Transcript Highlights:

• But the reality is what the media was writing about was a bill that was introduced and not only a bill
• But the reality is what the media was writing about was a bill that was introduced and not only a bill
• I just wanted to say that because I do believe that when we talk about the public's trust, media can
• </c><01:32:45.520><c> can</c><01:32:46.639><c> um</c> about the public's trust, media can um about the
• public's trust, media can um can<01:32:47.920><c> shape</c><01:32:48.239><c> the</c><01:32:48.560><c

Committee: Senate Rules and Administration - Subcommittee on Ethical Conduct

Transcript Highlights:

• They hate not knowing who is spending on their TVs, in their mailboxes, and all over social media.
• They hate not knowing who is spending on their TVs, in their mailboxes, and all over social media.
• They hate not knowing who is spending on their TVs, in their mailboxes, and all over social media.
• They hate not knowing who is spending on their TVs, in their mailboxes, and all over social media.
• They hate not knowing who is spending on their TVs, in their mailboxes, and all over social media.

Committee: Senate Elections

Transcript Highlights:

• We also do a lot around media use, right?
• We are having more and more specialized training, preparing investigators for the synthetic media that
• Specialized training, preparing investigators for the synthetic media that they're going to come across
• And I think having it in the media would be probably really a positive, more discussion about, you know
• so this is one of the videos that we worked with some students from Bismarck, and it is on social media

Committee: Joint Protection and Victim Services Committee

Transcript Highlights:

• make up the base cost: teachers, principals, administrative assistants, guidance counselors, library media
• guidance administrative assistant, guidance counselor,<00:04:48.080><c> library</c><00:04:48.560><c> media
• </c><00:04:49.040><c> specialist,</c> counselor, library media specialist, counselor, library media specialist
• Thirty years ago, we didn’t have media specialists. It wasn’t a thing.
• Thirty years ago, we didn’t have media specialists. It wasn’t a thing.

Committee: Senate Education Finance

Transcript Highlights:

• It had the highest earned media coverage of any art exhibit.
• It had the highest earned media coverage of any art exhibit.
• <00:10:12.240><c> highest</c><00:10:12.840><c> uh</c><00:10:12.920><c> earned</c><00:10:13.080><c> media
• </c> it had the highest uh earned media it had the highest uh earned media coverage<00:10:13.800><c>
• Literally just a simple social media post. And the response from our community was remarkable.

Committee: House Legacy Finance

Transcript Highlights:

• And look, uh, you know, the way the media environment is developed, social media, you now have AI that
• 52:22.880><c> the</c> And and look, uh you know, the way the And and look, uh you know, the way the media
• environment is developed, social media environment is developed, social media,<00:52:25.680><c> you<
• , you now have AI that I think is media, you now have AI that I think is it<00:52:28.160><c> poses</c
• 34.640><c> wish</c><00:52:35.200><c> look</c> I wish my kids in elementary school didn't do social media

Summary: The joint meeting of the House Elections, Constitutional Amendments and Intergovernmental Affairs Committee and the House State Government Committee was called to consider House Concurrent Resolution 45, sponsored by Representative Jason Petri. The resolution would support calling for a federal balanced budget amendment through the Article V process. Petri argued that Kentucky’s own constitutional balanced-budget requirement shows the value of fiscal restraint, and he said decades of federal deficit spending and rising debt make a constitutional amendment necessary. Governor Ron DeSantis and Lauren Ends of the National Campaign for a Balanced Budget Amendment also testified in support, emphasizing the growth of federal debt, the risk of a future debt crisis, and the view that Congress is unlikely to solve the problem on its own. Members asked about the mechanics and risks of an Article V convention, including whether the convention’s “sole purpose” language would be enforceable and whether a convention could become a “runaway” process. DeSantis and Ends said states can impose guardrails on delegates, including criminal penalties and delegate-limitation laws, and noted that any proposed amendment would still require ratification by 38 states. They also said that if Congress chose to draft the amendment itself in response to state pressure, that would be acceptable. One witness said 18 states have passed faithful-delegate or delegate-limitation laws. Representative Callaway asked what would happen if the debt issue is not addressed. Witnesses responded that continued borrowing could lead to economic dislocation, higher interest costs, and a debt crisis that would crowd out other federal spending. They said the current debt burden is already more than $100,000 per U.S. citizen and roughly $300,000 per taxpayer, and that a balanced budget amendment would be a first step toward stopping the growth of debt before any long-term paydown could occur. The transcript provided does not show a final vote or other committee action on the resolution.

Transcript Highlights:

• We saw newspaper articles, social media, Facebook posts advocating against the ballot measure.
• We saw newspaper articles,<00:05:36.560><c> social</c><00:05:36.800><c> media,</c><00:05:37.360><c> Facebook
• </c><00:05:37.759><c> posts</c> articles, social media, Facebook posts articles, social media, Facebook
• We have two external locks on the lock, locking election media V drive.
• simple look at the tabulation software that each of the customers in Kentucky bring their election media

Summary: The committee met, approved the October 21 minutes, and then took up BR 25 for the 2026 regular session, a proposal to prohibit the use of tax dollars and public resources to advocate for or against ballot questions, including constitutional amendments. Senator Rawlings and the other presenters argued the current law already bars such advocacy but lacks meaningful enforcement, citing the 2024 school choice amendment campaign and other examples where public officials and school systems allegedly used taxpayer-funded resources to influence voters. They said the bill would add civil and criminal penalties, while preserving First Amendment rights for public employees acting in their personal capacities. Much of the discussion focused on whether the bill should be limited to school districts or broadened to cover other public entities, and on how to define terms such as “advocating in impartial terms.” Members raised concerns about possible effects on county and city lobbying through groups like KLC and KCO, on legitimate factual explanations by public officials, and on whether the bill could unintentionally restrict needed representation for local governments. The sponsors said the measure was intended to be narrow, would be vetted further, and would not bar individuals from speaking on their own behalf. Several members suggested revisions. Representative Lockett asked that schools and school employees be specifically named, and suggested separating the lobbying restrictions from the ballot-measure provisions into different bills. Representative Layman questioned the meaning of the bill’s language and whether it would cover factual testimony by officials. Representative Heen asked about a Jefferson County example involving legal fees used to challenge petition signatures; counsel said that situation would likely be allowable under the bill as drafted, though some members thought it should be covered. No final vote was taken on BR 25 during this discussion.

Transcript Highlights:

• BCA<00:19:06.559><c> data</c><00:19:07.200><c> and</c><00:19:07.400><c> local</c><00:19:07.679><c> media
• </c><00:19:08.159><c> reporting</c><00:19:09.159><c> from</c> BCA data and local media reporting from
• BCA data and local media reporting from two<00:19:10.039><c> local</c><00:19:10.320><c> media</c><00
• :19:10.640><c> reporting</c><00:19:11.039><c> from</c><00:19:11.640><c> 2024</c> two local media reporting
• from 2024 two local media reporting from 2024 between between between 2017<00:19:14.799><c> in</c> 2017

Committee: House Public Safety Finance and Policy

Transcript Highlights:

• Okay, then we have West Oahu, we have this $37 million Creative Media...
• We, you know, some of the media people, the film people didn't know about the ACM building in West Oahu
• c><00:53:33.760><c> then</c><00:53:33.920><c> we</c><00:53:34.079><c> hear</c> million um Creative Media
• then we hear million um Creative Media then we hear that<00:53:34.480><c> might</c><00:53:34.640><c>
• some of the media people the the<00:54:12.400><c> film</c><00:54:12.680><c> people</c><00:54:12.880>

Committee: Senate Economic Development and Tourism

Summary: The joint Senate hearing covered Senate Bill 1536 and Senate Bill 1571. SB 1536 concerned the Hawaii Tourism Authority’s CEO position and whether the exemption from retirement benefits should be changed. Testimony and committee discussion focused on the estimated cost, the current budgeted amount, whether the change would make the position more competitive, and whether alternatives such as a portable retirement plan had been considered. The witness said the proposal came from HTA’s legislative committee and that the position’s salary and benefits would still likely fit within the budgeted amount. No vote was taken on SB 1536 during the excerpted discussion. The hearing then moved to SB 1571, relating to tourism. Debed and HTA representatives said they supported the bill in written testimony, but HTA’s witness said the measure had not been discussed or voted on by the full board and recommended deferring action until the board could clarify its position. Several members of the public testified both in support and opposition. Opponents raised concerns about changing “Hawaiian sense of place” to “Hawaii sense of place,” warning it could weaken protections for Hawaiian culture and invite broader interpretations that might affect places like the Hawaii Convention Center. Others opposed a provision removing a two-year waiting period for HBCB board members before serving on the HTA board, citing conflict-of-interest concerns. Committee discussion centered on the meaning and practical effect of the bill’s language, especially the distinction between “Hawaiian” and “Hawaii,” the scope of HTA’s tourism and destination-management role, and whether translation and language policy were being applied too broadly or too narrowly. Some members argued the bill could help preserve Hawaiian culture and place, while others worried about exclusionary interpretations, costs, and whether resources would be better spent on programs rather than expanded translation. The hearing ended with the chair announcing a short break and moving toward decision-making, but no final action on the bill was shown in the excerpt.

Transcript Highlights:

• I think that I'm sure that will be quoted somewhere on some social media post.
• As the record of the hearing continues, and we may take a break when Senate media comes so we can get
• And so we're seeing much more from our foreign adversary from social media targeting versus direct targeting
• You had direct targeting on social media, true? Yeah.
• Well, we’ve already tweeted that, or is it Facebook or whatever—you know, the social media continues

Summary: The Senate Committee on Higher Education met with a quorum, adopted its interim rules on a 6-0 vote, and heard opening remarks from members and staff introductions. The chair emphasized higher education’s role in workforce development and noted a Legislative Budget Board survey issue that was resolved after a community college initially did not respond because the survey was marked optional. The committee then focused on monitoring implementation of Senate Bill 37, which governs public higher education boards, curriculum review, faculty senates/councils, training for regents, and the ombudsman office. Testimony from Chancellor Brandon Creighton of Texas Tech, Commissioner Wynn Rosser, UNT Chancellor Michael Williams, and Ombudsman Brandon Simmons described how SB 37 is being implemented. They said boards now have stronger authority, faculty senates are advisory, and institutions are reviewing general education curricula and other programs for rigor, relevance, and workforce value. Rosser said the statewide advisory committee is reviewing the core curriculum and board training requirements are being administered, while Simmons reported the ombudsman office has received 73 complaints, opened two investigations, and expects a third, with many complaints outside its jurisdiction or harassing in nature. Members questioned witnesses about transfer credits, board training content, auditing, conflicts of interest, curriculum decisions, and whether any institutions were missing deadlines. Rosser said non-transferable credits have declined since reporting began under earlier law, and that the most common reason is courses outside degree requirements. Witnesses said they were not aware of institutions missing the SB 37 review deadlines. Senators also raised concerns about an appearance of impropriety in a Texas Tech-related matter and about whether a Dred Scott case should be taught in law school, with Creighton saying the curriculum review process did not prohibit teaching Supreme Court cases and that he would follow up. Later testimony from University of Houston, Texas State, UT, and Texas A&M system officials said their systems had updated policies, abolished prior faculty senates, created compliant advisory councils, and completed or were completing core curriculum reviews and related governance changes.

Transcript Highlights:

• . >> So we can let the media, we can let the politics, and we can have the sound bites we want all day
• That's an absolute fact. >> So we can let the media, we can let the politics, and we can have the sound
• we</c><00:44:21.200><c> can</c><00:44:21.359><c> let</c><00:44:21.520><c> the</c><00:44:21.680><c> media
• 44:22.240><c> can</c><00:44:22.319><c> let</c><00:44:22.480><c> the</c> &gt;&gt; So we can let the media
• , we can let the &gt;&gt; So we can let the media, we can let the politics,<00:44:23.119><c> and</c><

Bills: HB450 , HB469 , SB298 , HB450 , HB638 , HB469 , SB298

Committee: House Public Safety and Homeland Security

Keywords: HB450, judges, judicial office, constitutional amendment, Alabama Constitution, age limit, mandatory retirement, judicial eligibility, supernumerary judge, judicial retirement, state judicial retirement benefits, election law, appointment, voter approval, ballot measure, Judiciary Committee, ambulance services, balance billing, health insurance, emergency transportation

Transcript Highlights:

• the expert witnesses we have here today: Mark Berkman, who is the CEO of the Organization for Social Media
• I am the CEO of the Organization for Social Media Safety, a national consumer protection organization
• focused exclusively on social media.
• Part of our mission has always been preempting emerging and evolving social media-related harms.
• If we've learned one thing about social media safety over the last few years, it's that we need to get

Summary: The committee heard several bills, with the most detailed discussion focused on AB 316, AB 251, AB 474, AB 1201, AB 464, and AB 614. AB 316 would prevent AI developers or deployers from arguing in civil cases that an AI system’s alleged autonomy absolves them of responsibility. Supporters framed it as a narrow guardrail to protect families, especially children, from harms like dangerous chatbots and deepfakes; opponents, including TechNet and the Chamber of Progress, raised concerns about possible strict-liability implications. The bill was moved out of committee to Privacy and Consumer Protection. AB 251 would let judges lower the burden of proof in elder abuse cases when a skilled nursing facility or RCFE intentionally destroys evidence. Supporters said the measure is needed because elder abuse victims are often unable to testify and records are vulnerable to spoliation, while opponents argued existing sanctions are sufficient and warned of more litigation. The bill passed, with committee members emphasizing the vulnerability of elder abuse victims. AB 474 sought to expand nonprofit home-sharing programs, including tax incentives for low-income homeowners and changes to housing law and lodger rules. Supporters said it would help older adults and low-income Californians avoid homelessness, but several members and the California Apartment Association raised concerns about removing lodger-law protections for homeowners; the author committed to keep working on the issue. The bill passed to Human Services. AB 1201 would give courts discretion to provide family reunification services to parents with certain violent felony convictions, rather than applying an automatic bypass. Supporters from Starting Over Inc. described personal experiences with permanent family separation and argued the bill would give parents a fair chance when the conviction is unrelated to child safety. Some members supported the measure but questioned whether domestic violence histories should be treated differently; the author said the bill still allows courts to deny services when reunification would endanger a child. The bill passed to Human Services. AB 464 addressed sexual abuse and retaliation in state prisons by extending reporting time after release, adding 90-day monitoring after reports, barring rehiring of confirmed abusers, and strengthening reporting and anti-retaliation rules. Survivors testified about abuse, retaliation, and failures in CDCR’s response; the bill passed to Appropriations. AB 614 would standardize the Government Claims Act filing deadline at one year for all claims. The author and supporters argued the current six-month deadline for injury and wrongful death claims is too short for victims to learn the process, find counsel, and gather evidence, while businesses often get a full year. A civil rights attorney and a family member of a deceased jail detainee testified in support, describing how the current deadline can block meritorious claims. The bill was presented for committee consideration as the hearing continued.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><03:25:06.560><c> me</c><03:25:06.720><c> the</c><03:25:06.960><c> social</c><03:25:07.279><c> media
• </c><03:25:07.680><c> looping</c> describe to me the social media looping describe to me the social media
• This information may be new to you because the media refuses to do their job and communicate the truth
• </c><03:48:23.199><c> refuses</c><03:48:23.760><c> to</c><03:48:23.920><c> do</c> you because the media
• refuses to do you because the media refuses to do their<03:48:24.319><c> job</c><03:48:24.479><c> and

Committee: Senate Health and Human Services

Transcript Highlights:

• are traffickers that are specifically preying on students in the college environment, both on social media
• protect themselves from the effects of the surveillance economy, the very business model that social media
• for the narrow question of, yes, cybersecurity added to the same code section that includes AI and media
• I know students who have felt so helpless that they ultimately deleted their social media, stopped talking
• I know students who have felt so helpless that they ultimately deleted their social media, stopped talking

Summary: The committee heard and acted on several education-related bills, beginning with AB 65 on paid pregnancy leave for public school employees. The bill drew strong support from teachers, school employees, unions, and education groups, who argued it would provide up to 14 weeks of paid leave, reduce financial penalties tied to sick leave use, and help recruit and retain educators. Some witnesses and members raised concerns about funding, district eligibility, and implementation, but the bill was advanced on a do-pass recommendation to the Senate Labor, Public Employment and Retirement Committee, with one member not voting and the bill placed on call for absent members. Members then heard AB 673 on an unaccompanied youth support grant program for homeless 16- and 17-year-olds, AB 1552 on reporting recommendations to strengthen civic engagement in higher education, AB 1572 on annual CIF review and qualification standards for sports officials, and AB 1586 on opioid overdose response training and naloxone access for school resource officers. AB 673 and AB 1552 received support from education, youth, and advocacy organizations; AB 673 also drew questions about overlap with existing homeless and foster-care-related programs, while supporters said the bill targets a vulnerable subpopulation that is often missed. AB 1552 and AB 1572 were broadly supported and advanced, and AB 1586 was backed by treatment providers, school nurses, and education groups as a practical student-safety measure; all were moved forward with do-pass recommendations and placed on call. The committee also considered AB 1721, which would create a work group to review and streamline school safety plans, and AB 2060, which would establish a mentor teacher grant program and stipend to strengthen the teacher pipeline. Both bills were supported by administrators, educators, and school-related organizations, and both advanced to the Senate Appropriations Committee. AB 2440, aimed at clarifying Proposition 28 arts and music education funding rules and allowing small districts to pool resources, also received broad support and moved to Appropriations. AB 1784, which would extend pregnancy-related protections to undergraduate students and prohibit discrimination based on pregnancy or related conditions, passed to the Senate Judiciary Committee after support from higher education and women’s advocacy groups. Finally, AB 2660, which would codify the CalBridge STEM pathway program and related efforts to diversify the STEM workforce, was supported by higher education and workforce advocates and advanced to Appropriations after questions about the related EnLACE program and its funding sources.

Transcript Highlights:

• We also had a number of members that were interested in supporting a lot of our local media outlets right
• We are seeing trusted local media partners closing their doors altogether, reducing their staff.
• outlets into corporate media outlets that are otherwise changing.
• We know that they play a key role in our communities, in particular ethnic media.
• We have the $10 million investment in our civic media programs, but I hope that as we continue on this

Committee: House Budget

Transcript Highlights:

• But here we are, and I just want to ask you a question because I've heard a lot of things in the media
• There's one word that just stood out to me, and I put it all over my social media page, and I'll tell
• You know, I've heard a lot in the media now since it's election time about Alabama values."
• I I'm not going to question whether you did or did not, but everything let me say this then: the media
• Somebody I don't know or have any control over what they've said to the media.

Transcript Highlights:

• You don't have the bill that was in the media being very prescriptive.
• And I heard you mention social media earlier.
• Could you dive a little deeper on that about social media in schools?
• I didn't talk about social media in school.
• I didn't talk about social media.

Summary: The House first established a quorum after a quorum call and welcomed special guests, including the Freedom of the Road motorcycle riders and students from Warsaw High School. It then took up House Committee Substitute for House Bill 1855, a reporting bill on Alpha-Gal syndrome. The bill sponsor described the condition as a serious tick-borne allergy that has affected his family and many Missourians, arguing that Missouri needs mandatory reporting and surveillance data to identify hotspots, guide public health outreach, and support research and funding. Supporters from both parties said the bill would improve awareness and data collection, while one member raised concerns about the fiscal note and whether the state would get useful information for the cost. The chamber adopted Amendment 1 to HB 1855, changing the follow-up language from “may” to “shall,” but rejected Amendment 2, which would have required patient consent before lab results were reported into the surveillance system. Opponents of the consent amendment said it would undermine disease surveillance and set a bad precedent for other reportable conditions; supporters argued for privacy and individual choice. After debate, the House adopted the committee substitute as amended and ordered it perfected and printed. The House then considered House Committee Substitute for House Bills 2230 and 2978, a K-5 education measure addressing screen time, cursive, and handwriting. The sponsor said the bill responds to research and parent/teacher concerns about excessive screen use, poor literacy outcomes, and mental health effects, and would create a state focus group to review evidence and make recommendations while leaving districts flexibility. Members discussed carve-outs for special education, English language learners, and virtual school, and adopted an amendment excluding the virtual school program. The House then adopted the substitute as amended and ordered it perfected and printed. Finally, the House took up House Bill 2355, the “Food is Medicine” initiative, which would allow Missouri to use federal funds through 1115 waivers for pilot programs such as medically tailored meals, produce prescriptions, nutrition education, and related supports. Supporters said the program could improve health outcomes, reduce Medicaid spending, and help address food deserts. An amendment adding vitamin therapies and updating a date drew discussion over supplement safety and regulation, but the transcript cuts off before a final vote on that amendment or the bill itself.

Transcript Highlights:

• Yeah, and also another thing about it, there’s a lot of social media presence about it.
• “We did bring up an interesting point about social media.
• So this is drawing up a good point on how social media is changing the behavior of our students on top
• Of course, the social media uses are very trendy.
• To discuss the advertising and the social media and things like that, they are targeting kids because

Committee: House General Laws

Summary: The Committee on General Laws met with a quorum and first went into executive session on House Bill 3088, where members discussed concerns raised by hospitals about proposed language changes. The bill sponsor said he was still working with hospitals and would continue to refine the measure, but several members objected to voting before seeing the revised language. HB 3088 was nevertheless voted do pass by an 8-4 vote. The committee then approved House Bill 2749 by an 8-4-1 vote, after which it moved into public hearing. The committee heard House Bill 2844, which would prohibit paraquat use in Missouri and require reporting related to its use. Representative Gallick said the bill was intended to be narrow and focused on paraquat’s toxicity and possible links to Parkinson’s disease. Supporters, including the Michael J. Fox Foundation, Missouri Coalition for the Environment, Sierra Club, and others, argued that paraquat is highly toxic, that research links exposure to increased Parkinson’s risk, and that many countries have banned it. Opponents from the Missouri Soybean Association, Missouri AgriBusiness Association, Missouri Farm Bureau, Missouri Corn Growers, and Missouri Pork Association said paraquat is a restricted-use pesticide already regulated under federal law, is important for weed control and crop production, and that a state ban would set a dangerous precedent and harm farmers. The committee took no final action on HB 2844 during the hearing. The committee also heard House Bill 1880, which would bar school districts and charter schools from selling beverages with more than 100 milligrams of caffeine per container to students. Representative Reuter said the bill was inspired by students from Seckman High School and cited concerns about adolescent caffeine consumption. Student witnesses described energy drink use at school, health effects such as anxiety, heart racing, dehydration, and sleep disruption, and said the bill would help reduce harmful habits. Several members supported the goal but suggested the threshold might be too high, that private schools receiving state scholarship funds should be included, and that school boards might be a better place to address the issue; others noted the bill lacked an enforcement provision. No vote was taken on HB 1880.

Transcript Highlights:

• Yeah, and also another thing about it, there's a lot of social media presence about it.
• We did bring up an interesting point about social media.
• So this is drawing up a good point on how social media is changing the behavior of our students on top
• They're very popular, and social media use is very trendy.
• To discuss the advertising and the social media and things like that, they are targeting kids because

Committee: House General Laws

Transcript Highlights:

• I've always heard, or I've seen this meme on social media.
• I've always heard, or I've seen this meme on social media.
• I've always heard, or I've seen this meme on social media.
• I've always heard, or I've seen this meme on social media.
• <00:51:59.599><c> social</c> I've seen this this meme on social I've seen this this meme on social media

Committee: Senate Labor