Transcript Highlights:

• Elena Walker is here, and she's the first ever. A secchia-dedicated staff person at DHSCM.
• Walker is keeping a tracker of the different acequias and what the status is, that way all the partners

Transcript Highlights:

• I'll call up the next panel: Susan Patero and Carl Walker. No, it's fine. Yeah. Thank you.
• My name is Carl Walker with the Texas Research Association.

Bills: HB9, HJR1, SB1331, SB1375, SB1443, SB1578, SB2251, SB2519, SB2553, SB2655, SB2764, SB2907, SB3030, SB3033, SB3035, SB3036, SB3037, SB3043, SB3047, SB3050, SB3051, SB3056, SB3057, SB3063, HB9, HB467, HB331, HB1244, HB1399, HB2559, HB2730, HB3307, HJR1, HJR99, SB3048, SB3052, SB3053, SJR78, HB1327, HB2723

Keywords: HB 9, Texas Tax Code, property tax, ad valorem tax, voter-approval tax rate, no-new-revenue tax rate, truth in taxation, local government finance, municipality, county, special taxing unit, sales and use tax, sales tax revenue, tax rate calculation, tax levy, maintenance and operations, debt rate, unused increment rate, disaster relief rate, taxing unit

Transcript Highlights:

• This event made Maggie Lena Walker the first African American woman both to charter a bank and serve
• Walker was a businesswoman and teacher who dedicated her life to teacher who dedicated her life to promoting

Bills: SB 26, SJR 36, SB 26, SB 616, SB 565, SB 384, SB 28, SR 109, SR 122, SR 126, SR 130, SR 136, SR 137, SR 141, SR 142, SCR 20

Keywords: teacher compensation, education funding, public school educators, teacher retention, teacher designation, aquifer, water management, Edwards Aquifer, sustainability, regulatory framework, SB 565, Texas Water Code, TCEQ, Texas Commission on Environmental Quality, compliance agreement, enforcement suspension, utility consolidation, regionalization, water supply, sewer

Transcript Highlights:

• The road made safer for bikers and walkers is a road with lower risks for drivers, too.
• Um, and we have many, many more pedestrians and dog walkers than cyclists on the trail.
• <02:13:09.199> than pedestrians and dog walkers than pedestrians and dog walkers than cyclists
• I'm here representing myself today as an avid biker-walker and, most importantly, as a New Hampshire
• Walking and advocating for safer streets for pedestrians and walkers.

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• House Bill 209 by Representative Barnes and Wodsworth, a proposed constitutional amendment regarding Walker
• This bill was brought to my attention by some of Trey's family who live in Walker County in my home county
• This bill was brought to my attention by some of Trey's family who live in Walker County in my home county

Keywords: 920, all

Summary: The Alabama Senate convened with prayer, the pledge, and a roll call establishing a quorum of 29 senators present. The chamber adopted the previous day’s journal, allowed bill introductions throughout the day, and received multiple House messages referring local bills and proposed constitutional amendments to the Committee on Local Legislation, along with a lieutenant governor’s confirmation referral to the Committee on Confirmations. Committee reports were then received from several standing committees. The Senate confirmed a series of gubernatorial and other appointments, including Michael Kulovitz and Barbara Maul to the Alabama Institute for Deaf and Blind Board of Trustees, Logan Glass to the Educational Television Commission, Ed Croll and James Harris to the Alabama Committee on Monument Protection, Matt Barnes to the Alabama Medical Cannabis Commission, Scott Moes and Jeffrey Wilson to the Alabama Electronic Security Board of Licensure, and Jeffrey L. Cameman to the Tuscaloosa County Civil Service Board. The Senate also received favorable committee reports on numerous bills from Judiciary, State Governmental Affairs, Education Policy, Fiscal Responsibility and Economic Development, Health Care, Veterans and Military Affairs, and Local Legislation, with several bills amended or substituted and placed on the next day’s calendar. On the floor, the Senate adopted a special order calendar from the Rules Committee and passed several bills. Senate Bill 101 extended the Alabama Board of Electrical Contractors to October 1, 2028. Senate Bill 93, as amended, allowed certain municipalities with populations of 12,000 or more and even-numbered councils to authorize a mayoral tie-breaking vote by council resolution. Senate Bill 115 created a competitive-bidding exemption for certain expenditures of $15,000 or less involving rolling stock, with quote and approval requirements. Senate Bill 131 on county subdivisions was amended and passed. Senate Bill 30, known as “Trey’s Law,” would make certain nondisclosure provisions unenforceable in cases involving sexual abuse victims; the sponsor described it as protecting survivors from being silenced, while Senator Albritton cautioned about the broader effects on settlements and institutions. The Senate also adopted two resolutions: Senate Joint Resolution 19 honoring the life and legacy of Anna Smith Bedsole Holmes, and Senate Joint Resolution 20 commending the Alabama Birth Equity Initiative. The Rules Committee report setting the special order calendar was adopted, and the listed bills were taken up and passed or advanced by unanimous or near-unanimous votes.

Transcript Highlights:

• Walker, whose husband was in the military in Corpus Christi, and their son was having 3,000 seizures
• Michelle Walker had to take her little boy to Colorado to save his life, where he was prescribed cannabis
• We still need to get there so that Michelle Walker and her veteran husband didn't have to leave town.

Bills: SB801, SB867, SB2717, SB2919, HJR7, HB4, HB14, HB27, HB42, HB46, HB100, HB111, HB112, HB121, HB126, HB146, HB186, HB223, HB229, HB322, HB367, HB500, HB521, HB640, HB705, HB783, HB1052, HB1056, HB1105, HB1106, HB1178, HB1211, HB1234, HB1306, HB1403, HB1449, HB1506, HB1661, HB1690, HB1871, HB1960, HB2017, HB2078, HB2128, HB2240, HB2243, HB2348, HB2407, HB2512, HB2820, HB2844, HB2853, HB2854, HB2885, HB3000, HB3005, HB3053, HB3057, HB3181, HB3333, HB3372, HB3425, HB3441, HB3516, HB3749, HB3783, HB3812, HB3848, HB3923, HB3963, HB4070, HB4134, HB4157, HB4158, HB4211, HB4449, HB4623, HB4638, HB4687, HB4690, HB4748, HB4749, HB4795, HB4848, HB5093, HB5115, HB5129, HB5138, HB5294, HB5616, HB5629, HB5646, HB5661, HB5672, HB5674, HB5699, HCR40, SJR5, SJR27, SJR59, SB4, SB6, SB8, SB9, SB10, SB12, SB22, SB23, SB25, SB27, SB34, SB36, SB37, SB38, SB40, SB57, SB140, SB261, SB293, SB441, SB447, SB467, SB512, SB650, SB777, SB785, SB924, SB1188, SB1281, SB1318, SB1333, SB1398, SB1448, SB1566, SB1579, SB1621, SB1723, SB1838, SB1862, SB2167, SB2405, SB2406, SB2407, SB2878, SB3059, SB3070, SB1, SB17, SB21, SB260, SB379, SB509, SB1198, SB1405, SB1506, SB1637, SB1833, SB2155, SB2308, SB2601, SB2778, HB300, HB2011, HB2525, HB5246, SJR36, SJR50, SJR63, SCR12, SCR39, SB2023, SB62, SB666, SB847, SB284, SB854, SB810, SB1505, SB583, SB507, SB1434, SB1772, SB2016, SB1122, SB731, SB397, SB508, SB1436, SB287, SB1882, SB393, SB1791, SB209, SB2429, SB1085, SB1975, SB2717, SB1262, SB636, SB2056, SB884, SB1200, SB1845, SB2458, SB801, SB3014, SB3013, SB758, SB2797, SB2076, SB2876, SB1640, SB1449, SB1181, SB1234, SB2926, SB2841, SB1528, SB1854, SB317, SB1250, SB2082, SB1237, SB2819, SB629, SB2608, SB1602, SB2009, SB867, SB640, SB1698, SB2680, SB913, SB1071, SB1086, SB1087, SB1483, SB1444, SB1553, SB1556, SB1703, SB2133, SB2297, SB2298, SB2622, SB2955, SB2334, SB1367, SB2044, SB2363, SB2565, SB1888, SB3036, SB3057, SB3043, SB3063, SB3035, SB203, SB2688, SB2522, SB2459, SB2655, SB2251, SB1884, SB2928, SB2566, SB2549, SB2553, SB2919, SB1944, SB1232, SB1798, SB2603, SB2607, SB2683, SB1319, SB3045, SB3071, HJR7, HB5115, HB3053, HB1403, HB223, HB748, HB5652, HB3395, HB180, HB1306, HB322, HB126, HB5650, HB4894, HB1629, HB5698, HB3171, HB2694, HB5664, HB4690, HB4464, HB3623, HB2520, HB2213, HB252, HB146, HB5596, HB3619, HB5320, HB5651, HB5670, HB5665, HB5437, HB5679, HB5699, HB5661, HB5662, HB5654, HB5672, HB5656, HB3812, HB3057, HB2035, HB721, HB346, HB2512, HB5695, HB5694, HB5674, HB3185, HB2348, HB1871, HB1135, HB101, HB5666, HB5677, HB5682, HB5658, HB4144, HB3642, HB3815, HB2686, HB2012, HB1960, HB227, HB654, HB1690, HB2128, HB4158, HB4630, HB1523, HB2078, HB1973, HB3333, HB3697, HB3546, HB3225, HB3181, HB2820, HB1506, HB1234, HB640, HB521, HB229, HB186, HB119, HB4795, HB4466, HB3749, HB1106, HB4, HB4170, HB3909, HB4081, HB4145, HB4157, HB4285, HB4463, HB4995, HB5138, HB5624, HB1449, HB2598, HB3629, HB4361, HB824, HB1868, HB4848, HB2243, HB40, HB117, HB3686, HB500, HB3793, HB112, HB104, HB1056, HB42, HB3000, HB100, HB2240, HB718, HB27, HB4904, HB4202, HB2853, HB5129, HB5093, HB4765, HB4748, HB4559, HB4350, HB4214, HB3388, HB3112, HB5196, HB4211, HB3516, HB3092, HB4233, HB4687, HB705, HB1094, HB2037, HB3005, HB3848, HB1105, HB121, HB3372, HB367, HB783, HB3336, HB3441, HB4449, HB5616, HB2407, HB2854, HB3425, HB5294, HB1178, HB4623, HB14, HB3963, HB1211, HB5646, HB5629, HB3783, HB4236, HB46, HB4638, HB1052, HB4070, HB5509, HB5435, HB4134, HB3923, HB3520, HB3320, HB2517, HB2488, HB5663, HB2731, HB3073, HB2655, HB2399, HB541, HB4099, HB111, HB1532, HB3483, HB2963, HB4580, HB3748, HB713, HB632, HB426, HB4730, HB127, HB5690, HB5689, HB5655, HB3385, HB2757, HB4359, HB5381, HB20, HB123, HB549, HB5606, HB2217, HB2594, HB796, HB150, HB1057, HCR141, HCR40, HCR59, HCR76, HCR81, HCR46, HCR111, HCR83, HCR84, HJR7, HB4, HB14, HB27, HB42, HB46, HB100, HB126, HB150, HB322, HB367, HB500, HB640, HB705, HB783, HB1105, HB1178, HB1211, HB1234, HB1506, HB1690, HB1871, HB2078, HB2128, HB2240, HB2243, HB2407, HB2512, HB2853, HB2854, HB3000, HB3057, HB3181, HB3372, HB3425, HB3441, HB3749, HB3783, HB3812, HB3923, HB3963, HB4070, HB4134, HB4157, HB4211, HB4449, HB4623, HB4638, HB4687, HB4748, HB4795, HB5093, HB5129, HB5616, HB5629, HB5699, HB229, HB521, HB1056, HB1106, HB5138, SR583, SCR52, HB223, HB229, HB521, HB1056, HB1106, HB1403, HB3053, HB5115, HB5138

Keywords: SB 801, birth certificate, birth record, certified copy, homeless, homelessness, unhoused, vital records, state registrar, local registrar, county clerk, fee waiver, identity documents, ID access, housing insecurity, shelter, transitional housing, Health and Safety Code, HHSC, Health and Human Services Commission

Transcript Highlights:

• She likes to come out to art events, anything that I have been involved with, and she uses a walker for
• She likes to come out to art events, anything that I have been involved with, and she uses a walker for

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The Joint Committee on Children, Families, and Persons with Disabilities held a hearing focused on accessibility-related legislation, with the chairs emphasizing ASL and CART accessibility and asking testifiers to speak slowly and clearly. The committee heard testimony first on H.223/S.130, a bill to establish a livable wage for community-based human service workers by reducing the pay gap with state employees. Providers’ Council, Communities for People, the Key Program, and BAMSI all supported the bill, describing persistent wage disparities, high vacancy and turnover rates, and the impact on continuity of care for children, youth, and families. Witnesses said the bill would help recruitment and retention and stabilize services across the Commonwealth. The committee then heard extensive testimony on H.224/S.160, the ACE Act, which would create a dedicated funding source to improve accessibility in the creative economy. Arts organizations and advocates, including Community Access to the Arts, Abilities Dance Boston, Jacob’s Pillow, the Multicultural Arts Center, Northampton Community Music Center, Mass Creative, Open Door Arts, and Monkey House, described barriers such as inaccessible buildings, lack of ASL interpretation and captioning, inadequate lifts and backstage access, and the high cost of renovations. Testifiers said the bill would help smaller and historic institutions make physical and programmatic improvements and allow people with disabilities to participate as artists, workers, and audiences. The committee also heard testimony on H.4180, which would require DDS to consider neuropsychological evaluations when determining eligibility for intellectual disability services. Parents and advocates argued that IQ cutoffs alone can miss significant functional needs, especially for autistic adults and others with complex developmental profiles, and urged broader access to DDS supports. Additional testimony supported S.101 on closed captioning and telecommunications in public areas, and S.158 on requiring restaurants to have some chairs with arms to better accommodate physically disabled and older patrons. No votes were taken during the hearing, and the chair adjourned after hearing from the scheduled witnesses and noting a few signups that were not present.

Transcript Highlights:

• Representative Walker, for what purpose? Walker recognized.

Summary: The Arkansas Boys State House convened with a quorum, heard opening remarks from legislative leaders and guests, and then considered a series of bills focused on rural services, education, taxes, and zoning. House Bill 1001 would have increased rural health care funding through a 10% tax on individuals earning at least $300,000; supporters argued it would improve access and quality in rural areas, while opponents raised concerns about fairness, long-term funding, and whether it would drive away doctors and taxpayers. The bill failed by a vote of 24 yeas, 51 nays, and 1 present. House Bill 1002 would have limited the number of subjects rural teachers could be assigned and offered sign-on bonuses to recruit more teachers; supporters said it would reduce burnout and improve specialization, while opponents questioned funding and whether it would worsen inequities. After immediate consideration, it passed narrowly, 38 yeas, 36 nays, and 2 present. The House then debated House Bill 1003, which would regulate AI data centers through county zoning authority and a 10% tax on corporations to fund conservation efforts. Supporters said counties should be able to decide whether data centers fit local needs, while opponents warned about lost jobs, higher costs, and federal-state jurisdiction issues. The bill passed 62 yeas, 7 nays, and 3 present. House Bill 1004 would have reduced motor vehicle registration fees to offset high fuel costs, but critics argued it would reduce highway and road funding and strain the state budget; it failed 20 yeas, 46 nays, and 4 present. The chamber then took up Senate bills. Senate Bill 1 proposed incentives tied to SNAP benefits to encourage healthier food purchases and address food insecurity and obesity; supporters framed it as a way to improve access to healthy food, while opponents objected to taxing junk food and burdening SNAP users. It passed 43 yeas and 27 nays. Senate Bill 2 would require reading tests in middle school and state tutoring for students who fail; supporters said it would address literacy problems early, while opponents wanted clearer provisions for older students and implementation. It passed 67 yeas, 6 nays, and 1 present. Senate Bill 3 would cut individual and corporate income taxes to promote economic growth and ease cost-of-living pressures; supporters cited prior tax cuts and business attraction, while opponents said the benefits would mostly go to wealthy corporations and CEOs. It passed 53 yeas, 15 nays, and 16 present. Senate Bill 4 created a mixed-use zoning grant program funded by a 1% hotel tourism tax to encourage affordable housing and downtown redevelopment; it passed 51 yeas, 7 nays, and 13 present. The session ended with a motion to adjourn, which carried.

Transcript Highlights:

• His son Joshua, his wife Emmy, and their son Walker. And his son, And his son, Ryan Albritton.
• We've been blessed by two healthy and wonderful grandsons, Brooks and Walker.

Summary: The Florida Senate convened for its organizational session with prayer, presentation of colors, the Pledge of Allegiance, and the national anthem, followed by a moment of silence for the mother of Senator Fine. The chamber then received special guests and administered oaths to newly elected senators after reading certificates of election from the Secretary of State. Tracy Campbell Cantella was nominated and unanimously elected Secretary of the Senate, then sworn in. Ben Albritton was nominated, seconded, and elected as President of the Senate for the 2024–2026 term, and Jason Brodeur was later nominated, seconded, and elected President Pro Tempore. Both leaders were sworn in and delivered extended remarks about faith, service, Florida’s economy and education, hurricane recovery, insurance, rural communities, agriculture, water quality, Israel, veterans, and the need for data-driven, accountable government. After the leadership elections, the Senate adopted its rules for the new term and authorized the Secretary to make technical and conforming changes. The chamber also adopted Senate Concurrent Resolution 2-O-RG, which establishes the joint rules of the Florida Legislature for 2024–26. A committee was appointed to notify the House that the Senate had convened for organization, and the committee later reported back that the House had been informed. The Senate then received a communication from the Democratic caucus certifying that Senator Jason Pizzo was elected Democratic leader and Senator Tracie Davis Democratic leader pro tempore for the term. The session included additional remarks recognizing Senate staff and security personnel, as well as tributes to the late John Pasidomo and a moment of silence for him. The meeting concluded with a performance of “Amazing Grace,” brief closing comments, and an attempted motion to adjourn sine die that was briefly tabled until the House confirmed it was convened and ready to transact business. The Senate then adjourned sine die.

Transcript Highlights:

• FLORIDA FOUNDATION BOARD RECEIVED AN UNSOLICITED REQUEST FOR $5 MILLION FROM MARK WILLIAM AND FRANK WALKER

Transcript Highlights:

• I just want her to be able to walk with a walker, okay.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• In addition to the costs associated with prosecuting these crimes, the unit also pays Walker County to
• Chair: Recommendations include $200,000 for increased benefits premiums provided by Walker County and
• Chair: Recommendations include $200,000 for increased benefits premiums provided by Walker County and
• The director of the Special Prosecution Unit in Walker County requests an exceptional item for various
• Deputy Comptroller Craven: The director of the Special Prosecution Unit in Walker County requests an

Bills: SB 1

Keywords: campground safety, youth camp regulations, flood safety, emergency evacuation, health and safety standards, 1185, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• All right, seeing none, Chair calls Carl Walker and Adam. I'm Hanes. All right. You are Adam Hanes.
• This is Chair calls Sally Bacow, Judge Brennick and Carl Walker. Thank you.
• Rachel Montemayor, Ashika Ganguly, and Carl Walker, please come. Come on up.
• All right, you are Carl Walker, you're here for the Texas TAC pair.
• Walker. Members, any questions? I got that right with transit forward and you are against the bill.

Bills: HB19, HB30, HB851, HB1663, HB1681, HB1769, HB1937, HB1979, HB2428, HB2433, HB2825, HB3159, HB3424, HB3486, HB3487, HB3504, HB3605, HB3879, HB3994, HB4382, HB4752, HB5444, HB5446, HB5447, HB3199, HB4847, HB19

Keywords: local government debt, property tax, ad valorem tax, bond election, certificate of obligation, anticipation note, school district tax rate, voter-approval rate, debt service cap, municipal finance, county bonds, flood control district, hospital district, public works, tax transparency, property tax notice, November uniform election date, general obligation bonds, local debt reform, taxpayer notice

Transcript Highlights:

• Belinda Walker said good morning on behalf of the public housing across the state of Minnesota.
• Belinda Walker continued that she used part of a $2.4 million general obligation bond awarded in her
• up we thank you for your testimony next up we have<00:46:16.400> Belinda<00:46:16.760> Walker
• <00:46:17.079> please<00:46:17.240> introduce have Belinda Walker please introduce
• have Belinda Walker please introduce yourself<00:46:17.839> for<00:46:17.960> the<00:46

Bills: HF2148, HF2693, HF2542, HF1141, HF1770, HF1489, HF1709, HF244, HF1266, HF807, HF2619, HF1340

Keywords: affordable housing, local control, revolving loan fund, community partnerships, Minnesota housing policy, housing, locally controlled housing, Minnesota Housing Finance Agency, housing infrastructure bonds, state bonds, bonding bill, supportive housing, permanent supportive housing, homelessness, veterans housing, senior housing, manufactured home parks, community land trust, single-family housing, multifamily housing

Transcript Highlights:

• And inevitably in this conversation, Walker High School comes up, which I think is a model of what school
• I know in Livingston, because I've visited Walker a couple of times, I mean, they have florists, they
• The president would like to speak in opposition: Roshika Walker, Caitlin Lewis, and Xavier Anderson.
• My name is Rakeha Walker, Director of Bright Star in Iberville Parish.

Summary: The committee first heard SB 206, which would require cardiovascular pre-screening and blood pressure testing for student athletes beginning in the 2026-2027 school year. Chairman Miller said the bill was prompted by concerns about undiagnosed hypertension and sudden cardiac arrest in young athletes, and Coach Marcus Scott testified about his own kidney transplant after years of untreated high blood pressure. Members asked about who would perform the screenings and how follow-up would work; the American Heart Association said existing athletic physical processes and referral networks could handle it. An amendment was adopted, and the committee reported SB 206 favorably as amended. The committee then took up SB 305, which would require a publicly available statewide career-alignment dashboard showing how degree programs connect to workforce outcomes, including completion, employment, wages, and high-demand jobs. Chairman Edmonds and student task force member Cruz Cassard said the goal was to help students understand job opportunities in Louisiana and reduce the number leaving the state after graduation. Workforce and higher education stakeholders supported the measure as a transparency and workforce-planning tool. The committee reported SB 305 favorably. Next, the committee considered HB 624, a school safety cleanup bill updating references from crisis management plans to emergency operations plans and aligning school emergency language with national standards. Representative Johnson and the Louisiana Center for Safe Schools said the bill would not create new mandates or costs, but would clarify existing requirements. The committee reported HB 624 favorably. The committee then heard HB 1022, as substituted, concerning school-based health care services. Representative Jackson said the bill was intended to clarify that medical decisions in school-based health centers should be made by licensed health professionals, not school staff, while preserving parental consent. Testimony from school-based health center providers supported the bill, but several members raised concerns about consent, parental authority, and whether the language shifted too much responsibility away from schools; the Charter School Association suggested adding more collaborative language. After discussion, the committee adopted the substitute and reported HB 1022 favorably by a 10-4 vote.

Transcript Highlights:

• Goss, assistant coaches Hubard, Nelson, Nelson, Powell, and Sims, with athletic director Tanisha Walker
• 10.079> athletic<00:44:10.560> director<00:44:11.280> Tanisha<00:44:11.760> Walker
• with athletic director Tanisha Walker with athletic director Tanisha Walker and<00:44:12.319>

Keywords: MS House Floor - 18 March, 2026; 10:00 AM, 925, all

Summary: The House convened with prayer and the Pledge of Allegiance, then moved through routine organizational business, including confirming a quorum, dispensing with the journal reading, and introducing pages and several visiting groups. Recognitions included the Calhoun City High School Wildcats for winning the 2025 Class 1A state championship, the Florence High School girls soccer team for winning the Class 5A state championship, the Mississippi Children’s Museum, a Kosciusko-Attala business delegation, an empowerment group from Oxford, a pediatrician of the day, law enforcement leaders, and other guests. The chamber also adopted House Resolution 63 honoring the House softball team for winning the Battle of the Tombigbee. The main floor action centered on concurrence or conference motions on several bills. The House concurred in HB 1404, HB 1546, HB 1577, HB 1265, HB 895, HB 1923, HB 1937, and HB 1940, with votes ranging from near-unanimous to 99-14 and 108-8; HB 895 was amended by unanimous consent to correct a line reference. Members explained that HB 1404 added knowingly/willfully/unlawfully language, HB 1546 shortened the human-trafficking expungement period from five years to three, HB 1577 adjusted false-claims reporting language, HB 1265 removed a repealer from the Debt Management Services Act bill, HB 895 restored 12-month card validity and a two-year caregiver license period for the cannabis bill, HB 1923 funded the Athletic Commission at $174,000, HB 1937 finalized the Library Commission budget, and HB 1940 was a large deficit/appropriations bill covering settlements, public safety headquarters construction, MIMA grants, court support, DHS software, health litigation expenses, and student aid. The House also voted to invite conference on a number of bills, including HB 1390, HB 1651, HB 1649, HB 1653, HB 1654, HB 1752, HB 1648, HB 1934, HB 1935, HB 1936, HB 1938, HB 925, HB 1640, HB 1927, HB 1928, HB 1929, HB 1930, HB 1931, and HB 1924. During debate on HB 1940, members questioned the need for outside counsel and the size of legal and settlement costs, especially for Jackson water litigation; the sponsor said the Attorney General sometimes needs specialized outside attorneys. The bill ultimately passed concurrence, and the chamber continued with additional introductions and recognitions after the major votes.

Transcript Highlights:

• She told me about DW Jones, which is an affordable market-rate multifamily developer located in Walker
• She told me about DW Jones, which is an affordable market-rate multifamily developer located in Walker
• She told me about DW Jones, which is an affordable market-rate multifamily developer located in Walker
• She told me about DW Jones, which is an affordable market-rate multifamily developer located in Walker

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Barbara Walker, mom of three, in support. Victoria Hink, survivor parent, in support.
• Barbara Walker, mom of three, in support. Thank you. Elizabeth Kenny, in support. Thank you.
• My name is Barbara Walker. I'm a mother of three with Women Are Real.

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Barbara Walker, mom of three, in support. Victoria Hink, survivor parent.
• Barbara Walker, mom of three, in support. Thank you. Elizabeth Kenny, in support. Thank you.
• My name is Barbara Walker. I'm a mother of three with Women Are Real.

Summary: The committee began as a subcommittee due to the lack of a quorum and heard several privacy- and technology-related measures. The first item was H.R. 117, a resolution urging Congress to reform Section 230 of the Communications Decency Act. The author and supporters argued the law is outdated and shields platforms from accountability for harms such as harassment, exploitation, scams, and other online abuse. Witnesses, including a survivor parent and a gender justice advocate, described harms to children, women, and LGBTQ people and urged a two-year sunset to force federal reform. Some members supported the resolution as a call for federal action, while one member said he could not support it because the resolution was too general and lacked specificity about the reforms being sought. No vote was taken because the committee lacked a quorum. The committee then heard SB 898, which would require manufacturers of connected consumer products to disclose how long they will support the software and to notify consumers when products approach end of life. The author said consumers deserve transparency about security updates and continued functionality, and supporters from Consumer Reports and PIRG emphasized cybersecurity risks, consumer confusion, and electronic waste from unsupported devices. Opponents, including business and industry groups, raised concerns about enforcement through the unfair competition law, notice burdens, labeling issues, and compliance challenges, especially for products with long support windows or third-party dependencies. One member expressed support, noting the cybersecurity risks of end-of-life devices, but again no vote was taken because there was no quorum. The committee also heard SB 435, which would narrow the CCPA definition of publicly available information to limit how businesses classify data as public. The author and supporters said the bill would close a loophole that allows data brokers and others to monetize personal information without meaningful consent and could help prevent surveillance and misuse of data, including by government agencies. Opponents argued the bill would upset the balance between privacy and the free flow of information, create compliance uncertainty, and retroactively reclassify information that businesses reasonably believed was public. Some members said they supported the goal of stronger privacy protections, while others said the bill was too broad. The committee again could not vote due to the lack of a quorum. Later, the committee heard SB 923, which would expand Californians’ right to delete personal information to cover data obtained from third parties and require online businesses to offer a web form or similar method for deletion requests. Supporters, including the California Privacy Protection Agency and consumer advocates, said the bill would make deletion rights meaningful and better address data broker practices. Opponents sought an opt-out-of-processing alternative and raised operational and legal concerns, but supporters said deletion is not the same as retention or processing limits. Members largely spoke in favor of the bill’s privacy goals, but no action was taken. The committee also heard SB 947, the “No Robo Bosses Act,” which would require human review for certain automated employment decisions and limit predictive analysis in workplace discipline and termination. Labor groups supported the bill as a safeguard against biased or erroneous AI-driven decisions, while business, public employer, and local government groups opposed it as overbroad and burdensome. Members voiced support for human oversight in employment decisions, but the item was not voted on because the committee still lacked a quorum. Finally, the committee began hearing SB 1114, the SOGI Data Privacy Act, which would restrict disclosure of sexual orientation, gender identity, and intersex data to federal agencies absent a court order or legal requirement; the author and witness framed it as a response to federal efforts to obtain sensitive LGBTQ-related data.

Transcript Highlights:

• Walker of Swanton. No. Walker of Swanton. No. Walker of Swanton. No. Waszazak of Barre City. Yes.

Keywords: 926, house, all

Summary: The House first passed H.953, an act approving an amendment to the charter of the town of Panton, on third reading by voice vote. It then took up S.325 on regional planning and Act 250 tier jurisdiction, where a Lowell member offered an amendment to redefine conserved land for purposes of the conserved land inventory and Vermont’s conservation goals. The Speaker ruled that amendment not germane, and the House sustained that ruling. A separate Williamstown amendment to expand interim housing exemptions was then debated; supporters said it would help housing growth in already developed areas, including rural towns, while opponents from the Environment Committee and Ways and Means said it remained unfavorable and could affect towns that rely on Act 250 review. The House rejected that amendment by voice vote. A Barre City member then offered a wetlands amendment to limit Class 2 wetland buffers in targeted housing areas, arguing it would support housing in designated growth areas while still protecting most wetlands; after discussion, the member withdrew the amendment. The House then passed S.325 in concurrence with proposal of amendment by voice vote. The House next postponed action on S.208, relating to standards for law enforcement identification, for two legislative days. It then considered S.209, prohibiting civil arrest in sensitive locations. The Judiciary Committee explained that the bill expands existing civil-arrest protections beyond court proceedings to include schools, government buildings, DMV offices, libraries, polling places, social service sites, places of worship, camps, and health care facilities, while preserving exceptions for judicial warrants, court orders, contempt, and court security. The committee also described changes to remedies and definitions, including exclusions for temporary custody during a mental health crisis. Testimony cited included representatives from medical, immigrant justice, legal, library, municipal, faith, education, and civil rights groups; the bill was reported favorably by Judiciary on a 6-5 vote. A Bennington member offered an amendment to S.209 that would remove the governor’s statutory exemption to authorize 287(g) agreements, arguing such agreements can undermine due process, public safety, and trust in law enforcement. The Judiciary Committee had already found the amendment not germane, and the member withdrew it. Debate then continued on the committee-recommended bill, with a Sheldon member speaking from a law-enforcement perspective to argue Vermont already does not conduct civil immigration arrests and warning the bill could create confusion and liability for officers. The transcript ends during that discussion, before final action on S.209 is shown.