Transcript Highlights:

• posed by foreign nationals from countries of risk working at the Department of Energy's national laboratories
• DeBar managed the National Laboratory Complex at the Department of Energy. Next we have Ms.
• Security is in the DNA and the structure of our nation. laboratories.
• It hasn't been historically at our national laboratories and in DOE.
• Kim Boudel was there, and she does oversee Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory.

Keywords: national security, Department of Energy, foreign espionage, security protocols, Chinese Communist Party, national laboratories, research security

Summary: The Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee convened to address pressing issues related to research security risks at the Department of Energy, focusing specifically on foreign nationals' access to sensitive information. The meeting highlighted the increasing threats posed by espionage from the Chinese Communist Party, which has sought to infiltrate U.S. national laboratories and exploit American research for military purposes. Discussions included the importance of tightening security protocols to safeguard national interests and maintain technological advantages. Witnesses provided insight into historical contexts and current vulnerabilities, emphasizing that without proper measures, the gaps could jeopardize national security.

Transcript Highlights:

• , four major United States military installations, and 20 federal, state, and privately funded laboratories
• Facility, Kirtland Air Force Base, the Space Rapid Capabilities Office, the Air Force Research Laboratory
• , Sandia National Laboratories, Los Alamos National Laboratory, and New Mexico State University's Physical
• Science Laboratory.
• introduced by Representative Small, is a memorial recognizing and honoring the Physical Science Laboratory

Bills: HM19

Keywords: New Mexico Aviation and Aerospace Day, aviation, aerospace, space industry, missile programs, Spaceport America, White Sands Missile Range, White Sands Test Facility, Kirtland Air Force Base, drone, unmanned aircraft systems, commercial space transportation, NASA, aircraft, STEM education, research laboratories, Sandia National Laboratories, Los Alamos National Laboratory, flight testing, medical evacuation

Bills: HF2371, HF2147, HF2557, HF1165, HF2466, HF2465, HF2482

Keywords: informed consent, sensitive examinations, healthcare, patient rights, anesthesia, hot water pools, rental properties, public health, safety regulations, Minnesota Statutes, health care access, hospital surcharge, fund allocation, medical assistance, health funding, health care, education, bonding capacity, financing, Minnesota Higher Education Facilities Authority

Transcript Highlights:

• They're valid and admissible if the analysis is conducted by a laboratory certified or accredited pursuant
• When testing is performed by an out-of-state laboratory private clinic that refuses to participate in

Bills: SB5865, SB5880, SB5912, SB5837, SB5855

Keywords: garnishment, debt, form standardization, financial protection, legal processes, toxicology testing, laboratories, accreditation, public health, standards, indigent defense, task force, criminal justice, legal aid, public defense, guardianship, conservatorship, protective arrangement, protective arrangements, supported decision-making

Summary: The committee opened the 2026 session with introductions, then heard Senate Bill 5865 on garnishment forms. Staff and the prime sponsor explained that the bill would repeal statutory garnishment answer forms and instead require use of forms developed by the Washington Pattern Forms Committee, without changing garnishment law itself. Supporters, including a district court judge and the District and Municipal Court Judges Association, said the current statutory form leads to calculation errors and inefficiency. A collectors’ association representative raised concern about delays in the Pattern Forms Committee process and asked that the old statutory form remain usable until new forms are available. The bill was held for executive action later in the week. The committee then heard Senate Bill 5880, which would allow blood and breath toxicology results to be admissible if tested by a certified or accredited lab under ISO-IEC-17025 standards. The prime sponsor and supporters, including the Seattle City Attorney, prosecutors, and traffic safety experts, said the state toxicology backlog is causing extreme delays in DUI cases, with some blood results taking many months and some cases nearing or exceeding the statute of limitations. County and prosecutorial groups supported the goal but warned the bill could shift costs to local governments and create discovery and expert-witness complications if private labs are used. Defense advocates asked for language requiring outside labs to cooperate with discovery. The public hearing was closed with no vote. Senate Bill 5912, which reinstates the indigent defense task force, drew broad support from counties, city officials, public defense administrators, and tribal representatives who said Washington faces a statewide public defense shortage and uneven access to counsel, especially in rural and eastern areas. Supporters said the task force should study staffing, workload standards, recruitment, and alternative delivery systems, while some advocates urged amendments to add more lived-experience and technical expertise and to ensure the task force does not delay compliance with existing caseload standards. The bill then moved to Senate Bill 5837 on guardianship and conservatorship reforms, where staff outlined technical and policy changes including lower age thresholds, faster hearings, alternative service methods, and clearer notice rules. Testimony was mostly supportive, especially from kinship care and legal aid groups, though several witnesses requested amendments on notice, emergency procedures, counsel, and other technical points; the hearing ended with a large number of pro and con sign-ins. Finally, the committee began hearing Senate Bill 5855, which would prohibit law enforcement officers, including federal agents, from wearing opaque face coverings during public interactions, with exceptions for undercover work, SWAT, health, and environmental protection. The sponsor and supporters argued the bill would improve transparency, accountability, and trust, especially for immigrant, Black, Brown, and survivor communities, and cited recent incidents involving masked federal agents. Opponents, including a federal prosecutor and others, argued the bill raises constitutional concerns under federal supremacy, could endanger officers by increasing doxxing and threats, and may be premature while similar California litigation is unresolved. The hearing continued with additional testimony after the excerpt, and no final action was taken in the transcript provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• Before you now is Senate Bill 5880 concerning toxicology testing by certified or accredited laboratories
• This bill would establish the validity of blood and breath tests conducted by laboratories certified
• accept donations from private nongovernmental entities to facilitate blood and breath testing by laboratories
• certified or accredited pursuant to the ISO-IEC. ...by laboratories certified or accredited pursuant

Bills: SB5865, SB5880, SB5912, SB5855, SB6011, SB6009, SB5868, SB5974

Keywords: garnishment, debt, form standardization, financial protection, legal processes, toxicology testing, laboratories, accreditation, public health, standards, indigent defense, task force, criminal justice, legal aid, public defense, face coverings, law enforcement, public safety, civil liberties, court security

Summary: The committee first took executive action on several bills. On SB 5865, concerning garnishment forms, Amendment Alpha was adopted to require the Washington Pattern Forms Committee to complete the new forms by December 31, 2026, with the act taking effect January 1, 2027; Amendment Bravo was withdrawn. The bill then received a due pass recommendation. On SB 5880, concerning toxicology testing by certified or accredited laboratories, Amendment Charlie was adopted to clarify that local governments are not required to fund the testing option and may accept private donations to help support it; the bill also received a due pass recommendation. On SB 5912, reinstating the Indigent Defense Task Force, Amendment Delta was adopted to remove legislators from the task force, add members, revise duties and reporting, and make related changes; the bill was sent forward with a due pass recommendation. On SB 5855, concerning face coverings by law enforcement officers, the committee considered multiple amendments to the proposed substitute, but none were adopted; the proposed substitute itself was adopted and the bill received a due pass recommendation. Members then debated the bill extensively, with supporters emphasizing transparency and public trust and opponents arguing it could endanger officers and raise constitutional and fiscal concerns. The committee then held public hearings on several judicial administration bills. SB 6011 would extend Court of Appeals bailiffs’ authority to conduct threat assessments for Court of Appeals judges and staff, similar to authority already granted to Supreme Court bailiffs; the Acting Chief Judge for Division I testified in support, citing increased threats and the need for internal security, and no one testified in opposition during the hearing. SB 6009 would make permanent direct-review provisions for certain administrative and land-use decisions that are currently set to sunset; staff and Judge Bowman explained that the bill would preserve an expedited review process that has worked well and saves resources, and there was no opposition testimony in the hearing. SB 5868 would add one Superior Court judge each in Skagit and Yakima counties; court officials and county representatives described significant caseload growth, trial delays, and backlogs, while the bill sponsor said more judges are needed to address court bottlenecks. Public testimony was strongly supportive, and no vote was taken during the hearing. Finally, the committee heard SB 5974, which would add eligibility and background-check requirements for sheriffs, police chiefs, and town marshals, restrict certain uses of volunteers and youth cadets, limit specially commissioned officers, and clarify sheriffs’ duties to uphold the constitutions and laws. Supporters, including immigrant-rights, faith, gun-safety, and survivor advocacy groups, said the bill would improve accountability, consistency, and public trust in law enforcement leadership. Opponents, including several sheriffs, the sheriffs’ association, cities, and counties, argued it would undermine local control and voter choice, create costly background-check requirements, and potentially overreach into election and staffing decisions. No executive action was taken on SB 5974 before the committee adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• New Mexico, because of our wonderful universities, our national laboratories, and our historical legacy
• Right now, we have the laboratories, the state, the union, the union, Weeks ago.
• Right now, we have the laboratories, the state, the universities, and the private companies all operating

Bills: SB151, HB8, SB177

Keywords: corporate income tax, franchise tax, gross receipts tax, tax credit, tax deduction, controlled foreign corporation, CFC, bonus depreciation, interest expense, apportionment, unitary group, high-wage jobs tax credit, local journalism, news media, newspaper printer, physician incentive, health care workforce, affordable housing, multifamily housing, construction materials

Bills: SB151, HB8, SB177

Keywords: corporate income tax, franchise tax, gross receipts tax, tax credit, tax deduction, controlled foreign corporation, CFC, bonus depreciation, interest expense, apportionment, unitary group, high-wage jobs tax credit, local journalism, news media, newspaper printer, physician incentive, health care workforce, affordable housing, multifamily housing, construction materials

Bills: SB151, HB8, SB177

Keywords: corporate income tax, franchise tax, gross receipts tax, tax credit, tax deduction, controlled foreign corporation, CFC, bonus depreciation, interest expense, apportionment, unitary group, high-wage jobs tax credit, local journalism, news media, newspaper printer, physician incentive, health care workforce, affordable housing, multifamily housing, construction materials

Transcript Highlights:

• I'm from Sandia National Laboratories, and I lead our economic development program.
• I'm from Sandia National Laboratories, and I lead our economic development program.
• Just a statement as a laboratory employee and the senator that represents Los Alamos proper.
• This is a true partnership on how the laboratory partners with small business, working with innovation
• As a laboratory employee and the senator that represents Los Alamos proper, this is a true partnership

Bills: SB251, SB150, SB154, SB73, SB111, SB172, SB76, SB181, SB235

Keywords: horse racing, program training, program owning, state licensing, racehorses, regulation, local news, newspaper printing, journalism, media tax credit, print media, digital news, news publisher, newsprint, press operator, printing industry, local journalism, tax credit, income tax, corporate income tax

Bills: SB251, SB150, SB154, SB73, SB111, SB172, SB76, SB181, SB235

Keywords: horse racing, program training, program owning, state licensing, racehorses, regulation, local news, newspaper printing, journalism, media tax credit, print media, digital news, news publisher, newsprint, press operator, printing industry, local journalism, tax credit, income tax, corporate income tax

Bills: SB251, SB150, SB154, SB73, SB111, SB172, SB76, SB181, SB235

Keywords: horse racing, program training, program owning, state licensing, racehorses, regulation, local news, newspaper printing, journalism, media tax credit, print media, digital news, news publisher, newsprint, press operator, printing industry, local journalism, tax credit, income tax, corporate income tax

Bills: SB190, SB152, SB77, SB150, SB151, SB156, SB172, SB182, SB185, SB212, SB170, SB133, SB174, SB163

Keywords: cancer treatment, revenue bonds, Gila Regional Medical Center, Nor-Lea General Hospital, healthcare funding, telecommunications, low-income assistance, lifeline, broadband, rural broadband, universal service fund, public regulation commission, PRC, 911 surcharge, telecommunications relay service, VoIP, mobile service, internet affordability, digital equity, digital inclusion

Transcript Highlights:

• It's the foremost experts in the world that Sandy had lost out most national laboratories and through
• I get to work as the chief, one of the chief staffers at Los Alamos National Laboratory.
• , in absolute terms, the most quantum scientists in the entire country working in the national laboratories

Bills: SB20, SB21, SB166, SB177, SB181, SB189, SM6

Keywords: prior authorization, pharmacy benefits manager, PBM, health insurer, prescription drugs, step therapy, formulary, auto-adjudication, electronic portal, appeals, medical necessity, serious mental illness, mental health, schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, major depression, substance use disorder, addiction treatment, cancer, autoimmune disorder

Keywords: HI Senate YouTube, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5aYEehoj9WA, 2026-07-02T01:22:43+00:00, 2.2.24, Data collected via generic collector engine, Today's meeting is also being broadcast with closed captioning on ‘Olelo Community Media's channel 55 and on the online stream: http://olelo.granicus.com/player/event/5588?view_id=13 Just press the CC button when you hover your mouse over the video screen. Meeting of the Special Committee Senate State of Hawaii COVID-19 Friday, March 27, 2020 Agenda The special committee will convene to assess and advise the Senate regarding the State of Hawaii's COVID-19 plans and procedures to include, but not limited to: 1) Confirm the development of the state departmental plans and procedures; 2) Review and assess current state departmental plans and procedures; 3) Review and assess whether state departmental plans and procedures are properly and timely implemented to safeguard public health and safety; and 4) To communicate and disseminate information obtained therefrom. The special committee will be meeting with the following: 11:00 a.m. Federal Stimulus Package Senator Brian Schatz, U.S. Senate 11:30 a.m. Office of the Governor Ms. Linda C. Takayama, Chief of Staff 12:00 p.m. Department of Transportation Deputy Director Derek Chow, Harbors Division Deputy Director Ross Higashi, Airports Division 12:45 p.m. Department of the Attorney General Attorney General Clare E. Connors Department of Public Safety Director Nolan Espinda 2:00 p.m. Healthcare Industry Dr. Jim Ireland, Medical Director for Department of Transportation Dr. Elizabeth E. Char, Medical Physician 2:30 p.m. Department of Health Dr. Bruce Anderson, Director Dr. Sarah Park Dr. Edward Desmond, State Laboratories Division Administrator 4:00 p.m. Hawaii Emergency Management Agency Adjutant General Kenneth Hara, Incident Commander, 912, senate, all, 2.2.42, 2.1.47

Bills: HB253, HB153, HB255, HB287, HB371, SB151, HB8, SB177

Keywords: distance learning, virtual instruction, public education, student enrollment, school funding, education standards, pandemic education response, low-carbon construction, construction materials, rebate, environmental product declaration, EPD, embodied carbon, carbon intensity, greenhouse gas emissions, decarbonization, industrial incentives, clean manufacturing, cement, concrete

Bills: HB253, HB153, HB255, HB287, HB371, SB151, HB8, SB177

Keywords: distance learning, virtual instruction, public education, student enrollment, school funding, education standards, pandemic education response, low-carbon construction, construction materials, rebate, environmental product declaration, EPD, embodied carbon, carbon intensity, greenhouse gas emissions, decarbonization, industrial incentives, clean manufacturing, cement, concrete

Summary: The committee first corrected its action on Senate Bill 151, noting that the earlier motion had been made incorrectly after the committee substitute was amended. Members then moved to do not pass the Senate Finance Committee substitute and do pass the same committee substitute so it could be sent to the floor. The only change identified in the substitute was an adjustment to the sunset date. A roll call vote followed, with several members voting yes and a few voting no or being excused, and the motion to report the committee substitute out with a due pass recommendation carried. After the SB 151 vote, the chair said the committee was essentially finished and expected to meet on the floor the next day, likely around noon, with a plan to come in earlier and handle a few more bills. The discussion then shifted to House Bill 2 and the broader issue of state employee compensation. One member argued that over the past several years the state had already provided substantial pay raises and benefits, citing roughly $1.3 billion in raises, about $184 million annually for health care costs, and $116 million annually for employer pension costs, for a total of about $1.6 billion over four years. That member said the state had done enough on employee compensation and that a proposed 1% increase did not make sense given competing priorities such as child care and other needs. The committee then adjourned, and there was a brief question about when the university fund bill would be heard, but no firm timing was given.

Transcript Highlights:

• So my question is, are there other laboratories that also bill for these codes other than Southwest Laboratories
• Any laboratory is able to bill this code. It's a set CPT code.
• area access where many national laboratories do not.
• There are processes in this that are reference laboratories.
• However, it's... ...clinical reference laboratories that are processed in this that are reference laboratories

Summary: The House Health and Human Services Committee first heard House Bill 256, which would require school cardiac emergency response plans to address sudden cardiac arrest at school athletic activities and ensure AEDs are clearly marked and accessible at those events. The sponsor and an American Heart Association representative said the bill builds on last year’s law and is meant to improve implementation, not add new equipment costs. Members asked about funding, were told the AEDs are already in place, and the bill received a due pass with no opposition. The committee then took up House Bill 278 on Medicaid reimbursement for toxicology testing in substance use disorder treatment. The sponsor and Southwest Labs argued that current payer policies limit providers’ clinical judgment, that a new flat-rate code for unlimited analytes would improve care, keep Medicaid dollars in New Mexico, and support local laboratories. Several members raised concerns about whether the bill effectively rewrites bundled G-codes, whether it mainly benefits one company, how it affects MCO contracts, GRT/tax issues, and whether the fiscal estimates were realistic. After extensive questioning and conflicting views, a due-pass motion was made but the vote ended in a tie, so the bill did not advance. Finally, the committee considered House Bill 287 to create a permanent, full-time Health and Human Services Committee with a director and expanded membership, similar to other permanent legislative committees. Supporters from advocacy and policy groups said health care is too large and complex to be handled by a part-time interim committee and that year-round staffing would improve oversight and policymaking. Members discussed committee composition, staffing, subpoena power, and the proposed appropriation, and the sponsor said the bill is a starting point that could be refined later. The committee approved HB 287 on a do-pass motion and then adjourned until Monday morning.

Transcript Highlights:

• So my question is, are there other laboratories that also bill for these codes other than Southwest Laboratories
• Any laboratory is able to bill this code. It's a set CPT code.
• in rural area access where many national laboratories do not.
• Laboratories do not. That's one of the things.
• are reference laboratories.

Keywords: 996, all

Transcript Highlights:

• So you've seen this chart before, I'm sure the laboratory... ...this laboratory.
• We are the nation's nuclear power laboratory.
• We are the nation's nuclear power laboratory.
• Idaho National Laboratory, NETL, Oak Ridge National Laboratory, Argonne, Berkeley, Ames, Pacific Northwest
• National Laboratory, National Laboratory of the Rockies, and Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory.

Summary: The meeting opened with remarks about the value of public engagement and the quality of questions from the group, followed by a series of technical presentations from Idaho National Laboratory staff. Joe Renovitz described recent nuclear regulatory changes tied to presidential executive orders, including NRC Part 53 for advanced reactors, the forthcoming Part 57 for very small reactors, and DOE updates to reactor authorization standards. He emphasized efforts to align DOE and NRC processes, use risk-informed and performance-based licensing, support reactor deployment for AI/data centers and national security, and use AI to speed communications and crosswalks between DOE and NRC requirements. In response to questions, he said there was no plan to merge agencies, but rather to improve coordination and public outreach through groups like GAIN and NEI. David Tolman then discussed the nuclear fuel cycle, including uranium mining, conversion, enrichment, fuel fabrication, spent fuel storage, transportation, disposal, and reprocessing. He explained high-assay low-enriched uranium (HALEU), why it is needed for advanced reactors, and DOE’s HALEU Availability Program and related investments in enrichment, transportation, deconversion, and supply chain development. He also covered spent fuel management, the possibility of centralized storage or a fuel-cycle campus, the Center for Used Fuel Research, and ongoing work on high-burnup cask testing and reprocessing technologies. Tolman described aqueous, pyrochemical, and fluoride-volatility reprocessing approaches, noting the advantages and waste characteristics of each, and said several companies are working with INL on these technologies. Ashley Shields presented INL’s AI and nuclear work, focusing on the Genesis initiative and the Prometheus effort to use AI to design, license, build, and operate reactors with far less human intervention. She described INL’s broad use of generative AI tools, the need to manage large volumes of legacy technical data, and applications in reactor design, materials discovery, autonomous laboratories, and digital twins. Shields said AI is being used to reduce the enormous documentation burden in nuclear licensing and to support autonomous or remotely operated reactor demonstrations, while stressing that humans remain in supervisory roles. In discussion, she addressed data security, model access, and the continued need for software engineers. The session then recessed briefly and resumed with Mitch Kerman beginning a presentation on critical minerals and materials.

Transcript Highlights:

• So you've seen this chart before, I'm sure the laboratory. This laboratory.
• I'm sure the laboratory director yesterday, Dr.
• We are the nation's nuclear power laboratory.
• Idaho National Laboratory, NETL, Oak Ridge National Laboratory, Argonne, Berkeley, Ames, Pacific Northwest
• National Laboratory, National Laboratory of the Rockies, and Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory.

Keywords: 908, all