Transcript Highlights:

• Let us bring forward the limited decriminalization of 3/4 of an ounce of psilocybin.
• Let us bring forward the limited decriminalization of 3/4 of an ounce of psilocybin.
• Let us bring forward the limited decriminalization of 3/4 of an ounce of psilocybin.
• Let us bring forward the limited decriminalization of 3/4 of an ounce of psilocybin.
• Daily, we still receive limitations.

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• and we contribute, and I know that he had interactions with the governor.
• Housing is a piece of it because in Hona you have a limited amount of housing.
• <01:19:22.679> to Records but they're just limitations to Records but they're just limitations
• This special fund has a lot of limitations in terms of what it can be used for.
• CMS right now limits us to $5,000 per facility that has an SNF, Skilled Nursing Facility, unit.

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Summary: The joint Ways and Means and Health and Human Services committees heard Hawaii Health Systems Corporation’s biennium budget request, with testimony from HHSC leadership on the Hilo/Big Island region (HTH 212) and the Oahu region (HTH 215), plus discussion of capital improvement projects and systemwide partnerships. HHSC described its role as the rural healthcare safety net, serving a high share of Medicare, Medicaid/Quest, and uninsured patients, and said its costs are elevated by state employee fringe benefits, which it said are about 64% compared with roughly 30% in the private sector. HHSC also said pandemic-era federal aid, including relief funds and PPP loans totaling about $100 million, reduced the need for general fund support in prior years. For HTH 212, HHSC said its general fund request for fiscal years 2026 and 2027 was higher than the governor’s recommendation because of rising insurance, pharmaceutical, and contractor labor costs, and because it includes $13.2 million in FY 2026 and $2.3 million in FY 2027 for Epic electronic medical record implementation in East Hawaii. For HTH 215, HHSC said the requested general funds were aligned with the governor’s recommendation, in part because of increased Medicaid reimbursement rates for long-term care facilities under prior legislation. HHSC also said it was restoring a special fund ceiling so the region could spend its cash collections on operations. Members asked about the 64% fringe rate, and HHSC explained the difference was mainly due to defined-benefit pension and retiree health insurance costs, which private hospitals generally do not bear at the same level. Members also asked about the Daniel K. Akaka State Veterans Home, and HHSC said operations would be funded through the general fund corporation for the home when it opens, with management by Ohana Pacific, but no additional legislative operating funds were being requested at that time. Other questions focused on staffing and vacancies, including an abolished procurement position and an ongoing IT help desk recruitment need. HHSC highlighted several capital and partnership projects, including a $25 million state CIP request matched by $25 million from the Benioff family for the Benioff Health Center, an ER expansion and reconfiguration at Corner Community Hospital, and $7.5 million in each fiscal year for Kauai EMR capital funds to join the Epic platform. Testimony also described collaborations with Queen’s, the University of California San Francisco, Hawaii Pacific Health, the Hawaii Cancer Consortium, the Department of Health, and the state hospital to improve specialty access, clinical trials, behavioral health, and patient placement across the system.

Transcript Highlights:

• Oversight, professional management, and limiting the state's exposure to any over-concentration of...
• Then, with the investment into the fund totaling five billion, is this a consistent contribution into
• It is not; it's a one-time contribution. Great, thank you so much. Thank you, Chairman.
• That's often a limiting factor on being able to seek high returns.
• It simply removes procedural limits for the most vulnerable claims.

Bills: HB 104, HB2054, HB3459, HB3745, HB4486, HB4488, HB4601, HB104

Keywords: Texas Future Fund, investment review board, economic stabilization, innovative technology, national defense, HB 2054, Texas volunteer fire department assistance fund, Rural Volunteer Fire Department Assistance Program, volunteer fire departments, wildfire mitigation, wildland fire, rural fire protection, insurer assessment, insurance premium tax, state appropriations, firefighting grants, emergency services, high-risk wildfire areas, Texas Comptroller, Texas Government Code

Transcript Highlights:

• Members, you know, we'll have to contribute our voices to that particular discussion.
• <00:31:59.800> our you know, we'll have to contribute our you know, we'll have to contribute
• This is a direct contribution to the city's housing supply challenge. This is a living laboratory.
• This is a direct contribution to the city's housing supply challenge. This is a living laboratory.
• This is a direct contribution to the city's housing supply challenge.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Housing is not time-limited.
• hard choices, but there are limited hard choices, but there are limited amount<00:43:36.880>
• That's my with limited resources.
• without exhausting limited resources. without exhausting limited resources.
• This being limited circumstances.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• And because of our 90-minute time limit for the hearings, there'll be a two-minute time limit for all
• I want to contribute to the environmental health, the sustainability of our local communities.
• So, I look forward to contributing. Okay, members, any questions?
• So, I look forward to contributing. Okay, members, any questions? Question.
• So, I enjoy working with them and, um, I look forward to contributing in any way. Thank you.

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Summary: The committee heard multiple gubernatorial confirmation nominations, beginning with GM509 for Jay Stone to the Environmental Advisory Council. The Office of Planning and Sustainable Development and other supporters praised Stone’s more than 30 years of engineering experience and said he would help balance environmental protection with economic development. Stone said he wanted to contribute to environmental health and sustainability, and identified sea level rise and PFAS in drinking water as key concerns. The committee then moved to GM531 and GM532, nominations of Judson Leair and Nicholas Ta to the Advisory Committee on Pesticides. The Department of Agriculture and Hawaii Farm Bureau supported both nominees. Leair emphasized his farming background and said pesticide policy should be more comprehensive, selective, and threshold-based rather than relying on broad-spectrum use; Ta said he would focus on integrated pest management, label compliance, education, and using the least amount of pesticide necessary, including non-chemical alternatives such as exclusion and behavior changes. The committee next considered GM533, Janet Ashman’s nomination to the Advisory Committee on Pesticides. The Department of Agriculture, the Coordinating Group on Alien Pest Species, and the Hawaii Farm Bureau all supported her, citing her experience, responsiveness, and prior service. Ashman said she wanted to help make pesticide regulations more understandable and stressed targeted pest control, scouting, and more precise products. Members asked about the complexity of pesticide regulations and the shift away from broad-based pesticide use; Ashman explained that regulations are complicated for both farmers and homeowners and that newer, more targeted products are needed as pests develop resistance. The committee then heard GM57 for Don Hegger Nordl to the Environmental Advisory Council. Supporters said she has environmental planning experience and knowledge of Chapter 343 and related rules. Nordl said she could bring state, county, and federal experience to the council and identified the need for more volunteers and broader professional representation as the council’s biggest challenge. Finally, the committee took up GM697, Dean Matsukawa’s nomination as deputy director of the Department of Agriculture. The Department of Agriculture, the Hawaii Farm Bureau, and several other testifiers strongly supported him, highlighting his 30 years with the department, his family farming background, and his understanding of farmers’ needs, especially access to capital and biosecurity challenges. Testifiers said he is calm, logical, experienced, and already familiar with the department’s work. Matsukawa was described as a reluctant nominee who was sought out for the role. The transcript does not show any final votes or committee action on the nominations during the portion provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• But, you know, 3.2% still can contribute meaningfully to the outcome of the portfolio.
• That's one of the reasons why you have limits on the size of the funds.
• But I will say that there is a limit to that, and that limit is if your pacing requires for a certain
• stay at the current limits.
• I mean, you can stay within the minority ownership limits if you want.

Summary: The committee met to approve prior minutes and receive updates on the Legacy Fund transparency website and fund performance. Staff reported the website procurement was in contract negotiations, with a planned go-live around November 1, and that the site would provide downloadable, more transparent information on fund holdings, allocations, history, and legislative appropriations while protecting confidential data. The investment office then reviewed performance through January 2026, describing strong returns relative to benchmarks, noting real estate and fixed income as weaker areas, and explaining that the fund’s diversification and internal management had helped offset market volatility, including recent geopolitical impacts. Members also discussed the in-state investment program, especially the Bank of North Dakota’s CD-match allocation. Several members questioned whether the program had been static for years and whether the uncommitted balance should remain parked there if it was not being used. The committee voted to pause further transfers into the program until the Bank provides a report and the committee can consider possible statutory changes; the motion also requested a cost-benefit analysis from RVK, and it passed by roll call vote. In the afternoon, RVK presented its review of the investment policy statement as it relates to the in-state investment program. The consultant said it found no major policy impediments, and that implementers and stakeholders generally felt the program was proceeding as intended. RVK emphasized best practices such as third-party due diligence, competitive risk-adjusted returns, diversification, pacing, and exit strategies, while cautioning that required lower-return investments or spending commitments can create pressure on the fund’s long-term real value. The consultant also raised ancillary concerns about state-level concentration risk, the need to distinguish between public and commercial infrastructure, and the lack of a central repository for all state funding commitments to the same projects.

Transcript Highlights:

• I first heard from constituents about this in 2023 about the possibility of the DNR severely limiting
• access to foraging and severely limiting access to foraging and state<00:02:08.080> parks<00:
• potentially considering a one-gallon limit.
• new regulations severely limiting new regulations severely limiting foraging<00:14:57.199> activities
• <00:16:05.959> was possibility of new quantity limits was possibility of new quantity limits

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• Larry, the contributions you have made with the Senate police will continue to be felt for years to come
• recently, flooding conditions threatened the Sheboygan Dam and put nearby communities at risk, contributing
• Senator McCann offers Senate Bill 1087, a bill to amend the Michigan Limited Liability Company Act.
• Senate Bill 1087, a bill to amend the Michigan Limited Liability Company Act.
• Senator McCann offers Senate Bill 1087, a bill to amend the Michigan Limited Liability Company Act.

Keywords: 983, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Now, very important: it is the practice of this committee to limit testimony to two minutes per person
• So really it's out of respect for everybody that we have to limit testimony.
• They're contributing to the rise of anxiety, depression, and disengagement among students.
• So this is a practical bill using performance benchmarks to reverse excess tech and limit harm.
• It sets a ban on telephones and is based on a basic limit on screen time.

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The committee opened a public hearing on 41 bills related to school climate and safety, with chairs Jason Lewis and Ken Gordon outlining procedures and noting more than 125 witnesses. The first major topic was the “Study Act” on cell phones in schools and related social media restrictions (House 666/Senate 335). Secretary of Education Pat Tutwiler and Attorney General Andrea Campbell testified in strong support, arguing that bell-to-bell phone-free policies would improve student focus, reduce anxiety and distraction, and support mental health. Several legislators also supported the approach, though Representative Jeff Turco and Senator John Keenan emphasized narrower bills focused only on school-day phone restrictions rather than broader social media regulation. Senator John Velis likewise backed a comprehensive school-hours restriction, citing student distraction and mental health concerns. Representative Tarsky described successful implementation of a Yondr pouch system in a school where he served as principal, saying it improved engagement and reduced bullying and discipline issues. The committee then heard testimony on a bill to prohibit Native American mascots in public schools (Senate 312/House 575). Senator Joe Comerford, Brittany Wally, and Rhonda Anderson all urged passage, saying Native mascots are dehumanizing, harmful to Native youth, and inconsistent with civil rights and educational values. They described support from tribal nations and noted that many Massachusetts schools have already changed mascots, but some still resist. The hearing also included testimony on school start times (House 647/Senate 360), where middle school students Caroline Duffy and Emery Jarvis described exhaustion and survey data showing widespread sleep deprivation. Former educator Telia Jacobs, former principal Rep. Tarsky, and others argued that later start times would improve health, learning, and student well-being, while acknowledging transportation and scheduling challenges. Zoriana Petrosian, who helped write one of the bills as a student, said the state already has enough research to act now. Additional bills drew testimony on related school issues. Dr. Raul Fernandez supported a bill promoting racially integrated schools (Senate 324), citing a recent advisory council report showing large disparities in segregated schools and urging DESE to develop a statewide integration strategy. On safe firearm storage education (House 548/Senate 397), multiple witnesses from Grassroots for Gun Violence Prevention and school communities supported annual school-based education about secure storage, saying it would help prevent child access to unsecured firearms and build on local resolutions already adopted in some districts. The committee also heard testimony on bills to expand career and academic plans (House 533/Senate 438), with speakers saying more structured planning would help students make informed college and career choices. Later, testimony on child sexual abuse prevention and survivor support bills described the prevalence of abuse, the need for training in schools and youth-serving organizations, and the importance of extending compensation and prevention measures. Throughout the hearing, chairs repeatedly closed bills with no witnesses and moved the agenda forward, but no votes were taken in the portion of the transcript provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• Amendments were offered that would limit eligibility to U.S. citizens and legal residents.
• <00:23:36.880> to<00:23:37.040> US that would limit eligibility to US that would limit
• <00:23:59.000> has down on the same approach that has down on the same approach that has contributed
• to<00:24:00.000> Minnesota's<00:24:00.520> fraud<00:24:01.160> crisis, contributed
• to Minnesota's fraud crisis, contributed to Minnesota's fraud crisis, rushed<00:24:02.160> spending

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• That access, that coordination, may be limited or delayed in its ability to acquire and provide that
• That access, that coordination, may be limited or delayed in its ability to acquire and provide those
• That access, that coordination, may be limited or delayed in its ability to acquire and provide those
• That access, that coordination, may be limited or delayed in its ability to acquire and provide those
• Agencies including MMB face rising costs each year due to increases in employer-paid health care contributions

Bills: HF2783

Keywords: state government finance, biennial budget, appropriations, Minnesota Management and Budget, Healthy Aging Subcabinet, Office of Healthy Aging, older adults, aging policy, long-term care, caregivers, public health, Medicaid fraud, medical assistance fraud, attorney general subpoena power, fraud enforcement, business filing fraud, Secretary of State, deceptive mailings, consumer protection, certified public accountant

Transcript Highlights:

• However, there's a statute of limitations. Right.
• However, there's a statute of limitations. Right.
• However, there's a statute of limitations. Right.
• However, there's a statute of limitations. Right.
• However, there's a statute of limitations. Right.

Bills: SB2198, SB2140, SB3055, SB3090, SB3091, SB3092, SB2761

Keywords: workforce development, craftspersons, skilled trades, artisan, craftsmanship, trade recognition, award program, DLIR, Department of Labor and Industrial Relations, Meilleur Ouvrier de France, vocational education, career pathways, cultural preservation, workforce excellence, apprenticeship, Hawaii trades, economic diversification, public nominations, governor awards, historically significant venue

Transcript Highlights:

• We know they contribute to our economy.
• And we also want to thank you for the modification of the Medi-Cal asset limit test.
• And we also want to thank you for the modification of the Medi-Cal asset limit test.
• We oversee both counties, but currently we are limited in the services that we can provide.
• We oversee both counties, but currently we are limited in the services that we can provide.

Summary: The Assembly Budget Committee heard opening remarks on the 2025 Budget Act, which will be amended into AB 101 and SB 101 for floor consideration. Committee leaders described the budget as a difficult compromise shaped by a $12 billion deficit, federal funding uncertainty, wildfire impacts, and rising out-year costs, while emphasizing a balance between compassion and fiscal responsibility. Each budget subcommittee chair then summarized major actions in their areas, including health care, human services, education, climate and transportation, housing and state administration, public safety, and oversight/transparency. Key policy items included delaying or narrowing some of the Governor’s proposed cuts, especially in Medi-Cal and other safety-net programs; preserving funding for dental care, women’s health, family planning, hospice, long-term care, IHSS, and services for undocumented Californians; and maintaining or expanding child care, foster care, food banks, and CalWORKs-related supports. Education actions included additional Proposition 98 settle-up, reduced deferrals, support for TK-12, teacher recruitment, literacy, mental health, preschool slots, and restored funding for UC and CSU. Other major items included housing and homelessness investments, wildfire and disaster response funding, transit loans and greenhouse gas reduction fund support, Proposition 36 and VOCA-related public safety funding, and oversight measures on federal impacts and state efficiency. Department of Finance and Legislative Analyst staff said the package makes some of the same savings moves as the May Revision but relies more on internal borrowing and fewer reductions, leaving a smaller reserve than the administration’s plan but still maintaining roughly $11 billion in the rainy day fund. Members from both parties largely supported the package while raising concerns about long-term sustainability, Medi-Cal costs, reserve use, and the need for future revenue and program review. The committee adopted the subcommittee actions by roll call, 18-6, with the roll held open for absent members and additional comments continuing after the vote.

Transcript Highlights:

• Eight walleye in a possession limit is enough for plenty of meals.
• Actually, this has nothing to do with the limits on walleye.
• It's not the limits on deer that are going up, and that'll be okay.
• It's not the limits on deer that are going up, and that'll be okay.
• It's not the limits on deer that are going up, and that'll be okay.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• We do appreciate all of his contributions.
• Uh if you all all of his contributions.
• And the upset limit and don't expect to.
• <00:32:21.760> of we're not utilizing the upset limit of we're not utilizing the upset limit
• <00:54:30.640> at not meeting the authorization limits at not meeting the authorization limits

Keywords: 00:32 Call to Order and Roll Call 02:30 Road Fund Report 17:22 Approval of Minutes 18:07 High Growth Counties Projects 56:00 Adjournment, 958, all

Summary: The Budget Review Subcommittee for Transportation met without a quorum at first, then later approved the July 15 minutes by voice vote after quorum was reached. The committee heard an update from the Transportation Cabinet on the road fund for FY 2024-25. Cabinet staff reported road fund revenue came in $38.5 million above the enacted estimate, with motor vehicle usage tax receipts setting an all-time high for the fifth straight year. Motor fuels tax revenue was below estimate and down from the prior year, while overall road fund collections totaled $1.86 billion, essentially flat year over year. Staff said the road fund ended FY25 with a $61.6 million surplus, which under the budget bill must be appropriated to state construction. Members discussed the gas tax formula, with Senator Higdon arguing it no longer works well because revenues fall when fuel prices fall, and the chair noting the committee may need to revisit the formula. The committee then received an update on High Growth County projects in the 2024 highway plan. KYTC said $16 million in HGC authorizations had been made, nine projects already had construction funds authorized or were otherwise underway, 12 more were scheduled to be let by the end of 2025 with estimated construction costs above $250 million, and one additional project was expected to be awarded through alternative delivery. The cabinet said it anticipated authorizing the full $450 million appropriated by the General Assembly. Members praised the effort and emphasized the need to get projects to market before the next budget cycle. Jason Sala of KYTC also explained why transportation projects take time, citing planning, design, right-of-way acquisition, and utility relocation as major steps that can delay delivery. He said these processes are complex and require coordination with property owners, utilities, consultants, contractors, and local governments. Eric Pelfrey then briefed the committee on professional and personal service contracts, saying they are used to expand cabinet capacity for design, inspections, right-of-way appraisal, safety, and related work. He reported that authorizations and payments for these contracts have trended upward over the past decade, and that the number of contracts has also increased. In response to questions, Pelfrey said design-build can speed some projects by overlapping steps, but it does not eliminate right-of-way or utility work when those are required; he said KYTC has been using alternative delivery more often, but project complexity still limits how quickly work can move.

Transcript Highlights:

• under certain posted speed limits under certain posted speed limits authorizes<00:21:52.440>
• <00:47:44.640> to whether the subsid is contributed to whether the subsid is contributed to
• Roadways with speed limits exceeding 25 miles per hour, roadways with limited pedestrian visibility such
• roadways<00:54:33.200> with<00:54:33.359> limited 25 M hour roadways with limited 25
• A second report shall be due 60 days after the session ends. limited to assessment of the benefits limited

Keywords: 910, house, all

Summary: The House Committee on Transportation met on March 18, 2025, to hear several measures and later take up amendments and votes. Early items included a budget measure to increase the mass transit special fund expenditure ceiling, a bill extending lapse dates for drug and alcohol toxicology testing laboratory funds, and a measure creating buffer zones for parking near crosswalks and intersections. Testimony on the crosswalk-parking bill was broadly supportive from transportation, law enforcement, planning, bicycling, public health, and advocacy groups, with the Department of Health emphasizing visibility and roadway safety. The committee also heard a bill establishing the Mokai air carrier subsidy program for Molokaʻi, which drew support from the Chamber of Commerce Hawaii and comments from the Department of Transportation. The committee then heard SB 106 on pedestrian rules, which generated mixed testimony: the Office of the Public Defender, Hawaii Appleseed, Hawaii Public Health Institute, Hawaii Workers Center, and the Department of Health supported it, while the Honolulu Police Department and Kīpuka Injury Prevention Coalition opposed it. Supporters argued the bill would reduce inequitable jaywalking enforcement and reflect a broader safety culture; opponents warned it could create confusion and risk. Members also discussed whether the bill would affect other traffic-code provisions and asked about crash data in other jurisdictions; the Department of Health said crashes had not increased in other places and cited California data showing decreased crashes and fatalities. In decision-making, the committee voted to pass SB 934 SD2 with amendments, with Representative Miyake reserving and Representative Cochran excused. It then passed SB 1526 SD2 with amendments. SB 1195 SD1 was also passed with amendments after the chair proposed adding language tying fines for illegal parking near crosswalks and intersections to the Safe Routes to School special fund and establishing a fine range of $100 to $500 per violation, with collected fines dedicated to pedestrian safety improvements. Members voiced support for the dedicated revenue source and community safety rationale. The committee next passed SB 1638 SD2 with amendments to strengthen the constitutional/public-purpose findings for subsidizing air carriers serving Molokaʻi and to add annual audit requirements and penalties for misuse of funds. The amended findings emphasized that affordable air service is essential for health care, employment, education, and overall well-being in remote island communities, and that the subsidy program is intended to improve access and competition while lowering costs for residents. The chair then recessed the meeting after the final vote.

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:06:01.680> to leaders and the minority whip limited to leaders and the minority whip limited
• shortage and rising demands, limiting shortage and rising demands, limiting nurses<00:09:06.720>
• limitations from 5 years to 10 years. limitations from 5 years to 10 years.
• But extending the statute of limitations But extending the statute of limitations is<02:34:08.240
• But federal law would also be limited.

Keywords: U.S. House of Representatives Floor Proceedings on Monday, December 1, 2025, 1012, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Patrick's Day, whereas since the founding of the city of Phoenix, residents of Irish heritage have contributed
• privilege at the beginning of the day are for introduction of guests who are present only and are limited
• privilege at the beginning of the day are for introduction of guests who are present only and are limited
• And whereas the contributions of AFSCME members, both active and retired, reflect the core values of
• that the Arizona State Legislature does hereby recognize and honor AFSCME Arizona for their vital contributions

Keywords: 1182, all

Summary: The House convened, opened with prayer and the Pledge of Allegiance, approved the prior journal, and recognized the Doctor of the Day, Dr. Jasleen Chatwal. Members then made numerous introductions of guests and visiting groups, including Irish dignitaries and a proclamation recognizing St. Patrick’s Day, AFSCME and CWA members, the Arizona Farm Bureau, the Arizona chapter of the American College of Surgeons for Stop the Bleed training, and advocates for rare skeletal conditions. The chamber also announced committee substitutions and received Senate messages and committee reports. On business from the desk, the House voted to request the Senate return HB 4027 and HB 2444 for reconsideration. The House then moved through first and second readings of a large number of Senate bills and resolutions, placing them on the calendar. In Committee of the Whole, HB 2750 and HB 2999 were each amended and recommended do pass; both were reported back and ordered engrossed for further action. On third reading, the House rejected reconsideration of HB 2197, which dealt with water access and camping near water sources, after debate over criminal penalties and conservation concerns. The House then passed HB 2429 on vacation rentals and short-term rentals, HB 2950 creating special districts and tourism improvement areas, and HB 4001 concerning nicotine products and youth access, each after floor debate and recorded votes. The chamber also adopted a proclamation honoring AFSCME Arizona, made committee and caucus announcements, and adjourned until Tuesday, March 17, 2026.

Transcript Highlights:

• Communities, and have contributed so much to our society in New York.
• Contributions of Dominican New Yorkers in District 31 and across the great state of New York.
• REPRESENT A BEAUTIFUL POPULATION IN THE EAST BRONX THAT WE SEE ALL OVER THIS STATE AND COUNTRY AMAZING CONTRIBUTIONS
• First, we update the outdated 1,000 pre-authorization limit to 1,500.
• FIRST WE UPDATE THE OUTDATED 1,000 PRE-AUTHORIZATION LIMIT TO 1,500, MEDICAL COSTS HAVE RISEN YET THE

Keywords: 993, senate, all

Summary: The Senate opened with the Pledge of Allegiance, a moment of silent reflection, approval of the prior journal, and several ceremonial introductions. Senator Mayer welcomed students and alumni from the New York Alliance for Early College Pathways, highlighting early college opportunities for high school students. Senator Zellner introduced members of the Buffalo Professional Firefighters Union Local 282 and honored fallen Buffalo firefighter Jayson Arno, with remarks praising firefighters’ service and sacrifice. The chamber then took up Senate Resolution 1489, commemorating the 182nd anniversary of Dominican Republic independence. Senator Sepúlveda presented the resolution and spoke about Dominican history, sovereignty, the Dominican diaspora in New York, and the role of Consul General Jesús Vásquez Martínez. Senators Jackson, Weber, Bailey, and others spoke in support, emphasizing the contributions of Dominican New Yorkers. The resolution was adopted and opened for co-sponsorship. The Senate next moved through the calendar, passing a series of bills on insurance, public health, education, social services, tax, penal law, and workers’ compensation. Several bills were approved by wide margins, including measures related to vaccination policy and education law; Senator Weik opposed the public health/vaccination bill, while Senator Mayer defended it as science-based. Senator Fernandez explained and secured passage of a workers’ compensation bill that would raise a pre-authorization threshold, clarify medical treatment guidelines, and restore access to out-of-network providers for injured workers. The only contentious item was Calendar 117, a bill amending the Executive Law related to climate resilience and the Office of Resilience. Senator Walczyk offered an amendment to repeal the statewide cap-and-invest program, but the chair ruled it nongermane; the Senate upheld that ruling on a 21-aye vote. Senators Harckham, Borrello, Krueger, Lanza, Martins, and Gianaris spoke at length on climate policy, energy costs, and the bill’s merits. The bill ultimately passed 51-9. The Senate then adjourned until Thursday, March 5 at 11:00 a.m.