Transcript Highlights:

• So we ask that you work with us, excuse me, building upon what we were able to do with the Loading Act

Keywords: 993, senate, all

Summary: The Senate Standing Committee on Labor met for its second meeting of the 2026 session, with Chair Senator Ramos welcoming members and inviting Mario Celento, president of the New York State AFL-CIO, to speak. Celento thanked the committee for its past labor-related work and outlined the AFL-CIO’s priorities for the session, including fixing Tier 6 public pensions, responsible regulation of artificial intelligence and autonomous vehicles, child care, staffing ratios in health care, housing-related labor standards, prevailing wage and project labor agreements, and protecting workers from federal actions affecting unions, organizing, OSHA, and collective bargaining. The committee then took up six bills. It reported Senate Bill 372A, relating to labor law and establishing certain notices, by a vote with one nay and an abstention. Senate Bill 681, concerning fingerprinting or mandatory iris and retina scanning of applicants, was reported with one nay. Senate Bill 1514, relating to support orders for a police classification, was reported unanimously. Senate Bill 4424A, the anti-labor of women rights bill, was reported with abstentions. Senate Bill 4479, requiring the Workers’ Compensation Board and Department of Labor to publish a list of DRMDs as open data, was reported unanimously. Senate Bill 7776A, relating to an act for a thinkless servant form act, was also reported with abstentions. All six bills were moved to the calendar, and the meeting adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• Farmers and cotton growers have a chance to load it up or down. Mr.

Bills: HB352

Keywords: HB352, cotton, cotton bale assessment, cotton levy, cotton producers, agriculture, forestry, Agriculture, Conservation, and Forestry Committee, per bale fee, commodity assessment, producer referendum, cotton sales tax, Alabama Code 2-8-199, cotton commission, agricultural funding, 1136, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Importantly, this bill does not limit access; it expands it.
• This bill does not affect how someone in the time limits of changing registration, so it doesn't have
• It's going to limit it, and it's going to create a cost, a little bit of a pay-to-get-in type situation
• Yeah, you want to introduce yourselves for the record just while we're loading that.
• I could understand how it could be limited.

Bills: HR118, HR196, HR237, HR285, HCR85, HB442, HB443, SCR5, SCR29, SCR33, SCR63, SB25, SB202, SB319

Keywords: water utility, tax credit, excessive rates, residential service, subcommittee, fallen trees, property damage, insurance, property values, hurricanes, storm damage, local government, homeowners, risk management, committee study, census, military population, Department of Defense, representation, federal funding

Transcript Highlights:

• Property tax is limited to head of household.
• It's limited to veterans, 100% disabled, or variations.
• And then it's limited to senior citizens that are like below $42,000 a year. Is that correct, Izzy?
• Frankly, in my limited experience in government, this is rocket speed.
• Kind of a loaded question, I know, but I have to ask that. You know I do. Mr.

Keywords: 996, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Member Senator Hancock moves to limit public testimony in the hearing today to two minutes.
• We're limited in what we can do when we process these applications.
• That’s what we're limited to and not specifically the reason why they filed their petition.
• So the cap and limits on how much can be used out of the aquifer remain in place. Thank you.
• And the chairman says, we'll just make it be inside the city limits—that's something to discuss if it

Bills: SB863, SB1190, SB1261, SB1413, SB1624, SB1662, SB1663, SB1855, SB1967, SB2124, SB2204, SB1623

Keywords: Edwards Aquifer, water conservation, reclaimed water, aquifer storage, environmental protection, water loss, municipally owned utilities, Texas Water Development Board, administrative penalties, water audit, water infrastructure, water supply, state water plan, water management strategies, water financing, municipal bonds, revenue bonds, public debt, obligations, TWDB

Transcript Highlights:

• It wouldn't be limited just to those pursuing residency, but...
• I mean, the allotments are limited.
• You mentioned the limited numbers of the pre-residential.
• There's a limit to how fast this can happen.
• But to give you an idea, that's very limited by appropriation.

Bills: HB2, HB2

Keywords: public education, teacher compensation, certification, funding, school finance, educator rights, education funding, charter schools, staff compensation, state aid, retention allotment, disaster preparedness, emergency management, flooding, mass fatality, mass casualty, fatality tracking, body recovery, autopsy, justice of the peace

Transcript Highlights:

• I believe I have one front-loaded. Representative Hill, thank you, Mr. Chairman.
• The new riders out there, y'all have seen them on the roads, are disregarding the speed limits.
• The new riders out there, y'all have seen them on the roads, are disregarding the speed limits.
• roads are disregarding the speed limits roads are disregarding the speed limits and<01:08:26.120
• handicap plate so there is no limitation handicap plate so there is no limitation as<04:23:45.399

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The committee first heard House Bill 119-FN, which would allow rental companies registering a rental fleet to choose New Hampshire as their base jurisdiction under the International Registration Plan. The DMV witness said the state already has this capability under the IRP and did not support the bill, adding that no additional staffing should be needed. Committee questions focused on whether the bill would change where registrations are done, what implementation would require, mileage tracking, decals, and inspection requirements. A representative of the Motor Transport Association also said the bill was unnecessary because the option already exists, while noting some related truck-registration and property-tax issues. The chair then closed the public hearing on HB 119-FN with no further speakers. The committee next heard House Bill 612, which would let youth operators renew up to 30 days before turning 21 and receive a temporary license so they can transition to a standard horizontal license without an extra DMV trip. The sponsor and DMV director strongly supported the bill, describing a long-standing problem where early online renewals can trigger another vertical youth license, forcing a duplicate transaction and fee after the birthday. The DMV said the change would reduce confusion and workload, and estimated a one-time system update cost of $48,000. Members asked about whether the proposal was effectively a 30-day extension, how law enforcement would view the temporary status, and whether the system could handle printing and mailing the new horizontal license; the director said the DMV could manage it and that the bill was the best approach. The chair closed the hearing after no one else testified. Finally, the committee heard House Bill 209, which would exempt new vehicles from inspection in the second year after purchase, effectively allowing two years before the next inspection. The sponsor argued the bill would save taxpayers money and reduce unnecessary trips for owners of new vehicles. Supporters said newer vehicles are already maintained through warranties and routine service. Opponents, including the New Hampshire Auto Dealers Association and a service manager from a dealership, argued the bill was not limited to truly new cars, would weaken safety by delaying inspections on vehicles that can still develop tire, brake, and other defects, and could raise costs for everyone else if inspection volume drops. The Motor Transport Association clarified that commercial motor vehicles remain subject to annual federal inspection requirements. No vote was taken in the transcript, and the hearing remained open with testimony continuing.

Transcript Highlights:

• And the state has limited knowledge or control over the amount of poll workers, machines, or resources
• Um, as, uh, as the doctor mentioned, we have a, there's a very limited pool.
• Um, we've already talked about the limited nature of, of the market.
• Back loaded Will that be 25% when we get to that point?
• We'll see if that applies to the upper payment limit.

Transcript Highlights:

• He added that tomorrow morning they will be going home and loading up cattle for market on Wednesday.
• ><00:45:56.079> be be going home and we're going to be be going home and we're going to be loading
• <00:45:56.480> up<00:45:56.640> C loading up C loading up C for<00:45:58.200> the
• <00:46:02.240> and<00:46:02.400> we'll<00:46:02.559> be<00:46:02.760> loading
• <00:46:03.119> some of the farm um and we'll be loading some of the farm um and we'll be loading

Bills: HF711, HF653

Keywords: agriculture, agricultural education, leadership development, Minnesota Agricultural Education and Leadership Council, MAELC, chapter 41D, grant funding, general fund appropriation, commissioner of agriculture, farm education, youth agriculture programs, ag literacy, workforce development, extension education, research funding, extension services, technology transfer, grant programs, 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• And we're going to just load you up and get you checked out.”
• Is there an age limit on who qualifies to be a ranger?” “An age limit? As far as how old?” “Yeah.”
• Because everybody's loaded for bears. That's why. We need to stand up, protect our children.
• And these schools that I'm talking about are very limited on resources as well.
• But here in the by suggesting it applies in irrationally limited cases.

Summary: The House convened with prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, and approval of the House Journal by a 123-0 roll call vote. Members then used points of personal privilege to recognize National Police Week, honor Rep. Prouty, and share personal remarks, followed by numerous introductions of special guests, including school groups, interns, a militia reenactment group, and student teams from the University of Missouri and Hallsville FFA. The chamber then handled Senate messages and committee reports before taking up House Bills 1839, 2921, and 3015. Rep. from Cass explained a Senate amendment as a technical correction to House Bill 1839, which would add age-verification requirements for online pornography; the House concurred 104-30 and then finally passed the package 112-25. The House also adopted and then passed the conference committee report on House Bill 2596, which was described as modernizing pooled health plan language for small businesses and adding a provision expanding contraception insurance coverage from a six-month to a 12-month supply, while removing a Senate-added blood pressure cuff provision. The conference report was adopted 120-26 and the bill was third read and passed 119-27. The final major item was Senate Bill 905, creating the Missouri Ranger training program and allowing school districts to optionally place highly trained rangers on campus with narrow law enforcement powers. Supporters argued it would give districts another local-control option to improve school safety, especially where school resource officers are unavailable, and emphasized that it could be volunteer-based and not require state funding. Opponents argued the bill would add guns to schools, increase trauma and liability, and fail to address underlying mental health and school safety needs. After extended debate and a successful previous-question motion, the House adopted the amendment and continued consideration of the bill.

Transcript Highlights:

• Every pasture except one is off limits to the cows, now stuck in his barn.
• Every pastor except one is off limits to the cows, now stuck in his barn.
• I believe that's a requirement or a limit. It's a regulatory requirement.
• They're below their limit, you know, of their permit.
• There's gonna be some limiting regulations in terms of number limits of...

Summary: The committee hearing focused on biosolids, sewage sludge, and PFAS contamination, with the opening remarks and first three presenters arguing that land application of municipal sludge poses serious risks to soil, water, livestock, and human health. Representative Shaw cited EPA and state data on detected pollutants and PFAS in biosolids, while Denise Travick Poyer described her background in chemical engineering and PFAS work and said the EPA’s draft sewage sludge risk assessment shows unacceptable risk at very low PFOS/PFOA levels. She urged source reduction, more testing, and consideration of total organic fluorine, and noted examples from Michigan where industrial pretreatment and source reduction reduced PFAS in biosolids. Johnson County, Texas Commissioner Larry Woolley and Investigator Dana Ames presented a case study of alleged runoff from land-applied biosolids affecting a ranch, with high PFAS readings in soil, water, fish, cattle tissue, and a stillborn calf, and said the county and state had pursued investigations, lawsuits, and legislative responses. Sandra Trawick of Save Oklahoma Farms and Ranches argued that Oklahoma’s biosolids program relies heavily on Class B sludge, that current rules are outdated, and that land application exposes farms and rural communities to pathogens, chemicals, odors, flies, and runoff; she cited examples from Maine, Texas, Georgia, Michigan, and Oklahoma to support calls for stronger regulation or a ban. After the testimony, members asked about sampling methods, lab testing, EPA limits, and whether the cited PFAS blood levels were comparable to the soil and sludge measurements. Witnesses said the Johnson County samples were collected by a Texas A&M PhD contractor and tested at a single lab, and they explained that the EPA’s 4 parts per trillion figure applied to municipal drinking water standards. Questions also addressed whether sludge is incorporated into soil; Trawick said it had often been left on the surface, though she had seen better disking after public scrutiny. Members asked how biosolids compare with manure and feedlot waste, and witnesses responded that municipal sludge is more contaminated because it includes industrial, hospital, and household waste streams, unlike animal manure. The committee then moved to alternative solutions, hearing from Doug McKinney of Advanced Microbial Solutions, who promoted biological sludge removal using bacteria to reduce sludge volumes and avoid land application, citing cost savings for wastewater plants and correctional facilities. Jason Jepsen of Eden Energy followed with a pitch for an eight-stage waste-to-energy system that converts mixed waste into clean energy, biochar, and reusable products, framing waste as an asset and presenting his company’s technology as a no-land-application alternative.

Transcript Highlights:

• And as Senator Duplessis has said, there's a revolver that's loaded up with federal money through the

Bills: HR307, SB228

Keywords: expropriation, redevelopment, New Orleans East, blighted properties, task force, urban development, environmental remediation, property rights, community engagement, economic development, 965, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• if the patient's medication is a limited if the patient's medication is a limited distribution<00
• bag medications may end up on a loading bag medications may end up on a loading dock<00:37:35.160
• that but if you had a limited that but if you had a limited distribution<00:40:55.040> drug
• Well, I’m not going to limit you because you’re the prime sponsor.
• I mean, that's limiting it way too much. So even the form is flawed.

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:42:39.440> for<00:42:39.680> state discouraged or limited for state discouraged
• or limited for state entities.<00:42:41.040> PLA's<00:42:41.680> create<00:42:42.079><
• In recent years, measures to ban or limit the breadth of knowledge available to students and residents
• As my amazing colleagues jumped into action, rearranging my client load, I muttered to myself, “She's
• As my amazing colleagues jumped into action, rearranging my client load, I muttered to myself, “She's

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• ><00:09:37.000> because<00:09:37.360> our<00:09:37.640> case<00:09:37.959> load
• <00:09:38.560> doesn't um partly because our case load doesn't um partly because our case
• load doesn't warrant<00:09:39.680> a<00:09:39.959> full-time<00:09:40.640> staff
• accessibility um and uh are not limited accessibility um and uh are not limited to<00:34:35.280>
• We'll let you go back to your case load. We'll let you go back to your case load. Thank you.

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The committee first heard from the Personnel Appeals Board, which explained that it became an independent state agency after Senate Bill 487 and was presenting its first standalone operating budget. The board described its quasi-judicial role in hearing appeals from classified state employees over disciplinary actions such as warnings, suspensions, and terminations, and said it handles about 25 to 35 cases a year, with some cases lasting longer because of their complexity. Members also outlined the need for a chair and vice chair who are attorneys, the board’s current staffing and space needs, and its plan to move away from reliance on Administrative Services for office support and website functions. The board requested about $353,500 for fiscal year 2026, including startup costs, routine operating expenses, and two new part-time positions: a program director and a paralegal. Members said the budget reflects the new independent status, includes funding for only four board members rather than the authorized five, and is designed to avoid full-time staffing costs and benefits. Legislators asked about the cost per case, the board’s relationship to DAS, whether appeals must go through the board before court, and how often cases are appealed further. The board said appeals must first go through it, that court appeals are infrequent but have increased recently, and that the board’s process is intended to resolve disputes more quickly and less expensively than court litigation. Committee members also asked about the board’s caseload, outcomes, and staffing. The board said that in the prior year there were 22 cases, with four decisions overturned in favor of employees, nine dismissals, and nine settlements, and that many disputes are resolved before reaching the board through a multi-step internal process. A member noted the governor and council had recently approved a new board member and were expected to approve a fifth soon. The discussion ended with questions about the board’s website and records access, which members said would need to be moved from Administrative Services as part of the agency’s transition. The committee then moved to the New Hampshire Council on Developmental Disabilities. The executive director explained that the council is 100 percent federally funded under the Developmental Disabilities Assistance and Bill of Rights Act and develops a five-year plan to address the needs of people with intellectual and developmental disabilities. She said the council works with state agencies and advocacy organizations on quality-of-life issues, accessibility, voter rights training, and plain-language or easy-to-read materials, and that 60 percent of its membership must be individuals with disabilities or family members/guardians. She also described the council’s funding structure, including reimbursement to the state for operating costs, and noted that it currently has three full-time and three part-time positions, with no new positions requested but one full-time position being eliminated and replaced after a pandemic-era staffing change did not work out as planned.

Transcript Highlights:

• So let's limit your time to about four minutes because I have a suspicion questions will prompt other
• We put this load of work on them.
• Limit or even preclude that participation.
• Instead, you'd be limited to the remedies of this.
• Under the federal law, it's a $1 million limit.

Transcript Highlights:

• But there's no limit to... There is a such thing as a second chance.
• It's like, what limit is there on your low-level misdemeanors?
• She'd load us all up in the car, wake us up, load us up in the car, take Dad to work.
• This bill focuses on no, on to limit. Who can be released?
• It's not in all cases, it's only in limited cases.

Bills: HB36, HB75, HB76, HB166, HB799, HB 1135, HJR15, HJR16, HB36, HB75, HB76, HB166, HJR15, HJR16

Keywords: family violence, global positioning monitoring system, victim resources, electronic monitoring, protective orders, magistrate, criminal procedure, probable cause, written findings, law enforcement, bail bonds, bail fund, charitable bail fund, nonprofit bail organization, public funds, local government spending, political subdivision, county, city, taxpayer lawsuit

Transcript Highlights:

• Uh so England and limits urban sprawl.
• <01:25:59.520> I this board would be extremely limited.
• I this board would be extremely limited.
• Uh as opposed to I think what's limited.
• Different species can limitations.

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• perfectly, it's not as good as being 855 standard through central but it does reduce all the nutrient loads

Transcript Highlights:

• get our targets, and then we have to make the decisions about who has the impact or who carries the load