Transcript Highlights:

• Finally, it requires that this section of law be construed to promote humane treatment of animals, preserve
• First, it fully preserves local control.”
• First, it fully preserves local control.”
• First, it fully preserves local control.” First, it fully preserves local control.
• So that is preserving that while, at the same time, making sure that our parishes and municipalities

Keywords: 965, house, all

Summary: The committee took up several agriculture-related bills and heard testimony on each. HB 715 by Representative Dezotel would require aerial applicators using public airports or landing fields to carry radios and transponders for safety; after a technical amendment was adopted, the bill was reported favorably. HB 663 by Vice Chairman Travis Johnson would update the board makeup of the Delta Economic Research and Sustainability District by removing certain ex officio members and reducing the board from 24 to 23; amendments were adopted and the bill was reported favorably. HB 717 by Representative Schamberhorn would increase and clarify labeling requirements for cell-cultured food products, including a larger, more visible font size; after a technical amendment, it was reported favorably with support from committee members and witnesses. The committee also considered HB 834 by Representative McMahon, a local-control bill on animal shelters and stray animals. A large amendment package of 23 amendments was adopted, revising hold periods, ownership transfer rules, local government discretion, liability protections, and the role of nonprofit or designated shelters. Testimony from the author, Police Jury Association representatives, and Michelle Hall emphasized that the bill is intended to fix a legal gap so shelters can transfer ownership to adopters, while preserving local control and limiting liability for good-faith actions. The bill was reported favorably with amendments. The committee then heard from Louisiana 4-H and FFA student leaders, who described how those programs developed leadership, public speaking, and agricultural career goals. Members responded with personal reflections and praise for the programs’ impact on rural youth and future agricultural leadership. Finally, the committee took up sunset review legislation: SB 349 to recreate the Department of Agriculture and Forestry was reported favorably, and SB 350, a technical change to the Louisiana Soybean Association/soybean board structure, was also reported favorably. Commissioner Mike Strain then began a lengthy presentation on the department’s functions, programs, boards, and commissions, but no further action was taken in the portion provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• House Bill 3080 is a simple bill that will restore the 2024 historic preservation tax credit language
• from House Bill 2062. ...for historic preservation tax credit language from House Bill 262 that passed
• Historic preservation was another casualty of the chicken coop language.
• I appreciate the gentleman for our historic district, and we need to do what we can to preserve them.
• Many projects like the historic Sarah Lou Preservation Project, projects like Doorways, they're working

Summary: The House first established a quorum after a roll call and then moved through House Bills for Perfection, Informal. Members briefly recognized Doug Pitt and Crystal Simon of Care to Learn, with remarks highlighting the organization’s work providing clothing and other support to students in 60 communities and reaching about 130,000 students statewide. Several bills were then taken up and advanced. HB 2848, creating the offense of masked intimidation, was explained as targeting intentional harassment or threats while hiding one’s face; members discussed examples ranging from domestic intimidation to historical hooded groups, and the bill was ordered perfected and printed. HCS HB 1791, aimed at speeding building permits to help address housing costs and disaster recovery, drew debate over whether the 30- and 60-day permit deadlines would burden local governments; an amendment requiring code-enforcement staff to be certified in the adopted code was added, and the bill was adopted and perfected and printed as amended. HCS HB 2465, expanding small-business health coverage options by allowing one-person businesses to access group plans outside the ACA framework, was adopted and perfected and printed. HCS HB 2711, reducing the assessment rate on broadband infrastructure investment to encourage expansion, received amendments clarifying that the tax break is intended to promote broadband expansion; members debated whether upgrades within existing territories should qualify, and the bill was adopted and perfected and printed as amended. The chamber also advanced HCS HB 3080, restoring historic preservation tax credit language that had previously been struck down by the courts; supporters cited recovery and redevelopment projects in places such as Joplin, St. Charles, Independence, Odessa, and St. Louis, and the bill was adopted and perfected and printed. HB 1772, increasing state payments for adoption attorneys and separating guardian fees to help move children out of foster care more quickly, was described as a targeted effort to reduce legal barriers to adoption and was perfected and printed. HB 2096, raising state matching funds for regional planning commissions and updating the list of commissions, was also perfected. Finally, HCS HB 2913 and 3228, which would protect teachers and other school employees from liability when intervening to protect themselves or students in violent situations, was supported as a response to teacher concerns and was adopted and perfected and printed.

Transcript Highlights:

• Number one, prevent the state-level adoption of the Trump-era tax cuts in order to preserve approximately
• Number one, prevent the state-level adoption of the Trump-era tax cuts in order to preserve approximately
• Massachusetts has been a longtime leader in health care innovation, and I urge you to preserve funding
• Massachusetts has been a longtime leader in healthcare innovation, and I urge you to preserve funding
• for this innovative and human-centered community partners program, I'm serving. you to preserve funding

Keywords: 1212, all

Transcript Highlights:

• That request grew into a lifetime devoted to preserving the Franco-American Alliance.
• But we will not preserve freedom by attacking freedom. And that's what this bill does now.
• And we will not preserve the public's confidence in our institutions when a candidate for political office
• The amendment preserved the core intent of the bill by strengthening the penalty for failing to report
• The amendment preserved the core intent of the bill by strengthening the penalty for the failing to report

Keywords: March 12, 2026 - Regular Session, 976, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• State law requires the Washington State Department of Archaeology and Historic Preservation to maintain
• State law requires the Washington State Department of Archaeology and Historic Preservation to maintain
• And it preserves trust in law enforcement.
• And it preserves trust in law enforcement.
• And it preserves trust in law enforcement.

Bills: HB2543

Keywords: county clerk, fees, local government, administrative costs, revenue generation, 904, all

Transcript Highlights:

• State law requires the Washington State Department of Archaeology and Historic Preservation to maintain
• State law requires the Washington State Department of Archaeology and Historic Preservation to maintain
• And it preserves trust in law enforcement.
• And it preserves trust in law enforcement.
• Joe Vinson continued that the bill preserves appropriate exceptions for retired officers, inherited memorabilia

Summary: The committee heard testimony on several bills. Substitute House Bill 2158 would authorize remote notarization of tangible records and remote oaths/affirmations, with record-retention requirements and no fiscal impact; the prime sponsor and staff described it as an access-to-justice measure, and the bill drew strong support in signed-in testimony. Substitute House Bill 2239 would create a framework for family burial grounds on private land, including setbacks, notice, recording, local regulation authority, and grandfathering of existing sites; supporters said it would help rural families and some tribal members bury loved ones on family land, while WSDOT raised a technical concern about the setback from rights-of-way. Substitute House Bill 2178 would reconcile statutes with court rules on malicious mischief aggregation, infraction deadlines, payment plans, and treasurer handling of certain funds; the sponsor and AOC described it as a technical cleanup with no fiscal impact, and it was supported by AOC. The committee then heard Engrossed House Bill 2445, which would tighten probate procedures to curb “probates for profit” by extending the time to petition, narrowing who qualifies as a suitable personal representative, changing venue, adding notice and reporting requirements, and regulating agreements with transferees for value and heir-finding firms. The sponsor, Attorney General’s Office, and Northwest Justice Project said the bill would protect grieving families from predatory actors, while some probate attorneys warned it could sweep too broadly and affect legitimate heir-finding services; the sponsor said he was open to further discussion and written recommendations. Substitute House Bill 2543 would update county clerk fees to match new appellate court rules and modernize outdated references such as CDs; county clerks and county officials supported it as a technical, cost-recovery measure. Finally, Engrossed Substitute House Bill 2165 would create a standalone gross misdemeanor for false identification as a peace officer, replacing part of the criminal impersonation statute and adding prohibitions on badges, vehicles, and attire that mimic law enforcement, with exceptions for lawful, artistic, and inherited items. The sponsor, the governor’s office, and a city representative supported it as a public-safety and trust measure, citing impersonation incidents and protections for immigrant communities. The committee also began hearing Engrossed Substitute House Bill 2532 on nitrous oxide, which would make it a gross misdemeanor to sell or distribute nitrous oxide canisters for personal use while exempting medical, veterinary, dental, food, industrial, and automotive uses; members questioned how the law would be enforced and whether additional controlled-substance treatment would be needed. No votes were taken during the hearing excerpts provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• The goal is to protect Florida farmers and ranchers from intentional economic harm while preserving open
• When we're talking about especially our state parks, our preserves, we have a lot of preserved lands,
• When we're talking about, especially our state parks, our preserves, we have a lot of preserved lands
• incompatible use proposals in the last year shook public confidence in the protection of state parks and preserves

Summary: The committee heard several bills and took favorable action on a number of them. CS/CS/SB 54 by Senator Sharif would require district medical examiners to perform toxicology screening for psychotropic drugs and intoxicating substances in autopsies of identified violent offenders, consult treating providers when available, document findings, and report results to state agencies; it passed after brief questions and one opponent waived against. CS/SB 176 by Senator Polsky would require public colleges and universities to publish clearer campus safety reporting and response procedures for threats to students, faculty, or staff; it also passed favorably with no opposition. CS/CS/CS/SB 290, the Florida Farm Bill by Senator Trumbull, was the longest item and drew extensive testimony. The bill covers fair association rules, preemption of local limits on gas- and diesel-powered farm equipment, surplus of certain state-owned lands for agricultural use, a food animal veterinarian loan repayment program, permanent funding for Farmers Feeding Florida, forest service training, signal jammer penalties, CDL exam cheating penalties, no-solicitation protections, inspector protections, biosolids rules, and contractor payment enforcement. Members adopted multiple amendments, including changes to contractor payment language, expanding vet loan repayment to equine vets, merging citrus research entities, technical updates to fair statutes and nonprofit definitions, and a late amendment removing the bill’s disparagement/free-speech section after significant public testimony and debate. A separate late amendment on biosolids delayed compliance timelines for Broward County, and the bill then passed favorably as amended. The committee also approved CS/CS/SB 834 on nonprofit religious organizations, which repeals a restriction on health care sharing ministries partnering with licensed insurance agents, while adding a disclaimer requirement through amendment; the bill passed with support from some faith-based and consumer groups and one waiver against. SB 936 on temporary door locking devices passed without opposition. CS/SB 50 would expand veterans’ courts statewide as an option in all judicial circuits for service-related issues such as PTSD, traumatic brain injury, and substance abuse; it received broad support from veterans and advocacy groups and passed favorably. CS/SB 1004, in strike-all form, would regulate dog and cat sales by requiring disclosure of medical records and financing terms, adding a three-day waiting period for financed purchases, and treating violations as unfair trade practices; an amendment removed an appropriation section, and the bill passed after questions about financing and pet retention. The committee then approved CS/CS/SB 178, which directs the Florida High School Athletic Association to adopt rules allowing coaches to provide good-faith support to student-athletes for basic needs like food, transportation, and recovery services, while requiring reporting and preserving anti-recruiting enforcement; members discussed possible parental-consent language, and the bill passed favorably. Finally, the committee began hearing CS/SB 198 on virtual currency kiosks, with Senator Rouson explaining that it would regulate crypto kiosks to combat fraud, require operator registration, fraud warnings, blockchain analytics policies, and transaction limits, but the transcript cuts off before further action on that bill.

Transcript Highlights:

• And Pepper Euchino, Florida Shore and Beach Preservation Association. You are recognized.
• Pepper Uchino, President of the Florida Shore and Beach Preservation Association.
• The amendment provides for structures allowed within the preserve to include nature-based solutions to
• Pepper Eucino, Florida Shore and Beach Preservation Association, waving in support.
• The main point is that we want to make sure that we are preserving Florida's natural state and at the

Bills: S0302, S0394, S0480, S0546, S0636, S0774, S0796, S1028, S1050, S1066, S1120, S1230, S1288, S1682

Keywords: cybersecurity, information technology, data management, local government compliance, cloud services, state agency oversight, integrated governance, conservation lands, land exchange, state-owned land, Acquisition and Restoration Council, Florida water management, environmental protection, beach management, beach erosion, beach nourishment, coastal resilience, shoreline protection, critical erosion, critically eroded beach

Transcript Highlights:

• By providing targeted tax incentives, the legislature can help preserve existing grocery stores and usher
• By providing targeted tax incentives, the legislature can help preserve existing grocery stores and usher
• This bill authorizes the county to set preferential tax rates, exemptions, and credits to preserve existing
• It preserves the B&O tax exemption for insurers so that they're not double taxed on their premium income
• Preserving the tax reduction will ensure that tax policy is proportional to risk and allow for better

Bills: HB2038, HB2297, HB2382, HB2487, HB2018

Keywords: HB2038, Washington, B&O tax, business and occupation tax, social media tax, platform tax, youth behavioral health, mental health, adolescent mental health, children's mental health, telebehavioral health, behavioral health account, state treasury, digital services tax, internet platform, social media companies, youth services, depression, anxiety, public health funding

Transcript Highlights:

• restoring and stabilizing the investments in FPHS, House Bill 2439 helps ensure King County can preserve
• restoring and stabilizing the investments in FPHS, House Bill 2439 helps ensure King County can preserve
• restoring and stabilizing the investments in FPHS, House Bill 2439 helps ensure King County can preserve
• If the objective is stronger enforcement against illicit products, preserving uniform statewide standards
• If the objective is stronger enforcement against illicit products, preserving uniform statewide standards

Summary: The committee first heard House Bill 2483, which would create an annual data broker registry at the Department of Licensing beginning in 2027. Staff explained that data brokers would have to register, pay a fee, and disclose information about the types of data collected, security measures, opt-out options, and whether precise geolocation or consumer health data is involved. Prime sponsor Rep. Kloba said the bill is intended to make data collection and resale more visible to consumers and to address harms such as scams, tracking, and surveillance pricing. Testimony was mixed: TechNet, the Association of Washington Business, and the Washington Retail Association opposed the bill as drafted, saying the definition of data broker is too broad and could sweep in businesses that are not true data brokers, while the sponsor and committee members discussed possible clarifying amendments and public-data carve-outs. The committee then heard House Bill 2400, which would regulate monetized social media content featuring children. Staff described provisions requiring vloggers above certain revenue thresholds to register with the Department of Revenue, creating trust accounts for minor children appearing in monetized videos, allowing young adults to request deletion of monetized childhood content, requiring reporting by social media services, and establishing civil penalties and statutory damages. Rep. Reeves said the bill is meant to draw a line between ordinary family posting and monetizing children online, citing concerns about child labor protections and exploitation. TechNet and AWB opposed the bill, arguing that social media platforms should not be made the middleman for trust accounts and that the private right of action and enforcement structure should be revisited; they urged further work during the interim. Finally, the committee took testimony on House Bill 2439, an omnibus tobacco and vapor product bill. Staff said it would create a responsible vendor program, raise license fees and penalties, require retailers to buy from licensed wholesalers or distributors, add certification requirements for vapor manufacturers, study extended producer responsibility for vapor waste, expand lab testing authority, tighten age-verification rules, prohibit certain imitation or entertainment vapor products, remove state preemption so local governments could adopt stricter rules, and redirect portions of tobacco tax revenue to public health accounts. Supporters, including public health groups, King County, the American Heart Association, and pediatricians, backed the youth-prevention, local-control, and funding provisions. Industry and retail witnesses opposed the bill, focusing on the loss of preemption, higher fees, compliance burdens, and the risk of pushing sales to the illicit market; some also argued the bill should rely more on state-level uniform regulation and stronger enforcement rather than new restrictions.

Transcript Highlights:

• AmeriCorps seniors, volunteers in the communities, cultural site stewards from our State Historic Preservation
• You'll notice here that part of our program within the State Historic Preservation Office is the Main
• We, through the SHPO, through the Historic Preservation Office, and through this... ...through the SHPO
• , through the Historic Preservation Office, and this Main Street Program, we've created jobs part-time
• We've invited and built new businesses and have preserved more than 384 rehab projects.

Keywords: 985, all

Transcript Highlights:

• And cultural preservation for New Mexicans that empowers rural New Mexicans to strengthen our land, our
• Because if you can remember, those of you sitting out here have preserved something that is part of our
• The Estaba de la Serna is currently attempting to buy back the lines from holders. to try to preserve
• all other land grants. and all the other land grants in New Mexico in our continued journey of preservation
• And so our biggest goal right now is we're really trying to preserve the mountain for our future generation

Transcript Highlights:

• I ask you to vote no and preserve our students' ability to have honest evidence based discussion of difficult
• One is to make sure that we are preserving and quite frankly facilitating a representative democracy
• Foundational purpose of our schools to protect our democracy and to preserve and enable our democracy
• And also protect that fear, protect and preserve and work really hard to make sure that that fear is
• What it means to preserve democracy for people?

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• This bill is a committee bill regarding the Open Government Sunset Review Act that preserves from expiration
• A definition that creates an express exception to preserve the First Amendment and to permit criticism
• That's what they do - they preserve wetlands for monetary gain. I mean, they're in business.
• That's the ultimate - wetlands are being preserved through their efforts.
• My opinion to your question is balance is the answer. the interface where environmental preservation,

Transcript Highlights:

• So when we talk about housing production and preserving affordable housing, it's not only important..
• . that we create more but we preserve what we have.
• have been advocating together around a set of priorities for affordable housing. production and preservation
• would enable development or developers to withdraw cash from existing HCD projects to promote the preservation
• Existing affordable housing projects have excess equity that can be extracted and used to preserve existing

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• system by incorporating medical expertise into investigations and preventing unjust separations and preserving
• And it's personal for me because it's going to save lives and preserve families, and that is really..
• . for me because it's going to save lives and preserve families.
• Pepper Uchino, Florida Shore and Beach Preservation Association, who will be followed by Joe Patrick.
• I'm the president of the Florida Shore and Beach Preservation Association.

Summary: The committee first took up CS for Senate Bill 304, which would address child protective investigations involving children with certain genetic or medical conditions that can mimic signs of abuse. Senator Sharif and several family members and advocates described cases in which children were removed after injuries were initially misread as abuse, and argued the bill would give parents more opportunity to obtain qualified medical opinions. The committee adopted a substitute amendment that removed language imposing analysis duties on certain medical professionals, then passed the bill favorably after testimony in support from the Florida chapter of the American Academy of Pediatrics and several affected families. The committee then considered SB 1430 on post-judgment execution proceedings for terrorism victims, SB 96 on relief for Jacob Rogers, SB 382 on affordable housing rent agreements, SB 4 and SB 6 on claims bills for Patricia Armini and Jose Correa, SB 1142 on release of conservation easements, SB 658 on waiver or release of liens, SB 28 and SB 30 on claims involving South Broward Hospital District and the Broward County Sheriff’s Office, SB 24 on relief for Mandy Penny Lemon, SB 72 on campaign funds for child care expenses, and SB 1622 on recreational customary use of beaches. Most of these bills were explained by their sponsors as narrow relief or technical measures, and the committee heard a mix of support and opposition from claimants, local governments, industry groups, and advocacy organizations. Several bills drew substantive debate. On SB 382, members discussed rent stability and whether the bill should better address lease language and future rent increases; the amendment and bill were both reported favorably. On SB 1142, members raised concerns about environmental and drainage impacts and whether releases of conservation easements should be mandatory or discretionary, but the bill still passed favorably. On SB 72, members questioned the scope of allowable campaign child care expenses and the need for stronger guardrails against abuse; the bill nevertheless passed favorably. On SB 1622, testimony sharply divided between supporters of restoring public beach access and opponents defending private property rights; debate continued when the transcript ended, so no final vote on that bill is reflected here.

Transcript Highlights:

• Committed to making sure that we are preserving our social safety net and preserving the commitments
• for the legislature, what programs are priorities for the administration, and what can be done to preserve
• I think that the idea of taking actions to preserve more of the reserve than is being proposed is certainly
• I think the preservation of a lot of the early education and childcare initiatives, including keeping
• Additionally, in response to last year's fiscal situation, the foreclosure intervention housing preservation

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• SJR 36 by Hall proposing a constitutional amendment relating to appropriations for the preservation and
• perpetuation of certain items of historical moment. ...relating to appropriations for the preservation

Summary: The Senate convened with an opening prayer by Senator Birdwell, who asked for protection and wisdom for Texans affected by severe weather, as well as guidance for state and national leaders. The chair then noted hazardous travel conditions from the winter storm and advised that attendance was not essential for affected members and staff; the journal was directed to reflect the weather event. The chair announced the signing of Senate Concurrent Resolution 7 and then laid out first-reading items, including SJR 36 by Hall, a proposed constitutional amendment related to appropriations for preserving historical items, and Senate Bill 1 by Huffman, the General Appropriations Act. No debate or votes on those measures occurred in this transcript. Finally, Senator Zaffirini moved that the Senate stand in recess until 10 a.m. Friday, January 24. With no objection, the motion carried and the Senate recessed accordingly.

Transcript Highlights:

• SJR 36 by Hall, proposing a constitutional amendment relating to appropriations for the preservation
• and perpetuation of certain items of historical moment. ...relating to appropriations for the preservation

Bills: SJR36, SB1

Keywords: appropriations, budget, state funding, education, healthcare, infrastructure

Summary: The Senate convened briefly with an opening prayer by Senator Birdwell, who asked for protection and wisdom for Texans affected by severe weather, as well as for state and national leaders. The chair noted hazardous travel conditions from the winter storm and advised that attendance was not essential for affected members and staff; the journal was to reflect the weather event. The chair announced the signing of Senate Concurrent Resolution 7 in the presence of the Senate. On first reading and referral, the secretary read Senate Joint Resolution 36 by Hall, proposing a constitutional amendment related to appropriations for preserving certain items of historical moment, and Senate Bill 1 by Huffman, the General Appropriations Act. A motion in writing was then offered by Senator Zaffirini to recess the Senate until 10 a.m. Friday, January 24. With no objection, the motion carried and the Senate recessed until that time.

Transcript Highlights:

• Given the non-discretionary cost increases, the FY27 EOHHS budget request focuses largely on preserving
• We have tenancy preservation programs.
• It preserves core public health functions, strengthens our ability to act independently when federal
• The JDP funding level preserves the program and its ability to expand in the future.
• Fourth is something you've heard a lot about today: preserving food and nutritional security.

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The Joint Committee on Ways and Means held a Health and Human Services budget hearing in Clinton, with opening remarks from Chairs Meg Kilcoyne and Robin Kennedy, local officials, and many House and Senate members introducing themselves. The hearing focused on Governor Healey’s FY27 EOHHS and MassHealth budgets, with repeated themes of rising health care costs, federal funding uncertainty, workforce shortages, and access to care in underserved regions. Members also raised concerns about primary care shortages, rural and regional disparities, behavioral health access, maternal health, food insecurity, and the impact of federal policy changes on Massachusetts programs. EOHHS Secretary Kiame Mahaniah said the FY27 EOHHS budget totals $33.7 billion, reflecting mostly non-discretionary growth from health care costs, labor costs, caseload increases, and provider rate pressures. He highlighted targeted investments in foster care, family resource centers, maternal health, youth services, nutrition programs, immigrant legal services, and human service workforce rates, while warning that federal actions could strip roughly $3.5 billion annually from the state’s health care funding. In response to questions, he defended the administration’s cooperation with federal audits and program integrity efforts, discussed the primary care crisis, and said the state is trying to preserve core services while preparing for a more difficult FY28 budget cycle. MassHealth Undersecretary Mike Levine then described two major FY27 challenges: double-digit cost growth and the expected effects of the federal One Big Beautiful Bill Act. He said MassHealth’s proposed $22.7 billion gross budget includes a 7.5% increase and relies on a moratorium on new expansions plus targeted reductions, including a $1,000 annual adult dental cap, ending GLP-1 coverage for weight loss only, reducing care management to peer-state levels, and work groups to slow growth in PCA, adult foster care, and adult day health spending. Members questioned the impact on Boston Health Care for the Homeless, preventive care, and regional access; Levine said the changes are meant to preserve sustainability, that children and certain disabled populations remain protected, and that the administration will continue working with providers, advocates, and the Legislature on implementation and longer-term reforms.