Transcript Highlights:

• You've already brought up the fact that the costs incurred are controlled by the municipalities, by the
• We have heard the argument that municipalities have control over their employer costs for the retirement
• We have heard the argument that municipalities have control over their employer costs for the retirement
• comes a rural development uh utility comes a rural development uh utility program<00:46:33.240><
• the grant funding to farmers utilize the grant funding to increase<01:11:08.719> resiliency<01

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The Finance Committee held a hearing on several bills and announced at the outset that no votes would be taken because the measures would go to divisions later. The first major bill, HB 197, would require the state to pay 7.5% of political subdivision employer pension contributions for teachers, police officers, and firefighters. Representative Mike Edgar, the prime sponsor, argued the state had repeatedly reduced and then eliminated its promised share of retirement costs, shifting the burden to municipalities and property taxpayers. He said the bill would partially restore that commitment and provide relief to local governments, businesses, and taxpayers. Several witnesses testified in support of HB 197, including Representative John Cluder, Bradford selectman Marlene Fryer, the New Hampshire Municipal Association’s Margaret Burns, and Epping representative Mark Fone. Supporters said the bill would help with property tax pressure, school budgets, and municipal hiring, and they emphasized that much of the retirement cost reflects unfunded liability decisions made at the state level rather than by local governments. Committee members questioned whether the bill would change local incentives to control costs and how it would affect hiring and compensation. Burns said the state contribution would function as property tax relief because it offsets existing municipal expenses, and she noted the state is already on a long-term schedule to pay down the retirement system’s unfunded liability. After closing the hearing on HB 197, the committee opened a hearing on HB 97, introduced by Representative Tom Buco. He said the bill would continue funding for delayed and deferred wastewater projects and help municipalities finance expensive wastewater infrastructure, which he tied to housing development and local debt planning. No action or votes were taken on either bill during the hearing.

Transcript Highlights:

• These three positions will be utilized at Blanchard Springs State Park.
• These three positions will be utilized at the Blanchard Springs State Park.
• Approval of the request will allow the department's State Medical Board to utilize the listed fiscal
• Like, what was—like, who was in control of this runaway train?

Keywords: 1204, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Second reading of bills: HB 2016 Utility Relocation; 2800 Ignition and Interlock Devices; 2815 Misconduct
• already required in health care for maternal mortality, surgical complications, infectious diseases, controlled
• that our constituents want us to be working on are lowering the cost of housing and health care and utilities
• House Bill 2074 ...are lowering the cost of housing and health care and utilities.

Keywords: 1182, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Representative, I believe it would just apply to those who are utilizing the service and are on one of
• Hayes, do you have a sense for how many people would be affected by this right now—that is, those utilizing
• So it's really, to the extent that our members are utilizing these services today, it's going to be a
• And gives retirees appropriate control over their own retirement benefits.

Bills: HB3015, HB3521, HB5632, HJR182, SJR57

Keywords: healthcare, direct primary care, insurance deductibles, Texas Health Benefit Plans, telemedicine, police retirement, disability pension, municipalities, law enforcement, retirement benefits, retirement, beneficiary, Employees Retirement System of Texas, divorce decree, beneficiary designation, Veterans' Land Board, general obligation bonds, constitutional amendment, veterans, housing assistance

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:13:11.920> our thousands of visitors who utilize our thousands of visitors who utilize
• I the I control the >> I'm sorry. I the I control the committee. committee. committee.
• <01:39:51.119> the consumers and they get to control the consumers and they get to control
• Uh we also that utilize that facility.
• ,<02:47:15.760> it's expensive replacement of utilities, it's expensive replacement of utilities

Transcript Highlights:

• are costs outside of a County's control are costs outside of a County's control toand<00:24:58.360
• Minnesota has been a world leader in utilizing cellular therapies for these disorders.
• <00:52:35.680> cellular a world leader in utilizing cellular a world leader in utilizing cellular
• <01:10:12.719> the have no heat or other utilities the have no heat or other utilities the
• funding section three we can can utilize funding section three we can can utilize best<01:17:56.800

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• They showed pictures of me in a miniskirt and argued that I was a dominatrix, suggesting I controlled
• Unfortunately, the system wanted to control me under the guise of protection.
• But prior to 1993, counties could give control of the jail to a local Department of Corrections.
• But I know we are utilizing all the tools in the programming.
• And I think it's a matter of training, really utilizing 18611.

Summary: The committee heard testimony on several public safety bills, with most of the discussion focused on AB 1650, AB 2014, AB 1886, AB 2126, AB 2624, and AB 2257. AB 1650 would require clearer identification on privately owned vehicles rented or leased to government agencies for enforcement operations; supporters framed it as a transparency and safety measure in response to ICE activity, while no opposition testified. AB 2014 would allow post-conviction habeas relief where gender bias or stereotypes were used at trial and may have affected the outcome; supporters described cases involving sexist and anti-LGBTQ stereotypes, while the California District Attorneys Association opposed the bill as overbroad and likely to restrict relevant evidence, though the author said recent amendments removed the evidence-code provisions and left only the habeas remedy. AB 1886 would extend a 12-month probation presumption to youth in out-of-home placements and those discharged from secure youth treatment facilities; youth advocates supported it as a fairness and rehabilitation measure, while judges, probation officials, and district attorneys opposed it as undoing a recent compromise and limiting individualized decisions. AB 2126 would speed hiring of peer partners in child welfare by creating a narrow exemption process for certain foster-youth-related offenses; it drew broad support and no opposition. AB 2624 would expand the Safe at Home address-confidentiality program to immigrant service providers, employees, and volunteers; supporters cited threats, doxing, and harassment, while one journalist opposed it over possible effects on reporting, and the author and committee members said the bill preserves press protections and is narrowly aimed at threats and harassment. AB 2257 would restore county authority to create a separate corrections department to run jails instead of the sheriff; supporters argued it would improve accountability and address jail deaths and fiscal problems, while sheriffs opposed it as unnecessary and said sheriffs are already subject to oversight. The committee also noted several bills pulled by their authors and adopted a consent calendar of unrelated measures. Votes were not always taken immediately because the committee was waiting for a quorum, but AB 2624 was moved on a do-pass-as-amended motion to Appropriations and left on call, and the chair indicated support or favorable recommendations on several of the other measures.

Transcript Highlights:

• It includes a repeal of the controlled<01:05:00.799> substances<01:05:01.440> tax,<01:05
• :02.400> establishes<01:05:02.960> a controlled substances tax, establishes a controlled
• And then the sections 50 and 58, paragraphs B and D, which is the repeal of the controlled substance
• And then the sections 50 and 58, paragraphs B and D, which is the repeal of the controlled substance
• substance tax and repeal of the control substance tax and then<01:23:49.199> all<01:23:49.520

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I'm a strong supporter of local control in many different ways and appreciate you working with labor
• I'm a strong supporter of local control in many different ways and appreciate you working with labor
• local decision, and I'm confident that individual communities, and that's why we believe in local control
• Flexibility and local control are critical for our colleges to effectively support student enrollments
• Many of the needs are driven by funding sources beyond the control of our local elected boards.

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Utilization reviews are not available. Patient services are not available.
• If we do this, what controls do they have to not just say, "Hey, we're going to go...
• I would say that we cannot control others. behavior of lack of standard or professionalism.
• Prescribing drugs and devices, including controlled substances. Is that accurate?
• ...including controlled substances. Is that...? I just want to know if...

Bills: HB35, HB4490, HB4454, HB2188, HB3078, HB4743, HB2556, HB46, HB5342, HB4783, HB3785, HB5278, HB1639, HB2581, HB4224, HB4070, HB4099, HB4882, HB3794, HB46

Keywords: peer support, first responders, mental health, confidentiality, emergency services, disclosure, next of kin, public information, deceased persons, privacy rights, patient solicitation, marketing practices, healthcare regulation, task force, deceptive advertising, nurse aide, certification, Texas Board of Nursing, healthcare workforce, nursing standards

Transcript Highlights:

• So that's local control.
• And I think one of the control.
• So that's local control. So if years. So that's local control.
• That's local control. I just got a follow-up. That's local control, right?
• That's local control. I just got a follow-up. That's local control.

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• House Bill 1330, local option alcoholic beverage control law; revised definition of qualified resort
• known as 1129 Sharon Road, area outside Oktibbeha County local control, area in Simpson County, area
• , and area in town of Como, about 200 acres in Smith County, local control, Co-Lin campus in Wesson,
• Chisholm... control, area in Simpson County, area in control, area in Simpson County, area in Lamar<00
• House Bill 1563, Municipal Utilities Revised: composition of the commission.

Keywords: MS Senate Floor - 31 March, 2026; 10:00 AM, 925, all

Summary: The Senate convened with a quorum present, received an invocation from Dr. Reginald Anderson, and recited the pledge of allegiance. The journal and committee reports were dispensed with by voice vote. Early in the meeting, senators also introduced guests, including Dr. Adrian Gilliam Pierre as doctor of the day and several school groups and community visitors in the galleries. A major portion of the session was devoted to recognizing student athletes and coaches through commendation resolutions. The Senate honored the Northside High School Gators boys basketball team for winning its first Class 2A state championship, the Morton High School Panthers boys basketball team for winning the 2025 Class 4A title, East Rankin Academy teams for multiple championships, Simpson County Academy’s boys cross country team and Lily Overby, Brookhaven Academy’s fast-pitch softball team, and several other schools and programs. The chamber also recognized Mississippi artist Castro Coleman (Mr. Sipp) for his music contributions, and later introduced the Meridian High School Choir, Brookhaven Academy fifth graders, and David Hoke, who has delivered Bibles to all 50 state legislatures. The Senate then took up nominations and approved three by advise-and-consent: Kent Gerard Nico to the Mississippi Hospital Equipment and Facilities Authority, Marcus Jones Martin to the State Tax Appeals Board, and Keith Allen Williams Jr. to the Mississippi Business Finance Corporation. After that, Senator Kirby moved to suspend the rules and take up a large block of commending resolutions, which the Senate agreed to consider together. The block included numerous resolutions honoring schools, athletes, educators, and community figures, and the Senate agreed to proceed to final passage by roll call with no objection noted.

Transcript Highlights:

• <01:13:37.400> or companies subject to control or companies subject to control or influence
• <02:08:32.119> by information uh environment control by information uh environment control
• I don't have control over how our education system works.
• I don't have control over how our education system works.
• Thank you very much. intake I don't have control over how our intake I don't have control over how our

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• And that number will continue to shrink as the total utilization goes up over time.
• really an issue of volume of claims that are submitted for payment, which is obviously not in the control
• And the way that we structure the contracts is that as utilization goes up, the amount that we give them
• Then the State Controller gives us a monthly drip.
• did put the, for the three-year weighted trailing average, the percentages that we were going to utilize

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Wyoming has significant potential in carbon management, including CO2 utilization and sequestration,
• management, including CO2 utilization management, including CO2 utilization and<01:08:16.080>
• I won't go through where all those are, but I would propose that we open this up so that we can utilize
• <01:10:45.120> some<01:10:45.360> of<01:10:45.520> our so that we can utilize
• some of our so that we can utilize some of our largest<01:10:47.040> resource<01:10:48.000>

Bills: HB0120, HB0043, HB0128

Keywords: energy production, natural gas, industrial sovereignty, manufacturing, tax exemptions, money laundering, illegal investment, financial institutions, criminal activity, Wyoming legislation, severance tax, oil production, tax exemption, energy sector, economic impact, 916, all

Transcript Highlights:

• It would only allow them to actually control 1.5% of the retail market.
• So if you don't have control over your inventory, you don't have control over your company.
• The Cannabis Control Commission has focused mostly on its efforts on record.
• Your bills and laws control us.
• Licenses one licensee can control. So I sell, I'm the head of our sales.

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The Joint Committee on Cannabis Policy held its first hearing of the 194th session to take public testimony on 21 cannabis-related bills. Chairs Donahue and Gómez outlined hearing procedures and noted that written testimony would also be accepted. Much of the hearing focused on the Cannabis Control Commission (CCC), with Senator Mike Moore urging support for S. 90 to create an inspector general unit within the CCC. He argued the commission has suffered from dysfunction, workplace harassment allegations, delayed governance reforms, missed fee collections, and high legal costs, and said stronger legislative oversight is needed. Committee members largely agreed the CCC needs reform, though some expressed hope that new leadership would improve operations. A major theme was market structure and business viability. Representative Tyler testified for H. 183 to raise adult-use purchase limits from one ounce to two ounces, saying the change would reduce confusion and help retailers compete with neighboring states. Senator Payano supported S. 100, which would require a study of cannabis supply and demand to guide cultivation licensing, warning that oversupply is driving down prices and threatening cultivators. The Massachusetts Cannabis Coalition, represented by Ryan Dominguez, backed a package of bills aimed at increasing revenue, reducing regulatory burdens, attracting investment, and stabilizing the market, including higher purchase limits, simpler badge and testing rules, and a phased increase in the retail license cap. Attorneys Kevin Conroy and Mike Ross also supported raising the cap, arguing that the industry lacks capital and that more investment and exit opportunities are needed for provisional and distressed licensees. The most contentious issue was whether to raise the retail license cap from three to six. Supporters, including several business owners and industry advocates such as Peyton Shubrick, Tito Jackson, Armani White, Sean Burt, and others, said the current cap traps owners in declining businesses, prevents exits, and limits access to capital. They argued that many social equity and economic empowerment operators are struggling, that oversupply has pushed prices down, and that allowing more ownership could help businesses scale or sell. Opponents, including Senator Liz Miranda and several social equity operators, warned that lifting the cap now would let larger operators and multi-state companies dominate the market and harm equity-owned businesses. Miranda’s S. 88 would instead strengthen enforcement of ownership limits through audits, whistleblower protections, an anonymous tip line, and greater transparency. Another major topic was worker and consumer safety: Laura Bruno, Danny Carson, Al Vega, and others supported H. 194 after the death of Lorna McMurray, arguing for a CCC workplace and consumer safety department, better ventilation and PPE standards, stronger testing oversight, and retaliation protections for workers. The hearing ended without votes, with members thanking testifiers and indicating the committee would continue reviewing the bills.

Transcript Highlights:

• that the parent doesn't feel like they have parental control anymore.
• that the parent doesn't feel like they have parental control anymore.
• that the parent doesn't feel like they have parental control anymore.
• that the parent doesn't feel like they have parental control anymore.
• that the parent doesn't feel like they have parental control anymore.

Keywords: 00:00:00 Introductions 00:00:22 Roll Call 00:01:56 Discussion on SB 85 00:14:03 Vote on SB 85 00:16:15 Explanation of Agency Amendment 00:19:04 Voice Vote on Amendment 00:19:33 Discussion on Kentucky Foster Children Housing, 958, all

Summary: The committee first took up Senate Bill 85, sponsored by Senator Meredith, which would move the Office of the Ombudsman from the Cabinet for Health and Family Services to the State Auditor’s office and make related cleanup changes. Meredith said the bill grew out of a prior task force and a two-year transition from Senate Bill 48, and he argued the move would create independence, improve access to the ITWIST database, ensure complaints are not lost in the handoff, and add confidentiality protections for whistleblowers. Auditor Allison Ball and her staff said the bill would codify access and procedures after earlier disputes and a court-mediated settlement, and they described the measure as necessary to make the new structure work effectively. Members asked how the Ombudsman would handle complaints and verify services in cases involving waiver recipients and other cabinet services. Ball and her staff said the Ombudsman would investigate complaints, make inquiries, and provide accountability outside the cabinet structure, with timelines and procedures similar to the Auditor’s office. The committee also discussed staffing and whether the office would need more personnel; Ball said the office already had about 100 people but could use more. The bill passed 10-0 with favorable expression. The committee then approved an agency amendment to administrative regulation 922 KAR 1:001490 concerning foster parent background checks. Cabinet staff explained the amendment corrected a drafting error by removing references to civil determinations in a second section of the regulation because the system cannot search those determinations, while still allowing the required checks under state and federal law. Senator Herron asked what a civil determination meant, and staff said it could involve a court finding in a custody or abuse case, though such findings are now typically handled through the child abuse and neglect registry. The amendment was adopted. Afterward, the committee began a discussion on Kentucky foster children housing and related issues. Ball and Ombudsman staff presented a preliminary assessment of children placed in office buildings, saying the review covered 49 children placed over a four-month period and showed a different picture than the public narrative of only older, high-acuity youth. They reported that some children had no documented behavioral or disability issues, many came directly from home, the average age was 13, the average stay was four nights, and placements were spread across several regions rather than centered only in Louisville. Members raised concerns about the lack of formal policies and procedures, staff safety, and how to ensure children are treated appropriately, and Ball said the Ombudsman was continuing a deeper review. No final action was taken on that discussion in the portion provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• These practices undermine a foster youth's control over their daily life, send a harmful message to youth
• If needed, a review of the child's child and adolescent needs and strengths assessment can be utilized
• Utilizing statewide funding to build out our family-finding efforts.
• be that they aren't done; they're just not done yet because of waiting lists that are out of our control
• Of waiting lists that are out of our control for behavioral health or other needs.

Summary: The hearing covered several child welfare, human services, tribal housing, child care, and long-term care bills. SB 1099 would clarify local governments’ authority to provide state or local public benefits to all residents under PRWORA; SB 1190 would regulate private youth transport services by requiring permits, background checks, training, and bans on blindfolds, hoods, restraints, and overnight pickups; SB 1322 would streamline tribal access to Community Care Expansion housing grants and better align the process with tribal sovereignty; SB 1109 would require an annual license renewal review for STRTPs with five or more Type A citations in a year; SB 1234 would require fentanyl testing in juvenile dependency cases when a court finds a risk of fentanyl use; SB 991 would require DSS to identify the specific type of abuse on its public licensing database; SB 1200 would redefine “infant” for family child care ratio purposes as under 18 months; and SB 1345 would strengthen foster youth rights regarding access to and dignified transport of personal belongings. The committee also approved a consent calendar including SB 534, SB 1410, and SB 1421. Testimony was largely in support of the measures, often from authors, advocates, county officials, and people with lived experience. Supporters of SB 1190 described traumatic youth transport practices and argued for basic safety standards. SB 1322 supporters said tribal grantees face unnecessary delays and collateral demands that conflict with sovereignty. SB 1109 drew support from county probation officers who cited repeated serious violations and public safety concerns at STRTPs, while the chair ultimately opposed the bill as duplicative of existing CDSS authority. SB 1234 drew emotional support from a grandparent who lost a child to fentanyl, but also opposition from the Drug Policy Alliance and a dependency attorney, who argued the bill was redundant, vague, and could create biased or unnecessary testing; amendments were accepted to narrow the standard. SB 991 supporters said the public needs more specific information about abuse findings, SB 1200 supporters said the change would expand infant care capacity and help working families, and SB 1345 supporters said foster youth deserve dignity rather than having belongings packed in trash bags. Votes were taken after quorum was established. SB 991, SB 1200, SB 1345, SB 1190, SB 1234, SB 1322, and SB 1099 were all reported out of committee, most on unanimous or near-unanimous votes; SB 1234 passed 6-0 as amended to Appropriations, and SB 1099 later had a vote change recorded, ending 5-1. SB 1109 did not advance after the motion failed for lack of a second, and it was held in committee. The committee then adjourned and transitioned into an oversight hearing reviewing the outcomes of AB 2247 (placement stability and notice protections for foster youth) and AB 2496, with presenters discussing how the earlier foster youth placement law has changed practice and the importance of dignity, notice, and youth voice in placement decisions.

Transcript Highlights:

• And yes, that includes doubling down and increasingly. the budget in the nominally Republican-controlled
• thing this session, and only one thing, it was to get the crushing burden of property taxes under control
• In a decade, not because costs are going out of control, not because your school systems are collapsing
• Additionally, it requires compliance to mitigate, mitigation plans for utilities, and allows for liability
• facts finding additionally it requires that the compliance to mitigate for mitigation plans for utilities

Summary: The House met in a late-session floor session that began with prayer, pledges, quorum, and a series of excused absences and Senate messages reporting action on numerous bills, conference committee appointments, and conference reports. Members also adopted a memorial resolution honoring Mark James Hanna, a Capitol lobbyist and advocate for nurses, and a congratulatory resolution for Rishi Tarumalasetti, an eighth-grade civics bee winner from Katy. The chamber also received and recorded a parliamentary colloquy about an unusual Senate request on SB 293, with the Chair stating the House could not recede from only part of its amendments and could not suspend the rules because the bill had not been returned from the Senate. The bulk of the session was devoted to taking up conference committee reports and related procedural resolutions, especially the state budget. The House adopted a resolution allowing the SB 1 conferees to go outside the normal bounds, then adopted the SB 1 conference report on a 107-21 vote. Debate on the budget centered on public education funding, tax relief, health care, corrections pay, and judicial compensation, with supporters calling it a responsible compromise and opponents arguing it was overly expansive and insufficient on property tax relief. The House also adopted a technical correction resolution tying judicial pay increases in SB 1 to the House version of SB 293, and members discussed at length the relationship between judicial salaries and legislative pensions. The chamber then adopted a long series of conference reports on measures covering topics such as school library review and book challenges (SB 13), SNAP restrictions on sweetened drinks and candy (SB 379), hospital price transparency (SB 331), nursing home accountability (SB 457), school district personnel compensation conflicts (HB 3372), property notice rules (HB 2011), research and development tax credits (SB 2018), and several other bills affecting elections, permits, education, and criminal justice. Most reports passed by wide margins, though some drew significant opposition, especially SB 13 and SB 379. The House also granted several Senate requests for conference committees and introduced additional resolutions to suspend conferee limits on various bills as the session moved toward adjournment.

Transcript Highlights:

• Kennedy into law. and allow the courts to make decisions in the future with regard to how things are utilized
• with that some of the license to carry a concealed weapon, an appraisal district document showing a utility
• This amendment requires the Texas controller of public. to provide the county with an estimate of the
• the staff that are going to be required to cover the cost of this bill, that information from the control
• We can control our own mandate, But by kicking open the barn doors and requiring 287Gs, we are putting

Keywords: HCR65, HCR19, Senate resolutions, memorial, community impact, legislative proceedings

Summary: The recent Senate meeting primarily covered two resolutions, HCR65 and HCR19, both of which were passed unanimously with little to no opposition. HCR65 was introduced in memory of Tracy Lee Vincent of Longview, while HCR19 was presented to honor the late Terrell Lynn Roberts of Angleton. The meeting included brief addresses from several senators, who shared personal reflections on the impacts of the individuals being honored and expressed gratitude for their contributions to the community. This collaborative atmosphere showcased the members' capacity for camaraderie and respect, emphasizing the importance of human connection in legislative proceedings.