Transcript Highlights:

• Really, but that may not always be the case.
• Supreme Court four times, where we've won all four school choice cases.
• Supreme Court took up a case, Zelman v. Simmons-Harris.
• That is not the case.
• Are you still going to be around just in case? Well, we probably...

Summary: The Senate Committee on Education K-16 convened with a quorum, adopted its committee rules, and heard opening remarks from members introducing staff and outlining priorities for the session. Several senators emphasized support for public education, teacher pay and safety, parental choice, and the combined K-16 jurisdiction of the committee. The chair also reviewed hearing procedures, including public testimony registration and time limits. The main item was Senate Bill 2, the Texas Education Freedom Act, laid out by Chairman Creighton. He described the bill as an education savings account program intended to expand school choice, with a $200 million universal eligibility pool and an additional $800 million targeted to students with disabilities and lower-income families. He said the bill includes anti-fraud safeguards, criminal background checks for vendors, reporting requirements, data protections, and annual testing for participating students, while not imposing STAAR on private schools or homeschoolers. He also said the bill removes a prior hold-harmless provision for public schools and is separate from public school funding and teacher pay legislation. Members questioned the bill’s income threshold, lottery and priority structure, treatment of homeschoolers, microschools, charter schools, religious freedom protections, citizenship/lawful presence language, cybersecurity, open records, and disability-related issues, including whether 504 students and foster children should be included. Creighton said the bill is designed to prioritize former public school students with disabilities or lower incomes, while also allowing universal eligibility within the program’s first funding tier, and that the Comptroller would oversee vendor screening and cybersecurity rules. He said the bill does not direct curriculum or interfere with religious beliefs and that amendments may be offered later on citizenship and other issues. After member questions, the committee began invited testimony, starting with EdChoice representative Robert Inlow, who testified in support of SB 2 and cited national growth in school choice programs and studies he said show positive effects for students and public schools.

Transcript Highlights:

• there is a claim on the voluntary program they would be eligible for funds that would come back in case
• 00:05:08.120> there<00:05:08.240> was<00:05:08.400> a that would come back in case
• there was a that would come back in case there was a bankruptcy.<00:05:09.160> We've<00:05:09.400
• <00:07:44.760> is<00:07:44.840> rising<00:07:45.120> and The case The motion
• motion is rising and The case The motion motion is rising and reported.

Keywords: Agriculture - Room 210, 27 February, 2026; 11:00 A.M., 925, all

Summary: The Senate Agriculture Committee took up three House bills. House Bill 933 was briefly explained as a short bill allowing Mississippi Department of Agriculture and Livestock Theft Bureau agents to retain their sidearms upon retirement. The committee asked no substantive questions, adopted a motion that the title was sufficient, and passed the bill. House Bill 1153, a follow-up to last year’s meat labeling law, was described as clarifying enforcement language and adding cell-cultured deer products. The committee adopted an amendment to specify that a food product is not misbranded and another amendment to strike a special fund reference and replace it with the general fund. Senator McConnell then proposed and secured adoption of an amendment removing language that would have allowed the department to hire outside counsel if the attorney general declined representation. The bill, as amended, was then passed. House Bill 1647, the Grain Indemnity Act, was presented as a voluntary producer opt-in program modeled on similar laws in other states to provide funds in the event of a grain buyer bankruptcy. Senators asked about startup funding and whether insurance or bonding could serve a similar purpose; the sponsor said no funds were included in the bill and noted that insurance coverage may not be available. After discussion, the committee moved the bill as title sufficient and reported it out.

Transcript Highlights:

• They may have other cases, but... ...possession of cocaine.
• And that was based on the prevention of 3.7 HIV cases, 21 hep C cases, 375 days in hospital for skin
• , to argue our case?
• What statistics should I use to argue my case, argue our case?
• That's not the case here in Massachusetts.

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The Joint Committee on Mental Health, Substance Use, and Recovery held a public hearing on several harm reduction bills, including measures to decriminalize simple possession and paraphernalia, authorize overdose prevention centers, and expand access to naloxone for first responders. Chair Mindy Domb and Senator John Velis opened by describing harm reduction as an evidence-based public health strategy and noting Massachusetts’ recent decline in fatal overdoses. They emphasized that testimony would help shape whether and how the bills advance, and explained the hearing process, including time limits and written testimony. Testimony was sharply divided. Supporters, including Rep. Kate Donaghue, Sen. Cindy Friedman, Rep. Marjorie Decker, Rep. Manny Cruz, public health professionals, recovery advocates, and people with lived experience, argued that harm reduction saves lives, reduces stigma, and can connect people to treatment. They supported overdose prevention centers and decriminalization as tools to keep people alive long enough to enter recovery, and several speakers described personal losses to overdose or family experiences with addiction. Some supporters also framed the bills as racial justice measures, arguing that criminal penalties for possession have disproportionately harmed Black and brown communities. Opponents, including Sen. Nick Collins and several South End residents, argued that overdose prevention centers and decriminalization would worsen public drug use, crime, and neighborhood disorder, especially around Mass and Cass. They said current approaches such as Section 35, diversion, and police leverage into treatment are more effective, and they urged more treatment beds and recovery facilities instead of harm reduction sites. Committee members questioned witnesses about research, local siting, crime data, and the relationship between harm reduction and treatment, and several members said neighborhood impacts must be considered alongside overdose prevention. The committee did not take a vote during the hearing; it continued receiving testimony and announced a later break before resuming on H. 2196 and S. 1393.

Transcript Highlights:

• And just in case she And just in case she wasn't going to do it, I wanted to make sure I took this opportunity
• Court cases like 303 Creative, the...
• Court cases like 303 Creative, the Masterpiece Cake Shop case, the Colorado Rights Commission, and an
• upcoming case in October, St.
• , produce safer outcomes in every case, produce safer outcomes in every case, not<02:53:31.680>

Keywords: 981, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Oliverson is going to scrub in as the anesthesiologist on that case.
• That's just always going to be the case.
• I actually believe that is the case.
• But in this case, most of the time, it's not a better deal.
• Well, in some cases, but yeah, primarily, mostly it's. Right.

Keywords: 1184, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• In this case, drinking water standards, for instance, or, in your case, particulate matter limits, end
• to investigate those cases.
• > and<00:34:10.399> legionnaire's cases of legionella and legionnaire's cases of legionella
• extensively to investigate those cases extensively to investigate those cases and<00:34:16.720><
• <01:08:39.120> some look at in case some look at in case some company<01:08:41.279> wanted

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• That's no longer the case.
• That's no longer the case.
• I think that happened a couple the case.
• Uh, I'm going to bring... fair case that given our tele medicine fair case that given our tele medicine
• uh that was never the case actually. uh that was never the case actually.

Keywords: 958, all

Summary: The subcommittee met on October 14, approved the minutes, and then took up a large group of staff-suggested amendments to multiple regulations. Those staff amendments were approved without objection and were described as technical changes needed to comply with KRS Chapter 13A and other governing law. The committee then moved out of order to consider Kentucky Board of Medical Licensure regulation 2011 KAR 9:270, which governs buprenorphine prescribing and related standards. Board representatives said the regulation has been updated over time since 2015 and that the current amendments are intended to streamline the rule, remove outdated federal references such as the X-waiver, narrow education requirements to addiction-related topics, and create exceptions for settings like emergency rooms and certain pain treatment situations. The agency amendment would also allow buprenorphine monoproduct for up to 30 days when a patient is transitioning from a full opioid agonist, and would add physicians certified in addiction medicine as eligible specialty consultants. Board officials said the regulation was developed through a two-year process with a work group, informal outreach to medical organizations, and multiple comment periods, and they argued the rule is working because overdose deaths have declined and provider numbers have increased. Several witnesses and committee members raised concerns that the regulation remains too restrictive. Senator Rocky Adams noted that major medical organizations had said the proposed language could restrict access and worsen overdose risk, and he questioned whether the committee was being asked to choose between conflicting expert views. Opponents, including a medical student, a recovery advocate, and Dr. Colleen Ryan of the Kentucky Society of Addiction Medicine, argued the rule is outdated, creates unnecessary barriers to buprenorphine treatment, and should be repealed or substantially revised to align with federal guidance and evidence-based care. They said rigid requirements can discourage treatment and that addiction should be treated like other chronic illnesses. No final vote on the medical licensure regulation is reflected in the transcript excerpt, and the discussion ended with the chair preparing to hear from additional opponents.

Transcript Highlights:

• This is from the New Hampshire Supreme Court in a 2024 case. nine.
• <01:44:50.400> Since Supreme Court in a 20 24 case. Since Supreme Court in a 20 24 case.
• And the cases Vermont Telephone Company Inc. versus First Light Fiber Inc.
• Telephone<01:45:46.400> Company And the cases Vermont Telephone Company And the cases Vermont
• So I can many cases a year plus.

Keywords: 12:30pm HB 421 2:00pm HB 701 3:00pm HB 377 4:00pm HB 712, 928, house, all

Summary: The committee of conference first took up House Bill 421FN, concerning notice of tax-exempt status filing procedures by town officials. Members reviewed the Senate changes and focused on whether the amended language would require multiple mailings to charitable organizations. House conferees said the Senate wording appeared to create more than one mailing and asked for clarification; Senate members explained the intent was to reduce clerk workload by posting forms and sending a follow-up notice only to organizations that failed to file after the deadline. After a brief caucus, the House concluded there were too many unresolved changes to work out in conference and moved to non-concur with the Senate amendment. The House motion to non-concur passed unanimously, 4-0, and the committee agreed to place the conference report on the House consent calendar. The chair then closed the committee of conference on House Bill 421FN. The transcript then shifted to a separate committee of conference on another bill, where members discussed revisions involving direct supervision at an eligible facility, federalwide assurance requirements, and immunity language. Testimony focused on whether the bill should require supervision at a specific facility or allow broader supervision arrangements, whether rulemaking should define direct supervision, and whether the immunity provision should cover reckless as well as willful misconduct. No final vote or action on that second bill was reached in the portion provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• uh as we speak uh through fraud cases uh as we speak uh through State<00:09:01.480> agencies<
• and then provide feedback to State cases and then provide feedback to State agencies<00:09:27.800>
• capacity of the office to track cases capacity of the office to track cases and<00:23:13.559>
• <00:41:14.920> Madame what's happened in those cases Madame what's happened in those cases
• , but was designed to allow people to bring their case to the correct court.

Bills: HF1470, HF1310, HF1837

Keywords: opioids, substance use, addiction recovery, mental health, state cabinet, HF1310, Office of Cannabis Management, cannabis, marijuana, tribal consultation, government-to-government relationship, Minnesota tribes, Tribal governments, state government, consultation, rulemaking, Indian affairs, cannabis regulation, tribal sovereignty, state-tribal relations

Transcript Highlights:

• attorney case attorney case dismissals<00:06:51.599> a<00:06:51.840> publicly<00:06
• And in case, uh, you need us, we do these arrests on a regular basis based on what I saw yesterday.
• And in case, uh, you need us, we do these arrests on a regular basis based on what I saw yesterday.
• Next, on page nine, fleeing police officer cases have also increased.
• To give you some scope on the numbers, in 2023 there were 2,262 fleeing cases.

Keywords: 1183, house

Summary: The committee met with a quorum present, approved the January 21, 2025 minutes by voice vote, and then took up House File 7, which was recommended to pass and be re-referred to the Ways and Means Committee. The chair also reminded attendees about decorum rules in the committee room. House File 7 was described by the author as a public safety package combining 12 provisions from prior Republican-authored bills, aimed at supporting law enforcement, reducing violent crime, and increasing accountability in the criminal justice system. The bill’s main provisions discussed included tougher penalties for aggravated fleeing, making it a crime to be in a stolen vehicle, allowing tracking devices on stolen vehicles even when occupied, increasing penalties for blocking highways and critical infrastructure, and increasing penalties for assaulting peace officers. The author also highlighted provisions on sex trafficking, predatory offender registration, and greater public disclosure of bail payments, case dismissals, sentencing reductions, and sentencing guideline changes. Testifying in support were Ramsey County Sheriff Bob Fletcher, MPPOA President Shane Mey, and Minnesota Chiefs of Police Association Executive Director Jeff Potts, all of whom argued the bill would help officers address auto theft, fleeing suspects, and assaults on law enforcement. They cited increases in assaults on officers and high numbers of stolen vehicles and fleeing cases, and said the bill would improve safety and transparency. Witnesses generally supported the bill’s approach but suggested some refinements, including adding language for additional aggravating factors in officer assault cases and considering similar treatment for corrections officers. Sheriff Fletcher also urged reconsideration of the recently enacted raise-the-age changes, arguing they could limit law enforcement’s ability to respond to younger offenders involved in stolen vehicles. No opposition testimony or final vote on House File 7 was recorded in the excerpt beyond the motion to pass and re-refer it.

Transcript Highlights:

• That number, usually at least in our case, would come down.
• So the more you provide, in many cases, the less clarity you provide.
• Now, I'm not suggesting that that is the case, but I think people believe that that might be the case
• We have an egg formula. at least in case of residential and commercial.
• We don't reflect property tax relief in that case.

Summary: The subcommittee of the Tax Reform and Relief Committee met to begin its study of the feasibility and desirability of revising the content of the real estate tax statement to improve property tax transparency. Legislative Council staff reviewed the study directive under House Bill 1176 and the statutory requirements for tax statements, including required line items such as true and full value, mill levy, legislative tax relief, primary residence credit, and the Legacy Fund portion of that credit. The Tax Department then explained how the current uniform statement is prescribed and approved, and noted that changes are typically driven by statute and implemented collaboratively with counties and vendors. County officials from the North Dakota Association of Counties described the full annual tax cycle, from county budgeting and valuation notices to budget hearing notices, levy certification, cap calculations, and final tax statement mailing. They emphasized that counties and auditors do extensive coordination with taxing districts and neighboring counties, and that the process is labor-intensive and often manual. Members discussed the limited public response to budget notices and tax statements, the difficulty of explaining the legislative tax relief line, the 3% cap and valuation issues, and whether more frequent assessments or different timing would improve understanding. Several members and witnesses noted that many taxpayers only engage when they receive their final bill, and that clarity may be more important than adding more detail. NDACO also presented a rough cost survey from eight counties, estimating an average tax statement cost of about 74 cents and a statewide total near $600,000 for printing and mailing tax statements alone, with outsourcing generally cheaper than in-house printing. Witnesses noted that House Bill 1176 added other mailings and notices, increasing county workload and cost beyond the statement itself. The committee then heard from software vendors, who explained how their systems handle tax billing, budget notices, valuation notices, primary residence credit processing, and tax levy calculations, and they identified the 1600/1685 primary residence credit and discount interaction as a current programming challenge. No votes were taken; the meeting was informational and focused on gathering testimony and identifying issues for possible future recommendations or bill drafts.

Transcript Highlights:

• However, what about the audio that came from that case?
• However, what about the audio that came from that case?
• And that’s not even on the death penalty case. Let’s not rush this.
• And we could probably find three or four cases nationally.
• But I would probably say that's not going to be the case here.

Keywords: 959, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Mayor Ron Case, welcome to the committee. Please proceed with your testimony. Thank you.
• Chair, members of the committee, I'm Ron Case. I'm the mayor of Eden Prairie.
• Uh Mayor Case, welcome to Kotiza-Wintun. Uh Mayor Case, welcome to the<00:34:00.280> committee.
• I'm the mayor committee, I'm Ron Case.
• you for your testimony, uh Mayor Case. you for your testimony, uh Mayor Case.

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:51:10.680> It<00:51:10.840> replaces cases should be structured.
• It replaces cases should be structured.
• That way they have enough staff to pull people off to go back and review past cases.
• That way they have enough staff to pull people off to go back and review past cases.
• That way they have enough staff to pull people off to go back and review past cases.

Keywords: 958, all

Summary: The Senate convened with an invocation and pledge, established a quorum, approved the prior journal, and received a message from the House announcing passage of House Bills 364, 534, 600, and 662 and requesting concurrence. The chamber then took up second-reading reports, placing several bills on the Rules Committee calendar, and briefly recessed for caucus meetings before returning to floor business. The first major floor action was Senate Bill 11, a residential safe room rebate program aimed at rural tornado preparedness. Supporters described it as a way to use FEMA or private funds to help homeowners build personal storm shelters that could also serve neighbors; one senator opposed it over a fiscal note and concerns about unintended consequences in rural areas. The Senate adopted a committee substitute and passed SB 11 by a vote of 33–3. The Senate then considered Senate Bill 8 on public utilities and PSC intervention procedures. A committee substitute and floor amendment were adopted to clarify intervention standards, limit delay tactics, allow written comments from non-intervenors, and revise transmission-line approval thresholds; supporters said the changes would improve PSC efficiency and protect ratepayers, while some senators objected to a provision moving records from the Energy and Environment Cabinet to the state auditor as politically motivated. SB 8 passed 30–5. Senate Bill 94, dealing with dealer compensation for warranty and recall work, was also amended and passed unanimously after supporters said it reflected agreement between auto dealers and manufacturers. Finally, Senate Bill 197 on economic development incentives was amended to create county tiers, expand incentives for distressed areas, allow cross-border projects near state lines, and correct clerical errors; it passed 36–0.

Transcript Highlights:

• , we we had a case um, within the<00:05:14.880> past<00:05:15.039> two<00:05:15.360>
• Of the few dozen cases that we've had, which resulted in several hundred thousand dollars lost, over
• <00:26:36.720> and year on record with 70 cases and year on record with 70 cases and $540,000
• had in that particular case uh, to the<00:48:10.960> committee.
• As unfortunate as the Nancy Guthrie case As unfortunate as the Nancy Guthrie case is<01:04:21.839

Keywords: 1183, house

Summary: The committee heard House File 3642, as amended by the DE1, which would prohibit virtual currency kiosks in Minnesota. The author, Chair Kaggel, said the bill is intended to stop scammers from using crypto kiosks to defraud vulnerable people, especially older adults, because the transactions are often irreversible and hard to trace. Representative Perryman spoke in support, describing local fraud cases and saying the issue had come to her attention through St. Cloud residents and police. The bill was laid over for further work with the Department of Commerce and other interested members. Testimony from law enforcement and advocates strongly supported the ban. A St. Cloud police sergeant said the problem is statewide and described a case in which a 78-year-old woman lost $80,000 after being directed to a kiosk. A Woodbury detective said current safeguards, including warnings, limits, and refund provisions, have not stopped weekly victimization and that scammers coach victims to bypass protections. An AARP Minnesota volunteer said kiosks are a preferred vehicle for scammers because they move stolen funds quickly and are especially harmful to older adults, and he noted that the 2024 consumer protections have not been enough. The Department of Commerce also supported the bill, saying crypto kiosks are a growing fraud vector and citing 120 complaints over three years, nearly $1 million in reported losses, and 70 cases with $540,000 in losses already in 2025. The department said many victims do not report losses, so the true amount is likely higher. In contrast, Coinflip’s general counsel opposed a ban and argued that fraud should be addressed through stronger regulation, refunds, blockchain analytics, and customer-service requirements rather than prohibiting a legal product. He said scams would continue through other channels if kiosks were banned. In discussion, members asked about the number of kiosks, how long they have been operating in Minnesota, and the scale of losses; the department said there are about 350 licensed kiosks operated by 8 to 10 operators, though the total number may be higher.

Transcript Highlights:

• Got a good dad joke for the day in case Got a good dad joke for the day in case you're<00:07:27.599
• >> I.<00:37:14.400> Case. >> I. Case. >> I. Case. >> No.
• Senator Case, fools fear to tread, right?
• And this is a tool saying these cases.
• Senator Steinmet signed Senator Case Senator Steinmet signed Senator Case Chairman.

Keywords: 916, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Also, it was brought to my attention how this could be weaponized in a divorce case.
• We can't weaponized in a divorce case.
• Too often these cases fall into legal gray areas where the harm is real.
• Too often these cases fall into legal Too often these cases fall into legal gray<01:04:23.920> areas
• At least in the case of this country.

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• The parties mediated the case.
• relitigating or attempting to relitigate a case and the issues before it.
• And in this case, we're talking about really two parties.
• And the statement that we are banning encryption, that is not the case.
• I think there’s a strong case for the efficacy of regenerative stem cell care.

Summary: The committee took up a series of bills, beginning with SB 1422 on unmanned aircraft systems. The bill increases penalties for flying drones over critical infrastructure, prohibits drones equipped with weapons or explosives, creates a first-degree felony for drones carrying a weapon of mass destruction, and includes a law enforcement exception. A lay-filed amendment by Senator Pizzo warning against the use of force to shoot down drones was debated but failed, and the bill was then reported favorably. The committee also reported favorably on SB 846 addressing notary public fraud in immigration-related services, SB 650 on hazardous walking conditions for school transportation, SB 922 on employment agreements including non-compete and garden leave provisions, and SB 1820 on motor vehicle manufacturer and dealer relations, covering performance measures, retaliation, and franchise termination standards. Several bills focused on education, health care, and disability issues. SB 540, the Evan B. Hartzell Act, would require disability history and awareness instruction across grade levels; it drew emotional testimony from the bill sponsor, family members, and supporters, and was reported favorably. SB 998 would allow advanced practice registered nurses to certify deaths and file death certificates in hospice settings under physician protocol, and SB 1412 would modernize home health agency rules by expanding administrative flexibility and contract service use; both passed. SB 1736 would allow direct support professionals and relatives to administer insulin in group home settings for individuals with developmental disabilities, and it was also reported favorably. The committee also advanced several regulatory and court-related measures. SB 1650 expands Florida’s vexatious litigant law, including allowing designation based on conduct in a single case and extending the look-back period, while SB 1652 creates a public records exemption for certain stricken non-criminal court filings; both were approved. SB 1076 on roofing contractors was amended to require continuing education for roof-to-wall connections and then passed, and SB 1078 on fire prevention was amended with stakeholder-agreed language before being reported favorably. SB 1080 on local government land regulations, after multiple amendments and significant debate over agricultural enclaves and local control, was also approved. Other major measures included SB 818 on utility relocation, which creates a relocation fund funded by a portion of communications services tax revenue and was supported by multiple industry and local-government groups after a compromise amendment; SB 868 on social media use by minors, which would require a decryption mechanism for law enforcement access under subpoena and prohibit disappearing messages for minors, remained under discussion as the transcript ended. The committee also heard SB 96, a claims bill for Jacob Rogers against the City of Gainesville, and reported it favorably after testimony that the city would pay the settlement amount.

Transcript Highlights:

• the past two years, we have loaded our agencies with an abundance of dollars and necessary in some cases
• the past two years, we have loaded our agencies with an abundance of dollars and necessary in some cases
• the past two years, we have loaded our agencies with an abundance of dollars and necessary in some cases
• the past two years, we have loaded our agencies with an abundance of dollars and necessary in some cases
• the past two years, we have loaded our agencies with an abundance of dollars and necessary in some cases

Bills: HF2436, HF2929

Keywords: child welfare, economic assistance, child care, grant program, video security cameras, HF2929, SNAP, Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, food assistance, nutrition assistance, public benefits, eligibility determination, income eligibility, federal poverty guidelines, poverty level, county agency, Tribal agency, human services, children and families, benefits administration

Transcript Highlights:

• Even in those cases, and I've had several cases where we went to arbitration, and there is binding arbitration
• Representative Brown has been successful in several cases against Sam Page.
• Yeah, I think you can just look at COVID and all the cases that were filed against county executives.
• And that's where I think a lot of these individuals won those cases.
• And I know, Representative, that you have no intention of defending the Dred Scott case.

Keywords: 959, house, all

Summary: The committee first established quorum and met in executive session, where House Bill 2809 by Representative Knight was moved do pass and approved by a vote of 11 ayes, 0 noes, and 2 present. The committee then moved to public hearing, noting House Bill 3108 would not be heard that day. The main hearing was on Senate Bills 977 and 1011, sponsored by Senator Nick Schroer. The bills were described as a restatement of the supremacy clause, providing that foreign laws, foreign treaties, and related arbitration decisions cannot supersede the U.S. Constitution, the Missouri Constitution, or state law when fundamental rights are implicated. Members and the sponsor discussed concerns about foreign legal systems, religious law, COVID-era public health recommendations, and whether the bill could affect private arbitration, family law, custody, adoption, tribal law, and international agreements. Supporters said the bill was narrowly tailored, included carve-outs such as the Hague Convention, and was intended to guide courts and prevent foreign law from overriding Missouri law. One witness from Liberty Link Missouri testified in favor, saying the law should restate constitutional principles even if it is technically unnecessary. No vote was taken on the Senate bills during the hearing. The committee also heard House Bill 2589 by Representative Mike Jones, which would require only a rear license plate on vehicles. Supporters said the change would save money for the state and drivers, align Missouri with many other states, and avoid the need to drill front bumpers or display plates in windshields. Members raised concerns about law enforcement, vehicle identification, stalking cases, and whether some vehicles or commercial vehicles should still require two plates. The sponsor said he was open to exploring exemptions or weight-based distinctions, but the hearing ended without a vote or further action on the bill.