Transcript Highlights:

• The bill focuses on identifying permitting requirements and building codes that may impede rebuilding
• a declared disaster; a CSLB contractor's license is required to perform the debris removal; and a permit
• that the Office of the State Fire Marshal has clear authority, appropriate enforcement tools, and a fee
• that the office of the state fire marshal has clear authority, appropriate enforcement tools, and a fee
• And it does not circumvent environmental review or local permitting requirements.

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• These are the fees that corporations pay to use Wyoming's law through the Secretary of State's office
• Um, yeah, we did have the bill about speeding up the permits, right?
• And that made it all the way... building permit reviews as we face a building permit reviews as we face
• , speeding up the permits, speeding up the permits, right?
• <01:10:10.200> and obviously there can be print fees and obviously there can be print fees

Keywords: 916, all

Summary: The chairman opened by explaining that the committee would hear proposed interim topics and then rank them by written submissions rather than debating them one by one. The Public Service Commission presented two topics: an educational session on small water utilities, citing maintenance needs, water-quality compliance, and difficulty accessing capital, and a review of civil penalties for pipeline safety violations because Wyoming’s statutory penalties are far below federal levels and could affect compliance and funding. Members and outside presenters then outlined a range of additional topics. Representative Campbell proposed work on fire protection districts and EMS districts, focusing on financial stability, mill levies, and possible county authority to combine districts and levies. He also raised public records at meetings, corporate filing fees, and fraudulent corporate filings. The Community College Commission proposed updating annexation statutes so communities can join community college districts more easily, especially where current mill-levy rules create funding issues. Senator Crago supported the fraudulent corporate filings topic and noted related technology-based solutions and overlap with blockchain issues. Other proposals included CPA “Pathways” licensing changes to address a shortage of accountants, a review of public meetings and public records laws, continuation of the electricity study with emphasis on grid reliability and large-load capacity constraints, and a broader review of the public meetings and records act. Ashley Harpstreith of the Wyoming Association of Municipalities supported extending municipal audit deadlines and described a statewide shortage of auditors and CPAs. Healthy Wyoming proposed studying health coverage options for low-income working adults, including state-sponsored or cooperative models. Representative Chestek proposed making most nonpartisan county offices elected on a nonpartisan basis. No votes or final selections were taken in the portion provided; the committee mainly heard testimony and discussed whether topics should be assigned to this committee or another one.

Transcript Highlights:

• What this is, is just creating a study committee for overweight permits, the effects they have locally
• This bill allows us to do that and start that process so that we can be dedicating resources to permits
• The legislation provides that the prevailing party is entitled to recover reasonable attorney fees in
• So they don't have all those fees? I have not. What? SR-22 is required for refusals.
• They don't have all those fees. I have not. SR-22 is required for refusals and DWI convictions.

Bills: HR170, HR191, HR206, HR207, HR208, HCR53, HCR60, HCR68, HB714, HB762, SB40, SB48, SB55, SB56, SB69, SB115, SB133, SB151, SB170, SB235, SB278, SB330, SB420, SB438, SB449, SB489

Keywords: U.S. Highway 90, US 90, Highway 90, St. Tammany Parish, Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development, DOTD, bridge removal, closed bridges, bridge demolition, transportation funding, federal appropriations, THUD appropriations, Transportation, Housing, and Urban Development, infrastructure, road reconstruction, evacuation route, hurricane evacuation corridor, New Orleans metro area, Mississippi Gulf Coast, public safety

Summary: The House Transportation Committee met on Tuesday, May 5, and considered a long agenda of mostly transportation, public safety, and local infrastructure measures. Among the bills reported favorably were Senate Bill 420, which adds Vermilion and Iberia Parish representation to the Lafayette Metropolitan Expressway Commission; Senate Bill 69, which updates appointments to the South Tangipahoa Parish Port Commission after redistricting; Senate Bill 40, which expands Louisiana’s move-over/safety protections for emergency and disabled vehicles; and House resolutions from Rep. Dickerson urging DOTD action on Highway 16 widening, turn lanes on Highway 1024, and a roundabout on Highway 1019. The committee also advanced HCR 53 creating a study committee on oversized vehicle permits, SB 438 increasing per diem for the Greater Lafourche Port Commission, SB 449 giving the New Orleans Public Belt more procurement flexibility, SB 115 allowing DOTD to assume certain federal NEPA duties to speed project delivery, and SB 489 authorizing third-party verification of vehicle insurance coverage. Members heard testimony on several safety and enforcement measures. SB 151 would flag OMV records for people who owe DNA samples under CODIS-related criminal provisions; State Police explained it would help law enforcement collect required samples and aid cold cases. SB 48 would create driver’s license reciprocity between Louisiana and Ireland, and SB 235 would clarify payment and liquidated damages rules for public contracts, with contractors and industry representatives saying it would help ensure timely payment to contractors, subs, and suppliers. SB 55 clarified that seat belts must be worn across both the lap and shoulder, and SB 278 required ignition interlock devices for DUI-related license reinstatement; committee members raised questions about due process, vehicle use, and how the devices would work, but both bills were reported favorably. Several measures drew more extensive debate. HB 762, as amended, would give OMV discretion over referring certain debts to the Office of Debt Recovery or Attorney General, and the amendment passed 14-2 after discussion about relief for drivers who cannot pay. SB 330 on school-zone automated speed enforcement received an amendment preserving existing compliant pavement markings, but a separate amendment to exempt Shreveport, Gretna, Livonia, and Westwego from the law failed on a roll call vote. HB 714, as substituted, would have created a railroad commission and required railroads to address blighted or abandoned lines, but after concerns about federal preemption, definition of blight, and whether a new commission was needed, Rep. Phelps moved to defer the bill, and the committee agreed. The meeting ended with adjournment after a brief recognition of committee staff and visitors.

Transcript Highlights:

• doesn't permit us to do it. doesn't permit us to do it. >> One<00:31:33.840> more.
• do the things that state statute permits do the things that state statute permits you<00:31:53.600
• permitting um licensing permitting um excuse<01:20:54.960> me<01:20:55.360> case<01:20
• And that's as the basis for the fee.
• fees be based on the cost. fees be based on the cost.

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• fees.
• fees.
• fees.
• Right now, our current fees allow us to inspect 10% of permitted projects in a timely fashion; however
• <00:24:07.559> Department's permit fees this limits the Department's permit fees this limits

Keywords: 1183, house

Summary: The committee met for a Health and Finance Policy hearing, began with member and staff introductions, and noted that Representative Keeler was participating as a non-voting member. The chair outlined committee rules on decorum and then introduced the day’s first agency presentation from the Minnesota Department of Health (MDH), with Commissioner Cunningham appearing to present the department’s budget priorities. Commissioner Cunningham described MDH’s broad public health role and emphasized that public health is underfunded relative to health care, with significant reliance on federal dollars. The department’s main budget request was for infectious disease prevention and response to offset anticipated federal funding losses. MDH also outlined several fee increases tied to public water systems, wells, licensing and certification, assisted living and health care facilities, HMO regulation, food/pools/lodging inspections, radioactive materials, X-ray equipment, and asbestos abatement. The commissioner said these changes were needed because costs, workload, and regulatory complexity have increased, while many fees have not been updated in years. MDH also presented budget-neutral proposals, including continuing the Early Hearing Detection and Intervention Advisory Committee, converting the Maternal and Child Health Advisory Task Force into a standing advisory committee, restoring some local and tribal public health cannabis and substance misuse prevention grants, creating direct American Indian Health Special Emphasis Grants, reauthorizing the State Trauma Advisory Council, and extending firefighter PFAS biomonitoring work. The department also requested an operations adjustment for rising employee, insurance, fuel, utility, and legal costs, and referenced additional Clean Water Legacy Fund proposals. No votes or formal actions were taken in the portion provided. Representative Bierman then offered supportive comments, praising MDH’s work and backing the funding and fee proposals, especially the restoration of local public health prevention grants.

Transcript Highlights:

• Economic Affairs released permitting Economic Affairs released permitting data<03:32:52.800>
• single family permits actually declined. single family permits actually declined.
• In fact, 20% fewer single family permits In fact, 20% fewer single family permits were<03:33:05.439
• <05:44:19.440> these informed they are not permitting these informed they are not permitting
• <05:44:44.000> apply to apply for the building permit. apply to apply for the building permit

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The subcommittee first took up House Bill 1598 and an amendment, 2026-0463H. Elliott Barry and Nick Norman testified that the amendment reflected a hard-fought compromise balancing concerns from all sides, and they urged no further changes. With no questions from members, the subcommittee voted unanimously to recommend the bill with the amendment to the full committee, 3-0, and closed the subcommittee. The housing committee then moved through several executive session bills. HB 1010 was amended with 2026-0274H, described as clarifying and implementing prior housing law (HB 631) governing residential units above office and retail space; the amendment was adopted unanimously and the bill was reported ought to pass as amended on a 17-0 vote and placed on consent. HB 65 was then voted ought to pass and also placed on consent, with members saying it was duplicative of the compromise reached on HB 1010. HB 1349 was reconsidered for a clarifying vote and again received unanimous support for its prior disposition, 17-0, and was placed on consent. The committee next took up HB 1523, which concerned homeowners associations. An amendment, 2026-0380H, removed Section 5’s Attorney General enforcement mechanism, added HOA conflict-of-interest approval language, and delayed the effective date to give stakeholders more time; it was adopted unanimously. The bill then passed 18-0 as amended and was put on consent. The committee also voted ITL on CACR 16, a constitutional amendment related to sleeping or homelessness issues, after debate over unintended consequences and whether it protected a basic right; the vote was 10-8, with a majority report assigned and a minority report to be written. Later, HB 108, dealing with inclusionary zoning, was voted ITL 10-8 after members argued the bill imposed unrealistic burdens and could halt development; a minority report was noted with amendment 0149H. HB 7, concerning ADUs and restrictive covenants, was also voted ITL 10-8 after discussion of unintended consequences and a proposed amendment to encourage second ADUs; it was sent to the regular calendar with a minority report and amendment 0289H. HB 1120, on water-related subdivision requirements, was ITL’d 17-1 and placed on consent, with one member noting a study amendment had been offered. HB 1143, addressing housing-provider obligations and municipal enforcement powers, was ITL’d 17-1 and placed on consent. Finally, HB 1145, a fee/tax proposal tied to housing development, was ITL’d 11-7; members debated whether it would discourage development, and a minority report was assigned.

Transcript Highlights:

• The state needs to be able to procure a range of energy sources without paying fees to the utilities
• So there is an existing charge today on customer bills, so this doesn't create a new fee.
• So it's the same fee on the bill; it's not changed.
• I share my chair and colleagues' concern with the interest and fees associated with any borrowing.
• I share my chair and colleagues concerned with the interest in fees associated with any borrowing.

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The committee heard testimony on H. 4144, the Governor’s Energy Affordability, Independence, and Innovation Act, with the administration arguing the bill would lower bills in the short and long term while expanding clean energy supply and innovation. The Governor and Secretary said the bill would reduce or restructure charges on customer bills, reform Mass Save, expand securitization as a financing tool, speed interconnection, create energy-ready zones, strengthen consumer protections in competitive supply, and allow broader state procurement of energy resources. They said the package could save consumers billions over time and would help address high energy costs, especially during extreme heat and winter spikes. Committee members pressed the administration on several provisions, especially securitization, asking whether the bill requires an apples-to-apples comparison of total costs over time, including interest and lost tax revenue, versus paying through rates. Administration witnesses said DPU review and public comment would be required and said they would work to clarify the language if needed. Members also questioned the bill’s solar and procurement provisions, including reduced net metering compensation for some large facilities, the scope of all-resource procurements, and whether hydro, solar, and nuclear would be included; the administration said those resources were contemplated and that procurement would still be reviewed by DPU. Other questions focused on the short-term relief from bill changes, the treatment of low- and moderate-income discounts, and whether the bill’s heat pump and Mass Save reforms would help customers who cannot afford upfront costs. Several witnesses and committee members discussed Mass Save reforms, including securitization of program costs, on-bill financing, pre-approval of rebates, and shifting program administration away from gas utilities. Administration witnesses said the changes were intended to reduce volatility, lower administrative costs, and better align costs with long-term savings. Questions also touched on geothermal permitting, municipal participation in offshore wind procurement, and the proposed repeal of the ballot requirement for nuclear power, which the administration defended as preserving future options under heavy review. No votes were taken during the hearing portion described. Supportive testimony came from labor, environmental, business, planning, and development groups. The AFL-CIO, NECA, and the Environmental League of Massachusetts backed the bill, emphasizing lower bills, job creation, labor standards, just transition protections, and cleaner energy. NAIOP, the Massachusetts Business Roundtable, and MAPC supported provisions on energy-ready zones, interconnection reform, microgrids, extreme-heat shutoff protections, and Mass Save improvements. A HEET representative praised the bill’s use of securitization, geothermal, and utility financing tools but urged guardrails and workforce protections. Overall, testimony was broadly favorable, with most witnesses calling for refinements rather than opposing the bill outright.

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:43:10.240> So,<00:43:11.040> in<00:43:11.200> the consumption permit.
• So, in the consumption permit.
• Taxes in Vermont and all the licensed fees and all of that stuff.
• <01:13:58.880> to permits licensed beer manufacturers to permits licensed beer manufacturers
• All other [snorts] sections permit.

Keywords: 927, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Those mailers offered to process the consumer's annual registrations for a fee.
• Those mailers offered to process the consumer's annual registrations for a fee.
• Those mailers offered to process the consumer's annual registrations for a fee.
• So, you have licenses and permits that you have to... >> Yes.
• ><01:02:30.000> to<01:02:30.160> seek would permit public employers to seek would permit

Keywords: 910, house, all

Summary: The committee heard testimony on several measures. HB 1957, relating to safe entryways, would create enforcement procedures in large cities to prevent personal property from blocking private doorways or entrances. The Department of the Attorney General supported the concept but recommended moving the offense to the criminal code, adding clearer definitions to avoid vagueness, and including notice, inventory, storage, and property-disposition procedures to address constitutional concerns. No other testimony was offered and no questions were raised. HB 25003/HB 253, relating to fireworks, would expand civil asset forfeiture for certain fireworks offenses, revise the definition of aerial device, and clarify air-delivery offenses. The Attorney General supported the bill but suggested removing the 25-pound weight threshold to avoid unequal treatment of similar offenses. The Department of Law Enforcement also supported the measure, saying it would improve clarity for evolving fireworks investigations and prosecutions. The committee took no action during testimony. HB 2137, relating to artificial intelligence, would prohibit certain harmful uses of realistic AI-generated digital imitations, require disclosures, and create civil remedies and fines. The Commission on the Status of Women supported the bill, while the Hawaiian Islands Republican Women opposed it on First Amendment grounds. The Motion Picture Association, Recording Industry Association of America, and SAG-AFTRA also opposed the bill but said they preferred a different framework, the federal “No Fakes” model, and were willing to work with the committee on amendments. The Attorney General had suggested constitutional amendments, which the chair said would be considered later. The committee also heard HB 2198 on prediction markets, with the Honolulu prosecutor strongly supporting inclusion of prediction markets in the gambling definition because of concerns about speculative betting on events and national security-related outcomes. HB 1511 on consumer protection drew support from the Office of Consumer Protection and the Insurance Division, with OCP proposing clearer disclosure for license and registration renewal solicitations. HB 1897 on condominium alternative dispute resolution received supportive comments from the Real Estate Commission and CI. HB 1642 on crypto kiosks drew strong support from OCP and AARP Hawaii for a ban on kiosks accepting U.S. currency, but opposition from Hill Ventures, which argued for regulation and guardrails instead of a ban. HB 1753 on social media account deletion received supportive comments from DCCA on clarifying deletion of unique identifiers and inferences. HB 1654 on anonymous complaints against public employees drew strong opposition from the Attorney General over implementation and due process concerns, while the Government Employees Association supported it as a way to screen baseless complaints; the committee then moved on to HB 1659 on collective bargaining, with testimony beginning as the transcript ended.

Transcript Highlights:

• This permits a guardianship with the child's placement prior to the adjudication of the parent.
• And so this takes that cap off, would permit the county, or excuse me, the state parties to actually
• is corrected to ensure that county fees for fire and ambulance services are also paid.
• Applicants must provide a list of locations at the time of application and include the appropriate fee
• Applicants must provide a list of locations at the time of application and include the appropriate fee

Keywords: 994, senate, all

Summary: The Senate considered and passed a series of House bills on third reading, with several title amendments and a few effective-date motions adopted. Early in the session, members passed HB 4452 removing acreage limits on land owned by church or religious trustees, HB 4577 creating reciprocal driver’s license recognition agreements with Ireland and Japan, HB 4588 authorizing West Virginia participation in a federal tax credit scholarship program, and HB 4592 requiring higher education institutions to create coordinated campus safety maps. HB 4602 was amended to align with a prior Senate child welfare pilot program, and members discussed its projected cost and implementation timeline before passing it. HB 4603 created a pre-adjudicatory alternative disposition process in abuse and neglect cases, and HB 4606 narrowed bail rules by requiring consideration of residency and community ties while prohibiting personal recognizance bonds for violent felony offenses after an adopted amendment. The Senate also passed HB 4710 changing the party-registration deadline for candidates from 60 to 180 days before an election, with debate over its impact on independents, and made it effective January 1, 2027. HB 4712, known as Bailey’s Law, increased penalties for DUI causing death and related conduct, with emotional testimony from members about the victim and similar tragedies. HB 4765 established a pay raise for teachers, school personnel, and state police and added a market-pay enhancement system based on county cost-of-living differences; an amendment to the amendment capped county differentials and guaranteed at least a 1% increase in every county. HB 4865 created an optional program for high school and homeschool students to serve as election official trainees, and HB 4869 established narrow guaranteed-issue rights for Medicare supplement policies. Later bills included HB 4995, which strengthened video/audio recording rules in special education classrooms and was passed, then reconsidered and passed again; HB 4996 creating a new crime for making threats of violence against schools or children; HB 5048 guaranteeing virtual instruction for foster children in temporary placement; HB 5065 adding recordkeeping and geolocation requirements for hotel marketplace facilitators to ensure proper hotel tax remittance; and HB 5074 reallocating medical cannabis fund revenues to child protection, homeless services, research, law enforcement, and other purposes. The Senate also passed HB 5101, the Joanna Phillips Domestic Violence Prevention Act, which increased penalties for domestic violence offenses and adjusted bail provisions, after amending it to conform with the earlier bail bill. Additional measures passed included HB 5166 requiring notice before political committees are fined for filing violations and allowing limited extensions, HB 5168 directing $12 million in lottery funds to EMS first responders and county EMS support, HB 5182 authorizing certain state treasurer security personnel to carry concealed firearms, HB 5212 streamlining higher-education financial aid rules, HB 5214 allowing court-ordered drug testing of parents before reunification in abuse and neglect cases, HB 5353 regulating virtual currency kiosks with licensing, disclosures, and transaction limits, and HB 5366 exempting J-LAP records from FOIA to protect confidentiality for lawyers and judges seeking assistance. Most bills passed with strong bipartisan support, though HB 5074 and HB 5353 drew some dissenting votes.

Transcript Highlights:

• Discharge permits require that the operator, when they get their permit, a portion of that is they have
• It's important to note that under the discharge permits, whether it be a new permit or whether it be
• He has the say at that point on whether to approve the permit, disprove the permit, or kick it back.
• Typically, if a permit is uncontested, we don't have a lot of permits in here.
• And again, some of these discharge permits, at least the Shumway permit, is going to be around for years

Transcript Highlights:

• The 2026 Farm Bill does the following: modernizes the process of incorporating, operating, permitting
• It revises the athletic fees provision to require that any fee schedule be approved by the district school
• The amendment removes language specifying that PEP students be charged a fee and instead allows a fee
• It revises the athletic fees provision to require that any fee schedule be approved by the district school
• The amendment removes language specifying that PEP students be charged a fee and instead allows a fee

Bills: S0050, S0054, S0176, S0178, S0198, S0290, S0420, S0502, S0538, S0706, S0834, S0936, S0962, S1004, S1080, S7022

Keywords: veterans, treatment court, nonviolent felony, probation, mental health, cognitive function, psychotropic drugs, violent offenders, autopsy procedures, medical records, school safety, campus safety, higher education, university safety, college safety, student safety, threat assessment, violence prevention, credible threat, campus security

Summary: The committee heard and advanced several bills, beginning with CS for CS for SB 54, which requires district medical examiners to perform toxicology screenings for psychotropic drugs and intoxicating substances in autopsies of violent offenders and report findings to state agencies. It was reported favorably after brief discussion about how the data would be used. CS for SB 176 also passed, requiring public postsecondary institutions to make campus safety reporting and response procedures clearer and more accessible for students, faculty, and staff who receive threats. Both bills were approved without opposition in the meeting. The committee then took up the large Florida Farm Bill, CS for CS for CS for SB 290, which drew extensive testimony and multiple amendments. The bill includes changes to fair associations, a preemption on local restrictions affecting gas- and diesel-powered farm equipment, surplus of certain state-owned lands for agricultural use, a food animal veterinary loan repayment program, permanent authorization for Farmers Feeding Florida, expanded Florida Forest Service training, a ban on signal jamming devices, tougher CDL English-proficiency penalties, protections for food safety inspectors, biosolids provisions, and contractor payment enforcement. Amendments expanded veterinary loan eligibility to equine veterinarians, merged citrus research entities, made technical corrections, and revised contractor payment language; a late-filed amendment removed the bill’s disparagement clause after significant First Amendment concerns and public testimony. A separate amendment delayed biosolids compliance deadlines. The bill was reported favorably as amended. Also approved were CS for CS for SB 834, which repeals a restriction on health care sharing ministries partnering with licensed insurance agents, while adding a disclaimer requirement; SB 936, allowing temporary door locking devices at any height above the floor and directing the Building Commission to add standards to the code; and CS for SB 50, expanding veterans’ courts statewide. Later, CS for CS for SB 1004 advanced with a strike-all regulating dog and cat sales, requiring disclosure of medical records and financing terms, a three-day waiting period for financed purchases, and consumer protections against deceptive pet sales; an amendment removed an appropriation section. The committee also approved CS for CS for SB 178, which directs the FHSAA to adopt rules allowing coaches to provide limited good-faith support to student-athletes, and CS for CS for SB 198, regulating virtual currency kiosks with registration, warnings, transaction limits, receipts, and refund protections. Each of these bills was reported favorably by recorded vote.

Transcript Highlights:

• In addition to any use permitted by law,...
• Alabama ABC Board the authority to create a new license fee to have enforcement out in the field.
• Well, so the permit fee money would go to the ABC for enforcement. That's what that piece is for.
• Is this a fee on the wholesaler, right?
• So, it's an additional fee that the ... it's an additional fee that will be collected at the wholesale

Bills: HB227, HB255, HB465, HB472, HB482, HB483, HB526, HB529, HB484

Keywords: firefighter benefits, occupational disease, line of duty, disability pension, death benefits, retirement benefits, hypertension, heart disease, respiratory disease, cancer presumption, HIV, hepatitis, municipal firefighters, state firefighters, fire districts, workers' compensation, public safety employees, post-retirement benefits, benefit eligibility cutoff, occupational illness

Transcript Highlights:

• On page 13, there's a list of fees, which look...
• >> On page 13, there's a set of fees. >> On page 13, there's a set of fees. >> They look to me to be
• This particular form is for a permit-by-rule that’s allowed under the statute.
• <00:19:52.240> by this particular form is for a permit by this particular form is for a permit
• And that is also the permit by gallons.

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The committee began with routine business, including the Pledge of Allegiance, approval of the minutes, seating of an alternate member, and approval of the consent agenda. It then took up Department of Health and Human Services Rule 25188 on New Hampshire Early Childhood and Out-of-School Time Credentials. Staff explained that the rule adopts two new parts to implement RSA 170E:50, which had long required rules. The main issue was an unclear comment created by changes in the department’s amended conditional approval request: language defining out-of-school-time basics and a requirement tied to the New Hampshire Professional Registry training transcript had been removed, creating a mismatch between the form and the rule text. The department said it revised the language so the form and rule now match. A member also asked about the fee schedule, and the department said the fees are sufficient and supported in part by federal funds. The committee then approved Rule 25188 as amended, with oral edits, on a voice vote. The committee next considered Department of Environmental Services Rule 25206, dealing with subsurface wastewater rules and an administrative fine schedule. Staff said most comments had been addressed, but one remaining issue concerned the fine schedule because the prior interim rule had expired years ago. Staff also noted public concerns about septic tank replacement sizes, but pointed to waiver provisions and replacement-in-kind language that would still allow smaller existing systems to be replaced under certain conditions. DES officials explained that the rule package adds the fine schedule into the program rules and that no fines have been brought under these expired provisions for many years. They also described the waiver and grandfathering provisions as intended to protect existing systems and seasonal campgrounds from unnecessary upgrades. A public witness, Christopher Albert, testified that two sections of the rule would harm manufactured home parks and cooperatives. He argued that the new “two people per bedroom” assumption and the minimum bedroom threshold for using water-meter data would inflate design flows, make water-meter data unusable, and increase costs for low-income residents. Committee members questioned both the witness and the agency about the assumptions. DES staff responded that the two-person-per-bedroom standard is meant for individual on-site system design, not citywide planning, and that water-meter data is only useful in larger or unusual facilities. They said the rule still allows flexibility through waivers and grandfathering for existing uses, and that the drinking-water rule cited by the witness was not the correct comparison. No final vote on Rule 25206 was taken in the portion of the meeting provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• She herself was not permitted to see the screen of the ultrasound.
• filing fee on a criminal defendant, and the courts may not adopt any new fee, fine, surcharge, or assessment
• In Arizona, we charge a fee to access your constitutional right.
• We charge a fee for a jury trial in criminal cases, and we also charge a fee for assistance of counsel
• And Maricopa collects zero of these fees. Maricopa collects zero of these fees.

Bills: HB2043, HB2046, HB2126, HB2131, HB2132, HB2133, HB2223, HB2265, HB2411, HB2666

Keywords: felony murder, unborn child, homicide, Arizona Revised Statutes, life imprisonment, death penalty, education, funding, school districts, state aid, education reform, venue, employee conflict, superior court, legal proceedings, workplace disputes, weapons, explosives, trafficking, firearm regulations

Summary: The committee heard several criminal justice and victims’ rights bills. HB 2131 would remove the financial-gain element from weapons/explosives trafficking and impose stricter sentencing, including no early release for trafficking three or more weapons; it received a due pass recommendation on a 6-1 vote. HB 2132 would lower the fentanyl trafficking threshold from 200 grams to 100 grams and adjust related motor-vehicle language; supporters said it would help prosecutors and law enforcement, while opponents warned it would sweep in heavy users and lacked data on current prosecutions. It passed 4-3. HB 2223 would require sex offenders seeking a name change to notify prosecutors and victims, and to register under the new name with the old name as an alias; it passed 6-1. The committee also considered HB 2411, creating the crime of coerced abortion for secretly or forcibly administering abortion-inducing drugs without a pregnant woman’s knowledge or consent. Supporters argued existing laws do not clearly cover situations where the drug is given but no death occurs; opponents said assault, manslaughter, homicide, and food-contamination statutes already address the conduct and warned the bill was unnecessary and aimed at abortion access. The bill passed 4-3. HB 2043 would add unborn children to the felony-murder statute; supporters called it a cleanup measure closing a loophole, while opponents said it was an abortion/personhood measure with broader implications. It passed 4-3. HB 2046 would require victims of sex offenses to be notified of pre-hearings in probation review matters involving young sex offenders; victims and prosecutors said the change would ensure meaningful participation, and it passed unanimously 7-0. HB 2666 would increase penalties for sexual extortion involving 15-, 16-, and 17-year-olds when committed by an adult, and it passed unanimously 7-0. HB 2265 would eliminate court fees and assessments tied to public defenders, jury trials, appeals, and related criminal-case charges; supporters framed it as protecting constitutional rights, while counties warned of lost revenue, and it passed 7-0. Finally, HB 2133 would require commercial websites hosting sexual material to verify consent and age of depicted persons, retain records, and treat synthetic depictions as images; the sponsor said it was meant to curb CSAM and revenge porn, while testifiers raised concerns about breadth, record retention, and constitutional issues.

Transcript Highlights:

• This bill is about fees. ...place these fees with those that apply to criminal defense attorneys, which
• has led to some jurisdictions lacking fee schedules altogether in this arena.
• fee schedule, which is basically inapplicable to child protection cases.
• It just creates rules for fee schedules in CPS cases.
• Simply to allow an increase in the fees for attorneys under this provision.

Bills: HCR10, HB1814, HB2160, HB2353, HB2643, HB2971, HB3282, HB3382, HB3996, HB4507, HB4509, HB4805, HB5551, HB1863, HCR10

Keywords: family abduction, child safety, custodial rights, parental kidnapping, awareness day, marriage license, informal marriage, family code, identity verification, child support, family law, child custody, court interview, parent-child relationship, child welfare, attorney ad litem, compensation, legal representation, government entity, HB 2643

Transcript Highlights:

• That scheme adds fees and costs, and it takes years to get permits and entitlements and all of that adds
• That scheme adds fees and costs, and it takes years to get permits and entitlements and all of that adds
• That scheme adds fees and costs, and it takes years to get permits and entitlements and all of that adds
• That scheme adds fees and costs, and it takes years to get permits and entitlements and all of that adds
• and costs and it takes years to get fees and costs and it takes years to get permits<00:39:57.160>

Keywords: 910, house, all

Summary: The Consumer Protection and Commerce Committee met on February 12 and heard several bills. HB 97, relating to travel insurance, drew only brief testimony: the Insurance Division stood on written testimony, one industry witness supported the bill and requested a minor amendment, and no one else testified or asked questions. HB 226, relating to window tinting, received support from the Department of Transportation, while the Honolulu Police Department offered comments on the proposed amendments, asking for clearer language on what it means to roll windows down, when the requirement applies, how it handles bad weather, and what sanctions would apply for noncompliance. No further testimony was offered on that measure. The committee also heard HB 1179, relating to rural emergency hospitals. The Department of Human Services stood on written testimony, and Maui Health Systems strongly supported the bill, saying it would help critical access hospitals better serve kūpuna and provide long-term care beds. There were no questions or additional testimony. HB 420, relating to remedies and the contractor repair act, generated extensive and sharply divided testimony. Opponents, including attorneys representing homeowners and AARP Hawaii, argued the bill was anti-consumer, would weaken homeowners’ ability to recover for construction defects, and would shift costs and risk to consumers. Supporters, including builders, realtors, the Chamber of Commerce, and D.R. Horton Hawaii, said the bill would create a more balanced and efficient process, reduce unnecessary litigation, and help builders address legitimate defects more quickly. Testimony on HB 420 focused heavily on whether the contractor repair process and class actions help or hinder repairs. Opponents said the bill would delay or limit homeowner recovery, especially for life and safety defects, while supporters said current class-action litigation can prevent direct communication with homeowners and slow repairs. Committee members asked questions about when communication with homeowners stops and whether repairs could be made before a class is certified. No votes or final committee actions were taken during the portion of the meeting provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• Currently, LNG companies undergo a federal permitting process for exports, additional permitting operation
• review and contested case procedures for environmental permits.
• Members, this amendment just clarifies how the fees for expedited water permit applications are handled
• review and contested case procedures for certain environmental permits.
• If we move today to allow expedited permitting for natural gas, we should also encourage expedited permitting

Summary: The Senate opened with an invocation, messages from the House, and several recognitions, including county day delegations from Fayette, LaSalle, Jim Hogg, Austin, and others, as well as a recognition of Rob Keppel for his career with the Texas District and County Attorneys Association. The chamber also adopted several resolutions, including SR 429 designating October 2025 as RET Syndrome Awareness Month and SR 432 honoring Rob Keppel. A doctor-of-the-day introduction and a public announcement about free skin checks were also made. The Senate then took up and passed several bills. SB 1152, creating the offense of continuous manufacture or delivery of a controlled substance, passed after suspension of the rules. SB 1868, regulating kratom and related substances, was amended to prohibit smokeable kratom products and kratom pills and to clarify THC variants such as Delta-8 and Delta-10, then passed. SB 1349, creating offenses for transnational repression and unauthorized enforcement of foreign law, drew debate over a failed amendment that would have added election misinformation and foreign meddling; the bill ultimately passed unanimously. SB 2037, expediting review of LNG environmental permits, passed after amendments clarifying fees and deadlines, with opposition focused on its energy-policy implications. SB 1164, addressing emergency detention and court-ordered inpatient mental health treatment, passed after a drafting-error correction and discussion of the bill’s basis in recommendations from the Texas Judicial Commission on Mental Health. The Senate also advanced SB 2743 on prosecution of certain election offenses, which would allow a court process to disqualify a local prosecutor who repeatedly refuses to prosecute election cases and appoint the Attorney General; it passed to engrossment amid questions about evidence and local discretion. SB 1299, protecting nonprofit members, supporters, volunteers, and donors from disclosure by public agencies, passed unanimously. SB 2349, exempting certain short-term leases and temporary tenancies from floodplain notice requirements, passed unanimously. SB 2788, adding PSAT and pre-ACT scores for Texas Success Initiative exemptions and clarifying dual-credit eligibility, passed unanimously after amendment. SB 843, creating a TEA database of school district bonds, taxes, and bond-related projects and adding charter schools, passed after amendments on funding and scope. Finally, SB 1832, allowing parents to transfer a student who was victimized by a public school employee to another campus, passed to engrossment after extended debate over whether the bill should also cover private schools and how it would interact with school choice and ESA policy. SB 39, revising the admission rule in commercial motor vehicle collision cases, was laid out and debated over its effect on negligent entrustment and related evidence, with the author emphasizing that the bill preserves the bifurcated trial structure and does not alter other admissibility rules.

Transcript Highlights:

• This will allow for the distribution of 900 permit allocations for vacant and buildable lots, which will
• It does address several of the permitting, planning, and training aspects, so local governments again
• It also explicitly permits the existing ability of local governments to restrict the use of polystyrene
• What are we permitting here on this line? Thank you, Mr. President. Thank you for the questions.
• In their project, as it expanded, and then issued a previous permit, is that correct?

Keywords: 999, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• that the Office of the State Fire Marshal has clear authority, appropriate enforcement tools, and a fee
• And it does not circumvent environmental review or local permitting requirements.
• that the office of the state fire marshal has clear authority, appropriate enforcement tools, and a fee
• And it does not circumvent environmental review or local permitting requirements.
• , the bill mandates in statute a specific backup cooling system be in place before a new building permit

Summary: The Assembly Emergency Management Committee met late in the evening and first approved a consent calendar containing SB 837, SB 894, SB 973, and SB 1079, sending those bills to the Committee on Appropriations. The committee then heard SB 904, which would codify coordinated state response and permitting review efforts for wildfire recovery, and SB 1263, which would limit post-disaster debris removal work to properly licensed contractors with required hazardous-materials training. Both bills drew support from the authors and industry/public-safety witnesses, with SB 1263 also drawing an opposed-unless-amended position from contractors who said they were working toward agreement on final language. Both measures passed to Appropriations on unanimous or near-unanimous votes. The committee next heard SB 804, the Hydrogen Pipeline Safety Act, which would designate the State Fire Marshal as the safety regulator for interstate hydrogen pipelines and require hydrogen-specific safety standards. The author and supporters from building trades and pipe trades argued the bill would provide clear safety rules before hydrogen infrastructure expands, while one industry witness said the correct agency had been identified but that some concerns remained. The bill passed as amended to Appropriations, with Assemblymember DeMaio voting no. Finally, the committee considered SB 883, which would impose additional oversight on facilities storing methyl methacrylate and other reactive chemicals after a recent Orange County evacuation tied to a potential explosion risk. Supporters, including community, environmental, and public-health groups, said the bill would improve transparency, emergency planning, and safety protections near homes and schools. Chemical and manufacturing groups opposed the bill in its current form, citing undefined terms, concerns about mandated cooling systems, and possible conflicts with existing regulatory frameworks, but said they were willing to continue working on the measure. The bill passed to the Committee on Environmental Safety and Toxic Materials on a 4-2 vote, with Assemblymembers Hadwick and DeMaio voting no.