Transcript Highlights:

• amended; HB 2995 do pass as amended; and HB 467 do pass as amended.
• For legislators and elected officials, I didn't get a chance to read the amendment in entirety, but I
• I recommend House Bill 2257 as amended do pass. As amended, as amended, as amended, as amended.
• As amended, as amended, as amended, as amended. As amended, as amended, it's a great bill.
• amended; HB 2979 do pass as amended; HB 2996 do pass as amended; and HCR 2015 do pass as amended.

Keywords: 1182, all

Transcript Highlights:

• We rivaled a midterm congressional election turnout in a spring nonpartisan election.
• <06:04:16.320> Four elected president in Congress. Four elected president in Congress.
• office and got elected by we the people. office and got elected by we the people.
• record the text of this amendment. record the text of this amendment.
• <07:08:42.080> and election is had. an election is had and election is had. an election is

Keywords: U.S. House of Representatives Floor Proceedings on Tuesday, April 8, 2025, 1012, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• The House bill amending Chapter 445 of the Acts of 1960 to establish a Board of Election Commissioners
• An act amending Chapter 445 of the Acts of 1960 to establish a Board of...
• An act amending Chapter 445 of the Acts of 1960 to establish a Board of Election Commissioners in the
• An act regulating elections in the town of Conway, House No. 4498.
• An act regulating elections in the town of Conway, House No. 4498.

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The House first took up a series of bills reported by the Committee on Steering, Policy and Scheduling, including measures on Brockton residency requirements for local offices, the Board of Elementary and Secondary Education, non-competition agreements, election administration in Salem, school nutrition, local election procedures in Longmeadow, Charlemont, Conway, and Concord, a senior property tax exemption for North Attleboro, Holyoke City Council special meetings, renter consumer rights, alcohol licensing in Southbridge and Raynham, and the Reading Home Rule Charter. The House suspended Rule 7A, ordered the bills to a third reading, and then advanced them accordingly. The chamber then considered several engrossed bills for final action. House No. 4763, validating the results of Bourne’s May 20, 2025 annual election, was passed and, after a separate constitutional vote, its emergency preamble was adopted. The House also passed to be enacted bills concerning the Cuttyhunk Fire District, Otis Fire District funding for the Historical Society of Endicott and Cuttyhunk, and the Salem licensing board. Additional third-reading actions included House No. 4321, allowing the Dalton Fire District to continue employing interim fire chief Christopher Francis Chahat, which was ordered to a third reading, and House Nos. 4267 and 4582, directing the Boston Police and Fire Departments respectively to waive maximum age requirements for named individuals, both of which were passed to be engrossed. The House then adopted an order to meet the following Wednesday at 11 a.m., and adjourned to that time in formal session, with a Democratic caucus announced for noon.

Transcript Highlights:

• I would move that 936 come before the committee, and I have an A2 author's amendment. >> And the motion
• Uh, to your amendment. >> Uh, Mr.
• All those in favor of the A2 amendment say aye. >> Aye. >> Those opposed?
• Carried to your bill as amended. Chair Nash. >> Thank you, Mr. Chair. My part will be brief.
• amended, uh, be moved to Ways and Means. amended, uh, be moved to Ways and Means.

Keywords: 919, house, all

Summary: The committee took up House File 936, an author’s bill requiring cost-benefit analysis before agencies move forward with major rulemaking. Chair Nash moved the bill, the A2 author’s amendment was adopted, and the bill was then discussed as amended. The sponsor said the goal was not to eliminate rulemaking, but to require agencies to “show their work” by analyzing costs, benefits, and assumptions before rules are adopted. Supporters, including representatives from Americans for Prosperity and the Pacific Legal Foundation, argued the bill would improve transparency, uniformity, and accountability in rulemaking. They cited federal and other state models, especially Virginia, and said similar requirements already exist in several states. They also pointed to public support for requiring cost-benefit analysis and said the bill could help agencies avoid costly or poorly thought-out regulations, reduce litigation risk, and improve legislative oversight through notice to committees and publication of preliminary and final analyses. Several members raised concerns. Representative Luger Nikolai said cost-benefit analysis is already part of existing law through SONARs and that the legislature, not agencies, should be the first line of review; she also worried the bill would force dollar valuations on qualitative factors such as accessibility. Representative Craft said the bill could allow unelected officials to negate policy choices already made by the legislature if benefits do not exceed costs. Representative Fryberg said the bill appears to require full analysis even for minor housekeeping rules and may overemphasize dollar-based benefits. Chair Nash and supporters responded that the bill is meant to impose a uniform check on agencies and that many current rules already operate without sufficient legislative oversight. The discussion ended with members expressing both support and opposition, and a roll call was requested, though no final vote was included in the excerpt.

Transcript Highlights:

• The Senate amendments also enhance it as well.
• The lady from Boone has moved for the adoption of House Amendment.
• The lady from Boone has moved for the adoption of House Amendment number one.
• If you vote for this amendment, it doesn't mean that you can't, if this amendment passes, For this amendment
• But we do have a problem sometimes with our school board elections.

Keywords: 959, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Senate Joint Resolution 1 amends the New Mexico Constitution, striking the phrase 'all school elections
• And it allows school elections in general elections, allowing school elections in general elections would
• Those Membership elections will still occur as part of the regular local election and will remain nonpartisan
• elections voting ballot.
• Currently, schools are limited and can only place these bond levy elections on a regular local election

Keywords: 996, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Amendment<00:39:45.520> number<00:39:45.839> one, Amendment number one, Amendment number
• amendment amendment number<00:40:07.440> two.
• Amendment Protection Act, amendments<00:45:57.359> three.
• amendments three. amendments three.
• . amendment. amendment.

Keywords: 916, all

Transcript Highlights:

• election in rank Choice elections election in rank Choice elections candidates<00:02:48.120>
• Every local election and county election is a nonpartisan election, so if somebody's seeing partisanship
• is<00:35:39.119> a<00:35:39.240> non election and County election is a non election
• <00:37:21.640> with<00:37:21.839> elections have to compare elections with elections
• with a a local presidential elections with a a local election election election uh<00:37:28.319>

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• And I will move first to that amendment that you referenced, the A6 is an author's amendment, intended
• <00:03:30.439> that will move first to that amendment that will move first to that amendment
• The motion and the amendment are adopted. Representative Schultz, you have the A4 amendment.
• I move the A4 amendment, and I think that this is a very important amendment as we look towards a new
• The meeting is adjourned. permanent rules as amended is there any permanent rules as amended is there

Keywords: 1183, house

Summary: The House Committee on Rules and Legislative Administration met to approve the January 15, 2025 minutes and then reviewed proposed permanent House rules for the 2025 session. House Research outlined the main changes, including eliminating the fiscal calendar and consent calendar, denying per diem reimbursement when a member is absent from a floor session, clarifying germaneness for certain statutory amendments, codifying election-challenge procedures from the temporary rules, updating the list of major finance and revenue bills, revising committee listings to match the new committee structure, and adding remote-operation rules that require the House Journal to identify members attending or voting remotely and bar per diem on those days. The committee first adopted an A6 author’s amendment clarifying that the per diem restriction for remote participation applies only to days a member attends and votes remotely during a floor session. Representative Schultz then offered the A4 amendment, which he described as improving public access to legislators and encouraging greater public engagement with members in their offices; it was adopted after no further discussion. After the amendments were approved, the committee adopted the permanent rules of the House as amended. The chair noted that the permanent rules would be taken up during session on Monday, January 27, 2025, and the meeting adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• So the Equal Protection Clause of the United States Constitution, it's in Amendment 14, the 14th Amendment
• if it shows some level of voter cohesion and it controls the relevant primary election and general election
• and be elected in the general election.
• Who has won in that district in past elections?
• So it includes voter turnout data, voter registration data, and election results through the 2020 election

Summary: The Select Committee on Congressional Redistricting met for an informational presentation from outside counsel Andy Bartos on the legal standards governing congressional redistricting. He reviewed federal Equal Protection principles, Florida’s non-diminishment provision, and Section 2 of the Voting Rights Act, explaining how race can be considered in redistricting but generally cannot be the predominant factor. He also discussed the Florida Constitution’s tiered standards, including the prohibition on intentional political favoritism, compactness, and the requirement to use existing political and geographical boundaries where feasible. Bartos focused on two recent or pending cases: the Florida Supreme Court’s Black Voters Matter decision, which upheld the legislature’s 2022 congressional map and held that the non-diminishment clause does not justify making race predominant absent specific identifiable discrimination, and Louisiana v. Callais, pending before the U.S. Supreme Court, which may further clarify whether race may be used predominantly to comply with the Voting Rights Act or whether Section 2 remains constitutional as applied. He also explained how courts assess compactness and intent, and how data such as the 2020 census, voter registration, turnout, and election results are used for voting-rights analysis. Members asked about what triggers redistricting, whether the legislature must redraw maps now, what data is available in the mapping tool, how intent is measured, and whether public input opportunities will be provided. Bartos said redistricting timing is largely a legislative judgment unless a court requires changes, that the committee can consider whether BVM or the eventual Callais decision warrants revisions, and that the Callais ruling will bind Louisiana directly but serve as precedent for other courts. No votes or legislative actions were taken, and the meeting adjourned after the presentation and questions.

Transcript Highlights:

• We can only propose amendments, just like Congress can propose amendments.
• This is an election year, I think. Is anybody in this room that's not?” “We all are in elections.
• “There's no presidential election on this ticket.
• And it certainly is nice not to have an election.
• And it certainly is nice not to have an election.

Keywords: 977, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Villegas floor amendment, and I request a roll call vote.
• to include the Villegas Floor Amendment, and a roll call.
• The motion to pass be amended to include the Villegas floor amendment and a roll call has been requested
• Thank you, sir, and please move your floor amendment.
• Please move the bill as amended. Mr.

Keywords: 1182, all

Transcript Highlights:

• amendment.
• Are there amendments? On the desk, Mr. President. Please read the First Amendment. Amendment.
• Please read the first amendment to the amendment.
• Show the amendment to the amendment adopted. Please read the next amendment.
• No further amendments to the amendment, Mr. President. Back on the amendment as amended.

Summary: The Senate convened with a quorum, opening prayer, Pledge of Allegiance, several introductions, and an announcement that there would be no weekend conference. The chamber then took up a long special-order calendar of bills, generally moving each measure through third reading and final passage, often by substituting House companion bills. Early measures included trust law modernization (SB 786/HB 895), military affairs changes and Guard retirement corrections (SB 474), rounding rules for cash transactions as pennies phase out (SB 1074), podiatric medicine regulation and informed-consent requirements (SB 1092), veterans court expansion (SB 50/HB 199), RV park special assessment clarification (SB 118), concurrent jurisdiction for juvenile offenses on military installations (SB 502/HB 351), alcoholic beverage loss deductions (SB 678/HB 1137), and bail bond/pretrial release revisions (SB 600). Most passed unanimously or near-unanimously; SB 600 passed 36-1 after questions about charitable bail bonds and an amendment aligning with the House version and prosecutors’ concerns. The Senate also considered bills on portable electronics and eyewear insurance (SB 772), the linking industry to nursing education fund and health science workforce programs (SB 1246), recovery residences and behavioral health licensing (SB 1030, with a technical amendment on background checks and probationary licenses), felony battery enhancements for repeat offenders and offenses against law enforcement (SB 436), and child welfare changes including foster-home visitor screening, a permanent statewide Step Into Success program, and a best-practices repository (SB 1718). These measures were explained by sponsors as efforts to streamline regulation, improve workforce and health-care training, strengthen public safety, and reduce administrative burdens while preserving safeguards. Votes on these bills were overwhelmingly favorable, with final tallies typically 36-0 or 37-0. A major portion of the meeting was devoted to a farewell tribute to Senator Lori Berman. Members from both parties praised her leadership, collegiality, policy work, and advocacy on issues including voting rights, women’s rights, Israel and antisemitism, school safety, breast cancer, and family law. Berman delivered a lengthy farewell reflecting on her 16 years in the Legislature, her caucus leadership, and the importance of dignity, respect, and public service. The Senate adopted a motion to spread her remarks upon the journal and then recessed before returning to continue the calendar.

Transcript Highlights:

• The suggested amendments would just be to address the term state or county-elected official.
• State or county elected official means any person elected to public office in the state or any county
• legislature which yeah we're all elected legislature which yeah we're all elected to<01:09:44.640
• Bill 2516 is to pass with amendments. Bill 2516 is to pass with amendments. >> Yes.
• 2520 SD1 is to pass with amendments. 2520 SD1 is to pass with amendments.

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Summary: The Judiciary Committee heard testimony on several bills related to bribery and public corruption. On SB 2249, which would increase penalties for bribery under certain circumstances, the Honolulu Prosecutor’s Office and Honolulu Police Department supported the measure, arguing that Hawaii’s current class B felony penalty is probationable and too weak to secure cooperation in corruption cases, especially after the U.S. Supreme Court’s Snyder decision narrowed federal bribery prosecutions. The Public Defender opposed the bill, arguing that elevating bribery to a class A felony and making it non-probationable was excessive, overbroad, and would remove judicial discretion. Multiple individuals also testified in support. Committee members questioned the prosecutor about removing deferred acceptance of plea provisions and asked HPD about the $20,000 threshold; the prosecutor said alternative charges could still be used in plea bargaining, and HPD said the threshold aligns with first-degree theft. The committee also discussed how current law tolls the bribery statute of limitations while an official remains in office, with the prosecutor explaining it can extend up to six years total. The committee then heard SB 2494, which would set a nine-year statute of limitations for bribery offenses. The Public Defender opposed the extension, saying the justification based on the length of federal investigations was too broad and that bribery already has a longer limitations period than most felonies. The Honolulu Prosecutor’s Office supported the bill, saying bribery cases often involve coordination with federal investigators, that federal and state evidence-gathering methods may differ, and that a longer period would help ensure admissible evidence and allow state prosecution when federal law no longer applies. Members asked whether there were public examples of cases lost to the current limitations period; the prosecutor said he was not aware of any publicly available examples, but maintained nine years was a reasonable period. The committee also considered SB 2737, which would create a misdemeanor for failure by a state or county elected official to report bribery. The Department of the Attorney General offered comments and suggested changing the term to “public servant” for consistency with existing law. The Honolulu Prosecutor’s Office supported the intent but warned the reporting requirement could create Fifth Amendment issues for witnesses who might otherwise be useful in grand jury proceedings. The bill drew broad public support, with 33 supporters and no opposition noted. Finally, the committee took up SB 3071, which revises sex trafficking and promoting prostitution statutes by redefining “profits from prostitution” and adding an affirmative defense for certain lawful transactions. The Public Defender opposed the measure, saying it still could reach people without the required criminal intent and that the affirmative defense language could be applied unevenly. The Attorney General and Honolulu Prosecutor supported the bill, saying it better addresses concerns raised by the State v. Ibarra decision while closing loopholes that allow traffickers to disguise profits as loans or gifts. The prosecutor emphasized that traffickers are sophisticated and can structure transactions to evade current law.

Transcript Highlights:

• as amended.
• <00:36:08.240> Amendment<00:36:08.839> thank bill as Amendment thank bill as Amendment
• The question was put on the amendment, and the amendment was adopted.
• The amendment is adopted. The motion before us now is ought to pass with amendment.
• The amendment is adopted. The motion before us now is ought to pass with amendment.

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• The committee amendment is there any discussion on the committee amendment?
• I move that Senate Bill 97 ought to pass with amendment as amended.
• committee amendment.
• <01:57:44.159> floor<01:57:44.480> Amendment the amendment floor Amendment the amendment
• <02:09:02.440> as FN ought to pass with Amendment as FN ought to pass with Amendment as amended

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• When Charlie was first elected, our oldest son...
• She took on the youngest female ever elected into the House.
• The lady from Boone has moved for the adoption of House Amendment No. 1.
• I do not accept this amendment. I would ask the body to reject it. Thank you.
• But we do have a problem sometimes with our school board elections.

Summary: The House met on the final day of session with prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, and approval of the prior day’s journal by a 126-0 vote. Most of the early floor time was devoted to points of personal privilege, with members and the Speaker offering extended tributes to departing colleagues, House staff, law enforcement, military service, and the work of the chamber. Several members also used the occasion to reflect on their careers, thank constituents and families, and discuss issues such as property tax reform, police service, mental health, and bipartisan cooperation. The House then took up Senate messages and committee reports, followed by several bills and resolutions. Senate Substitute for House Bill 2636, dealing with mortgage modification and related consumer protections, was adopted 142-1 and finally passed 144-1. Senate Substitute for House Bill 2397, concerning water district dissolution and related safeguards, was adopted 129-16 and finally passed 127-17. Senate Substitute No. 2 for House Bill 2576, a naming and commemorative bill adding observances and memorial highways/bridges, was adopted 136-4 and finally passed 134-6. The chamber also received Senate action on Senate Bill 1408 and Senate Joint Resolution 87, and committee reports recommended passage on several deferred measures. The House also debated Senate Joint Resolution 95, which proposed creating a constitutional Show Me Prosperity Fund as a sovereign wealth fund intended to eventually eliminate state-imposed taxes through long-term investment returns. Supporters argued it would promote fiscal sustainability and long-term prosperity, while opponents warned that it would lock away money during a period of projected budget shortfalls and could leave the state unable to access funds when needed. The resolution was discussed at length with questions about funding mechanics, investment authority, and emergency access, but the transcript provided does not include a final vote on the resolution.

Transcript Highlights:

• Please read the first amendment to the amendment. Amendment to the amendment, barcode 854068.
• Amendment to the amendment, barcode 854068. amendment to the amendment amendment amendment barcode 8
• Show the amendment to the amendment adopted. Please read the next amendment to the amendment.
• Show the amendment to the amendment passes. Please read the next amendment to the amendment.
• Amendment to the amendment withdrawn. Please read the next amendment to the amendment.

Summary: The Senate convened with a quorum, opened with prayer and the Pledge, and heard several member introductions before moving to the special order calendar. The chamber first took up SB 200/HB 295 on a comprehensive waste reduction and recycling plan, which directs DEP to develop a statewide recycling strategy by 2026 with stakeholder input and a three-year implementation roadmap; the House bill was substituted and passed 38-0. Senators then approved CS/CS/SB 492 on mitigation banking and land development after adopting two McLean amendments, including one on out-of-service credits and another incorporating phosphate mining lands provisions; the bill passed 35-3 after debate over possible constitutional issues. CS/SB 494 on aggravated animal cruelty was also amended and substituted with the House companion to add a searchable FDLE database of convicted animal abusers and a sentencing multiplier, with an agriculture-related exemption; it passed 37-0. The Senate next passed CS/CS/SB 500/HB 711 creating the Spectrum Alert for missing children with autism, including training and coordinated alert procedures, with a House amendment to align implementation timing and funding; it passed 37-0. CS/CS/SB 524/HB 1089 added Duchenne muscular dystrophy to newborn screening tests and passed 36-0. CS/CS/SB 592/HB 393 revised the My Safe Florida Condominium Pilot Program by lowering approval thresholds, clarifying eligibility and ownership issues, and adding sliding-door wind-driven rain mitigation devices; it passed 37-0 after discussion about funding and insurance premium credits. CS/SB 742/HB 1145 on workforce education allowed charter schools direct access to grant funding and expanded money-back guarantees for certain programs, and it passed 37-0. CS/CS/SB 822/HB 443 on charter schools generated extensive debate and multiple amendments, including a Jones amendment requiring parent acknowledgment of school rules; the bill would expand charter autonomy, reporting flexibility, enrollment capacity, and governance provisions, and it was placed on the calendar for third reading after the amendment process. Later, the Senate passed HB 827 on a statewide study of automation and workforce impact, which would examine job displacement, wages, vulnerable regions, and training needs, by a 35-0 vote. It also passed CS/CS/SB 964/HB 181 on parole guidelines, CS/SB 976/HB 901 on court-appointed psychologists, and CS/SB 1084/HB 1451 on sexual cyber harassment and digitally forged intimate images, all unanimously. CS/CS/SB 1156 on a Home Health Aid for Medically Fragile Children Program was amended to clarify training requirements and passed 37-0 after supportive debate about helping parents care for medically fragile children. Finally, CS/CS/CS/SB 1240/HB 1091 on substance abuse and mental health care was amended to allow designated facilities to retain certain stabilized patients during the 72-hour involuntary examination period and passed 37-0. Several other bills were temporarily postponed, and the chamber also recognized guests and interns throughout the session.

Transcript Highlights:

• Who's got the amendment? Representative Faulkner has got one. Then there's another two amendments.
• Is there a second to that amendment? Senator, do you have anything? Is that a friendly amendment?
• Is there a second to that amendment? Senator, do you have anything? Is that a friendly amendment?
• <00:57:35.040> At Don't you have an amendment? I do. At Don't you have an amendment?
• any questions on on the amendment? any questions on on the amendment?

Keywords: 1136, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• amendment.
• All right, seeing none, is there an amendment? Is there an amendment to the amendment?
• All right, seeing none, is there an amendment? Is there an amendment to the amendment?
• Please vote this very vital amendment in. These are not elected officials running this.
• Please vote this very vital amendment in. These are not elected officials running this.

Summary: The House met in special session, opened with prayer and the Pledge of Allegiance, approved the journal, and adopted the special order report setting the day’s calendar. The chamber then took up CS/House Joint Resolution 1F, the Governor’s property tax proposal, which would raise the homestead exemption for non-school taxes, lower the annual assessment cap on non-homestead property from 10% to 5%, and restrict county and municipal ad valorem revenue to public safety and certain other uses. Sponsor Rep. Overdorf said the measure would return money to homeowners and give local governments flexibility, while opponents repeatedly argued the ballot language was misleading and that the proposal could create large local revenue shortfalls, shift costs to other taxpayers, and threaten local services and debt obligations. Members debated a series of amendments aimed at protecting specific programs from the bill’s effects. Rep. Bartleman’s amendment to exempt Children’s Services Councils and Children’s Trusts was defeated 25-74 after supporters said those entities fund child care, mental health, aftercare, and family support, while opponents said local governments could still choose to fund them. Rep. Cross’s amendment to include water management districts in allowable uses of ad valorem taxes was also defeated, despite testimony that the districts are essential for flood control, water supply, Everglades restoration, and drought response. Rep. Eskamani’s amendment to require the Legislature to backfill public safety funding failed 25-71 after debate over whether the proposal could reduce police and fire budgets and response times. The House then rejected Rep. Woodson’s amendment to require state backfill for senior services, with supporters citing Meals on Wheels, transportation, adult day care, and other aging services, and opponents saying the state already funds senior programs. Finally, Rep. Gant’s amendment to protect veteran services was introduced and debated, with members emphasizing housing, mental health, transition assistance, and homelessness concerns for veterans; the transcript cuts off before the vote on that amendment. Throughout the debate, sponsors and supporters of the main resolution maintained that local governments would retain spending discretion and could use other revenue sources, while critics argued the measure lacked clear backfill provisions and could force cuts or tax shifts at the local level.