Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Summary: The Committee of Conference on Senate Bill 534 met to reconcile House and Senate versions of a bill dealing with foreign influence in elections and related election-law provisions. The House members explained that they had spent several hours revising the bill line by line to better fit existing statute, while preserving the substance of the Senate bill. Senator Lang reported that, after meeting with the Secretary of State, his concern about a foreign entity using a lobbyist for procurement matters was resolved, and he said the House language addressed election-law and warrant article issues rather than procurement issues. Senator Rosenwald raised concerns that the House version broadened the bill too far into local elections and could burden or discourage candidates for local offices such as select board, library trustee, or fire commission. In response, House members said the bill does not require local candidates to form committees or file new reports; instead, it prohibits foreign entities from donating to local campaigns and makes enforcement complaint-driven through the Attorney General’s public integrity unit. They said an earlier affirmation requirement had been removed and characterized the change as closing a loophole for foreign funding of local candidates and measures. After discussion, the Senate voted to accede to the House position, with the chair calling the vote and announcing that the ayes had it. The committee then discussed placing the measure on the consent calendar, but that plan was dropped because of an anticipated objection. The meeting concluded with adjournment.

Summary: The conference committee on appropriations was called to order and members were reminded to silence phones. The chair announced that the House had submitted additional public offers for several items, including justice, healthcare, agriculture and natural resources, budgets, budget-and-projects, provisos, implementing language, and water projects. The offers were presented for consideration without individual explanation. There was no public testimony. A brief comment noted the long hours spent on the budget process over the past two months. The chair announced that there would be no further meetings that night or on the following day, and that public meetings would resume Sunday afternoon on one-hour notice. With no further business, Senator Hooper moved to adjourn, and the committee adjourned without objection.

Keywords: 926, house, all

Summary: The House took up S. 190, a health care cost-containment bill relating to the Green Mountain Care Board, reference-based pricing, and a study of a public employee health benefit authority. The House first suspended rules to take the bill from the notice calendar, then heard committee reports from Health Care, Ways and Means, and Appropriations. The Health Care committee chair described the bill as a strike-all amendment intended to carry out Act 68’s hospital reference-based pricing timeline, saying it would let the Green Mountain Care Board begin implementation for fiscal year 2027, expand reference-based pricing to qualified health plans and the Vermont Education Health Insurance program, and address hospital pricing transparency, outsourcing, and critical access hospital Medicare outpatient cost-sharing issues. Supporters argued the bill would lower insurance costs, help reduce property taxes, and improve hospital sustainability by reducing the need for hospitals to limit access as they approach revenue caps. The Ways and Means committee said the bill could reduce education spending by lowering health care costs for school employees and reported the bill favorably on a 7-4 vote. The Appropriations committee said it reviewed the bill and an amendment, and noted that much of the detailed language would be changed by the appropriations amendment; it also discussed a possible state innovation waiver under the Affordable Care Act. The Health Care committee reported its strike-all amendment favorably on a 10-0 vote. The bill’s provisions were described in detail, including requiring hospitals and insurers to express rates as a percentage of Medicare, setting a path toward national median hospital prices by 2030, limiting certain reimbursements for QHP and VHI plans, requiring a report on hospital outsourcing and provider tax impacts, and creating a public health system performance tool if funding is available. The speaker also noted that the bill would not affect critical access hospitals or Vermont’s Medicare-dependent hospital in the reimbursement cap provisions, and that critical access hospitals were already working with the Green Mountain Care Board on solutions to Medicare outpatient cost-sharing concerns.

Keywords: 926, house, all

Summary: The House took up Senate Bill 323, suspending the rules to consider it immediately. The bill was described as a broad agricultural measure with committee amendments and fiscal implications, and it was reported favorably by the Agriculture, Food Resiliency, and Forestry Committee, Ways and Means, and Appropriations. Members outlined sections dealing with milk market corrections, farm-to-school language, repeal of the obsolete pest control compact, pesticide applicator licensing changes, seed law updates, the Vermont Agricultural Credit Program, hemp regulation, and CAFO-related provisions. The Agriculture committee reported the bill out 7-0-1, and the effective date was described as July 1, 2026, except for the hemp provisions, which would take effect upon passage. Much of the discussion focused on the hemp sections. Supporters said the bill updates Vermont law to reflect federal changes and shifts hemp oversight from the Agency of Agriculture to the Cannabis Control Board. The hemp provisions would create registration and licensing requirements for hemp producers, processors, and certain hemp products; set fees; authorize testing, inspections, stop-sale orders, and administrative penalties; and allow rulemaking on product standards, labeling, insurance, additives, and age restrictions. Speakers said the changes were intended to help Vermont’s hemp industry maintain access to banking, insurance, and interstate commerce while improving consumer safety and regulatory clarity. Other agricultural provisions were also explained in detail. The bill would clarify milk producer hearing rights, update farm-to-school grant/contract language, remove outdated pest-control compact language, and adjust pesticide applicator exam and fee rules, including removing the limit on retakes and eliminating certain government applicator fees. It would also modernize seed labeling and definitions, transfer the Vermont Agricultural Credit Program into a new statutory structure under VEDA, and make conforming cross-reference changes in tax and cannabis fund statutes. The final sections would add a CAFO permit working group and require consultant training for state agencies on CAFO inspections, with those provisions contingent on future funding. Ways and Means noted the bill’s fee changes could affect state revenues, including an estimated hemp-related impact of roughly $10,000 to $90,000, though the exact effect was uncertain.

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Summary: The committee received an update from the LBA on three audits related to education programs. Christine Young reported that the special education audit is in report-writing, with 44 of 81 observations completed, and that a draft is expected early in the third quarter with a final report later in the summer. She also said the doorway program audit has a draft report with 12 observations, auditee responses were received May 14, an exit conference was held May 18, and the report is now expected to be presented at the June fiscal committee meeting. The bulk of the discussion focused on the education freedom accounts audit and a proposed expansion of scope. Beulah Skids explained that the original audit, required by the 2022 law creating the EFA program, would be expanded to examine whether students were New Hampshire residents at enrollment and throughout participation, and whether records of educational attainment satisfied program requirements. She described the current work, the draft cooperation agreement being developed with the Department of Education and the Children’s Scholarship Fund, and the department’s concerns about the audit period and the term "educational progress," which the LBA said it would revise. The committee discussed that the expanded work would depend on a written agreement giving the LBA access to needed records, policies, and staff, with the Department of Education potentially serving as an intermediary for data access. Members raised concerns about the scope period and data access. Senator Lang asked that the residency review be limited to the 2024-25 and 2025-26 school years, rather than the broader 2022-25 period, because those years captured the major program expansions; the committee appeared to agree, with clarification that the reference was to school years, not fiscal years. Members also discussed reconciliation of EFA funds, noting that the department has agreed to reopen rulemaking to make reconciliation more frequent so unused funds can be returned to the state sooner. Several members expressed frustration that access to data had been delayed, while LBA staff said the cooperation agreement is intended to prevent further roadblocks and that the AG’s office could review it if needed.

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Summary: The committee of conference met on Senate Bill 481, which concerns the sale of the Sununu Youth Services Center property and where the proceeds should go. The main disagreement was between the Senate version, which would send proceeds to the general fund if the sale occurs before June 30, 2027 and to the YDC settlement fund afterward, and the House version, which would send all proceeds to the general fund. House members argued the property sale is uncertain in timing and value, and that keeping the money in the general fund preserves flexibility and follows common practice for state property sales. Senate members said the House language conflicted with the intent of House Bill 2, which directed the property to be sold in 2027 and the proceeds to the settlement fund, and they noted the Senate’s general fund language was likely left in inadvertently from an earlier appropriation structure. Members also discussed that the property is unique, potentially valuable, and may contain many buildings that could affect its sale and redevelopment. House members emphasized that victims’ settlement payments would still be funded through the established process and that the fiscal administrator would request whatever amount is needed. One member noted a direct conflict in House Bill 2 between sections referring to the general fund and to the settlement fund, and said the issue needed to be fixed. Another member observed that the relevant provisions may be session law and could become moot after June 30 of the following year. After a brief Senate caucus, the committee voted to adopt the House position on the conference committee report. The meeting then turned to procedural matters, including adding a third name to the bill, signing requirements, and a deadline for signatures by 4:00 p.m. the following Thursday. No further business was raised, and the committee adjourned.

Keywords: 999, senate, all

Keywords: 999, senate, all

Keywords: 999, senate, all

Keywords: 916, all

Keywords: 916, all

Summary: The Assembly convened, initially lacked a quorum, then completed the roll call and prayer, adopted routine procedural motions, and moved through the daily file with many bills passed and retained or passed outright. Early measures included AB 2417 on community college faculty retirement information, AB 1579 expanding the Children’s Crisis Pilot Program, AB 2041 on emergency medical services reporting, AB 1547 on a UC medical school feasibility study in Kern County, and AB 1552 directing higher education segments to report on civic engagement and democracy education. The body also took up SB 73, an urgency elections-security bill, where supporters argued it would protect ballots, voting systems, and election workers from interference, while opponents said it could be unconstitutional, partisan, and overly restrictive of local and federal investigations. SB 73 passed with urgency and immediate transmittal to the Senate. The Assembly then approved a long series of policy bills, many with unanimous or near-unanimous votes, including AB 1554 on California Earthquake Authority transparency, AB 1584 on civil rights duties at the Air Resources Board, AB 1592 on the California Indian Cultural Center, AB 1629 on direct payment to dentists, AB 1645 on prison visitation physical-contact rules, AB 1688 on foster care notice and accountability, AB 1699 on prescribed and cultural burns, AB 1738 on virtual final inspections for single-family homes, AB 1741 on charging sexual battery during a residential break-in as a wobbler, AB 1802 on mitigation lands endowments, AB 1813 on community renewable energy program changes, AB 1899 creating a youth homelessness prevention office, AB 1904 on a credentialing apprenticeship program, AB 1941 on organized metal theft, AB 2043 on drone-attack prevention for mass gatherings and critical infrastructure, AB 2054 on paid family leave for military relatives, AB 2081 on home-based Medi-Cal care, AB 2116 on predatory lending, AB 2122 limiting bench warrants for vehicle-code infractions, AB 2176 on student housing coordination, AB 2187 on tribal public-contract exemptions, AB 2221 on charitable fundraising processing deadlines, AB 2232 on advance parole hearing reporting, AB 2235 on confidentiality of judges’ home addresses, AB 2250 on cannabis/hemp enforcement cleanup, and AB 2266 on electricity. Most measures were described as support or bipartisan bills and passed with little or no opposition. A few bills drew notable debate or recorded opposition, including AB 1813, AB 2122, and SB 73, though all ultimately passed. After finishing 35 items, the Assembly announced it would return the following week with a much larger file, noted upcoming floor amendment deadlines, and adjourned until Tuesday, May 26 at 1 p.m. A post-adjournment vote change was also recorded, changing Assembly Member Dixon’s vote on AB 2041 from aye to no.

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Keywords: 987, senate, all

Summary: The Senate convened with a quorum, offered a Memorial Day weekend prayer, and welcomed a third-grade class from Sacred Heart Parish School to the chamber. Members also handled several procedural motions, including suspending blackout-period rules for budget subcommittee hearings, removing certain items from the inactive file and consent calendar, and confirming multiple gubernatorial appointments, all by unanimous or near-unanimous votes. The body then took up a series of resolutions and bills. Resolutions approved included National Safe Boating Week (SR 102), Asthma and Allergy Awareness Month (SCR 172), World No Tobacco Day (SCR 177), Lupus Awareness Month (SR 107), and the 50th anniversary of the Judgment of Paris (SR 115). Senators used those measures to highlight boating safety, asthma and food allergy risks, tobacco harms, lupus awareness, and the economic and cultural importance of California wine. The Senate also passed SB 1341 on bag-in-box beverage container processing fees, SB 1083 on school employee misconduct procedures, SB 1153 on wildfire preparedness for urban retail water suppliers, SB 1199 on prescription cost-sharing and out-of-pocket accounting, SB 1240 creating an Office of Nonprofit Empowerment, SB 1337 establishing an energy coordination working group, SB 1360 expanding language access for voters, SB 920 on gaming fee transparency, SB 1016 on mental health/Care Court evaluation options, SB 1198 on reckless driving penalties, SB 1213 on reporting prices for subsidized medium- and heavy-duty vehicles, SB 1265 codifying the Go Green financing program, SB 1338 on post-repossession vehicle transport interference, and SB 1135 on wildlife coexistence. Most passed on unanimous roll calls; SB 1265 and SB 1135 drew a small number of no votes. The session concluded with a lengthy adjournment-in-memory ceremony led by the Veterans Caucus, reading the names of 82 fallen service members and pausing in their honor. The President pro tempore then announced the Senate would recess and return for the next floor session on Tuesday, May 26, 2026.

Keywords: 988, house, all

Summary: The Assembly convened after a quorum call, prayer, and pledge, then moved quickly through a long Third Reading File. Early measures included AB 2417 on community college faculty retirement information, AB 1579 expanding the Children’s Crisis Pilot Program, AB 2041 on EMS compliance reporting, AB 1547 directing a feasibility study for a UC medical school in Kern County, and AB 1552 on civic education and democracy engagement in public higher education. All of these passed, with AB 1547 and SB 73 treated as urgency measures requiring 54 votes. A major floor debate centered on SB 73, an elections security bill presented by Assembly Member Pellerin. Supporters said it would protect ballots, voting systems, and voter data from unlawful seizure or political interference, while opponents argued it could hinder investigations, create constitutional problems, and reduce local law enforcement flexibility. After extended debate, the bill passed 54-16 on both the urgency and the measure, with immediate transmittal to the Senate. Other notable bills passed included AB 1554 on California Earthquake Authority transparency, AB 1584 on civil rights duties at the Air Resources Board, AB 1592 on the California Indian Cultural Center, AB 1629 on direct payment to dentists, AB 1645 on prison visitation contact rules, AB 1688 on foster care notice requirements, AB 1699 on prescribed and cultural burns, AB 1738 on virtual home inspections, AB 1741 on sexual battery during residential break-ins, AB 1802 on mitigation lands, AB 1813 on community renewable energy, AB 1899 creating a youth homelessness office, AB 1904 on teacher apprenticeship credentialing, AB 1941 on organized metal theft, AB 2043 on drone threats to mass gatherings and infrastructure, AB 2054 on paid family leave for military relatives, AB 2122 on bench warrants for infractions, AB 2176 on student housing planning, AB 2187 on tribal contracting exemptions, AB 2221 on charitable fundraising processing deadlines, AB 2232 on parole hearing reporting, AB 2235 on judicial home address confidentiality, AB 2250 on hemp enforcement cleanup, and AB 2266 on electricity. Most measures passed overwhelmingly, many unanimously. A few drew limited opposition, including AB 1552, AB 1584, AB 1813, and AB 2122, but all still passed. The Assembly then retained or passed through the remaining file items, announced upcoming deadlines for floor amendments, and adjourned until the next scheduled session.

Keywords: U.S. House of Representatives Floor Proceedings on Friday, May 22, 2026, 1012, house, all

Summary: The conference committee on appropriations was called to order and members were reminded to silence phones. The chair announced that several House offers had been publicly noticed and were being presented for consideration, including offers related to justice, health care, and agriculture/natural resources, covering budget items, projects, provisos, and implementing language. No individual explanations of the offers were given at that time. There was no public testimony. A brief comment noted the long hours spent over the past two months. The chair then announced there would be no further meetings that night or on the following day, and that public meetings would resume Sunday afternoon on one-hour notice. With no further business, Senator Hooper moved to adjourn, and the committee adjourned without objection.

Keywords: 927, senate, all

Keywords: New York State Senate (YouTube), https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NxojatIukBw, 2026-07-05T07:47:20+00:00, 2.2.24, Data collected via generic collector engine, Let New York State Senators hear your voice! Create a nysenate.gov user profile and set custom alerts for issues you care about, comment and vote 'yea' or 'nay' on bills, and access live streaming and archived Senate videos., 993, senate, all, 2.2.43, 2.1.47

Keywords: New York State Senate (YouTube), https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y8nXranPZ6I, 2026-07-05T07:47:20+00:00, 2.2.24, Data collected via generic collector engine, Let New York State Senators hear your voice! Create a nysenate.gov user profile and set custom alerts for issues you care about, comment and vote 'yea' or 'nay' on bills, and access live streaming and archived Senate videos., 993, senate, all, 2.2.43, 2.1.47