Video & Transcript Research : 'office of privacy'

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WA

Washington 2025-2026 Regular Session

Senate Environment, Energy & Technology Feb 18th, 2026 at 08:00 am

Environment, Energy & Technology

Transcript Highlights:
  • She said the bill is very simple and comes to the committee from the Office of Privacy and Data Protection
  • Performance measures, duties, and reporting requirements for the Office of Privacy and Data Protection
  • For the record, my name is Katie Ruckel, and I'm the state's chief privacy officer and director of the
  • Office of Privacy and Data Protection.
  • My name is Katie Ruckel, and I'm the state's chief privacy officer and director of the Office of Privacy
Bills: HB2426, HB2606
Summary: The committee began by waiving the five-day notice rule for six House bills, then took up several public hearings. HB 2426 would improve efficiency in appeals to the Pollution Control Hearings Board by allowing, with party consent and unanimous board approval, alternative hearing panels such as a single qualified board member or administrative law judge. The sponsor and supporters from Greater Grays Harbor and Futurewise said the bill would speed permit appeals without harming environmental review, while Ecology noted no fiscal impact. HB 1742, concerning environmentally sustainable urban design, would create a center at the Department of Ecology to promote sustainable architecture and design competitions; the sponsor described it as a way to showcase greener urban development, though the bill’s fiscal note was still pending. HB 2215 would lower the Climate Commitment Act compliance threshold for newer fuel suppliers, address “paper distributor” loopholes, exempt lubricants, and add procurement and public roster requirements. Support came from Climate Solutions, Washington Conservation Action, and Ecology, which said the bill would close loopholes and improve transparency, while the Pacific Propane Gas Association and Washington Oil Marketers Association raised concerns about the two-tier threshold and urged stronger upstream enforcement instead. HB 2575 would reduce reporting obligations under environmental and energy laws, including less frequent Energy Independence Act and state energy strategy reports and elimination of some utility disconnection reporting; Commerce said the bill would save staff time and money and keep more useful information in the reports. HB 1903 would establish a statewide low-income energy assistance program in the Department of Commerce, phased in by October 2027 and funded subject to appropriation, to supplement existing utility programs and target households with the greatest energy burden. Community action agencies, rural utility representatives, and several utilities supported the goal of broader, more equitable assistance, while also asking for clearer definitions, voluntary participation, and protections so utilities would not be forced to backfill state funding gaps. HB 2606 would update the Office of Privacy and Data Protection’s duties and reporting requirements in response to a JLARC audit, including adding review of agency AI projects and new performance measures; the chief privacy officer supported the bill and said it could be implemented within existing resources. No final votes were taken on the bills in the portion of the meeting provided, and each hearing was closed or set aside after testimony.
WA

Washington 2025-2026 Regular Session

Senate Environment, Energy & Technology Feb 20th, 2026 at 10:30 am

Environment, Energy & Technology

Transcript Highlights:
  • My name is Lisa Ganyuelas, and I am a member of the Board of Trustees of the Confederated Tribes of the
  • General's Office, and advocacy groups who care about consumer protection and also the development of
  • of harm.
  • of Privacy and Data Protection.
  • We do have a lot of open public meetings act with a lot of the other parts of the bill.
Summary: The committee took up several House bills in a very busy meeting, beginning with House Bill 2515 on emerging large energy use facilities, or data centers. Staff and the sponsor described the bill’s tariff, reporting, clean energy, and tax provisions, while tribal representatives, environmental groups, utilities, local officials, and industry offered sharply divided testimony. Tribes and environmental advocates urged restoring removed provisions that would let utilities refuse service or require curtailment during energy emergencies, citing salmon, water, and reliability concerns; utilities and data center interests generally supported the bill’s direction but asked for technical changes and warned about costs, implementation, and overbroad requirements. The committee later reopened public hearing on 2515 and heard additional testimony both supporting and opposing the bill, with repeated calls to strengthen transparency, curtailment authority, and water protections, while opponents argued the bill was too punitive or would raise costs and harm development. The committee also heard House Bill 1170 on AI content notices, which would require large generative AI providers to offer provenance detection tools and disclosures for AI-generated or altered images, video, and audio, with enforcement by the Attorney General. The sponsor said the bill is intended to help Washingtonians know what is real and what is not, and to align with similar state efforts. Testimony later in the hearing included support from labor and other advocates who said the bill would help prevent digital impersonation, deepfakes, and workplace misinformation. The committee also heard House Bill 2416 on waste-to-energy facilities under the Climate Commitment Act; Spokane officials, labor, Avista, environmental groups, and Ecology testified on a proposal to provide no-cost allowances in the second compliance period while requiring a decarbonization plan and waste reduction/material recovery plan, with supporters emphasizing affordability and a tailored approach for the Spokane facility. In executive action, the committee waived the five-day rule for HB 2515 and HB 1906, then moved several bills forward. Substitute HB 1302 on utility connection charge waivers passed to Rules. HB 2338 on community-scaled weatherization projects passed to Ways and Means after an amendment was rejected. HB 2367 on coal plant treatment under the Climate Act passed to Rules after an amendment failed. Substitute HB 2496 on tribal consultation by the Energy Facility Site Evaluation Council passed to Rules with amendment C adopted, while amendments D and E were rejected. Engrossed Substitute HB 2225 on AI companion chatbots, HB 2426 on PCHB appeals, HB 2606 on the Office of Privacy and Data Protection, and HB 2575 on reducing reporting obligations also advanced. For Engrossed Second Substitute HB 2215 on Climate Commitment Act compliance for fuels, amendment F was adopted, while amendments G and H were rejected, and the bill was sent to Ways and Means.
TX

Texas 89th Regular

S/C on Property Tax Appraisals May 1st, 2025

S/C on Property Tax Appraisals

Transcript Highlights:
  • This was originally put in place to protect the privacy of property owners; however, this information
  • to speak in support of the bill.
  • And out of ways and means last session, but not out of the Senate this year.
  • Many of us have hundreds of taxing entities that we have to work with.
  • Chapter 6 of the tax code, with the disapproval of the budget or disapproval of other board actions.
FL

Florida 2026 Regular Session

Commerce and Tourism Jan 28th, 2026

Commerce and Tourism

Transcript Highlights:
  • the sergeant's office.
  • Members, are there questions of the sponsor? Any questions of the sponsor?
  • You know, I suspect most of you out there are here to testify on Senator McLean's principal offices of
  • Are there questions of the sponsor? Any questions of the sponsor?
  • of the system.
Summary: The Committee on Commerce and Tourism considered several bills. SB 1338 by Senator Burton would strengthen enforcement of written endowment agreements for charitable gifts and require legislative approval for new filing or reporting requirements on charities. The sponsor and Philanthropy Roundtable testified in support, emphasizing donor intent and protections for nonprofits; the bill was reported favorably. SB 1324, which was expected to address principal offices of LLCs, was temporarily postponed. The committee also passed CS/SB 1080 by Senator DeSigley, which directs FDOT to adopt rules allowing direct payments to first-tier subcontractors in specified circumstances. A transportation industry representative supported the measure, saying the situations are rare but need a statutory remedy. CS/SB 1582 by Senator Yarbrough, as amended, requires secondhand dealers, secondary metal recyclers, and pawnbrokers to submit transaction data to FDLE for statewide sharing through systems such as LInX; the amendment and bill were both reported favorably, with one witness from the Florida Recycler’s Association opposing the amendment. Senator McLean’s SB 1672, creating a home buyer workforce tax credit for employer contributions to help employees with first-time Florida home purchases, was reported favorably with support from the Florida Chamber of Commerce. SB 1112 by Senator Garcia, relating to the Florida Labor Pool Act, drew extensive testimony from workers, reentry advocates, and supporters who argued it would prohibit placement fees when workers are hired permanently, require annual registration of labor pools, improve accountability, and support stable employment and reentry; the bill was reported favorably. The committee then adjourned after recording votes and other closing business.
US
Transcript Highlights:
  • At the Office of Management and Budget.
  • The Office of Management and Budget and the Office of Personnel Management, along with Elon Musk and
  • Democracy and Human Rights, and also as Director of Office of Foreign Resources.
  • functionality of what the public expects through the Office of Federal Chief Information Officer.
  • And a lot of people don't know a lot about the Office of personnel and management and the Office of Management
Summary: The committee convened to discuss the nominations of Scott Cooper for Director of the Office of Personnel Management and Eric Ulan for Deputy Director at the Office of Management and Budget. This meeting highlighted the critical roles both positions play in managing the federal workforce, which comprises over two million civilian employees. Concerns were raised regarding the current administration's approach to federal employment, citing issues like mass firings and the undermining of collective bargaining rights. Members expressed the need for better accountability and transparency within the federal system, emphasizing the importance of attracting talented public servants.
HI

Hawaii 2026 Regular Session

CPC Public Hearing - Wed Mar 18, 2026 @ 2:00 PM HST

Consumer Protection & Commerce

Transcript Highlights:
  • And allows the Department of the Attorney General or the Office of Consumer Protection to bring a civil
  • My name is Dominic Ching, and I'm an enforcement attorney for the State of Hawaii Office of Consumer
  • </c><00:37:55.920><c> of</c><00:37:56.000><c> Consumer</c> for the AG Office of Consumer for the AG Office
  • Emma Olson, for the Office of Consumer Protection, testified in support of the measure and said the office
  • :25.080><c> privacy</c><01:25:25.960><c> and</c> wondering if part of privacy and wondering if part of
Summary: The committee heard SB 1166 SD2, a bill on insurance and climate-related damages that would authorize the Hawaii Property Insurance Association and, in amended versions discussed during testimony, other public and private entities to pursue civil actions to recover losses tied to climate disasters and extreme weather. DCCA’s Insurance Division and the Department of the Attorney General raised legal concerns, saying the bill’s scope may not fit the insurance code section being amended, that it could create subject-matter and title issues, and that some subrogation language may be duplicative of existing rate-filing practice. Lawyers for Justice opposed the measure, arguing it conflicts with existing subrogation law and recent Hawaii Supreme Court rulings that treat the judicial lien process as the exclusive remedy. The American Petroleum Institute also opposed, warning the bill would add liability and litigation risk for companies operating under existing permits and could undermine energy reliability and investment. Supporters said the bill would help shift climate-related insurance costs away from residents and onto fossil fuel companies and other responsible parties. Testimony in support came from the Polluters Pay Hawaii Coalition, Center for Climate Integrity, Hawaii Island Council, Our Hawaii, Sierra Club of Hawaii, and others, who described recent flooding, storm damage, rising premiums, non-renewals, and underinsurance as evidence of a worsening climate-driven insurance crisis. Several supporters urged amendments to give the Attorney General explicit authority to recover insurance-related losses for the Hurricane Relief Fund, HPIA, and private insurers, and to ensure recovered amounts benefit policyholders. Committee members questioned whether HPIA is a private entity, whether the Attorney General could represent it, whether the bill could create double recovery or affect pending climate litigation, and whether insurers would have standing or damages if they are only paying contractual claims. The committee then took up SB 888 SD2, a consumer protection bill that would restrict smart household security device operators from sharing user data with law enforcement without consent or a judicial order, and would bar conditioning device use on such consent. The Office of Consumer Protection testified in support and said an Illinois law could serve as a useful template for exceptions to the warrant requirement. An individual supporter said the measure would protect immigrant communities, judges, and others from surveillance and misuse of private data. No vote was taken during the portion of the meeting provided, and the chair noted additional written testimony submitted in support of SB 1166.
LA

Louisiana 2026 Regular Session

Appropriations May 5th, 2026

Appropriations

Transcript Highlights:
  • Members of the committee, this is Derek Tibodeau with the Office of State Procurement.
  • Members of the committee, this is Derek Tibodeau with the Office of State Procurement.
  • , Office of State Police, and provides for the powers and duties of the task force.
  • So right now, the Office of State Police will be...
  • Thomas Muley, Office of Technology Services. Mr.
KY
Transcript Highlights:
  • Please call the first regulation. >> Office of the Attorney General, Office of Consumer Protection, and
  • </c> of Kentucky Office of Regulatory Relief. of Kentucky Office of Regulatory Relief.
  • by the office of Attorney General?
  • District</c><00:09:33.640><c> Support</c> of Education, Office of District Support of Education, Office
  • </c> office of finance and operations. office of finance and operations.
Summary: The committee first approved the minutes and then took up a series of administrative regulations from several agencies. Early items included Attorney General consumer protection rules on removal sales, health spas, liquidation sales, and nonresident sellers of visual aid glasses; Finance and Administration Controller rules on clearinghouse validation and fraud prevention; and Board of Dentistry rules updating exam requirements, controlled substance prescribing, training for neuromodulators and dermal fillers, infection control, sedation/anesthesia continuing education, and required education on pediatric abusive head trauma and controlled substance ingestion prevention. The committee also approved staff amendments on these items, generally to conform to KRS Chapter 13A, and members asked a brief question about the dentistry controlled-substances changes, which was answered as an alignment with statute. The committee next approved regulations for the Board of Ophthalmic Dispensers, Board of Nursing, and Board of Emergency Medical Services. The ophthalmic dispensers package would revise meeting and recordkeeping language, raise renewal fees, set reinstatement and apprentice-license rules, add complaint and hearing procedures, and repeal a duplicative regulation. The nursing regulations would streamline approval of training programs and require notice and documentation of site visits and deficiencies. EMS rules would create five EMS medical director certifications, set expiration and renewal requirements, require publication of disciplinary sanctions, and exempt currently approved directors before October 1, 2026. Staff amendments were adopted without objection on each set. The Education and Labor Cabinet’s school transportation regulation drew extended discussion. The agency explained the changes were intended to implement Senate Bill 46 and update references affected by later legislation, including an oral amendment to delete a subsection reference tied to KRS 160.380. The committee adopted both the agency and oral amendments without objection after brief questions about the scope of the bill changes and van transportation for students. The committee then heard a lengthy package from the Department for Public Health on WIC and related nutrition program regulations, including updates to infant and child certification periods, documentation requirements, vendor criteria, sanctions, hearing procedures, and high-risk vendor standards. Staff amendments were adopted without objection. Finally, the committee considered the Inspector General’s regulation for freestanding birthing centers, which included both staff and agency amendments. The agency changes would require two neonatal resuscitation program-certified staff, set rules for medical director vacancies and appeals, revise facility and staffing terminology, adjust transfer-agreement requirements, and allow waivers when agreements cannot be secured. Mary Katherine DeLodder of the Kentucky Birth Coalition testified in support, saying the parties had worked through concerns and were ready to move forward. The committee then moved on to Medicaid’s 1915C child waiver regulations, where staff amendments were adopted, but Lucy Heskins of Kentucky Protection and Advocacy testified against the package because it did not include person-directed services, which she said are required by Kentucky law and important for families using the waiver.
KY
Transcript Highlights:
  • They are the Commonwealth's Child Support Services and the new Office of Data Privacy.
  • Finally, I'd like to discuss our next mission, the Commonwealth's Office of Data Privacy.
  • They are the Commonwealth's Child Support Services and the new Office of Data Privacy.
  • Finally, I'd like to discuss our next mission, the Commonwealth's Office of Data Privacy.
  • and</c><00:19:45.600><c> Child</c> the Office of Data Privacy and Child the Office of Data Privacy and
Summary: The Budget Review Subcommittee on General Government, Finance, Personnel, and Public Retirement heard presentations from the Secretary of State, the Attorney General’s Office, and the Department of Agriculture. Secretary of State Michael Adams said his office had no major new budget or authority requests, but he updated members on voter-roll maintenance, ongoing litigation over a law preventing voting in multiple states, the Safe at Home program for domestic violence survivors, human trafficking outreach, reduced spending, and new anti-fraud measures for business registrations and electronic service of process. Members then discussed Adams’ remarks, especially his criticism of Kentuckians for the Commonwealth. One senator objected that the organization should not be shut out of the legislative process, citing First Amendment concerns. Adams responded that he was not seeking to ban anyone from speaking, but wanted lawmakers to remember the harm he believes the group’s litigation does to election integrity and bipartisan reform. Representative Jackson praised Adams and his staff for their work. Deputy Attorney General Rob Duncan outlined the office’s work, including criminal prosecutions, civil litigation, body armor grants, administrative hearings, domestic violence and violent crime initiatives, election security, child support services, and the new Office of Data Privacy. He said the child support program transition from CHFS had created budget shortfalls and that the office would seek additional funding next session. In response to questions from Representative Lockett, Duncan said he did not yet have exact cost figures but expected funding needs and noted barriers related to personnel, budgeting, and integration. The committee also heard from Agriculture Commissioner Jonathan Shell, who highlighted the Kentucky Office of Agricultural Policy’s 25th anniversary, the new Office of Economic Development, and the role of Miss Kentucky in promoting agriculture. He said the department would seek recruitment and retention funding, possible staffing for EV station inspections, and continued support to make the agriculture economic development fund permanent.
KY
Transcript Highlights:
  • of this, was the Office of Performance Audits, and just because of a redirection of how to use the office
  • of this, was the Office of Performance Audits, and just because of a redirection of how to use the office
  • c><00:22:43.000><c> financial</c> office with our office of financial office with our office of financial
  • Finally, we were tasked with the office of data privacy that will go live in January 2026.
  • 36:21.960><c> data</c> were tasked with the office of data were tasked with the office of data privacy
Summary: The Budget Review Subcommittee on General Government met for its first meeting and heard budget-related presentations from the Auditor of Public Accounts and the Secretary of State, with the Treasurer beginning a presentation at the end of the transcript. Auditor Allison Ball reviewed her office’s 2024 and early 2025 work, including hundreds of county and state audits, several special examinations, and ongoing reviews such as the kinship care funding issue, the Kentucky Department of Education audit, and the Jefferson County Public Schools audit. She said her office is focused on waste, fraud, abuse, and legal compliance, and asked the committee to consider future budget changes, including aligning her appropriation with restricted funding and restoring a stronger performance-audit function. She also highlighted audits that exposed serious problems, including the Department of Juvenile Justice review, and said those reports are intended to serve as models for other entities to avoid similar failures. Secretary of State Michael Adams said his office is self-sustaining through fees and does not need tax dollars, but asked for greater access to its own revenues and more flexibility in using them. He highlighted the Safe at Home address confidentiality program, saying recent changes expanded protections for survivors of domestic violence, sexual assault, and human trafficking, and that the program has grown rapidly while remaining funded by offender fines. Adams also urged lawmakers to again adjust county election funding for inflation, noting the current per-voter and per-precinct amounts were set decades ago. In questioning, Representative Hart asked whether the Safe at Home program was self-funding; Adams replied that it covers only about 10% of its operating cost and said the best solution would be to let the office use more of the revenue it already collects rather than rely on tax dollars. Treasurer Martin Medcafe, introduced with staff member Russell Weber, praised the General Assembly’s fiscal discipline and described the Treasury’s work in managing state funds. He reported strong results from the Unclaimed Property Fund, saying the office returned $35.5 million to Kentuckians in its first year and $3.8 million in the first month of the current year, and said the State Investments Commission generated $682 million in returns last year. He also highlighted financial literacy efforts through the Kentucky Financial Empowerment Commission and said the Treasury is helping manage opioid settlement funds, which are now earning up to $200,000 per month through investment. No votes or formal actions were taken in the portion of the meeting provided.
KY
Transcript Highlights:
  • Um, the transition of the child support program to the office of the attorney general was successful.
  • Um, the transition of the child support program to the office of the attorney general was successful.
  • The office of the attorney inherited.
  • within the Kentucky Office of the Attorney General.
  • force within the Kentucky Office of Homeland Security.
Summary: The House Budget Review Subcommittee on General Government heard presentations on several Attorney General and Homeland Security budget items. Amy Burke of the Department of Child Support Services said the program inherited a structural shortfall of more than $13 million after the transition from CHFS, including about $14 million in federal child support incentive funds that had been used to cover core operating costs and county attorney contracts. She explained that federal law requires incentive funds to supplement, not supplant, baseline services, and said the Attorney General’s budget request seeks general fund support to replace that gap and help balance the program going forward. Members asked for clarification on the misuse of the funds, the size of the shortfall, and whether the requested money would be unrestricted; staff said the intent is to use it as a contract offset for core services. Commissioner Rich Ferretti then presented the Department of Criminal Investigations’ request for additional staffing and a Western Kentucky Digital Forensics Lab. He said DCI wants one additional special victims unit investigator and one digital forensic examiner to handle increasingly digital cases involving child exploitation, sexual assault, human trafficking, and technology-facilitated abuse. He also described plans for a lab in Mayfield, co-located with the new Mayfield Police Department facility, to reduce travel time, speed forensic processing, and improve access for rural communities. Committee members responded positively and asked no substantive questions. Finally, the Office of Homeland Security outlined Kentucky’s Next Generation 911 project. Officials said the current 911 system was built for landlines, while most calls now come from mobile devices, and the upgrade will add precise location routing plus text, photo, and video capability. Shelley Clark described the funding model, including wireless subscriber fees and a dedicated tech fund, and reviewed progress on mapping, vendor selection, and migration to the new platform, with completion expected by July 2027. Members asked about local maintenance costs and the impact on rural areas; officials said maintenance is local but supported in part by collected funds, and implementation will not be delayed for rural localities. The meeting concluded with no votes or formal actions taken.
MN

Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session

House Judiciary Finance and Civil Law Committee 3/26/26

Judiciary Finance and Civil Law

Transcript Highlights:
  • </c> through the office of justice programs. through the office of justice programs.
  • </c> it says the officer in charge of the it says the officer in charge of the police<01:20:18.880><c
  • </c><02:02:20.520><c> is</c> Office of the Legislative Auditor is Office of the Legislative Auditor is
  • c> auditor</c><02:03:18.680><c> to</c> the office of the legislative auditor to the office of the legislative
  • </c><02:14:38.280><c> of</c> has the gives the OIG, the uh Office of has the gives the OIG, the uh Office
KY
Transcript Highlights:
  • That was outside of the scope of this office.
  • ><c> of</c><00:13:37.839><c> this</c><00:13:38.079><c> office.
  • </c><00:13:39.040><c> We</c> outside of the scope of this office.
  • We outside of the scope of this office.
  • </c><00:31:57.679><c> of</c><00:31:57.919><c> education</c> agenda for the office of education agenda
Summary: The subcommittee heard an Office of Education Accountability report on Kentucky’s early childhood regional training centers (RTCs). OEA said the centers provide valuable training, consultation, technical assistance, and materials for preschool personnel, especially for children with disabilities and at-risk students, and that the services align with state and federal requirements. However, the report found uneven student and teacher populations across regions, wide variation in per-student funding, some staffing data inaccuracies, and several fiscal oversight concerns, including inconsistent indirect cost rates, a building rental charge that may have been duplicative, and host districts recording RTC expenditures in a way that could blur them with district finances. OEA also said some documentation of progress toward goals was incomplete and that the technology lending library appeared underused. The report recommended stronger KDE oversight, uniform coding and accounting practices, review of budgets and expenditures, and an evaluation of whether the current five-center model remains the most efficient structure; OEA also suggested the General Assembly may wish to revisit KRS 157.318. Members asked about KDE’s response, whether the centers are required by federal law, how the centers operate, and whether changing the model would affect federal funding. OEA said KDE had only discussed the findings informally and had not issued a formal response, the centers are required by state law but not federal law, and changing the model would not jeopardize IDEA preschool funds. The committee accepted the report by motion. The subcommittee then approved the minutes from its July 14, 2025 meeting after initially delaying action because quorum was not yet present. After that, members turned to the Office of Education Accountability’s proposed 2026 study agenda. OEA said the three proposed topics are the annual district data profiles, facilities funding, and implementation of early literacy statutes. The district profiles would add an appendix showing the number and percentage of students moving to private school or homeschool by district and another appendix noting data-quality issues that affect comparability. OEA explained that district staffing data can undercount contract staff because those employees are not always entered into the system, and members expressed interest in tracking whether prior recommendations were implemented. One senator also raised a separate interest in reviewing whether KDE created and implemented regulations related to KFIX. The discussion remained informational, with no final vote on the study agenda shown in the transcript excerpt.
WA

Washington 2025-2026 Regular Session

House State Government & Tribal Relations Feb 18th, 2026 at 01:30 pm

State Government & Tribal Relations

Transcript Highlights:
  • by county auditors, and a statewide voter registration database maintained by the office of the Secretary
  • If I can ask for clarification, the county auditors and the Secretary of State's office routinely share
  • I think it should be through our Secretary of State's office. I think it should be methodical.
  • the project, and the committee consisted... ...by the Office of the Lieutenant Governor in partnership
  • All expenses and staff support for the committee are provided by the Office of the Lieutenant Governor
Bills: SCR8406, SB5892, SB5863
Summary: The committee heard testimony on three measures. SB 5892 would tighten control over public records requests for the statewide voter registration database, requiring requests to be handled by the Secretary of State, barring county election offices from producing records from that database, and creating Class C felony penalties for unauthorized disclosure of certain sensitive voter information. The Secretary of State supported the bill as a clarification/update for the VoteWA system, while one public witness opposed it, arguing it could undermine clean voter rolls and election integrity. The committee also heard SCR 8406, which would reestablish the Joint Select Committee on Civic Health and expand its membership. Supporters, including the Lieutenant Governor, Senator Lovick, Representative Dye, and others, described the committee as a way to continue work on respectful dialogue, common ground, and civic education. Testimony emphasized that the committee’s work helps strengthen democracy and civic engagement, and no opposition was presented. Finally, SB 5863 would extend the moratorium on destroying Lakeland Village records until fiscal year 2030 and make restricted records transferred to state archives open to inspection after 75 years without requiring a separate archivist determination. Senator Kaufman and several advocates testified in support, saying the bill would preserve disability history, protect evidence and accountability, and honor former residents and their families. After hearing testimony on all three measures, the chair closed the hearings and announced the committee would caucus on scheduled bills; no votes were taken in the transcript.
KY
Transcript Highlights:
  • officer, decrease the hearing period for the removal of an election officer from 30 days to 7, create
  • of proof for the removal of an election<00:03:19.360><c> officer.
  • </c> Office of the Attorney General, Office of Regulatory Relief, 40, K1210, 1100, 1100, 1100, 12, and
  • "Uh, Steve Humphre is Executive Director of the Kentucky Office of Regulatory Relief."
  • </c><00:13:56.959><c> of</c><00:13:57.120><c> legal</c> that the contract with office of legal that the
Summary: The Administrative Regulation Review Subcommittee met for its January meeting, approved the minutes from the prior meeting, and welcomed the new regulations compiler. The first item was a repealer from the Council on Postsecondary Education, 13 KAR 2:111, which was explained as necessary because Senate Bill 77 from the 2025 session removed the regulatory authority for advanced practice doctoral degree programs at comprehensive universities. No questions were raised, and the repealer moved forward without objection. The subcommittee then reviewed a large package of State Board of Elections regulations with staff-suggested amendments. The package would update definitions and election procedures, require e-poll books to be ready before polls open, change the standard and timeline for removing an election officer, add oversight by a State Board appointee on election days, recognize the Kentucky party, require voter registration records to be added to electronic voter records, require ballots to fit all races and questions on a single sheet, adjust precinct consolidation petition deadlines, and update incorporated forms and identification references. The package was approved without objection. The Office of the Attorney General’s Office of Regulatory Relief also presented multiple regulations with staff amendments, covering funeral planning declarations, cemetery companies, pre-need cemetery merchandise and funeral/burial contract sellers, and crematory contract sellers. These changes were described as adding specificity, streamlining forms and reporting, and bringing the regulations into compliance with KRS Chapter 13A; they were approved without objection. The Board of Examiners of Psychology presented several regulations, including compact rules, grace-period extensions, and significant fee increases for applications, renewals, reinstatements, exam retakes, and reciprocity. Board representatives said the increases were needed because many fees had not been raised since 2002, the board was operating at a deficit, and legal and administrative costs had risen sharply after the termination of state legal services. Members expressed concern about the size of the increases, but the chair said he would not hold the matter up and would raise the issue with the committee of jurisdiction. The subcommittee also approved staff amendments for the Energy and Environment Cabinet’s air quality regulations and the Education and Labor Cabinet’s education regulations, which updated nontraditional instruction procedures, waiver requests, instruction topics, superintendent assessment requirements, and academic standards. The meeting ended with the next meeting scheduled for February 9 at 1 p.m., and the agenda was adjourned without further objection.
TX
Transcript Highlights:
  • Fires in front of this committee and experts on this area of the law. Welcome to each of you.
  • procedure, the uniform format, and all of those kinds of things.
  • So the file version of the bill did a couple of things.
  • Some of those have involved jurisdictional challenges, and some of those have already been disposed of
  • As a resource, with the passage of House Bill 19 last session, the Office of Court Administration (OCA
FL

Florida 2026 Regular Session

Rules Mar 3rd, 2026

Rules

Transcript Highlights:
  • The statement must be submitted at the time of subscribing to the oath of office.
  • Chris Newland, Florida Society of Plastic Surgeons: ...The standards of care for office surgery suites
  • This bill seeks to add to the definition of reasonable expectation of privacy the term and the concept
  • It clarifies that NICA must submit to the Office of Insurance Regulation the plan of operations."
  • "It clarifies that NICA must submit to the Office of Insurance Regulation the plan of operations and
Summary: The committee first took up SB 354, the “Blue Ribbon Projects” bill, which creates a framework for large planned communities on at least 15,000 contiguous acres with 60% reserved area and a streamlined local review process. Senator McLean presented the bill and a strike-all amendment, and members raised concerns about local control, conservation enforceability, data centers, concurrency, multi-county projects, and whether reserve lands could later be converted. Audubon Florida and 1,000 Friends of Florida opposed the bill, arguing the conservation protections were not permanent enough and that the reserve areas could be changed later; small-county representatives also worried about tax-base impacts. Supporters argued the bill would better manage growth, preserve green space, and provide a more orderly alternative to sprawl. After debate, the committee voted to report the bill favorably. The committee then approved SB 620 on candidate qualifying, which requires candidates for federal, state, county, district, judiciary, school, and school board offices to disclose any non-U.S. citizenship. Amendments added disclosure about whether federal candidates intend to trade stock if elected and adjusted 2026 congressional qualifying procedures in the event of redistricting, including a new qualifying window and petition rules. The bill was reported favorably after brief support from a member of the public and discussion about candidate vetting. The committee also reported favorably CS/CS/CS/SB 1452, a Department of Financial Services bill with amendments addressing My Safe Florida Home notices, condo pilot eligibility, firefighter hiring, unclaimed property, and related financial-services provisions. Next, the committee approved CS/CS/SB 1620, a school board members’ bill of rights. A substitute amendment narrowed the bill to access to records, fiscal transparency, and nondisclosure agreements, while preserving board members’ rights to timely documents, budget information, and public comment, and setting deadlines for records requests. Superintendents and a school board member testified in support, saying the bill clarifies roles and prevents board members from being frozen out. The committee also passed CS/HB 245, which replaces the term “child pornography” with “child sexual abuse material”; one senator supported the terminology change but warned about preserving legal precedent and avoiding appellate issues. The committee then reported favorably SB 1548, an update to the Live Local affordable housing law expanding eligible sites and clarifying setbacks, airport proximity, and fair-housing protections. Finally, the committee took up the veterinary medicine bill creating veterinary professional associates. The bill allows trained master’s-level VPAs to perform limited veterinary services under a veterinarian’s supervision, and an amendment tightened the standard to immediate supervision on premises. Supporters said the measure would expand access to care, especially in rural areas with vet shortages, while opponents argued it added unnecessary regulation. After testimony from veterinary educators and others, the bill continued with support expressed by committee members, including praise for the direct-supervision amendment.
MN

Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session

House Judiciary Finance and Civil Law Committee 3/18/25

Judiciary Finance and Civil Law

Transcript Highlights:
  • the Minnesota Association of County Officers.
  • In addition to representing recording records, I’m also here on behalf of other county officers, including
  • For these reasons, the County Recorders Association and the Association of County Officers cannot support
  • of County officers cannot Association of County officers cannot support<01:29:30.440><c> the</c><01:
  • office of the Secretary overseen by the office of the Secretary of<01:31:23.520><c> State</c><01:31:23.920
KY
Transcript Highlights:
  • We refer those to the Kentucky Department of Education, Office of Early Learning and Special Education
  • :08:27.919><c> and</c><00:08:28.160><c> Special</c> Office of Early Learning and Special Office of Early
  • </c><00:08:46.320><c> of</c> the United States Department Office of the United States Department Office
  • the day from the first presentation of the day from the office<00:57:00.079><c> of</c><00:57:00.319>
  • ><c> and</c> office of education accountability and office of education accountability and district<00
Summary: The subcommittee opened its first meeting with roll call and procedural business, including elections of co-chairs. The House elected Representative Truett as House co-chair, and the Senate elected Senator Denine as Senate co-chair. After the organizational votes, the committee heard the Office of Educational Accountability’s annual report, beginning with Brian Jones and Deborah Nelson describing OEA’s investigations and research divisions and recent staffing turnover. On the investigations side, OEA said it handled complaints only when submitted in writing and generally opened cases only when it had enough facts to evaluate. Jones reported complaint volume declined from 805 in 2023 to 738 in 2024, with 325 in the first half of the current year. He outlined the kinds of matters OEA investigates, including school-based council issues, open meetings, board eligibility, nepotism, conflicts of interest, certification, activity funds, and surplus property, while noting that routine personnel matters, bullying, child interviews, and cases tied to litigation are generally handled locally or referred elsewhere. He also said OEA refers special education, assessment/testing, discrimination, and serious misconduct matters to the appropriate agencies, and that he did not see a need for statutory changes to improve OEA’s work, though he said cases should move more quickly. The research division presentation focused on OEA’s district data profiles and annual research agenda. Nelson explained that OEA reviews KDE-reported data and underlying datasets to verify accuracy, analyze trends, and produce reports for the General Assembly. She highlighted 2024 publications on district governance models and student achievement, and said this year’s agenda includes district data profiles, student discipline analysis, and a review of early childhood regional training centers. She also noted OEA received an NCSL notable document award for its 2023 staffing shortages report, its 10th such award. Sabrina Smith then walked through the district data profiles, which compile demographic, staffing, finance, and performance data for all 171 districts, plus statewide and comparative data. She noted changes in the report format, the continued availability of an online interactive version, and several trends: adjusted average daily attendance declined statewide from 2015 to 2024; the counselor-to-student ratio has improved but has not yet reached the statutory goal of one counselor per 250 students; the share of teachers moving from rank three to rank two has declined; special education identification has risen from 13% to 16%; and starting teacher salaries vary widely by district, with Kentucky’s average starting salary around $40,000 ranking near the bottom compared with surrounding states and the nation. Members asked about the history of the research division and whether the paper copies of the district profiles would continue, and staff said the printed versions would continue unless legislators asked otherwise.