Transcript Highlights:

• The right to vote is guaranteed to every eligible American.
• I stand with the voters who voted for this bill.
• And we wonder why Texas is the lowest voting state in the nation.
• There is no widespread issue of non-citizen voting in Texas.
• No one should ever have to pay to register to vote.

Keywords: legislation, public policy, testimony, committee meeting, debates

Summary: The committee meeting involved various discussions pertaining to legislative initiatives and public policy concerns. Members engaged in debates around significant topics, highlighting their diverse perspectives. The atmosphere was lively with members presenting arguments for and against certain measures. Testimonies from the public were also a key feature, shedding light on community sentiments related to proposed bills.

Transcript Highlights:

• Uh chair for the vote, concerns? Okay. Uh chair for the vote, please.<00:10:20.320> Okay.
• <00:10:26.720> Representative chair votes I. Representative chair votes I.
• Okay, seeing none, chair for the vote, please. Okay, um, members, we're voting on STR 5 SD1.
• , Okay, seeing none, chair for the vote, Okay, seeing none, chair for the vote, please.<00:11:16.720
• Thank you, uh, chair for the vote.

Keywords: 910, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• All members vote who desire to vote. All members vote who desire to vote.
• Members, this vote is for co-authors. All those vote who desire to vote.
• All those vote who desire to vote. All those vote who desire to vote. Clerk will close the roll.
• All members vote who desire to vote. All those vote who desire to vote.
• All those vote who desire to vote. Clerk will close the roll and tally the votes.

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Without that vote of program.
• > thoughtful<01:09:32.159> and vote should reflect a thoughtful and vote should reflect
• committees and in my position is voting committees and in my position is voting concurrent<01:10
• Issuing a vote of native students.
• negative mark for an APAC to vote negative mark for an APAC to vote non-concurrent<01:21:39.920>

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• And by saying on the ballot, by voting yes on this ballot question you are voting for a property tax
• > property question you are voting for a property question you are voting for a property tax<00
• and found out yes, of course if I vote and found out yes, of course if I vote yes,<00:01:57.200>
• By voting yes on this ballot question, you are voting for a property tax increase.
• to<00:31:42.000> vote<00:31:42.200> against to vote against to vote against these<00:31

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Senator Brant votes yes. Senator Campos? Yes. Senator Campos votes yes. Senator Gonzalez? No.
• Senator Gonzalez votes no. Senator Lanier? Yes. Senator Lanier votes yes. Senator Padilla? No.
• Senator Woods votes yes. Senator Shindle? No. Senator Shindle votes no. Senator Munoz? No.
• Senator Munoz votes no. The amendment is not passed. With a vote of five to six.
• Senator Woods votes no. Senator Shendo? Yes. Senator Shendo votes yes. Senator Munoz? Yes.

Transcript Highlights:

• For those reasons, we would ask for an aye vote. Thank you. Thank you.
• SB 301, the current vote. Alinez, aye. Place this bill back on hold.
• And with that, I ask for an aye vote. Thank you.
• I respectfully ask for your aye vote. Thank you. I need a motion.
• The current vote is 4 to 0.

Summary: The Assembly Committee on Public Employment and Retirement heard several retirement and school employment measures. SB 301 by Sen. Grayson would prevent CERL-covered cities and districts from amending retirement contracts to exclude certain employee groups, closing a loophole similar to one previously addressed for CalPERS. The bill was supported by California Professional Firefighters and received no opposition. SB 443 by Sen. Rubio would clarify that employees transferring into a joint powers authority can retain CalPERS classic status even when the JPA expands later; the city of La Verne, a flood management agency, and AFSCME supported the bill, and it also drew no opposition. Both bills were moved out of committee on unanimous votes and sent to Appropriations, with the consent calendar items SB 521, SB 581, and SB 853 also approved. The committee then heard SB 494 by Sen. Cortese, which would give classified school employees the right to have disciplinary appeals heard by an administrative law judge rather than by the school board. Supporters, including CSEA, AFSCME, and CFT, argued the bill would create parity with teachers and community college faculty and provide a fairer appeal process. Opponents, including the California School Boards Association, county superintendents, school business officials, and community college groups, argued it would remove local control, impose a one-size-fits-all process, and shift costs to districts. The bill was passed out of committee and referred to the Committee on Higher Education. The committee also considered SJR 2 by Sen. Cortese, a resolution urging Congress and the President to enact federal protections for classified school employees, including better wages, benefits, safety, and workplace rights. Support came from CFT, CSEA, and other labor groups, with no opposition. The resolution was adopted and moved forward. At the end of the hearing, the committee reopened the roll to add votes, and all listed measures ultimately passed unanimously or near-unanimously before the meeting adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• He said, I'll vote for you. I'll vote for the bill for you. I'm not going to.
• He said, I'll vote for you. I'll vote for the bill for you. I'm not going to.
• But then you realize that you're only going to vote yes. You'd never vote no.
• Lock the board and record the vote. Have all senators voted?
• Senators will proceed to vote. Have all senators voted?

Summary: The Senate began with opening prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, and recognitions, including the doctor of the day and a lighthearted “Cannoli Day” introduction. The chamber then held an extended farewell celebration for Senator Joe Gruters, with numerous senators, colleagues, and family members praising his loyalty, political skill, family focus, and service in the Legislature and Republican Party. Gruters was presented with a commemorative gift recognizing his work on a 2019 public-safety and immigration bill that prohibited sanctuary cities and required local cooperation with federal immigration enforcement. The Senate adopted a motion to spread Gruters’s remarks upon the journal and then recessed briefly. After recess, the Senate returned to regular business and took up third-reading bills. Committee Substitute for Committee Substitute for Committee Substitute for Senate Bill 354, relating to blue ribbon projects, was temporarily postponed. The chamber then considered Committee Substitute for Committee Substitute for Senate Bill 1758, relating to public assistance, with Senator Gates explaining that it contained five reforms to the public assistance system discussed earlier in session. During debate on SB 1758, Senator Berman opposed the bill, saying he could not support it in its current form because he believed the Medicaid-related provisions would create a coverage cliff after the one-year transition period and could leave people without care while increasing costs to hospitals and taxpayers. He also said SNAP error reduction should be a priority, but argued the state should focus on fixing administrative errors and fraud rather than imposing a work requirement whose costs and effects were uncertain.

Transcript Highlights:

• I'd like to vote yes on House Bill 54 and did we vote on House Bill 46?
• Representative Flanery: I'd like to vote yes and explain my vote. Yes, sir.
• representative all may I explain my vote representative all may I explain my vote Yes<00:13:57.199
• > Bill<00:14:36.839> 46 like to record yes vote on House Bill 46 like to record yes vote
• Yes and explain my Flanery like to vote Yes and explain my vote<00:15:13.519> Yes<00:15:13.680

Keywords: 958, all

Summary: The committee first took up House Bill 46, which would allow lottery winners of $1 million or more to remain anonymous. After brief discussion and a motion with a second, the committee approved the bill unanimously and sent it to the House floor. Members then heard House Bill 54, a workforce and education measure aimed at aligning dual credit and project-based learning with licensed construction trades and other high-demand careers. The sponsor and witness said the bill is intended to help students meet both education and on-the-job training requirements, address labor shortages, and speed entry into the trades. Several members raised concerns about possible abuse of internships, the need for input from unions and other trade groups, and the amount of authority left to the Department of Housing, Buildings and Construction to write regulations. The sponsor said the bill does not replace current hands-on training requirements and expressed willingness to continue discussions. The committee passed the bill, with some members explaining their votes as conditional or in hopes of further amendments. The committee also approved House Bill 261, which would let retired CPAs provide certain uncompensated services, such as nonprofit work, while retaining their CPA designation, and would create a retirement-based CPE waiver for those limited services. A question from Representative Donworth focused on how retired CPAs would disclose their status to nonprofits; the board representative said retired status is noted in board records, but there is currently no separate requirement governing use of the CPA designation. The bill passed. Finally, the committee considered House Bill 262, which would remove restrictions on small CPA firm names after an owner dies or retires. The sponsor said Kentucky is an outlier because current law requires the remaining owner to change the firm name. The bill passed unanimously. After that, the chair turned the gavel over to the vice chair and began presenting House Bill 306, which would change engineering education requirements for licensure, especially to help Eastern Kentucky University fire protection engineering technology graduates qualify for licensure in Kentucky rather than leaving the state. The sponsor and witnesses explained that the bill would not change the rest of the PE licensure pathway, only the education component, and said most other states already allow this route. Members noted that engineers may have concerns and encouraged continued discussions before the bill advances further.

Transcript Highlights:

• All right, there being six yes votes and five no votes, the amendment is adopted.
• I'd encourage a yes vote on this.
• funding, and I encourage a green vote. funding, and I encourage a green vote.
• there being six yes votes and five no votes, the motion passes.
• <00:34:24.200> and<00:34:24.440> five vote there being six yes votes and five vote

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• oppose will vote no. oppose will vote no.
• All those in favor vote I. All opposed vote no.
• All those in favor vote aye or post a will vote no.
• <00:51:58.559> Cler, vote I or post a will vote no. Cler, vote I or post a will vote no.
• I vote aye.

Keywords: 958, all

Summary: The committee first reviewed preferred administrative regulations and, hearing no concerns, considered them reviewed. It then took up House Bill 388, described as a Casper cleanup bill. The sponsor said it would exempt charitable health care providers from e-prescribing requirements, allow Casper data sharing with certain federal entities, update references to hydrocodone’s schedule status, clean up drafting errors, and clarify practitioner registration with Casper. The bill passed 9-0 and was then approved for consent. Next, House Bill 134 was presented as a follow-up to a prior study on shortages of sexual assault nurse examiners and SANE-ready hospitals. The sponsor and a representative from the Kentucky Association of Sexual Assault Programs said the bill would create a statewide SANE coordinator. The committee adopted a substitute, then passed the bill unanimously and sent it to consent. Senate Bill 147 was then heard as an administrative update to vital records, modernizing certified-copy requests, adjusting fees, and requiring the Cabinet for Health and Family Services to send the annual death report to the State Board of Elections by July 1 each year. It passed unanimously and was also moved to consent. House Bill 280, a Kentucky Board of Nursing cleanup bill, would let the board investigate out-of-state nurses applying for Kentucky licenses, clarify licensing language, and update school rescue medication provisions, including inhalers, nebulizers, glucagon, Solu-Cortef, and nasal epinephrine. A committee substitute narrowed the bill to glucagon updates, and one senator asked whether the bill also covered child care centers; the sponsor said it addressed school medications only but was open to further discussion. The bill passed 10-0 and was reported favorably. Finally, Senate Bill 77 drew extended testimony. The sponsor and supporters argued that ibogaine research and treatment could help address addiction, PTSD, and depression, citing studies, personal recovery stories, and a proposed public-private partnership funded through opioid settlement money. The committee substitute removed the bill’s appropriation request and emergency clause, and members asked questions about whether PTSD is an addiction, whether smoking was included, whether the bill was authorizing research rather than funding, and how the treatment works. The sponsor said the substitute was only creating a structure for research, not appropriating money, and supporters described ibogaine as a one-time, medically supervised treatment. The transcript cuts off before a final vote on Senate Bill 77 is shown.

Transcript Highlights:

• Chair votes aye. Vice Chair votes aye. Senator is excused. Senator Richards votes aye. Senator Fel?
• Chair votes aye. Vice Chair votes aye. Senator is excused. Senator Richards votes aye. Senator Fel?
• If not, Senator Richards, I vote yes, Chair. Chair votes I. Senator Chang’s vote yes.
• ><01:00:22.960> Senator<01:00:23.400> Chang's vote Yes chair votes I Senator Chang's vote
• 46.200> I<01:01:46.480> vote excused I vote excused I vote iella<01:01:48.359> I

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Summary: The committees first heard Senate Bill 151 relating to the Department of Hawaiian Home Lands and geothermal development on Hawaiian homelands. DHHL and Ulupono Initiative testified in strong support, saying the measure would help advance clean energy goals, create economic opportunities, and support DHHL’s mission. Fine Electric also supported the bill. Several members of the public testified in opposition, raising concerns about consultation with beneficiaries, water impacts, land issues, and the scale of the proposed spending. In response to questions, DHHL staff explained slimhole drilling, the permitting distinctions between water exploration and geothermal exploration, and said prior studies and geophysical testing had been done. The chair then recommended passage with amendments, including SMA technical amendments, a directive to establish a permitted interaction group to study geothermal options, removal of the appropriation language, and a new effective date. The committees adopted the recommendation and passed SB 151 with amendments, with one senator voting no and several excused. The joint committees then took up Senate Bill 371 on property damage to critical infrastructure facilities. The Department of the Attorney General supported the bill with amendments, recommending broader critical infrastructure language to cover systems such as transportation, gas, power, water, and oil, and suggesting additional changes to improve prosecution. Utility and other supporters also testified in favor. The chairs proposed adopting the AG’s amendments except one, and further expanding the bill to make manslaughter explicit when a death results from disruption of critical infrastructure, and to add water as a covered infrastructure category. The committees adopted the amended recommendation and passed SB 371 with amendments. Finally, the Energy and Intergovernmental Affairs committee heard Senate Bill 585 on special purpose revenue bonds for Bana Pacific. The Attorney General noted a possible issue with the company’s entity status and the bill title, but Bana Pacific stated it was in the process of converting from an LLC to a corporation and was satisfied with the title. The State Energy Office supported the concept, and Bana Pacific described the project as an integrated biogas and green hydrogen facility that would support energy security, create jobs, and reduce emissions. The committee then moved on to Senate Bill 964 on waste-to-energy, where the State Energy Office offered supportive comments but many testifiers opposed the measure, arguing incineration is costly, polluting, and inferior to recycling. Written testimony showed more opposition than support, and public testimony focused on environmental and cost concerns.

Transcript Highlights:

• Your green vote today will make Minnesota roadways safer. Vote green. The clerk will take the roll.
• Caddy, you're voting right now. Anderson, P.E. Anderson, P.E. votes I. Jones. Jones, I.
• Anderson, P.E. votes I. Anderson, P.E. Anderson, P.E. votes I.
• Anderson, P.E. votes<00:02:51.000> I.<00:02:51.680> Jones. votes I. Jones. votes I.
• Jones votes I. Jones, I. Jones votes I. Momani-Dietschly. Momani-Dietschly. Momani-Dietschly.

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• Any<02:30:04.720> no<02:30:04.960> votes? Any no votes? Any no votes?
• the vote, please. the vote, please.
• Any<02:39:32.160> no<02:39:32.399> votes? Any no votes? Any no votes?
• Any no vote? Reservations for Moroka. Any no vote?
• Any no vote? Reservations for Moroka. Any no vote?

Keywords: 910, house, all

Summary: The committee heard testimony on HB 1588, which would establish a Department of Transportation noise detection program using cameras to enforce noise control laws. DOT supported the measure and said it is already piloting the technology at eight locations, with about 10 sites costing roughly $2 million to $2.5 million to install and operate. The Department of Health said it was willing to work with DOT but noted its current regulations are not designed for vehicular noise sources and that the bill may need clearer standards to be enforceable. Members raised concerns about the lack of a specific decibel threshold and whether the system could accurately identify the source of noise; DOT said the pilot can pinpoint vehicles and that the program would align with existing health standards, but no final number was identified during the hearing. The committee then heard HB 1696, which lowers the minimum age for a commercial driver’s license from 19 to 18 and removes a restriction tied to vehicle category, while requiring DOT rule changes. DOT, the City and County of Honolulu, the Hawaii Transportation Association, Teamsters Local 996, and other stakeholders testified in support. The Hawaii Transportation Association suggested adding a training requirement for drivers ages 18 to 20, proposing at least 320 hours of employer training and recordkeeping. Members sought clarification that the bill would apply to intrastate, not interstate, licensing. For HB 233, the committee considered a measure authorizing DOT to designate airport special district zones statewide to prevent unauthorized access and improve security. DOT and the City and County of Honolulu supported the bill, explaining that defined boundaries would help law enforcement address trespassing, disruptions, fires, theft, harassment, and other incidents around airports and terminals; DOT said commercial airports are ready to implement the proposal, while some general aviation sites would need further work. Members asked about the scope of the boundaries, existing enforcement, and whether the measure would cover state-owned or non-state parcels near airports. The committee also heard HB 2332, which renames the Harbors Division as the Commercial Ports Division and distinguishes “harbor” from “port” in statute. DOT, the Maritime Group, and harbor users supported the bill, saying the change would reduce confusion between commercial cargo/cruise facilities and recreational small boat harbors, and could help with clarity and possibly federal grant competitiveness. Members asked about impacts on small boat harbors and cruise activity, and DOT explained that the bill is aimed at purpose-built commercial ports, not recreational facilities. The committee also took testimony on HB 2283, which clarifies DOT’s consultative role with the Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs in setting port pilotage standards and requirements. DOT, DCCA, Matson, the Hawaii Pilots Association, and others supported the measure, saying it would improve coordination and ensure pilot licensing standards reflect operational realities in the harbors. Finally, after a recess, the committee heard HB 2217, which would allow driver’s permits, licenses, and ID cards to include a notation for a non-apparent disability. The Hawaii State Council on Developmental Disabilities opposed the bill as drafted, saying voluntary alternatives such as Smart 911 may be better and that the category is too broad. The Attorney General’s office supported the intent but recommended limiting the notation to medically recognized, specifically defined conditions so agencies can train personnel and avoid confusion or escalation.

Transcript Highlights:

• I encourage a no vote.
• So let's vote yes on this DE.
• I will be voting no this evening, and I'm glad that my community will see me vote no.
• Vote for Laurel.
• Vote to protect our girls; vote for fairness and safety." Take the roll... Thank you.

Transcript Highlights:

• Chair votes aye. Vice Chair votes aye. Senator Kino votes aye. Senator Kanuha votes aye.
• Chair votes aye.
• Chair votes aye.
• Any members voting with reservations? Any members voting no?
• Any members voting with reservations? Any members voting no?

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Summary: The Committee on Housing met on February 6, 2025, first in a joint session with the Committee on Labor and Technology. The joint committees heard SB 1235, which would create a Hawaii Housing Finance and Development Corporation program for government employee housing, including a revolving fund and a leasehold rent-to-own program. Testimony was generally supportive from HHFDC, the Department of Budget and Finance, and UPW, with one testifier opposing the bill because it was limited to state workers and should be broader. The committees recommended passage with amendments, including technical changes, $450,000 for two positions, removal of an income restriction, and clarification that leasehold and day-one projects are eligible; both committees adopted the recommendation unanimously, and the joint meeting adjourned. The Housing Committee then took up SB 67, SB 1133, and SB 1333. SB 67 would bar inclusionary zoning requirements on certain housing offered for sale or rent to qualifying residents, and it received support from HHFDC, the Grassroot Institute of Hawaii, and others; the committee recommended passage with technical amendments and adopted it. SB 1133 would allow counties to set rent increase limits tied to CPI and create a long-term residential lease tax credit; testimony included support from the Department of Taxation and opposition from Hawaii Realtors, NAIOP Hawaii, and the Tax Foundation, which warned about rent-control consequences. The committee recommended passage with amendments that made the credit nonrefundable, allowed limited carry-forward, restricted claims in certain family-lease situations, set filing deadlines, and applied the measure to disaster-affected counties; the recommendation was adopted. SB 1333 would allow certain counties to use surcharge revenues for transportation and housing infrastructure and extend the surcharge period. DBEDT, OPSD, HCDA, county officials, and the Grassroot Institute supported the bill, while the Tax Foundation opposed it, arguing temporary taxes were becoming permanent. The committee recommended passage with technical amendments, and members noted concerns that prior surcharge revenues had not produced enough housing projects, which were to be reflected in the committee report. Finally, the committee deferred SB 834 indefinitely because it had already been deferred indefinitely by the Hawaiian Affairs Committee, and the Housing Committee adjourned after completing its agenda.

Transcript Highlights:

• I will take the vote. Complete our first pass for today. Yes. Okay. On the House side, I vote aye.
• So, we can adjourn this and do the 10:15 a.m. agenda and vote on it because we're ready to vote.
• We have voted for the Senate. Shall I continue voting for the House?
• We have a<00:16:59.920> vote.
• a vote. Thank you, members. a vote. Thank you, members.

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• And unfortunately, we saw Senate Democrats again in lockstep vote to keep Senator Mitchell here serving
• Wouldn't you actually get to a vote if you did this when you held the gavel instead of when they hold
• Can you, if they had not been able to take this into a procedural vote, contend to vote with their leadership
• If they had not been able to take this into a procedural vote, contend to vote with their leadership?
• /c><00:03:55.280> with procedural vote Co tend to vote with procedural vote Co tend to vote with

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Summary: The meeting centered on a motion to expel Senator Nicole Mitchell from the Minnesota Senate while her criminal case remains pending. Republican speakers argued that Mitchell’s trial delays and continued service were undermining the Senate’s integrity, distracting from legislative work, and denying her constituents full representation because she is not serving on committees or participating in caucus. They said the motion was intended to uphold accountability, justice for the alleged victim, and the institution’s standards of conduct. DFL leaders and other defenders of Mitchell argued that she has not been convicted, is entitled to due process, and remains the duly elected representative of Senate District 47. They said Senate rules, Mason’s Rules, and custom require ethics proceedings to be completed before expulsion, and that the Senate should not act on her criminal case. They also emphasized that the Senate’s priority should be passing a budget and continuing to work under the chamber’s power-sharing agreement. The expulsion effort did not succeed. After debate and a procedural vote, Senate Democrats voted to keep Mitchell in the Senate, and leaders said the matter would remain unresolved until her court and ethics proceedings move forward. Republicans indicated they may continue to raise the issue, while DFL leaders said they would focus on governing and expected the chamber to reorganize if control changes after the upcoming election.

Transcript Highlights:

• We are voting on House Bill 224. We are voting on House Bill 224.
• >> I clerk votes. Yes. >> I clerk votes. Yes.
• >> Vote being 19 to zero. >> Vote being 19 to zero.
• I'll vote yes.
• The vote was 16. The vote was >> All right. The vote was 16.

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The committee first took up HB 155, which drew a lengthy debate over an amendment to delay implementation until tax year 2027. Supporters said the delay would give lawmakers time to see whether projected revenues materialize and to reconsider the policy if needed; opponents argued it would reduce money available to services and local governments at a time of tightening revenues. Members also discussed broader revenue trends, including tobacco, rooms-and-meals, real estate transfer, and lottery revenues, and disagreed over whether tax cuts tend to increase revenue. The committee adopted amendment 2025-2983H on an 11-9 vote, then voted 11-9 to report HB 155 ought to pass as amended. The bill was sent to the consent calendar, with a majority and minority report to be filed. The committee then considered HB 224, with members expressing concern that the bill would redirect money collected for one purpose to another and should receive more study. A motion for interim study was made and seconded, and the committee approved interim study unanimously, 20-0, sending HB 224 to the consent calendar. Next, the committee took up SB 83, which the Lottery described as a vehicle for technical corrections to gaming law. The Lottery requested changes to remove a bond cap, reconcile inconsistent free-play/promotional-play language, redirect problem-gambling funds to the Commission on Addiction Treatment and Prevention, and revise background-check language after the FBI declined to conduct checks under the existing wording. The committee adopted amendment 2025-2984 unanimously, 20-0, then voted 20-0 to report SB 83 ought to pass as amended and placed it on the consent calendar. Finally, the committee began work on HB 524, a bill to repeal the New Hampshire Vaccine Association. Representative Yuli said members had received many emails and calls both supporting and opposing the program and that he had questions about transparency and the dollars involved. The transcript cuts off before any vote or further action on HB 524.

Transcript Highlights:

• I urge you to vote no.
• Members vote red.
• Members, I vote you to support women and to vote no on this amendment.
• Vote no.
• Vote no.

Keywords: 1183, house