Transcript Highlights:

• And they're the ones that have to bear the burden here. It's not the folks.
• They're the ones that bear that burden, and they're the ones that can't afford hundreds of dollars every
• It's worth bearing to recognize the humanity in everybody and make sure that they have a chance at coming

Transcript Highlights:

• And certainly the question of who bears the cost is an important one.
• that those people are. confined appropriately and that the cost is borne by OK, no entity who should bear
• And not only asking, but, um, putting, putting major pressure on them as a state, for them to bear the

Bills: HB153

Transcript Highlights:

• Bear by everybody in the state and our insurance costs for the entire state, is that correct?
• So please bear with us. Representative Paul, yes. All right. Thank you, uh, Mr.
• accidentally drops a tree on a home while working along power lines, the utility, not the tree trimmer, bears

Transcript Highlights:

• The question of who bears the cost is an important one.
• sure that those people are confined appropriately and that the cost is borne by the entity who should bear
• the federal government and not only asking but putting major pressure on them as a state for them to bear

Bills: HB153, HB1410, HB1461, HB1760, HB1762, HB3261, HB3773, HB153

Keywords: education, funding, student resources, technology access, equal opportunity, veterans treatment court, mental health, criminal justice, rehabilitation, eligibility criteria, veterans, treatment court, military service, legislation, private prisons, inmate confinement, criminal justice reform, Texas Department of Criminal Justice, government contracts, inmate housing

Transcript Highlights:

• c><00:20:29.280> really<00:20:29.480> have<00:20:29.640> no<00:20:29.799> bearing
• <00:20:30.120> on factors that really have no bearing on factors that really have no bearing

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• New customers who have been bearing the brunt of a storm after storm storm protection.
• Customers should not have to bear 100% of the costs of of storms.
• So so who it shouldn't be the using our you customers that should bear the the cost of making sure we

Keywords: 999, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Bear with me that you've been around for a little while. I appreciate it.
• Hello, my name is Janice Thomas, Deputy State Budget Director. for you bear with me that you've been
• for you bear with me that you've been around<00:03:49.439> for<00:03:49.560> a<00:03:49.640

Keywords: 00:01 Call to Order and Roll Call 00:30 Approval of Minutes 00:59 Information Items 03:34 Finance and Admin Cabinet 12:31 KY Infrastructure Authority 21:47 Office of Financial Mgmt 23:27 Adjournment, 958, all

Summary: The committee first handled informational reports on several bond and lease matters, including school district and board of education debt-service items, upcoming revenue bond issues in Henderson and Jessamine counties, and three advertised lease-space requests for state agencies. Members also reviewed prior lease transactions that had not been approved in November and December; the Finance and Administration Cabinet later canceled and rebid the Harlan County lease and moved ahead with the Perry County lease modification. Additional information items included a Kentucky Communications Network Authority quarterly capital projects report and Eastern Kentucky University asset preservation revisions. The committee then heard from Deputy State Budget Director Janice Thomas on four action items. She reported a $2.85 million USDA-funded renovation at Kentucky State University’s Betty White Building, a $294,000 increase for the Kentucky School for the Deaf’s Middleton Hall renovation, and a $6.1 million restricted-funds scope increase for the KCTCS Science Building Expansion in Elizabethtown. Members asked about how often the statutory 15% increase authority is used for school dormitory and cottage projects and about the competitiveness of construction bids; Thomas said bids are typically competitive but recent estimates have been difficult because of higher material and equipment costs. The committee approved the three action items unanimously and also received a no-action report on a $3.918 million Corrections project to repair and replace the KCIW kitchen drain line. Next, the Kentucky Infrastructure Authority presented seven loans and grants, all of which the committee approved unanimously. The package included sewer and water projects for Frankfort, Sturgis, Scottsville, Morganfield, Western Pulaski County Water District, and Springfield, plus an emergency $5.487 million Kentucky Waters grant for Eddyville after a catastrophic sewer plant failure and weather-related emergency declarations. The projects covered wastewater interceptor and treatment upgrades, sewer collection rehabilitation, water transmission main installation, and planning/design work, with loan terms ranging from five to 30 years and interest rates from 0.5% to 2.25%. Finally, the committee considered a $38.4 million Kentucky Housing Corporation conduit issuance for a 322-unit multifamily rental project in Jefferson County. A member asked how the committee participates in the transaction, and staff explained that it is a conduit issuance and not state debt. The committee then moved to approve the issuance.

Transcript Highlights:

• So public schools... will be bearing that cost for these students to be able to use the SSI.
• Yeah, so that happens today and And you are right to point out that school districts bear that cost and
• they get no funding to. to bear that cost under current law.

Keywords: 1184, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• information control to hide the costs associated with the China option and coercion to force others to bear
• Because I know from my time on Capitol Hill that those conversations actually did bear fruit, and they
• The things that I recommend, I don't think would have any bearing or effect on this larger government-to-government

Transcript Highlights:

• The reason this works so well, we didn't expect this statistic to bear out either.
• But an interesting statistic is still bearing out of how well we can manage a dangerous population given
• It just doesn't really bear out that way, but I would state that you'll see more successful programming

Summary: The Senate Criminal Justice Committee met with Vice Chair Smith presiding in Chair Martin’s excused absence. After opening remarks from several senators, the committee heard a presentation from Department of Corrections Secretary Ricky Dixon on the state’s incentivized prisons program and related population-management efforts. Dixon said the department now operates eight incentivized prisons, which use enhanced privileges and programming for well-behaved inmates, and reported major reductions in disciplinary reports, staff assaults, inmate-on-inmate assaults, and uses of force compared with average institutions. He also described administrative management units for more disruptive inmates, short-sentence correctional institutions for those with less than a year to serve, and a reentry strategy that places inmates closer to home within 18 months of release. Dixon said Florida’s recidivism rate has fallen to about 21 percent, among the lowest in the nation, and emphasized that staffing, programming, and facility repairs remain ongoing needs. Committee members asked about access to education and workforce training, staffing levels, contraband, technology upgrades, heating and air-conditioning maintenance, and whether incentivized prisons could be expanded. Dixon said educational access is improving but remains limited by eligibility and staffing, that the incentivized facilities are at capacity, and that expansion depends on adding more administrative management unit beds. He also said the department is increasing use of technology, improving maintenance oversight, and continuing efforts to reduce contraband and improve staff recruitment and retention. Several senators praised the department’s work and urged more funding for prison infrastructure and officer pay. Public testimony largely supported the incentivized prisons model while calling for more seats, better staffing, and broader reforms. Family members of incarcerated people said the facilities were safer, more stable, and better for rehabilitation, though they asked for more programming, better treatment by staff, and clearer access to education and release-related opportunities. A Florida PBA representative emphasized that programs can only succeed with safe staffing levels and better pay and retention for correctional officers. No formal committee vote or bill action was taken, and the meeting ended after public testimony and closing remarks.

Transcript Highlights:

• Some things bear repeating. I say this quite often. Seems like there's a lot that bears repeating.
• Some things bear repeating. I say this quite often. Seems like there's a lot that bears repeating.
• Some things bear repeating. I Garcia. Some things bear repeating.
• Some things bear repeating.
• This judge, like things bear repeating.

Keywords: U.S. House of Representatives Floor Proceedings on Thursday, May 1, 2025, 1012, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• to say you're a lot more intimidating than my typical seven- and eight-year-old second graders, so bear
• 00:03:58.880> second<00:03:59.240> graders,<00:03:59.640> so<00:04:00.200> bear
• eight-year-old second graders, so bear eight-year-old second graders, so bear with<00:04:00.600>
• Um, so, um do bear with me, and feel free to ask any questions that you have.
• Um<01:04:45.560> so,<01:04:46.320> um<01:04:46.480> do<01:04:46.640> bear

Keywords: 918, senate, all

Summary: The committee first approved the April 14, 2026 meeting minutes without objection. It then took up Senate File 4860 / House File 4812, the St. Paul Teachers Retirement Fund Association bill, which would reduce the employee contribution rate for coordinated members from 9% to 8% starting after June 30, 2026, raise the retiree COLA from 1% to 1.5% beginning January 1, 2027, and increase the state-funded employer contribution by 2.7%. Staff said the bill’s cost is just over $12 million per year over 15 years. Representative Lilly said the bill was intended to bring parity to St. Paul teachers after prior work in this area left some behind. Several St. Paul teachers testified in support, describing financial strain, burnout, and the difficulty of balancing teaching with family responsibilities. Hannah Geimer said the 1% contribution change would make a meaningful difference in her budget as a single parent. Eric Erickson said he and his wife have spent decades working extra hours and coaching, and argued that St. Paul educators pay more and receive less in retirement than other teachers. Arzoo Faroozan Yazdani, a Central High teacher, said the higher contribution rate and lower COLA make it hard to stay in the district and raise a family. Lisa Hodek said teachers are undercompensated for the demands of the job and that the pension disparity has created frustration and a sense of betrayal. Phil Tensic, the SPTRFA director, summarized the request as seeking an 8% contribution and 1.5% COLA to match TRA, and noted that the plan’s members are spread across legislative districts, not just in St. Paul. Members discussed the history behind the pension disparity. Senator Nelson questioned whether “parity” was the right term given the plan’s funding problems and the legacy of the “big red box,” referring to past underfunding. Tensic and Senator Pappas explained that the state had previously allowed St. Paul schools not to contribute for a period of years, that supplemental district and state aid began in 2018, and that the plan is projected to be amortized by 2039 and must be paid off by 2048. Members also noted that the bill and related pension proposals depend on available funding; Representative O’Driscoll and others said no final financing agreement had been reached, though leadership was continuing discussions. The committee received letters of support from Education Minnesota, the St. Paul Federation of Educators, and 40 individual supporters. No final vote on the bill was taken in the portion of the meeting provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• And the long-term damage from addiction to mental illness and to criminal records is ours to bear.
• And it will be the taxpayers who ultimately bear the costs of these social harms.
• A drug that perversely is, as you spoke on, designed to look like candy—a gummy bear, a superhero, a
• It doesn't say I get to practice 90% of it, but not this one. ...I get to bear false witness.
• Whether we can do it right here or not, I don't know, but it bears research.

Bills: SB5, SB11, SB12, SB 5, SB 11, SB 12

Keywords: hemp regulation, consumable products, cannabinoids, occupational licenses, criminal offenses, SB 11, Texas attorney general, election crimes, election law enforcement, criminal prosecution, Election Code, Government Code Chapter 402, local prosecutors, county attorney, district attorney, grand jury, probable cause reports, state election offenses, voter fraud, election integrity

Transcript Highlights:

• Um, Bear Alan Takoto, thank you. Hawaii Agriculture Research Center, thank you. Ulupono Initiative?
• Just bear with me while I go over all the different parts of the bill.
• Bear with me; there's a couple of changes.
• measure and pass with amendments bear measure and pass with amendments bear with<01:19:16.400>
• Members, thank you for bearing with us. We are almost over, relating to biosecurity.

Keywords: 910, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Bear is a joint resolution to amend Article 12 of the Constitution relative to the lottery.
• Bear is an act to amend Title 9 relative to oil field indemnification agreements and additional insured
• Bear is an act to amend Title 9 relative to oil field indemnification agreements and additional insured
• House bill 941 by representative a bear as an act men title nine relative to oil field indemnification

Bills: SCR63, SCR12, HB89, HB451, HB595, HB617, HB621, HB730, HB1064, HB1125, HB221, HCR58, SB106, SB206, SB248, SB441, SB104, SB122, SB180, SB260, SB424, SB476, SCR9, SCR30, SB57, SB414, SB525, SB35, SB65, SB135, SB215, SB246, SB249, SB269, SB276, SB282, SB296, SB323, SB363, SB369, SB474, SB484, SB490, SB492, SB500, SB501, SB513, HCR31, HB462, HB547, HB613, HB691, HB712, HB720, HB723, HB728, HB735, HB747, HB759, HB825, HB845, HB846, HB903, HB904, HB907, HB923, HB929, HB941, HB962, HB965, HB1036, HB287, HB370, HB515, HB521, HB570, HB1200, HB29, HB39, HB58, HB67, HB73, HB76, HB77, HB82, HB112, HB121, HB125, HB132, HB134, HB151, HB154, HB155, HB161, HB166, HB187, HB191, HB207, HB211, HB224, HB238, HB241, HB242, HB250, HB260, HB265, HB275, HB300, HB320, HB338, HB339, HB349, HB379, HB399, HB427, HB463, HB464, HB468, HB545, HB550, HB551, HB565, HB588, HB639, HB725, HB782, HB805, HB808, HB834, HB847, HB853, HB858, HB861, HB883, HB916, HB937, HB977, HB1012, HB1027, HB1044, HB1054, HB1091, HB1117, HB90, HB127, HB138, HB150, HB201, HB268, HB273, HB285, HB315, HB354, HB355, HB360, HB376, HB445, HB506, HB606, HB649, HB665, HB681, HB721, HB746, HB757, HB781, HB835, HB844, HB857, HB872, HB886, HB889, HB892, HB982, HB987, HB1037, HB1068, HB1072, HB1078, HB1085, HB1132, HB1137, HB1167, HB1174, HB1232, HB1238, HB23, HB136, HB17, HB21, HB51, HB55, HB74, HB106, HB108, HB133, HB140, HB159, HB168, HB215, HB226, HB263, HB296, HB299, HB322, HB364, HB519, HB535, HB538, HB568, HB571, HB622, HB635, HB676, HB772, HB784, HB1006, HB1018, HB1033, HB1034, HB1043, HB1070, HB1134, HB1237, HB1239, HB36, HB119, HB126, HB129, HB245, HB271, HB280, HB337, HB351, HB677, HB726, HB789, HB850, HB956, HB966, SB149, SB382

Keywords: fiscal notes, legislation, legislative auditor, state policy, conflict of interest, logging, recognition, John Keith, environment, safety, HB89, Act 615, district attorney, assistant district attorney, retiree health insurance, group health insurance, retirement benefits, public employee benefits, Third Judicial District, Thirtieth Judicial District

Transcript Highlights:

• Go Bears. We look forward to hearing both of our witnesses.
• Go Bears. We look forward to hearing both of our witnesses. Okay.
• Wysocki just said, if you would like to not bear the liability associated with allowing residents into
• So we could actually just be asking a park owner to bear that liability potentially.

Keywords: 987, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• This committee had to bear a good, good large portion, even though I think, all told, we handle 1% or
• This This committee had to<00:13:52.440> bear<00:13:53.400> a<00:13:53.880> good,
• good<00:13:54.960> large<00:13:55.280> portion,<00:13:55.720> even to bear
• a good, good large portion, even to bear a good, good large portion, even though<00:13:56.040> I<

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• It is important for the committee to bear in mind when they cast their vote.
• Those are things for this committee to bear in mind as we consider this action.
• OF US AND THERE WHERE A COUPLE POINTS RAISED IT   1471 IS IMPORTANT FOR THE COMMITTEE TO BEAR
• THOSE ARE THINGS FOR THIS COMMITTEE   1492 TO BEAR IN MIND AS WE CONSIDER THIS ACTION.

Summary: The committee first took up PCS for HB 1137, which would codify a long-standing DBPR rule allowing alcohol distributors to deduct excise tax for broken or spoiled products. The sponsor said the rule had been nullified for lack of statutory authority, and industry representatives waved in support. The bill passed unanimously and was reported favorably. Members then approved PCS for HB 797 on nonprofit corporations, described as a broad update to the nonprofit statute that tracks prior for-profit corporation changes and model act language. A technical amendment was adopted, and testimony from the Florida Nonprofit Alliance and a Bar business law section representative was supportive. The bill passed unanimously and was reported favorably. The committee also passed CS for HB 679 on trademark registration, which updates the state trademark system to align with federal classifications and create an online application; an amendment extending the implementation date was adopted before the bill passed. The committee next heard several bills related to licensing and regulation. CS for HB 1433 would create an optional high school financial literacy course focused on property and casualty insurance and allow graduates to satisfy pre-licensure requirements for an entry-level license; it passed with support from insurance and free-market groups. HB 929 clarified local permitting for tiki huts, including electrical and plumbing permits, decks, fasteners, and setbacks, and passed without opposition. HB 99 exempted certain underwriting managers handling limited reinsurance business from reinsurance intermediary manager licensing requirements and also passed. A major portion of the meeting focused on gambling enforcement in the strike-all for CS for CS HB 155, which would strengthen penalties for illegal gambling operations, expand oversight of the Florida Gaming Control Commission, clarify fantasy sports and internet sports wagering language, and allow destruction of seized slot machines. Supporters argued the bill would help shut down repeat illegal internet cafés and related criminal activity; one homeowner group opposed it. The committee adopted the strike-all and the bill passed, with several members speaking in favor and a few voting no. The committee also passed HB 1307 on unauthorized aliens after adopting a strike-all that clarified provisions affecting licensing, housing assistance, workers’ compensation, employment enforcement, and related financial services; the bill drew substantial opposition testimony about language barriers and immigrant families, but also support from proponents citing public safety and victim stories. Later, the committee approved DS for HB 387, which would restrict the use of ADS-B aviation data for automatic billing at airports while preserving landing fees and safety functions. It passed after supportive testimony from a private pilot. HB 865, as amended, would require professional management for community associations above a higher budget threshold, add timeshare-specific language, and impose additional licensing and insurance requirements for managers; supporters cited fraud and lack of enforcement in large associations, while one member opposed it as government overreach. The bill passed with one recorded no vote. Finally, the committee passed PCS for HB 885, a transportation facility designation bill naming several roads and bridges, and began debate on CS for HB 33, which would designate a portion of SR 895 near FIU as Charlie Kirk Memorial Avenue and also codify a Donald Trump boulevard designation. That bill prompted sharp debate, with supporters praising Kirk’s influence and opponents objecting to honoring a non-Floridian and to his public statements; the transcript ends during that debate.

Transcript Highlights:

• know, average rent increase because of our shortage and because of cost inflation that renters are bearing
• <00:18:06.320> that<00:18:06.559> renters<00:18:06.960> are<00:18:07.120> bearing
• <00:18:07.520> the inflations that renters are bearing the inflations that renters are bearing

Keywords: 919, house, all

Summary: The committee heard House File 2499, authored by Representative Lee, which would expand Minnesota’s renters’ credit to more closely match the homestead credit for homeowners. Lee explained that the bill would raise the income cutoff from about $75,389 to $143,140 and increase the maximum credit to $3,500, with the goal of addressing what she described as an inequity between renters and homeowners who both pay property taxes. She cited revenue estimates showing the change could make about 80,000 additional renters eligible, while acknowledging the bill would be costly to enact this year. Nan Madden of the Minnesota Budget Project testified in support, describing how the renters’ credit works, including the assumption that 17% of rent goes toward property taxes. She highlighted 2022 data showing most recipients had low incomes, many were seniors or people with disabilities, and participation was higher in greater Minnesota in some respects. Michael Dah of Homeline also supported the bill, saying renters face rising housing costs and use the credit for basic needs such as groceries, school supplies, medical care, and car repairs. Members discussed whether expanding the credit would simply benefit landlords or encourage rent increases. Representative Anderson opposed the bill on the grounds that policy should incentivize homeownership, while Representative Huitt argued the credit could help renters build savings and move toward homeownership if they choose. Representative Lee responded that the housing market is broken and that the credit is one tool to help renters in a broader housing continuum. The discussion also covered outreach and administration of the credit, including the recent move to file it with income taxes, electronic certificates of rent paid, and funding for tax-preparation assistance and outreach through VITA sites and community organizations. The bill was laid over for possible inclusion in the omnibus tax bill.

Transcript Highlights:

• anti-Israel policies and correct any bureaucratic hold-ups that are delaying any U.S. arms to kind of the bear
• My understanding of the bear hug from what I've been reading is a kind of a sort of like a hovering kind
• the last couple years we've had a huge increase in the incurred versions of Russian ships, Russian bear
• We had two Bear Bomber incursions in 48 hours two weeks ago.

Keywords: defense, geopolitical tensions, military readiness, China, Russia, U.S. military, Indo-Pacific, alliance, procurement

Summary: The meeting focused on critical defense and security matters, particularly concerning the ongoing geopolitical tensions involving China and Russia. There were discussions surrounding U.S. military readiness, with significant emphasis on the potential threats posed by China in the Indo-Pacific region. Members expressed concerns about America's military capabilities in relation to the growing Chinese fleet and the importance of maintaining strong alliances with nations like Japan, South Korea, and Taiwan. Additionally, the notion of prioritizing the defense industrial base was highlighted, emphasizing the need for effective procurement and modernization efforts to counter adversarial threats. Furthermore, notable commentary included a reference to President Zelensky's remarks regarding peace negotiations with Ukraine, expressing a willingness for further cooperation with the U.S.