Transcript Highlights:

• Open machine, Madam Clerk. Close machine, Madam Clerk. There's a quorum present, Mr. Speaker.
• Open machine, Madam Clerk. If you favor the resolutions, vote aye. If you're opposed, vote nay.
• Has everyone voted? Close machine, Madam Clerk. My vote: 122 aye, zero nays.
• Hearing none, change gentleman's vote. Any further announcements? from yes to no. from yes to no.
• Hearing none, change gentleman's vote. Hearing none, change gentleman's vote.

Keywords: MS House Floor - 20 February, 2026; 9:00 AM, 925, all

Summary: The House convened with a prayer led by page Trayson Pierce, introduced by Representative Robert Sanders, followed by the Pledge of Allegiance. The chamber established a quorum, dispensed with reading the journal, and reported no select committee reports, no resolutions/petitions/memorials, and no guest introductions. The Speaker then moved to the calendar after unanimous consent to dispense reading of bill introductions. On the Rules Calendar, the chairman called up items 1 and 2 in block, then items 3 through 8, all of which were House resolutions. Each group was adopted by voice vote, with the first block recorded as 122 yeas and 0 nays. Item 9, House Resolution 62, was taken up separately to commend the life and legacy of former Representative Edwin Jerome “Jerry” Wilburn; it was also adopted by voice vote. Immediate release was requested for the resolutions, and there was no objection. Announcements noted upcoming committee meetings: Judiciary B on Monday at 2:00 p.m. in room 113 and Wildlife after adjournment on Monday in room 114. By unanimous consent, one member’s vote on HB 1936 from the previous day was changed from yes to no. The House then adopted a motion to adjourn until Monday at 4:00 p.m.

Transcript Highlights:

• It says that if there are any OMR vote tallying machines that are capable of having wireless connections
• Voting voting no. Anyone object? Voting voting no. Present? Present? Present?
• . vote. vote.
• <02:04:46.240> So,<02:04:46.360> you<02:04:46.480> no uh the OMR voting machine
• So, you no uh the OMR voting machine.

Keywords: MS Senate Floor - 10 March, 2026; 10:00 AM, 925, all

Summary: The Senate convened with a quorum present, received the invocation and pledge, and then dispensed with reading the journal, committee reports, and bill titles. Several guests and pages were introduced, including junior pages, a doctor of the day, Farm Bureau representatives, and other visitors in the galleries. The chamber also recognized a birthday and welcomed a House member to the Senate. On the calendar, the Senate took up several bills and mostly adopted strike-all amendments before passing them, often by morning roll call. These included HB 1646, which increased disaster trust fund transfer limits for declared and non-declared disasters; HB 1649, which authorized additional state fund transfers for Main Street revitalization projects and increased the total authorized expenditure; HB 1653, which kept a local improvements project fund bill alive for possible repurposing of funds, including a Mississippi Valley State residence hall project; and HB 669, which allowed patrons to bring wine into licensed premises with a corkage fee and changed wine shipment reporting from quarterly to semiannual. HB 1620 created an economic zone around the Chevron refinery in Jackson County, and HB 2787 changed school district gas-piping inspection requirements from annual testing to a two-year cycle, with funding support from gas companies. The Senate also handled several concurrence and conference motions on House and Senate bills, including SB 2263 on probable-cause requirements for Marine Resources officers boarding or stopping vessels, SB 2524 establishing the Postsecondary Attainment Council, and SB 2597 involving the ABC warehouse transfer in Madison County, with the chamber choosing not to concur and to invite conference on those items. SB 2368 made technical changes to the higher education legislative plan grant program, and SB 2526 on the Rural Water Oversight Committee returned with changes removing a reverse repealer and shifting administration of some duties to a nonprofit using rural water revolving loan funds. The Senate also tabled motions to reconsider on some items, and one nomination-related motion drew extended remarks about the role of the capital post-conviction counsel office and respect for crime victims.

Transcript Highlights:

• The voting machines are now open and will remain open for three minutes.
• Time for voting is expired. All members who wish to do so have voted. Time for voting is expired.
• Voting machines will be open for three minutes. Voting machines will be open for three minutes.
• Have all members voted who wish to do so? Time for voting has expired.
• Have all members voted who wish to do so? Time for voting has expired.

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The House opened with the Pledge of Allegiance and adopted two ceremonial resolutions: one commemorating the dedication of the Woburn Battle Road Memorial as part of the Massachusetts 250th celebration, and another recognizing May 1-7 as Elks National Youth Week. The chamber then took up House Bill 4005, a fiscal year 2025 supplemental appropriations bill using FY24 Fair Share surtax surplus funds, and ordered it to a third reading before later considering it for passage to be engrossed. During debate on the bill, the House heard a lengthy presentation in support of the proposal, which would direct about $828 million to transportation and $353 million to education. The transportation spending was described as primarily supporting the MBTA, including workforce and safety funding, reserve replenishment, station and infrastructure improvements, reduced fares, and reimbursement for tunnel closure costs, along with smaller amounts for regional transit authorities and unpaved roads. The education side included additional special education circuit breaker funding, vocational school capital, early education workforce supports, early literacy, universal school meals, higher education endowment matches, Green School Works, and ESOL waitlist reduction, with the Inspector General directed to review circuit breaker cost controls. Members then debated several amendments. One amendment related to a school athletics policy was modified by a further amendment calling for DESE analysis before implementation; both the further amendment and the underlying amendment as amended were adopted. A transportation amendment to shift $50 million from MBTA funding to Chapter 90 municipal roads was supported by members emphasizing rural road needs but was rejected on a roll call, 25-120. Another transportation amendment adding at least $300,000 for Route 93 mitigation costs in Medford was adopted, 133-20. The bill itself then passed to be engrossed on a roll call, 140-14. The House also observed moments of silence for former First Lady Kitty Dukakis and for victims of the Santo Domingo nightclub collapse, and later adopted an order to meet the next day at 11 a.m. before adjourning in memory of former Representative Philip W. Johnston.

Transcript Highlights:

• Well, then we'll just do a voice vote. All in favor, say aye. Aye. I. Opposed. Same sign. Okay.
• To move this ahead, we will need to transport oil, gas, and electrons, requiring either pipelines or
• To move this ahead, we will need to transport oil, gas, and electrons requiring either pipelines or transmission
• To move this ahead, we will need to transport oil, gas, and electrons, requiring either pipelines or
• The *Infinity Machine* is a book similar to *Empire of AI*, but chronicles Google's acquisition of the

Summary: The committee met in Grand Forks, approved the February 26 minutes by voice vote, and recessed for a tour of the Mincota Power Cooperative headquarters before returning for presentations on large energy consumers, especially data centers. The first presentations focused on how North Dakota should respond to rapid growth in energy-intensive projects, with speakers emphasizing the need for reliable transmission, local decision-making tools, and factual information for county and township officials who are being asked to weigh major projects with limited staff and technical support. The North Dakota Transmission Authority director said local governments are being asked to make high-impact decisions on pipelines, transmission lines, large agriculture, wind, solar, carbon dioxide pipelines, direct-air capture, and data centers, and urged development of simple statewide decision tools and support from the League of Cities and Association of Counties. The Department of Environmental Quality’s air division director said North Dakota’s air remains among the cleanest in the nation, but large data centers can create air-quality concerns because of diesel backup generation; he said the department is requiring air monitors at some facilities and expects grid power and, potentially, cleaner natural gas backup to reduce emissions. Members asked about emissions standards, misinformation, monitoring costs, and staffing succession at DEQ. The Department of Water Resources director said North Dakota’s water law is based on common ownership and prior appropriation, and that data centers generally use relatively small amounts of water, often in closed-loop systems. He said the Missouri River and groundwater supplies are ample for projected needs, that the department’s permitting process protects senior water rights, and that even a worst-case data center scenario would use a very small share of Missouri River flow. Members asked about downstream impacts and compared data center water use with fracking. Later, McLean County State’s Attorney Ladd Erickson urged the committee to study how other states regulate data centers, warned against litigation-driven delays and overly broad local ordinances, argued reclamation bonding should be handled at the state level if at all, and said data centers can bring jobs and tax base but should remain subject to local zoning. The committee ended the morning session for lunch and later heard an EERC update from CEO Charles Gorecki on the center’s 75 years of work in energy and environmental technologies, especially oil and gas development and related research.

Transcript Highlights:

• Well, then we'll just do a voice vote. All in favor, say aye. Aye. I. Opposed. Same sign. Okay.
• To move this ahead, we will need to transport oil, gas, and electrons, requiring either pipelines or
• To move this ahead, we will need to transport oil, gas, and electrons, requiring either pipelines or
• To move this ahead, we will need to transport oil, gas, and electrons, requiring either pipelines or
• *The Infinity Machine* is a book similar to *Empire of AI*, but chronicles Google's acquisition of the

Summary: The committee met in Grand Forks, approved the February 26 minutes by voice vote, and recessed for a tour of Minnkota Power Cooperative before hearing presentations on large energy consumers and related infrastructure issues. The first presentation, from the North Dakota Transmission Authority, focused on the need for better local decision-making tools for counties, townships, and planning and zoning boards facing major projects such as transmission lines, pipelines, data centers, wind, solar, and large-scale agriculture. The speaker urged more objective, data-driven analysis, noted that local officials often have limited time and resources, and said the state should support training and tools through groups like the League of Cities and the Association of Counties. Members asked about proactive outreach, data center ordinances, and how to avoid subsidizing large loads or causing reliability problems. The Division of Air Quality then discussed environmental oversight of data centers, emphasizing that North Dakota’s air remains among the cleanest in the country and that the agency’s role is limited to air, water discharge, stormwater, and waste—not zoning or water use. The presentation explained that data centers generally have low direct emissions but may rely on diesel backup generators when the grid is unavailable, which creates air-quality concerns; the department said it is requiring air monitors at some projects to collect real-world data and guide future decisions. Members asked about generator emissions, misinformation, monitoring costs, and staffing succession, and the agency said permit applicants pay for the monitors while the state handles some QA work. The Department of Water Resources followed with an overview of North Dakota water law and data center water use. The director explained the state’s prior-appropriation system, the public-interest review for permits, and the large overall water supply available from groundwater and the Missouri River. He said most proposed data centers use closed-loop cooling systems and generally request relatively small amounts of water compared with other uses such as power plants, irrigation, and oilfield operations, and that even a worst-case data center scenario would use only a tiny fraction of Missouri River flow. Questions focused on downstream impacts and comparisons to fracking water use, and the director said the state’s use is too small to materially affect downstream users. Later, McLean County State’s Attorney Ladd-Erickson testified online about data center zoning and permitting. He asked the committee to have Legislative Council gather information on how other states handle data center permitting and to keep the topic on the interim agenda. He argued that local zoning should remain local, but said counties lack the technical and legal resources to manage complex reclamation or bonding requirements and that state-level enabling legislation may be more appropriate. He also recommended eliminating tax incentives for data centers. The committee chair said staff would prepare a document on other states’ zoning and permitting approaches. After a lunch recess, the committee reconvened at the EERC, where CEO Charles Gorecki gave an overview of the center’s 75 years of work and its role in oil and gas, carbon management, and other energy technologies, highlighting enhanced oil recovery and carbon dioxide utilization as major opportunities for future production and tax revenue.

Transcript Highlights:

• Representative Edwards voted yes. The clerk voted yes. Representative Bean voted yes.
• Representative Leechman voted yes. Representative Murray voted yes. Representative Eel voted yes.
• Representative Priest voted yes. Representative Rung voted yes. Representative M voted yes.
• Representative Priest voted yes. Representative Rung voted yes. Representative Muns voted yes.
• Representative Priest voted yes. Representative Rung voted yes. Representative Ms voted yes.

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The Finance Committee met on February 18 and retained several bills for possible inclusion in the budget. House Bill 97, appropriating funds to the Department of Environmental Services for wastewater infrastructure projects, was retained on a 21-0 vote. House Bill 197, which would have the state pay 7.5% of certain political subdivision employees’ retirement contributions at an estimated annual cost of $28 million to $29 million, was also retained unanimously. House Bill 246, creating the Conservation District Climate Resilience Grant Program with a small appropriation of about $50,000 per year for two years, was retained 22-0. House Bill 519, appropriating $500,000 annually to support the Waypoint Youth and Young Adult Shelter, was likewise retained 22-0. The committee then shifted to a broader budget discussion. Representative Maguire said the committee was facing a roughly $732 million gap between projected revenue and spending, based on preliminary Ways and Means figures and the governor’s budget. He noted that the governor’s plan included $81 million from the rainy day fund and $127 million from proposed slot machine revenue, while other potential obligations such as $150 million in YDC payments and prison down payments were not included. Members discussed how Ways and Means revenue estimates are based on current law, meaning proposals not yet enacted would not be counted in the official forecast. Members also asked about the relationship between the education funding committee and Finance, and were told that many education bills would likely come back to Finance after action in the other committee and on the floor. The chair and members discussed donor towns, swept funds, and the possibility of moving more information technology spending into the capital budget if appropriate. The meeting ended with agreement to let Division 2 head to education funding, and the committee adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• 20 the unfinished business is the vote 20 the unfinished business is the vote on<02:20:03.319>
• Members will record their votes. Members will record their votes by electronic device.
• as opposed to having to hit the 60-vote threshold and then come back and pass it with 51 votes.
• Fifty Democrats would have voted to allow it to pass with 51 votes.
• were there to vote take maybe hard votes were there to vote take maybe hard votes and<05:44:27.878

Keywords: U.S. House of Representatives Floor Proceedings on Thursday, January 9, 2025, 1012, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Chair and Vice Chair vote aye. Representative Hasham votes aye. Representative Ichiyama votes aye.
• <03:15:40.560> chair's vote voting on HB 503 chair's vote voting on HB 503 chair's recommendation
• Are there any members voting no? Voting on HB 673.
• c> HB for the vote voting on HB for the vote voting on HB 673<03:21:39.560> chair's<03:21:
• All right, Vice Chair, for the vote. Voting on HB 596.

Keywords: 910, house, all

Summary: The Committee on Public Safety met on January 31, 2025, and first heard House Bill 1062, a housekeeping measure relating to the Hawaii Air National Guard. Testimony in support came from representatives of the Adjutant General and other National Guard witnesses. A member raised a technical question about language allowing the Guard to hold the rank authorized by the Department of the Air Force, and the response was that the bill should not require additional HR language; no vote was taken. The committee then heard House Bill 674, which would authorize allowances for TRICARE dental and vision coverage for Hawaii National Guard personnel ordered to active duty for more than 30 days. The Department of Defense supported the bill through Brigadier General Ross, Director of Joint Staff, and Terry Heiti also testified in support. There were no questions or action taken on the measure. House Bill 652, relating to veterans’ rights and benefits and regulating compensation for advice or assistance on veterans’ benefits, drew the most discussion. The Veterans of Foreign Wars Department of Hawaii supported the bill, arguing it would protect veterans from illegal or exploitative practices and noting its own service to more than 2,000 veterans in fiscal year 2024. Opposition came from the National Association for Veterans Rights and Veteran Benefits Guide, which argued the bill would restrict access to needed services and that some for-profit providers operate legally and should not be barred. Committee members questioned the scope of the bill, accreditation requirements, and whether nonprofit or pro bono services would be affected. A Department of Defense veteran services official said veterans can be vulnerable to exploitation and that some legal fee arrangements can be abusive, while also noting pro bono options exist. The committee did not reach a decision on the bill during the excerpt. The committee also began hearing House Bill 1058, which would create a veteran cemetery board within the Office of Veteran Services to help state veteran cemeteries comply with federal standards. The Office of Veteran Services and Terry Heiti testified in support. Members asked about the board’s membership, timeline, and consultant selection, and were told the working group was still in an organizational stage and no construction timeline had been set. The final measure discussed was House Bill 503, which would appropriate funds for a consultant to evaluate locations and designs for a Hawaii First Responders Memorial. The Department of Accounting and General Services supported the bill, and testimony in support was received from county and city officials, UPW Hawaii, and individuals. Members asked about the working group, timeline, and budget, and were told the project was still in early planning; no final action was taken in the portion provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• Infrastructure and the electronics that operate our grid today.
• The electrons are flowing into one particular part of the electric system.
• And the vote they get is who gets what of the limited capacity we have.
• And the vote they get is who gets what of the limited capacity we have.
• Have any comment on the discussion of differential pay for certain electrons? Mr.

Keywords: 1185, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• CPAP machines.
• By your vote of 13 ayes and 2 noes, you have voted House Committee substitute for Senate Bill 878 do
• By your vote of 15 ayes and zero noes, you have voted House Committee substitute for House Bill 3457
• By your vote of 15 ayes and zero noes, you have voted House Resolution 4661 do pass.
• By your vote of 15 ayes and zero noes, you have voted House Resolution 4661 do pass.

Summary: The Committee on Health and Mental Health met in executive session and considered several measures. On Senate Bill 878, a pharmacy-related bill, the committee adopted a substitute and an amendment that added language related to pseudoephedrine, 340B, and ivermectin, then voted the House Committee substitute do pass by a vote of 13-2. One member raised concerns about making hydroxychloroquine available over the counter and about allowing pharmacists to prescribe certain class II devices such as CPAP machines without a direct doctor-patient relationship. The committee then took up House Bill 3457, the medically complex patients bill. Members adopted a substitute that narrowed the definition of “medically complex patient,” changed one provision from “shall” to “may,” and required primary care physician approval of care plans before they are entered into an alert system. The committee voted the House Committee substitute do pass unanimously, 15-0. Two resolutions were also approved. House Resolution 538, an ALS Awareness resolution, was amended to add encouragement for assistive technology and augmentative/alternative communication, then passed 15-0. House Resolution 4661, a resolution on chronic kidney disease, also passed unanimously 15-0. The meeting ended with brief closing remarks and adjournment.

Transcript Highlights:

• By your vote, the bill was reported favorably. Thank you, Representative.
• So this AI, machine learning, large language models, et cetera, kind of befuddles me.
• I like to call them machines because I'm GenX guy, so I'm way before digital phones, etc.
• So this AI, machine learning, large. X guy, so I'm way before digital phones, et cetera.
• So this AI, machine learning, large language models, et cetera, kind of befuddles me.

Summary: The Insurance and Banking Committee met with a quorum and heard three bills. HB 487 would authorize the CFO and State Board of Administration to invest up to 10% of certain state funds in Bitcoin, require specified custody methods, allow Bitcoin lending under rule, and create a process for accepting taxes and fees in Bitcoin. The sponsor and several proponents argued it would diversify state investments, hedge inflation, and position Florida as a leader in digital assets. Members raised concerns about volatility, security, valuation, and whether Bitcoin was being singled out over other cryptocurrencies, but the bill was reported favorably after debate and a roll call vote. The committee then considered HB 7011, an Open Government Sunset Review measure for records of insolvent insurers. The bill would continue some exemptions but make additional records public, including underwriting files, risk-solvency assessments, corporate governance annual disclosures, and the names, benefits, and compensation of insurance executive officers. There was no public testimony, and members discussed privacy and safety concerns, but the bill passed and was reported favorably. Finally, the committee heard HB 1433 on hurricane mitigation grants and insurer regulation. The bill would tighten restrictions on former executives of failed insurers, raise capital requirements for new insurers, and require mitigation credits when homeowners receive Safe Florida Home funds. An amendment was adopted to require a licensed person to make final claim-denial decisions when AI or automation is used and to prioritize filings that lower rates. Consumer advocates supported the transparency and consumer protections, while industry representatives urged caution on the AI provisions. After debate, the amended bill was reported favorably. The meeting ended with closing remarks from the ranking member, vice chair, and chair reflecting on the committee’s work and likely final meeting of the term.

Transcript Highlights:

• I respectfully request your aye votes.
• So I ask for your aye vote.
• Respectfully ask for your aye vote. Thank you.
• Respectly ask for your eye vote. Thank you.
• Chen: not voting. Addis: aye. Aguiar-Curry: aye. Aguiar-Curry: aye. Flora: not voting.

Summary: The Assembly Health Committee heard a long agenda of health bills focused on access to preventive care, behavioral health, hospital services, and patient safety. Early items included AB 554, which would expand and protect access to HIV prevention drugs like PrEP, including injectable forms and coverage protections; supporters said it would shore up access amid federal threats, while insurers opposed it as a costly benefit mandate. AB 577 would limit insurer and PBM practices that steer medications away from physician offices and require more transparency and patient consent; doctors and patient advocates supported it, while health plans and insurers warned it could raise drug costs and disrupt specialty pharmacy networks. AB 546 would require coverage for portable HEPA purifiers for vulnerable enrollees during declared emergencies, especially wildfire smoke events, with support from air quality and public health groups and opposition from insurers concerned about benefit expansion and cost. The committee also heard AB 224, which would codify California’s updated essential health benefits benchmark plan after a public review process, adding infertility treatment, hearing aids, and durable medical equipment if approved by CMS for the 2027 plan year. DMHC said the state had completed the review and needed legislation to meet federal timing, and the measure drew broad support. AB 1032 would require plans and insurers to reimburse up to 12 additional behavioral health visits for enrollees in wildfire-affected counties for a limited period after an emergency; supporters argued it would fill gaps in trauma care after disasters, while insurers said existing parity and continuity-of-care rules already address the issue and that the bill could create inequities. AB 849 would require trained chaperones for sensitive ultrasound exams and training on how to observe and intervene; it was backed by a survivor and patient advocates, with hospitals and health districts raising staffing concerns. Later, AB 1196 would direct the Department of Public Health to update outdated rules requiring three surgeons for certain heart surgeries using cardiopulmonary bypass; supporters said the rule no longer reflects modern practice and strains staffing, while cardiology representatives had no formal opposition but wanted to review amendments. AB 1113 would codify a right to wear a mask for health reasons in public spaces, with support from disability and public health groups. AB 1386 sought to add perinatal care to the list of basic hospital services, prompting testimony about maternity ward closures, workforce shortages, and rural access; the author said the bill would be amended further and that the committee would need to revisit timelines and implementation details. The committee also heard AB 1429, which would address Kaiser’s repeated mental health parity violations and improve access to behavioral health care, though the transcript cuts off before any action on that bill is shown. Several bills were moved with motions and seconds, but many were held for quorum; AB 1196, AB 1113, and AB 1386 were among the measures advanced to a roll call or held on call, and the committee repeatedly noted that final votes would occur when quorum was available.

Transcript Highlights:

• Any no vote? Any without recs? No. The bill is probably moved in second. Any no vote?
• Any no votes? Any without recs?" "No. There are three no votes, not without rec.
• Any no votes, any without rights? This bill is moved to finance. Next.
• Any no votes, any without rights? This bill is moved to finance. Next.
• No vote. A motion to move the bill? No. Moved to the second? Any no vote? Any without recs? Nay.

Keywords: 993, senate, all

Summary: The Senate Energy and Telecommunications Committee met under Chair Kevin Parker and considered a series of energy, utility, and clean transportation bills. The committee first advanced a bill by Senator Connery on make-ready electric infrastructure for public-serving EV charging, after members raised concerns that the costs of preparing school bus charging infrastructure could be shifted to ratepayers. The committee then advanced Senator Parker’s pilot program for resilient EV charging microgrids, with discussion focused on using existing NYSERDA resources, the role of batteries, and the bill’s purpose in supporting emergency charging during outages. Another bill on heavy distribution centers and EV charging was also advanced after debate over its application to large warehouse and e-commerce facilities. The committee also considered a bill on carport-mounted solar systems that would limit local zoning restrictions. A motion to substitute in a different bill was ruled improper for lack of notice, and the chair’s ruling was upheld on appeal. Members then advanced a PSC guidebook bill on gas and electric rate-making, and a utility shutoff protection bill for medical emergencies, life support equipment, and elderly, blind, or disabled customers, with questions about age definitions and the scope of medical documentation. The committee also advanced the Home Utility Weatherization Jobs Act, which would create a pilot program for electrification and weatherization in disadvantaged communities, with members discussing whether the program would be available at no cost to building owners and how utilities would access capital. Throughout the meeting, members repeatedly raised concerns about who would pay for the programs, whether ratepayers or taxpayers would bear the costs, and how much local control would remain under the solar siting bill. At the end of the meeting, members briefly discussed a recent NYISO report warning about possible summer reliability issues and urged the committee and the PSC to review it closely. The chair noted the report should be considered alongside other state planning documents, and the meeting then adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• However, the tabulation machines count votes by reading barcodes that are simultaneously printed on the
• However, the tabulation machines count votes by reading barcodes that are simultaneously printed on the
• However, the tabulation machines count votes by reading barcodes that are simultaneously printed on the
• <01:50:32.000> Um, vote who they want to vote for. Um, vote who they want to vote for.
• ,<01:53:38.320> voting, vote, who are capable of vote, voting, vote, who are capable of vote

Keywords: 916, all

Transcript Highlights:

• We refer to it as hybrid scoring because it’s a mix of people and machines.
• That’s how we cross-check to make sure that the machines are grading accurately.
• That's how we cross crosscheck to make sure that the machines are grading accurately.
• So roughly 1 million human-scored items compared to 2.3 million machine-scored items.
• items. um, machine scored items.

Bills: HB8

Keywords: HB 8, Texas public school accountability, school accountability, public school transparency, STAAR, state assessments, instructionally supportive assessment program, Student Success Tool, Texas Education Agency, TEA, accountability ratings, A-F ratings, through-year assessment, benchmark testing, norm-referenced assessment, college career military readiness, CCMR, local accountability plan, school district performance, campus turnaround

Summary: The House Committee on Public Education met to hear House Bill 8, which would replace STAAR with a new assessment and accountability system beginning in the 2027-28 school year. The chair described the bill as reducing testing time, limiting benchmark tests, adding beginning-, middle-, and end-of-year assessments, requiring faster score turnaround, involving Texas teachers in test development, and tightening accountability timelines and transparency rules. Members also discussed provisions on A-F ratings, cut scores, CCMR, local accountability plans, and TEA reporting requirements. Committee members and invited witnesses split sharply on the bill’s approach. Supporters, including the chair, TEA Commissioner Mike Morath, and Ed Trust’s Nicholas Munyon Penny, argued the bill would reduce high-stakes pressure, provide quicker and more actionable data, limit over-testing, and better align assessments to Texas standards while preserving criterion-referenced accountability. They said the new system would help teachers and parents intervene sooner and would improve transparency, including parent access to student responses and automatic rescoring in some writing cases. Opponents, including Rep. Hinojosa and student witness Ella Moran, argued the bill still increases testing and replaces one high-stakes test with multiple TEA-created tests. Moran testified that STAAR creates anxiety, disrupts instruction, and does not reflect real learning, while Hinojosa said the House had previously passed a better bill based on a nationally norm-referenced model and criticized the new proposal as a concession to the Senate. Questions also focused on AI scoring of writing, rescoring rates, and whether the bill’s new accountability rules would be reliable and fair. The committee did not take a final vote during the portion provided, but the chair said a vote on HB 8 would be called after public testimony later in the day.

Transcript Highlights:

• Those who wish to electronically submit comments may refer to the public noting. public notice posting
• The chair moves to reconsider the vote by which House Bill 4426 was reported from the committee.
• The chair The chair moves to reconsider the vote by which the substitute was adopted.
• I ask for a favorable vote, and I close. Members, any questions for Representative LaHood?
• Yet Commissioners Christian and Wright voted to give this rogue operator a permit.

Bills: HB3619, HB3652, HB4572, HB4891, HB4941, HB5103, HB5105, HB5106, HB5224, HB5600

Keywords: surface estate, well plugging, Railroad Commission, landowner rights, liability, strategic reserve, gas supply, petroleum products, disaster response, Railroad Commission of Texas, energy security, emergency planning, oil and gas waste, environmental regulation, waste management, mining pits, groundwater monitoring, regulation, commercial disposal facilities, environmental standards

Transcript Highlights:

• 04:53.520> to nays are ordered or votes objected to nays are ordered or votes objected to under
• c> today<03:32:36.840> closes And an affirmative vote today closes And an affirmative vote
• chose not to support that belief, voting chose not to support that belief, voting against<03:50:
• I urge my colleagues to vote yes, and I yield back. >> Gentleman reserves?
• <04:45:13.200> yes, urge my colleagues to vote yes, urge my colleagues to vote yes, and<04

Keywords: U.S. House of Representatives Floor Proceedings on Monday, March 16, 2026, 1012, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Please silence all electronic devices.
• you see the robotics and the Amazon-type packaging facility and you see the robotics and automated machines

Summary: The Appropriations Committee on Transportation, Tourism, and Economic Development met to hear presentations from the Department of Commerce and the Florida Department of Transportation. Jason Mahon of Florida Commerce outlined the state’s economic development strategy, emphasizing Florida’s GDP growth, business formation, and strengths in manufacturing, high-tech, life sciences, defense, and financial services. He described the department’s tools for small business lending, rural investment tax credits, venture capital support, infrastructure and workforce grants, performance-based incentives, and disaster recovery loans, and highlighted examples such as ServiceNow, Williams International, Asteris, and Point Blank Enterprises. Senators asked about grant availability for small businesses, foreign companies relocating to Florida, workforce shortages in manufacturing, and whether additional tools may be needed; Mahon said most small-business support is loan-based and noted ongoing workforce and infrastructure challenges. Jennifer Marshall of FDOT then reviewed major transportation projects and the Moving Florida Forward initiative, describing the state’s large portfolio of active contracts and major congestion-relief projects across Florida. She highlighted early completions and accelerated timelines on projects including the NASA Causeway Bridge, I-95 at US 1 in Volusia County, I-4 congestion relief lanes, the First Coast Expressway, the Howard Frankland Bridge, I-4 interchanges in Central Florida, A1A coastal protection work, I-75 improvements in Southwest Florida, and the I-395 reconstruction in Miami. Senators asked about how express lane projects are selected, whether toll revenues are used for local maintenance and improvements, the status of the Miami I-395 project, and the impact of losing electric-vehicle express lane exemptions. Marshall said FDOT works with local long-range plans and congestion data, and that she would follow up on several specific funding and project questions. Committee members generally praised both agencies for project delivery, cost savings, and coordination with local partners. Senator Mayfield noted the importance of using savings and working with local governments, while Senator Wright commended Commerce’s role in economic development and FDOT’s work on major road projects. The meeting concluded with no further business, and the committee adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• Voting machines are now open for three minutes. This is roll call number 217. Thank you. Thank you.
• Voting machines are now open or remain open for five minutes.
• Voting machines are now open or remain open for five minutes. This is roll call number 218.
• Voting machines are now open and will remain open for three minutes. This is roll call No. 219.
• Have all members voted who wish to do so? As all members have voted, time for voting is required.

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The House opened with the Pledge of Allegiance and welcomed several student and community guests, including ambassadors from Robinson Middle School in Lowell, visitors honoring the Gaudet family and Patricia Rappucci, Scottish visitors celebrating Scotland’s World Cup appearance, Top-Notch Scholars students from Lawrence, and the King Philip Regional High School baseball team after its first state championship. The chamber also adopted several routine resolutions and orders, including extending the reporting deadline for the Health Care Financing Committee and suspending Joint Rule 12 for a condominium-related petition. The House then rejected concurrence with the Senate on the Massachusetts Data Privacy Act and instead voted to appoint a committee of conference. The major policy action was on Senate Bill 3064, the Mass Ready Act, a large climate resilience and environmental bond bill. Members speaking in support emphasized flood protection, clean water, PFAS remediation, municipal vulnerability preparedness, coastal resilience, parks, trails, housing, and agricultural and food-system investments. The bill was described as authorizing roughly $3.8 billion in general obligation bonds, with discussion of specific funding for the Clean Water Trust, PFAS remediation, coastal infrastructure, biodiversity, healthy homes, and farmland preservation. A consolidated amendment was adopted, and after debate the House passed the bill to be engrossed by a roll call vote. The House also took up the conference report on H. 5511, the early literacy and teacher preparation bill. Supporters said the measure would require evidence-based reading instruction, move away from three-cueing approaches, support educator training and apprenticeships, and improve student literacy outcomes statewide. The conference report was accepted on a roll call vote of 152-0. Later, the House considered amendments to the Mass Ready Act, including one proposal to increase PFAS remediation funding that was ultimately withdrawn, and adopted another consolidated amendment before passing the bill to be engrossed by a roll call vote of 151-0. The House then adopted an order to meet the next day at 11 a.m. and adjourned to an informal session.

Transcript Highlights:

• We urge an aye vote. Thank you. Thank you.
• For these reasons, we urge your no vote.
• We ask for your aye vote on AB 2531. Thank you.
• We ask for your I vote on AB2531. Thank you. We ask for your aye vote on AB 2531. Thank you.
• Vote no on AB 2531. Thank you. Thank you.

Keywords: 987, senate, all