Video & Transcript Research : 'sessions'
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TX
Transcript Highlights:
- We're hoping that we can address some of those issues. this session.
- Workforce is not the focus this session.
- And helps guide our engagement on groundwater related legislation this session.
- Throughout the session, groundwater can be an extremely complex issue.
- Last session the legislature made an investment to Hansport. for infrastructure.
MN
Transcript Highlights:
- <00:06:47.480>
Thank <00:06:47.680>you, last weeks of the session. - Thank you, last weeks of the session. Thank you, Mr.<00:06:48.040>
Chair. - .<00:48:08.359>
Representative <00:48:08.920>Torkelson, session. - Representative Torkelson, session.
- ends. the call of the chair, probably half an hour after session ends. >> [music]
KY
Kentucky 2025 Regular Session
Kentucky Housing Task Force 2025 (6-30-25)
Transcript Highlights:
- Um, we do want to the next session?
- following the uh preliminary session following the uh preliminary session that<00:34:58.320>
- Now, Arkansas did so this session, legalizing multifamily and commercial.
- Now, Arkansas did so this session, legalizing multifamily and commercial.
- 13.280>
family <00:57:13.520>and session, legalizing multif family and session, legalizing
Keywords:
Meeting Start 00:00:15
Roll Call 00:00:45
Discussion of Pro-Growth Housing Policies 00:02:33
Adjournment 01:17:15, 958, all
Summary:
The Housing Task Force 2.0 reconvened with several new members and heard a presentation from Kentucky Housing Corporation Executive Director Winston Miller and Deputy Executive Director Wendy Smith. They framed the task force’s work as a practical effort to address Kentucky’s housing shortage, update members on the current housing landscape, summarize existing state and federal resources, and suggest areas for the task force to focus on over the coming year.
KHC said its 2024 housing supply gap analysis found Kentucky is short about 206,000 housing units, split roughly evenly between rental and homeownership, and projected the gap could grow to 287,000 units by 2029 if current trends continue. They emphasized that every county in Kentucky needs more housing, that the 2008 housing crisis and loss of construction capacity remain major causes of the shortage, and that current pressures include high interest rates, rising insurance and tax costs, construction cost inflation, and housing prices and rents growing faster than incomes. KHC also said homelessness has risen in Kentucky, with point-in-time counts showing double-digit increases in recent years.
The presenters reviewed existing resources, including federal programs, the Kentucky Affordable Housing Trust Fund, the rural housing trust fund, KHC mortgage and down payment assistance programs, and the state mortgage interest deduction. They said these resources are important but insufficient to close the gap, and noted that a proposed federal FY2026 budget would cut HUD programs by 44%, potentially removing about $286 million from Kentucky housing resources, though no action has been taken yet. They urged the task force to consider stronger, more flexible tools such as a revolving loan fund, a state affordable housing tax credit, and economic development and employer-assisted housing incentives, and pointed to Indiana’s housing infrastructure and regional development funds as examples. No votes or formal actions were taken in the portion provided.
NH
Transcript Highlights:
- Move to come out of executive session. Have a motion and a second to come out of executive session.
- We are out of executive session.
- <02:16:45.679>
move take us out of executive session move take us out of executive session - <02:16:48.120>
have come out of executive session have come out of executive session have - session session all<02:16:51.880>
those <02:16:52.040>in <02:16:52.200>favor <02
MN
Transcript Highlights:
- <00:05:06.000>
would upcoming legislative session would upcoming legislative session would - Chair, because it is the most important thing we do this session. Thank you.”
- <00:58:58.920>
thank important thing we do this session thank important thing we do this session - This happened in the 2023 legislative session. Thank you.
- <01:02:39.720>
thank session thank session thank you<01:02:41.559>I <01:02:41.799>I
MN
Transcript Highlights:
- Thank you, and I do look forward to working with you all this session.
- to working with you all this um session to working with you all this um session I<00:01:58.039><
- You'll see those at various points throughout the session.
- the end of the 2024 legislative session the end of the 2024 legislative session to<00:45:38.440>
- Appropriations from the end of session Appropriations from the end of session for<00:46:49.880><
Summary:
The Senate Education Finance Committee met on January 21 with a quorum present for the first meeting of the 2025 biennium. The co-chairs described the temporary power-sharing arrangement in the tied Senate, introduced committee staff and pages, and had members briefly introduce themselves and share what subject they would teach. After the introductions, the committee moved to a presentation from State Demographer Susan Brower.
Brower reviewed Minnesota’s school-age population trends and projections, noting that the state had just under 1 million children ages 5 to 17 in 2023 and that, for the first time, the older adult population exceeded the school-age population. She said the school-age population is concentrated in the Twin Cities metro and other regional centers, and projected an overall decline of about 5% over the next 15 to 20 years, driven mainly by declining birth rates and long-running net outmigration of young adults. She also explained that growth is expected in some areas, especially along the I-94 corridor north of the metro, while northern regions are projected to see the largest declines. She clarified for members that her figures measure resident children, not school enrollment, and that boundary changes are not reflected in the district-level data.
The presentation also covered demographic change among students. Brower said about 35% of Minnesota children ages 5 to 17 are children of color, with growing multiracial populations and increasing linguistic diversity. She reported that about 20% of school-age children have at least one foreign-born parent, and about 18% of enrolled students speak a language other than English at home, with Spanish, Somali, and Hmong the largest home languages. She also discussed child poverty, saying Minnesota’s rate is just under 10%, below the national rate of about 15%, and that poverty is concentrated in Minneapolis-St. Paul, some first-ring suburbs, and parts of northern Minnesota, including districts with larger Native populations. Members asked questions about whether the projections accounted for migration and whether open enrollment affected the figures; Brower said the data reflect where children live, not where they attend school, and that the projections are based on recent migration and birth patterns, with future changes more likely to come from international immigration than from domestic migration.
NH
New Hampshire 2025 Regular Session
House Science, Technology and Energy (04/14/2025)
Science, Technology and Energy
Transcript Highlights:
- > now<00:06:04.720>
until <00:06:05.120>about session first from now until about session - our exec sessions. our exec sessions.
- >
Bill session on Senate Bill session on Senate Bill 65.<02:10:28.320>And <02:10:28.560 - was vetted at our earlier work session was vetted at our earlier work session and<04:12:00.479><
- discussed in a work session discussed in a work session earlier.<04:12:52.720>
So, <04:12:
MO
Transcript Highlights:
- The Committee on Economic Development will now go into executive session.
- The culmination of a session-long work between all of the stakeholders.
- We spent the entirety of the session working diligently together.
- If there's any other opposition in this session to come, then we'll work that out with them at that time
- heartburn between AGC and HBA, so anybody else that has issue with the concept can be addressed next session
Summary:
The Economic Development Committee met in executive session with a quorum present and took up House Bill 1915. Representative Casteel offered a House Committee Substitute, explaining that it reflected a session-long agreement among stakeholders and had resolved concerns between the AGC and HBA, with remaining issues to be handled later if needed. Representative Amato spoke in support, noting the work done to bring stakeholders together.
The committee adopted the House Committee Substitute by voice vote. It then voted on the substitute for House Bill 1915 to do pass, with the roll call showing 17 ayes and 0 noes. The bill was reported do pass and the committee adjourned.
OK
Oklahoma 2026 Regular Session
Oklahoma Workforce Commission Apr 17th, 2026 at 02:00 pm
Transcript Highlights:
- So, I'd like to entertain a motion to enter into the executive session pursuant to 25 OS 307 B(1) for
- We have a motion that's suppressed, and we will move into executive session. We're staying here.
- OK, I'd like to entertain a motion to enter back into normal session.
- I will now entertain a motion to go back into executive session to talk about item number 4.
- Right, we'd like to entertain a motion to come out of executive session. A motion in a second.
NM
New Mexico 2026 Regular Session
Senate Chamber Feb 10th, 2026 at 12:22 pm
New Mexico Senate Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- Spirit, it is my sincere hope that we will look back on this legislative session and be able to mark
- your movement on our behalf. ...legislative session and be able to mark your movement on our behalf.
- The Legislature of the State of New Mexico, 57th Legislature, Second Session, 2026.
- The Legislature of the State of New Mexico, 57th Legislature, Second Session, 2026.
- An aggregate amount from each session. Thank you very much, Mr. President, Senator Shindo.
AR
Arkansas 2026 Regular Session
EDUCATION COMMITTEE - SENATE AND HOUSE Feb 2nd, 2026
Transcript Highlights:
- Another special session during which time it attempted to respond to these deficiencies once more.
- The General Assembly went into special session on December 8, 2003.
- The special session continued.
- And the General Assembly responds in another special session in 2006.
- And these recommendations would be relative to the bill passed in the 2025 session, correct?
Summary:
The meeting began with approval of the prior minutes and then shifted to an update from Department of Education Secretary Jacob Oliva and Deputy Commissioner Stacey Smith on early childhood education, especially the state-funded Arkansas Better Chance (ABC) program. They said Arkansas had received a federal Preschool Development Grant and described ABC as a large state program with about 23,800 funded slots and roughly $114 million in annual appropriations. Department officials said they are reviewing slot allocations because about 1,000 seats are funded but unfilled, while more than 2,000 families are on waiting lists, and they plan to reduce or reallocate slots from providers that have not filled them over several years. They also said they are examining whether income thresholds, curriculum expectations, daily rates, and summer programming should be updated, and members raised concerns about access, local control, transportation, and whether the program should better align with K-12 choice and school readiness goals. The committee agreed to form an early childhood subcommittee and asked the Bureau of Legislative Research to help gather historical data and other information for future discussion.
The committee then received a legal presentation from BLR attorney Taylor Lloyd on the constitutional and statutory framework for education adequacy in Arkansas. She reviewed the Dupree and Lake View cases, explaining that the state must maintain a general, suitable, and efficient system of free public schools, and that adequacy and equity are distinct but related concepts. She emphasized that the General Assembly is responsible for defining adequacy, studying whether the system meets that standard, and reacting to the evidence, while the courts ultimately decide constitutional compliance. Lloyd also explained the current adequacy definition, the role of the matrix as a funding tool rather than a spending mandate, and the distinction between unrestricted foundation funding and restricted categorical funding.
BLR’s Elizabeth Bynum followed with a historical overview of how Arkansas responded to the court cases and developed the current adequacy process. She traced major legislative actions from the 1980s through the Lake View litigation, including the creation of funding formulas, categorical aid, isolated funding, declining enrollment funding, and the 2003-2004 adequacy study that led to the Continuing Adequacy Evaluation Act and the matrix used to set foundation funding. She also described later changes to the adequacy statute, the financial reporting requirements for districts, and the ongoing use of surveys, stakeholder testimony, and consultant studies in the biennial adequacy process. Members asked questions about whether private or homeschool programs could use public funds for expenses like utilities, whether stakeholders should include those groups, the difference between average daily membership and attendance, and whether school board members are surveyed; staff said those issues would need further research or were outside the scope of the presenters’ role.
AZ
NM
New Mexico 2025 Regular Session
IC - Legislative Health and Human Services Oct 8th, 2025
Legislative Health & Human Services Committee
Transcript Highlights:
- And, you know, we're going into a 30-day session, basically a budgetary session, so this may not be relevant
- in terms of this implementation process until our 60-day session.
- There is some funding in the feed bill to pay Deloitte. to have validating sessions.
- So, there's a high-level overview of our upcoming ask at the 2026 legislative session.
- We will continue that work in the upcoming session.
FL
Transcript Highlights:
- I sincerely thank you, Christian, for your contributions this session.
- She has been a wonderful addition to our office this session.
- and over prior sessions.
- I was a Week 4 Senate page at the legislative session.
- You have been an absolute dream this entire session.
Bills:
HB135, HCR64, SCR3, SCR30, SB500, SB739, SB816, SB898, SB1283, SB1351, SB1423, SB1531, SB1540, SB1666, SB1721, SB1886, SB1931, SB2001, SB2075, SB2154, SB2173, SB2217, SB2284, SB2375, SB2383, SB2386, SB2398, SB2448, SB2476, SB2540, SB2580, SB2589, SB2693, SB2707, SB2776, SB2786, SB2801, SB2864, SB2927, SJR84, SCR30, SB243, SB324, SB393, SB457, SB511, SB529, SB547, SB636, SB646, SB659, SB715, SB731, SB735, SB800, SB801, SB904, SB1065, SB1141, SB1181, SB1224, SB1241, SB1242, SB1250, SB1266, SB1285, SB1359, SB1434, SB1442, SB1467, SB1502, SB1524, SB1528, SB1551, SB1585, SB1640, SB1754, SB1757, SB1777, SB1844, SB1863, SB1972, SB2007, SB2035, SB2046, SB2055, SB2069, SB2082, SB2119, SB2139, SB2154, SB2200, SB2201, SB2269, SB2310, SB2330, SB2357, SB2366, SB2401, SB2422, SB2514, SB2530, SB2533, SB2543, SB2544, SB2550, SB2568, SB2589, SB2660, SB2693, SB2695, SB2707, SB2717, SB2721, SB2742, SB2753, SB2807, SB2846, SB2891, SB2925, SB2938, SJR3, SJR18, SB5, SB326, SB767, SB769, SB783, SB914, SB963, SB1035, SB1197, SB1271, SB1415, SB1437, SB1619, SB1637, SB1786, SB1806, SB494, SB530, SB2312, SB1, SB260, HB135, HB 1109, HB1392, HB22, HCR64, SJR36, SJR50, SJR63, SJR84, SJR59, SCR12, SCR39, SCR48, SCR19, SCR30, SCR3, SB2023, SB62, SB666, SB847, SB284, SB854, SB1073, SB810, SB1505, SB583, SB1502, SB507, SB1434, SB1376, SB1585, SB1772, SB2016, SB1163, SB1122, SB731, SB397, SB508, SB1436, SB287, SB261, SB1882, SB393, SB1791, SB209, SB2429, SB1999, SB511, SB2309, SB510, SB1085, SB1975, SB2717, SB1262, SB1524, SB636, SB2056, SB884, SB517, SB1200, SB1845, SB1863, SB2681, SB2200, SB2199, SB1757, SB2458, SB2201, SB801, SB2533, SB3014, SB3013, SB758, SB1721, SB1013, SB2797, SB2383, SB2119, SB2448, SB1777, SB1283, SB2076, SB2786, SB2876, SB2284, SB1540, SB2929, SB2540, SB2595, SB2217, SB715, SB500, SB1640, SB2001, SB2514, SB2753, SB2398, SB1241, SB2927, SB2173, SB2538, SB898, SB1449, SB2529, SB2846, SB2476, SB986, SB1181, SB2075, SB2154, SB2864, SB1359, SB2386, SB2550, SB1351, SB1423, SB1931, SB2245, SB2589, SB2707, SB410, SB2776, SB2580, SB1886, SB1234, SB739, SB456, SB1666, SB2801, SB2055, SB1012, SB2926, SB2138, SB1242, SB2615, SB2310, SB1224, SB2972, SB2841, SB3016, SB2139, SB1856, SB2035, SB1528, SB1141, SB2401, SB2530, SB2375, SB547, SB1266, SB1373, SB1467, SB2069, SB2269, SB2480, SB672, SB904, SB2695, SB2891, SB2422, SB2543, SB1854, SB317, SB2539, SB2532, SB2925, SB1250, SB2082, SB2203, SB457, SB2357, SB2721, SB243, SB1285, SB2568, SB1959, SB1442, SB1454, SB2520, SB2541, SB1708, SB1237, SB1844, SB1586, SB1551, SB3039, SB2819, SB66, SB629, SB1015, SB2342, SB2903, SB2933, SB1965, SB2477, SB3029, SB2605, SB2419, SB1957, SB375, SB250, SB777, SB628, SB2523, SB2367, SB2703, SB2608, SB2778, SB3044, SB2965, SB2521, SB865, HB2525, HB3093, SB1032, SB2165, SB2501, SB2675, SB2452, SB2835, SJR84, SB457, SB547, SB904, SB1467, SB1757, SB1777, SB2055, SB2069, SB2139, SB2401, SB2530, SB2543, SB2695, SR349, SR367, SR468, SB3064, SB3065, HJR7, HB 119, HB 130, HB163, HB166, HB201, HB272, HB331, HB380, HB654, HB694, HB718, HB865, HB 1266, HB1397, HB1500, HB1552, HB1576, HB1583, HB1584, HB1760, HB1894, HB1965, HB2018, HB2029, HB2286, HB2340, HB2427, HB2455, HB2467, HB2508, HB2523, HB2730, HB2756, HB2791, HB2970, HB3016, HB3096, HB3248, HB3255, HB3336, HB3623, HB3698, HB3699, HB3803, HB3804, HB3805, HB3806, HB4129, HB4187, HB4236, HB4238, HB4643, HB4738, HB4739, HB5333, SCR3, SCR30, SB500, SB739, SB898, SB1283, SB1351, SB1423, SB1540, SB1666, SB1721, SB1886, SB1931, SB2001, SB2075, SB2154, SB2173, SB2217, SB2375, SB2383, SB2386, SB2398, SB2448, SB2476, SB2540, SB2580, SB2589, SB2707, SB2776, SB2786, SB2801, SB2864, SB2927, HB135, HCR64, SB2284, SB3064, SB3065, HJR7, HB 119, HB 130, HB163, HB166, HB201, HB272, HB331, HB380, HB654, HB694, HB718, HB865, HB 1266, HB1397, HB1500, HB1552, HB1576, HB1583, HB1584, HB1760, HB1894, HB1965, HB2018, HB2029, HB2286, HB2340, HB2427, HB2455, HB2467, HB2508, HB2523, HB2730, HB2756, HB2791, HB2970, HB3016, HB3096, HB3248, HB3255, HB3336, HB3623, HB3698, HB3699, HB3803, HB3804, HB3805, HB3806, HB4129, HB4187, HB4236, HB4238, HB4643, HB4738, HB4739, HB5333
Keywords:
sales tax exemption, exotic animals, game animals, agriculture, livestock, gifted education, education support, student achievement, academic excellence, Texas education, cowboy culture, Bandera, cultural heritage, historical significance, Texas identity, Birding Capital, Matagorda County, wildlife, conservation, Texas Legislature
TX
Transcript Highlights:
- House Bill 121 is a cleanup bill from HB 3 of last session for school safety.
- Otherwise, the work done in session vanishes.
- Were you aware that they said that last session to me?
- With the Senate's emphasis on homestead existence this session.
- I have, and it passed last session, out of the House. And was the vote 142-2 last session?
Bills:
SB5, SJR3, HB 11, HJR72, HB48, HB27, HB144, HB37, HB1481, HB581, HB1696, HB2216, HB 1035, HB1633, HB742, HB754, HB1689, HB1690, HB2669, HB391, HB517, HB1775, HB 1024, HB1607, HB252, HB1716, HB1562, HB4116, HB1866, HB1741, HB2103, HB2637, HB2884, HB3707, HB503, HB 1089, HB1757, HB2986, HB972, SB365, SB1786, SB5, SJR3, HB14, HB43, HB36, HB26, HB149, HB 121, HB206, HB136, HB3114, HB2733, HB1732, HB3700, HB467, HB 1130, HB1846, HB1442, HB 1147, HB2176, HB2701, HB805, HB2890, HB 1154, HB1644, HB2118, HB1718, HB2488, HB2596, HB2468, HB484, HB2578, HB3204, HB 1041, HB307, HB685, HB538, HB2525, HB3125, HB2027, HB2894, HB3077, HB 106, HB18, HB 11, HJR72, HB48, HB27, HB144, HB37, HB1481, HB581, HB1696, HB2216, HB 1035, HB1633, HB742, HB754, HB1689, HB1690, HB2669, HB391, HB517, HB1775, HB 1024, HB1607, HB252, HB1716, HB1562, HB4116, HB1866, HB1741, HB2103, HB2637, HB2884, HB3707, HB503, HB 1089, HB1757, HB2986, HB972
Keywords:
dementia, research institute, Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, funding, grants, state health initiatives, research funding, state budget, prevention, healthcare, medical research, Dementia Prevention and Research Institute, licensing, reciprocity, regulation, Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation, interstate agreements, tax exemption, intellectual disability
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
House Human Services Finance and Policy Committee 4/15/26
Human Services Finance and Policy
Transcript Highlights:
- It has truly been an honor working with you throughout this session.
- you throughout this session. you throughout this session.
- I really appreciate all the work you've done this session. It hasn't been easy.
- Last session, uh all of these changes were<01:01:13.760>
just <01:01:14.080>passed. - um come to our attention in this session um come to our attention in this session that<01:03:54.880
Keywords:
housing aid, local housing trust, funding projects, income provisions, technical changes, human services, medical assistance, Medicaid, provider enrollment, provider revalidation, fraud prevention, program integrity, background study, background check, fingerprinting, licensing, license revocation, payment withholding, payment suspension, prepayment review
TX
Transcript Highlights:
- You guys are back in session next year.
- From last session, we have robust tools in our toolkit.
- And every session, I think your And every session, I think your Requests, l a r s are always it heavy
- And every session and to date, it's done. It's done well.
- I'm keeping count every. >> Every session. It's the lettuce.
Summary:
The Senate Committee on Health and Human Services convened to discuss interim charges regarding fraud, waste, and abuse in Texas human services, particularly focusing on Medicaid and childcare programs. The meeting highlighted the importance of preventing misuse of taxpayer funds, with testimony from various stakeholders emphasizing the need for increased oversight and accountability in these programs. Key points included the alarming rise in healthcare fraud in other states, the necessity for Texas to enhance its fraud prevention measures, and the potential financial repercussions of failing to meet federal compliance standards.
Several committee members expressed concerns about the impact of fraud on vulnerable populations, particularly those relying on Medicaid services. Testimonies from experts underscored the effectiveness of Texas's Office of Inspector General (OIG) in combating fraud, yet pointed out existing vulnerabilities, such as inconsistent enforcement and the need for better data sharing among agencies. The discussion also touched on the challenges faced by hospice care providers, with a significant increase in the number of hospices in Texas raising concerns about quality and oversight.
The committee heard from various witnesses, including representatives from health plans and advocacy organizations, who provided insights into the complexities of managing Medicaid and the importance of maintaining program integrity. The meeting concluded with a commitment to further explore legislative solutions to enhance oversight and ensure that resources are directed to those in genuine need.
WY
Transcript Highlights:
- We made it a top priority; hence the mirror bills in the short budget session.
- the last session that it might come out. the last session that it might come out.
- This is the fifth session that I've been involved in this.
- You've heard this on loop now for a long time, this session, and for previous years.
- this session, and for previous years. this session, and for previous years.
Bills:
SF0101
Keywords:
Second Amendment, firearm regulation, state legislation, public safety, civil penalties, 916, all
NH
New Hampshire 2025 Regular Session
House Education Policy and Administration (05/27/2025)
Transcript Highlights:
- If you remember, I'm non-public session.
- they don't want to have a public session they don't want to have a public session prematurely.<00
- No, it probably in a public session? No, it probably would<00:25:13.279>
be. - can work out in the executive session. can work out in the executive session.
- And I recognize the executive session.
Summary:
The committee heard testimony on SB 69, including a germane amendment about local school boards’ acceptance or rejection of gifts and donations and a non-germane amendment creating a virtual early childhood readiness family engagement program for preschool children not yet in kindergarten. Rep. Cordelli said the early literacy proposal was a modified version of an earlier kindergarten readiness bill, would rely on gifts and donations rather than state appropriations, and would include reporting requirements. Members questioned the shift from a broader technology program to an online-only model, the lack of detailed evaluation metrics, how long children would use the program, and whether it was appropriate for very young children. Cordelli said the change was intended to avoid government dependence and still allow the program to be offered next school year.
Several members raised concerns about the gift-acceptance language on the underlying bill, including whether school boards would need to vote on small donations, whether gifts could be handled in blocks or at regular meetings, and how anonymous donations would work under right-to-know laws. Rep. Han noted that some gift discussions might belong in non-public session under RSA 91-A, while Rep. Cornell said acceptance or rejection of gifts could be handled at regular meetings and suggested a dollar threshold could be added later. The New Hampshire School Boards Association said it was not taking a position but wanted clearer guardrails, policy guidance, and clarification on timing, anonymity, and public-meeting requirements.
Supporters of the early childhood program, including Waterford.org, said the proposal would provide an evidence-based, adaptive online literacy program with family engagement for four- and five-year-olds, and that it could help close early learning gaps. Waterford said it could work collaboratively with school districts and IEP teams, and that it would provide devices and internet access for families who need them. Committee members pressed on how the program would interact with existing special education services and whether districts could use it as part of an IEP; the response was that it would be supplementary and not an approved special education service. No votes were taken during the hearing; the chair indicated the committee would later executive the bills and try to get reports filed promptly.
AL
Alabama 2026 Regular Session
Alabama Senate Special Session 2026 May 6th, 2026
Alabama Senate Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- Roberts, Mr.<00:15:30.320>
Sessions, Mr. Sessions, Mr. - Sessions, Mr.<00:15:32.399>
Shelnut, Mr. Shelnut, Mr. - session or a special<00:44:17.280>
election. - Roberts, Mr.<00:46:02.800>
Sessions, Mr.<00:46:07.599>Mr. - Roberts, Mr.<01:11:22.719>
Sessions, Mr. Sessions, Mr.
Summary:
The Alabama Senate convened with prayer, the pledge, and a roll call establishing a quorum of 34 senators present. The chamber then received a House message referring House Bill 1 on primary elections to the Committee on County and Municipal Government, and moved to Senate Bill 1, also dealing with primary elections and tied to ongoing court action over Alabama’s legislative maps. Senator Elliott explained SB 1 as a prospective measure meant to set up a special election if federal courts lift injunctions on the state Senate districts, while opponents argued the bill was being rushed and could disrupt voters, candidates, absentee voters, and election administration.
Much of the debate focused on whether the bill would effectively change election rules too close to an election and whether it conflicted with a 2022 statewide amendment requiring election-related changes to take effect at least six months before a general election. Supporters said the bill simply preserves the legislature’s enacted maps and responds to recent court rulings, while opponents said it could disenfranchise voters, especially military, elderly, absentee, rural, and Black voters, and that the underlying litigation and federal Voting Rights Act issues remained unresolved. Several members also referenced a Brennan Center report and broader concerns about racial turnout gaps and minority representation in Alabama.
Senator Coleman offered an amendment to give the state discretion rather than mandate a special election, arguing it would better align with the current court order; the Senate rejected it on a roll call vote, 8 yeas to 25 nays. Senator Vivian Figures then offered a notice-focused amendment requiring adequate public notice before any election changes, arguing that voters need time to learn new dates, polling places, deadlines, and ballot information; that amendment also failed on a roll call vote, with the clerk announcing it did not pass. The transcript ends with further discussion beginning after the failed amendment votes.