Video & Transcript : 'mass layoff' :

Page 172 of 228
CA

California 2025-2026 Regular Session

Assembly Public Safety Committee Mar 25th, 2025

Transcript Highlights:
  • We at Vera have been working on mass incarceration and building safe, thriving communities for over 60
  • This bill would reboot the failed war on drugs with a return to mass incarceration, increasing family
Summary: The committee heard several public safety and criminal justice bills. AB 837 by Assemblymember Davies would add ketamine transportation to existing drug trafficking law; supporters, including district attorneys and peace officer groups, said it would address a growing and dangerous drug trend, while opponents argued increased penalties do not reduce drug supply and can worsen health harms. The bill was approved on a due-pass-as-amended vote and sent to Appropriations. AB 352 by Assemblymember Pacheco would make threats against judges and court commissioners an aggravating factor in sentencing; judicial and law enforcement groups supported it as a response to rising threats, while ACLU and criminal justice advocates said existing law already covers threats and the bill is unnecessary. It also passed to Appropriations. The committee then took up AB 938 by Assemblymember Bonta, which expands vacatur and affirmative-defense relief for survivors of human trafficking, intimate partner violence, and sexual violence, including for some violent offenses. Survivors and advocates testified that the bill would allow people coerced into crimes to tell their full stories and seek relief, while district attorneys and sheriffs warned it could sweep too broadly and affect public safety. The chair and several members strongly supported the measure, and it passed as amended to Appropriations. AB 475 by Assemblymember Wilson would make prison work assignments voluntary and is tied to a broader effort to remove involuntary servitude language from the state constitution; supporters framed it as a rehabilitation and dignity issue, while one member objected to the premise and cited the defeat of a related ballot measure. The bill was voted out to Appropriations but left on call pending additional votes. Assemblymember Lowenthal presented AB 704, which would allow people convicted of low-level offenses before age 26 to petition to seal and destroy records after a waiting period. Supporters said the bill addresses the limits of expungement in the digital age and recognizes young adult brain development; prosecutors and police groups raised Brady/disclosure concerns and objected to treating 18- to 25-year-olds like children. The committee debated those issues at length before sending the bill to Appropriations. Lowenthal also presented AB 812, which would expand resentencing opportunities for incarcerated firefighters who serve on conservation fire crews; supporters emphasized rehabilitation, wildfire response, and reduced recidivism, and the hearing continued with support testimony and the start of opposition testimony as the transcript ended.
CA
Transcript Highlights:
  • bit of time talking about CDSS's role in emergencies and disasters, which is very far reaching from mass
  • as the American Redress Coalition of California's Sacramento branch, ARC Sacramento, and I'm in the mass
Summary: The Assembly Budget Subcommittee on Human Services held an informational hearing on child welfare, foster care, child support, and related prevention efforts. The chair opened by emphasizing mandated reporting reform, foster care system improvements, and community-based prevention, and noted that no votes would be taken. Public testimony focused first on mandated reporting, where a lived-experience advocate and several organizations argued that the current system overreports families, especially Black, Native, and Latino families, causes trauma, and should be reformed through standardized training, clearer thresholds, and stronger community supports rather than more hotline referrals. Casey Family Programs cited data showing nearly 90% of reports are unsubstantiated, while CDSS said it is already forming a Mandated Reporting Advisory Committee, updating training, and exploring community pathways and possible changes to the list of mandated reporters. CWDA and SEIU supported training and alternative response concepts but stressed child safety, county capacity, funding, and the need for careful implementation and accountability. The committee then discussed a proposal to create a foster care multi-agency office within the California Health and Human Services Agency, led by a chief foster youth advocate with authority to coordinate across departments. Advocates said foster youth often need services from education, health, housing, and behavioral health systems that do not coordinate well, and argued that a central office with real authority could improve placement stability and access to services. CDSS responded that existing structures already provide coordination, including AB 2083 interagency teams, the Child Welfare Council, complex care steering committees, and the foster care ombudsperson, but said it was open to technical assistance. Members raised concerns about whether the new office would have enough authority and funding to avoid becoming another layer of bureaucracy, and the chair emphasized the need for real “teeth” and better interagency action. The final major topic was the continuation and expansion of Promise Neighborhoods. A community leader described strong early results from the state-funded neighborhoods, including improved kindergarten readiness, reduced chronic absenteeism, higher graduation rates, food access, housing supports, and mental health services, but warned that current funding sunsets in June 2025 and that a fiscal cliff could jeopardize staff and services. CDSS said the four funded neighborhoods have reported positive outcomes and valuable flexibility, but also noted challenges with one-time funding, student mental health, and long-term planning. Assemblymember Mia Bonta urged continued investment, saying the place-based model is difficult to rebuild once lost, and the chair asked LAO to help identify the minimum funding needed to preserve the existing infrastructure while evaluation results are still pending.
CA

California 2025-2026 Regular Session

Senate Education Committee Jul 1st, 2026

Transcript Highlights:
  • Our regional structure is exactly what makes the statutory deadlines and current layoff law incompatible
Summary: The committee heard several education bills, beginning with AB 387 on youth sports safety and AED access. The author and supporters, including youth sports and cardiac safety advocates, said the bill would improve coordination between youth sports organizations and facilities to ensure AEDs are available and emergency response is better prepared. School administrators, county groups, and school business officials opposed unless amended, citing liability, cost, staffing, maintenance, and school security concerns. Members asked about AED portability, CPR training, and liability; the author said committee amendments were accepted, but the bill was held due to lack of quorum while negotiations continued. AB 467 would codify the California Center for Climate Change Education at West Los Angeles College, allowing it to seek multi-year grants and other outside funding after an initial state appropriation sunsets. Supporters said the center has already trained faculty, supported paid internships and fellowships, and reached thousands of Californians, while opponents were absent. Members questioned whether codification was premature before the required report is due in 2027; the author said the measure was needed now to stabilize fundraising. The bill was also placed on hold for lack of quorum. A major portion of the hearing focused on AB 664 and AB 2694, both dealing with community college bachelor’s degrees. AB 664 would authorize Southwestern College to seek up to four targeted bachelor’s programs to address local workforce shortages in South San Diego County; students, local officials, and community college advocates supported it, while CSU and UC opposed, arguing for a statewide solution and concern about the master plan. AB 2694 proposed a broader statewide framework for community college bachelor’s degrees with stronger workforce and partnership requirements, reduced program caps, and limits on duplication; it drew support from community college groups and students, but CSU and UC again opposed or opposed unless amended. Members discussed place-bound students, workforce needs, transfer pathways, and the need for a master-plan-level approach, but no votes were taken because the committee lacked a quorum. The committee then heard AB 917, which would require certificated employees in very small school districts and certain county-run programs to receive permanent status under the same rules as larger districts. CTA and many educators supported the bill as a fairness and retention measure, while small school district and ROP representatives opposed, saying the current flexibility is necessary to manage enrollment swings, staffing, and specialized regional programs. Testimony emphasized the tension between job security for educators and operational flexibility for small LEAs; the hearing continued with more opposition testimony after the excerpt ended.
TX

Texas 89th Regular

89th Legislative Session Apr 29th, 2025

Texas House Floor Meeting

Transcript Highlights:
  • down all over the place, and if you look at what's happening, you look at the headlines, there are layoffs
Bills: HB1500, HJR7, HJR112, HB34, HB133, HB 112, HB 119, HB 128, HB 130, HB132, HB2756, HB166, HB406, HB186, HB271, HB331, HB380, HB1583, HB1584, HB1819, HB621, HB303, HB552, HB366, HB463, HB 1211, HB1327, HB1461, HB923, HB1760, HB2043, HB2467, HB5333, HB5265, HB1592, HB1576, HB1552, HB2018, HB3511, HB1781, HB2013, HB2340, HB2349, HB2508, HB2970, HB2520, HB865, HB2851, HB3385, HB3336, HB3529, HB3309, HB 1127, HB 1232, HB1397, HB4236, HB1804, HB1926, HB4041, HB1965, HB1964, HB2679, HB2730, HB3698, HB3699, HCR77, HB3354, HB163, HB201, HB272, HB333, HB405, HB519, HB569, HB654, HB694, HB791, HB 1006, HB 1136, HB 1240, HB 1266, HB 1275, HB1437, HB1532, HB1675, HB1842, HB1868, HB1888, HB1894, HB1943, HB1990, HB2029, HB2061, HB2286, HB2523, HB2622, HB2626, HB2652, HB2692, HB2842, HB2885, HB2914, HB3016, HB3096, HB3129, HB3248, HB3251, HB3255, HB3479, HB3611, HB3623, HB3701, HB3724, HB3803, HB3804, HB3805, HB3806, HB3810, HB3816, HB3832, HB3887, HB4127, HB4129, HB4130, HB4131, HB4163, HB4187, HB4229, HB4238, HB4454, HB4588, HB4643, HB4736, HB4738, HB4739, HB4945, HB5015, HB5616, SB767, SB1619, SB1738, HJR5, HJR2, HB1399, HB388, HB 114, HB205, HB2789, HB2791, HB499, HB2960, HB3163, HB3135, HB2427, HB1672, HB1722, HB2618, HB879, HB 1126, HB4134, HB3513, HB1445, HB1893, HB1734, HB3229, HB3306, HB 1276, HB3516, HB4145, HB1585, HB4810, HB2558, HB2742, HB1695, HB33, HB144, HB 109, HB 103, HB148, HB3809, HB2217, HB220, HB2421, HB2363, HB421, HB2455, HB3711, HB2559, HB2775, HB3126, HB3666, HB3595, HB3260, HB3376, HB3826, HB3770, HB1831, HB2614, HB3113, HB322, HB431, HB869, HB 1203, HB 1244, HB1875, HB1950, HB2152, HB2341, HB2809, HB2856, HB3012, SB1415, SB1058, SB487, SB1499, SB513, SB1697, SB1197, SB1437, SB1809, SB836, SB1879, SB1145, SB963, SB1038, SB1147, SB914, SB711, SB1409, HB3707, HB589, HB1360, HB2337, HB2391, HB718, HB23, HB2436, HB1500, HJR7, HJR112, HB34, HB133, HB 112, HB 119, HB 128, HB 130, HB132, HB2756, HB166, HB406, HB186, HB271, HB331, HB380, HB1583, HB1584, HB1819, HB621, HB303, HB552, HB366, HB463, HB 1211, HB1327, HB1461, HB923, HB1760, HB2043, HB2467, HB5333, HB5265, HB1592, HB1576, HB1552, HB2018, HB3511, HB1781, HB2013, HB2340, HB2349, HB2508, HB2970, HB2520, HB865, HB2851, HB3385, HB3336, HB3529, HB3309, HB 1127, HB 1232, HB1397, HB4236, HB1804, HB1926, HB4041, HB1965, HB1964, HB2679, HB2730, HB3698, HB3699, HB3354, HB163, HB201, HB272, HB333, HB405, HB519, HB569, HB654, HB694, HB791, HB 1006, HB 1136, HB 1240, HB 1266, HB 1275, HB1437, HB1532, HB1675, HB1842, HB1868, HB1888, HB1894, HB1943, HB1990, HB2029, HB2061, HB2286, HB2523, HB2622, HB2626, HB2652, HB2692, HB2842, HB2885, HB2914, HB3016, HB3096, HB3129, HB3248, HB3251, HB3255, HB3479, HB3611, HB3623, HB3701, HB3724, HB3803, HB3804, HB3805, HB3806, HB3810, HB3816, HB3832, HB3887, HB4127, HB4129, HB4130, HB4131, HB4163, HB4187, HB4229, HB4238, HB4454, HB4588, HB4643, HB4736, HB4738, HB4739, HB4945, HB5015, HB5616, SB767, SB1619, SB1738, HCR77
MN

Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session

House Floor Session 5/16/26 - Part 4

Minnesota House Floor Meeting

Transcript Highlights:
  • For mass school shootings where four or more are killed, shooters are insiders.
  • </c><01:48:19.679><c> For</c><01:48:20.000><c> mass</c><01:48:20.400><c> school</c><01:48:20.719><c>
  • For mass school shootings what we know.
  • For mass school shootings where<01:48:21.440><c> four</c><01:48:21.760><c> or</c><01:48:22.000><c> more
Keywords: 1183, house
WY

Wyoming 2026 Regular Session

Select Federal Natural Resource Management Committee, May 15, 2026

Select Federal Natural Resource Management Committee

Transcript Highlights:
  • It kind of got all taken out of context, too, that it was going to be this mass sell-off.
  • going</c><00:37:03.400><c> to</c><00:37:03.480><c> be</c><00:37:03.600><c> this</c><00:37:03.840><c> mass
  • </c> it was going to be this mass sell-off. it was going to be this mass sell-off.
Keywords: 916, all
MN

Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session

Committee on Judiciary and Public Safety - 04/08/26

Judiciary and Public Safety

Transcript Highlights:
  • So if there's evacuees that need to be received, mass care that needs to be done, sheltering, all that
  • there's evacuees that need to<01:12:26.480><c> be</c><01:12:26.640><c> received,</c><01:12:27.199><c> mass
  • care</c><01:12:27.840><c> that</c><01:12:28.000><c> needs</c><01:12:28.239><c> to</c> to be received, mass
  • care that needs to to be received, mass care that needs to be<01:12:28.480><c> done,</c><01:12:28.800
Keywords: 1187, senate, all
WY

Wyoming 2026 Regular Session

House Appropriations Committee, February 12, 2026 PM 2

Appropriations

Transcript Highlights:
  • statistics we went through last year, where Brian and I showed that the vast majority of crime and mass
  • majority<00:15:47.120><c> of</c><00:15:47.360><c> crime</c><00:15:47.680><c> and</c><00:15:47.920><c> mass
  • </c><00:15:48.240><c> shootings</c> majority of crime and mass shootings majority of crime and mass shootings
Bills: HB0111, HB0112, HB0122
NH

New Hampshire 2026 Regular Session

Senate Energy and Natural Resources (01/27/2026)

Energy and Natural Resources

Transcript Highlights:
  • I'm not going to start with, uh, you know, my favorite Mozart piece of music, which is the Requiem Mass
  • ><01:30:31.920><c> is</c><01:30:32.000><c> the</c><01:30:32.159><c> reququiam</c><01:30:32.639><c> mass
  • </c><01:30:32.960><c> So,</c> music, which is the reququiam mass.
  • So, music, which is the reququiam mass.
Keywords: 1191, senate, all
NH

New Hampshire 2026 Regular Session

House Commerce and Consumer Affairs (01/15/2026)

Commerce and Consumer Affairs

Transcript Highlights:
  • destructive operations over U.S. territory, including over World Cup and Olympic venues coming up and other mass
  • coming</c><00:05:53.840><c> up</c><00:05:54.400><c> and</c><00:05:54.639><c> other</c><00:05:54.960><c> mass
  • </c> Olympic venues coming up and other mass Olympic venues coming up and other mass gathering<00:05:
Keywords: 1189, house, all
KY
Transcript Highlights:
  • can use them appropriately while still mitigating the harms of gun violence when we continue to see mass
  • can use them appropriately while still mitigating the harms of gun violence when we continue to see mass
  • can use them appropriately while still mitigating the harms of gun violence when we continue to see mass
  • can use them appropriately while still mitigating the harms of gun violence when we continue to see mass
Summary: The Interim Joint Committee on Health Services met to approve the June 18 minutes and hear introductory remarks from new Cabinet Secretary for Health and Family Services Dr. Steven Stack and new Department for Public Health Commissioner Dr. John Langfeld. Both described their backgrounds and emphasized a shared focus on using health data to improve quality, coordination, and outcomes across Kentucky. They highlighted the Kentucky Health Information Exchange (KHI) as a central tool for connecting hospitals, labs, providers, public health systems, Medicaid, and other state and federal data sources, and said the system supports notifications, immunization records, surveillance, and care coordination. They also outlined priorities such as continued investment in KHI, stronger interoperability, privacy protections, and expanded analytic capacity to turn data into action. Committee members then asked about COVID-19 vaccine recommendations and informed consent, particularly for pregnant women and children. Dr. Stack said informed consent should come through a licensed health care provider, that Kentucky did not mandate the COVID vaccine, and that the evidence still supports vaccination for high-risk groups, including pregnant women, citing professional medical guidance. A follow-up exchange focused on concerns about past vaccine policies and the need for patients to receive full information before making decisions. Senator Heron asked how KIPRC/KIPR could be used to address firearm injuries. Dr. Langfeld said the key opportunity is to make data more real-time and usable for day-to-day response, while Dr. Stack said the department would continue its long-standing partnership with KIPRC and noted his view that gun violence is a public health emergency. He added, however, that because firearms are a deeply divided issue, the Department for Public Health’s current role is mainly to make data available for authorized research rather than to take a broader policy role. No votes or formal actions beyond approving the minutes were taken.
NH

New Hampshire 2025 Regular Session

House Criminal Justice and Public Safety (04/11/2025)

Criminal Justice and Public Safety

Transcript Highlights:
  • sexual exploitation, but as a frontline provider who works every day alongside other survivors on Mass
  • every day alongside other<04:06:08.560><c> survivors</c><04:06:09.279><c> on</c><04:06:09.520><c> mass
  • </c><04:06:09.760><c> and</c><04:06:09.920><c> cast</c><04:06:10.160><c> in</c> other survivors on mass
  • and cast in other survivors on mass and cast in Massachusetts,<04:06:12.239><c> many</c><04:06:12.560
Keywords: 1189, house, all
NH

New Hampshire 2025 Regular Session

Senate Energy and Natural Resources (02/18/2025)

Energy and Natural Resources

Transcript Highlights:
  • cannot—there is, I think, a reasonable debate that says let's say that there is not a sufficient land mass
  • say that there is not a sufficient let's say that there is not a sufficient land<02:38:15.240><c> mass
  • <c> state</c><02:38:16.319><c> of</c><02:38:16.479><c> New</c><02:38:16.680><c> Hampshire</c> land mass
  • in the state of New Hampshire land mass in the state of New Hampshire to<02:38:17.399><c> build</c><
Keywords: 1191, senate, all
NH

New Hampshire 2026 Regular Session

Senate Executive Departments and Administration (04/08/2026)

Executive Departments and Administration

Transcript Highlights:
  • 07:55.039><c> half</c> day when we are flying a flag at half day when we are flying a flag at half mass
  • mass mass &gt;&gt; and<00:07:56.879><c> uh</c><00:07:57.199><c> and</c><00:07:57.440><c> that</c><00
Keywords: 1191, senate, all
NH

New Hampshire 2026 Regular Session

House Ways and Means (02/11/2026)

Ways and Means

Transcript Highlights:
  • So, um, if we're sort of talking, all right, what's maybe where the critical mass is, that there's probably
  • So, um, if we're sort of talking, all right, what's maybe where the critical mass is, that there's probably
  • So, um, if we're sort of talking, all right, what's maybe where the critical mass is, that there's probably
Keywords: 1189, house, all
MN

Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session

Legislative Commission on Data Practices 11/20/25

Minnesota House Floor Meeting

Transcript Highlights:
  • Um, I have heard of multiple cities receiving, let's say, like a mass email request for data, and it's
  • Um, I have heard of multiple cities receiving, let's say, like a mass email request for data, and it's
  • is completely unregulated by government agencies in both the public and private sector and imposes mass
Keywords: 919, house, all
Summary: The committee approved the October 15, 2025 minutes and then held a broader discussion on current challenges with data retention and government transparency. Judy Randall of the Office of the Legislative Auditor said historical data is essential for post-audits, which often look back three to five years, and that retention decisions must balance audit needs with the burden of separating public and nonpublic data. She described the records-retention panel process as informal and largely based on individual judgment, noting she had objected to a proposed 60-day email retention period and generally uses a three-year guideline, though she said that standard is not grounded in a formal rule. Members discussed whether auditing standards should set retention periods, with Randall saying auditing is a good starting point but other offices, including the attorney general, also have needs, and that some agency discretion is unavoidable because of the gray area between official records and non-records. Representative Elkins raised the related principle of data minimization, arguing that government should not keep data longer than needed and citing a University of Minnesota legacy data warehouse breach as an example of the risks of retaining unnecessary sensitive information. Randall agreed that data no longer needed is a liability and said her office purges workpapers after five years. Representative Scott pressed whether three years is enough for fraud investigations and financial records; Randall responded that a reasonableness standard is needed and that longer retention can produce diminishing returns, though she said she would follow up on whether financial records should be treated differently. Tanya Tacker of the Rum River Special Education Cooperative testified in support of updating Minnesota’s data-retention laws for schools. She said districts want to protect student information and maintain transparency, but the current general retention schedule dates to 1985 and 2000 and does not reflect digital records, modern systems, or the volume of special education data. She urged modernizing the schedule, clarifying what must be kept in paper versus digitized form, aligning state rules with IDEA and other federal requirements, and providing practical guidance and tools. Members praised the specificity of her recommendations. Dr. BB Newman testified that retention failures in St. Anthony Village have made it difficult to obtain routine municipal and police data, with records delayed, missing, or inconsistently produced and no clear explanation of what systems were searched or whether records were destroyed. Newman argued these gaps undermine statutory access rights and force residents into costly litigation, and recommended stronger retention auditing, documentation of destruction, mandatory disclosure of systems searched, and consequences for noncompliance. In response to questions, Senate counsel said there is generally no direct penalty, but affected parties may seek mandamus, Data Practices Act claims, or informal mediation/opinions from the Data Practices Office. The discussion closed with calls for clearer standards and possible legislative updates to improve compliance and transparency.
NH

New Hampshire 2025 Regular Session

House Health, Human Services and Elderly Affairs (04/30/2025)

Health, Human Services & Elderly Affairs

Transcript Highlights:
  • Hampshire but in regional meaning how can we coordinate with the needs across the border, Maine, Vermont, Mass
  • Hampshire but in regional meaning how can we coordinate with the needs across the border, Maine, Vermont, Mass
  • Hampshire but in regional meaning how can we coordinate with the needs across the border, Maine, Vermont, Mass
Keywords: 1189, house, all
NH
Transcript Highlights:
  • that but there are several areas that have have have um<04:04:45.880><c> Market</c><04:04:46.159><c> Mass
  • </c><04:04:46.399><c> marketing</c><04:04:46.760><c> prohibitions</c> um Market Mass marketing prohibitions
  • um Market Mass marketing prohibitions Pro<04:04:47.640><c> marketing</c><04:04:47.920><c> to</c><04:
Keywords: 928, house, all
Summary: The committee held a public hearing on House Bill 451, which would create a postconsumer paint stewardship program in New Hampshire. Prime sponsor Representative Karen Ebel described the bill as a bipartisan, broadly supported model based on PaintCare programs used in other states. She said consumers and businesses could drop off leftover paint at participating retailers or municipal household hazardous waste sites, with the paint then collected and recycled by the stewardship organization. She emphasized that the program is intended to reduce landfill disposal, improper dumping, and contamination of groundwater and soil, while also helping municipalities save on hazardous waste handling costs. Members asked several questions about how the program would work and how it would be funded. Ebel explained that the program would be financed by a small fee charged at the point of sale on paint products, not a general sales tax, and that retailers could either list it separately or roll it into the price. She said the fee would cover the Department of Environmental Services’ administrative costs, which were described as minimal, and that the program’s structure was developed with DES and industry input. Questions also addressed whether cans would be recycled and how collected paint would be processed; Ebel said the ACA and PaintCare representatives could provide more detail, but that the paint and containers would be handled through recycling or other approved disposal methods rather than landfilled. Representative Judy Aron, a co-sponsor and chair of the House Environment and Agriculture Committee, testified in support, saying the bill had been developed over several years with stakeholders and would keep toxic paint out of landfills while saving municipalities and taxpayers money. Representative Peter Bixby, the ranking member of Environment and Agriculture, also supported the bill, saying his committee had heard it many times and that it had strong bipartisan enthusiasm. No vote was taken during the hearing.
PA

Pennsylvania 2025-2026 Regular Session

Senate Session (Jun 25 2026)

Pennsylvania Senate Floor Meeting

Transcript Highlights:
  • Those are the types of things, not in mass, but they need to become part of a comprehensive approach
Summary: The Senate returned from recess and first handled routine calendar matters, laying several bills on the table or over in their order without objection. The chamber then took up Senate Bill 1400, which addresses sentencing for second-degree murder in response to the Pennsylvania Supreme Court’s Commonwealth v. Lee decision. Senator Street offered an amendment to replace mandatory life without parole with parole eligibility after 25 years and individualized review, but the Senate tabled the amendment by a 26-24 roll call. The bill then advanced to final passage after extended debate over whether it adequately met the court’s constitutional ruling and how it would affect victims, culpability, and retroactivity. It initially passed 31-19, then after reconsideration and a correction to one member’s vote, passed 30-20 and was sent to the House. The Senate next considered Senate Bill 1212, which tightens the handling of sexual assault evidence kits by removing discretionary language that had contributed to inconsistent testing practices. Supporters said it would improve statewide consistency, preserve a survivor’s right to decline testing, and help reduce the rape kit backlog. The bill passed unanimously, 50-0, and was sent to the House. The chamber then moved through additional calendar items, including re-referrals of several House bills to Appropriations and multiple bills being passed over. Later, the Senate took up House Bill 1667 on a supplemental calendar after suspending the rules. The bill became the vehicle for several amendments tied to affordability and tax policy. Senators adopted a back-to-school sales tax holiday amendment, a data-center tax exemption repeal amendment, and a school-choice-related amendment transferring EITC provisions and increasing scholarships by $25 million. Other proposed amendments, including a digital advertising tax and a combined reporting corporate tax reform, were tabled. After further debate on the bill’s impact on electric bills, data centers, and the state budget, House Bill 1667 was agreed to as amended and the Senate recessed.