Video & Transcript Research : 'First Amendment rights'
Page 169 of 500
HI
Hawaii 2025 Regular Session
CPN, CPN, CPN, CPN Public Hearings 02-19-2025
Transcript Highlights:
- There have been, I think, for the first time, some substantive amendments proposed by many different
- There have been, I think, for the first time, some substantive amendments proposed by many different
- There have been, I think, for the first time, some substantive amendments proposed by many different
- There have been, I think, for the first time, some substantive amendments proposed by many different
- Are you in support of those amendments? Yes, I am in support of those amendments.
Summary:
The committee heard SB 573, which would require condominium associations to repair defective common-element conditions that create health or safety violations. Testimony was overwhelmingly opposed, including from the Community Associations Institute and construction-defect counsel, who argued the bill could lead to piecemeal repairs and unintended damage in complex building systems. The measure was deferred.
The committee then heard SB 1038 on privacy and data-breach notice requirements. The Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs supported the bill as a modernization of the law, while the Hawaii Financial Services Association, Consumer Data Industry Association, and other groups opposed it, mainly over the proposed redaction standard for Social Security numbers and concerns about making Hawaii an outlier compared with other states. Members discussed possible amendments, including harmonizing with other states and clarifying encryption and redaction rules. The committee later voted to pass SB 1038 with amendments, including changes from the Office of Consumer Protection, Hawaii Bankers Association, and State Privacy and Security Coalition, and deferred the effective date to July 1, 2050.
The committee also took up SB 890 and voted to pass it with amendments and recommit it to the CPN committee for a hearing before the decking deadline. In a separate decision-making segment, the committee passed SB 1291 on CPA licensure with amendments after testimony from accounting groups, educators, and others described a shortage of accountants and supported an alternate pathway using public-accounting experience. The committee adopted amendments clarifying the education and experience requirements and then approved the measure. Later, the committee also passed several additional measures on a decision agenda, including SB 129 SD1, SB 140 SD1, SB 144 SD1, SB 1197 SD1, SB 1341, SB 411 SD1, and SB 1438, generally with amendments or as introduced, and all were adopted without objection.
FL
Florida 2026 Regular Session
FL House Floor Session - 2026-03-13 (10:00AM Session)
Florida House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- Other amendments? On the desk, Mr. President. Read the first amendment.
- So right now it would not, essentially the House amendment would not change sort of the status quo that
- Are there amendments on the desk, Mr. President? Read the first amendment.
- What this amendment will do, members, is basically just remove that language in which we see right now
- I mean, I’m on a text chain with many of them right now... ...who saw the amendment with the five-year
Summary:
The Senate convened with opening prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, and several member introductions of guests and staff. The chamber then took up returning messages from the House and acted on several bills, including transportation facility designations (SB 628), affordable housing/Live Local Act changes (HB 1389), utility services (HB 1451), education (HB 1279 substituted for SB 7038), data centers (SB 484), and land use/development regulations (SB 208/HB 399). Several other measures were temporarily postponed, including education, emergency services, and environmental rule ratification bills.
On SB 628, the Senate concurred in the House amendment and passed the bill 31-4. On the affordable housing bill, senators discussed the fourth iteration of the Live Local Act, including a new provision allowing certain affordable housing on religious institution property, removal of accessory dwelling unit language, and changes to tax exemption and expiration provisions; the Senate concurred in the House amendment and passed the bill 35-0. On the utility services bill, the House amendment shortened the surcharge phase-out timeline and advanced reporting dates; the Senate concurred and passed the bill 30-6. The education package was substituted with the House companion, amended to include agreed-upon provisions on student health and safety, early learning, math, virtual instruction, career and technical education, school choice, accountability, tuition protections, and financial aid, and passed 36-1.
The data centers bill drew extensive debate over transparency and ratepayer protections. Senators questioned the removal of the Senate’s nondisclosure agreement prohibition, the 12-month confidentiality period, and whether costs could be shifted to residential and commercial customers. Supporters said the amendment strengthened ratepayer protections and maintained local land-use authority, while critics objected to the loss of transparency and the possibility of local NDAs. After debate, the Senate concurred in the House amendment and passed the bill 31-6.
The land use and development bill generated the most contentious discussion. Amendments addressed a Fontainebleau/Miami Beach resort water park issue, a sunset provision, and a major rural boundary/property rights proposal affecting counties such as Orange and Seminole. Senators debated whether the rural boundary language protected property rights or undermined local planning and environmental safeguards, with concerns raised about takings, county liability, and the use of an Attorney General opinion. The transcript cuts off during extended debate on that amendment, so no final vote on the land use bill is shown in the excerpt.
AL
Alabama 2026 Regular Session
Alabama Senate Transportation and Energy Committee Feb 4th, 2026
Transportation and Energy
Transcript Highlights:
- I think uh in effect the uh first part of the amendment when it talks about excavation it adds marine
- I think uh in effect the uh first part of the amendment when it talks about excavation it adds marine
- <00:12:59.760>
And >> Right. Okay. Agreed upon amendment. And >> Right. - a motion on that first bill as amended. >> You are corrected, sir.
- All right. Using previous roll as amended. Okay. Thank you. Thank you. >> Yes, sir. Thank you.
Keywords:
appropriation, education funding, priority schools, Alabama education, State Department of Education, medical clinic board, clinic board, hospital bankruptcy, Chapter 11, bankruptcy, debt restructuring, municipal indebtedness, municipal bankruptcy, health care provider, acute care hospital, lease property, board immunity, director liability, civil liability, healthcare finance
MD
Transcript Highlights:
- without violating the First Amendment. without violating the First Amendment.
- All right. a replacement amendment. All right.
- >
the <00:51:59.360>amendment right. - Any objections to the amendment right.
- :02.520>
amendment right, without objection, the amendment right, without objection, the amendment
Summary:
The Maryland Senate convened with a quorum, heard an invocation from Pastor Delman Coates, and received several guest introductions, including the doctor of the day, student visitors, homeschool advocates, community leaders, and the Braver Angels group. The chamber also journalized remarks welcoming Dr. Coates and recognized a prayer breakfast, with members offering brief thanks and acknowledgments before moving to legislative business.
The Senate handled several messages and nominations, including withdrawal of an appointment, Johns Hopkins Police Accountability Board nominations, and Prince George’s County Board of License Commissioners nominations, all referred to Executive Nominations. The chamber also received House Bill 156 and an Executive Nominations Committee report recommending confirmation of a slate of appointments, which was special ordered for later consideration. A motion to return Senate Bill 463 to second reader and special order it for Tuesday was adopted without objection, and Senate Bill 473 was also special ordered for Tuesday.
On third reading, the Senate passed a large number of bills, including measures on ignition interlock participation, school construction, port hearing notice, veteran status notation for educators, correctional officer scholarships, benefits exploitation, veterans trust fund applications, presidential electors, advance enrollment for children of active service members, retired law enforcement handgun permits, high-risk pregnancy discharge communication, charitable organization audit thresholds, child care criminal history checks, water pollution discharge permits, blockchain task force creation, franchise registration reform, licensing portability for foreign service members and spouses, Medicaid collaborative care cost-sharing, gift card fraud, school for the deaf board membership, vehicle dealer hearings, massage therapy advertising, protective body armor reporting, lithium-ion battery safety, pharmacy prescriber agreements for opioid use disorder treatment, human relevant research fund contributions, state and higher education email requirements, and auto insurance producer commissions. Most passed unanimously or by wide margins; Senate Bill 348 and Senate Bill 585 passed with 30 and 32 votes in favor, respectively.
Senate Bill 140, concerning benefits exploitation, drew extended debate over constitutionality and pending litigation, with one senator citing an Attorney General opinion and another citing a Supreme Court case on neutral principles in church property disputes; the bill ultimately passed with 40 votes. Members later changed several votes on the floor, including on Senate Bills 172, 376, 428, and 48. The session ended while the clerk was beginning to read Senate Bill 629, with the remaining calendar not completed in the transcript.
HI
Hawaii 2025 Regular Session
CPN-EIG, CPN-HHS, CPN DEFER Public Hearings 02-11-2025
Commerce and Consumer Protection
Transcript Highlights:
- We have further amendments.
- <00:20:57.760>
we amendments we have further amendments we amendments we have further amendments - So the brief summary of the amendments which have been provided: I'll just read off the first thing we're
- So the brief summary of the amendments which have been provided: I'll just read off the first thing we're
- I've submitted a potential amendment to address this, so thank you. seven more minutes left so first
Summary:
The joint Senate hearing focused primarily on SB 1201, a wildfire measure that would create a wildfire recovery fund and allow securitization for electric utilities. Hawaiian Electric strongly supported the bill, saying it would help protect customers, property owners, insurers, and the broader economy from future catastrophic wildfire liability while improving the utility’s credit profile and lowering financing costs. Support also came from DCCA Consumer Advocacy, the Attorney General’s office on written comments, Ulupono Initiative, Clearway Energy Group, IBEW Local 1260, Par Hawaii, KIUC, the Chamber of Commerce Hawaiʻi, Plus Power, and numerous organizations and individuals. Opponents or commenters raised concerns about the liability cap, victim compensation process, and fund structure, including the Hawaiʻi Association for Justice, the Hawaiʻi Regional Council of Carpenters, and the Hawaiʻi Insurance Council; Henry Curtis of Life of the Land supported the concept of a fund but questioned the catastrophe threshold and whether the fund would be empty without a prudency finding.
Much of the discussion centered on whether the proposed fund would actually help restore Hawaiian Electric to investment grade, with senators comparing the proposal to California’s wildfire fund. Hawaiian Electric said the bill was only one part of a broader process, alongside physical risk reduction and settlement finalization, and argued that without the bill the utility would not regain investment grade. Senators also questioned the proposed $1 billion fund size, the fairness of ratepayer contributions versus shareholder contributions, and whether customers should pay for consulting and administrative costs; Hawaiian Electric said its proposed amendment would remove those consulting-related charges. The company also said the fund would accrue interest and, if unused, could be returned to customers, and that there would be replenishment and supplemental contribution mechanisms if the fund were exhausted.
The Attorney General’s office said it still had further amendments to discuss, and the departments had not yet resolved where the fund should reside administratively, though Hawaiian Electric said it believed DCCA was the appropriate place but was open to alternatives. KIUC requested two amendments. No vote or final committee action was taken during the hearing, and the measure remained under discussion with questions and proposed amendments still outstanding.
VT
Transcript Highlights:
- as amended?
- c> on<01:00:18.000>
a amendment amendment um favorable on a amendment amendment um favorable - amended? amended?
- proposed amendment. proposed amendment.
- Rights from the Privacy Rights Rights from the Privacy Rights Clearinghouse, Clearinghouse, Clearinghouse
Summary:
The House opened with a devotional and the Pledge of Allegiance, then moved through first readings and referrals of several bills. House Bill 950, the pay act for certain state employees, was read and referred to Appropriations, and House Bill 951, the government appropriations bill, was read and referred to Ways and Means. Senate bills referred included S. 138 on commercial property assessed clean energy projects, S. 181 on eliminating a pre-sentence investigation requirement for deferred sentences, S. 206 on licensure of early childhood educators, S. 219 on an energy navigator program report, S. 239 on the Child Abuse and Neglect Reporting Working Group, and S. 291 on travel disclosures for legislators and certain executive officers, each sent to the appropriate committee.
The chamber also read several House concurrent resolutions adopted on the consent calendar. These included resolutions congratulating Rice Memorial High School’s Division Two girls soccer team and Division One field hockey team, designating March 2026 as Athletic Trainers Month in Vermont, and remembering the 2011 Tohoku earthquake, tsunami, and nuclear disasters in Japan. The Japan remembrance resolution included a message from the Japanese consul general expressing gratitude for Vermont’s solidarity and friendship after the disaster.
Later, members offered announcements recognizing guests in the gallery, including Rice Memorial athletes and coaches, representatives of the Vermont Association of Athletic Trainers, and students and teachers from Pondbrook and Sterling College. The House also heard a detailed floor speech in support of House Bill 861, which would establish a statewide Americans with Disabilities Act Coordinator. The sponsor described accessibility barriers faced by disabled Vermonters, argued that ADA responsibilities are currently uneven across state government, and said a coordinator would improve coordination, compliance, and access across agencies. The House then announced the order of upcoming bills, starting with H. 861 and H. 931, but no final vote on H. 861 was taken in the portion provided.
NH
New Hampshire 2026 Regular Session
House Environment and Agriculture (04/14/2026)
Environment and Agriculture
Transcript Highlights:
- We have an amendment already to fix it. >> Perfect. Then I will stop there. All right.
- And I guess procedurally, we should have a motion and then discuss the amendment. Is that right?
- All right. Okay. Would you like to speak to your amendment, sir? Yes, Madam Chair.
- So, the bill as it stands right now, it amends 147:1.
- stands right now it amends 147:1. stands right now it amends 147:1.
NH
Transcript Highlights:
- first-come, first-serve basis. first-come, first-serve basis.
- So, first order of business is the amendment.
- is the uh So, first order of business is the uh amendment.<02:10:08.560>
All <02:10:08.720> - So, section one, which is the first amendment we passed, to be 60 days upon passage, was in alignment
- So, section one which is the first So, section one which is the first amendment<02:11:13.000>
TX
Transcript Highlights:
- Is that about right? Is that about right?
- Senate Bill 2320 amends the Penal Code to enhance penalties for all DWI offenses, including first-time
- Senator Gutierrez, I'm reading your amendment for the first time.
- President, I'm going to pull that second, subsequent amendment. I'm just going to do the first one.
- All right. Well, first of all, there's just a little bit of clarity. Can you enlighten us?
Summary:
The Senate convened with a quorum, heard an invocation, recognized a Karnes County Day delegation and the Texas Association of Museums, received a governor’s message on Texas Diabetes Council appointments, and introduced the Doctor of the Day. The chamber then took up several resolutions, including SR 388 honoring the Texas Association of Museums, and adopted SRs 380, 382, and 387 by voice vote. Senator King was excused due to a family death, and the journal reading was dispensed with.
The Senate then moved through a series of bills, most of them on expedited suspension of the regular order and three-day rule. Measures passed included SB 868 on Rural Volunteer Fire Department Assistance Program funding for high-wildfire-risk areas; SB 264 exempting certain family motor-vehicle transfers from tax; SB 2112 on oyster mariculture penalties; SB 1484 on catfish labeling and marketing; SB 660 on bollards near hospital emergency rooms; SB 1809 creating offenses for gift card fraud; SB 32 and SJR 81 providing business personal property tax relief and a related constitutional amendment; SB 1267 modernizing boat titling and adding disclosure for hidden hull damage; SB 1470 allowing DPS data sharing for voter list maintenance; SB 2406 and SB 2407 implementing Sunset recommendations for the Sabine River Authority and Lower Neches Valley River Authority; SB 609 on school district compliance with legally required policies; SB 921 on ex parte Medicaid eligibility renewals; SB 2320 increasing DWI penalties; SB 1822 requiring disclosure and oversight of AI-based utilization review algorithms; SB 693 on notaries public and deed theft prevention; and SB 664 setting statewide qualifications and oversight for magistrates and related judicial officers.
One of the most contested items was SB 779 on common law public nuisance claims, which drew extended debate over whether the bill would limit lawsuits against lawful, regulated activities and whether it would preserve private nuisance and other existing remedies. Despite objections, the Senate suspended the rules and passed the bill to engrossment by a 17-12 vote, holding it there. Another debated measure was SB 1008 on state and local authority over the food service industry; after a perfecting amendment, it was passed to engrossment and then to final passage. Several bills were adopted or passed with near-unanimous support, while others, including SB 1267, SB 1470, SB 1822, and SB 2320, saw some opposition but still cleared the chamber.
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
House Floor Session 5/9/25 - Part 2
Minnesota House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- The motion prevails and the amendment to the amendment is adopted. We're done with it, right?
- Representative Pinto said that right now, in the way that this amendment is structured, it would imply
- And right now I can tell you that this amendment would harm 108 people.
- now I can tell you that this And right now I can tell you that this amendment<00:43:12.960>
would - That first year is so intimidating. Where are you going to get the money? Are you doing it right?
CO
Colorado 2026 Regular Session
Colorado House 2026 Legislative Day 108 May 2nd, 2026
Colorado House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- , 1059 as amended, 1065 as amended, 1111 as amended, 117, 1230, 1289 as amended, 1327 as amended, 1328
- A well-deserved woohoo. amended, 1327 is amended, 1328 is amended, 1327 is amended, 1328 is amended,<
- 03:14:52.720>
now <03:14:53.120>because amendment and do it right now because amendment - . amendment. amendment.
- It doesn't mean it's right. right. right.
NH
New Hampshire 2025 Regular Session
Senate Children and Family Law (05/08/2025)
Children and Family Law
Transcript Highlights:
- Right. So, okay. So, we're not going to offer this amendment. Did we offer this amendment already?
- All All right. So, you want to offer now a committee amendment?
- So, I would like to make a committee amendment that basically— All right, let's see.
- So, I'd like to offer HB 273 as amended. I think we just did that, right?
- I— nobody has an amendment or anything, right? So, I'll move to pass. I'll second.
CO
Colorado 2026 Regular Session
Colorado Senate 2026 Legislative Day 114 May 8th, 2026
Colorado Senate Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- I rise in support of this amendment. Here's why. Right now, CPW does not have a great reputation.
- All right. Um, the amendment L023, that was some concerns that came up in committee.
- Um, the first part of that amendment just provides the authority that cities and counties have.
- <03:10:45.880>
that <03:10:46.080>amendment Um, the first part of that amendment Um - , the first part of that amendment just<03:10:47.080>
provides <03:10:48.120>the <03:10:
CA
California 2025-2026 Regular Session
Assembly Floor Session Apr 27th, 2026
California House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- amendments, 1945, 2163 with amendments, with amendments, 2518 with amendments, 2945, 2163 with amendments
- with amendments, 2792 with amendments, 2795 with amendments, 1725 with amendments, 1731 with amendments
- , 1771 with amendments, 1997 with amendments, 2166 with amendments, 1795 with amendments, 2361 with amendments
- amendments; 2060, with amendments; 2241, with amendments; 2303, with amendments; 2524, with amendments
- amendments; 1666, with amendments; 21; 18, with amendments; 2716, with amendments; 2007-18, with amendments
ND
North Dakota 2025-2026 Regular Session
House Appropriations Apr 8th, 2025 at 08:30 am
Appropriations
Transcript Highlights:
- Chairman, you do have to adopt the amendment first. Oh, did we make an amendment?
- The bill has amended. Or do we need to adopt the amendment? We have to adopt the amendment. Okay.
- The amendment is adopted. The amendment is adopted, 21 to 2.
- That's right.
- All right.
Summary:
The committee began with roll call and a brief update on remaining work, then took up Senate Bill 2213, the “science of math” bill. Members clarified that the appropriation for the program was not included in the DPI budget and would remain attached to the policy bill for now. The committee adopted the amendment and then gave the bill a do pass recommendation, 21-2.
The committee next considered Senate Bills 2036 and 2037, both juvenile justice/Human Services bills involving mental health and criminal responsibility evaluations for minors. Testimony explained that the bills create new processes and require DHS to contract with specialized providers, with appropriations of $500,000 in 2036 and $300,000 in 2037. Members debated whether the funding should come from existing DHS resources or remain as separate appropriations, and whether the programs were one-time or ongoing. The committee adopted amendments on both bills and then recommended both do pass, with 2036 passing 14-6 and 2037 passing 17-4.
The committee then heard Senate Bill 2021, the Information Technology Department budget. Representative Bosch outlined major themes in the budget, including migration from PeopleSoft and the mainframe, onboarding/off-boarding automation, double-counting of IT spending, and the transition of education technology from PowerSchool to Infinite Campus. Members also discussed a study amendment related to a statewide enterprise resource planning system, and added language on grant management and compliance management. The committee adopted the amendments and gave the budget a do pass recommendation, 20-0-3.
Finally, the committee heard Senate Bill 2011, the Highway Patrol budget. Representative Pyle explained the House changes, including shifting some one-time costs to the motor carrier electronic permit fund, funding for body armor, breath tests, road course resurfacing, fleet costs, handgun replacement, and carryover authority for federal technology funds. The committee adopted the amendment and then passed the budget 21-0-2. The committee then began Senate Bill 2399, a Human Services bill on Medicaid reimbursement for psychiatric residential treatment facilities, but deferred action after testimony from a facility representative and committee discussion about therapeutic leave days, reimbursement rates, and whether a cap on reimbursable days should be set in statute or rule. The chair said the committee would seek more information from DHS and take the bill up the next day.
FL
Florida 2026 5th Special Session
Governmental Oversight and Accountability Feb 11th, 2026
Transcript Highlights:
- Now we're back on the bill as amended. Any questions on the bill as amended?
- first?
- Madam Chair, that is the amendment. Great. Questions on the amendment?
- The amendment is adopted. Now we're back on the bill as amended.
- The amendment is adopted. We're back on the bill as amended. Any questions on the bill as amended?
Summary:
The committee took up several bills and confirmations. It reported favorably SB 332, as amended, on a narrow public-meetings/public-records exemption for legal strategy and settlement communications during the pre-suit period in Burt Harris claims; SB 464, requiring K-12 schools to formally observe Veterans Day; SB 984, clarifying firefighter cancer/death-benefit provisions and related prevention language; SB 576, expanding and codifying the local government cybersecurity protection program under Florida Digital Service; SB 964, revising how certain gifts and honoraria are reported to the Commission on Ethics; SB 1612, requiring local governments to accept electronic payments with exceptions and a delayed effective date; SB 830, creating public-records exemptions for certain local government administrators and their families; SB 1096, clarifying the filing deadline for Florida Civil Rights Act complaints; and SB 1656, designating the SS American Victory as Florida’s official state flagship.
The committee also considered a large confirmation package. Jeffrey Aaron’s appointment to the Public Employees Relations Commission was discussed separately after Senator Polsky raised concerns about his political connections and prior work; the committee still recommended him favorably. The remaining appointees on tabs 12 through 30 were also recommended favorably in one vote.
The longest and most contentious item was SB 1296, with a committee substitute, on the Public Employees Relations Commission and public-sector unions. The PCS would change union certification/recertification rules, require a recent showing-of-interest form, create different voting thresholds for public safety and non-public safety employee organizations, limit paid union leave for non-public safety unions unless reimbursed, require equal access to certain employer communication spaces, and speed up impasse procedures for legislatively funded salary increases. Senators raised constitutional concerns, especially about the single-subject rule and collective-bargaining rights, and many speakers opposed the bill as union-busting and harmful to teachers, bus drivers, nurses, utility workers, and other public employees. Supporters argued it would improve accountability, ensure genuine member support, and prevent taxpayer-funded union activity. The committee continued debate on SB 1296 after extensive testimony, but the transcript ends before a final vote on that bill.
MA
Massachusetts 2025-2026 Regular Session
Senate Session (Full Formal with Calendar) Jun 21st, 2026 at 12:00 pm
Massachusetts Senate Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- Of course, in the intervening years, we get the First Amendment between 1782 and now.
- We get the First Amendment, and its application to the States.
- And now, we get the First Amendment and its application to the states, and that has led to widespread
- The question on that bill is coming first on ordering the bill to a third reading, but we have an amendment
- And so that's the amendment before us. There will be several amendments offered to that amendment.
Summary:
The Senate took up several committee reports, resolutions, and House messages, then moved through a series of bills on the calendar. Early action included adopting a Ways and Means order on Senate Bill 2549, which promotes student learning and mental health, by substituting a new draft and setting amendment deadlines and a second reading date. The chamber also adopted congratulatory resolutions for the Sport Fish Restoration Program’s 75th anniversary and the Hawthorn Hotel’s 100th anniversary, and suspended rules on a sick leave bank petition for a trial court employee and on a House bill validating a special election in Hardwick, which was ordered to a third reading. The Senate also adopted a motion to adjourn in memory of Peter Hayden Lapin of Springfield, a veteran and former public servant.
The Senate then considered Senate Bill 137, renaming and updating references in the General Laws to replace outdated and offensive terms regarding people with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Senators spoke at length in support of the bill, emphasizing respect, disability rights, and the work of advocates such as Melissa Riley and the Arc of Massachusetts. An amendment by Senator Creem replaced “hearing impaired” with “deaf or hard of hearing,” and a corrective amendment by Senator Lovely was also adopted. The bill was then passed to be engrossed by a unanimous 40-0 roll call.
Next, the Senate considered Senate Bill 1034, which repeals archaic laws including sodomy-related provisions, the common nightwalker law, and the blasphemy statute, and creates a commission to review archaic laws going forward. Senators described the measure as a civil liberties and dignity issue, with particular attention to the misuse of the common nightwalker law against women and trans people and the historical injustice of blasphemy laws. Amendments were adopted to add the Supreme Court as a recipient of commission reports and to remove the crime of petite treason. The bill was then passed to be engrossed unanimously, 40-0.
Finally, the Senate considered Senate Bill 2558, the “blue envelope” bill to improve interactions between police officers and people with autism spectrum disorder. Supporters said the voluntary program would help drivers and passengers with ASD during traffic stops and would be made permanent through the Registry of Motor Vehicles, with the State Police and advocacy groups involved. An amendment requiring in-service training by the Massachusetts Police Training Council was adopted, while a proposed yellow-dot amendment for older drivers with chronic illness was rejected 5-34. A Ways and Means amendment was then adopted, and the bill passed to be engrossed unanimously, 39-0. The Senate then adopted an order to meet again the following Monday at 11 a.m. and adjourned.
AL
Transcript Highlights:
- >> All right. The amendment fits. >> All right. The amendment fits.
- >> All right, amendment fits.
- Senator >> All right. amendment fits.
- amendment. Sorry. amendment. Sorry. >> All<02:03:44.239>
right. - Committee amendment is adopted. >> All right.
Summary:
The Alabama Senate convened with prayer and the pledge, then established a quorum with 27 senators present. The body excused absent senators, approved the previous day’s journal, and allowed bills and committee reports to be introduced throughout the day. The Senate also welcomed guests in the gallery, including Auburn University McCarter School of Building Science students and retired MPD Sergeant Martin Bean.
The chamber received multiple House messages and gubernatorial confirmations, referring several local bills and appointments to the appropriate committees. Committee reports included favorable action on Senate Bills 298 and 91 from County and Municipal Government, and House Bills 297, 365, and 436 from Local Legislation. The Senate adopted several resolutions, including recognitions for Tharptown Baptist Church, Tuskegee University Day, Dr. Bradley Heim, the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence, McGill-Toolen Catholic High School volleyball, and a special order calendar resolution setting priority bills for the 15th legislative day.
On local bills, the Senate advanced and gave final passage to a series of county and municipal measures, including SB 301 (Perry County), SB 314 (Morgan County), SB 295 (Montgomery County), SB 312 (Marshall County), HB 371 (Pike County constitutional amendment), HB 386 (Elmore County), HB 330 (Etowah County), HB 409 (City of Alabaster), HB 408 (Shelby County), SB 299 (Barbour County), HB 416 (Cleburne County), and HB 421 (Lawrence County constitutional amendment). HB 337 on Madison County was carried over. The Senate also adopted a resolution honoring Alabama’s record-breaking economic development year, citing major investments and job creation, and heard a lengthy Black History recognition segment on W.E.B. Du Bois, Patricia Roberts Harris, Langston Hughes, and Maya Angelou.
The main policy discussion centered on Senate Bill 240 regarding parole hearings, with the sponsor explaining it would allow the Pardons and Parole Board to hear from inmates and victims by phone or video to reduce travel burdens and improve access. The sponsor said an amendment was being worked on and moved to carry the bill over to the call of the chair, while another senator raised questions about whether inmates currently have an in-person opportunity to speak and whether board members would be able to question participants remotely.
MN
Transcript Highlights:
- And I know that this is a delicate bill right now, so I'm going to withdraw my amendment, but I would
- I know that this is a delicate bill right now, so I'm going to withdraw my amendment, but I would just
- as amended. as amended.
- That first section that we amended with your previous amendment is not this section.
- This section right here... Representative Frederick worked on a DE amendment.
FL
Florida 2026 5th Special Session
Community Affairs Mar 17th, 2025
Transcript Highlights:
- All right, seeing none. We do have an amendment. There is one late-filed amendment.
- Procedurally, are we going to go to the amendment to the amendment first?
- Procedurally, are we going to go to the amendment to the amendment first?
- amendment, right now, yes.
- All right, is there any debate on the amendment? On the amendment.
Summary:
The committee first took up SB 1134, which would extend and clarify the use of qualified private providers and computer-based tools in the building permit and inspection process for residential solar energy systems. The sponsor said the bill is intended to reduce long delays in solar permitting and make the process faster and cheaper; Senator Pizzo questioned whether the problem was limited to specific local governments, and a late-filed amendment clarifying the word “application” was adopted. After brief testimony from an industry representative supporting the measure, the committee reported the bill favorably, with Senator Pizzo voting no.
Next, the committee considered SB 784, dealing with issuance of addresses and parcel identification numbers for plats and new development. The bill sets a 14-day timeframe, and an amendment was adopted that would allow use of a private provider if the deadline is missed and would bar fee collection if the local government fails to act within five business days. County representatives said they wanted to keep working on the bill and raised concerns about the private-provider language and the short deadlines, while several senators discussed whether the process should be handled earlier on the front end. The committee then reported the bill favorably.
The committee also passed SB 1738 on transportation concurrency, which would let counties that previously opted out of concurrency opt back in by maintaining current levels of service. SB 1080, a local government land regulation bill, was described as a measure to speed development approvals by setting stricter timelines, limiting repeated information requests, and imposing penalties for noncompliance; local-government testimony opposed it as a loss of local control, while builders supported it. After debate, SB 1080 was reported favorably. SB 1260, which clarifies county constitutional officer budget procedures and creates an appeal process for clerks and supervisors of elections similar to sheriffs, was also reported favorably after members discussed possible adjustments to avoid burdening county budget negotiations.
Finally, the committee took up SB 420, as amended by a strike-all, which would prohibit counties and municipalities from adopting or funding DEI-related ordinances, policies, programs, offices, or contracts, and would expose officials to misfeasance/malfeasance claims and local governments to lawsuits. The sponsor said the amendment removed retroactive language, delayed the effective date, and added definitions and contract-certification requirements, but many senators and public speakers argued the bill was overbroad, vague, and would chill local efforts such as Black History Month, women-owned business programs, minority contracting, and community outreach. Supporters said it would ensure merit-based government action and consistency with state standards. The amendment was adopted, but the bill drew extensive opposition testimony and debate over its scope and potential conflict with federal and state law.