Transcript Highlights:

• Thank you for all the work you did here during the Legislature.
• And, Sylvia, thank you for your work and all you have done for our office in keeping us open, working
• It's been a great honor to work with you.
• They work very well with SpaceX.
• Senate Bill 2615 by Creighton, relating to restricting remote work by employees of public institutions

Bills: SJR12, SCR39, SB27, SB29, SB241, SB406, SB414, SB464, SB568, SB578, SB609, SB660, SB689, SB693, SB785, SB857, SB879, SB921, SB922, SB955, SB985, SB993, SB996, SB1008, SB1035, SB1036, SB1059, SB1098, SB1120, SB1122, SB1147, SB1188, SB1197, SB1209, SB1227, SB1245, SB1267, SB1307, SB1321, SB1332, SB1386, SB1396, SB1453, SB1484, SB1494, SB1536, SB1537, SB1596, SB1610, SB1664, SB1741, SB1814, SB1822, SB1841, SB1948, SB2065, SB2155, SB2188, SB2230, SB2406, SB2407

Keywords: parental rights, education, constitutional amendment, school choice, child education, border security, southern border, federal immigration policy, illegal immigration, cartels, transnational cartels, fentanyl, drug trafficking, human trafficking, Operation Lone Star, Texas border, National Guard, state guard, border wall, border barriers

Summary: The Senate convened with a quorum present, heard an invocation, and approved the previous day’s journal. The chamber then adopted Senate Resolution 358 honoring the University of Texas Rio Grande Valley on its 10th anniversary, with senators highlighting the university’s growth, medical school, research expansion, and role in serving South Texas. The Senate also adopted Senate Resolution 368 honoring outgoing Texas A&M University System Chancellor John Sharp, with numerous senators praising his long public career, leadership in higher education, and statewide impact. Senate Resolution 361 recognizing Texas HBCU Day and Senate Resolution 362 recognizing Denton County Days at the Capitol were also adopted, along with other routine recognitions and gubernatorial appointments being read into the record. The Senate then took up several bills. Committee Substitute Senate Bill 27, relating to rights and support for public school educators, was debated and amended to shorten vacancy posting requirements, allow bilingual certification candidates to retake only failed test sections, give teachers more flexibility with paid leave, clarify classroom removal procedures, and ensure parents are informed of appeal rights. The bill passed to engrossment, the three-day rule was suspended, and it was finally passed unanimously. Senate Joint Resolution 12, proposing a constitutional amendment to establish a parent’s right to direct a child’s education, was also brought up and passed to engrossment after a contested suspension vote. The Senate next passed Committee Substitute Senate Bill 1741, which would require reporting of foreign funding at public universities, bar gifts from adversarial governments, and require training and reporting systems to prevent foreign influence and intellectual property theft in higher education. Committee Substitute Senate Bill 29, the so-called “Dexit” bill, was debated at length for its corporate governance changes, including codifying the business judgment rule and altering internal corporate litigation and records rules; it passed to engrossment, the three-day rule was suspended, and it was finally passed by a 30-1 vote. Senate Bill 857, allowing law enforcement discretion to tow vehicles driven by unlicensed or uninsured drivers, passed after discussion of towing abuses during flooding and disaster conditions. Committee Substitute Senate Bill 1536, requiring dementia and Alzheimer’s training for certain guardians, passed with broad support, and Senate Bill 922, addressing delayed electronic disclosure of sensitive medical test results so physicians can discuss them first, was taken up and passed to engrossment as the chamber continued through its calendar.

Transcript Highlights:

• We want you to come here and work.
• We want to continue that work, and we look forward to working with each and every one of you in the same
• I'm very remote, and I get snow.
• And because some voters are at work during the weekday, and those voters who are at work have difficulty
• work.

Bills: HB2009, HB2022, HCM2001, HCM2002, HCM2004, HCR2001, HM2001, HM2004

Keywords: campaign contributions, foreign contributions, constitutional amendments, public disclosure, Arizona Revised Statutes, elections, voter registration, provisional ballots, primary election, voter participation, Muslim Brotherhood, terrorism, foreign terrorist organization, national security, Islamist extremism, Congress, Arizona, domestic security, CAIR, terrorist organization

Transcript Highlights:

• Those close to home school and work.
• work on railroad bills there. work on railroad bills there.
• <00:52:26.400> We work was down done last summer. We work was down done last summer.
• done,<00:52:32.640> footings Underground works uh was done, footings Underground works
• your work on it. Thank you very much. your work on it. Thank you very much.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I work all over the state.
• We worked with numerous interest.
• When I worked for Dallas County, I was an employee of Dallas County working for Family Court Services
• How this works. A couple decides to get a divorce.
• When they missed work, they lost their job.

Bills: HB116

Keywords: film industry, incentives, economic development, state funding, media production

Transcript Highlights:

• are experts in this area, have worked on it.
• So, no doubt we will continue to work So, no doubt we will continue to work today,<00:55:45.080>
• Is there another state or place where this is working?
• And if so, do we have results that it is actually working?
• The bill continues cost of this work.

Keywords: 981, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Can you speak to any of how those algorithms work?
• My job at 15 was working at Dweenerson, at 17 I was working in the oil patch, and at 18 working offshore
• How many hours a day do you work?
• We work for you, and we listen. In the U.S.
• That's how it works. I appreciate you.

Bills: HB186, HB201, HB229, HB796, HB1506, HB2702, HB2885, HB3225, HB3909, HB4285, HB5138

Keywords: social media, children, account verification, data privacy, parental control, financial crime, card fraud, motor fuel theft, law enforcement, criminal activity, skimmers, prevention, training, biological sex, government information, definitions, sex-based distinctions, public health, federal directives, state authority

Transcript Highlights:

• So I'm not seeing a way to make work what she wants to work and still keep the sanctity of no electioneering
• And it's worked pretty well, uh, as long as you had reasonable people, uh, running as candidates.
• Is that a, do you think you could work with us on that? Oh, yeah.
• Appointments can take weeks and are only available during working hours.
• I, My district is very close to Travis County, and I have worked many, I don't say work them, I'm always

Transcript Highlights:

• I think that was quality work.
• That is an example of government working well and delivering for people.
• This matters to Minnesota and to the agency and program work in this bill.
• and<00:21:45.280> delivering government working well and delivering government working
• It is unfortunate that work we're doing.

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• And as they legislature on their work.
• then you know that the people who work then you know that the people who work in<00:25:10.960>
• That is how a system of laws works.
• That is how a system of laws works.
• That is how a system of laws works.

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• feedback to see how this stuff all works feedback to see how this stuff all works out.<00:05:10.880
• I know some of you know I work for ACLU.
• And the best way I've was working on it.
• Thank you and I'm happy to why it works.
• , Through our reclaiming democracy work, Through our reclaiming democracy work, we<00:10:28.959><

Bills: SB2004, SB2039, SB2042, SB2043, SB2044, SB2132

Keywords: outdoor advertising, billboards, public safety, penalties, community pollution, elections, campaign finance, business entities, political activity, regulation, liability, non-natural persons, insurance, captives, examination, regulations, policyholders, dormant captive, tax exemption, Hawaii revised statutes

Summary: The Senate Commerce and Consumer Protection Committee opened its first hearing of the year with remarks from Chair Jared Kohole outlining hearing procedures, a two-minute testimony limit, rules for remote testimony and decorum, and a revised testimony-publication pilot that keeps 96-hour notice but returns to a standard 24-hour testimony deadline. He then moved through the agenda, beginning with SB 2004 on outdoor advertising, which would increase penalties for violations of billboard and outdoor advertising laws. Testimony on that measure was limited; Henry Curtis of Life of the Land was first up, and written support was noted from Hawaiian Electric and the Outdoor Circle. The committee then heard SB 2039 on election campaign finance, which would prohibit certain business entities from engaging in campaign finance activities. The Attorney General’s office offered comments and did not take a formal position at the hearing. Several proponents testified in support, including Josh Frost, Tom Moore of the Center for American Progress, Hapa/Hawaii Alliance for Progressive Action, and Common Cause Hawaiʻi, all arguing the bill would curb corporate and dark-money influence and return elections to the people. Moore distinguished between regulating corporate “rights” and limiting corporate “powers,” and said the state can redefine the powers it grants corporations. In questions, Senator McKelvey asked whether the bill could be expanded to include unions; the Attorney General said he would need to get back with legal analysis, while Moore said his preferred approach would include all entities and that leaving out nonprofits or unions would create problems. Members also discussed whether the bill would affect PACs, and Moore explained that the proposal would prohibit corporate and dark-money flows into PACs while leaving individual political giving and existing political committees in place. The committee then moved on to the next measure. SB 2042, relating to insurance, was heard next. The bill would reduce the unimpaired minimum capital and surplus required of class 4 sponsored captive insurance companies under certain circumstances. The DCCA Insurance Division said it stood on its written testimony, and the Hawaii Captive Insurance Council testified in support, describing the change as a narrow, risk-based adjustment that would not affect the commissioner’s authority where actual risk resides and would help keep Hawaii competitive. The committee noted additional written support and proceeded without a vote or final action in the portion of the hearing provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• We are exhausted, but we have to finish the work assigned to us.
• Not working. Yeah, I don't have that. Let me just do what's on the board.
• They do exceptional work. They keep us running every single day. They do exceptional work.
• It's not always every day that you get to go to work with people who you truly admire and enjoy working
• For your hard work. And if we could all give them a big round of applause.

Keywords: 909, all

Transcript Highlights:

• And like, for the regular average everyday working hard-working person here in our state, there's absolutely
• They did fantastic work. Thank you.
• This process does not work in the halls and the chambers.
• Communities are working to protect clean water and critical infrastructure.
• And you can see that it's not working as we're doing it.

Summary: The House convened with prayer, a moment of silence for former Senator Don Childers, the Pledge of Allegiance, and recognition of Officer Antonio Richardson as law enforcement officer of the day. The chamber announced it would take up 11 budget conference committee reports, with no third-reading bills or special-order calendar items. Members were reminded that conference reports were subject to debate but not amendment, and that the required review periods had been satisfied. The first major action was on HB 7031E, the tax package. Representative Duggan explained that the conference report included a mix of retained, modified, and new tax provisions, including sales tax holidays, property tax and homestead-related changes, reductions in certain gaming and carbon-related taxes, changes to child care and documentary stamp tax credits, a new refund process for public works construction tax paid by universities and colleges, and other tax administration changes. Debate focused on the bill’s consumer impact, the reduction of the child tax credit from three years to one, the inclusion of firearm accessories in a sales tax holiday, the absence of gas tax relief and combined reporting, and the homestead exemption provision for certain deployed diplomatic and foreign service personnel. Critics argued the package favored niche or corporate interests over broad affordability relief, while supporters said it provided targeted tax relief and reflected conference negotiations. The House adopted the conference report and passed HB 7031E by a vote of 88-11. The House then began presenting the conference report for HB 501E, the state budget, which totaled $114.5 billion for fiscal year 2026-27 and was described as below the prior year’s spending level while maintaining reserves. Subcommittee chairs outlined major budget areas: pre-K-12 funding included an increase in FEFP, salary increases for veteran teachers, stabilization funding, and support for declining enrollment; higher education included full Bright Futures funding, workforce programs, college operating support, university initiatives, and school guardian expansion; IT funding focused on Palm, ACCESS, APD’s I-Connect replacement, corrections systems, emergency management systems, and cybersecurity grants; health care funding covered Medicaid, nursing home rates, waiver provider increases, ADAP funding and restructuring, child welfare, and behavioral health; transportation and economic development included housing, cultural grants, jobs and rural infrastructure, Visit Florida, Space Florida, highway patrol equipment, and local transportation projects; justice funding included correctional construction, juvenile justice facilities, law enforcement grants, and clerk and due process reimbursements; state administration included fire stations, constrained counties, building maintenance, and Safe Florida Home; and agriculture/natural resources funding emphasized Everglades restoration, water quality, land acquisition, Florida Forever, state parks, and citrus research. Members then began questioning the budget details, including school voucher accountability, school funding formulas, public defender parity, prison technology, wastewater monitoring in prisons, ADAP policy, SNAP fraud controls and AI-assisted verification, Florida Forever funding, school lunch funding, and coral reef restoration. No final vote on HB 501E appears in the transcript excerpt.

Transcript Highlights:

• for authors' amendments, we will have roll calls for all votes since we have members participating remotely
• worked out well in 2020 and 2024. worked out well in 2020 and 2024.
• Over the last few sessions we've worked Over the last few sessions we've worked to<00:32:26.840>
• So it's not really about them needing more time to do the work to prepare for the canvassing board.
• <00:43:14.080> to time to do that to do the work to time to do that to do the work to prepare

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• It's met as a partnership a number of times, but also established work groups to really work on four
• It was a gig company, so they had workers who were working remotely, working from home, classified them
• It was a gig company, so they had workers who were working remotely, working from home, classified them
• We appreciate the work you do.
• I was working part-time I was working I was working part-time I was working $10<01:41:39.920>

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:20:10.480> with much and I look forward to working with much and I look forward to working
• <00:32:06.519> they're work they're work they're doing<00:32:08.639> all<00:32:08.760><
• So we would continue to work on salary improvement.
• these funds so we would continue to work these funds so we would continue to work on<00:40:21.920
• <01:32:06.280> and owners caucus to endorse your work and owners caucus to endorse your work

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Representative Bakeberg is on remote, and Representative Gustafson will be joining us soon as well remotely
• Line 40 works with line 44.
• Line 40 works uh with line 44. year. Line 40 works uh with line 44.
• Line 92 works with line 108.
• /c><02:03:54.719> proposal working uh working group um proposal working uh working group um proposal

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:26:03.919> group told me great about the working group told me great about the working
• We should stick to what's working.
• accessibility to school work and other accessibility to school work and other resources<01:13:11.280>
• We worked on it.
• We worked on it.

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:

• And as a person who worked at the library to work to get myself uh through school, um, value them so
• So good work to the legislature.
• So good work to the those competencies. So good work to the legislature. legislature. legislature.
• So I'm curious how that works now.
• So I'm curious how that works now.

Bills: HF3698, HF3067, HF3730

Keywords: libraries, electronic books, digital audiobooks, licensing agreements, public access, paraprofessional, paraprofessional qualifications, education support staff, teacher aide, teacher assistant, special education, Title I, federal personnel qualifications, Minnesota Department of Education, school district, charter school, cooperative unit, Read Act, reading instruction, math instruction

Transcript Highlights:

• appreciate the spirit of working appreciate the spirit of working together<01:08:52.120> and<
• including thousands who have worked including thousands who have worked safely<01:13:46.320>
• Council that folks would like to work Council that folks would like to work with<01:41:13.560>
• bipartisan collaboration as we work bipartisan collaboration as we work toward<01:42:16.599>
• working do and working on this issue on working with<02:03:17.800> the<02:03:18.040> stakeholders

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Summary: The Minnesota Senate Energy Committee heard Senate File 426, authored by Senator Icorn, which would remove the 100-megawatt cap on hydropower for purposes of qualifying as an eligible energy technology under Minnesota law. Supporters said hydropower is carbon-free, reliable, flexible baseload power that can help Minnesota meet its 100% carbon-free electricity goal by 2040. Testifiers from Missouri River Energy Services and Minnesota Power described existing hydropower resources, including allocations from federal Missouri River dams, Minnesota hydro stations, and Manitoba Hydro, and argued that the bill would preserve and expand options for clean energy development. Several members raised concerns about the bill’s purpose and potential environmental impacts. Senator McEwen questioned why the size limit should be removed without specific proposed projects or more information about the need for larger dams, citing concerns about fisheries, water resources, and land use. Senator Port and others asked about costs, environmental effects, and where new projects might be built. In response, supporters said the bill is intended to open the door to future projects and allow agencies to review proposals through existing permitting and environmental processes, rather than approving any specific dam. Committee members offered mixed reactions. Senator Frentz said he supported the concept but recommended laying the bill over for further discussion and possibly sending it to the Environment Committee, noting environmental concerns and the need for more conversation. Senator Gruenhagen strongly supported the bill, arguing that it merely lifts a cap while leaving permitting and review requirements in place. Senator Hoffman also supported the bill, saying current policy blocks consideration of new projects and that the change would allow regulators to evaluate proposals on their merits. No vote was taken during the hearing, and the bill was left open for further consideration.

Transcript Highlights:

• I know how hard they're working.
• uh we are still um we are still working uh we are still um we are still working on<00:30:28.120>
• On next, I believe we are going to a remote hearing. Alison Gings, hi there.
• We are finally working with a balanced budget.
• doing this most important work centers doing this most important work of<01:13:39.800> caring

Bills: HF2436, HF470, HF2643, HF2456, HF102, HF1367

Keywords: child welfare, economic assistance, child care, grant program, video security cameras, early education, scholarships, funding, children, families, Minnesota education, child care licensing, family child care, child care center, Minnesota Department of Children, Youth, and Families, correction order, conditional license, fix-it ticket, documented technical assistance, license suspension