Transcript Highlights:

• A committee substitute is there, not. I'll do that again. The floor is yours, Representative.
• The committee substitute for House Bill 32 is point 2 3 3 3 9 9 3. All right, Representative.
• I have before you A committee substitute for House Joint Memorial 2, I think it is.
• To hear the substitute for discussion purposes, so moved. All right, we have such a motion.
• And remember, there's a substitute. So, you know a special motion.

Bills: HB9, HB50

Keywords: Immigrant Safety Act, immigration detention, civil immigration violations, ICE, federal immigration enforcement, sanctuary policy, public bodies, local government, sheriff's department, school district, higher education, deputization, 287(g), 8 U.S.C. 1357(g), 8 C.F.R. 287.7, intergovernmental services agreement, detainer, immigration cooperation, public property, attorney general enforcement

Transcript Highlights:

• Are there questions on the substitute amendment? 151-196. Thank you.
• Are there questions on the substitute amendment? Are there questions on the substitute amendment?
• Is there debate on the substitute amendment?
• All in favor of the substitute amendment say yea. All those opposed say nay.
• Substitute amendment barcode 151-196 for amendment barcode 465-000 is adopted.

Bills: S0266, S0394, S0540, S0632, S0642, S0832, S0834, S1028

Keywords: public adjuster, contract cancellation, state of emergency, vulnerable adults, disciplinary actions, financial regulation, information security, financial exploitation, licensing, transportation, insurance, TNC, ride-sharing, automobile liability, bail bond, insurance regulation, foreign insurers, financial disclosure, premium reporting, residential property insurance

Summary: The Committee on Banking and Insurance met with a quorum and took up several bills, beginning with SB 834 on insurance requirements for nonprofit religious organizations and health care sharing ministries. The bill repeals a recent restriction on licensed insurance agents marketing or selling faith-based health care sharing programs. Supporters argued the change restores free speech and consumer education while preserving existing fraud and disclosure protections; opponents said allowing agents and brokers could create consumer confusion and has been associated with bad actors. A title amendment was adopted, and after debate the committee reported the bill favorably. The committee also heard and passed SB 642, which extends reporting and duty requirements to foreign and alien bail bond insurers, and SB 394, a technical bill updating reinsurance intermediary manager law to match current DFS practice. SB 266, which lets vulnerable adults rescind public adjuster contracts without penalty, was reported favorably after testimony from supporters in the insurance and elder law communities and a public adjuster who said the intent was good but the bill may need refinement. SB 832, a residential property insurance transparency bill requiring rate breakdown reports and a consumer resource center, also passed after discussion about consumer clarity and whether the required cost categories can be compiled as written. Later, the committee approved SB 540, which creates cybersecurity requirements for mortgage and money service businesses, closes a regulatory gap for certain investment advisers, adjusts OFR examination-payment deadlines, changes de novo charter requirements, allows virtual credit union meetings, and makes other financial regulation updates. Several amendments were adopted, including a substitute amendment removing fintech sandbox provisions. Finally, SB 1028 on Citizens Property Insurance Corporation was reported favorably after debate over a commercial lines clearinghouse intended to reduce Citizens’ exposure and shift more business to the private market; members discussed taxpayer risk, market competition, and consumer protections. The meeting ended with adjournment.

Transcript Highlights:

• The chair offers a committee of substitute HB 1757 recognizes Ms.
• At this time, the chair withdraws committee substitute for HB 1757. Is your objection?
• At this time, the chair withdraws the committee substitute for House Bill 11.
• The chair offers a committee substitute. The HB 491 recognizes Dean Thompson to explain the bill.
• At this time, the chair withdrawals committee substitute for HB 491. Is there objection?

Transcript Highlights:

• Madam Chair, there is a committee substitute for the bill.
• The committee substitute for Assembly Bill 4015 is reported. Madam Chair? Yes.
• The committee substitute for Assembly Bill 4015 is reported. Oh, we're ready.
• Again, it's a brand new substitute, so I read it going into this discussion.
• Madam Chair, the committee substitute is adopted and reported. Thank you.

Keywords: 1146, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Speaker, I do have a substitute. All right, you've got a roll call.
• Please kindly bring the substitute to the well, and we'll take it from there.
• Please kindly bring the substitute to the well, and we'll take it from there. Mr.
• I know that there's a committee substitute for this bill.
• It's not a committee substitute. Oh, an amended bill. Okay. I'm sorry.

Bills: HB111, HJR1, HB61, HB8, HB30, HB43, HB156, HJM2, HM7, HM17, HM4, HM22, HM23, HM24, HM26, HM2, HM16, HM11, HM14, HM21, HM34, HM50, HB70, SB3, HJM3

Keywords: water law, state engineer, civil penalty, compliance order, water rights, overdiversion, illegal diversion, groundwater storage and recovery, well license, permit violation, water enforcement, New Mexico water code, irrigation district, conservancy district, water diversion, unauthorized water sales, measuring device, district court appeal, water resources, water compliance

Transcript Highlights:

• Please have the clerk report Senate Committee Substitute 1 to Senate Bill 46. >> Mr.
• body on adoption of Senate Committee Substitute 1.
• Senate Committee Substitute 1 is adopted. >> Senate Bill 46 is a cleanup bill.
• <00:16:11.440> All Senate committee substitute one. All Senate committee substitute one.
• committee substitute one's adopted. committee substitute one's adopted.

Keywords: 958, all

Summary: The Senate convened with an invocation and pledge, established a quorum, excused absent members, and approved the journal. During second reading, several bills and a joint resolution were reported to the Rules Committee, including measures on trauma center provider coverage, cremation, public library trustees, local occupational license fees and taxes, and a food-is-medicine resolution. The House also communicated passage of House Bills 176, 178, and 280 and requested concurrence. Committee reports advanced Senate Bill 39, Senate Bill 181 with a committee substitute, Senate Bill 17 with a committee substitute and title amendment, and Senate Bill 34. The chamber then took up and passed Senate Bill 13, which would allow military installations to have ex officio representation on nearby planning and zoning bodies to improve communication about land use near bases. It passed 37-0. Senate Bill 46, concerning school transportation, was amended by committee substitute to require background checks and drug testing for drivers of school vans and to extend van use to 10-passenger vehicles; it passed 37-0 after a brief clarification about the amendment’s display in the system. Senate Bill 22, expanding the dual credit scholarship program to support a teacher apprenticeship pathway, was amended to require a 2.75 GPA and then passed 36-1 after questions about employment status and liability; the sponsor explained it would help address teacher shortages and reduce student debt. The Senate also passed Senate Bill 90, which extends the behavioral health conditional dismissal pilot program from 2027 to 2031 to continue offering treatment-based alternatives to incarceration for eligible low-level offenders; it passed 37-0. Senate Bill 51, a proposed constitutional change to freeze property tax assessment increases for homeowners age 65 and older on their primary residence, also passed 37-0. Senate Bill 30 was passed over but retained its place in the orders of the day. The rules committee later posted Senate Bills 27, 40, and 76 for the next day, and the Committee on Committees referred Senate Bill 109 to Licensing and Occupations, Senate Bill 68 to State and Local Government, and Senate Resolutions 45 and 46 to the Senate floor.

Transcript Highlights:

• Do I have a motion on the substitute? Second. All in favor say aye. Opposed?
• The substitute has been adopted. Please proceed, State Senator Gary Boswell, District 8.
• This is Senate Bill 71 with the committee substitute.
• I had 12 co-sponsors on this original bill before the committee substitute.
• The response was that the committee substitute does not do that.

Keywords: Meeting Start: 00:12 SB 4 (Sen. Mays Bledsoe): 01:34 SB 58 (Sen. Webb): 04:53 SB 117 (Sen. Madon): 07:40 SB 121 (Sen. Wheeler): 10:52 SB 237 (Sen. Howell): 13:09 SB 71 (Sen. Boswell): 18:54 SB 174 (Sen. Nunn): 38:18 SB 176 (Sen. Nunn): 40:54 SB 183 (Sen. Nunn): 42:31 Adjournment: 49:51, 958, all

Summary: The Senate State and Local Government Committee met and first considered Senate Bill 4, sponsored by Sen. Bledsoe, which would create a risk-based AI governance framework for state government and address AI-generated misinformation in campaigns and elections. The sponsor said the bill came from the AI task force and is intended to promote transparency, accountability, and responsible use of AI while distinguishing between internal and external systems. The committee took a roll call vote and reported the bill out 7-0. The committee then heard Senate Bill 58, sponsored by Sen. Webb, which would allow Kentucky Retirement System benefits to be designated to a Special Needs Trust for a beneficiary. Webb said the bill would help families of special-needs children preserve benefits for supplemental needs such as adaptive equipment, technology, and medical or dental care not covered by government programs. He said retirement systems had provided no-impact letters, and the bill passed 7-0. Members also approved Senate Bill 117, which would let cities adjust incentive payments for training by appointed and elected city officials and remove the statutory minimum from ordinance requirements, and Senate Bill 121, which would authorize county judges to contract with rescue groups to deal with wild horse herds in rural areas. SB 117 passed 10-0 and SB 121 passed 10-0. The committee then took up Senate Bill 71, as amended by a committee substitute, dealing with local library board appointments. Sen. Boswell said the bill was a compromise but that he preferred removing KDLA from the process entirely; library representatives opposed the committee substitute and said they wanted KDLA out of the selection process. Several senators expressed conditional support but said they wanted further changes, and the committee adopted the substitute and reported the bill out after a roll call vote with 10 yeas and 1 pass, with members noting they expected further floor amendments.

Transcript Highlights:

• The next item on the agenda is the engrossed committee substitute for House Bill 4012.
• The strike-and-insert committee amendment removes from the engrossed committee substitute for House Bill
• The strike-and-insert committee amendment removes from the engrossed committee substitute for House Bill
• Chairman, I move that the engrossed committee substitute for House Bill 4012 be reported to the full
• The question is on the motion that the engrossed committee substitute for House Bill 4012 be reported

Keywords: 994, senate, all

Summary: The Senate Energy, Industry and Mining Committee met to approve the March 9 and March 11 minutes and then took up the engrossed committee substitute for House Bill 4012. Counsel explained that the bill would limit Public Service Commission approval of rate increases and certain electric transmission line certificates unless the costs to West Virginia ratepayers are shown by a preponderance of the evidence to be proportionate to, or generally commensurate with, the benefits received, and would require written justification for approvals. The proposed strike-and-insert amendment removed most of the bill’s original provisions and inserted the contents of the engrossed committee substitute for Senate Bill 669, leaving only the transmission-line certificate provisions from HB 4012. The Vice Chair moved adoption of the strike-and-insert amendment, and the committee approved it. The Vice Chair then moved to report the engrossed committee substitute for House Bill 4012 to the full Senate with a recommendation that it do pass as amended, and that motion also passed. The committee adopted a title amendment and then adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• Up is the committee substitute to House Bill 16.
• The committee substitute in front of you now changes the court creation dates that were set on the effective
• The substitute creates a new county court at law for Maverick County.
• Questions about the committee substitute to House Bill 16?
• If anyone else wishes to testify for or against the committee substitute to House Bill 16, please go

Bills: HB16

Keywords: judicial administration, court reform, juvenile diversion, court security, mental health services, drug offenses, constitutional amendments, 997, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• By your vote, Senate Bill 514 is reported favorably as a committee substitute.
• Take up a substitute amendment barcode 498-120, and Senator Gaetz is recognized on the substitute amendment
• Is there a debate or opposition to the substitute amendment?
• Is there a debate or opposition to the Substitute Amendment?
• Show barcode 498-120 is adopted as a substitute amendment.

Bills: S0036, S0864, S0268, S0844, S0514, S1404, S0914, S1758

Keywords: nursing title, advanced practice registered nurse, advertising, professional standards, disciplinary action, uterine fibroids, public records, health privacy, epidemiology, medical information, emergency department, physicians, privacy, personal information, sickle cell disease, sickle cell anemia, pain management, controlled substances, prescribing education, continuing medical education

Summary: The committee first considered SB 268, a public records exemption for emergency physicians. Senator Rodriguez’s strike-all amendment narrowed and clarified the exemption, and testimony from an emergency physician described threats, harassment, and safety concerns tied to mandatory reporting and patient encounters. The committee adopted the amendment and reported the bill favorably as a committee substitute. Members then heard SB 514, creating the Dula Support for Healthy Births Pilot Program in Broward, Miami-Dade, and Palm Beach counties for pregnant and postpartum women affected by substance use disorder. Senator Osgood explained the pilot would provide non-medical doula support and data collection, and an amendment changed the funding source to specific appropriations in the General Appropriations Act. Supporters said doula care can improve maternal and infant outcomes and complement medical providers. The committee adopted the amendment and reported the bill favorably as a committee substitute. The committee also approved SB 36 on use of professional nursing titles after extensive debate over whether nurses with doctoral degrees should be allowed to use “doctor” in clinical settings, with concerns raised about patient confusion and the need for clearer identification. The bill was amended to align with the House version and then reported favorably as a committee substitute. The committee next approved SB 864, a public records exemption for uterine fibroid research data, after a technical amendment setting a July 1, 2026 effective date; Senator Sharif said the exemption is needed so the Department of Health can collect sensitive data for the related research bill. SB 844, requiring continuing education on sickle cell disease care management for certain licensed physicians and nurses, was also reported favorably after emotional testimony from patients and advocates describing delayed care and bias. Later, the committee approved SB 1404 on memory care, after a strike-all amendment creating a new memory care specialty license for assisted living facilities that advertise or provide specialized memory care services, while allowing optional supportive services without the new license. Supporters from the senior living industry backed the clarification. The committee then passed SB 914, which clarifies that licensed occupational therapists may perform dry needling, after an amendment adjusting supervision and continuing education language. Finally, the committee took up SB 1758, a broad Medicaid and SNAP reform bill that would strengthen fraud enforcement, impose Medicaid work requirements for certain able-bodied adults, expand behavioral health services, modernize drug purchasing and prior authorization, and require SNAP fraud-reduction measures. Several amendments were adopted, and members questioned the work requirement, implementation costs, EBT card photo identification, and due process concerns; debate continued as the transcript ended.

Transcript Highlights:

• Panel Member: I prepared what I wrote up after reading the substitute. Chair: OK, good.
• In the committee substitute, we'd ask the committee to consider clarifying amendments.
• Members, there is a committee substitute. Vice Chair Howard offers the committee substitute.
• Is there an objection to the adoption of the committee substitute?
• Hearing none, the committee substitute is adopted.

Bills: SB 37

Keywords: fetal development, education, public health curriculum, middle school, age-appropriate instruction

Transcript Highlights:

• Chair withdraws the committee's substitute.
• Withdrawals on the committee substitute.
• We have a committee substitute to read.
• The substitute is adopted.
• The committee substitute is adopted.

Bills: HB3772, HB1656, HB4504, HB1896, HB4420, HB4421, HB4076, HB3708, HB2806, HB3540, HB1586, HB5459, HB4553, HB4535, HB3811, HB3749, HB4255, HB4051, HB5098, HB3554, HB4539, HB5274

Keywords: e-cigarettes, health and safety, regulations, directory, penalties, regulation, certification, compliance, manufacturers, FDA, nicotine, mental health, emergency detention, paramedic authority, mental illness, healthcare facility, public health, covenants not to compete, health care practitioners, physicians

Transcript Highlights:

• Members, we did have a couple of bills last week that had substitutes offered.
• Those substitutes have been moved into today's agenda.
• With that then HB231 as substituted has been given a favorable report. Thank you, chairman.
• This is... we have a substitute. Yes sir. With that, the members do have that as well.
• With that then we give HB246 as substituted a favorable report. Thank you, Mr. Chairman.

Bills: SB278, HB459, HB61

Keywords: University of South Alabama, board of trustees, education governance, state appointments, governance reforms, membership changes, home school, career and technical education, public schools, K-12 education, enrollment policy, 1136, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• There's been a lot of dialogue back and forth and at this time, I would like a motion to adopt the substitute
• I’ve got a I’ve got a motion to adopt the substitute by Representative Robertson.
• The substitute has been adopted. We do have a The substitute has been adopted.
• So, we're back on HB521 as amended or the substitute.
• And your bill has received a favorable report, HB521 as substituted and amended.

Bills: SB268, SB262

Keywords: mixed spirit beverages, alcohol regulation, licensing, excise tax, distribution agreements, retail sales, wholesalers, SB262, White Hall, Lowndes County, pari-mutuel wagering, simulcast, historical racing, historical horse racing, dog racing, horse racing, charitable bingo, off-track betting, OTB, gambling

Transcript Highlights:

• Speaker, there was a substitute. I would ask to pass the substitute. Please explain the substitute.
• The substitute is adopted. Mr. Speaker, I ask that HB 181 be passed as substituted.
• there won't be a substitute. there won't be a substitute.
• The substitute vote 93 yays, three nays. The substitute is<02:50:26.080> adopted.
• substitute relating to driver licenses. substitute relating to driver licenses.

Keywords: 1136, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• substitute I'd like to explain. substitute I'd like to explain.
• this committee substitute. this committee substitute.
• Chairman, I move that we adopt the committee substitute.
• Are there any questions on the committee substitute?
• "Motion be sufficient do pass committee substitute."

Keywords: Insurance - Room 216, 3 February, 2026; 9:00 AM, 925, all

Summary: The committee took up several insurance and health-related bills. Earlier discussion focused on metastatic cancer step therapy and biomarker testing, with the sponsor explaining that the bills would prevent insurers from requiring patients to try less effective treatments first and would require coverage for biomarker testing to better target treatment. The biomarker bill was described as a product of a summer study committee and was reported favorably. The committee also advanced a bill setting standards tied to the National Association of Insurance Commissioners, and a private residence elevator bill requiring licensing, inspection, and permitting for elevator installers, with an amendment exempting those elevators from annual inspections after the initial inspection. Members then considered a mitigation program for retrofitting homes, with the sponsor saying the Department of Insurance and industry were close to a workable statewide program. The bill would be funded by increasing a fee paid by insurance companies, not policyholders, and would allow use of a third-party administrator capped at 5% of program funds. The committee also reported bills extending the state health plan repealer, extending the LOSAP volunteer firefighter program repealer, and creating a fraud detection trust fund at the Insurance Department to address AI- and cyber-related fraud. The fraud fund bill drew questions about whether it would raise premiums and how it would help investigators; supporters said the fund would support staffing and equipment and that the existing fund had been dormant. Additional bills included a transparency measure for dental insurance spending, which would require reporting on the share of premiums spent on dental services beginning in 2027, and a bill expanding access to self-funded group health plans for members of legitimate professional and trade associations. The committee also heard a Mississippi Patient Protection Act aimed at strengthening willing-provider protections and limiting insurer discrimination against qualified providers; an amendment was proposed to clarify that vision benefit managers would not be treated as pharmacy benefit managers. Most measures were moved by title sufficient due pass and reported without opposition.

Transcript Highlights:

• Chairman, we have a committee substitute. Mr. Chairman, we have a committee substitute.
• The chair offers the committee substitute to House Bill 5699 and moves that the committee substitute
• The chair hears none, and the substitute is adopted.
• The chair offers the committee substitute to Senate Bill 673 and moves that the committee substitute
• The chair hears none, and the substitute is adopted.

Summary: The committee first took up House Bill 5695, which would create the Sayers Ranch Municipal Utility District in Bastrop County between Elgin and Bastrop. Representative Gurdis said Bastrop County commissioners unanimously supported the district. There was no public testimony, the bill was left pending, and later reported favorably to the full House on an 8-0 vote. The main debate centered on Senate Bill 291, which would require condemning entities to pay landowner attorney’s fees if they fail to provide 10 years of appraisal reports with an initial offer in an eminent domain case. Supporters, including Rita Beving and Charles Maley, argued the bill would add an enforcement mechanism and better protect landowners in a process they described as intimidating and lopsided. Opponents, including Tom Zabel and Lisa Kaufman, said current law already provides a remedy through abatement and attorney’s fees under Section 21.047 of the Property Code, and warned the bill could create inconsistency, delay public infrastructure projects, and increase costs. The bill was left pending. The committee also heard House Bill 5699, a simple MUD boundary change in Harris County Municipal Utility District No. 405 that would allow a tract to leave one district and join another. Representative Schofield said the landowner and district agreed to the change and to pay the tract’s share of debt. The committee substitute was adopted and the bill was reported favorably on an 8-0 vote. Later, the committee considered House Bill 5489, which would impose a four-year moratorium on impact fees. Representative Dyson framed it as an “active study” to test whether impact fees raise housing costs. College Station officials and other opponents argued impact fees help fund infrastructure for growth and that local governments should retain control; supporters said the fees are regressive and add to housing prices. The bill was left pending. The committee then heard Senate Bill 292, which would update the Landowner Bill of Rights to add information on surveys, require separate offers for property not sought in condemnation, and require the rights document to be delivered with the initial offer. Supporters said it would improve transparency and fill gaps in the current document, while opponents said it was unnecessary because the law already exists and warned against revisiting a 2021 compromise. The transcript ends during that discussion.

Transcript Highlights:

• Chairman Gates: Representative Hopper, do you have a committee substitute?
• Chairman Gates: Yeah, I need you to offer up a committee substitute.
• The committee substitute is withdrawn. If there's no objection, the bill will be left pending.
• For the record, Chairman Gates, you did substitute House Bill 3919 and explained that. Yes.
• We do support the bill with the substitute bracket.

Transcript Highlights:

• I'm going to make the motion that we don't read the summary of the 98-page substitute deal.
• There is an amendment in the form of a substitute bill.
• There is an amendment in the form of a substitute bill.
• Chairman, members, available before you and online is House Bill 939 in the form of a substitute.
• Available before you and online is House Bill 939 in the form of a substitute bill and in the form of

Summary: The committee first adopted Amendment Set 527 without objection, then adopted Amendment Set 5327, which adds a compliance officer requirement and related qualifications for the Southeast Louisiana Flood Protection Authority. Supporters of Senate Bill 56 argued that the Lafitte levee district lacks sufficient recurring revenue to maintain its system and that the West Bank flood authority could provide professional management, coordination, and financial support. Testimony also raised concerns about governance problems at SLFPA East and about unresolved landowner damage claims tied to prior levee work. The committee reported SB 56 favorably with amendments. The Department of Transportation and Development secretary then gave an update on the agency’s transformation initiatives, including outsourcing, construction process improvements, faster contractor payments, quicker change-order approvals, and higher project delivery rates. The committee next reported Senate Bill 171 favorably, which cleans up language for the recreation, economy, navigation, and transportation authority board, and Senate Bill 252 favorably, which allows driver’s license records to reflect both acceptance and refusal of anatomical gift authorization. Senate Bill 72, dealing with electronic vehicle titles and registration, was amended extensively to modernize OMV processes, require electronic lien and title functions for certain users, and set implementation timelines; it was then reported with amendments. House Bill 939, which would create a Louisiana Vehicle Commission by consolidating the motor vehicle commissions, was amended with a substitute but then voluntarily deferred to allow more stakeholder work. Senate Bill 129, creating a Master Combat Infantry Specialty license plate and adding a special plate provision for designated state officials tied to Supreme Court parking/security concerns, was reported with amendments. Finally, House Resolution 243, urging safety warning signage on the Tickfaw River after a fatal boating accident, was amended to shift responsibility to parish governing authorities and was reported with amendments.

Transcript Highlights:

• We are working with HHSC on a substitute to clarify some things to make sure that we're in line with
• The committee substitute makes clarifications to match the companion bill, Senate Bill 1283, which is
• I'm here to testify in strong support of the committee substitute for House Bill 3195.
• And I notice that you do, we are looking at a committee substitute, is that correct?
• Committee substitute, I...

Bills: HB660, HB4845, HB3902, HB5396, HB4615, HB1825, HB1403, HB4336, HB4585, HB4371, HB863, SB1589, HB5223, HB3195, HB2734

Keywords: child protective services, adult protective services, caseload limits, call processing goals, child-care licensing, employee workload, reporting requirements, employee caseload limits, protective services, workload management, accountability, Department of Family and Protective Services, employee goals, call processing, child care, human resources, government accountability, Medicaid, provider enrollment, revalidation