Video & Transcript : 'prison renovation' :

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FL

Florida 2026 5th Special Session

Senate in Session Mar 27th, 2025

Florida Senate Floor Meeting

Transcript Highlights:
  • proportionally to that invasion and that surprise would land me with a minimum mandatory of life in prison
  • because you're taking out the fact that... ...of life in prison because you're taking out the fact that
  • second and put second-degree murder... just recently, Travis Garrett was sentenced to 45 years in prison
  • The jury in this case found his killer guilty of manslaughter and sentenced him to 30 years in prison
  • Renovations were finished in June 2000.
Summary: The Senate convened with a quorum, opening prayer, pledge, and several member introductions and recognitions, including resolutions and visiting groups. The chamber then moved to a special order calendar and took up a series of bills, beginning with SB 88 on utility terrain vehicles, which would allow local governments to opt in to street use of UTVs under specified safety conditions; it passed 32-5 after debate over safety concerns. SB 102 on exceptional student education created a workforce credential/badge program for students with autism or on modified curricula; despite concerns about unfunded mandates, it passed 36-0. SB 106 on exploitation of vulnerable adults authorized alternative service methods for scammers through the apps they used to contact victims and passed 37-0. SB 130 expanded and eased procedures for compensation of victims of wrongful incarceration, including extending filing deadlines and removing restrictive bars; it passed 38-0. SB 158 eliminated cost sharing for diagnostic and supplemental breast exams under the state employee health plan and passed 38-0. The Senate then considered SB 234 on crimes against law enforcement officers, prompted by the killing of Officer Jason Raynor. The bill clarified that a person may not resist an officer with violence and added a mandatory life sentence for manslaughter of a law enforcement officer. A late amendment to restore “good faith” language failed, and after extensive debate over due process, racial profiling, and sentencing concerns, the bill was temporarily postponed rather than brought to a final vote. SB 262 on trust code technical changes passed 36-0. SB 274 designated portions of roads in Orlando as Harris Rosen Way and Geraldine Thompson Way; it passed 38-0 and then received 37 co-sponsors. SB 280 created an enforcement mechanism for candidate party-affiliation qualification requirements and passed 38-0. SB 296 repealed the statewide middle and high school start-time mandate and returned the issue to local districts with reporting requirements; it passed 38-0. Later, SB 356 designated January 27 as International Holocaust Remembrance Day in Florida, with the sponsor emphasizing anti-Semitism and the need for education and remembrance. The transcript also included additional ceremonial remarks and recognition of Alpha Phi Alpha fraternity members in the gallery. Throughout the meeting, most measures advanced with unanimous or near-unanimous support, while SB 234 generated the most substantive disagreement and was set aside for later consideration.
NM

New Mexico 2026 Regular Session

Senate - Rules Feb 15th, 2026

House Rules & Order Of Business

Transcript Highlights:
  • The training track that is currently in place needs to be renovated.
  • Mike's area is going to have an incredible, incredible renovation that some would say has taken too long
  • I can tell you with 100% surety that no one is going to prison.
Summary: The committee first heard HB 124, which would codify the Office of New Americans within the Workforce Solutions Department. The sponsor and Workforce Solutions officials said the office has already been operating on a grant and has become a key resource for businesses and immigrant workers, especially for workforce development, credential recognition, language access, and referrals. Supporters from immigrant advocacy, child care, conservation, and civic groups argued the office would help address labor shortages, improve integration, and strengthen economic growth. Several members questioned whether the office would serve people without legal status, what services would be provided, and whether it would create taxpayer costs; sponsors said eligibility would depend on specific programs, the office would mainly provide referrals and workforce support, and it is currently philanthropic grant-funded. The bill was ultimately passed on a 6-4 due pass vote. The committee then considered SJR 6, a proposed constitutional amendment to change New Mexico’s pretrial detention standards. The sponsor argued the 2016 bail reform language has contributed to a “revolving door” for repeat offenders and that the current standard is too restrictive and inconsistently applied across judicial districts. Supporters from State Police said the resolution would give clearer direction and let voters revisit the issue. Opponents from the ACLU and the Criminal Defense Lawyers Association warned it would expand pretrial detention, weaken the requirement that the state prove no release conditions are adequate, and disproportionately affect poor people and people of color. After extended debate over public safety, judicial discretion, and whether the proposal should include a clearer standard, the committee approved the resolution on a 6-4 due pass vote. The committee also passed SJR 7, a land swap between the state and the City of Santa Fe involving the DPS site and part of the Midtown campus. The sponsor, the Department of Public Safety, and the Santa Fe mayor said the exchange had been discussed for years, would allow the state to own the land under its DPS facilities, and would help the city advance its Midtown redevelopment plan, including housing and public amenities. Members asked about the parcels involved, whether both sides agreed, and whether any member had a financial interest; the sponsor said the swap was non-monetary and fully agreed to by both parties. The resolution passed without opposition. Finally, the committee heard SM 31, which creates a workgroup with LFC, DFA, and PERA to study the loss of COLAs for PERA retirees and recommend solutions. Retiree advocates said the reduced COLA has significantly eroded pension value and that retirees relied on the statutory promise of a 2% COLA. Other speakers emphasized the need to protect long-term fund solvency while addressing retiree losses. The memorial passed unanimously by roll call. The meeting then recessed, with the chair noting the next day’s agenda would be posted later.
FL
Transcript Highlights:
  • He added that the fifth camera is inside the vehicle, facing the trooper and the secure prisoner compartment
  • 50-50 cost share with the federal government, allowing DMA to conduct major repairs and critical renovations
  • non-recurring funds from the Land Acquisition Trust Fund in the facilities construction and major renovation
Summary: The committee met to hear the Governor’s proposed budget for the Transportation, Tourism, and Economic Development silo and to consider one bill. The Governor’s Office outlined a $117.4 billion state budget, including $18.3 billion for the TED area, with major allocations for the Department of Transportation, Commerce, Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles, State, Military Affairs, Emergency Management, and the Florida State Guard. Agency heads then presented their priorities, including housing and disaster recovery funds at Commerce; pay, vehicles, aviation, and data systems at Highway Safety; facility modernization, recruitment, retention, and maintenance at Military Affairs; election audit, conservation lab, and historic preservation funding at State; transportation, aviation, seaport, and safety investments at DOT; and emergency response, flood mitigation, grant systems, and alerting at Emergency Management. Members asked questions about Visit Florida’s private match, FHP’s role in immigration enforcement and body cameras, National Guard deployment tempo and staffing, State Guard staffing and facilities, arts grant rules, rail funding, and the number of detainees at the Everglades detention site. Several notable positions were expressed during questioning. Visit Florida said it met and exceeded its private match requirement and described the match as important to ensuring value from public dollars. The Highway Patrol said its aviation assets have been used more heavily in immigration enforcement and that in-vehicle camera systems were a higher priority than body cameras at present. The National Guard and State Guard both emphasized heavy operational demands, readiness needs, and the importance of additional funding for facilities, personnel, and equipment. The Department of State said its audit funding would help counties move to automated post-election audits and that its arts grant rule changes were intended to create more consistent scoring rather than reduce access. The committee then took up CS/SB 48 on accessory dwelling units. The bill requires local governments to allow property owners to voluntarily create ADUs, preserves homestead treatment for the primary residence portion, limits parking restrictions, and extends density bonus incentives to housing for military families receiving basic housing allowance. An amendment was adopted removing reusable tenant screening reports and clarifying that compliant ADUs are allowed by right without a separate hearing or permit. Testimony from the Florida Restaurant and Lodging Association supported the bill, especially the long-term rental requirement, as a tool to help workforce housing. The committee reported the bill favorably by a roll call vote, and then adjourned.
ND

North Dakota 2025-2026 Regular Session

Senate Appropriations - Human Resources Division Apr 2nd, 2025 at 02:00 pm

Appropriations - Human Resources Division

Transcript Highlights:
  • Certainly, Chairman and Senator Cleary, members of the committee, sometimes there has to be renovation
  • going to Fargo or they're going to the state hospital or they're not getting service and going to prison
Summary: The HR division continued work on the behavioral health budget, with members revisiting several funding items and generally agreeing to hold provider inflation increases until the full division picture is clearer. They tentatively supported additional funding for Community Connect and Free Through Recovery, as well as increases for the drug court program and peer support, while clarifying that some items were already in the House version and others were one-time or grant-related expenditures. The committee spent considerable time on a proposed $2 million behavioral health services program for nursing homes and basic care facilities. Senator Mathern brought revised language to describe a capitated payment model for training, consultation, and direct patient care for residents with medically based behavioral disorders and disruptive behaviors. Some members remained skeptical and wanted to see the amendment before deciding, but the discussion centered on whether the funding would help nursing homes accept patients who otherwise end up in state hospitals or acute care settings. Members also discussed several one-time funding items, including electronic health record and legacy system upgrades, network redundancy for the state hospital, partial hospitalization/intensive day treatment expansion, and a bathroom remodel at the Southeast Human Service Center. The committee restored the bathroom project to the original $972,000 estimate after concerns that the House reduction would not cover the needed ADA and plumbing work. They also debated a $12.96 million behavioral health facility grant for Altru in Grand Forks, with some members opposing it and others supporting it as a regional service expansion, but ultimately set it aside for later consideration. The meeting ended with staff flagging other sections of the bill, including the opioid settlement advisory language, the state hospital steering committee, behavioral health education grants, and the system of care grant. The chair announced that medical services would be taken up the next day, and members agreed to adjourn after planning to revisit unresolved behavioral health items and vote on the held bill later.
KY
Transcript Highlights:
  • Some of our campuses, more than others, like KSU—I was a president there—we were yesterday on a renovated
  • There, uh, we were yesterday on a renovated hall that was old, so we didn't make it a pretty thing, but
  • c> on</c><00:16:27.519><c> a</c> there uh we were yesterday on a there uh we were yesterday on a renovated
  • 00:16:29.240><c> old</c><00:16:29.959><c> so</c><00:16:30.399><c> it</c><00:16:30.560><c> we</c> renovated
  • Hall that Halls old so it we renovated Hall that Halls old so it we didn't<00:16:30.920><c> make</c>
Summary: Aaron Thompson, president of the Council on Postsecondary Education, and Travis Pal briefed the committee on Kentucky higher education performance, affordability, workforce alignment, and budget needs. Thompson said the state has made progress toward its 60x30 attainment goal, reporting 56.2% of adults with a credential of value and a 6.4% one-year increase in credentials. He highlighted gains in completion, enrollment recovery after COVID, lower student borrowing and debt, and faster degree completion, saying Kentucky is now back to an average of 4.1 years for four-year degrees. He also emphasized that postsecondary education has a strong return on investment for both students and the state. A major theme was student success and access. Thompson described efforts to reduce barriers through test-optional admissions, the elimination of zero-credit developmental education, expanded wraparound supports, and Bridge programming for students not fully prepared for college. He also promoted Futurity, a student-facing information website, and said CPE wants modest ongoing funding to maintain it. He argued that higher education must work in a P-20 system with K-12, and that the state should better communicate the value of certificates, trade programs, and other credentials, especially for adult learners and men, who he said are underrepresented in college-going. The presentation also focused on performance funding, capital needs, and workforce initiatives. Thompson and Pal said performance funding has pushed institutions toward more need-based aid and lower costs for low-income students, but they want more base funding, more performance funding dollars, and relief from about $38 million in mandated tuition waivers. They also said asset preservation and deferred maintenance remain major needs, estimating roughly $7 billion in campus need overall. On workforce, they cited healthcare pipeline work supported by state funding and private partners, and said HB 200 continues that effort into aviation, aerospace, and defense. No votes or formal committee actions were taken during the presentation, which ended with members indicating interest in further discussion.
AR

Arkansas 2026 1st Special Session

JOINT BUDGET COMMITTEE Mar 4th, 2026

JOINT BUDGET COMMITTEE

Transcript Highlights:
  • So there is no prison funding.
  • So there is no prison funding.
  • Post-Prison Transfer Board. Thank you, Mr. Chair.
  • There are no significant changes to the Post-Prison Transfer Board.
  • Members, do you have any questions on the Post-Prison Transfer Board? That's page 44.
Summary: The committee first considered revisions to the JBC rules, which staff said were all prompted by acts passed in the 2025 legislative session. The rules were adopted without objection. Members then received a balanced budget presentation from DFA Secretary Jim Hudson on the governor’s FY27 proposal, which he said was built around three priorities: limiting state government growth, continuing investments in education, and advancing income tax cuts. He highlighted major additions for education funding, EFA growth, pay plan costs, higher education productivity funding, drug task forces, corrections medical costs, the governor’s 1033 initiative, SNAP error-rate reduction, and Medicaid sustainability, while also explaining a new A/B funding category structure intended to prioritize recurring costs and preserve room for tax cuts. Members questioned Hudson about the cost of income tax reductions, the constitutional balanced-budget requirement, education funding, the Educational Adequacy Fund, Medicaid trust fund balances, and the impact of federal changes on Medicaid and SNAP. Hudson said each tenth of a percent income tax cut would cost about $58 million, the budget remained balanced, public education would still receive historic increases, and the Medicaid trust fund would be monitored closely with additional set-asides proposed. He also said the FY27 SNAP administrative cost increase would be about $18 million. The committee then heard from the Division of Higher Education, which reported institutions were 2.61% more productive overall and that the budget recommendation followed the statutory productivity formula. Questions focused on why some institutions were receiving decreases or large increases, how the formula works, and how the new return-on-investment metric and committee composition would affect future funding. The committee approved several higher education-related actions, including personnel changes for nine institutions and special language for North Arkansas College’s move into the University of Arkansas system. Staff then walked members through the higher education appropriation summary, explaining large percentage increases at several institutions were tied to federal funds or corrected carry-forward issues, including the U of A School of Mathematical, Sciences and the Arts, South Arkansas College, SAU Tech, ASU Mountain Home, and ASU Newport. Members also discussed UAPB’s 1890 extension program and the University of Arkansas Division of Agriculture’s land-grant matching funds; officials said UAPB’s recommendation was being aligned with actual spending and that the Division of Agriculture’s Smith-Lever and Hatch matches were included within its overall appropriation. The committee ultimately adopted the Higher Education Coordinating Board’s recommendations for all institutions and then moved on to the Department of Corrections section, with the chair outlining how the committee would proceed through those appropriations by section.
NH

New Hampshire 2025 Regular Session

House Health, Human Services and Elderly Affairs (02/05/2025)

Health, Human Services & Elderly Affairs

Transcript Highlights:
  • 1978 under the existing epa's renovation repair<03:48:10.359><c> and</c><03:48:10.520><c> painting</
  • If you're in a rural area and someone wants a renovation done, they go to get a permit.
  • So it is anybody engaged in work under EPA's RRP law, and so that's renovation, repair, and painting
  • At least in my community, it comes up quite often, and people do their own renovation.
  • </c> epa's RRP law and so that's renovation epa's RRP law and so that's renovation repair<04:00:26.760
FL

Florida 2026 Regular Session

Senate in Session Mar 27th, 2025

Florida Senate Floor Meeting

Transcript Highlights:
  • proportionally to that invasion and that surprise would land me with a minimum mandatory of life in prison
  • because you're taking out the fact that... ...of life in prison because you're taking out the fact that
  • Just recently, Travis Garrett was sentenced to 45 years in prison for a Hillsborough deputy's death.
  • The jury in this case found his killer guilty of manslaughter and sentenced him to 30 years in prison
  • Renovations were finished in June 2000.
Summary: The Senate convened with a quorum present, opened with prayer and the Pledge of Allegiance, and heard several member introductions and recognitions, including awareness resolutions and visiting groups in the galleries. The chamber then moved to special order bills. Senate Bill 88 on utility terrain vehicles passed 32-5 after debate over allowing local governments to opt in to street use of UTVs under safety restrictions; Senator Smith opposed it over safety concerns. Senate Bill 102 on exceptional student education passed 36-0, creating a workforce credential/badge program for students with autism or on modified curricula; supporters emphasized employment opportunities and safety training, while Senator Davis raised concerns about added costs to school districts. Senate Bill 106 on exploitation of vulnerable adults passed 37-0, allowing alternative service on scammers through the same apps used to contact victims. Senate Bill 130 on compensation for victims of wrongful incarceration passed 38-0, extending filing deadlines and removing restrictive barriers; supporters called it a long-overdue justice fix. Senate Bill 158 on diagnostic and supplemental breast examinations passed 38-0, eliminating cost sharing for follow-up breast tests in the state employee health plan to encourage early detection. The most contentious measure was Senate Bill 234 on criminal offenses against law enforcement officers. The bill sought to clarify that violent resistance to officers is not justified by claims about the legality of the detention and to add manslaughter of a law enforcement officer to offenses carrying life imprisonment without release. An amendment by Senator Jones to restore “in good faith” language failed, after debate centered on due process, racial profiling, and the role of juries and suppression motions. Several senators spoke in support of law enforcement but objected to the bill’s breadth and mandatory life penalty; Senator Leek ultimately postponed the bill temporarily rather than taking a final vote. Senate Bill 262 on trust code technical changes passed 36-0. Senate Bill 274 designating roads for Harris Rosen and Geraldine Thompson passed 38-0, followed by a successful co-sponsorship motion and remarks honoring Thompson’s legacy. Senate Bill 280 on candidate qualification passed 38-0, creating an enforcement mechanism for party-affiliation filing requirements. Senate Bill 296 on middle and high school start times passed 38-0, repealing the statewide start-time mandate and shifting implementation decisions to local districts while requiring public reporting and discussion. Senate Bill 356 designating January 27 as Holocaust Remembrance Day also passed unanimously, with senators emphasizing remembrance, anti-Semitism, and the educational value of the memorial and observance.
MO

Missouri 2026 Regular Session

2026 Legislative Session - Day Thirty Seven - Thursday, March 12

Missouri House Floor Meeting

Transcript Highlights:
  • Now he's, and he gets sentenced to prison.
  • Now he gets sentenced to prison.
  • The cost of a new prison is $850 million." "The cost of a new prison is $850 million.
  • We would need a new prison.
  • The minimum prison terms of this bill?
LA

Louisiana 2026 Regular Session

Civil Law and Procedure Mar 30th, 2026

Civil Law and Procedure

Transcript Highlights:
  • Her daughter went to prison, and while she was in prison, the father was in prison; the father of her
  • The daughter, while in prison, said she wanted her mother to have custody over her baby.
  • exceptions to the definition of construction contract to include any design, construction, alteration, renovation
Bills: HCR6 , HCR19 , HB81 , HB134 , HB154 , HB163 , HB170 , HB194 , HB254 , HB318 , HB410 , HB473 , HB485 , HB718 , HB970
CA
Transcript Highlights:
  • I'm conducting research this summer in the Central Valley prisons, preparing to lead an academy for middle
  • to use interest earnings from previous bond issuance to support $5.8 million towards the seismic renovation
  • The original Powell Library seismic renovation project, which was approved by the legislature, always
  • My last question is going to be on the $5.8 million towards the seismic renovation.
  • The chair did a budget subcommittee meeting at Donovan State Prison in the San Diego area.
ND

North Dakota 2026 1st Special Session

Higher Education Institutions Committee Apr 9th, 2026 at 08:30 am

Higher Education Institutions Committee

Transcript Highlights:
  • There was $8.1 million that was allocated to Minot State for academic space renovations and upgrades
  • Student Center renovation: the floor below us on the second floor is currently being renovated.
  • Student Center, renovation, the floor below us on the second floor is currently being renovated.
  • Again, just a renovated new, fresh space with the start of the school year in August. So that is...
  • So it's kind of a take-no-prisoners approach to this investigation and report out.
KY
Transcript Highlights:
  • one-time funding to assist with capital construction for new regional jails as well as expansion or renovations
  • one-time funding to assist with capital construction for new regional jails as well as expansion or renovations
  • 42.560><c> or</c> regional jails as well as expansion or regional jails as well as expansion or renovations
  • that would be undertaken by renovations that would be undertaken by a<00:10:45.680><c> regional</c><
  • So, we went to trial, and he is now in prison through DNA and this collection law for nearly 138 years
Summary: The committee met for its sixth meeting, established a quorum, and approved the minutes from the October 21 meeting. The main agenda item was a presentation from Kentucky Association of Counties (KACo) leaders and county officials on jail funding and jail-system reform. Speakers said county jail costs have reached crisis levels, citing large and rising general-fund subsidies in counties such as Hardin, McCracken, and Warren, and noting that county general-fund contributions to jail funds have increased by 76% since 2019. KACo outlined a three-part legislative approach for the upcoming session: incentivizing regional jails, clarifying responsibility for pre-trial felony detainees, and redefining the model for housing state inmates in county jails. On regional jails, they proposed one-time state construction funding, statutory changes to allow former county jails to serve as 96-hour holdover facilities, broader participation of jailers on regional jail authority boards, an increased supplement for closed county jails, and a one-time payment for counties that close local jails and join regional facilities. Union County Judge Adam Onan described his county’s savings from contracting with Webster County and said regionalization can reduce costs where feasible. Harlan County Judge Executive Dan Mosley focused on pre-trial felony detainees, saying counties bear the full cost of housing people awaiting trial for long periods, sometimes years, and that pre-trial time is later credited toward state sentences. He argued the state benefits from that credit and referenced prior bills that would have reimbursed counties for time-served credit. Shelley Hampton then proposed replacing the current per diem model for state inmates with contracts requiring the Department of Corrections to pay actual housing costs and to support programming such as substance abuse treatment, cognitive behavioral programming, re-entry services, workforce training, and academics. No votes were taken on the jail proposals, and the meeting ended with the presentation and discussion of the county recommendations.
NH

New Hampshire 2025 Regular Session

House Judiciary (02/19/2025)

Transcript Highlights:
  • </c><00:03:27.200><c> and</c> bathrooms locker rooms prisons and bathrooms locker rooms prisons and sporting
  • </c> maale that somehow gets into the prison maale that somehow gets into the prison uh<00:43:32.720>
  • </c> to be in either gender's federal prison to be in either gender's federal prison or<01:09:45.719>
  • have incredibly High rates of prisons have incredibly High rates of prison<01:35:36.040><c> rape</c>
  • </c> legislation the schools and the prisons legislation the schools and the prisons and<02:28:20.120
Summary: The House Judiciary Committee opened a hearing on House Bill 148, with the chair limiting testimony to two minutes and asking for no outbursts so the committee could get through eight bills that day. Representative Kofalt, the prime sponsor, said HB 148 was the same as last year’s HB 396, which passed both chambers but was vetoed by the governor. He explained the bill would allow, but not require, separation by biological sex in bathrooms, locker rooms, houses of correction, and certain athletic competitions, leaving local school boards and administrators discretion to set policies. He argued the bill was meant to address safety and privacy concerns and cited a Milford incident and concerns in several school districts as examples of why local flexibility was needed. Committee members questioned the lack of a definition of “biological sex” and how the bill would be applied. Kofalt said he did not think a definition was necessary because males and females are generally understood, and he said the bill would give local policymakers latitude to make practical rules. He also said the bill was intended to address situations where people might misuse transgender claims to access spaces inappropriately. In response to questions, he said he was aware of issues in Kearsarge, Milford, and Mascoma school districts and had heard of discomfort in the State House, though he did not know all the details. Several opponents testified that the bill would discriminate against transgender and non-binary people and create enforcement problems. Executive Councilor Karen Hill said the bill would roll back New Hampshire’s anti-discrimination protections and conflict with the state’s Live Free or Die values. Alice Wade, a trans woman, said she had used women’s restrooms without incident and argued the bill would invite invasive enforcement and harassment. Representative La Selig said the bill was discriminatory and that bathroom concerns were being confused with unrelated harassment by cisgender males. Betsy Harrington supported the bill, citing a girls’ soccer game at Kearsarge that she said was disrupted by a boy playing on a girls’ team. Rosie Emer and her child testified against the bill, saying bathroom restrictions would increase anxiety and risk for trans and non-binary children. Stephen Scaer and Wendy Stallings supported the bill, arguing sex is biologically fixed and that excluding males from female spaces should not require genital inspections. No vote or final committee action was taken in the portion of the hearing provided.
FL

Florida 2026 Regular Session

FL House Floor Session - 2025-03-27 (9:00AM Session)

Florida House Floor Meeting

Transcript Highlights:
  • Wallace guilty of a lesser charge of manslaughter with a firearm, and he was sentenced to 30 years in prison
  • proportionally to that invasion and that surprise would land me with a minimum mandatory of life in prison
  • is, in addition to Deputy Raynor, just recently, Travis Garrett was sentenced to 45 years... ...in prison
  • The jury in this case found his killer guilty of manslaughter and sentenced him to 30 years in prison
  • Renovations were finished in June 2000.
Summary: The Senate convened with a quorum, opening prayer, Pledge of Allegiance, and several member introductions recognizing visiting groups and resolutions, including Blood Clot Awareness Month and Tardive Dyskinesia Awareness Week. The chamber then moved to a special order calendar and considered a series of bills, with most measures passing overwhelmingly after brief explanations and debate. Among the early bills, SB 88 on utility terrain vehicles passed 32-5, allowing local governments to opt in to limited street use of UTVs under specified safety rules; SB 102 on exceptional student education passed 36-0 to create a workforce credential program for students with autism or modified curricula; SB 106 on exploitation of vulnerable adults passed 37-0; SB 130 on compensation for wrongful incarceration passed 38-0 after expanding filing timelines and easing restrictions on compensation claims; and SB 158 on diagnostic and supplemental breast examinations passed 38-0 to eliminate cost sharing for follow-up breast imaging under the state employee health plan. The most extended debate centered on SB 234, which sought to strengthen penalties and clarify the law regarding violent resistance to law enforcement officers and offenses against officers. Supporters argued the bill was needed after the Jason Raynor case to prevent defendants from using claims about an officer’s legal duty to justify violence, while opponents raised concerns about removing “good faith” language, potential impacts on Fourth Amendment protections, racial profiling, and the bill’s mandatory life sentence for manslaughter of an officer. A Jones amendment to restore “good faith” failed, and after further debate the sponsor temporarily postponed the bill without a final vote. The Senate also passed SB 262 on trust code technical changes (36-0), SB 274 designating roadways for Harris Rosen and Geraldine Thompson (38-0) and opening the board for 37 co-sponsors, SB 280 creating an enforcement mechanism for candidate party-affiliation qualifications (38-0), and SB 296 repealing the statewide middle and high school start-time mandate in favor of local decision-making and reporting requirements (38-0). Later, SB 356 designated January 27 as International Holocaust Remembrance Day in Florida, with supporters emphasizing the need to confront antisemitism and preserve Holocaust memory; the bill was introduced and debated, with the transcript ending during remarks by President Gaetz about the recent Holocaust memorial unveiling. Throughout the meeting, senators also used debate to highlight broader policy themes such as autism workforce inclusion, breast cancer screening, wrongful incarceration reform, school district flexibility, and honoring community leaders through road designations. The chamber’s actions were largely affirmative, with several unanimous votes and one notable postponed bill after substantial disagreement."}】}]}}```
MO

Missouri 2026 Regular Session

2026 Legislative Session - Day Thirty Seven - Thursday, March 12

Missouri House Floor Meeting

Transcript Highlights:
  • Now he's, and he gets sentenced to prison.
  • Now he gets sentenced to prison.
  • But $850 million of it was to build a new prison. Right.
  • The cost of a new prison is $850 million." "The cost of a new prison is $850 million.
  • We would need a new prison.
Summary: The House opened with prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, approval of the prior day’s journal by a 118-1 vote, and a series of special guest introductions, including family members, student groups, a basketball team, University of Missouri undergraduate researchers, and other visitors. The chamber also received Senate messages and committee reports, including recommendations that several House bills and joint resolutions “do pass.” The main floor debate centered on Senate Substitute No. 3 for Senate Bill 888, a broad juvenile justice and sentencing measure that combined juvenile reform with sentencing transparency and other criminal justice provisions. Supporters said it would improve public safety, clarify sentencing, address serious offenses, and add collaboration between prosecutors and juvenile systems. Opponents argued it was an oversized omnibus bill rushed through the process, warned it would increase prison time, expand adult-court involvement in juvenile matters, and could harm children and rehabilitation efforts. Members also debated the fiscal note, with supporters saying the large prison-cost estimate was speculative and opponents calling it evidence of a major new prison expense. After extended debate, the House invoked the previous question and SB 888 was finally passed 97-53. The House then took up House Committee Substitute for House Joint Resolutions 173 and 174, a proposal to change Missouri’s tax structure by reducing and potentially eliminating the state income tax and broadening the sales tax base to transactions involving goods and services. Supporters framed it as a modernization effort that would promote growth, increase take-home pay, and send the question to voters. Opponents said it would be the largest sales tax hike in state history, shift the burden onto working families and seniors, and create a large budget hole. After debate, the previous question was adopted 101-49, and the joint resolutions were third read and passed 98-54. The House then moved on to third-reading business, including House Bill 269 on autonomous vehicles, which was introduced as a transportation and economic development measure and then questioned on liability and taxation issues.
FL

Florida 2026 5th Special Session

Senate in Session Apr 30th, 2025

Florida Senate Floor Meeting

Transcript Highlights:
  • And because of those inspections, people were evacuated and now there is renovation and repair going
  • Serve up to five years in prison. Senator Gates. Thank you, Mr. President. Senator Smith.
  • But that would be seven years in prison. This is a very good amendment.
  • But that would be seven years in prison. This is a very good amendment. Senator Leak in debate.
  • It does do some clarifying in how things can be repaired, replaced, and renovated.
Summary: The Senate opened with prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, and several recognitions, including interns, Denim Day awareness, and a resolution honoring Vietnam veterans exposed to Agent Orange. Senators also paid tribute to former Senator Karen Johnson Gendron with a moment of silence. The chamber then moved to special-order bills after routine announcements that no committee reports, governor’s messages, or House messages were on the desk. The first major bill, SB 138/HB 687 on transportation offenses involving death, increased penalties for repeat DUI/BUI manslaughter and vehicular homicide offenses and added warnings and misdemeanor penalties for refusing lawful breath or urine tests. After a brief amendment and questions about attorney rights and prior impairing-substance language, the bill passed 37-0. SB 306 on Medicaid providers followed, requiring broader provider access, including after-hours availability and more primary care access for Medicaid enrollees; it also passed 37-0. The chamber then took up the major condominium reform bill, SB 1742/HB 913, addressing post-Surfside safety, reserve funding, milestone inspections, budgeting, reserve flexibility, manager regulation, conflicts of interest, and condo sale rescission periods. Senators from both parties praised the sponsors for extensive stakeholder work and the bill passed 37-0 after multiple amendments. The final major item was SB 7016/HB 1205 on constitutional amendments and petition-gathering rules, with sponsors arguing the bill was needed to combat fraud in the 2024 petition process and opponents warning it would burden citizen initiatives. The Senate adopted the House bill and then considered numerous amendments on petition circulator rules, submission deadlines, invalid-signature thresholds, voter notification, and related enforcement provisions; several amendments were adopted, and the substitute was later withdrawn, leaving the chamber to continue on the underlying bill and remaining amendments.
MN

Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session

House Human Services Finance and Policy Committee 4/2/25

Human Services Finance and Policy

Transcript Highlights:
  • come to me when I've met with community members and said, do you know how many people are in our prisons
  • come to me when I've met with community members and said, do you know how many people are in our prisons
  • come to me when I've met with community members and said, do you know how many people are in our prisons
  • You know how many people are in our prisons or in our jails who really aren't criminals, who for years
  • Paul by modifying and renovating their homes so they can live safer, healthier, and longer in the homes
NH

New Hampshire 2025 Regular Session

House Finance Division I (03/10/2025)

Transcript Highlights:
  • Uh, Prison Industries. Okay, this is another cleanup section with no cost. Well, not quite.
  • </c> um uh prison um uh prison Industries<01:39:50.560><c> okay</c><01:39:51.560><c> this</c><01:39:51.679
  • ><c> is</c><01:39:51.840><c> another</c><01:39:52.159><c> cleanup</c> Prison Industries.
  • </c> area to the funds received from prison area to the funds received from prison Industries<01:40:13.800
  • Part of it is going to be renovated. That's not being used temporarily for the legislature.
Summary: The committee met to continue work on House Bill 2, with the chair saying the goal was to finish the bill as given by the governor, though additional amendments were expected. Members first discussed the bail section and agreed to hold it for later because a separate House bail bill was expected on Thursday and could have significant county cost impacts. They also generally accepted the proposed reorganization of positions between Fish and Game, DNCR, and the Department of Environmental Services, but noted the need to review effective dates and funding details, including a possible double appropriation of $275,000 for a scientist position already funded in HB 1. A substantial portion of the meeting focused on environmental review and native plant-related sections moving functions from DNCR to DES. Members discussed changing the rulemaking timeline from 180 days to 90 days, and clarifying that “begin” means the public hearing stage. They also reviewed how fee revenue would shift between agencies in HB 1 so the budget impact would be net zero. The committee indicated it would prepare amendments reflecting these changes and revisit them at a later vote. The longest discussion concerned the boathouse provisions. Members debated whether the new definitions and construction standards were appropriate in a budget bill, with one member arguing they should be in a separate bill, while others said the provisions were urgent because of a lawsuit and the lack of clear guardrails. Concerns included the February 20, 2025 effective date, which some thought might be retroactive, the detailed limits on what may be stored in a boathouse, and a fee increase that some felt could discourage homeowners from seeking permits. The committee also questioned whether the fee structure should be tiered for smaller projects and whether permit-by-notification projects should be exempted. No final votes were taken on these sections during the discussion; instead, members agreed to seek legal and policy answers and to return with amendments and public hearing input before voting.
VT

Vermont 2025-2026 Regular Session

Senate Session - 2026-05-20 - 10:00AM

Vermont Senate Floor Meeting

Transcript Highlights:
  • Prison Rape Elimination Act standards.
  • </c> prison rape. prison rape.
  • </c><00:35:24.880><c> It</c> Prison Rape Elimination Act. It Prison Rape Elimination Act.
  • </c> for Prison Rape Elimination Act. for Prison Rape Elimination Act.
  • ,</c><00:36:51.400><c> "Stop</c> that essentially tells prisons, "Stop that essentially tells prisons