Transcript Highlights:

• I vote. Um, I in favor of >> Uh, just here. I vote.
• Um, I vote yes, and I'm going to explain my vote.
• Senator Meredith voted aye. Senator Richardson voted aye. Senator Thomas voted aye.
• Representative Balman voted aye. Representative Mcool voted aye. Representative Rors voted aye.
• Representative Hart voted yes. Chairman Douglas voted aye.

Keywords: 958, all

Summary: The committee first approved the April 13 minutes and then turned to a large agenda of contracts. Chairman Douglas said there were 52 contracts totaling about $369.3 million, and noted that most vendors were registered with the Secretary of State except for item 118 on the routine personal services green list and item 19 involving Morehead State University and Kentucky State University. The committee voted to defer item 118 to the June 26 meeting and later also deferred the Kentucky State University contract on the deferred list to the June 26 meeting. The main discussion centered on a deferred personal services contract for the Kentucky Board of Optometric Examiners, involving outside legal counsel. Senator Meredith raised concerns about KRS 320 and whether the board had authority to hire outside counsel when the statute says the Attorney General shall provide legal services to the board. Dr. Mary Beth Morris, the board president, and Christopher Thacker of the Attorney General’s office testified after being sworn in. Thacker explained that the statute and related law allow both Attorney General assistance and independent counsel, and argued that outside counsel is appropriate for day-to-day legal work because it avoids conflicts, especially on open records issues, regulatory advice, and disciplinary hearings. Senator Meredith said he agreed with approving the contract but questioned how the board had reached this point and whether the current statutes reflect modern practice. He raised concerns about transparency and accountability, referencing a prior advisory opinion involving the board’s handling of exam requirements during COVID and saying the board should have consulted the Attorney General before acting. Thacker responded that the Attorney General’s office serves the Commonwealth as a whole, not as counsel to one board, and that the board’s use of outside counsel is a reasonable and economical arrangement. The exchange ended with Meredith suggesting that broader legislative action may be needed to clarify reporting relationships and oversight for the board.

Transcript Highlights:

• c> of library materials increase of library materials increase of approximately<00:36:08.800>
• We just need some lead time materials.
• We supportive of having those materials.
• It's part of the committee<02:20:26.000> materials.
• committee materials. It's easy to find. committee materials. It's easy to find.

Keywords: 916, all

Transcript Highlights:

• And in your meeting materials meetings.
• Again, in your meeting materials is the proposed motion.
• <00:42:22.000> on let this bill be debated and voted on let this bill be debated and voted
• <02:13:32.239> Thank put the 3A amendment to a vote.
• Further comments to the DE1 amendment before we put it to a vote.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• <01:19:42.800> Um with a 4-3 vote. Um with a 4-3 vote.
• We've had handed out this materials.
• We have handed out this materials.
• >> to the material. >> to the material. Okay. Okay. Okay.
• They voted in hundreds of elections to try to make them take this test.

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The subcommittee took up several school building aid bills. HB 295, which would make school building aid program funds non-lapsing, drew debate over whether the program is effective and whether funds should be allowed to carry forward. Supporters argued the program is underfunded and that even small leftover amounts should remain available for building aid; opponents said non-lapsing funds limit future budget flexibility and that the program creates winners and losers. The committee voted 4-3 to recommend HB 295 inexpedient to legislate (ITL). The committee then considered HB 366, which would increase school building aid for eligible projects and include retroactive funding for projects completed in the past. The motion to ITL was supported on the grounds that retroactive payments would be unfair to districts still waiting in line and that the legislature should focus on future projects. Supporters of the bill said the increase was modest and that districts that built during a prior moratorium on aid were left with long-term fiscal burdens. The committee again voted 4-3 to recommend ITL. The discussion also broadened into special education funding and a retained bill, HB 742, concerning catastrophic special education aid and the source of funding. Members debated whether the education trust fund should cover the aid and whether the committee should act now or wait for a separate commission studying special education costs. Several members emphasized that special education costs are rising, that more data is needed on student identification and funding formulas, and that the commission’s report may provide better guidance. The chair said the subcommittee’s recommendations would go to the full committee, and the next meeting was expected to be rescheduled from November 4 to later that week because of election-related conflicts.

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:21:01.159> so<00:21:01.559> I'm already voted voted on and passed so I'm already
• voted voted on and passed so I'm I'm<00:21:01.919> going<00:21:02.000> to<00:21:02.240
• respectfully urge my colleagues to vote respectfully urge my colleagues to vote ought<00:26:58.760
• vote no, they are voting to allow a different motion.
• If you support voting down the committee amendment, you're going to vote no.

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Please answer aye, nay, or not voting. Representative Atkinson.
• gave an update on our state fiscal year 26 budget and also gave the recommended 27 budget for their vote
• Because I think even with my constituents, the average voting age is 55 and above.
• Average voting age is 55 and above.
• A work training center needed a way to rewind trimmer string efficiently after materials were damaged

Keywords: 977, all

Summary: The committee met to receive a detailed financial operations presentation from the South Carolina Vocational Rehabilitation (VR) agency, with staff walking members through funding sources, budgeting, accounts receivable, accounts payable, and grants management. Sabrina Walker explained VR’s blended funding structure, including federal grants, state appropriations, program income, and interagency contracts, and emphasized that state funds are essential to meeting the federal match and maintenance-of-effort requirements. Members asked repeatedly about transparency, audit controls, and the risk that state cuts could reduce federal drawdowns; staff responded that all reports reconcile back to the SCEIS accounting system, are subject to state audits and internal reviews, and that even modest state reductions could significantly reduce total available funding. The committee also discussed pre-employment transition services for students with disabilities, with staff confirming services are offered through school districts, charters, and private schools, and that contracts are monitored for performance and compliance. The presentation then shifted to budgeting and internal controls. Walker described a zero-based departmental budgeting process, monthly monitoring reports, contingency reserves for unexpected expenses, and a formal annual cycle that culminates in board approval. Members asked about facilities tracking, culture, and how the agency maintains accountability; staff said facilities staff inspect buildings and equipment, supervisors justify line-item requests, and the process has become smoother over time as departments learned the system. Cynthia Johnson followed with an accounts receivable overview, describing invoicing, receipting, aging, customer verification, year-end reporting, and the use of cross-training, shared email inboxes, and spreadsheets as checks and balances. She also explained work training center billing, interdepartmental transfers, and the revolving fund used to issue consumer checks more quickly than standard vendor payments. Olivia Perez presented accounts payable operations, including invoice processing through SCEIS and OnBase, the three-way match, travel reimbursements, revolving fund checks, State Treasury Office interactions, and handling of reversals, rejections, and levy notices. She reported that AP processed 67,723 SCEIS payments, 13,670 case management system invoices, 3,379 travel reimbursements, and 15,693 revolving fund checks in fiscal year 2025, with only 70 payment rejections. The final portion of the meeting covered Grants and Funds Management, where Walker explained federal reporting, drawdowns, payroll allocation, asset tracking, lease and IT contract reviews, cost allocation, and closing packages. She noted upcoming system changes such as S/4HANA, Workiva, and SC Pro, but said the agency is receiving training and feedback opportunities. No formal votes or legislative actions were taken during the presentation portion beyond approval of the prior minutes and a brief recess.

Transcript Highlights:

• 00:16:19.199> a favorably out of House Judiciary on a favorably out of House Judiciary on a vote
• <00:16:19.600> of<00:16:19.839> 101 vote of 101 vote of 101 and<00:16:21.839> the
• Section two, disclosure of sexually explicit materials without consent, subsection B removes the words
• <00:22:06.159> Subsection<00:22:06.799> B materials without consent.
• Subsection B materials without consent.

Keywords: 926, house, all

Summary: The House convened, suspended its rules to introduce 18 bills by number only, and referred the bills to the appropriate committees. House Bill 647, relating to the Vermont Sister State Program and carrying an appropriation, was referred to Appropriations under House Rule 35A. The chamber also read several resolutions: HR13, concerning support for the people of Palestine and Israel and the end of apartheid, was treated as a bill and referred to Government Operations and Military Affairs; JR88, condemning a U.S. military incursion in Venezuela and calling for withdrawal of U.S. forces, was likewise referred to Government Operations and Military Affairs; and JRS37, supporting gender equality in Nordic combined Olympic competition, was referred to Commerce and Economic Development. JRS39, a weekend adjournment resolution, was adopted in concurrence. On the action calendar, the House passed H541, relating to interference with voters and election officials. It then took up H5, which expands Vermont’s existing hearsay exception for child victims from age 12 and under to age 15 in specified abuse and sexual assault proceedings, with judicial safeguards and a July 1, 2026 effective date. The Judiciary Committee reported the bill favorably 10-1, and the House adopted the committee amendment and ordered third reading. The House also considered H626, a major Judiciary Committee bill on voyeurism, non-consensual disclosure of explicit images, and sexual extortion. Committee members described the bill as updating criminal and civil remedies for image-based abuse, creating a separate sextortion offense, extending criminal statutes of limitation, and clarifying civil recovery for trauma-related harm. During floor debate, members questioned the distinction between the voyeurism and disclosure provisions and the meaning of “reasonable expectation of privacy”; the committee responded with examples and statutory explanations, including that voyeurism covers unlawful recording while the disclosure offense covers later dissemination of images. The bill remained under consideration as the discussion continued.

Transcript Highlights:

• Merriam-webster dictionary defines food is materially as material.
• So we encourage a no vote today and look forward to continuing to talk with Senator Martin about his
• certainly isn't don't have the the language in front of me, but but the requirement to allow certain materials
• And senators by your vote show Cs for CS for SB 1132.

Keywords: 999, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I respectfully ask for an aye vote. I respectfully ask for an aye vote.
• Current vote is four ayes and one no, with the chair voting aye and the vice chair voting no.
• Current vote is four ayes and two noes, with the chair voting aye. Committee.
• Current vote is five ayes and no noes, with the chair and vice chair voting aye.
• Current vote is five ayes and no noes, with the chair voting aye.

Keywords: 987, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Next is Vote Solar.
• They submit the materials to the EQB.
• to the eqb we publish them in materials to the eqb we publish them in the<00:41:38.319> eqb<00
• The vote being seven yeses and six noes, the bill is re-referred to the General Register.
• <01:01:54.039> on<01:01:54.279> sustainable<01:01:54.720> foraging materials on

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• I'll ask for, once we go to the GOS long-form vote, it will be voting by panel.
• Then we'll have discussion and then vote. Are there any questions about the voting procedure?
• Commissioner Allison, what is your vote? Aye. Commissioner Allison, what is your vote? Aye.
• The next vote, commission vote, is for FY27 Lifelong Learning Grant Guidelines Update.
• We'll go to vote.

Keywords: Virginia Commission for the Arts Board Meeting, 976, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I'd like a roll call on that vote.
• I'd like a roll call on that vote.
• I'd like a roll call on that vote.
• I'd like a roll call on that vote.
• I'd like a roll call on that vote.

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• <01:16:20.480> no<01:16:20.640> on ...and vote no on HF 2426.
• I appreciate you all, and I vote no to pass this amendment. Thank you.
• I appreciate you all, and I vote no to pass this amendment.
• I appreciate you all, and I vote no to pass this amendment. Thank you. Thank you, sir.
• I appreciate you all, and I vote no to pass this amendment. Thank you. Thank you, sir.

Bills: HF1545, HF2426, HF1615, HF2403

Keywords: medical cannabis, cultivation, cannabinoid products, plant canopy, Minnesota statutes, cannabis, hemp, lower-potency, edibles, regulations, licensing, local control, consumer safety, age restrictions, commerce policy, financial institutions, insurance regulation, limited long-term care insurance, Medicare supplement, health insurance

Transcript Highlights:

• A vote for regulation is crucial. is 100% a vote for the legalization of recreational marijuana in Texas
• Ease that material and hang on to it.
• Vapes and edibles, plant material.
• Is it the materials that you used to test it with?
• You have no business voting for this, respectfully.

Bills: HB5

Keywords: hemp, cannabinoids, regulation, occupational licenses, consumable products, marketing, criminal offenses, labeling requirements, health and safety, 997, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• By your vote, Senate Bill 428 is reported favorably.
• But I do have some material concerns. I’ll support you today, but I do have material concerns.
• By your vote, Senate Bill 162 is reported favorably. Thank you.
• By your vote, Senate Bill 192 is reported favorably.
• If I can please be recorded as voting favorably.

Summary: The Senate Health Policy Committee met with a quorum and considered several health-related bills, most of them focused on drowning prevention and public safety. SB 428, by Senator Yarborough, would expand Florida’s swim lesson voucher program from children ages 0-4 to ages 1-7. The sponsor and supporting testimony from a pediatric emergency physician and YMCA representatives emphasized Florida’s high drowning rates, especially among very young children, and argued that swim lessons can significantly reduce risk. Senator Harrell noted the need to revisit the funding allocation as eligibility expands. The bill was reported favorably. The committee also heard SB 606, by Senator Smith, which adds drowning prevention and safe bathing practices to postpartum education provided by hospitals, birthing centers, and, after amendment, no longer requires home birth providers to maintain proof of compliance. A parent who lost a child to drowning and Senator Berman spoke in strong support, stressing that the bill would educate new parents at a critical time. The committee adopted the amendment and reported the bill favorably as a committee substitute. SB 162, by Senator Davis, would require hospitals and ambulatory surgical centers to adopt policies using smoke evacuation systems during procedures that generate surgical smoke. The sponsor said the equipment is relatively low-cost and already used in many facilities, while several witnesses supported the bill as a worker-safety measure. Other senators raised concerns about the lack of data, possible rural hospital impacts, and whether the mandate could add costs without clear evidence of harm. Despite those concerns, the bill was reported favorably. The committee also passed SB 340, by Senator Harrell, requiring nursing students to complete a two-hour human trafficking course before licensure, after amending the bill to shift the requirement from nursing programs to the students themselves. Testimony from a trafficking survivor and nursing advocates supported the measure, and it was reported favorably as a committee substitute. Finally, SB 192, presented by Senator Trumbull on behalf of Senator Martin, removed the $1,500 cap on advances chiropractic physicians may collect for examinations or treatment; chiropractic industry representatives supported the change, and the bill was reported favorably.

Transcript Highlights:

• By your vote, CS for SB 102 is reported favorably. Thank you, Mr. Chairman.
• By your vote, CS for SB 296 is reported favorably. Yes.
• By your vote, CS for SB 296 is reported favorably.
• By your vote, show CS for SB 6th, 296 is reported it. Yes.
• By your vote shows CS for SB 296 is reported favorably.

Summary: The Appropriations Committee on Pre-K-12 Education met with a quorum present and observed a moment of silence for Senator Geraldine Thompson. The committee first took up CS/SB 102, a bill by Senator Gates directing the Department of Education to develop a workforce credential program for students with autism spectrum disorder or students on a modified curriculum, in coordination with the Florida Center for Students with Unique Abilities and OSHA. Supporters said the bill would help autistic students gain job skills and workplace safety credentials, while an opponent argued the bill should clearly make participation voluntary, expand to other exceptional student groups, include funding, and add stronger accountability. The bill was reported favorably. The committee then considered SB 166, the Administrative Efficiency in Public Schools bill by Senator Simon. The bill would reduce or remove several state mandates and give districts more flexibility on testing, teacher evaluations, contracts and certification, school board operations, instructional materials timelines, audits, facilities planning, emergency make-up days, federal fund use, and public VPK oversight. Senators asked about the impact on student proficiency, teacher evaluations, and the transfer of public VPK oversight to districts; Simon said the tests would remain but count as 30 percent of the grade, districts would retain flexibility in evaluation measures, and only public VPK would shift to districts. Public testimony was largely supportive, with some speakers praising reduced testing and local control, while one senator cautioned that Florida still has a math proficiency problem. The bill was reported favorably. Finally, the committee heard CS/SB 296 by Senator Bradley, which would repeal the 2023 statewide mandate requiring later middle and high school start times and return the decision to local districts, while still requiring districts to inform the community about the health, safety, and academic impacts of sleep deprivation and consider later start times. Supporters argued the mandate created transportation, staffing, and scheduling problems and that local control was more practical, while opponents emphasized sleep science and the benefits of later start times for teens. Several senators discussed the tension between research and district resources, and the bill sponsor said the measure preserves the conversation about sleep while allowing local scheduling decisions. CS/SB 296 was reported favorably, and the committee then adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• The Chair votes aye. Chair Scott votes no. Vice Chair Finke votes aye. Vice Chair Duran votes no.
• Representative Bliss votes no. Representative Curran votes aye. Representative Feist votes aye.
• Representative Frazier votes aye. Representative Mahamoud votes aye.
• Representative Moller votes aye. Representative Novotny votes no. Representative Rarick votes no.
• Representative Stier votes no. Representative Van Binsbergen votes no.

Bills: HF4077, HF3809, HF3639, HF4478, HF3363, HF3874

Keywords: municipal nondisclosure agreement, NDA, public records, transparency, local government, county, city, town, school district, housing and redevelopment authority, economic development authority, port authority, economic development, land development, public financing, tax increment financing, TIF, abatement, municipal bonds, debt obligations

Summary: The Judiciary Finance and Civil Law Committee approved the minutes from March 25 and March 26, then took up House File 4077, a bipartisan bill authored by Representatives Greenman and Roach. The bill would prohibit municipalities from entering into non-disclosure agreements with private entities that restrict disclosure about land development, economic development, or publicly funded projects, while preserving existing Chapter 13 data practices rules and trade secret protections. The authors argued the bill is needed to prevent secret agreements and backroom decision-making that undermine public transparency, and they moved that the bill be re-referred to the general register. Several local officials and residents testified in support, including a St. Louis County commissioner, the mayor of Lonsdale, and residents from Farmington and Hermantown. Supporters said NDAs had been used in connection with data center and other development projects to keep elected officials and the public in the dark, eroding trust and limiting community input. They described the bill as a common-sense transparency measure and said existing law already protects legitimate trade secrets. Opposition came from the Minnesota Chamber of Commerce and the Minnesota Business Partnership, which argued that NDAs are often necessary in early-stage economic development discussions to protect sensitive business information and remain competitive with other states. They warned the bill could discourage investment, jobs, and tax growth, and said it would impose a one-size-fits-all state mandate that limits local discretion. Committee members then debated whether the bill was too broad and whether it should be narrowed to data centers; supporters responded that the issue extends beyond data centers to other forms of economic development. A roll call vote was requested on the motion to re-refer the bill to the general register, but the final vote result was not stated in the transcript excerpt.

Transcript Highlights:

• Meanwhile, Materialize under Chapter 2267.
• So they went to the voters twice over those several years, and the voters voted down the bond election
• Over those several years, the voters voted down the bond election. So what does the county do?
• They went through the milestones that are required, which were voted on at the commissioners court.
• I would like to see building materials, functional building materials where energy would not have to

Keywords: 1184, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• . vote. vote.
• which be a yes vote. which be a yes vote.
• going to vote for it. Okay. going to vote for it. Okay.
• The members will vote. material uh if it goes over budget. So material uh if it goes over budget.
• <03:08:20.479> in will vote in will vote in >> there.

Keywords: 1136, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• votes no. Representative Newell, no. votes no. Representative Newell, no.
• <02:47:01.120> Representative The clerk votes no. Representative The clerk votes no.
• By a vote Chairman Roy. Chair Chess. 96. By a vote of<02:47:08.160> 9<02:47:08.319> to6.
• <02:49:09.279> Representative The clerk votes no. Representative The clerk votes no.
• <03:14:01.359> Representative The clerk votes yes. Representative The clerk votes yes.

Keywords: 1189, house, all