Transcript Highlights:

• Tourism friendly, Texas certified community by the Texas by Texas travel. It's a wonderful place.
• , she experienced the blatant racism and discrimination that helped to inspire her commitment to activism
• and activism. advocacy and she went on to lead an exceptional career of public service that helped to

Bills: SJR1 , SB9 , SB40 , SJR36 , SJR1 , SJR5 , SB9 , SB40

Keywords: bail denial, illegal aliens, felony offenses, constitutional amendment, law enforcement, bail reform, defendants, pretrial detention, public safety, criminal justice, charitable bail organizations, bail bonds, public funds, political subdivision, injunctive relief, taxpayer rights, bail, criminal justice reform, 1185, senate

Transcript Highlights:

• It is a critical piece of infrastructure supporting public safety, tourism, and access to both private
• As both population and business activities continue to grow, the challenge becomes more pronounced.
• ,</c><01:35:23.720><c> and</c> freight, agriculture, tourism, and freight, agriculture, tourism, and
• </c><01:39:31.840><c> County's</c><01:39:32.400><c> actively</c> consumer products.
• County's actively consumer products.

Committee: Senate Transportation

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• and events and authorize Show Me America 250 on July 4, 2026, and throughout the year, promoting tourism
• This legislation went through your Super Committee on Tourism.
• Out of tourism, it went 10 to 0. Out of the Senate, no opposition.

Summary: The House convened after a quorum call and received a Senate message refusing to concur in House Committee Substitute for Senate Bill 994, leading the House to refuse to recede and appoint a conference committee. The chamber then reconsidered and amended Senate Bill 1019, stripping out earlier language and replacing it with a narrower substitute amendment focused on Lyme disease and alpha-gal, before giving the bill third read and passage. Members also adopted Senate Substitute for House Bill 1740, known as Melanie’s Law, after extensive debate about ignition interlock devices, affordability for low-income drivers, and the bill’s goal of reducing drunk-driving deaths; it passed overwhelmingly after emotional testimony from sponsors and family members affected by impaired driving. The House next passed Senate Bill 1033, which included a DNR solvency fix and agriculture provisions affecting farm truck inspections and cotton gin permitting/air-dispersion modeling. Supporters said it would help keep environmental programs solvent and better align Missouri rules with neighboring states, while some members raised concerns about future funding and EPA oversight. The chamber then passed Senate Bill 916, which limits contractor indemnity obligations before work begins or after final acceptance on public projects while preserving liability for contractor negligence; supporters said it would reduce costs and protect contractors from being sued before mobilization, while one member objected to expanding immunity language for MoDOT-related agents. The House also adopted Senate Concurrent Resolution 21, encouraging Missouri participation in America 250 celebrations in 2026. Later, it adopted a conference committee report on House Committee Substitute for Senate Bill 975, described as restoring a local-state system and giving local districts options for organizing and electing board members. The session ended with announcements about committee meetings and a motion to stand at recess until additional conference committee reports and Senate bills were ready, with adjournment set for the next morning.

Transcript Highlights:

• This is the $5 million for economic development for tourism. Is there updated?
• I see the tourism person back there. You want to come up and help us explain that while you're...
• So tourism was referenced, as you all know.

Bills: SB152 , SB145 , HB2 , SB190 , HB247

Committee: Senate House Appropriations & Finance

Keywords: telecommunications, low-income assistance, lifeline, broadband, rural broadband, universal service fund, public regulation commission, PRC, 911 surcharge, telecommunications relay service, VoIP, mobile service, internet affordability, digital equity, digital inclusion, rural internet, broadband infrastructure, eligible telecommunications carrier, ETC, tribal consent

Summary: The committee first set aside Senate Bill 247 because the Attorney General and bill sponsor were not present. It then heard Senate Bill 190, which would authorize bonding to help Healer Regional Medical Center in rural southwest New Mexico replace an aging linear accelerator used for cancer radiation treatment. The sponsor and hospital representatives said the equipment is at end of life and that replacing it would keep patients from having to travel long distances for care. The committee adopted a friendly amendment adding an emergency clause, but members then questioned the financing, noting the $5.7 million cost, the lack of local matching funds, and the fact that the equipment’s useful life is only about 10 years while the proposed bonds would run for 30 years. After extended discussion about interest costs and timing, committee members explored alternatives to reduce the state’s borrowing burden, including using existing rural health care funds, federal grant money, or structuring a county lease arrangement rather than issuing bonds. The bill was left pending while staff and the sponsor were asked to look into those options and report back. The committee also briefly heard from the Department of Justice about concerns raised by the Public Education Department regarding Gallup-McKinley and online learning companies; DOJ said investigations were ongoing but it could not say whether a lawsuit would be filed. Members expressed concern about possible large liabilities and discussed bringing the Attorney General and PED Secretary back in executive session. The meeting then shifted to House Bill 2 and related budget matters. Staff walked members through numerous line items, flagging some as potentially duplicative, unspent, or in need of further review, including attorney general litigation funds, rural health, education, transportation, tourism, energy, and economic development items. The committee adopted the “grow” spreadsheet after members said they had reviewed it, and then discussed reserve targets. Staff presented several scenarios to raise reserves from about 26.7% toward the 27.5% target, including cuts to natural resource, environmental, higher education, and transportation appropriations. Members generally favored a flexible “scenario five” approach and were reluctant to sweep older capital outlay projects immediately, preferring to wait until the capital outlay changes bill is resolved. The committee planned to continue the budget discussion the next morning.

Transcript Highlights:

• for example, the bargaining we did two years ago is paid for in the current budgets that you see in active
• for example, the bargaining we did two years ago is paid for in the current budgets that you see in active
• So, you know, if you're Hawaii and you're really dependent on tourism and then tourism takes a hit, that

Committee: Joint Joint Legislative-Executive Committee on Budget Transparency and Fiscal Sustainability

Summary: The committee held its first meeting, with co-chairs and members introducing themselves and staff outlining the committee’s statutory charge under the 2026 supplemental operating budget. Staff explained that the committee is tasked with studying budget transparency and fiscal sustainability in two phases: first, revenue growth, spending assumptions, statutory cost drivers, and carryforward/maintenance levels; and later, staffing, overhead, performance management, and public reporting tools. The committee also discussed its goals, with members emphasizing a shared factual understanding of Washington’s fiscal situation, the causes of projected structural deficits, and possible paths to a more sustainable operating budget. Staff then gave a detailed operating budget basics presentation. They reviewed the size and composition of the operating budget, explaining that most spending is concentrated in grants and client services, salaries and benefits, and goods and services, with K-12 education, DSHS, the Health Care Authority, DCYF, corrections, and higher education making up most NGFO spending. They also walked through the distinction between constitutional, federal, statutory, and discretionary spending; the role of caseload and per-capita forecasts; how maintenance level and policy level budgets are built; and how the four-year outlook works, including revenue forecasts, reversions, budget stabilization account reserves, and the official outlook adoption process. Members asked several questions about what is or is not included in the outlook, especially future collective bargaining agreements, health care inflation, court-ordered liabilities, and whether the budget could better separate mandatory from discretionary spending over time. Staff said some of those questions would require follow-up and noted the existence of an outlook accuracy report. The committee then heard from Josh Goodman of the Pew Charitable Trusts, who introduced Pew’s state fiscal work and its role as the nonprofit partner supporting the committee. He said Pew would help analyze long-term fiscal sustainability, reserve policies, recession preparedness, and practices from other states, and would draw on its 50-state data and subject-matter experts. No votes were taken and no formal actions were reported at this meeting.

Transcript Highlights:

• major economic driver for our state, supporting thousands of jobs, generating billions in economic activity
• , and strengthening tourism and the local economy. ...billions in economic activity and strengthening
• tourism and local economies in all 64 parishes.

Bills: SCR63 , SCR12 , HB89 , HB451 , HB595 , HB617 , HB621 , HB730 , HB1064 , HB1125 , HB221 , HCR58 , SB106 , SB206 , SB248 , SB441 , SB104 , SB122 , SB180 , SB260 , SB424 , SB476 , SCR9 , SCR30 , SB57 , SB414 , SB525 , SB35 , SB65 , SB135 , SB215 , SB246 , SB249 , SB269 , SB276 , SB282 , SB296 , SB323 , SB363 , SB369 , SB474 , SB484 , SB490 , SB492 , SB500 , SB501 , SB513 , HCR31 , HB462 , HB547 , HB613 , HB691 , HB712 , HB720 , HB723 , HB728 , HB735 , HB747 , HB759 , HB825 , HB845 , HB846 , HB903 , HB904 , HB907 , HB923 , HB929 , HB941 , HB962 , HB965 , HB1036 , HB287 , HB370 , HB515 , HB521 , HB570 , HB1200 , HB29 , HB39 , HB58 , HB67 , HB73 , HB76 , HB77 , HB82 , HB112 , HB121 , HB125 , HB132 , HB134 , HB151 , HB154 , HB155 , HB161 , HB166 , HB187 , HB191 , HB207 , HB211 , HB224 , HB238 , HB241 , HB242 , HB250 , HB260 , HB265 , HB275 , HB300 , HB320 , HB338 , HB339 , HB349 , HB379 , HB399 , HB427 , HB463 , HB464 , HB468 , HB545 , HB550 , HB551 , HB565 , HB588 , HB639 , HB725 , HB782 , HB805 , HB808 , HB834 , HB847 , HB853 , HB858 , HB861 , HB883 , HB916 , HB937 , HB977 , HB1012 , HB1027 , HB1044 , HB1054 , HB1091 , HB1117 , HB90 , HB127 , HB138 , HB150 , HB201 , HB268 , HB273 , HB285 , HB315 , HB354 , HB355 , HB360 , HB376 , HB445 , HB506 , HB606 , HB649 , HB665 , HB681 , HB721 , HB746 , HB757 , HB781 , HB835 , HB844 , HB857 , HB872 , HB886 , HB889 , HB892 , HB982 , HB987 , HB1037 , HB1068 , HB1072 , HB1078 , HB1085 , HB1132 , HB1137 , HB1167 , HB1174 , HB1232 , HB1238 , HB23 , HB136 , HB17 , HB21 , HB51 , HB55 , HB74 , HB106 , HB108 , HB133 , HB140 , HB159 , HB168 , HB215 , HB226 , HB263 , HB296 , HB299 , HB322 , HB364 , HB519 , HB535 , HB538 , HB568 , HB571 , HB622 , HB635 , HB676 , HB772 , HB784 , HB1006 , HB1018 , HB1033 , HB1034 , HB1043 , HB1070 , HB1134 , HB1237 , HB1239 , HB36 , HB119 , HB126 , HB129 , HB245 , HB271 , HB280 , HB337 , HB351 , HB677 , HB726 , HB789 , HB850 , HB956 , HB966 , SB149 , SB382

Keywords: fiscal notes, legislation, legislative auditor, state policy, conflict of interest, logging, recognition, John Keith, environment, safety, HB89, Act 615, district attorney, assistant district attorney, retiree health insurance, group health insurance, retirement benefits, public employee benefits, Third Judicial District, Thirtieth Judicial District

Transcript Highlights:

• that the public, whether they're here or whether they're able to participate, that we suspend all activity
• To participate, that we suspend all activity if there isn't access to the webcast or audio.
• She remains actively involved in Collegiate Farm Bureau and Collegiate FFA.
• She's been an active member all throughout high school. Thank you very much, Riley.
• He served 30 years on active duty with the U.S.

Transcript Highlights:

• They have a lot of desire to be seen as a national hub for UAS operations, testing, and activities. .
• ..for UAS operations, testing, and activities, given the Camp Gruber airspace.
• So whether that's you ordering your favorite Amazon activity or widget, instead of you having to wait
• That is the drone commercial activities that could happen in the Tulsa area.
• One was the traditional test cell for engine MRO activities, which was CRETO CTS.

Summary: The committee met for an oversight update on how one-time and recurring transportation-related appropriations are being implemented. Oklahoma Department of Aerospace and Aeronautics Director Grayson Artees reviewed ARPA and PREP-funded airport and aerospace projects, including completed or nearing-completion work at Will Rogers, Woodward, Ardmore, Tulsa’s air traffic control tower, and multiple hangar, terminal, taxiway, utility, and UAS infrastructure projects statewide. He also discussed one-time FY25 and FY26 appropriations for airport development, the repurposing of an unneeded Lufthansa project allocation into other aerospace projects, and the department’s aerospace education grants, classroom labs, aircraft-build programs, and internship support. Members asked for lists of participating schools and for a clearer overall accounting of the funding; Artees said the department would provide those materials and estimated roughly $400 million has been invested in aerospace and defense since PREP and ARPA, with about $250 million directed to airport infrastructure. The committee then heard from ODOT Secretary Tim Gatz on the Retro Fund, lake and industrial access roads, ports of entry, and the PACT Fund. Gatz said Retro, created in statute and funded with $200 million in both 2024 and FY25, is helping accelerate rural high-impact road and bridge projects; he reported $249 million awarded so far, supporting about $1.4 billion in construction, with most projects expected to be awarded by September 2027. He also described lake and industrial access projects, including work at the Port of Inola, and updated members on ports of entry, internal way stations, and the replacement of the aging OkiPROS permitting system with ProMiles. On PACT, he said the county road and bridge allocations are being administered, but the Tax Commission’s role in distributing the county road share has created unnecessary bureaucracy; he urged a statutory fix so the money can go directly to counties. Members asked for lists of approved lake/recreational projects and for clarification on the Tax Commission issue; Gatz said ODOT would provide the project list and that he would welcome Tax Commission input on a legislative remedy. No votes were taken, and the meeting adjourned after the updates and questions.

Transcript Highlights:

• They don't show up here in this activity, though, so I would just note that large amounts of our activity
• On the left-hand side, you will see programs that are active.
• it was a significant portion of our activity for that year.
• Our program activity is driven by funding.
• It has two different activities. One is spec development, is what I'll call it.

Committee: House House Rural Development, Land Grants And Cultural Affairs

Transcript Highlights:

• The housing Agriculture and Tourism subcommittee will now come to order.
• This amendment removes certain farming related activities from the definition of industrial use. >> Members
• This amendment removes certain farming related activities from the definition of industrial use. >> Wonderful
• this, the H.O.A. has been awarded more than $23,000 in attorney fees placed a lien on my how has actively
• dollars that a judge to this day, it does not trust that the homeowners will not start doing criminal activity

Transcript Highlights:

• We are utilizing these funds actively.
• It is good for tourism.
• </c> it's an important project for tourism it's an important project for tourism and<01:41:41.199><c>
• It is a tourism generator.
• </c><05:56:45.478><c> and</c> to take residen out for activities and to take residen out for activities

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The Department of Administrative Services presented its capital budget process and priorities, explaining that it maintains and operates 96 state buildings and uses annual facility walkthroughs, condition assessments, and rough cost estimates to rank projects for the governor’s capital budget. Officials described how requests are triaged, how the governor’s office and Public Works refine estimates, and how the resulting capital budget book serves as legislative intent for approved projects. They also noted that this year the governor’s office asked for estimates on all selected projects, which increased workload but reduced detail. The department highlighted several requested projects, including $1.5 million for the ERP system sustainability fund, which officials said is critical because the state is upgrading its core financial, HR, and budget system to the cloud. Other priorities included courthouse HVAC and boiler work, brick repointing at the State House annex/main building, window replacement at the Spalding building, and elevator replacement on the hospital campus. Officials also said the governor’s proposed capital budget included fewer DAS projects than in past years and asked the committee to consider funding closer to historic levels. The committee then reviewed lapse and reallocation items. DAS said most older projects are still in design, bid, or construction because projects now take four to six years rather than two to three, in part due to ARPA-related workload and post-COVID construction backlogs. Members discussed lapsing $81,000 from the completed Spalding roof project and redirecting small remaining balances from several 2019 projects toward the Hillsboro County South cell block project through the Capital Project Overview Committee. Officials also confirmed ARPA-funded projects are expected to be completed before the December 2026 deadline and explained that the ERP system is the main state IT exception outside DOIT’s usual centralized control, though it still requires DOIT consultation and approval.

Transcript Highlights:

• And the same thing with Section 3, adopt training or activities designed with reference to, let’s use
• This does not stifle any activities.
• As long as activities are not paid for with public dollars, then it doesn’t stifle the activity, especially
• We didn't mean tourism if you're Orlando and you have Mickey Mundo World, Mickey World down there.
• We didn't mean tourism if you're Orlando and you have Mickey Mundo World, Mickey World down there.

Summary: The committee first took up SB 1134, which would extend and clarify the use of qualified private providers and computer-based tools in the building permit and inspection process for residential solar energy systems. The sponsor said the bill is intended to reduce long delays in solar permitting and make the process faster and cheaper; Senator Pizzo questioned whether the problem was limited to specific local governments, and a late-filed amendment clarifying the word “application” was adopted. After brief testimony from an industry representative supporting the measure, the committee reported the bill favorably, with Senator Pizzo voting no. Next, the committee considered SB 784, dealing with issuance of addresses and parcel identification numbers for plats and new development. The bill sets a 14-day timeframe, and an amendment was adopted that would allow use of a private provider if the deadline is missed and would bar fee collection if the local government fails to act within five business days. County representatives said they wanted to keep working on the bill and raised concerns about the private-provider language and the short deadlines, while several senators discussed whether the process should be handled earlier on the front end. The committee then reported the bill favorably. The committee also passed SB 1738 on transportation concurrency, which would let counties that previously opted out of concurrency opt back in by maintaining current levels of service. SB 1080, a local government land regulation bill, was described as a measure to speed development approvals by setting stricter timelines, limiting repeated information requests, and imposing penalties for noncompliance; local-government testimony opposed it as a loss of local control, while builders supported it. After debate, SB 1080 was reported favorably. SB 1260, which clarifies county constitutional officer budget procedures and creates an appeal process for clerks and supervisors of elections similar to sheriffs, was also reported favorably after members discussed possible adjustments to avoid burdening county budget negotiations. Finally, the committee took up SB 420, as amended by a strike-all, which would prohibit counties and municipalities from adopting or funding DEI-related ordinances, policies, programs, offices, or contracts, and would expose officials to misfeasance/malfeasance claims and local governments to lawsuits. The sponsor said the amendment removed retroactive language, delayed the effective date, and added definitions and contract-certification requirements, but many senators and public speakers argued the bill was overbroad, vague, and would chill local efforts such as Black History Month, women-owned business programs, minority contracting, and community outreach. Supporters said it would ensure merit-based government action and consistency with state standards. The amendment was adopted, but the bill drew extensive opposition testimony and debate over its scope and potential conflict with federal and state law.

Transcript Highlights:

• New Hampshire relies on sectors like agriculture, tourism, and manufacturing.
• </c><00:06:26.880><c> and</c> sectors like agriculture tourism and sectors like agriculture tourism and
• However, I think that other countries are going to be actively pursuing carbon fees and carbon pricing
• </c> countries are going to to be uh actively countries are going to to be uh actively pursuing<00:10
• </c><00:26:33.240><c> form</c> in favor of this type of activity form in favor of this type of activity

Committee: House Science, Technology and Energy

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Delta agriculture, commercial fishing, recreation, and tourism...
• Delta agriculture, commercial fishing, recreation, and tourism industries, tribal cultural resources,
• Delta agriculture, commercial fishing, recreation, and tourism. Delta County residents.
• Delta agriculture, commercial fishing, recreation, and tourism industries, tribal cultural resources,

Committee: Senate Natural Resources and Water

Summary: The committee heard SB 872, which would direct $300 million annually for 20 years to repair Central Valley subsidence damage and Delta levees to protect State Water Project deliveries. The author and supporters said the bill is needed to safeguard water for 27 million Californians, prevent threats to life and billions in infrastructure, and address long-standing levee and canal vulnerabilities. Testimony in support came from Restore the Delta, the Central Coast Water Authority, and a broad coalition of water agencies, environmental groups, local governments, and business interests; one organization, the California Chamber of Commerce, supported if amended to include federal conveyance infrastructure. No opposition witnesses appeared. Members from both parties praised the bipartisan coalition and discussed funding, beneficiary-pays concerns, and the need to prioritize water infrastructure. The committee voted 5-0 to pass SB 872 as amended to Appropriations, with the bill placed on call. The committee then heard SB 1305, a study bill on the feasibility of reintroducing the California grizzly bear. The author and tribal co-sponsors framed the measure as a science-based, consultation-driven roadmap that would not authorize reintroduction but would evaluate habitat, impacts, and implementation. Supporters, including tribal representatives, conservation groups, and animal welfare organizations, emphasized the grizzly’s cultural significance, ecological role, and the value of planning for coexistence. Opposition came from retired and current law enforcement, county officials, ranching and hunting groups, and rural representatives, who raised public safety, staffing, livestock, and wildlife-management concerns, arguing the Department of Fish and Wildlife lacks resources for another apex predator. Committee members debated whether risk, public safety, local control, and potential reintroduction areas should be addressed earlier in the process. The author agreed to consider amendments on those points and on funding and local authority. The committee voted 4-1 to pass SB 1305 as amended to Appropriations, with the bill held on call. The committee also heard SB 1079, which would create a Cal Fire Fire Innovation Unit to identify firefighter needs, test new technologies, and speed deployment of successful wildfire tools. The author said the bill would formalize a pipeline from pilot projects to statewide use and build on existing Cal Fire technology efforts. Support came from Megafire Action, Fireworks, Aurora Tech, and the Orange County Fire Authority; the California Association of Realtors supported if amended to allow nonprofits to administer grants directly to homeowners. With no opposition testimony, the bill was moved on a 2-0 vote and held on call pending additional members. The committee later took up SB 997, a district bill for the North Fork Kings Groundwater Sustainability Agency that would grant lien authority so it can enforce groundwater fees and sustainability plan requirements without relying on civil litigation. Support came from water contractors, rural counties, and county associations; members discussed whether similar authority should be extended to other GSAs. The bill was moved on a 2-0 vote to Judiciary and held on call.

Transcript Highlights:

• In rural Minnesota, particularly northeastern Minnesota, local businesses depend on trail tourism.
• Minnesota, local businesses depend<00:19:50.559><c> on</c><00:19:50.799><c> trail</c><00:19:51.120><c> tourism
• </c><00:19:52.240><c> We</c><00:19:52.559><c> urge</c><00:19:52.720><c> the</c> depend on trail tourism
• We urge the depend on trail tourism.

Bills: HF2439

Committee: House Environment and Natural Resources Finance and Policy

Keywords: environmental protection, pollution reduction, waste management, climate change, funding allocations, 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• partnerships, some of the partnerships for workplace learning, for example, include the Hawaii Lodging and Tourism
• 00:03:30.599><c> Hawaii</c><00:03:30.959><c> lodging</c><00:03:31.319><c> and</c><00:03:31.560><c> tourism
• </c> include the Hawaii lodging and tourism include the Hawaii lodging and tourism association<00:03:

Committee: Senate Education

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Summary: The Joint Committee on Education and Labor and Technology heard Senate Bill 420, which would extend Department of Education workers’ compensation coverage to newly graduated high school students participating in DOE-sponsored work-based learning programs through July 31 after graduation. DOE testified in support, estimating the bill could affect about 50 to 100 students in the first year and saying it would help students gain experience and transition to employment. Members asked about current coverage, costs, and partnerships; DOE said current coverage ends at graduation, there had been no incidents, and the bill would create no additional cost. The committees voted to pass SB 420 with amendments, including an amended effective date, and the bill was adopted. The Committee on Education then took up several education measures. It adopted a proposed SD1 for SB 894, a Farm to School measure that would appropriate funds to help meet a goal of serving 30% locally sourced food in public schools. The committee also heard SB 789 on school cafeteria meal costs; DOE said it wanted the existing requirement lowered from 50% of meal preparation cost to 25% rather than repealed, to align with its administrative package, and explained current prices were about $2.75 while meal costs were about $9. Testifiers from the Hawaii Public Health Institute and Hawaiʻi Appleseed supported removing the requirement entirely or at least reducing it, saying it would avoid large price jumps and move toward free school meals. The committee later voted to pass SB 789 with amendments lowering the threshold to one-fourth of meal cost and changing the effective date. The committee also heard SB 449 on a school facilities planning database. DOE said it supports better planning but believes the database should be housed within DOE rather than duplicated under the School Facilities Authority, while SFA supported the bill as a proactive decision-making tool. The Attorney General’s office suggested clarifying language to make clear references to the Board of Education. In later agenda items, the committee heard SB 423, which would add Head Start-related ex officio members to the Early Learning Board; EOEL and the board chair supported it and suggested technical language to preserve required representation. The committee also heard SB 1384, a housekeeping bill redirecting repaid early childhood educator stipend funds to the Early Learning special fund after the prior special fund was repealed; EOEL supported it and said about $31,864 was being recouped from nine recipients. Finally, SB 684 would require the Board of Education to adopt rules banning cell phones at DOE schools; testimony was in support, and members discussed the need for a consistent statewide policy, with the board expected to work on one in collaboration with DOE.

Transcript Highlights:

• families are dealing with rising living costs, income volatility, and the pressures of working in tourism
• sales tax savings that keep spending in Delaware, property tax revenue, and decades of economic activity

Summary: The House Revenue and Finance Committee met to consider two tax-related measures sponsored by Representative Holofsky. The first was House Substitute 1 for House Bill 386, the Tipped Worker Tax Relief Act of 2026, which would allow a temporary Delaware income tax deduction of up to $15,000 for qualified tips for tax years 2027 through 2029, with phaseouts at higher incomes and a refundable credit for lower-income workers. Committee discussion focused on whether the bill applied to residents and non-residents, whether credit-card tips were included, the need for an updated substitute, and the expected fiscal impact. The Office of the Comptroller General said the bill would likely reduce general revenue and that the fiscal note had not yet been fully reviewed, while Deputy Secretary Goldsmith said the Department of Finance could administer it and that implementation costs would be modest. After public comment, the committee voted on a motion to release the bill, but it did not receive enough votes, so the chair said she would walk it for additional signatures. The committee then heard Senate Bill 219, which would phase in an increase in the military pension income exemption from $12,500 to $25,000 by tax year 2029. Representative Holofsky argued the measure would help attract and retain military retirees, support the economy, and provide a strong return on investment through spending, taxes, and community participation. Members raised concerns about whether the benefit should be income-based, with one member arguing that higher-income retirees may not need the tax break, while supporters emphasized the multiplier effect and the value of veterans to the state. Public testimony from Veterans of Foreign Wars representatives strongly supported the bill and described how the exemption could influence retirement decisions and local economic activity. A motion to release the bill also failed to get enough votes, and the chair said she would walk it for signatures before adjourning the meeting.

Transcript Highlights:

• The economic benefits will be real: increased tourism, local commerce, and global attention on our cities
• The Super Bowl alone generated $720 million in economic activity, and each World Cup game is projected

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• And I just very active in our church in Burnsville, and I'm proud of him.
• associated with general maintenance and repairs and inserting in lieu thereof costs associated with tourism

Keywords: MS House Floor - 2 April, 2026; 10:00 AM, 925, all

Transcript Highlights:

• owners are being deemed for asking for identification, it has been... ...been a hot spot for illicit activity
• I am very concerned about our geographical location, coupled with the massive tourism events that we

Bills: SB1195 , SB1245 , SB1379 , SB1420 , SB1473 , SB1534 , SB1743 , SB1769 , SB1945

Committee: Senate Judiciary

Keywords: nuisance, racing facility, racetrack, qualified defense, local property rights, noise regulation, legal claims, felony offenses, criminal justice reform, drug offenses, DUI penalties, residential treatment, human trafficking, victims, prevention, support services, Attorney General, pilot program, grant funding, public comment

Summary: The Senate Judiciary Committee met and advanced a series of bills covering charitable organizations, mental health guardianship, human trafficking funding, CareerTech legal counsel, short-term rentals, racetrack protections, DUI penalties, public comment procedures, and eminent domain rights. SB 1534 clarified charity registration and fundraising rules and passed 7-0. SB 1473, the Courtney Smith Act, was amended to require a guardian’s presence at a ward’s intake assessment at an inpatient mental health center, but members raised concerns that the language could delay treatment; the sponsor agreed to keep working on it, and the bill advanced 6-2. SB 1379 would create a two-year AG pilot program to directly fund certified human trafficking agencies; despite budget concerns and questions about the $10 million cost, it advanced 8-0. SB 1743 would let CareerTech hire outside counsel with education-law experience and passed 7-1. The committee also approved SB 1769, which would allow short-term rental owners or their designated managers to require identification from renters and cancel bookings for discrepancies without penalty; members questioned discrimination concerns and platform penalties, but the bill advanced 8-0. SB 1195, protecting racetracks that were established before nearby development, passed 8-0. SB 1245, removing the 10-year look-back for repeat DUI-related offenses, advanced 5-3 after questions about lifetime felony exposure for a second offense. SB 1420, requiring public comment periods to occur before a public body votes or transacts business when public comment is offered, advanced 5-3 after discussion about whether public comment should be mandatory. Finally, SB 1945, as amended, would require agencies seeking eminent domain to provide the landowner’s bill of rights at the first offer, give the owner the appraisal or damage assessment used, remove a transfer-to-another-agency provision that could bypass the owner’s right of first refusal, and require the Attorney General to update the landowners’ bill of rights every two years. It advanced 6-2 after questions about impacts on transportation and other agencies. The committee then adjourned after noting possible future meetings, including a statutory review of child support standards.