Transcript Highlights:

• partners here in the state, we also want to recognize Governor Abbott's leadership and his decisive declaration
• will give us about 500... ...sterile flies per week, which is the number we needed in 1966 when we declared
• just folks in San Patricio County, Taft in particular, how's the process been for your emergency declaration

Summary: During the meeting, legislative members discussed the practice of municipalities diverting water and sewer revenues to their general funds, which impacts infrastructure maintenance and project delays. Vice Chair Sparks proposed limiting public testimony to two minutes, which was adopted without objection. The committee heard from various witnesses, including Perry Fowler from the Texas Water Infrastructure Network, who emphasized that utility revenues should primarily support water services and that transfers should be transparent and justified. He noted that many utilities face financial pressures that could hinder infrastructure projects. Larry French from the Texas Public Policy Foundation highlighted the significant financial impact of water loss and general fund transfers, estimating the annual loss at $1.5 billion. He argued that these transfers can create disincentives for municipalities to address water loss issues. Brian Butcher, Assistant City Manager of Sugar Land, defended the city's cost allocation model for general fund transfers, asserting that they are necessary for equitable service provision and operational efficiency. The committee also discussed the implications of rising construction costs and the need for better procurement processes to ensure effective use of taxpayer dollars. The second part of the meeting focused on the New World Screwworm and the state's preparedness to manage potential infestations. Dudley Hoskins from the USDA outlined the federal response efforts and the importance of collaboration with state agencies. He emphasized the need for ongoing surveillance and the production of sterile flies to combat the pest. Dr. Philip Kaufman from Texas A&M discussed the historical context of the screwworm and the challenges posed by its potential reintroduction, urging proactive management strategies among livestock producers. The committee acknowledged the need for increased resources and research to effectively address the threat of the screwworm.

Transcript Highlights:

• For this program, you can either self-declare income or go through an income verification process and
• For this program, you can either self-declare income or go through an income verification process and
• For this program, you can either self-declare income or go through an income verification process and

Bills: HF3458, HF3777, HF3778, HF3912

Keywords: electric utilities, service areas, Tribal lands, Minnesota statute, energy regulation, utility rates, public utilities, Public Utilities Commission, PUC, ratepayer, consumer protection, affordable energy, energy affordability, ability to pay, just and reasonable rates, rate regulation, electric rates, natural gas rates, energy conservation, renewable energy

Summary: The committee approved the March 5, 2026 minutes and then took up House File 3458, as amended, which would exempt tribes from utility exclusive rights and assigned service areas. The bill’s author and the Upper Sioux community chairman said the measure was prompted by a dispute over a solar project at the tribal casino and argued the issue is really about tribal sovereignty, not solar, citing tribal civil regulatory authority and prior court cases. The amendment A1 was adopted before testimony. Testimony was split. Chairman Kevin Jensel of the Upper Sioux community strongly supported the bill, saying the tribe should not be forced to follow utility service territories and that the state should correct a long-standing omission in law. Derek Mo of the Minnesota Rural Electric Association opposed the bill, warning it would undermine the regulatory compact, reliability, long-term planning, and financing for electric service, especially in tribal areas. Justin Johns of East Central Energy also opposed the bill, but emphasized that many cooperatives have productive tribal partnerships and said his co-op has worked successfully with the Mille Lacs Band on solar, resilience, and workforce efforts; he cautioned that removing service obligations could leave difficult-to-serve areas underinvested. Members discussed whether the Public Utilities Commission process already underway should be allowed to resolve the dispute and whether the bill’s scope could extend beyond the current solar issue. The chair responded that the bill was a legislative approach to a problem that had not been resolved and said the amendment addressed concerns about removing the obligation to serve. A roll call was requested, and the committee voted to re-refer House File 3458, as amended, to the General Register.

Transcript Highlights:

• county attorneys so that the proceedings can be initiated and can be handled when someone has been declared
• county attorneys so that the proceedings can be initiated and can be handled when someone has been declared
• county attorneys so that the proceedings can be initiated and can be handled when someone has been declared

Keywords: 958, all

Summary: The committee first approved the August 12 minutes and then handled a large agenda of 355 contracts totaling about $278.7 million. It agreed to defer three Office of Energy Policy items to the October 2025 meeting and reviewed a deferred Kentucky Educational Television contract without objection. The main substantive discussion centered on two University of Louisville legal services PSC amendments and a Seven Counties Services MOA item. For the University of Louisville items, members questioned a large increase in hourly rates and the scope of the legal services, especially complex litigation work and a Colorado estate matter. University officials said the contracts followed an RFP, involved specialized litigation, included local counsel where required, and were expected to be offset by savings in other PSCs and by a potential financial recovery in the Colorado matter. The committee also discussed whether the $125 hourly rate was a statutory requirement or committee policy; the chair later said staff would verify whether it was an executive-branch regulation or statutory rate. Both University of Louisville items were ultimately approved, though Senator Meredith voted no on one and Senator Douglas explained his support while urging future adjustments and more information sharing. The Seven Counties Services contract drew questions about how the $18.7 million would be used and whether federal changes could affect future funding. Cabinet officials described 988 crisis response, outpatient mental health and substance use treatment, prevention, recovery, and harm-reduction services, and said they were monitoring federal developments daily. Representative Petrie and Senator Thomas pressed the cabinet on the long-running Seven Counties bankruptcy and the need to push for resolution; officials said the matter was pending on a motion for reconsideration and that they would try to help move it along. The contract was approved. At the end of the meeting, the committee approved the remaining agenda items as reviewed without objection, but Senator Meredith voted no on the blanket approval motion because of numerous retroactive contract requests and what she said were insufficient explanations such as administrative error or staff being on conference. She said retroactive approvals should be rare and supported stronger internal controls.

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:43:11.559> if<00:43:12.040> emergency<00:43:12.480> is<00:43:12.640> declared
• already okay so if emergency is declared already okay so if emergency is declared there's<00:43:

Keywords: 910, house, all

Summary: The joint hearing covered HB 1484 on transit-oriented development and HB 157 on transportation. For HB 1484, testimony included a request from the Hoi Community Development Authority to be removed from the measure while offering to assist if the transit-oriented development law is implemented, along with testimony in opposition and support from several individuals. The committees later recommended HB 1484 be passed with amendments, including an HD1, a defective date, deletion of a reference to section 225 on page 11, adoption of H-CDA’s proposed amendment, and related committee report changes. The vote was adopted in both committees, with Representatives Cochran and Lee excused and Representative Mora voting with reservations. HB 157 concerned the transfer and acceptance of roads in the Villages of Kapolei. HHFDC supported the bill’s intent and explained that the roads were originally self-permitted, the city had not accepted dedication, and HHFDC has been maintaining and upgrading the roads under an MOA that requires improvements to city standards before transfer. Testimony from the Villages of Kapolei Association and others described ongoing problems with non-emergency police services, illegal parking, abandoned vehicles, and the need for city enforcement on roads that are open to the public. Committee members asked about the current holdup, the possibility of transferring roads in segments, and whether a cash settlement could resolve the issue; HHFDC said it was working in segments and that the city had mentioned a $60 million figure. The committees then recommended HB 157 pass with amendments, noting they were awaiting an Attorney General opinion on authority to compel the transfer and that the matter would continue to the Committee on Water and Land. The Transportation Committee also heard several additional bills. HB 1083, concerning vessels in state commercial harbors, drew support from the Department of Transportation and some industry groups and opposition from charter operators; HB 1159, which would require compliance with harbor master evacuation orders and increase penalties, drew DOT support and opposition from multiple vessel operators, who argued the bill was too broad and should define emergencies more clearly and use tiered penalties. HB 58, limiting civil liability for firefighting at commercial harbors, received DOT and Maritime Group support. HB 1165, on county disposal of ocean-bordering property and state highway acquisition, received DOT support. HB 938, a broad motor vehicle franchise and EV-related bill, drew support from the Hawaii Automobile Dealers Association and the Motor Vehicle Industry Licensing Board, but strong opposition from the Alliance for Automotive Innovation, Tesla, Rivian, Scout Motors, and others; opponents argued it would restrict direct-to-consumer EV sales and innovation, while dealers said the bill was too broad and needed further stakeholder work. No final votes were taken on the Transportation Committee’s remaining measures in the portion provided, and the joint hearing was adjourned after decision-making on HB 1484 and HB 157.

Transcript Highlights:

• ><02:42:14.960> a<02:42:15.200> special<02:42:15.520> election the window to declare
• 34.240> speedily requires uh the governor to speedily requires uh the governor to speedily declare
• :35.840> election<02:42:36.800> uh<02:42:36.960> in<02:42:37.200> the declare
• a special election uh in the declare a special election uh in the event<02:42:37.520> that<02
• thereof regarding the direct declaration thereof regarding the results. results. results.

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• A lot of people don't realize, but the Declaration of Independence was written on hemp paper and George
• A lot of people don't realize, but the<00:41:27.920> Declaration<00:41:28.400> of<00:41
• :28.640> Independence<00:41:29.680> was the Declaration of Independence was the Declaration

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• And I'm so glad I can declare his name on this house floor that I have the freedom and the liberty to
• so<01:30:35.200> glad<01:30:35.600> I<01:30:35.680> can<01:30:35.840> declare
• <01:30:36.320> his<01:30:36.560> name and I'm so glad I can declare his name and I'm
• so glad I can declare his name on<01:30:37.040> this<01:30:37.280> house<01:30:37.600>

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• I think that it declares that it’s not somebody’s lawn. >> Right.
• c><01:50:45.600> think<01:50:45.679> that<01:50:46.159> it<01:50:46.400> declares
• I think that it declares that it's yard?
• I think that it declares that it's not<01:50:47.360> somebody's<01:50:47.840> lawn.

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• relatively modest tax that allowed them to keep track of property values because they had to be declared
• because they<00:32:48.399> had<00:32:48.559> to<00:32:48.640> be<00:32:48.799> declared
• they had to be declared they had to be declared uh<00:32:50.640> for<00:32:50.880> tax

Bills: SB2190, SB2338, SB2424, SB2356, SB2981, SB3028, SB3187, SB2378, SB2398, SB2192, SB2155, SB3219, SB3218

Keywords: affordable housing, employment contracts, salary caps, housing finance, public housing authority, executive compensation, parking minimums, off-street parking, transit-oriented development, TOD, housing supply, smart growth, redevelopment, adaptive reuse, micro units, rail transit, public transit stations, county zoning, land use, urban planning

Summary: The House Housing Committee heard testimony on a series of housing-related Senate bills. SB 2190 SD2 on inclusionary zoning drew support from HHFDC, Hawaii YIMBY, Grassroot Institute, Housing Hawaii’s Future, and Hako Seed Center, with opposition from OHA and Aloha Independent Living Hawaii. SB 2338 SD1, dealing with housing agency personnel authority, received comments from the Attorney General cautioning that the bill should be clarified to avoid conflicts with civil service and collective bargaining laws and recommending removal of a provision limiting employment contracts; HHFDC said its comments addressed those concerns and supported the measure. SB 2424 SD1, concerning HHFDC, received broad support from housing, business, and community groups, with one opposition. Testimony focused on changing the definition of “qualified resident” so people who already own an HHFDC-assisted unit could later purchase another if their housing needs change; HHFDC said the current rule forces people to sell before buying again and that the bill would help people move up the housing ladder and encourage more housing development. SB 2356 on parking also drew broad support from state agencies, housing advocates, business groups, and local officials, with Unite Here Local 5 in opposition. SB 2981 on land use had strong support from many organizations and 67 individuals, with Unite Here Local 5 opposing. SB 3028 SD2 on property conveyance generated the most detailed policy debate. Supporters, including Catholic Charities Hawaii, Hawaii Children’s Action Network, Indivisible Hawaii, and others, backed restructuring the conveyance tax into a marginal rate system and urged changes to revenue allocations, including dedicated funding for homeless services, DHHL, and the rental housing revolving fund. The Tax Foundation of Hawaii supported the marginal-rate concept but opposed dedicated special-fund allocations and criticized the bill’s blank sections. Committee members questioned the historical purpose of the conveyance tax, and the Tax Foundation explained it was originally a modest tax tied to property-value tracking when the state still ran the property tax system. The committee also heard SB 3187 SD2 on off-site construction, SB 2378 SD2 on housing permitting, and SB 2398 SD2 on residential housing utilities. OPSD supported SB 3187 but said it preferred the House version and wanted clarification that off-site certification should apply to factories in Hawaii, not out of state, to avoid outsourcing labor; it also suggested starting with a small scope. SB 2378 SD2 drew support from engineering, housing, and labor groups, with testimony that the House version included needed fixes to make the program insurable. On SB 2398 SD2, the Board of Water Supply opposed the bill, saying it could require disclosure of sensitive infrastructure information beyond ordinary water-availability assessments and raise critical-infrastructure and cybersecurity concerns; developers and housing groups supported the measure. No votes or final actions were taken in the portion of the hearing provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• Counties, municipalities, and any political subdivisions within the federally declared disaster areas
• > political subdivisions within the political subdivisions within the federally<02:14:24.280> declared
• /c><02:14:24.840> disaster<02:14:25.560> areas<02:14:26.600> that federally declared
• disaster areas that federally declared disaster areas that have<02:14:26.880> applied<02:14:27.400

Keywords: MS Senate Floor - 12 March, 2026; 10:00 AM, 925, all

Summary: The Senate convened with a quorum present, opened with prayer and the pledge, and then dispensed with the reading of the journal, committee reports, and bill titles. The chamber also recognized several guests and groups, including the doctor of the day, visitors from Quebec, the Sumrall High School boys soccer team, Starkville public safety officials, and the Hattiesburg High School choral arts program. A resolution honoring the long-standing partnership between Quebec and Mississippi was read and adopted, and Ms. Nathalie Rivard of Quebec addressed the Senate about historical ties and economic cooperation between Quebec and Mississippi. The Senate then moved through a series of procedural actions on the calendar, including multiple motions to table reconsideration on medical cannabis and ARPA-related bills, and several motions to not concur and invite conference on workforce and budget measures. Among those were Senate Bill 2294, the Mississippi Future Innovators Act, Senate Bill 2288 on workforce training, Senate Bill 2401 on workforce development, Senate Bill 2189 on budget transfers, Senate Bill 2895 on ARPA funds, and Senate Bill 2917 on appropriations transfers. These motions were adopted, sending the measures to conference or otherwise advancing them as noted. A major portion of the meeting focused on appropriations bills. House Bill 1935, the Education Department appropriation, was explained in detail and adopted after a strike-all amendment; the bill includes funding for the student formula, teacher and assistant pay raises, special education supplements, school attendance officers, testing contracts, early learning coaches, and CTE instructor raises, with offsets from reduced or eliminated line items such as school safety platforms and certain vendor programs. The Senate also adopted strike-all amendments and passed House Bills 1936 and 1937 for Mississippi Public Broadcasting and the Library Commission, and then moved on to House Bill 1933 for the Bureau of Building. The Senate recessed until 2:30 p.m. and announced an appropriations meeting shortly after recess, while leadership noted that many supplemental appropriations bills would be considered later with attention to whether they contained reverse repealers and would go to conference or final passage.

Transcript Highlights:

• through the right process and who are still racially profiled, who are suddenly by President Trump declared
• /c><00:21:14.799> Trump whim suddenly by President Trump whim suddenly by President Trump declared
• 16.559> eligible<00:21:17.039> to<00:21:17.200> be<00:21:17.360> here declared
• no longer eligible to be here declared no longer eligible to be here even<00:21:18.159> though

Bills: HF3403, HF2687, HF2381

Keywords: HF3403, emergency rental assistance, rental aid, homelessness prevention, housing crisis, imminent risk of homelessness, eviction prevention, county aid, Tribal governments, local government aids, general fund appropriation, Minnesota revenue commissioner, poverty level, low-income housing, housing stability, family homeless prevention and assistance, emergency housing assistance, HF2687, single-family homes, corporate landlords

Transcript Highlights:

• He could do this right now just like he could declare a calamity and we could address what has been happening
• could do this right now just like<01:31:16.880> he<01:31:17.120> could<01:31:17.280> declare
• <01:31:17.600> a<01:31:17.840> calamity like he could declare a calamity like he could
• declare a calamity and<01:31:19.600> we<01:31:19.840> could<01:31:20.000> address

Bills: HF3490, HF4040

Keywords: education finance, scholarship-granting organizations, charitable purposes, student scholarships, nonpublic schools, K-12 education, tax credit, advance payment, Minnesota tax law, child education expenses, taxpayer assistance, 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• This allows courts to declare unlawful conduct and stop ongoing violations.
• This allows<00:08:37.200> courts<00:08:37.599> to<00:08:37.839> declare<00:08:38.240
• > unlawful allows courts to declare unlawful allows courts to declare unlawful conduct<00:08:39.279

Bills: SF0035, SF0090, SF0072

Keywords: education, cell phones, smart devices, school policy, student conduct, school property, rental fees, youth activities, education policy, Wyoming legislature, teacher licensure, teacher mobility, interstate compact, education compact, licensure reciprocity, reciprocal certification, teacher certification, professional teaching standards board, out-of-state teachers, military spouse

Transcript Highlights:

• So it doesn't eliminate the use of all funds, as have been declared.
• of all funds funds funds as<02:24:28.000> have<02:24:28.240> been<02:24:28.479> declaring
• <02:24:29.760> Uh<02:24:30.720> there<02:24:31.120> still as have been declaring
• Uh there still as have been declaring.

Keywords: 916, all

Transcript Highlights:

• King declared that the moral responsibility to aid the oppressed did not stop at the edge of his street
• <00:30:30.399> King<00:30:30.720> declared And whereas Reverend Dr.
• King declared And whereas Reverend Dr.
• King declared that<00:30:31.360> the<00:30:31.520> moral<00:30:31.840> responsibility

Keywords: 981, all

Summary: The House convened with a quorum, led the Pledge of Allegiance with visiting students from Dr. Martin Luther King Early College, and approved the journal from the previous day after a brief, humorous exchange about a correction to the minority leadership title. The chamber then took up House Joint Resolution 1002, a resolution commemorating Martin Luther King Jr. Day and honoring Dr. King’s life, nonviolent leadership, and role in the civil rights movement. The resolution recounted his education, activism, speeches, writings, the Montgomery bus boycott, the Civil Rights Act of 1964, the Voting Rights Act of 1965, and the history of Martin Luther King Jr. Day in Colorado and nationally, including the state holiday commission and the holiday’s service-oriented observance. Several members spoke in support of the resolution, emphasizing Dr. King’s legacy as a call to action, the importance of nonviolence, community service, and the need to continue addressing injustice. Speakers highlighted the role of young people in the civil rights movement and urged continued work on equity, dignity, and inclusion. One member also connected King’s legacy to current concerns about immigration enforcement and federal power, arguing that justice requires active resistance to injustice. Another member objected that the discussion had become politicized and used the opportunity to criticize immigration policy, while the chair reminded members to stay within the resolution. The resolution text was read at length and included a call for observances, ceremonies, and activities across Colorado, encouragement of service projects, and support for teaching King’s legacy and nonviolent principles in social studies standards. The transcript shows the House adopting the journal, but it does not show a final vote on the resolution within the excerpt provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• know that we'd want to go forward with what we had previously, since that was a court had already declared
• previously since that was a court<00:40:37.119> had<00:40:37.440> already<00:40:38.160> declared
• ><00:40:38.640> that<00:40:39.359> that<00:40:39.760> was court had already declared
• that that was court had already declared that that was not<00:40:40.640> um<00:40:41.520>

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Section 3, declaring the state's wild rice policy.
• Section three, declaring<00:01:46.640> the<00:01:46.799> state's<00:01:47.119> wild<
• declaring the state's wild rice policy. declaring the state's wild rice policy.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• This section requires that CCAP providers sign each bill that they submit and declare under penalty of
• 04.880> and uh, sign each bill that they submit and uh, sign each bill that they submit and declare
• 05.600> penalty<00:20:05.919> of<00:20:06.080> perjury<00:20:06.480> that declare
• under penalty of perjury that declare under penalty of perjury that the<00:20:06.880> information

Bills: HF2436

Keywords: child welfare, economic assistance, child care, grant program, video security cameras, 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• This ensures that limited funds go to the most financially challenged Minnesota farmers during declared
• 14:14.480> during challenged Minnesota Farmers during challenged Minnesota Farmers during declared
• 15.880> and<01:14:16.000> helps<01:14:16.239> keep<01:14:16.360> money declared
• disasters and helps keep money declared disasters and helps keep money in<01:14:16.679> the<01

Bills: HF2446, HF2878, HF2667, HF1795, HF2683, HF2916

Keywords: agriculture finance, broadband development, Department of Agriculture, Board of Animal Health, Agricultural Utilization Research Institute, Office of Broadband Development, food safety, food handler license, cottage food, home processed food, livestock dealer, meat packing company, milk marketer, milk marketing license, grain buyer, grain storage, beginning farmer, emerging farmer, farm down payment assistance, livestock investment grant

Transcript Highlights:

• And I'm going to just read one very quick statement off of the declaration and promise from HEO, our
• declaration, most progressive and forward-thinking energy company in the world.
• And I'm going to just read one very quick statement off of the declaration and promise from HEO, our
• declaration, most progressive and forward-thinking energy company in the world.

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Summary: The joint Senate committees heard HB 108 HD2, which would allow direct shipment of beer and distilled spirits by certain licensees and require liquor commissions to adopt rules. Most testimony came from craft brewers and distillers in support, who said the bill would help small and fragile producers reach customers, move limited or specialty products that wholesalers do not carry, and maintain relationships with visitors after they leave Hawaii. Supporters also argued that direct-to-consumer shipping would not meaningfully increase underage access because common carriers age-gate deliveries and require adult signatures, and that the measure would supplement rather than replace the three-tier system. Opposition came from the Hawaii Food Industry Association and the Hawaii Liquor Wholesalers Association, which said the bill could create problems with minor access and tax revenue and would allow out-of-state manufacturers to ship directly to Hawaii households. Supporters responded that similar concerns were raised when wine direct shipping was adopted and said the existing shipping and reporting systems can track and tax these sales. Several witnesses, including Maui Brewing, Ola Brew, Koloa Rum, Hana Rum, Koulana Rumworks, Koval Distillery, and the Brewers Association, described their small-batch operations, limited distribution options, and the potential for direct shipping to expand sales and jobs. Committee members questioned witnesses about underage access, tax collection, and the impact on the three-tier system. One witness discussed efforts to protect and potentially scale the Hawaiian spirit Okolehao through geographic and sourcing rules. The transcript does not show a final vote or disposition on HB 108 HD2 in the excerpt provided.