Transcript Highlights:

• At Los Alamos National Labs, Uranium Mills and Mines, White Sands Test Facility, and we have now begun
• Talk about windows, doors. and the outside, and fences, and trees.

Transcript Highlights:

• but it's tied specifically to projects that we know can get done in that three-year appropriation window
• interesting to hear about new programs when you don't know about them, and always figuring out ways to test

Transcript Highlights:

• I glanced towards the kitchen window and could see that in our yard there were flames leaping four to
• However, we are still working on some language to ensure soil testing and protection of Native American

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• the benefits of screening for early identification of dementia, and increase the rates of cognitive testing
• Eligibility from a 12-month window to a 60-day consecutive period.

Bills: HF2434

Keywords: healthcare, personal care assistance, worker retention, disability services, state funding

Transcript Highlights:

• We review the utilities' forecasted expenditures on a going forward basis, starting with the test year
• So it only gives us a narrow window in which to develop templates, data platforms, and processes to implement

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• AT THE SAME TIME YOU WILL HAVE PENALTIES IF THEY DON'T MEET AND BY A PARTICULAR WINDOW.
• TRY TO KEEP THIS BRIEF CHARACTER IN THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC LEON COUNTY HAD A DROP AND STANDARDIZED TEST

Keywords: 999, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• they're grabbing things off the shelf like this, because they're late for a soccer game, their son has a test
• when. deep belt laws came in and when the don't mess with Texas, the not throwing things out your window

Bills: SJR18, SCR9, SCR13, SB10, SB11, SB19, SB20, SB25, SB62, SB260, SB263, SB293, SB314, SB384, SB412, SB441, SB442, SB494, SB523, SB569, SB616, SB688, SB707, SB766, SB842, SB869, SB890, SB914, SB929, SB971, SB992, SB1066, SB1145, SB1621, SJR36, SJR18, SCR9, SCR13, SB616, SB565, SB384, SB372, SB495, SB842, SB971, SB1066, SB929, SB765, SB523, SB62, SB19, SB18, SB666, SB688, SB707, SB888, SB687, SB706, SB847, SB869, SB890, SB992, SB1145, SB494, SB290, SB766, SB11, SB10, SB13, SB263, SB412, SB20, SB441, SB442, SB1621, SB569, SB314, SB25, SB293, SB914, SB260, SB1248, SB740, SB14, SB1006, SB20, SB25, SB260, SB293, SB314, SB384, SB442, SB494, SB616, SB869, SB890, SB929, SB992, SB1145, SB1621, SR232, SR237, SR242, SB16, SB22

Keywords: capital gains, taxation, constitutional amendment, state revenue, individual investment, Supreme Court, judicial independence, Keep Nine, checks and balances, water rights, treaty compliance, Rio Grande, agriculture, drought, international water, Texas water supply, education, Ten Commandments, public schools, religious display

Transcript Highlights:

• But that gives us windows into how we can move forward.
• I appreciate the test and giving us a question that we weren't prepared for.

Summary: The Appropriations Committee on Higher Education met to examine how Florida’s state universities are funded and to begin discussing a possible university funding model. The panel included the State University System chancellor and CFOs from FSU, UF, FAMU, FAU, UNF, and UCF. Members first reviewed major cost drivers, which the universities said are broadly similar across institutions: wages and benefits, equipment and supplies, financial aid, professional services, utilities, IT, and maintenance. Several institutions noted unique pressures from geography, growth, research intensity, and mission, such as UCF’s size and engineering focus, UF’s land-grant and research enterprise, FAMU’s need to recruit top talent while serving a high-Pell student population, and FSU’s large facilities and research obligations. The chancellor also summarized systemwide cost growth since 2012-13, including higher health insurance, retirement, and salary costs, while noting tuition had been held flat. The committee then discussed other revenue sources, including auxiliaries, restricted funds, capital projects, and component units such as foundations and health systems. University leaders explained that many of these funds are restricted to specific purposes, and some, like UF Health, account for a large share of operating expenses. Members also discussed the current performance-based funding process. University representatives generally praised it for transparency, accountability, and its focus on student success, but said the heavy use of one-time funds, nonrecurring appropriations, and unfunded mandates makes long-term planning difficult. FSU and others argued that rising employee costs, waivers, and facilities expenses are not fully covered, while FAMU said performance funding has improved outcomes but can disadvantage institutions serving more low-income students. In response to questions about improvements, the universities suggested more recurring and predictable funding, better coverage of mandated costs, more flexibility in fees, and continued investment in research and strategic priorities. The chancellor said the Board of Governors is considering a version 3.0 of performance funding that would benchmark institutions against peers and Carnegie classifications. The committee also explored whether universities should have more flexibility to set out-of-state tuition and professional school tuition. Most university leaders favored giving boards of trustees more authority, while the chancellor cautioned that increasing out-of-state enrollment or tuition too much could affect legislative support. No votes were taken; the meeting ended with the chair thanking the panel and adjourning the committee.

Transcript Highlights:

• And because of that 2 2.5% window, you should expect to see some slow increase in recapture year over
• I'm very proud of, but when kids are not able to, you know, pass the test and, you know, bubble in as

Transcript Highlights:

• out and<02:14:34.880> and<02:14:35.199> to<02:14:35.440> just<02:14:35.679> test
• c><02:14:35.920> this<02:14:36.239> this<02:14:36.719> market and and to just test
• this this market and and to just test this this market essentially<02:14:37.360> and<02:14:37.599
• glazing windows. glazing windows.
• But the litmus test in terms of big donations and whether we say we're going to do what we say after

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Um, and that's a six-month window.
• Um, and that's a six-month window.
• Um, probably may be eligible for a waiver, but they may want to get medical care in that window between
• Um, probably may be eligible for a waiver, but they may want to get medical care in that window between
• Um, probably may be eligible for a waiver, but they may want to get medical care in that window between

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• <02:30:20.960> That's<02:30:21.120> what subcontracting for windows.
• That's what subcontracting for windows.
• We have seen test scores improve with the breakfast within just at that middle school.
• Um, next I'm going to call Representative Timothy Hargan. seen test scores improve um with the uh seen
• <04:33:45.520> in it hasn't been definitively tested in it hasn't been definitively tested

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The committee first heard Senate Bill 292, which would authorize a governor’s warrant to cover special education aid shortfalls from the education trust fund, and from the general fund if needed, so local school districts would not have to absorb prorated costs or raise local property taxes. Senator Lang said the bill was prompted by a prior $15 million special education funding shortfall caused by higher-than-expected catastrophic aid claims, including more qualifying students and the recent increase in the special education age limit to 22. He emphasized that the bill is intended to ensure the state meets its funding commitment and avoid shifting costs to towns. Members asked about how the bill interacts with House Bill 742 and House Bill 773, including whether the language should be merged or whether the state should fund 100% versus an 80% floor. Lang said he was open to improving the bill and to adding a study committee or performance audit on special education costs, but maintained that the state should not push costs to local taxpayers when it has available funds. The hearing on SB 292 was then closed, with no vote taken. The committee then opened Senate Bill 98, which would extend for five more years a tax credit program for donations to regional career and technical education centers. Senator Waters said the program has been successful in building partnerships between CTE centers and employers, especially through equipment donations that support training and apprenticeships. He cited examples including automotive, marine trades, and advanced manufacturing programs, and said the five-year extension would let lawmakers continue to review whether the incentive is working as intended. Several members questioned whether the credit is effectively a 100% subsidy and how the cap works. Waters and another member explained that the underlying program has an aggregate cap of $500,000 and that credits are prorated if requests exceed that amount; they also said the donations are primarily equipment, not cash. Some members raised concerns about whether businesses could also claim other tax deductions or credits, but the sponsor said the existing structure has been in place for years and has been revisited periodically. No vote was taken during the hearing excerpt provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• years going over here to Griffith Street to law school, and I don't even remember looking out the window
• years going over here to Griffith Street to law school, and I don't even remember looking out the window
• <00:14:51.279> the don't even remember looking out the don't even remember looking out the window
• 00:14:52.399> I<00:14:52.639> was<00:14:52.720> trying<00:14:52.959> I window
• I was trying I window at the Capitol.

Keywords: MS House Floor - 22 January, 2026; 2:00 PM, 925, all

Summary: The House convened with prayer and the Pledge of Allegiance, established a quorum, dispensed with the journal reading, and reported no select committee reports. Members then recognized visitors and guests, including representatives from Mississippi College and Coastal American Insurance. The chamber spent considerable time honoring Mississippi College’s 200th anniversary, with remarks from members about the school’s history, its law school, and personal experiences there, followed by the presentation of a proclamation and applause. On the rules calendar, the House adopted several resolutions in blocks, including three House concurrent resolutions and then five House resolutions, all by unanimous or near-unanimous voice vote. One motion to reconsider House Bill 534 was tabled. The House also granted immediate release on the adopted resolutions. Later, a member introduced an out-of-order birthday recognition and a family baseball photo, which drew laughter and applause. On the general calendar, the House took up House Bill 4, a County Affairs bill concerning municipal annexation. The bill would require an election in both the municipality and the proposed annexation area if 20% of electors in the area petition for one, with annexation failing unless both sides agree; if defeated, the question could be brought back after five years. Members questioned whether the measure would make annexation much harder, whether business owners would vote, and how it compared with current court-based annexation procedures. The bill was laid on the table subject to call after discussion. Military Affairs, Transportation, and Medicaid were then reported as passing. The clerk announced upcoming committee meetings and a suffrage bill deadline, members made additional announcements including recognition of the doctor of the day and Recovery Day 2026, and the House adjourned to reconvene Monday at 4 p.m., weather permitting, with a possible delay to Tuesday or Wednesday if roads were impassable.

Transcript Highlights:

• And it started in February 2024, where the enrollment window for new and returning FES EO and UA program
• We believe the legislature should reevaluate the timing of the scholarship program application windows
• It also ties in with the application windows.
• It also ties in with the application windows because really the public schools and SFOs are operating
• I'd like to keep, I know this is kind of a short window, but I'd like to also afford the SFO an opportunity

Summary: The Senate Appropriations Committee on Pre-K-12 Education met for its first meeting of the 2025 session to hear the Auditor General’s operational audit on 2024-25 school funding accountability challenges, focused largely on the Family Empowerment Scholarship and its interaction with the FEFP. Deputy Auditor General Matthew Tracy described rapid growth in scholarship enrollment, timing mismatches between scholarship payments and public-school funding calculations, delayed membership survey processing, weak cross-check and recoupment procedures, inconsistent handling of parent survey responses, and limited documentation for withholding and returning funds. The audit said these issues contributed to funding inequities, duplicate-payment risks, and an unexpected draw on state education funds, and it recommended separating scholarship funding from the FEFP, aligning application windows with budget timing, strengthening controls and staffing, and creating clearer, documented recoupment and balance-limit processes. Committee members questioned whether current law gives the department and scholarship funding organizations enough authority and whether the system is effectively a pay-and-chase model. Several senators expressed concern about the lack of timely reconciliation, the size of the funds involved, and the absence of clear records showing how money was recovered or withheld. Adam Emerson, executive director of the Office of School Choice, said the department is working more closely with school districts and scholarship funding organizations, including pausing payments when districts identify students still enrolled in public schools, and said the office wants to improve the process. President Gates then previewed legislation he said would address the audit’s findings by funding Family Empowerment Scholarships as a separate FEFP categorical, expanding the Education Stabilization Fund, setting clearer application and acceptance deadlines, moving to monthly payments with eligibility verification before each payment, assigning student IDs for scholarship assistance, lowering SFO management fees, requiring annual audits, and requiring prompt return of audit-related funds. Public comment included a private-school attorney describing losses from unpaid scholarship amounts. Members generally supported the need for reform, with several senators saying the program should be preserved but better structured and more accountable. The committee adjourned after the discussion, with no vote taken on the legislation.

Transcript Highlights:

• the landfill had created a relief fund because neighbors of this landfill have had to keep their windows
• the landfill had created a relief fund because neighbors of this landfill have had to keep their windows
• We could no longer use my evaporative cooler or open the windows at night to cool down the house, so
• Next, I started replacing my windows as the odors and the... ...bills, despite the fact that I bought
• anything I did benefit from was completely taken off the table and tax credits were just out the window

Summary: The Assembly Committee on Revenue and Taxation held its first regular hearing of the 2025-26 session, adopted its proposed committee rules on a 5-0 vote, and reinstated a suspense file for bills with fiscal impacts over the committee threshold. The chair explained that only AB 418 would be eligible for an immediate vote, while several other measures would be held for suspense consideration because of budget constraints. AB 330 was pulled by the author. AB 418 by Wilson, which would create a clearer process and administrative remedy for county Chapter 8 tax sales, received support from county tax collectors and housing and taxpayer groups. Supporters said the bill would add transparency, due process, and a noticed public hearing for negotiated sales of tax-defaulted properties, while helping counties dispose of low-value or problematic properties more efficiently. The committee voted 6-0 to send AB 418 to Appropriations. Several other bills were heard and then referred to suspense: AB 27 by Chau, which would exclude Chiquita Canyon landfill relief payments from gross income and protect recipients’ eligibility for public benefits, drew strong support from affected residents and environmental advocates; AB 258 by Conley would increase funding for California fairs, with supporters emphasizing fairs’ emergency-response role; AB 397 by Gonzalez would expand the California Young Child Tax Credit into a broader child tax credit for older children; and AB 398 by Aaron would set a $300 minimum refundable Cal EITC benefit. The committee also heard AB 231 by Tye, which would offer a tax credit to microbusinesses that hire formerly incarcerated people, and it too was referred to suspense after supportive testimony from reentry and small-business advocates.

Transcript Highlights:

• And can you clarify a little bit more detail about refusal to take a breath test and what that means
• Current law is if you have done a field sobriety test and you have failed, the officer will then ask
• you to take a breath test, and you can decline to take that test.
• I'm sure there are multiple being worked on and tested and pushing through the system.
• I'm sure there are multiple being worked on and tested and pushing through the system.

Summary: The Senate opened with prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, and several recognitions, including interns, Denim Day awareness, a resolution honoring Vietnam veterans exposed to Agent Orange, and a remembrance of former Senator Karen Johnson Gendron. The chamber then moved to special order bills. CS/HB 687 on transportation offenses involving death was substituted for SB 138, amended to add warnings and penalties for refusal of breath or urine tests, and passed 37-0. CS/SB 306 on Medicaid providers, requiring broader after-hours access and network availability for Medicaid enrollees, also passed 37-0. The Senate then took up CS/CS/HB 913 on condominium associations, a major post-Surfside reform bill. Senator Bradley explained that the measure was intended to provide financial relief and flexibility while preserving safety and accountability. The bill was substituted for SB 1742, amended several times to limit milestone inspections and structural integrity reserve studies to buildings three habitable stories or more, and then passed 37-0 after extensive debate. Senators from both parties praised Bradley, Pizzo, Garcia, and staff for years of work on condo safety and affordability, with several members describing the bill as a balance between protecting residents and avoiding financial hardship. The final major item was CS/HB 1205, the bill on amendments to the state constitution and citizen petition drives. Sponsors Gates and Grohl argued the bill was needed to combat fraud, identity theft, and misuse in the petition process, citing a lengthy Office of Election Crimes and Security report. The House bill was substituted for SB 7016, and the chamber considered a long series of amendments and substitute amendments addressing petition circulator registration, volunteer participation, submission deadlines, invalid-signature thresholds, voter notification, and fiscal impact statements. Several amendments were adopted, while others were debated over whether they would protect access to the citizen initiative process or strengthen election integrity. The transcript ends during debate on the main substitute amendment, before final disposition on the bill is shown.

Transcript Highlights:

• 00:32:40.880> your please come for um forward with your please come for um forward with your test
• to the testifier table with your test to the testifier table with your testifiers.
• We have a limited statutory window for permit-to-carry applications of 30 days to make that determination
• We have a limited statutory window for permit-to-carry applications of 30 days to make that determination
• They broke the window. They had a thing with the, um, key thing. It was out at the Mall of America.

Bills: HF962, HF3541, HF2936, HF3762, HF2879

Keywords: Capitol security, public safety, emergency management, state buildings, law enforcement, corrections, legislative approval, rule-making, financial impact, jail regulations, expungement, firearm eligibility, criminal records, organized retail crime, retail theft, supply chain theft, theft enterprise, organized theft, cargo theft, shoplifting

Transcript Highlights:

• The bill locks that front door, but it leaves all of the windows and the back door and the garage door
• to download the app unless their age is verified, you know, the front door being locked, but the windows
• But leaving the windows open on the side, I understand that analogy, and I don't want to debate that
• Or leave them all unlocked because we are not in a place where we can lock all of the doors and windows
• the old days, your way of not bumping into another airplane and trading paint was to look out the window

Bills: S0198, S0422, S1236, S1356, S1456, S1722

Keywords: virtual currency, kiosks, money services business, regulation, financial services, consumer protection, cryptocurrency, registration, ADS-B, automatic dependent surveillance-broadcast, aviation, airports, airport fees, landing fees, departure fees, touch-and-go landing, general aviation, pilot privacy, airspace radius, aircraft tracking

Summary: The committee first postponed SB 1456, then heard SB 1236, which would condition state economic development incentives on employers using secret-ballot union elections and prohibit neutrality agreements. The sponsor argued the bill protects workers from coercion and applies only to companies receiving taxpayer-funded incentives; opponents said it was government interference, likely to hurt contractors, apprenticeships, and business growth, and raised concerns about federal preemption and Attorney General enforcement. After debate, the committee reported SB 1236 favorably on a recorded vote. The committee then considered CS/SB 198, a measure to regulate cryptocurrency kiosks by requiring operator registration, fraud warnings, transaction limits, blockchain analytics, receipts, and refund protections for certain first-time transactions tied to fraud. Supporters from the banking industry, AARP, and others said the bill would help stop scams that are targeting seniors and vulnerable adults; one industry witness supported the bill but suggested narrowing the limits for existing users and shortening the new-customer period. The committee reported the bill favorably. Next, the committee took up CS/SB 1356 on dog breeding, pet sales, and breeder registration. The sponsor said the bill is intended to curb puppy mills, improve animal welfare, and add consumer protections, while an amendment removed state oversight of local animal shelters. Pet store representatives supported much of the bill but objected to the three-day waiting period for financed purchases, expanded reimbursement, and unfair trade practice penalties; others argued the bill would add red tape and litigation. The committee adopted the amendment and then reported the bill favorably. The committee also heard SB 1722 on app stores and minors, which would require age verification, parental consent for minors, app-content disclosures, and enforcement by the Department of Legal Affairs. Supporters said the bill would help parents protect children online; opponents warned it could force collection of sensitive personal data, create privacy and constitutional problems, and duplicate existing parental tools. Members debated the balance between child safety and privacy, and the committee reported the bill favorably. Finally, the committee heard CS/SB 422 on ADS-B aviation data, which would bar use of ADS-B information to calculate certain landing or access fees; an amendment added departures to the restriction. Pilots supported the bill as a safety and privacy measure, while airport representatives opposed it as undermining airport finances and shifting costs. The amendment was adopted, and the hearing on the bill began with testimony from both sides.

Transcript Highlights:

• And we pray for an open window of heaven and blessings to be upon them.
• And we pray for an open<00:11:03.120> window<00:11:03.440> of<00:11:03.680> heaven
• A lot of that soil and tested the soil.
• And you found in a lot of those cases, when they tested them, a lot of those children were in special
• <01:04:50.960> for to test for to test for amas<01:04:53.520> in<01:04:53.839> water

Keywords: 920, all

Summary: The Alabama Senate convened with a prayer by Pastor Jeremy Ward and the Pledge of Allegiance led by Sophia Woods. A quorum was established with 27 senators present, and the Senate adopted routine motions to excuse absent senators, dispense with the previous day’s journal, and allow bills and committee reports to be introduced throughout the day. The chamber also referred Executive Message 69, appointing Brandy Williams to the Alabama Fire College and Personnel Standards and Education Commission, to the Committee on Confirmations. The Senate received several Judiciary Committee reports. House Bills 41 and 149 and Senate Bills 230, 87, 169, 238, and 233 were reported favorably, with amendments on Senate Bills 87, 169, and 233. Those measures received second reading and were placed on the calendar for the next legislative day. The Senate also adopted Senate Joint Resolution 31, commending Mackenzie Grace Stigel, and Senate Joint Resolution 32, recognizing the Alabama School of Mathematics and Science for its national ranking; guests from the school were welcomed in the gallery. The Rules Committee report was then adopted by a 33-0 vote, setting a special order calendar that included Senate Bill 71 on administrative rules, along with several other bills on dredging, county subdivisions, legislative matters, public corruption, rural hospital investment, minority affairs, campaign finance, and natural resources. The chamber then took up Senate Bill 71, the “sound science” bill, which would limit state agencies from adopting environmental rules more stringent than federal law and require science-based standards where federal law is absent. Senator Coleman-Madison offered an amendment to preserve stronger scientific and causal standards, arguing the bill could weaken protections in heavily burdened communities; the amendment failed on a roll call vote of 25 nays to 1 yea. Senators then continued debating the bill’s effect on ADEM’s authority, emergency rulemaking, federal standards, and environmental enforcement in Alabama.

Transcript Highlights:

• And I want to come back to the chairman's point that the technology has been well tested, well used,
• said it was fake so you know the scanner is not a hundred percent foolproof any other questions for test
• Any questions to test fire? Seeing none, thank you much for your time.
• environment like a compost pile or a time frame or conditions in which a product is designed and tested
• Chair, Prada closes the test. You have testified once already on the other bill.

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The committee heard testimony on House Bill 452, a right-to-repair bill for agricultural equipment. Farm Bureau and several manufacturers’ representatives opposed the bill, arguing that existing memorandums of understanding already provide farmers access to parts, diagnostics, and repair information, and warning that broader software access could increase emissions tampering and safety risks. Supporters, including repair advocates, a legislator, and a farmer representative, argued that the MOUs are not binding, that farmers need enforceable repair rights to avoid costly delays during critical harvest periods, and that owners should be able to repair equipment they bought without dealer lock-in. No vote was taken during the hearing. The committee also heard testimony on bills to limit or eliminate “grab-and-go” alcohol sales at large venues, including House Bill 325 and Senate Bill 225. Union workers from Fenway Park and the TD Garden described self-checkout alcohol kiosks as creating public safety and compliance problems, including underage access, over-serving, theft, and difficulty monitoring intoxication in crowded settings. They said workers are often understaffed and bear discipline when violations occur. In contrast, the Boston Red Sox and Aramark defended the supervised self-checkout model, saying it speeds service, is widely used, and operates with multiple layers of supervision, training, and regulatory oversight; they said they had not received violation notices and that any incidents are isolated. Senator Edwards also testified in support of House Bill 369, aimed at restricting marketing of certain harsh cosmetic products to children, and in support of the grab-and-go bill. She argued that children should not be targeted with products containing toxic chemicals and that alcohol service should remain supervised by trained staff to protect consumers and jobs. Senator Collins and other legislators also spoke in favor of restricting grab-and-go alcohol service, citing concerns about underage drinking and overconsumption. The hearing additionally included a separate bill on Sunday morning alcohol service, with Representatives Scanlon and Lewis arguing for allowing sales beginning at 8 a.m. on Sundays rather than 10 a.m., but that bill was only discussed briefly and no action was taken.