Video & Transcript Research : 'interstate compact'
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WV
West Virginia 2026 Regular Session
WV Senate Health and Human Resources Committee in Session Mar 10th, 2026 at 01:10 pm
Health and Human Resources
Transcript Highlights:
- The bill is introduced as a respiratory care interstate compact, which has been enacted by five states
- For example, the medical licensure compact, the physician assistant compact, the nurse licensure compact
- The bill is introduced an act as a respiratory care interstate compact which has been enacted.
- The bill is introduced to enact the Respiratory Care Interstate Compact, which has been enacted by five
- For example, the medical licensure compact, the physician assistant compact, the nurse licensure compact
Summary:
The committee met with a quorum, approved the March 5, 2026 minutes, and then took up several House bills. House Bill 5086, concerning peer support programs and testimonial privilege for covered caregivers, was amended to remove references to mental health and substance use disorder treatment from the disciplinary protections and to clarify that boards may still require participation in a board-designated professional health program; the bill was then reported to the full Senate with a do-pass recommendation. House Bill 5004, an education bill on PANS and PANDAS, was supported by the sponsor, who described his family’s experience with the conditions and emphasized earlier diagnosis and treatment; it was reported to the Senate. House Bill 537, creating an ALS services program in the Department of Human Services, also advanced after testimony from the sponsor and supportive comments about the disease’s impact; it was reported to the Senate.
House Bill 5096, which would have removed personal care and intellectual disability services from certificate-of-need review, drew extensive testimony. The sponsor argued the change would reduce regulatory barriers and expand access to in-home care, while an aging-services witness said certificate-of-need revenues help fund senior meals and other local services and that eliminating the requirement would harm county aging programs. After discussion, the motion to report the bill failed on a recorded division vote of 3-9. House Bill 4695, allowing PEIA patients to switch to an alternative covered treatment without additional prior authorization if medically appropriate and no more expensive, was reported to the Senate. House Bill 5582, creating the respiratory care interstate compact, was amended to remove a committee-added initial background-check provision and then reported. Another House Bill 5582, dealing with the TANF drug screening program, removed the sunset date, allowed oral fluid testing, and was also reported.
Finally, House Bill 5466 renamed the batterer intervention program as an abuse intervention program and allowed live synchronous virtual delivery while preserving an in-person option; the sponsor said the change would expand access statewide and better support domestic violence sentencing alternatives. That bill was reported to the Senate as well. The committee then adjourned.
HI
Transcript Highlights:
- Protection Committee and the Committee on Ways and Means to consider S.P. 1365 relating to the interstate
- medical licensure compact.
- investigate and request criminal history records of qualified physicians seeking licensing through the interstate
- medical licensure compact.
- medical licensure compact.
Summary:
The Senate Commerce and Consumer Protection Committee and the Committee on Ways and Means held a joint hearing on S.P. 1365, which concerns the interstate medical licensure compact. The bill would authorize the Hawaii Medical Board, as the state of principal license, to investigate and request criminal history records for qualified physicians seeking licensure through the compact.
Testimony was strongly supportive. SHIPA, the Hawaii Medical Board, Queen’s Health Systems, the Healthcare Association of Hawaii, HMSA, and the Hawaii Medical Association all supported the measure. The Hawaii Medical Association said the bill would help move the compact forward as part of Hawaii’s access-to-care strategy and noted that nearly 200 physicians have already come in through the compact.
After brief discussion, no members raised questions or objections. The committees recommended passage of the measure unamended. The motion was adopted by vote, with several members voting aye and a few excused.
WV
West Virginia 2026 Regular Session
WV Senate Health and Human Resources Committee in Session Mar 10th, 2026 at 01:10 pm
Transcript Highlights:
- The bill is introduced to enact a Respiratory Care Interstate Compact, which has been enacted by five
- For example, the medical licensure compact, the physician assistant compact, the nurse licensure compact
- The bill is introduced an act as a respiratory care interstate compact which has been enacted.
- The bill is introduced to enact the Respiratory Care Interstate Compact, which has been enacted by five
- For example, the medical licensure compact, the physician assistant compact, the nurse licensure compact
Summary:
The committee met, approved the March 5, 2026 minutes, and then took up several health- and human-services-related bills. House Bill 5086, concerning peer support programs for covered caregivers, was explained as creating training and testimonial privilege protections; the committee adopted an amendment clarifying that boards may still require participation in a board-designated professional health program, and then reported the bill to the full Senate with the recommendation that it do pass. House Bill 5004, an educational bill on PANS and PANDAS, was supported by the sponsor, who described his family’s experience and the importance of earlier diagnosis; it was reported to the Senate without amendment. House Bill 5327, which would require the Department of Human Services to create an ALS services program, also received supportive testimony from the sponsor and members, but the transcript reflects the bill being reported as House Bill 537; it was moved forward without amendment.
The committee then considered House Bill 5096, which would remove personal care and intellectual/developmental disability waiver services from certificate-of-need review. The sponsor argued the change would reduce regulatory burden and expand access, while a county aging-program director testified that certificate-of-need revenues help fund senior meals and services and that eliminating the requirement would reduce important support for aging providers. After a division vote, the motion to report the bill failed 3-9. House Bill 4695, allowing PEIA patients to switch to an alternative medically appropriate covered treatment without new prior authorization if it costs no more than the original treatment, was explained as carrying an estimated $13 million annual cost to PEIA and was reported to the Senate.
The committee also advanced House Bill 5582, enacting the Respiratory Care Interstate Compact, after discussion of a committee amendment removing a new-background-check-at-initial-licensure provision; the amendment was adopted and the bill was reported. Another House Bill 5582, concerning the TANF drug screening program, was described as removing the sunset date and allowing oral fluid testing in addition to urine samples; it too was reported. Finally, House Bill 5466 renamed the batterer intervention program as an abuse intervention program and allowed live synchronous virtual delivery with an in-person option; the sponsor said the change would expand access statewide, and the bill was reported to the Senate. The committee then adjourned.
KY
Kentucky 2026 Regular Session
House Legislative Session Day 39 (3-4-26)
Kentucky House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- House Bill 628 is an athletic trainer interstate compact bill.
- At present, athletic trainers are one of a few health care providers without an interstate compact.
- <00:39:28.800>
Athletic <00:39:29.359>trainers interstate compact. - Athletic trainers interstate compact.
- compact for a creation of an interstate compact for a competitive<02:57:14.399>
electric <02:57
Summary:
The House convened with prayer and the Pledge of Allegiance, then approved the journal, excused absent members, and suspended rules to allow co-sponsorships and vote modifications. The clerk reported Senate Bills 156, 173, and 193 had passed the Senate and requested concurrence. Committee reports were then read, advancing a number of bills on banking and insurance, judiciary, licensing/occupations, and primary/secondary education, including measures on insurance, fraudulent practices, virtual currency kiosks, eminent domain, DUI, legal representation, costs and fees, barbering, fire protection, licensing background checks, dentistry, school reporting, teacher certification, and educator placement. Those favorable reports were treated as first readings and placed on the calendar.
The chamber then took up House Bill 307, the “My Kentucky Future Act,” on proactive post-secondary admission. Sponsors explained that the bill would send opt-in letters from public universities to eligible high school juniors, include a common application for the state’s public institutions, and share data with KY Stats to track outcomes. Members asked about scholarships, the target student group, and privacy; the sponsor clarified that participation is voluntary, the letters do not guarantee admission, and the program is meant to streamline college access. House Committee Substitute 2 and House Floor Amendment 2 were adopted, and HB 307 passed 97-0.
House Bill 418 on domestic violence was then considered. The sponsor said the bill prioritizes the non-offending parent, requires abusive parents to address violent behavior before unsupervised visitation, and gives courts more tools to consider false abuse allegations and victim advocates’ testimony. House Committee Substitute 1 was adopted, and after brief discussion the bill passed 96-1. House Bill 593 on data centers followed; its sponsor said the measure is intended to support data center development while protecting ratepayers from subsidizing infrastructure risk, requiring companies to bring their own generation, buy power on the open market, or prepay certain costs. After adopting House Committee Substitute 1, the bill passed 90-8.
The House also passed House Bill 5 on prison educational programs, with a committee substitute and a floor amendment adding data collection on post-release employment; it passed 99-0. Finally, House Bill 584 on licenses for prescribing or dispensing controlled substances was debated. The sponsor said the bill removes a permanent ban so a physician who has regained licensure may apply for DEA registration, while opponents raised concerns about repeated misconduct and the ability to practice without DEA authority. The transcript cuts off before final disposition on HB 584.
KY
Kentucky 2025 Regular Session
Interim Joint Committee on Licensing, Occupations, & Administrative Regulations (11-20-25)
Transcript Highlights:
- . >> Representative Bratcher, do come forward for the respiratory care interstate compact?
- This is a respiratory care interstate compact, basically allowing interaction between the states.
- Um, this licensure compact, the respiratory care interstate compact, is much like other allied health
- I'm here today in support of the Respiratory Interstate Compact.
- I'm here today in support of the Respiratory Interstate Compact.
Summary:
The committee first approved the October 23 meeting minutes and then heard testimony on a planned 2026 bill to modernize Kentucky’s audiology practice act. Witnesses from the Academy of Doctors of Audiology and a Kentucky audiologist said the proposal would largely codify existing authority and add new powers to order certain imaging and lab tests related to auditory and vestibular conditions, as well as prescribe topical ear medications. They argued the changes would reduce delays, especially in rural areas, improve access to hearing and balance care, and help address provider shortages. Committee members asked about evidence for the expansion, responsibility for reviewing imaging results and incidental findings, and whether the changes might affect referrals or scope of practice. The witnesses said they could provide evidence, that the audiologist would be responsible for obtaining and reviewing radiology reports and following up with patients and primary care providers, and that the goal was to speed treatment and streamline referrals when needed.
The committee then heard a separate proposal to update the Kentucky Board of Medical Imaging and Radiation Therapy statutes by licensing MRI technologists and diagnostic medical sonographers, who are not currently required to be licensed in Kentucky. The bill would create a transition period through January 1, 2028 for current practitioners, require national credentialing for new applicants after that date, expand the board from 9 to 11 members, and clarify scope and enforcement provisions. Supporters said the measure would improve patient safety, align Kentucky with most other states, and recognize national credentials. Members questioned how many workers would be affected, whether the state currently meets national standards, the cost of licensure, and whether the bill could worsen staffing shortages, especially in rural areas. The witnesses said about 800 MRI technologists and 1,600 sonographers in Kentucky are currently certified, initial licensure would cost $100, and existing licensees would not pay an additional fee. They also said the board viewed the change as a safety measure and noted increasing portability of MRI services across state lines.
Finally, the committee began hearing a respiratory care interstate compact proposal. The sponsor and respiratory care representatives described the compact as a way to allow licensed respiratory therapists from member states to practice across state lines. They outlined the profession’s role in hospitals, emergency departments, home care, pulmonary labs, long-term care, and telehealth, and said the compact would help with workforce flexibility and access to care. The transcript cuts off before the discussion concluded or any action was taken on that item.
KY
Kentucky 2026 Regular Session
Senate Standing Committee on Licensing and Occupations. (3-3-26)
Licensing & Occupations
Transcript Highlights:
- been working with the interstate compact committee and legal counsel to find how we make sure our statute
- been working with the interstate compact committee and legal counsel to find how we make sure our statute
- > um interstate compact committee and um interstate compact committee and um legal<00:18:28.640><
- <00:19:27.840>
So first of all um with the compact. So first of all um with the compact. - been working closely with the compact. been working closely with the compact.
Keywords:
00:00 Call to Order
0:22 Roll Call
1:05 SB 65 Discussion
9:30 SB 65 Vote
11:55 SB 177 Discussion
26:34 SB 177 Vote
30:05 SB 245 Discussion
33:07 SB 245 Vote
33:48 Adjournment, 958, all
Summary:
The Senate Standing Committee on Licensing and Occupations met on March 3, 2026, with a quorum present and first took up Senate Bill 65, sponsored by Senator Steve West. The bill would nullify administrative regulations found deficient by the Administrative Regulations Review Subcommittee. West said the committee had found three deficient regulations this year, including one related to vaping rollout problems and one involving GLP-1 coverage expansion for Medicaid. Senator Berg raised concerns that striking the GLP-1 regulation could limit Kentucky’s ability to use these drugs for weight loss and other health benefits, but the sponsor and others said the action would only block the specific regulation and that doctors could still prescribe GLP-1s under existing Medicaid authority. The committee passed SB 65 with favorable expression, 8-2.
The committee then considered Senate Bill 177, sponsored by Senator Rick Girdler, and first adopted a substitute. The bill concerns speech-language pathologist licensure. Testimony from Kate Wood Hall and Ann Blandford of the Kentucky Speech-Language-Hearing Association explained that the substitute would remove the mandatory post-professional graduate experience as a requirement for full licensure, while keeping an interim pathway and preserving an optional compact-related pathway. They said the change responds to updated graduate training standards and federal billing issues, including CMS guidance that had temporarily disrupted reimbursement and access, especially in rural areas. Members asked whether the change would weaken standards or affect compact participation; witnesses said it would not, and that the compact option remained available. The committee also noted that pages two and three of the substitute were missing and staff would restore them.
Several senators spoke in favor while explaining reservations. Senator Berg supported the bill and shared a personal story about speech therapy in her family. Senator Douglas also voted aye but expressed concern about reducing requirements for trained professionals and about incentives in professional education. Senator Chambers Armstrong asked whether the opt-in structure would create barriers or affect compact participation, and witnesses said it would not increase costs and that other states, including Virginia and Oregon, were pursuing similar approaches. SB 177, as amended by the substitute, passed with favorable expression.
NM
New Mexico 2026 Regular Session
Senate - Health and Public Affairs Feb 17th, 2026 at 10:37 am
Senate Health & Public Affairs
Transcript Highlights:
- If this is the version that moves the compact forward, what happens to those other compacts that we move
- We joined the compact. So we've done all these compacts and all that here as well. The commission.
- And joining a compact because the commission are twisting some of our statutory stuff to fit the compact
- While this compact is not yet active, There are several states helping to form this compact, and by New
- We stand in strong support of House Bill 14, the interstate compact for dentists and dental hygienists
KY
Kentucky 2026 Regular Session
House Standing Committee on Licensing, Occupations, and Administrative Regulations.(2-25-26)
Licensing, Occupations, & Administrative Regulations
Transcript Highlights:
- This compact is the respiratory care interstate compact, and I'll let them talk about their expertise
- :25.199>
interstate compact is respiratory care interstate compact is respiratory care interstate - <00:09:41.360>
that compact and the two other compacts that compact and the two other compacts - This is her compact.
- Let's do our third compact. >> Thank you. Let's do our third compact.
Keywords:
0:02 ROLL CALL
1:44 SB 145 DISCUSSION
5:15 SB 145 VOTE
6:50 HB 36 DISCUSSION
9:15 HB 36 VOTE
10:45 HB 92 DISCUSSION
13:22 HB 92 VOTE
14:30 HB 628 DISCUSSION
16:30 HB 628 VOTE
17:50 HB 245 DISCUSSION
19:20 HB 245 VOTE
20:45 HB 584 DISCUSSION
25:23 HB 584 VOTE
27:55 ADJOURNMENT, 958, all
Summary:
The committee met with a quorum and first took up Senate Bill 145, which updates Kentucky’s laws governing caterers’ licenses and related ABC regulations. Senator Julie Rocky Adams explained that the bill clarifies where and how licensed caterers may sell and serve alcohol, standardizes food-to-alcohol revenue requirements, and removes administrative barriers. A committee substitute was adopted that also changes a tobacco-related license deadline from January 1, 2026 to July 1, 2026. Members discussed ABC staffing concerns, but the sponsor said those costs had not been specifically addressed. The committee substitute and then the bill as amended both passed unanimously and were sent to the House floor.
The committee then considered three interstate compact bills. House Bill 36, the respiratory care compact, was presented as a straightforward compact aimed at helping military families, protecting the public, and improving real-time disciplinary data sharing; a committee substitute correcting immunity language was adopted, and the bill passed unanimously. House Bill 92, the dietitians compact, was described as improving portability of licensure, reducing burdens on licensees and states, supporting military families, and enhancing investigative and disciplinary information sharing; the committee substitute added background checks, and the bill passed unanimously. House Bill 628, the athletic trainer compact, was presented as a new compact with enough states moving forward to meet the threshold for establishment; members noted it had become a Department of Defense priority, and it also passed unanimously after a committee substitute.
House Bill 254 was then taken up as a bill to exempt certain temporary emergency housing structures from plumbing code enforcement, based on experience during disaster sheltering when new trailers could not be used quickly because of inspection delays. A committee substitute corrected a drafting issue that had unintentionally affected temporary structures, and the bill passed unanimously. Finally, House Bill 584, which removes a permanent ban on a physician reapplying for DEA prescribing authority after rehabilitation and restoration of their medical license, was debated more extensively. The sponsor said the bill preserves DEA discretion while allowing a second chance after a lengthy rehabilitation process; KMA had not taken a position. Several members explained their votes, and the bill ultimately passed. The committee then recorded votes on the day’s bills and adjourned.
NM
New Mexico 2025 Regular Session
House - Appropriations and Finance Oct 1st, 2025
House Appropriations & Finance
Transcript Highlights:
- The chamber has been supporting New Mexico joining those interstate medical licensure compacts.
- It's $100,000 to implement interstate compacts regarding health care professionals.
- In this budget, Page it says to study interstate compacts.
- It doesn't say to implement interstate compacts.
- compacts.
NM
New Mexico 2025 Regular Session
IC - Water and Natural Resources Aug 19th, 2025
Water & Natural Resources Committee
Transcript Highlights:
- My name is Hannah Risely White, and I'm the director of the New Mexico Interstate Stream Commission.
- Last summer Interstate Stream Commission and Office of the State Engineer convened what's called the
- Rio Grande Compact with the need to secure water for New Mexico communities and Agriculture because
- Just briefly, what we are planning to settle are one the interstate compact dispute with.
- compact dispute.
HI
Transcript Highlights:
- We're reconvening on Senate Bill 1365, House Draft 1, relating to the Interstate Medical Licensure Compact
- <00:11:29.560>
Medical relating to the Interstate Medical relating to the Interstate Medical - Licensure<00:11:30.560>
Compact. On <00:11:31.720>behalf <00:11:32.120>of <00:11:32.200>the Licensure Compact- On behalf of the Licensure Compact.
FL
Florida 2025 Regular Session
Health Policy Feb 4th, 2025
Transcript Highlights:
- THE IMPLEMENTATION OF THE INTERSTATE MEDICAL LICENSURE COMPACT WE HAVE TERMED IMLC IN MAY THEY HAD SIX
- WE HAVE THE INTERSTATE COMPACT. THIS IS IN SOME OF THESE AREAS. IN NURSING IN PARTICULAR.
- THE INTERSTATE MEDICAL LICENSURE COMPACT THOSE NUMBERS HAVE EVEN CHANGED. IT IS A DYNAMIC NUMBER.
- THE INTERSTATE MEDICAL LICENSURE COMPACT HAS TAKEN OFF.
- ON THE SENATE BILL 1600 THE INTERSTATE MOBILITY AGAIN I AM INTERESTED IN BUILDING OUR WORKFORCE.
FL
Florida 2025 Regular Session
February 11, 2025 - 01:00 PM
Transcript Highlights:
- Members, next up, we will hear HB 27, Social Work Licensure Interstate Compact, by Representative Hunschofsky
- Thank you for allowing us to present House Bill 27, Social Work Licensure Interstate Compact.
- This is the compact. This is the bill, and I would appreciate your positive support.
- This makes technical changes to restore Social Work Licensure Interstate Compact model language and provides
- This amendment authorizes the Social Work Licensure Interstate Compact Commission, or its committees,
Summary:
The Health Professions and Programs Subcommittee heard and advanced three bills. HB 21 would create a new licensed profession of dental therapy under the Department of Health and Board of Dentistry, allowing trained dental therapists to provide a limited scope of care under a supervising Florida-licensed dentist through a collaborative management agreement. Sponsor Rep. Cheney argued the bill would help address severe dental shortages and improve access in underserved areas; opponents from the Florida Dental Association and oral surgery groups warned that the bill would allow irreversible procedures by less-educated providers and could compromise patient safety. Supporters, including dentists, hygienists, and community health center leaders, said dental therapists would expand access and free dentists to handle more complex care. An amendment was adopted to require proof of local anesthesia training, adverse-incident reporting, and updated background screening language. The bill was reported favorably as amended by a 14-1 vote.
The committee then considered HB 27, which creates the Social Work Licensure Interstate Compact to allow licensed social workers to practice across member states, including through telehealth, and to help military families and address workforce shortages. Supporters from the National Association of Social Workers and other advocates said the compact would improve mobility, reduce administrative burdens, and expand access to mental health services, especially in underserved and rural areas. A technical amendment restoring model language and setting an effective date of July 1, 2025 was adopted, and the bill was reported favorably as amended on a 15-0 vote.
Finally, the committee heard HB 29, the public-records companion to the social work compact, which creates exemptions needed for compact compliance and allows the compact commission or its committees to meet in closed session when discussing information exempt under law. After a technical amendment authorizing closed meetings for exempt matters was adopted, the bill was reported favorably as amended on a 15-0 vote. The meeting then adjourned.
WV
West Virginia 2026 Regular Session
Senate in Session Mar 10th, 2026 at 05:02 pm
West Virginia Senate Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- consideration engrossed Committee Substitute for House Bill 5015, relating to the Respiratory Care Interstate
- Compact, and has amended same.
- Compact, and has amended same.
- Compact, and has amended same.
- Engrossed Committee Substitute for House Bill 5015, relating to the Respiratory Care Interstate Compact
Summary:
The Senate reconvened, returned to the third order of business, and took up House amendments to Senate Bill 155 on adjunct teaching permits. The Senate adopted its amendment, which created an exception so a criminal history check would not be required every year and was described as giving county boards another tool to fill vacancies, especially in shortage areas. The Senate then concurred in the House amendment as amended and passed SB 155 by a vote of 33 yeas, 0 nays, with one member absent and not voting.
The chamber then received a series of committee reports advancing House bills on a wide range of topics, including economic development, education, finance, energy, health and human resources, and the judiciary. Measures reported favorably included bills creating Team West Virginia Corporation and the West Virginia Collaboratory, the Foster Youth Post-Secondary Transition Awareness Act, business-ready site programs, volunteer fire company allowances, extending qualified opportunity zones, natural resource police retirement, school transfer eligibility, the West Virginia Load Forecast Accountability Act, oil and gas well plugging requirements, PEIA treatment flexibility, PANS/PANDAS, ALS care services, abuse prevention, the Respiratory Care Interstate Compact, peer support services, tax lien sales, the Neighborhood Investment Program, bonds for the West Virginia Science and Culture Center, a comprehensive energy development policy plan, TANF applicant drug screening, and child protection commissioners.
Most of these bills were taken up for immediate consideration, read a first time, and advanced. One bill, House Bill 5381 on a comprehensive energy development policy and plan, was also referred to the Committee on Rules. The Senate then moved to adjourn until the next day at 11 a.m., after announcements of upcoming committee meetings, and adjourned.
VT
Transcript Highlights:
- Section two of the bill deals with the Interstate Compact for Education.
- Through this section, Vermont would be rejoining the Interstate Compact for Education, which establishes
- the Interstate Compact for Education. the Interstate Compact for Education.
- participation yet, in the Interstate participation yet, in the Interstate Compact<01:17:02.360><
- Compact for Education. Compact for Education.
Summary:
The House opened with a devotional and the Pledge of Allegiance, then moved through first readings and referrals of several bills. House Bill 950, the pay act for certain state employees, was read and referred to Appropriations, and House Bill 951, the government appropriations bill, was read and referred to Ways and Means. Senate bills referred included S. 138 on commercial property assessed clean energy projects, S. 181 on eliminating a pre-sentence investigation requirement for deferred sentences, S. 206 on licensure of early childhood educators, S. 219 on an energy navigator program report, S. 239 on the Child Abuse and Neglect Reporting Working Group, and S. 291 on travel disclosures for legislators and certain executive officers, each sent to the appropriate committee.
The chamber also read several House concurrent resolutions adopted on the consent calendar. These included resolutions congratulating Rice Memorial High School’s Division Two girls soccer team and Division One field hockey team, designating March 2026 as Athletic Trainers Month in Vermont, and remembering the 2011 Tohoku earthquake, tsunami, and nuclear disasters in Japan. The Japan remembrance resolution included a message from the Japanese consul general expressing gratitude for Vermont’s solidarity and friendship after the disaster.
Later, members offered announcements recognizing guests in the gallery, including Rice Memorial athletes and coaches, representatives of the Vermont Association of Athletic Trainers, and students and teachers from Pondbrook and Sterling College. The House also heard a detailed floor speech in support of House Bill 861, which would establish a statewide Americans with Disabilities Act Coordinator. The sponsor described accessibility barriers faced by disabled Vermonters, argued that ADA responsibilities are currently uneven across state government, and said a coordinator would improve coordination, compliance, and access across agencies. The House then announced the order of upcoming bills, starting with H. 861 and H. 931, but no final vote on H. 861 was taken in the portion provided.
KY
Transcript Highlights:
- House Bill 261, an act relating to the school psychologist interstate licensure compact.
- House Bill 261, an act relating to the school psychologist interstate licensure compact.
- school an act relating to the school an act relating to the school psychologist<00:20:42.080>
interstate - <00:20:42.559>
lensure <00:20:43.120>compact. - psychologist interstate lensure compact. psychologist interstate lensure compact.
Keywords:
Video Starts 00:00
Convene 06:39
Motions, Petitions, and Communications 13:20
Introductions of New Bills and Resolutions 17:05
Adjournment 23:56, 958, all
Summary:
The Kentucky House convened, heard the invocation and Pledge of Allegiance, established a quorum with 95 members present, excused absent members, suspended rules to allow co-sponsorships and vote modifications, and approved the journal from January 7, 2026. No committee reports, second readings, or floor amendments were needed during the session.
The House adopted House Citation No. 3, adjourning in loving memory and honor of Gary Bennett Shell, the father of Agriculture Commissioner Jonathan Shell and a former member’s colleague. Members offered remarks about his illness, his impact on his community and family, and requested a moment of silence. The chamber also heard a brief announcement about the KPA Big Boy Breakfast scheduled for the next morning.
A long list of new bills and resolutions was introduced, covering topics including medical debt reporting, protection of minors on digital platforms, property tax exemptions and constitutional amendments, veterans benefits, emergency management services, student loan repayment and apprenticeship tax credits, abandoned property, residency definitions for postsecondary education, animal services tax exemptions, high school graduation requirements, Ten Commandments displays in public schools, animal control officers, disabled veterans benefits, hospital police departments, involuntary commitment, school lunches, hazardous duty and line-of-duty disability benefits, reading and language arts instruction, criminal procedure, education accountability, milk transportation, citizenship requirements for elected officials, student support personnel, school psychologist licensure compact, aircraft sales tax exemptions, glucagon, theft by deception, insurance regulatory authorizations, healthcare workforce credentials, welcome centers and rest areas, flags of remembrance, wages, affordable housing, legislative ethics, barbering, veterans’ benefits protections, KEES scholarships for non-certified schools, chickens on residential property, school nutrition, hospital price transparency, mental health and substance use coverage, food donation, vehicle lights, and several memorial bridge designations and an aviation economic development task force. The House then adjourned until 9:00 a.m. Friday, January 9, 2026.
FL
Florida 2025 Regular Session
December 10, 2025 - 09:00 AM
Transcript Highlights:
- And the first of those is compactness. Compactness is a geographical inquiry.
- compact.
- It provides some assistance in assessing compactness.
- The requirement is to be compact.
- This would not violate compactness.
Summary:
The Select Committee on Congressional Redistricting met for an informational presentation from outside counsel Andy Bartos on the legal standards governing congressional redistricting. He reviewed federal Equal Protection principles, Florida’s non-diminishment provision, and Section 2 of the Voting Rights Act, explaining how race can be considered in redistricting but generally cannot be the predominant factor. He also discussed the Florida Constitution’s tiered standards, including the prohibition on intentional political favoritism, compactness, and the requirement to use existing political and geographical boundaries where feasible.
Bartos focused on two recent or pending cases: the Florida Supreme Court’s Black Voters Matter decision, which upheld the legislature’s 2022 congressional map and held that the non-diminishment clause does not justify making race predominant absent specific identifiable discrimination, and Louisiana v. Callais, pending before the U.S. Supreme Court, which may further clarify whether race may be used predominantly to comply with the Voting Rights Act or whether Section 2 remains constitutional as applied. He also explained how courts assess compactness and intent, and how data such as the 2020 census, voter registration, turnout, and election results are used for voting-rights analysis.
Members asked about what triggers redistricting, whether the legislature must redraw maps now, what data is available in the mapping tool, how intent is measured, and whether public input opportunities will be provided. Bartos said redistricting timing is largely a legislative judgment unless a court requires changes, that the committee can consider whether BVM or the eventual Callais decision warrants revisions, and that the Callais ruling will bind Louisiana directly but serve as precedent for other courts. No votes or legislative actions were taken, and the meeting adjourned after the presentation and questions.
AZ
Arizona 2026 Regular Session
03/24/2026 - House Natural Resources, Energy & Water
Natural Resources, Energy & Water
Keywords:
underground utilities, utility locating, dig safe, call before you dig, 811, excavation safety, damage prevention, one-call center, locate request, white lining, large project coordination, buried infrastructure, subsurface utilities, utility marking, locator wire, locator strip, interactive positive response system, landlord duties, apartment community, mobile home park
Summary:
The committee first received a presentation from the Arizona Water Banking Authority by Dr. Rebecca Burnett. She explained the authority’s role in storing Colorado River water as long-term storage credits, its funding sources, and its obligations to provide backup supplies for CAP municipal and industrial subcontractors, the Hualapai River Indian community, and Nevada. Members asked about future firming for CAP users, recovery of credits, water quality issues, and whether municipalities banking water themselves affects the authority’s supply. Burnett said the authority has no current firming policy for CAP M&I subcontractors, is waiting on Colorado River guidelines, and does not have excess water to bank because no surplus is available. No action was taken on the presentation.
The committee then heard and voted on several bills. SB 1445, as amended, allows small municipalities to test bacteriological samples on site with EPA-approved equipment; the sponsor and a rural mayor argued it would save money and improve responsiveness, while some members questioned whether the change was already possible under existing law. The bill passed 6-4. SB 1137, with a Taylor amendment, modernizes Arizona’s 811 call-before-you-dig system by adding large-project coordination meetings, an interactive positive response system, and related procedures; it passed unanimously 10-0. SB 1287, which expands an existing groundwater use allowance for irrigation grandfathered rights from initial AMAs to all AMAs, passed 9-1.
The committee also considered SB 1335, as amended, which in its final form addressed a temporary continuation of irrigation tied to the Ag-to-Urban program and groundwater savings credits; DWR said the amendment was still a placeholder and needed cleanup, while supporters said it would help manage timing issues for farmers and developers. It passed 5-4. SB 1336 reauthorized the State Land Department through 2030 and added oversight, reporting, and planning requirements; the department was neutral but raised concerns about the proposed oversight committee and implementation details. After debate over the need for another board and the length of reauthorization, it passed 5-4.
Finally, SB 1677 appropriates $3 million to the Department of Forestry and Fire Management for salt cedar mitigation along the lower Gila River corridor. Supporters from Audubon Southwest, the City of Buckeye, and local landowners said the invasive trees increase flood and wildfire risk, consume large amounts of water, and crowd out native habitat; some members raised concerns about herbicide use and wanted more detail on the mitigation plan. The bill passed 9-0. The chair then thanked staff and members, and the meeting adjourned.
AL
Alabama 2026 1st Special Session
Alabama House Ways and Means General Fund Jan 14th, 2026
Ways and Means General Fund
Transcript Highlights:
- Um, with the following interstate warehouser permit. Uh, the word interstate was misspelled.
- Um, with the following interstate warehouser permit. Uh, the word interstate was misspelled.
- Um, with the following interstate warehouser permit. Uh, the word interstate was misspelled.
- Um, with the following interstate warehouser permit. Uh, the word interstate was misspelled.
- Um, with the following interstate warehouser permit. Uh, the word interstate was misspelled.
Keywords:
elder abuse, financial exploitation, inheritance, joint tenancy, conviction effects, off-label, pharmacists, medical treatment, state board of pharmacy, employment protection, HVAC, air conditioning, heating, ventilation, warranty transfer, manufacturer warranty, consumer protection, home sale, residential real property, real estate
AL
Alabama 2026 1st Special Session
Alabama House Ways and Means General Fund Committee Jan 14th, 2026
Ways and Means General Fund
Transcript Highlights:
- Taxation; tobacco interstate warehouser permits required; penalties imposed for violations.
- Taxation tobacco interstate warehouser Taxation tobacco interstate warehouser permits<00:07:41.599><
- following interstate warehouser permit. following interstate warehouser permit.
- Uh, the word interstate was misspelled. Uh, the word interstate was misspelled.
- So now it speaks interstate warehouser.
Keywords:
elder abuse, financial exploitation, inheritance, joint tenancy, conviction effects, off-label, pharmacists, medical treatment, state board of pharmacy, employment protection, HVAC, air conditioning, heating, ventilation, warranty transfer, manufacturer warranty, consumer protection, home sale, residential real property, real estate