Transcript Highlights:

• . >> I'm not sure they're willing to declare themselves an emergency. >> Uh, but I'm saying it is having
• to >> I'm not sure the they're willing to >> I'm not sure the they're willing to declare
• declare themselves an emergency. declare themselves an emergency.

Keywords: 958, all

Summary: The meeting began with roll call, adoption of the minutes, and brief remarks, including birthday recognition for Representative Maseroni and a moment of reflection for a soldier who died during training at Fort Knox. The committee then heard a presentation from Tony Hatton, commissioner of the Department for Environmental Protection and acting director of the Kentucky Division of Water, with Amanda Lefer, deputy commissioner, on the state’s water and wastewater programs and planning. Hatton described Kentucky’s water resources and the Division of Water’s responsibilities, including watershed and nonpoint source work, KPDES discharge permitting, PFAS response, engineering review of water infrastructure, inspections, public outreach, and sampling. He said Kentucky has 428 public water systems, 263 water treatment plants, about 1.9 million service connections, and nearly 97% of the population has access to municipally treated water. He also noted that the state has 43 systems receiving awards for EPA areawide optimization and emphasized operator training, regionalization, and use of GIS mapping and Kentucky Infrastructure Authority data to support planning and funding decisions. Members raised concerns about aging infrastructure, water loss, staffing shortages, and wastewater problems in local systems. Representative Blandon described severe failures in a city system, including major water loss and sewer backups, and asked whether the state could intervene; Hatton said the division inspects treatment facilities and provides compliance assistance but is not authorized to manage delivery systems, though third-party help and emergency funding can be used in some cases. Senator Smith and others shared similar experiences with line loss and system failures, while Hatton pointed to regionalization and funding support as the main tools available. The discussion also highlighted PFAS as an emerging issue, with Hatton saying the department is working with systems to meet anticipated federal requirements by 2029.

Transcript Highlights:

• The legislature declared groundwater conservation districts, local groundwater districts, as the preferred
• The legislature has full authority to to declare the law applicable to the Groundwater, if he wants it
• It took us a year to get these applications just to drill wells declared administratively complete.
• That's the property right that was declared to exist versus day case, and by this legislature in section

Keywords: 1184, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• So, uh, with that, unless someone has anything else, I am going to um declare us adjourned and enjoy
• am<02:17:41.280> going<02:17:41.519> to<02:17:42.080> um<02:17:42.399> declare
• anything else, I am going to um declare anything else, I am going to um declare us<02:17:43.040>

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• have started to use the doctrine not to remedy conduct that people’s elected representatives have declared
• Basically, if the government has declared a certain activity to be legal, you cannot sue to enjoin that
• I don't think you should be able to say to someone who is doing something that you have declared to be
• Local law enforcement, county, and district attorneys fail to protect children in schools, declaring

Bills: HB2242, HB2446, HB2799, HB4502, HB2920, HB2790, HB5620, HB5060, HB5076, HB5080, HB5081, HB5128, HB5130, HB3847, HB5116, HB2969, HB4546, HB4202, HB5624, HB3964, HB4803, HB872, HB4775, HB4777, HB4961, HB5570, HB2988, HB4260, HB1375, HB5009, HB5411, HB5134, HB4388, HB3095, HB1387

Keywords: constables, civil rights, local government, law enforcement, policy-making authority, affidavit, medical bills, civil actions, reasonable charges, healthcare services, judicial statistics, court performance, family law, civil cases, efficiency reporting, court security, emergency management, harassment penalties, judicial safety, court committee

Summary: The committee heard testimony on several bills affecting civil practice, judicial conduct, and attorney regulation. HB 4961 and the similar HB 3095 would bar uninsured motorists from recovering non-economic damages after a collision, with HB 3095 also addressing certain exceptions and limiting economic damages in some cases. Supporters said the measures would encourage insurance coverage and fairness for insured drivers, while opponents argued they would unfairly punish injured people who were not responsible for the lack of insurance, including pedestrians, passengers, children, and others. HB 3095 drew constitutional concerns from witnesses, and the committee later withdrew the committee substitute and left the bill pending; HB 4961 was also left pending after questions about its scope, including passengers. HB 5570 would expand a continuing legal education exemption to attorneys appointed by the governor and confirmed by the Senate who serve on boards or commissions. The author and witness said the bill would free up time for public service while still requiring ethics training. A committee member raised a discrepancy in the number of attorneys covered, and the bill was left pending. HB 2969 would prohibit the State Bar from adopting rules or penalties that unreasonably burden attorneys’ religious exercise or free speech, especially in relation to sincerely held religious beliefs. Supporters framed it as a protection for lawyers of faith against an ABA-style speech code, while no one testified in opposition; the bill was left pending. HB 4260 would prohibit county judges and county commissioners from practicing law in courts over which they have jurisdiction. The author described it as an ethics measure to avoid conflicts of interest, but county officials and the County Judges and Commissioners Association opposed it, saying existing ethics rules already address conflicts and that the bill would impose hardships, especially in rural counties. The bill was left pending. HB 4388 would require all judges, including those who serve only in administrative roles, to remain subject to the Code of Judicial Conduct; supporters said some judges avoid discipline by relinquishing judicial functions, while opponents said the bill was unnecessary and could burden county judges who serve as administrators. It was also left pending. The committee also heard HB 5134, which would limit Rule 202 pre-suit depositions to people who have suffered or reasonably expect to suffer actual damages and allow attorney’s fees against abusive petitioners. The author said the bill would curb harassment and fishing expeditions, but members questioned how the standard would work in practice; the bill was left pending. Finally, HB 3964 would narrow common-law public nuisance claims by barring suits over lawful conduct, conduct already addressed by other remedies, and products, while preserving other causes of action. Supporters said the bill would prevent regulation through litigation and protect legislative authority; opponents said it would eliminate important remedies and that no Texas abuse had been shown. The author indicated he would revise the bill, and it was left pending.

Transcript Highlights:

• of rule 1 back pursuant to Clause 12a of rule 1 the<00:28:46.480> chair<00:28:46.799> declares
• the<00:28:47.360> house<00:28:47.559> in<00:28:47.760> recess the chair declares
• the house in recess the chair declares the house in recess until<00:28:48.519> 2:<00:28:48.799
• The Chair declares the House in recess until approximately 6:30 p.m. today. today e e e e e e e e e e

Keywords: U.S. House of Representatives Floor Proceedings on Monday, March 24, 2025, 1012, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• international standards, let's look at United Nations standards, let's look at the United Nations Declaration
• 08.920> Nations standards let's look at United Nations standards let's look at United Nations Declaration
• c> Rights<02:11:10.199> of<02:11:10.320> indigenous<02:11:10.840> peop Declaration
• of Rights of indigenous peop Declaration of Rights of indigenous peop thank<02:11:11.480> you

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Summary: The Health and Human Services committee heard extensive testimony on HB 1194 HD2, a bill to regulate midwifery and require accredited education for licensed midwives. Supporters, including the Midwives Alliance of Hawaii, ACOG, a pediatrician, and several licensed midwives, argued the bill would improve maternal and newborn safety, clarify the definition of midwife, strengthen accountability, and align Hawaii with national education standards. They said accredited training is necessary to avoid gaps in knowledge and to support safe transfers and collaboration with hospitals. Opponents, including many midwives, parents, cultural practitioners, and community groups, argued the bill would restrict access to care, criminalize traditional and apprenticeship-based midwifery, and undermine reproductive autonomy and Native Hawaiian and other cultural birthing practices. Several asked for amendments to preserve a birth attendant exemption, the PET/portfolio pathway, and cultural and religious protections. Others said the bill would disproportionately harm rural, Indigenous, and low-income families by making training and licensure less accessible. The committee also heard testimony from state and county entities and professional organizations, with some standing on written testimony and others offering brief comments. The chair repeatedly reminded testifiers of the one-minute limit and the possibility that final decision-making would be deferred if quorum was lost. The transcript does not show a final vote or action taken during this segment.

Transcript Highlights:

• 2, which begins on page 7, provides that this chapter prevails over conflicting provisions in a declaration
• conflicting conflicting Provisions<01:15:44.760> in<01:15:44.880> a<01:15:45.120> declaration
• <01:15:46.120> or Provisions in a declaration or Provisions in a declaration or bylaw<01:15

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Because our government can't seem to get their arms around this crisis and declare it what it is: a public
• 02.480> and to get their arms around this crisis and to get their arms around this crisis and declare
• :03.599> is<00:52:03.960> a<00:52:04.200> public<00:52:04.880> health declare
• it what it is a public health declare it what it is a public health emergency<00:52:06.760> it's<

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• We use the Space Weather Center to help us predict that, and we'll actually declare conservative operations
• help us predict that and<01:19:40.120> we'll<01:19:40.320> actually<01:19:40.679> declare
• <01:19:41.199> conservative and we'll actually declare conservative and we'll actually declare

Bills: HF75

Keywords: HF75, earned incentive release credit, earned incentive credits, revocation, revocable credits, corrections, Minnesota Department of Corrections, prison discipline, incarcerated persons, inmate misconduct, facility rules, sentence reduction, supervised release, Minnesota Rehabilitation and Reinvestment Act, public safety, rehabilitation, prison credits, executed sentence, 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• Governor Nome declared a state of emergency over this because of the spread again in California of 700
• Governor Nome declared a state of emergency over this because of the spread again in California of 700
• Governor Nome declared a state of emergency over this because of the spread again in California of 700
• As I said, Governor Nome declared a state of emergency over this because of the spread again in California

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• The meaning of data on individuals, I would submit, then, is clear to everyone, and declaring that data
• The meaning of data on individuals, I would submit, then, is clear to everyone, and declaring that data
• The meaning of data on individuals, I would submit, then, is clear to everyone, and declaring that data
• The meaning of data on individuals, I would submit, then, is clear to everyone, and declaring that data

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• chair's recommendation is to amend subsection A by adding that in the event of a state of emergency declared
• state by adding that in the event of a state of<02:22:15.479> emergency<02:22:15.920> declared
• <02:22:16.280> by<02:22:16.359> the<02:22:16.439> governor of emergency declared
• by the governor of emergency declared by the governor pursuant<02:22:17.399> to<02:22:17.600>

Keywords: 910, house, all

Summary: The committees heard testimony on several transportation and consumer-related bills. HB 496, relating to mamaki tea labeling, drew support from the Department of Agriculture, the Department of Weights and Measures, and the Hawaii Farm Bureau, which said the bill would help protect a culturally important crop and the Hawaii brand. Members questioned Agriculture about staffing and whether the bill was being used to reopen a package-labeling inspection branch; the department said it currently has no Oahu inspectors for that function but has a place for an additional inspector. No opposition was registered on the measure. HB 978, relating to electric utilities, and HB 1316, relating to DLNR/park reservations, were also heard. HB 1316 received support from State Parks, and members discussed where reservation fees would go and whether the statewide reservation system for three parks would cover its costs; the committee indicated a change would be made so fees go to the special fund. HB 914, relating to water carriers, drew support or comments from the PUC, Department of Agriculture, Department of Transportation, Young Brothers, and the Hawaii Harbor Users Group. The main discussion focused on the proposed automatic rate-adjustment mechanism tied to the GDP price index, with members asking for alternative index ideas and questioning whether the PUC already had authority to adopt such a mechanism. Young Brothers said the measure would provide clarity and help recover inflationary costs, while the chair raised concerns about repeated rate increases and asked for further testimony on possible alternative indices. HB 1161, relating to transportation and road usage charges, received support from the Insurance Division, DOT, and the State Energy Office, with comments from the Tax Foundation of Hawaii and the Hawaii Food Industry Association. Members asked whether counties need state authorization to adopt mileage-based charges and why the bill included funding for implementation; DOT said it is helping counties build the data collection and billing system and that Honolulu is handling much of the collection work. A question was also raised about whether plug-in hybrids would be covered, and DOT said vehicles under the federal electric-vehicle definition would be included. HB 1301, relating to transportation network companies, drew opposition from the Hawaii Association for Justice, Lyft, and Uber, all arguing that classifying TNCs as common carriers and changing liability rules would raise costs, reduce access, and disrupt the current statewide framework. No votes or final committee actions were taken in the portion of the meeting provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• If you support the dedication language that Hunter suggested, so requiring a declaration dedicating and
• 07.480> a that Hunter suggested so requiring an a that Hunter suggested so requiring an a declaration
• <00:27:09.399> um declaration um declaration um dedicating<00:27:11.279> um<00:27:11.600

Keywords: 910, house, all

Summary: The joint House Agriculture and Food Systems and Tourism hearing focused on HB 189 and HB 966, both dealing with agricultural tourism. HB 189 would require counties to adopt ordinances governing review and permitting of agricultural tourism as secondary uses on working farms, require the principal agricultural use to pre-exist any tourism-related permit, and limit ag tourism to land where productive agriculture is occurring. HB 966 would create statewide uniform standards for agricultural tourism, require county registration of activities, require ag tourism to coexist with agricultural activity on a farming operation, and end the tourism use when agricultural activity ceases. Testimony on HB 189 was mixed. The Department of Agriculture and Kualoa Ranch opposed the bill, arguing that the proposed restrictions and income-based limits could burden bona fide farms and ranches, reduce flexibility for counties, and harm food production, jobs, and diversification efforts. Kualoa Ranch said ag tourism supports its food sales and community market and warned the bill could cost more than 350 jobs. The Hawaiʻi Cattlemen’s Council also opposed the measure for similar reasons. The Hawaiʻi Farmers Union supported the bill with suggested amendments, including clearer language around agricultural dedication. The Hawaiʻi Farm Bureau supported the intent of the bill but urged caution, saying ag tourism should remain tied to actual agricultural production and that counties need flexibility to address abuses without imposing overly rigid standards. Members discussed how to define a bona fide agricultural operation and whether property tax agricultural dedication could serve as a clearer qualifier. They also raised concerns about how counties would enforce revenue thresholds or separate accounting for tourism and farm income, and whether state law should better target clearly non-agricultural uses such as gondolas or other abusive developments. The Department of Agriculture and Farm Bureau said counties already have authority to regulate ag tourism through ordinances, but that any new standards should avoid unintended burdens on true farmers and ranchers. HB 966 was then introduced, and initial testimony again reflected support for the bill’s intent from some agricultural groups and opposition or caution from others. Kualoa Ranch said ag tourism can help educate visitors and support agriculture, the Hawaiʻi Farmers Union supported county flexibility, and the Hawaiʻi Farm Bureau reiterated concerns about the bill’s income comparison provisions and the need to distinguish legitimate agricultural tourism from misuse. No votes were taken during the hearing.

Transcript Highlights:

• oppose<00:47:24.520> nay<00:47:25.520> the Still, Representative Jav Bolia declared
• Representative, you declared a conflict.
• Representative Schmidt and Representative Pat Long declared a conflict and did not participate in the
• Representative Schmidt and Representative Pat Long declared a conflict of interest and did not vote.

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• And so you've probably seen that where Governor Nome had to declare a state of emergency over this before
• he had to declare another state of emergency over fires.
• Governor Nome probably seen that where Governor Nome had<00:35:55.400> to<00:35:55.520> declare
• We also were able to declare ourselves free of highly pathogenic avian influenza in October of 2024,

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• House Bill 1270, Limb Loss and Limb Difference Awareness Month, declare the month of April as.
• I can't understand why we are declaring open season on the black bear and no other color bear.
• that says if any one of the provisions or subsections, sentences, clauses, or phrases are hereby declared
• is hereby declared uh unconstitutional. is hereby declared uh unconstitutional.
• those before it's declared those before it's declared >> This<04:16:18.280> bill<04

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

Summary: The Senate convened with a quorum present, received an invocation from Dr. Denise Pope, and led the pledge of allegiance. The body then dispensed with the reading of the journal, committee reports, and bill titles. Several guests were introduced, including the doctor of the day, student pages, Carthage Christian Academy, Mississippi Valley State University visitors, the University of Southern Mississippi’s DuBard School and related programs, and members of the Mississippi Association of Nurse Anesthetists. The Senate took up Senate Bill 2896, which revises the Department of Public Safety salary schedule for MHP and MBN officers. Senator Hopson explained it as the vehicle for possible pay raises for troopers, NBI, and MBN officers, and the chamber adopted the committee substitute and passed the bill by morning roll call. The Senate also passed Senate Bill 2917, a recurring appropriations cleanup measure; its main change would allow Mississippi Valley State University to use previously designated dormitory funds for repair and renovation instead. A reverse repealer amendment was adopted before final passage by morning roll call. Senate Bill 2825, the Mississippi Health Care Industry Zone Act, was then considered. Senator Harkins said the bill extends the repealer for the health care industry zone incentive program to 2028 and noted the program has generated significant investment and jobs statewide. An amendment requested by the Mississippi Development Authority was adopted to revise eligibility language, including replacing a CON requirement with a requirement that a hospital have at least 25 acute care beds and deleting a section under current law. The bill then passed by morning roll call. Finally, the Senate considered Senate Bill 2894 on local improvement projects and the return of unexpended funds and earned interest. Senator Harkins explained that the bill would require older local improvement project funds to be returned if projects were not moving forward, require reporting to DFA and the Legislative Budget Office, allow audits, and permit limited extensions, while also withholding a portion of other state distributions for noncompliance. Senators raised concerns about projects that are already obligated or delayed by workforce and engineering constraints, and Harkins said the bill would be refined with a reverse repealer to work with LBO and avoid disrupting active projects. The bill was discussed but not finally disposed of in the portion of the transcript provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• I move that urgency be declared within the meaning of Article IV, Section 19 of the Constitution of Minnesota
• I move that urgency be declared within the meaning of Article IV, Section 19 of the Constitution of Minnesota
• I wanted to make a point before we declared urgency. Lucero. Thank you, Mr. President. Years ago...

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• when we first stood these programs up, or a couple of years ago, how many students did we have as declared
• Data science—that one really took off these first few years of students declaring that major.
• North Dakota high school graduates that want to come to Minot State, that want to do nursing, that declare

Keywords: 908, all

Transcript Highlights:

• hey, when we first stood these programs up a couple of years ago, how many students did we have as declared
• Data science—that one really took off these first few years of students declaring that major.
• North Dakota high school graduates that want to come to Minot State, that want to do nursing, that declare

Summary: The Higher Education Institutions Committee met on the Minot State University campus for presentations on campus operations, enrollment, and new academic initiatives. President Shirley reviewed recent audits, noting mostly clean results with only minor technical findings, and highlighted MSU’s broad academic offerings, specialized accreditations, athletics, and partnerships with Minot Air Force Base and the MSU Development Foundation. Members asked about declining interest in teacher education, tuition waivers for athletes, dual credit incentives, and how MSU decides when to launch new programs and avoid duplication within the university system. Shirley also discussed several workforce-focused initiatives supported by the Legislature’s Workforce Education Innovation Funds, including the purchase of the Trinity Health Center West building for a downtown health sciences hub, a new daycare/preschool partnership near campus, the Aspire program to recruit rural students into teaching, and a paraprofessional-to-special-education degree pathway. Enrollment data showed overall headcount was flat at just under 2,750, but full-time equivalent enrollment rose slightly and new student numbers increased, including the largest freshman class in 15 years. The committee also discussed Minot State’s in-state tuition rate for all students, its dual credit “Emerging Scholars” scholarship, and concerns about the share of high school graduates who do not immediately pursue postsecondary education. Faculty then presented two new programs funded in part by WEAF: an Innovation Engineering degree and a master’s program in counseling with an integrated addiction studies focus. The engineering program was described as industry-driven, designed with broad early coursework, hands-on learning, and local employer input to prepare students for western North Dakota workforce needs; officials said it had already drawn more applicants than expected and would use renovated library space and donated or grant-funded equipment. The counseling program will be mostly face-to-face with hybrid options, aims to address shortages in mental health and substance use providers, and is structured to help students meet licensure requirements. Committee members asked about startup costs, licensure supervision hours, and whether the programs would be on campus rather than online, and presenters said both programs had recently received required approvals and were moving forward.

Transcript Highlights:

• I'm wondering about some of the conflicts of interest process that you went through and declarations
• Noe, uh, the court denied our request for preliminary injunction but did find that of the 23 declarants
• Noe, uh, the court denied our request for preliminary injunction but did find that of the 23 declarants

Keywords: 1187, senate, all