Transcript Highlights:

• Um, it is my honor and privilege to announce our junior pages this week.
• <00:06:18.240> our honor and privilege to announce our honor and privilege to announce our junior
• <00:06:19.680> We<00:06:19.919> have<00:06:20.240> Vic junior pages this week
• We have Vic junior pages this week.

Keywords: MS House Floor - 17 February, 2026; 2:00 PM, 925, all

Summary: The House convened with prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, and a quorum present. Members dispensed with the reading of the journal, and there were no reports from select committees, no resolutions or memorials, and introductions of bills and constitutional amendments were handled without reading. The chamber also recognized several guests and pages, including a large group of nursing students from Alcorn State University, along with other visitors and constituents in the galleries. A number of members used the announcements period to highlight events and personal matters. Representative Powell asked that the House adjourn in memory of Pat Husler, the mother of a committee assistant, and the request was accepted. Representative Bell also asked to adjourn in memory of the late Reverend Jesse L. Jackson, describing him as an inspiration. Representative Fondren announced a Mississippi Association for Justice event later that evening, and Representative Wallace gave an update on the Sale of Champions, noting scholarships awarded, animals sold, and funds raised. The only formal committee action mentioned was an announcement that Appropriations A would meet at 10:00 a.m. the next day in room 2011A, and that the appropriations committee would also meet five minutes after adjournment to consider a bill that had been omitted earlier. The House then adopted a motion to adjourn until 2 p.m. the following day.

Transcript Highlights:

• I have with me today some students and teachers from Carroll Junior High School.
• As always, it is a joy to have Carroll Junior High School here.
• As always, it is a joy to have Carroll Junior High School here.
• My entire family and I graduated from Carroll Junior High and Carroll High School.
• That's just how much we loved Carroll High School and Carroll Junior High.

Keywords: 974, senate, all

Summary: The Senate Committee on Health and Welfare met on May 6, 2026, with five members present. After adopting the April 28 minutes, the committee heard a brief presentation on the new Leadership Louisiana Health Fellows Program, which is intended to bring together health care, business, policy, and education leaders to study Louisiana health challenges and build a network for action. Members expressed support for the program and its potential value to health policy work. The committee then advanced several bills, often with technical or substantive amendments. SB 57, a nutrition-labeling bill, was amended to push its effective date to December 31, 2028 and reported as amended. HB 62 increased the membership of the Louisiana Women’s Policy and Research Commission to 27 members and was reported as amended. HB 193 updated membership rules for the sickle cell commission foundations so long-serving executive directors would not have to reapply repeatedly, and it was reported as amended. HB 815 would allow financial institutions to receive death certificates to help families manage accounts after a death; it was reported favorably after a question about state-licensed banks. SB 405 was substantially revised to codify LDH’s new Ascend nursing-facility quality initiative, including statewide quality oversight goals, stakeholder involvement, reporting requirements, and tools such as dashboards and surveys; after reconsidering prior action and adopting the new amendment, the bill was reported as amended. The committee also approved HB 222, which provides Medicaid dental coverage when needed for another covered medical procedure, and HB 420, which requires background checks for all DCFS employees with access to sensitive information. HB 475 requires verbal consent when AI is used to record or transcribe a medical visit and was reported favorably after a technical question. HB 246 updated membership of the Children’s Cabinet Advisory Board and the council on grandparents raising grandchildren, including replacing an inactive coalition seat with the state police superintendent or designee. HB 486 would enter Louisiana into the psychology inter-jurisdictional compact to expand access to mental health care, and HB 574 updated outdated board names on the Mental Health Advisory Services Board; both were reported favorably. Later, the committee reported HB 949, which creates a licensure framework for radiologist assistants to help address imaging workforce shortages, especially in rural areas, and HB 584, which requires foster children to be provided luggage instead of trash bags for their belongings and restores “rights” language in the Foster Youth Bill of Rights. The committee also reported HB 1214, restructuring certain LDH facilities into a single system under the secretary’s office; HB 1092, a technical renaming/terminology cleanup bill; and HB 203, which adds members to the uterine fibroids commission. Throughout the meeting, members and witnesses emphasized access to care, workforce shortages, child welfare, and quality improvement, and the committee repeatedly adopted amendments and reported the bills favorably or as amended before adjourning.

Transcript Highlights:

• Then it was Palm Beach Junior College.
• swim team and being the oldest college swimmer in America for two years and participating in the junior
• the swim team and being the oldest college swim in America for two years and participating in the junior
• college or qualifying the junior college national championships in 10 events.
• We served the five local high schools and targeted sophomore and junior athletes.

Summary: The Appropriations Committee on Higher Education convened with a quorum and first took up CS for SB 1694 on technology education. The bill would require technology-integrated postsecondary general education core courses to include digital literacy and competency instruction, including use of artificial intelligence tools, and would encourage high school computer science courses that include AI to teach how AI systems use data, their benefits and limitations, and responsible use in academic and personal settings. The bill sponsor and several supporters emphasized preparing students for an AI-driven workforce while teaching critical evaluation and ethical use; one speaker raised concerns about overreliance on AI and the need to preserve real-world skills. Senator Davis supported the measure and suggested introducing similar instruction earlier, possibly in middle school. The committee voted the bill favorably, with Senator Leak later recorded in the affirmative. The committee then heard a large block of confirmations for higher education boards, including appointees to Tallahassee State College, the University of South Florida, the University of North Florida, Palm Beach State College, the College of the Florida Keys, Hillsborough College, Miami-Dade College, Florida A&M University, Florida Gulf Coast University, Florida International University, New College of Florida, Florida Polytechnic University, and the University of Florida. The appointees generally highlighted backgrounds in education, health care, law, business, technology, and public service, and described priorities such as student success, workforce alignment, affordability, fiscal responsibility, and institutional growth. One nominee to Tallahassee State College was asked about low NCLEX pass rates and said the college had a plan approved by the Florida Board of Nursing. Another nominee discussed Florida Poly’s STEM mission, and several members praised the nominees’ community ties and professional experience. After hearing the appointees, the committee voted to report the block of confirmations favorably to the Ethics and Elections Committee. The committee then received a high-level overview of the higher education budget, totaling $11.9 billion, with major emphasis on workforce training and development. Highlights included increases for school district workforce education, the Florida College System, workforce development capitalization, a rural educator recruitment program, funding for the USF Center for Nursing, preeminent research universities, UCF’s community school grant program, UF’s literacy and math initiatives, UF’s autism and neurodevelopment center, and a postsecondary guardian program for campus security. Members asked a brief question about a workforce fund transfer, and the chair explained it was a transfer of an existing program with new funds added. No public comment was offered, and the meeting adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• Junior senator from 16. Thank you. Excuse me. Thank you, Mr. President.
• Junior senator from the Fifth. Thank you, Mr. President.
• Junior senator from the Fifth talks about you being a hippie.
• Junior senator from second. Thank you, Mr. President.
• And anyone can tell the story of walking through junior rules and just listen to Charlie talk.

Keywords: 994, senate, all

Summary: The Senate took up a series of House amendments and conference-related actions on multiple bills, mostly concurring with the House and passing the measures. Bills approved included SB 194 on the disabled veteran taxpayer definition, SB 499 on auto accident toxicology testing, SB 672 on Real Estate Commission license discipline, SB 724 on home confinement officers and EMS retirement, SB 897 on alcohol and drug counselor licensure, SB 982 creating the Neighborhood Access Road Program, SB 197 increasing penalties for sex crimes against minors, SB 648 on the Strategic and Critical Resources Act, SB 182 on minor boundary adjustment annexation, SB 5101 on strangulation penalties, SB 4364 on juvenile offender bail/counsel provisions, SB 4412 on age verification for websites, SB 5564 on deputy sheriff vacation carryover, SB 4138 on sex offender registration fees, SB 4951 on continuing education for MDs and DOs, SB 4 on officer protections, and SB 927 on agricultural rulemaking and municipal regulation of beekeeping. In several cases the Senate also adopted effective-date motions, including making SB 724 effective July 1, 2026 and SB 648 effective from passage. The chamber also handled a disagreement on House Bill 4588, refusing to recede from its amendment and appointing a conference committee. On SB 389, the Senate refused to concur in the House amendment and asked the House to recede after the House amendment stripped operative provisions from the historic rehab building credit bill. SB 182 was briefly reconsidered and then passed again after a motion to reconsider the vote. A major portion of the meeting was devoted to adopting Senate Resolution 67 honoring Senator Michael Andrew Woelfel and Senate Resolution 68 honoring Senator Charles Houston Clements. Members from both parties gave extended remarks praising Woelfel’s candor, mentorship, and long service, and Clements’s steadiness, institutional knowledge, and public service. Both resolutions were adopted by roll call vote, and the Senate then recessed briefly to present the honorees with resolutions and flags flown over the Capitol.

Transcript Highlights:

• We are greeted today by the Mayor of Daphne, Robin Lun, and also the Daphne Junior City Council, who
• So, Wesley, this is the Daphne Junior City Council, and they all represent the city of Daphne through
• Every time the Junior City Councils come up from the cities, they...

Bills: HB446, HB485

Keywords: HB446, Daphne, Baldwin County, annexation, municipal boundary, corporate limits, local act, municipal incorporation, city limits expansion, zoning, land use, property tax, municipal services, Section 11-42-6, Judge of Probate, County Road 54 W, County Road 64, Rigsby Road, Highway 181, Alabama State Highway 181

Transcript Highlights:

• they also prepare for... ...their futures and apply, especially to Texas public colleges in their junior
• By your junior year, you need to prepare for an application for a program scope. Sure, on it.
• By the time they get to their junior or senior year, they understand and have a better outlook on life
• , and I do think one... ...of the things is that if you don't find out your class rank until your junior
• And there's not much time to make a dent one way or the other by the time you're a junior, right?

Bills: SB750, SB2995, SB1716, SB2430, SB203, SB1679, SB2683, SB1414

Keywords: tuition exemption, paramedics, higher education, public institutions, laboratory fees, education code, financial aid, education, student support, scholarships, nontraditional education, student enrollment, financial assistance, Texas students, foreign adversaries, trade secrets, research integrity, security measures, international agreements, student privacy

Transcript Highlights:

• So, Madam Speaker, won't you join me in please celebrating the junior member of South Burlington on her
• Happy birthday, member. the birthday of the junior member from the birthday of the junior member from
• So, Madam Speaker, won't you join me in please celebrating the junior member of South Burlington on her
• So, Madam Speaker, won't you join me in please celebrating the junior member of South Burlington on her
• So, Madam Speaker, won't you join me in please celebrating the junior member of South Burlington on her

Keywords: 926, house, all

Summary: The House began with devotional remarks and then handled several procedural referrals. Senate bills 198 and 323 were referred to the Committee on Ways and Means under House Rule 35A because they affect state revenue, and Senate Bill 326 was also referred to Ways and Means after the Transportation Committee reported it favorably with amendment. House Resolution 18, supporting preservation of the Julian Scott birthplace in Johnson, was read by title and referred to the Committee on Corrections and Institutions under House Rule 52. The chamber then read a series of adopted House concurrent resolutions honoring Vermont schools and individuals, including the Fair Haven Union High School Slater bowling team, the Hartford High School Hurricanes girls ice hockey team, the Hartford girls basketball team, Theres Black as Vermont Mother of the Year, and the Mount Mansfield Union High School girls tennis team. Members made brief announcements welcoming some of the honorees and guests to the chamber, including the Mount Mansfield tennis team, Theres Black, the Fair Haven bowling team, and others. The main floor action was on House Resolution 17, affirming that all Vermonters are presumed competent to communicate and must be provided communication resources of their choice. The Human Services Committee chair explained the resolution grew out of testimony on alternative communication methods, including facilitated communication and rapid prompting method, and said the committee heard from people with lived experience, professionals, and written testimony from medical and speech-language organizations. The committee reported the resolution out 9-0-2, and the House adopted it. The House then took up Senate Bill 209, relating to prohibiting civil arrest in sensitive locations, and proceeded to its third reading and concurrence-with-amendment question.

Transcript Highlights:

• I'm a junior at Shakota High School. and my sponsoring senator is Senator Fricks.
• Hello, my name is Peyton Moer, and I'm a junior at Southwest Covenant Schools.
• I am a junior at Edmund North High School. I am paging for Senator Adam Puguh this week.
• I'm a junior at Meeker High School. This week, I'm paging for Senator Grant Green.
• Allen Junior to the Oklahoma Veterans Commission?

Bills: HB2894, HB3418, HB3415, HB3413, HB3414, HB3416, HB3417, HB3419, HB3420, HB1739, HB1752, HB1979, HB2941, HB2992, HB3075, HB3086, HB3177, HB3269, HB3278, HB3279, HB3497, HB3644, HB4432, HB3720, HB3849, HB3882, HB3919, HB3941, HB4118, HB4141, HB4268, HB4342, HB4428, HB4429, HB4434

Keywords: HB2894, Oklahoma Rural Jobs Act, rural jobs, rural investment, tax credit, capital investment tax credit, state tax credits, economic development, rural fund, rural investor, qualified investment, eligible business, Department of Commerce, rural business, investment certification, tax liability, credit cap, workforce development, small business finance, rural development

Transcript Highlights:

• The Junior League of Annapolis, Inc., is an organization of women whose mission is to advance women's
• Congratulations to the Junior League of Annapolis on their advocacy day and for their continued leadership
• <00:20:35.040> The<00:20:35.160> Junior<00:20:35.600> League have in the gallery
• The Junior League have in the gallery.
• The Junior League of<00:20:35.960> Annapolis<00:20:36.600> Inc.

Keywords: House streaming session for Monday, March 9, 2026, 957, house, all

Summary: The House convened with prayer, established a quorum, and approved the previous day’s journal. The main formal action was the reading and adoption of a House resolution honoring the women of the 6888th Central Postal Directory Battalion for their World War II service, with remarks emphasizing their role in clearing a massive mail backlog, supporting troop morale, and breaking barriers for African American women in the military. The resolution was read in full and presented on March 9, 2026. The chamber then handled introductory legislation and Senate messages on consent calendars. House Bills 1632 through 1642 were read the first time and referred to the appropriate committees, and Introductory House Bond Initiatives 62 through 65 were referred to Appropriations. Senate Bill 439 was introduced in the House and referred to Economic Matters, and Senate Bill 69 was introduced and referred to Government, Labor, and Elections. No objections or recorded votes were noted on these referrals. The remainder of the meeting consisted largely of caucus and guest announcements. Members announced upcoming caucus meetings, a high school shadow day, an Iftar dinner hosted by the Muslim and Women’s Caucuses, a Women’s Caucus election with in-person and remote voting times, and other constituent and guest recognitions, including District nights and visits from AFSCME Maryland Council 3, the Junior League of Annapolis, foster youth participants, and student pages. The House then adjourned on motion of the Majority Leader until Tuesday, March 10 at 10:00 a.m.

Transcript Highlights:

• I remember being a junior high and high school student in Frogtown Community into Midway with St.
• 00:02:55.760> high Children uh I remember being a high Children uh I remember being a high Junior
• 56.760> high<00:02:56.959> school<00:02:57.200> student<00:02:57.640> in Junior
• I still remember walking to the X for the first time as a junior, feeling the energy and excitement of
• high and taking the bus and junior high and taking the bus and getting<00:41:24.200> rides<00

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• And so we took this kind of unique approach where the high schools identify a junior or a senior.
• The approach is where the high schools identify a junior or a senior.
• Did we maybe not retain as many at the sophomore-junior level?
• year in high school and where they're at junior year in college?
• Governor's School is open to sophomores and juniors in high school, and those are programs.

Summary: The Higher Education Institutions Committee met on the Minot State University campus for presentations on campus operations, enrollment, and new academic initiatives. President Shirley reviewed recent audits, noting mostly clean results with only minor technical findings, and highlighted MSU’s broad academic offerings, specialized accreditations, athletics, and partnerships with Minot Air Force Base and the MSU Development Foundation. Members asked about declining interest in teacher education, tuition waivers for athletes, dual credit incentives, and how MSU decides when to launch new programs and avoid duplication within the university system. Shirley also discussed several workforce-focused initiatives supported by the Legislature’s Workforce Education Innovation Funds, including the purchase of the Trinity Health Center West building for a downtown health sciences hub, a new daycare/preschool partnership near campus, the Aspire program to recruit rural students into teaching, and a paraprofessional-to-special-education degree pathway. Enrollment data showed overall headcount was flat at just under 2,750, but full-time equivalent enrollment rose slightly and new student numbers increased, including the largest freshman class in 15 years. The committee also discussed Minot State’s in-state tuition rate for all students, its dual credit “Emerging Scholars” scholarship, and concerns about the share of high school graduates who do not immediately pursue postsecondary education. Faculty then presented two new programs funded in part by WEAF: an Innovation Engineering degree and a master’s program in counseling with an integrated addiction studies focus. The engineering program was described as industry-driven, designed with broad early coursework, hands-on learning, and local employer input to prepare students for western North Dakota workforce needs; officials said it had already drawn more applicants than expected and would use renovated library space and donated or grant-funded equipment. The counseling program will be mostly face-to-face with hybrid options, aims to address shortages in mental health and substance use providers, and is structured to help students meet licensure requirements. Committee members asked about startup costs, licensure supervision hours, and whether the programs would be on campus rather than online, and presenters said both programs had recently received required approvals and were moving forward.

Transcript Highlights:

• Raposa, Sage Tibian, Sophia White; sophomore Chvel Arthur, Autumn Balakan, Zack Meyer, Josh Syama; juniors
• Juniors<00:02:17.200> Aiden<00:02:17.599> Au<00:02:17.920> Pa,<00:02:18.400>
• Jacob<00:02:18.720> Kochi,<00:02:19.120> and Juniors Aiden Au Pa, Jacob Kochi, and
• Juniors Aiden Au Pa, Jacob Kochi, and Alex<00:02:19.520> Wood.

Bills: HB9, SB2069, SB2342, SB2861, SB3123, SB2623, SB585, SB2211, SB2446, SB2919, SB2125, SB2116, SB2999, SB2656, SB2001, SB3169

Keywords: HB9, Hawaii Purple Heart state, Purple Heart, Purple Heart recipients, veterans, military, armed forces, service members, combat wounded, war veterans, military honors, state designation, symbolic legislation, honorary designation, Chapter 5 HRS, Hawaii Revised Statutes, military appreciation, veteran recognition, SB2069, Hawaii housing

Transcript Highlights:

• I'm a junior, and I'm paging for Senator Andridge. And I'm planning on attending College.
• I'm a junior at Piedmont High School.
• I'm a junior at Blanchard High School.
• I'm a junior at Norman High School. I'm a page for Senator Boren and I plan to attend college Mr.

Bills: SB1636, SB1584, SB1730, SB1255, SB1627, SB137, SB2062, SB1470, SB1284, SB1632, SB1594, SB2045, SB1251, SB1884, SB1250, SB1630, SB1262, SB1374, SB1292, SB1432, SB1199, SB1790, SB1481, SB1614, SB1734, SB1437, SB1489, SB1718, SB1778, SB1327, SB1372, SB1403, SB1937, SB277, SB2131, SB1749, SB1348, SB1469, SB2018, SB1931, SB1530, SB2155, SB2030, SB1926, SB2170, SB2151, SB2166, SB1213, SB1381, SB1824, SB1876, SB1728, SB1582, SB1286, SB1386, SB1708, SB1618, SB2106, SB1471, SB2139, SB2154, SB1619, SCR15, HB2786, HB2787, SB1525, SB2011, SB2159

Keywords: cold case, unsolved homicide, violent crime, case file review, law enforcement, police records, victim family, immediate family member, designated person, forensic testing, witness reinterview, investigative leads, cold case unit, unsolved murder, public safety, Title 21, Oklahoma statutes, sexual assault, evidence kits, DNA testing

Transcript Highlights:

• the three universities, can you expand on some ideas that you might have on collaboration with our junior
• Working with our junior colleges to promote, I mean, I know that Northern Arizona University is a nursing
• can you expand on some ideas that you might have on, and I, on collaboration of working with our junior
• Working with our junior colleges for it to promote, I mean, I know that Northern Arizona University is

Bills: SB1026, SB1126, SB1143, SB1166

Keywords: alternative education, school funding, student accountability, education reform, school district governance, educational records, student privacy, FERPA, family educational rights and privacy act, Department of Child Safety, DCS caseworker, child welfare, abuse or neglect, juvenile justice, juvenile court, juvenile corrections, school records, discipline records, attendance records, school district

Summary: The Senate Education Committee first considered the executive nomination of James McCain to the Arizona Board of Regents. McCain described his military service, education at Arizona State University, and interest in serving rural, tribal, and veteran communities through ABOR. Senators from both parties praised his background and bipartisan support, and McCain said his experience would bring accountability, leadership development, and a focus on affordability and student safety. The committee voted 7-0 to recommend his confirmation to the full Senate. The committee then heard SB 1026, which would limit how often alternative schools and alternative education programs must recertify and allow them to continue operating in good standing without repeated applications. An amendment added a five-year recertification limit, a 70% student-population threshold for qualifying alternative programs, an appeal process, and flexibility on instructional days. Supporters said the bill would reduce regulation for schools serving vulnerable students; opponents raised concerns about accountability and whether the bill clearly defined good standing. The committee adopted the amendment and advanced the bill 4-3. Next, SB 1126 was heard, requiring schools to provide Department of Child Safety caseworkers with information about who withdrew a student or requested records, and barring schools from preventing employees, contractors, or volunteers from speaking with DCS during abuse or neglect investigations. Senator Werner said it was developed with DCS after reviewing child deaths and system failures, including the Rebecca Baptiste case. The bill passed 7-0. SB 1143, which would require schools and LEAs to submit federal civil rights data to ADE and require an annual school safety report posted publicly, drew opposition from the Arizona Education Association as redundant and burdensome, but it still passed 4-3. Finally, SB 1166 would allow county school superintendents to offer high school equivalency preparation through accommodation schools to students in grades 10-12 who are at least 16 years old, rather than only 12th graders. The sponsor said the bill simply expands access to the program, while one senator questioned whether it might encourage students to pursue a GED earlier than intended. The committee advanced the bill 5-2, then adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• I have been going to junior lifeguards for 2 years. Last year I didn't go to the whole summer.
• I have been going to junior lifeguards for 2 years. Last year I didn't go to the whole summer.
• Going back to the fact that in junior guards, they teach you to be the first responders on land and sea
• I have been going to junior lifeguards for 2 years. Last year I didn't go to the whole summer.
• Going back to the fact that in junior guards, they teach you to be the first responders on land and sea

Bills: HCR92, HCR46, HCR172, HCR147, HCR112, HCR100, HR84, HR42, HR139, HR104, HR92

Keywords: automated external defibrillator, AED, cardiac arrest, state buildings, health education, public health, lifeguards, first responders, public safety, ocean safety, emergency response, Hawaii, workers' compensation, auditor, procurement audit, compliance, Department of Human Resources Development, transparency, accountability, medical care

Transcript Highlights:

• I looked down like Carey Junior High down there. The rooms are all way too big.
• Chairman, up in Senator Driskill's area, they're at 30-something percent in that junior high school.
• <00:18:34.600> The like Carey Junior High down there.
• The like Carey Junior High down there.
• in that in that junior high high school. school. school.

Bills: HB0034, HB0035, HB0036, HB0106

Keywords: HB0034, Wyoming retirement system, Wyoming Retirement Act, firefighter retirement, public employee retirement, retirement benefits, state pension, wildland firefighting, wildland firefighter, crash and rescue, Wyoming National Guard, Office of State Lands and Investments, Wyoming Retirement Board, correctional forestry crew, correctional crew supervisor, correctional forestry crew manager, general fund appropriation, state agency employees, service credit, benefit eligibility

Transcript Highlights:

• school students the last few years, making sure that those individuals that want to come through their junior
• We failed those students because we're not reaching them in junior high there was a time when every kid
• that came through junior high knew what a Phillips screwdriver was.
• I'm voting on this increase, which is really pretty small, but I may not get any benefit from my junior
• And for good reason, because There is no barrier as far as cost at all for a junior or senior.

Keywords: 914, all

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:35:09.080> college our IHL and community and junior college our IHL and community and
• junior college professors. professors. professors.
• <00:38:45.400> college, professors I show in junior college, professors I show in junior college
• the Southeast on our high school, junior the Southeast on our high school, junior high, high, high
• junior high, and elementary. junior high, and elementary. >> Yep. >> Yep.

Keywords: MS Senate Floor - 7 January, 2026; 10:00 AM, 925, all

Summary: The Senate convened with a quorum present, heard an invocation from Reverend Chip Stevens of First Baptist Church in Jackson, and recited the pledge of allegiance. The body then dispensed with the reading of the journal, committee reports, and bill titles, and received several guest introductions, including the president of Mississippi University for Women, the physician of the day, and the session’s pages. The main item of business was Senate Bill 2004, the Mississippi PERS Stability Act. Senator Sparks explained that the bill would provide a $500 million infusion to the PERS accumulated employers account on July 1, 2026, followed by $50 million annually for 10 years, with backup funding from unobligated general funds if needed. He said the measure was intended to help address the system’s roughly $26 billion liability and to support both state employees and local government employers, noting that the state had already taken other steps to strengthen PERS. The bill was advanced to engrossed status, read for the third time, and placed on the calendar for final passage. Senator Norwood asked whether the funding would help local governments, and Senator Sparks said it would, because the liability is shared by all employers in the system and affects local balance sheets and bond ratings. Senator Bryan then spoke at length in opposition to the broader direction of retirement policy, criticizing the committee process, the fragmentation of retirement legislation, and what he described as incentives for privatization and unfair treatment of new hires. He said he would still vote for the bill because it sends money into the system, but argued that the state should focus retirement benefits on older retirees and avoid further benefit expansions. Senator Sparks responded that the bill was a necessary cash infusion to honor commitments to employees, stabilize the system, and avoid insolvency, and said more PERS legislation would follow.

Transcript Highlights:

• and the rest of their wonderful teammates. with me on the floor, I'm joined by one senior and five juniors
• And then with us, I also have junior Peyton Lambeth. and junior Kylin Oaks, and then my page, who's returning

Bills: HR1041, SB137, SB1255, SB1226, SB1238, SB1258, SB1325, SB1460, SB1543, SB1730, SB1921, SB1733, SB1216, SB1256, SB1061, SB1534, SB1873, SB1653, SB540, SB1948

Keywords: electronic monitoring, Department of Corrections, criminal justice, rehabilitation, public safety, medical parole, compassionate release, incarcerated, medical conditions, Oklahoma Department of Corrections, motor vehicle, accident, notification, liability, civil action, gender neutral, domestic abuse, domestic violence, assault and battery, strangulation

Transcript Highlights:

• James Oh, who's a junior at Iolani. And Brandon Ku, a senior at Iolani.
• James<00:15:40.000> Oh, James Oh, James Oh, who's<00:15:41.240> a<00:15:41.320> junior
• <00:15:42.720> And<00:15:43.000> Brandon who's a junior at Iolani.
• And Brandon who's a junior at Iolani.

Bills: HR206, SB3083, SB2377, SB2816, SB3248, SB2436, SB2259, SB2928, SB2577, SB2697, SB2399, SB2665, SB2851, SB3102, SB2521, SB3157, SB3255, SB3016, SB2765, SB1432, SB17, SB2401, SB2972, SB3014, SB3032, SB3137, SB847, SB2261, SB2271, SB2272, SB2804, SB3007, SB3019, SB3250, SB2603, SB3022, SB2256, SB2147, SB2014, SB2114, SB2115, SB2117, SB2246, SB2519, SB3055, SB3095, SB3144, SB3264, SB2325, SB2211, SB3245, SB2090, SB2803, SB2866, SB2250, SB2497, SB2032, SB2487, SB3136, SB2756, SB2615, SB3262, SB2024, SB2177, SB2552, SB2319, SB2407, SB2153, SB2321, SB2805, SB3010, SB2892, SB2781, SB2489, SB2174, SB2169, SB3123

Keywords: Robert Bob Toyofuku, Hawaii legal community, House Resolution, commendation, honorary resolution, legal education, continuing legal education, CLE, William S. Richardson School of Law, University of Hawaii law school, Pacific Law Institute, attorney training, legal ethics, professional responsibility, legal mentorship, legal profession, court-annexed arbitration, alternative dispute resolution, appellate decisions, Hawaii Supreme Court