Transcript Highlights:

• was authorized by Congress in 2022.
• Yes that's yeah it's there's an appropriation authority that an authority to spend the money.
• Purchasing properties. Is that correct?
• Authority.
• , unexpended balances and transfer authority.

Keywords: 1184, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:05:20.080> committees um and we'll see authorizing committees um and we'll see authorizing
• vehicle um category uh so purchasing vehicle um category uh so purchasing qualifying<00:41:38.800
• <01:22:47.000> by<01:22:47.120> the authorized by the authorized by the legislature<01:
• highway bond authorization, there is still $57 million left unsold from that authorization.
• Highway Bond authorization Highway Bond authorization that<01:40:54.880> is<01:40:55.320>

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• I'm proud to be a co-author along with you.
• The information should be very clear at the point of purchase.
• We're grateful to the author for advancing this important issue.
• I want to thank the author for this bill.
• And that means under 1,000 treatment plans statewide were authorized.

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• This conference report relates to the Virginia Alcoholic Beverage Control Authority permitting of retail
• tobacco product retailers, purchase, possession, and sale of retail tobacco products penalties.
• It will finally enforce our under-21 purchasing of tobacco and vape at retail and vape shops.
• And so we finally have an enforcement. exactly where to go to purchase vape and tobacco.
• It would also expand the ability to preserve trees statewide, an authority that has been long overdue

Keywords: March 14, 2026 - Regular Session Part 2, 976, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• And they authorized somewhere around $160 million in grants to launch these programs in the states.
• <00:03:24.159> And<00:03:24.319> they<00:03:24.480> authorized EMS system.
• And they authorized EMS system.
• And they authorized somewhere<00:03:25.280> around<00:03:25.599> $160<00:03:26.239>
• It's for ambulance purchases. It's not for salaries.

Keywords: Meeting Start 00:00:00 Kentucky Board of Emergency Medical Services (KBEMS) 00:00:53 Approval of Minutes 00:23:37, 958, all

Summary: The Kentucky Board of EMS presented an additional budget request focused on grant funding for local EMS agencies, not agency operations. Officials said the board has 13 full-time staff after losing employees in the 2022 transition back to state government, and that the request would be a 100% pass-through to providers. They initially described two requests totaling $12.91 million: $10.8 million for the EMS block grant and $2.1 million for workforce education tied to House Bill 484, but later said they would withdraw the $2.1 million request because rural health transformation funding appears likely to cover those education needs. Most of the testimony explained why the EMS block grant should be increased. The board said the grant began in 1980 at about $1.2 million and has remained largely unchanged while EMS costs have risen sharply. They cited higher prices for ambulances, stretchers, and cardiac monitors, along with increased labor and reimbursement pressures. Board members emphasized that modern EMS now provides much more advanced care in the field, especially in rural areas, and argued that equipment such as 12-lead cardiac monitors can significantly improve patient outcomes. They said the current grant provides about $10,000 per county, while the request would raise funding to about $100,000 per county and increase the per-capita amount from roughly 26 cents to $2.60. Members also discussed whether the block grant statute should be reformed to target need more directly. Board officials said they had considered making the grant more competitive, but decided against it for now because many counties rely on the annual funding and shifting money away from some areas would create hardship. In response to questions, they said Kentucky has about 160 class one EMS agencies providing 911 response across 120 counties, and that grant awards in recent years reached 91 counties, then 108, then 110 counties. They also highlighted the cost and safety benefits of power loading systems for stretchers, saying they can reduce back injuries and help retain EMS workers, but are often unaffordable for smaller departments. No votes were taken on the budget request during the hearing. After the testimony and questions, the committee approved the minutes from the prior meeting by motion and second, with no opposition, and then adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• it's going to, um, the current purchase it's going to, um, the current purchase price<00:17:24.000
• delay the purchase a little bit longer? delay the purchase a little bit longer?
• 01:04:28.559> the lawful government authority where the lawful government authority where the
• :19:39.040> they purchased Heartsog draw and they purchased Heartsog draw and they anticipate<
• they purchased all the contango assets. they purchased all the contango assets. >> Okay.

Bills: HB0075, HB0128

Keywords: virtual currency, kiosk, financial institutions, regulation, Wyoming Money Transmitters Act, penalties, severance tax, oil production, tax exemption, energy sector, economic impact, 916, all

Transcript Highlights:

• So for purchasing card statements, the governor's office paid 29 of 30 purchasing card statements late
• <00:09:54.399> The services um that they purchased. The services um that they purchased.
• <00:10:31.680> card are offered by the purchasing card are offered by the purchasing card
• And then for the area of purchasing And then for the area of purchasing cards,<00:13:24.480>
• Finally, finding 12 has to do with split purchasing card purchases.

Keywords: 919, house, all

Summary: The committee heard a presentation from the legislative auditor on a performance audit of the governor’s office and lieutenant governor’s office covering July 1, 2022 through December 31, 2024. The audit reviewed receipts, inventory, payroll, and non-payroll expenditures and found 12 findings, concluding the office generally did not comply with the criteria tested because of internal control deficiencies. The auditor said four of five prior findings that remained relevant were not fully resolved, and that the problems were widespread across financial operations, creating opportunities for waste and fraud, though no evidence of wrongdoing or misuse of funds was found. The main findings involved weak segregation of duties, late vendor payments, inaccurate reimbursements and vendor payments, missing documentation, and poor receipt management. Auditors said one employee handled purchasing, receiving, payment processing, and inventory functions without adequate oversight; vendors were often paid late, resulting in more than $1,000 in late/reactivation fees; reimbursements and some state airplane payments contained errors; and many vendor payments, reimbursements, and purchasing card transactions lacked required support. The office also failed to collect about $12,000 for events at the governor’s residence, did not fully process several deposits, and lacked documentation for some billed or deposited amounts. Members reacted strongly to the repeated control failures and the lack of documentation, with several saying the issues were pervasive and concerning even if the dollar amounts were not large. Questions focused on whether the problems reflected different treatment of vendors versus employee expenses, whether restitution was being sought, and whether legislation was needed. The auditor responded that the state already has the necessary policies and procedures, and that the issue is implementation and oversight by the governor’s office, not new legislation. The auditor also said the governor’s office had been receptive and had begun taking steps to address the findings.

Transcript Highlights:

• If you had the authority.
• What authority?
• What's your funding source in order to purchase? Purchase for the new land, the new parks.
• So currently 125 million dollars for land purchases is what we're using to purchase land. for new state
• The Aquarium has purchased the land.

Bills: SB1, SB 1

Keywords: appropriations, budget, state funding, education, healthcare, infrastructure, campground safety, youth camp regulations, flood safety, emergency evacuation, health and safety standards, 1185, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Next up, Hawaii School Facilities Authority in support. industrial relations we stand on our industrial
• My name is Doug Cison with the School Facilities Authority. We stand by our written testimony.
• um we stand by a written Authority um we stand by a written testimony<00:16:24.959> we<00:16:
• prior to application allowing purchase prior to application approval<00:55:38.760> and<00:55:
• <00:58:44.599> over establishments that purchase over establishments that purchase over $230,000

Keywords: 910, house, all

Summary: The committee heard testimony on several measures, beginning with HB 205 HD1 and HB 480 HD1 on workers’ compensation. Testifiers from the Department of Labor and Industrial Relations and the Department of Human Resources Development supported the bills, with DLIR saying HB 205 would codify and regulate nonprescription over-the-counter drugs at a reasonable rate, and DHRD saying HB 480 would encourage timely and accurate assessments of injured workers’ physical abilities. No opposition was raised on those measures, and the committee moved on without votes or amendments noted. On HB 331 HD1 relating to permits, the University of Hawaiʻi, the Department of Education, and the Hawaii School Facilities Authority supported the bill, while the Board of Water Supply and Greg Mikan opposed it. Supporters did not elaborate much beyond standing on written testimony, but the School Facilities Authority asked that renovations be added to the definition of repeatable projects. Opponents argued the Department of Planning and Permitting is understaffed and that bypassing or speeding the permitting review process could create problems, especially for projects requiring proper engineering review. No action was taken beyond hearing testimony. The committee also heard HB 72 HD1 on pharmacy technician regulation, with the Board of Pharmacy offering comments and the Hawaii Pharmacist Association, Walgreens, and Mōʻiliʻili Drugs supporting the measure. Supporters said pharmacy technicians already perform essential duties such as vaccinations, compounding, inventory, and dispensing, and argued Hawaiʻi is the only state without an active managed list of practicing pharmacy technicians. On HB 139 HD1 regarding insurance, the Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs offered comments, and the Hawaii Society for Clinical Oncologists supported the bill, arguing fertility preservation coverage should not conflict with federal law or the prepaid health care system. On HB 32 HD1 relating to cannabis, the Attorney General and Department of Health raised concerns about allowing purchase before certification is approved, while the Hawaii Cannabis Industry Association supported the bill and suggested lowering the purchase limit from 2 ounces to 1 ounce; the Department of Health said its average turnaround is two to three business days, with about 20% of applications returned for incompleteness and an internal expedited process for certain cases. Later, the committee heard HB 470 HD1 on noise, with the Department of Health supporting the goal of reducing noise pollution but cautioning that regulating intermittent noise like string trimmers is complicated, while the Retail Merchants of Hawaiʻi opposed the bill as a hardship for small businesses and questioned the practicality of battery-powered equipment. Ted Bolan supported the measure, saying it would not ban gas leaf blowers but would require quieter models over time. The committee then heard HB 534 HD1 on labeling requirements, where DLNR and the Department of Agriculture offered comments and several fishing and consumer groups supported the bill. Testimony focused on seafood origin labeling, especially raw tuna used in poke and sushi, with DLNR explaining the bill was being narrowed to avoid federal preemption and to avoid unintentionally covering canned tuna or other processed products. Finally, the committee heard H47 HD1 on aquaculture, with the Department of Agriculture, the Hawaii Invasive Species Council, and the Agribusiness Development Corporation supporting the measure; no votes were taken on any bill during the hearing.

Transcript Highlights:

• The authority to ask our process.
• ><00:28:30.640> the<00:28:30.880> city author or or um the city author or or um the city
• Uh so for authoring the bill also.
• So, you would have an obligation to remit use tax on that purchase if you purchased it out of state,
• . co-author. co-author.

Transcript Highlights:

• PERA worked on it, the city worked on it. is eligible for purchase and should be is eligible for purchase
• ,<00:33:51.440> the result of this revised purchase, the result of this revised purchase,
• the service is eligible for purchase the service is eligible for purchase because<00:36:37.840><
• , I want to thank our chief authors, I want to thank our chief authors, Representative<00:52:08.600
• to my uh co-author or testifier. to my uh co-author or testifier.

Keywords: 918, senate, all

Summary: The committee first approved the April 14, 2026 meeting minutes without objection. It then took up Senate File 4860 / House File 4812, the St. Paul Teachers Retirement Fund Association bill, which would reduce the employee contribution rate for coordinated members from 9% to 8% starting after June 30, 2026, raise the retiree COLA from 1% to 1.5% beginning January 1, 2027, and increase the state-funded employer contribution by 2.7%. Staff said the bill’s cost is just over $12 million per year over 15 years. Representative Lilly said the bill was intended to bring parity to St. Paul teachers after prior work in this area left some behind. Several St. Paul teachers testified in support, describing financial strain, burnout, and the difficulty of balancing teaching with family responsibilities. Hannah Geimer said the 1% contribution change would make a meaningful difference in her budget as a single parent. Eric Erickson said he and his wife have spent decades working extra hours and coaching, and argued that St. Paul educators pay more and receive less in retirement than other teachers. Arzoo Faroozan Yazdani, a Central High teacher, said the higher contribution rate and lower COLA make it hard to stay in the district and raise a family. Lisa Hodek said teachers are undercompensated for the demands of the job and that the pension disparity has created frustration and a sense of betrayal. Phil Tensic, the SPTRFA director, summarized the request as seeking an 8% contribution and 1.5% COLA to match TRA, and noted that the plan’s members are spread across legislative districts, not just in St. Paul. Members discussed the history behind the pension disparity. Senator Nelson questioned whether “parity” was the right term given the plan’s funding problems and the legacy of the “big red box,” referring to past underfunding. Tensic and Senator Pappas explained that the state had previously allowed St. Paul schools not to contribute for a period of years, that supplemental district and state aid began in 2018, and that the plan is projected to be amortized by 2039 and must be paid off by 2048. Members also noted that the bill and related pension proposals depend on available funding; Representative O’Driscoll and others said no final financing agreement had been reached, though leadership was continuing discussions. The committee received letters of support from Education Minnesota, the St. Paul Federation of Educators, and 40 individual supporters. No final vote on the bill was taken in the portion of the meeting provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• people already authorized for therapeutic and medical use to purchase and possess more.
• I mean, again, it's something similar where whenever I purchase, I always purchase the limit because
• piece of paper when they go to purchase piece of paper when they go to purchase firearm firearm
• Purchasing a firearm.
• they're engaging in any act authorized they're engaging in any act authorized under<05:30:27.360

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• of electronic uh driver's authorization of electronic uh driver's licenses<00:02:14.680> in<00
• One thing that comes to mind is when you are identifying yourself for an age-restricted purchase, or
• the mdl holder the issuing authority the mdl holder the issuing authority would<00:14:10.639>
• > a<00:14:41.480> gun<00:14:42.160> purchase<00:14:42.560> alcohol<00:14:
• 43.199> or purchase a gun purchase alcohol or purchase a gun purchase alcohol or tobacco<00:14

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• We create overlapping authorities with conflicting mandates, ensuring that when something goes wrong,
• One, the fact that the department lacks the necessary statutory authority to address abandoned landfills
• The person that purchased the land gave me their side of the story and said that they reached out to
• I believe DNR denied the purchase, and... ...subject to DNR approval.
• I believe DNR denied the purchase and the district paid for it with other funds.

Keywords: 959, house, all

Summary: The committee met to hear Senate Bill 1586, sponsored by Senator Ben Brown, which would address abandoned, ownerless landfills in Missouri. Brown described a constituent’s discovery of contamination near an abandoned landfill in St. Clair and argued the state has at least 29 similar sites, creating risks to water supplies and public health. He said the bill evolved through multiple versions and now keeps the solid waste districts intact while redirecting 10% of tipping fees to fund environmental studies, investigation, remediation, and management of ownerless landfills. The bill also would clarify seller disclosure requirements by requiring written, dated notice delivered by mail. Members questioned the fiscal impact and whether the 10% diversion would effectively amount to a larger share of district revenues. Brown said he was open to further discussion but emphasized the need to fund at least initial studies and to create an interim committee for broader stakeholder input next year. Supportive testimony came from University of Missouri engineering dean Marisa Crusoe, who said the bill provides both a clearer regulatory framework and a stable funding stream, and that studies are a necessary first step to determine cleanup costs and potential reuse of the sites. Opposition testimony came from solid waste district representatives, including Chris Busson, Diana Bryant, and Lacey Miller. They argued the districts already perform important recycling and household hazardous waste functions, that the proposed cut would significantly reduce local programs and staffing, and that DNR already has authority to address abandoned landfills. They also said the districts are subject to oversight and that the system has generally worked, while warning that consolidation or funding cuts would harm local recycling, grants, and hazardous waste services. No vote was taken, and the hearing concluded without further business.

Transcript Highlights:

• contacted by a constituent by the name of Jim Roberts, and he shared a devastating story about how he purchased
• We create overlapping authorities with conflicting mandates, ensuring that when something goes wrong,
• One, the fact that the department lacks the necessary statutory authority to address abandoned landfills
• The person that purchased the land gave me their side of the story and said that they reached out to
• He believed DNR denied the purchase, and the district paid for it with other funds, not tax funds or

Summary: The committee met in public hearing on Senate Bill 1586, sponsored by Sen. Ben Brown, which would address abandoned, ownerless landfills in Missouri. Brown described the bill as a response to a constituent who discovered contamination near property in Franklin County, and said the measure had evolved through multiple versions. He explained that the bill would give the Department of Natural Resources clearer authority over ownerless landfill sites, direct 10% of tipping fees from solid waste districts toward assessment, investigation, testing, remediation, and management of those sites, create an interim committee for further study, and tighten seller disclosure requirements to require written, dated notice by mail. Brown said the state has 29 such sites and argued that counties and DNR lack the resources to study or clean them up. Support testimony came from Marisa Grosoccoe, dean of engineering at the University of Missouri, who said the bill provides both a regulatory framework and a steady funding stream, and that environmental studies are a necessary first step to determine the scope and cost of cleanup and potentially return contaminated land to productive use. She said the funding would likely support only a few studies per year, but would reduce uncertainty and help unlock other funding sources. Opposition came from representatives of solid waste districts, including Chris Bussin and Diana Bryant, who argued the districts already perform important recycling, household hazardous waste, and grant administration work, and that the proposed diversion of tipping fees would reduce funding for those programs. They said the districts are already tightly regulated, that the abandoned landfill issue has been known for years, and that DNR already has authority to act. Lacey Miller, speaking for informational purposes, said the districts support local recycling and community programs, especially in small counties and schools, and warned that consolidation or funding cuts would hurt local services. No vote was taken; the hearing on Senate Bill 1586 was concluded.

Transcript Highlights:

• And finally, the amendment would allow also for a nuisance abatement board to authorize the appropriate
• Is the current standard that once a state of emergency is declared locally that the purchase and sale
• The intentional possession in a public place of a firearm by any person, except a duly authorized law
• Nothing contained in this chapter shall be construed to authorize the seizure, taking, or confiscation
• And the idea is that, hey, if we say you cannot have or purchase guns or ammunition during this time,

Summary: The committee heard and acted on several criminal justice, public records, nuisance, and firearms bills. SB 1168, by Sen. Leak, would create a second-degree felony for aggravated installation or use of a tracking device or application when done in furtherance of a dangerous crime; it passed unanimously. SB 1054, by Sen. Garcia, would increase penalties for tampering with electronic monitoring devices, require immediate revocation of pretrial release for tampering, and bar further pretrial release on the current charges; after testimony raising concerns about unintended consequences and proof issues, it was reported favorably unanimously. SB 1198, by Sen. DeSigley, addressing fraudulent use of gift cards, was substantially revised by a delete-all amendment and a technical amendment, then reported favorably with support from retail and industry groups. SB 710, by Sen. Osgood, would create a public records exemption for personal identifying and location information of current and former Crime Stoppers employees, board members, and volunteers; it was reported favorably unanimously. SB 1022, by Sen. Wright, would strengthen nuisance abatement enforcement by raising fines, allowing tax-collector collection and special assessments, and authorizing foreclosure on unpaid liens; it was reported favorably after support from the Orange County Sheriff’s Office. SB 716, by Sen. Martin, would impose mandatory minimum sentences for certain sexual offenses by registered sexual offenders or predators and bar early release; after an amendment to tie the penalty to prior convictions rather than registration status, it passed favorably. SB 878, also by Sen. Martin, would extend probation supervision for certain misdemeanor controlled-substance offenses and align them with existing alcohol-related probation rules; it passed unanimously. Finally, SB 952, by Sen. Guglia, would repeal the statute allowing firearm and ammunition sales restrictions during certain declared emergencies; after extensive testimony from gun-rights advocates and debate about local emergency ordinances, it was reported favorably.

Transcript Highlights:

• that is actually valuable and purchased. that is actually valuable and purchased.
• Um um there are companies that purchase Um um there are companies that purchase information<00:51
• which basically says that all authority which basically says that all authority regulating<00:57
• It's the Pease Development Authority, so that's a quasi-local government authority.
• authority in the air show. authority in the air show.

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• , a $20 paper bill at that time had the equal purchasing power.
• That means if gold maintains its purchasing power, the IRS will tax away the quote gains.
• Citizens would purchase gold held in a state depository. The gold is fully allocated.
• Citizens would purchase gold held in a state depository. The gold is fully allocated.
• Today I'm going to vote present just because this bill authorizes rulemaking.

Bills: HB2123, HB2140

Keywords: bullion, depository, legal tender, Arizona, finances, precious metals, financial transactions, investment, state treasurer, gold bullion, treasury management, financial regulations, 1182, all

Summary: The Committee on Regulatory Oversight heard two bills from Representative Lisa Fink related to gold and silver. HB 2123 would create an Arizona Bullion Depository under the State Treasurer, allow a third-party administrator and vault services, require insurance for deposits, and recognize gold and silver as legal tender. Fink and a supporter testified that the bill would make bullion more practical for everyday use through a debit-card-style system, provide an inflation hedge, and expand access beyond wealthy investors. During committee discussion, one member voted present because of the bill’s rulemaking language, while others voted yes; the bill received a do pass recommendation by a 4-0-1 vote. The committee then considered HB 2140, which would allow state and local governments to store bullion in the depository, authorize the State Treasurer to place up to 10% of state monies in bullion, and require the Department of Insurance and Financial Institutions to adopt rules. Fink argued the bill would diversify state assets and protect against inflation and counterparty risk, citing Utah’s treasurer and constitutional support for gold and silver. A member asked whether the rulemaking provision could be removed, and Fink said she was open to discussing that with the treasurer. With no public testimony, the committee approved HB 2140 on a 4-0-1 vote, and then adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• The President and Secretary are authorized to make the necessary corrections and additions.
• Assembly Bill 539 by the Assembly, Assembly Bill 539, by the Assembly Committee on Revenue, authorizes
• Assembly Bill 566 appropriates $34,487 from the general fund and authorizes expenditures of $147,223
• In addition, the amendment authorizes... ...which must be deposited in the account.
• products are exempt. ...strains state resources, as only 34 FDA-authorized products exist.

Keywords: 909, all

Transcript Highlights:

• ... ...was literally consumable in the form of purchasing food.
• And then what would have been, where would the food have been purchased with that allocation?
• "Where would the food have been purchased with that allocation?
• I mean, if they've just recently purchased with, you know, 7% or 8% interest rates..." "Right.
• And we don't have the resolution of data to get it when they would have purchased their home.

Summary: The House Agriculture and Natural Resources Committee held a work session on food systems and food security, with no public testimony. The first panel focused on household food security and data. Marie Spiker of the University of Washington explained what food insecurity means, its health impacts, and the importance of reliable measurement, warning that the federal Census food security data is being terminated and that there is no true replacement. She described Washington’s WaFOOD surveys as a useful complement, not a substitute, and noted that they show food insecurity affects households at a range of income levels. Katie Raines of WSDA described the state’s food systems work, the need for shared data and dashboards, and the role of agriculture in both food production and the hunger safety net. Committee members asked about the $2.2 million state food assistance allocation, the scale of the SNAP gap, and how household size, housing costs, and other factors intersect with food insecurity. The committee then heard from Tracy Roof of the University of Richmond on the history of SNAP and its relationship to agriculture. She traced the program from Depression-era commodity distribution through the modern farm bill, emphasizing that food assistance has long functioned both as anti-hunger policy and as an agricultural and economic stabilizer. She highlighted how SNAP expands during recessions, supports retailers and farmers, and has become more important since the Great Recession because participation stayed high even as the economy recovered. Roof also noted that Washington has relatively high SNAP participation and low payment error rates, but that recent federal changes could reduce eligibility and shift more costs to states. Members asked how Washington compares to other states and why the program is structured as it is. A later panel featured the Washington State Food Policy Forum and a joint systems presentation from the Washington Farm Bureau, Washington Retail Association, and Washington Food Industry Association. The Food Policy Forum described its consensus-based recommendations on food insecurity, climate and water, regional food infrastructure, farmland protection, and farm viability, including more support for producer purchasing, water planning, and farmland conservation. The industry groups presented a systems map showing how agriculture, processing, retail, and transportation are interconnected, and argued that rising costs, regulations, labor and fuel expenses, retail theft, and thin margins make it harder to keep farms and stores viable. They said food security depends on store viability and local agricultural profitability, and promised to provide a more detailed list of policy recommendations. The final panel included state agency staff from DSHS, DOH, and WSDA. Bryce Montgomery said the Basic Food program serves about 920,000 Washingtonians monthly and warned that H.R. 1 could require Washington to pay up to 15% of SNAP benefits, broaden work requirements, and restrict immigrant eligibility. Karen Mullen described DOH nutrition programs, including WIC, farmers market nutrition benefits, fruit and vegetable incentives, and a fruit-and-vegetable prescription program, while noting funding instability and the end of SNAP-Ed. WSDA’s Katie Raines began describing ongoing food assistance and farmer support challenges, including farmer mental health and the need to address food insecurity across both producers and consumers.