Bills: HB2122, HB2184, HB2910

Keywords: technical registration, engineering, architect, land surveyor, reciprocity, endorsement, qualification standards, fetal death, funeral homes, informed consent, abortion, women's rights, medical assistance, emotional support, contractors, administrative recovery, regulation, statute of limitations, residential contractors' recovery fund, 1182

Transcript Highlights:

• to—if you get a third party coming and counting carbon, they're going to have to know the lay of the land
• in ag, noted how many processors have already closed that serve multiple thousands of acres of ag land
• Those ag lands now don't have a place, a market for their products.

Bills: SB6291

Keywords: SB6291, on-site wastewater treatment, onsite wastewater treatment, septic system, sewage treatment, wastewater inspection, environmental health, local board of health, public health, professional engineer, land surveyor, certificate of competency, inspection standards, design review, supervised practice, certification, licensing, RCW 18.88A, Washington State, 904

Summary: The Environment & Energy Committee held executive action on three bills. SB 6291 would extend from two to four years the period a non-certified person may review designs and inspect on-site wastewater treatment systems under supervision of a certified individual; the committee adopted a striking amendment making a technical correction to the system definition, then reported the bill out 18-0 with three excused. Members described it as a good-government measure that helps local public health employers retain staff while maintaining water-quality protections. ESB 6246 concerns no-cost allowance allocations for emissions-intensive, trade-exposed facilities under the Climate Commitment Act. The committee adopted a striking amendment that, among other changes, requires Ecology to contract with an independent third party for a 2028 report on emissions and job leakage, revises the 2026 reporting language, removes subunit reporting, requires unaffiliated licensed professional engineers to review facility assessments, and protects certain proprietary information from public disclosure while allowing aggregated summaries. Supporters said it helps evaluate decarbonization options and leakage risks without mandating implementation; opponents argued it adds costs and burdens to industry amid rising production costs. The bill passed 11-7 with three excused. The committee also took up ESB 5975, which changes allowable lead standards for certain cookware and adjusts the Safer Products for Washington process. After adopting a striking amendment, members said the bill balances public health concerns about lead exposure with industry concerns and allows continued sale of cookware in Washington while setting future standards. The committee reported the bill out by voice vote, 18-0 with three excused.

Bills: HB2091, HB2118, HB2122, HB2138

Keywords: insurance, financial surveillance, regulations, assessments, Arizona Revised Statutes, mobile food vendors, licensure, food safety, statewide regulations, health standards, zoning, temporary vendors, technical registration, engineering, architect, land surveyor, reciprocity, endorsement, qualification standards, firefighter

Transcript Highlights:

• Surveyors.
• But the port is selling the land to these people that might bring this natural gas plant to the area.
• So the port is selling the land to the people that might bring this natural gas plant to the area.
• So do the ports, are they part of CETA because they sold the land to this manufacturer of energy?
• grant got them didn't want to be kind of in control of the situation so there's a grant PUD piece of land

Bills: SB6013, SB6291

Keywords: ski areas, winter sports, terminology, recreation, economic development, SB6291, on-site wastewater treatment, onsite wastewater treatment, septic system, sewage treatment, wastewater inspection, environmental health, local board of health, public health, professional engineer, land surveyor, certificate of competency, inspection standards, design review, supervised practice

Summary: The committee heard briefings and testimony on several bills. SB 6013 would update ski lift terminology in state law to include aerial tramways, tows, and conveyors; the sponsor and Washington State Parks said it is a simple technical update and a companion to a House bill already passed by the committee. SB 6291 would extend from two to four years the time a non-certified on-site wastewater treatment inspector may work under supervision before becoming certified; local public health officials and the sponsor said the change would help retain staff because the exam is difficult and offered only twice a year. The bill was described as a workforce retention and efficiency measure. The committee also heard ESB 6246, which addresses future policy for emissions-intensive, trade-exposed facilities under the Climate Commitment Act. Staff and the sponsor explained that the bill would require Ecology to report back with recommendations for post-2034 allowance allocations and require EITE facilities to submit periodic assessments of technically and economically feasible emissions-reduction options. Environmental groups supported the bill but urged stronger third-party verification, clearer reporting, and a more robust leakage analysis; industry groups and utilities generally supported the bill as amended but raised concerns about penalties, confidentiality, submetering, and the need for a formal leakage study. Ecology supported the overall approach but flagged implementation concerns and the need for additional resources. Finally, the committee heard SSB 5982, which would expand Clean Energy Transformation Act coverage to include port districts that distribute electricity and certain single-customer utilities, and would clarify how affected market customers with self-generation are treated. Supporters said the bill closes loopholes so all electricity generation is subject to the state’s clean electricity standards, especially as data centers and other large loads seek behind-the-meter or independent generation. Ports, Commerce, Ecology, and clean energy advocates supported the bill with some technical clarifications, while industrial and utility representatives opposed it, arguing it could sweep in existing cogeneration facilities, create burdens on electrification, and worsen power adequacy concerns. No votes or final actions were taken in the transcript; the chair closed the hearings after testimony.

Transcript Highlights:

• This bill would streamline the process to become licensed as a land surveyor in training.
• I represent close to 1,600 land surveyors in the state with my association.
• I am a registered surveyor and a fourth-generation land surveyor in the state as well.
• I'm a professional land surveyor in the state of Texas.
• I am a registered professional land surveyor and also a licensed state land surveyor.

Bills: SB483, SB522, SB783, SB1239, SB1254, SB1255, SB1259, SB1341, SB1664, SB1762, SB1856, SB1877, SB1977

Keywords: utility, proprietary information, customer data, data protection, electric service, customer information, emergency communication, electric utility, privacy, certification, public accountants, interstate licensing, accounting, regulatory amendment, energy efficiency, construction regulations, building codes, Texas, sustainability, cost-effectiveness

Transcript Highlights:

• This bill would streamline the process to become a licensed land surveyor in training by eliminating
• This bill would streamline the process to become a licensed land surveyor in training by eliminating
• I represent close to 1,600 land surveyors in the state through my association.
• I'm also a registered surveyor and a fourth-generation land surveyor in the state as well.
• I am a registered professional land surveyor and also a licensed state land surveyor.

Bills: SB483, SB522, SB783, SB1239, SB1254, SB1255, SB1259, SB1341, SB1664, SB1762, SB1856, SB1877, SB1977

Keywords: utility, proprietary information, customer data, data protection, electric service, customer information, emergency communication, electric utility, privacy, certification, public accountants, interstate licensing, accounting, regulatory amendment, energy efficiency, construction regulations, building codes, Texas, sustainability, cost-effectiveness

Summary: The Senate Business and Commerce Committee met with a quorum and first took up pending business, voting out several bills. Senate Bills 1697, 1569, 1202 as substituted, 1029, 1364, 1185, 924, 1008 as substituted, 264, 1376, and 1358 as substituted were reported favorably, with some sent to the local and uncontested calendar. The committee also adopted a substitute for SB 1202 and later corrected votes on several measures. SB 924 and SB 1376 drew some opposition, while the rest of the pending bills were reported without dissent or with limited nays. The committee then heard testimony on SB 1856, which would create an annual capacity-cost recovery rider for Entergy Texas customers in the MISO region. The author and Entergy argued the bill would better match rates to actual capacity costs and improve transparency, while the Texas Association of Manufacturers and the Public Utility Commission raised concerns about the short 10-day review period, rider proliferation, and the preference for full rate cases over piecemeal adjustments. The bill was left pending. The committee also heard and left pending SB 522 on CPA reciprocity, SB 1664 requiring TDUs to provide clearer, standalone rate-change disclosures, SB 1877 expanding OPUC’s access to market data, SB 1254 and SB 1255 as TDLR cleanup bills on professional employer organizations and mold assessors, SB 1341 updating manufactured housing rules, SB 1239 on sovereign debt and Texas governing law, and SB 1259 streamlining the surveyor-in-training licensing process. Additional bills discussed included SB 1977, which would cap recoverable legal expenses in electric, water, and sewer rate cases; OPUC and some consumer advocates supported the idea as a way to reduce ratepayer costs, while utility representatives warned it could discourage participation and increase rate shock. The committee also heard SB 1762 clarifying that geothermal energy conservation wells are not battery resources, and SB 783 allowing SECO to proceed with future energy-code rulemaking for state-funded buildings. Both drew supportive testimony from industry and environmental groups. All remaining bills heard during the meeting were left pending, and the committee recessed subject to the call of the chair.

Transcript Highlights:

• Under current statute, land surveyors in Texas may not operate as a surveyor in training unless they
• Additionally, the bill authorizes the Texas Board to issue advisory opinions related to the land surveyors
• This bill also codifies the existing rule that land surveyors pass both the national exam and the Texas
• Surveyors and I believe there's people here to testify on this.
• To TSBE's understanding, the Texas Board of Professional Engineers and land surveyors has a limited waiver

Bills: HB679, HB1764, HB1788, HB2186, HB2204, HB2418, HB2885, HB2983, HB2996, HB3250, HB3352, HB3756, HB3816, HB3913, HB3928, HB4077

Keywords: environment, regulation, land use, public health, community development, alcohol, Sunday sales, local option election, Texas, business hours, alcohol sales, liquor, off-premise consumption, alcoholic beverages, CPA, Certified Public Accountant, licensing, accountancy, state regulation, continuing education

Transcript Highlights:

• , which has disrupted long-standing business practices and caused operational issues for the Texas land
• a committee substitute, but this bill extends the timeline... ...non-professional engineering and land
• surveyors licenses.
• Our board is for the PE license for engineers and surveyors.
• Agricultural land positions our state as a national leader in wine production.

Bills: HB589, HB705, HB1842, HB1874, HB2349, HB2614, HB2827, HB3012, HB3214, HB3308, HB3385, HB3529

Keywords: cosmetology, licensure, interstate compact, state regulations, public safety, workforce mobility, charitable raffles, nonprofit, wildlife conservation, ticket sales, fundraising, master electrician, electrical work, occupational licensing, work scope, Texas law, Texas Real Estate Commission, TREC, real estate broker, sales agent

Bills: SB213, SB378, SB610, SB681, SB918, SB1172, SB1252, SB1343, SCR8

Keywords: SB 213, Texas insurance, Insurance Code, Chapter 551, Chapter 541, bundling, tying arrangement, cross-selling, homeowners insurance, residential property insurance, auto insurance, personal automobile insurance, consumer protection, unfair trade practice, deceptive insurance practice, property and casualty insurer, Lloyd's plan, county mutual, reciprocal exchange, farm mutual

Summary: The Senate Committee on Business and Commerce met with a quorum and took up several pending bills, first reporting SB 1006 favorably after adopting a committee substitute that adds quarterly ZIP-code-level reporting to TDI on insurer declinations, cancellations, and nonrenewals. The committee also adopted substitutes and favorably reported SB 388, which adds nuclear to a credit program and excludes batteries from the dispatchable definition; SB 917; SB 504, which narrows reporting requirements for certain local entities, raises a salary threshold, and authorizes AG injunctive relief; SB 925, which clarifies that federal match dollars are included in a PLA-related prohibition; and SB 815, which removes downcoding references and focuses on AI use in prior authorization. SB 815 advanced on an 8-2 vote, while SB 388 advanced 6-3 and the others were reported 9-0 or 6-0 as noted. The committee then heard testimony on SB 378, which would prohibit aestheticians and cosmetologists from administering injections or using prescriptive medical devices unless legally authorized and would clarify TDLR disciplinary authority. The author and a retired neurosurgeon testified that unsafe, unauthorized injections pose real patient risks, and a TDLR witness said the bill addresses a long-standing regulatory gap. SB 378 was left pending after testimony. The committee also heard SB 1252, aimed at reducing municipal permitting barriers for residential backup power systems; the author and industry witnesses said city permitting is costly and inconsistent, while municipal utility representatives and advocates said the substitute preserved safety and utility oversight. That bill was also left pending. Additional bills heard but left pending included SB 1172, which would let LPs and LLCs sell their own property without a real estate license; SB 681, which would extend engineer license renewal periods and apply similar flexibility to engineering firms; SB 918, a TDLR cleanup bill for orthotics and prosthetics exemptions; SB 1343, which would require data brokers to post a clear link explaining Texans’ privacy rights and how to exercise them; SB 213, which would prohibit forced bundling of residential property and auto insurance while preserving voluntary discounts; SB 610, which would codify TDLR’s anti-trafficking unit; and SCR 8, expressing opposition to a central bank digital currency over privacy, security, and financial-stability concerns. Public testimony on SB 1343 and SB 213 was generally supportive, with consumer and advocacy groups emphasizing privacy, competition, and survivor safety, and the committee closed the day with those measures and others left pending.

Bills: SB213, SB378, SB610, SB681, SB918, SB1172, SB1252, SB1343, SCR8

Keywords: SB 213, Texas insurance, Insurance Code, Chapter 551, Chapter 541, bundling, tying arrangement, cross-selling, homeowners insurance, residential property insurance, auto insurance, personal automobile insurance, consumer protection, unfair trade practice, deceptive insurance practice, property and casualty insurer, Lloyd's plan, county mutual, reciprocal exchange, farm mutual

Transcript Highlights:

• the land.
• state trust land to allow for that person to buy the land.
• by replacing the State Land Commissioner with a state land commission composed of elected county land
• And state land... ...state land was going to sell it to solar.
• middle of it was state land. and state land of it was state land and state land was going to sell it

Bills: HB2150, HB2262, HB2267, HB2268, HB2351, HB2425, HB2426, HB2427, HB2755, HB2781, HB2913, HB2943, HB2956, HB2975, HB2985, HB4009

Keywords: state land department, mineral lease, renewals, indexed royalties, land use planning, auditor general, five-year plans, geospatial data, Arizona Geological Survey, resource analysis, geographic information systems, wildlife protection, public nuisance, renewable energy, wind farm, solar farm, residential property, public health, local regulations, state land

Transcript Highlights:

• They love to have land to to drink.
• use changes, and extreme change, land use changes, and extreme weather<00:10:31.279><c> events.
• , wetlands, and agricultural lands, provide long-term benefits to fish, wildlife, and people.
• So, you know, these are public dollars for our public lands. Can't take a call right now.
• </c> dollars for our public lands. dollars for our public lands.

Bills: HF3426, HF3428

Keywords: natural resources, environment, sustainability, conservation, outdoor recreation, land acquisition, real property, trust fund, commissioner approval, Department of Natural Resources, DNR, conservation easement, land purchase, state land, public lands, property acquisition, value assessment, tax assessed value, Metropolitan Council, Board of Water and Soil Resources

Transcript Highlights:

• So, recommend amending page two, line seven as follows: 'January 1, 2026,' excluding lands owned by or
• And then also amending page eight, line five, county of Maui as of January 1, 2026, excluding lands owned
• > seven as follows, "January 1, 2026 seven as follows, "January 1, 2026 excluding<00:05:03.480><c> lands
• <c> owned</c><00:05:04.080><c> by</c><00:05:04.320><c> or</c><00:05:04.440><c> under</c> excluding lands
• owned by or under excluding lands owned by or under control<00:05:04.960><c> of</c><00:05:05.000><c>

Bills: HB2592

Keywords: Mauna Kea, MKSOA, Mauna Kea Stewardship and Oversight Authority, University of Hawaii, UH, Board of Land and Natural Resources, BLNR, Department of Land and Natural Resources, DLNR, Hawaii Revised Statutes chapter 195H, land management, transition period, management plan, administrative rules, rulemaking, lease extension, sublease, public lands, Native Hawaiian rights, cultural stewardship

Summary: The Judiciary Committee met on several decision-making agendas and first considered HB 1696, which would lower the minimum age for commercial driving in-state from 19 to 18 and adjust qualifying criteria. The committee agreed to accept amendments, including changes suggested by the Operating Engineers Union, and voted unanimously to pass the bill with amendments. HB 2333, which would authorize airport special districts and increase penalties for certain aeronautics violations, was deferred after concerns were raised about treatment of people outside airport security perimeters. On the next agenda, the committee passed HB 1710 with technical amendments only. That bill would allow the State Historic Preservation Division to conduct phase reviews of certain private-property projects and revise concurrence deadlines. HB 1737, clarifying allowable agricultural district uses related to farm dwellings and farm employee housing, also passed with technical amendments only. HB 1823, dealing with coastal zone management and excluding certain state- or county-funded infrastructure projects in Lahaina from the definition of development, passed with amendments from the Attorney General’s office. The committee then took up HB 1897, an alternative dispute resolution measure for condominium-related disputes, including facilitated mediation, evaluative mediation, and binding arbitration. Despite noting broad opposition and a reservation from Senator Buenaventura, the committee adopted the measure and moved it forward as is. Finally, HB 2576, which streamlines background check requirements for health care facilities and workers, passed with amendments reflecting input from OHA, HAH, and DOH. The meeting concluded with notice of a later joint agenda and adjournment.

Bills: HCR3018

Keywords: water rights, wetlands, inundated lands, taxation, property tax, drainage, flooded land, seasonal wetlands, meltwater, navigability, jurisdiction, county tax rolls, agricultural land, soil health, wildlife habitat, environmental regulation, public health, land ownership, riparian, drain and fill

Summary: The Agriculture and Veterans Affairs Committee was brought back to order and first took up a conference committee report on House Bill 1151, which concerns cultured meat. Members noted that the House had refused to concur with the Senate amendments and that the bill had previously been turned into a study. The committee discussed appointing conferees, with Randy identified as chair and Weston agreeing to serve as well. The chair explained that because the House did not concur with the committee’s change, further action would be needed and the House would chair the conference committee since it is their bill. Members briefly discussed whether additional conferees were needed, but no further names were settled beyond those mentioned. The committee also reported that Representative Porter could not be reached, leaving the committee at a standstill. With no further business, the meeting was adjourned until 9:00 a.m. the next day.

Transcript Highlights:

• studying wetlands, just different things about them, jurisdictional water sitting over the top of land
• This water is inundated over this farmland, and there are people still paying property taxes on that land

Bills: HCR3018

Keywords: water rights, wetlands, inundated lands, taxation, property tax, drainage, flooded land, seasonal wetlands, meltwater, navigability, jurisdiction, county tax rolls, agricultural land, soil health, wildlife habitat, environmental regulation, public health, land ownership, riparian, drain and fill

Summary: The Agriculture and Veterans Affairs Committee met with a quorum and first took up House Concurrent Resolution 3018, which was amended to expand a study of wetlands and jurisdictional water issues, including questions about taxing authority over land inundated by water. The committee adopted the amendment and then passed the resolution as amended on a roll call vote, with all members present voting yes or aye. Senator Weston agreed to carry the measure. The committee then considered House Bill 1581, relating to funding for the Native American Tourism Alliance. Senator Marcellais explained an amendment restoring the funding level to $500,000 and adding a 10% tribal match. Members debated the budget impact and the likelihood of the bill surviving in that form. The amendment failed on a 3-3 tie, after which the committee moved to the original House version. That version, with $100,000 total funding and matching requirements, received a 4-2 do pass recommendation and was sent to Appropriations, with Senator Marcellais designated as carrier. The committee also discussed House Bill 1541, which would create a new commission to oversee septic systems, but members indicated a preference for a different approach already moving in the House that would place licensing and oversight under DEQ with health units still handling inspections. No final action was taken on that bill. Finally, the committee reviewed House Bill 1280, a water/drainage-related measure involving voting eligibility for landowners who have not paid assessments, but members raised legal questions and deferred further action. The committee also discussed broader concerns about a chemical-labeling bill and related public emails, then recessed until the call of the chair.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> relating to public school land transfer. relating to public school land transfer.
• Every piece of land and parcel is different. That's what makes land use law exciting.
• Every piece of land and parcel is different. That's what makes land use law exciting.
• </c> piece of land and parcel is different. piece of land and parcel is different.
• </c> especially if it's land court issues. especially if it's land court issues.

Bills: SB2613, SB2147

Keywords: public school land transfer, Department of Education, DOE, land conveyance, fee simple title, tax map key, TMK, Act 307, Session Laws of Hawaii 2022, Act 139, Board of Land and Natural Resources, BLNR, Department of Land and Natural Resources, DLNR, Kauai, Maui, Honolulu, Kaimuki Middle School, Wilcox Elementary School, school property

Summary: The committee heard SB 2613, a cleanup bill relating to public school land transfers under Act 307 (2022), which revises tax map key references and the conveyance process for properties transferred to the Department of Education. The Hawaii State Public Library System supported the measure, saying it would complete the long-unfinished separation of the library system from DOE property control and make future building projects more efficient and cost-effective. DOE also supported the bill and requested an amendment to remove TMK 43-62 parcel 10, the Wilcox Elementary School parcel, so that it could instead be transferred to the county for use with the adjacent park and tennis courts. Members focused heavily on why land transfers and construction approvals have been slow, especially the need for right-of-entry documents and an MOA for a library construction project. Library and DOE witnesses said the delays stemmed from site-control issues and confusion over property status, and that the bill would clarify which parcels are transferred by operation of law and remove the need for additional transactional documents in many cases. Several members questioned whether the bill actually changes authority or simply clarifies existing practice, and DOE said it wanted legislative clarity so the transfers are unmistakably effective on a date certain. The committee also discussed a separate section of the bill dealing with public use of school facilities after hours, including parking fees on property under DOE jurisdiction. DOE explained that any parking charges would apply only to property it controls, not county roads, and that fees are set through existing facility-use procedures. Members raised concerns about the pace of land transfers generally and urged DOE to move more expeditiously on pending parcels. The hearing then moved on to SB 2147, which would designate the first Friday in February as Love My Library Day; the library system testified in support as the committee began that measure.

Transcript Highlights:

• It treats foreign land ownership as a systemic and national security enforcement problem, and it's just
• So, it covers fee land, leasehold, minerals, easements, and control mechanisms.

Bills: HB3840, HB3431

Keywords: foreign ownership, land acquisition, military installation, critical infrastructure, affidavit requirements, state law, penalties, Attorney General, foreign ownership of land, foreign adversary, foreign government adversary, foreign government enterprise, foreign government entity, foreign terrorist organization, specially designated national, SDN, FTO, critical minerals, land ownership, real property

Transcript Highlights:

• Senate Bill 687 deals with land surveyors and their relationship to other contractors and folks on a
• Subcontractors like land surveyors could be held liable for negligence, which they have no responsibility
• This bill before you now would extend that same protection to land surveyors who find themselves in the
• I'm president of the Texas Society of Professional Surveyors.
• I've been a surveyor for a long time. I think the center did very well.

Bills: SB 28, SB 687, SJR 34, SCR 9, SB 523, SB 62, SB 847, SB 706, SB 869, SB 890, SB 992

Keywords: lottery, gambling, internet gaming, mobile application, criminal offenses, SB 687, land surveyor, land surveying, surveying services, construction contract, anti-indemnity, indemnity, hold harmless, defense obligation, standard of care, professional negligence, civil practice and remedies code, local government code, governmental agency, public contracts

Summary: The meeting was a crucial session for discussing several important bills including SB992, which aims to establish a clear time frame for the Attorney General's approval on outside legal counsel for state agencies. Senator Nichols presented the bill, emphasizing its necessity for timely responses to ensure efficient legal processing. Another notable discussion centered around SB523, which seeks to allow parole and probation officers to use a business address on their driver's licenses for safety and security purposes. This bill passed favorably out of the committee, with public testimony supporting the need for such provisions due to the risks these officers face.

Transcript Highlights:

• And from our land records at the time, it was land that we believed we owned, and it wasn't until later
• county lands as well.
• appraise the land and the improvements on that land, and then do a condemnation proceeding, which is
• Then that land would be offered up for public sale because trust lands need to be offered at public sale
• and treaty lands.

Bills: HF1587, HF2293, HF2218, HF1208, HF1482

Keywords: HF1587, Cass County, Minnesota Department of Natural Resources, DNR, condemnation, eminent domain, state land, surplus land, public waters, tribal land transfer, federally recognized Indian Tribe, tribal ownership, land conveyance, no consideration, land appropriation, natural resources, U.S. Highway 2, Section 27 Township 145 North Range 28 West, land return, Tribal sovereignty

Transcript Highlights:

• other lands.
• owner can have access to adjoining land owner can have access to that<00:57:41.359><c> land.
• and their treaty lands.
• onto their tribal land and their treaty<01:48:09.920><c> lands.
• And we have a treaty lands.

Bills: HF1587, HF2293, HF2218, HF1208, HF1482

Keywords: HF1587, Cass County, Minnesota Department of Natural Resources, DNR, condemnation, eminent domain, state land, surplus land, public waters, tribal land transfer, federally recognized Indian Tribe, tribal ownership, land conveyance, no consideration, land appropriation, natural resources, U.S. Highway 2, Section 27 Township 145 North Range 28 West, land return, Tribal sovereignty