Video & Transcript Research : 'election amendment'
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FL
Florida 2025 Regular Session
Appropriations Committee on Criminal and Civil Justice Mar 5th, 2025
Transcript Highlights:
- I DO HAVE AN AMENDMENT IF WE CAN DO THAT. >> Chair Martin: GO AHEAD AND TAKE UP THE AMENDMENT. 323662
- THE AMENDMENT CLARIFIES KEY CHANGES IN THE AMENDMENT FOR GRAMMAR, FORMATTING, CORRECTIONS, STANDARDIZATION
- THE AMENDMENT IS ADOPTED.
- THAT IS THE AMENDMENT. >> Vice Chair Martin: ANY APPEARANCE FORMS ON THE AMENDMENT?
- AMENDMENT IS ADOPTED, BACK ON THE BILL AS AMENDED, QUESTIONS ON THE BILL AS AMENDED.
KY
Kentucky 2026 Regular Session
House Legislative Session Day 6 (1-13-26)
Kentucky House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- Chairman, the House Committee on Elections, Constitutional Amendments, and Intergovernmental Affairs
- To Elections, Constitutional Amendments, and Intergovernmental Affairs: House Bill referred the following
- , 26, House Bill 29 to elections, 26, House Bill 29 to elections, constitutional<00:30:08.240>
- amendments,<00:30:08.640>
and constitutional amendments, and constitutional amendments, and - floor amendments. floor amendments. Be<00:31:02.640>
no <00:31:02.880>need.
Keywords:
Convene 00:00
Motions, Petitions, and Communications 00:55
Introduction of New Bills and Resolutions 11:09
Motion to Act on HR 21 15:13
Recess for ConC and Rules Meeting 23:52
ConC and Rules Report 29:29
Adjournment 31:04, 958, all
Summary:
The House opened with an invocation and the Pledge of Allegiance, then established a quorum with 96 members present. Routine business followed: absent members were excused, the rules were suspended to allow co-sponsorship and vote modifications, and the journal from January 12, 2026 was approved. No bills were taken up on second reading, and there were no committee reports or orders of the day at that point.
During announcements, members recognized the Frederick Douglass High School cheerleading squad for winning a state title, and several members noted visits or upcoming events involving Kentucky firefighters and fire chiefs. Multiple committee meeting notices were also shared, and House Bill 244 was withdrawn by its primary sponsor. The clerk then read a long list of newly filed bills and resolutions covering topics including pharmacist reimbursements, immigration enforcement, housing, identity documents, sex-based classifications, school choking prevention, local minimum wages, rental property, labor standards, wages, veterans issues, homelessness prevention, real property appraisers, jury duty, paramedic education, adult performances, sanctuary policies, charitable gaming, court costs, National Guard benefits, child care coverage, and several resolutions.
The chamber then considered House Resolution 21, honoring the victims of the UPS Airlines Flight 2976 crash in Louisville and commending first responders. The sponsor described the crash, named the victims, and detailed the extensive multi-agency response. The House opened the board for additional co-sponsors, observed a moment of silence, and adopted the resolution without objection. Afterward, the House recessed briefly for Committee on Committees and Rules Committee meetings, then received committee referrals for numerous bills to standing committees. No floor amendments were introduced, and the House adjourned until 2:00 p.m. on Wednesday, January 14, 2026.
FL
Transcript Highlights:
- such inquiry and the evidence adduced at the public hearings, the Senate Committee on Ethics and Elections
- The Committee on Ethics and Elections submits its report with our recommendations.
- Are there amendments? None on the desk, Mr. President. Are there other questions of the sponsor?
- Are there amendments? None on the desk, Mr. President. Are there questions?
- There will be further updates as we go forward about the amendment process and the timing.
Summary:
The Senate opened with a prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, and several ceremonial introductions recognizing St. Johns County Day, Florida Space Day, Florida State Parks Day, Pinellas County Commissioner Kathleen Peters, and AMI Kids Day at the Capitol. The chamber then received and adopted a committee report on executive appointments, with debate focused on the confirmation of Tina Vidal-Douart. Senator Smith opposed her confirmation, citing concerns about contracts tied to the Alligator Alcatraz detention facility and the Hope Florida Foundation; Senator Pizzo spoke in support, describing her assistance during COVID testing and vaccination efforts. The report was adopted by a vote of 37 yeas, 0 nays.
On the special order calendar, the Senate passed Committee Substitute for Committee Substitute for Senate Bill 48 on housing, which requires local governments to allow voluntary accessory dwelling units, limits certain local restrictions, preserves homestead treatment for the primary residence portion, and extends density bonus incentives for military families. The bill passed 38 yeas, 0 nays. The Senate also passed Committee Substitute for Senate Bill 578, creating a statewide Alzheimer’s Disease Awareness Initiative through the Department of Elder Affairs to promote early detection, diagnosis, brain health, and outreach to older and higher-risk Floridians. That bill also passed 38 yeas, 0 nays.
Chair Hooper gave a budget update, saying appropriations work was progressing and that budget rollout would be delayed until next Thursday, February 12, with full appropriations hearing scheduled for Wednesday, February 18. The Senate then waived rules to immediately certify all bills passed that day to the House. Additional announcements highlighted Manatee County Days, New College of Florida Day, and Florida Keys Day. The Senate adjourned until noon on Wednesday, February 11, or upon the call of the President.
AL
Alabama 2026 Regular Session
Alabama House Education Policy Committee Jan 21st, 2026
Education Policy
MN
Transcript Highlights:
- This is the A4 amendment. amendment. amendment.
- amendment to the amendment.
- This is the A10 amendment to the amendment. >> Senator Cron to your A10 amendment to the amendment.
- is the A52 amendment to the amendment is the A52 amendment to the amendment is not<04:01:52.160>
- <05:04:20.480>
Equal our fifth amendment Amendment. Equal our fifth amendment Amendment.
MA
Massachusetts 2025-2026 Regular Session
Senate Session (Full Formal with Calendar) Jun 21st, 2026 at 11:00 am
Massachusetts Senate Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- Number 1596, amended.
- I hope the amendment is adopted. The question comes on adoption of the amendment.
- Hearing none, the amendment is withdrawn. Amendment number six.
- Question now comes on adoption of the Ways and Means amendment as amended.
- The ayes have it, and the Ways and Means amendment is adopted as amended.
Summary:
The Senate opened with the Pledge of Allegiance and then took up several bills and procedural matters. It adopted an emergency preamble and passed to be enacted a sick leave bank for Anisee Contreras of the Trial Court, and it also passed a bill reauthorizing the town of Swansea to issue additional on-premises liquor licenses. The chamber ordered several other bills to third reading, including a Wellesley bill on police and fire residency limits and a House bill on Commonwealth bond terms, along with multiple calendar items that were advanced without debate.
The Senate then considered and passed the bill increasing access to disposable menstrual products in prisons, homeless shelters, and public schools. Senators Comerford and O'Connor spoke in strong support, describing the measure as a continuation of prior Senate action and a response to period poverty, with O'Connor highlighting community efforts by Free Period and related funding support. The bill was amended, ordered to a third reading, and passed to be engrossed by a unanimous roll call. The Senate also passed a bill on menstrual product ingredient disclosure after adopting a Ways and Means amendment; Comerford said the measure would require manufacturers to disclose ingredients and chemicals, citing concerns about PFAS and other harmful substances. That bill also passed to be engrossed by roll call.
The chamber next took up a major public safety bill strengthening the move-over law. Senator Tarr described the bill as expanding protections to utility workers and disabled vehicles and adding escalating penalties, while Senator Feeney emphasized the dangers faced by workers on roadways and the need to protect them. Several proposed amendments were considered: one on municipally owned utility vehicles was adopted, while amendments on interior lights during stops, higher penalties, non-surchargeability, green lights for municipal emergency management vehicles, and public access to driving records were rejected or withdrawn. The amended bill was then ordered to a third reading and passed to be engrossed by a 39-0 roll call.
The Senate also paused to honor the late Senator Edward J. Kennedy of Lowell, adopting a motion to adjourn in his memory after a tribute to his public service and community advocacy. Earlier, the chamber recognized a guest, Rocco LaGrasso, during Italian-American Heritage Month. The session ended with the Senate adjourning to meet again the following Monday at 11 a.m.
CA
California 2025-2026 Regular Session
Assembly Floor Session Jun 8th, 2026
California House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- Reports of committees will be deemed read, and amendments deemed adopted.
- people of my district, and if things go to plan, my district really won't be able to elect a person
- All bills will be deemed read, and all amendments will be deemed adopted on concurrence.
- All bills will be deemed read, and all amendments will be deemed adopted on concurrence.
- And with your commitment to take the amendments in the Senate, I am supporting the measure today.
Summary:
The Assembly convened, established a quorum, and handled a number of procedural motions, including suspending rules for adjournments in memory and guest introductions, rescinding prior action on SB 493, and re-referring several Senate bills to different committees. Members also recognized guests on the floor, including family members, interns, firefighters from the Corona Fire Department, and the Quartz Hill High girls’ soccer team, which was honored for its historic championship season.
The main floor action was on AB 1795 by Assembly Member Gibson, the Smoke Damage Recovery Act, which would create statewide standards for inspecting, testing, and remediating wildfire smoke damage and set clearer insurance claim practices. Supporters said the bill would help wildfire survivors return home safely and urged science-based standards and a rebuttable presumption that contamination after a wildfire was caused by the fire; opponents warned the bill could raise costs and should better address government failures in fire recovery. The bill passed on a 54-6 vote, including the urgency clause.
Members also adopted SCR 137, proclaiming March 15 as Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg Day, with remarks praising her role in advancing gender equality and equal rights. The resolution was adopted after 65 co-authors were added and then approved by voice vote. The consent calendar, including SJR 11, was adopted 71-0.
A large portion of the session was devoted to adjournments in memory, including tributes to Larry Vane, Dr. William A. Burke, Colonel Alfred P. Glover, and Rita Semmel. The Assembly also honored departing Member James Gallagher, who gave extended farewell remarks before leaving for Congress. The house then announced upcoming committee meetings and adjourned until Thursday, June 11, at 9 a.m.
TX
Transcript Highlights:
- Please continue to guide our elected officials, their staff members and families.
- , um, he, he almost got elected district attorney, lost by 50 votes, and then a couple of years later
- he got elected to the court of court of uh uh county court of law, uh, and then later would be the first
- African American elected statewide in the state of Texas when he was elected to the Court of Criminal
- Addressed to the voter on the list of registered voters, refer to the Committee on Elections.
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
Judicial branch, public defender budget requests to House judiciary and civil law panel 1/21/25
Minnesota House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- First is for elections: our district court judges are elected by judicial district and are authorized
- governor, who serves as the head of that court, and there is also a chief judge in each district elected
- <00:03:16.480>
our <00:03:16.680>district first is for elections our district first - >
elected <00:03:18.680>by <00:03:19.000>Judicial court judges are elected by Judicial - <00:14:26.480>
the level issued a rule amending the level issued a rule amending the American
Summary:
The House Judiciary Finance and Civil Law Committee heard a presentation from State Court Administrator Jeff Shorba on the Minnesota judicial branch’s 2026-27 budget request. He outlined the courts’ structure and workload, noting 322 judges, about 2,800 staff, roughly 1 million district court cases annually, and a current budget of about $479 million. Shorba emphasized the courts’ constitutional role, the fact that court fines and fees are deposited into the general fund rather than retained by the branch, and recent legislative investments that helped reduce pandemic-era backlogs, improve technology, sustain treatment courts, and raise interpreter and examiner pay.
The budget request focused on several areas: a 6% judicial salary increase to address recruitment and retention problems, including a 15% rise in turnover and a 27% drop in applicants since 2020; funding for health care and office lease cost increases; digital accessibility compliance work required by new federal ADA rules; a modernized justice partner access system for court records; higher pay for forensic psychological examiners, whose workload has risen sharply; increased juror compensation from $20 to $100 per day and mileage adjustments; and ongoing funding for interpreters, jury services, and cybersecurity. Shorba said the total request would be a 12% increase over the FY 2026-27 base budget.
Members asked follow-up questions about funding for newly launched treatment courts and how those courts are financed after federal grants expire. Shorba said he would provide more detail later and noted the branch generally starts treatment courts with federal funding before seeking state support. Representative Ric also asked about labor negotiations, and Shorba explained that the judicial branch negotiates its own contracts rather than using the executive branch, with three unions involved and many unrepresented employees. No votes or formal actions were taken during the discussion.
OK
Oklahoma 2026 Regular Session
House of Representatives Second Regular Session of the 60th Legislature Day 25-after Call of the Chair Mar 16th, 2026 at 02:00 pm
Oklahoma House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- The clerk will read the amendment. Mr.
- Speaker, I move to amend House Bill 3263, page one, lines 1-4.5.
- There is an amendment. Click or read the amendment. Mr.
- There's an amendment, but could read the amendment, Mr. Speaker.
- Amendment submitted by Archer. Presentcher, you recognize to explain your amendment. Thank you, Mr.
Bills:
HR1038, HB3263, HB3127, HB2997, HB3115, HB2123, HB3587, HB3028, HB2035, HB3369, HB3620, HB3621, HB3622, HB3624, HB3175, HB3173, HB3178, HB1979, HB4476
Keywords:
Oklahoma Youth Expo, OYE, 4-H, FFA, agriculture, agricultural education, youth expo, livestock show, junior livestock, scholarships, youth leadership, Oklahoma City, rural communities, ag mechanics, engineering contest, farm youth, student recognition, ceremonial resolution, house resolution, livestock competition
US
US Federal 2025-2026 Regular Session
US House Floor Proceedings (Thursday, May 21, 2026)
US Federal House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- Democrats also offered an amendment Democrats also offered an amendment after<02:27:58.880>
amending - the record the text of this amendment. the record the text of this amendment.
- Somebody had an amendment.
- the 19th Amendment.
- That amendment was rejected. That amendment was rejected.
FL
Florida 2026 5th Special Session
Community Affairs Jan 27th, 2026
Transcript Highlights:
- So there is one amendment. We'll take up Amendment 353762 by Senator Arrington.
- We are now back on the bill as amended. Are there questions on the bill as amended?
- There is an amendment. We'll take up Amendment 159872. There is an amendment.
- We are back on the bill as amended. Are there questions on the bill as amended? No.
- We'll show that amendment adopted. We're on the bill as amended.
Summary:
The committee met with a quorum and considered a series of bills, many focused on local government authority, land use, housing, and public notice requirements. Several measures were reported favorably, including SB 984 on firefighter cancer benefits and prevention, SB 1612 requiring local governments to accept electronic payments, SB 936 on temporary door locking devices, SB 962 on affordable housing protections for farms, SB 218 on land use regulations in hurricane-affected counties, SB 1020 on regulation of chickee huts, and SB 1434 on infill redevelopment of environmentally challenged properties. SB 1180 on community development district recall elections was amended to narrow and clarify the recall process and to add provisions on synthetic turf and compact urban mixed-use districts before being reported favorably. SB 380 on legal notices was also amended and reported favorably despite significant opposition from the Florida Press Association, Common Cause, and others who argued it would further fragment public notice access; supporters said it would modernize publication options and save money.
Testimony on the bills was mixed. Supporters of the housing and redevelopment measures argued they would increase attainable housing, streamline approvals, and make better use of underutilized or contaminated land, while local government groups and advocacy organizations warned about overdevelopment, reduced public input, infrastructure strain, and conflicts with comprehensive planning. On SB 1444, which combined preemptions related to religious gatherings, private clubs, and certain permitting requirements, supporters framed it as protecting religious freedom and limiting local micromanagement, while the League of Cities and the Florida Association of Counties opposed it as overly broad and unclear; the bill nevertheless passed favorably after debate. SB 218 was presented as restoring normal land-use authority in counties unaffected by hurricanes while preserving protections in damaged areas, and SB 984 was described as clarifying firefighter cancer benefits and health coverage rules; both passed without controversy.
The committee also heard extensive testimony on SB 948, a strike-all on local government land development regulations and orders that would create a statewide framework for starter homes and lot-split rules within urban growth areas. Supporters said it would expand housing supply and reduce regulatory delays, while opponents said it would override local zoning, weaken infrastructure and environmental protections, and apply too broadly. The bill drew support from housing advocates and some local officials, but opposition from the Florida League of Cities, Florida Association of Counties, and others. The transcript ends with SB 948 still under consideration, with testimony continuing and no final vote shown in the excerpt.
CA
California 2025-2026 Regular Session
Assembly Floor Session Jun 2nd, 2025
California House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- Reports of committees will be deemed read and amendments deemed adopted.
- Assembly concurrent resolution 91 with amendments.
- All bills will be deemed read and amendments will be deemed adopted.
- Assembly Bill 331 by Assemblymember Pellerin, an act relating to elections.
- I'll close with noting that the amendments taken in with the amendments taken in committee both the CBIA
MO
Missouri 2026 Regular Session
Joint Committee on Administrative Rules Jan 20th, 2026 at 02:00 pm
Joint Committee on Administrative Rules
Transcript Highlights:
- The first order on our agenda is the election of new chair and vice chair.
- There’s not usually elected representatives for most of the committees that I’ve worked with.
- The committee is seeking to amend this to say that a certificate of need application, a CON application
- Obviously, everyone here is an elected representative, an elected senator, and so you know that there
- Obviously, everyone here is an elected representative, an elected senator, and so you know that there
MN
Transcript Highlights:
- Chair Swedzinski and I amendments.
- > a a wonderful amendment, a a wonderful amendment, Chair<00:09:28.800>
Demuth. - support for the A3 amendment. support for the A3 amendment.
- I renew my motion that House File 3547, as amended, is re-referred to the Elections, Finance, and Government
- is re-referred to File 3547 as amended is re-referred to the<00:26:08.720>
Elections, <00:26:09.360
KY
Kentucky 2026 Regular Session
Senate Standing Committee on Appropriation and Revenue. (3-18-26)
Transcript Highlights:
- <00:07:25.760>
disaster In Military Affairs, we amend disaster In Military Affairs, we amend - In Operations Support Services, we amend language to remove the requirement that AP exams are paid on
- In Operations Support Services, we amend In Operations Support Services, we amend language<00:13
- <00:21:14.680>
language In juvenile justice, we amend language In juvenile justice, we amend - <00:31:44.960>
representatives that we as the elected representatives that we as the elected
Keywords:
Meeting Start 00:00:00
Roll Call 00:00:23
HB 503 Discussion 00:01:00
HB 503 Vote 00:02:17
HB 504 Discussion 00:02:53
HB 504 Vote 00:04:48
HB 500 Discussion 00:05:19
HB 500 Vote 00:29:18
HB 900 Discussion 00:32:02
HB 900 Vote 00:33:00, 958, all
Summary:
The Kentucky Senate Appropriations and Revenue Committee met with a quorum and first took up House Bill 503, the legislative branch budget, adopting a committee substitute and reporting it favorably. The chair said the Senate version fully funds defined calculations, provides 2% raises in each fiscal year for legislative employees, removes a paragraph on operating expense reductions, and includes $1 million in the first year for a judicial branch salary study. House Bill 504, the judicial branch budget, was then amended and reported favorably; changes included 2% annual raises for judicial employees, revised operating expense language, $1 million each year for county current services, retention of Boyle County fit-up language, reporting requirements for smaller capital projects, full funding for nine judges added in 2022, and removal of furlough prohibitions and certain budget implementation language. Both bills passed the committee unanimously with favorable expressions to the floor.
The committee then considered House Bill 500, the executive branch budget, adopting a committee substitute before hearing a lengthy summary of major spending and policy changes. The chair described statewide 2% annual employee raises, agency base reductions with many exemptions, increased school safety and 911 funding, veterans and military funding, local government and severance-related changes, attorney general and auditor funding, pension and retirement system support, education funding changes including SEEK, postsecondary and scholarship provisions, public safety and corrections funding, and multiple capital projects. The chair also highlighted Medicaid-related provisions, including added waiver slots, increased state-directed payments, a 2.5% reduction in managed care vendor payments for plan years 2027 and 2028 with savings redirected to fee-for-service rates, and additional funding for behavioral health and public health programs. The bill was reported favorably after members explained their votes, with several noting they had only recently received the full 228-page bill and wanted more time for detailed review.
Finally, the committee adopted a committee substitute for House Bill 900, an appropriation measure for government agencies, and reported it favorably. The chair said the bill remains a work in progress and that one-time funding requests from across the Commonwealth and across party lines would continue to be addressed as the process moves forward. All measures considered during the meeting passed the committee with unanimous or near-unanimous favorable votes, and the meeting adjourned after no further business.
NH
New Hampshire 2025 Regular Session
House Public Works and Highways (01/14/2025)
Transcript Highlights:
- I came in in a special election.
- Yeah, so Mike and I have something in common: we both got elected in a special election.
- Yeah, so Mike and I have something in common: we both got elected in a special election.
- Yeah, so Mike and I have something in common: we both got elected in a special election.
- Yeah, so Mike and I have something in common: we both got elected in a special election.
Summary:
The Public Works and Highways Committee held an orientation meeting focused on introducing members, outlining committee norms, and hearing an overview from the Department of Transportation. Chair David Mills emphasized the committee’s long-standing bipartisan working style, asked members to share contact information for short-notice scheduling, and noted that the committee would need to complete as much work as possible before the building is vacated later in the year. Members introduced themselves and described backgrounds in engineering, construction, planning, local government, military service, education, and business. Several members highlighted prior service on planning boards, school boards, zoning boards, or in transportation-related fields as relevant to the committee’s work.
Members repeatedly described the committee as collegial and nonpartisan, with most bills going to the consent calendar. The chair also noted that the committee’s work centers on state infrastructure, including roads, bridges, highways, and buildings. Representative Cluder, the ranking member, and others echoed that the committee is effective because it talks issues through and resolves disagreements collaboratively. One member mentioned a recent trip that reinforced the importance of infrastructure resilience after storms and rebuilding efforts in other states.
Department of Transportation officials, led by Assistant Commissioner and Chief Engineer David Rodrig, gave a detailed organizational and operational overview. They described DOT’s structure, mission of “transportation excellence,” and major responsibilities across highways, bridges, rail, transit, aeronautics, maintenance, and administration. Rodrig reported 1,651 permanent positions and 404 vacancies, 2,160 state bridges with 115 on the Red List, 4,600 centerline miles of roadway, 25 public airports, 11 transit systems, and 194 active state-owned rail lines. He also outlined FY 2024 spending, project development activity, highway maintenance operations, fleet and fuel systems, and the distinction between the highway fund and DOT’s budget, including the role of federal funds and the turnpike enterprise fund. No votes were taken and no bills were acted on during this orientation meeting.
FL
Florida 2025 Regular Session
Agriculture Mar 11th, 2025
Transcript Highlights:
- IS AMENDMENT 507, 790 BY SENATOR TRUENOW. >> Sen.
- FOR THE PURPOSE OF ELECTION YEAR. >> I AM NOT SURE IF THAT IS THE CASE.
- IS THERE ANY DEBATE ON THE AMENDMENT? >> WE WILL GO ON TO THE BILL.
- SENATOR, YOU ARE RECOGNIZED TO CLOSE ON THE AMENDMENT. >> I WAIVE CLOSE. >> ALL IN FAVOR OF THE AMENDMENT
- AMENDMENT IS ADOPTED. NOW ON THE BILL AS AMENDED. ANY QUESTIONS ON THE BILL AS AMENDED?
CA
Transcript Highlights:
- We currently have a support-if-amended position on the bill.
- We currently have a support-if-amended position on the bill.
- I want to begin by accepting committee amendments.
- As a newly elected External Affairs Vice President, elected to advocate for student safety and equity
- As a newly elected External Affairs Vice President, elected to advocate for student safety and equity
MS
Transcript Highlights:
- And if I may speak on the amendment, amendment, amendment, does<00:25:32.000>
that does that does - amendment.
- elected them.
- amendment? amendment?
- . amendment. amendment.
Summary:
The committee took up several education-related bills. Senate Bill 2071 would allow school boards to vote on providing health insurance to board members and their dependents using local, not state, funds; it was advanced after Senator Brian objected that it could create an incentive for people to seek school board seats for the insurance benefit. Senate Bill 2072 would move the deadline for teacher supply cards earlier, from August to July, using EF funds, and it was reported. Senate Bill 2103 would require school boards to adopt policies banning or restricting student cell phone use during school and class time, and it was also reported. Senate Bill 21103 would remove a requirement that school counselors follow the National Association of School Counselors’ code of ethics and instead align them with the Mississippi teacher code of ethics; it passed without opposition. Senate Bill 2236 would authorize the use of LifeVac choking devices in schools, with the sponsor saying the devices are inexpensive and could be provided free to districts; it passed as well.
The committee then spent most of its time on Senate Bill 2242, the Mississippi Math Act, which would create a statewide math improvement initiative within the Department of Education. The bill would deploy math instructional coaches, require K-5 universal math screeners three times a year, create individual math plans for students below benchmark, support algebra readiness, protect data under FERPA, and establish a fund for grants and other deposits. Senator Boyd said the bill is modeled on efforts in other states, especially Alabama, and is intended to build on Mississippi’s literacy reforms by focusing on support, intervention, and professional development rather than retention or punishment.
Members raised concerns about cost, the proposed anti-lapsing language for the fund, and whether the bill should require high-quality instructional materials statewide rather than leaving curriculum choices to local districts. Senator Hopson estimated the program could cost about $3.5 million and suggested the anti-lapsing language might be removed or handled through appropriations. Senators Blunt, Hill, and Wiggins argued that the success of literacy reforms came from requiring standardized, high-quality instructional materials and accountability, not home rule alone. Senator Wiggins offered an amendment to require high-quality instructional materials for math statewide, and Senator Boyd said he was supportive of that as a friendly amendment. The discussion ended with the amendment still being worked through and the bill not yet finally disposed of in the excerpt.