Transcript Highlights:

• Representative Carpenter serves on it because it's in her district, and the senator for that district
• So, would you entertain an amendment that had all of the two years left, but District 61 has an appointment
• and the Senate district for which the facility is housed?
• ...left, but District 61 has an appointment and the Senate district for which the facility is housed.
• And the district attorney, if the district attorney has reason to believe it’s in the best interest of

Bills: HR153 , HR154 , HR155 , HR156 , HR157 , HR158 , HCR57 , HCR58 , HCR59 , HR133 , HR134 , HR135 , HR136 , HR137 , HR138 , HR139 , HR140 , HR141 , HR142 , HR144 , HR145 , HR146 , HR147 , HR148 , HR149 , HR150 , HR151 , HR152 , SCR28 , SB141 , SB169 , SB206 , SB233 , SB417 , SB421 , SB429 , SB437 , SB477 , SB510 , SB521 , HR1 , HR17 , HCR5 , HB55 , HB385 , HB394 , HB396 , HB406 , HB608 , HB622 , HB676 , HB772 , HB897 , HB902 , HB943 , HB1030 , HB1035 , HB1038 , HB1045 , HB1049 , HB1056 , HB1058 , HB1059 , HB1092 , HB1100 , HB1117 , HB1160 , HB1161 , HB1162 , HB1177 , HB1180 , HB1189 , HB1216 , HB1239 , HB1240 , SB127 , HB284 , HB1 , HB2 , HB3 , HB312 , HB313 , HB383 , HB314 , HCR3 , HB983 , HB1126 , HB21 , HB24 , HB29 , HB31 , HB39 , HB45 , HB77 , HB136 , HB150 , HB263 , HB273 , HB299 , HB315 , HB376 , HB377 , HB431 , HB444 , HB450 , HB519 , HB533 , HB538 , HB559 , HB562 , HB663 , HB664 , HB715 , HB717 , HB805 , HB822 , HB823 , HB834 , HB864 , HB867 , HB1017 , HB1018 , HB1068 , HB1134 , HB1137 , HB1234 , HB1235 , HB1236 , HB211 , HB27 , HB71 , HB214 , HB225 , HB241 , HB244 , HB306 , HB345 , HB366 , HB446 , HB511 , HB514 , HB655 , HB730 , HB743 , HB1027 , HB1037 , HB1043 , HB1082 , HB1091 , HB1096 , HB1103 , HB1167 , HB1174 , HB1175 , HB1230 , HB1237 , HB1238 , SB162 , SB349 , SB350 , SB382 , SB383 , HB401 , HB51 , HB58 , HB140 , HB982 , HB1010 , HB132 , HB193 , HB635 , HB690 , HB1003 , HB750 , HB911 , HB151 , HB180 , HB192 , HB310 , HB961 , HB1146 , HB977 , HB181 , HB901 , HR20 , HR74 , HB9 , HB393 , HB459 , HB577 , HB582 , HB605 , HB614 , HB615 , HB682 , HB733 , HB773 , HB996 , HB1113

Keywords: commendation, robotics, high school, competition, education, Tomato Festival, community celebration, Our Lady of Prompt Succor, fundraising, local heritage, Holocaust, remembrance, Yom HaShoah, Jewish history, condolences, community service, law enforcement, legacy, Shreveport, D.A.R.E. Program

Transcript Highlights:

• To introduce someone with such great educational entertainment.
• As a fast growth district, we will continue to require new...
• We're an A-rated district and have been since the rating system started.
• We are a fast-growing district, yeah. Right. Kendall County. Booming, yeah.
• In another hearing, we discussed cities, counties, and special districts.

Bills: SB4 , SJR2 , SB 4 , SJR 2

Committee: Senate Local Government

Transcript Highlights:

• One of the most unique things that we found, though, was that in our multi-member districts, where you
• situations such as in 2020 where the winner in the Democratic primary in Massachusetts Congressional District
• them for their work today, thank the committee members for joining us, thank the IT staff, and I'll entertain
• Thank the IT staff, and I'll entertain a motion to adjourn. Motion to a second.

Committee: Joint Joint Committee on Election Laws

Summary: The Joint Committee on Election Laws held a public hearing focused primarily on ranked choice voting (RCV) legislation and several local home rule petitions, along with one petition to authorize remote participation in Concord town meetings. Chairs Keenan and Hunt outlined hearing procedures and noted the committee would hear both in-person and virtual testimony. The committee also took testimony on Concord’s request for remote participation in open and special town meetings, with supporters arguing it would make town meeting more accessible to residents with childcare, mobility, work, or disability barriers while preserving direct democracy. A large portion of the hearing centered on RCV local-option bills and municipal petitions from communities including Concord, East Hampton, Salem, Chelsea, Arlington, Revere, Amherst, and others. Supporters—among them local officials, legislators, election advocates, educators, veterans, and nonprofit leaders—said RCV would reduce vote-splitting, encourage more candidates, promote more positive campaigning, improve representation, and increase turnout. East Hampton officials described their existing use of RCV, saying it produced record turnout, was easy for voters to understand with education, and could be expanded to multi-winner races without major added cost. Concord and Amherst witnesses said their voters had already approved local steps toward RCV and urged the committee to let municipalities implement the system without further delay. Testimony in favor of the local-option RCV bill emphasized home rule and local control, with several witnesses arguing the state should not block communities that have already voted to adopt RCV. Speakers from MassVOTE, the AFT Massachusetts, Voter Choice Massachusetts, Progressive Massachusetts, the Boston Teachers Union, and Veterans for All Voters said the reform would strengthen democracy, broaden participation, and save money by avoiding low-turnout preliminary elections. Some witnesses also referenced examples from Cambridge, Maine, and Utah to argue that RCV is workable, nonpartisan, and familiar to voters. The hearing ended with no votes or final committee action taken in the transcript provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• Senator Creem, regarding your district, I'm aware that National Grid customers living on Garland Road
• I just wanted to bring up a peaker plant that was built, two peaker plants that were built in my district
• And I would like to see the Senate entertain additional clarifications around the obligation to serve
• And I would like to see the Senate entertain additional clarifications around the obligation to serve

Committee: Senate Senate Committee on Climate Change and Global Warming

Summary: The committee heard testimony on two related issues: gas utilities’ climate compliance plans filed with the Department of Public Utilities and the recent DPU orders reforming the Gas System Enhancement Program (GSEP). Chair Creem and other senators emphasized that Massachusetts must reduce gas use, shrink the gas distribution footprint, and move customers to alternatives such as heat pumps, network geothermal, and non-gas pipeline alternatives (NPAs). DPU Chair Jamie Van Nostrand said the new GSEP orders lower the annual revenue cap from 3.0% to 2.5%, phase it down toward 1.5%, eliminate carrying charges, require more rigorous risk prioritization, and push utilities to consider advanced leak technology, relining, repairs, and NPAs. He also described the climate compliance plans as the start of a longer process covering decommissioning, stranded costs, line extension allowances, integrated energy planning, and targeted electrification demonstrations. Senators pressed the DPU and utility witnesses on the lack of specificity in the climate compliance plans, especially the absence of numeric goals for gas usage reduction, customer conversions, and near-term deployment of NPAs. Utility representatives from Eversource and National Grid said their plans include NPA frameworks, integrated energy planning, targeted electrification pilots, network geothermal, and workforce transition efforts, but argued that implementation takes time, requires customer participation, and depends on coordination with electric utilities and communities. They said some NPA and electrification projects are being evaluated now, while larger-scale deployment is expected later in the decade. Senators also raised concerns about line extension allowances, with utilities explaining that new customers may be charged based on whether existing ratepayers would otherwise be harmed, while National Grid said it has begun increasing customer contributions to send stronger price signals. Attorney General Mary Gardner supported the DPU’s GSEP reforms and said the office favors eventually stepping the GSEP cap down to zero by 2030, with repair and replacement costs recovered in base rate cases instead. She argued that the utilities’ plans still rely too heavily on business-as-usual approaches, do not adequately quantify scope 3 emissions, and leave unresolved questions about the obligation to serve and the future of line extension allowances. Advocacy witnesses from the Conservation Law Foundation and Acadia Center were more critical, saying the plans lack the detailed modeling, targets, and transparency needed to show how the utilities will help meet the Commonwealth’s heating and cooling sublimits and broader climate goals. No votes were taken; the hearing consisted of testimony and questioning.

Transcript Highlights:

• Chair, Representative Colleton, I believe that we would entertain that. Thank you, Mr. Clor.
• I believe that we would entertain that. Thank you, Mr. Clor. Members, any other questions for Mr.
• General Fund to the Arizona Department of Administration in fiscal year 2027 to distribute to 10 fire districts
• "Thank you, Senator Payne, District 27, Public Safety Chairman in the Senate.

Committee: House House Public Safety & Law Enforcement Committee of Reference

Summary: The committee heard and advanced several public safety and corrections measures. SB 1161 would prevent $750,000 appropriated to DPS for Yuma County’s Amberly’s Place Family Advocacy Center from lapsing; testimony emphasized that the bill preserves existing funding for crisis response and victim services. The committee also advanced SB 1215, which clarifies the cancer list tied to the occupational disease presumption for firefighters and peace officers and adds retroactivity to June 30, 2021. SB 1270, aimed at retention for Tier 3 corrections employees, would allow optional employer supplemental contributions to defined contribution accounts at specified service intervals, with an amendment capping annual contributions at $5,000 and requiring employer policies; members discussed retention, vesting, and whether the incentive could simply be taken and left after the waiting period. Both SB 1161 and SB 1215 received due pass recommendations, as did SB 1270 after one no vote and several members noting the need for better retention tools. The committee then considered SB 1400, which authorizes law enforcement wellness and crisis response programs and sets confidentiality rules for information shared in those programs. Supporters said the bill would expand access to peer and professional support while preserving public records and misconduct investigation access, but members raised concerns that the privilege language could be too broad for licensed therapists; the sponsor indicated openness to an amendment, and the bill was advanced with members reserving the right to change their votes if the language is not tightened. SB 1538, as a strike-everything amendment, would require workers’ compensation coverage for PTSD treatment for firefighters and peace officers and could include one course of MDMA treatment if federal approval and DEA rescheduling occur by the stated deadline. Supporters described promising clinical trial results and argued the bill is a conditional authorization, while counties opposed the mandate and raised cost concerns; after debate over whether the bill is permissive or mandatory, the committee adopted the strike-everything amendment and gave the bill a due pass recommendation. The committee also passed SB 1537, which renames the Peace Officer Training Equipment Fund as the Public Safety De-escalation and Life Safety Fund and repeals the advisory commission. Supporters said the new name better reflects the fund’s use for de-escalation and less-lethal equipment, while some members opposed the change and preferred the money be used for raises. Finally, the committee began hearing SB 1580, which would appropriate funds for fire incident management support hardware and software and, under a chairman’s amendment, redirect money from the Peace Officer Training Equipment Fund to additional public safety technology and retention/recruitment purposes; testimony focused on regional data-sharing systems and the need for accountability and clarity on how the funds would be spent.

Transcript Highlights:

• the things that keeps me up at night is that I put out a survey on Monday to my constituents in my district
• I probably may have some other questions for you, so thank you for entertaining that and walking me through
• New Mexico State Police and the New Mexico Department of Public Safety work closely with district attorneys
• To entertain a motion?

Bills: HB99 , HB49 , HB164 , SB30 , SB43 , SB50 , SB136

Committee: House House Judiciary

Transcript Highlights:

• the things that keeps me up at night is that I put out a survey on Monday to my constituents in my district
• I probably may have some other questions for you, so thank you for entertaining that and walking me through
• New Mexico State Police and the New Mexico Department of Public Safety work closely with district attorneys
• Is there anyone else to entertain a motion?

Bills: HB99 , HB49 , HB164 , SB30 , SB43 , SB50 , SB136

Committee: House House Judiciary

Summary: The committee first took up House Bill 99, which would make changes to the Medical Malpractice Act, especially around punitive damages. The chair and sponsor said the bill would not be voted on that day and that public comment would wait until Monday, when a fuller presentation and any recommended substitute would be considered. Dr. Brooke Baker, a physician-lawyer, gave a long presentation on physician wellness, malpractice stress, and the effect of litigation on staffing and burnout, while also discussing hospital ownership structures, private equity, and rural hospital vulnerability. She argued that punitive damages are often pled too broadly in New Mexico, that the amendment language was unclear about which entities would be capped, and that better oversight and internal quality systems—not punitive damages—are the better tools for addressing bad actors and unsafe care. Committee members from both sides asked extensive questions about the patient compensation fund, indemnification, corporate structures, the effect of caps on insurance and recruitment, and whether the bill would protect physicians’ personal assets. No vote was taken on HB 99, and the committee recessed before moving to the next bill. The committee then returned to House Bill 49, a public safety measure increasing penalties for felons who possess firearms. The sponsors and law enforcement witnesses said the bill is aimed narrowly at serious violent felons who are already prohibited from having guns, and that it would align state sentencing with federal law and give police and prosecutors a stronger tool against repeat violent offenders. An amendment was offered to narrow the bill further, add destructive devices, and make the offense a second-degree felony rather than escalating to first degree on repeat offenses. The amendment was adopted without opposition. Public testimony on HB 49 was largely opposed. The Law Office of the Public Defender argued the bill criminalizes possession without a new act of violence, that current law already punishes felon-in-possession conduct, and that New Mexico has repeatedly increased penalties without evidence of reduced gun crime. The ACLU of New Mexico also opposed the bill, saying increased penalties are not a proven deterrent. The transcript cuts off as additional online opposition testimony was beginning.

Transcript Highlights:

• My name is Dolan Everol, representing Rick Igot with the YK Key Beach Special Improvement District.
• c> we</c><00:05:19.440><c> did</c><00:05:19.560><c> send</c><00:05:19.759><c> in</c> improvement district
• we did send in improvement district we did send in written<00:05:20.199><c> testimony</c><00:05:20.639
• I wish that we had more discussion with the city or the state, because in my district there's a road
• I wish that we had more discussion with the city or the state, because in my district there's a road

Summary: The joint committees first heard SB 1146, which would appropriate funds to the University of Hawaiʻi to develop an action plan and pre-engineering concept plan for debris management and water quality control in the Ala Wai Watershed. Testimony was largely supportive from DLNR, a UH student, and a special improvement district representative, while one speaker suggested the work should be coordinated with existing efforts to avoid duplication. Committee discussion focused on the multi-jurisdictional nature of the watershed, existing debris-trap work that captures only about 20 to 30 percent of debris, the role of the university in capstone projects and recommendations, and the relationship to the existing Geni project and other community efforts. Members also asked about costs, tracking progress, and the difference between water-quality improvements and the larger debris problem. The committees then voted to pass SB 1146 with amendments, including blanking out the appropriation and deferring the effective date to July 31, 2050. The motion passed in both committees, with votes recorded in support and no opposition noted during the decision-making. The committees also heard SB 321, which would deem certain fee simple privately owned lands transferred to adjacent property owners or community associations if specified conditions are met. Testimony was in support from several individuals, but members raised concerns about the lack of input from counties and the state, and about how the bill might affect roads already used by the public or maintained by local governments. After discussion, the committees voted to advance SB 321 unamended to the next committees, with the measure adopted in both committees despite one recorded no vote in the Water and Land committee.

Transcript Highlights:

• And I'm, uh, Senator Shelley Frommeyer from Senate District 24, Campbell, Pendleton, Bracken, in the
• And I'm, uh, Senator Shelley Frommeyer from Senate District 24, Campbell, Pendleton, Bracken, in the
• I will entertain a motion. >> Make a motion. >> Oh, I apologize.
• Throughout my district, I have a thing.
• I represent Senate District 17, and I’m just an all-around good guy.

Committee: Senate Economic Development, Tourism, & Labor

Transcript Highlights:

• I've also served as a special assistant United States attorney in the Middle District of Florida from
• I am currently serving on the District Board of trustees for South Florida State college.
• It has been an honor to serve either through the foundation are now on the District Board of Trustees
• We're delighted to hear and you are Palm Beach State College, my my district.
• The operation of the district has financially efficient.

Transcript Highlights:

• Chair, you have to entertain an amendment.
• You would have to entertain Representative motion. Thank you. >> All right. No, that's fine.
• Chair, you have to entertain an &gt;&gt; Uh, Mr.
• Chair, you have to entertain an amendment.<01:55:21.360><c> If</c><01:55:21.520><c> it's</c><01:55:21.679
• You would have to entertain good. You would have to entertain represent<01:55:32.480><c> motion.

Committee: House Judiciary

Transcript Highlights:

• I will not entertain a motion to table at this session.
• > Chair, there are occasions when one would enter a motion to reconsider and immediately I would entertain
• If the amendments are in order, and germane, I intend to entertain the amendments, and when it comes
• Germaine,<01:13:28.080><c> I</c><01:13:28.239><c> intend</c><01:13:28.560><c> to</c><01:13:28.719><c> entertain
• </c><01:13:29.120><c> the</c> Germaine, I intend to entertain the Germaine, I intend to entertain the

Committee: Joint Public Health and Welfare

Transcript Highlights:

• At this time, I'll entertain a motion on At this time, I'll entertain a motion on the minutes from the
• they've got a little more competition these days, you know, with sports wagering in terms of the entertainment
• with sports wagering in terms<00:08:11.280><c> of</c><00:08:11.360><c> the</c><00:08:11.599><c> entertainment
• </c><00:08:12.000><c> dollar,</c><00:08:12.240><c> but</c> terms of the entertainment dollar, but terms
• of the entertainment dollar, but it<00:08:12.560><c> can</c><00:08:12.639><c> they</c><00:08:12.879>

Summary: The committee first established a quorum, approved the July minutes, and recognized Jennifer Hayes of the Department of State Budget Director for her retirement and long service. Secretary Hicks then presented a review of fiscal year 2025 closeout for the general fund and road fund, explaining that the general fund ended with a $313 million surplus and the road fund with a $61 million surplus. He attributed the general fund result to strong corporate income and LLC tax receipts, investment income, and lower-than-budgeted spending, while noting that individual income tax and sales tax underperformed estimates. He also described how the general fund surplus was allocated, with $62 million used for necessary government expenses and $251 million deposited into the budget reserve trust fund, which remained at historically strong levels. For the road fund, he said the surplus would be deposited into the Department of Highways construction account, and he highlighted record motor vehicle usage tax receipts despite lower motor fuels tax revenue due to a rate decline. Members asked questions about the pass-through entity tax, delayed filing deadlines, THC beverage sales, and income tax collection from undocumented workers. Hicks said the pass-through entity tax remains difficult to model because of timing issues and the first year’s unusual filing pattern, and that staff are still working with the Department of Revenue and other states to improve forecasting. He said the delayed filing deadline likely would not require a major restatement and that any related receipts would still be counted in fiscal 2026. On THC beverages, he said the issue would be considered in the next forecasting cycle. On the undocumented-worker question, he said withholding may capture some of the revenue but referred broader collection efforts to the Department of Revenue. The committee then shifted to an overview of the federal reconciliation act’s potential impact on the next biennial budget, with Hicks and Commissioner Lisa Dennis focusing on Medicaid and SNAP. Hicks said the Congressional Budget Office estimated roughly $900 billion in federal savings over 10 years, driven in part by work or community engagement requirements for the Medicaid expansion population and limits on state-directed payments. He emphasized that CMS still must issue regulations to define how the state-directed payment reductions will be calculated, making the exact fiscal impact uncertain. He referred members to a prior Medicaid Oversight Advisory Board presentation for more detail, and the discussion remained informational with no votes or formal actions taken on the federal changes.

Transcript Highlights:

• There you go—your district, I know that. And I think that's about it.
• them from being hired, but what we do is disclose all the information to the agency that wants to entertain

Committee: All ALC-GAME & FISH/STATE POLICE

Summary: The committee first heard from Arkansas State Police leadership about efforts to reduce vehicle pursuits and fleeing from law enforcement. Members discussed prior legislation that made fleeing a felony and enhanced penalties when suspects exit moving vehicles, and the State Police reported those changes, along with a social media/public service campaign and work with prosecutors, were associated with a 29% decline in pursuits from 2023 to 2025, or 180 fewer pursuits last year than in 2023. Members also asked about a recent mistaken PIT/TVI incident involving the wrong vehicle; the agency said the family was not injured, had requested privacy, and the trooper involved was terminated. The committee also received an overview of the Arkansas State Police Foundation, which funds scholarships, emergency assistance for troopers’ families, and facilities and training support, with no lobbying role reported. The committee then heard from the Commission on Law Enforcement Standards and Training on officer decertification and hiring accountability. Director Chris Chapman explained that every officer separation must be reported, that files are flagged when conduct may warrant decertification even if it does not meet that threshold, and that hiring agencies must be told about prior misconduct before they can add an officer to their roster. He said the commission now receives more decertification requests than before, with requests rising from 158 in the prior three-year period to 256 in the last three years, and that 147 officers were pending hearings, down from a prior backlog that had stretched to about four and a half years. He also said the commission meets every other month for two-day hearings, and that most decertifications involve integrity or honesty issues. Members asked about open investigations, citizen complaints, appeals, and public access to decertification records. Chapman said resignations during internal affairs or criminal investigations are flagged, citizen complaints are usually handled through supervisors, chiefs, sheriffs, or prosecutors and may lead to decertification review if warranted, and decertified officers can appeal to circuit court. He added that decertification records are subject to the Freedom of Information Act and may be used in civil claims. No votes were taken, and the meeting adjourned after discussion of a possible future committee meeting at the fish hatchery in Lonoke.

Transcript Highlights:

• tax for just a minute and ask you, Senator Peterson, about last year you said that you would... ...entertain
• I mean, I think as individuals, every one of us up here are elected from different districts, right?

Summary: House and Senate Democratic leaders announced and defended a new “Millionaire’s Tax” bill, saying it is intended to raise revenue from the highest earners while reducing reliance on sales tax and B&O tax and funding education, health care, community safety, and other state needs. They said the proposal is a starting point and will likely change as they continue talks with the governor, business groups, local governments, and other stakeholders. They also said the bill is not subject to cutoff because it affects state revenue, and that the Senate hearing is scheduled first in Ways and Means, with the House expected to follow after the Senate version moves over. The leaders described the bill as narrowly targeted at roughly 30,000 individual payers, with the first $1 million of income taxed at zero and the rate matching the state capital gains tax above that level. They argued the measure is not a broad income tax and rejected claims that it creates a marriage penalty, saying the structure mirrors the capital gains tax and uses Washington’s capital gains definitions. They also said the bill includes credits and deductions to address pass-through businesses, including dollar-for-dollar credits for B&O and public utilities taxes and an election allowing some businesses to pay the tax at the entity level. A major part of the discussion focused on how the bill would use revenue. Leaders said about 5% would go to counties for public defense costs tied to a new Supreme Court mandate, while the rest would support tax relief and new spending. They said the package would expand the Working Families Tax Credit, increase the small business credit, end the B&O surcharge a year early, and exempt some hygiene and grooming products from sales tax, with the tax-relief share estimated in the 20% range. They also said the necessity clause is needed because of structural budget problems and federal policy changes, and they expressed confidence that voters and lawmakers have become more open to taxing high earners, citing the capital gains tax vote and broader public concern about inequality and federal cuts.

Transcript Highlights:

• I won't commit exactly to what that looks like, but I am willing to entertain what you have to talk about
• We have certain districts, even represented at this table, where there are national food trucks that

Bills: HB3725 , HB3260 , HB3660 , HB3369 , HB3370

Committee: House Business

Summary: The committee first took up House Bill 3725, as amended by a PCS, which would require employers statewide to use E-Verify or a federal equivalent when hiring new employees. The author argued the bill would help reduce illegal immigration, protect wages and jobs for lawful workers, and impose only minimal costs because E-Verify is free and quick to use. Members raised concerns about burdens on small businesses, farms, and ranches; state versus federal authority; enforcement by the Department of Labor; identity theft and false positives; possible litigation; and what would happen if the federal system went offline or changed. The author said the bill includes good-faith protections, a trigger repeal if the federal program expands, and that he would file additional language to address shutdown-related disruptions. No motion was made, and the bill remained in committee. The committee then heard and passed several other measures without opposition. House Bill 3260 would add the Oklahoma Funeral Directors Association as an approved provider for continuing education credits for funeral director license renewals, and it passed 9-0. House Bill 3660 would authorize natural organic reduction, described as transforming human remains into soil, and it also passed 9-0. House Bill 3369 would revise food truck fire code requirements by allowing portable fire extinguishers instead of an automatic suppression system and by allowing licensed plumbers, not just Oklahoma LP Gas, to inspect or install certain gas plumbing; members discussed possible conflicts with another LP gas fix and agreed to work together, and the bill passed 9-0. Finally, House Bill 3370 would extend the effective date of the food truck fire code to November 1, 2028, creating a sunset to allow more time for a broader solution. The author said he preferred another option but wanted this bill available if needed. After brief clarification, the committee passed HB 3370 9-0. The meeting ended with the chair noting there would be three meetings left in the session.

Transcript Highlights:

• I know there's been a lot of talk out and about in our communities and our districts about AI in general
• process because just this recently this January of 26th of this year the US Senate had passed or has entertained

Committee: House House Artificial Intelligence & Innovation Committee of Reference

Summary: The House AI and Innovation Committee first heard a presentation from APS on its data center strategy and the rapid growth of AI/data center demand in Arizona. APS said it is trying to protect reliability and affordability for existing customers while preserving capacity for other growth, and emphasized that “growth should pay for growth.” APS described its current peak load, projected growth, and the scale of potential data center demand, and explained that data centers differ from other customers because they use large amounts of power around the clock and require major new infrastructure. APS said it has proposed two ways to serve them: a revised data center tariff filed with the Corporation Commission and separate bilateral contracts with upfront customer contributions. Committee members asked about whether residential customers are subsidizing data centers, the proposed 45% increase for the data center rate class, possible impacts on development, self-generation behind the meter, seasonal load, and APS’s longer-term resource plans, including nuclear, gas, renewables, and possible SMRs. APS said residential customers are not intended to subsidize data centers and that the proposal is designed to assign costs directly to those customers. The committee then took up House Bill 2133, which requires commercial entities that knowingly distribute or publish sexual material online to obtain reasonable consent and age verification, including for synthetic or AI-generated or altered images, and authorizes civil penalties for violations. A five-page amendment in Representative Kupper’s name narrowed the bill by excluding internet service providers, affiliates, subsidiaries, search engines, and cloud providers from responsibility for content they do not create or directly host. Representative Kupper said the bill is intended to protect people in adult content from exploitation and non-consensual use, including trafficking-related material and revenge porn, and compared it to existing age- and consent-verification practices in the physical adult-content industry. He said the penalties mirror those used in related laws, including a $10,000-per-day structure. During debate, several members said they supported the bill’s intent but wanted to reserve the right to change their votes after further stakeholder discussions, citing First Amendment and implementation concerns. One member noted a similar federal proposal with a higher fine structure. After no public testimony was offered, the committee adopted the amendment and then voted 5-0 with two members present to give HB 2133, as amended, a due pass recommendation.

Transcript Highlights:

• representatives from other land management agencies such as DEP, FDACS, and the water management districts
• So that's a lot in a very short period there, and I will certainly entertain questions if you have them

Committee: Senate Environment and Natural Resources

Summary: The Senate Committee on Environment and Natural Resources convened with a quorum present and took up SB 302 by Senator Garcia, which would promote nature-based solutions for coastal resilience. Garcia said the bill would direct DEP to adopt statewide guidelines, encourage local restoration projects through existing grant programs, streamline permitting for green and hybrid infrastructure, support workforce training, and require a study on flood-risk and insurance benefits. Senator Harrell asked about implementation, existing statutory authority, and possible fiscal impacts. The committee adopted an amendment clarifying that hybrid infrastructure need only combine green and gray elements, not prove superiority over either alone. The committee heard supportive testimony on SB 302 from Katie Bauman of Surfrider Foundation, who said nature-based approaches such as dunes, wetlands, and mangroves are cost-effective and protective, and several organizations waived in support, including the Environmental Defense Fund of Florida, the Florida Shore and Beach Preservation Association, and 1,000 Friends of Florida. Senator Harrell said she supported the concept but remained concerned about the breadth of rulemaking and the fiscal implications of workforce funding. After closing remarks from Garcia, the committee voted to report CS for SB 302 favorably. The remainder of the meeting consisted of informational presentations on land management. Brian Bradner of DEP reviewed Florida State Parks management, including prescribed fire, invasive species removal, hydrologic restoration, cultural resource preservation, visitor use, and budgeted land-management activities. Melissa Tucker of the Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission described wildlife management areas, emphasizing habitat restoration, wildlife monitoring, ranch infrastructure, public access, and the economic value of the system. Rick Dolan of the Florida Forest Service outlined state forest management funded through a $20 million appropriation, including road and facility work, recreation upgrades, invasive species control, reforestation, habitat restoration, prescribed burning, and boundary marking. Senators praised the agencies’ work and noted the ongoing cost of managing state lands. The committee then adjourned without further action.

Transcript Highlights:

• Happy to entertain any questions. All right. Uh, any questions of the sponsor? Okay.
• Um, this bill will help people of all ages in your district.

Bills: HB86 , HB273 , HB379 , HB386 , HB387 , HB388 , HB389 , HB487 , HB600 , SB120 , HB176

Committee: Senate Finance and Taxation Education

Keywords: rural health, hospital funding, tax credits, qualified donations, Alabama Department of Revenue, HB273, Hunger-Free Campus Act, hunger free campus, food insecurity, college hunger, student hunger, campus pantry, food pantry, SNAP, Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, basic needs, student food assistance, meal vouchers, meal credits, food vouchers

Transcript Highlights:

• I'm happy to stop there and entertain questions. Members, any questions? I don't have one.
• passed HB1543, which added a notification process for the transfers located in public improvement districts

Bills: HB431 , HB648 , HB 1006 , HB1926 , HB2037 , HB2468 , HB2788 , HB2791 , HB3255 , HB3260

Committee: House Trade, Workforce & Economic Development