Bills: HB1160, HB1289, HB1339, HB1604, HB1798, HB1002, HB1065, HB1155, HB1269, HB1916, HB2120, HB2123, HB2158, HB2178, HB2264, HB2309, HB2411, HJM4004

Keywords: design review, local government, land use, zoning, project permits, housing density, middle housing, affordable housing, parking minimums, single-family zoning, infill development, growth management, comprehensive plan, permit streamlining, objective development regulations, architectural review, administrative review, transit-oriented development, accessory dwelling units, ADU

Summary: The House convened with a quorum, opened with the Pledge of Allegiance, a National Anthem performance, and a prayer offered by Washington Army National Guard Lieutenant Colonel Jeffrey Cole. The chamber then adopted House Resolution 4675, honoring the Washington National Guard for its service in emergencies, search and rescue, disaster response, and military readiness. Members spoke in support, highlighting the Guard’s history, its role in recent flood and landslide responses, and the sacrifices of service members and their families. The resolution passed by voice vote, and Guard leadership and members present in the galleries were recognized. The House also recognized Congressman Dan Newhouse in a point of personal privilege, with remarks praising his service in state and federal office and his ties to agriculture. The chamber then moved to the Fourth Order of Business and debated a motion to suspend House rules to send two initiatives to the Education Committee for prompt public hearings. Supporters argued the Constitution requires precedence for initiatives and that the House should hear them promptly; opponents argued the Constitution allows the Legislature to take no action and that the motion was unnecessary. The motion to suspend the rules failed on a recorded vote, 38 yeas and 57 nays, with three excused. Next, members debated the routine motion to refer the bills, memorials, measures, and resolutions on the introduction sheet to committee. Some members again argued the two initiatives should be given priority and public hearings before other business, while others supported normal referral of the day’s measures. The motion passed on a recorded vote, 57 yeas and 38 nays, with three excused. Committee reports were then accepted and referred as designated, and the House adjourned until Thursday, January 29 at 10:30 a.m.

Bills: SB1369, SB1570

Keywords: mental health, crisis services, 988 Lifeline, suicide prevention, behavioral health, revolving fund, child welfare, child safety, administrative transition, Department of Child Safety and Well-being, Oklahoma Commission on Children and Youth, juvenile justice, foster care, 914, all

Transcript Highlights:

• some of the things that able to prevent some of the things that representive<00:37:05.680><c> Cha's<
• We could have seen fraud prevented, like what we have seen in the recent years. 2019 Madam chair and
• like what we have seen fraud prevented like what we have seen in<01:16:04.199><c> the</c><01:16:04.960
• I am serving on the Fraud Prevention Committee this year, and so I am becoming steeped in this stuff,
• committee this year and so I prevention committee this year and so I am<01:21:18.320><c> be</c><01:21

Bills: HF2335, HF2400, HF2401, HF2522

Keywords: Medicare, health insurance, supplement policies, preexisting conditions, medical assistance, premium classification, real estate, appraisers, disciplinary actions, sanction matrix, Minnesota Statutes, continuing education, out-of-state, licensing, commerce, fraud prevention, automobile theft, law enforcement, insurance crimes, 1183

Bills: HB511, HB511, SB364

Keywords: Fayette County, revenue commissioner, tax assessor, tax collector, consolidation, salary adjustments, public convenience, education, Pledge of Allegiance, prayer in schools, K-12 education, constitutional amendment, violence prevention, conflict resolution, education policy, mediation, high school curriculum, 923, senate, all

Bills: SB140, HB102, SB133, SB34

Keywords: Coach Safely Act, youth athletics, noncompliance penalties, Department of Public Health, youth athlete, dual enrollment, high school, community college, university, educational access, high school credit, violence prevention, conflict resolution, mediation, public education, high school graduation, 1136, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• First up, we have Brett Mosman, DLNR, with comments on Zoom. manner that results in damage to manner
• that results in damage to property.
• Now, that means that if a feral chicken wanders off that land, they're strictly liable for any damages
• Now, that means that if a feral chicken wanders off that land, they're strictly liable for any damages
• to property. results in damage to property.

Bills: SCR120, SCR71, SCR164, SCR41

Keywords: rangelands, pastoralists, pastoralism, ranching, ranchers, paniolo, livestock, grazing, grasslands, land management, conservation, sustainable agriculture, agriculture, Board of Agriculture and Biosecurity, University of Hawaii, ecosystem services, carbon sequestration, wildlife habitat, Hawaii counties, International Year of Rangelands and Pastoralists

Transcript Highlights:

• On July 4th, we had intense rainfall caused by widespread flooding. ...damage across the state.
• This is prevention for the state also because we're putting a lot of money into the flooding area. ..
• .and this would help to prevent as well.
• And that flood mitigation, again, those techniques do more than just prevent flooding.
• The program is funded through a new disaster relief and prevention account in general revenue.

Bills: HB48, HB 66, HB 68, HB71, HB75, HB164, HB171, HB254, SB 3, SB 18, HB123, HB149, HB117

Keywords: HB 48, Texas alert notification systems, emergency alerts, public warning systems, alert fatigue, notification fatigue, Texas Division of Emergency Management, Department of Public Safety, DPS alerts, emergency management, State of Texas Emergency Assistance Registry, STEAR, disaster notifications, weather alerts, Amber Alert, Silver Alert, Blue Alert, missing persons alerts, accessible alerts, hearing impaired

Transcript Highlights:

• we researched on this particular bill, and there's some serious ambiguities within the law that prevented
• nonmonetary resources to assist in initiatives related to food insecurity, homelessness, suicide prevention
• insecurity, related to food insecurity, homelessness,<00:58:36.559><c> suicide</c><00:58:37.119><c> prevention
• ,</c><00:58:37.760><c> and</c> homelessness, suicide prevention, and homelessness, suicide prevention

Bills: HF3919, HF3467, HF3741

Keywords: veterans benefits, Secret War, Laos veterans, eligibility process, burial fees, veteran designation, veterans affairs, food insecurity, homelessness, suicide prevention, state resources, reporting requirements, agency initiatives, veterans, educational assistance, tuition waiver, spouses, children, military service, benefits

Transcript Highlights:

• looking to expand our resources to improve transportation safety in support of Target Zero and to prevent
• An urban forest management ordinance is a regulation that may limit or prevent the removal of trees on
• I know we just had a flood, but that was primarily damage to property and infrastructure.
• So I think that having these heat response plans to prevent patients from coming into the hospital is
• So I think that having these heat response plans to prevent patients from coming into the hospital is

Bills: HB2267, HB2183, HB2174, HB1529

Keywords: urban forestry, local government, environmental policy, tree management, community planning, heat response, counties, public health, emergency management, climate action, crash prevention, traffic safety, roadside regulations, emergency zones, public safety, state legislation, infrastructure, county resources, road construction, maintenance

Summary: The committee held public hearings on several local government bills. HB 2174 would allow counties, cities, towns, or the Department of Transportation to designate “accident risk zones” on roads with repeated crashes, hold a public hearing, conduct engineering and traffic investigations, increase enforcement, and use half of traffic penalties for safety improvements. The sponsor and local officials from Pasco and Colotis described fatal crashes on U.S. 12 and U.S. 395 and said the bill could provide a short-term safety tool while long-term roadway fixes are pursued. Supporters included counties and the Washington counties risk pool, though they raised concerns about liability, implementation, and the need for clearer language; a motorcycle advocate also asked for language to avoid targeted enforcement. The committee then closed the hearing on HB 2174. HB 2267 would direct the Department of Commerce to create a model urban forestry ordinance and guidance for local governments, prioritize avoiding tree removal, and create a grant program for jurisdictions that adopt the model or a substantially similar ordinance. The sponsor said the bill is intended to balance housing growth with tree canopy retention, climate resilience, stormwater management, and urban heat reduction. Environmental groups, the Puget Sound Partnership, and FutureWise supported the bill, while the Building Industry Association of Washington and the Master Builders Association opposed it, arguing that tying grants to the model ordinance could turn guidance into a mandate and that the bill could disadvantage housing production or create GMA-related legal risk. The committee then closed the hearing on HB 2267. HB 2183 would require counties planning under the Growth Management Act to adopt extreme heat response plans by July 1, 2027, covering immediate response, long-term mitigation, protection of high-risk populations, tribal coordination, and public education. The sponsor and physicians from Washington Physicians for Social Responsibility described the 2021 heat dome as a deadly mass-casualty event and argued counties need coordinated planning because hospitals and EMS were overwhelmed. Local public health officials supported the goal but asked for revisions to reduce duplication with existing emergency and hazard mitigation plans and to clarify leadership roles; the Department of Labor and Industries requested a reference to existing outdoor worker heat protections. Finally, HB 1529 would let counties perform roadway striping and paving work for cities without counting it against city public works limits or bidding thresholds, which the sponsor said would help smaller cities like Shelton use county equipment more efficiently. Cities and counties supported the bill as a practical cost-saving tool, while asphalt contractors, business groups, and labor representatives opposed it, citing concerns about competition, quality control, prevailing wage jobs, and the need for more stakeholder work. The committee ended the day after hearing all testimony and adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• There are a number of other state agencies that are part of the AG's Human Trafficking Prevention Task
• We partner with the Texas Governor's Child Sex Trafficking Prevention Team and the Office of the Attorney
• General to collect and analyze trafficking data, which has helped produce critical data-driven preventions
• We believe the release of a report misidentifying officers would be damaging to our department.
• Nothing preventing people from saying, "Officer so-and-so from so-and-so county.

Bills: HB1583, HB1775, HB1832, HB1836, HB1837, HB1866, HB1983, HB2029, HB2217, HB2318, HB2363, HB2486

Keywords: mental health, emergency detention, peace officer, mental illness, prevention of harm, border security, private landowners, study and report, General Land Office, participation, controlled substances, opioid antagonists, law enforcement training, substance abuse prevention, Texas-Mexico border, criminal justice, public safety, law enforcement, National Park Service, arrest powers

Transcript Highlights:

• It focuses a lot on proactive, preventative training.
• Chair, Senator Kavanaugh, yeah, it does look to me that it's focused on prevention, and thank you. care
• I don't remember the exact details of the other, but this leans heavily on prevention, also dealing with
• Chair, Senator Kavanaugh, yeah, it does look to me that it's focused on prevention and, Thank you.
• Yeah, it does look to me that it's focused on prevention and mental wellness strategies.

Bills: SB1216, SB1391, SB1493, SB1520

Keywords: trauma, public safety, counseling, mental health, employee benefits, law enforcement, stress management, suicide prevention, workforce readiness, disciplinary action, appeals, termination, superior court, investigative process, reinstatement, immigration, data sharing, federal government, undocumented immigrants, visa overstays

Bills: HB0036, HB0112, HB0106, HB0111, SF0001

Keywords: wildfire, fire management, funding, forestry, state investment, task force, capital construction, state funding, legislative services, budget appropriation, unexpended funds, sunset clause, conservation, employment, inmate crew program, Wyoming, major maintenance, community colleges, budget, education

Bills: HB0036, HB0112, HB0106, HB0111, SF0001

Keywords: wildfire, fire management, funding, forestry, state investment, task force, capital construction, state funding, legislative services, budget appropriation, unexpended funds, sunset clause, conservation, employment, inmate crew program, Wyoming, major maintenance, community colleges, budget, education

Bills: HB 39, HB 114, HB 1875, HB 1894, HB 1965, HB 2513

Keywords: veterans, mental health, Texas Veterans Commission, peer support, suicide prevention, community mental health, grant program, cemetery, General Land Office, burial plot, remembrance, monthly designation, honoring military, Texas legislation, rural services, paid leave, fire protection personnel, military service, public employees, employment benefits

Transcript Highlights:

• community-based mental health services, and it would direct TVC to develop a statewide veteran suicide prevention
• And it would direct TVC to develop a statewide veteran suicide prevention action plan and require it
• tasked with providing peer-to-peer support, referrals to mental health services, training on suicide prevention

Bills: HB39, HB114, HB1875, HB1894, HB1965, HB2513

Keywords: veterans, mental health, Texas Veterans Commission, peer support, suicide prevention, community mental health, grant program, cemetery, General Land Office, burial plot, remembrance, monthly designation, honoring military, Texas legislation, rural services, paid leave, fire protection personnel, military service, public employees, employment benefits

Summary: The Senate Committee on Veteran Affairs heard several House bills related to veterans’ services, mental health, military leave, burial access, suicide data, and Veterans Month. House Bill 114 would transfer administration of certain veterans’ mental health initiatives from HHSC to the Texas Veterans Commission, create a TVC grant program for community-based mental health services, require a statewide veteran suicide prevention action plan, and mandate annual reporting. A committee substitute was mentioned, but members said they were not prepared to adopt it yet. No one testified for or against the bill, and it was left pending. House Bill 1965 would direct TVC to study ways to expand access to mental health services through the military veteran peer network, including increasing peer support coordinators, with emphasis on rural communities and broader use in veterans treatment courts. Support testimony came from the Texas VFW, which emphasized the value of peer-to-peer support and the network’s role in suicide prevention. The bill was left pending after testimony. House Bill 2513 would clarify military leave rules for state-employed firefighters by counting their 24-hour or 48-hour shifts appropriately so they do not have to use vacation time to fulfill military duty; a firefighters’ representative testified in support, and the bill was left pending. The committee also heard House Bill 1875, which would require the General Land Office and TVC to study veterans’ burial needs, access to cemeteries, and cemetery operational needs, and House Bill 39, which would require DSHS to provide TVC de-identified death certificate data when a veteran dies by suicide or homicide to improve understanding of veteran deaths. The Texas VFW supported HB 39. House Bill 1894 would designate November as Veterans Month in Texas. All of these bills were left pending, and members indicated they were waiting on committee substitutes before voting, with possible action later on the floor or in committee.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> appropriation for paying wolf damages appropriation for paying wolf damages it's<01:11:04.760><c
• </c> uh has a big impact on how much damage uh has a big impact on how much damage uh<01:16:03.000><c
• is this recommendation for all damage is this recommendation for all damage through<01:25:27.119><c>
• </c> are concerned will lead to more damage are concerned will lead to more damage and<01:30:27.080><
• </c> people trained in determining elk damage people trained in determining elk damage um<01:37:10.280

Bills: HF601, HF271, HF1101, HF979

Keywords: agriculture, depredation compensation, livestock, crop damage, elk, wolves, wildlife management, skills path program, career and technical education, CTE, dual credit, postsecondary options enrollment, apprenticeship, apprenticeship readiness, dual training, work-based learning, career pathways, skilled trades, workforce development, high school to career

Transcript Highlights:

• For agency 41, Fire Prevention and Electrical Safety, this was TRP only and it was $21,000 general fund
• million for the wildfire<00:10:01.200><c> recovery</c><00:10:01.600><c> and</c><00:10:01.839><c> prevention
• </c><00:10:02.640><c> while</c> wildfire recovery and prevention while wildfire recovery and prevention
• For agency 41, fire prevention<00:10:16.079><c> and</c><00:10:16.240><c> electrical</c><00:10:16.720>
• <c> safety,</c><00:10:17.200><c> this</c> prevention and electrical safety, this prevention and electrical

Bills: SF0032, SF0010, SF0001, HB0001

Keywords: 911 services, emergency response, grant funding, next generation technology, government accountability, public safety, mental health, detention, competency evaluation, treatment, contractual agreements, Wyoming, budget, funding, education, wildfire prevention, healthcare, community colleges, grants, economic development

Transcript Highlights:

• We got like 75-year-old equipment working underground for us.

Bills: SF0032, SF0010, SF0001, HB0001

Keywords: 911 services, emergency response, grant funding, next generation technology, government accountability, public safety, mental health, detention, competency evaluation, treatment, contractual agreements, Wyoming, budget, funding, education, wildfire prevention, healthcare, community colleges, grants, economic development

Bills: SF0032, SF0010, SF0001, HB0001

Keywords: 911 services, emergency response, grant funding, next generation technology, government accountability, public safety, mental health, detention, competency evaluation, treatment, contractual agreements, Wyoming, budget, funding, education, wildfire prevention, healthcare, community colleges, grants, economic development

Transcript Highlights:

• We're moving, again, the Youth Poisoning Prevention Act, introduced by Senators Duckworth, Curtis, Moreno
• a medium loss of $2,000 per person this is the highest of any imposter scam the Roe Mance scam Prevention
• Blackburn, thank you Senator Blackburn and Hickenlooper, thank you Senator Herifka-Lewer will help prevent
• Semiconductor Supply Chain Act, S-244, Routers Act, amended by Lujan 1, S-289, Youth Poisoning Prevention
• I am just so pleased that that today we've passed out the Romance Scam Prevention Act, which will require

Bills: SB244, SB28, SB289, SB323, SB389, SB414, SB428, SB433, SB582, SB613, SB759, SB792, SB841, SB843, SB97

Keywords: national security, cybersecurity, consumer technology, routers, modems, study, communication, consumer protection, smart devices, transparency, internet-connected devices, FTC enforcement, broadband, infrastructure, federal programs, internet access, accessibility, affordability, deployment, government coordination

Summary: The Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation held an important meeting where they discussed various bills aimed at addressing pressing issues like consumer protection, technology, and environmental management. Chairman Cruz opened the meeting by emphasizing the role of subpoenas in ensuring accountability and oversight, highlighting a recent compliance from several parties following such threats. The meeting progressed to consider several bills, including the Romance Scam Prevention Act championed by Senator Blackburn, which seeks to protect vulnerable populations from online dating scams that have resulted in enormous financial losses, particularly among seniors. The committee also nominated Michael Kratios for the Office of Science and Technology Policy and Mark Medder for the Federal Trade Commission, underscoring the significance of leadership in fostering innovation and consumer protection in technology sectors.