Transcript Highlights:

• The Senate Executive Committee meeting is called to order, as chair of the Senate Executive Committee
• Good afternoon, Chairman Sokola and members of the executive committee. My name is Morgan Zern.
• That is the role of the executive branch. But there's no place for that in the judiciary.
• Thank you, Senator Sokola, and thank you to the entire Executive Committee for your consideration of
• comment on House Bill 443, that can be emailed to the committee’s email address, which is Senate Executive

Summary: The Senate Executive Committee met in hybrid format and first considered two gubernatorial judicial appointments. Morgan T. Zurn, nominated to the Delaware Supreme Court, described her background in public service, the Court of Chancery, DOJ, and federal clerkship, and answered extensive questions about judicial philosophy, precedent, statutory interpretation, access to justice, AI and deepfakes, corporate law stability, civility, social media, and public confidence in the courts. Christy N. Vitola, nominated to be Commissioner of Family Court, discussed her Delaware upbringing, legal career in family law and child support, and experience with pro se litigants and high-volume dockets; she was questioned about handling family court cases efficiently, the best interests of the child, and correcting calculation errors. No votes on the nominations were taken during the portion shown. The committee then moved to legislation. House Bill 443, concerning background checks for volunteers and mentors in the Department of Education’s mentoring program, was presented as a technical update to allow DOE to continue receiving wrap-back reports and to ensure mentors undergo state and federal criminal background checks. There was no public comment or committee debate on the bill. House Bill 431 with House Amendment 1, sponsored by Representative Bush and Senator Hoffner, would allow composting of yard waste, food residue, and other organic materials to divert waste from landfills, extend landfill life, reduce disposal costs, support farmers by returning nutrients to the soil, and reduce methane emissions; it also preserves county/local control over siting and inspection. Senator Townsend asked whether composting was currently allowed, and Senator Hoffner explained that the bill would authorize it under the stated controls. No public comment was offered on either bill. At the close of the meeting, the chair noted that the bills and nominee backers had been circulated for signatures. Senator Hocker moved to adjourn, Senator Townsend seconded, and the committee adjourned without objection.

Transcript Highlights:

• And she is asking—an appointed member of the Behavioral Health Consortium, an executive board member
• I'm the executive director for the Delaware Association of School Administrators.
• The last bill that was on the agenda is going to be heard in an executive committee meeting in the future
• I am Susan Brown, the executive director for the Delaware Association of School Administrators.
• Like I said, we'll bring up House Bill 443 in an executive meeting over the next day or two of session

Summary: The Senate Education Committee met with enough members present to conduct business and approved the June 17 minutes. It first heard HB 459 with House Amendment 1, which would prohibit the sale of energy drinks on public middle and high school campuses during school hours or school events. The sponsor and Department of Education explained that the bill targets beverages containing caffeine and marketed as energy drinks, not ordinary soft drinks or coffee/tea products. Public testimony from the Medical Society supported the bill on health grounds, while the beverage industry said its companies already voluntarily limit school offerings and that the bill does not reflect current practice. No vote was taken in the transcript. The committee then heard HB 461, a follow-up to prior legislation on New Castle County property reassessment and school tax rates. Senator Cruz said the bill would let New Castle County school districts adjust and reset tax rates to reflect reassessment changes without increasing projected operating revenue, and that it includes a sunset. DSEA supported the measure, saying fair property values are important to public education funding. The committee also heard HB 452, which would require additional background checks and training for DIAA sports officials and strengthen DIAA enforcement procedures. Members questioned how checks would be handled, who would see the results, and who would provide training; the DIAA compliance coordinator said the checks would be maintained through the state process and that associations would verify eligibility. The bill’s sponsor and DIAA said the goal was to align officials with existing child-safety standards. Next, the committee considered HS1 for HB 425, which raises the salary supplement from 6% to 12% for nationally certified school counselors, nurses, and school social workers, and allows DOE to identify additional qualifying positions by regulation. Supporters, including school social workers, nurses, and DSEA, argued the change would improve retention and recognize advanced credentials. Senator Hansen raised concerns that school psychologists were not included; sponsors said a broader study and possible future legislation or budget language would address other nationally certified school-based professionals. The committee then heard HS1 for HB 358 on student elopement notifications, inspired by Ace’s Law, but administrators and the chair raised concerns that the bill may be too prescriptive and difficult to implement in practice, especially when schools may not immediately know a student has left campus. Finally, the committee discussed HB 379 on the comprehensive school discipline improvement program; DOE said the substitute was intended to consolidate prevention and intervention supports and avoid competition for funding, while DASA asked that the bill be paused or tabled. The meeting ended before action on the remaining bill, and HB 443 was deferred to a future executive meeting.

Transcript Highlights:

• But the executive budget did highlight a certain amount for school aid.
• And Antonia Nino, executive board member of the Italian American Action Committee.
• >> The bill is passed. >> Calendar 1037, Senate Print 429, Senator Salazar, an act to amend the Executive
• >> CALENDAR 1037, SENATE PRINT 429 SENATOR SALAZAR, AN ACT TO AMEND THE EXECUTIVE LAW.
• >> CALENDAR 1048, SENATE PRINT 2602 SENATOR ADDABBO, AN ACT TO AMEND THE EXECUTIVE LAW.

Keywords: 993, senate, all

Summary: The Senate opened with routine proceedings, approved the prior day’s journal, and then took up a budget extender. Senator Serrano’s appropriation bill was recalled from the Assembly, reconsidered, amended, and sent through Rules to the floor. During debate, senators discussed the ongoing delay in finalizing the state budget, the 13th extender, school aid payments, the Yonkers school district payment, and unresolved issues such as Tier 6 retirement changes and other budget policy items. The extender was passed 57-2 after debate, with senators pressing for more transparency about the budget negotiations and the majority responding that those issues were not germane to the extender. The chamber then recognized several resolutions and guests. Senators spoke in support of Resolution 1948 honoring New York State 4-H and its Capital Days participants, Resolution 2054 commemorating Italian American Day, and Resolution 1620 mourning Denis Michael Troy of Rockland County. The Italian American Day resolution drew extensive remarks from many senators about family histories, immigration, cultural contributions, scholarships, and community traditions, and the Senate welcomed honored guests from the Italian American community. The Rosalyn Yalow Charter School fencing team was also introduced, along with the family of Denis Troy. The Senate then moved through a long calendar of bills, passing measures on public service, city administrative code, municipal law, correction law, criminal procedure, real property tax, education, social services, public health, executive law, parks, judiciary, and alcoholic beverage control, among others. Several members explained votes on bills related to ratepayer protection, hip-hop lyrics in criminal cases, sovereign nations and gaming compacts, and the Traveling with Dignity Act requiring adult changing stations in public facilities. Most bills passed with broad support, though some drew notable negative votes. The Senate completed the calendar and adjourned until Tuesday, May 19, at 3:00 p.m.

Transcript Highlights:

• I am the executive director of EdAllies.
• Tucker, I'm the executive director of College Possible Minnesota.
• Tucker, I'm the executive director of College Possible Minnesota.
• Tucker, I'm the executive director >> B.G.
• Tucker, I'm the executive director of<00:14:53.680> College<00:14:53.920> Possible<00:14

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• ><00:09:22.480> a<00:09:22.560> legislator<00:09:23.480> to<00:09:23.640> execute
• >> and as a legislator to execute >> and as a legislator to execute >> and<00:
• 09:24.560> as<00:09:24.640> legislator<00:09:25.000> to<00:09:25.080> execute
• >> and as legislator to execute >> and as legislator to execute >> all<00:09:26.160

Keywords: MS House Floor - 6 January, 2026; 12:00 PM, 925, all

Summary: The House convened to open the 2026 legislative session with a color guard presentation by the Madison County JROTC program from Germantown High School, followed by prayer. The Speaker praised the program’s achievements and urged support for stronger JROTC resources in state education policy. The chamber then swore in new Representative Justin Crosby of House District 22, and the House was declared organized and ready to proceed with business. The House received several gubernatorial veto messages. Governor Reeves vetoed House Bills 50, 569, 1126, and 924, citing constitutional concerns, separation-of-powers issues, and the need for further study or reconsideration. Members responded by moving to return HB 19, HB 50, and HB 1126 to the Appropriations A Committee, HB 569 to the Public Health Committee, and HB 924 to the appropriate committee; those motions were adopted. The House also announced committee assignments to notify the Governor and Senate that the chamber was organized, introduced the session’s head pages, and recognized numerous guests and visitors. Members made several adjournment-in-memory requests for deceased relatives and community figures, and the body observed a moment of remembrance for the wife of Representative Casey Year. The House then adopted a motion to adjourn until 2:00 p.m. the next day.

Transcript Highlights:

• I have a great relationship with our executive staff at TCEQ.
• She is an outstanding and transparent executive. director and we have conversations constantly about
• Is the first question of your general counsel in your TCEQ executive director, Ms.
• Benjamin Barclay, Chief Executive. and Public Council of the Office of Public Utility Council to have
• pleased to introduce Benjamin Barclay, who's been appointed by Governor Abbott to serve as Chief Executive

Keywords: 1185, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• So moved unanimously, and we'll wait the four minutes and then executive. Do I have enough people?
• <00:26:08.080> Do<00:26:08.159> I<00:26:08.320> have minutes and then executive
• Do I have minutes and then executive. Do I have enough<00:26:08.720> people?
• All right, we'll go into executive session, and we'll take up the bill.
• So moved unanimously, and we're out of executive session. opposed.

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The subcommittee took up Senate Bill 19, which was described as repealing an archaic requirement that hotel keepers post rental-rate notices in rooms. Most of the discussion focused on an amendment addressing whether hotels may refuse rentals to people under 21. Supporters argued the bill’s purpose was to clean up outdated, unenforceable laws and that the amendment would clarify the age-discrimination issue by allowing businesses to set and consistently apply their own policies, such as 21-and-under thresholds, to avoid problems like underage drinking, property damage, and liability. A representative from the New Hampshire Lodging and Restaurant Association said the current language is unclear because it does not define the age threshold, creating uncertainty about whether a hotel could be compelled to rent to very young minors. Several members emphasized that owners should be able to set policies for their properties, including age-based rental restrictions, so long as they are clear and consistently applied. One member said the amendment should be more explicit about policy and thresholds, while another noted a future bill might further tighten the language. The discussion also touched on vacation rentals, deposits, and the practical differences between hotels and other rental properties. The amendment was approved by the subcommittee, and the bill was then moved as amended. In the later executive session, the committee voted 11-0 to adopt amendment 1689, then voted 11-0 ought to pass as amended, and finally voted unanimously to place the bill on the consent calendar.

Transcript Highlights:

• to an inquiry regarding compliance with federal policy and practices related to civil rights and executive
• In this time period, we've had Executive orders that are threatening providers of gender-affirming care—not
• Director of the County Health Executives Association of California, Dr.
• My name is Michelle Gibbons, and I'm with the County Health Executives Association of California.
• Catherine Flores, Executive Director for the California Immunization Coalition, as you observed at the

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• And he had dinner with business executives. from American companies.
• And then just last month, the second Trump administration published an executive order about critical
• ahead of... ...the PAC setting a model for the nation and fulfilling the Trump administration's executive
• will allow the Senate... ...the state to effectively implement a number of other legislative and executive
• On the U.S. government side, I believe it was March 18th when… President Trump issued an executive order

Bills: SB1540, SB2225, SB2284, SB2382, SB2487, SB2514, SB2595, SB2876, SB2877, SB3031, SB2753, HB45

Keywords: election officials, confidentiality, personal information, government transparency, public safety, spirit beverages, alcoholic beverages, Texas Alcoholic Beverage Code, distribution, taxation, firearms, local regulation, archery equipment, weapons, voter registration, statewide list, county requirements, election integrity, computer services contracts, mental health

Transcript Highlights:

• About the public executive employee contracts, which have these golden parachutes—these big payout clauses
• There's no broader regulation in government executive severance payments under law.
• HB4317 limits political subdivisions from providing severance pay to executive employees or independent
• As filed, House Bill 4317 allows for up to 20 weeks of severance pay for executive employees who are
• I'm the executive director of the State Association of Fire and Emergency Districts.

Bills: HB158, HB714, HB 1198, HB1630, HB1998, HB3509, HB3788, HB3875, HB3948, HB3977, HB4097, HB4313, HB4314, HB4317, HB158

Keywords: housing, veterans, surplus government property, affordable housing, funding sources, housing assistance, homeless prevention, landlord incentives, rural housing, domestic violence, community development, tenant readiness, program participants, financial assistance, homelessness, rental support, Texas Tenant Readiness Program, tenant assistance, housing stability, Texas Department of Housing

Transcript Highlights:

• And then on the back of the A6 at the top, the Executive Director, it would revive the 20-year-old 2025
• The current Compensation Council expired when it submitted its recommendations for executive branch salaries
• Sections allow for longer temporary and emergency appointments of employees in the executive branch.
• Executive Director Christine Sundberg, and on deck we have member Kathleen Kelso.
• I'm Christine Sundberg, Executive Director of Elder Voice Advocates.

Bills: HF1837, HF361, HF2725, HF2566, HF2744, HF1685, HF501, HF1889, HF1389

Keywords: state policy, employment, health insurance, fossil designation, public funds, community resources, Capitol Mall, grantmaking, community vitality, livability, funding, healthy aging, aging policy, older adults, seniors, elderly, gerontology, long-term care, assisted living, nursing homes

Transcript Highlights:

• My name is Kenosha Alexander, and I serve as the interim executive director of the Minnesota Coalition
• I'm executive director of Violence Free Minnesota.
• I'm the executive director of Cornerstone Advocacy Service.
• I'm the executive director of Cornerstone Advocacy Service.
• I'm the executive director of Cornerstone Advocacy Service.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I will announce, before we move into executive session, we are not going to have a vote on House Bill
• We are going to have a hearing or an executive session on the day.
• So with that, I move that we go into executive session for House Bill 2375. Any discussion?

Keywords: 959, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I'm the executive director of SECA, California IHSS Consumer Alliance.
• And I'm also a SEIU 2015 executive board member, former.
• Hello, my name is Rachel Hagan and I'm on the executive board of SEIU.
• I'm a proud member of SEIU 2015 and an executive board member as well.
• The executive directors lump all of the contracts into, like, one vote.

Keywords: 987, senate, all

Summary: The subcommittee heard an overview of the governor’s IHSS budget proposals and then took public testimony from the administration, LAO, county representatives, labor, consumer advocates, and an aging/disability advocacy group. The administration described IHSS as a large Medi-Cal long-term services program serving more than 900,000 recipients and proposed three changes: shifting some growth costs tied to authorized hours per case to counties, eliminating the statewide backup provider system, and aligning IHSS terminations with Medi-Cal terminations. The administration also discussed the earlier CFCO reassessment penalty change for counties and said overdue reassessments had dropped significantly. LAO said the governor’s overall IHSS cost estimates appeared reasonable, but raised concerns about the hours-per-case cost shift, including unclear root causes for growth, limited county control over statewide averages, and uncertainty about the eventual savings. County Welfare Directors Association, SEIU, and consumer/advocacy witnesses opposed the hours cost shift, arguing counties use state tools, the proposal would pressure counties to cut services, and it could harm older adults and people with disabilities by increasing institutionalization and shifting costs elsewhere. The chair and members repeatedly questioned the rationale for the proposal, the lack of a defined baseline, and whether the current assessment tools or MOE structure should instead be revisited. On the backup provider system, the administration said the program is underused and costly to administer relative to service spending, while LAO suggested the Legislature consider whether administrative costs could be reduced instead of eliminating it. County, labor, and consumer witnesses opposed the cut, saying the system is a critical emergency safety net even if utilization is low, especially for rural areas and people with complex needs. Members also asked about data quality, county backup systems, and whether consumers know the program exists. On the Medi-Cal/IHSS alignment proposal, the administration said automation would stop General Fund-only spending when recipients lose Medi-Cal and restore IHSS automatically when Medi-Cal is regained; LAO and others noted the proposal had been rejected before and urged better notices and safeguards. Witnesses warned that automatic termination could create gaps in care and unpaid work for providers, while the department said counties already manually terminate in some cases and that automation is ready if approved. No votes were taken in the excerpt, and the chair indicated the committee would continue with public comment and later items before a hard adjournment time.

Transcript Highlights:

• And I’m joined by Deputy Executive Secretary Mike Bull as well.
• direction through the executive direction through the executive secretary.<01:08:32.640> Additionally
• Uh currently to an executive secretary.
• For the record, I'm Mike Bull, the deputy executive secretary at the commission.
• executive secretary at the commission. executive secretary at the commission.

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• The grants are obligated and funds have fully executed agreements.
• obligated and funds have fully executed obligated and funds have fully executed agreements.<00:13
• But 2,180 cases have arisen in a short time because the legislative and executive branches have so much
• But 2,180 cases have arisen in a short time because the legislative and executive branches have so much
• branch and the legislative executive branch and the legislative branch<00:42:49.359> has<00:42

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Summary: The Judiciary and Agriculture and Environment committees held an informational briefing on how recent federal policy changes, funding delays, cancellations, and layoffs are affecting Hawaii’s climate mitigation and adaptation efforts, and on the legality of some of those federal actions. Chair Carl Rhodes and Chair Mike Gabbard opened the meeting by framing it as part of an interim series on the rule of law and Hawaii’s response to federal actions. They noted there would be no public testimony, only invited presenters, and that questions would be held until the end. No votes or formal committee actions were taken. State climate change coordinator Leah Laramie described broad impacts from federal actions, including grant cancellations, litigation over terminated funding, staff cuts at NOAA and EPA, and the effect of the federal tax and spending law she said would raise energy costs, reduce grid reliability, and threaten renewable energy and transportation projects. She highlighted the loss or expiration of incentives for EVs and other clean-energy technologies, the termination of the Solar for All program and other rescissions, and the risk to major Hawaii projects such as Carbon Smart Commodities and other energy and land conservation programs. She also said the state’s attorneys general had taken numerous climate-related legal actions, including suits challenging federal cuts and the oil companies’ role in the climate crisis. Retired Justice Michael Wilson focused on the rule of law and climate justice, arguing that Hawaii is on the front line of climate change and that fossil fuel companies pose the greatest long-term threat. He said the state lacks a comprehensive climate protection plan despite the urgency of the crisis, cited UN and scientific warnings about a limited time horizon and severe warming, and pointed to projected local harms such as sea-level rise, beach loss, infrastructure damage, and major economic losses in Waikiki. His remarks emphasized the need for stronger planning and legal accountability, especially in light of federal rollbacks and the influence of fossil fuel interests.

Transcript Highlights:

• Um, I enter a motion to go into executive session.
• We are in executive session. So, let's talk about some of the bills we have open.
• A motion to come out of executive session? So moved.
• It's been executive session? So moved.
• All those in favor executive session. All those in favor say<01:55:13.119> I.

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• > of<00:38:27.760> finance I'm the executive director of finance I'm the executive director
• executive director Brandon Wait, Dr. executive director Brandon Wait, Dr.
• Susan Outlaw, executive director of Metro Dev School.
• is Annne Weiss and I am the executive is Annne Weiss and I am the executive director<01:15:22.880
• I'm Melanie Peters, executive director of Starbase Minnesota, Inc.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• We have a legislative branch and an executive branch.
• My name is Leah Jones, and I am the executive director at LIF Prep School in St. Paul.
• My name is Carrie Bachan, and I'm from Avalon School, and I'm the executive director.
• committee I'm Dan armag the executive committee I'm Dan armag the executive director<01:13:23.639
• I'm the executive director at the Minnesota Association of Charter Schools.

Bills: HF827, HF1258, HF2387, HF2388, HF2534, HF2016

Keywords: education, school funding, consolidation aid, financial support, Minnesota Statutes, education finance, ice arena, school districts, cooperation agreement, equal sports opportunities, school milk program, nutrition, food waste, kindergarten, public schools, supplemental revenue, charter schools, funding, state appropriations, general education funding

Transcript Highlights:

• Okay, I'm going to close the executive session on HB 616 and open up the executive session on HB 77,
• Okay, I'm going to close the executive session on HB 616 and open up the executive session on HB 77,
• Okay, I'm going to close the executive session on HB 616 and open up the executive session on HB 77,
• I'm going to close out the executive session for HB 77 and open up the executive session for HB 505,
• I'm going to close out the executive session for HB 77 and open up the executive session for HB 505,

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The committee opened a hearing on HR 18, a resolution urging New Hampshire’s congressional delegation to seek federal changes that would let very small slaughter plants use custom-exempt inspection criteria with a third-party inspector present, so beef, pork, lamb, and goat could be sold as individual cuts directly to consumers. Representative Judy Aron said the resolution was drafted in lieu of state legislation because the issue is governed by USDA rules, and she noted she was also working on an amendment to ensure the measure covered federal “very small” plants. Representative Miner asked for clarification about custom slaughter versus retail sales, and Representative Scully supported the resolution while suggesting language to make clear it applied only to local end consumers. Joyce Brady of the New Hampshire Farm Bureau testified in support, saying the state’s four USDA slaughterhouses and the bottleneck in custom cutting made the issue important. After no further testimony, the chair closed the hearing. The committee then moved into a work session on several bills. For HB 616, members discussed an amendment that had been revised after public comments and Commissioner Jasper’s feedback; Representative Guber said it balanced the competing positions, and Representative Penza and Representative Ger said the language now addressed concerns about animal suffering by allowing euthanasia if a treating veterinarian determines the animal is in extreme suffering. The committee then discussed HB 77, with Representative Penza describing changes to landfill-related standards, including replacing aquifer references with drinking water wells, removing a penalty section, changing discretionary language to mandatory language for the department, and adjusting an in situ soils standard. Members praised the compromise, though Representative Scully raised concerns about the 1,500-foot setback and suggested engineering controls such as berms; Penza responded that current rules do not include such controls and that the setback was intended to address surface spills. Several members said the bill reflected a hard-fought balance and should not be rewritten at the last minute. For HB 505, the freeze-dried food bill, Representative Aron explained that the amendment replaced a simple exemption with a requirement that homestead food operations selling freeze-dried foods from a farm stand, farmers market, or retail food store obtain a homestead food license under RSA 143-A:4. She said the amendment defines freeze-dried foods as fruits, vegetables, and commercially prepared dairy products, and delays the effective date 120 days to allow rulemaking. Members generally supported the approach as a light-touch oversight mechanism for potentially hazardous foods, though Representative Ktoa asked for clarification about how the amendment interacts with existing licensing and inspection exemptions, and Aron clarified that these products would not be exempt from licensing under the relevant law. The committee then turned to HB 250, concerning local authority over dog muzzling, where members broadly supported the amendment as a simple solution, while Representative Ktoa asked about the underlying definition of a vicious dog and whether all listed behaviors would warrant muzzling. The discussion noted that the amendment would allow towns to require muzzling for dogs meeting the statutory definition, while excluding hunting, working, herding, and similar dogs.