Transcript Highlights:

• No, one of you are so well prepared today. Absolutely.
• No, one of you are so well prepared today. Absolutely.
• But prior to going to law school, I was a teacher.
• oftentimes our teachers do serve Directly.
• You have in terms of being a teacher because oftentimes our teachers do serve as child welfare workers

Summary: The committee first approved the May 20 minutes and then advanced HCR 95, which would create a more uniform tax base for future state and local tax exemptions and credits, requiring a two-thirds vote of both chambers to deviate from that uniformity. HB 648 was deferred by the author. HB 1049, dealing with public meeting procedures and notice requirements, was amended after discussion with the Police Jury Association, school boards, and local government groups; the amendments removed a requirement for a lawyer at every meeting and clarified notice and posting language, and the bill was reported with amendments despite opposition from local government associations and the City of Baker. The committee then heard HB 615, which would expand livestreaming and two-year archiving requirements to more public bodies, including non-elected boards and commissions with taxing or rulemaking authority. Supporters framed it as a transparency measure, while local government and association witnesses argued it would impose an unfunded mandate, especially on small volunteer boards, and raised concerns about costs, staffing, record retention, and reliance on social media platforms. The bill was not advanced. HB 1201, as amended, would provide legislators reimbursement for travel and limited out-of-session expenses, including housing and mileage, beginning with the next term; members discussed the need to make public service more financially feasible and to broaden who can afford to serve. The committee reported HB 1201 with amendments. The committee also considered two constitutional convention-related bills. HB 244 would set guardrails for any future convention by capping delegates at 144, specifying delegate selection, requiring a two-thirds delegate vote to send proposals to voters, and requiring both a majority of voters and approval by three-fourths of the parishes for ratification; after debate over whether the parish threshold was too high, the bill was reported favorably on a roll call vote. HB 4, as amended, was narrowed to require the Senate and House Governmental Affairs committees to meet in the off-season to discuss the mechanics of a possible convention, but members viewed it as more of a study resolution than binding legislation, and the committee voted to keep it in committee. The meeting then moved to confirmation hearings. Courtney Myers, nominated for Deputy Secretary for the Office of Juvenile Justice, and Ernest Jacob Reade Jr., nominated as Assistant Secretary, testified about their backgrounds and priorities, emphasizing juvenile rehabilitation, education and vocational programming, mental health services, credible messengers, family contact, and better communication with legislators and families. Nathan McBride, nominated as Deputy Secretary of the Department of Environmental Quality, testified about his engineering and government affairs background and said he would focus on legislative work, waste tire management, permitting modernization, and constituent service.

Transcript Highlights:

• knowing those blind spots, what to do when an officer pulls you over, what not to do, how to be prepared
• And so my ask for you is, please tell your friends, your teacher friends.
• My parents are both school teachers.
• What, if anything, is your department kind of doing in those to try to make sure that we're prepared
• We work with them, and they helped us to, you know, we had a focus group of teachers and administrators

Committee: All ALC-HIGHWAY COMMISSION REVIEW AND ADVISORY SUBCOMMITTEE

Summary: The Highway Commission Review and Advisory Subcommittee received a quarterly update from ARDOT Director Jared Wiley on major highway projects, federal funding, land conveyances, and agency safety outreach. Members asked about the status of numerous projects, including Jonesboro area work, the Townsend Avenue project in Fort Smith, the I-40/Highway 59 interchange in Van Buren, the I-55 bridge replacement at Memphis, the I-40/I-55 interchange congestion near Memphis, the Mountain Home Bypass, and other local road and drainage concerns. Wiley said most large projects are progressing well, though some are delayed by utilities, change orders, or sharply rising costs; he noted the Townsend Avenue project is being paused because costs grew from an estimated $12–15 million to more than $60 million, with funding to be redirected to other area projects. He also said the I-55 bridge project is about 60% designed and could begin construction in 2027, and that the Van Buren interchange should be completed before year’s end. The committee also reviewed the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act funding report and quarterly land conveyances. Wiley explained that the federal project list reflects state oversight on some jobs, that federal aid agreements must be submitted before expenditures, and that ARDOT uses biennial appropriations to front project costs and seek reimbursement. On land conveyances, he described three surplus-property transactions: a drainage easement near I-40 sold back to a landowner, a Paragould Bypass-related tract sold after it became landlocked, and a small Highway 112 parcel in northwest Arkansas sold back for development after plans changed. Wiley then highlighted ARDOT outreach and safety efforts, including the Street Smart education program for middle and high school students, with online lesson plans, videos, quizzes, and materials available through StreetSmartAR.org. He also discussed the agency’s litter campaign, saying ARDOT collected 14,000 bags of trash in one day this year, has issued warnings and citations for unsecured loads, and spent nearly $11 million on litter cleanup last year. He reported that all ARDOT staff have completed human trafficking awareness training, and he described ongoing campaigns on work zone safety, “Slow Down, Phone Down,” move-over awareness, and a new podcast to answer public questions. The meeting ended with thanks to the director and a note that the committee may not meet again until November unless needed sooner.

Transcript Highlights:

• So with that in mind, please be prepared to speak when your name is called. Hours.
• So with that in mind, please be prepared to speak when your name is called, and please do your best not
• It tells our students, our teachers, and our HB 133 ignores these lessons.
• It tells our students, our teachers, and our law enforcement officers that businesses that sell firearms
• Those students, those teachers, their lives, those that were in that building, have been changed forever

Summary: The committee first took up HB 133, which would lower the minimum age to purchase a long gun from 21 to 18. The sponsor and supporters argued the bill restores the rights of adults 18 and older, emphasizing constitutional rights, military service, voting, jury duty, and parental responsibility. Opponents, including gun violence prevention advocates and several members, cited Parkland and the recent FSU shooting, argued that people under 21 are still developing and more impulsive, and said the current law helps protect public safety. After extensive debate and public testimony on both sides, the committee voted 11-5 to report HB 133 favorably. The committee then considered PCS for HB 35, which adds driving without a valid license to the offenses that can lead to habitual traffic offender designation and is named Isaiah’s Law in memory of a child killed by an unlicensed driver. Supporters said it addresses repeat dangerous conduct and should help prevent similar tragedies. One member questioned whether it was a knee-jerk response, while others said it was a reasonable accountability measure. The PCS passed unanimously, 16-0, and was reported favorably. Finally, the committee heard HB 245, which updates Florida law to use more accurate terminology for child sexual abuse material rather than “child pornography,” and includes related technical corrections. The sponsor said the change better reflects the seriousness of the crime and asked whether the bill also covered AI-generated material; the sponsor said the statute already addresses such references. After a technical amendment was adopted, the bill passed unanimously, 16-0, and was reported favorably. The chair also reminded members to maintain respect toward public witnesses and each other before adjourning the meeting.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> for CTE teachers for CTE teachers this<00:08:00.360><c> section</c><00:08:00.800><c> also</c><00
• </c> few minutes ago in terms of a teachers few minutes ago in terms of a teachers ability<00:57:19.359
• </c><00:58:23.760><c> are</c> terms of making sure that teachers are terms of making sure that teachers
• </c><00:58:34.799><c> um</c> within a classroom for a teacher um within a classroom for a teacher um
• Well, the teacher can, you know, add this.

Committee: Senate Education Policy

Transcript Highlights:

• Gonfler, my English honors teacher, and Ms.
• The program automatically enrolled most teachers hired after July 1, 2001, but required teachers hired
• In many cases, some teachers never received enrollment plans.
• This bill is critical for teachers in my district.
• I want to especially recognize the advocacy of the American Federation of Teachers and the Boston Teachers

Summary: The Senate opened with the Pledge of Allegiance and adopted two resolutions: one recognizing the town of Sturbridge on the 250th anniversary of the United States and another congratulating Zachary Erich on earning Eagle Scout. The chamber then handled several procedural matters, including suspending Joint Rule 12 on multiple petitions and adopting extension orders giving the Committee on Financial Services additional time to report on credit union and mortgage financing bills, with members emphasizing the extensions were limited and needed to complete ongoing work. The Senate then took up House No. 4361, a bill relative to benefits for teachers, which was amended by Ways and Means and passed to be engrossed after extensive support from members. Senators described the measure as a long-delayed fix to the Retirement Plus program, creating a one-time window through June 30, 2027 for eligible teachers to buy in, with required back payments of missed contributions. The bill passed by a roll call of 39-0. The chamber also passed S. 3106 on toxic-free medical devices and S. 3107 on advancing the profession of commercial interior design, both after supportive floor debate. The Senate later adopted a conference committee report on the FY26 supplemental budget, H. 5470, after debate over its major spending items. Supporters highlighted municipal winter relief, MBTA operating and capital support, education funding, housing incentives, and collective bargaining agreements, while opponents criticized MBTA subsidies, legal defense funding, and tax-related provisions. The report was approved by roll call, and the bill was passed to be enacted. The Senate also enacted several local bills, including measures for Berkeley recall elections, a Milton school construction deadline extension, a Lexington parkland exchange, and long-term municipal roads and bridges financing. Near the end of the session, the Senate concurred in a House amendment to S. 2563, a broad bill revising laws affecting individuals with intellectual or developmental disabilities by replacing outdated and offensive terminology in 346 sections of the General Laws. Members described it as a dignity and language modernization measure. The Senate adopted the emergency preamble and passed the bill to be enacted. The session concluded with an adjournment order to meet again the following Monday, and the day’s adjournment was dedicated to the memory of Richard Louis Volpe of Sturbridge.

Transcript Highlights:

• a path for educators like Janet Damon, a teacher at Delta High School in Denver Public Schools, who
• </c><00:36:16.720><c> who</c> first black public school teacher who first black public school teacher
• at Delta High School in Damon, a teacher at Delta High School in Denver<00:36:21.200><c> public</c><
• of the year for Colorado's 2025 teacher of the year for creative<00:36:25.599><c> creating</c><00:36
• Hours upon hours on hearing, plus preparation and travel. They disrupt work, family, and life.

Transcript Highlights:

• two departments with non-presentation items: Department of Human Resources and California State Teachers
• All the way down to the California State Teachers' Retirement System, CalSTRS.
• Our chair is a former teacher. This is their life savings.
• "I think there's many, many teachers for whom that is their livelihood after retiring.
• "In this case, it's dollars that have been put into the system by teachers.

Summary: The hearing focused on the Governor’s Office of Business and Economic Development (Go-Biz) and several related budget proposals. Director D.D. Myers described the California Jobs First economic blueprint, regional planning efforts across 13 regions, and the state’s strategy to target sectors such as ag tech, space, life sciences, semiconductors, and emerging technologies. She also discussed the California brand campaign, export promotion, film tax credits, and the California Civic Media Fund, emphasizing job creation, regional equity, and business attraction/retention. Members raised questions about support for journalism, arts and creative industries, AI’s impact on jobs, foreign direct investment, manufacturing, tariffs, and how the Jobs First framework is being implemented across regions. Go-Biz then presented trailer bill language to extend the encumbrance deadline for remaining Jobs First administrative funds and to codify the Office of Regional Economic Development Initiatives. The department said $95 million of the $100 million Jobs First appropriation had already been deployed to grants for counties and tribes, and members asked for more information on regional outcomes, including Orange County and the North State. Public comment supported Jobs First and the Small Business Development Centers’ role in helping businesses access capital and create jobs. The committee also heard a request for ongoing CalExport funding to replace uncertain federal STEP support; the LAO noted the Legislature may want to weigh whether to backfill federal reductions, while Go-Biz argued the state program is needed because federal support appears unlikely to continue and demand exceeds available funding. The committee next heard the film and television tax credit staffing request. Go-Biz asked for funding for three permanent positions to manage the expanded program, and the LAO recommended approval given the increased workload. The Film Commission reported a sharp rise in applications after AB 1138 and the program expansion, with productions taking place both inside and outside the Los Angeles 30-mile zone and activity spread across the state. Finally, Go-Biz presented a request for one permanent position and one graduate student assistant to support innovation and emerging technologies, including quantum and fusion. Members asked about the use of the state’s quantum funding, and staff explained it would support microgrants, state capacity-building, and workforce education. No formal votes were taken in the portions provided, and the chair indicated some items would be moved and heard later in the agenda.

Transcript Highlights:

• ><c> and</c><00:09:33.839><c> coach</c> thank the parents, teachers, and coach thank the parents, teachers
• ,</c> professionals be impacted, but teachers, professionals be impacted, but teachers, architects,<00
• If you lives, prepare to drown in debt.
• Support teachers. Make class size. Support teachers. Make schools<02:40:59.920><c> safer.
• I'm prepared to close. >> He reserves and is prepared to close. >> Yeah, Mr. Speaker.

Transcript Highlights:

• So the settlement is between the Arkansas Teacher Retirement System.
• Mark White, Arkansas Teacher Retirement System.
• Did a Teacher Retirement System file a claim or...
• Okay, that's a big hit to the Teacher Retirement System.
• Do you have a prepared statement? I do. You're welcome to present.

Committee: All ALC-CLAIMS REVIEW/LITIGATION REPORTS OVERSIGHT

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> behalf payments to the teachers behalf payments to the teachers retirement<00:17:36.080><c> system
• Teachers<00:48:48.160><c> and</c><00:48:48.559><c> teachers</c><00:48:49.040><c> and</c><00:48:49.359
• ><c> support</c><00:48:49.760><c> staff</c> Teachers and teachers and support staff Teachers and teachers
• </c> and prepare your own? and prepare your own?
• </c><02:28:40.399><c> award</c> he won the UK great teachers award he won the UK great teachers award

Summary: The meeting opened with prayer and the Pledge of Allegiance, then moved into committee and floor reports. Several measures received favorable committee reports and were ordered to first reading and placed on the calendar, including Current Resolution 9, Senate Joint Resolution 23, House Bill 145, House Bill 567, and House Bill 506 with House Committee Substitute 1. The chamber also noted that House Bills 500 and 504 had already received two readings and were sent to the Rules Committee before House Bill 500 was brought up for final consideration. Most of the discussion focused on House Bill 500, the executive branch budget bill. Members described it as a “good first draft” and emphasized a budget process they said was more transparent than in prior years. The bill was presented as a restrained two-year operating budget with spending growth kept at a little under 2% annually, while setting aside about 2% of projected revenues, or roughly $614 million, in the Budget Reserve Trust Fund for future needs. The budget also used base reductions in some areas while exempting others such as Medicaid benefits, SEEK, corrections, behavioral health, and veterans programs. Subcommittee chairs then outlined major spending areas. Education provisions included a 2% annual increase in base SEEK funding, transportation funding held flat, equalization for recallable nickel funding, continued retirement contributions, and major support for postsecondary access, dual credit, asset preservation, and workforce training. Health and family services provisions held Medicaid steady while adding waiver slots, behavioral health and substance use support, public health investments, and funding for rural health and laboratory capacity. Other sections covered personnel and pensions, veterans services, infrastructure, public safety, economic development, tourism, and environmental projects. The only recorded action on the floor was adoption of House Committee Substitute 1 to House Bill 500, followed by a motion for final passage of the bill as amended. The transcript ends as discussion on final passage begins, before any final vote is shown.

Transcript Highlights:

• Preparing students for careers is important, but we also have a responsibility to prepare them for citizenship
• ><c> is</c> Preparing students for careers is Preparing students for careers is important,<00:43:34.200
• Right now, only two in five young people feel prepared for civic participation.
• Right now, only two in five young people feel prepared for civic participation.
• Right now, only two in five young people feel prepared for civic participation.

Committee: Senate State and Local Government

Transcript Highlights:

• SUNY Reconnect, which is allowing students from age 25 to 55 to come back to college for free to prepare
• and Onondaga Community Colleges have been leaders in recruiting students and getting really good teachers
• and developing programs that are preparing people for these careers, and I'm very proud of that and
• SUNY Reconnect, which is allowing students from age 25 to 55 to come back to college for free to prepare
• and developing programs that are preparing people for these careers, and I'm very proud of that and

Summary: The Higher Education Conference Committee met to discuss budget priorities for SUNY, CUNY, community colleges, TAP, student aid, and capital funding. Chair Toby Ann Stavisky emphasized the need for increased operating and capital support, protection against enrollment-based funding losses, no tuition increases, a review of TAP because it has not kept pace with living costs, and action on student loan access and research funding cuts. Assembly Chair Alicia Hyndman outlined the Assembly’s higher education proposal, including $475.7 million to expand TAP eligibility, raising income thresholds for TAP and the Excelsior Scholarship, creating a graduate tuition assistance program, adding community college operating aid, expanding the Opportunity Promise Scholarship, forgiving SUNY hospital debt service, increasing CUNY operating support, restoring opportunity program funding, creating a $110 million student loan support program called New York Rises, and funding five-year capital plans for SUNY and CUNY plus additional ECAP grants. Members broadly supported making higher education more affordable and accessible, while highlighting district-specific needs. Senator May praised SUNY Reconnect, community college workforce programs, hospital debt service relief, and a five-year SUNY capital plan. Senator Gonzalez framed the budget as an investment in economic mobility. Senator Griffo supported affordability, operating and capital aid, and additional support for medical schools and hospitals. Assembly Members Walker, Colton, and Fall backed TAP expansion, opportunity programs, disability supports, SUNY Downstate’s transformation, and capital needs at CUNY and SUNY campuses. Assembly Member Smullen, speaking for the minority conference, urged a five-way budget process, said TAP has not kept pace with inflation, and called for a more stable long-term funding model for community colleges. He also stressed aligning higher education with workforce needs. Assembly Member Pirozzolo pointed to the College of Staten Island as an example of the benefits of investment and warned that employers recruiting students directly from high school could weaken higher education unless colleges continue strengthening trade and career training. The meeting ended with no vote on the budget items, and the chairs adjourned the conference committee after concluding remarks.

Transcript Highlights:

• um, to pin a probable cause for this unique situation is going to set a precedent that we're not prepared
• </c><00:03:10.400><c> I</c><00:03:10.640><c> think</c> we're not prepared for yet.
• I think we're not prepared for yet.
• For example, Senator Kunesh, you're a teacher or a librarian, and if we're voting to fund libraries and
• It's well accepted if you're a teacher and you run into something in the school and, like this, policy

Committee: Senate Rules and Administration - Subcommittee on Ethical Conduct

Transcript Highlights:

• '</c> Page 16, actuarial audit of Teachers' Retirement System.
• Page 33, salary supplement for nationally certified teachers.
• Page 33, salary supplement for nationally certified teachers.
• necessary to be ready to preparations necessary to be ready to discharge<00:39:27.800><c> its</c><00
• Teacher Scholarship Program: the House appropriated $300,000 in restricted funds each fiscal year.

Summary: The Free Conference Committee on the 2026 General Assembly budget met to reconcile differences between the House and Senate versions of House Bill 500. Leaders opened by thanking the other chamber’s work, asking members to turn microphones on and off to avoid feedback, and stressing the need to clearly note decision points so both chambers record the same actions. Staff then walked through the bill page by page, explaining that the committee was comparing only House and Senate differences, not the governor’s proposed budget. The discussion covered a wide range of appropriations and language items, including next generation non-911 services, school safety reporting tools, restored funding for brain injury, epilepsy, veteran service, homeless veterans, and rocket docket programs, debt service changes, rural infrastructure, disaster aid caps, Attorney General and Medicaid fraud funding, agriculture and county fair grants, auditor and pension-related appropriations, school facilities and SEEK funding, and numerous education programs. Members also discussed charter-related funding such as Star Academy, Dolly Parton Imagination Library, school resource officers, school-based mental health providers, AP/IB exams, Governor’s Scholars and Entrepreneurs, and several pilot or initiative programs in economic development, energy, and labor. Several items were described as technical corrections or restorations of language and funding, while others reflected differences in amounts or how funds would be distributed. There were several questions and comments from members about wording such as “implement and carry out,” the absence of the governor’s budget from the comparison document, and whether SEEK funding should be tied to teacher raises. The chair and other members emphasized that the committee’s role was to reconcile the two chambers’ budgets, not to adopt the governor’s proposal. Members also raised concerns about opioid settlement funds and the Dolly Parton Imagination Library match rate, with one senator urging restoration of the House language. No final vote or formal action was taken in the portion provided; the meeting primarily consisted of explanation, questions, and discussion of proposed budget differences.

Transcript Highlights:

• Paul teachers, they had sacrificed a year ago in some of the funding in order to make our other teacher
• Paul teachers what they lost, I would argue, a year ago.
• Paul teachers, they had sacrificed a year ago in some of the funding in order to make our other teacher
• Paul teachers what they lost, I would argue, a year ago.
• </c> time preparing for this committee. time preparing for this committee.

Committee: Senate Finance

Transcript Highlights:

• They said there are many great educational materials out there for teachers and parents, and that this
• And so there's a lot of great education materials out there for teachers and parents.
• For teachers and parents. That is an important piece of what we're talking about.
• They are not prepared to absorb this information.
• They are not prepared to absorb this information.

Committee: House Children and Families

Summary: The Committee on Children and Families heard public testimony on House Bills 1839, 2921, and 3015, all aimed at requiring age verification for access to online pornography. The sponsors argued the bills are needed to protect children from early exposure, exploitation, sextortion, and related harms, and said the measures mirror laws in other states and recent Texas litigation. Supporters, including the Missouri Children’s Trust Fund, pediatric sexual assault nurse examiners, child advocacy groups, the Missouri Catholic Conference, and the Attorney General’s office, testified that pornography contributes to child sexual abuse risk, addiction, and unhealthy sexual development. Committee members asked about privacy protections, enforcement, penalties, and whether third-party verification or website-based verification would be used; the Attorney General’s office said identifying information should not be retained and that enforcement would occur through court action. No one testified in opposition, and the hearing concluded with the bills remaining under consideration, with a committee substitute to follow for one portion of the legislation. The committee then heard House Bill 2610, which would use the state legal expense fund to cover claims and judgments involving foster care, case management, and residential service providers under contract with the state. Representative Murphy and supporters said the private insurance market for these providers has become unstable and unaffordable, with some agencies facing large premium increases, repeated denials, or inability to find coverage at all. Testimony from the Missouri Coalition for Children, Missouri Alliance for Children and Families, Family Forward, and the Attorney General’s office described the issue as a market failure that could force providers to close and disrupt services for foster children. The Attorney General’s office explained how legal expense fund coverage would work, noted that it can cover negligence and intentional acts for covered entities, and said the bill would shift risk to the state in the absence of adequate private insurance. No opposition was offered. Finally, Representative Terry briefly presented House Bill 24, describing it as the same as Representative Dolan’s grandparents’ bill and emphasizing that grandparents should have first consideration for custody if a child’s parents are unable to care for them. No testimony was offered on the bill. The committee then moved into executive session and voted do pass on House Committee Substitute for House Bill 1696, House Committee Substitute for House Bills 2505 and 24, and House Bill 1772, each by unanimous 14-0 votes. The meeting then adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• The teacher empowerment fund is Basically, a teacher certification program where teachers' schools can
• Yes, back to the Teacher Empowerment Fund.
• I think it's 10% of their teachers.
• I think it's 10% of their teachers.
• What I prepared here was based on the budget hearing.

Committee: House A&B Select Agencies Subcommittee

Transcript Highlights:

• to retrofit homes using the Insurance Institute for Business and Home Safety, or IBHS, wildfire-prepared
• ... ...wildfire risk mitigation efforts for insurable dwellings in accordance with IBHS wildfire-prepared
• standard or equivalent designation. ...eligibility if the property has a current IBHS wildfire-prepared
• We see school teachers losing $20,000.
• We see school teachers losing $20,000.

Summary: The committee heard public testimony on several insurance and consumer protection bills. On engrossed substitute Senate Bill 5928, staff and the Office of the Insurance Commissioner described wildfire risk score and model disclosure requirements for homeowners, including notices when policies are nonrenewed, canceled, or premiums are adversely affected, plus insurer website disclosures about mitigation discounts and rate filing transparency. Supporters, including the OIC, AARP, the mayor of Medical Lake, and a fire chief, said the bill would improve transparency, help homeowners understand and reduce wildfire risk, and protect consumers facing cancellations and rising premiums. Industry witnesses said they supported the goal but warned the bill could add regulatory cost and complexity, and some urged narrower, simpler disclosure language and a delayed implementation date. On engrossed substitute Senate Bill 6031, which would expand the insurance fraud program and create a standalone Class B felony for insurance fraud, the OIC and AARP supported the bill as a tool against organized fraud and restitution for victims. A criminal defense representative raised concerns that the new felony language overlaps with existing misdemeanor insurance fraud law and could create conflicting statutes and harsher penalties for the same conduct. The committee also heard testimony that the bill had already incorporated amendments limiting criminal investigators’ role in regulatory investigations and focusing them on complex schemes. The committee then heard substitute Senate Bill 6248 on travel insurance, described as largely mirroring a House bill already passed by the committee. Testimony from the travel insurance industry said agreed-upon amendments had been incorporated, including changes addressing conflict-of-interest concerns, and urged the bill’s advancement. Finally, the committee heard substitute Senate Bill 6079, which would create the Strengthen Washington Homes grant program to fund wildfire home-hardening and prohibit insurers from using wildfire risk as a disqualifying factor for homes meeting IBHS wildfire-prepared standards. The OIC, fire commissioners, AARP, and the prime sponsor supported the bill as a way to reduce nonrenewals and improve insurability, while insurers opposed Section 7, arguing it could interfere with underwriting and should be removed if the bill is to remain a grant program. The committee also began hearing engrossed Senate Bill 5280 on virtual currency kiosks, with staff and the Department of Financial Institutions describing daily transaction caps, fee limits, disclosures, and receipts to curb fraud; consumer protection and law enforcement witnesses supported the bill, while industry witnesses raised concerns about burdens on compliant businesses and passive retail hosts.

Transcript Highlights:

• I also was not prepared to talk about data.
• To the Department of Finance: were you aware of the $45 million when this was prepared?
• I know that the budget gets prepared in advance, so were you aware of that amount?
• We'll talk at a future hearing about the Golden State Teacher Grant Program.
• The Golden State Teacher Grant Program requires a really short turnaround.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:31:01.600><c> remarks,</c> Uh finally, not in my prepared remarks, Uh finally, not in my prepared
• I'm a former ninth grade civics teacher in Farmington and currently work at Education Minnesota.
• I'm a former ninth grade civics teacher in Farmington and currently work at Education Minnesota.
• </c> local law enforcement by preparing local law enforcement by preparing police<01:06:55.320><c> officers
• </c><01:52:39.920><c> incarcerated</c> important role in preparing incarcerated important role in preparing

Bills: HF3753 , HF4299 , HF4700 , HF4282 , HF4139 , HF3530 , HF4031

Committee: House Public Safety Finance and Policy