Transcript Highlights:

• 141 by Senators Robertson, Simpson, and Representatives McCluskey and Tagert, concerning optional fees
• Upon thoughtful stakeholder work, the bill was amended to include mandatory department rulemaking and
• This is mandatory. It applies to every licensed dealer. There is no alternative pathway.
• This<02:26:55.600> is<02:26:55.760> mandatory.
• It applies to every This is mandatory. It applies to every licensed<02:26:59.280> dealer.

Keywords: 981, all

Transcript Highlights:

• That brings us to House Bill 361, prohibiting mandatory mask policies.
• House Bill House Bill 361<01:01:10.559> prohibiting<01:01:11.119> mandatory<01:01:11.680
• > mask<01:01:12.599> policies 361 prohibiting mandatory mask policies 361 prohibiting mandatory
• in mask policies prohibiting mandatory in mask policies in in in schools<01:03:29.000> face<01
• <01:08:02.839> mask Bill 361 prohibiting mandatory mask Bill 361 prohibiting mandatory mask

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The committee first took up House Bill 763, an early bill concerning AED access at athletic events and venues. Representative Morris offered amendment 0743H to clarify the bill by removing charter schools from the language and tying AED placement to American Heart Association guidance, emphasizing that AEDs should be readily accessible within a reasonable walking distance rather than mandated on every field. The amendment and then the bill as amended both passed 17-0, and the bill was reported out as Ought to Pass with Amendment. The committee then considered House Bill 781, requiring school districts to adopt cell phone-free education policies, and a related bill, House Bill 131. HB 781 was amended to include charter public school boards, cover other personal electronic communication devices, require at minimum restrictions on student personal cell phones during class instruction, allow superintendent-approved exceptions for medical or language needs, protect students with medical needs or disabilities under Section 504, and set an effective date of July 1, 2025. Some members argued the amendment was too prescriptive and limited local control, while supporters said it still left districts flexibility outside classroom instruction. The amendment passed 16-1, and the bill then passed Ought to Pass as Amended 16-1. HB 131, described as a mirror bill, was then retained by a 17-0 vote. House Bill 398, a title bill requiring Holocaust and genocide studies to include impacts on people with disabilities, was moved to ITL after Representative Selig reported the genocide commission believed the topic was already being covered. That motion passed 17-0. The committee also agreed to hold several bills for later consideration, including HB 754, HB 1221, HB 360, and HB 699, citing the need for more review or missing copies. Finally, the committee took up House Bill 361, prohibiting mandatory mask policies in schools. Supporters argued the bill would preserve individual choice while preventing statewide or districtwide mandates in future public health emergencies, and cited a Department of Health and Human Services letter saying masks remain effective but decisions should be based on individual choice and risk assessment. Opponents emphasized local control and the need for districts to respond to different public health conditions. The transcript cuts off before the final vote on HB 361 was completed.

Transcript Highlights:

• It adds grooming to mandatory reporting and requires enhanced mandatory reporter training to include
• <00:14:03.480> reporting It adds grooming to mandatory reporting It adds grooming to mandatory
• <00:14:06.640> reporter and requires enhanced mandatory reporter and requires enhanced mandatory
• This provides protections to them with the mandatory reporting.
• > reporters<00:32:55.320> in It ensures that mandatory reporters in It ensures that mandatory

Keywords: 919, house, all

Summary: The House opened with prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, a roll call establishing a quorum, approval of the prior day’s journal, adoption of committee reports, and the first readings of several House and Senate files. The chamber also received Senate File 476, which was referred to Ways and Means, and Senate File 4807, which was sent for comparison with a House file. The Speaker announced members to escort the Governor to the joint convention on April 28. The main floor action was House File 3489, an education bill establishing field trip supervision rules and creating the criminal offense of grooming. Representative Bennett described the bill as a response to survivor testimony and explained that it would prohibit staff from being alone with students in certain circumstances, create felony penalties for grooming, make grooming grounds for educator license discipline, add grooming to mandatory reporting and training, and allow the Department of Education to look back further in investigations. Bennett and several members also noted the bill’s fiscal note, including added investigative staffing and prison costs. During debate, multiple members from both parties voiced support, emphasizing student safety, mandatory reporter training, clearer field trip rules, and better communication with licensing boards. Several members thanked survivor Hannah LaPresto and Detective Chad Clausen for their work and testimony, and some members stressed that grooming is a deliberate process and that the bill is intended to protect children without vilifying educators. Representative Jordan also highlighted prevention through education about consent and grooming. No amendments were offered, and the bill was given its third reading; members repeatedly urged a green vote, though the transcript provided does not include the final roll-call result.

Transcript Highlights:

• Mandatory for those who are 18 to 64.
• What this bill is asking is to make that mandatory, and that program, a mandatory employment program,
• However, this bill goes farther and puts mandatory requirements on that population as well.
• This bill goes farther and puts mandatory requirements on that population as well.
• So this bill would require the department to shift to the mandatory E&T program.

Bills: SB1017, SB1149, SB1162, SB1192, SB1249, SB1253, SB1331, SB1333, SB1334

Keywords: informed consent, surgical procedures, healthcare professionals, patient rights, regulatory compliance, child welfare, dependency hearings, foster care, court procedures, parental rights, healthcare compliance, behavioral health technicians, licensing, monitoring, administrative burdens, basic first aid, good samaritan, medical licensing exemption, Arizona medical board, A.R.S. 32-1421

Transcript Highlights:

• Um, we're aware that mandatories.
• , decides they're not minimum mandatory, decides they're not minimum mandatory, these<03:24:33.359
• mandatory men the mandatory minimum mandatory men the mandatory minimum really really really um<
• Um, and it the mandatory minimums.
• > intended<03:40:35.279> just mandatory minimums well intended just mandatory minimums

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• We're encouraged about brokers' fees being banned, but want to continue to see other junk fees being
• late fees, renewal fees, to pay online when there is no other option.
• There's a number of different kind of startup fees that are allowed in addition to the broker fee, so
• broker's fee doesn't quite cover that.
• We also support the real estate transfer fee. We strongly support that fee.

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The Joint Committee on Housing held its second introductory hearing to frame the session’s housing agenda. Chairs Cyr and Haggerty described the hearing as a chance to hear a wide range of perspectives on Massachusetts’ housing crisis, including underbuilding, zoning and permitting barriers, rising costs, and the need for both state and local action. The committee heard from court, municipal, advocacy, and regional housing leaders, with recurring themes of increasing supply, preserving existing housing, preventing displacement, and expanding resources for renters and homeowners. Chief Justice Diana Horan of the Housing Court said the court is handling more than 40,000 new filings annually with only 15 judges, and estimated the court would need about 21 judges to meet demand. She described complications from RAFT-related stays, mental health and guardianship issues, aging housing stock, and the new eviction sealing law, which she said was being implemented smoothly but may require additional resources if filings continue to rise. The Massachusetts Municipal Association and MAPC emphasized that municipalities need flexibility, funding, and better tools such as MassWorks, Housing Works, H-DIP, 40R reforms, inclusionary zoning changes, and a local option transfer fee; they also said local control concerns and long permitting timelines remain major barriers. MAPC and others stressed that supply growth alone will not solve the crisis and urged continued support for subsidized housing, access to counsel, and modular/off-site construction. Advocates and housing providers focused on displacement, preservation, and tenant protections. Homes for All Massachusetts and Mass Law Reform Institute called for rent stabilization, stronger tenant protections, foreclosure prevention, elimination of junk fees, continued funding for RAFT and HomeBASE, and expanded access to counsel. Mass Union of Public Housing Tenants said the state needs far more extremely low-income housing, more operating subsidy, and major investment to repair public housing, while also supporting tenant technical assistance during redevelopment. Franklin County’s housing authority warned that rural communities are being left out of many state programs and asked for a rural LIHTC set-aside, a permanent rural credit boost, and a review of housing choice programs. A Massachusetts Taxpayers Foundation researcher presented findings that communities that add housing generally see stronger municipal finances, and that housing growth can improve property tax and state aid outcomes. Seasonal community representatives from Cape Cod, Martha’s Vineyard, and Nantucket described extreme affordability pressures and the need for tailored tools. Nantucket’s housing trust chair said the island has made progress through local funding, inclusionary zoning, and deed-restricted units, but still needs a real estate transfer fee and faster ways to preserve year-round housing. Across the hearing, members and witnesses repeatedly returned to the need for a mix of production, preservation, tenant protections, and local flexibility, rather than relying on any single policy solution.

Transcript Highlights:

• So if we don't deliver them to them, there is no fee. If they come get their carts, there's no fee.
• There's no fee. There's no fee. If they come get their carts, there's no fee.
• And the fee, if there is a fee for delivering these to the businesses, it's simply trying to recover
• , but there are landing fees.
• Paid all my fees, went home.

Keywords: 1182, all

Transcript Highlights:

• sentence not in lie of the mandatory sentence not in lie of the mandatory minimums<00:46:13.440>
• 13 this bill also creates mandatory 13 this bill also creates mandatory terms<00:46:36.599> of
• <01:03:17.799> minimum first degree you know mandatory minimum first degree you know mandatory
• we can deviate from those mandatory we can deviate from those mandatory minimums<01:04:45.960>
• There are many mandatory minimum sentences.

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• Moving to slide 10, this, uh, goes over what I was talking about as far as optional versus mandatory
• Uh, we have a very small number of people in our kind of original Medicaid, um, model called fee for
• Um, the legislature directed this agency to move away from fee for service and into the managed care
• I've already talked a little bit about those service delivery models, some in managed care, some in fee
• Uh, Medicaid was predominantly fee for service.

Transcript Highlights:

• Moving to slide 10 this goes over what I was talking about as far as optional versus mandatory eligibility
• receiving services through what we call managed care, that's where the state pays a per-member per-month fee
• In our kind of original Medicaid model called fee for service where the state would just pay us. a doctor
• The legislature directed this agency to move away from fee-for-service and into the managed care model
• Medicaid was predominantly fee-for-service. things have changed since the 1980s when our statute was

Keywords: 1184, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• property is taxed as if it were privately owned, despite the fact that businesses are already paying fees
• as well as lease fees to the airport authorities to provide these services that typically are provided
• taxed; the tax is paid on top of whatever the entity is paying the airport authority to lease and fees
• the property is taxed on top of what the entity pays the airport authority in lease and maintenance fees
• If they make it electronic, that's much easier. mandatory um but basically right like if mandatory um

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• 01:04:27.440> funded<01:04:27.839> directly<01:04:28.319> by<01:04:28.559> fees
• in balance with the set the fees in balance with the expected<01:12:05.600> costs<01:12:06.000
• and also, uh, to reduce the mandatory and also, uh, to reduce the mandatory retirement<04:01:21.840
• The intent is would be that whoever the Adjutant General is would have a mandatory retirement age of
• The intent is that whoever the Adjutant General is would have a mandatory retirement age of 64, vice

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• It also updates rules on septic system permitting, adjusts air pollution licensing fees for major sources
• And fourth, it creates a no-fee notice general permit for new private residential irrigation wells where
• Repeat sexual offenders face longer mandatory minimum sentences.
• It also removes the filing application fee for insurance licensure.
• It also removes the filing application fee for insurance licensure for all veterans.

Summary: The Senate opened with prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, and several introductions, then devoted most of the first part of the meeting to a farewell-style recognition of Senator Joe Gruters. Senators from both parties offered extended remarks praising his loyalty, political instincts, family involvement, and work as a legislator and as incoming Republican National Committee chair. Gruters responded with remarks about his background, including overcoming a childhood speech impediment, his service in the Legislature, and major policy efforts he highlighted such as alimony reform and the undergrounding of utilities. A ceremonial gift was presented to him recognizing his work on a 2019 public-safety/immigration bill, and the Senate adopted a motion to spread his remarks upon the journal before recessing briefly. After the recess, the Senate returned to regular business. No committee reports, governor’s messages, House messages, or reconsideration matters were reported. The chamber then moved to third reading and temporarily postponed CS/CS/CS/SB 354, relating to blue ribbon projects. The next bill, CS/CS/SB 1758, relating to public assistance, was taken up, and Senator Gaetz explained that it contained five reforms to the public assistance system previously discussed by the Senate. Debate was about to continue when the transcript ended.

Transcript Highlights:

• It's not mandatory that institutions do that. But then does it create a bit of a conflict?
• It's not mandatory that institutions do that. But does it create a bit of a conflict?
• Defense lawyer fees alone could run you $2,000 to $5,000 or more if you hire a private attorney.
• Renewal fees for things like concealed carry permits. That's another $50 to $100 hit.
• for things to $600 or more. renewal fees for things like<00:54:51.119> concealed<00:54:51.599

Keywords: 981, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Members, House Bill 1399 seeks to address the concerns, issues, and gaps presented in the affiliate fee
• I'm just curious what the rationale is for not requiring an affiliate to pay a fee for renewal.
• I'm just curious what the rationale is for not requiring an affiliate to pay a fee for renewal.
• and others, C.S. for C.S. for House Bill 413, a bill to be entitled an act relating to attorney's fees
• and others, C.S. for C.S. for House Bill 413, a bill to be entitled an act relating to attorney's fees

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.

Transcript Highlights:

• Go in, pay one fee, boom, I've got a permanent tag on their farm vehicles.
• Studies have shown that mandatory inspections do not significantly correlate with a decrease in accidents
• perform these inspections, Our mechanic shops, our car dealers, have to perform these inspections for a fee

Keywords: 959, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• The ability to levy that 2% fee on the bill, right? It is really like a cash collection system.
• I think there is a role for it, yeah, and this statutory creation facilitated the collection of the fee
• It raises the expenditure limit for municipalities and counties before mandatory competitive bidding

Bills: HB158

Keywords: public funds, lobbying activities, political subdivision, government spending, transparency

Transcript Highlights:

• They can require them to pay a permit or a fee to be on the water if they choose to.
• And the legislature's been... ...pay a permit or a fee to be on the water if they choose to.
• go in as a state, is to look at how we allow people to anchor in a state and having some kind of mandatory

Summary: The subcommittee received an overview from FWC Deputy Director in Law Enforcement Lt. Col. Rob Rowe on boating safety, derelict vessels, and marine debris. On boating safety, he said FWC uses inspections, BUI enforcement, public education campaigns, boater education courses, warnings, and citations to reduce accidents and fatalities. Members asked about probable cause for stops, geofenced safety messages, boating education age requirements, and common violations such as life jacket issues. Rowe said most stops are based on probable cause, the education requirement currently applies to those born after Jan. 1, 1988, and FWC is considering whether broader education requirements would improve safety. The committee then focused heavily on derelict vessels. Rowe explained the legal definition of a derelict vessel, the at-risk and nuisance vessel tools used to intervene earlier, and the V-TIP voluntary turn-in program. He described the removal process, including owner notification, a 21-day administrative hearing period, contractor selection, and disposal/recycling, and said FWC works with local governments, emergency management, and sometimes the Coast Guard on larger pollution-related cases. Members asked about timelines, costs, salvage rules, title issues, and jurisdictional differences between state, county, city, and federal authorities. Rowe said the agency has added staff and grant tools, but continued funding remains important, and he noted that local governments can also use ordinances to address floating structures, liveaboards, anchoring, and storm-related risks. On marine debris, Rowe said FWC works with DEP, FDACS, NOAA, the Gulf of Mexico Alliance, local governments, and volunteers to remove debris ranging from plastics to storm-damaged fishing gear and derelict vessels. He said hurricane events greatly increase debris and derelict vessel removals, and the agency is updating the Florida Marine Debris Reduction Plan with partners. The meeting ended after members and the vice chair emphasized local tools such as mooring fields and pumpout enforcement, and the subcommittee adjourned without taking any formal vote or action beyond rising without objection.

Transcript Highlights:

• AMENDMENT DOES IS IT ASKS OPPAGA TO CONDUCT A STUDY TO EVALUATE THE PHYSICAL AND ECONOMIC IMPACT OF FEE
• WILL NOT BE LIMITED TO, EXCUSE ME, A QUALITATIVE AND QUANTITATIVE COST AND BENEFITS OF PROVIDING THESE FEE
• WHICH IS 22 POINTS ON THE CRIMINAL PUNISHMENT CODE OR SHEET MULTIPLIED BY .75 WHICH MEANS THIS IS A MANDATORY

Keywords: 999, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• minimum of five years mandatory. minimum of five years mandatory.
• What was it before we are proposing this mandatory five years?
• Are changing it to a mandatory minimum.
• >> This section deals with mandatory >> This section deals with mandatory reporters.
• >> Well, I think we if it's only mandatory >> Well, I think we if it's only mandatory

Keywords: Judiciary, Division B - Room 409, 25 February, 2026; 9:00 A.M., 925, all

Summary: The committee first took up House Bill 611, which would require the Mississippi Board of Law Enforcement Standards and Training to provide discovery to an officer facing suspension of certification. Representative Burch said officers currently may receive only a brief notice of alleged misconduct without access to the underlying information, and the bill would give them the materials related to the infraction. There were no questions, and the committee approved the motion by voice vote. The next measure, House Bill 1142, would modernize notice requirements for judgment nisi and bench warrants by allowing clerks to notify bail agents electronically or by personal notice instead of certified mail. Representative Owen said the change would reduce county costs, align bail-agent notice with the electronic notice already used for attorneys, and had support from the clerks’ association. Senators asked whether notice would still appear on MEC, and Owen said attorneys already receive notice there and bail agents could receive it electronically as well. The committee then adopted the motion by voice vote. The committee then heard House Bill 1404, sponsored by Representative Yates, creating the crime of fraudulent utility conversion. Yates explained the bill was aimed at apartment complexes and other landlords that collect utility payments from tenants as part of rent but fail to remit those funds to the utility provider, citing large unpaid water bills and similar legislation in Louisiana. Senators raised concerns about intent, possible criminal liability for landlords or LLCs when utility bills are delayed, faulty, or disputed, and the severity of penalties, which could reach 20 years in prison for higher amounts. Yates said she was open to adding intentional-conduct language and clarified the bill targets those who collect tenant utility money and do not remit it, not tenants themselves. Members discussed possible amendments, including adding mens rea language and a defense for disputed bills, but no final action on the bill was taken in the portion provided.