Video & Transcript Research : 'debt authorization'
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MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
February State Budget and Economic Forecast - 03/06/25
Minnesota Senate Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- increases in or suspension of the debt increases in or suspension of the debt ceiling<00:10:12.200
- Third, S&P Global Market Intelligence assumes suspension or raising of the debt ceiling, extension of
- High federal deficits and national debt could weigh negatively on economic growth in the long term.
- <00:18:41.120>
could Federal deficits and national debt could Federal deficits and national - debt could weigh<00:18:41.600>
negatively <00:18:42.120>on <00:18:42.440>economic
TX
Transcript Highlights:
- 2858 does not create any new pathways to citizenship or legal status beyond the temporary period authorized
- bill, Texas not only Uh, is not, uh, changing federal immigration law, but rather requesting the authority
- be filing with the local authorities.
- Uh, now, local authorities don't have the existing.
- But I'm here today to say I'd love to work with the authors.
Bills:
HB 256, HB 1308, HB 1554, HB 1743, HB 2308, HB 2351, HB 2858, HB 3676, HB 3784, HB 4312, HB 4552, HB 4823, HB 4852, HB 5007, HB 5010, HB 5520, HB 5524, HCR 19
Keywords:
E-verify, employment verification, illegal employment, state contracts, government entities, license suspension, immigration compliance, state grant funding, E-Verify, compliance, penalties, immigration, government contracts, employee status, state contractors, E-verify program, legally present, employment practices, legal services, public money
PA
Transcript Highlights:
- This bill provides for the State Workers Insurance Fund and Investment Authority.
- This bill authorizes the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania to join the Counseling Compact.
- This bill provides legislative authorization for itemized capital bridge projects throughout the Commonwealth
- that may be funded through debt or current revenues.
Summary:
The House convened, approved a prior journal, confirmed a quorum, and received several bill referrals and calendar motions before moving into caucus and committee announcements. Members also welcomed a number of guests and student visitors to the chamber. After recess, the House resumed with committee reports from Appropriations and Rules, agreeing to re-reported bills including House Bills 1006, 106, 2014, 2037, 2460, 2512, 2559, 2644, 733, 2455, 2499, and 2529.
The chamber adopted two resolutions: House Resolution 462 designating May 17, 2026, as World Neurofibromatosis Awareness Day, and House Resolution 553 designating May 19, 2026, as Pontian Greek Genocide Remembrance Day. Both sponsors spoke in support, with the NF resolution emphasizing awareness, diagnosis, and research, and the Pontian Greek resolution focusing on remembrance of historical persecution and ethnic violence. The House also passed several bills on final consideration, including House Bill 2014 on opportunities for minors in emergency service organizations, House Bill 2037 on cryptocurrency-related ethics restrictions, House Bill 2512 on rideshare pricing protections, House Bill 2644 on legislative authorization for capital bridge projects, and House Bill 2559 on state property conveyances.
Amendments were considered on several measures. On House Bill 2359, which prohibits government agencies from entering nondisclosure agreements related to data centers, one amendment requiring hyperscale data centers to pay their own energy costs failed on a 101-101 tie, another amendment making the bill effective immediately was adopted, and a third amendment protecting trade secrets failed. On House Bill 779 regarding abusive towing practices, an agreed-to amendment was adopted. House Bill 733 modernizing marriage ceremony law, Senate Bill 1294 on penalties for unlicensed commercial driving schools, and Senate Bill 1259 clarifying parole record privilege and access were agreed to, and House Bill 2499 concerning the State Workers Insurance Fund and Investment Authority was also advanced. The House then recommitted several bills to Appropriations, removed others from the tabled calendar, and adjourned until June 30, 2026.
PA
Transcript Highlights:
- This bill provides for the State Workers Insurance Fund and investment authority.
- This bill authorizes the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania to join the Counseling Compact.
- This bill provides legislative authorization for itemized capital bridge projects throughout the Commonwealth
- that may be funded through debt or current revenues.
Summary:
The House convened with prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, journal approvals, quorum call, and a series of guest recognitions, including students, interns, local officials, and advocates visiting the chamber. Members also announced caucus and committee meetings, and the House recessed before returning later in the day for floor action.
After reconvening, the House adopted several committee reports and then considered a series of resolutions and bills. It adopted House Resolution 462, designating May 17, 2026, as World Neurofibromatosis Awareness Day, and House Resolution 553, designating May 19, 2026, as Pontian Greek Genocide Remembrance Day, both by 200-2 votes. The chamber also agreed to House Bill 733 on marriage ceremony law, House Bill 2529 on scheduling metatomidine as a Schedule 3 controlled substance, and Senate Bill 1294 on civil penalties for unlicensed commercial driving schools.
The House then debated House Bill 2359 on data center nondisclosure agreements and related amendments. One amendment requiring hyperscale data centers to pay their own energy and infrastructure costs failed on a 101-101 tie, while another amendment to make the bill effective immediately passed 201-1 and a third amendment to protect trade secrets failed 87-115. The bill itself was agreed to after amendment. The House also approved House Bill 2455 on collective bargaining rights for Pittsburgh school administrators, House Bill 2499 on State Workers Insurance Fund investment authority, Senate Bill 604 joining the Counseling Compact, and House Bill 1006 on penalties against abusive towing practices, with one agreed-to amendment added.
Several measures then passed finally by recorded vote: House Bill 2014 on opportunities for minors in emergency service organizations, House Bill 2037 on cryptocurrency-related ethics restrictions for public officials, House Bill 2512 prohibiting ride-share pricing based on certain device conditions, House Bill 2644 authorizing capital bridge projects, and House Bill 2559 on Millersville University and other conveyances. House Bill 2559 drew floor criticism from Representative Conklin over the state land conveyance process, though it still passed 154-48. Before adjournment, the House recommitted several bills to Appropriations, removed additional Senate bills from the table calendar, and adjourned until June 30, 2026, at 11 a.m.
MS
Mississippi 2026 Regular Session
MS Senate Floor - 2 April, 2026; 10:00 AM
Mississippi Senate Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- just applications and recommendations just like they currently do, and then the legislature has the authority
- to authorize those that are available by loans.
- Section five also just allows agencies that receive monies through the transfer fund to escalate their authority
- We've lowered our debt for our state.
AZ
Arizona 2026 Regular Session
01/21/2026 - Senate Education Committee of Reference
Senate Education Committee of Reference
Transcript Highlights:
- they could have cheaper rates and cheaper borrowing costs when borrowing for capital or refinancing debt
- In 1953, Arizona's state legislature authorized the governor to enter into a compact with other Western
- primary responsibilities: they provide strategic direction for the organization, they have fiduciary authority
- Legislation enacted in 2025 revised statutory provisions for the program, including authorizing schools
TX
Transcript Highlights:
- Current law, however, imposes certain limitations on the Attorney General's authority to make emergency
- ESF decisions, as well as the ESF Testive fund and may include public equities, private markets, and debt
- To ensure proper implementation and prevent misuse, the controller is authorized to request documentation
- Prior to 2022, institutions of higher ed and university systems were temporarily authorized to participate
Bills:
HB104
Keywords:
property tax, ad valorem tax, tax rate election, voter-approval tax rate, no-new-revenue tax rate, de minimis rate, local government, special district, tax increase, tax notice, public hearing, tax code, Health and Safety Code, Texas property taxes, taxing unit, election threshold, two-thirds vote, majority vote, budget approval
TX
Transcript Highlights:
- The bill does not express. grant any additional rulemaking authority to any state office or institution
- Additionally, House Bill 5437 does not create a new taxing authority. Thank you.
- This is well within the legislature's role to ensure that public-backed debt aligns with responsible
- I appreciate the bill's author and their team, but I think it's a little bit misguided and unartful in
Bills:
HB447, HB897, HB993, HB2673, HB3671, HB3680, HB3897, HB4506, HB4753, HB4812, HB4894, HB5148, HB5437, HB5650, HB5652, HB5654, HB5656, HB5661, HB5665
Keywords:
traffic impact studies, municipal utility district, bonds, road projects, eminent domain, HB 897, Texas land sale, state property, Austin real estate, Travis County, General Land Office, Texas State Library and Archives Commission, HHSC, Health and Human Services Commission, state records facility, archives building, library funding, capital improvements, lease of state land, public land disposition
TX
Texas 89th Regular
Senate Committee on Business and Commerce (Part II) Mar 27th, 2025
Business & Commerce
Transcript Highlights:
- I receive little notices sent to me, like, "Hey, your debt increase went up" or "Congratulations, you
- reduced your debt."
- Without clear statutory requirements, TDI doesn't have the authority to mandate access to a...
- Members, questions of the author of the bill? Senator Menéndez, you are recognized. Thank you.
- And as a friend of the bill's author, I have a hard time understanding why she would bring forth this
Bills:
SB458, SB819, SB1238, SB1642, SB1643, SB1644, SB1791, SB1810, SB1824, SB1825, SB758, SB1455, SB1706
Keywords:
insurance appraisal, property insurance, auto insurance, homeowners insurance, residential property, disputed loss, loss valuation, appraisal clause, appraiser, umpire, Texas Department of Insurance, TDI, insurance dispute resolution, claims adjustment, total loss, windstorm insurance, FAIR Plan, surplus lines insurance, policyholder, insurer
CA
California 2025-2026 Regular Session
Assembly Appropriations Committee Aug 20th, 2025
Transcript Highlights:
- Just want to thank the author for bringing this forward.
- I just want to thank the author for bringing this forward.
- Just wanted to thank the author for bringing this.
- Pellerin, I just want to thank the author for your leadership on this bill.
- The bill clarifies that the DFPI's authority to pursue legal violations...
Summary:
The Assembly Appropriations Committee met on August 20, 2025, and considered a large number of bills, with most of the discussion centered on election redistricting and several health, labor, environmental, and government-operations measures. The first major item was ACA 8, a constitutional amendment tied to a proposed November special election and temporary mid-decade congressional redistricting in response to partisan redistricting efforts in other states. Supporters, including Planned Parenthood Affiliates of California, a 2020 redistricting commissioner, labor groups, and allies of the measure, argued it was necessary to defend democracy, protect representation, and respond to federal actions affecting California. Opponents, including Assemblymember Tom Lackey reading a statement for Assemblymember Gallagher and Assemblymember Dixon, argued the measure would undermine the independent redistricting commission, amount to a partisan power grab, and cost taxpayers roughly $230 million. Committee members also focused heavily on fiscal questions, including litigation costs and county election funding, and Department of Finance staff said counties would be made whole and funding would be advanced. The committee ultimately voted the measure out on a B roll call.
The committee then heard SB 280, the implementing bill for the special election and related redistricting process. Supporters repeated the argument that California needed to respond to Texas and other states, while opponents again emphasized the cost, the strain on county budgets, and the state’s broader fiscal pressures. Department of Finance witnesses said the election funding would be provided in advance and that the state would work with counties and the Secretary of State. The bill was moved out on a roll call after extended debate. The committee also advanced several other bills, including SB 283 on battery storage safety standards, SB 470 extending remote participation and open-meeting flexibility for state boards and commissions, SB 697 modernizing stream adjudication procedures, SB 513 requiring more accessible employee training records, SB 30 restricting transfer of older diesel locomotives, SB 841 and SB 81 creating protections for vulnerable facilities and health care spaces from immigration enforcement, SB 358 revising traffic impact fee standards, and SB 630 streamlining state parks land acquisitions.
Other measures discussed included SB 62 expanding health coverage benefits, SB 68 requiring restaurant allergen disclosures, and the committee heard both support and opposition on SB 68 from the California Restaurant Association and consumer advocates. Supporters of the health and immigrant-protection bills emphasized patient safety, reproductive health, immigrant rights, and access to care, while opponents on the restaurant bill warned of added mandates and litigation risk for small businesses. Across the hearing, committee members frequently returned to fiscal impacts, county implementation burdens, and whether the bills would save money, cost money, or shift costs to local governments. Several bills were reported out of committee, often on A or B roll calls, with some members not voting on particular measures.
NM
Transcript Highlights:
- She was not given that authority.
- By what authority?
- and what's the executive authority.
- But our equal branch of government keeps giving our authority away.
- Is it going to be the Health Care Authority? Is it going to be the state auditor?
OK
Oklahoma 2026 Regular Session
House of Representatives Second Regular Session of the 60th Legislature Day 58-1 May 14th, 2026
Oklahoma House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- That young squad leader was a 26-year-old Staff Sergeant Josh West, and I will forever owe a debt to
- I will forever owe a debt to those guys.
- said, regardless of the politics that goes back and forth in this building, we will forever be in debt
Keywords:
legislative procedure, session calendar, deadline schedule, bill deadlines, joint resolution, Oklahoma Legislature, 61st Legislature, regular session, adjourn sine die, floor deadline, third reading, committee deadlines, bill drafting, appropriations, budget bills, ethics commission, agency rules, administrative procedures act, local and special laws, pension legislation
Summary:
The House convened, completed roll call, and heard an invocation and pledge before moving through several ceremonial presentations. Members recognized Monty Smith for 43 years of service with the Oklahoma Department of Transportation, honored the Marlow Lady Outlaws girls golf team for winning the Class 3A state and academic state championships, and acknowledged the final group of pages for the 60th Legislature. The House also adopted HCR 1030, which sets the legislative procedure schedule and deadlines for the 61st Oklahoma Legislature.
The chamber then met in a joint session with the Senate to observe Veterans Awareness Day. Speakers from both chambers and the Oklahoma Veterans Council delivered remarks honoring veterans, Gold Star families, and military service, and highlighted recent policy achievements for veterans, including the full tax exemption for 100% disabled veterans, the exemption of military retirement pay from state income tax, improved funding for veterans’ homes, and restructuring of the Oklahoma Veterans Commission. The Veterans Council also presented its annual awards, naming Sen. Kerry Hicks as Outstanding Senator of the Year, Rep. Andy Menz as Outstanding Representative of the Year, Aaron Higgins as Veteran of the Year, and the Speed family as Veteran Family of the Year, and recognized Scott Howell for his service to the council. The joint session then adjourned.
Back in the House, members took up Senate amendments to House Bill 1370, which concerns the Corporation Commission plugging fund and a repealer tied to a state fuel-tax offset provision. The bill’s author explained that the amendment would prevent the state from capturing savings if the federal fuel excise tax is reduced, so any reduction would benefit consumers rather than state revenue. After questions about fiscal impact and the well-plugging fund, the House adopted the Senate amendments without objection and passed HB 1370 on final passage by a vote of 89-1; the emergency clause also passed 89-1. The House then recessed, later returned for a staff appreciation and sine die-style recognition, including a tribute to long-serving bill drafter Mark Carter, and recessed again while awaiting any additional legislation from the Senate.
MO
Missouri 2026 Regular Session
Joint Committee on Public Employee Retirement Apr 28th, 2026
Joint Committee on Public Employee Retirement
Transcript Highlights:
- Moving to the biggest part of the contribution rate is the debt payment on the unfunded.
- And so essentially the system was refinancing the debt payment over a 30-year period each year.
- that has impacted the funded ratio because we are using active member covered payroll to make that debt
Summary:
The Joint Committee on Public Employee Retirement held a hearing focused on the Missouri State Employees’ Retirement System (MOSERS) and its long-term financial condition. MOSERS Executive Director Abby Spieler and investment consultant Tim McKinery outlined the system’s structure, membership, funding policy, and investment approach. They reported that as of the June 30, 2025 valuation, MOSERS had a 55.4% funded ratio, about $17.4 billion in liabilities, and about $9.6 billion in assets. They explained that the FY27 employer contribution rate was certified at 32% under the board’s minimum contribution policy, up from 30.25%, and said the increase is tied to a $46 million new decision item in House Bill 5.
The presentation emphasized that MOSERS is a mature plan with more retirees and inactive members than active employees, and that slow or declining payroll growth has made it harder to pay down unfunded liabilities. MOSERS described recent policy changes intended to improve long-term stability, including lowering the investment return assumption over time, updating mortality assumptions, and adopting a minimum employer contribution policy. The board’s 2024 asset-liability study also led to a shift toward more public equity exposure and less fixed income, with the consultant saying asset allocation has been the main driver of relative investment underperformance versus peers in recent years, though recent returns have improved and the portfolio has outperformed its policy index over shorter periods.
Committee members questioned why the funded ratio has fallen over time, whether past investment assumptions were too optimistic, and whether the board had been too conservative in its asset allocation. MOSERS representatives responded that the earlier strategy was a board-approved risk-balanced approach and that hindsight makes the results easier to judge, while stressing that current changes are intended to improve long-term outcomes. Members also asked about the impact of inactive members, the automatic refund proposal for small terminated accounts, and the ongoing Catalyst Capital litigation. MOSERS said the proposed legislation would automatically refund small inactive balances and auto-escalate deferred compensation contributions, and reported that litigation-related attorney fees have been about $20 million so far. No votes were taken, and the committee adjourned after questions and discussion.
KY
Kentucky 2026 Regular Session
House Standing Committee on Postsecondary Education (2-24-26)
Postsecondary Education
Transcript Highlights:
- getting students out into the workforce in some of our top in-demand fields quicker and with less debt
- getting students out into the workforce in some of our top in-demand fields quicker and with less debt
- getting students out into the workforce in some of our top in-demand fields quicker and with less debt
Keywords:
Call to Order and Roll Call: 0:00
Bills for Consideration:
26RS HB 94 – 2:40
26RS HB 307 – 15:00
Adjournment: 20:15, 958, all
Summary:
The House Standing Committee on Postsecondary Education met with a quorum, welcomed new member Representative Beverly Chester-Burton, and recognized interns in attendance. The committee then took up House Bill 94, which would require the Council on Postsecondary Education to host an online transfer portal for students, require annual university updates to transfer data, and convene academic officers to study and report on streamlining high-demand pathways such as teaching and nursing. Representative Vanessa Grossl said the bill was revised in response to prior concerns and emphasized that the goal was to improve transparency, reduce time to degree, and lower student debt. Travis Powell of CPE supported the measure, saying the portal and study would improve transparency and help identify barriers to transfer.
The committee adopted the committee substitute for House Bill 94 and then passed the bill out favorably by roll call vote, sending it to the House floor. The committee also reconsidered House Bill 307, dealing with proactive postsecondary admissions, after earlier discussion and additional meetings. Chair James Tipton explained that the new substitute made several changes, including addressing a FERPA concern by having KDE share student information directly with universities, limiting social security number use to the last four digits plus date of birth, and adding provisions for KIA to include a link or QR code to the common online application in KEYS scholarship notifications.
Members adopted House Committee Substitute 3 for House Bill 307, with Representative Stalker noting support for the social security number change. The committee then passed House Bill 307 as amended with a favorable recommendation to the House floor. No other substantive actions were taken.
KY
Kentucky 2025 Regular Session
2026 - 2028 Budget Preparation & Submission (5-22-25)
Transcript Highlights:
- Do we know what our debt service template rate will be yet?
- Do we know what our debt service template rate will be yet?
- Do we know what our debt service template rate will be yet?
Keywords:
00:02 Call to Order and Roll Call
00:55 FB 2026-2028 Executive Branch Budget
15:17 Adjournment, 958, all
Summary:
The committee held its first meeting on budget instructions for the 2026-2028 state budget, as required by KRS Chapter 48. Staff from the Office of State Budget Director outlined three recommended changes: restructuring Form B4 for additional budget requests to emphasize the problem, solution, and quantitative data; adding page numbers to the Record P report so agencies’ additional budget requests can be located more easily; and updating the budget calendar to reflect the December 20 presentation of the consensus forecast to LRC under changes made by House Bill 360.
Members asked follow-up questions about contribution rates, debt service template rates, and employee health rates. Staff said the fiscal 2026 KS non-hazardous contribution rate is 42.76%, but fiscal 2027 and 2028 rates have not yet been set; debt service rates would be posted later; and employee health rate assumptions are still being discussed with the Personnel Cabinet. Members also asked how program reductions or terminations would be handled, and staff explained that agencies base requests on statutory and federal requirements, while budget reductions are handled through the appropriations act.
The committee discussed whether Form B4 should ask agencies to describe alternative options considered and how they were evaluated. Staff said the current instructions do not specifically require that, though some implications may appear in narrative responses, and members agreed to continue working on the instructions. The committee then adopted a motion directing the co-chairs to work with LRC staff to finalize the 2026-2028 budget instructions and present them for adoption, with the motion approved by roll call. Members also noted that federal budget developments, including possible SNAP cost shifts to states, are being monitored but are too early to incorporate into the instructions at this time.
KY
Kentucky 2025 Regular Session
Senate Standing Committee on State & Local Government (2-5-25)
Transcript Highlights:
- something ill-advised, illegal at some point in their life, who have done their time, who have paid their debt
- something ill-advised, illegal at some point in their life, who have done their time, who have paid their debt
- something ill-advised, illegal at some point in their life, who have done their time, who have paid their debt
Keywords:
Meeting Start: 00:00
Attendance Roll Call: 00:00
Senate Bill 126 (Sen. McDaniel): 01:21
Senate Bill 37 (Sen. Elkins): 12:23
Adjournment: 21:06, 958, all
Summary:
The committee met with a quorum and took up two bills. Senate Bill 126, sponsored by Senator McDaniel, proposed a constitutional amendment to limit the governor’s pardon power during the final 60 days before a gubernatorial election and through the transition period, with the stated goal of giving voters more time to learn about executive clemency decisions. McDaniel said the measure was intended to increase accountability and noted it would need approval by both chambers and then placement on the 2026 ballot. Senator Haron raised concerns about whether the proposal could chill pardons and asked about the timing; McDaniel responded that 60 days was chosen because of early voting and the need for public notice. The committee adopted a substitute and then passed the bill with a favorable expression; several members voted aye, Senator Haron passed, and Senator Adams later asked to be recorded as voting aye before adjournment.
The committee then considered Senate Bill 37, sponsored by Senator Elkins, which would amend Kentucky law on indigent burials to allow cremation as an option instead of requiring burial, and would require consultation with the county coroner before a decision is made. Elkins described it as a local control measure and said he was working with Rabbi Litman on a possible accommodation for Jewish indigent decedents, since the Jewish community strongly prefers burial and has offered to assume costs in those cases. Questions focused on how long officials must make a bona fide effort to notify a spouse or next of kin and whether the bill would affect current practices; Elkins said it would not change existing policy on that point and suggested a possible floor amendment for additional issues. Rabbi Litman testified in support, explaining the religious importance of burial and the community’s concern about cremation. The committee substitute was adopted, and the bill passed with a favorable expression, though Senator Herron and Senator Tichenor expressed reservations and voted no or passed, citing constituent concerns and the possibility that family members may later seek a burial place to visit.
TX
Transcript Highlights:
- They adopt two different tax rates, a tax rate to fund debt service and a tax rate to fund maintenance
- the work that gets done when we are calculating. the no new revenue and voter approval rates and the debt
- To decide what tax rate they need to adopt, what debt rate they need to adopt to pay their debt.
- We calculate their debt.
MN
Transcript Highlights:
- Um, I think I'm co-author on the bill. So, I know it.
- Um, I think I'm co-author on the bill. So, I know it.
- Um, I think I'm co-author on the bill. So, I know it.
- who will outline the impact Authority who will outline the impact and<00:09:50.160>
uh <00:09: - and issued debt for the planned<00:48:02.880>
improvements.
Keywords:
Duluth, Lake Superior Zoo, capital improvements, funding, bonds, appropriations, capital investment, port development, grant caps, state assistance, navigation facilities, Dakota County, state bonds, park improvements, infrastructure, transportation, safety, congestion, water infrastructure, bond issuance
MN
Transcript Highlights:
- And thank you, Representative Quam, for authoring and presenting your bill.
- walkthrough this morning by the author walkthrough this morning by the author thank<00:54:15.160
- Representative Hill, you understand you have a DE3 author amendment? Yes.
- I want to thank Representative Hill for authoring this bill, HF 1418.
- uh as well as my experience as an author uh as well as my experience as an author um<01:19:38.320
LA
Transcript Highlights:
- In my journey, as a trauma-informed advocate, teacher, author, and now a student getting her master’s
- Constitutional amendment authorizes the investment of state funds in digital assets and precious metals
- But I am concerned about Bitcoin, and I don't want the state, I don't want this bill to authorize the
- Because this would go on the Constitution and it would authorize those investments.
- HB 603 provides relative to the authorized uses of public funds.
Summary:
The Civil Law Committee met on May 5, 2026, and first considered House Bill 165 by Representative Abear, a constitutional amendment to dedicate $500,000 annually from lottery proceeds to a veterans service grant fund. The committee adopted a technical amendment removing “up to,” approved the 6.8A report, and reported the bill with amendments without objection.
The committee then heard Senate Bill 185 by Senator Presley, which would make nondisclosure agreements in civil settlements involving child sexual abuse victims against public policy and unenforceable. Senator Presley and Elizabeth Phillips testified in support, describing the bill as part of the “Trey’s Law” movement to prevent survivors from being silenced. Additional supportive testimony came from Gillian Edwards Coburn, and committee members discussed how NDAs work in civil cases and the need to protect children’s ability to speak. The bill was reported favorably without objection.
Next, the committee considered Senate Bill 77 by Senator Miller, a Law Institute measure on the effects of leases of movable property. Testimony explained that the bill is intended to protect good-faith lessees of items such as heavy equipment when a merchant leasing the property lacks authority to do so. The bill was reported favorably without objection. The committee also heard Senate Bill 140 by Senator Miller, which clarifies that multiple successions may be handled in the same proceeding when jurisdiction is proper. Members discussed the cost and efficiency benefits for families, and the bill was reported favorably without objection.
Finally, the committee took up House Bill 603 by Representative Wright, a constitutional amendment authorizing state investment in digital assets and precious metals. Members questioned whether the language could include Bitcoin and how such investments would be monitored, with the sponsor saying implementation would be handled later by statute and public officials. The committee adopted the 6.8A report and then voted 5-3 to report the bill favorably. The meeting then adjourned.