Transcript Highlights:

• The county clerk will then see that they are deemed fit to go on the ballot for that election.
• Tipton. the ballot for that election. U no the ballot for that election.
• would then see that this person passed the background check or did not, to allow them to be on that ballot

Committee: House Primary and Secondary Education

Keywords: Call to Order and Roll Call: 0:02 Bills for Consideration: 26RS HB 383: 1:03 26RS HB 469: 6:32 26RS HB 586: 14:46 26RS HB 621: 19:58 Adjournment: 28:32, 958, all

Transcript Highlights:

• make a big step in the right direction by drawing more attention to tax rates by putting them on the ballot
• VADER to two and a half percent We will be bringing more of these tax rate decisions to voters on the ballot
• want to fund specific priorities that require additional revenue, they can choose to do so at the ballot
• I know a lot of people don't want to exceed that because they don't want to put it on the ballot.

Bills: SB9 , SB 9

Committee: Senate Local Government

Keywords: property tax, ad valorem tax, voter-approval tax rate, no-new-revenue tax rate, tax rate calculation, Tax Code, local government finance, municipality, county, special taxing unit, sales and use tax, property tax cap, tax rollback, tax levy, maintenance and operations, debt rate, disaster relief rate, Texas Legislature, local taxing unit, school assessment

Transcript Highlights:

• They had a ballot initiative that was going to ban slaughterhouses in Colorado, in Denver.
• year</c><00:15:37.519><c> they</c><00:15:37.639><c> had</c><00:15:37.759><c> a</c><00:15:37.880><c> ballot
• </c> Colorado this year they had a ballot Colorado this year they had a ballot initiative<00:15:38.720

Keywords: 958, all

Summary: The committee heard extended testimony from Agriculture Commissioner Jonathan Shell and several senators about using agriculture economic development funds to make Kentucky farms more profitable and attract related businesses. Discussion focused on expanding markets for corn, soybeans, beef, dairy, and other products through biofuels, sustainable aviation fuel, feedlots, processing plants, transportation, and other infrastructure that would keep more value in-state. Members also discussed the profitability pressures on farmers, high land prices, and the need for small-farm support and aggregation programs such as Kentucky Proud, BCAL, KOAP, CAP, food-is-medicine efforts, LFPA, and farm-to-school initiatives. Senators raised specific ideas and concerns, including raw milk and food-freedom innovation, support for 5-acre and other small farms, and the possibility of a beef processing plant in Kentucky. Shell said raw milk testing is not currently a department function but could be explored with legislative direction, and he emphasized that Kentucky must first prove it can feed cattle at scale before a processor is likely to locate here. He also argued that changing conditions in the West and Midwest, including water limits, workforce shortages, and regulatory pressure, could make Kentucky increasingly competitive for beef processing and feedlot operations. Several senators shared personal farming experiences to underscore the difficulty of making a living in agriculture and the need for off-farm income or value-added businesses. They cited examples such as grain storage, dairy products, chicken and hog operations, and restaurant or rental income supporting farm operations. Commissioner Shell said the fund is intended to fill gaps and attract businesses that need Kentucky agricultural products, creating premium markets and more local jobs. After questions concluded, the committee took up the bill, with a motion by Senator Richardson and a second by Senator Nunn. The roll call was taken, and the bill passed unanimously. The committee then moved to adjourn.

Transcript Highlights:

• There is evidence that this corporate money is flowing in and is influencing elections and ballot initiatives
• There is evidence that this corporate money is flowing in and is influencing elections and ballot initiatives
• think now we have evidence that this corporate money is flowing in and is influencing elections and ballot

Bills: HB2241 , HB1163 , HB1514 , HB1696 , HB2021 , SB2135 , SB2466 , SB2727 , SB3082 , SB3097 , SB2861 , SCR100 , SB3096 , SB99 , SB2138 , HB2289 , HB2319 , HB1711 , HB2270 , SB3138 , SB3076 , HB1642 , HB2338 , HB2171 , HB1785 , SB2881 , HB2505 , SB2552 , HB1518 , HB1815 , SB3125 , SB3234 , SCR162 , SB2614 , SB3118 , SB2053 , SB2494 , SB2851 , SB3073 , HB1678 , HB1721 , HB2475 , HB2246 , HB1667 , HB1516 , SB2532 , SB3131 , SB3154 , HB2297 , HB1737 , SB2143 , SB2398 , SB2623 , HB1740 , HB1920 , HB1682 , SB2153 , SB3140 , HB2158 , HB1718 , HB2207 , HB1801 , SB3229 , SB2338 , SB3069 , SB2600 , HB2300 , HB1800 , HB1960 , SB2999 , SB2060 , SB2866 , SB2239 , HB1741 , HB1713 , HB2023 , HB2417 , SB2877 , SB2598 , SB2921 , SB2645 , HB2547 , HB2275 , HB2452 , HB2329 , HB2339 , HB1838 , HB1509 , HB1661 , HB2271 , HB2272 , HB2344 , HB1888 , HB1707 , SB2340 , HB2474 , HB1576 , HB1853 , HB1804 , HB1854 , HB2095 , HB2050 , HB472 , SB3215 , SB2247 , SB2400 , HB1618 , HB1802 , HB1969 , HB1541 , HB2310 , HB2498 , HB2443 , HB2218 , HB649 , HB2104 , HB1710 , SB2802 , HB1973 , HB1974 , HB1894 , HB1891 , HB1890 , SB177 , SB2101 , SB3320 , SB2487 , HB2429 , HB1870 , HB1839 , HB2583 , HB1391 , HB2094 , SB2671 , SB2673 , SB2892 , SB2057 , SB3245 , HB306 , HB2592 , SB3157 , SB3204 , SB3324 , SB2580 , SB2074 , SB411 , SB3025 , SB2934 , SB2567 , SB2125 , SB3238 , SB2367 , SB2599 , SB3007 , SB2001 , SB2756 , SB3029

Keywords: renewable energy, income tax credit, solar energy, wind energy, low-income households, energy policy, commercial drivers license, non-domiciled, federal regulations, commercial learner's permit, citizenship, lawful residency, Department of Transportation, workers' compensation, vocational rehabilitation, injury recovery, employment services, return to work, commercial driving, driver's license

Transcript Highlights:

• finances, or directs election activity finances, or directs election activity or<00:15:31.840><c> ballot
• ><c> activity</c><00:15:32.800><c> in</c><00:15:32.840><c> this</c><00:15:32.960><c> state</c> or ballot
• issue activity in this state or ballot issue activity in this state shall<00:15:33.320><c> be</c><00

Bills: SB2057

Committee: Senate Judiciary

Keywords: immigration enforcement, sanctuary policy, detainer, ICE, federal immigration authorities, 8 U.S.C. 1357(g), 8 U.S.C. 1373, 8 U.S.C. 1644, deportation, undocumented immigrants, noncitizen, migrant rights, local police cooperation, law enforcement cooperation, hold request, judicial warrant, probable cause, civil immigration enforcement, county police, state police

Summary: The Judiciary Committee met on Thursday, March 5, for a series of decision-making agendas and considered a long list of Senate bills. Early measures included SB 2151, which clarifies state and local authority during emergencies and revises the definition of “emergency”; the committee agreed to restore the broader, long-used definition and add a sunset date, then passed the bill with amendments. SB 3055, concerning false impersonation of an employee organization representative, was amended to remove liquidated damages and passed. Several technical or conforming bills also advanced, including SB 3067, SB 3077, SB 3131, SB 3134, SB 3144, SB 3152, SB 3154, and SB 3249, with most passed with technical amendments or unamended; some members noted reservations on SB 3249. The committee also took up bills affecting public safety, health, and education. SB 3083 was amended to narrow notice requirements for protective orders involving military-affiliated individuals to a designated military security force, and SB 3118 on the Interstate Compact on Educational Opportunity for Military Children passed as is. SB 3134 modernized emergency medical services statutes, while another SB 3134 item addressed dangerous intoxication and civil protective custody. SB 3262, requiring the Hawaii State Teachers Board to submit nominees to the Board of Education, was amended to include a defective effective date. SB 3315, allowing a one-time medical cannabis purchase while registration is pending, was also amended to a delayed effective date and passed. A substantial portion of the meeting focused on law enforcement and immigration-related proposals. SB 3322, which restricts facial coverings by law enforcement, requires visible identification, and sets agency policies on cooperation with federal immigration enforcement, was amended to remove an affirmative defense, make the penalty a misdemeanor, and incorporate exceptions for undercover work and related preparation; it passed with one no vote. SB 3251, barring certain former ICE and Border Patrol personnel from employment in specified state agencies, was narrowed to apply to those with more than 90 cumulative days of such work during a defined period and passed with reservations. SB 2057, a reconsideration measure limiting use of state personnel and funds to assist federal immigration agents beyond their authority, was further amended to clarify definitions, protect First Amendment activity, and preserve cooperation required by federal law; it then passed without objection. The committee adjourned after adopting each measure considered.

Transcript Highlights:

• This is a referendum to the ballot, and the voters will be making that decision.
• This is a referendum to the ballot, and the voters will be making that decision.
• So what this bill is going to do, it's going to take it to the ballot to let those 69% of the U.S. citizens

Summary: The House convened with prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, approval of the prior journal, and recognition of the Doctor of the Day and several guests and community groups, including correctional officer Jacob Polanco, Pima Community Land Trust representatives, student interns, and Arizona PTA members. Members also adopted a proclamation recognizing Kosovo’s Independence Day in Arizona, with remarks highlighting the Kosovo American community’s contributions to the state. The chamber then moved into Committee of the Whole on a calendar of bills and resolutions. HB 2307 and HB 2758 were considered first; HB 2307 received committee amendments and was recommended do pass, while HB 2758 drew extensive debate over groundwater transport in La Paz County. Supporters argued the measure preserved a transportation-basin framework and added protections, while opponents warned it would facilitate water export for private investors and harm rural residents. After a division and recorded vote, HB 2758 failed to receive a due-pass recommendation. The House also considered HCR 2003, a referral related to transgender athletes in sports, where supporters framed it as a fairness and women’s sports issue and opponents argued it targeted a small population and should be left to athletic associations; it received a due-pass recommendation. HCR 2047 and HCR 2002, both relating to Judea and Samaria, also received due-pass recommendations after remarks citing biblical and historical references. After the Committee of the Whole report was adopted, the House referred the approved measures to engrossing and noted HB 2758 failed. The chamber then took up third-reading votes on several bills, passing HB 251, HB 262, HB 272, HB 296, and HB 2459, with brief explanations on some votes, including support for a Buffalo Soldiers monument, AHCCCS-related changes, water infrastructure authority, and mobile home park utility billing protections. The House also heard personal privilege remarks and announcements, including comments on antisemitism after vandalism at a University of Arizona campus center, a request to wear pink or green in support of a murder victim’s mother testifying on a bill, tributes to Jesse Jackson and Bishop Peter Bowie, and committee meeting notices before adjourning until February 18, 2026.

Transcript Highlights:

• lawful presence reporting; SB 1056, budget unit vacant positions reporting; SB 1057, watermark paper ballots
• lawful presence reporting; SB 1056, budget unit vacant positions reporting; SB 1057, watermark paper ballots

Summary: The Senate opened with prayer and the Pledge of Allegiance, then completed roll call, approved the prior journal, and welcomed several guest groups to the gallery, including CSG West and NCSL visitors, Tucson Electric Power/UniSource Native BRG members, Pascua Yaqui constituents, Marcos de Niza High School students, and guests from Payson. Members also observed a moment of silence for former Attorney General Mark Brnovich. Senator Hatathlie read a proclamation honoring the life and service of Amaya Curley, a Navajo woman and Navy veteran, and the chamber recessed for presentation of an Arizona state flag flown in her memory, with her family present. The President Pro Tem announced extended deadlines for opening Senate folders and for Senate bill intro set preparation, and the Senate received House messages regarding adjournment. The chamber voted to accede to the House request to adjourn after Thursday, January 15, 2026, until Tuesday, January 20, 2026. No substantive bill debate occurred; instead, the body moved a large number of measures to second reading, including election, education, health care, firearms, immigration-related reporting, cryptocurrency, transportation, and various memorial and appropriation bills. Committee and caucus announcements were made for Thursday, January 15, including Rules Committee and both party caucuses. The Senate then adopted a motion to adjourn until Thursday, January 15, 2026, at 10 a.m.

Transcript Highlights:

• He has been clear about his desire to attack vote-by-mail ballots and voting machines.
• Because it's not the gold standard when you can find a dog voted twice and then registered on our ballots

Committee: House Elections

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• counties, cities, and towns to collaborate on regional planning, economic development, and service delivery
• This is a statutory state question; it is not going to the ballot to put in the.

Bills: HB3257 , HB3176 , HB3544 , HB3619 , HB3546 , HB1782 , HB2293 , HB4358 , HB3081 , HB3983 , HB3790 , HJR1023 , HB4139 , HB3297 , HB3041 , HB3673 , HB4105 , HB3338 , HB3048 , SR33 , SCR21 , SCR20 , HB4030 , HB4031 , HB4032 , HB4034 , HB4036 , HB4037 , HB4038 , HB4040 , HB4041 , HB4042 , HB4043 , HB4045 , HB4046 , HB4047 , HB4048 , HB4044 , HB4050 , HB4051 , HB4052 , HB4053 , HB4054 , HB4056 , HB4057 , HB4071 , HB4065 , HB4067 , HB4072 , HB2992 , HB4338 , HB4170

Keywords: veterans, disability benefits, federal law, Oklahoma Statutes, military service, Oklahoma, Gas Hub, artificial intelligence, national laboratory, public-private partnerships, aerospace, high-performance computing, economic development, social AI companions, minors, emotional attachment, safety protocols, civil penalties, parental controls, geographic information

Transcript Highlights:

• With so many safe choices today through Uber, Lyft, delivery through Grubhub, etc., he chose to get behind
• sheriff fails to lead with integrity, competence, [and] courage, the people can remove him at the ballot

Committee: House Crime and Public Safety

Summary: The committee met with a quorum and first went into executive session, where House Bills 3012, 2997, and 3058 were combined into a House committee substitute and then voted do pass by a 17-0 roll call. House Bill 2868 was set aside for further work on a substitute. The committee then moved into public hearings, beginning with House Bill 1740, “Melanie’s Law,” which would increase penalties for intoxicated driving cases involving injury or death and expand ignition interlock requirements, including for high-BAC offenders. The sponsor and family members of victims described the bill as a response to fatal crashes involving loved ones, while law enforcement, MoDOT, prosecutors, and MADD supported the measure as a prevention tool and cited data on recidivism and fatal crashes. Members asked about BAC thresholds, whether the bill would cover drug impairment, fiscal impacts, and the relationship to existing sentencing and parole rules. No vote was taken on HB 1740 during the hearing. The committee also heard House Bills 3049 and 368, described by the sponsors as technical cleanup bills to resolve conflicts in Missouri’s sex offender registry statutes after court rulings and to reorganize and clarify the law. A prosecutor testified in support, and members discussed registry tiers, age-of-consent issues, and how the changes might affect people whose offenses were tied to older laws or unusual fact patterns. The bills were presented as consistency and cleanup measures, and no opposition testimony was offered. Next, House Bill 2311 was heard, proposing to raise the age of consent to 18 and reduce the close-in-age exception from four years to three. The sponsor said the change was intended to align the law with recent marriage-age changes and avoid mixed signals. Members raised concerns about criminalizing high-school relationships and about consistency with existing law, but there was no testimony in opposition or a vote. Finally, House Bill 3105, a revised Second Amendment Preservation Act-style bill, was heard. The sponsor said it would remove unconstitutional language from the prior law, bar state and local officials from knowingly violating law-abiding citizens’ firearm rights, and preserve cooperation with federal law enforcement. Supporters, including sheriffs, argued it protects constitutional rights while allowing officers to act against dangerous criminals and people in crisis. Opponents, including gun-rights advocates, argued the bill still lacked a meaningful deterrent to federal overreach and raised concerns about vague language such as “danger to self or others,” which they said could function like a red-flag law and be misused. The hearing ended without a vote on HB 3105.

Transcript Highlights:

• since it is a general election, I imagine the cost would be minimal since they're already printing ballots
• Senator Tobiasin, an act relating to health care, repealing the delayed repeal of the Health Care Delivery

Bills: HB111 , HJR1 , HB61 , HB8 , HB30 , HB43 , HB156 , HJM2 , HM7 , HM17 , HM4 , HM22 , HM23 , HM24 , HM26 , HM2 , HM16 , HM11 , HM14 , HM21 , HM34 , HM50 , HB70 , SB3 , HJM3

Keywords: water law, state engineer, civil penalty, compliance order, water rights, overdiversion, illegal diversion, groundwater storage and recovery, well license, permit violation, water enforcement, New Mexico water code, irrigation district, conservancy district, water diversion, unauthorized water sales, measuring device, district court appeal, water resources, water compliance

Summary: The House convened for a special American Indian Day celebration, with prayers, flag citations, a Navajo national anthem, and many members introducing tribal leaders, students, veterans, and community guests. Speakers emphasized Native sovereignty, government-to-government relations, cultural preservation, education, and the importance of representation in state government. The Speaker announced plans for a future tribal summit to discuss funding, capital, and policy priorities with tribes and nations. After the celebration, the House received executive messages, including gubernatorial authorization for new bills and notice that House Bill 9 had been signed into law. Committee reports were adopted on several measures, including House Bills 128, 285, 20, 52, 57, 58, 206, 109, 38, 66, 178, 198, 202, 224, 257, 103, and 247, with several health-related bills advanced via committee substitutes and referred onward. The House also adopted House Memorial 32 and enrolled House Bill 50 with a certificate of correction. On the floor, House Joint Resolution 1, as amended, passed 67-0. The resolution would create nominating committees for certain constitutionally named institutions, require no single party majority on those committees, and shift the student regent appointment to an elected student government body; members discussed the one-year party-registration requirement and the timing of implementing legislation. House Bill 8, which creates and funds the Major Capital Projects Fund for higher education projects, was then debated at length over its graduation-rate criteria and waiver provisions, and an amendment was offered to require Higher Education Department waiver findings to be reported to and approved by the State Board of Finance for added oversight.

Transcript Highlights:

• But internally, we're making the changes from a process standpoint, to help expedite the delivery of
• climate resilience is as a direct result of that $10 billion of investment that legislature put on the ballot

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• It was immediately put back on the ballot to repeal it.
• And then the ballot keeps going until they get a consensus, which I believe is four out of the The ballot
• In 2012, we had Amendment 3 hit the ballot, and that was basically what these two resolutions do.
• Just I'll give you an idea, but there were 43, and then when that amendment hit the ballot in 2012, we
• You're going to get your ballot. Please vote. So we pushed the vote.

Committee: House General Laws

Keywords: 959, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• There was a ballot question a number of years ago on this very topic. It lost 73.5% to 26.5%.
• The ballot question was in 2014, and yes, we aggressively opposed it. That was in 2014.
• The ballot question was in 2014, and yes, we aggressively opposed it.
• And so what we saw in the ballot question is people rejected this idea very widely.
• Governor Baker was on the ballot in 2014. No on 2 got more votes than Governor Baker did.

Committee: Joint Joint Committee on Telecommunications, Utilities and Energy

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The hearing focused mainly on two subjects: expansion of the Massachusetts bottle bill and bills to remove woody biomass from state clean-energy and greenhouse-gas programs. On the bottle bill, supporters from municipal, environmental, public health, and local government groups argued that the 5-cent deposit is outdated, redemption rates have fallen, and expanding coverage to more beverage containers—especially water, sports drinks, and small alcohol bottles—would reduce litter, cut plastic waste and microplastics, and save cities and towns money. Several speakers also backed raising handling fees for retailers and redemption centers, and some supported restoring a Clean Environment Fund so unclaimed deposits would support recycling-related purposes. Opponents, including the Massachusetts Beverage Association and the National Waste and Recycling Association, argued that curbside recycling and transfer-station systems are more convenient, that the targeted containers are valuable to local recycling programs, and that the proposal would shift costs onto consumers and municipalities. Committee members questioned witnesses about redemption rates, handling fees, the 2014 ballot question, and whether the bill had changed from prior sessions. The biomass portion drew strong support from Springfield officials, state legislators, environmental advocates, and public health groups. They said woody biomass should not count as clean energy because burning wood produces particulate pollution and carbon emissions, and they warned that current law contains a loophole that could help finance the proposed Palmer Renewable Energy biomass plant in Springfield. Witnesses emphasized Springfield’s air-quality and asthma burdens, the public health impacts of PM2.5, and the need to close the loophole before a January 1, 2026 deadline. One forest-industry witness supported a separate bill promoting modern wood heat with pollution controls, arguing it is cleaner than older wood systems and has minimal ratepayer cost, while noting that those credits would be affected if the governor’s broader energy affordability bill repeals the alternative energy portfolio standard. No votes were taken during the hearing. The chairs managed testimony by alternating between the bottle bill and biomass topics, asking speakers to keep remarks brief and to note when they agreed with prior testimony. Several legislators also testified in support of the bills, and committee members asked follow-up questions on deposit levels, retailer handling fees, recycling economics, and the public-health rationale for the biomass restrictions.

Transcript Highlights:

• Okay, and this would be on the ballot when? I would hope this fall. Okay.
• The council itself voted that they wanted to put it on the ballot for the people of Jefferson to choose
• You're superseding their authority, so they could put that on the ballot.
• You're superseding their authority, so they could put that on the ballot themselves for the whole parish
• those police jurors and tell them exactly what they want for them to come out here and put it on the ballot

Bills: HR217 , HB66 , HB204 , HB208 , HB326 , HB472 , HB483 , HB484 , HB793 , HB1051 , HB1080 , HB1087 , HB1111 , HB1215 , SB78 , SB148

Committee: House Municipal

Keywords: rent stabilization, affordable housing, cost burdened, Louisiana housing, housing policy, emergency rental protections, Alexandria, municipal ordinances, administrative adjudication, code enforcement, housing violations, building codes, zoning, nuisance ordinances, vegetation ordinances, sewerage, drainage, licensing, permits, local government

Transcript Highlights:

• How does the propositions that are on the ballot this spring, how does that pass or fail, how does that
• So I know that on the ballot we have...
• As Representative Jackson, so I know that on the ballot, we have a couple of amendments pertaining to
• So I guess if that measure does not pass at the ballot, how does inventory tax... ...not pass at the
• ballot, how does inventory tax that ultimately won't move forward impact our budget here that we are

Summary: The House Ways and Means Committee met on March 10, 2026, for a series of informational presentations rather than bill hearings. House Fiscal Division staff reviewed the state’s tax structure, the 2024 third special session tax reform package, and the Revenue Estimating Conference process. They explained the move to a 3% flat individual income tax, a 5.5% flat corporate income tax, the higher standard deduction and retirement-income exclusion, the repeal of several deductions and credits, the repeal of the corporate franchise tax, and the expansion of the sales tax base to certain digital goods. Staff also walked through tax exemption data, showing the size of exemptions relative to collections, and discussed forecasted revenue gaps in the out years, including the effect of the scheduled sales tax rate reduction and the return of transportation-related revenues to their prior dedication. Members asked about declining mineral revenues, digital sales tax collections, corporate collections, and the impact of tax credits and exemptions. Division of Administration and Legislative Fiscal Office staff said lower oil and gas prices, long-term production declines, and the timing of corporate payments were major factors in revenue trends, and that it will take at least another year or two of tax returns to fully understand the reform’s effects. They emphasized that corporate collections are still below the $600 million threshold that affects the state general fund and Revenue Stabilization Fund, though the forecast remains $900 million. The committee also discussed surplus and excess revenues, the distinction between discretionary and non-discretionary spending, and how current-year and prior-year balances are allocated under the constitution. A significant portion of the meeting focused on the relationship between Ways and Means and Appropriations. Chairman McFarland stressed that new fiscal-note bills can force cuts elsewhere if revenue is not available, and urged members to coordinate early with fiscal staff before advancing costly legislation. Members also asked how pending constitutional amendments on teacher pay and inventory tax might affect the budget; staff said the teacher stipend proposal is not currently funded in the executive budget and that the inventory tax proposal would mainly affect local governments and any reimbursements from the Revenue Stabilization Fund if approved. The committee then heard from Louisiana Economic Development Secretary Susan Bouchoux, who reported strong results from recent reforms, including $92 billion in capital investment, 37,000 new jobs, a record year of announcements, a top-10 corporate tax climate ranking, and a pipeline of 189 active projects representing nearly 42,000 potential jobs and $280 billion in potential investment. Members praised LED’s work and discussed the need to pair economic development with workforce training, infrastructure, and predictable tax policy.

Transcript Highlights:

• My language has got to pass on the ballot. Hey, it's not...
• My language has got to pass on the ballot. They both do.
• The real result of that, though, is going to be longer, more complicated ballots, increased administration
• This bill handler, or resolution handler, often talks about the importance of transparent ballot language
• This bill handler, or resolution handler, often talks about the importance of transparent ballot language

Summary: The House convened with prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, and approval of the previous day’s journal by a 132-0 vote. Members then used personal privilege remarks to recognize Black History Month, honor several Black colleagues and public servants, observe a moment of silence for the late Dr. Steven Leon, and deliver a lengthy tribute to the late Freeman Bosley Sr. The chamber also welcomed numerous guests and school groups, including congressional and local officials, mental health advocates, FFA students, championship volleyball players, elementary and junior high students, and other district visitors. The House then took up several bills on third reading. The most contentious debate was over House Committee Substitute for House Bills 1663, 1607, and 1973, which removed a sunset from Missouri’s restrictions on transgender athletes in school sports. Supporters framed it as protecting fairness and women’s sports; opponents argued it targeted a very small number of students, was discriminatory, and distracted from more pressing issues. After extended debate, the measure passed 98-37. The House also passed House Bill 2682, a school-related First Amendment bill, after debate over whether it would protect hateful student speech; it passed 99-47. Lawmakers next passed House Bill 2274, the Interstate Teacher Mobility Compact, to make it easier for teachers to transfer credentials across states, especially for military families, by a vote of 133-13. House Committee Substitute for House Bill 1883, dealing with sales tax on durable medical goods and certain auction items, passed 98-36 after criticism that it was too broad and would benefit high-end auction sales. House Committee Substitute for House Bill 2085, a tobacco preemption bill that also allows localities to enforce a tobacco age of 21, passed 93-43 amid debate over local control and youth tobacco access. House Bill 2145, allowing businesses on two-lane highways to place signs across the road, passed overwhelmingly 142-2. Finally, the House passed House Committee Substitute for House Joint Resolution 169, which would limit state and local spending growth to prior-year levels plus inflation and population growth, with emergency exceptions. Supporters called it a way to restrain government spending and align with the Hancock Amendment; opponents raised concerns about how it could interact with future tax policy, including the proposed income tax elimination plan. The resolution was discussed at length but ultimately advanced by vote.

Transcript Highlights:

• Representative Gantt: ...I'm sure they're going to be confused voters when or if this H.J.R. is brought to the ballot
• We are, and the reason that it's been, in case you want to know, it's being put on the ballot, is because
• Put it on the ballot and see. I'm up on this bill. Representative Maggard in debate.
• This will be on the ballot, where voters will be drawn to make a decision.
• This is a House joint resolution on the ballot that is going to also, of course, fall oftentimes on very

Summary: The House convened with prayer, a moment of silence for former Washington County administrator Alan Massey, and the Pledge of Allegiance, then adopted the special order report setting the day’s floor calendar. The chamber also approved the journal and moved into special-order bills. Early action included unanimous passage of CS/HB 967, which creates an electronic payment option for constituents dealing with local governments, and HB 127, which adds cursive writing to required instruction for grades 2 through 5; supporters framed both bills as modernizing basic public services and preserving literacy and heritage. HB 453 also passed unanimously, creating pathways for students in Special Olympics and marching band to satisfy physical education and arts graduation requirements. The House then took up HJR 583, a proposed constitutional amendment to protect religious expression in public schools. The resolution drew extensive debate over whether it merely codified existing law or could create ambiguity about prayer, religious speech, and discrimination issues in schools and at school events. Supporters argued it would strengthen protections for faith expression and let voters decide; opponents raised First Amendment, church-state separation, and implementation concerns, including questions about what counts as religious expression and how schools would handle potentially offensive remarks. The resolution passed 93-17. Several health-related measures followed. CS/HB 237, requiring APRNs who use the title “doctor” to clarify they are APRNs when communicating with patients, passed 111-0. CS/HB 363, creating a dental therapy license and a new mid-level dental provider to address access shortages, prompted sharp debate over training, anesthesia risk, and whether the bill would create a lower tier of care; it passed 80-29. HB 375, removing a mandatory supervision requirement for autonomous CRNAs, passed 78-28, and HB 301, authorizing psychiatric mental health APRNs to provide mental health services within existing licensure, passed 88-18. The House also passed HB 863, giving Citizens Property Insurance policyholders the choice between arbitration and court for disputes, by 105-3, and HB 1399, increasing oversight of property insurers’ affiliate transactions, by 160-3. The chamber then began consideration of a local claims bill, HB 6517, for relief related to an incident involving the City of St. Petersburg.

Transcript Highlights:

• it confused me, I'm sure voters are going to be confused when or if this H.J.R. is brought to the ballot
• We are, and the reason that it's been, in case you want to know, it's being put on the ballot, is because
• Put it on the ballot and see. I'm up on this bill. Representative Maggard in debate.
• This will be on the ballot, where voters will be drawn to make a decision.
• This is a House joint resolution on the ballot that is going to also, of course, fall oftentimes on very

Keywords: 998, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• it confused me, I'm sure voters are going to be confused when or if this H.J.R. is brought to the ballot
• We are, and the reason that it’s been, in case you want to know, it’s being put on the ballot, is because
• Put it on the ballot and see.” Representative Maggard in debate. Representative Maggard in debate.
• “This will be on the ballot, where voters will be drawn to make a decision.
• This is a House joint resolution on the ballot that is going to also, of course, fall oftentimes on very

Summary: The House convened with prayer, a moment of silence for former Washington County administrator Alan Massey, the Pledge of Allegiance, and several gallery recognitions. The chamber adopted the special order report and then took up a series of bills on the special order calendar. Early measures included CS/HB 967 on electronic payments to local governments, which passed 110-0, and HB 127 requiring cursive writing instruction in grades 2-5, which passed 111-0 after members spoke about literacy, signatures, and heritage. CS/HB 453 on high school diploma requirements passed 111-0 and would allow certain students to use Special Olympics participation for PE credit and marching band for PE and arts credit. The House also passed CS/HB 237 on use of professional nursing titles, which requires APRNs using the title doctor to clarify they are APRNs, by 111-0. The chamber then debated HJR 583, a proposed constitutional amendment on religious expression in public schools. Supporters said it would codify existing statutory protections for student and school personnel religious expression and let voters decide; opponents argued it was unnecessary, could create confusion, and risked constitutional problems involving school-sponsored prayer and the separation of church and state. After structured debate, the resolution passed 93-17. The House next passed CS/HB 363 on dental therapy, which creates a licensed mid-level dental provider and drew sharp debate over access to care versus patient safety; it passed 80-29. HB 375 on autonomous practice by certified registered nurse anesthetists passed 78-28, and HB 301 on psychiatric mental health APRN autonomous practice passed 88-18. Later, the House passed HB 863 on arbitration for Citizens Property Insurance disputes, giving policyholders a choice between arbitration and court, by 105-3, and HB 1399 on property insurance affiliates, which increases oversight of insurer-affiliate transactions, by 160-3. Members also heard and advanced a local claims bill, HB 6517, for relief of Eribeito and Sanchez Mayan against the City of St. Petersburg, describing severe injuries allegedly caused during an arrest and transport; the bill was rolled over for third reading at the end of the transcript. Throughout the day, members also paused for multiple recognitions of visiting students, local officials, professional groups, and community organizations.