Transcript Highlights:

• No, no way in that box because they don't work. Okay, there we go.
• no<00:05:29.479> way<00:05:29.840> in<00:05:30.000> that<00:05:30.240> box
• <00:05:30.919> because<00:05:31.080> they one no no way in that box because they one
• no no way in that box because they don't don't don't work<00:05:33.039> okay<00:05:33.400>

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The subcommittee first took up House Bill 507, which concerns the timeline for credentialing mental health care providers. Members discussed and approved an amendment that removed section 2 and changed the bill’s effective date to January 1. A motion for ought to pass as amended was made, seconded, and approved by a 6-0 vote, with Representative Miles assigned to write the committee report. The bulk of the meeting focused on House Bill 705, a price-transparency measure requiring insurance-related data reporting and uniform formatting. Committee members and a representative from Anthem discussed how the bill would interact with federal requirements, including a recent presidential executive order and anticipated CMS guidance on uniformity standards. Anthem testified that the federal timeline was uncertain, that final rules could take months, and that the machine-readable files involved are complex and costly to produce. Some members argued the state should mirror federal standards but wait for final federal guidance; others said the bill should create a firm state requirement and not leave everything to rulemaking. The main unresolved issue was timing. Members debated whether the bill should be effective upon passage, apply to plan years beginning January 1, 2026, or be delayed until after federal guidance is finalized, with several references to a possible six-month implementation window after final federal rules. No final vote was taken on HB 705 in the portion provided; instead, the committee planned to revisit the bill the next morning after language was rewritten and circulated, with a straw vote anticipated before the executive session.

Transcript Highlights:

• juggling being a brand-new caregiver and they're also being challenged to check all of the licensing boxes
• all<00:43:16.280> of<00:43:16.400> the<00:43:16.559> licensing<00:43:17.079> boxes
• <00:43:17.480> that<00:43:17.599> are all of the licensing boxes that are all of the
• licensing boxes that are required<00:43:19.240> it's<00:43:19.440> important<00:43:19.880

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• requirements that are set out in the RFP for a stadium, and all, you know, the 25,000 seats, 16 luxury boxes
• c> all you know the 25,000 seats uh 16 all you know the 25,000 seats uh 16 luxury<00:47:05.559> boxes
• the<00:47:06.280> football<00:47:06.920> soccer<00:47:07.920> rugby luxury boxes
• the football soccer rugby luxury boxes the football soccer rugby kind<00:47:08.520> of<00:47:

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Summary: The committees considered a large number of Senate bills, with many measures advanced either unamended or with technical or substantive amendments. Early action included SB 88 and SB 11 SD1, both passed unamended, and SB 562 SD1 and SB 642 SD1, which were passed with amendments reflecting agency testimony. SB 1133 SD1 was amended to remove duplicative county requirements and clarify tax credit carry-forward eligibility, while SB 1569 SD1 on sports wagering was deferred. Later, SB 933 on nonprofit/federal funding support drew strong testimony from nonprofit and health advocates emphasizing the risk of federal funding freezes and the importance of protecting services such as early learning, domestic violence support, housing, and workforce supports; the committee recommended amendments to define eligible organizations, require reporting, and include the Judiciary. SB 934 and SB 935 were also amended, with SB 934 tying mass transit funding to Honolulu project milestones and SB 935 revising retirement-system language to change “fewer than five years” to “five or more years.” The committees then took up additional measures with targeted amendments. SB 1033 was amended to clarify that the bill applies to legal entities, not individuals, though members noted concerns about closely held family corporations and asked that the issue be reflected in the committee report. SB 1166, SB 1249, and SB 1256 were advanced with amendments or committee-report notes reflecting concerns from the Attorney General, Hawaii Cattlemen’s Council, and Hawaii Farmers Union United, respectively. SB 1432 and SB 137, both relating to electric utilities, were amended to require retention of covered employees after mergers or acquisitions and to direct the PUC to consider whether proposed transactions further state policy goals. SB 157 on antitrust was narrowed to focus on coordinator conduct in rental housing markets, SB 252 on invasive species received a defective effective date, and SB 336 on defense of state employers and employees passed unamended. SB 536 on the Hawaii Community Development Authority was deferred to a later hearing, and SB 1064 on medical cannabis was heavily amended to authorize cultivator licenses with limits on canopy size, license counts, physician fees, and a special-fund appropriation for enforcement. In the Ways and Means portion, the committee passed several bills unamended, including SB 19, SB 124, SB 264, SB 345, SB 422, and SB 741 and SB 747 later in the agenda. SB 361 was amended to remove references to the attorney general and delete an appropriation section, SB 438 was amended to redefine buffer zones and landfill-unit language, and SB 441 and SB 494 were amended to blank appropriations and, in SB 494, assign charter-school audit responsibility to the state auditor. SB 659 was substantially amended to promote local procurement, including county-level geographic preferences and higher thresholds for locally sourced purchases, and SB 732 was amended to adjust film tax credit provisions, including the streaming-platform definition and sunset-related language. SB 819 was amended to replace references to “educators” with “teachers.” Throughout, most measures were adopted without recorded opposition, though several members noted reservations on particular bills.

Transcript Highlights:

• work with the educational service centers and you'll see on the organizational chart that there is a box
• educational service centers because the legislature thought it was important and directed us to put that box
• We work with TEA, and you'll see in the box, the farthest box on the right, that we added TEA to our

Keywords: budget, House Bill 1, public education, healthcare, border security, federal funding, spending limits

Summary: The meeting primarily focused on reviewing the proposed budget for the upcoming biennium, with substantial discussions around House Bill 1 and its implications for public education, healthcare, and border security. The Comptroller presented a revenue overview indicating a total of $194.6 billion available for general purpose spending, which reflects a slight decrease compared to previous years due to fluctuating economic conditions. Members raised questions regarding spending limits and the impact of federal funding on state programs, highlighting concerns about the sustainability of funding in light of potential changes at the federal level.

Transcript Highlights:

• upgrades, a new eight-lane track, athletic field improvements and upgrades, stadium seating and press box
• improvements and upgrades stadium seating<00:59:52.559> and<00:59:52.760> Press<00:59:53.039> Box
• c><00:59:53.680> Renovations<00:59:54.680> a<00:59:54.839> s seating and Press Box
• Renovations a s seating and Press Box Renovations a s secure<00:59:56.039> entrance<00:59:56.400

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I mean, what is it that we can serve that the kids—or let Jack in the Box run your restaurant?
• 16:51.720> the serve that the kids or let Jack in the serve that the kids or let Jack in the Box
• 53.120> Resturant<00:16:54.000> no<00:16:54.279> I'm<00:16:54.399> just Box
• R run your Resturant no I'm just Box R run your Resturant no I'm just kidding<00:16:56.959> um

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• And when Texas fronts it, the first one out of the box loses the most.
• use of the $146,400 appropriated for exceptional item 5 for the sole purpose of purchasing archival boxes
• use of the $146,400 appropriated for exceptional item 5 for the sole purpose of purchasing archival boxes
• moving along very well, and I thank you for the inclusion of one of our exceptional items for archival boxes

Bills: SB 1

Keywords: campground safety, youth camp regulations, flood safety, emergency evacuation, health and safety standards

Summary: The committee heard budget presentations from the Legislative Budget Board and agency officials on several agencies, starting with the Texas Historical Commission. LBB described a large biennial reduction driven mainly by the removal of one-time funding and discussed capital projects, rider changes, and exceptional items including Presidio La Bahia and the National Museum of the Pacific War. Senators asked about heritage trails, courthouse grants, unexpended balance authority, and the status of historical-site funding. Historical Commission leadership emphasized preservation, courthouse restoration, heritage tourism, coordination with the Alamo and other Texas Revolution sites, and requested additional IT, staffing, and vehicle funding. No votes were taken. The committee then reviewed the Pension Review Board and the Employees Retirement System. The Pension Review Board’s budget was largely unchanged aside from IT maintenance and salary adjustments, with an exceptional item for additional IT enhancements. Members discussed the Dallas Police and Fire Pension System’s funding dispute and the need for a workable restoration plan. ERS presented a much larger budget, including funding for the retirement system, the group benefits plan, and the legacy payment intended to reduce unfunded liability. Senators focused heavily on pension investment returns, benchmark comparisons, and rising health-care costs, especially pharmacy spending driven by GLP-1 drugs; ERS said the plan covers about 540,000 lives and that premiums would rise 8% while benefits remain unchanged. ERS also said it had no exceptional items, and committee members requested more detailed benchmark information. The committee also heard from the Texas Emergency Services Retirement System and the Cancer Prevention and Research Institute of Texas. TESSORS reported an unfunded liability, an infinite amortization period, and requested additional state support, staffing, and IT funding, including a statutory change to allow a higher contribution level; the agency warned that without more funding it may have to cut benefits. CEPRIT’s presentation covered its bond-funded cancer research and prevention portfolio, revenue-sharing from funded projects, and a request to increase salary limits for its CEO and chief scientific officer. Senators questioned CEPRIT’s accomplishments and return on investment, while CEPRIT cited screening, prevention, and research outcomes, including tens of thousands of detected cancers and precursors and hundreds of thousands of first-time screenings. The meeting ended after these presentations and questions, with no recorded committee action or vote.

Transcript Highlights:

• the relationships with the farmers, so they're sourcing every other week, it's a produce and protein box
• , and then on the alternating weeks, it's a produce box.
• year and make them available to community members through farmers' markets, farm stands, farm share boxes

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The Joint Committee on Agriculture and Fisheries held a public hearing on 19 legislative proposals, with testimony limited to three minutes per speaker and seven minutes per panel. The hearing opened with testimony on bills promoting urban agriculture and vacant-lot conversion, including H.121/S.61, which Green Roots staff and community members supported as a way to turn vacant lots in environmental justice communities into urban farms and gardens that improve food access, health, community cohesion, and climate resilience. Rep. James Arena-DeRosa also spoke in support of H.109/S.56, the PFAS bill, describing it as a measure to protect soil and farms from contamination and to create relief for affected farmers. A major portion of the hearing focused on H.109/S.56, which would ban land application of sewage sludge/biosolids, provide liability protection and relief funds for farmers, and address PFAS contamination in soil, water, crops, and animals. Testimony came from environmental groups, farm organizations, and individual farmers, including the Mass Food System Collaborative, Conservation Law Foundation, Clean Water Action, CEMAP, NOFA, Sierra Club, and several farmers who described contamination in Maine and Massachusetts and urged the committee to act. Witnesses emphasized that PFAS poses serious health risks, that farmers should not bear responsibility for legacy contamination, and that the bill should be paired with funding for testing, remediation, and assistance. Committee members asked questions about farm liability, the scope of the bill, contamination in different ownership situations, and the costs and timelines of remediation, with Senator Comerford and others clarifying that the bill is intended to protect farms and farmers rather than non-agricultural landholders. The committee also heard strong support for H.416, a farm-to-institution pilot program, from Rep. Lee Davis, Berkshire Agricultural Ventures, and Berkshire Bounty. They said the pilot would connect Massachusetts farms to schools, hospitals, correctional facilities, and other institutions, creating new markets, strengthening local supply chains, and supporting food-is-medicine efforts. Members discussed whether the model could be statewide and referenced existing programs such as Island Grown Initiative and local hospital and insurance partnerships. Another agricultural bill, H.1058, was supported by Rep. Mark Sylvia and the Cape Cod Cranberry Growers’ Association as a way to allow unused cranberry water rights to be transferred within the same watershed for municipal mitigation while helping growers retire or consolidate bogs. The hearing also included testimony on the broader farm omnibus bill H.112/S.55 and related measures, with the Massachusetts Farm Bureau and others praising the committee’s work on agricultural resilience, food security, agritourism, workforce development, and farmland access, while suggesting additional transportation-related fixes for farmers. No votes were taken during the hearing.

Transcript Highlights:

• The headers of these text boxes here indicate focus areas within the SEIS.
• Now, I just want to stress, what we have is a black box.
• Now, they've, this, I just want to stress, what we have is a black box.

Summary: The Joint Committee on Interstate 5 Bridge met remotely with Washington legislative members to receive updates on the Interstate Bridge Replacement Program, including environmental review, cost and funding, tolling, and procurement for construction. Program staff said the final supplemental environmental impact statement was published in April 2026, with a federal record of decision expected in early summer. They described the recommended design as a single-level fixed-span bridge, centered I-5 alignment, C Street ramps, one auxiliary lane in each direction, and dispersed park-and-ride parking. Members raised concerns about transparency, the closed chat function, and the decision not to include two auxiliary lanes; staff said the one-lane option was recommended through consultation with partner agencies and analysis, but the final decision would come with the record of decision. Staff also said the diversion analysis projected less than 3% traffic diversion to I-205 in 2045, though members from Oregon and Washington expressed concern about impacts to their communities and asked for more detail on mitigation and decision-making. The committee also reviewed a major cost update. Staff said the full five-mile program is now estimated at $13.5 billion to $15.2 billion, with a likely cost of $14.4 billion, up from a 2022 estimate of $5 billion to $7.5 billion, citing inflation, schedule delays, scope changes, and more detailed risk modeling. They said the first funded phase has been reduced to a $5.68 billion package focused on the Columbia River bridge replacement, connections to I-5, Hayden Island and SR-14, bridge demolition, tolling infrastructure, and advancing light rail design. Funding for that phase was described as $5.69 billion, including $2.1 billion federal funds, $1 billion from each state, and $1.5 billion in projected toll revenue. Members asked what would happen if costs rise further; staff said the estimate includes substantial contingency, the project will use progressive design-build to manage risk, and the team will continue updating the finance plan annually. A separate tolling and traffic-revenue presentation explained that four toll scenarios were analyzed using regional travel demand modeling, a toll diversion model, and a post-processing review. All scenarios assume pre-completion tolling beginning July 1, 2028, a 50% low-income discount for eligible users, and exemptions for tribal preemptions, emergency vehicles, maintenance vehicles, and organized militia. Staff said the low-income discount would affect about 4% to 6% of annual transactions and reduce annual revenues by roughly 2% to 3%. They said Scenario 2 was used for the financial analysis and is sufficient to support the $1.5 billion toll contribution in the funded phase. Members asked about toll collection costs, revenue impacts of the discount, and how the scenarios differed; staff said collection costs are expected to be in line with other WSDOT toll facilities, but exact costs are not yet set because toll rates are not final. Finally, WSDOT staff outlined procurement and delivery steps for construction. They said WSDOT will be the lead contracting agency, using progressive design-build, with a request for qualifications targeted for early July 2026, a request for proposals in October, contractor selection in April 2027, construction starting in 2028, and tolling beginning in 2028. Staff said the approach is intended to consolidate scope, reduce interface risk, and allow transparent negotiation with an independent cost estimator, while preserving an off-ramp if a fair price cannot be reached. Members asked for more detail on timing, cost allocation, and the share of the first phase funded by tolls; staff estimated tolls account for about 26% of the first phase cost.

Transcript Highlights:

• If you're in favor, you'd like to fill out a green card and check the box if you'd like to speak.
• needs differ than maybe some of the others that are more commonly understood, we don't have a simple box
• We don't have a simple box to check.

Keywords: 974, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• senator from the Schnelting District came also with his version to our committee, it's outside-the-box
• Charles always kind of thinks outside the box in a lot of ways. And that's okay.
• Speaker, yesterday I stood on this floor and I stepped outside of my box.

Keywords: 959, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• senator from the Schnelting District came also with his version to our committee, it's outside-the-box
• Charles always kind of thinks outside the box in a lot of ways. And that's okay.
• Speaker, yesterday I stood on this floor and I stepped outside of my box.

Summary: The House met on the final day of session with prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, and approval of the prior day’s journal by a 126-0 vote. Most of the early floor time was devoted to points of personal privilege, with members and the Speaker offering extended tributes to departing colleagues, House staff, law enforcement, military service, and the work of the chamber. Several members also used the occasion to reflect on their careers, thank constituents and families, and discuss issues such as property tax reform, police service, mental health, and bipartisan cooperation. The House then took up Senate messages and committee reports, followed by several bills and resolutions. Senate Substitute for House Bill 2636, dealing with mortgage modification and related consumer protections, was adopted 142-1 and finally passed 144-1. Senate Substitute for House Bill 2397, concerning water district dissolution and related safeguards, was adopted 129-16 and finally passed 127-17. Senate Substitute No. 2 for House Bill 2576, a naming and commemorative bill adding observances and memorial highways/bridges, was adopted 136-4 and finally passed 134-6. The chamber also received Senate action on Senate Bill 1408 and Senate Joint Resolution 87, and committee reports recommended passage on several deferred measures. The House also debated Senate Joint Resolution 95, which proposed creating a constitutional Show Me Prosperity Fund as a sovereign wealth fund intended to eventually eliminate state-imposed taxes through long-term investment returns. Supporters argued it would promote fiscal sustainability and long-term prosperity, while opponents warned that it would lock away money during a period of projected budget shortfalls and could leave the state unable to access funds when needed. The resolution was discussed at length with questions about funding mechanics, investment authority, and emergency access, but the transcript provided does not include a final vote on the resolution.

Transcript Highlights:

• And it was, it's a big box. How big the pool was, so to speak.
• They check all the boxes for needs, and that revenue is necessary to provide public safety.
• They check all the boxes for needs, and that revenue is necessary to provide public safety.

Keywords: 908, all

Transcript Highlights:

• We would have to purchase small boxes.
• A kid who does not have internet could take that box in their home.
• But the analog instrument was a big box of components. And it had paper running down.

Keywords: 914, all

Transcript Highlights:

• If you look at the box on the... FY21, so significant increases there, obviously.
• If you look at the box on the bottom left on that page, where it breaks it down by type of cost, you
• There in that top box, it shows the Division of Behavioral Health utilization costs increase.

Keywords: 959, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• As I've been in the schools and talking, many of the librarians are like, we just order this box of books
• That first box: is there a plausible claim that the material could be sensitive?
• So I'm going to go to Representative Box here. Thanks, Mr. Chair. I've talked a lot.

Keywords: 985, all

Transcript Highlights:

• than $133 million in total capital outlay appropriations, and you can see in those four light blue boxes
• And you can see the top categories of spending in those light blue boxes.
• And in the yellow box on the bottom you can see that $9.7 million in total funding was in the bill for

Transcript Highlights:

• which is a systems-based approach to meaningful wildfire risk reduction. actions listed in the red boxes
• Adding on the mitigation actions in the blue box.
• And so I just want to think outside the box here for a second.

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• For those outside of Washington, CMS can seem like a bureaucratic black box.
• have limb three, limb four, limb five, limb six, threatening peripheral vascular disease who have that box
• practice you saw that firsthand, but it is remarkable outside of medicine how it looks like opaque box

Keywords: Michael Falkender, Deputy Secretary of the Treasury, IRS, taxpayer privacy, nomination process, committee hearing

Summary: The committee convened to discuss critical issues surrounding the nomination of Michael Falkender for the position of Deputy Secretary of the Treasury. This meeting included a series of remarks from committee members who expressed divergent views on Falkender's qualifications and the implications of his appointment. Senator Wyden voiced strong opposition, arguing that Falkender represents harmful policies expected to be perpetuated under the current administration, especially concerning taxpayer privacy and IRS tactics. Meanwhile, other members defended Falkender, noting his extensive experience, including a commitment to transparency in government operations if confirmed.

Transcript Highlights:

• That gray box, which is the local share that's the state assigned values right coming into the into the
• So, basically, a property owner or their agent can bring in if it's, let's say, if it's a big box retail
• They can bring in other big box retail stores from outside the county to compare to. to this one property

Keywords: 1184, house, all