Transcript Highlights:

• , and, and Johnson.
• and candidly intensely and be openly and candidly intensely and scrupulously scrupulously scrupulously
• </c> and throw out the status quo we must and and throw out the status quo we must and we<02:31:57.000
• <c> the</c> of our Army and Navy and diminished the of our Army and Navy and diminished the Readiness
• pride and arrogance and confusion from pride and arrogance and from<02:35:25.960><c> every</c><02:35:

Transcript Highlights:

• land use and zoning uses should be about dimensions and noise and light and hours and parking requirements
• </c> at those Gatherings and I think land and at those Gatherings and I think land and Zoning<00:52:46.599
• and noise and light be about dimensions and noise and light and<00:52:54.000><c> hours</c><00:52:54.680
• and hours and parking requirements and and hours and parking requirements and all<00:52:56.760><c> of
• </c> and had to be Med flighted out um and and had to be Med flighted out um and then<01:23:37.280><c

Committee: Senate Judiciary

Transcript Highlights:

• Requirement two and three: standardization of general ledger accounting structures and data-capturing
• operating structure, which will include child-month and expenditure data capturing.
• Of course, the prevention census data and the prevention expenditure data is currently being captured
• If that's being captured, that allows us then to move the data and the expenditure that you currently
• acuity data there is not something and see The system does not capture acuity data.

Committee: Senate Children, Families, and Elder Affairs

Transcript Highlights:

• [No discernible speech captured.] [No discernible speech captured.]
• [No discernible speech captured.] [No discernible speech captured.]
• [No discernible speech captured.] [No discernible speech captured.]
• , and then as a supervisor, a sergeant, and now lieutenant.
• </c><00:34:43.440><c> of</c> with time and time again and kind of with time and time again and kind of

Committee: Senate Children and Family Law

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><01:07:34.920><c> and</c> year 2025 26 uh and and year 2025 26 uh and and 27<01:07:36.960><c> uh<
• </c> realized and what we as regulators and realized and what we as regulators and and<01:16:36.280><
• of these storms is more and more prevalent, some of which capture the headlines, such as the hurricanes
• of these storms is more and more prevalent, some of which capture the headlines, such as the hurricanes
• of these storms is more and more prevalent, some of which capture the headlines, such as the hurricanes

Summary: The meeting featured presentations from the Department of Administrative Services and the Treasury Department on state revenue reporting and unclaimed property. State Comptroller Dana Call explained DAS’s role in compiling statewide revenue reports, including the annual revenue plan set through the budget process and the monthly revenue focus reports that track cash receipts. She noted that unrestricted general fund revenue is about $2 billion annually, while miscellaneous other revenue is a much smaller and less predictable category, averaging roughly $30 million to $32 million a year. She also described two more material internal revenue lines: statewide indirect cost recoveries and post-retirement benefit recoveries, which are billed to agencies and often tied to federal reimbursement rules. Members asked about the interest line in the revenue charts and about how the figures were presented, and Call clarified that the totals were in millions and that the interest item would be explained by the Treasurer. She also explained that the indirect cost and post-retirement recoveries are internal cost allocations that flow back into the unrestricted revenue pool and are reflected in agency budgets as interagency costs. Treasurer Monica Meissner then outlined Treasury Department functions, including bank deposits, statewide disbursements, banking relationships, investments, debt management, compliance, the FONA College Savings Program, the ABLE Plan, scholarship programs, and the abandoned property program. In discussing unclaimed property, she said holders report property after a five-year dormancy period, the state uses automated systems and outreach to locate owners, and claim activity has increased. In fiscal year 2024, the state returned about $12.2 million to citizens through roughly 12,000 claims; over the last 10 years, about $72.6 million has been returned. She also said the state escheated $19.9 million to the general fund and $1.8 million to counties last year, and explained that securities-related proceeds are harder to estimate because they depend on market conditions. No votes or formal actions were taken.

Transcript Highlights:

• Requirement two and three: standardization of general ledger accounting structures and data-capturing
• Requirement two and three: standardization of general ledger accounting structures and data-capturing
• operating structure, which will include child-month and expenditure data capturing.
• Of course, the prevention census data and the prevention expenditure data is currently being captured
• If that's being captured, that allows us then to move the data and the expenditure that you currently

Bills: S0042 , S0578 , S0624 , S7018

Committee: Senate Children, Families, and Elder Affairs

Summary: The committee met with a quorum and first heard SB 624, which would codify DCF’s current practice of allowing batterers intervention programs to offer supplemental faith-based activities so long as participation is voluntary. The bill drew support from faith-based and family organizations, which argued it would restore access to effective rehabilitation options and remove discriminatory barriers. SB 624 was reported favorably after a roll call vote. The committee then heard SB 42, which would require child protective investigators and child protection teams to rely on qualified medical professionals when a child has a documented pre-existing diagnosis or when a parent requests an exam, and would require clearer notice to parents and custodians at the start of an investigation. Testimony overwhelmingly came from parents, advocates, and disability rights representatives describing cases in which medically complex children were allegedly misdiagnosed as abuse victims and families were separated unnecessarily. Members expressed sympathy and support, and SB 42 was reported favorably. Next, the committee considered CS/SB 578, creating an Alzheimer’s disease awareness initiative within the Department of Elder Affairs to promote early detection, brain health education, research updates, and clinical trial awareness, with outreach focused on older adults and at-risk populations. An amendment was adopted to place the campaign within the Alzheimer’s Disease Initiative. A caregiver testified about the need for public education and early diagnosis, and the bill was reported favorably. The committee also took up SPB 7018, a committee bill on child welfare that would extend the definition of “visitor” for foster homes to reduce repeated background checks, make the Step Into Success foster youth workforce pilot permanent and statewide, and create a program through the Florida Institute for Child Welfare to catalog best practices among community-based care lead agencies. The bill was approved as a committee bill and reported favorably. Finally, the Department of Children and Families presented its 2025-26 final funding methodology and rates report for community-based care. Members questioned the proposed tiered model, including insurance costs, risk corridors, prevention funding, performance measures, and regional funding disparities. No vote was taken on the presentation, but members discussed the possible need for follow-up legislation and additional stakeholder input.

Transcript Highlights:

• Amen. courage, and hope. And may we walk this courage, and hope.
• Last year, Colorado adopted the model low energy and carbon code, which forces home builders into electricity
• First of all, uh when it was supposed to go into adopted the model low energy and carbon adopted the
• model low energy and carbon code,<00:58:19.920><c> which</c><00:58:20.240><c> forces</c><00:58:20.640
• And Mr. arrested and prosecuted. And Mr.

Transcript Highlights:

• :35:38.720><c> the</c> and and buy the books and so on for the and and buy the books and so on for the
• </c> property taxes and and and this program property taxes and and and this program does<00:39:11.720
• </c><00:57:32.559><c> and</c><00:57:32.720><c> the</c> and it's just longstanding and and the and it's
• "You, you, you, and and and yes.
• </c><02:08:36.239><c> if</c> enough and and and fair enough if enough and and and fair enough if there's

Summary: The Division 2 Finance Committee work session focused primarily on House Bill 115 and a proposed amendment, 114H, which would carry over language from HB 2 into HB 115 and place limits on Education Freedom Accounts (EFAs). Representative Murray described the amendment as a way to keep the 350% federal poverty eligibility cap, require students to have attended a charter public school in grades K-12 for the preceding year before entering the voucher system, and add guardrails against universal eligibility. She argued the state was facing a severe budget crisis, that expanding EFAs would divert money from other programs, and that public testimony and local votes showed widespread opposition to expansion. She also cited a letter from former Finance chair Neil Kirk opposing expansion. Other members responded that the committee should not revisit policy already decided by the House, though some said the amendment was fair to discuss because of its fiscal implications and supported it on that basis. The discussion then broadened into a debate over the fiscal impact of universal vouchers and the reliability of enrollment and cost estimates. Representative Luno argued that prior EFA projections had relied on assumptions that could badly underestimate state exposure, pointing to Arizona as a cautionary example and saying New Hampshire should not expand the program without better analysis. Representative Papovich similarly warned that universal eligibility could create a large, unexpected cost, estimating a potential exposure of about $285 million based on school-age children not currently in public, charter, or EFA programs. In contrast, Representative Weyler said EFAs can save money because public school spending is already high and parents using EFAs still pay taxes and take on more responsibility for their children’s education. After discussion, Representative Murray moved to accept the amendment, and Representative Bean seconded it. There was some procedural clarification about voting on the original bill and the amendment. The transcript ends before a final recorded vote on the amendment or on HB 115 itself, though the committee had also been told it would likely reconsider several retained bills later in the week, including HB 129, HB 133, HB 671, and HB 781.

Transcript Highlights:

• c> together to rebuild and to heal um and together to rebuild and to heal um and now<00:12:46.760><c>
• </c> name for the record and go ahead and get name for the record and go ahead and get started<00:13:
• c> and</c> always and always and to<00:15:25.759><c> and</c> to and to and always<00:15:28.120><c> find
• So Carbon Sound, Project Pro DJ, and our Radio Camp, all of which is entailed in materials you have in
• It gives them access to original reporting, interviews, and just a whole host of things that capture,

Committee: Senate Environment, Climate, and Legacy

Transcript Highlights:

• And you might think, well, capturing tax base doesn't always seem like a good thing, and it's not if
• and you might<00:03:24.080><c> think</c><00:03:24.480><c> well</c><00:03:24.760><c> capturing</c><00
• it really limits the length of time that the capture of tax base is necessary and the amount of revenues
• But I also think that cities just don't like having their tax base captured and often choose to decertify
• of time that the capture of tax base is necessary and the amount of revenues that get captured.

Committee: Senate Taxes

Transcript Highlights:

• And in the spring, if you come in and you’re going to build that road and the new house and the road
• And in the spring, if you come in and you’re going to build that road and the new house and the road
• </c><00:27:17.480><c> and</c> adding um Workforce housing and and adding um Workforce housing and and
• /c><00:30:58.320><c> your</c> have any rules and and and can see your have any rules and and and can
• </c><04:04:11.439><c> and</c> what are permitted massing and and what are permitted massing and and frontages

Committee: House Housing

Transcript Highlights:

• ><c> and</c><00:22:54.960><c> uh</c> all monopolies and um and uh all monopolies and um and uh conspiracies
• [No substantive transcript captured.] e The last executive session on this was an ITL, and it had been
• :59:53.599><c> on</c> a place on a place on and<01:59:57.040><c> and</c> and and and and HRM<01:59:59.320
• The director will answer that question. craps and but and all and both of those craps and but and all
• <04:14:56.960><c> and</c><04:14:57.399><c> different</c> and and different and and different interests

Summary: The public hearing opened on HB 728-FN, which would authorize video lottery terminals at charity gaming facilities and repeal historic horse racing licensing. Representative Om explained that the bill would convert the current historic horse racing terminals into true video lottery terminals/slot machines and change the revenue split, reducing the operator share from 75% to 70% while increasing the state share from 25% to 30%. He also noted the bill would increase the amount going to charities and other state beneficiaries. Former State Rep. Pat Brammy, who had served on the Charitable Gaming Study Commission, testified in support of the bill’s basic structure. He said a consultant’s report found historic racing machines cost facilities 12% to 18% more to operate because of totalizer and track-related fees, and that slot machines would be cheaper because there are more manufacturers and more competition. He argued that although the operator share drops by 5%, facilities could still benefit from lower operating costs, and he said the commission concluded that moving to slot machines would increase revenues to facilities, charities, and the state. He also said the bill would create a more stable stream of funding for problem gambling, since the current HHR “breakage” funding mechanism is limited and dependent on a single vendor. Brammy also discussed the commission’s concerns about market concentration in HHR machines, saying the commission found the market was dominated by only a few manufacturers and recommended legislation to address that issue under Article 83 of the state constitution. He interpreted the bill as allowing a phase-in of slot machines upon passage, with the remaining HHR provisions phasing out by January 1, 2028, and said facilities would likely transition as leases expire. Committee members asked about HHR contracts, machine programming, testing, and whether removing HHR would reduce competition; Brammy said he believed leases were likely short-term, machines are tested by a lab, and the legislature could decide whether the change is appropriate. No vote or final action was taken at the hearing.

Transcript Highlights:

• And we know education, and so much more.
• Research shows that five of the largest tech firms—Meta, Alphabet or Google, Amazon, Microsoft, and TikTok—capture
• And that's a major problem for us. And this is why we need House File 4343. options.
• than</c><00:04:59.840><c> two-thirds</c> and TikTok capture more than two-thirds and TikTok capture more
• </c> and it needs to change. and it needs to change.

Summary: The meeting was a press-style discussion in support of House File 4343, which would end Minnesota’s sales tax exemption for digital advertising services and physical advertising space such as billboards. Supporters said the bill would raise more than $300 million in revenue and allow the state sales tax rate to be reduced, while also modernizing the tax code to reflect a digital, service-based economy. Eric Bernstein of We Make Minnesota argued the current sales tax base is outdated, too narrow, and unfairly shifts burden onto Minnesota businesses, workers, and property taxpayers. Representative Lislegard said the bill would help fund schools, health care, infrastructure, child care, and local government, and framed it as a response to structural budget gaps and rising property taxes. She said large corporations are not paying their fair share and that the state should cut exemptions rather than reduce public services. Several speakers from labor, education, health care, and the arts backed the proposal, including a working parent who cited high child care costs, an AFSCME representative from Hennepin County Medical Center who said the revenue is needed to support the safety-net hospital, a musician who said streaming and ad-driven platforms profit from artists’ labor, and an educator who criticized social media companies’ impact on youth. The speakers repeatedly argued that major tech and advertising companies such as Meta, Google, Amazon, Microsoft, TikTok, and Spotify should contribute more to public services, while ordinary Minnesotans already pay too much. Representative White closed by acknowledging the bill faces a difficult path but said supporters would keep fighting for it. No vote or formal committee action was taken in the portion provided, and the event ended with one question from the audience.

Transcript Highlights:

• and wait and you sit and wait and wait and wait and you could<00:13:54.480><c> theoretically</c><00:
• </c><00:19:37.640><c> and</c> damages for their own safety and and damages for their own safety and and
• </c><01:15:00.280><c> and</c> increased dangerous activity and and increased dangerous activity and and
• , who oversees all the fatal crashes that come in throughout the state and captures that information
• , who oversees all the fatal crashes that come in throughout the state and captures that information

Summary: The Transportation Committee opened its public hearing with HB 249, sponsored by Representative Seth Miller, which would allow bicycles, human-powered vehicles, and electric bicycles to treat stop signs as yield signs and red lights as stop signs in certain situations. Miller argued the bill would improve cyclist safety and traffic flow at no cost to the state, citing Idaho and Delaware as examples where similar laws were associated with fewer injuries and crashes. He emphasized that the proposal would remain optional for cyclists, who would still be required to yield to cross traffic and obey right-of-way rules, and said the bill is intended to help riders maintain momentum and avoid the instability that comes from repeatedly starting from a full stop. Committee members raised concerns about uncertainty for drivers and pedestrians, liability, and whether the bill would create a special class of road users with different rules. Representative Crawford asked about the red-light left turn language, and Miller explained it was included because bicycles may not trigger some traffic signals. Representative Hill questioned how other road users would know what a cyclist intended to do at an intersection, and Representative Gon noted the bill did not appear to address liability the way some motorcycle-related laws do. Miller responded that cyclists would still be expected to yield appropriately and said he would be open to an amendment if liability language was needed. Representative Emble also questioned whether the bill would create a special vehicle class, and Miller replied that bicycles already have different roadway rules and that the bill was meant to improve safety and flow. Several supporters testified in favor of the bill. Michael Frank, a cyclist and League cycling instructor from Spofford, said he regularly rides a cargo bike for errands and that stopping fully at intersections leaves him exposed longer and makes it harder to restart on hills. He said the bill would let cyclists slow, assess traffic, and proceed safely while maintaining momentum, and noted that he had not personally received a ticket for rolling through a stop sign, though he had been warned by police. Tim Blagden, former head of the Bike-Walk Alliance of New Hampshire, said the bill reflects how many people already ride, saves energy, and helps bicycles move through intersections faster and more safely. No vote or committee action was taken during the portion of the hearing provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• AND THE HIGHER ACUITY KIDS OUTCOMES OF EXPENDITURES ARE BEING CAPTURED IN THE MODEL ONE OF THE THINGS
• BIGGER ACTING WHATEVER. >> NOT TO HARP ON THE SAME ISSUE BUT IT'S BACK TO THE DATA AND CAPTURING THAT
• I THINK ALL OF THIS IS SOMETHING THAT CAN BE PUT ON THE TABLE BECAUSE IT IS ALL DATA CAPTURED AND THAT
• AND TO CAPTURE THE EXPENDITURES AND TO WORK WITH THE CBCS RIGHT NOW IF THEY DON'T HAVE AN ACCOUNTING
• STRUCTURE TO CAPTURE PREVENTION WE HAVE TO WORK WITH THEM AND THEY HAVE TO GRADE IN THEIR SYSTEM.

Transcript Highlights:

• Chairman, and I appreciate the due pass and the second.
• Chairman Rader: [response not captured]. Vice Chair Devers. Chairman Rader, six ayes and four nays.
• efficiency and missions and orientation.
• Chairman Rader: [response not captured]. Nine ayes and one nay.
• Chairman Rader: [response not captured]. Ten ayes and zero nays.

Bills: SB683 , SB1579 , SB1389 , SB1387 , SB1390 , SB1391 , SB2063 , SB1829 , SB2060 , SB1842 , SB1398 , SB1212 , SB2158 , SB102

Committee: Senate Revenue and Taxation

Summary: The Revenue and Taxation Committee considered a long series of bills, many dealing with tax credits, property taxes, and tax administration. Early action included Senate Bill 1579, which creates a taxpayer bill of rights for ad valorem tax assessments by sending taxpayers a plain-language notice of existing rights; it passed 12-0. Senate Bill 683, as amended, expanded the parental choice tax credit to cover certain supplemental educational services for private-school students, including tutoring and summer learning programs, but drew concerns about broad language and unequal treatment of public-school students; it passed 8-3 with one member not voting. Senate Bill 1389 proposed a $25 million increase in the parental choice tax credit cap; supporters said the program is nearing its limit and should grow gradually, while opponents cited lack of outcomes data and benefits flowing disproportionately to higher-income families and metro counties. It passed 10-2. The committee also advanced several tax and property-related measures. Senate Bill 1387 would allow a sales tax refund when a vehicle is sold within six months of a purchase, even without a trade-in, and passed 10-2. Senate Bill 1390 extended and removed a cap on funding for the Oklahoma Water Resources Board and related agencies, passing unanimously. Senate Bill 2063 would require the State Treasurer to publish more information about unclaimed property online; the Treasurer’s office opposed it over privacy and burden concerns, but the bill passed 7-3. Senate Bill 1829 reduced the motor vehicle excise tax on manufactured homes to align more closely with the tax burden on traditional homes, and passed 8-2. Senate Bill 1842 would let county treasurers offer a 12-month installment prepayment plan for ad valorem taxes; it passed 9-1. Several other bills were debated on policy and accountability grounds. Senate Bill 1391 would require private schools participating in the parental choice tax credit to administer state tests and report results; supporters framed it as accountability for public tax dollars, while opponents argued it would undermine private-school autonomy and school-choice goals. It failed 5-7. Senate Bill 1398 created a capped tax credit for donations to certain nonprofits serving foster care, pregnancy resource centers, therapeutic care, and anti-trafficking efforts; members asked for clearer outcome measures, but it passed 8-2. Senate Bill 1212, addressing selective property appraisals in some counties, passed 9-1. Senate Bill 2158 would extend favorable tax treatment to health care sharing ministry contributions, and passed 8-2. Senate Bill 102 clarified when remote workers and certain short-term workers owe Oklahoma income tax, with discussion focused on athletes, entertainers, public figures, and contract workers; it passed 10-0. Finally, Senate Bill 2060, a governor-requested housing infrastructure bill creating master development districts, was still being refined but passed 6-4 to keep it moving forward.

Transcript Highlights:

• And the rule of capture, I don't think, was ever meant to stick a straw on the ground and take it all
• between rule of capture and regulatory taking will be decided.
• And I think we've talked quite a bit in previous testimony about groundwater and the rule of capture,
• You talk about the rule of capture is a monster policy and has been, and there is no easy answer.
• You talk about the rule of capture is a monster policy and has been, and there is no easy answer, and

Committee: House Natural Resources

Summary: The committee held a hearing on high-capacity groundwater wells proposed in Anderson, Henderson, and Houston counties, with members framing the issue as one of local water supply, fairness, and the need to modernize groundwater law while protecting private property rights. Opening remarks focused on the scale of the proposed Redtown Ranch and Pine Bliss projects, the potential export of tens of thousands of acre-feet of groundwater annually, and concerns that the applications lacked sufficient technical detail and could harm nearby landowners, cities, agriculture, and manufacturing. Members also noted the broader context of the recent flooding tragedy in central Texas and the Legislature’s intent to address water-related loss of life in the upcoming special session. Witnesses from the Texas Alliance of Groundwater Districts and the Texas Water Development Board explained the current groundwater management framework. They described groundwater conservation districts as the state’s preferred management method, the role of groundwater management areas and desired future conditions, and how the Water Development Board uses those conditions to calculate modeled available groundwater. They emphasized that districts rely on local data, monitoring wells, and planning processes, but that information is often more limited in areas without a district, where the rule of capture applies. Members pressed witnesses on recharge rates, export permits, subsidence, the effect of pumping on nearby wells, the age and real-time availability of model data, and whether the proposed project would exceed modeled available groundwater in some counties. TCEQ explained its limited oversight role over groundwater conservation districts, including inquiries, compliance actions, and, in extreme cases, dissolution authority. Water Development Board staff also outlined funding programs, saying the New Water Supply for Texas Fund is limited to projects such as brackish desalination, reuse, ASR, and other new-supply projects, and does not fund fresh groundwater exports alone. They said the project at issue had not applied for board funding. A water lawyer then testified on the rule of capture, ownership in place, and district regulation, arguing that districts must use permitting and other tools to manage production within modeled available groundwater and that the Legislature could consider additional authority over groundwater exports under current law.

Transcript Highlights:

• through a bloom, and then they got sick, and the bloom was identified, and then they put two and two
• and these and at moose plates and and these and thinking<00:12:51.040><c> it</c><00:12:51.399><c> would
• </c><00:16:09.319><c> and</c> much greater around the lakes and and much greater around the lakes and
• </c> and we you know have a show of hands and and we you know have a show of hands and we<00:34:56.480
• </c><03:22:33.800><c> and</c> information in and review it and um and information in and review it and

Summary: The committee heard testimony on HB 105, which would create a new conservation license plate and direct the added fee to the cyanobacteria mitigation loan and grant fund. The sponsor, Rep. Rosemarie Rung, said the bill would create a non-tax revenue source to help address toxic cyanobacteria blooms in New Hampshire lakes, ponds, and rivers. She described the public health, environmental, and economic harms from blooms, the high cost of watershed management plans and mitigation projects, and the limited current funding available through state and federal sources. She argued that a voluntary plate program could provide sustainable support and raise awareness. Supporters, including Reps. Katie Pell and McDonald, said the bill would help affected lake communities and tourism-dependent areas. New Hampshire DES testified neutrally but confirmed that blooms have increased sharply, that the agency has issued more than 120 warnings in the past two years, and that the existing mitigation fund is nearly depleted after one-time appropriations. DES said the proposed plate would not solve the entire funding need but could provide dedicated revenue for studies and implementation projects. DMV testified that the operational impact of adding a new plate would be minimal. New Hampshire Lakes also supported the bill and said survey results suggested some current Moose plate holders and new registrants would likely choose the Loon plate. Committee members asked about the health effects of cyanobacteria, the expected revenue from the plate, and whether the problem is natural or human-driven. Testimony said exposure can cause skin irritation, gastrointestinal illness, and more serious liver or neurological effects, with pets and children at higher risk; one witness also cited research suggesting aerosolized toxins may affect people several kilometers from a bloom. DES explained that while lake sediments can release nutrients, the underlying problem is largely driven by watershed inputs and worsened over time. No vote was taken during the portion of the meeting provided, and the chair invited written testimony and additional questions.

Transcript Highlights:

• and Commerce Committee and the Energy and Commerce Committee and look<00:08:56.160><c> forward</c><00
• , and and Henry Charles Francis Adams, and and Henry Adams<04:21:06.000><c> and</c><04:21:06.239><c>
• process is stunting their will and ability to reduce their carbon output, to solve the affordability
• process is stunting their will and ability to reduce their carbon output, to solve the affordability
• </c> Dimes and Big Brothers and Big Sisters. Dimes and Big Brothers and Big Sisters.

Transcript Highlights:

• And, at the time, I said to my community, I'm the first, I won't be the last, and lo and behold, we have
• Because the history and destiny of the Greek and Cypriot people are linked together, and we thank them
• Where I was able to go down there, and I will tell you, it is a magical and wonderful and loving place
• And it was the mom and the wife that said, and I'm standing there, and then someone came up behind me
• ME REFUGE, SUPPORT, AND TO GIVE ME AND MY BABY AS SAFE SPACE AND FOR THAT I'M FOREVER GRATEFUL, AND

Summary: The Senate convened with a prayer and Pledge of Allegiance, then approved the prior journal and took up motions and resolutions. Senator Gianaris moved to reconsider and restore Senate Print 3179A, an Environmental Conservation Law bill, to the third reading calendar, and amendments were also received on Senate Print 8491. The chamber then considered and adopted Resolution 1716, designating March 2026 as Greek History Month in New York, with remarks from several senators about Greek heritage, Greek independence, immigration, and the contributions of Greek Americans. The Senate also adopted Resolution 1607, proclaiming March 2026 as American Red Cross Month, with extensive testimony praising Red Cross disaster relief, blood donation, preparedness work, and volunteers; several senators highlighted local volunteers and urged greater support for the organization, including budget resources. The Senate welcomed guests, including Red Cross representatives and students from Brooklyn, and later opened the resolutions for co-sponsorship. The chamber then moved through the calendar and passed multiple bills, including measures affecting mental hygiene, elder law, penal law, public authorities, labor, public service, correction, education, election law, alcoholic beverage control, and state administrative procedure. Most bills passed by wide margins, though some drew recorded opposition, including the public authorities bill and several election, public service, and correction measures. Senator Ramos explained her support for the labor bill as a workplace dignity and anti-bullying measure, and Senator Ryan explained his support for the small-business regulatory website bill as a way to simplify access to agency rules and guidance. Senator Skoufis’s Public Health Law bill was also recalled from the Assembly, restored to the third reading calendar, and amended. The Senate then adjourned until Thursday, March 12 at 11:00 a.m.