Transcript Highlights:

• </c> I'll just follow up with this to conduct I'll just follow up with this to conduct business<01:59
• </c> commission to conduct your races. commission to conduct your races.
• </c> state of Wyoming as you're conducting state of Wyoming as you're conducting your<01:59:53.840><c
• Um, and other than that, people that are criminals are always going to be criminals, and they'll try
• </c> investigated now as criminal gambling. investigated now as criminal gambling. &gt;&gt; Yep.

Committee: Joint Select Committee on Gaming

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> would deport the most violent criminals. would deport the most violent criminals.
• </c><03:45:20.319><c> justice</c> inequities in our criminal justice inequities in our criminal justice
• </c> criminal penalties. criminal penalties.
• </c><04:06:52.720><c> justice</c> prioritizes this criminal justice prioritizes this criminal justice
• </c> end of the day, illegal alien criminals end of the day, illegal alien criminals who<04:34:32.959

Transcript Highlights:

• DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY REPORT CONDUCTED BY LAWRENCE BURTON NATIONAL LABS IN STUDYING THE NATIONAL AVERAGE
• INFORMATION FROM ENTITIES LIKE S&P GLOBAL, AND OTHER COUNTLESS TOP DOWN FORECASTS THAT HAVE BEEN CONDUCTED
• LASTLY THE REGULAR FORECAST REVIEW AND BACK CASTING ANALYSIS UTILITY SHOULD CONDUCT ANNUAL ASSESSMENTS
• WHEN IT COMES TO THINGS LIKE NOISE AND SOUND YOU SEE THE INDUSTRY CONDUCT SOUND STUDIES AT THE OUTSET
• THE PROBLEM YOU HAVE WITH ANY TYPE OF SCAMMER OR CRIMINAL ACTIVITIES FOR CRIMINALS THEY ARE SOPHISTICATED

Transcript Highlights:

• facilitate the goal of hearing as much from the public within the limits of our time we will not permit conduct
• that disrupts, disturbs, otherwise impedes the orderly conduct of legislative proceedings.
• by the chair, public comment must relate to the subject being discussed today and no engaging in conduct
• that disrupts, disturbs, or otherwise impedes the orderly conduct of this hearing.
• It would criminalize grooming, required thorough history checks. and create an electronic database to

Committee: House Education

Transcript Highlights:

• 1872 and Senator Perry This bill relates to the expulsion of a public school student for engaging in conduct
• Members, this bill relates to the enforcement of certain criminal offenses on school property.
• peace officers to issue a class emergency misdemeanor citation for school offenses and requires a criminal
• Presidents conduct an annual review of upper-level administrative positions. positions and report to
• According to the study conducted, these five institutions could collectively forfeit more than $195 million

Bills: SB530 , SB757 , SB769 , SB1085 , SB1241 , SB1242 , SB1409 , SB1878 , SB2138 , SB2314 , SB2231 , SB2361 , SB2431 , SJR59

Committee: Senate Education

Keywords: accreditation, postsecondary education, Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board, baccalaureate degrees, junior colleges, program delivery, faculty recruitment, higher education, performance standards, student loan debt, degree programs, funding, students with disabilities, accessibility, enrollment, report, SB 1085, Sul Ross State University, Rio Grande College, Del Rio

Summary: The Senate Committee on Education K-16 met with a large agenda and repeatedly recessed for floor activity and other committee conflicts. The committee heard and left pending several higher education bills, including SB 2361 to transfer University of Houston-Victoria from the University of Houston System to the Texas A&M System and rename it Texas A&M University Victoria; testimony from university officials, local leaders, and industry representatives strongly supported the move as a way to better align degree programs with regional workforce needs in engineering, agriculture, and STEM. SB 530, which would align Texas accreditation statutes with federal rules allowing institutions to choose among nationally recognized accreditors, also received supportive testimony and was left pending. SB 1085, allowing Sul Ross satellite campuses to offer lower-division coursework toward bachelor’s degrees, was laid out and left pending as well. The committee also took up a series of education policy bills. SB 1241 would expand the standardized tests Texas public universities may accept for admission beyond the SAT and ACT, with supporters from the Classic Learning Test, homeschool advocates, and student-choice groups arguing it would increase access and competition; it was left pending. SB 769 would require a TEA/Higher Education Coordinating Board report on barriers faced by students with disabilities in higher education, and testimony from The Arc of Texas and others emphasized the need for better data and accessibility; the bill was left pending. SB 2231 would designate the second week of October as Free College Application Week, and SB 1878 would modernize terminology and support workforce-oriented programs at the Josie School; both were laid out and left pending. The committee reported several bills favorably after adopting committee substitutes. SB 605, concerning charter school expansion applications while under conservatorship or a management team, passed on a 9-0 vote. SB 1871, SB 1873, and SB 1874, all related to school discipline and teacher immunity/placement review provisions, were adopted and reported favorably, with members noting the need for further discussion on some language. SB 762, dealing with flag displays in public schools, passed on a 7-1 vote. SB 1962, relating to public school accountability and challenges to school system operations, passed 7-1 after a corrected vote. SB 1750, replacing a $60 million statewide charter facilities cap with an attendance-growth-based allotment, passed 7-1 with one member voting present not voting. SB 2252, supporting kindergarten readiness and early literacy/numeracy, SB 2253, concerning educator preparation and certification, SB 2365, on student use of wireless devices during instructional time, and SB 1924, restoring local peace officer citation authority for school offenses and adding reporting and parent-notification requirements, were also reported favorably. The committee additionally heard SB 37 on higher education governance and compliance oversight, which passed 7-1 after a substitute that refined curriculum review, governing board authority, faculty senate rules, and a new compliance office within the Higher Education Coordinating Board.

Transcript Highlights:

• So let's say with this example that the bail order required that guns were taken, whether it's a criminal
• So, this is, you know, strictly a criminal charge at this point.
• charges been have since those criminal charges been have been<00:05:31.840><c> filed</c><00:05:32.240
• Is there criminal jeopardy attached to that form if they don't fill it out correctly?
• </c><00:11:33.839><c> jeopardy</c> um Is there is there criminal jeopardy um Is there is there criminal

Committee: House Criminal Justice and Public Safety

Transcript Highlights:

• the Plymouth Bureau of Criminal Investigations.
• the Plymouth Bureau of Criminal Investigations.
• In 1950, the Legislature created the Plymouth County Bureau of Criminal Investigation.
• Our criminal identification officers are post-certified law enforcement officers in Massachusetts.
• To violate the building code is actually a criminal offense.

Committee: Joint Joint Committee on Public Service

Summary: The Joint Committee on Public Service heard testimony on a wide range of retirement classification and benefit bills affecting municipal and state employees. Much of the hearing focused on proposals to move various workers from Group 1 to Group 2 or Group 4, including municipal building officials (H. 2776), MassDOT highway workers (H. 2908/Sousa’s Law), DCF attorneys (H. 2771), probation officers, licensed electricians, drinking water operators (H. 3000/S. 1834), MWRA non-clerical workers (S. 1803), transitional parole officers (H. 2878), Plymouth BCI criminal investigator officers (H. 2975/S. 1863), Beverly fire alarm operators/public safety telecommunicators (S. 1876), Massport pipefitters and refrigeration technicians (H. 2788/S. 1829), and other public safety or hazardous-duty classifications. Witnesses generally argued that their work is physically dangerous, understaffed, or comparable to already higher-classified employees, and several said the changes would help recruitment and retention with little fiscal impact because the affected groups are small. The committee also heard testimony on H. 4508, a home rule petition to grant a disability pension to Boston principal Patricia Lampron. Supporters, including Representative Dan Hunt, Boston city councilors, and Lampron herself, described a severe 2021 assault at the Henderson Inclusion School that left her with lasting physical and psychological injuries and forced her into early retirement. They urged the committee to advance the bill quickly. One witness, Pamela McLaughlin, testified in opposition, arguing the bill would set the wrong precedent and describing alleged prior misconduct by Lampron, and asked that the bill be sent to study. Several witnesses and committee members asked brief questions, mainly about the scope of the bills, whether certain workers were already in higher groups, and the fiscal or precedent concerns. No votes were taken during the hearing. At the end, the chairs announced that testimony was complete, asked whether anyone else wished to speak, and then the committee voted to adjourn.

Transcript Highlights:

• accessed personal or confidential information, I have no doubt that I would have been arrested, criminally
• <c> arrested,</c> doubt that I would have been arrested, doubt that I would have been arrested, criminally
• </c> criminally charged. criminally charged. worse. worse. worse.
• license plate readers and car registrations, they're only supposed to be accessed for an active criminal
• The statute that criminal investigation.

Summary: At a morning press conference, lawmakers and advocates discussed a bill by Rep. Tabke aimed at tightening Minnesota’s automatic license plate reader (ALPR) laws. Speakers argued that license plate data is being misused, especially in connection with immigration enforcement and “Operation Metro Surge,” and said motorists expect privacy for the personal information tied to their plates. Several individuals described incidents in which they believed federal agents used ALPR data to identify their homes, photograph their houses, or otherwise intimidate them after they had observed ICE activity. John Beler of the ACLU of Minnesota said ALPR systems capture plate numbers, time, date, and location, and that private vendors and out-of-state agencies can access the data with little oversight. He cited public records showing large numbers of searches, including one metro agency with about 425,000 searches in six weeks and another with nearly 100 searches explicitly for civil immigration enforcement. He said the bill would prohibit sharing ALPR data outside Minnesota unless authorized by a court order or judicial warrant, require data-sharing agreements among agencies, require signage for private ALPR use, and bar sale or transfer of the data without consent or legal process. In response to questions, speakers said the bill is intended to regulate local law enforcement and private vendors rather than federal agencies directly, by limiting how data is shared and accessed. They compared the issue to prior bipartisan concerns about driver’s license lookups and said they hoped the measure would advance out of judiciary later that morning and then to public safety, though they said they could not guarantee support or passage.

Transcript Highlights:

• Clay Lee: To do that whether it's criminal act or whatever.
• a Civics Day, or we can honor the birthday of George Floyd, a man whose death led to meaningful criminal
• Clarifies the Criminal Justice Standard and Training Commission must act independently on any criminal
• Allows the state ID number to be created for federal detainees to search records for potential criminal
• This legislation does not explicitly in any way criminalize criticism of Israel, and it specifically

Committee: Senate Fiscal Policy

Transcript Highlights:

• Florida Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers waives in support.
• Aaron Waite, Florida Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers, waives in support.
• We have Aaron Waite, Florida Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers, is a proponent.
• Aaron Waite with the Florida Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers.
• Aaron Waite with the Florida Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers.

Summary: The committee met with a quorum and considered a large agenda of bills, mostly in the criminal justice, courts, civil procedure, and family/consumer protection areas. Early measures included CS/HB 1161 on removing altered sexual depictions posted without consent, HB 403 modernizing LLC law to allow protected series LLCs, CS/HB 97 on service of process in protection proceedings for vulnerable adults, and HB 813 as the state courts package addressing duty judges, arbitrator compensation, and notarization by judges. All of those bills were reported favorably, with HB 403 and HB 813 amended. The committee also heard and advanced CS/HB 947 on evidence of medical damages in personal injury and wrongful death cases, which drew substantial opposition from insurers, business groups, and defense-oriented witnesses, while the sponsor argued it would let juries hear all relevant evidence; it passed 19-3. Members also approved CS/CS/HB 615 allowing electronic delivery of landlord-tenant notices by email, after an amendment requiring opt-in language and written notice to update an email address; tenant advocates still raised concerns about eviction-related notices and receipt verification. HB 663 increased penalties for using tracking devices or apps to commit dangerous crimes and passed unanimously. CS/HB 385 made technical changes to the Florida Trust Code and passed unanimously after a conforming amendment. CS/HB 255, known as Dexter’s Law, increased penalties for aggravated animal cruelty and was supported by law enforcement and animal welfare groups; it passed unanimously. Later in the meeting, the committee approved HB 513 on electronic transmittal of court orders after the sponsor withdrew an amendment that would have changed the deadline from six hours to six business hours, following concerns that the delay could be too long for urgent orders. CS/HB 1099 gave law enforcement discretion in arrests involving individuals with significant medical conditions in facilities and passed unanimously. HB 653 added aggravating factors for capital felonies involving assassinations or attempted assassinations of heads of state; it drew opposition from the Florida Conference of Catholic Bishops and passed 20-2. CS/HB 59 expanded wrongful incarceration compensation by extending the filing deadline, removing the clean-hands bar, and allowing exonerees to choose between civil suit and the state claims process; it passed unanimously. PCS/HB 777 increased penalties for in-person luring or enticing of children and barred certain age-based defenses, passing unanimously. Finally, CS/HB 437 increased penalties for tampering with electronic monitoring devices; two amendments softened the bill by clarifying juvenile treatment and giving judges limited discretion to avoid automatic revocation of pretrial release, and the bill passed 21-1 before the meeting adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• prohibits persons in the chamber from interfering with legislative proceedings or disrupting the orderly conduct
• Linda recruited folks like David Wynn, someone who deeply shaped my involvement with criminal justice
• substance use disorder counselors, founders of organizations, legislative staffers here in the building, criminal
• substance use disorder counselors, founders of organizations, legislative staffers here in the building, criminal
• advocated for reforms related to visitation rights for system-impacted folks, published papers on the criminal

Transcript Highlights:

• We have, in statute, a dollar amount that is not responsive to the needs of the state patrol to conduct
• But the part that isn't stated, the negative space in this unconstitutional proposal, is that a criminal
• The criminal is going to acquire a gun, buy, steal, get a gun in an illegal way that obviously doesn't
• yourself with, making it harder for you to do that, impairing your ability to do that, while the criminal
• We need to focus on preventing the criminals from getting guns or punishing them appropriately when they

Bills: HB2325 , HB2521 , HB2720 , HB1960 , HB2073 , HB2675 , HB2681

Keywords: tourism, tourism promotion, Washington Tourism Marketing Authority, assessment, self-supported assessment, visitor economy, destination marketing, statewide marketing, lodging, hotels, restaurants, travel services, attractions, recreation, retail, beverage producers, arts and culture, tribal nations, tribal businesses, rural communities

Transcript Highlights:

• These illegal slot operations are not low-level offenses, and many are organized criminal enterprises
• The current penalty, a misdemeanor, offenses, and many are organized criminal enterprises.
• These illegal slot operations fuel secondary criminal activity, undermine Florida's regulated gaming
• veteran service organizations from being unintentionally swept up in enforcement actions meant for criminal
• The division must conduct regular inspections of the licensed premises of dealers who sell non-approved

Summary: The Committee on Regulated Industries met and reported several bills favorably. SB 530 on state lotteries was presented with two technical amendments and passed as amended. The bill revises Department of Lottery powers and duties, updates bid/proposal information requirements, adds definitions related to ball machines, and gives the department more flexibility to purchase rather than lease machines. SB 204 also passed favorably; it increases penalties for illegal slot machine operations to a third-degree felony and creates a process for veteran service organizations to seek binding declaratory statements from the Gaming Commission about whether a machine is lawful. Testimony on SB 204 included support from Florida Gaming and soft opposition from a veteran organization that wanted clearer language and more cooperation on electronic bingo-type games. The committee then took up a combined proposed committee substitute merging SB 658 and SB 608 on water safety requirements for rental and residential properties. The merged bill requires certain rental properties near water bodies or with swimming pools to have specified safety devices, such as exit alarms, self-closing/self-latching locks, pool fences, pool covers, or pool alarms, and allows DBPR enforcement for vacation rentals. Supporters emphasized the bill’s goal of preventing child drownings, citing Florida’s high number of fatal drownings and the disproportionate impact on young children and children with autism. The combined bill was reported favorably. SB 980 on nicotine dispensing devices was amended with a delete-all amendment creating the Florida Agegate Act. The substitute bill restricts advertising, promotion, and display of non-FDA-approved nicotine devices in retail settings accessible to those under 21, sets escalating penalties, directs fine revenue to enforcement and youth prevention, and authorizes inspections and warrantless searches tied to retail permits. Members discussed whether the bill would effectively curb illegal and counterfeit products and how enforcement would work; the sponsor said the measure is intended to reduce youth access in light of limited enforcement resources. The bill passed favorably. SB 1708 on veterinary licensure by endorsement also passed, removing a three-year out-of-state practice requirement for licensed veterinarians while keeping other qualifications intact to help address veterinary shortages. Finally, SB 680 on electric vehicle charging taxation passed with a strike-all amendment creating a sales tax exemption for electricity sold to EV charging station operators and transferred to consumers, provided it is separately metered and properly documented. The committee adjourned after noting additional support forms and inviting members to a later K-12 speech and debate bill presentation.

Transcript Highlights:

• Martin's appointment, he represented three January 6th defendants as criminal defense counsel.
• at the Department of Justice to engage in what I consider to be wrongful and willful abuse of the criminal
• This is the matter I've mentioned before where Martin was told by his senior staff, including the Criminal
• So he fired the Criminal Division Chief.
• profits, they'll be incentivized to preserve their significant profits by engaging in anti-competitive conduct

Bills: SB1040 , SB1041 , SB1095 , SB1096 , SB1097 , SB527

Committee: Senate Senate Judiciary

Keywords: drug competition, product hopping, generic drugs, biosimilars, federal regulations, FTC Act, patent, biological products, healthcare access, affordable prescriptions, Medicare, Federal Trade Commission, sham petitions, competition, public health, unfair competition, healthcare, pharmaceutical, antitrust law, pay-for-delay

Summary: The meeting focused on addressing the high cost of prescription drugs and the abusive practices that contribute to elevated prices affecting American families. Several bills were presented, including proposals to end pay-for-delay deals and to enhance transparency in the operations of pharmacy benefit managers (PBMs). The discussion was notable for its emphasis on consumer protection and ensuring that cheaper generic drugs reach the market more effectively. Members expressed frustration over past attempts to pass similar legislation stalling in the Senate, leading to renewed efforts to push these bills forward.

Transcript Highlights:

• that disrupts, disturbs, or otherwise impedes the orderly conduct of legislative proceedings.
• This bill ensures that even after diversion, the underlying conduct remains recognized for what it is
• SB 953 directly responds to this failure by ensuring that fatal conduct is captured by the DMV point
• This bill does not impact one's criminal penalties.
• This bill does not impact one's criminal penalties.

Summary: The Assembly Transportation Committee heard several bills focused on active transportation, transit, road safety, and local enforcement. SB 569 would restrict removal or downgrading of bikeways built with state General Fund dollars for at least 20 years, require public hearings before major changes, and was supported by bicycle advocates and some local and environmental groups. The City of Encinitas opposed the bill, arguing it could limit needed safety fixes and should apply only to future projects; committee members discussed whether the bill still allowed safety-based modifications. The bill passed on a due pass vote to Appropriations. SB 741 would streamline the Low-Carbon Transit Operations Program by reducing administrative burden and giving transit agencies more flexibility to use funds for service improvements, fare programs, and other transit needs while maintaining oversight and disadvantaged community requirements. Transit agencies and advocacy groups supported the measure, saying it would help agencies respond to post-pandemic ridership and financial challenges. The committee approved the bill on a due pass as amended vote to Appropriations. The committee also heard SB 1167, which would tighten consumer protections by clarifying that high-powered e-motos and similar motor vehicles are not e-bikes, requiring clearer disclosures and labels, and improving crash reporting. Supporters said the bill would reduce confusion and improve safety for riders, pedestrians, and parents; the Motorcycle Industry Council opposed unless amended, arguing the term “e-bike” is used broadly and the bill could affect existing businesses. The bill passed to Appropriations. Later, SB 953, dealing with vehicular manslaughter cases dismissed through misdemeanor diversion, would add DMV points so fatal conduct remains reflected on driving records; the bill was supported by the victim’s family and safety advocates and passed to Appropriations. The committee then heard SB 1218, which would let local agencies boot vehicles tied to repeated unpaid illegal dumping citations instead of using DMV enforcement. Oakland officials and community groups supported the bill as a needed deterrent, while the ACLU opposed it as punitive debt collection without a sufficient nexus to the vehicle. The bill passed to Appropriations. Finally, SB 739 would revise the Clean Miles Standard for rideshare companies by allowing CARB and CPUC to adjust electric vehicle mileage targets in light of current market conditions; Uber and Lyft supported the flexibility, while clean air advocates began raising concerns about weakening climate goals as the transcript cut off.

Transcript Highlights:

• For your continued engagement and diligence in conducting the BRN Sunset Review.
• The majority of our license applicants have no criminal history, and those that do really don't meet
• This process is Or criminal processes involving the courts and the California Attorney General.
• The BCE already oversees chiropractic education, standards of practice, and professional conduct.
• As noted in the background paper, many Standards of practice and professional conduct.

Transcript Highlights:

• For your continued engagement and diligence in conducting the BRN Sunset Review.
• The majority of our license applicants have no criminal history, and those that do really don't meet
• This process is... ...or criminal processes involving the courts and the California Attorney General.
• The BCE already oversees chiropractic education, standards of practice, and professional conduct.
• As noted in the background paper, many... ...standards of practice and professional conduct.

Transcript Highlights:

• consent, detailing the unapproved nature of the treatments and the risks, including disciplinary and criminal
• service-related issues such as PTSD, traumatic brain injury, or substance abuse that contributes to criminal
• Traumatic brain injury, or substance abuse that contributes to criminal behavior.
• You conducted yourself with dignity and grace as the president, and I am so proud that we women step
• with violence carries a higher sentencing score and more accurately reflects the severity of the conduct

Summary: The Senate convened with a quorum, opening prayer, Pledge of Allegiance, several introductions, and an announcement that there would be no weekend conference. The chamber then took up a long special-order calendar of bills, generally moving each measure through third reading and final passage, often by substituting House companion bills. Early measures included trust law modernization (SB 786/HB 895), military affairs changes and Guard retirement corrections (SB 474), rounding rules for cash transactions as pennies phase out (SB 1074), podiatric medicine regulation and informed-consent requirements (SB 1092), veterans court expansion (SB 50/HB 199), RV park special assessment clarification (SB 118), concurrent jurisdiction for juvenile offenses on military installations (SB 502/HB 351), alcoholic beverage loss deductions (SB 678/HB 1137), and bail bond/pretrial release revisions (SB 600). Most passed unanimously or near-unanimously; SB 600 passed 36-1 after questions about charitable bail bonds and an amendment aligning with the House version and prosecutors’ concerns. The Senate also considered bills on portable electronics and eyewear insurance (SB 772), the linking industry to nursing education fund and health science workforce programs (SB 1246), recovery residences and behavioral health licensing (SB 1030, with a technical amendment on background checks and probationary licenses), felony battery enhancements for repeat offenders and offenses against law enforcement (SB 436), and child welfare changes including foster-home visitor screening, a permanent statewide Step Into Success program, and a best-practices repository (SB 1718). These measures were explained by sponsors as efforts to streamline regulation, improve workforce and health-care training, strengthen public safety, and reduce administrative burdens while preserving safeguards. Votes on these bills were overwhelmingly favorable, with final tallies typically 36-0 or 37-0. A major portion of the meeting was devoted to a farewell tribute to Senator Lori Berman. Members from both parties praised her leadership, collegiality, policy work, and advocacy on issues including voting rights, women’s rights, Israel and antisemitism, school safety, breast cancer, and family law. Berman delivered a lengthy farewell reflecting on her 16 years in the Legislature, her caucus leadership, and the importance of dignity, respect, and public service. The Senate adopted a motion to spread her remarks upon the journal and then recessed before returning to continue the calendar.

Transcript Highlights:

• service-related issues such as PTSD, traumatic brain injury, or substance abuse that contributes to criminal
• Traumatic brain injury, or substance abuse that contributes to criminal behavior.
• You conducted yourself with dignity and grace as the president, and I am so proud that we women step
• with violence carries a higher sentencing score and more accurately reflects the severity of the conduct
• March 4th, or upon the call of the President for the purpose of holding committee meetings and conducting

Summary: The Senate convened with a quorum, opening prayer, Pledge of Allegiance, and several introductions, including guests from the press, Florida State women’s soccer, and former Senator Janet Cruz. Members also announced there would be no conference that weekend. The chamber then moved to the special order calendar and began taking up a series of bills, often substituting House companions and proceeding quickly to third reading and final passage. Among the measures approved were bills modernizing trust settlement and trustee discharge procedures; revising military affairs laws, including leave protections, retirement eligibility, and assistance programs; creating uniform cash-rounding rules as Florida prepares for the end of the penny; refining podiatric medicine rules on cellular/tissue-based products and informed consent; expanding veterans’ court access statewide; clarifying RV park special assessments; establishing concurrent state-federal jurisdiction for juveniles on military installations; reauthorizing alcoholic beverage loss deductions; and revising bail bond and pretrial release laws, including training, electronic notices, forfeiture timing, and related procedures. Members also passed bills on eyewear insurance licensing, expanding the Linking Industry to Nursing Education Fund into health science education, streamlining recovery residence regulation, enhancing felony battery penalties, and updating child welfare rules to reduce repeated background checks, make the Step Into Success program permanent, and create a best-practices program. Several bills drew brief supportive remarks, especially those affecting veterans, the National Guard, foster youth, and military families. One bail bond bill prompted questions about charitable bail bonds, with the sponsor stating the current statute would remain unchanged. Most bills passed unanimously or near-unanimously; the bail bond measure passed 36-1, while the others noted here passed with no or minimal opposition. The Senate also adopted an amendment to the military affairs bill and a delete-all amendment to the military-installation jurisdiction bill before final passage. A major portion of the meeting was devoted to honoring Senate Democratic Leader Lori Berman on her farewell. Members from both parties offered extended remarks praising her leadership, preparation, collegiality, advocacy on issues such as voting rights, women’s rights, Israel, anti-Semitism, breast cancer, school safety, and family law, and her effectiveness in committee and on the floor. Berman delivered an extended farewell speech reflecting on her 16 years in the Legislature, her family, her district, and her legislative priorities, and the Senate ordered her remarks spread upon the journal before recessing and later returning to continue the calendar.

Transcript Highlights:

• their investigations, to follow up on reports of suspected fraud and abuse and criminal conduct with
• </c> the inspector general uh to conduct the inspector general uh to conduct their<00:28:56.000><c> investigations
• > to</c><00:29:05.039><c> public</c> criminal conduct with relation to public criminal conduct with relation
• </c><00:38:04.560><c> an</c> the tools necessary to conduct an the tools necessary to conduct an effective
• </c><00:38:35.920><c> an</c> agency that is conducting an agency that is conducting an investigation<