Transcript Highlights:

• Next, the Legislative Interim Committee Working Group, Jared.
• Four legislators have been appointed to the study group.
• Working Group recognizes that something we don't have right now is data.
• So in the district office working group discussions about this...
• First of all, thank you to the working group.

Transcript Highlights:

• Women are the fastest-growing group of veterans.
• This bill has a lot of support: business groups, environmental groups, social justice groups, labor,
• It's hard to get those groups to agree on anything.
• This bill has a lot of support, business groups, environmental groups, social justice groups, labor,
• It's hard to get those groups to agree on anything.

Summary: The Assembly convened, established a quorum, and proceeded through a large House of Origin floor file, with the Speaker repeatedly urging members to be at their desks and keep support bills brief. Early actions included dispensing with the journal, re-referring AB 2285 to the Banking and Finance Committee, and then taking up dozens of third-reading items, with many bills passed by voice or recorded vote and others passed temporarily or retained on file. The floor debated and passed a wide range of measures on land use, housing, labor, public safety, health care, utilities, taxation, and consumer protection. Among the bills approved were measures on land surveyor review (AB 1933), nurse midwife access for pregnant and postpartum patients (AB 1696), historic-district transit zoning flexibility (AB 2415), EV charging infrastructure fees and timelines (AB 1820), foreclosure bidding protections (AB 1957), tribal cannabis commerce (AB 2506), outdoor advertising permitting (AB 2024), commercial building permit timelines and third-party plan checkers (AB 2418), DUI penalties (AB 1685 and AB 1687), utility rate transparency (AB 1715), CalWORKs work-penalty changes (AB 1755), dynamic electricity rates (AB 1787), interior designer licensure (AB 1796), compost labeling and contamination rules (AB 1812), modular housing standardization (AB 1815), small claims limits for businesses (AB 1827), Native American Day as a paid state holiday (AB 1841), hospital staffing and maternity access bills (AB 1868 and AB 1882), protective orders tied to release dates (AB 1889), and a series of public health, missing persons, and teacher credentialing measures later in the file. Several high-profile bills drew extended debate. AB 2624, expanding Safe at Home privacy protections to immigrant service providers, prompted sharp disagreement over free speech and alleged limits on online posting, but supporters said it protected workers facing threats and doxing; it ultimately passed 49-19. AB 2023, creating a framework for regulating AI chatbots used by children, was framed as a child-safety measure after testimony about chatbot-related harms and suicide risks, and passed 58-8. Other notable votes included AB 2208 on Medi-Cal protections against federal cuts, AB 2299 on CalFresh/SNAP losses, AB 2115 apologizing to California Native peoples for historic state harms, and AB 2311 on public hospital physician employment; the transcript ends as the Assembly continues working through the remaining file.

Transcript Highlights:

• or maybe you don’t have a charity group?
• charity group charity group oh<00:26:28.559> that's<00:26:28.679> a<00:26:28.840><
• Paul—all these have this same group that does this.
• Paul—all these have this same group that does this.
• We have a local group of people; they meet regularly, they talk about stuff.

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• If we don't do this, this entire program, this entire group of folks are going to be hurt.
• The community colleges get kind of a block of money that is then divided up among the different community
• Um, this group up in the northern part of the basin has really done remarkable work on their own and
• Um, this group up in the northern years.
• Um, this group up in the northern part<00:54:08.240> of<00:54:08.400> the<00:54:08.559>

Keywords: 916, all

Transcript Highlights:

• These bills have increased visibility into outside spending groups and have led to a more transparent
• Sarah Brennan with the Whiteman Group on behalf of NextGen California and PANA in support.
• Sarah Brennan with the Whiteman Group, on behalf of the California Democracy Partnership and NextGen
• At the time, existing state law was clear that after... ...conspiracy groups.
• The group of legal and voters of California in very strong support. Thank you.

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• reasons probably not allowing you to sell outside of the city or whatever is because it's trying to block
• We have the FDA, USDA, and other groups that look into how that food chain is secured.
• We're partnering with the Arkansas Department of Transportation for flying drones and a few other groups
• We're partnering with the Arkansas Department of Transportation for flying drones and a few other groups
• What is your target group really?

Keywords: 1204, all

Summary: The committee first approved the minutes from its October 27 meeting and then heard testimony on the economic and practical effects of Arkansas’s raw milk law, Act 698. Clinton Ballard of Milk and Honey Hill Farm said the law allowed his family farm to expand from 8 to 12 cows, serve about 150 families, add retail sales of raw cheese, and increase annual sales by roughly $50,000. He argued that raw milk production supports small farms, improves food security by keeping milk production in-state, and should be paired with optional state inspection and certification so producers could access USDA grants and other value-added opportunities. Committee members asked about herd management, safety practices, labeling, consumer education, and whether a voluntary inspection system could be created without leading to more regulation. Ballard said his farm follows sanitary practices, chills milk quickly, uses educational materials for customers, and has not had any reported illnesses among customers. Members also discussed broader concerns about raw milk safety, including E. coli, sick animals, and whether state agencies should provide more guidance or training. Several lawmakers expressed support for consumer choice and for small producers, while others emphasized the need for clear standards and accountability. The discussion also touched on the decline of commercial dairies in Arkansas, the role of the health department, and whether state certification would be limited to in-state sales. The committee then heard a lengthy presentation from Terence Bolden of TLB Enterprises on hydroponic and container-based agriculture as a response to food insecurity and workforce needs. Bolden described retrofitted shipping containers that can grow produce year-round with low water use, and said the model could be paired with career and technical education, drones, robotics, and agribusiness training in schools and communities. He said pilot projects are underway or planned with the Little Rock School District, Southwest High School, UAPB, and other partners, and estimated that five regional hubs could have significant economic impact while creating jobs and reducing food deserts. Members asked about target communities, costs, energy needs, crop types, and how the model would work in rural areas; Bolden said the approach is a public-private partnership intended to support local farmers, schools, and community food access. No votes were taken on Bolden’s proposal, and the meeting adjourned after questions concluded.

Transcript Highlights:

• So, and then you go on to explain, and your group goes on to explain how you can help the people who
• I just want to point out, for the benefit of the committee, that the population group that you guys are
• Local revenues are the funds that build the building block for foundation.
• We're going to dig into each of these groups, starting with foundation funds, which is where I'm going
• But at last meeting, we had a number of questions in the group, and nobody really had the answers to

Summary: The House and Senate Education Committee first approved minutes from February 2 and 3, then took up an interim study proposal on adult education and the Excel Center model. Representatives from Goodwill Industries of Arkansas, the Excel Center network, and the University of Notre Dame’s Lab for Economic Opportunities testified that roughly 300,000 Arkansans over age 19 lack a high school diploma or GED, and argued that the Excel Center provides a supported diploma pathway for adults who struggle with GED testing. Witnesses highlighted wraparound services such as free child care, transportation assistance, tutoring, life coaching, and career services, and cited outcomes including high retention, growing enrollment, and research showing higher employment and earnings and lower criminal justice involvement for graduates. Committee members raised questions about the state’s role, existing adult education programs, and how the study would be structured; the motion to adopt the ISP passed, though there was some procedural disagreement about when questions should have been taken. The committee then heard a detailed adequacy funding overview from BLR staff Katie Walden and Adrian Beck on Arkansas K-12 education finance. They reviewed national funding principles and explained Arkansas’s system, including state and local revenue sources, the Public School Fund, the Educational Excellence Trust Fund, the Educational Adequacy Fund, and the Facilities Partnership Program. Staff said K-12 state and local revenues totaled $6.6 billion in 2025, with foundation funding making up the largest share of district and charter funding, followed by additional, categorical, and supplemental funds. They also explained the matrix-based foundation formula, the role of the uniform rate of tax, and how categorical and supplemental funds support areas such as alternative learning, English learners, special education high-cost cases, teacher salary equalization, declining enrollment, and student growth. Members asked several follow-up questions about how specific funding categories are defined and used, including student support staff, instructional aides, special education high-cost occurrences, ALE funding, teacher salary equalization, and the inclusion of Excel Center amounts in state-local funding totals. Staff said some of those details would be addressed in a later presentation and offered to provide additional records, including district lists and historical information. The meeting ended after the funding overview, with no additional votes or actions beyond the ISP adoption and adjournment.

Transcript Highlights:

• have not returned, the shelter would send that money to a state administered fund that grants to groups
• Community substitute House Bill 2711 will establish a temporary work group to study the feasibility of
• And there's a committee substitute that simply removes the political appointments to the work group and
• That doesn't mean that all of those groups that they point women to or organizations they point women
• However, the FDA shockingly, FDA has not approved new UV blocking filters since 1996 due to the lengthy

Transcript Highlights:

• Expect any redirection in the area. currently blocked between Shawnee Lane and Foreman Boulevard. 3-55
• That may have cleared, but earlier the left lane was blocked for the wreck.

Keywords: nominations, William Kimmett, Kenneth Keyes, Commerce Department, Tax Policy, economic agenda, trade, tax cuts, public testimony

Summary: This meeting of the committee was centered around the consideration of nominations for two key positions: William Kimmett as Undersecretary of Commerce for International Trade and Kenneth Keyes as Assistant Secretary for Tax Policy at the Treasury Department. Members were given the opportunity to provide remarks on the nominees, with discussions revealing contrasting views on their potential impact on U.S. economic policy. While some members expressed support for the nominees, highlighting their qualifications and expertise, others voiced strong opposition, arguing that their confirmation would further a harmful economic agenda that favors billionaires over average Americans. Senator Wyden, the ranking member, emphasized concerns about trade chaos and the detrimental effects on workers and businesses across the country.

Transcript Highlights:

• And there are medical groups. Not to cut you off, Mr.
• I want to just recognize a young group from Monroe, Louisiana.
• I’ve worked with a lot of different groups on this.
• I’ve worked with a lot of different groups on this.
• There’s a ton of vaccines that they’re going to get in that age group.

Summary: The committee heard a personal privilege update on HB 1227, which Representative DeWitt said would return next week as a proposed HCR for a two-year study of the three-doctor panel after discussions with Dr. Nia Colotta. Better Louisiana also presented its new Leadership Louisiana Health Fellows Program, describing it as a data-driven leadership initiative focused on health care workforce, rural access, chronic disease, and other system issues; members discussed whether the program could also help generate policy research, including on managed care organizations. The committee then considered SB 427 on anatomical gifts. After adopting technical amendments, Senator Presley and Dr. Jeff White explained that the bill would strengthen organ donation law by creating a decision registry that records both yes and no choices, clarifying the legal effect of refusal, and codifying ethical principles such as the dead donor rule. Questions focused on organ viability, registry procedures, minors, and a Monroe case involving a disputed donor designation. Supporters included LOPA and the Louisiana Conference of Catholic Bishops, and the bill was reported favorably. HB 946, dealing with hospital price transparency and compliance with federal pricing rules, drew extensive testimony. Representative Landry and a witness from Patient Rights Advocate described it as a consumer transparency measure, but the Louisiana Hospital Association opposed the bill’s state-level enforcement and debt-collection provisions. Landry offered an amendment removing the debt-collection and affirmative-defense language, but after debate the substitute failed on a 5-6 vote and the bill was voluntarily deferred. The committee also reported favorably on SB 109, which revises membership qualifications for the Louisiana Emergency Medical Services Commission; SCR 20, urging federal flexibility on Medicaid redetermination for elderly and disabled beneficiaries; SB 216, allowing coroners to rely on licensed practical nurses for medical pronouncements of death; and SB 45, exempting certain gratuitous hospice houses from licensure, with testimony from hospice house operators and supporters. Finally, HCR 71 by Representative Chasson sought an LDH study of how Louisiana’s law and guidance on pregnancy-related emergency medications is working in hospitals, urgent care, and retail settings. Supporters said providers are hesitant to use medications such as misoprostol because of stigma and uncertainty, while opponents from Louisiana Right to Life argued the resolution was unnecessary and could create controversy. The discussion centered on whether the study should be narrowed or made more objective, but no final action on the resolution was reached in the portion provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• of three um that they have a a grouping of three um implementation<00:29:47.720> groups<00:29
• practice implementation groups in best practice those<00:29:49.640> that<00:29:49.799> you
• <00:41:12.839> one the primaries So within group one the primaries So within group one there's
• <00:41:22.800> two 50 of those and then in group two 50 of those and then in group two there's
• uh legislative groups that submit their uh legislative groups that submit their names<00:57:18.799

Bills: HF1060, HF1062

Keywords: sports facilities, Minnesota, legislative commission, financial oversight, accountability, HF1062, driver and vehicle systems oversight committee, MNLARS, VTRS, vehicle title and registration system, driver's license system, Minnesota Department of Public Safety, MN.IT, legislative oversight, transportation finance, state government, committee repeal, sunset provision, information technology audit, vehicle registration

Transcript Highlights:

• : Group A, Group B, and Group C.
• Group A was going to be coming in in October of this year.
• These are groups that are contributing, making sure there's different perspectives than just the utilities
• You were right, you were just perfectly blocked behind the person sitting here.
• You were right, you were just perfectly blocked behind the person sitting here.

Keywords: 988, house, all

Summary: The committee first heard a budget item on demand-side grid support and emergency load flexibility funding. The Department of Finance proposed redirecting General Fund money for summer 2026 to the CEC’s Demand-Side Grid Support program and using accumulated CalCHAP interest to support a successor ratepayer-funded demand response program for summers 2027 and 2028. The CEC and CPUC said they are working on a transition from DSGS to ELRP or an equivalent program, while the LAO said the proposal mainly presents a choice between keeping the money in General Fund savings or using it for DSGS. Members pressed the administration on why DSGS should be sunset when it has higher enrollment and lower administrative costs than ELRP, and on whether the state should continue funding demand response at all. The CPUC argued ELRP and DSGS are not directly comparable, said it is pursuing a broader demand flexibility rulemaking, and noted a decision on a successor program is expected in Q3 2026. No vote was taken in the excerpt, but members signaled interest in keeping DSGS funding at the CEC. The second item concerned trailer bill language for the transmission accelerator program under SB 254 and Proposition 4. GoBiz and IBank described a new financing structure for major transmission projects selected through CAISO’s competitive planning process, with about $26 million in administrative resources over five years. The LAO raised no specific concerns but emphasized that this is the Legislature’s first appropriation for a new program and that the final language should clearly reflect legislative intent. Members asked about state liability, ownership, and how the financing would lower ratepayer costs; staff explained that state financing would cover only a portion of large projects and could reduce the amount included in utility rate base, with estimated lifetime savings varying widely. Members also discussed offshore wind transmission needs and asked for an update on related Proposition 4 funding. The final item covered CEC and DPMO budget requests related to petroleum market oversight and supply stabilization. The CEC requested funding for additional positions to implement AB X2-1 and related fuel market monitoring work, while DPMO sought to make a data specialist position permanent. The LAO said it found the staffing requests justified. Members questioned why the work is funded through the Energy Resources Programs Account, whether staff from paused price-gouging work could be reassigned, and what evidence had been found of price gouging or market manipulation. CEC and DPMO said their work on reporting, analysis, and supply stabilization continues, that some staff are still working on related analyses, and that they are preparing further workshops and recommendations. The discussion also touched on refinery closures, gasoline imports, and the state’s changing fuel supply conditions, but no formal action was taken in the excerpt.

Transcript Highlights:

• They inflate costs, they limit supply, and they block the market from responding to real needs in real
• I think you can figure out where my criticism is directed, and that is at the people that are blocking
• one-on-one counseling for credit solutions, budget solutions, and foreclosure prevention, as well as group
• education about group education about homeownership.<01:01:07.599> Uh<01:01:07.920> in
• working group and demands for<01:02:06.160> increased<01:02:06.720> post-purchase<01:02

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• For over 40 years, Mission Heritage Partners has served as the official friends and fundraising group
• seekers here in this bill, and I'm not seeing that, so I'm just trying to figure out how you're grouping
• On November 20, 2024, a 2-year-old was found traveling alone among a group of 60 unaccompanied minors
• It blocks officer conduct from being shared with... ...DAs and county attorneys, oversight agencies,
• Would this bill block in any way records that would be important to determine whether or not someone.

Bills: HB1583, HB1775, HB1832, HB1836, HB1837, HB1866, HB1983, HB2029, HB2217, HB2318, HB2363, HB2486

Keywords: mental health, emergency detention, peace officer, mental illness, prevention of harm, border security, private landowners, study and report, General Land Office, participation, controlled substances, opioid antagonists, law enforcement training, substance abuse prevention, Texas-Mexico border, criminal justice, public safety, law enforcement, National Park Service, arrest powers

Transcript Highlights:

• Senator Miller and I've talked about, and I know that the chair has talked about there being a broader group
• Senator Miller and I've talked about, and I know that the chair has talked about there being a broader group
• These theaters are just a few blocks apart, and both are generally considered to be downtown.
• are<00:25:28.240> just<00:25:28.400> a<00:25:28.640> few<00:25:28.799> blocks
• <00:25:29.120> apart, theaters are just a few blocks apart, theaters are just a few blocks

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• According to the Brattle Group, the benefits of a similar program in California significantly outweigh
• ,<00:58:34.559> the According to the Brattle Group, the According to the Brattle Group, the
• working on multi-unit buildings, and they will be mounted safely and in a safe location, i.e., not blocking
• 30:24.159> Uh,<01:30:24.400> and<01:30:24.560> then<01:30:24.719> in blocking
• Uh, and then in blocking egress.

Bills: HF2986, HF3555

Keywords: virtual power plant, VPP, distributed energy resources, DER, demand response, load management, grid modernization, peak demand, peak shaving, battery storage, energy storage, solar photovoltaic, solar panels, electric vehicles, smart thermostats, heat pumps, aggregator, public utilities commission, PUC, rate recovery

Transcript Highlights:

• So the folks in the lowest-income census block groups are paying the same rate per kilowatt hour as the
• :21:21.920> lowest<01:21:22.320> income<01:21:23.600> census<01:21:24.080> block
• folks in the lowest income census block folks in the lowest income census block groups<01:21:24.719
• 21:25.199> the<01:21:25.440> same<01:21:26.000> rate<01:21:26.480> per groups
• are paying the same rate per groups are paying the same rate per kilowatt<01:21:27.280> hour<

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:41:54.800> And<00:41:55.280> they that they're blocking up first.
• And they that they're blocking up first.
• Um, there was a stakeholder group that was pulled together in response to this to take a look at the
• He said he sometimes struggles with the pots he has, and he hopes the group can continue to do a good
• local lake uh uh groups to fund and<01:34:25.679> to<01:34:26.400> you<01:34:26.560>

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• I have a group here today from Kosciusko and Attala County.
• and group here today um from Kaziesco and Itala<00:25:05.679> County.
• <00:27:18.320> empowerment That group is aptly named empowerment That group is aptly named
• Is there objection to the gentleman taking these budget items up in block?
• I think the Senate added someone uh to the group that we already had on the study committee.

Keywords: MS House Floor - 18 March, 2026; 10:00 AM, 925, all

Summary: The House convened with prayer and the Pledge of Allegiance, then moved through routine organizational business, including confirming a quorum, dispensing with the journal reading, and introducing pages and several visiting groups. Recognitions included the Calhoun City High School Wildcats for winning the 2025 Class 1A state championship, the Florence High School girls soccer team for winning the Class 5A state championship, the Mississippi Children’s Museum, a Kosciusko-Attala business delegation, an empowerment group from Oxford, a pediatrician of the day, law enforcement leaders, and other guests. The chamber also adopted House Resolution 63 honoring the House softball team for winning the Battle of the Tombigbee. The main floor action centered on concurrence or conference motions on several bills. The House concurred in HB 1404, HB 1546, HB 1577, HB 1265, HB 895, HB 1923, HB 1937, and HB 1940, with votes ranging from near-unanimous to 99-14 and 108-8; HB 895 was amended by unanimous consent to correct a line reference. Members explained that HB 1404 added knowingly/willfully/unlawfully language, HB 1546 shortened the human-trafficking expungement period from five years to three, HB 1577 adjusted false-claims reporting language, HB 1265 removed a repealer from the Debt Management Services Act bill, HB 895 restored 12-month card validity and a two-year caregiver license period for the cannabis bill, HB 1923 funded the Athletic Commission at $174,000, HB 1937 finalized the Library Commission budget, and HB 1940 was a large deficit/appropriations bill covering settlements, public safety headquarters construction, MIMA grants, court support, DHS software, health litigation expenses, and student aid. The House also voted to invite conference on a number of bills, including HB 1390, HB 1651, HB 1649, HB 1653, HB 1654, HB 1752, HB 1648, HB 1934, HB 1935, HB 1936, HB 1938, HB 925, HB 1640, HB 1927, HB 1928, HB 1929, HB 1930, HB 1931, and HB 1924. During debate on HB 1940, members questioned the need for outside counsel and the size of legal and settlement costs, especially for Jackson water litigation; the sponsor said the Attorney General sometimes needs specialized outside attorneys. The bill ultimately passed concurrence, and the chamber continued with additional introductions and recognitions after the major votes.

Transcript Highlights:

• SOMETIMES THEY MIGHT BE SEEING 30 STUDENTS DOING GROUP THERAPY BUT WE USE CONTRACTED SERVICES FOR THAT
• IN ADDITION, WE PARTNER WITH ANOTHER GROUP TO PUT ON ANNUAL CONFERENCE.
• IN ADDITION, WE PARTNER WITH ANOTHER GROUP TO PUT ON ANNUAL CONFERENCE.
• RIGHT NOW WE SEE A HUGE INCREASE IN THE 764 GROUPS.
• THOSE GROUPS JUST BEGAN EMERGING WITHIN THE LAST YEAR. THERE ARE CAUSAL NEW THINGS COMING.