Video & Transcript Research : 'legislative procedure'
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MN
Transcript Highlights:
- We report the results of these investigations to the Office of the Legislative Auditor, and they also
- We report the results of these investigations to the Office of the Legislative Auditor, and they also
- I'm also one of the two faculty legislative liaisons.
- I'm also one of the two faculty legislative liaisons.
- I'm also one of the two faculty legislative liaisons.
AR
Arkansas 2026 Regular Session
ALZHEIMER'S DISEASE AND DEMENTIA ADVISORY COUNCIL Jul 9th, 2026
ALZHEIMER'S DISEASE AND DEMENTIA ADVISORY COUNCIL
Transcript Highlights:
- Do the legislative members that are here want to go ahead and introduce yourself as well?
- the agenda is consideration to adopt Alzheimer's Disease and Dementia Advisory Council Rules and Procedures
- the agenda is consideration to adopt Alzheimer's Disease and Dementia Advisory Council Rules and Procedures
- There's been increased community sponsorships outside of legislation, lots of programming happening.
- It's, unfortunately, you can't legislate more gerontologists and memory specialists.
FL
Florida 2026 5th Special Session
Finance and Tax Jan 28th, 2026
Transcript Highlights:
- Thank you, and thank you very much for coming up here and being the legislative chair for the Property
- Most of the time that process is its procedure will be updated and then we move on.
- Most of the time that process is its procedure will be updated and then we move on.
- ..legislation passed, sometimes that causes an impact in the state.
- It analyzes the impact of federal tax legislation.
Summary:
The committee took up three tax-related bills and a staff presentation on the state revenue forecast and the federal One Big Beautiful Bill Act. SB 856, by Senator DeSigley, would require online real estate listing platforms to display estimated property taxes using state-prescribed methods rather than the current owner’s taxes. Supporters from county, city, and property appraiser groups said the bill would improve transparency for homebuyers, especially first-time buyers and those facing large tax increases after a homestead cap reset. Senators discussed ensuring the estimate appears directly on listing platforms. The bill was reported favorably.
The committee then considered SB 110, by Senator Arrington, which clarifies that people holding 98-year-or-longer residential leases remain eligible for the homestead exemption even if the lease ends upon death, aligning such leases with life estates for estate-planning purposes. An amendment was adopted to clarify that leases terminating at the lessee’s death are valid under current law. The Florida Bar’s Real Property, Probate, and Trust Law Section supported the bill, and Senator Gates noted its importance for long-term leaseholders on barrier islands. The amended bill was reported favorably. SB 434, by Senator Leak, would prevent property tax assessments from increasing because of improvements made to harden homes against wind damage, such as stronger roof attachments, shutters, and secondary water barriers. The sponsor said homeowners should not be penalized for resilience upgrades, and the bill was also reported favorably.
Staff director Mr. Khan then reviewed the latest general revenue forecast, noting collections were running about $230 million above prior estimates through November and that the new forecast added roughly $500 million in the first budget year, with a smaller increase in the second year. He said corporate income tax was the main weakness in the forecast, due to softer collections and uncertainty around tariffs, while other sources were generally stronger. In the second half of the presentation, he explained that the federal One Big Beautiful Bill Act would significantly affect Florida’s corporate income tax base if fully conformed to, with an estimated $3.5 billion general revenue impact in fiscal year 2026-27, largely because of retroactive provisions such as bonus depreciation and research expensing. Senators and the appropriations chair discussed the budget implications, including possible ways to limit the impact through decoupling or prospective treatment. No votes were taken on the forecast presentation, and the committee adjourned after members requested to be recorded as voting in favor on SB 856 and SB 110.
TX
Transcript Highlights:
- we'll assemble a quorum as we proceed in the meeting and won't take any official action on any legislation
- Adopt rules establishing standardized procedures for the timely issuance of emergency notifications.
- Our industry began attending meetings on House Bill 20 on this legislation back in 2021.
- It also includes Robert's Rules of Order and formal meeting procedures.
- But, well again, nothing in the legislation, even in the substitute, precludes diversity.
NM
New Mexico 2025 Regular Session
IC - Courts, Corrections and Justice Sep 23rd, 2025
Courts, Corrections & Justice Committee
Transcript Highlights:
- They don't always get that service, and I think that it's important for us to recognize as legislators
- this and we'll do a hearing on this, but the APD (Albuquerque Police Department) has policies and procedures
- . those policies and procedures are a number of crimes for which individuals are not arrested in Albuquerque
- that everybody comes to us—the press, the public, the executive branch, and others—saying that we legislators
- In the last legislative session, and the additional gap funding that was made available in House Bill
FL
Florida 2025 Regular Session
Health Policy Apr 1st, 2025
Transcript Highlights:
- I know there's been a lot of discussion this legislative session about enhancing managed care oversight
- This legislation allows physicians utilize physicians, assistants and advanced practice, registered nurses
- It and they must use evidence-based practices and procedures for pediatric emergency care.
- the department, the emergency departments to conduct training specifically on the policies and procedures
- And as you remember back in 2023, we pass legislation. >> That was signed by the governor that allowed
WY
Wyoming 2026 Regular Session
Senate Corporations, Elections & Political Subdivisions Committee, February 25, 2026
Corporations, Elections & Political Subdivisions
Transcript Highlights:
- Uh, we're in favor of this piece of legislation. It's a solid piece of legislation.
- I just wanted to echo support of this legislation.
- Um this is of this of this legislation.
- He said that is very common in the western United States, but there is no procedure for it in Wyoming
- So it's not like that is our procedure.
NM
New Mexico 2025 Regular Session
IC - Legislative Health and Human Services Jun 25th, 2025
Legislative Health & Human Services Committee
Transcript Highlights:
- Uh, that would be the Legislative Finance Committee, Madam Chair. Thank you, Madam Chair.
- The effective date of the legislation.
- Yesterday, Monday was Legislative council, sorry.
- Hostak, I had significant reservations about This piece of legislation.
- Significantly diluted with this piece of legislation.
NH
New Hampshire 2025 Regular Session
House Criminal Justice and Public Safety (01/22/2025)
Criminal Justice and Public Safety
Transcript Highlights:
- <04:21:58.760>
that combined with other leg legislation that combined with other leg legislation - Well, I would say that abortion is distinct from other medical procedures because in other medical procedures
- I haven't seen the legislation I haven't seen the legislation representative<04:55:59.360>
so - You should not legislate people's bodies.
- You should not legislate people's bodies.
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
Committee on Health and Human Services - 04/08/26
Health and Human Services
Transcript Highlights:
- this day and age without any legislation this day and age without any legislation that<00:42:31.120
- ,<01:01:41.480>
inconsistent sex-rejecting procedures, inconsistent sex-rejecting procedures - <01:09:34.440>
done, procedures done, procedures done, um<01:09:36.000>that <01:09:36.160 - >
off <01:37:43.560>the This legislation will build off the This legislation will build - 01:58:20.200>
have legislators, such as yourselves, have legislators, such as yourselves, have
HI
Hawaii 2026 Regular Session
HSH-HLT Joint Public Hearing - Thu Mar 19, 2026 @ 9:30 AM HST
Human Services & Homelessness
Transcript Highlights:
- <00:16:25.079>
under unconstitutional procedures under unconstitutional procedures under Hawaiian - . procedures. procedures.
- This bill aligns with existing legislative intent.
- <01:31:50.200>
like be receive review under legislation like be receive review under legislation - Um so, we know doesn't need legislation.
Keywords:
mental health, crisis intervention, assisted community treatment, treatment orders, law enforcement training, public safety, court-ordered treatment, Medicaid, healthcare access, unlicensed professionals, supervised services, workforce development, mental health equity, child custody, evaluations, licensed counselors, family court, juvenile justice, waiver of jurisdiction, transfer to adult court
Summary:
The committee heard SB 709 SD2, which would require the Department of Health to respond to reports involving persons with severe mental illness, assess eligibility for assisted community treatment, and coordinate treatment when appropriate. Testimony from the Department of Human Services and the Department of Health supported the measure, with DOH saying it generally supported the bill but had comments on one section it viewed as unnecessary. The Department of Law Enforcement later explained that the bill would shift certification and standards for crisis intervention officer training from DOH to DLE, while still involving DOH in the training process.
Opposition came from the Hawaii Disability Rights Center and an individual testifier, both of whom argued the bill expands state authority over people with mental illness and could worsen forced treatment practices. The Disability Rights Center also raised procedural concerns, saying the bill was effectively moved from a prior administration measure that had not been heard this session, and questioned whether the bill’s changes to assisted community treatment, blood tests, urinalysis, and living arrangements went beyond current law. The individual testifier argued the bill would further entrench harmful psychiatric drugging and urged the committee to defer it.
Committee members questioned the administration about the bill’s process, the role of the Attorney General in treatment-over-objection proceedings, and the practical effects of moving CIT certification to DLE. The Attorney General’s office said the bill was intended to fill a gap by allowing it to assist with treatment proceedings, while public defenders would continue to represent respondents and due process protections would remain in place. DLE and DOH said the change would better align certification with law enforcement training needs, improve speed in crisis response, and still keep DOH involved; members also discussed whether WAM counted as a hearing and whether the bill should more explicitly preserve DOH’s role. No vote or final action was taken in the portion provided.
NH
New Hampshire 2025 Regular Session
House Education Policy and Administration (04/07/2025)
Transcript Highlights:
- reasoning, I filed this legislation reasoning, I filed this legislation essentially.<00:03:29.920
- I think it might be legislator.
- been the subject of a lot of legislative been the subject of a lot of legislative changes<01:23:
- It's her legislation.
- additional legislative action is needed. additional legislative action is needed.
Summary:
The committee first heard Senate Bill 69, which would require local school boards to publicly vote on whether to accept or reject charitable gifts or donations, prompted by a case in which a church offered to pay off school lunch debt but the offer was refused and families were sued instead. Senator Keith Murphy said the bill is intended to force transparency and public accountability in similar situations, while acknowledging that boards may still reject gifts with strings attached or for ethical reasons. Members raised questions about anonymity, privacy, and whether school boards already have authority to address meal debt before litigation. Murphy said the bill was aimed at cases where money is refused and families are sued, and he said he would accept amendments to make the vote requirement apply to both accepted and rejected gifts. The hearing on the bill was then closed.
The committee then took up Senate Bill 206, which requires public schools to adopt policies limiting student cell phone use during the school day. Trisha Milo, presenting for Senator Rashardi, said the bill is meant to improve focus, reduce distraction and cyberbullying, and create more consistent policies across districts, while still allowing exceptions for medical, disability, language support, and instructional needs. Committee members questioned whether districts would retain flexibility, whether the bill should apply to charter schools and other devices, and whether the annual policy-update requirement and enforcement language were too prescriptive. Milo said districts would still have flexibility in how they write their policies and that she would seek clarification from the senator on several drafting questions.
Becky Wilson of the New Hampshire School Boards Association testified in support of the general concept of a cell phone policy, saying many districts already have some form of policy, though not all do, and that existing sample policies are outdated. She said the annual update requirement would likely be burdensome and that the enforcement language seemed intended to ensure administrative involvement rather than teacher discipline, but she suggested the wording may need revision. Members also discussed whether very small districts or districts without schools should be covered and whether the bill should better distinguish between classroom enforcement and student discipline. The chair closed the hearing on Senate Bill 206 after no further testimony, and the committee moved on to the next bill.
NH
New Hampshire 2026 Regular Session
House Education Policy and Administration (01/22/2026)
Education Policy and Administration
Transcript Highlights:
- on the committee number of legislators on the committee and<00:23:48.480>
and <00:23:48.880> I would just thank the sponsor of the legislation.- This legislation proposes an investigation into the Department of Education regarding some financial
- that would require new legislation, not a<00:33:48.159>
mere <00:33:48.400>investigation. - The legislation may create more questions than answers.
TX
Texas 89th 2nd C.S.
Disaster Preparedness & Flooding, Select Aug 22nd, 2025
Disaster Preparedness & Flooding, Select
Transcript Highlights:
- This legislation protects families who entrust their children's safety to us.
- Is there anyone else who wishes to testify for or against this wonderful piece of legislation?
- I believe the substitute is just a Legislative Council draft. Okay, copy that. Thanks a lot.
- It's important legislation.
- As stated by the bill author, the purpose of this legislation is to try to control flood.
Keywords:
HB 48, Texas alert notification systems, emergency alerts, public warning systems, alert fatigue, notification fatigue, Texas Division of Emergency Management, Department of Public Safety, DPS alerts, emergency management, State of Texas Emergency Assistance Registry, STEAR, disaster notifications, weather alerts, Amber Alert, Silver Alert, Blue Alert, missing persons alerts, accessible alerts, hearing impaired
Summary:
The committee met in special session to hear a series of flood, preparedness, and youth-camp safety bills, with members repeatedly noting that many of the measures were intended as planning, warning, or authority-clarifying bills rather than direct spending bills. House Bill 254 would expand eligibility for the Rural Infrastructure Disaster Recovery Program to include Kerr County and 18 other flood-affected counties by raising the GDP cap and lowering the poverty threshold; it drew no opposition and was left pending. House Bill 68 would direct a study of flood mitigation in flatland areas, especially in the Rio Grande Valley, to develop cost-effective drainage and infrastructure recommendations; local officials and advocates supported it, and it was also left pending.
The committee then heard several youth camp bills tied to the recent Hill Country flooding. House Bill 75 would impose flood-aware building and site standards for youth camps near floodplains, and House Bill 71 would require camps and youth activity entities to submit emergency preparedness plans to TDEM, coordinate with local responders, and maintain readiness protocols; both bills were supported by safety advocates and camp representatives, and both were left pending. House Bill 171 would require campgrounds near flood-prone waters to give written flood-risk notice to campers and obtain signed acknowledgment; it was presented as informed consent and left pending. Testimony on these bills emphasized Camp Mystic and other recent flood tragedies, with some witnesses urging broader building-code and floodplain reforms.
The committee also heard House Bill 117, which would let counties regulate impervious cover for flood mitigation in unincorporated areas. Supporters, including county officials, environmental groups, and residents, argued that rapid development in the Hill Country and other growing areas is worsening runoff and downstream flooding; opponents from the builders’ association said counties already have substantial authority and warned about overreach into rural property use. After extensive testimony, the bill was left pending. Senate Bill 18 would streamline permitting for certain flood control districts to repair dams and reservoirs and build small holding areas, and it was left pending after supportive testimony from Plum Creek Conservation District. Senate Bill 3 would create a state-backed outdoor flood warning siren program for identified flood-prone areas, funded through a grant program; witnesses generally supported it, though some cautioned that sirens are not sufficient by themselves and may not be heard indoors or in overnight storms. It too was left pending. The committee also began hearing House Bill 149 on public-safety radio interoperability, but the transcript cuts off before the bill’s full testimony or action is shown.
NH
New Hampshire 2025 Regular Session
House Executive Departments and Administration (02/12/2025)
Transcript Highlights:
- <03:40:31.279>
elevated something that's legislatively elevated something that's legislatively - The motion is inexpedient to legislate.
- will apply in other um other legislation will apply in other um other legislation likely<03:57:41.040
- Thank you, Madam Chair. legislate on House Bill 637 and the legislate on House Bill 637 and the clerk
- <05:16:38.200>
regarding and practices or procedures regarding and practices or procedures
Summary:
The hearing opened on House Bill 192, which concerns the Joint Committee on Employee Classification process for state employee positions. Representative Peter Schmidt explained that the bill is a procedural step to send already-reviewed classifications to Korn Ferry and then into statute and the budget. Department of Corrections staff and Commissioner Helen Hanks testified that one Deputy Director of Medical Services position had been omitted from the bill by mistake even though it had already gone through the JCEC process, and they asked for an amendment to add it. Hanks clarified that the position is an existing classified job being converted to unclassified status, not a new position. The committee discussed how the amendment would work and the quorum requirements for the JCEC, then closed the hearing on HB 192 after no further testimony.
The committee then heard House Bill 435, sponsored by Representative Don McFarland, which would clarify professional engineering licensure law. McFarland said the bill is intended to make clear that work in IT security, electronics, digital systems, computing, and software is not the practice of engineering requiring a professional engineer license, while preserving licensure requirements for fields such as civil, structural, and building-related engineering. He said he had consulted with the American Council of Engineering Companies and that the bill is meant to remove ambiguity and legal risk, not deregulate engineering. Several members with engineering backgrounds spoke in support, describing the distinction between licensed PE work and other technical fields, and one member noted that software development and regulated software work typically do not require a PE license. The committee voted ought to pass on HB 435 by a roll call of 16-0 and placed it on consent.
Finally, the committee opened House Bill 210, which would create a commission to study the New Hampshire state flag. Representative Tom Corman argued that the current flag is a generic “state seal on a blue bedsheet” and does not meet common vexillological design principles such as simplicity, meaningful symbolism, limited colors, and distinctiveness. He said the proposed commission would include legislative members plus representatives of the New Hampshire Historical Society and the New England Vexillological Association, and would review the flag’s history and recommend whether to redesign it and how to do so. He also indicated he intended to add language to avoid costs, but the bill discussion was not completed in the portion provided.
NM
New Mexico 2025 Regular Session
IC - Federal Funding Stabilization Subcommittee Jul 31st, 2025
Federal Funding Stabilization Subcommittee
Transcript Highlights:
- in statute, and the agencies therefore did not have authority to rewrite or ignore duly passed legislation
- In other words, all the legal procedures that needed to take place so that they were guaranteed to us
- Procedures coming down, how had that affected a small, really, university in our state?
- Yes, we run into that as legislators, that we pass a law without any real enforcement mechanism, and
FL
Florida 2026 5th Special Session
FL House Floor Session - 2025-04-25 (10:00AM Session)
Florida House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- The legislation does not mandate that outcome. The legislation just says a credit must be applied.
- This PCS is a comprehensive piece of legislation that has several pieces of legislation that this body
- It's easy for us to legislate from a place of fear, from the fear that It's easy for us to legislate
- It's never been legislated and litigated.
- We can't legislate them to care. We can't legislate them to be engaged. Thank you.
Summary:
The House opened with prayer, a moment of silence for fallen Oviedo Officer Jimmy Serrano-Torres, the Pledge of Allegiance, and recognition of Chief Joseph Tuminelli as law enforcement officer of the day. The Rules and Ethics Committee report setting the special order calendar was adopted, and the Speaker announced schedule changes for the following week, including canceling the floor session on Monday and starting Tuesday at 10:30 a.m.
The main floor action centered on CS/HB 7033, the House tax package. Sponsor Rep. Duggan described broad tax changes, including reducing the state sales tax rate from 6% to 5.25%, exempting certain bullion sales, repealing the aviation fuel tax, delaying the natural gas fuel tax, changing corporate income tax treatment for charitable trusts, reducing the pari-mutuel tax on card rooms, and major changes to tourist development tax (TDT) use. The bill would redirect most TDT revenue toward property tax relief, dissolve tourist development councils, and include related property tax and local tax administration changes. Several amendments were debated: a Driscoll amendment to preserve local TDT flexibility failed; Duggan’s amendment giving local governments 25% discretion over TDT revenues was adopted; Eskamani’s combined-reporting amendment failed; and a Duggan amendment requiring audit certification of compliance with the TDT/property tax relief provisions was adopted. After debate, CS/HB 7033 passed 78-29.
The House then took up CS/CS/HB 1221 on local option taxes, which was presented as a companion-style measure to give local governments more flexibility while redirecting TDT revenues toward property tax relief. Supporters argued the bill would provide immediate relief to property owners and restore accountability in local tax use, while opponents warned it would undermine tourism funding, infrastructure, and local services. An amendment allowing local governments to retain 25% of TDT revenues for general purposes was adopted, and the bill passed 62-45 after floor debate.
The final item shown was the reading of CS/CS/HJR 1257, a proposed constitutional amendment related to property tax exemptions and assessment limits, but the transcript cuts off before debate or action on that measure.
NH
New Hampshire 2026 Regular Session
House Education Policy and Administration (02/09/2026)
Education Policy and Administration
Transcript Highlights:
- Bill 1331 and expedient to legislate. Bill 1331 and expedient to legislate.
- <01:19:12.000>
for Um these RSAs and the procedure for Um these RSAs and the procedure for - I heard from a legislator during the legislative process about their daughter, who was a teacher, who
- I heard from a legislator during the legislative process about their daughter, who was a teacher, who
- I heard from a legislator during the legislative process about their daughter, who was a teacher, who
Summary:
The committee heard House Bill 1331, which would allow the town of Derry to incorporate the Derry Cooperative School District as a department of the town through a charter amendment. The prime sponsor and several supporters argued the change would increase local control, streamline overlapping town and school functions, and potentially help align school spending with Derry’s tax cap. Supporters also said Derry is large enough to warrant a structure more like Manchester or Nashua, and one witness cited a 2018 nonbinding Derry ballot question that passed 597 to 547 in favor of seeking authorization for this change.
Opposition came from NEA New Hampshire President Megan Tuttle, who said the association and the Derry Education Association opposed the bill because schools are not simply another municipal department and because Derry voters had already rejected merging the district into town government. She argued the state should respect local control and the community’s prior decision. Committee members asked about the scope of the proposed charter change, the role of the school board, and the reported prior vote, and the sponsor clarified that the amendment would be limited to this specific purpose rather than opening the entire charter.
The hearing then moved to House Bill 1374, which would change the procedures for withdrawing from a cooperative school district. Representative Mary Murphy said current law gives other cooperative towns too much control over a withdrawing town’s decision, and her bill would remove the requirement for approval by the other towns while raising the withdrawing town’s approval threshold to a supermajority. She pointed to Francis Town’s 2024 withdrawal vote and said the bill was intended to protect students and local decision-making. The sponsor asked for an ought to pass recommendation, and committee members asked follow-up questions about the prior withdrawal vote and the number of voters involved.
NH
New Hampshire 2025 Regular Session
House Environment and Agriculture (02/18/2025)
Transcript Highlights:
- <00:43:59.240>
we're in terms of the legislation we're in terms of the legislation we're working - concerns about the way this legislation concerns about the way this legislation is<04:23:57.119>
- Yes, and I think we've seen that with our raw milk legislation.
- You are legislators. You are sworn to uphold the laws.
- You are legislators. You are sworn to uphold the laws.
Summary:
The Environment and Agriculture Committee opened by noting member absences and then reviewed the governor’s HB 2 trailer bill language creating a solid waste site evaluation committee. The chair explained that Finance would want the committee’s input on the proposal and also announced a temporary change to the committee’s schedule, with additional Wednesday meetings planned around school vacation. The committee then moved into a work session on several bills.
On HB 150, Representative Ktoa offered a simple amendment changing food-processing language from “washed and rinsed” to “cleaned and sanitized” in the processing area. Members agreed the change better matched food safety practice, and the committee indicated support for advancing the bill. On HB 307, dealing with homestead food production areas, members discussed proposed amendment language that would add clearer sanitary requirements, including handwashing access, sanitary storage, sanitizable food-contact surfaces, and pest exclusion. The committee also discussed whether to replace “potentially hazardous food” with “time temperature control safe food,” but several members favored keeping the existing term because it is already well defined in food safety law. The bill was held for further amendment work rather than being executed immediately.
The committee spent substantial time on solid waste legislation. For HB 479, members recalled a prior plan for a letter to the solid waste working group and agreed to proceed with the bill in executive session, with an offer of drafting help from Representative Bixby. For HB 77, which would require DES to establish site-specific setback distances for proposed new landfills, Representative Penza said his amendment was not ready yet but was close, and the bill was left for further discussion. The most detailed discussion was on HB 2115, which would require landfill permit applicants to submit a report on the project’s harms and benefits. Representative Germana explained an amendment that would replace section one, expand the list of benefits to include economic potential and infrastructure improvements, and set up a third-party review process in which the applicant submits a list of reviewers, DES screens the list, and the commissioner selects a reviewer if no agreement is reached within 60 days. Members asked about who could serve as contractors, whether they had to be local, and how DES would judge qualifications; the response was that environmental engineering and similar firms could be used, local or outside the community, and that the process would remain somewhat flexible. Representative H. Haskins asked whether the legislature or subcommittee would be formally notified of preliminary review problems, and the chair said no additional notification process would be built in beyond existing practice. The committee planned to continue work on the bills in upcoming executive sessions, including after school break.
MS
Mississippi 2026 Regular Session
Accountability, Efficiency, Transparency - Room 210; 28 January, 2026: 10:30 AM
Accountability, Efficiency, Transparency
Transcript Highlights:
- <00:13:34.320>
or peciniary interest in legislative or peciniary interest in legislative or - contracted with any agency legislative contracted with any agency legislative or<00:13:45.120>
- Um, and so office on this legislation.
- In our operational legislation.
- That's not spelled out in the legislation, but I would be fine in adding...
Summary:
The committee first nominated and elected Senator Lane Taylor as secretary by voice vote, with no opposition. It then took up several bills and reported each one out after brief explanations and no recorded opposition.
Senate Bill 2372, from the Department of Archives and History, would allow county filing-fee revenues now used only for preservation of historic records to also support records management, historic preservation, and museum services in counties. Barry White said the money is not for capital projects, but could fund services such as building assessments and recommendations. The committee also heard Senate Bill 2378, which would raise court reporter transcript fees from $2.40 to $4.00 per page; the sponsor said most costs are paid by litigants, while county funds are mainly affected in indigent criminal appeals. Both bills were advanced.
The committee next considered Senate Bill 2401, relating to Accelerate Mississippi. Senator Sparks said it would extend the repealer to 2029, update procurement and reporting provisions, change some federal terminology, move the annual report deadline from October 1 to November 1, and repeal obsolete workforce-area references. It was reported out after a brief question about the obsolete sections. The committee also advanced Senate Bill 2402, the Amy Act, which removes the five-day grace period for lobbyist registration so registration must occur before a person begins lobbying; sponsors said the goal is transparency and tracking misinformation, not changing the definition of lobbyist.
Finally, the committee heard Senate Bill 2445 on community mental health centers. Department of Mental Health Executive Director Wendy Bailey said the bill would create a formal performance audit process, with standards developed by June 30, 2027 and audits beginning in FY28 every two years. Centers failing standards would be placed on probation, and continued failure could lead to temporary replacement of leadership by DMH-selected contractors until compliance is restored. Members asked about current probation and decertification procedures, the number of struggling centers, and whether consolidation would be preferable; Bailey said the department wants to preserve local centers and use the process only as a temporary intervention. The bill was discussed but the transcript cuts off before a final vote is shown.