Transcript Highlights:

• Show the amendment to the amendment adopted. Please read the next amendment to the amendment.
• No further amendments to the amendment, Mr. President. We are back on the amendment as amended.
• Show the amendment to the amendment adopted. Please read the next amendment to the amendment.
• No further amendments to the amendment, Mr. President. We are back on the amendment as amended.
• This bill, this amendment that I have does not change the essence of this legislation at all.

Summary: The Senate convened with a quorum, opened with prayer and the Pledge of Allegiance, and included several member introductions recognizing guests, interns, firefighters, and a doctor of the day. The chamber then moved to the special order calendar and began taking up a series of bills, often substituting House companions for Senate measures before final passage. The first major bill, health care patient protection, required hospitals with emergency departments to adopt pediatric emergency care policies, training, a pediatric emergency care coordinator, and readiness assessments; it passed 36-0. A public records bill protecting victim identities and temporarily exempting the name of a law enforcement officer who is a victim also passed after questions about access for victims of police misconduct, with a 33-4 vote. The Senate next approved a local government cybersecurity bill creating a state-administered program through Florida Digital Service to help counties and cities strengthen cyber defenses, with priority for rural and fiscally constrained governments; after amendments, it passed 37-0. A clerks of court bill allowing clerks to retain all revenue above projections and, through a House amendment, revising legal notice and traffic citation distribution provisions, passed 38-0 despite debate over impacts on municipalities and law enforcement. The chamber also passed a trademark modernization bill and a septic system permit bill intended to reduce delays for builders; the septic bill was amended to align the House and Senate versions and passed 38-0. The longest and most contested item was the elections bill, which updated citizenship verification procedures using REAL ID and state databases, changed candidate qualification rules, and altered election administration provisions. Numerous amendments were offered and rejected, including proposals to exempt certain seniors, preserve student and retirement-center IDs, allow attestations in place of documentary proof of citizenship, and require human review over automated systems. One amendment to delay implementation until July 1, 2027, was also debated. The transcript ends while debate is still underway on the elections measure, with no final vote shown in the excerpt.

Transcript Highlights:

• Representative Green, any final comments on the amendment, the A1 amendment?
• amendment to use existing funds. amendment to use existing funds.
• <00:29:27.160> I amendment. I don't know the answer. I amendment.
• . amendment. amendment.
• members vote no on the amendment. members vote no on the amendment.

Keywords: 1183, house

Summary: House File 3791 was laid over for possible inclusion later, with Rep. Green and Rep. Noor presenting it as a response to rising threats against Minnesota elected officials and public officers. They cited increased threat reports, the June 2025 killings of Speaker Emeritus Melissa Hortman and her husband, the shootings of Sen. John Hoffman and his wife, and other recent threats as evidence that current protective resources are insufficient. The bill would create a state officials protective services unit within the State Patrol, provide security and threat-assessment services for principal state officials, and require reporting on credible threats. Rep. Noor said the proposal would be triggered by leadership when there is a credible threat, would include legislators and constitutional officers, and would be funded at about $3.98 million in FY 2027 with an ongoing base of $3.25 million, with some ability to contract with local law enforcement for support in official-capacity situations. Members raised concerns about scope, jurisdiction, and cost. Rep. Olsen argued the bill was not narrow enough and worried it could allow Capitol Security to provide home or event security too broadly, rather than limiting the work to the Capitol and catastrophic incidents. Rep. Joy offered an A1 amendment to use existing funds instead of adding new spending, saying local sheriffs and police already handle many situations. That amendment failed on a voice vote. Rep. Olson then moved an A2 amendment focused on clarifying who should be in charge of protection at home and how local law enforcement would be involved; discussion centered on whether Capitol Security, State Patrol, or local agencies should lead response and how credible threats would be determined. Supporters of the bill, including Rep. Green and Rep. Muir, said the events of June 14 showed the need for a dedicated, coordinated protective service and that local responses were uneven across jurisdictions. Rep. Muir described delayed or inconsistent police responses after the attacks and said lawmakers need a more reliable system to keep members and their families safe. Rep. Keagle also testified about personal threats and harassment at home, including a prank pizza delivery that made her fear someone knew when she was home. The committee did not take final action on the bill beyond laying it over, and the A1 amendment failed; discussion on the A2 amendment and the bill’s details continued.

Transcript Highlights:

• I will be taking the chair's amendments, and I am going to say, with trepidation, the amendment that
• We respectfully oppose SB 1230 unless amended.
• I am recommending an aye as amended.
• those amendments.
• With the amendments that we took in Senate...

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• There are amendments. There are two amendments.
• The amendment to the amendment is adopted. Now we're back on the bill as amended.
• Now we're back on the main amendment. We're back on the main amendment. As amended.
• Amendment to the amendment. All in favor of the amendment to the amendment say aye.
• Amendment to the amendment. All in favor of the amendment to the amendment say yay.

Summary: The Appropriations Committee on Criminal and Civil Justice met with a quorum and took up several bills before returning to the budget and public testimony. CS/SB 600 on bail bonds was explained as revising bail bond agent training, limiting solicitation, clarifying partial release procedures, and directing clerks to automatically discharge certain bonds when detention is ordered; an amendment adjusted cash bond return rules, charitable bail fund treatment, forfeiture remission timing, and clerk procedures. The bill and amendments were adopted, and CS/SB 600 was reported favorably after supportive appearances from clerks and industry stakeholders. The committee then approved CS/SB 436 on felony battery, which expands qualifying prior offenses for felony reclassification and adds felony battery resulting in bodily injury to prison release offender status, after a technical amendment and supportive testimony from law enforcement. CS/SB 928, known as Missy’s Law, requiring immediate remand to custody upon conviction of dangerous crimes, drew both support and opposition; defense lawyers warned of unintended effects on co-defendants and docket management, while the victim’s family supported the measure. The bill was reported favorably. CS/SB 1332 on career offender registration, requiring more frequent in-person registration and stricter reporting, also passed favorably. The committee next approved a substitute amendment and then CS/SB 682 on violent criminal offenses, which strengthens domestic violence penalties, electronic monitoring, injunction protections, and related procedures, including military protective orders and body camera use. CS/SB 1072 creating an anti-Semitism task force in the Attorney General’s Office was reported favorably after extensive public debate over definitions, free speech concerns, and representation on the task force; the sponsor said the bill does not criminalize criticism of Israel but addresses threats and intimidation. CS/CS/SB 532 on clerks of the court was also approved, authorizing clerks to retain more revenue and, through amendment, clarifying foreclosure sale procedures and clerk administration of judicial sales. Finally, the committee heard the criminal and civil justice budget overview, described as a $7.9 billion proposal focused on corrections, juvenile justice, law enforcement, and courts. Public testimony centered heavily on prison conditions, staffing, heat, infrastructure, and inmate care, with speakers urging higher pay, better transparency, and more investment in facilities and air conditioning. The chair announced that SB 1632 and its conforming bill would be temporarily postponed and read into the record the many registered supporters and opponents. The committee then adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• minority leader on the amendment. minority leader on the amendment.
• Without objection, the amended report is adopted. Minority Web has an amendment.
• Explain the amendment.
• Question on the amended report. adopted. Question on the amended report.
• This amendment is amending the amendment that was just adopted slightly, just to be sure that there's

Keywords: Senate streaming session for Thursday, February 19, 2026, 960, senate, all

Summary: The Maryland Senate convened with an invocation by Rabbi David Hland, followed by a series of introductions and recognitions for visiting groups and guests, including Delta Sigma Theta members for Delta Day in Annapolis, Towson High School students, the Maryland Pharmacy Coalition, interns, and other visitors. The Senate adopted a resolution honoring Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Incorporated Maryland chapters for service, scholarship, sisterhood, and social action, and also journalized the rabbi’s invocation. Several committee and delegation announcements were made, including upcoming bill hearings and voting sessions. On legislation, the chamber handled a number of special-order and third-reading bills. Senate Bill 56 and Senate Bill 99 were both delayed for further amendment work, with SB 99 ultimately amended and ordered printed for third reading. The Senate also received and referred a bond initiative and heard an executive nominations report, with the nominations set for consideration in open session at a later time. During third reading, the Senate passed numerous bills, including measures on mail and service animal program disqualifications, police promotion pay restrictions, counterfeit lease penalties, Motor Vehicle Administration identification card requirements, environmental health specialist board sunset extension, used vehicle bill of sale requirements, collective bargaining for ATC cannabis police officers, transfer-on-death designations for vehicles and vessels, heavy-weight port corridor permits, controllable electronic records, lead paint abatement bonding and insurance, civic excellence in public schools, child pornography penalties, cemetery sale/transfer requirements, tobacco licenses for electronic smoking devices, legal services board membership, Baltimore County Public Library supervisory bargaining, money transmitter definitions, scalp cooling insurance coverage, prosthesis and orthosis coverage, elevator inspection database access, tax increment financing in noncontiguous areas, professional liability disclosure for certain care facilities and midwives, immunity for donation of pet supplies, massage therapy board revisions, and others. One bill drew floor debate: Senate Bill 82, which would increase penalties for counterfeit lease of real property, was opposed by a senator who argued it would disproportionately impact renters and conflict with justice reform goals. Despite that objection, the bill passed. The Senate also changed one recorded vote on Senate Bill 252 from red to green by unanimous consent. Overall, the session was marked by routine passage of a large slate of bills, a few postponements for amendment negotiation, and several ceremonial recognitions and announcements.

Transcript Highlights:

• Technical amendment.<00:02:12.720> Oh amendment. Oh amendment.
• The second amendment here is A13 amendment.
• The A1 to offer the A11 amendment. The A1 amendment. amendment. amendment.
• And Senator Lane, I will oppose this amendment as well. This will undo our 2024 legislation.
• The legislative auditor has a amendment.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• to legislate by a vote of 3 to 1. to legislate by a vote of 3 to 1.
• HB 53 inexpedient to legislate. HB 53 inexpedient to legislate.
• . legislate. legislate.
• Floor Amendment 1576. Floor Amendment 1576.
• amendment 1576. amendment 1576.

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Chair, I don't have the amendment in front of me, but yes, it is an author's amendment.
• file 1854 as amend no it's not amended file 1854 as amend no it's not amended Senator<00:08:11.479
• yes Mr chair I don't have the Amendment yes Mr chair I don't have the amendment<00:09:15.040> in<
• <00:09:16.839> Amendment an author's Amendment an author's Amendment okay<00:09:19.800> so<
• okay so this is an author's Amendment okay so this is an author's Amendment Senator<00:09:21.680

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Seeing an amendment to the amendment, please read the amendment to the amendment.
• So the amendment to the amendment is adopted. We are back on the original amendment.
• Further questions on the amendment as amended? Any debate on the amendment as amended?
• Further questions on the amendment as amended. Any debate on the amendment as amended?
• All in favor of the amendment as amended.

Summary: The Senate convened with prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, and a series of introductions recognizing FSU Day at the Capitol, Catholic lay leaders, seniors advocates, Broward County school officials, and veterans-related guests. The chamber then moved through its special order calendar, beginning with several Florida Statutes revision bills. SB 36 adopted the 2025 Florida Statutes and prior session law; SB 38 conformed statutory terminology for the Division of Criminal Investigations; SB 40 removed repealed provisions; and SB 42 cleaned up obsolete language, cross-references, and typographical errors. Each passed unanimously or nearly unanimously after brief explanations and no substantive debate. The Senate also passed CS/SB 50 on nature-based coastal resilience, as amended to strengthen the Florida Flood Hub’s role under USF and clarify research and modeling responsibilities; CS/SB 116 on veterans, which expanded veteran awareness and coordination efforts, added mental health training, and authorized adult day health care; SB 118 on presidential libraries, which preempted local regulation to give a future Florida presidential library maximum flexibility; CS/SB 126 on prescription hearing aids, allowing mail distribution for adults after appropriate professional evaluation; SB 150 on abandoning restrained dogs during natural disasters, amended to conform to the House; SB 294 limiting collaborative pharmacy practice from being expanded to certain serious cardiac conditions; and SM 314 urging Congress to increase Florida National Guard force structure. Most of these measures passed with strong bipartisan support, though SB 118 drew questions about local zoning, parking, and safety and passed 36-3, with one senator later changing to a no vote over local control concerns. Later, the Senate approved CS/CS/SB 322 creating a nonjudicial process for removing unauthorized persons from commercial property, and CS/SB 348 on ethics, which would penalize false claims of military rank or honors for material gain and require paycheck withholding for delinquent ethics fines owed by public employees. The chamber also passed CS/CS/SB 7012 on child welfare, which included a CPI/case manager recruitment program, a treatment foster care pilot in two judicial circuits, and improved data collection and capacity analysis for commercially sexually exploited children. CS/SB 108 on administrative procedures was adopted after a detailed explanation of rule review, transparency, and rulemaking deadlines, and CS/SB 160 on public accountancy passed after an amendment clarifying contracted services and discussion of CPA licensure pathways. The longest and most celebratory debate centered on CS/SB 110 for rural communities. The bill created an Office of Rural Prosperity, a Renaissance grant program, housing and road funding, school and health care investments, and related rural support measures. Amendments refined transportation priorities in the Everglades agricultural area and clarified the FARM road program. Senators from across the chamber praised the bill as a long-awaited investment in rural Florida, agriculture, broadband, health care, and quality of life. After extensive debate and emotional closing remarks from the sponsor and leadership, the bill passed overwhelmingly.

Transcript Highlights:

• This legislation would put a... This legislation would put a speed bump on the revolving door.
• legislation as necessary.
• There is an amendment, which I believe is a long amendment, but it's technical.
• So it's a long amendment. I think we have two amendments, but we just have one amendment.
• Is that a motion to move as amended? As amended favorably, sorry. Thank you, Rep. Chenevert.

Bills: HB146, HB333, HB517, HB828, SB87, SB93, SB98, SB118, SB125, SB199, SB277, SB294, SB306

Keywords: sports wagering, gambling, elections, local control, revenue generation, inmates, housing, corrections, Department of Public Safety, local jurisdiction, criminal justice, juvenile justice, jury trial, felony offenses, crime of violence, sex offenses, correctional facilities, in-custody deaths, medical oversight, independent investigations

Summary: The Criminal Justice Committee met on April 29, 2026, and first voluntarily deferred HB 517. It then took up several Senate bills focused largely on impaired driving, wrongful conviction compensation, child protection, and criminal procedure. SB 118 by Sen. Boudreaux required substance use disorder screening for misdemeanor DUI offenders; supporters, including the Louisiana Highway Safety Commission, said early screening could identify underlying addiction and reduce repeat offenses, and the bill was reported favorably. SB 125 increased wrongful conviction compensation from 10 to 15 years and raised the cap to $600,000; supporters emphasized the hardship faced by people who spent decades wrongfully imprisoned, and it was also reported favorably. SB 294 allowed gaming operators to reallocate promotional play across licenses without increasing the total amount, and it was reported favorably despite opposition from the Louisiana Family Forum. The committee also advanced several bills aimed at child sexual exploitation and worship protections. SB 87 clarified the definition of commercial sexual activity in trafficking laws so prosecutors could more easily charge adults who solicit or pay for sexual images of children online; prosecutors said the current language was too narrow, and the bill was reported favorably. SB 93 set minimum bond amounts for certain child sexual abuse material offenses, and an amendment by Chair Villio added broader bail restrictions and revocation provisions for certain violent, sex, and firearm-related offenses; the amended bill was reported favorably. SB 98 expanded the definition of educator to include school resource officers and security guards for purposes of prohibited sexual conduct with students, and it was reported favorably. SB 306 created the crime of obstructing freedom of worship; after an amendment reducing a proposed fine from $10,000 to $2,500, supporters argued it was needed to deter disruptions at churches, while the ACLU raised concerns about overbreadth and redundancy, and the bill was reported favorably as amended. SB 277, allowing certain statewide officials with POST-qualified handguns to carry in the State Capitol, was also reported favorably. SB 199 imposed a mandatory minimum sentence and sex-offender registration for a second offense of purchasing commercial sexual activity; supporters said it would reduce demand, and it was reported favorably as amended. Two House bills drew significant discussion but were not advanced. HB 333 would have required the Department of Public Safety and Corrections to house inmates within 30 miles of their home parish or offense location; the author argued it would preserve family ties and reduce recidivism, but sheriffs, prosecutors, and DOC said the proposal was not practical given bed space, security, and facility-location constraints, and no motion was made, so it remained in committee. HB 828 would have created an independent Louisiana Correctional Medical Review Board to investigate inmate deaths and report to the legislative auditor; the author said it would improve transparency, but prosecutors and corrections officials warned it could interfere with criminal investigations and duplicate existing coroner and law-enforcement processes. The author asked for and received voluntary deferral. HB 146, authorizing a Sabine Parish election on sports wagering, also received opposition and no motion, so it stayed in committee. The meeting ended with adjournment after all listed measures were handled.

Transcript Highlights:

• We do always make amendments, and I am happy to stand for amendments.
• I'm happy to take your amendment, your amendment, your amendment, your amendment, and then... ...to work
• on amendments.
• I'm happy to take your amendment, your amendment, your amendment, and then make this a committee bill
• And move that amendment, please. Mr.

Bills: HB2311, HB2371, HB2409, HB2410, HB2456, HB2457, HB4005

Keywords: artificial intelligence, disclosure requirements, data privacy, minor protection, online safety, HB2371, Arizona divorce, family law, dissolution of marriage, AI arbitration, AI-assisted arbitration, automated dispute resolution, online arbitration, binding determination, recommendation, superior court appeal, de novo review, marital dissolution, spousal consent, minor children

Summary: The committee met in a special morning session and first heard HB 2371, a pilot proposal to allow consenting divorcing parties without minor children to use AI-assisted arbitration in simple divorce cases. Rep. Martinez described it as a voluntary, fairness-focused tool for people who cannot afford lawyers, with the judge retaining final authority. Members raised concerns about the bill’s binding-language, privacy, and the need for clearer guardrails on assets and support, but the sponsor said amendments were welcome. The committee voted 7-0 to give HB 2371 a do pass recommendation. The committee then took up HB 2311, which requires conversational AI systems to notify minors they are interacting with AI, restrict sexual content, prohibit deceptive human impersonation, and require self-harm response protocols. Google testified in support, saying its Gemini product already uses similar safeguards and that the bill would set an industry-wide floor; a speaker also noted similar measures are being considered in several other states. After adopting a committee amendment clarifying customer-service AI and limiting developer liability, the committee voted 7-0 to recommend HB 2311 do pass as amended. Next, the committee heard HB 2409, creating a voluntary statewide summer AI education program focused on digital hygiene, civic integrity, privacy, media literacy, critical thinking, and algorithmic bias. Supporters argued Arizona needs to prepare residents for AI-driven job disruption and help people use the technology to become more self-sufficient, while opponents objected to the program’s funding and potential unfunded mandate to the education department. The bill passed 4-3. HB 2410, which would treat communications with AI as privileged like communications with human professionals, also passed after testimony from the sponsor and a criminal defense advocate who argued the measure would protect sensitive legal and personal conversations; the vote was 6-0 with one member present. The committee then approved HB 4005, requiring school districts and charter schools to provide instruction on ethical, moral, and educational uses of AI, by a 4-2-1 vote after some members said schools lacked resources and should not be mandated to add curriculum without funding. Finally, the committee considered HB 2456 and HB 2457, both related to small modular nuclear reactors and utility siting/streamlining for energy development tied to large power users. Supporters framed them as necessary for future energy demand, data centers, and economic growth, while opponents raised concerns about local zoning authority and environmental oversight. Both bills were amended and advanced on 4-3 votes, and the meeting adjourned after the final roll calls.

Transcript Highlights:

• and amendment. and amendment. Okay. Okay. Okay.
• as amended, is about obsession. as amended, is about obsession.
• the floor amendment 1496. the floor amendment 1496.
• ought to pass with amendment. ought to pass with amendment.
• discussion and amendment. discussion and amendment.

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• , do pass as amended.
• , do pass as amended.
• amended Assembly Bill No. 251, Amendment No. 981; Assembly Bill No. 282, Amendments Nos. 68 and 982;
• 494, Amendment No. 935; Assembly Bill No. 515, Amendment No. 985; Assembly Bill No. 550, Amendment No
• amendment.

Keywords: 909, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Please read the amendment to the amendment.
• Show the amendment to the amendment adopted. Please read the next amendment to the amendment.
• Show the amendment fails. Please read the next amendment. Amendment bar code.
• Show the amendment fails. Please read the next amendment. Amendment barcode 929710.
• Show the amendment ...show the amendment adopted. Please read the next amendment.

Summary: The Senate opened with prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, and several recognitions, including guests from Miami Northwestern Senior High School, Clay County, and a moment of silence for Pope Francis. Members then moved to the special order calendar after adopting a motion to reconsider the earlier failed vote on CS/SB 1080, which was temporarily postponed. The chamber also temporarily postponed several bills during the day, including measures on social media use by minors, veterans’ nursing homes, Parkinson’s disease, mental health and substance use disorders, education, educator preparation, benefits for certain officers injured in the line of duty, Brownfields, and school social workers. The Senate passed a series of bills with little or no opposition, often substituting House companions for Senate bills. These included expedited DNA testing grants for law enforcement; additional aggravating factors in capital felony sentencing; fertility preservation coverage for cancer patients; commuter rail indemnification; disposition of migrant vessels; specialty license plates; an Alzheimer’s and dementia awareness campaign; relocation of the Council on the Social Status of Black Men and Boys to Florida Memorial University; charter school changes; registration rules for sexual predators and offenders; assault and battery penalties for utility workers; juvenile justice revisions; reporting of student mental health outcomes; foster home licensure transfers; water access facilities and boating-related funding; Florida Virtual School changes; school readiness program improvements; protections against lewd sexual images of children; age-related criminal offense provisions; tampering with electronic monitoring devices; certified recovery residences; and codification of the FSU Election Law Center. Most of these bills passed overwhelmingly, though the charter school bill and the aggravating factors bill drew more divided votes. One of the most debated measures was SB 820, codifying the Office of Faith and Community. Senator Polsky offered an amendment to bar political activity by office employees while on duty and using government resources, citing alleged election-related emails and concerns about mixing government and religious influence. Supporters argued the amendment was needed as a guardrail; opponents said existing law already covered the conduct and that the amendment could be confusing or overly broad. The amendment failed 13-23, and the underlying bill passed 27-9 after extended debate about faith, politics, and the office’s role. Another notable debate involved SB 954 on certified recovery residences, where senators emphasized the need for stable housing in addiction recovery and the bill passed unanimously after supportive remarks from members who had personal experience with recovery. The Senate also passed SB 674 on bonuses for county tax collector and property appraiser employees after questions about safeguards and the purpose of the bonuses.

Transcript Highlights:

• Are there amendments? On the desk, Mr. President. Please read the first amendment.
• Are there amendments? On the desk, Mr. President. Please read the first amendment.
• The amendment is adopted. Please read the next amendment.
• The amendment is adopted. Please read the next amendment.
• The amendment is adopted. Please read the next amendment.

Summary: The Senate began with opening prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, and recognitions, including the doctor of the day and a lighthearted “Cannoli Day” introduction. The chamber then held an extended farewell celebration for Senator Joe Gruters, with numerous senators, colleagues, and family members praising his loyalty, political skill, family focus, and service in the Legislature and Republican Party. Gruters was presented with a commemorative gift recognizing his work on a 2019 public-safety and immigration bill that prohibited sanctuary cities and required local cooperation with federal immigration enforcement. The Senate adopted a motion to spread Gruters’s remarks upon the journal and then recessed briefly. After recess, the Senate returned to regular business and took up third-reading bills. Committee Substitute for Committee Substitute for Committee Substitute for Senate Bill 354, relating to blue ribbon projects, was temporarily postponed. The chamber then considered Committee Substitute for Committee Substitute for Senate Bill 1758, relating to public assistance, with Senator Gates explaining that it contained five reforms to the public assistance system discussed earlier in session. During debate on SB 1758, Senator Berman opposed the bill, saying he could not support it in its current form because he believed the Medicaid-related provisions would create a coverage cliff after the one-year transition period and could leave people without care while increasing costs to hospitals and taxpayers. He also said SNAP error reduction should be a priority, but argued the state should focus on fixing administrative errors and fraud rather than imposing a work requirement whose costs and effects were uncertain.

Transcript Highlights:

• People say it violates the Second Amendment. I have read the Second Amendment.
• Public testimony on the amendment? None on the amendment.
• By your vote, the amendment is adopted. We are now back on the bill as amended.
• Amendment? We are on debate on the amendment. Anyone on debate? I don't see any.
• By your vote, the amendment is adopted. We are now back on the bill as amended.

Transcript Highlights:

• I would offer the A4 amendment. legislative assistant Ayanna Smith Kyman.
• . amendment. amendment.
• This is the A11 amendment. amendment. amendment.
• This is the A13 amendment to the amendment. amendment. amendment.
• to the amendment to the amendment to the amendment.

Keywords: 918, senate, all

Summary: The Senate convened under call, opened with prayer and the Pledge of Allegiance, and then took the roll, establishing a quorum. The chamber received a House message announcing passage of Senate File 3720, a workers’ compensation bill adopting 2026 recommendations of the Workers’ Compensation Advisory Council, and then moved through routine author changes and motions, including sending House File 3825 to the Finance Committee and advancing House File 3298, which was described as funding the removal and replacement of underground tanks to protect water supplies. A major floor item was Senate File 4282, the education forecast-adjustment bill. Senator Kunish explained that the conference committee updated appropriations to reflect forecast changes, added language on highly qualified paraprofessionals for Title I special education, provided tribal contract aid if a permanent school fund amendment passes, allowed districts to use operating capital for utility costs, extended grants for gender-neutral bathrooms, and made two school district fund transfers. The Senate adopted the conference report and passed the bill 34-33. The Senate then considered House File 3489, which would establish a felony offense of grooming, require reporting to licensing boards, update school and mandated reporter rules, and add funding for investigators. Supporters framed it as a child-protection measure based on a survivor’s testimony and a teacher-abuse case; one member also spoke in favor, while another offered a strongly partisan critique of public education. The Senate adopted the A11 amendment, gave the bill third reading, and passed it 66-0, then recessed briefly to honor guests in the gallery. After recess, the Senate took up House File 5074, the annual claims settlement bill. Senator Clark said it appropriates just over $5.1 million for claims including exoneration payments and a permanent injury claim, highlighting compensation for James Lamar Davis, Clayton Douglas Groves, and Marvin Haynes. The bill drew some debate over the Haynes payment and the calculation for an ankle injury claim, but it ultimately passed 64-2. The final item was House File 4074, the 2026 omnibus pension bill, described as improving public safety and other public employee retirement benefits, removing a COLA delay, creating work groups on duty disability, and addressing pension provisions for probation officers, 911 telecommunicators, St. Paul teachers, and other groups; the discussion was underway when the transcript ended.

Transcript Highlights:

• All amendment rephrase.
• Without objection, show the amendment adopted. We are back on the bill as amended.
• Show the amendment adopted.
• Yes. >> The amendment as all right. So let's show the amendment reported favorably.
• Now we're back on the bill as amended any questions on the bill as amended. All right.

Transcript Highlights:

• And this amendment puts it back to where legislative delegation and uh the county commissioner appointment
• this amendment puts it back to where legislative<02:00:20.760> delegation<02:00:22.000> and
• On the amendment. Yes. We're on Yeah. On the amendment. Yes.
• <03:08:19.560> of<03:08:19.640> amendment the amendment of amendment the amendment
• adopt the amendment. adopt the amendment.

Keywords: 920, all

Summary: The Alabama Senate convened with prayer, the pledge, and a quorum present, then quickly handled routine motions to excuse absent senators, dispense with the prior journal, and allow bills and committee reports throughout the day. The chamber first took up House amendments to Senate Bill 19 on insurance, including a changed start date and a bill name honoring David McHanie and Roy Johnson. On a long roll, the Senate concurred 22-0 with one abstention. Senator Singleton then used personal privilege to present a Black History observance highlighting Nat King Cole, Louis Armstrong, Benjamin O. Davis Sr., and Mahalia Jackson. Committee reports followed, with the Senate confirming Brandy Williams to the Alabama Fire College and Personnel Standards and Education Commission and Lynn Brewer to the Alabama Board of Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Contractors. Senator Singleton spoke at length in support of the trades-related confirmation, emphasizing the importance of skilled labor, contractor oversight, and workforce training, while also discussing the need to support such professions and the role of boards in protecting consumers. The Senate also received favorable reports from Judiciary, Education Policy, Fiscal Responsibility and Economic Development, Tourism, and Local Legislation on a range of bills, many with amendments or substitutes, and placed them on the next day’s calendar. In motions and resolutions, Senator Elliott recommitted Senate Bill 310 to local legislation and introduced Senate Joint Resolution 50 honoring Coach Tim Carter, which was sent to rules. The Senate adopted Senate Joint Resolution 51 mourning Junior Harold Sorrells and several House resolutions from the Rules Committee, including recognitions for the Alabama State Games, Mack McCutcheon’s retirement, the Black pioneers of Macon County, Alicia Cannon, Joseph William Jones Jr., and Louis Vuitton the Pitbull Day. The chamber also recognized several school leaders in the gallery and then moved into local bills, beginning with Senate Bill 266, a proposed constitutional amendment regarding Covington County, for which a bill reading was requested using the previous roll.

Transcript Highlights:

• The A1 amendment is adopted. The A1 amendment is adopted.
• to maybe I can make a technical amendment right now, the A7 amendment.
• adoption of the A7 amendment. adoption of the A7 amendment.
• amendment passed out? amendment passed out?
• Uh members, any question on the A2 amendment? amendment? amendment?

Keywords: 1187, senate, all