Transcript Highlights:

• Rebuild a kitchen for our high school. It got storm damage in the recent winter storms.
• Just asking for a waiver for rebuilding the kitchen as soon as we can.

Keywords: 1204, all

Summary: The committee considered several school district waiver requests. One request was to waive bidding requirements so a high school kitchen damaged in recent winter storms could be rebuilt quickly; the superintendent said the insurance provider had obtained two bids, and the committee approved the waiver after brief questions. Another request involved a Smackover-North school district turf project for a football field with drainage problems. The superintendent said the project would be funded through a newly formed foundation, with about $500,000 pledged and a 10-year payment plan, though members asked about the use of education dollars and whether the district might need to cover any shortfall. The committee also approved that waiver after the superintendent said the foundation would pay for the turf and three bids had been obtained. The committee then took up a waiver related to a Jonesboro municipal utility’s move to a .gov domain under legislation encouraging city governments to use .gov addresses. Representative Jack Ladyman presented in place of the absent staffer, explaining that the utility would use .gov for its main website and communications but wanted to keep its current billing system outside the .gov requirement because of cost and software compatibility concerns. Members asked a few clarifying questions, then approved the waiver. Throughout the meeting, members briefly questioned presenters about bid counts, funding sources, and prior contact with other legislators or vendors. Each item was approved by motion and second, with no opposition recorded, and the committee adjourned after completing the agenda.

Transcript Highlights:

• We need to rebuild a kitchen for our high school. It got storm damage in the recent winter storms.
• Insurance went through their bidding process, and we're just asking for a waiver so we can rebuild the

Summary: The committee considered several waiver requests related to school and municipal projects. One school district sought a waiver so it could rebuild a high school kitchen damaged in recent winter storms as quickly as possible; members asked how many bids were obtained, and the superintendent said the insurance process produced two bids. The committee also heard a separate school-related request involving a contractor, Covington, and members asked whether the district had prior experience with the company; after brief discussion, the motion to approve passed. The committee then heard from the Smackover-Norphlet School District, which requested a waiver to use TIPS for a football field turf project after drainage failure. Superintendent Doug Smith said the project would be funded through a newly formed Buckaroo Foundation, with about $500,000 already pledged, annual payments planned over 10 years, and no state or local tax dollars intended to be used. Members questioned the use of education funds on a football field and asked how many bids were received; Smith said there were three bids. The committee approved the request. Finally, the committee considered a waiver tied to legislation encouraging municipal governments to move to .gov domains. Representative Jack Ladyman presented for Jonesboro after a Teams connection failed, explaining that the city would use a .gov domain for its main website and communications but wanted an exception for billing because of the cost and possible software compatibility issues. After brief discussion, the committee approved the waiver and then adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• Rebuild a kitchen for our high school. It got storm damage in the recent winter storms.
• Just asking for a waiver for rebuilding the kitchen as soon as we can.

Summary: The committee considered several waiver requests from school districts and a municipal-related waiver tied to a prior law encouraging local governments to use .gov domains. One request was to waive bidding requirements so a high school kitchen damaged in winter storms could be rebuilt quickly; members asked how many bids were received, were told the insurance provider’s process produced two bids, and then approved the waiver. Another request involved a district seeking to use Covington for work; after a brief question about prior experience with the firm, the committee approved that item as well. The committee then heard from the superintendent of Smackover North School District, who requested a waiver to use TIPS for a football field turf project because the existing drainage had collapsed. Members questioned the funding source, particularly whether education dollars would be used on a football field. The superintendent said the project was intended to be funded through a Buckaroo Foundation with about half a million dollars already pledged, additional donor support being pursued, and no state or local tax dollars planned for the turf. He also said the district had obtained three bids. The committee approved the waiver. Finally, the committee considered a waiver for Jonesboro related to the .gov domain requirement. Representative Jack Ladyman presented that the city would use .gov for its main website and communications, but wanted to keep its current billing system because converting billing would be expensive and could create software compatibility problems. After brief discussion, the committee approved the waiver. The meeting then adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• This was an initiative that looks simple but at the end of the day was a total rebuild.
• Um, we saw the deficiencies in process and we had to rebuild them. Um, it wasn’t a cut and paste.
• :12.000> total but at the end of the day was a total but at the end of the day was a total rebuild
• Um, we saw the deficiencies of rebuild.
• Um, it wasn't a cut and rebuild them.

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Summary: The committee convened after briefly waiting for a quorum, approved the minutes and consent agenda, and then moved through several agency rule items. The Department of Transportation’s outdoor advertising rule filing was approved after staff noted the department had addressed substantive comments, though the rules had been expired since 2021 and the agency said it had been operating under statute. Members asked about a denied digital sign proposal, and DOT said that decision was based on statute rather than the rule. The Department of Safety’s administrative license suspension item was postponed with a waiver so the agency could submit conditional approval materials and resolve issues between its forms and rules. The Board of Architects item was conditionally approved, with the condition that the board later approve updated incorporation-by-reference materials at its April 3 meeting or the matter would return as a preliminary objection. The Department of Agriculture’s expired rules prompted extended discussion. Staff and committee members questioned why the department was seeking to adopt rules that had been expired for many years and whether the statutes already provided enough authority to operate without them. Agriculture officials said they were working through a broader modernization effort, focusing on statutes that use mandatory language and updating outdated rules to match current practices, federal standards, and current products such as apples, cider, eggs, and other agricultural commodities. They said the rules before the committee were part of that effort and recommended approval, but members remained concerned about whether some rules were unnecessary. The committee ultimately granted a waiver and postponed the agriculture item for one month so staff could review the underlying statutes and determine whether rulemaking is actually required. Under other business, the committee took up an emergency Department of Safety rule to update DMV forms to reflect statutory fee changes enacted in the 2025 budget. DMV officials said the new fees were already in effect, but the corresponding forms still showed old amounts, causing confusion for customers and elected officials who were fielding complaints. They argued the forms needed immediate updating because the affected forms are widely used, and they said the department had already tried to treat the changes as editorial before being told full rulemaking was required. The department emphasized it was trying to follow the process while avoiding continued use of incorrect fee forms, and asked the committee to allow the emergency rule to proceed.

Transcript Highlights:

• What emerged was more than the rebuilding of a neighborhood.
• which extends insurance moratorium protections for wildfire survivors so that families can focus on rebuilding
• which extends insurance moratorium protections for wildfire survivors so that families can focus on rebuilding
• But as we have seen, rebuilding after a wildfire or any disaster takes longer than it used to.
• Labor shortages, permitting delays, supply chain challenges, and the scale of destruction mean that rebuilding

Summary: The Assembly met in session after a quorum call and opened with prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, and a ceremonial observance for Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month. Members from multiple caucuses spoke in support of House Resolution 107, which designates May as AAPI Heritage Month, emphasizing the community’s contributions, resilience, and the need to confront discrimination and hate. The resolution was adopted, and the chamber then recognized 13 honorees for the 2026 AAPI Heritage Month celebration, highlighting leaders in education, business, labor, media, cultural preservation, and public service. After guest introductions, the Assembly took up a series of bills. Measures discussed included HOA reserve funding for common interest developments (AB 2050), professional review requirements for lawsuits against design professionals (AB 2106), direct home delivery of enteral formula (AB 1794), expanded CalWORKs-related support for student parents (AB 1829), longer insurance moratoriums for wildfire survivors (AB 2038), election cybersecurity (AB 2281), medical privacy protections for reproductive and gender-affirming care (AB 2448), water district board compensation (AB 2568), county public contract change-order authority (AB 1658), and several other education, health, and licensing bills. Most measures passed with broad support; AB 2050 passed 44-6, AB 2038 passed 45-8, AB 2448 passed 49-13, and AB 1658 passed 61-2, while several others passed unanimously or near-unanimously. The Assembly also adopted AJR 29, a resolution opposing a federal executive order affecting vote-by-mail and affirming California’s mail voting system. The resolution prompted extended debate over election integrity, voter access, and federal versus state authority, with supporters arguing mail voting is secure and accessible and opponents calling for stronger voter list maintenance and verification. The resolution passed 47-13. In addition, ACR 141 and ACR 123 were adopted by voice vote after co-author roll calls, and the chamber continued or passed on numerous other file items as it worked through the daily file.

Transcript Highlights:

• And with this funding, we were able to rebuild, strengthen, and modernize the infrastructure and resources
• /c><00:15:59.759> to with this funding, we were able to with this funding, we were able to rebuild
• , strengthen, and modernize the rebuild, strengthen, and modernize the infrastructure<00:16:03.519>
• Um, surveillance, again, this is as we rebuild the plant pest control branch.
• Again, rebuilding biological control.

Keywords: 910, house, all

Summary: The joint informational briefing from the House Committee on Agriculture and Food Systems and the Senate Committee on Agriculture and Environment focused on the Department of Agriculture and Biosecurity’s update on Hawaii’s biosecurity framework, especially implementation of Act 231 (2024) and Act 236 (2025). Chairs Corey Chun and Mike Gabbard opened the meeting by framing the briefing as an update on investments to fight invasive species and improve statewide evaluation and coordination. Department leaders Sharon Her and Richard Kim described historic legislative and executive investments that have allowed the department to rebuild and modernize biosecurity infrastructure to better prevent, detect, control, and eradicate invasive species. The presentation emphasized the importance of biosecurity to Hawaii’s agriculture, economy, environment, and public well-being, citing threats such as rapid ohia death, little fire ant, coconut rhinoceros beetle, brown tree snake, and red imported fire ant. Staff explained the state’s layered approach—pre-border, border, and post-border—and compared it to New Zealand’s model, stressing that Hawaii must act as a “net, not a wall” and that prevention before entry is far more cost-effective than response after establishment. They also outlined agency roles across the system, including agriculture, natural resources, health, transportation, enforcement, and university partners, and noted that Act 231 strengthened authority over high-risk imports, offshore treatment, compliance agreements, and pest management plans, while Act 236 renamed the department and clarified statewide biosecurity coordination. Jonathan Ho then walked through specific program areas and progress. He said pre-border risk analysis is being supported by Act 231 funding and a university contract, while offshore compliance and treatment efforts have improved substantially, including Christmas tree inspections from Oregon and Washington and airline declaration systems that provide advance passenger information. For border work, he highlighted inspections, surveillance, detector dogs, and port monitoring. For post-border response and readiness, he discussed the invasive pest hotline and dashboard, trace-forward/trace-back and diagnostics, preparedness for future threats, and the need to build stronger internal capacity. He also described a developing transitional facilities program authorized by Act 236, modeled on New Zealand’s certified facilities system, and said the department has already begun outreach to industry groups such as the Hawaii Floriculture and Nursery Association. No votes or formal actions were taken; the meeting was informational only.

Transcript Highlights:

• We need to use all the solutions that are necessary to rebuild our community and take it from where it
• our community and necessary to rebuild our community and take<01:36:11.719> it<01:36:11.880><
• We're talking about rebuilding a community, and we're talking about what has been done to a community
• We're talking about rebuilding a community, and we're talking about what has been done to a community
• <01:47:44.360> a we're talking about rebuilding a we're talking about rebuilding a community

Bills: HF192, HF268, HF1214, HF494

Keywords: Minnesota income tax, dependent exemption, personal income tax, tax relief, family tax relief, children, dependents, tax deduction, tax exemption, state revenue, inflation indexing, tax year 2025, taxable income, household tax policy, family tax credit, HF268, Joshua Schmidt Memorial Highway, memorial highway, highway naming, road designation

Transcript Highlights:

• You're recovering from recovery and rebuild. Thank you. Rebrand to rebuild. Thank you.
• Recovery and rebuild. Thank you. Rebrand, rebuild.

Keywords: 907, all

Summary: The joint Senate and House Behavioral Health committees held an informational meeting focused first on the Oregon State Hospital (OSH). OHA Director Sajal Hathi introduced the hospital’s incoming permanent superintendent, Sean Murphy, and praised interim superintendent Jim Deagle for stabilizing operations, restoring CMS compliance, and helping drive a culture change centered on safety, accountability, and transparency. Deagle and Chief Medical Officer Dr. Amit Bavon described OSH’s role as the state’s highest-level forensic psychiatric hospital, the patient populations it serves, its partnerships with courts, counties, jails, hospitals, and advocates, and recent leadership changes across the hospital. They also reported improved accreditation and regulatory status, including Joint Commission accreditation and CMS compliance, and said the hospital is now using daily safety huddles, incident review meetings, stronger escalation procedures, and revised seclusion/restraint practices to reduce risk and improve oversight. Members pressed hospital leaders on past seclusion practices, asking how prolonged seclusions could have occurred under federal standards. Leaders said they could not explain past decisions but emphasized that current leadership has changed processes, training, reporting, and oversight so that seclusion and restraint are reviewed in real time and cannot be normalized. Questions also covered staffing, falls, and future planning. OSH said it is generally staffed to budget, though it still has RN and mental health technician vacancies and is working on recruitment, training, and better staffing distribution. Hathi said the hospital is building a public dashboard with key performance and safety metrics, including workforce data, and described the long-term goal as a consistently safe, disciplined, high-functioning institution that responds quickly to mistakes and remains accountable to the public. The committee then shifted to an informational overview of civil commitment. Oregon Judicial Department representative Chanah Newell explained the civil commitment process, including who can initiate it, the role of community mental health providers and courts, the five-day timeline to hearing, and the standards for danger to self, danger to others, and inability to meet basic needs. She summarized changes made in House Bill 2005, including revised statutory language and new provisions allowing a second diversion period, but cautioned that the data are too early to show clear trends. Testimony from NAMI Oregon’s Chris Bonif and psychiatrist Dr. Stephanie Lopez argued that Oregon still relies too heavily on jails and state hospital commitments because the broader community system lacks enough treatment, housing, and less restrictive alternatives. They urged the legislature to focus on upstream services, supported housing, and possible outpatient commitment tools so people can receive treatment before reaching crisis. The meeting ended with acknowledgment that additional reports and follow-up discussions are expected, including on residential treatment capacity and related behavioral health system reforms.

Transcript Highlights:

• Yet these same workers play a vital role in rebuilding and restoring affected communities.
• These same workers play a vital role in rebuilding and restoring affected communities, making these protections
• Indeed, in the wake of natural disasters, the focus is on rebuilding quickly the infrastructure that
• More than two decades of evidence-based data shows that this comes at a cost to workers doing the rebuilding

Summary: The committee heard several bills related to public safety, emergency response, wildfire prevention, and environmental protection. AB 2152 by Assembly Member Mark Gonzalez would streamline CEQA litigation for new fire station projects and add best-practice requirements; supporters, including firefighters, said it would help communities and firefighter safety, while opponents argued the project labor agreement requirements would raise costs and limit participation for small and nonunion contractors. The bill passed to Appropriations. AB 2041 by Assembly Member Carrillo would expand reporting related to 911 dispatcher pre-arrival medical instructions; after amendments and stakeholder agreement, opposition groups said they would remove their opposition, and the bill passed to Appropriations. AB 2101 by Assembly Member Gipson would require human trafficking notices and training at disaster sites and for disaster response workers; supporters said it would protect vulnerable workers, while broadband, city, and county representatives raised implementation concerns, especially in rural disaster areas. It passed to Appropriations despite a no vote from Vice Chair Hadwick. The committee also considered AB 1805, which would require an audit and stronger oversight of the state’s Next Generation 911 project after concerns about major spending and delays. CalNENA supported the bill’s transparency and accountability provisions, and the measure passed to Appropriations. AB 1536 by Assembly Member Addis would tighten safety and public review requirements for offshore oil pipeline restarts and require decommissioning of certain spill-prone pipelines; environmental and coastal government groups supported it, while the Western States Petroleum Association warned it would threaten fuel supply and pipeline operations. The bill passed to Appropriations on a divided vote. AB 1964 would direct the State Fire Marshal to survey home hardening in fire-prone areas and estimate costs; it passed to Appropriations with broad support. AB 1960, also by Assembly Member Bennett, would use a portion of wildfire prevention grants to encourage community-level home hardening certification. The author said the bill would create incentives and broader public awareness, while the vice chair argued it would favor communities that can already afford hardening and divert resources from higher-need areas; the bill still passed to Appropriations. AB 1863 by Assembly Member DeMaio would clarify that people cannot be charged simply for calling 911 or when no services are rendered, while preserving fees for actual services and allowing billing for legitimate emergency response costs; it passed to the Assembly floor. The committee also took up consent item AB 2517, which passed to Appropriations. After add-on votes for absent members, the meeting adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• My current organization works every day with individuals trying to rebuild their lives after being trafficked
• For survivors, the hardest part isn't escaping; it's rebuilding once they're free.
• Correct, to rebuild their lives, yes. Excellent. Great, great.
• public safety is allowing people who have made mistakes throughout their lives—misdemeanor mistakes—to rebuild

Keywords: 1182, all

Summary: The Committee on Government opened with a lengthy chair statement about Department of Child Safety oversight, describing prior hearings that identified systemic failures in communication, child placement oversight, response times, transparency, and accountability. The chair said the committee would continue pursuing reforms through legislation and ongoing reporting requirements. During that discussion, members also raised concerns about child trafficking in congregate care settings and the need for separate legal representation for child victims, which was tied to recommendations and a bifurcation bill. The committee then considered and advanced several bills. SB 1141, concerning presidential electors if a candidate dies, withdraws, or becomes incapacitated before the Electoral College meets, received testimony in support from election-law and ethics groups and passed 4-3. SB 1186, requiring disclosure of things of value given by companies or their affiliates when seeking government contracts or grants, also passed 3-3 after a tie-breaking due-pass outcome. SB 1808, allowing certain flags, including the Israeli flag, to be displayed in HOA communities, passed 4-3. SB 1050, as amended, would create a lifetime free state parks pass for qualifying veterans and a related Game and Fish license provision; state parks and Game and Fish testified about fiscal impacts and requested further work, but the bill passed 6-0 with one present vote after the amendment was adopted. The committee also passed SB 1140, which creates a court-based expungement process for certain misdemeanor records, especially for trafficking survivors and others who have remained crime-free for five years; survivor advocates, anti-trafficking organizations, and legal service providers testified in support, and the bill passed 7-0 after an amendment clarifying limited uses of expunged records. SB 1437, requiring public records to be provided in the least expensive available format and favoring electronic delivery, passed 4-3 amid debate over transparency versus agency costs. SB 1246, raising the delinquency threshold before condominium lien foreclosure, passed 7-0. SB 1664, lowering signature requirements for constable nomination petitions in large counties, passed 7-0. SB 1338, addressing eligibility for state or local public benefits for certain noncitizens and unauthorized persons, passed 4-3. The committee adjourned after the final vote.

Transcript Highlights:

• lawless federal government and demand accountability, demand that we get our neighbors back and help rebuild
• /c><00:04:34.960> back<00:04:35.919> and<00:04:36.240> help<00:04:36.639> rebuild
• get our neighbors back and help rebuild get our neighbors back and help rebuild once<00:04:37.919

Keywords: 919, house, all

Summary: Witnesses and lawmakers discussed the impact of “Operation Metro Surge” and related federal immigration enforcement in Minnesota, describing it as a severe constitutional and humanitarian crisis. John Beler of the ACLU of Minnesota said the organization had received more than 700 reports of constitutional violations and argued the state should protect sensitive spaces, create legal remedies, and limit state involvement in federal surveillance and enforcement. Sen. Erin Maye Quade and other speakers said the operation was still ongoing, caused family separations, economic harm, and trauma in communities, and called on Minnesota Republicans to break with the Trump administration and support accountability. Several business owners testified about direct effects on restaurants and construction workforces. Hano JD Delgado, a restaurant owner, said ICE activity had frightened workers, led to closures and lost business, and recounted alleged mistreatment of employees and himself, including detentions and an incident involving a 15-year-old U.S. citizen. Sarah Lawitch, a Cottage Grove contractor, said her crews and projects were disrupted because workers feared leaving home and that lawmakers should protect constitutional rights and local businesses. Speakers repeatedly framed the issue as racial profiling and an attack on legal residents and citizens, not just undocumented immigrants. Rep. Lee Fininky said she is carrying two bills aimed at federal and local law enforcement practices: one would prohibit officers from wearing masks on duty except for limited safety or health exceptions, and another would require vehicles used to detain people to be clearly marked and equipped with safety features. She and other DFL speakers also discussed a broader package of bills, including a proposal to let Minnesotans hold the federal government accountable and a bill requiring the BCA to investigate shootings. In response to questions, they said they were seeking Republican support but expected the measures to face legal challenges; no votes or formal committee action were taken in the excerpt.

Transcript Highlights:

• Long-term recovery is about stability, dignity, family, and building a chance to rebuild a full life.
• family and a family, um and building family and a chance<00:15:57.120> to<00:15:57.360> rebuild
• <00:16:00.240> We<00:16:00.560> have chance to rebuild. a full life.
• We have chance to rebuild. a full life.

Keywords: 958, all

Summary: The Senate convened with prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, a roll call establishing a quorum, and approval of the previous day’s journal. The House clerk then informed the Senate that the House had passed House Bills 49 and 470 and requested concurrence. The clerk also read the second-reading calendar, which included Senate Bills 45, 98, 118, 145, 153, 155, 158, and 160, all of which were sent to the Rules Committee. Committee reports placed several bills on the calendar, including SB 69, 56, 72, 57, 172, 9, 141, and 110, with various committee substitutes and title amendments noted. The Rules Committee later posted those bills for the next day’s regular orders, and the Committee on Committees made several referrals, including SB 41 to Appropriations and Revenue; SBs 124 and 152 to Education; SBs 125, 138, 162, and 170 to Judiciary; SJR 90 to Transportation; SBs 47, 104, and 159 to Veterans, Military Affairs, and Public Protection; and Senate Resolutions 85 through 89 to the floor. During floor business, members filed amendments and co-sponsorship requests, including amendments to SB 39 and SB 110 and co-sponsorships for bills such as SB 98, SB 172, SB 63, SB 135, SB 179, and SB 169. Senators also made several announcements and remarks, including notice of upcoming committee meetings, a reception for working families, the National Farm Machinery Show, and concerns about coal, energy affordability, and a constituent’s high utility bill. One senator called up Senate Resolution 82 for the next day, and the chamber adopted Senate Resolution 84, honoring Harriet Thompson of Winchester for her service to the Clark County Republican Women’s Club and the Republican Party. New legislation was introduced, including SB 180 on property valuation, SB 184 on education reporting, SBs 185-187 on branch budget recommendations and branch budget bills, SB 188 on railroad safety, and SCR 96 to reestablish the disaster prevention and resiliency task force. No floor votes were taken on the bills themselves during this meeting beyond the adoption of SR 84. The Senate then recessed for committee meetings, returned, and adjourned until 2:00 p.m. on Thursday, February 12, 2026.

Transcript Highlights:

• natural floodplain, and reduces long-term disaster costs by preventing repeated emergency response, rebuilding
• , and infrastructure repair in areas with ongoing flooding. ...rebuilding and infrastructure repair in
• costs, limit repetitive loss, and protect taxpayers from the state and local government paying to rebuild
• It allows them to rebuild and especially restore their riparian areas and the functionality of their

Keywords: 996, all

Transcript Highlights:

• their idea is that they can maybe get some more money out of the legislature, but given that we're rebuilding
• we're of the legislature, but given that we're of the legislature, but given that we're rebuilding
• > capital,<00:31:25.279> I'm<00:31:25.520> looking<00:31:25.760> to rebuilding
• the capital, I'm looking to rebuilding the capital, I'm looking to get<00:31:26.080> a<00:31:

Keywords: 958, all

Summary: The Kentucky Senate convened for the opening of the 2026 regular session with an invocation and pledge, then administered the oath of office to Senator-elect Gary Clemens of Jefferson 37. The chamber adopted Senate Resolution 1, establishing the 2026 Senate membership, and declared a quorum present with 36 members. The absent senators were excused, and the journal from March 28, 2025 was approved. The Senate then adopted Senate Resolution 2, which set the rules of procedure for the 2026 session. The rule changes included moving certain resolutions and announcements, removing the 12-member limit on standing committees, shifting administrative regulation jurisdiction, eliminating hard-copy posting and bill-printing requirements in favor of electronic versions, allowing same-day action on conference reports, striking COVID-era remote voting language, tightening floor privilege and lobbying access rules for the temporary chambers, and repealing vote-pairing language. Democratic leadership also reported a change in majority whip, naming the senator from Jefferson 19 after the former whip resigned. The clerk reported a large number of newly filed measures, including memorial resolutions, policy resolutions, and bills on topics such as safe room rebates, trauma center coverage, planning commission membership, paid maternity leave for state employees, veterans benefits, wages, CASA, podiatry, mushrooms, motor vehicle operation, schools, city government, music therapy, dual credit scholarships, geoengineering, educational discrimination, cremation, solid waste, motor vehicle commission, economic infrastructure, recovery residences, property transfer at death, oaths, and an Article V convention term-limits resolution. Senate Resolution 3, inviting Frankfurt-area pastors to open sessions with prayer, was adopted. Members also announced an ethics training for the next day and a reception for Senator Clemens. The Senate then adjourned until the next scheduled meeting date announced by the chair.

Transcript Highlights:

• ><00:22:08.960> to purpose of historic preservation to purpose of historic preservation to rebuild
• 10.640> On<00:22:10.880> our<00:22:11.039> testifiers<00:22:11.600> list, rebuild
• On our testifiers list, rebuild Lahina.
• to just make clarification and add whereas while numerous efforts have been made to address the rebuilding

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Summary: The Committee on Water and Land heard two gubernatorial nominations and one resolution. Governor’s Message 585 nominated Stanley Ruidas to the Game Management Advisory Commission for a term ending June 30, 2028. DLNR supported the nomination, citing his prior service as GMAC chair from 2020 to 2022 and his work on hunting and wildlife management issues. Ruidas said he hoped to continue as chair and focus on bringing meetings to hunters across the islands and advancing island-specific wildlife management plans. The committee later recommended advice and consent on GM585, and the motion passed unanimously. Governor’s Message 550 nominated Alexandra Kelly Polo to the Legacy Land Conservation Commission for a term ending June 30, 2028. DLNR and several supporters, including the County of Hawaii and community advocates, praised her experience with land acquisition, conservation easements, and county open-space efforts. Kelly Polo said her work has helped protect thousands of acres on Hawaii Island and emphasized the importance of preserving natural resources and working with community groups. The committee recommended advice and consent on GM550, and the motion passed unanimously. The committee also considered SCR 19/SR 100, which requested DLNR to convene a Kīua Bay advisory working group. DLNR and the Hawaii Tourism Authority offered written support, and members said the working group could help address long-standing issues in the area. The committee recommended passage with technical and nonsubstantive amendments, and the motion was adopted unanimously. In a separate joint portion of the meeting, the committees also advanced SCR 75/SR 58, supporting historic preservation staffing for Lahaina rebuild efforts, with both technical and substantive amendments, and later advanced STR 24 with an amendment to include the 100th Infantry Battalion alongside the 442nd Regimental Combat Team.

Transcript Highlights:

• You know, it's going to take us a couple of years to rebuild the damage, but those families are going
• You know, it's gonna take us a couple of years to rebuild the damage, but those families are gonna suffer

Summary: The House convened with a quorum present, heard an invocation and pledges, and approved a series of member excuses for absences without objection. The main business of the meeting was a memorial recognition focused on the deadly Kerr County flooding and related damage in nearby counties, with members expressing sympathy for the victims and gratitude for first responders, volunteers, churches, nonprofits, and neighbors who have been assisting affected families. Representative Virdell reported that 108 people had been recovered dead in Kerr County, with 2 still missing, and said recovery and rebuilding would take years. He thanked colleagues for their support and said efforts were underway to find ways to help prevent a similar tragedy in the future. Representative Tross Claire echoed those remarks, describing widespread home destruction, the lack of flood insurance for many residents, and ongoing volunteer opportunities, including work in Burnet County through the Arc of Highland Lakes. No legislation was debated or voted on during the session. After the memorial remarks and a moment of silence, the House adjourned on motion of Mr. King until 10:00 a.m. Monday.

Transcript Highlights:

• process and directs locals to have post-storm permitting plans During the rebuilding process and directs
• locals to have post-storm permitting plans and sufficient permitting staff to expedite rebuilding and
• This bill requires Our communities are rebuilding in a resilient manner.
• It was clear, however, that we need to take a little more time to think about the impact on rebuilding
• It took months and months and months for us to get permits to be able to rebuild the beaches that without

Summary: The Senate opened with prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, and several gallery introductions before taking up Committee Substitute for Senate Bill 168, the Tristan Murphy Act, on mental health. Senator Bradley explained that the bill is intended to divert clinically appropriate defendants with mental illness from jail to treatment, create pretrial mental health diversion programs, expand grant uses for mental health and substance abuse reinvestment, require evaluations and treatment follow-up in certain probation and prison settings, add Hillsborough County to a forensic hospital diversion pilot, and establish a Florida Behavioral Health Data Repository. Senators from both parties spoke in support, emphasizing treatment over incarceration, public safety, and the Murphy family’s role in the bill. The Senate passed the bill 37-0 and then recorded 37 co-sponsors. The chamber then moved into presentations on SB 2500, the 2025-26 General Appropriations Act. Chair Hooper said the Senate budget totals $117.4 billion, reduces overall spending from the prior year, maintains reserves, keeps employee health contributions level, and includes major investments in water quality, transportation, education infrastructure, and nearly $1 billion in education capital outlay. Committee chairs outlined their portions of the budget, including increased funding for K-12 schools and scholarships, higher education workforce programs, Medicaid and health services, corrections and courts, transportation and housing, and environmental restoration such as Everglades and water quality projects. Members then asked extensive questions, especially about education funding, school choice, AP/IB and accelerated programs, the Family Empowerment Scholarship, and the FEFP calculations. Senator Burgess repeatedly explained that scholarship funding is being moved “below the line” to improve tracking and that the Senate position is to preserve funding while giving districts more flexibility. Senators also questioned the APD wait list for disability services, opioid settlement spending, arts funding, the My Safe Florida Home condo pilot, and proposed IT and agency restructuring. Several chairs said some issues would be resolved in conference, and no final vote on the budget was taken in the portion provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• Order N-25 that focus on identifying permitting requirements and building codes that may impede rebuilding
• efforts. ...on identifying permitting requirements and building codes that may impede rebuilding efforts
• homeowners, neighbors, and workers when they're at their most vulnerable, trying to clean up and rebuild

Summary: The Assembly Emergency Management Committee met late in the evening and first approved a consent calendar containing SB 837, SB 894, SB 973, and SB 1079, sending those bills to the Committee on Appropriations. The committee then heard SB 904, which would codify coordinated state response and permitting review efforts for wildfire recovery, and SB 1263, which would limit post-disaster debris removal work to properly licensed contractors with required hazardous-materials training. Both bills drew support from the authors and industry/public-safety witnesses, with SB 1263 also drawing an opposed-unless-amended position from contractors who said they were working toward agreement on final language. Both measures passed to Appropriations on unanimous or near-unanimous votes. The committee next heard SB 804, the Hydrogen Pipeline Safety Act, which would designate the State Fire Marshal as the safety regulator for interstate hydrogen pipelines and require hydrogen-specific safety standards. The author and supporters from building trades and pipe trades argued the bill would provide clear safety rules before hydrogen infrastructure expands, while one industry witness said the correct agency had been identified but that some concerns remained. The bill passed as amended to Appropriations, with Assemblymember DeMaio voting no. Finally, the committee considered SB 883, which would impose additional oversight on facilities storing methyl methacrylate and other reactive chemicals after a recent Orange County evacuation tied to a potential explosion risk. Supporters, including community, environmental, and public-health groups, said the bill would improve transparency, emergency planning, and safety protections near homes and schools. Chemical and manufacturing groups opposed the bill in its current form, citing undefined terms, concerns about mandated cooling systems, and possible conflicts with existing regulatory frameworks, but said they were willing to continue working on the measure. The bill passed to the Committee on Environmental Safety and Toxic Materials on a 4-2 vote, with Assemblymembers Hadwick and DeMaio voting no.

Transcript Highlights:

• houses to the studs, removing all the flooring, demolishing the kitchens and bathrooms, and then rebuilding
• houses to the studs, removing all the flooring, demolishing the kitchens and bathrooms, and then rebuilding
• houses to the studs, removing all the flooring, demolishing the kitchens and bathrooms, and then rebuilding

Summary: The Joint Select Committee on Collective Bargaining met to hear impasse presentations from the Department of Management Services and several bargaining units. The department reported that most articles had been resolved in each of the full-book contracts, with remaining disputes centered largely on wages and a handful of non-economic issues. For the FDLE special agents, security services, law enforcement, Florida Highway Patrol, and Florida State Fire Service units, the state described its wage offers as generally a 2% competitive increase plus a 3% special pay increase, along with various bonuses, retention funds, or career-development funding in some units. The department also said it wanted to keep existing language on work schedules, seniority, grooming, equipment, grievance procedures, and other items, often characterizing its changes as housekeeping or alignment with current practice. The department noted that insurance had been agreed to with no increased employee cost, and it confirmed that correctional officers do receive overtime pay. Representatives for the Florida State Fire Service Association strongly disputed the state’s position, arguing that firefighters should not be required to perform major construction work, that their work schedules and on-call/callback arrangements unfairly suppress overtime, and that wildfire and fire-rescue employees are underpaid and underprotected. They also pressed for better compensation for EMT/paramedic-certified firefighters, additional protective clothing, on-site decontamination and shower/laundry facilities, and stronger cancer-prevention language. The association said the state had not bargained in good faith and urged the committee to support the union’s proposals. The Police Benevolent Association’s Florida Highway Patrol unit focused on wages and a career development plan, saying troopers remain underpaid compared with other states and are leaving for better-paying agencies. It also sought a veteran stipend, broader grooming/tattoo language, safety improvements for high-mileage vehicles, and changes to seniority and inflation-related pay. The PBA law enforcement unit raised similar safety concerns about aging vehicles, sought limits on performance evaluations tied to case presentations, and requested a $7,000 across-the-board wage increase. The security services unit, representing correctional officers, probation officers, and ISS officers, said its main issue was wages and asked for an $8-per-hour starting pay increase, retention bonuses, special pay for death row and close-management staff, added pay for SOTEC officers, and overtime pay for lieutenants and captains who currently receive comp time instead. No votes were taken, no public testimony followed, and the committee adjourned after taking the presentations under advisement.

Transcript Highlights:

• DPA has had tremendous impact on rebuilding and reshoring industrial base capacity and it is essential
• during the Afghanistan-Iraq War, that's how it was used during COVID, and that's how it's been used to rebuild
• the industry, free market solutions, to actually create a resilient and diversified supply chain, rebuild