Transcript Highlights:

• She also said that 21 states have enacted laws permitting the use of infant safety devices as a legal
• She said that is why she is here: to hopefully save even one baby's life. have enacted laws permitting
• the use of have enacted laws permitting the use of infant<00:06:46.479><c> safety</c><00:06:46.840><
• So this is a plan that would permit that?
• So this is a plan that would permit that?

Bills: HF837, HF1903, HF499, HF794

Keywords: health insurance, premium security plan, federal funding, state innovation waiver, Minnesota, newborn safety, anonymity, healthcare provider, safe place, child welfare, HF499, nursing, nurse licensure, temporary permit, temporary nursing permit, Board of Nursing, endorsement licensure, reregistration, refresher course, health occupations

Transcript Highlights:

• One of these waivers is the Individual and Family Services waiver, also known as IFS, which is for developmentally
• The IFS waiver is not an entitlement, and as a result, the caseload is capped at 7,610 individuals.
• One of these waivers is the individual and family services waiver, also known as IFS, which is for developmentally
• We were able to put it as a waiver and really, at the time, take advantage of some federal funds.
• Having Individual and Family Services as a waiver actually has saved the state money over time.

Bills: SB5834, SB5835, SB5883, SB5905, SB6151, SB6163, SB6177, SB6173

Keywords: Washington retirement systems, retirement trust funds, interest earnings, public employee retirement system, teachers retirement system, state patrol retirement system, judicial retirement system, judges retirement system, school employees retirement system, public safety employees retirement system, law enforcement officers and firefighters retirement system, PERS, TRS, LERS, legal expenses, medical expenses, administrative expenses, fraud prevention, overpayment recovery, trust fund protection

Summary: The Ways and Means Committee met on January 20, 2026, for public hearings on several Senate bills and to move three bills out of committee. The committee heard first on SB 5834, which would make permanent a temporary expansion allowing retirement system trust funds to pay certain administrative expenses from interest earnings; DRS supported the bill and noted an actuarial note showing an indeterminate impact. The committee then heard SB 5835, which would raise the lump-sum retirement allowance threshold for Plan 2 members to match Plan 3 and allow annual adjustment; DRS described it as a technical consistency change with a small one-time systems cost. Both bills were heard only, with no action taken in the transcript. The committee then entered executive session and moved Substitute SB 5249, Substitute SB 5053, and Substitute SB 5203 without recommendation to the Rules Committee, subject to signatures. Staff summarized 5249 as allowing kit homes for emergency housing, 5053 as allowing certain counties to include school district boundaries when forming a public facilities district, and 5203 as directing state agencies to develop wildlife habitat connectivity strategy and creating related accounts. All three motions passed without recorded opposition. Back in public hearing, the committee heard SB 5883 on SEBB eligibility for school employees in their second school year of employment. Supporters, including labor representatives and individual school workers, said the current two-year look-back causes gaps in coverage and hardship for substitutes and paraeducators; opponents, including school district officials and administrators, argued it would create an unfunded mandate, increase district costs, and add administrative burden. The committee also heard SB 5905, which would exclude certain port workers already covered by federal railroad retirement or collectively bargained pension plans from PERS membership; ports, labor, and DRS supported the bill as a narrow technical fix, and the bill was heard without action. The committee then heard SB 6151, which would create dedicated accounts for Ecology fee revenue related to laboratory accreditation and landfill methane work; Ecology and county representatives supported it as a transparency and reinvestment measure. Finally, the committee heard SB 6163, which would require the Individual and Family Services waiver for developmental disability services to be funded at maintenance level and tied to the caseload forecast. Disability advocates said the bill would stabilize services and reduce wait lists, while the fiscal note discussion indicated increased general fund costs. The committee also heard SB 6177, which would require additional budget information on the LEAP fiscal website, and SB 6173, which would create an Apple Health employer assessment on certain large employers with Medicaid-enrolled workers after federal work requirements take effect. SB 6173 drew strong support from health advocates, labor, and patient groups as a way to protect Medicaid funding, and strong opposition from business, retail, hospitality, and hospital groups, who called it an unfair tax and raised administrative and legal concerns. No votes were taken on the public hearing bills in the transcript, and the meeting ended with a reminder that signature sheets would be held for 24 hours under Senate rules.

Transcript Highlights:

• Signs and placards are not permitted in the hearing room.
• </c><00:00:41.120><c> in</c> Signs and placards are not permitted in Signs and placards are not permitted
• If there is any appropriate use of those permitting surpluses, it is this.
• If there is any appropriate use of those permitting surpluses, it is this.
• Generally, the permitting fees are covering the work to do the permit in general, but as we heard from

Bills: HF4615, HF3532, HF4492, HF4171

Keywords: military, pay, officers, enlisted members, state active service, Minnesota Statutes, veterans, burial eligibility, honor guard, state cemeteries, military service, burial fees, veterans affairs, Minnesota Department of Veterans Affairs, advisory task force, commanders task force, veterans service organizations, American Legion, Veterans of Foreign Wars, VFW

Transcript Highlights:

• Again, this has been the practice since the permits were created.
• But if you simply purchase this permit... Let me bring up Jimmy Archer.
• This pertains to the permitting of the over axle tolerance and the bonds that we have.
• It doesn't exempt the requirement to obtain the permit; they still have to obtain the permit, right?
• So it doesn't exempt the requirement to have the permit.

Bills: SB215, SB1104, SB1351, SB1931, SB2245, SB2589, SB2707, SB2807, SB1423, SB1568

Keywords: education, funding, school districts, local control, equity, digital identification, identity verification, Department of Public Safety, Texas legislature, wireless communication, Texas, technology, identification program, fee structure, wireless devices, public safety, hunting license, handgun license, fingerprinting, dealer license

Transcript Highlights:

• Minnesota is not ready to apply for a federal waiver and enact a public option.
• We're looking to consider it by continuing and going forward with the waiver.
• We're looking to consider it by continuing and going forward with the waiver.
• </c> there's no reason to shut this waiver there's no reason to shut this waiver down<01:37:05.040><c
• </c><01:37:12.920><c> is</c> table when the waiver is table when the waiver is approved<01:37:15.360>

Bills: HF10, HF27

Keywords: undocumented immigrants, state funding, MinnesotaCare, scholarship ineligibility, state assistance, permit to carry, concealed carry, handgun permit, firearm permit, pistol training, sheriff, application process, electronic filing, mail application, fax submission, certified mail, certified delivery, gun rights, Second Amendment, firearms regulation

Transcript Highlights:

• These permits can include land use permits, environmental permits, conditional use permits, and are known
• as project permits.
• These permits can include land use permits, environmental permits, conditional use permits, and are known
• as project permits.
• are vested at a project permit versus a building permit.

Bills: HB2228, HB2273, HB2418, HB2381

Keywords: building code, safety regulations, construction, scissor stairs, state standards, embodied carbon, building materials, sustainability, environment, permit review, project permits, land use, zoning, development regulations, residential development, housing permits, affordable housing, local government, county planning, city planning

Summary: The committee heard three housing- and building-code bills. HB 2228 would direct the State Building Code Council to convene a technical advisory group to recommend code amendments allowing scissor stairs in buildings with more than two dwelling units. The sponsor and several architects, developers, and housing advocates said scissor stairs can improve safety-compliant design efficiency, reduce corridor and stair footprint, and support more housing units on smaller sites. No opposition testimony was heard before the public hearing closed. HB 2381 would create a performance-based code pathway for low-rise residential buildings and allow recognition of third-party certifications. The sponsor described it as a shift from prescriptive rules to performance outcomes, with potential benefits for innovation and affordability. The Building Industry Association of Washington opposed the bill as written, saying the real need is a usable performance pathway in the energy code and suggesting an energy rating index instead. FutureWise supported the concept but urged caution about the complexity and timeline of converting code to a performance-based system. HB 2418 would change permit review processes for housing projects in urban growth areas, including vesting rules, review timelines for local governments and other fee-charging entities, and a requirement for a single permit responsible official and point of contact by 2027. Housing and development groups largely supported the bill’s coordination and timeline provisions, though some asked for clearer definitions of completeness and procedural details. FutureWise and county representatives raised concerns about the vesting changes and possible litigation, while the sponsor said the bill was intended to improve certainty and reduce permitting delays. The committee also heard HB 2273, which would require embodied-carbon reduction standards for large building projects through reuse, product-based reductions, or whole-building life-cycle assessment. Supporters from architects, Commerce, and environmental justice advocates said it would help meet climate goals and could be implemented with limited cost impacts, while concrete and aggregate industry representatives and a taxpayer group opposed it, citing supply-chain concerns, conflicts with other legislation, and affordability impacts. No votes or final actions were taken; the public hearings were closed and the committee adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> allows for timely transfer of permits. allows for timely transfer of permits.
• to that permit.
• </c> look at all of the permits. look at all of the permits.
• Refunding permit fees with the permit.
• </c> they use the permit? they use the permit? &gt;&gt; Mr.<01:39:55.840><c> M.</c> Mr.

Bills: HF4253, HF4257, HF3236, HF4264, HF4149, HF4019

Keywords: boat storage structures, public waters, natural resources, rule amendments, watercraft canopy, PFAS, environmental regulation, manufacturers, public health, product safety, groundwater, water appropriation, water-use permit, water permit, aquifer test, aquifer, well construction, groundwater permit, Department of Natural Resources, DNR

Bills: SB243, HB338, SB265, SB233, HB302

Keywords: Jefferson County, pistol permit, gun permit, firearm license, concealed carry, carry permit, sheriff, permit fee, local bill, county revenue, school funding, school security, retirement system, Sheriff's Fund, legislative delegation office fund, Gardendale, Birmingham, firearms regulation, Second Amendment, local government finance

Bills: HB1845, HB2192, HB2438, HB2529, HB2607, HB2658, HB3348, HB3505, HB3305

Keywords: rural prosecution, salary assistance, staffing grant, legal support, criminal justice, fireworks, permit requirements, sale, county regulations, public safety, hospital district, administration, elections, director qualifications, public contracts, salary supplement, county judges, judicial functions, state law, government compensation

Bills: SB1021, SB1144, SB1164, SB1178, SB1181, SB1241, SB1247, SB1286, SB1415, SCR1011

Keywords: health profession, regulatory boards, criminal activity, notification, auditor general, investigations, veterinary technicians, certification, education alternative, Arizona Revised Statutes, veterinary education, ALTCS, providers, ownership change, healthcare, Arizona Long Term Care System, naturopathic physician, naturopathic medicine, naturopathic doctor, naturopathic physicians medical board

Transcript Highlights:

• Next up is House Bill 2418 concerning permit review processes.
• to issue final administrative decisions on project permit applications.
• This would provide that a waiver of the time period for a government entity's review of a project permit
• This is the 2418 permit review. So I would like to move Amendment 420.
• They begin their work until the city issues their permit.

Bills: HB2228, HB2273, HB2381, HB2418, HB2388, HB2183, HB2224, HB2267, HB2174, HB1529

Keywords: building code, safety regulations, construction, scissor stairs, state standards, embodied carbon, building materials, sustainability, environment, performance-based codes, building regulations, residential construction, energy efficiency, sustainable design, permit review, project permits, land use, zoning, development regulations, residential development

Summary: The Local Government Committee met in executive session to consider several bills, with HB 2267 and HB 2388 removed from consideration and HB 1529 also removed later due to a technical issue. Staff briefed measures on scissor-stair regulations (HB 2228), embodied carbon in buildings (HB 2273), performance-based building code pathways (HB 2381), permit review processes (HB 2418), county heat response plans (HB 2183), fire protection districts (HB 2224), crash prevention zones (HB 2174), and city use of county road resources (HB 1529). Members discussed amendments on several bills, including changes to heat plan language, permit waiver timing, and building code provisions. HB 2228, as a proposed substitute, was advanced 7-0 after members said the scissor-stair concept could improve housing design while maintaining fire safety. HB 2273, which would require embodied-carbon rules and reporting for buildings, passed 4-3 after supporters emphasized reducing construction emissions and opponents said the industry was not ready. HB 2381 passed 4-3 after adopting Amendment REN 056 and rejecting REN 057; supporters said the bill would create a performance-based compliance option, while opponents objected to making the appendix mandatory for local adoption. HB 2418 passed 7-0 after adopting Amendment 420 and a proposed substitute that removed vesting language, clarified completeness review, and allowed permit-timeline waivers. HB 2183 passed 4-3 after adopting four amendments that updated terminology, addressed grid reliability during heat events, removed subsidy language, and shifted plan development authority to county legislative authorities working with local agencies. HB 2224 passed 6-1 after a substitute revised levy and taxing-limit language for fire protection districts, with the sponsor saying stakeholder concerns had been addressed. HB 2174 passed 6-1 after a substitute renamed the concept crash prevention zones, set a $73 traffic infraction penalty, and created a dedicated account for the funds; members supported the safety goal but raised liability concerns for local governments. The committee adjourned after completing its work for the day and week.

Transcript Highlights:

• Now, these are cumulative impacts, but TCEQ permits—or the permitting process at TCEQ—only applies to
• the air permits, not to the other cumulative impacts.
• amended standard air permit.
• their permit to match the most recent up-to-date amendment.
• permit for which you applied.

Bills: HB573, HB1499, HB1768, HB3071, HB3249, HB3866, HB4112

Keywords: environmental enforcement, legislative oversight, inspection, concrete plants, Texas Commission on Environmental Quality, environmental product declaration, grant program, ready-mixed concrete, manufacturers, sustainability, concrete plant, concrete batch plant, wet batching, dry batching, central mixing, standard permit, TCEQ, environmental regulation, air quality, construction permit

Transcript Highlights:

• service called individualized home supports with training, which supports people on the disability waiver
• IHS is one of the services available to people on a disability waiver who are living in their own home
• They'll probably look at county case waiver management procedures, budget setting, etc.
• all, you're absolutely correct, the legislature will have to act to make adjustments to what's in waiver
• case manager procedure, uh uh waiver case manager procedure, uh uh<01:13:25.960><c> claims</c><01:13

Bills: HF3526, HF3375, HF3469

Keywords: home care, licensing, fines, advisory council, grant program, client safety, healthcare regulation, HF3375, Minnesota disability waiver, waiver rate system, human services, individualized home supports, individualized home supports with training, individualized home supports with family training, positive support services, employment support services, employment development services, employment exploration services, billing limits, service authorization year

Transcript Highlights:

• We agreed to get a waiver that will allow us to operate the program for five years, but the bill only
• We can only fund through two more years because that's all we have on the waiver.
• </c><00:56:42.440><c> be</c> so you're asking that the waiver be so you're asking that the waiver be
• </c><00:56:59.720><c> is</c><00:56:59.880><c> two</c> that's all we have on the waiver is two that's
• all we have on the waiver is two of<00:57:00.200><c> the</c><00:57:00.359><c> five</c><00:57:00.559><

Bills: HF837

Keywords: health insurance, premium security plan, federal funding, state innovation waiver, Minnesota, 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• Um, House Bill 1995 providing that people who are blind or deaf can receive a disabled parking permit
• people</c> House Bill 1995, providing that people who are blind or deaf can receive a disabled parking permit
• Well, let me clarify that we actually allow home kitchens to operate free of any permits or oversight
• The next bill is House Bill 1995 providing disabled parking permits for people who are deaf or blind.

Bills: SB2275, SB2390, SB2540, SB3142, SB2414, SB2340, SB2848

Keywords: Medicaid, disability, buy-in program, workers with disabilities, income eligibility, premium structure, biomarker testing, health insurance, medical coverage, state law, health maintenance organization, juvenile justice, youth penalties, minors, court fees, court costs, fines, surcharges, restitution, fee waiver

Summary: The House Committee on Health heard testimony on a series of bills related to public health, pharmacy regulation, disability access, and health care infrastructure. HB 1535, creating an income tax credit for automated external defibrillator installations, drew support from the Department of Health, tax department comments, and public testimony emphasizing AED access in community and transit settings. HB 1765, requiring safety warnings for spear fishing gear, received comments from DLNR and strong support from a free-diving safety advocate who described blackout risks and argued for point-of-sale warnings. HB 1549, which would repeal the law prohibiting drug paraphernalia, drew mixed testimony: the Department of Health, the Public Defender, and harm-reduction advocates supported repeal as a public health measure, while HPD and a county prosecutor opposed it, warning it could encourage drug use and create public safety issues. The committee also heard HB 1550, which would exclude drug testing products from the definition of drug paraphernalia. The Department of Health and harm-reduction advocates supported the bill, saying drug checking tools save lives and help prevent overdoses, while one written opponent was noted. HB 1995, allowing people who are blind or deaf to receive disabled parking permits, drew opposition from the State Council on Developmental Disabilities, the Disability and Communication Access Board, and other opponents, while a few written supporters were also noted. HB 1671, allowing licensed dental hygienists to place interim therapeutic restorations in public health settings, received support from the Department of Health and several oral health organizations, with the Board of Dentistry offering comments. HB 1643, establishing a framework for pharmacy audits and record retrieval, prompted the most extended discussion. The Board of Pharmacy and independent pharmacy representatives supported the bill as a needed framework to limit burdensome audits and protect patient care, while HMSA raised concerns about possible conflicts with upcoming federal PBM reforms and potential unintended consequences. Committee members questioned both sides about timing and workload, and supporters argued the bill was needed now to protect rural and independent pharmacies. Finally, HB 1978, appropriating funds for a new outpatient care center in North Kona, received strong support from Hawaii Health Systems Corporation, Queen’s Health Systems, the Kona-Kohala Chamber, and others, who described it as a long-term investment in West Hawaii’s health care capacity and economy. No votes or final actions were taken in the portion of the hearing provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• You know, it might work out for a waiver program.
• Quite honestly, Representative, they cannot absorb these cuts, and a potential waiver, you know, when
• Quite honestly, Representative, they cannot absorb these cuts, and a potential waiver, you know, when
• Quite honestly, Representative, they cannot absorb these cuts, and a potential waiver, you know, when
• </c> Additionally the most recent CSM waivers Additionally the most recent CSM waivers Amendment<01:46

Bills: HF2367, HF2319, HF2523, HF1742, HF671, HF2331, HF2722, HF2406, HF1674

Keywords: HF2367, Community First Services and Supports, CFSS, personal care assistance, PCA, consumer-directed community supports, CDCS, home and community-based services, HCBS, direct support professionals, direct care workers, caregivers, support workers, SEIU Healthcare Minnesota & Iowa, collective bargaining agreement, retention stipend, health care cost stipend, training stipend, orientation program, retirement trust

Transcript Highlights:

• Thank you for the opportunity to present Senate Bill 2801, which expands the use of event permits for
• In all the states we go to, we're covered under a permit. All the...
• Participants are covered under this permit.
• Is there a permit needed to do this? Well, that's just what the states require.
• I looked at all the different states and their permits.

Bills: SB2801, SB2232, SCR18

Keywords: SB 2801, Texas Parks and Wildlife, Parks and Wildlife Code, field trial permit, hunting dog field trial, coonhound trial, dog trial, squirrel hunting, fur-bearing animals, nongame animals, hunting license exemption, wildlife management, public land permit, private land hunting, game fish and water safety account, permit fee, commission rules, Parks and Wildlife Department, Unplug Texas Day, digital detox

Bills: SB 8, SB 650, SB 667, SB 779, SB 1349, SB 1355, SB 1378, SB 1585, SB 1721, SB 2312

Keywords: immigration enforcement, ICE agreements, sheriff grants, law enforcement, county jail, federal immigration law, public nuisance, civil actions, legal claims, abatement, Texas law, transnational repression, foreign law enforcement, criminal offenses, law enforcement training, first amendment rights, public safety, liquor, distiller, wholesaler

Transcript Highlights:

• in buildings, for example, that they're renting, but they can't get all the permits to get started.
• I want to be clear that the, the bill does not apply, um, for the permits or licenses.
• So complaints were that the permitting was too costly, took too long, and the application requirements
• Um, for small businesses, time is money, and every day that a business waits on a permit is a day of
• Package stores, distillers, breweries, brew pubs, holders of mixed beverage permits or bars, holders

Bills: SB 28

Keywords: groundwater, groundwater conservation district, Water Code, Water Development Board, modeled available groundwater, aquifer, water permit, groundwater transfer, export groundwater, out-of-district transfer, management area, desired future conditions, well permit, retail public utility, potable water, emergency interconnect, subsidiary, controlled entity, aquifer management, water resources

Bills: HF60, HF3067, HF3730, HF3638, HF3401

Keywords: interchange, bond issuance, transportation, infrastructure funding, Sherburne County, paraprofessional, paraprofessional qualifications, education support staff, teacher aide, teacher assistant, special education, Title I, federal personnel qualifications, Minnesota Department of Education, school district, charter school, cooperative unit, Read Act, reading instruction, math instruction