Transcript Highlights:

• , and hearing aid specialists.
• Can you folks hear me? We can hear you just fine.
• I've been in the hearing industry for over 23 years.
• not being able to help folks in need of hearing aids.
• I'm testifying on behalf of the Washington Hearing Society, who represent licensed hearing specialists

Summary: The committee held public hearings on Substitute Senate Bill 6183, which would require health plans to cover all FDA-approved HIV antiviral drugs without prior authorization, step therapy, or other utilization management, with only one therapeutically equivalent option required if equivalents exist. The prime sponsor said the bill is part of Washington’s effort to end HIV/AIDS, citing ongoing new diagnoses and the need for immediate access to treatment, especially for late-stage cases. No one testified in person or remotely, and public testimony was closed with written comments invited. The committee also heard Substitute Senate Bill 6226, which limits the Board of Hearing and Speech from adopting rules that would prevent licensed audiologists, speech-language pathologists, and hearing aid specialists from using clinical judgment to choose telehealth or in-person care. Supporters said teleaudiology improves access, especially in rural areas and for patients with mobility barriers, and that the bill preserves professional autonomy. Some testifiers raised patient-safety concerns about first-time hearing aid fittings and asked for amendments or more time to study safeguards, while others said the bill should move forward to protect access. In executive session, the committee advanced several measures. It adopted amendments and reported out Substitute Senate Bill 5185 on international medical school graduate physician licensing, Engrossed Substitute Senate Bill 5845 on claims payment timing and refund requests, Senate Bill 5915 on the health technology assessment program, Senate Bill 6025 on the definition of fetal death, and Senate Joint Memorial 8802 requesting federal Medicare changes. The committee recessed briefly for caucus before taking final votes, and each bill or memorial was reported out with a do pass recommendation; 5845 and 5185 were reported out as amended.

Transcript Highlights:

• Hearing none. So ordered. >> Any objection? Hearing none. So ordered.
• </c> &gt;&gt; Hearing none. So ordered. &gt;&gt; Hearing none. So ordered.
• Hearing none. So ordered &gt;&gt; All right. Hearing none.
• Any objection hearing? None. So &gt;&gt; Yeah. Any objection hearing? None.
• </c> hearing? None. So ordered. hearing? None. So ordered.

Keywords: 920, all

Summary: The Alabama Senate convened with prayer and the pledge, confirmed a quorum, excused absent senators, and adopted the previous day’s journal. The chamber then received House messages referring House Bill 614 on supplemental appropriations and House Bill 224 on the distribution and use of tax funds to the Finance and Taxation General Fund Committee. Committee reports followed on several bills, including favorable reports for House Bills 169, 542, 593, and 13, with HB 542 amended in committee. The Senate also referred Senator Orr’s proposed rules change to the Rules Committee. A series of resolutions were taken up and adopted, including Senate Resolution 109 creating the Alabama Boating Safety Task Force, Senate Joint Resolutions 102 and 103, House Joint Resolutions 237, 215, 216, 218, and 235, Senate Joint Resolution 88 supporting the U.S. Department of Energy’s nuclear life cycle innovation effort, Senate Joint Resolution 93 creating a rural EMS and volunteer fire department study commission, Senate Joint Resolution 94 commending Exchange Club of Tuscaloosa Officer of the Year honorees, and Senate Joint Resolution 110 commending William Riley Hawkins Jr. on his retirement from AARP Alabama. The Senate also recognized several guests in the gallery, including local school superintendents and a student visitor. The chamber then moved through local legislation, adopting BRs and passing numerous local bills and constitutional amendments, including measures for Mobile, Prichard, Class 2 municipalities, Mingo County, Talladega County, Perry County, Wilcox County, Clay County, Washington County, and Madison County. Senate Bill 376 on Mobile County and Senate Bill 379 on Madison County were both passed and transmitted. Most local bills passed on unanimous or near-unanimous votes using the previous roll. The Senate also adopted Special Order Calendar Resolution 111, setting a special order calendar for the 27th legislative day that prioritized a long list of appropriations, education, retirement, dam safety, and higher education bills. On that calendar, House Bills 235, 236, 237, 238, 239, 240, 241, 242, 565, and Senate Bill 380 were taken up. HB 235’s committee substitute was tabled, a floor substitute was adopted restoring funding to the McQuain Center and removing some arts grants, and the bill passed. HB 236 passed after a language amendment. HB 237 passed as the Education Opportunities Reserve Fund bill. HB 238 passed after a floor substitute that shifted arts grants, added Voices for Alabama’s Children, adjusted RAISE Act weights, and increased funding for poverty, special education, and gifted students, along with a small amendment. HB 239 passed as the public education employee pay raise bill, with a substitute adding a retiree bonus and members discussing that the bonus would also be carried through SB 380. HB 240, HB 241, HB 242, and HB 565 all passed. SB 380 on the teachers retirement system received committee amendments and was being advanced as the vehicle for the retiree bonus, with Senator Orr explaining the bonus would be about $33 million and based on $1 per month of service for eligible retirees with at least 10 years of service.

Transcript Highlights:

• follow today's hearings.
• We will be hearing, if I'm correct, and Steph let me know, we'll be doing a hearing and decision making
• follow today's hearings.
• We will be hearing, if I'm correct, and Steph let me know, we'll be doing a hearing and decision making
• follow today's hearings.

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Summary: The Senate Committee on Water and Land met on March 21, 2025, and considered several resolutions related to water resources, coastal management, and energy planning. On SCR 42/SR 27, which urged DLNR’s Division of Forestry and Wildlife to prioritize restoration and protection of additional wetlands and anchialine ponds, DLNR supported the measure and suggested a technical correction changing a reference from the Division of Agriculture to the Division of Aquatic Resources. Testimony from Hā‘ena Reef and Ocean Coalition, Maui Ocean Center, and individuals was in support. The committee recommended passage with technical and non-substantive amendments. The committee also heard SCR 54/SR 36, which would create a desalination planning task force to study whether large-scale desalination for potable water is feasible. DLNR and CWRM said the proposal was a large undertaking and raised capacity concerns, noting the Board of Water Supply was already moving forward with its own desalination planning. BWS testified in support, saying its project was still in planning and design, with construction not expected until late 2027 or 2028, and that the project would produce about 1.7 million gallons per day to supplement Ewa’s water supply. Members discussed whether the task force might duplicate existing work and noted the measure focused on consumption rather than other desalination uses. The committee ultimately recommended passage with technical and non-substantive amendments. For SCR 59/SR 43, which asked DLNR, the Division of Boating and Ocean Recreation, and the Kaho‘olawe Island Reserve Commission to work together on maintaining the Kihei ramp, DLNR reported ongoing collaboration and listed prior improvements including paving, washdown work, dredging, and a retaining wall. The committee recommended passage with technical and non-substantive amendments. On SCR 106/SR 87, which requested a study of which energy sector could be most quickly and cost-effectively decarbonized through public investment in combustion-free alternatives, OPSD said the State Energy Office had already completed a decarbonization study under Act 238 (2022) and a follow-up alternative fuels analysis, and suggested the resolution duplicated existing work. Energy Justice Network testified in support, arguing the proposal would build on prior studies by focusing on non-combustion options such as wind, solar, and storage. Despite support from several organizations and individuals, the committee deferred the measure indefinitely. The committee also passed SR 18 as is, passed SC 51/SR 33 as is, deferred SC 47, and passed SC 76/SR 59 with amendments.

Transcript Highlights:

• Hearing none.
• </c> &gt;&gt; Hearing none. So ordered. &gt;&gt; Hearing none. So ordered.
• </c> objection hearing? None. So ordered. objection hearing? None. So ordered.
• Any objection hearing? None. &gt;&gt; All right. Any objection hearing? None.
• </c> Hearing none. So ordered. Hearing none. So ordered.

Keywords: 920, all

Summary: The Alabama Senate convened with prayer, the pledge, and a roll call establishing a quorum of 30 members. The chamber approved excusing absent senators, dispensed with reading the prior journal, and allowed introduction of bills and committee reports throughout the legislative day. It then took up a series of confirmation reports from the Committee on Confirmations, all of which were approved unanimously, confirming multiple appointees to the State Textbook Committee for Social Studies and Arts Education, including Harilyn Benjamin, Robin Dunn, Dietra Howy, Rebecca Mener, Lakesha Cohill, Kevin King, Kristen Law, and Dana Marie Liur. The Senate also received a gubernatorial message returning House Joint Resolution 4 with an executive amendment; the chamber concurred in the amendment by unanimous consent. House messages reported several bills referred to committees, including measures on state employees retirement, EMS personnel education, seafood dealer licenses, local legislation for Monroville, law enforcement officers, state marine waters, evictions, and taxation. The Senate also re-referred Senate Bill 183 to the Committee on Fiscal Responsibility and Economic Development. Under motions and resolutions, the Senate adopted Senate Joint Resolution 23 honoring Junior Harold Sorrels and Senate Joint Resolution 24 honoring John Waller Giles. The Rules Committee report establishing a special order calendar for the seventh legislative day was adopted, and the Senate then passed several bills on the special order calendar, including SB 136 on the Alabama Massage Therapy Licensing Board, SB 158 on public high schools and military recruiter testing access, SB 22 on the Commission on Uniform State Laws, SB 137 creating the Alabama Resilience Council, SB 60 on criminal procedure, SB 109 on peer-to-peer car sharing, SB 77 on the 911 board, and SB 163 on the Board of Cosmetology and Barbering. Most of these were adopted by unanimous or near-unanimous voice or roll-call votes, with no recorded opposition. Near the end of the session, senators offered brief personal remarks, including thanks for support during illness and appreciation for floor coordination. The Senate then adjourned on a motion until Thursday, January 29 at 12:15 p.m., with the journal left open until 4:30 p.m. to receive messages.

Transcript Highlights:

• Hearing none. So ordered.
• Any objection hearing? None. &gt;&gt; All right. Any objection hearing? None.
• Any objection hearing? None. &gt;&gt; All right. Any objection hearing? None.
• Hearing none. So objection? All right. Hearing none.
• Hearing none. So ordered. &gt;&gt; Any objection? Hearing none. So ordered.

Keywords: 920, all

Summary: The Alabama Senate convened with prayer, the pledge, and a roll call establishing a quorum. Early procedural motions were adopted without objection, including excusing absent senators, dispensing with the prior journal, and allowing bills and committee reports to be introduced throughout the day. The Senate then took up several confirmation reports from the Committee on Confirmations, unanimously confirming Ralph Foster, Andre Harrison, Katie Randall, Donna Jones, and Reetta McCannan to the State Textbook Committee for Social Studies. The chamber also received a favorable report on Senate Bill 174 from the Transportation and Energy Committee, and later adopted a special order calendar from the Rules Committee. On the floor, the Senate passed a series of measures, including SB 104, which requires training for members of certain boards, commissions, and councils under the sunset law but was amended to exclude county and municipal boards; HB 59, a cleanup bill concerning the Certified Public Accountants Board; SB 8, authorizing the Emergency Management Agency to spend public funds on public information; SB 66, changing University of Monavalo board terms and related requirements, with an amendment protecting certain trustees appointed before January 1, 2027; SB 168, codifying limits on a reading technique and emphasizing the science of reading; SB 149, creating a temporary teaching certificate pathway for qualified military veterans; SB 46, adding a special driver’s license designation for individuals with invisible disabilities; and SB 90, addressing seafood dealer licenses and support for domestic seafood producers. Local bills including SB 175 and HB 84, HB 200, HB 201, HB 184, HB 203, HB 204, HB 205, HB 133, HB 134, HB 193, and HB 112 also advanced or passed, with several county-specific measures receiving BR adoption, final passage, and in one case certification. Near the end of the meeting, leadership and members discussed severe weather and contingency plans for the coming week. Budget hearings scheduled for Monday were canceled and moved to Thursday, with the Senate planning to meet Tuesday at 3:00 p.m. if weather permits, or Wednesday if necessary. The Senate also received several House messages referring local bills to committee. The session adjourned after a motion to adjourn until Tuesday, January 27 at 3:00 p.m., with the journal left open to receive House messages.

Transcript Highlights:

• hearing begins.
• Hello, can you hear me?
• Hello, can you hear me? Mr. Cook, we can barely hear you. Can you hear me?
• Can you hear me? Hello? Yes, Ms. Philipson, we can hear you.
• Can you hear me? We sure can. I am. Can you hear me? We sure can.

Summary: The Senate Special Committee on Congressional Redistricting held its first regional hearing, focused on South and Central Texas, including Bexar County, Travis County, and the Rio Grande Valley. After establishing a quorum, the committee adopted its rules on a 6-3 roll-call vote, with Senators Alvarado and Miles voting no. Chair Phil King explained the regional-hearing format, the use of 2020 census data, the online testimony process, and the availability of written comments and future hearings. Several members then gave opening remarks, with Republicans emphasizing public input and Democrats arguing the special session and mid-decade redistricting were unnecessary and aimed at minority districts. A major procedural issue arose over whether the committee should invite or subpoena the DOJ attorney who authored the July 7 letter that prompted the redistricting discussion. Senator Miles moved to subpoena the attorney; the motion was seconded but then set aside after the chair said the committee could not take formal action on a non-procedural matter during a regional hearing under the adopted rules. The chair said he would consult legal counsel about issuing an invitation, and members discussed the August 7 deadline referenced in the DOJ letter. The committee then moved on to public testimony. Witnesses, including Congresswoman Sylvia Garcia, law professor Ellen Katz, and Texas NAACP president Gary Bledsoe, argued that the DOJ letter misread the law and that the targeted districts were lawful opportunity or coalition districts. They said the Fifth Circuit’s Pettway decision was limited to Section 2 of the Voting Rights Act and did not declare coalition districts unconstitutional, and they cited Bartlett v. Strickland as warning against intentionally dismantling effective minority districts. Garcia and Bledsoe said the hearing was politically motivated and would harm Black and Latino representation; Katz said Texas would act illegally if it followed the DOJ letter’s instructions. Members asked questions about the legal status of coalition districts, the 2021 map-drawing process, and the difference between opportunity, coalition, and crossover districts. The hearing continued with additional public witnesses, including labor representative Emily Amps, who said workers and communities of color were being harmed by the proposed redistricting effort.

Transcript Highlights:

• Hearing none, hearing no negative debate, the debate is closed.
• Hearing none, hearing no negative debate, debate is closed.
• Hearing none, hearing no negative debate, the debate is closed.
• Hearing none, hearing no negative debate, the debate is closed.
• Hearing none, hearing no negative debate, the debate is closed.

Keywords: 989, all

Transcript Highlights:

• hearings, including termination hearing proposals for that.
• We've continued to address the Maddest regular life-or hearings, and by the way, life-or hearings are
• The board is able to determine whether or not to grant a hearing, not grant a hearing.
• There's one meaningful hearing.
• So the next hearing is, we're saying it's going to be a second hearing where we're going to try to hear

Summary: The Special Commission on Criminal Justice Reform 3.0 heard a presentation from the Massachusetts Parole Board focused on how parole, probation, the Department of Correction, sheriffs, and community providers coordinate reentry and supervision. Chair Angela Gomez described the board’s mission, its discretionary parole process, and the work of its transitional services, life sentence, victim services, and field services divisions. She highlighted 2024 activity including 2,810 institutional release hearings, 141 life-sentence hearings, 100 victim access release hearings, 18,238 victim notifications, 53 pardon petitions, 70 commutation petitions, 41 early termination applications, and supervision of about 2,993 committed parolees. She also emphasized the board’s shift toward evidence-based practices, individualized conditions, graduated sanctions, and more service-oriented supervision, including GPS guidelines and community-based interventions. Members focused heavily on data questions and the practical overlap among agencies. Senator Brownsberger and others asked for clearer breakdowns of releases, active supervision, average length of supervision, and distinctions between parole, mandatory release, revocations, and interstate compact cases. The board explained that some figures combine in-state and out-of-state cases, that roughly 400-plus people on supervision are lifers, and that annual revocations can remain technically supervised until final hearings. Members also asked for more detailed outcome data on employment, housing, treatment, and program retention, as well as a clearer breakdown of people who refuse parole versus those who decline after a grant. The board said it could provide follow-up data and noted that many refusals are driven by pending cases, desire to avoid supervision, or preference for serving time inside. The discussion also covered collaboration with UMass, including risk assessment research, training on best practices, and real-time support for medication and drug-testing issues through community pathways. The board and commissioners described shared housing and reentry resources such as MASH, community justice resource centers, sheriff-run programs like Rocky Hill and HOPE, and other placements that help stabilize people after release. Several speakers stressed that housing is the biggest gap and that agencies are trying to keep people in the community with employment, benefits, treatment, and safe housing. The commission also received an update on the Mattis-related clemency/parole cohort: 210 individuals were identified, 144 were immediately eligible for hearings, 100 hearings had been completed, 10 were scheduled, and some had postponed or were still being calculated for eligibility. The meeting ended with plans for a March 9 public hearing and a request for follow-up data and continued site visits before the commission moves into recommendations.

Transcript Highlights:

• The chair hears none. This bill is engrossed.
• The chair hears none. The bill is engrossed.
• The chair hears none. The bill is engrossed.
• The chair hears none. The bill is engrossed.
• The chair hears none.

Transcript Highlights:

• eligible for a parole hearing.
• hearings, including termination hearing proposals for that.
• hearing.
• There's one meaningful hearing.
• So the next hearing is, we're saying it's going to be a second hearing where we're going to try to hear

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The Special Commission on Criminal Justice Reform 3.0 heard a presentation from the Massachusetts Parole Board focused on consolidation, cooperation, and evidence-based supervision across the correctional system. Parole Board Chair Angela Gomez-June described the board’s mission, its coordination with the Department of Correction, houses of correction, courts, probation, law enforcement, victim services, and UMass partners, and outlined 2024 activity including 2,810 institutional release hearings, 18,238 victim notifications, 53 pardon petitions, 70 commutation petitions, 41 early termination applications, and supervision of 2,993 parolees. She emphasized the board’s shift toward individualized, data-driven decision-making, including revised GPS use, graduated sanctions, and more service-oriented community supervision. Members and sheriffs pressed for clearer breakdowns of the board’s data, including the difference between releases, hearings, and active supervision; average length of supervision; the share of lifers in the caseload; and how many people are placed in housing, employment, and treatment. The board said its active supervised population fluctuates around 1,600 to 1,800, with more than 400 lifers, and that about 30 to 36 percent of its population is housed through programs such as MASH, community justice resource centers, and sheriff-run residential programs like Rocky Hill and HOPE. Members also discussed parole refusals, noting that some individuals decline parole to avoid supervision or to serve time inside instead, and asked for a more detailed breakdown of those cases. The board and commission also discussed collaboration with DOC and UMass on risk assessment, reentry planning, and community pathways, including a tablet video explaining the parole process and pharmacist support for medication-related drug test issues. The board reported that after the SJC’s Matus decision, 210 individuals were identified as affected, 144 were immediately eligible for hearings, 100 hearings had been completed, and 10 more were scheduled; it also said clemency and commutation work had been slowed by staffing and Matus-related demands. The meeting ended with a request for follow-up data on outcomes, supervision lengths, housing and employment placements, and other consolidated statistics, and the commission announced its next public hearing for March 9 at 10 a.m. before adjourning.

Transcript Highlights:

• Hearing none, hearing no negative debate, debate is closed.
• Hearing none, hearing no negative debate, debate is closed.
• Hearing none, hearing no negative debate, debate is closed.
• Hearing none, hearing no negative debate, debate is closed.
• Hear none. Hear no negative debate. Debate is closed.

Summary: The House convened with a quorum, approved the journal, received messages from the Senate and governor, and moved several enrolled bills and memorials through routine referral and signing actions. The chamber concurred in Senate amendments to House Bills 494, 728, and 703, and later concurred in Senate amendments to House Bills 825 and 788. Committee reports also advanced multiple measures, including House Bill 939 from Resources and Conservation, House Bills 940-942 for printing or referral, and House Bill 892 to second reading. House Resolution 29, changing call-of-the-House procedures, and House Joint Memorial 21, urging faster permitting for a tungsten mine in Lemhi County, were also taken up and passed. On the floor, the House passed Senate Bills 1266, 1316, 1288, and 1339. Senate Bill 1266 made technical foster-care corrections, removed extended foster care language, and expanded expedited placement to include kinship caregivers. Senate Bill 1316 updated newborn screening consent language so parents may simply decline certain newborn procedures without stating a medical or religious reason. Senate Bill 1288 created a funding mechanism for high-need special education students, drawing from driver’s education funds and interest from the Idaho Career Readiness Fund; supporters framed it as necessary to meet federal and constitutional obligations, while opponents argued it would create an ongoing spending commitment and reduce funds for other programs. Senate Bill 1339 replaced continuous improvement planning with longer-term strategic performance planning for public schools, with supporters emphasizing accountability and reduced reporting burdens. The House also passed House Bills 706, 888, 894, and 927. House Bill 706 allowed a single stairwell in certain four- to six-story condo and apartment buildings, with added fire-safety requirements, to reduce housing costs; supporters cited affordability and housing supply, while some raised safety concerns. House Bill 888 revised the state IT procurement framework to bring more agency technology purchases under the Office of Information Technology Services, with some agencies exempted. House Bill 894 required open meetings to allow recording, photography, and video with exemptions for corrections, parole, and executive sessions. House Bill 927 restored consequences for unpaid traffic infractions, including license-related enforcement after notice and a 60-day cure period, and was presented as a public safety and fiscal responsibility measure. The House then recessed and later resumed to continue the calendar and committee business.

Transcript Highlights:

• Hearing none, it is so ordered.
• Hearing none. Thank you. Debate. Hearing none, Senator Taves, you're recognized to close debate.
• Hearing none, it is so ordered.
• Is there an objection hearing none?
• Hearing none, it is so ordered. Mr.

Keywords: 989, all

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> also on the video stream can hear you. also on the video stream can hear you.
• </c> for hearing officer uh status uh to hear for hearing officer uh status uh to hear workers<03:31:
• </c> a hearing. a hearing.
• and open the hearing for that hearing and open the hearing for Senate<03:59:00.800><c> Bill</c><03:59
• </c> can hear you. can hear you.

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• And I'm very disappointed that again today we were stymied from having a hearing.
• People ask me what are you going to do now that you can't have the hearings.
• Senate last week and it had a hearing Senate last week and it had a hearing scheduled<00:04:24.680><c
• </c><00:08:05.560><c> schedule</c><00:08:05.919><c> our</c><00:08:06.039><c> hearing</c> than the hearing
• schedule our hearing than the hearing schedule our hearing schedule<00:08:06.759><c> is</c><00:08:06.879

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• Hearing none, hearing no negative, the debate is closed.
• Hearing none. Negative debate? Hearing none. Debate is closed.
• have a hearing.
• Hearing none and hearing no negative debate, debate is closed.
• Hearing none, hearing no negative debate, debate is closed.

Keywords: 989, all

Transcript Highlights:

• hearings, including termination hearing proposals for that.
• Many hearings as they can.
• The board is able to determine whether or not to grant a hearing, not grant a hearing.
• There's one meaningful hearing.
• So the next hearing is, we're saying it's going to be a second hearing where we're going to try to hear

Keywords: 1212, all

Summary: The Special Commission on Criminal Justice Reform 3.0 heard a presentation from the Massachusetts Parole Board focused on how parole works with the Department of Correction, county houses of correction, sheriffs, probation, and community providers to support reentry and public safety. Chair Angela Gomez described the board’s mission, organizational structure, and 2024 activity, including institutional release hearings, life-sentence hearings, victim-notification events, pardons, commutations, and the supervision of nearly 3,000 committed parolees. She emphasized that the board is increasingly using evidence-based practices, risk assessment tools, and individualized conditions, including more structured GPS use and graduated sanctions, rather than relying on a purely punitive model. Commission members and sheriffs asked for more detailed breakdowns of parole and supervision data, including the difference between releases from Massachusetts custody and all releases under supervision, the average length of supervision, the share of lifers, revocations, and how many people are on dual supervision with probation. The board said it would provide follow-up data on length of stay, housing, employment, treatment participation, and outcomes. Members also discussed why some people refuse parole, noting that refusals can be driven by pending cases, a desire to avoid supervision, or a preference for a shorter custodial sentence over a longer supervised release or treatment placement. A substantial portion of the discussion focused on collaboration and shared resources across agencies, including MASH housing, community justice support centers, CRJ beds, sheriff-run programs such as HOPE and Rocky Hill, and UMass partnerships on risk assessment and community pathways. Speakers said the main gaps are not duplication but limited housing, treatment, and mental health capacity, especially for older people, people with substance use needs, and difficult-to-place populations such as sex offenders and arson offenders. The commission also received an update on the Matus decision: 210 individuals were identified as affected, 144 were immediately parole-eligible, 100 hearings had been completed, 10 were scheduled, and the rest were being processed as eligibility dates were confirmed. The meeting ended with plans for a March 9 public hearing and a request that members who have not toured facilities do so before future votes on correctional policy.

Transcript Highlights:

• Hearing none, it is so ordered.
• Hearing none, debate is closed.
• Hearing none, debate is closed.
• Hearing none, debate is closed.
• Hearing none, so ordered.

Keywords: 989, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Any objection hearing? None. &gt;&gt; All right. Any objection hearing? None.
• Hearing none. So ordered. &gt;&gt; Any objection? Hearing none. So ordered.
• Any objection hearing? None. &gt;&gt; All right. Any objection hearing? None.
• Hearing none. So ordered. &gt;&gt; Any objection? Hearing none. So ordered.
• Hearing none. So ordered. &gt;&gt; Any objection? Hearing none. So ordered.

Keywords: 920, all

Summary: The Alabama Senate convened with prayer and the Pledge of Allegiance, confirmed a quorum, and adopted the prior day’s journal. The chamber then handled a series of confirmations, including Thomas Ellis to the Agriculture Exhibition Center Board of Directors, Evelyn Vans Malden, Robert C. Brock, Mila Calhoun, and Elena Baranco to the University of Alabama or University of Montevallo boards of trustees, Chip Fugquay to the Alabama Workforce Board, and Thornton Stanley and Jemsticken Pum to the Alabama Forestry Commission. All of these confirmations were approved overwhelmingly, generally by 29–30 votes with no nays. Committee reports advanced several county and municipal government bills, including SB 23, SB 71, SB 105, SB 109, SB 115, SB 131, SB 148, and SB 165, with some receiving amendments. The Senate also adopted and passed multiple resolutions, including SJR 14 honoring Drew and Lauren Winland as America’s top young farm family, and resolutions mourning Mary Anne Peak Phelps and Sam Palmer Faucet III. A local bill package for Marshall and Walker counties was taken up, with several bills receiving BRs, final passage, and certification resolutions. The Senate also received numerous House messages referring local and finance-related bills to committees, including measures on county subdivision regulations, homestead exemptions, unclaimed property, sales and use tax, income tax, municipal audits, and other local matters. The Rules Committee report set a special order calendar for the next legislative day, listing SB 126, SB 33, SB 55, SB 102, SB 118, and SB 128. On that calendar, SB 126 extending the Alabama Private Investigation Board, SB 33 updating veteran license tag provisions, SB 102 extending the Board of Home Medical Equipment, and SB 128 reorganizing the Alabama Sickle Cell Oversight and Regulatory Commission were passed; SB 55 on military spouses was amended and carried over; and SB 118 on the Alabama Justice Information Commission was amended and carried over. The Senate adjourned until 3:30 p.m. on Wednesday, January 21st.

Transcript Highlights:

• Seeing no questions, let's suspend that hearing and open the hearing on Senate Bill 5840.
• Let's suspend the hearing on Senate Bill 6160 and open a hearing on Senate Bill 5000.
• Let's suspend the hearing on Senate Bill 6160 and open a hearing on Senate Bill 5000.
• We will suspend the hearing on Senate Bill 5325 and open the hearing on Senate Bill 6044.
• We will now reopen the hearing. We will now reopen the hearing on Senate Bill 6049.

Bills: SB5000, SB5325, SB6044, SB6313, SB6084, SB6137

Keywords: state nickname, evergreen state, identity, cultural heritage, tourism, state cactus, symbolic designation, ecological significance, state symbols, SB 6044, Diwali, Bandi Chhor Divas, Washington state holidays, RCW 1.16.050, state holiday recognition, religious observance, Hindu holiday, Sikh holiday, cultural recognition, paid holiday

Transcript Highlights:

• We certainly will have public hearings and in-person hearings.
• Can you hear me? Yes.
• Hello, can you hear me? Mr. Cook, we can barely hear you. Can you speak up? Oh, can you hear me?
• Can you hear me? We sure can.
• Stop any further hearings.

Keywords: 1185, senate, all