Transcript Highlights:

• please a moment of personal privilege please a moment of personal privilege please you're recognized
• to recognize coach tremendous privilege to recognize coach tremendous privilege to recognize coach Smoot
• you can I thought you were privilege you can I thought you were privilege you can I thought you were
• to be taught under ever had a privilege to be taught under ever had a privilege to be taught under he
• while I take two personal privilege while I take two personal privilege while I take two minutes at

Bills: SJR 36, SJR 2, SB 4, SR 45, SR 47, SR 63, SR 66, SR 70, SR 85, SCR 14, SB 10, SB 11, SB 10, SB 11

Keywords: SJR 2, Senate Joint Resolution 2, constitutional amendment, homestead exemption, property tax relief, school property tax, ad valorem tax, residence homestead, school district taxes, Texas Constitution Article VIII, public school finance, homeowner exemption, elderly exemption, senior tax relief, disabled exemption, tax year 2025, voter approval, November 2025 ballot, local government, Ways & Means

Transcript Highlights:

• It is truly my honor today and my privilege to recognize the Junior League of Texarkana on its 100 years
• It was also my privilege and honor over the years to serve as president of the Junior League and of the
• It is certainly a privilege to have this opportunity to come and recognize such a great team of young
• and finish what they set out to accomplish at the beginning of the season has been an incredible privilege
• Last year, we had the privilege and honor of recognizing Heritage High School's wrestling team for their

Keywords: 1204, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Please recognize Representative Doarl Newton for a point of personal privilege.
• Please recognize Representative Orthen for a point of personal privilege.
• Representative Orthen, You're recognized for a point of personal privilege.
• Quite a privilege today to have And members, it just happens to be Brad's birthday.
• If you will, welcome him and give him privileges of the floor. Thank you. Mr.

Bills: HB1411, HB3143, HB3144, HB3901, HCR1019, HB3981, HB4248, HB3194, HB3849, HB4095, HB4302, HB3342, HB3344, HB3287, HB3645, HB3647, HB3930, HB3931, HB1818, HB4454, HB4336

Keywords: True Grit Trail, Oklahoma, tourism, signage, Department of Transportation, state parks, historical sites, economic development, medical marijuana, license transfer, Oklahoma Medical Marijuana Authority, moratorium, business regulation, commercial grower licenses, licensing restrictions, agriculture, psychological autopsy, mental health, suicide prevention, state health department

Transcript Highlights:

• And it was an absolute privilege and honor to do that.
• And it was an absolute privilege and honor to do that.
• And it was an absolute privilege and honor to do that.
• And it was an absolute privilege and honor to do that.
• And it was an absolute privilege and honor to do that.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• U I rise for a personal privilege as well just to speak on GM70. Please proceed. Thank you, Mr.
• U I rise for a personal privilege as well just to speak on GM70. Please proceed. Thank you, Mr.
• U I rise for a personal privilege as well just to speak on GM70. Please proceed. Thank you, Mr.
• U I rise for a personal privilege as well just to speak on GM70. Please proceed. Thank you, Mr.
• as well just to for a personal privilege as well just to speak<00:04:39.360> on<00:04:39.880>

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Points of personal privilege, members.
• Pro Tem, I rise for a point of personal privilege, introduction of guests in the gallery.
• Speaker Pro Tem, I rise for a point of personal privilege to...
• I rise for a point of personal privilege to make an announcement.
• Are there any points of personal privilege for announcements and the motion to adjourn?

Keywords: 1182, all

Summary: The House convened with prayer and the Pledge of Allegiance, approved the prior journal, and recognized several guests, including the Doctor of the Day, representatives from the Arizona LEND Program, Friends of the Salt River Wild Horses, and other visitors. The chamber then moved into Committee of the Whole to consider bills on two calendars. On the first calendar, SB 1280 drew the most discussion and a failed floor amendment by Representative Gutierrez related to Mexican gray wolves; members debated wildlife recovery, federal conservation efforts, ranching impacts, and state funding restrictions before the amendment was defeated and the bill received a due pass recommendation. The committee also recommended due pass for SB 1418 and SB 1785, while SB 1200 was retained on the calendar. On the second calendar, members debated SB 1053 on concealed carry permit fees, SB 1259, SB 1372 on health care provider recruitment and anesthesia access, SB 1475 on student participation in interscholastic activities after certain criminal offenses, and SB 1478 with a technical floor amendment changing its effective date. SB 1053, SB 1259, SB 1372 as amended, SB 1475, and SB 1478 as amended all received due pass recommendations. The House adopted the Committee of the Whole report, placing SB 1372 and SB 1478 on engrossing and SB 1053, SB 1259, and SB 1475 on third reading. The House then took up third-reading votes on several bills. SB 1078, SB 1107, SB 1123, and SB 1142 were passed by recorded vote, with SB 1142 prompting extended debate over a federal education tax credit and whether it would divert resources from public schools; supporters argued it would not affect state revenues and would help Arizona families, while opponents said it favored wealthier households and undermined public education. The session ended with personal announcements and adjournment until the next morning.

Transcript Highlights:

• Members, do you have any points of personal privilege for the purpose of introducing guests? Mr.
• President Pro Tem, I rise for a point of personal privilege: introduction of guests. Please.
• I rise for a point of personal privilege: introduction of guests in the gallery.
• I rise for a point of personal privilege: introduction of guests in the gallery. Please. Mr.
• All right, members, are there any points of personal privilege before we recess?

Keywords: 1182, all

Summary: The Arizona Senate convened with prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, and the 4-H pledge led by Yuma County 4-H Ambassadors, followed by guest introductions and several recognitions. The chamber observed World Hearing Day with a proclamation honoring hearing health awareness and access to care, and also recognized the 100th anniversary of Sandy Corps VFW Post 1433 in Glendale. The Doctor of the Day was introduced, and additional guests included mobile food vendors who were present in connection with a discussion about food truck licensing remaining a city matter. The Senate then took up a series of third-reading bills, most of them transportation appropriations. SB 1062, 1063, 1064, 1154, 1204, 1207, 1245, 1250, 1455, and 1457 all passed, with members debating whether transportation funding should come from the general fund or the HURF fund, and several senators speaking in support of specific road projects in their districts or for tribal communities. SB 1461 also passed with broad support; it would fund an AHCCCS allied health care workforce pipeline, and supporters described it as a practical response to health care worker shortages. SB 1798 passed with bipartisan support to increase FAFSA awareness and support for students and families. The Senate also passed SB 1065, creating funding for hyperbaric oxygen therapy for military veterans, despite concerns from opponents about unproven claims for other conditions. SB 1088, 1156, and 1157 passed after extended debate over immigration enforcement, border security, and whether the appropriations were requested or necessary; supporters framed them as reimbursements or security measures, while opponents argued they targeted immigrant communities and duplicated federal responsibilities. SB 1019, which would have amended bottled water system law related to fluoridation, failed on a 14-11 vote after a lengthy debate over public health, informed consent, and fluoride safety. The Senate also announced committee meetings for the following Monday, withdrew HB 2110 from one committee and referred it to another, and then adjourned until Monday, March 23, 2026.

Transcript Highlights:

• President, I ask you to extend the privileges of the house to the 12th grade class of Ahavas Bas Yaakov
• We extend to you the privileges and the courtesies of the house. Please rise and be recognized.
• WE EXTEND TO YOU THE PRIVILEGES AND THE COURTESIES OF THE HOUSE.
• And we extend to you the privileges and the courtesies of the house.
• AND WE EXTEND TO YOU PRIVILEGES AND THE COURTESIES OF THE HOUSE.

Keywords: 993, senate, all

Summary: The Senate met on March 9, 2026, approved the prior journal, and took up several procedural items, including substituting identical Senate Bill 6734A for Assembly Bill 4382A and adopting a resolution calendar with exceptions for Resolutions 1718 and 1723. The chamber also received amendments on another bill and heard multiple guest introductions, including students from Ahavas Bas Yaakov of Monsey and Dr. Angela Odoms-Young, who was recognized for her work on food and nutrition policy and health equity. A major portion of the session was devoted to Resolution 1680 commemorating Bronx Day. Senators Fernandez, Bailey, Myrie, Serrano, Sepúlveda, Krueger, and others spoke in praise of the Bronx’s history, diversity, culture, resilience, and contributions to music, fashion, sports, and civic life. The Senate also adopted Resolution 1718 recognizing Harriet Tubman Day, with remarks highlighting Tubman’s work on the Underground Railroad, her Civil War service, and her later life in Auburn, and adopted Resolution 1723 marking the 61st anniversary of Bloody Sunday and emphasizing the continuing importance of voting rights protections. The Senate then passed a series of bills from the calendar. These included measures on general municipal law, public health, executive law, education, vehicle and traffic law, criminal procedure, labor law, and legislative law. Several members explained their votes on health-related bills: Senator Cleare spoke about period poverty and access to free menstrual products in educational institutions; Senator Webb supported a bill requiring hospital governing boards to include a registered professional nurse; and Senator Murray, joined by Senator Canzoneri-Fitzpatrick, described personal experiences with blood clots and pulmonary embolism in support of a bill creating a working group on the issue. Most bills passed with broad support, though some had notable negative votes, and the Senate adjourned until Wednesday, March 11 at 3:00 p.m.

Transcript Highlights:

• Personal privilege granted.
• Personal privilege granted.
• Personal privilege granted. Personal privilege granted. Welcome to the Senate.
• Personal privilege granted. Mr. Landry, just please join us at the podium.
• Personal privilege granted. Please just join us at the podium.

Summary: The Senate received House communications listing numerous House-passed bills, substitutes, amendments, and concurrent resolutions, and then took up committee reports and a consent calendar. Consent Calendar 65 passed unanimously with 20 yes votes and included Senate Resolution 26 recognizing Black Women’s Equal Pay Day, House Concurrent Resolution 131 on apprenticeship programs for school-based mental health professionals, House Concurrent Resolution 137 on mathematics instruction review, and House Concurrent Resolution 148 on a statewide menopause education strategy. Later, Consent Agenda N also passed with the required two-thirds vote and included a large group of bills on evidence and witnesses, Family Court jurisdiction, theft by impersonation, realty transfer tax, auto insurance practices, child services and educational services, STD prevention, agricultural and forestry matters, menstrual disorder materials, a Smyrna charter change, massage/body work, dry needling, and lead poisoning screening. Several substantive bills were debated and passed. Senate Substitute 1 for Senate Bill 314, modernizing Delaware’s rape shield law and clarifying how courts handle evidence of prior false sexual assault allegations, passed 21-0. Senate Bill 347, a cleanup bill to the Medical Debt Protection Act that expands prohibited collection actions and requires disclosure when a collector is a large health care facility, also passed 21-0. House Bill 300, creating a statewide Title IX coordinator in the Department of Education to support compliance and data collection for interscholastic athletics, passed after debate; Senate Amendment 1 to the bill, which would have required athletes to compete according to biological sex, was defeated 6-14 with one absent, and the underlying bill then passed 20-0 with one absent. The Senate also passed House Substitute 1 for House Bill 84, which limits mandatory employee attendance at meetings where employers convey political or religious views, after questions about employer, union, and exemption coverage; House Substitute 1 for House Bill 301, which clarifies criminal penalties for violence, threats, and intimidation at polling places and election-related sites, passed after discussion of what conduct it would cover; House Bill 63, addressing fireworks disclosures and related regulation, passed 19-2 after senators discussed enforcement and impacts on veterans, children, and pets; and House Bill 348, updating the electric vehicle rebate program to give DENREC more flexibility and expand eligibility, passed 16-5. The chamber then recessed until the next day.

Transcript Highlights:

• Without objection, members' guests are granted privileges of the floor.
• Senators are granted privileges of the floor. Members, please vote. Representatives, vote.
• Are there any points of personal privilege before the motion to recess?
• Speaker Pro Tem, I rise for a point of personal privilege. Please proceed.
• Are there any points of personal privilege or announcements? And the motion to adjourn?

Keywords: 1182, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Points of personal privilege.
• Personal privilege, members: points of personal privilege at the beginning of the day are for introduction
• I rise for a point of personal privilege, introduction of guests in the gallery. Please proceed.
• That objection— Senators are granted privileges of the floor. Hearing none, so ordered.
• Senators are granted privileges of the floor. Hearing none, so ordered.

Summary: The House convened with prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, approval of the journal, guest introductions, and routine communications from the governor and Senate. Members then moved into multiple Committee of the Whole sessions to consider a large number of Senate bills and later House bills on final reading. Several measures were retained on the calendar, while many others advanced with or without amendments. The House also adopted a group concurrence motion on numerous Senate amendments to House bills and later took up third-reading votes on a series of House bills. Among the main committee actions, SB 1049, SB 1315, SB 1401, SB 1418, and SB 1540 were amended and recommended do pass; SB 1332 and SB 1538 also advanced, while SB 1016, SB 1519, SB 1624, SB 1627, SB 1723, and SB 1725 were retained. Debate centered on school safety and interoperability equipment in SB 1315, housing and zoning issues in SB 1118, and school discipline/bullying transparency in SB 1684. Members also discussed SB 1074 on student discipline notifications, SB 1275 on diversion program wording, and SB 1684 on bullying reporting and school liability, with supporters emphasizing safety, accountability, and clarity and opponents warning about unfunded mandates, litigation, and impacts on public schools. On final reading, the House passed a long list of bills, including HB 2032, HB 2035, HB 2109, HB 2120, HB 2176, HB 2189, HB 2195, HB 2203, HB 2342, HB 2383, HB 2423, HB 2428, HB 2439, HB 2440, HB 2573, HB 2594, HB 2621, HB 2641, HB 2673, HB 2693, HB 2752, HB 2756, HB 2875, HB 2895, HB 2916, HB 2923, HB 2946, and HB 2999, with recorded votes ranging from narrow to unanimous. HB 1118, dealing with municipal zoning and historic properties, failed on the floor after debate over housing policy and charter/public school issues, though a motion to reconsider was later made. The session ended with personal announcements, including recognition of Child Help, a memorial reading for Major General W. Bill Van Dyke, caucus meeting notices, a retirement reception reminder, an anniversary acknowledgment, and a Pride Month statement.

Transcript Highlights:

• I've had the privilege of knowing the governor for many years, and I can say without hesitation, he's
• Members of the committee, I want to say thank you very, very much for giving me the privilege of coming
• I take this charge seriously, knowing that representing the United States abroad is both a privilege
• Senator, if confirmed, it would be a delight and privilege to work with the Secretary, the President,
• And Senator, that's why I am honored and privileged to be able to be named by this president to serve

Keywords: Israel, Hamas, Panama Canal, U.S. foreign policy, terrorism, diplomacy, Chinese influence

Summary: The committee meeting was focused on various key issues, including the implications of recent violence in the Middle East and U.S. foreign policy in relation to Israel and Panama. Members discussed the need for diplomatic efforts between the U.S. and Israeli officials following the recent attack by Hamas. Governor Huckabee emphasized the importance of maintaining a strong U.S.-Israel relationship and reiterated the need for accountability for terrorist organizations involved in violent acts against civilians. Senators shared their concerns regarding the ramifications of U.S. actions in Panama and the presence of Chinese influence, highlighting the significance of the Panama Canal in terms of trade and security.

Transcript Highlights:

• Points of personal privilege for the purpose of introducing guests, Senator Fernandez.
• For a temp, I rise for a point of personal privilege. Introduction of guests in the gallery.
• I rise for a point of personal privilege. Introduction of guests in the gallery. Please.
• Members, are there any points of personal privilege before we go to recess to allow for caucus to occur
• I rise for a point of personal privilege, introduction of guests. Please. Thank you.

Keywords: 1182, all

Summary: The Senate convened with prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, and the national anthem, then recorded attendance and approved the journal. Members recognized Radiology Advocacy Day and welcomed radiologists in the gallery. The chamber also approved a motion to request House consent for the Senate to adjourn on Thursday, April 2, 2026, after completing its work, until Tuesday, April 7, 2026. The main substantive action was consideration of Senate Resolution 1002, honoring Lieutenant Colonel Salvatore Capitano, an Italian Air Force officer who served at Luke Air Force Base as an F-35 instructor and evaluator pilot. The resolution praised his leadership, service to allied training efforts, and support for Arizona’s driver’s license reciprocity legislation for allied service members. Senators and guests spoke in tribute, a moment of silence was observed, and the resolution was unanimously adopted and transmitted to the Secretary of State. During personal privilege, members introduced guests including a student visitor and several Italian military and diplomatic representatives. Senate Democrats also entered a statement into the journal protesting the March 26 floor handling of HB 2072, the repeal of Cesar Chavez Day, arguing that amendments were not fully heard and that the process lacked meaningful dialogue. The Senate then recessed for caucus and later adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• Inspire this group of citizens to thoughtfully and faithfully exercise the rights and privileges bestowed
• Inspire this group of citizens to thoughtfully and faithfully exercise the rights and privileges bestowed
• and faithfully exercise the<00:06:26.319> rights<00:06:26.720> and<00:06:27.039> privileges
• <00:06:27.680> bestowed<00:06:28.319> upon the rights and privileges bestowed upon
• the rights and privileges bestowed upon them<00:06:29.280> through<00:06:29.680> this<00

Keywords: U.S. House of Representatives Floor Proceedings on Friday, June 20, 2025, 1012, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Hearing none, privileges granted. Hearing none, privileges granted.
• Hearing none, privileges granted. Hearing none, privileges granted. Okay.
• Hearing none, privileges granted. Okay. Hearing none, privileges granted. Okay.
• Move that full privileges be granted to Josiah Benson privileges be granted to Josiah Benson privileges
• Any privileges are those in favor say I. Any privileges are those in favor say I.

Keywords: 1136, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I'd like to extend floor privileges to the former senator and welcome him to the Senate.
• I rise for the purpose of a personal point of privilege, introduction of guests, and the reading of a
• As for a point of personal privilege, introduction of guests in the gallery. Percy. Thank you.
• President, rise for a point of personal privilege, introduction of...
• President, I rise for a point of personal privilege. Introduction of guests in the gallery.

Keywords: 1182, all

Summary: The Senate convened with prayer and the Pledge of Allegiance, approved the journal, recorded attendance, and recognized several guests and proclamations, including Arizona Health Workforce Well-Being Day of Awareness, the Doctor of the Day, educators visiting the Capitol, and student guests. The chamber also announced temporary committee replacements and received House messages and bill referrals before moving to floor action. On third reading, the Senate passed SB 1014 on health insurance, SB 1016 on employment practices, SB 1050 on state parks board/veterans park access, SB 1054 on referendum power and emergency measures, SB 1177 on public monies and gender-affirming care, SB 1194 on health care services and vaccination-related treatment issues, SB 1398 on AHCCCS, SB 1751 on capital punishment, and SCR 1049, a constitutional amendment proposal related to capital punishment. Several members explained votes, with supporters emphasizing veterans’ benefits, limits on emergency measure abuse, health care access, and policy changes on capital punishment, while opponents raised concerns about worker protections, local government authority, discrimination against transgender people, and the death penalty. Each measure passed by recorded vote and was transmitted to the House. The Senate also noted upcoming committee meetings, including Health and Human Services the next day, and then adjourned until Thursday, March 19, 2026, at 10 a.m.

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:21:00.080> but<00:21:00.320> the have a fifth amendment privilege but the have
• Or if a witness who was not bribed and therefore normally would not have a Fifth Amendment privilege
• and not be way to invoke a privilege and not be able<00:23:15.679> to.
• if they don't amendment privilege if they don't report. report. report.
• <00:24:23.440> to B would not have a valid privilege to B would not have a valid privilege

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Summary: The Judiciary Committee heard testimony on several bills related to bribery and public corruption. On SB 2249, which would increase penalties for bribery under certain circumstances, the Honolulu Prosecutor’s Office and Honolulu Police Department supported the measure, arguing that Hawaii’s current class B felony penalty is probationable and too weak to secure cooperation in corruption cases, especially after the U.S. Supreme Court’s Snyder decision narrowed federal bribery prosecutions. The Public Defender opposed the bill, arguing that elevating bribery to a class A felony and making it non-probationable was excessive, overbroad, and would remove judicial discretion. Multiple individuals also testified in support. Committee members questioned the prosecutor about removing deferred acceptance of plea provisions and asked HPD about the $20,000 threshold; the prosecutor said alternative charges could still be used in plea bargaining, and HPD said the threshold aligns with first-degree theft. The committee also discussed how current law tolls the bribery statute of limitations while an official remains in office, with the prosecutor explaining it can extend up to six years total. The committee then heard SB 2494, which would set a nine-year statute of limitations for bribery offenses. The Public Defender opposed the extension, saying the justification based on the length of federal investigations was too broad and that bribery already has a longer limitations period than most felonies. The Honolulu Prosecutor’s Office supported the bill, saying bribery cases often involve coordination with federal investigators, that federal and state evidence-gathering methods may differ, and that a longer period would help ensure admissible evidence and allow state prosecution when federal law no longer applies. Members asked whether there were public examples of cases lost to the current limitations period; the prosecutor said he was not aware of any publicly available examples, but maintained nine years was a reasonable period. The committee also considered SB 2737, which would create a misdemeanor for failure by a state or county elected official to report bribery. The Department of the Attorney General offered comments and suggested changing the term to “public servant” for consistency with existing law. The Honolulu Prosecutor’s Office supported the intent but warned the reporting requirement could create Fifth Amendment issues for witnesses who might otherwise be useful in grand jury proceedings. The bill drew broad public support, with 33 supporters and no opposition noted. Finally, the committee took up SB 3071, which revises sex trafficking and promoting prostitution statutes by redefining “profits from prostitution” and adding an affirmative defense for certain lawful transactions. The Public Defender opposed the measure, saying it still could reach people without the required criminal intent and that the affirmative defense language could be applied unevenly. The Attorney General and Honolulu Prosecutor supported the bill, saying it better addresses concerns raised by the State v. Ibarra decision while closing loopholes that allow traffickers to disguise profits as loans or gifts. The prosecutor emphasized that traffickers are sophisticated and can structure transactions to evade current law.

Transcript Highlights:

• The next order of business is points of personal privilege. Points of personal privilege.
• Point of personal privilege. Proceed, Representative. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
• Speaker, point of personal privilege. Proceed, Representative.
• Further points of personal privilege. Gentleman from Pulaski.
• It's been an honor and a privilege, and I've done my best.

Summary: The House opened with prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, and approval of the House Journal for the prior day by a vote of 118-1. The rest of the session was dominated by points of personal privilege, including farewell remarks from several outgoing members. Those speeches focused on service, family, staff, veterans, law enforcement, integrity, and concerns about lobbyist influence, with members also thanking legislative assistants and recognizing guests and family members in the chamber. The chamber then took up several bills. Senate Bill 1019, dealing with hospital finance and investment authority, was amended to align workplace violence, telehealth, prior authorization, physician licensure, and Lyme disease language, then passed 110-31. Senate Bill 1572, a pensions bill affecting police retirement, MOSERS, EMPERS, and related board provisions, drew extended debate over how to handle retirement overpayments; amendments were adopted to address technical and policy issues, and the bill passed 129-14. Senate Substitute for Senate Bill 1196, concerning workforce diploma programs, Fast Track Workforce Incentive Grants, workforce Pell Grants, higher education funding, and university board residency rules, was amended and passed 115-20, but its emergency clause failed 2-132. The House also granted further conference on Senate Bill 1020. Committee reports were read on several other measures, including bills recommended to pass by Fiscal Review. Later, the House began considering Senate amendments to House Bill 2508, an LLC-related bill involving certificates of good standing, court dissolution of LLCs in limited circumstances, and a St. Louis County property-management affidavit process for repeated ordinance violations.

Transcript Highlights:

• Without objection, members and guests will be granted privileges to the floor.
• Points of personal privilege.
• Point of personal privilege, introduction of guests in the gallery. Please proceed.
• Excuse me, I rise for personal privilege, introduction of guests in the gallery.
• Excuse me, rise for personal privilege introduction of guests in the gallery.

Keywords: 1182, all

Summary: The House opened with prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, attendance, guest introductions, and a resolution honoring former legislator Barbara Leff, which was unanimously adopted. The chamber also received a long list of first and second readings, then moved into Committee of the Whole on calendar number one. Several measures were considered and advanced with amendments, including HB 2170 on restricting state purchases from Chinese-controlled entities, HB 2375 on preserving historic properties while allowing middle housing, HB 2380 on school board transparency and meeting location requirements, HB 2617, HB 2621 on special education access and certificates of educational convenience, HB 2671, HB 2720 on sealed records and anti-human trafficking funding, HB 2772 on DNR designation on driver’s licenses, HB 2784 on school district excess cash refunds, HB 2902 affirming the Electoral College, HB 2950 on a tourism/hospitality district, and HB 4025 creating a study committee on the feasibility of an Arizona oil refinery. Debate on HB 2375 focused on balancing historic preservation with middle housing, with supporters emphasizing local flexibility and opponents warning against a one-size-fits-all approach. HB 2380 drew discussion about school district accountability after a district’s out-of-state retreat, with supporters arguing meetings should occur within district boundaries and materials be posted online, while opponents said local boards should retain discretion. HB 2621’s amendment was described as ensuring special-needs students in unorganized territory and group homes can access services through certificates of educational convenience. HB 2720 was presented as strengthening protections for sex trafficking survivors and adding an anti-human trafficking grant fund. HB 2772 prompted questions about how DNR instructions on driver’s licenses would work in emergencies, with the sponsor saying it would protect advance directives while emergency personnel still provide appropriate care until information is known. HB 2902 generated extended partisan debate over the Electoral College versus a national popular vote, with supporters calling the Electoral College a constitutional safeguard and opponents arguing it violates one person, one vote and overweights swing states. HB 2950 involved competing amendments over whether a tourism-related district should be voluntary or could impose fees, with the Kolodin opt-in/opt-out amendment defeated and the bill advancing as amended. HB 4025, a study committee on an Arizona refinery, drew debate over fuel prices, refinery feasibility, environmental concerns, and whether taxpayer money should fund another study. In each of these Committee of the Whole actions, the House ultimately adopted the committee or amended recommendations and ordered the measures forward by voice vote.

Transcript Highlights:

• We extend to you privileges and courtesies of this house.
• I extend to you the privileges and courtesies of this house. Please rise and be recognized.
• We extend to you the privileges and courtesies of this house. Please rise and be recognized.
• We extend to you the privileges and courtesies of this house. Please rise and be recognized.
• [Applause] We extend to you all of the privileges and courtesies of the House.

Keywords: 993, senate, all

Summary: The Senate convened, approved the prior journal, and adopted a resolution calendar with several exceptions before taking up a series of ceremonial resolutions and bills. Members welcomed student visitors from the YWCA of White Plains’ Voices Unfiltered Policy Program, then adopted resolutions honoring Senegalese independence and the Senegalese community, MWBE Advocacy Day, John Coltrane’s 100th birthday, the Sing Sing Prison Museum, I Love My Park Day, Animal Advocacy Day, Neuromyelitis Optica Spectrum Disorder Awareness Month, and Denim Day. Speakers emphasized cultural recognition, public service, environmental stewardship, animal welfare, rare disease awareness, and support for survivors of sexual violence; each resolution was adopted. The chamber then moved through the regular calendar, passing a number of bills on broad roll-call votes. Among the measures approved were bills amending the Penal Law, Executive Law, Public Housing Law, Retirement and Social Security Law, Social Services Law, Environmental Conservation Law, General Municipal Law, Railroad Law, Election Law, Labor Law, and Public Service Law. Several bills passed unanimously or nearly so, while a few drew notable opposition, including a public health measure that passed 39-19 and the labor-related bill on ghost job postings that passed 39-19 after extended debate. The most detailed floor debate centered on the Labor Law bill addressing “ghost jobs,” requiring employers with 100 or more employees to disclose whether postings are for current vacancies, expected future openings, or general resume collection, with Department of Labor enforcement and civil penalties. Supporters argued it would protect job seekers from deceptive postings; opponents said it was unnecessary, burdensome, and could invite litigation or penalties disproportionate to the problem. The Senate also debated and passed a bill expanding election-language assistance under the John R. Lewis Voting Rights Act to Haitian Creole and Middle Eastern and North African communities, with supporters citing growing language-access needs and opponents raising concerns about scope and local costs. The Senate then adjourned until the next day.