Transcript Highlights:

• Not suggesting myself, but there are folks with degrees in early childhood or people who are fit who
• And so we made that added that Subsection so we could be able to actually prosecute them as a first degree
• It's just not And so the law says if you distribute cannabis to a minor, it is a fourth degree felony
• prohibits the distribution of any Schedule I to IV drug to a minor, the bill applies a uniform first-degree
• So that's an issue for me if we start saying, 'Oh, this one needs to be first degree.'

Committee: House House Health & Human Services

Transcript Highlights:

• I think that those are important to the degree that they at least have something that tries to keep track
• And I think that those are important to the degree to, you know, at least have something that tries to
• I'm not necessarily suggesting that led to anything, but that may have impacted the degree to which,
• I'm not necessarily suggesting that led to anything, but that may have impacted the degree to which,
• or second-degree misdemeanor.

Bills: HB2109 , HB2139 , HB2192

Committee: House Transportation

Keywords: vehicle loads, public highways, transportation, road safety, infrastructure, HB2139, snowmobile registration, snowmobile fee, vehicle license fee, registration fee, Department of Licensing, RCW, vehicle registration, winter recreation, off-road vehicle, moped, motorcycle, trailer, recreational vehicle, vintage snowmobile

Transcript Highlights:

• With over 8,500 students seeking degrees on our campus, many are first-generation.
• We also have a graduate degree.
• We also have a graduate degree.
• Students can also filter for bachelor's degree, associate degree, or no degree or credential, which is

Summary: The committee spent much of the meeting hearing presentations on student mental health supports at Central Washington University, Washington State University, the University of Washington, and the State Board of Community and Technical Colleges. CWU described high levels of student distress, loneliness, anxiety, depression, suicidal ideation, and basic-needs insecurity, along with a campus-wide holistic well-being model that includes behavioral intervention teams, emergency aid, peer outreach, community partnerships, and a collegiate recovery community. WSU emphasized loneliness, common presenting concerns such as anxiety, depression, PTSD, and relationship distress, and the role of housing and residence life, resident advisors, living-learning communities, and coordinated crisis response in identifying and supporting students. UW highlighted prevention and support programs through LiveWell, including alcohol and other drug consultations, confidential advocacy, suicide intervention, student needs navigation, peer health educators, and peer wellness coaches. The community and technical college system reported persistent access barriers, especially for students ages 18 to 24 and those facing housing or food insecurity, and said the legislature-funded mental health pilot at four colleges expanded counseling access, telehealth, and referral pathways, while broader system efforts focus on awareness, telehealth, basic-needs supports, and workforce training in behavioral health fields. Members asked each panel how they gather student feedback, and the institutions said they use surveys, evaluations, and ongoing outreach to students in services. Questions also focused on substance-use and recovery resources, Greek life outreach, and whether colleges have enough licensed mental health staff versus academic advisors; the community college board said not all colleges have licensed mental health providers on staff, and some rely on community contracts or telehealth. The committee also discussed whether counseling services are increasing because of post-pandemic effects or because students are more willing to seek help, with presenters saying both factors likely play a role. The committee then shifted to artificial intelligence in higher education. Washington State University, the University of Washington, Western Washington University, and the community and technical college system described campus AI task forces, governance structures, and efforts to set policies for students, faculty, and staff. Presenters said institutions are requiring course-level AI use statements, promoting ethical and transparent use, expanding access to approved tools such as Microsoft Copilot, and using AI for teaching, research, advising, and administrative support while guarding privacy, equity, and academic integrity. Members raised concerns about deepfakes, bias, student monitoring, and whether AI should be used to screen applications or evaluate student work; presenters said human review remains essential and that some institutions prohibit AI use in hiring or admissions screening. The final presentation, from OSPI, described the statewide rollout of the School Links high school and beyond plan platform under 2023 legislation, saying it will standardize career and college planning across K-12, provide better data and student guidance, and connect students to postsecondary pathways and employers; OSPI said the rollout is underway but current funding only extends through June 30, 2026.

Transcript Highlights:

• The percentage of school-based Pre-K teachers with a bachelor's degree has remained stable, while the
• LFC reports, and ECECD has created several programs designed to encourage teachers to pursue higher degrees
• In community-based settings, we also ask that teachers have bachelor's degrees in early childhood and
• And then we have the pre-K parity for those teachers that have more than a bachelor's degree and more
• One provider who has 17 classrooms has 15 of those teachers with bachelor's degrees.

Committee: House Legislative Health & Human Services Committee

Transcript Highlights:

• And I know I'll be short on time, but those other couple of provisions lean on employing non-degreed
• proud graduate of the University of California, Los Angeles, and I just recently earned my doctoral degree
• I've been blessed with the gracious opportunity to obtain a degree in African and African Diaspora Studies
• Both degree plans fall within the ethnic studies category.
• In December of 2022, I graduated with my degree. a degree in ethnic studies, specifically Asian American

Bills: HB178 , HB178 , HB1551 , HB1939 , HB2040 , HB2354 , HB2674 , HB3029 , HB3460 , HB3631 , HB3662 , HB5201 , HB5381

Committee: House Public Education

Keywords: efficiency audit, political subdivision, tax rate, fiscal management, government accountability, Texas education, public schools, curriculum, social studies, high school graduation requirements, State Board of Education, Education Code, ethnic studies, world history, world geography, U.S. history, government, economics, personal financial literacy, free enterprise

Transcript Highlights:

• We found that about 25 percent involve some degree of negligence.
• Wallace was charged with first degree murder but he was convicted of manslaughter.
• The jury did not find first degree murder, they did not find second degree murder.
• The bill also adds manslaughter to a list of offenses that include first and second degree murder, attempted
• first and second degree murder, and felony murder of a law enforcement officer for which a sentence

Transcript Highlights:

• The data is clear: college degrees lead to stronger communities, higher lifetime earnings, and greater
• access to this program, too many of your constituents would be shut out of the opportunity to pursue a degree
• access to this program, too many of your constituents would be shut out of the opportunity to pursue a degree
• access to this program, too many of your constituents would be shut out of the opportunity to pursue a degree
• access to this program, too many of your constituents would be shut out of the opportunity to pursue a degree

Transcript Highlights:

• When you talk about share of residents with a college degree, we're number one; share of postdocs working
• collectively educate 290,000 students and annually award more than 75% of the bachelor's and STEM degrees
• Thank you very much. award more than 75% of the bachelor's and STEM degrees in Massachusetts.
• either teaching in a classroom or are paraeducators, and they're working with children without a degree
• We were dependent on that federal funding to complete our degree and publish our research, which would

Committee: Joint Joint Committee on Economic Development and Emerging Technologies

Summary: The committee on Economic Development held a hearing on the DRIVE Act, a proposal to invest $400 million in Massachusetts research and innovation without new taxes. Governor Healey and administration officials said the bill would direct $200 million to public higher education research and regional partnerships and $200 million to a research funding pool for hospitals, universities, and other institutions, with the goal of retaining talent, leveraging private and philanthropic dollars, and offsetting major federal R&D cuts. They argued that research is a core economic engine for the state, supporting jobs across labs, construction, services, and surrounding businesses, and said the bill would help protect the Commonwealth’s tax base and competitiveness during a period of federal uncertainty and cuts to SNAP, Medicaid, and other programs. Committee members raised concerns about whether Fair Share surtax dollars should instead be used for K-12 and other community needs, whether the proposal is enough given the scale of lost federal grants, and how the money would be allocated. The governor responded that the funds are one-time surplus dollars, that most surtax revenue already supports education, and that the bill is meant as a bridge to stabilize public higher education and research. She also said the legislation includes a review board and could support a revolving or matched-fund approach in some cases. Several members pressed for more detail on selection criteria, future funding, and whether private companies and large endowments should contribute more. University of Massachusetts leaders and researchers testified that federal grant cancellations and delays are already causing layoffs, furloughs, rescinded admissions, and lost research capacity. UMass officials said the bill would help preserve faculty, postdocs, graduate students, and research programs in medicine, climate science, marine science, Braille instruction, and AI decision-making. They emphasized that the funding should be merit-based and that the state needs to act quickly to prevent talent from leaving Massachusetts. Business, labor, and industry groups, including MassBio, the Massachusetts Taxpayers Foundation, AIM, the AFL-CIO, and Building Trades, supported the bill, saying it would protect jobs, sustain the innovation ecosystem, and reinforce Massachusetts’ national leadership in research and life sciences. No vote was taken in the hearing.

Transcript Highlights:

• That is training non-degree learners to be technicians for quantum systems.
• Quantum computers do not require a graduate degree.
• For example, only require graduate degree jobs or engineer jobs.
• require a graduate degree.
• Madam Chair, Representative, I believe it's either a fourth-degree or third-degree felony.

Bills: SB48 , HB250 , SB17

Committee: House House Commerce & Economic Development Committee

Keywords: State Fairgrounds District, fairgrounds bonds, public financing, bond authorization, gross receipts tax, gaming tax, tax-backed bonds, infrastructure funding, Albuquerque fairgrounds, State Fair Tid, economic development, municipal bonds, revenue pledge, capital projects, New Mexico finance, technology, innovation, advisory board, entrepreneurial support, stakeholder representation

Transcript Highlights:

• We don't give a degree to our mothers when they, you know, accomplish that.
• She wants to attend Fort Lewis College and earn a bachelor's degree in criminology and criminal justice
• She would like to earn an associate's degree in communications and then a bachelor's degree in fine arts
• She has a master's degree in legal studies in Indigenous people law and a bachelor's degree in economics
• She earned her master's and bachelor's degrees in social work there at Highlands.

Summary: The Senate convened for an Indian Day/Native American Day session featuring prayers, drum and color guard presentations, and extensive recognition of tribal leaders, students, royalty, and community advocates from across New Mexico and neighboring tribal nations. Senators used the morning to introduce guests and speak about Native sovereignty, language preservation, education, water access, economic development, and the importance of tribal-state relationships. Several speakers highlighted personal and family ties to Native communities, while others emphasized ongoing work on issues such as clean water for Navajo communities, Native youth leadership, and missing and murdered Indigenous women and relatives. A major non-ceremonial item was the reading of Senate Executive Messages from the governor authorizing consideration of Senate Bills 306, 309, 312, and 313. Those bills would, respectively, change licensure rules for certain institutions, alter lottery tuition fund deposit requirements, and repeal or revise provisions related to safety helmets and child restraint devices in negligence and damages law. The Senate also received committee reports advancing House Bill 34, Senate Bills 204, 241, 77, 152, 190, and 143, along with confirmations for Elaine Luna and Grace Margaret Herrera to the New Mexico Highlands University Board of Regents. The Rules Committee also reported on the governor’s appointment of Don Walters as child advocate for the Office of the Child Advocate. The chamber also adopted a Senate resolution recognizing February 6, 2026, as New Mexico Speech, Language, and Hearing Association Day, with Senator Pope speaking in support of audiologists and speech-language pathologists. Throughout the session, members repeatedly acknowledged the prior night’s Senate-House basketball game, which raised more than $26,000 for cancer, and used the occasion to thank participants and guests. No roll-call votes were recorded in the transcript beyond voice votes adopting the committee reports and the unanimous-consent actions on floor procedures and guest access.

Transcript Highlights:

• I love the earth, I love the sky, I love animals, I love life to such a high degree.
• I love the earth, I love the sky, I love animals, I love life to such a high degree.
• I have a master’s degree in industrial and organizational psychology.
• And you know, we've had 1.3 degrees of increased temperature in the last 200 years.
• I have a master's degree in industrial and organizational psychology.

Committee: House House Natural Resources, Energy & Water Committee of Reference

Summary: The committee began by announcing that House Bill 2094 would be held and not heard that day, then received a lengthy update from Arizona Department of Water Resources Director Tom Buschatzky on Colorado River negotiations and post-2026 operating rules. He described Arizona’s legal position, the basin’s water allocations, current shortages, conservation efforts, and the state’s view that the Upper Basin should share more of the reductions and move more water from reservoirs above Lake Powell to Lake Mead. Members asked about tourism, recreation, tribal water rights, public outreach, and the role of the state’s delegation and the federal government. Buschatzky said Arizona has already made major conservation cuts and that further reductions are likely, whether by agreement or federal action, and emphasized ongoing negotiations and public meetings. The committee then heard House Bill 2758, which would expand McMullen Valley groundwater transfer rules to allow eligible entities, including private water companies, to withdraw and transport groundwater under specified conditions, with ADWR oversight and reporting requirements. Supporters argued the bill would provide a lawful, regulated way to move water for urban growth and housing needs, while opponents from La Paz County and rural advocacy groups said it would accelerate aquifer depletion, harm private wells, and benefit a New York hedge fund at the expense of local residents. After debate over guardrails, stakeholder outreach, and the impact on rural communities, the committee adopted the Griffin amendment and passed HB 2758 as amended on a 6-4 due-pass vote. Finally, the committee took up House Bill 2098, which revises bonding authority and public hearing notification requirements for county water augmentation authorities and allows such authorities to enter into local repayment agreements with WIFA. Pinal County officials and related stakeholders testified in support, saying the changes would help the Pinal County Water Augmentation Authority finance future water and infrastructure projects, including possible augmentation efforts tied to Bartlett Dam, and would clean up statutory language to match the authority’s needs. The transcript ends during testimony on HB 2098, before any committee vote on that bill is shown.

Transcript Highlights:

• I love the earth, I love the sky, I love animals, I love life to such a high degree.
• I love the earth, I love the sky, I love animals, I love life to such a high degree.
• And, you know, we've had 1.3 degrees of increased temperature in the last 200 years.
• I have a master's degree in industrial and organizational psychology.
• I have a master's degree in industrial and organizational psychology.

Bills: HB2042 , HB2052 , HB2055 , HB2056 , HB2094 , HB2098 , HB2185 , HB2328 , HB2758 , HB2798

Committees: House Natural Resources, Energy & Water , House House Natural Resources, Energy & Water Committee of Reference

Keywords: solar radiation management, environment, prohibition, Arizona Revised Statutes, public health, complaint process, Attorney General, groundwater management, water conservation, irrigation, water supply, brackish groundwater, water supply development, desalination, water infrastructure, financial assistance, environmental reviews, brackish water, groundwater, water resources

Transcript Highlights:

• as a a have, for example, a degree as a a registered<00:39:46.560><c> nurse</c><00:39:46.800><c> and
• We've also changed our practice in terms of accepting degrees.
• We now accept bachelor's degrees, individuals who are within three months of completing their degree.
• We've also changed our practice in terms of accepting degrees.
• We now accept bachelor's degrees, individuals who are within three months of completing their degree.

Summary: The House Committee on Labor held an informational briefing on August 22, 2025, to receive an update from DEH on statewide recruitment efforts aimed at reducing vacancies across state departments. Director Hashimoto, joined by DEH staff, presented on two hiring initiatives: Wikiwiki Hire and Operation Hire Hawaii. The committee focused on how each program works, how quickly applications are screened and referred, and how the programs differ from standard recruitment procedures. For Wikiwiki Hire, DEH described it as an accelerated recruitment pathway used mainly for classes with multiple vacancies. DEH screens applications every two weeks, then sends qualified applicants a list of participating departments and recruiter contact information so applicants and departments can connect directly. Committee members asked about effectiveness data, timelines, and whether the process aligns with the merit principle. DEH said the program is intended to speed hiring, that departments are not required to interview every person on a list, and that applicants can be hired as vacancies are filled on a first-come, first-served basis so long as all qualified applicants have the same opportunity. DEH also said it could provide data later and that it is working through a backlog of screenings. The committee then discussed Operation Hire Hawaii, an executive-order-based hiring effort launched in February to expedite hiring, including for displaced federal workers but open to all applicants. DEH reported more than 6,000 applications, 127 recruitments, 81 closed recruitments, and 142 hires, with a goal of conditional offers within two weeks. DEH said it turns applications around daily, while departments do the initial screening, interviews, and hiring decisions, with DEH completing final qualification screening and suitability checks at the end. Members asked about the program’s duration, its low conversion rate, and what happens to applicants who are not hired; DEH said it can refer qualified applicants to other vacancies and that the pilot was originally intended to run about a year, with possible extension if departments want it to continue.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:14:07.079><c> and</c> College uh getting that degree and College uh getting that degree and Welding
• Courses which are going to lead towards those degrees that they’re going after.
• They can do this concurrent dual enrollment through a person with a bachelor's degree.
• They can do this concurrent dual enrollment through a person with a bachelor's degree.
• He has changed 180 degrees and will admit it.

Summary: The committee heard testimony on House Bill 362, which would give the Department of Education rulemaking authority over educator licensing and testing requirements, including professional education assessments. Representative Ladd argued the bill is meant to preserve New Hampshire’s higher standards for teacher preparation and to avoid lowering requirements for licensed educators, while also allowing flexibility for career and technical education (CTE) instructors who may have strong industry experience but not traditional classroom credentials. Members discussed whether the bill should preserve industry-recognized credentials and basic academic skills testing while exempting CTE teachers from content exams; DOE Director Steven Appy said an amendment would clarify that the bill applies to initial licenses, exempt CTE teachers from the content-testing requirement, and keep current administrative practice on basic skills and industry credentials in statute. The committee also noted that an executive session would be scheduled later, likely the following week, to act on the bills and amendment. The committee then took up House Bill 90, dealing with the definition of part-time teachers. Representative Ladd explained that the bill is intended to let university and community college faculty teach limited hours in high school concurrent enrollment settings, especially in subjects like math and STEM where some schools cannot find locally certified teachers with a master’s degree. He said the measure is designed to expand student access to college-level courses, not to replace fully certified teachers or reduce standards, and emphasized that the bill is limited to faculty employed or contracted by the University System of New Hampshire or the Community College System of New Hampshire, with criminal background checks and ethics/conduct rules still applying. No votes were taken during the hearing, and the discussion ended with the understanding that further action would come in executive session.

Transcript Highlights:

• Representative Gander said that everyone is probably wondering to what degree they are going for cost
• containment here and to what degree they are going for better coordination of care.
• are we going for Cost what degree are we going for Cost Containment<00:50:33.079><c> here</c><00:50:
• :34.319><c> are</c> Containment here and to what degree are Containment here and to what degree are we
• </c> Gander thanks Mr chair um to what degree Gander thanks Mr chair um to what degree do<00:51:43.000

Committee: House Human Services Finance and Policy

Transcript Highlights:

• The first phase is going to look at convictions for the lowest-severity offenses: fifth-degree cannabis
• <01:28:38.320><c> cannabis</c> degree cannabis degree cannabis possession<01:28:40.400><c> um</c><01:
• It’s not so easy to go through the thousands of these fifth-degree possession cases we’re going to be
• </c> meeting of addressing these fifth degree meeting of addressing these fifth degree possession<01:
• possession cases we're fifth degree possession cases we're going<01:32:31.840><c> to</c><01:32:31.960

Bills: HF7

Committee: House Judiciary Finance and Civil Law

Transcript Highlights:

• Representative Woodson asked whether there were studies on return on investment for degree recipients
• was that they did not match those students, but that in the analysis of return on investment for degrees
• think about how that would impact students who are Pell-eligible going to college, especially for degrees
• that culminate in a bachelor's degree or an Associate in Science degree, it would ultimately impact
• I worked my way through college both times and had three babies while working on my master's degree,

Committee: House Higher Education

Summary: The House Committee on Higher Education met at the University of Hawaiʻi’s Bachman Hall and heard testimony on several UH-related bills. HB 542 would expand the Hawaiʻi Promise Program to provide unmet-need scholarships at four-year UH campuses. UH system officials, the UH Student Caucus, and a Honolulu Community College student testified in support, emphasizing college affordability, student retention, and workforce needs. Committee members asked about current program data, eligibility, transfer patterns, and cost; UH said it had data available, noted about 10% of current Hawaiʻi Promise students transfer to four-year campuses, and estimated the full expansion would cost about $12 million. UH also suggested a possible alternative of focusing on transfer opportunities from two-year to four-year campuses. The committee then heard HB 840, which concerns athletics appropriations for UH. UH Mānoa and UH Hilo supported the bill. UH officials said the funding would help cover recurring athletics operating costs, women’s sports travel and recruiting, Austin Awards, and a new nutrition fueling station, while Hilo said the money would help with travel, per diem, and conference-related costs. Members asked about the history of the athletics funding, the difference between Austin Awards and special talent waivers, NIL planning, and whether the appropriation should be restored to the base budget. UH explained that a $4 million athletics appropriation was originally made in 2018 or 2019, later removed from the base, and has been reappropriated annually since then. Finally, the committee heard HB 842, which would fund three additional permanent mental health practitioner positions at UH Mānoa’s Counseling and Student Development Center. UH supported the bill, and Academic Labor United and a high school student testified in favor, citing student stress, overwork, and the need for more counseling access. In questions, members discussed the current counselor-to-student ratio, recruitment challenges in a tight labor market, and strategies for hiring, including looking at candidates on soft-money grants who may be seeking stable employment. No votes or final committee actions were taken during the portion of the meeting provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• On the same hot day, an upstream shady community like Lexington experiences an 85-degree day, while Chelsea
• one of our downstream communities with 84% impervious cover, will experience high 90s and up to 100-degree
• one of our downstream communities with 84% impervious cover, will experience high 90s and up to 100-degree
• one of our downstream communities with 84% impervious cover, will experience high 90s and up to 100-degree
• In a very important way, we're, to some degree, the end of the trail system.

Committee: Joint Joint Committee on Environment and Natural Resources

Summary: The hearing covered several environment and natural resources bills focused on natural and working lands, forest protection, municipal reforestation, trail accessibility, and a park naming bill. Representative Moschino and Senator Comerford described the natural and working lands bill as part of the state’s climate roadmap, arguing that protecting these lands supports carbon sequestration, resilience, biodiversity, and helps prevent development pressure on the least expensive land. Senator Comerford also testified on a separate bill to expand access to trails for people of all abilities, saying it would build on the administration’s Trails for All initiative and create a permanent advisory structure and trust fund. Representative Consolvo and family members testified in support of H. 4259 to name the tennis courts at Wether Park in Roslindale after Kim O’Connell, describing her long community service and activism. A large portion of the hearing focused on H. 952 and H. 953, bills to protect watershed and state forest lands as parks or reserves. Supporters, including environmental advocates, scientists, and organizations such as Standing Trees, Sierra Club, The Nature Conservancy, and the Massachusetts Forest Alliance’s opponents, debated whether state forests and watershed lands should be permanently reserved from logging and other active management. Supporters said the bills would improve carbon storage, water quality, biodiversity, flood and drought resilience, and would protect large acreages of public land at no cost. Opponents, including the Massachusetts Forest Alliance, argued that sustainable forest management and a mix of reserves and managed forests are needed for climate, water quality, wildfire prevention, rural jobs, and carbon outcomes, and urged the committee to allow the administration’s existing reserve process to continue. The committee also heard extensive testimony on the municipal reforestation bill, H. 1013/S. 553, which would create a statewide program, advisory council, and trust fund to support urban tree planting and maintenance. Municipal officials and advocates from Wellesley, Cambridge, Boston, the Mystic River watershed, and other communities said urban trees are critical for cooling, stormwater control, air quality, public health, and equity, especially in environmental justice neighborhoods with low canopy cover and high heat. Several witnesses emphasized that consistent funding is needed because trees take years to mature and many municipalities lack staff or watering capacity. Some witnesses asked that the bill be funded at $100 million and tied to the Mass Ready Act or environmental bond funding. No votes or final committee actions were taken during the hearing.

Transcript Highlights:

• Well, I mean, every state has seen some degree of increase when it comes to general liability and...
• Well, I mean, every state has seen some degree of increase when it comes to general liability and Every
• state has seen some degree of increase when it comes to general liability insurance costs, mostly due
• Is it going to be about 60 degrees? That is a caveat there. Yeah, thank you. All right. All right.
• They were keeping it 180 degrees or significantly higher.

Committee: House Commerce, Consumer Protection, Energy and the Environment

Summary: The committee first heard House Bill 1645, which would reduce Missouri’s general personal injury statute of limitations from five years to two years for claims after August 28, 2026, while also extending the civil statute of limitations for child sexual abuse claims from 10 years to 20 years after the victim turns 21. Representative Overcast and supporters from the insurance and business communities argued the change would improve Missouri’s business climate, lower insurance costs, and align the state with most others; opponents, including trial lawyers and victim advocates, warned that shortening the filing window would harm injured adults and sexual abuse survivors who need more time to come forward. Representative Sites supported the child sexual abuse expansion but said broader retroactivity work was still ongoing. No vote was taken in the hearing itself, but the bill drew both support and opposition testimony. The committee then heard House Bill 1610 and House Bill 2182, both of which were described as similar proposals to shorten the general civil statute of limitations, with HB 1610 moving from five years to three years and HB 2182 moving from five years to two years. Supporters repeated the same business-climate and insurance-rate arguments, while opponents repeated concerns about access to justice and the time needed to investigate complex injuries. Several witnesses from the insurance, chamber, farm bureau, railroad, and business groups testified in support, and some said they preferred two years over three. The chair noted the testimony was largely repetitive across the bills, and the hearings concluded without recorded votes in the transcript. Finally, the committee heard House Bill 2714, which would change Missouri from a pure comparative fault system to a modified comparative fault system, barring recovery if a plaintiff is found more than 50% at fault. The sponsor and supporters said the bill would make Missouri more business-friendly and more consistent with neighboring states, while opponents from the trial bar argued it would unfairly cut off recovery for injured people and that juries already apportion fault under current law. Testimony focused on how fault percentages are determined, the effect on settlements and trials, and examples such as car crashes and product liability cases. The hearing ended with continued opposition testimony and no final committee action reported in the transcript.

Transcript Highlights:

• “Well, every state is seeing some degree of increase when it comes to general liability insurance costs
• Is it going to be above 60 degrees? That is a caveat there. Yeah. Thank you. All right. All right.
• They were keeping it 180 degrees or significantly higher.
• When she... ...were keeping it 180 degrees or significantly higher.
• of care, and the same thing with the truck. ...or operating his vehicle in the highest degree of care

Committees: House Commerce , House Commerce, Consumer Protection, Energy and the Environment