Transcript Highlights:

• it until it stops driving.
• it until it stops driving.
• it until it stops driving.
• They drive around our roads. Hampshire. They drive around our roads.
• drive in our state. It's a privilege. drive in our state. It's a privilege.

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• What I'm saying is there are forces that drive energy prices up and there are forces that drive energy
• What I'm saying is there are forces that drive energy prices up and there are forces that drive energy
• . hard. hard.
• <00:52:08.319> down useful program for us driving down useful program for us driving down
• pushed so hard on moving to clean. pushed so hard on moving to clean.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• But I didn't understand the part when you talked about driving up health costs.
• Very hard. Thank you. Thank you for being here, and condolences on the loss of your father.
• For me, it's hard to know which holds truer.
• I know this is hard, but I’m going to ask you to try to keep it short if you could, sir.
• It's hard to come up here and talk to you after hearing all these stories.

Summary: The Senate Judiciary Committee heard three bills. SB 514, by Senator Harrell, clarified that medical quality review committees used by managing entities are treated like other medical review committees for purposes of civil liability and public records protections. The committee adopted a Harrell amendment removing the word “malpractice” from the title, heard support from the Florida Hospital Association, Florida Association of Managing Entities, and Florida Smart Justice Alliance, and then voted 11-0 to report the bill favorably. The committee then took up SB 734, by Senator Yarborough, which would repeal the current wrongful death exception that bars certain parents and adult children from recovering non-economic damages in medical negligence cases. The bill drew extensive testimony from families describing deaths they said were caused by medical negligence and from supporters including AARP and the Florida Justice Association, while opponents from the health care, insurance, and business sectors argued it would raise malpractice premiums, increase litigation, worsen physician shortages, and reduce access to care. After debate, the committee voted 9-2 to report the bill favorably. Finally, SB 538, by Senator Bradley, was presented as the state courts legislative package. It updates court operations by clarifying duty judge requirements, removing a location limit on duty hearings, repealing a cap on arbitrator compensation in court-ordered non-binding arbitration, and allowing alternative judicial authentication of oaths and acknowledgments when a court seal is unavailable. The bill received supportive waiver forms from the Florida Bar ADR section and several judges, and was reported favorably on an 11-0 vote. The committee then adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• Is that an unexpected... ...plant failure when Don drives to the front door? Mr.
• So these are the programs through which we engage in that drive demand piece.
• A lot of hard work went into working with travel writers.
• I think that will drive attendance.
• The county, Sandoval County, worked very hard on that. It was a joint effort.

Keywords: 996, all

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:19:10.000> industrial Spindle Top helped drive industrial Spindle Top helped drive industrial
• And American and driving up costs.
• You can't drive through South Georgia or North Florida without driving past Sunny's Barbecue.
• > and<03:04:23.680> love Hard work, generosity, grit, and love Hard work, generosity, grit
• do not have to see their hard-earned do not have to see their hard-earned money<03:27:13.359>

Keywords: U.S. House of Representatives Floor Proceedings on Friday, January 9, 2026, 1012, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• It takes an enormous toll on those who have it, and this is where it gets very hard for me.
• We know that the peripheral, or systemic effects drive brain disease.
• We have the peace, we have the infrastructure, we have the drive, and we have the need.
• Story and coming in, driving actually all the way in from Houston.
• I was hard to diagnose. I called on neurologists in my job.

Bills: SB5, SJR3, SB 5, SJR 3

Keywords: dementia, research institute, Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, funding, grants, state health initiatives, research funding, state budget, prevention, healthcare, medical research, Dementia Prevention and Research Institute, disaster relief, flood preparedness, emergency funding, local government support, meteorological forecasting, district apportionment, legislative rules

Transcript Highlights:

• And it's a hard time.
• So it's really hard to know how. ...a large issue is.
• So I'm going to have to drive over.
• So then I go, and I'll drive, and I'll submit it.
• That wasn't so hard to say, right? That wasn't so hard to answer. It's the same answer that...

Bills: HB2442, HB3697, HB4288, HB5256, HB5337, HB5362, HJR161

Keywords: HB 2442, Texas Election Code, Election Code Section 84.001, early voting, ballot by mail, mail ballot, absentee voting, runoff election, primary runoff, general runoff, voter application, election administration, county election officials, opt-out, voter choice, mail voting, ballot application, voting by mail, Election Code, size requirements

Transcript Highlights:

• They can drive the tractor, they can drive the truck, they can drive the crawfish boat, but they can't
• So we need to take a hard look at those classifications as well.
• And we have tried hard.
• And she gives me a hard time. That's why I'll say it. They don't work. So it's not just your age.
• The market isn't, I guess, populated enough to where individuals can drive in.

Summary: The Senate Committee on Agriculture, Forestry, and Rural Development met on May 12, 2026, approved the April 28 minutes, and heard extensive testimony on House Concurrent Resolution 77, which urges federal action to address labor shortages affecting Louisiana’s crawfish industry and other seasonal employers. Representative Butler, Commissioner Strain, industry representatives, landscapers, nursery operators, and Farm Bureau supporters argued that H-2A/H-2B visa limits and processing delays are hurting crawfish processors, landscapers, nurseries, and related businesses, causing lost production, higher costs, and broader economic harm. Members emphasized that the workers discussed are legal guest workers, not illegal immigration, and several senators voiced support. HCR 77 was reported favorably, with a motion to co-author also noted. The committee then considered House Bill 81 on property rights and accountability for violations. Representative Boyer presented the bill, but Senator Long asked that it be voluntarily deferred so he could work on possible amendments and improve the measure before it advances. The author agreed, and the bill was deferred. The committee also heard and acted on several bills related to agricultural policy and food systems. House Bill 512, concerning cell-cultured meat, was presented as a measure to protect livestock producers and allow continued research while prohibiting the product; after questions about research and labeling, it was reported favorably. House Bill 717, a labeling companion measure for cell-cultured meat, was also reported favorably. House Bill 1194, which would direct the LSU AgCenter to study food deserts and develop a plan, drew concern from the AgCenter over capacity and funding; members agreed to report it without action so it could be recommitted to finance and worked on further. Finally, House Bill 663, revising the membership of the Delta Economic Research and Sustainability District board, was presented on behalf of the absent author and reported favorably. The committee then adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• driving. That'd be great. driving. That'd be great. >> Yeah.<00:04:38.080> Mr.
• And I, um, the distracted driving pilot?
• But if that were to turn into a video screen, I, I, it's already hard enough driving.
• But if that were to turn into a video screen, I, I, it's already hard enough driving.
• It's already hard enough driving. I couldn't imagine this. So, I applaud you for doing that.

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• They have seen accidents and fatalities because of drunk driving fall.
• Can you imagine the speed when this man was driving?
• And this bill is a very valid attempt to prevent the driving.
• It's where people are forced to stand there and cars drive through, drive up, and pick them up as Ms.
• I am driving a vehicle, different standards.

Summary: The committee heard several public safety measures, beginning with housekeeping items and the adoption of a four-bill consent calendar. Bills on the consent calendar included AB 476 on metal theft, AB 619 on California Conservation Corps training for formerly incarcerated people, AB 1192 on child abuse or neglect reporting, and AB 1239 on human trafficking data. Several bills were pulled by the authors before hearing, and the committee also announced that AB 379 would be heard with a file notice waiver and AB 63 would be for testimony only. The most extensive discussion was on AB 366, which would require ignition interlock devices for anyone convicted of DUI. The author, Senator Archuleta, and a MADD representative gave emotional testimony about family members killed by drunk drivers and argued the bill would save lives. Support came from law enforcement, fire, medical, auto club, and safety groups. Opposition from public defenders and criminal justice advocates focused on loss of judicial discretion, costs for low-income drivers, and concerns about vendor oversight and effectiveness. The committee voted to pass AB 366 as amended to Appropriations. The committee also heard AB 1380, which would create a permanent pathway into firefighting careers for formerly incarcerated people who served on Cal Fire hand crews. The author and supporters said the bill would recognize service, improve reentry, and reduce recidivism; a fire labor group withdrew its opposition after amendments were discussed. The measure passed to Appropriations, though it remained on call pending one additional vote. AB 461, which would remove criminal penalties for parents of truant K-8 students and replace them with supportive responses, drew broad support from education and justice advocates but no opposition testimony; it was also passed to Appropriations and left on call pending one more vote. ACR 60, recognizing the Downey Police Department’s special-needs communication program for interactions with people with disabilities or sensory challenges, was adopted unanimously. The committee then heard AB 746 on creating an inmate cooperative program and a green reentry reserve for incarcerated workers. Supporters said it would build job skills, dignity, and reentry success; there was no opposition testimony. The bill passed to Appropriations and was left on call pending votes. Finally, AB 379 on human trafficking drew strong support from survivor advocates, law enforcement, and local officials for creating a survivor services fund and targeting buyers, but also strong opposition from survivors and civil liberties groups who warned it would criminalize vulnerable people and revive harmful loitering enforcement. The committee discussion continued with members weighing survivor support, public safety tools, and concerns about the bill’s amendments and scope.

Transcript Highlights:

• Or, you've got a bad driving record. Maybe both.
• Take the course, save some money, and drive insured.
• That's why I mentioned the vehicles that I saw driving up.
• Hard to think about taxing folks. When we're in a pinch, they're in a pinch.
• And that's really hard. So, we got a lot of that yesterday.

Transcript Highlights:

• Driving unlicensed is no different than driving under the influence, in my opinion, of an intoxicating
• <00:12:18.399> unlicensed offender had eight driving unlicensed offender had eight driving
• time driving time driving unlicensed.<00:12:33.519> Since<00:12:33.839> that<00:12
• different<00:13:10.399> than Driving unlicensed is no different than Driving unlicensed
• ,<00:13:12.880> in<00:13:13.120> my driving under the influence, in my driving under

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• was unable to drive them since I had to get my kids off to school in the morning.
• was unable to drive them since I had to get my kids off to school in the morning.
• Thank you for all the hard work that goes on.
• Thank you for all the hard work that goes on.
• And I can't reasonably get to either without driving.

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The committee heard testimony on a wide range of transportation bills focused on rural microtransit, commuter rail fares and service, rail electrification, climate alignment, and safety. Several speakers supported H. 4054 and related microtransit proposals, arguing that rural communities need stable, permanent funding for services like the Tri-Town Connector and Quaboag Connector, which have strong ridership, high satisfaction, and measurable economic and health benefits. Testimony also supported a commission bill to study microtransit funding and definitions, with witnesses emphasizing that current grant programs are helpful but short-term and insufficient for long-term service planning. A major theme was commuter rail equity and expansion. Boston-area officials and advocates backed bills to make all Boston commuter rail stations Zone 1A, citing large fare disparities between nearby stations in Hyde Park, Roslindale, and Readville. Related testimony supported studying an Orange Line extension from Forest Hills to Roslindale Square and expanding The Ride to Foxborough, as well as restoring commuter rail service to Cape Cod via Middleborough to Buzzards Bay and beyond. Speakers said these projects would improve access, reduce car dependence, and better serve neighborhoods and regions that currently face limited rapid transit options. Multiple panels urged action on electrification and climate-focused transportation planning, including H. 3726, the Freedom to Move Act, and bills to electrify commuter rail, buses, school buses, and public fleets. Advocates from environmental, transit, and public health groups said transportation is the state’s largest emissions source and argued that statutory goals, coordinated planning, and streamlined permitting are needed to speed decarbonization while improving safety, affordability, and reliability. The committee also heard support for a bill to streamline rail electrification permitting, a bill to exempt certain transit projects from MEPA review, and a bill to improve commuter rail pedestrian safety with gates, fencing, and warning devices at at-grade crossings. No votes were taken during the hearing.

Transcript Highlights:

• Hard to find. Yes, sir. And they're not cheap. Yes, sir. Great.
• Is it the operator or the owner of the driving system?
• To me, that connotes driving system. is the manufacturer's technology, is the software that's driving
• Automated driving systems have the potential to transform mobility, drive economic development, decrease
• Yeah, so it's, again, if the automated driving system is first of all engaged, right?

Bills: HB1540, HB3837, HB5571, SB370, SB2425

Keywords: government review, Texas Sunset Act, regulatory oversight, agencies, sunset provisions, autonomous vehicles, regulation, safety, criminal offense, Autonomous Vehicle Commission, registration, regulations, Level 4 automation, Level 5 automation, self-driving technology, traffic laws, permit system, collision reporting, safety standards, Automated Vehicle Commission

Transcript Highlights:

• We all share the goal of eliminating CWD, but driving breeders out of business isn't the solution. one
• <00:04:32.960> breeders eliminating CWD, but driving breeders eliminating CWD, but driving
• We've got a statute that was very hard to interpret.
• We've got a statute that was very<00:06:33.440> hard<00:06:33.600> to<00:06:33.840>
• The DNR did what very hard to interpret.

Keywords: 919, house, all

Summary: House File 40, authored by Representative Burkel, was heard and laid over. The bill would remove the statutory requirement that farmed deer/elk facilities maintain a physical barrier preventing contact with wild deer, and it would also strike language allowing revocation of registration and seizure/destruction of animals for fencing or escape violations. Burkel argued the current law is unfair to deer farmers, treats them differently than other livestock producers, and amounts to a regulatory taking of a legal agricultural enterprise. Supporters from the Minnesota Elk Breeders Association and Minnesota Deer Farmers Association said the 2023 secondary-fence requirement is expensive, difficult to implement on long-established properties, and has pushed some breeders out of the industry. They described costs ranging from tens of thousands to hundreds of thousands of dollars, said the DNR’s guidance is case-by-case and unclear, and argued that the penalty structure is too harsh for what they view as minor or unavoidable escape incidents. One testifier said the industry is being driven out of business and that the state should help pay for the fencing if it remains required. The DNR opposed the bill. Its enforcement representative said the physical-contact barrier is intended to reduce the risk of chronic wasting disease transmission and that removing penalties would leave little incentive for compliance. He said the agency continues to work with the roughly 10 noncompliant whitetail farms and that the DNR provides case-by-case review because farm topography varies. In committee questions, members discussed whether wild deer commonly travel along fence lines, whether ear-tagged deer have been found, and whether there is a standard approved fence design; the DNR said there is no single standard fence, only suggestions and review. Representative Burkel closed by reiterating his support for the bill and the committee then laid it over.

Transcript Highlights:

• These prescription drug middlemen have manipulated the market, driving up the costs of drugs and putting
• And so there's no duty to a patient to make sure that it is actually driving down insurance premiums
• Egg businesses are hard enough to operate and manage, and this legislative session has strived to make
• Egg businesses are hard enough to in the inner city of Massachusetts.
• Just want to say we're neutral and thank the bill sponsor and the proponents for their hard work.

Bills: AB93, AB204, AB414, AB504, AB598

Keywords: public employees, police officers, benefits, appropriation, law enforcement, medical debt, collection agency, healthcare, consumer protection, financial assistance, occupational safety, air quality, greenhouse gases, employee monitoring, safety program, hemp, hemp products, cannabidiol, CBD, cannabis

Transcript Highlights:

• Hugo, I've been pretty anti-drunk driving over the years, but I mean, does this bill just...
• Hugo, I've been pretty anti-drunk driving over the years, but I mean, does this bill just...
• <00:20:59.840> Hawaii<00:21:00.799> good Drunk Driving Hawaii good Drunk Driving Hawaii
• It's just hard to say. There's so many different ways that these things can be done, okay?
• Okay, next up is SB 356, relating to driving under the influence.

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Summary: The Judiciary Committee heard testimony on several bills. SB 335 would route objections by political party officers to candidate nomination papers through the Office of Elections. The State Election Director testified that his office was not the right venue for party-membership challenges because it could create conflicts and force the Attorney General to represent the chief election officer in court; members discussed whether all objections should instead go directly to Circuit Court, but no action was taken. SB 280 would expand first-degree negligent injury to cover injuries negligently caused by intoxicated drivers. The Public Defender opposed the bill as too harsh and urged either a lower penalty or clearer statutory definitions of “under the influence,” while the Prosecuting Attorney supported it as a needed increase in accountability for drunk drivers who actually injure someone. Committee members raised concerns about overlap with existing offenses, proportionality, and whether the change would increase jury-trial volume; the prosecutor responded that the bill would apply to a smaller subset of cases involving actual injury and would help ensure more serious treatment of those cases. The committee also heard SB 292, establishing Safe Harbor protections for survivors of sexual exploitation who seek medical or law enforcement assistance, with testimony in support from the Office of Hawaiian Affairs, HPD, U Alliance, and others, and no opposition. SB 31, concerning an additional penalty for dog owners whose dogs destroy property on agricultural land, drew only supportive testimony. SB 356 would require restitution in the form of financial support to the minor children of victims killed or disabled by an intoxicated driver; the Public Defender opposed it as better suited to civil court and questioned enforcement after probation, while the Prosecuting Attorney supported it and said courts can issue enforceable restitution orders. Testimony also strongly supported SB 1284, a proposed constitutional amendment prohibiting discrimination based on ethnicity, age, disability, ancestry, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, pregnancy, and pregnancy outcomes, with supporters arguing it would strengthen protections in response to current political conditions. No votes or final committee actions were taken in the excerpt.

Transcript Highlights:

• House Bill 2413 this morning, including media devices, all also known as hard drives, through competitive
• By the time we're done with a hard drive, and that's what we're really talking about—our hard drives—by
• The hard drives, basically.
• From a value perspective, the hard drive is basically worthless as part of that device.
• Finally, as my colleague said, the residual value of that hard drive is minimal, if not If not nothing

Keywords: 1184, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:07:22.720> to very, and let me stress very, hard to very, and let me stress very, hard
• Cole Davies said that when he was 11, he started pushing hard to learn how to drive and, at the same
• that can't drive themselves. that can't drive themselves.
• Our cars are fully driving.
• dynamic driving task. dynamic driving task. >> Thank<01:40:23.840> you.

Bills: HF3553, HF3513, HF3576

Keywords: vehicle platooning, transportation, public safety, pilot project, Wilkin County, Grant County, autonomous vehicles, transportation regulations, driverless cars, safety standards, first responder interaction, school bus, third-party testing, driver certification, transportation regulation, 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• And their decision should be simpler in driving it and driving it for the right decisions.
• And the decision should be simpler in driving it and driving it for the right decisions.
• And Carla and Bruce worked very hard on this.
• a different, it can drive a different outcome.
• If you're partying hard and can't get here, we'll understand. Mr.

Summary: The Higher Ed Funding Committee met to review how North Dakota might identify and address low-producing academic programs and to discuss draft funding formulas for the university system. Lisa Johnson of the NDUS explained that the State Board of Higher Education is already developing a system-wide policy, using models from other states such as Texas, Virginia, North Carolina, Colorado, Kentucky, Ohio, and Connecticut. She described how low-producing programs are typically flagged by multi-year enrollment or completion thresholds, then reviewed for workforce demand, mission fit, cost, accreditation, and regional need before any action is taken. Committee members asked about what counts as a program, how costs are analyzed, whether certificates are included, how exemptions work for mission-critical or high-demand fields, and whether the board or legislature should set the rules. Johnson said the board is the appropriate body to lead the process, but legislators could use funding leverage if they wanted to encourage action; the chair asked the board to bring a detailed proposal to the June meeting. The committee then heard a Legislative Council presentation on a draft formula for UND and NDSU. The proposal uses fall census FTE enrollment, with a placeholder undergraduate rate of $7,000 per FTE and a graduate/professional rate of $10,500, plus incentives for completions in in-demand fields and research productivity. Alex from Legislative Council walked through the projected funding effects, noting that the model would increase funding for NDSU and reduce it for UND in the current biennium, with different results in the next biennium as enrollment changes are recognized. Members questioned the use of the placeholder rates, the definition of in-demand programs, the treatment of research funding, and the exclusion of state-appropriated dollars from the external grants calculation. The chair emphasized that the numbers were illustrative and that appropriators would set the actual dollar amounts later. A second draft formula for the other nine institutions was also reviewed. That model uses fall census FTE without a weighted economic factor, applies a higher undergraduate rate, and adds completion incentives for in-demand credentials and all other completions. Members noted that the formula would benefit some institutions, such as Bismarck State College, while reducing funding for others, such as Mayville State, and discussed whether the nine institutions should be treated more uniformly or split into smaller groups because of their different missions and sizes. Committee members and staff repeatedly stressed that the formulas are still being refined and that some institutions would likely need hold-harmless adjustments or other transition measures. The meeting ended with the chair directing the committee to continue the discussion later and to expect further work on both the low-producing program policy and the funding formulas.