Transcript Highlights:

• The Elections Commission, upon receiving a sworn complaint, could find probable cause of a violation
• The Elections Commission, upon receiving a sworn complaint, could find probable cause of a violation
• And the Ethics Commission does not have jurisdiction over the elections code.
• It doesn't seem to have any consideration for those who are disabled, who often need assistance.
• for those who are disabled who often need assistance.

Summary: The committee first took up CS for CS for CS for SB 462 on transportation, adopting a substitute amendment that would require counties receiving transportation surtax proceeds to report how the money is used, prohibit certain airport fees tied to collegiate flight training, create a Sarasota-Manatee Airport Authority pilot program, and fund a traffic signal modernization program with $10 million annually from the State Transportation Trust Fund. The amendment also removed several provisions from the bill, including a sales tax transfer to the trust fund, a bid protest-related contracting requirement, and repeal of the Metropolitan Planning Organization Advisory Council. A late-filed amendment was tabled, and the bill was reported favorably. The committee then heard CS for CS for SB 628, “Lucy's Law,” on boating safety, which would strengthen penalties for leaving the scene of a vessel accident and reckless vessel operation. Lucy’s parents gave emotional testimony in support, describing the fatal 2022 boating crash and urging stronger accountability. The sponsor withdrew pending amendments, and the bill was reported favorably. CS for CS for SB 700, the Florida Farm Bill, was next; the strike-all amendment covered a broad range of agriculture-related changes, including water fluoridation restrictions, labeling rules, drone restrictions over farmland, disaster recovery programs, an honest services registry, FFA-related provisions, and agricultural land preservation. Testimony included support from agricultural and gun-rights groups, opposition from banking, dental, and local-government advocates, and a lengthy public debate over fluoridation and financial discrimination. The committee adopted the amendment and reported the bill favorably. SB 796 on general permits for distributed wastewater treatment systems was reported favorably with little debate. The committee then took up CS for SB 1618 on K-12 education, adopting a delete-all amendment that combined a wide range of education provisions, including VPK flexibility, agriculture education, financial literacy, reading intervention requirements, teacher assignment reporting, restrictions on spending public funds on political or social activism, postsecondary and workforce-related changes, and other school and college system updates. Several speakers opposed the activism-related funding restriction, while the sponsor said the bill was intended to keep publicly funded schools focused on education; the bill was reported favorably. Finally, the committee considered SB 7016 on initiative petitions, adopting a strike-all amendment that would sharply tighten petition circulation rules and increase penalties. The proposal would require circulators to be Florida residents and U.S. citizens, impose training and registration requirements, shorten petition submission deadlines, require more identifying information on petition forms, limit sponsors to one amendment per election cycle, and create new enforcement and investigation triggers, including a 25% invalid-signature threshold. Sponsors argued the changes were needed to address fraud and protect the integrity of constitutional amendment petitions, while senators raised concerns about due process, public-records issues, burdens on volunteers, and the impact on voters and sponsors. The bill was not reported in the portion provided, and the discussion remained ongoing at the end of the transcript.

Transcript Highlights:

• Speaker, people with disabilities must be assured equal opportunities to full access to public accommodation
• However, these predatory lawsuits, while brought under the guise of disability access, are abusing the
• We all want those with disabilities to have access, but the submission.
• We all want those with disabilities to have access, but the process of getting there must be fair to
• We all want those with disabilities to have access, but the process of getting there must be fair to

Keywords: 959, house, all

Summary: The Missouri House opened with prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, and approval of the prior day’s journal by a 126-2 vote. Members then observed a moment of silence for former Representative and Marine Corps Lieutenant Colonel Barney Fisher, with remarks honoring his military service, business career, and House service from 2005 to 2013. The chamber also welcomed several guest groups, including Southern Boone third graders, Lake of the Ozarks Day visitors, and other special guests. The House then took up several third-reading measures. Senate Bill 907, the “act against abusive website access litigation,” was adopted with House amendments and passed 148-0 after debate focused on protecting businesses, nonprofits, churches, and political subdivisions from abusive ADA-related website lawsuits while preserving access rights and allowing a 90-day cure period. House Joint Resolution 159, which would modernize constitutional limits on state treasurer investments, passed 101-34 after supporters argued it could generate about $15 million annually without raising taxes, while opponents raised concerns about broad investment authority and voter intent. House Bill 2741, requiring CDL holders to be able to read and speak English sufficiently for safe operation and related duties, passed 104-22 amid debate over safety, immigration concerns, and enforcement. House Bill 2474, offering political subdivisions an optional progressive design-build contracting method, passed 141-5. House Bill 3076, described as cleanup language exempting agricultural non-point sources from water permitting, passed 102-41 after sharp disagreement over environmental protections and DNR authority. House Bill 2436, dealing with animal abuse, neglect, impoundment, and related procedures, passed 88-54 after debate over due process and livestock/property rights. House Bill 2576, the annual naming/awareness bill, passed 140-3. House Bill 3175, “Mason’s Law,” allowing certain health-condition information to be shared with law enforcement through the Department of Revenue for traffic stops, passed 147-0. Before adjournment, the House announced that the Rules Committee would meet immediately on one Senate bill and that members should be prepared to consider additional measures upon return. The chamber then adjourned until 4 p.m. Monday, April 20, 2026.

Transcript Highlights:

• First, they're going to have reliability and validity, as the commission has sure talked about.
• I'm Stephen with Disability Rights Texas here on SB 8.
• It's about special education campuses that serve students with disabilities.
• However, we want to point out that students with disabilities on the special education campuses have
• But this particular provision matters because we don't want to signal that students with disabilities

Bills: SB8, SB 8

Keywords: education, accountability, public school assessment, state law, transparency, intervention, performance ratings, sex designation, restroom access, civil penalties, private civil right of action, women's privacy, 1185, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• And I think I... ...disabilities, maternal health, menopausal support, and so much more.
• So paid pregnancy disability leave for educators, a major, major milestone in California for 14 weeks
• The asset test limit alone would have threatened coverage for seniors and people with disabilities at
• There is a significant investment for increased funding to support our students with disabilities and
• There is a significant investment for increased funding to support our students with disabilities and

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• position in the liquor commission. position in the liquor commission. adds<00:24:01.919> the<
• They can it it won't commission money.
• Is it, you know, permanent disability?
• <00:55:33.920> be<00:55:34.079> intro disability it would be intro disability it would
• , another committee or a commission, another committee or commission,<02:05:42.000> so<02:05:42.239

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Laura Munatello, who is from Disability Rights Florida, waving in support. Thank you.
• We have Jay Reeve from the State of Florida Commission on Mental Health and Substance Use Disorder.
• I am the chair of the State of Florida's Commission on Mental Health and Substance Use Disorder.
• So, through this committee examining the commission recommendations in the form of this bill, this is
• So I'm happy to answer any general questions about the commission.

Summary: The Human Services Subcommittee considered three bills and reported all of them favorably. HB 1013, relating to crisis care coordination, would create a pilot program in Polk and Volusia counties to connect people who have had Baker Act-related crises with follow-up counseling, assessments, and outpatient services through partnerships between law enforcement and community providers. The sponsor said the program has reduced repeat Baker Act commitments in Polk County, and the committee adopted a strike-all amendment moving the pilot to a different statute, formalizing partnerships, and requiring an independent DCF evaluation due in January 2029. The bill drew support from mental health and justice advocates and passed unanimously. The committee then heard PCS for HB 511, which addresses child protective investigations involving specific medical diagnoses. Sponsors and several parents, attorneys, and advocates described cases in which children were removed after injuries were initially treated as abuse but later linked to conditions such as Ehlers-Danlos syndrome, metabolic bone disease, or other medical fragility. They argued the bill would require notice of the right to a second medical opinion, better consideration of preexisting conditions and medical records, and more coordination before reports are sent to law enforcement, while still preserving protections for abused children. Members expressed sympathy for the families and emphasized the need for fairness and accurate medical review; the bill passed 17-0. Finally, HB 1439, based on recommendations from the 2025 Commission on Mental Health and Substance Use Disorder, was presented as a broader mental health and substance use disorder measure focused on crisis response, access to care, and workforce development. An amendment aligned the bill more closely with commission recommendations, including assessment tools, trauma-informed practices, school-based behavioral health access, telehealth, discharge planning, and long-acting injectable treatment access. The commission chair testified that the bill reflected a vetted set of recommendations from subject matter experts and commissioners, and the committee adopted the amendment and then reported the bill favorably by unanimous vote. The meeting then adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• <01:51:24.000> is kind of what this study commission is kind of what this study commission
• , disabilities, disabilities, they<01:51:45.040> get<01:51:45.280> regular<01:51:45.679
• And the difference study commission.
• So, I mean, the be a commission.
• legislative committees or commissions legislative committees or commissions that<03:35:53.600>

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• THERE IS A RULE REGARDING THE INTERMEDIATE CARE FACILITY FOR THE DEVELOPMENTALLY DISABLED.
• THERE IS ANOTHER RULE ON MEDICAID WAIVER PROGRAMS, DEVELOPMENT DISABILITY INDIVIDUAL BUDGET WAIVER SERVICES
• AND FINALLY A FINAL DISABILITY INDIVIDUAL BUDGET WAIVER SERVICES AND FINALLY A FINAL RULE UP FOR OBJECTION
• IS DEVELOPMENT DISABILITIES INDIVIDUAL BUDGET WAIVER SERVICES PROVIDER RATE TABLE.
• TO LET THEM KNOW AS WELL BECAUSE FREQUENTLY POLICY ISSUES, FOR THIS COMMISSION AS WELL. >> Rep.

Keywords: 999, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• We are not going to treat people with disabilities who are looking for homes.
• particularly the ability of the Texas Workforce Commission to combat fraud.
• them defraud the commission.
• the Texas Historical Commission and the Washington on the Brazos Historical Foundation.
• to the commission itself or an individual historic site.

Summary: The Senate met with a quorum, heard an invocation, dispensed with the previous journal, and received a House message. Members also recognized Dr. Namita Bardwaj as doctor of the day. The chamber then adopted Senate Resolution 554 honoring Christopher “Chris” Jake Stone of Santa Fe for his heroism during the 2018 Santa Fe High School shooting, with several senators and the lieutenant governor offering remarks about his sacrifice and the ongoing impact on his family and community. The Senate also signed a number of bills and resolutions and adopted Senate Resolution 533 recognizing the Texas Legislative Internship Program class, with multiple senators highlighting individual interns and the program’s role in developing future public servants. The floor then took up and passed several bills, often by suspending the regular order and the three-day rule. These included HB 1639 on a study of cancer incidence among female firefighters; HB 102 granting early registration for students in military-related programs; HB 4325 increasing civil penalties for barratry; HB 5342 creating a 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline trust fund and related funding study; HB 3370 allowing late timberland appraisal applications after an owner’s death; HB 3376 requiring certain guardians to complete dementia/Alzheimer’s training; HB 132 extending confidentiality protections to information about hostile acts by foreign adversaries; and HB 1978, which sought to restrict ERCOT interconnections, but its motion to pass to engrossment failed on a 20-11 vote. Additional measures passed included HB 511 on unsolicited voter registration mailings, HB 2187 on nurse staffing, retaliation, and overtime protections, HB 2510 creating offenses for unlicensed assisted living operations, HB 694 on DFPS notification timelines, HB 1893 making license plates in law-enforcement video nonconfidential for public information requests, HB 2733 updating barratry and solicitation laws for digital communications, HB 4506 allowing opt-in electronic zoning notices, HB 3751 transferring a TxDOT property to DPS, HB 3033 creating a grant program for nonprofits supporting injured or killed DPS employees, HB 4273 on Medicaid fraud prevention and eligibility verification, HB 3211 on vision care benefits, HB 4529 exempting certain DoD-certified child care facilities from state licensure, HB 2522 easing fingerprinting requirements for certain vehicle dealers, HB 4219 tightening public information request response requirements, and HB 4783 requiring a report on opioid antagonist programs. The Senate also received a House message noting passage of SB 9, and a nominations committee report was announced for future consideration.

Transcript Highlights:

• Disabilities, Temporary Appointment.
• Clerk, read the next bill. >> Senate Bill 507, Senator Zucker, public schools, individual disabilities
• , schools, individual disabilities, schools, individual disabilities, accessibility,<01:32:14.159
• ,<01:59:48.480> the<01:59:48.639> labor education commission, the labor education commission
• Senator Mu is commissioned to examine the expungement laws of Maryland.

Keywords: Senate streaming session for Friday, March 20, 2026, 960, senate, all

Summary: The Senate reconvened with a quorum and quickly moved through committee reports and second-reader bills, adopting committee amendments and sending several measures to third reading without objection. Bills advanced included SB 10 on State Highway Administration approval timelines for speed monitoring systems; SB 487 on speed monitoring systems in safety corridors; SB 689 creating a task force on post-release services and re-entry; SB 811 requiring reporting of new home sale prices in multiple listing services; SB 877 authorizing a Baltimore City stop sign monitoring pilot in the 41st district; SB 937, the Maryland Fair Chance Housing Act, limiting use of criminal history in tenant screening; SB 984 barring private immigration detention facilities; SB 465 on out-of-court statements and second-degree assault; SB 187 on pre-release services for incarcerated women; SB 388, the Decade Act, revising multiple economic development and tax credit programs; and SB 844, the annual corrective bill. Most of the floor discussion focused on explaining amendments and the policy effects of the bills. Supporters described the housing bill as expanding second-chance opportunities while adding safeguards, and a senator asked detailed questions about how landlords could screen for serious offenses and sex offender registry status. SB 984 was described as an emergency measure preventing state and local approval of private detention facilities and authorizing enforcement by the Attorney General. SB 465 was presented as closing a gap in Maryland law on witness intimidation and aligning the state with broader practice. SB 187 would rename and expand the women’s pre-release facility into a re-entry facility and require progress reports. The most extended debate came on SB 165, the on-site wastewater systems bill. One amendment to exempt redevelopment properties from inspection was offered and failed by roll call with 27 votes in the negative. A second amendment to require consultation with Maryland Realtors in developing regulations was then offered; supporters argued it would help avoid delays in property settlements and bring real estate professionals into the regulatory process, while opponents said the bill concerned broader wastewater regulations, not just property transfers. The transcript cuts off during that amendment’s discussion, before the final vote is shown.

Transcript Highlights:

• They are self-governing committees with elected boards, planning commissions, and voters who know their
• They are self-governing committees with elected boards, planning commissions, and voters who know their
• They are self-governing committees with elected boards, planning commissions, and voters who know their
• They are self-governing committees with elected boards, planning commissions, and voters who know their
• Rockingham Planning Commission first year sitting there, 20,000; then it's 40,000; then it's 90,000.

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• The fifth instance of amendment is the payment reform for the developmental disability services, or people
• Wheels specifically for those that are, uh, under 60 years of age and but are individuals with disabilities
• The fifth instance of amendment is the payment reform for the developmental disability services, or people
• The fifth instance of amendment is the payment reform for the developmental disability services, or people
• They added appointment to the cemetery commission.

Keywords: 927, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• For counties to navigate, the one that was the disability deduction used to be that if you were a hundred
• percent disabled, you were exempted from a hundred percent of your property taxes.
• that fiscal impact is going to be because you don't know the cost until that individual with that disability
• This includes seniors on value freeze and other disabled individuals who are not veteran disabled.
• The New Mexico Sentencing Commission actually comes up with the estimated cost each year.

Transcript Highlights:

• diagnosing our children with autism, services for those with traumatic brain injury, and developmental disabilities
• They're advancing a bill that is an attack on the poor, the disabled, the elderly, and communities, especially
• Friedman: corrections to the Health Policy Commission and the Center for Health Information and Analysis
• Friedman: corrections to the Health Policy Commission and the Center for Health Information and Analysis

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The Senate considered a series of amendments to a supplemental appropriations bill and related measures, with several adopted and several rejected or withdrawn. Early amendments on equitable approaches to public safety and a Holyoke local account clarification failed, while amendments providing $2.5 million for Massachusetts League of Community Health Centers technical assistance and expanding access to gender-affirming medications and mifepristone were adopted. The chamber also adopted a technical amendment on alternative protein grants, a clarification to ETF modernization, and an energy storage systems amendment. Other proposals on homeowner protections, La Casa funding, emergency contract reform, an energy dashboard, EV charging ratepayer impacts, hate crimes, distressed hospital payments, and task force membership were rejected or withdrawn. A substantial portion of the debate focused on health care, food assistance, and public safety. Senators spoke in support of funding for community health centers, hospital relief, and EBT anti-skimming protections, including $15.5 million for chip-enabled EBT cards and related replacement-benefit support. One amendment to strengthen protections against impersonating federal officers was rejected, while another on professional protections was withdrawn after discussion of ballot address privacy and security concerns. The Senate also adopted amendments to continue prior appropriations for a North Shore food pantry and drought management efforts, and it later approved a sick leave bank for a Department of Mental Health employee. The chamber then took up the fiscal year 2025 fair share supplemental budget conference report, which Ways and Means described as $1.39 billion in spending split between transportation and education, including MBTA improvements, Chapter 90 aid, regional transit authorities, special education circuit breaker reimbursements, higher education deferred maintenance, and career technical education capital grants. After a roll call, the bill passed, with one recorded negative vote. The Senate also adopted a separate Ways and Means amendment and ordered the bill to third reading before final passage. The session ended with adjournment motions and a moment of silence honoring Melissa and Mark Hortman and other victims of political violence, along with a memorial adjournment for firefighter Jeffrey DeSanchez.

Transcript Highlights:

• It would be overseen essentially by the Legislative Audit Commission, sitting parallel to the Legislative
• That Legislative Audit Commission is made up of 12 members, three from each of the four caucuses, and
• We are a union of over 18,500 members across all agencies, boards, and commissions, including the OIG
• <00:02:00.560> sitting Legislative audit commission sitting Legislative audit commission sitting
• also on the legislative audit commission also on the legislative audit commission and<00:36:29.640

Bills: HF1, HF1384

Keywords: Office of Inspector General, inspector general, legislative audit, fraud prevention, waste and abuse, public funds, grant oversight, state grants, grant management, whistleblower protection, retaliation, subpoena power, data practices, government transparency, accountability, law enforcement referrals, sanctions, debarment, payment withholding, public assistance fraud

Transcript Highlights:

• ,<00:24:25.039> sexual sex, religion, disability, sexual sex, religion, disability, sexual
• , ethnicity, sex, religion, disability, ethnicity, sex, religion, disability, sexual<00:26:16.320
• ,<00:30:39.600> sexual sex, religion, disability, sexual sex, religion, disability, sexual
• , ethnicity, sex, religion, disability, ethnicity, sex, religion, disability, sexual<00:32:46.559
• <00:35:32.240> disability,<00:35:33.040> religion, national origin. disability, religion

Keywords: 926, house, all

Summary: The House opened with a devotional for Mental Health Awareness Month, focused on the fragility and renewability of mental health and the importance of human connection, kindness, and reaching out to people who are struggling. The chamber then handled several referral items, including first reading and referral of Senate Bill 329, an act relating to criminal procedures involving firearms, to the Judiciary Committee. It also referred Senate Bills 323 and 326 to the Committee on Appropriations because they carry appropriations, and noted that Senate Bill 278, relating to cannabis and state revenue, had been reported favorably with amendment and was referred to Ways and Means under House Rule 35A. The House took up Joint Senate Resolution 53 on weekend adjournment for May 15, 2026, and adopted it in concurrence by voice vote. The chamber also read House Concurrent Resolution 284 honoring former Senate Majority Leader and Department of State’s Attorneys and Sheriffs’ Executive Director John F. Campbell for his public service, including his work on marriage equality and gun control, and members gave remarks recognizing his leadership, humor, and impact on the institution. Several guests were welcomed and recognized during announcements, including a representative involved in a diaper drive, local officials, and Norma Malone, who was honored for decades of public service in Barry Town and related local boards. The main floor action was on Proposal 4, a proposed constitutional amendment on equality of rights. The Judiciary Committee recommended concurrence, and the member from Burlington explained the amendment’s purpose and process, emphasizing that it would add an equal protection guarantee to the Vermont Constitution covering race, ethnicity, sex, religion, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, and national origin, while preserving other constitutional protections. The member also reviewed the proposal’s prior passage in both chambers in the previous biennium and its current path toward appearing on the November 2026 ballot if approved again by the House and Senate. The transcript ends while the House is still hearing extended remarks on Proposal 4, with no final vote on the amendment shown in the excerpt.

Transcript Highlights:

• Only the liquor commission is going to be enforcing this.
• > the<00:51:08.079> liquor liquor commission and the liquor liquor commission and the liquor
• > only commission enforcement is the only commission enforcement is the only agency<00:51:10.240
• I do note section four says there can be accommodations made for people with disabilities.
• Uh, the department wanted us to change commission to department in one place.

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• we'd have a it so that the commission we'd have a separate<03:17:23.520> commission<03:17:24.399
• > smaller<03:17:24.800> commission separate commission smaller commission separate commission
• a smaller commission for the plate and a smaller commission for<03:17:27.439> the<03:17:27.600
• amendment for this future commission? amendment for this future commission?
• going to be in on the commission going to be in on the commission something<03:18:16.720> as<

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I was also a Rocky and Planning Commission member.
• Rocky and Planning Commission member. Rocky and Planning Commission member.
• It was done by all your commissions around the state. That data is there.
• It was done by all your commissions around the state. That data is there.
• <00:48:14.640> in folks aged 65 to 74 with a disability in folks aged 65 to 74 with a disability

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• First up, we have the Hawaii State Council on Developmental Disabilities in support, and the Hawaii Disability
• Rights Center. um Hawaii Disability Rights Center.
• Disabilities. Good timing. Disabilities. Good timing. Apologies.<00:17:01.120> Hi.
• Council on Developmental Disabilities. Council on Developmental Disabilities.
• But I feel that disable security.

Keywords: 910, house, all

Summary: The joint hearing opened with SB 1442, which would update the statute governing the Child and Adolescent Mental Health Division and clarify its role as the state Medicaid provider of intensive mental health services for children and adolescents with serious emotional disturbance. The Department of Health testified in strong support, saying the current statute is outdated and warning against any unfunded mandate because the division relies on federal funding and faces uncertainty about future resources. Written testimony from several organizations also supported the bill. The committees took no immediate action and said they would hold decision-making until later. The hearing then moved to SB 479 on ABLE savings accounts. The Hawaii State Council on Developmental Disabilities and the Hawaii Disability Rights Center supported the measure, arguing that ABLE accounts help people with disabilities save money without losing benefits and that the state needs more outreach and staffing to expand participation. A testifier with a disability said the bill would help people keep Social Security and housing stability. The chair indicated an intention to move the bill forward, and asked about funding; the discussion settled on a requested appropriation of about $75,000 for incentives. Next, SB 1245 on reimbursement of pharmacists drew broad support from the Hawaii Pharmacists Association, rural pharmacies, the Hawaii Primary Care Association, and others, who said the bill would improve access to care, especially on neighbor islands and in rural communities, and help pharmacies participate in 340B-related services. The Insurance Division and HMSA raised concerns about bill language, saying it could be read to cover pharmacists outside an insurer’s network and that the scope of reimbursable services needed clarification; the pharmacists’ association said the bill is intended to apply only to in-network pharmacists and should continue to reference existing scope-of-practice law. The hearing also took up SB 1279, which would allow pharmacists to authorize medications via telehealth under certain circumstances. The State Board of Pharmacy opposed the bill, citing patient safety, a pilot project with reported errors, concerns about controlled substances and unregulated technicians, and the view that in-person pharmacist services are safer and already available on the affected islands. Several pharmacies and health care groups supported the measure as a way to preserve 340B access and improve service on Lānaʻi and Molokaʻi, while some local pharmacies said they already provide in-person service and opposed remote dispensing. No votes were taken in the portion of the hearing provided.