needed. A motion was made and approved by roll call that the committee was unable to agree at this time and would schedule another meeting. The meeting was then adjourned pending rescheduling.

Transcript Highlights:

• The hearing room is open for attendance.
• The hearing room is open for attendance.
• Do we have any primary witnesses in support?
• Any primary witnesses in opposition? Any additional folks in opposition? Okay.
• Any primary witnesses in opposition? Any additional folks in opposition?

Summary: The Assembly Appropriations Committee met on June 24, 2026, but initially lacked a quorum and began by hearing presentations only. SB 308 was presented as a bill to streamline fiscal reporting for California community colleges by combining two overlapping annual audit reports into one. SB 895, the California Science and Health Research Bond, drew extensive testimony from the authors and many supporters, who argued it would help offset federal research cuts, protect California’s science infrastructure, support jobs, and preserve life-saving research in areas such as cancer, HIV, Parkinson’s, ALS, climate resilience, and quantum computing. The bill was described as a bond measure that would require a three-party agreement and was sent to suspense. After quorum was established, the committee took up the consent and suspense calendars. Several bills were approved on consent, including SB 308 and a large group of other measures, while the suspense calendar was deemed approved, including SB 895 and other bills listed by the chair. Public comment on SB 895 continued for a long period, with many researchers, students, labor representatives, university officials, and patient advocates speaking in strong support and urging the bill be moved to the floor. The committee also heard SB 1350, which would expand green hydrogen by allowing renewable portfolio standard credits for certain hydrogen use in power generation; the author and supporters said it would help clean energy development, create jobs, and support projects like ARCHES and Element. Later, SB 1306 was presented to align California law with federal exemptions for certain chemical mixtures containing GBL used in semiconductor manufacturing research. The author and SEMI’s representative said the bill would reduce unnecessary regulatory burdens, avoid disrupting semiconductor supply chains, and not change rules for pure GBL. The bill passed out of committee on a roll call vote, with one no vote and one not voting. The hearing then adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• Comments are open until the end of our hearing and are posted upon adjournment.
• I would get a list of every registered voter over 65 in my county who votes in the other party's primary
• Uh, I, I don't know if the intent is also to apply this to primaries, but when you're running joint primaries
• , and I hope not, because when you run joint primaries, you already have two full sets of uh work, uh
• Uh, would you be open to an amendment that, that just makes sure that that provision is still there,

Transcript Highlights:

• Comments are open until the end of our hearing and are posted upon adjournment.
• There's confusion about the risks that we could be opening up by being able to go online and request
• I don't know if the intent is also to apply this to primaries, but when you're running joint primaries
• , I hope not, because when you run joint primaries, you already have two full sets of judges, and that
• Would you be open to an amendment that ensures that this provision is still there?

Bills: HB3097, HB3691, SB108, SB827, SB1541, SB1862, SB2166, SB2216

Keywords: Texas elections, Election Code, uniform election date, November election, local elections, political subdivisions, general election date, election administration, municipal utility district, county elections, local government, ballot scheduling, candidate filing, voter turnout, election calendar, HB 3097, early voting, electronic application, mail-in ballot, voting accessibility

Transcript Highlights:

• This bill allows larger counties that depend upon our sheriffs and our constables to provide primary
• I have 52 openings right now in my agency alone.
• I will say our primary concern is around the lack of guardrails.
• entities, meaning that policing is their primary duty.
• The voters keep tabs on the individuals that are providing primary policing for them.

Keywords: 1184, house, all