Transcript Highlights:

• appearance of a potential conflict of interest to the committees of interest when he is the chief author
• As chief author, Senator appropriation.
• when he is the chief author of bills. when he is the chief author of bills.
• While disclosure was certainly authored.
• Senator Champion authored relationship."

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Um former uh was an author of this bill.
• both sides of the aisle have authored both sides of the aisle have authored this<00:18:04.360>
• So, um the being authored by Chair Rest.
• <00:53:43.000> So and it has an audacious author. So and it has an audacious author.
• <01:07:40.400> would the bill in the shape the author would the bill in the shape the author

Bills: HF1016, HF2800, HF156, HF3051, HF526, HF2658, HF2062, HF2801

Keywords: local government aid, Baldwin, taxation, base year formula, municipal funding, population aid, aid penalty forgiveness, Minnesota, city funding, appropriations, HF156, lawful gambling, veterans organizations, licensed veterans organization, Minnesota gambling law, gross profits, lawful purpose, real property repair, facility maintenance, capital assets

Transcript Highlights:

• , CAREGIVERS AND AUTHORIZED ATTORNEYS TO ACCESS THEIR HEALTHCARE RECORDS WITHIN 14 DAYS OF THE REQUEST
• ANY EXISTING CONFIDENTIALITY PROVISIONS OR GRANT ACCESS TO RECORDS TO ANYONE WHO IS NOT ALREADY AUTHORIZED
• WE MAKE SURE TO PROVIDE A DEFINITION BUT IT INCLUDES ALL PEOPLE AUTHORIZED.
• AT THAT POINT THE CHILD WOULD BE WITH SOMEBODY ELSE WHO WOULD BE AUTHORIZED TO MAKE THAT DECISION.
• GENERALLY SPEAKING THIS IS AN ANNUAL OR BIANNUAL DEALT WITH IN THE RULEMAKING AUTHORITY.

Keywords: 999, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• It doesn't authorize conversion therapy.
• It doesn't authorize conversion therapy.
• It doesn't authorize conversion therapy.
• It doesn't authorize conversion therapy.
• It doesn't authorize conversion therapy.

Keywords: Consideration of HB 9 00:02:20 Consideration of HB 495 00:08:53 Consideration of HB 520 00:46:51 Consideration of HB 622 00:54:39 Consideration of HB 635 00:59:25, 958, all

Summary: The committee first took up House Bill 9, which would create oversight for Medicaid-related policy through a board modeled after the Public Pension Oversight Board. Sponsor Rep. Adam Bowling said the measure was intended to bring legislative, executive, and stakeholder voices together to vet issues and make better-informed Medicaid policy. Members generally supported the concept, though some questioned the proposed board’s party breakdown and whether the language should be updated now rather than later. After discussion, the committee voted 19-0 to pass HB 9 favorably. The committee then heard House Bill 495, which Rep. Hail said would protect mental health care professionals, institutions, and ordained ministers from discrimination when providing what the bill calls protected counseling services. He described the bill as a parental-choice measure that would allow counseling aligned with family values and said it also creates a civil cause of action for harmed parties. Opponents argued the bill would shield conversion therapy, with Dr. Eric Russ, Brandon Long, Dr. Brandon Creech, Brenda Rosen, Chris Hartman, and Dr. Bobby Glass testifying that conversion therapy is discredited, harmful, and associated with depression, anxiety, self-harm, and suicide risk. They said professional medical and counseling organizations oppose such practices and urged rejection of the bill. During questions, Rep. Layman pressed the sponsor on whether the bill would protect therapies even if a child was not in distress and on whether the committee should be endorsing a practice discredited by professional organizations. Rep. Hail responded that he viewed the issue as a parental choice and said he believed the bill protects providers offering those services. The transcript ends during continued discussion of HB 495, with no final vote shown on that bill.

Transcript Highlights:

• I'd also like to thank Senator Kunish for authoring the bill and for your ongoing support of our city
• the bill and for your for authoring the bill and for your ongoing<00:04:36.120> support<00:04
• Thank you as well to my co-authors, Senator Ikorn, her Weber, and yourself, Madam Chair.
• Senator icorn her Weber and co-authors Senator icorn her Weber and yourself<00:21:38.840> Madam
• <01:08:51.839> are did at the beginning his co-authors are did at the beginning his co-authors

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• For the first item on the HCD Connect BCP, this proposal requests permanent position authority, HCD Connect
• This proposal requests permanent position authority for seven positions in 2026-27 and ongoing.
• This is for two positions previously authorized for two years and $49,000 in expenditure authority ongoing
• In addition to that, they have, the DIPI has the authority to increase up to another $1,000.
• The question is, why should DFPI be able to be given that type of massive authority? Thank you.

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• When you say different plan, there are, and we have authority as a state in the different plans, or A
• the legislature, and this is a New Mexico Finance Authority Oversight-endorsed bill.
• We have the New Mexico Health Care Authority that we work with on this program.
• We have the New Mexico Health Care Authority that we work with on this program.
• I'm the CEO of the New Mexico Finance Authority.

Bills: SB21, SB42, SB81, SB101, SB139

Keywords: SB 21, Medicare supplement, Medigap, open enrollment, guaranteed issue, birthday month enrollment, health insurance, insurance regulation, senior health coverage, elderly, retiree, Medicare beneficiaries, preexisting conditions, underwriting restrictions, premium discrimination, New Mexico insurance law, superintendent of insurance, health care coverage, policy portability, healthcare

Transcript Highlights:

• Uh, this is where the Mississippi Department of Bank and Consumer Finance is authorized to run joint
• with governing authority would no longer have to signal for approval after the commissioner approves
• The commissioner shall have broad authority to administer, interpret, enforce this chapter.
• > administer, broad authority to administer, broad authority to administer, interpret,<00:20:28.320
• <00:20:37.919> to you are asking for sole authority to you are asking for sole authority to

Keywords: Business and Financial Institutions - Room 210; 28 January, 2026: 2:00 PM, 925, all

Summary: The committee took up several banking, real estate, and licensing bills. Senate Bill 20007 would remove the repeal date for Mississippi Department of Banking and Consumer Finance authority to conduct joint bank exams with the Federal Reserve, after testimony that the program has been successful; it was passed out on a do-pass motion. Senate Bill 2011, extending the repeal date for the Mississippi Debt Management Services Act by three years, was also passed out. Senate Bill 2383, a banking modernization bill, was explained as updating definitions and procedures, including treating ITMs like ATMs, allowing state banks to approve dividends without prior regulatory approval if in good standing, streamlining articles-of-incorporation amendments by making the banking commissioner the final approver, and eliminating parity-request requirements for certain public welfare investments; it was passed out as a committee substitute. The committee then considered Senate Bill 2711, which would update residential mortgage lending recordkeeping and disclosure language under the SAFE Act to remove obsolete federal references and better fit manufactured-home lending; it was passed out as a committee substitute. Senate Bill 2706, a professional engineers and surveyors bill, was described as a reorganization and modernization of licensure statutes, with the main policy change expanding who may recommend board appointments, staggering six-year terms, and barring recent disciplinary offenders from board service; after questions about appointment advice-and-consent and term length, it was passed out as a committee substitute. Senate Bill 2713, supported by the Mississippi Association of Realtors, would codify buyer agency agreements and move the required signing deadline from before a home is shown to before an offer is submitted; it was passed out. Senate Bill 2748 would align real estate statutes with current rules, replace certified-mail renewal notices with email notices, and extend the earnest-money submission deadline from one business day to two; it was passed out as a committee substitute. Senate Bill 2715, from the Department of Banking and Consumer Finance, would clarify the new money transmitter law, direct collected fees and penalties to enforcement of the act, add consumer notices and fraud warnings, and create data-security requirements based on a model law; senators questioned the fund balance, annual budget, and the relationship to a separate virtual currency kiosk bill, but the bill was passed out. The final bill on the agenda, 2768, was postponed to the committee’s Monday meeting, and the committee then rose and reported.

Transcript Highlights:

• The department's total budget includes a reduction of approximately $419,000 in budget authority for
• And DMA, there's a reduction of $100,000 in budget authority that we recommend related to reversions.
• We're statutorily authorized for 1,500, but we are resourced at current thresholds to contraction.
• This is more about authority. There is a small portion of cash that is there.
• This is more about authority.

Bills: S0048

Keywords: housing, accessory dwelling units, affordable housing, local government, zoning regulations, military families, density bonus, homeownership, property taxes

Summary: The Appropriations Committee on Transportation, Tourism, and Economic Development heard presentations on the Governor’s recommended budget for fiscal year 2026-27 and then considered one bill, CS/SB 48 on accessory dwelling units (ADUs). The Governor’s office outlined a $117.4 billion overall budget, with transportation and economic development receiving about $18 billion statewide and $601 million in general revenue. Agency heads then presented priorities for Commerce, Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles, Military Affairs, State, Transportation, Emergency Management, and the Florida State Guard, emphasizing workforce development, housing, tourism marketing, aviation and space infrastructure, law enforcement recruitment, emergency preparedness, and military readiness. In the Commerce presentation, Secretary Kelly highlighted funding for housing programs, the Hometown Heroes program, the Florida Job Growth Grant Fund, rural infrastructure and workforce grants, Reconnect and Florida WINS systems, law enforcement and firefighter recruitment bonuses, defense support, Visit Florida, Space Florida, and SelectFlorida. Senators asked about Visit Florida’s private match requirements and whether the agency fully leveraged prior appropriations; Visit Florida’s CEO said the match was met and exceeded, though it is difficult but important. The Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles presentation focused on trooper pay, pursuit vehicles, aviation assets, and enterprise data systems, with questions about immigration enforcement and body cameras. Military Affairs requested funding for readiness centers, training facilities, education and health benefits for Guardsmen, and maintenance of existing armories; members discussed Guard deployments, staffing levels, and a proposed firing range project. The Department of State requested funds for automated election audits, a conservation lab, and historic preservation, and defended its arts grant process and rule changes. Transportation’s budget emphasized a $14.3 billion work program, road and bridge maintenance, aviation and aerospace, safety initiatives, and seaport investments, while Emergency Management requested funding for preparedness, flood mitigation, WebEOC, grants management, and alert systems; senators also asked about the Alligator Alcatraz detention facility. For CS/SB 48, Senator Gates explained that the bill would require local governments to allow property owners to voluntarily create ADUs, while preserving local authority over setbacks, construction, and permitting. An amendment removed reusable tenant screening reports and clarified that conforming ADUs would be allowed by right without a separate hearing. The Florida Restaurant and Lodging Association supported the bill, saying ADUs could help provide long-term housing for service workers. After questions about local government and HOA authority, the committee adopted the amendment and then reported CS/SB 48 favorably by roll call vote.

Transcript Highlights:

• So that would be the county jail, uh, or the local mental health authority.
• And it, it goes through the local mental health authority.
• I think that they picked 5 local mental health authorities, and then some of those local mental health
• authorities picked several different type, um, several different partners.
• There were hospital districts and local mental health authorities, and the reason we consider that a

Transcript Highlights:

• Members, any questions for the bill's author? OK.
• Texas notary performed two basic duties, administering authors and taking acknowledgments.
• Any questions for the bill's author? OK, thank you, Representative Swanson.
• There's any other questions for the bill's author.
• And so it's not, it's not any sort of broadening of that authority.

Transcript Highlights:

• Lastly, we'll be calling authors according to seniority.
• House Bill 4370 gives special purpose districts the authority to...
• Any other questions for the bill's author?
• Discussions with the bill author about your concerns?
• I want them to discuss directly with the bill author.

Bills: HB386, HB1449, HB1701, HB2142, HB2675, HB2857, HB3063, HB3171, HB3641, HB3732, HB4045, HB4370, HB4491, HB4505, HB4626, HB5267, HB5356

Keywords: construction contracts, change orders, local government, budget limits, Texas legislation, HB 1449, mobile food vendors, food trucks, mobile food service establishments, permits, county health permit, municipal permitting, Health and Safety Code Chapter 437A, Chapter 437, inspection agreements, permit reciprocity, fee cap, preemption, large counties, population over one million

Transcript Highlights:

• I'm joint authoring on this Representative Wilson: Bill.
• If not, the chair recognizes the chairman's bill author to close on the bill.
• Chair: Any other questions for the author? OK, thank you. Chair will reserve your right.
• Any questions for the author? I thank you. We'll reserve your right to close.
• Today, I stand in strong support of House Bill 3948 authored by Representative Davis.

Bills: HB158

Keywords: public funds, lobbying activities, political subdivision, government spending, transparency

Transcript Highlights:

• We don't have broad authority to just collect any data that we want from school districts.
• You don't have the authority to collect data?
• We have the authority to collect the data that the legislature gives us the authority to collect in the
• way that they do, so we don't necessarily... ...have broad authority to collect data.
• If the legislature gives us the authority to tell them they have to give it to us, then yes.

Bills: HB295, HB824, HB1579, HB1581, HB2189, HB295

Keywords: bullying, antisemitism, school policies, school discipline, education, education policy, Texas Education Code, hate speech, student rights, civics education, high school curriculum, government, voting process, elected officials, Texas Seal of Biliteracy, biliteracy, bilingual education, multilingual, language proficiency, high school diploma

Transcript Highlights:

• Hollins, Feist, Howard, Meklin, Sexton, Nash, and Myers for being on this bill as co-authors.
• Hollins, Feist, Howard, Meklin, Sexton, Nash, and Myers for being on this bill as co-authors.
• Would the author yield to a question? She will yield, Representative Berg. Thank you.
• Would the author yield to a question? She will yield, Representative Berg. Thank you.
• I<00:05:16.320> recognize<00:05:16.760> the<00:05:16.919> author<00:05:17.240>

Keywords: 919, house, all

Summary: The House took up Senate File 1714, a bill on state government and payment transparency in public contracts. Representative Scott explained that the measure is intended to help Minnesota contractors and subcontractors know when public project payments have been made by requiring public owners, upon written request, to provide pay application and payment information within seven days at no cost. He said the bill had bipartisan support and backing from stakeholder groups, including trade associations and public entities, and that it would improve transparency for small businesses and workers waiting to be paid. The bill was amended with a technical change adding a missing word, and the amendment was adopted without opposition. During floor discussion, Representative Cleborn supported the bill, while Representative Berg asked whether trade unions supported it and noted that unions already have collective bargaining rights. Representative Sexton responded that IBEW and several trade unions had reached out and were very supportive. Scott later said he had received a text from Berg indicating support as well. After discussion ended, the House took a roll call vote. The bill passed as amended by a vote of 133 ayes and 0 nays.

Transcript Highlights:

• We will await an author or a representative or a statement, or any of the options, then we will get on
• We appreciate the engagement with the author and her office. We have a meeting set for later.
• We have some similar concerns, and I would appreciate the engagement of the author.
• Sense legislation by the author.
• Not only do I strongly support it, but I'd love to be considered as a co-author. The L.A.

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• You heard that right, $20,000, and authorizes up to $100,000 in... ...dollars, you heard that right,
• $20,000, and authorizes up to $100,000 in aggravated cases, figures that better reflect the severity
• So. dollars, you heard that right, $20,000, and authorizes up to 100,000 in aggravated cases, figures
• But I wondered, by what authority did my employer have to impose a company health policy on me?
• How is it even possible that a product that was contingently authorized by the FDA as emergency use authorization

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The committee hearing began with opening remarks from the House and Senate chairs outlining procedures for a large public hearing with more than 100 witnesses on 64 legislative proposals. They explained time limits, rules for in-person and virtual testimony, written testimony procedures, and the committee’s reporting deadline. Testimony then moved through a series of juvenile justice, child protection, and civil liberties bills, with witnesses generally urging favorable reports or, in one case, opposing expanded juvenile court transparency and child advocate access to records. Several witnesses supported bills aimed at juvenile justice reform. Representative Hendricks backed H. 1744 to prevent child labor exploitation and trafficking, citing federal findings of child labor in seafood processing and calling for stronger penalties and a ban on minors working in such facilities. Senator Gomez supported S. 1131 and S. 1121 to reduce juvenile fees, fines, restitution burdens, and bail-related costs, arguing they worsen racial and economic disparities. Senator Crean and other advocates supported S. 1051/H. 1695 to expand juvenile diversion eligibility, while multiple witnesses from juvenile justice and immigrant advocacy groups supported H. 1657/S. 1058 to expand juvenile expungement and to limit sharing juvenile fingerprints with federal authorities, describing recent ICE detentions of Chelsea students and the resulting fear in immigrant communities. Witnesses also supported H. 1918/S. 1240 to narrow the youthful offender statute, raising the minimum age and reducing mandatory adult-style penalties for youth. The committee also heard testimony on child safety and bodily autonomy bills. Middlesex District Attorney Marion Ryan supported H. 1752 to protect children left in extreme temperatures, explaining it would create civil penalties, allow emergency responders to remove children from cars without liability, and add criminal penalties when serious injury results. Representative Thurber and Senator O’Connor testified for H. 2011/S. 1227, a bill prohibiting coercion or mandates for health-related interventions, including vaccinations, and allowing legal remedies for violations. Senator Jalen supported S. 1136/H. 1847 to prevent false confessions by requiring recording of interrogations and banning deceptive tactics, and several innocence-project and legal-services witnesses described wrongful convictions tied to false confessions and coercive interrogations. Another major topic was H. 1626, which would require age verification for pornographic content and launch an education campaign about online sexual exploitation; Representative Cruz and survivor Udoz Wallace testified in support, describing nonconsensual image sharing and deepfake harms. Not all testimony was supportive. The Committee for Public Counsel Services opposed S. 1035, which would increase transparency in juvenile court proceedings, and H. 1689, which would expand the child advocate’s access to confidential juvenile records, arguing both would undermine privacy and trauma-informed protections for children and families. No votes or formal committee actions were taken during the portion of the hearing provided; the session consisted of opening remarks and public testimony on the listed bills.

Transcript Highlights:

• So the proposed 988 TBL authorizes DHCS to...
• This is in addition to the existing $12.5 million we have in ongoing authority.
• that was intended to align state law with this five-year limited federal authority.
• So, depending on what is authorized in the 2026 Budget Act, Depending on what is authorized in the 2026
• federal legislation was written was there was, you know, a five-year authorization period.

Summary: The subcommittee heard presentations from the Department of State Hospitals (DSH), the Commission for Behavioral Health, and the Department of Health Care Services (DHCS) on budget proposals and implementation updates. DSH outlined its proposed 2026-27 budget, including funding for patient operating expenses, IST solutions savings, conditional release program costs, LPS bed allocation changes, electrical infrastructure projects at Napa and Patton, SB 380 transitional housing feasibility work, and expanded dental services at Metropolitan and Patton. DSH also reported that it has met court-ordered IST treatment benchmarks in the Stiavedi v. Clinton case, with average time to initiate treatment down to about five days and pending placements reduced to roughly 250, while noting that Proposition 36 could increase referrals and SB 1323 may divert some individuals earlier into community-based treatment. Members asked about rising outside hospitalization costs, Medicare enrollment, the timing and structure of capital projects, and whether IST solution funds are being fully used; DSH said the savings reflect slower-than-expected ramp-up of community programs and that the Central California FACT replacement program is still on track for January 2027 activation. The Commission for Behavioral Health described its role under the Behavioral Health Services Act (BHSA), including data, evaluation, grantmaking, technical assistance, and transparency work. It highlighted the new statewide Innovation Partnership Fund, a five-year, $20 million-per-year program with small and large grant categories; the first RFA drew strong interest, with more than 400 questions and over 1,000 bidders’ conference participants. The Commission also discussed a proposed extension to spend down about $4.1 million remaining for the Alcove Youth Drop-in Center grants so sites can finish implementation and Stanford can complete the final evaluation. Members asked about grant duration, whether projects can be renewed, what qualifies as innovation, and whether the fund could support service delivery rather than awareness campaigns or training; the Commission said awards are expected to be three-year contracts and that proposals must be new or meaningfully expanded approaches that support BHSA priority populations. DHCS reviewed major behavioral health changes under CalAIM and BH Connect, including peer support, mobile crisis, contingency management, traditional health care practices for tribal members, updated specialty mental health access criteria, and new substance use treatment standards based on ASAM’s fourth edition. DHCS reported strong contingency management results, with more than 13,000 members served and 95% testing negative for stimulant use during treatment, and said 21 Indian health care providers have been approved to offer traditional health care practices. It also described BH Connect initiatives such as the $1.9 billion access reform and outcomes incentive program, workforce investments, evidence-based practice expansion, IMD participation by four counties, and transitional rent services. On BHSA implementation, DHCS said it is not tracking individual county contract cuts but is monitoring county plans and statewide outcomes, while stakeholders raised concerns about local prevention and service gaps. DHCS also outlined its H.R. 1 implementation strategy, including outreach, streamlined renewals, exemptions for disabled, substance use, and medically frail individuals, and proposed clinic navigator and outreach funding; it said it has not yet produced a focused estimate of H.R. 1 impacts on behavioral health populations. The discussion ended with DHCS noting that B-CHIP bond funding has supported 437 infrastructure projects, creating 546 new or expanded facilities and more than 9,500 residential beds across the state.

Transcript Highlights:

• This funding was originally appropriated in fiscal year 2023-24 with five-year encumbrance authority
• So the proposed 988 TBL authorizes DHCS to...
• So, depending on what is authorized in the 2026 Budget Act, Depending on what is authorized in the 2026
• federal legislation was written was there was, you know, a five-year authorization period.
• federal legislation was written was there was, you know, a five-year authorization period.

Keywords: 987, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Maryland Transportation Authority Revenue Bond Limit Increase. Favorable. >> Okay.
• authority revenue bond limit<00:38:14.480> increase<00:38:14.880> favorable.
• Maryland Transportation Authority Revenue Bond Limit Increase.
• It increases the debt capacity of the Maryland Transportation Authority from $4 billion to $5 billion
• Is this dedicated toward the Key Bridge, or is it any use that the Transportation Authority could have

Keywords: Senate streaming session for Thursday, February 12, 2026, 960, senate, all

Summary: The Senate convened with 39 members present, heard the invocation from Reverend Meredith West, and journalized her remarks. The chamber then recognized several guest groups and observances, including Omega Psi Phi Fraternity’s Second District Corridor 1 for “100 Q’s in Annapolis Day,” the Kent Island High School boys lacrosse team for winning the Maryland 2A state championship, Arts Day participants, Rural Maryland Council members, Maryland Affordable Housing Coalition advocates, and visitors from the Maryland Judiciary. Senators also spoke about the meaning of Kente cloth during Black History Month, and the chamber recognized a birthday and thanked protocol staff for Valentine’s Day decorations. The Senate’s featured presentation was the annual Lincoln Day speech by the Senator from the 37th District. The senator reflected on Abraham Lincoln’s life, political career, and moral leadership, emphasizing his self-education, opposition to the expansion of slavery, the Emancipation Proclamation, Gettysburg, and the idea that the nation’s founding principles of liberty and equality guided Lincoln through the Civil War. The minority leader praised the address, and the Senate agreed without objection to journalize the remarks. After the ceremonial portion, the Senate moved to business. Bond initiatives on the calendar were read and referred to the Capital Budget Subcommittee. The Executive Nominations Committee reported favorably on a list of recess appointees, including gubernatorial secretaries, district court judges, and a state board appointee, and the report was special ordered to Monday, February 16, 2026. The chamber then began second-reader consideration of Budget and Taxation bills: Senate Bill 25, altering the cyber security technology and service tax credit, was amended and ordered printed for third reading; Senate Bill 58, creating a property tax credit for retail service station conversions, was discussed with questions about who would receive the credit and why the incentive was needed, and consideration was ongoing when the transcript ended.