Transcript Highlights:

• Department of Children and Families.
• Department of Children and Families.
• to negligence by the Florida Department of Transportation.
• officials: the governor, members of the Cabinet, and the head of the Florida Department of Law Enforcement
• officials: the governor, members of the Cabinet, and the head of the Florida Department of Law Enforcement

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> some amendments to the piece of some amendments to the piece of legislation,<00:10:27.040><c> and
• Uh, this is about growing tourism in the state of Alabama, but it's also about growing our small business
• Uh, many of you have been on some of these educational tours.
• </c> about growing tourism in the state of about growing tourism in the state of Alabama,<00:11:37.519
• of the general public and limited to individuals 21 years of age and over.

Bills: SB265 , HB593

Committee: House Economic Development and Tourism

Keywords: data processing centers, tax abatements, economic development, construction related taxes, energy infrastructure, small craft distilleries, wineries, alcoholic beverages, licensing, craft beverage industry

Transcript Highlights:

• Dear Lord, we thank you for this day and for the opportunity to serve the people of Alabama.
• For the opportunity to serve the people of Alabama.
• </c> make sure we make note of that. make sure we make note of that.
• </c> uh you know, I have a lot of children. uh you know, I have a lot of children.
• a lot of work, a lot of giving back to<00:09:36.000><c> the</c><00:09:36.080><c> community.

Committee: Senate Confirmations

Transcript Highlights:

• And I tell you that it's innovative, and I think our Department of Revenue is doing a great job of being
• And I tell you that it's innovative, and I think our Department of Revenue is doing a great job of being
• And I tell you that it's innovative, and I think our Department of Revenue is doing a great job of being
• sort of the the transportation<01:02:20.400><c> and</c><01:02:20.720><c> access</c> transportation and
• Georgia and Alabama and uh Florida and Georgia and Alabama and uh Florida and some<01:33:05.760><c> of

Summary: The first meeting of the Disaster Prevention and Resiliency Task Force focused on the task force’s mission and on recent Kentucky flooding disasters. The co-chairs described the need to better prepare for increasingly frequent and costly natural disasters, including flooding, tornadoes, wildfires, and ice storms, and emphasized coordination among local, state, federal, and interstate partners. The discussion also stressed the importance of budgeting for mitigation, infrastructure resilience, housing, insurance, and recovery planning, with several members sharing personal experiences with disaster impacts in their districts. Kentucky Emergency Management Director Eric Gibson gave the main presentation, responding to questions about the February and April flooding events. He said the February event affected the entire state, with 11,825 individuals registering for assistance and 1,194 public-assistance projects written so far; he also reported 134 households still sheltered, 190 households moved to permanent housing, and three disaster recovery centers still open after a regional consolidation. For the April event, he said 37 counties had individual assistance, 83 counties were still pending public assistance, and no hazard mitigation had yet been declared; 5,893 people had registered for individual assistance, and 144 households were sheltered, with 83 families already moved to permanent solutions. He noted that counties without public assistance would have to cover expenses locally unless state or federal aid is approved. Gibson also outlined Kentucky Emergency Management’s tools and resources, including a 24/7 state operations center and warning point, embedded National Weather Service meteorologists, five regional warehouses stocked with water, MREs, blankets, and kits, a statewide web-based damage reporting system, laundry trailers, generators, a disaster needs hotline that has received 6,972 calls, and a mutual aid system used to deploy resources such as water tankers. He highlighted ongoing work on urban search and rescue, qualification systems for emergency operations personnel, and aerial documentation of storm damage. No votes or formal actions were taken at this meeting.

Transcript Highlights:

• And finally, beginning January 1, 2030, the Department of Ecology must annually review the definition
• My name is Keith Gonzalez, and I work for the Department of Ecology.
• I originally joined public service at the Department of Congress because I was horrified by the forest
• , when authorized by the Secretary of the Department of Corrections under certain conditions.
• Compared to the underlying bill, the Department of Corrections has an identified determinate cost of

Bills: SB5439 , SB6109 , SB6304

Committee: Senate Ways & Means

Keywords: investment, thermal coal, divestment, state investment board, fossil fuels, environmental impact, renewable energy, detention facilities, state funds, privatization, criminal justice reform, Washington State Investment Board, responsible investment, sustainability, corporate governance

Transcript Highlights:

• I'm the Chief of Criminal Investigations Division for the Texas Department of Public Safety.
• Members, the Office of the Inspector General of the Juvenile Justice Department investigates crimes committed
• The department has two types of youth: youth on determinate sentences for a set number of years and youth
• We learned of some troubling gaps in the, Do Not Hire Registry for Juvenile Justice Department.
• Possession of the unlawfully obtained data stored on the digital imprint of the gift card and The transport

Bills: SB476 , SB664 , SB745 , SB826 , SB989 , SB1080 , SB1171 , SB1320 , SB1437 , SB1727 , SB1809 , SB2289 , SB2320

Committee: Senate Criminal Justice

Summary: The committee heard and advanced several criminal justice bills, with most of the discussion focused on oilfield theft, DWI enforcement, juvenile justice, reentry licensing, jail transparency, and court/judicial standards. SB 1320 would create a DPS oilfield theft unit headquartered in the Permian Basin; supporters from industry, law enforcement, and a district attorney described increasingly sophisticated, organized theft tied to cartels and multi-jurisdictional criminal networks, while DPS said it currently has only two officers working the issue. The committee voted SB 1320 out unanimously and placed it on the local and uncontested calendar. SB 826, which would enhance DWI committed in a school zone to a state jail felony, also passed unanimously after brief explanation and no testimony. SB 1171, adding juvenile justice OIG peace officers to Schedule C salary, was reported favorably on a committee substitute, and SB 1080, which would allow incarcerated people to obtain occupational licenses effective upon release, also passed on a committee substitute after testimony from formerly incarcerated advocates and reentry supporters. The committee also considered several bills aimed at tougher DWI penalties. SB 476 would increase intoxication manslaughter penalties when the offender violates an ignition interlock restriction; the bill was supported by the author, victims’ family members, Galveston officials, and law enforcement, but opposed by the Texas Civil Rights Project, which argued treatment and prevention would be more effective. After discussion about possible amendments, the bill was left pending. SB 745 would create a new first-degree felony option for intoxication manslaughter involving multiple deaths, and it was reported favorably after testimony from a prosecutor supporting the need for a stronger sentencing option. SB 2320 would broadly increase penalties for DWI offenses, including first-time DWI, DWI with an open container, high-BAC DWI, and repeat offenses; it was supported by a grieving family member and a sheriff, and the committee voted it out favorably. On juvenile justice, SB 1727 would expand tools to address assaults on staff at Texas Juvenile Justice Department facilities by lowering the age for transfer to adult prison in some cases, allowing earlier transfer of determinate-sentence youth, and restricting release when a criminal case is pending. Juvenile probation officials supported the bill as a public safety and victim-rights measure, while the Texas Civil Rights Project opposed it, arguing it would send children to inappropriate adult facilities and conflict with juvenile justice principles; the bill was left pending. SB 1437 would expand the juvenile justice do-not-hire registry to include non-certified positions, and it passed unanimously after supporters said it would help close loopholes that allow predators to move between child-serving jobs. SB 2289, requiring counties that house inmates out of state to report that information and any deaths to the Texas Commission on Jail Standards, also passed unanimously. Finally, SB 989, requiring criminal background checks for court personnel who determine bail, and SB 664, establishing statewide qualifications and oversight for magistrates and associate judges, were explained and discussed as transparency and public-safety measures, with SB 989 reported favorably and SB 664 under committee consideration at the end of the transcript.

Transcript Highlights:

• going out of the Department of Education.
• Business, Department of Risk Management.
• Business, Department of Risk Management.
• The amendment exempts the Department of Transportation from the inspections, but your actual bill doesn't
• Department of State. Senator Davis.

Summary: The Senate opened with prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, doctor and guest introductions, and then took up Committee Substitute for Senate Bill 168, the Tristan Murphy Act, on mental health. Senator Bradley described the bill as a major criminal justice and behavioral health reform measure that would expand pretrial mental health diversion, strengthen treatment-based probation conditions, broaden grant uses for mental health and substance abuse programs, add Hillsborough County to a forensic hospital diversion pilot, require certain DOC mental health evaluations, and create a Florida Behavioral Health Data Repository. Senators from both parties spoke in strong support, emphasizing treatment over incarceration, public safety, data collection, and the Murphy family’s role in advancing the bill. The Senate passed the bill 37-0 and then approved 37 co-sponsors. The chamber then received the Senate’s 2025-26 General Appropriations Bill, SB 2500, with Chair Hooper outlining a $117.4 billion budget that he said reduces spending, preserves reserves, and includes major investments in water quality, transportation, education infrastructure, and reporting requirements. Committee chairs summarized their portions: K-12 funding at $34.7 billion with increases for FEFP, scholarships, VPK, school hardening, and school safety; higher education at $11.5 billion with workforce, nursing, reading, autism, and student aid investments; health and human services with a $1.8 billion increase for Medicaid, mental health, opioid response, disability services, and veterans programs; criminal and civil justice at $7.6 billion for corrections, juvenile justice, law enforcement, courts, and judgeships; transportation/tourism/economic development at about $18 billion including roads, housing, Visit Florida, and cultural grants; and agriculture/environment/general government with major Everglades, water quality, citrus, food bank, and agency IT funding. Members then questioned several budget items, especially education funding formulas, the shift of scholarship dollars below the line, the impact on public school districts, AP/IB and other accelerated program funding, the APD wait list, opioid settlement spending, arts grants, and the My Safe Florida Home and condo pilot programs. Chairs generally said scholarship and accelerated-program dollars were being restructured for transparency and flexibility rather than cut, that school districts would still receive funding based on enrollment, and that APD and other human services issues would continue to be worked out in conference. The budget discussion concluded with remarks praising staff and noting a 4% across-the-board pay raise for state employees and targeted increases for law enforcement and firefighters, followed by a recognition for FAMU Day at the Capitol.

Transcript Highlights:

• Good morning on behalf of the San Bernardino County Sheriff's Department, the Orange...
• The Department of Justice did a lot of work to ensure that this information could be collected, but not
• California's Department of Justice cites research showing that 93% of victims...
• California's Department of Justice cites research showing that 93% of victims suffered significant emotional
• That information with the Department of Homeland Security.

Committee: Senate Public Safety

Summary: The committee met without a quorum and operated as a subcommittee while hearing several bills on public safety, parole, criminal justice oversight, Proposition 36 implementation, behavioral health, gang database reform, cargo theft, and nonconsensual intimate images. The chair explained hearing procedures and noted that SB 906 was pulled from the agenda. Several measures were heard but not voted on because quorum was lacking. SB 1446, a committee bill, would expand discretion in en banc parole review, make en banc votes public record, and allow CDCR referrals for sexually violent predator evaluation of certain incarcerated people serving determinate or indeterminate terms. Support came from the California District Attorneys Association; opposition came from the Ella Baker Center, Uncommon Law, public defenders, and others who argued it would add confusion, litigation risk, and unnecessary duplication. The author said the bill was intended to clarify review standards and improve transparency. SB 1278 would exclude certain sex offenses and habitual/one-strike offenders from elderly parole eligibility. The San Diego District Attorney’s Office and California District Attorneys Association supported it, citing cases such as Gregory Vogelsang and David Funston; opponents from Uncommon Law, the Ella Baker Center, and others argued elderly parole is already highly restrictive, evidence-based, and cost-effective. Vice Chair Seyarto strongly supported SB 1278, emphasizing victim justice and public safety. SB 1354 would bar out-of-state military personnel not operating under Title 10 from entering California to perform military or law enforcement functions without the governor’s permission; a committee amendment removed a criminal penalty and left enforcement to the Attorney General. SB 926 would provide funding for Proposition 36 implementation, with committee amendments deleting a specific appropriation and shifting funding decisions to the budget process; supporters said counties need resources for treatment, probation, and administration, while opponents criticized the bill as fiscally reckless and duplicative. SB 874 would require background checks and clearer statewide standards for Medi-Cal behavioral health treatment services, especially ABA services for children; supporters said it would improve patient safety and program integrity. SB 1210 would extend CalGang-style oversight, notice, appeal, and DOJ regulation to all gang databases, not just shared ones; supporters described harms from inaccurate, unregulated local databases, while police chiefs opposed applying the CalGang framework to all local investigative files. The committee also heard SB 1019, which would create a DOJ cargo theft task force and add reporting requirements; supporters from BNSF, trucking, shipping, ports, and law enforcement said organized cargo theft is harming supply chains and worker safety, and no opposition was presented. Finally, SB 1217 would create a DOJ clearinghouse to help victims remove nonconsensual intimate images, including AI-generated deepfakes, from covered platforms; amendments narrowed the bill’s scope and clarified law enforcement’s role. The author and survivor witnesses described ongoing trauma from repeated reposting of exploitative images and argued the bill would provide a centralized removal process. The transcript ends during testimony on SB 1217, with no final votes taken on the measures heard.

Transcript Highlights:

• Citizens of the state of Oklahoma, especially with your expertise and all of your background, you didn't
• their tax refunds to the indigent veteran burial program into the Oklahoma Department of Veterans Affairs
• Uh, Sco Perry, Assistant Chief of our Wildlife Division with the Oklahoma Department of Wildlife So to
• one of them.
• Instead of building something on The edge of town.

Bills: SB1280 , SB1392 , SB1393 , SB1395 , SB1400 , SB1405 , SB1832 , SB1839 , SB1989 , SB2001 , SB2143

Committee: Senate Revenue and Taxation

Keywords: excise tax, oil tax, natural gas tax, state revenue, Oklahoma Corporation Commission, income tax, tax credit, aerospace sector, employment, economic development, adaptive reuse, affordable housing, urban renewal, economic impact, program, housing, revitalization, urban development, income tax credit, manufacturing

Transcript Highlights:

• well-respected in the Department of Transportation, and made that kind of happen.
• Starting with page 1 of the TDEM packet, TDEM was transferred from the Department of Public Safety to
• efficiency of the entire transportation network.
• Department of Transportation, and I'd hate to be my carb about this or CALO, but they've calculated the
• the U.S. of Texas, NASA, and the Department of Defense.

Bills: SB1 , SB 1

Committee: Senate Finance

Transcript Highlights:

• the Missouri University of Science and Technology, Motagani; the chair of the Nuclear Engineering Department
• that is. $225 million of it is additional refund authority for the Department of Revenue, so we can
• And then nearly three-quarters of a billion dollars is for the Missouri Department of Transportation
• Missouri Department of Transportation and all the, nearly all, if not all, the FTE I mentioned, over
• And it now requires us to come back, and if we wish to fully fund the Department of Transportation, that's

Summary: The House convened with prayer and the Pledge of Allegiance, approved the prior day’s journal by a 134-0 roll call vote, and then moved through a series of introductions recognizing guests and student groups at the Capitol, including Turning Point USA chapters, CASA volunteers and staff, JAG students, university groups, nursing students, and several legislative interns. The chamber also handled a point of order about an unauthorized prop in the room, which was removed. The first major bill taken up was House Bill 1766, dealing with personal property tax treatment and new construction calculations. Supporters argued it would treat personal property more like real estate under Hancock-style limits and provide fairness to taxpayers, while opponents warned it could reduce revenue for taxing districts. After debate, the House passed HB 1766 by a vote of 94-50. The House then considered House Committee Substitute for House Bill 2989, a major gaming measure that would criminalize illegal gaming machines, create a regulated framework for video lottery terminals, give local governments an opt-out, and expand enforcement authority for the Attorney General and prosecutors. Members debated whether the bill was a needed enforcement tool or an inappropriate expansion of gambling, with concerns raised about addiction, local control, revenue distribution, and whether the bill should have gone to Fiscal Review. A motion to refer the bill to Fiscal Review failed 69-44, and the bill itself passed 83-66 with one present. The chamber next took up House Committee Substitute for House Bill 2014, the supplemental appropriations bill. The sponsor said it provided just over $3 billion in additional authority, including tax refund authority, disaster relief, St. Louis tornado recovery funding, and major MoDOT funding, along with other smaller items. Members from both parties supported the bill, while also noting concerns about reliance on supplementals and the need to budget more accurately in the future. The House adopted an amendment reducing some general revenue authority, then adopted the bill and perfected and printed it. The meeting ended with announcements, including a notice that the Super Committee on Tourism would meet immediately in Hearing Room 6.

Transcript Highlights:

• Thank you for this group of people that's willing to work so hard for the people of Alabama.
• Thank you for everyone in this room who cares about Alabama, our students, and the well-being of our
• Thank you, Madam Chair, members of the Thank you, Madam Chair, members of the committee.
• Expansion of what we passed last year with just a couple of tweaks.
• that kind of cleared it up where there was no opposition to it from the state department of education

Bills: SB166 , HB365 , HB272 , HB232 , HB234 , SB278 , SB277

Committee: House Education Policy

Transcript Highlights:

• All those in favor of the amendment adoption signify All those in favor of the amendment adoption signify
• Some of those entities don't even Some of those entities don't even exist anymore.
• And that violates Article 27, Section 65 of the constitution, which prohibits gambling in Alabama.
• All of the revenue is coming in.
• All those in favor of adding only the All those in favor of adding only the amendment say "Aye."

Bills: SB268 , SB262

Committees: House Tourism , House Economic Development and Tourism

Keywords: mixed spirit beverages, alcohol regulation, licensing, excise tax, distribution agreements, retail sales, wholesalers, SB262, White Hall, Lowndes County, pari-mutuel wagering, simulcast, historical racing, historical horse racing, dog racing, horse racing, charitable bingo, off-track betting, OTB, gambling

Transcript Highlights:

• As they go through all the issues of each of their days, Lord, I just pray that you would remind them
• I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America, to the republic for which it stands,
• </c> with them throughout all the fires of with them throughout all the fires of life. life. life.
• States of America, United States of America, to<00:01:49.840><c> the</c><00:01:49.960><c> republic</
• Welcome to Alabama Senate. Great stand. Welcome to Alabama Senate.

Summary: The Alabama Senate convened with a prayer and pledge led by Todd Russell of ALCAP, followed by roll call showing 32 senators present, establishing a quorum. Senator Wagner moved to excuse absent senators and to dispense with reading the previous day’s journal; both motions were adopted without objection. No bills were introduced during the bill introduction segment. Under committee reports, the Committee on County and Municipal Government reported House Bill 1 favorably by a vote of 6 yeas and 3 nays. The bill concerns primary elections and would authorize a special primary election for congressional districts affected by a federal court ruling, require the governor to call such an election under certain conditions, set an election calendar, and address qualification of affected candidates. The title was read, and the bill received second reading and was placed on the calendar for the next legislative day. After committee reports concluded, Senator Gudger moved to adjourn until 9:00 a.m. Friday, May 8, and the Senate adjourned by voice vote. Before adjournment, the presiding officer recognized special guests in the gallery, including fourth graders from Springville Elementary, guests of Senator Bell.

Transcript Highlights:

• I mean, it's what the people would want the state of Alabama to do, you know.
• Of course, Georgia is a bigger state and today's comparison wouldn't be a fair one to what our Alabama
• Um, this piece of legislation cleans up three sections of the University of South Alabama code.
• Paramore, as the one from South Alabama with the best university in South Alabama, the University of
• South Alabama, we certainly of South Alabama.

Bills: SB278 , HB459 , HB61

Committee: House Education Policy

Transcript Highlights:

• new project to the state of Alabama, new process, and they deserve to be heard.
• new project to the state of Alabama, a new process, and they deserve to be heard.
• State of Alabama will only amendment.
• State of Alabama will only come<00:06:23.120><c> to</c><00:06:23.280><c> the</c><00:06:23.520><c> county
• And there's not been one of these projects in Alabama yet. capture line in Mississippi.

Transcript Highlights:

• practice for clinical departments or laboratories of a recognized dental, dental therapy, or dental
• This bill requires the director of the Arizona Department of Water Resources to annually determine the
• My name is David Fernandez with the Arizona Department of Water Resources.
• Members of the committee, my name is David Fernandez with the Arizona Department of Water Resources.
• And so in a number of years, when the Department of Health Services does that market analysis and issues

Summary: The Committee on Regulatory Affairs and Government Efficiency approved the February 11, 2026 minutes and then heard several bills. SB 1668, dealing with funeral and disposition timelines and related requirements for unborn children and minors, drew emotional testimony from funeral industry representatives and a parent about burdensome deadlines and problems obtaining signatures from an ex-partner; it also drew opposition over language referencing abortion clinics and reproductive freedom. The committee adopted a due-pass recommendation on a 4-3 vote. SB 1286, on veterinary telemedicine prescription limits, was amended to shorten non-antimicrobial prescriptions to 30 days and allow antimicrobial prescriptions for up to 14 days without an in-person exam; veterinarians and industry representatives were neutral with caution or supportive, while opponents warned about overprescribing and inadequate diagnosis. The amended bill passed 4-3. The committee then passed SB 1235, joining the emergency services personnel licensure interstate compact, on a 7-0 vote, with the sponsor describing it as a reciprocity measure for EMTs and paramedics. SB 1446, which changes dialysis social worker documentation from monthly to quarterly to match federal and most state practice, also passed unanimously after support from DaVita. SB 1515, an Industrial Commission cleanup bill that renames positions, removes obsolete private employment office oversight language, and shifts publication of fee schedules online, was amended and passed 7-0. SB 1678, concerning documentation and oversight in health care institutions and group homes for vulnerable adults, was amended to remove a patient-form requirement and instead require DHS investigation when EMS personnel complain that a DNR was not provided; providers moved to neutral or support after the amendment, and the bill passed 6-0 with one not voting. Finally, the committee began hearing SB 1747, which would require social media platforms to terminate accounts for minors under 14 and certain 14- and 15-year-olds without parental consent and impose age-verification and harmful-content restrictions. Opponents from NetChoice, TechNet, and Meta raised privacy, security, and constitutional concerns and argued for app-store-based parental controls instead, while a parents’ advocate supported the bill as a starting point for child safety. The transcript ends during that hearing without a final committee action on SB 1747.

Transcript Highlights:

• The Department of Health and the Board of Health is one of the most important things we do.
• HHS, HRSA, and a lot of the programs that the State Department of Health uses.
• There are a lot of really talented, smart people who work for the Department of Health, who worked with
• ><00:17:09.079><c> of</c> people who work for the Department of people who work for the Department of
• the Board of Health the Department<00:20:15.760><c> of</c><00:20:15.800><c> Health</c><00:20:16.000>

Committee: Joint Public Health and Welfare

Transcript Highlights:

• Department of Agriculture. This one is a no-brainer.
• And so she brings first... ...of the often difficult realities of farm life into the Department of Agriculture
• I believe that's one of the 16 nutrition programs under the purview of the United States Department of
• of Homeland Security and the Department of Agriculture.
• of the Committee, who are members of the Appropriations Committee for the Department of Agriculture.

Committee: Senate Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry Committee

Transcript Highlights:

• The program, a function of the law enforcement division of the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department, is
• The City of Columbia in Brazoria County was the site of the first Capitol of the Republic of Texas, from
• Such notice must include sufficient detail to allow the Department to evaluate the effect of the construction
• And the bill does not outline a burden of proof that the department must meet or provide any criteria
• vertical, then we're all in, and we'll let the Department of Parks and Wildlife decide whether you pose

Bills: HB3129 , HB3251 , HB3556 , HB3724 , HB3887

Committee: House Culture, Recreation & Tourism

Keywords: construction, wildlife impact, height restrictions, national wildlife refuge, environmental regulations, HB 3887, Texas Parks and Wildlife Department, Parks and Wildlife Code, performance bond, payment bond, contractor bonding, public works, construction contracts, public building, procurement, bid security, subcontractors, suppliers, contractor payment protection, project completion