Transcript Highlights:

• The State of Louisiana has argued that Congress didn't have authority to enact Section 2 of the Voting
• in which it upheld Florida's congressional districts and specifically the decision not to redraw Congress

Summary: The Select Committee on Congressional Redistricting met for an informational presentation from outside counsel Andy Bartos on the legal standards governing congressional redistricting. He reviewed federal Equal Protection principles, Florida’s non-diminishment provision, and Section 2 of the Voting Rights Act, explaining how race can be considered in redistricting but generally cannot be the predominant factor. He also discussed the Florida Constitution’s tiered standards, including the prohibition on intentional political favoritism, compactness, and the requirement to use existing political and geographical boundaries where feasible. Bartos focused on two recent or pending cases: the Florida Supreme Court’s Black Voters Matter decision, which upheld the legislature’s 2022 congressional map and held that the non-diminishment clause does not justify making race predominant absent specific identifiable discrimination, and Louisiana v. Callais, pending before the U.S. Supreme Court, which may further clarify whether race may be used predominantly to comply with the Voting Rights Act or whether Section 2 remains constitutional as applied. He also explained how courts assess compactness and intent, and how data such as the 2020 census, voter registration, turnout, and election results are used for voting-rights analysis. Members asked about what triggers redistricting, whether the legislature must redraw maps now, what data is available in the mapping tool, how intent is measured, and whether public input opportunities will be provided. Bartos said redistricting timing is largely a legislative judgment unless a court requires changes, that the committee can consider whether BVM or the eventual Callais decision warrants revisions, and that the Callais ruling will bind Louisiana directly but serve as precedent for other courts. No votes or legislative actions were taken, and the meeting adjourned after the presentation and questions.

Transcript Highlights:

• The Rio Grande Project was authorized by Congress in 1905 to provide surface water to lands in New Mexico
• get there may not Be by establishing a recreational pool because that would require authority by Congress

Transcript Highlights:

• Adam Haynes, Congress, Urban County is here on the bill. Thank you, Mr. Chairman.
• I'm happy to see that the federal Congress is once again following the footsteps of the Texas Senate.

Bills: SB208, SB628, SB777, SB1042, SB2354, SB2477, SB2521, SB2523, SB2608, SB2703, SB2778, SB2835, SB2965, SB2367, SB3044

Keywords: workforce housing, capital investment fund, affordable housing, housing development, Texas housing laws, loan programs, community development, Texas housing, zero-interest loans, low-income housing, nonprofit organizations, construction, economic stability, housing affordability, capital investment, Texas housing policy, county fire code, fire marshal, local government code, interlocal agreement

Summary: The Senate Committee on Local Government met with a quorum and limited public testimony to two minutes per person. The committee heard Senate Bill 628 by Senator Zaffirini, which would clarify that counties may enter interlocal agreements with emergency service districts to administer and enforce county fire codes, including for multi-county ESDs in the committee substitute. Witnesses from Travis County ESD-11, the Travis County Fire Marshal’s Office, and a member of the public supported the bill as a way to reduce duplication, costs, and jurisdictional confusion. Public testimony was closed and the committee substitute was left pending. The committee then heard several housing-related bills. Senate Bill 208 by Senator West would create a Workforce Housing Capital Investment Fund to provide zero-interest loans to nonprofit builders for workforce housing; Habitat for Humanity representatives, a Brownsville nonprofit developer, and housing advocates supported it as a way to finance infrastructure and land development for affordable homes. Senate Bill 2835 by Senator Johnson would allow cities to opt into single-stair apartment buildings for small-scale, multi-story housing; supporters said the design is safe and could expand housing supply, while the Texas APA expressed qualified opposition over code-process concerns and fire-safety questions. Both bills were left pending after testimony. Additional bills heard included SB 1042 updating the Kimble County Hospital District’s enabling law; SB 1708, a committee substitute protecting familial property divisions from platting requirements; SB 2778 raising the ESD expenditure threshold requiring board approval from $2,000 to up to $50,000; SB 2608 expanding LIHTC eligibility for certain public housing projects; SB 3044 adding board representation for Marfa and Presidio on the Presidio County Underground Water Conservation District and adjusting an exemption; SB 2367 extending park board authority to Waller County; SB 2523 clarifying ETJ reduction procedures and owner opt-out rights; SB 2521 requiring death-certificate reporting to appraisal districts to help address squatting and homestead exemption issues; and SB 2477 easing office-to-residential conversions in larger cities. In each case, the bills were laid out, testimony was taken, and the measures were left pending subject to call of the chair. The committee then recessed until 15 to 30 minutes after adjournment.

Transcript Highlights:

• While we don't know what's going to happen, how Congress may or may not act, and when they may or may
• Working with Congress, we are hearing from sources that it's likely to be retained, maybe increased slightly

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I know at the federal level there's been a lot of talk in Congress to help regulate.
• I know at the federal level, there's been a lot of talk in Congress to help regulate.

Summary: The Student Academic Success Subcommittee met to discuss Florida’s current “sports choice” rules and high school NIL policy, then heard and passed HB 151. FHSAA officials and Sarasota County Schools staff explained eligibility rules for student-athletes, including GPA, age, semester limits, physicals, insurance, and the different participation options for traditional public, charter, home education, Florida Virtual, and private school students. Members focused on how controlled open enrollment works, whether private school students can play at public schools and vice versa, transfer timing and capacity limits, recruiting restrictions, and the role of local district policies. Sarasota officials said about 400 students in their county participate through non-traditional athletic arrangements, and FHSAA said statewide there are 5,460 non-traditional student-athlete forms on file out of roughly 280,000 student-athletes. The committee then reviewed Florida’s high school NIL framework. FHSAA said students in grades 9-12 may enter NIL deals, with no income cap, but they are barred from agreements involving adult entertainment, alcohol, tobacco/vaping, cannabis, controlled substances, gambling, weapons, political or social activism, and NIL collectives. Students must have a written contract and cannot use school logos or uniforms without permission. FHSAA said about 25 students statewide had NIL deals so far, and Sarasota was first to file. Members raised concerns about recruiting, taxes, financial literacy, mental health, and whether students should be treated as employees, while district staff said they provide education and financial literacy resources but do not review contracts. After the discussion, the committee took up HB 151 by Rep. Abbott. The bill allows students at FHSAA-member private schools to participate in sports at another member school when their own school does not offer that sport, and it removes the current 200-student enrollment limit. An amendment clarifying the private-school language was adopted without objection. A public witness from a small private school supported the bill, saying it would let the school join FHSAA without losing local athletic access for its students. Despite some members raising fairness and funding concerns, the bill passed on a 15-0 vote and was reported favorably.

Transcript Highlights:

• I have an adjourning memory.
• I have an adjourning memory. >> Thank you. I have an adjourning memory.
• >> Ajourn<00:28:04.320> memory. >> Ajourn memory. >> Ajourn memory.
• . memory. memory.
• Ajourning memory. memory. memory. >> Yes,<00:31:53.200> sir. >> Yes, sir.

Keywords: MS House Floor - 13 January, 2026; 2:00 PM, 925, all

Summary: The House opened with a prayer by Reverend David McDow of Fondren Presbyterian Church, followed by the Pledge of Allegiance. Members then handled routine business, including confirming a quorum, dispensing with the reading of the journal and bill introductions, and recognizing pages and several visiting groups in the galleries, including Oktibbeha County Young Leaders, Special Olympics champions, the doctor of the day, and members of the Women’s League of Voters. There were also remarks honoring Delta Sigma Theta Sorority’s Founders Day and a response from a member of Omega Sapphire Fraternity. The main legislative item was House Bill 580, a technical correction to judicial district maps. The bill was explained as fixing precinct placement errors in the Fourth Circuit Court District and correcting precincts affected by the creation of the CCID in Hinds County’s Seventh Circuit Court District. Members asked about how many judges would be on the ballot, whether the CCID judge would exercise regular civil and criminal jurisdiction, and when the changes would take effect. The sponsor said the bill was intended to preserve existing district boundaries, avoid changing qualifying deadlines, and keep the CCID judge as a regular circuit judge for an eight-year term. The House passed the bill 112-0 and then granted immediate release. Toward the end of the meeting, members made several announcements about committee schedules and upcoming events, including budget hearings, Military Affairs, Universities and Colleges, Rules, State Affairs, and a legislative prayer breakfast and welcome reception. The House also took multiple adjournment-in-memory requests for deceased Mississippians, including Larry Bryant, Cynthia Patterson Bond, Linda Stranger, Mary Lou Thompson, and Viva Hughes Williams. The House then adjourned until 2:00 p.m. the next day.

Transcript Highlights:

• Adjourn in memory. >> Yes, sir. >> I'd like to adjourn in memory of Ms. Doris Stanfill.
• Adjourn in memory. >> Yes, ma'am. >> I'd like to journey in memory of um Dub Herring Jr.
• Adjourn in memory. >> Yes, ma'am. >> I'd like to journey in memory of um Dub Herring Jr.
• to be added to that adjourning memory. to be added to that adjourning memory.
• like to adjourn in memory. Thank you. like to adjourn in memory. Thank you.

Keywords: MS House Floor - 6 January, 2026; 12:00 PM, 925, all

Summary: The House convened to open the 2026 legislative session with a color guard presentation by the Madison County JROTC program from Germantown High School, followed by prayer. The Speaker praised the program’s achievements and urged support for stronger JROTC resources in state education policy. The chamber then swore in new Representative Justin Crosby of House District 22, and the House was declared organized and ready to proceed with business. The House received several gubernatorial veto messages. Governor Reeves vetoed House Bills 50, 569, 1126, and 924, citing constitutional concerns, separation-of-powers issues, and the need for further study or reconsideration. Members responded by moving to return HB 19, HB 50, and HB 1126 to the Appropriations A Committee, HB 569 to the Public Health Committee, and HB 924 to the appropriate committee; those motions were adopted. The House also announced committee assignments to notify the Governor and Senate that the chamber was organized, introduced the session’s head pages, and recognized numerous guests and visitors. Members made several adjournment-in-memory requests for deceased relatives and community figures, and the body observed a moment of remembrance for the wife of Representative Casey Year. The House then adopted a motion to adjourn until 2:00 p.m. the next day.

Transcript Highlights:

• PCS for HB 493 is a bill related to memory care facilities.
• Members, PCS for HB 493 is a bill related to memory care facilities in the state.
• care services and family members who are contracting for memory care services are actually receiving
• It would also be difficult to distinguish what ALFs provide true memory care services.
• care facilities in the state as there are memory care facilities.

Summary: The Health Care Facilities and Systems Subcommittee met with a quorum present and considered four measures. The first was the PCS for HB 815, which would direct AHCA to study referral patterns by Medicaid managed care organizations and plans, including whether patients are being steered to providers with ownership or profit-sharing ties and how those services compare in cost. Members discussed transparency and potential cost impacts, and the PCS was reported favorably by a 17-0 vote. The committee then took up HB 1543, which narrows and clarifies an existing licensure attestation related to foreign countries of concern and controlling interests in health care entities. An amendment was adopted without objection to make clear the attestation applies to direct controlling interests. The bill was supported as a clarification for complex corporate structures, and it was reported favorably as amended by a 17-0 vote. Next, HB 899 addressed prescription drug coverage disclosures, aiming to prevent mid-year changes that could disrupt treatment or increase out-of-pocket costs for patients with chronic conditions. Supporters from Epic Pharmacies and the Florida Society of Rheumatology appeared in support, and the bill was reported favorably by a 17-0 vote. Finally, the PCS for HB 493 on memory care facilities sought to add minimum standards and oversight for facilities advertising memory care services. The Florida Senior Living Association opposed the bill as overbroad and urged more refinement, while AHCA supported the added guardrails. The sponsor said the bill was intended to protect vulnerable residents and improve transparency, and the PCS was reported favorably by a 17-0 vote. The meeting then adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• LASTLY, WE HAVE HB 12 95 MEMORY CARE BY REPRESENTATIVE GRECO.
• FOLLOW CERTAIN BASELINE STANDARDS OPERATIONS AND PROVIDE MEMORY CARE SERVICES.
• WE ARE ADDING AN ADDITIONAL ONE FOR MEMORY CARE. >> FOLLOW-UP?
• IF YOU ARE APPLYING FOR THE MEMORY CARE LICENSE, THE STANDARD WOULD BE DIFFERENT.
• ONE, DEFINES MEMORY CARE RESIDENT THE MEMORY CARE SERVICES.

Transcript Highlights:

• We are debating Senate Memorial 3. Senate Memorial 3, we are debating Senate Memorial 3.
• We'll do that item now, Senate Memorial 6, and then we'll jump to Senate Memorial 16 if we don't have
• That'll be the Senate Memorial, Senate Memorial 6. It's ready. So, Senator Azell, please begin. Mr.
• I rise in support of this memorial.
• Thank you for the memorial.

Keywords: 996, all

Transcript Highlights:

• before becoming a national figure during the course of her over 25 years representing community in Congress
• It's about accountability, public safety, and honoring the memory of a young man whose life was taken
• But what it does do is make sure that we remember her, that we say her name, and that we memorialize

Summary: The Assembly met after a quorum call and first dealt with a procedural dispute over four amendments to AB 1240. The Speaker ruled the amendments out of order as not germane, and the Assembly sustained that ruling on a 49-16 vote. Members then added co-authors to several consent-calendar resolutions, including measures on the National Conference of State Legislators, Suicide Prevention Awareness Month, ALS Awareness Month, and Men’s Mental Health Month, before adopting the consent calendar. The chamber also heard guest introductions, including a welcome for Oakland Mayor Barbara Lee, and took up a motion to bring AB 41 up out of file, which failed 19-48. The bulk of the meeting was floor action on a long series of bills and resolutions, many of which passed with broad bipartisan support. Measures approved included ACR 40 supporting immigrant students and FAFSA privacy; AB 917 on permanent status for certain school employees; AB 985 on anesthesia access; AB 7 and AB 42 on higher education and student services; AB 245 providing property tax relief for wildfire victims; AB 255 allowing funding for drug-free recovery housing; AB 279 updating K-12 library standards; AB 289 creating a pilot for automated speed enforcement in highway construction zones; AB 291 on an educator apprentice program; AB 327 addressing swatting; AB 340 on confidential union communications; AB 341 creating an oral health technical assistance center for people with disabilities; AB 356 on San Diego health care infrastructure; AB 410 on bot disclosure; AB 476 on copper theft enforcement; AB 477 on educator pay targets; AB 485 on stolen wages and business licensing; AB 487, the insurance committee’s technical omnibus bill; AB 573 on tobacco retail license fees; AB 598 on school mapping technology; AB 635 on mobile home law enforcement referrals; AB 651 on remote participation for incarcerated parents in dependency hearings; AB 654 on homelessness hotline assistance in Los Angeles County; AB 662 creating a South County higher education task force; AB 667 on language access in professional licensing; AB 669 limiting early denial of addiction treatment; AB 670 on naturally occurring affordable housing; AB 695 on online continuation of community college for deported students; AB 723 on disclosure for digitally altered real estate images; AB 727 placing Trevor Project information on student IDs; and AB 736, a $10 billion affordable housing bond for the June 2026 ballot, which passed on a 61-11 urgency vote after extensive debate. Debate on AB 736 was the most extensive of the day, with supporters arguing the bond would help address California’s housing crisis and give voters a chance to weigh in, while opponents criticized the state’s bond debt and past spending results. The Assembly then recessed for caucus meetings and later returned to continue the daily file, where additional measures were taken up, including AB 798 adding diapers and wipes to the emergency food bank reserve program, which passed 56-0, and AB 821 on career technical education, which was presented as bipartisan-supported as the transcript continued.

Transcript Highlights:

• It is time for our adjournments in memory.
• I'd like to adjourn in memory of Oxnard Police Commander Scott Aaron.
• Assembly Member Wilson, you are recognized for your adjourn of memory.
• Rubio and adjourn in his memory and honor. Thank you.
• I rise today to adjourn in memory of Betsy Marchand.

Summary: The Assembly convened, established a quorum after a roll call, and opened with a prayer and the Pledge of Allegiance. Routine procedural motions followed, including unanimous-consent actions to suspend rules for adjournment-in-memory remarks, guest introductions, and expedited floor processing of certain bills and committee reports. The chamber also recognized several guests, including Sacramento Police Detective Jason Collins, student musician Ethan Shue, and Glendale Councilmember Artie Kasakian. On the floor file, AB 1184 by Assembly Member Patterson, the Homeowner Association Accountability and Transparency Act of 2026, was presented as a measure to add basic transparency requirements for HOAs; it passed 56-0. AB 871 by Assembly Member Stephanie, addressing financial elder abuse and scam reporting/training for financial institutions, also passed 56-0. On the Senate side, SB 25 by Senator Umberg, which would give the California Attorney General earlier access to federal merger-notification filings to streamline merger review, passed 43-14 after the Majority Leader presented it. The Assembly then held several adjournment-in-memory tributes, including Paul R. Ignatius, former U.S. Secretary of the Navy and Glendale native; Oxnard Police Commander Scott Aaron; Private First Class Tanner F. Rubio of the U.S. Marine Corps; and former Yolo County Supervisor Betsy Marchand. Members and family guests offered remarks honoring their service and legacies, followed by a moment of silence for PFC Rubio. The session concluded with announcements about upcoming floor and committee deadlines and adjourned until Monday, January 26 at 1 p.m.

Transcript Highlights:

• If you've never been to the Hiroshima Peace Memorial, please go.
• Today I rise to adjourn in the memory of Mr. Vincent Dino.
• Today, as we adjourn in the memory of Mr.
• And I have a memory that will always stick with me.
• Today I rise to adjourn in memory of Erica Hoffman. An advocate...

Summary: The Assembly convened with a quorum call, prayer, and Pledge of Allegiance, then moved through a largely procedural floor session. Members also heard guest introductions recognizing the 20th anniversary of UC Merced and visiting interns and local officials. The Speaker reminded members about floor managers for Senate bills and noted several items were passed and retained on file or deferred during the day’s business. On the Daily File, the Assembly concurred in Senate amendments to AB 385 on park property and AB 1119 on teacher credentialing, both by unanimous 57-0 votes. The house also passed SB 351, a health practices measure presented as strengthening enforcement of California’s corporate practice of medicine rules and protecting the doctor-patient relationship, by a 61-0 vote. SB 697, relating to water rights adjudication and allowing the State Water Board to use technology such as drones for investigations, passed 55-0. The Assembly then took up SB 346 on local government and short-term rentals. Supporters said it would help cities collect transient occupancy taxes, enforce local ordinances, and identify unpermitted rentals; Assembly Members Bauer-Kahan, Papin, and Dixon spoke in favor, with Dixon describing local regulatory challenges from her time in Newport Beach. The bill passed 50-0. The second-day consent calendar was then approved. The remainder of the session was devoted to adjournment in memory remarks honoring Miguel Antonio Cano, Officer of the California Highway Patrol; Vincent Dino, a longtime Palmdale water district and civic leader; Andrew Meredith, a labor and building trades leader and former Galt mayor; and Erica Hoffman, a California School Boards Association advocate for public education. The Assembly then adjourned until Tuesday, September 2 at 1 p.m.

Transcript Highlights:

• Uh, it's usually centered in the executive branch, but also Congress has some things to say about it.
• This is giving Memorial hospitals and hospital districts an option.
• This is giving Memorial hospitals and hospital districts an option.
• But we do not have in statute that memorial hospitals or hospital districts can do that.
• > hospitals<02:06:28.880> or statute that memorial hospitals or statute that memorial hospitals

Keywords: 916, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Today, I rise to adjourn in memory of Mr. Paul Gladfelty.
• I also rise to adjourn in memory of our friend, Paul Gladfelty.
• To speak on their adjournment in memory. Thank you members.
• You are further recognized for adjournment in memory.
• I ask that we adjourn today in the memory of Fred D Thomas. Thank you.

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Memorial. I have some information. Octo... Octo...
• I tell you this to let you know that we want to spend time with our children and make memories with them
• I testified before Congress last month, along with our national commander, on the very issue of access
• My son made cherished memories on family vacations, Boy Scouts, camping trips. and his dad.

Bills: HB 28, SB 3

Keywords: hemp regulation, consumable products, cannabinoids, state health, youth protection, licensing fees, criminal offenses, HB28, public testimony, committee decorum, bill substitute, legislative process

Summary: The meeting featured significant discussions regarding HB28, where the chair outlined the plans to bring forward a substitute for the bill. The chair emphasized the importance of maintaining order and decorum during the proceedings. Members engaged in deliberations, and a number of public witnesses were invited to testify, thereby enriching the discussion around the bill. This interaction provided valuable insights into public sentiment regarding the issues at hand.

Transcript Highlights:

• John Street Community Memorial Highway.
• John Street Community Memorial Highway.
• John Street Neighborhood Memorial Plan. By the early 1900s, St.
• by establishing a memorial park... ...its now-gone vibrant community by establishing a memorial park
• John Street... ...run parallel to the memorial park and name it St.

Summary: The Senate Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure met with a quorum present and adopted the June 16, 2026 minutes. The committee first took up House Bill 5644, which would allow nurse practitioners, physical therapists, and occupational therapists to certify applications for disability windshield placards and disability license plates. The sponsor and witnesses from the nursing profession said the bill restores a practice that had worked for years, reduces delays and extra costs for patients, and improves access, especially in rural and underserved areas. A Department of State representative explained the issue arose after an Auditor General review found the statute was unclear. The bill was reported to the floor on a 10-0 vote. The committee then heard Senate Bill 791, which would designate a portion of I-475 in Genesee County as the St. John Street Community Memorial Highway. Senator Cherry and representatives of the St. John Street Historical Committee described the history of the St. John Street neighborhood in Flint, its displacement by urban renewal and highway construction, and the effort to memorialize the community’s cultural significance and trauma. No members asked questions, and the bill was reported to the floor unanimously, 10-0. House Bill 4415, previously heard by the committee, was also reported to the floor without further testimony. The committee then considered Senate Bill 959, which had a new S-2 substitute. Senator Klinefelt explained the substitute as a compromise that reorganizes rail detector regulations and changes distance and speed thresholds for Class 1, 2, and 3 rail lines. The substitute was adopted 10-0. After additional comments from Senator McBroom opposing the bill due to concerns about impacts on Upper Peninsula commerce and rail operations, the committee reported the S-2 version of Senate Bill 959 to the floor by a 6-4 vote. The committee then adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• On Tuesday, we have one Senate Memorial.
• Well, I know most of you are here probably about the memorial.
• Memorial 14, which is to address the forced sterilization policy.
• And we're in support of Senate Memorial 14.
• The ACLU of New Mexico stands in strong support of Senate Memorial 14.

Bills: SM14

Keywords: forced sterilization, coerced sterilization, Indigenous women, Native American women, women of color, reproductive justice, reproductive sovereignty, truth and reconciliation commission, memorial, trauma-informed care, reparative justice, human rights, bodily autonomy, Indian Health Service, Indian affairs, Commission on the Status of Women, survivor testimony, reproductive health access, genocide, transitional justice

Transcript Highlights:

• It's not perfect in itself, the memorial.
• Is anybody here in support of House Memorial 30, HM30, wishes to speak?
• So we urge you to pass House Memorial 30. Thank you. Thank you.
• We strongly support House Memorial 30.
• Chair, and thank you all for the memorial and for being here.

Keywords: 996, all

Transcript Highlights:

• That's in essence what House Memorial 1 attempts to do.
• Since I brought this memorial, care for undeserved population.
• Okay, we will now go to, okay, so we have House Memorial 35. Okay, so we have House Memorial 35.
• I'm Representative Kathleen Cates here to present House Memorial 36.
• And so we have House Memorial 35, pediatric palliative, and...

Keywords: 996, all