Transcript Highlights:

• Well, okay, wait a minute, we have a very unruly group of legislators talking to each other right now
• partnership that is working to build a more robust bioscience industry by helping those different groups
• We have a group of people who are working to represent their organizations.
• And so that would be the companies' the venture capital groups that are located inside the state.
• I believe they have a funding group for bricks and mortar investment, at least in the medical field,

Transcript Highlights:

• So let me just say that in an effort to address the concerns raised by the environmental groups, I've
• In fact, Pacific Steel Group is building the first new steel mill in California in 50 years.
• Chair, Chris McKaley on behalf of Oakland Athletics Group in opposition. Thank you.
• I'm Steve Burns, I'm here representing two different groups in the cookware space.
• Ryan Spencer on behalf of the Environmental Working Group, co-sponsors of SB 646.

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• from language that of Senator Polsky filed in legislation this year which would define the term final group
• so we're on the same page and understanding the bill as amended. >> And >> particularly around the group
• of applicants, the final group of applicants being no fewer, no fewer, then 3 applicants who will receive
• the responsibility the presidential search committee in both systems will be to produce the final group
• Streaking the shrinking, the the the shrinking group of students and and having a higher emphasis on

Keywords: 999, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• TRIAL HAD TO BE STOPPED PREMATURELY BECAUSE OF A HIGHER NUMBER OF SERIOUS SAFETY EVENTS AMONG THE GROUP
• WHILE THIS INTENSE DOUBLE DATE TO ENACT THE EXCEPTIONS THOSE EXCEPTIONS SINGLED OUT A NARROW GROUP OF
• IT IS THAT NARROW GROUP THAT DOES NOT EXTEND TO EXTENDED FAMILY, THE CHILDREN AND GREAT-GRANDCHILDREN
• I AM A LEADER IN A NUMBER OF CLUBS AND GROUPS AND NATIONAL ORGANIZATIONS THAT HAVE AN OPPORTUNITY TO
• RECENTLY IN TALLAHASSEE A LOCAL FAMILY PRACTICE GROUP RESOLVED DUE TO A LOT OF PHYSICIANS RETIRING.

Keywords: 999, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• in fact, we should be I'm sorry to say perhaps expanding Medicaid benefits to cover some of these groups
• And I also hope that we see more engagement from victims, advocates groups as well, because I know that
• Look forward to working with you and it would be wonderful to have the voice of victim advocacy group
• survivor advocacy groups to help us for the direct the policy.
• And so how would that group of people get remedy for that egregious act?

Keywords: 999, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• fleeing from police that ranges from a single occupant fleeing from a traffic stop all the way to groups
• A group of individuals in a large pickup truck fled from Robinsdale police and additional law enforcement
• /c><00:04:52.680> to from a traffic stop all the way to from a traffic stop all the way to groups
• of individuals getting together groups of individuals getting together baiting<00:04:55.440> law<
• ago today uh in the metro area a group ago today uh in the metro area a group of<00:05:22.039>

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• Because, as a group, if one or 2% report that, statistically nobody.
• <00:37:55.760> like behind something, a broader group like behind something, a broader group
• And number two, you had a working group or whatever.
• And number two, you had a working group And number two, you had a working group or<00:57:15.120>
• So, that's not somebody who had... that's a small group of people. Okay. Ms. Dedian.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• But during that period of time, a group of Cape Verdeans from Cape Cod, from Harwich and from Falmouth
• Cabral, and Senator Miranda have all had an opportunity to come down to some of the programs at that group
• having the teamwork, you know, knowing to make sure that you have, you know, I know, Adina, he has a group
• this right now, but I think if we sit with it while we discuss the other list, I'll come back to the group
• of all the presidents or the organizations that identify themselves as Cape Verdean cultural groups

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The meeting was the first organizational discussion of the newly created commission to study the feasibility of establishing a Massachusetts Cape Verdean Cultural Center in Boston. Senator Liz Miranda opened with background on the seven-year effort to create the commission, the seed funding included in the state budget, and the commission’s one-year mandate to produce a report on location, funding, and next steps. Members introduced themselves and described their Cape Verdean ties, with discussion emphasizing the historical importance of Cape Verdean communities in Boston, New Bedford, Falmouth/Cape Cod, Brockton, and other parts of the Commonwealth. A major topic was how to structure the commission’s leadership. Members discussed whether the co-chairs should be legislators, outside appointees, or a mix, and several noted the need to follow open meeting law and other public meeting requirements. Representative Cabral suggested Senator Miranda and Representative Diggs as co-chairs, with possible vice chairs drawn from other appointees. The group also discussed the need to keep the commission representative of the broader state, not just Boston, and to consider an advisory group of Cape Verdean association presidents and other community leaders outside the formal membership. The commission then reviewed a long list of potential additional members, focusing on people with experience in arts, culture, education, history, community building, philanthropy, construction, health, and related fields. Members were asked to review the list, suggest additions or gaps, and send feedback to staff. No final appointments were made at this meeting. The commission voted to reconvene in two weeks to organize itself, potentially elect co-chairs and vice chairs, and move forward with additional appointments; the motion passed, and the meeting was adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• And you can see there are several groups of kids for...
• There are several groups of kids from 6 months old to 2 years old; they do recommend COVID vaccine.
• There are two groups.
• First group is risk categories, so they have multiple risk categories, and for most of them... ...risk
• And after reviewing a very small group of 200 Canadian kids, two nurses wrote a... 200 Canadian kids,

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The Special Committee on COVID Response Efficacy met to review its mission, approve prior minutes at a future meeting, and discuss materials related to COVID-19 vaccination guidance. Members examined a pediatric vaccination handout from a private pediatric practice and compared it with New Hampshire DHHS and AAP/AAFP immunization guidance, focusing on how COVID-19 vaccine recommendations are presented for children and adults. Committee members also discussed the scope and accuracy of the committee’s endnotes and supporting documents. The main business was a draft letter urging the governor to direct state agencies to stop recommending COVID-19 mRNA vaccines. Members revised the letter paragraph by paragraph, including changing wording about age ranges for children, clarifying references to the American Academy of Pediatrics, and adding discussion of vaccine safety concerns, alleged suppression of safety data, and federal investigations. They also debated whether to reference specific reporting systems such as VAERS and V-safe, and whether to include examples from other states, including Tennessee, Arizona, Minnesota, and Florida, as evidence of broader concern about mRNA vaccines. After the edits were completed, Representative Villio moved to accept the letter as amended, Representative Leroy seconded, and the committee approved it by voice vote 4-0. The chair said the revised letter would be finalized and distributed later in the week. The meeting then adjourned at approximately 11:57 a.m.

Transcript Highlights:

• So in this bill, the task force—there wasn't a task force, let me put that together—the group of stakeholders
• was one of the decisions that was left to the regulatory advisory committee by the giant stakeholder group
• So you're saying that they would not be consulted, that this group would determine some of these areas
• So you're saying that they would not be consulted that this group would determine some of these areas
• The task force or the group will determine the policy, what the categories are, what things need to be

Bills: SB9

Keywords: wetlands protection, nontidal wetlands, Delaware, environmental sustainability, climate change, carbon sink, permitting process

Summary: The House Natural Resources and Energy Committee met to consider two Senate bills. SB 321, with Senate Amendment 1, would change community solar billing so subscribers receive one consolidated utility bill instead of separate bills from the utility and the solar provider. Supporters said the bill would simplify enrollment and payment, improve customer retention—especially for low-income customers—and include safeguards such as guaranteed savings and an escrow mechanism to prevent cost shifts to other ratepayers. After public testimony from solar developers, the Public Advocate, the Sierra Club, and others, the committee initially lacked enough members present to release the bill, so the vote was circulated to absent members and the bill was later reported out for floor action. The committee then heard SB 9, with Senate Amendment 1, a long-negotiated wetlands protection bill. The sponsor and DNREC explained that it would create a state non-tidal wetlands program with exemptions for certain agricultural, conservation, and routine activities, general permits for some lower-impact projects, and individual permits for higher-value wetlands. Witnesses described the bill as a compromise among environmental, agricultural, development, and local government stakeholders, while some members raised questions about flooding, landowner impacts, wetland delineation, and the role of the regulatory advisory committee. Public testimony was broadly supportive from environmental groups, the Farm Bureau, builders, engineers, and affordable housing advocates. The committee then voted to release SB 9 from committee. At the end of the meeting, members offered thanks and remarks recognizing the chair’s service and leadership on environmental and energy issues. Both bills were ultimately released from committee and reported out.

Transcript Highlights:

• went over to Suella and took a tour and actually got a presentation from the Gulf Coast Industrial Group
• Members, this bill seeks to consolidate two groups focused on early childhood that are administered under
• Every group that is currently represented in those two groups will be represented in the consolidated
• Every group that is currently represented in those two groups will be represented in the consolidated

Bills: HCR26, HB28, HB195, HB283, HB316, HB319, HB363, HB380, HB386, HB392, HB406, HB636, HB738, HB807, HB905, HB992, HB1146

Keywords: human growth, development education, prenatal education, state standards, biological science, teacher certification, certification appeals, BESE, State Board of Elementary and Secondary Education, Teacher Certification Appeals Council, educator licensure, teaching license, teacher licensure, appeals process, certification denial, administrative appeal, special meeting, board president, retroactive application, education board

Summary: The committee met with a large docket and adopted the April 29 minutes. Several bills were heard and advanced, mostly on education, workforce, literacy, early childhood, charter schools, and student mental health. Testimony was generally supportive, with many witnesses waiving in favor; a few bills drew questions about implementation, student awareness, and whether proposals were sufficiently broad or specific. House Bill 406, requiring the Department of Education to study the direction and regulation of interscholastic high school athletics and report back by March 1, 2027, was reported favorably after testimony from a retired principal who urged an open-minded study and discussion from the bill author about compliance and the bill’s purpose. House Bill 380, creating a pilot program between community and technical colleges and local school systems to expand awareness of CDL, entry-level driver training, and related programs, was also reported favorably. House Bill 807, creating a workforce and structure capacity investment program and fund to help industry partner with colleges to train instructors, was reported favorably after support from higher education and industry witnesses; senators raised interest in adding a stronger health care component and in reaching students earlier, but the author said he would work on amendments. The committee also advanced House Bill 316 on adolescent literacy and high-dose tutoring, with amendments clarifying teacher training timing, existing statutory bans on outdated literacy practices, and charter school participation; House Bill 1146, consolidating early childhood governance into a commission; House Bill 28, creating an appeal path for denied teacher certification applicants through BESE; and House Bill 992, assigning early childhood education identification numbers to support data collection on outcomes. House Concurrent Resolution 26, urging BESE to add the science of human growth and development to science and health standards and provide approved instructional resources, was amended and reported favorably. House Bill 386, allowing local districts to let locally authorized charter schools operate as their own LEA under district rules, was amended and reported favorably. House Bill 392, expanding suicide prevention information requirements on school websites, ID cards, handbooks, and signage, was reported favorably as well.

Transcript Highlights:

• And that is exactly the group that's being targeted with this crypto kiosk.
• This is the target group of scammers.
• scamsters get better using technology and coming after people, the more this legislature owes that group
• people, the more this legislature<00:10:22.399> owes<00:10:22.800> that<00:10:23.279> group
• owes that group of people, the<00:10:24.880> 65<00:10:25.360> and<00:10:25.600> older

Keywords: 919, house, all

Summary: House File 4188, the commerce omnibus policy bill, was presented as a consumer-protection measure covering several areas: a statewide ban on crypto ATMs/kiosks beginning August 1, 2026; new recordkeeping and complaint-handling requirements; student loan borrower protections; restrictions on deceptive insurance advertising and insurance lead generators; bullion dealer jurisdiction clarifications; appraisal and appraisal management reporting requirements; scrap metal transaction tracking; collection agency clarifications; and unclaimed property improvements. The bill author said the overall goal was to address real consumer harm, especially scams and transparency issues. Representative O'Driscoll urged adoption of the A3 amendment, explaining that it removed tax provisions that had come late in the process and could be handled in the tax bill instead. The amendment was adopted without objection. During floor debate on the bill, Representative Roach opposed the crypto kiosk ban, saying the state could regulate fraud without eliminating the machines entirely. Representative O'Driscoll defended the ban as necessary to protect older and vulnerable Minnesotans from scam tactics, and Representative McDonald raised concerns about a separate scrap metal licensing provision and a $500 late fee, which Representative Holland said had been recommended by the Department of Commerce. After discussion, the bill author reiterated support for the measure and thanked committee and staff members. The House then took a roll call vote and passed House File 4188 as amended by a vote of 122-12, with its title agreed to.

Transcript Highlights:

• Our capital assets management group has successfully allocated over 56 million dollars to capital projects
• Our risk assessment and compliance group has dramatically increased compliance with reduced improper
• Our IS group has established good boundaries and ground rules so that this doesn't get out of control
• The second item is $5 million dollars for Allonis, which is a software that enables our compliance group
• This is Marny, and he's the head of our capital asset management group who can speak to this specific

Keywords: 914, all

Transcript Highlights:

• If there are any specific questions, a quiet group. Okay. Senator Saldon, yeah. I don't know.
• Shockingly quiet from this steer group today. May I introduce a staff member to conclude?
• All I know is I spent more hours on the phone with various groups around the state who have concerns
• To wildlife conservation-type individuals to the hunting group. I have a Zoom call this.
• But if a group of coalitions, if there is a broad coalition around the state, could there be some sort

Summary: The Senate Agriculture and Natural Resources Committee held a work session with an update from the Department of Natural Resources (DNR). Commissioner Dave Upthe Grove outlined DNR’s size and scope, previewed agency-request legislation, and emphasized budget priorities. He said DNR will seek authority to sell ecosystem service credits, better use underutilized water rights with tribal consultation, add a tribal representative to the State Board of Natural Resources, make minor timber-sales efficiencies, and include wildland firefighters in the LEOFF pension system. He also urged restoration of wildfire prevention and preparedness funding, warning that reduced funding would mean fewer firefighters, less forest health work, and less support for rural fire districts. He noted DNR’s wildfire suppression costs are rising and argued prevention spending can reduce larger, more expensive fires. State Forester George Geisler followed with a detailed wildfire season review. He said Washington now responds to fires year-round and also assists other states, including Texas. He described DNR’s use of 31 aircraft, 691 firefighters, and corrections-based crews, and said the agency’s success rate for keeping fires under 10 acres improved slightly from 93.7% to 94.1%. He highlighted increased arson activity, especially around Spokane, and described the Crescent Road Fire as an example of early detection, rapid response, and the use of bulldozers, aircraft, and hand crews to contain a fire to 182 acres with no structure losses. Senator Saldan praised the emphasis on prevention and the use of bulldozers as cost-effective tools. Assistant deputy supervisor Dwayne Emmons then reviewed the trust land transfer program, which was codified in statute in 2023 after being funded through the capital budget for decades. He said more than 130,000 acres of underperforming trust land have been transferred since the 1990s to other public or tribal entities for more appropriate use, while DNR acquires replacement lands to keep the trust whole. He described the current application and ranking process, including tribal input, and said DNR is requesting funding for remaining parcels from the last round, including portions of Tract C, Babcock Bench, and Middle Fork Snoqualmie. In questions, Senator Wagoner raised concerns about DNR’s decision to remove some acres from timber harvest rotation and its impact on local revenue and mills; the commissioner responded that current five-year harvest plans provide short-term stability and that any changes would be explored through the Board of Natural Resources process, not through immediate reductions in supply. The committee then received a history briefing from staff member Jeff Olson on the Washington Fish and Wildlife Commission and agency structure. He traced the evolution from early fish and game commissioners to the current commission-appointed director model adopted by voter-approved Referendum 45 in 1995. Olson explained the commission’s statutory duties, membership requirements, and how Washington compares with other states. Chair Chapman said he had no plans to hear a bill this session changing the commission’s makeup, but he expressed personal interest in exploring reforms, accountability, and possibly a future broader coalition or referendum process. No votes were taken; the meeting was informational only, and the chair adjourned the session with holiday and New Year’s wishes.

Transcript Highlights:

• First up, HTR28, requesting the reconvening of the working group established pursuant to House Resolution
• I just highly recommend that you please pass the working group.
• /c> recommend that you please pass the recommend that you please pass the working<00:03:35.200> group
• is a critical mechanism to working group is a critical mechanism to ensure<00:03:37.680> the<
• We're with the coordinating group on alien pest species.

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Summary: The joint Health, Human Services, Agriculture, and Environment hearing first took up HTR 28, which would reconvene the working group created under House Resolution 18 to continue addressing water and air contamination and remediation issues tied to the Pua Range Training Facility. Testimony was overwhelmingly in support, with speakers describing long-standing community concern and alleged lead contamination near the shooting range and nearby beach areas. One testifier urged passage as a critical mechanism for protecting the community. The committees then voted to recommend passage of HTR 28 as is, and the motion was adopted. The committees next considered HCR 25 HD1, asking the Department of Agriculture to add a statement on desecration laws to the plant and animal declaration form, and HCR 200, concerning the Maui axis deer control and venison initiative. The Department of Agriculture and DLNR offered comments on HCR 25 HD1, and HCR 200 drew support from the Hawaii Cattlemen’s Council and others, who said axis deer pose economic and environmental threats. Both measures were advanced with technical amendments, and both recommendations were adopted. The hearing then moved to HCR 27, which asks Hawaii’s congressional delegation to petition USDA to address disparities affecting Hawaii’s agricultural exports, and HCR 42 HD1, encouraging each county to develop its own biosecurity plan. The Department of Agriculture supported HCR 27, and testimony on HCR 42 HD1 emphasized county-level invasive species prevention, the need for local biosecurity planning, and gaps in state and county authority over noxious weeds and invasive plants. After a brief recess to regain quorum, both committees voted to pass HCR 27 with technical amendments and HCR 42 HD1 as is; all motions were adopted and the hearing adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• The Texas Advanced Nuclear Reactor Work Group released the required report to the upcoming legislature
• The report listed two recommendations that the work group would like for the legislature to adopt.
• item one on page nine of our PowerPoint is requesting to move the public counsel's exempt salary from Group
• 4 to Group 5 with a $20,000 per year increase.
• We're currently in the ED position is currently in Group 3, and we're requesting an upgrade to Group

Bills: SB1

Keywords: appropriations, budget, state funding, education, healthcare, infrastructure

Summary: The Senate Finance Committee met to review Article 8, regulatory agencies, and began Article 9, general provisions, before recessing for floor action. The committee first heard budget presentations from the Public Utility Commission (PUC) and the Office of Public Utility Counsel (OPUC). The PUC budget recommendation was about $5.07 billion in all funds, including an additional $5 billion for the Texas Energy Fund, plus funding for staffing and technology needs tied to contested cases, infrastructure resiliency, and outage mapping. PUC witnesses emphasized the agency’s growing workload, the need for more staff and modern systems, and oversight of the Texas Energy Fund. OPUC’s recommendation was about $6.9 million, with a reduction in authorized FTEs to better match actual staffing; the agency requested additional funding for salaries, expert witnesses, and budget flexibility, and members highlighted OPUC’s role representing residential and small commercial consumers in utility proceedings. The committee then heard from the Behavioral Health Executive Council (BHEC), whose recommendation was just over $11.2 million. BHEC’s main requests included funding to fill vacant positions, money for continuous National Practitioner Data Bank queries, and a proposed Texas-owned psychology licensing exam in response to concerns about changes to the national exam. Agency leaders also discussed a rider request that would shift responsibility for certain judgments or settlements to the comptroller. Members asked about prior complaint backlogs, and BHEC said those backlogs had been cleared. The Board of Chiropractic Examiners followed, with a recommendation of just under $2.4 million; the board sought support for staffing, training, broadband, and salary retention, and described its work regulating chiropractors and workers’ compensation-related doctors. The Board of Dental Examiners was the last agency heard before the committee recessed. Its recommendation was just under $10 million, and it requested a 10% salary increase for eligible staff, three additional licensing staff, one staff member to handle required background checks, an additional attorney, and an executive director salary adjustment. Dental board witnesses said licensure growth, increased complaints, and low salaries were straining licensing and enforcement operations, even though the agency reported strong performance and high case completion rates. The chair ended the hearing early because the Senate had to return to the floor, and the committee remained in recess.

Transcript Highlights:

• Law enforcement groups representing more than 650,000 officers wrote to this committee and urged us to
• A few of these groups include the National Association of Police Organizations, Fraternal Order of Police
• officials, scores of U.S. attorneys, and dozens of state attorneys. attorneys general, women's rights groups
• , 2nd Amendment groups, and others who all strongly support the nominee.
• Group, along with the government of Qatar. Ms.

Transcript Highlights:

• We are working with interest groups that are here, a group of people from the Health Care Systems, talking
• because the final forecast obviously isn't out, but we are doing that work and meeting in person with groups
• meeting<00:01:38.119> in<00:01:38.399> person<00:01:38.799> with<00:01:39.040> groups
• <00:01:39.799> in meeting in person with groups in meeting in person with groups in addition

Keywords: 1183, house

Summary: House Republican leaders used the briefing to argue that Democrats were absent from the House for the 16th day, calling it a shutdown and saying the absence was preventing the chamber from doing its work. They said Republicans were still meeting in person with constituents, interest groups, pages, and agencies, and were continuing unofficial committee meetings and line-by-line budget work even though formal bill introduction and committee operations were disrupted. The discussion focused heavily on negotiations over whether any Democrats might return, whether there were talks with Leader Hortman or Leader Long, and whether a power-sharing arrangement was possible. The speaker said there were no direct discussions with Hortman that day, no talks with Long, and no side agreements, but that any Democrat who returned would have a place to work. They rejected the idea of equal power-sharing under the current 67-66 House split and said the immediate issue was simply getting members back to work before the May 19 end of session. The speaker also said the Supreme Court decision had negated prior work, including bill introductions, and that the House was trying to preserve the historical record while committee videos and bills were restored. They pointed to testimony from school district officials about financial challenges from prior Democratic mandates as an example of the work that had been done before the process was interrupted. No votes were taken, and no new official legislative action was announced.

Transcript Highlights:

• This bill codifies an organizational structure that has continued to be a key group here at the Capitol
• It just seems like maybe there's another group that will flourish in the future. real-time input from
• It just seems like maybe there's<00:03:50.280> another<00:03:50.720> group<00:03:51.040
• > that<00:03:51.239> will<00:03:51.360> like there's another group that will like
• there's another group that will like flourish<00:03:52.120> in<00:03:52.200> the<00:03

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• gentlemen of the House, if you would direct your attention to the North and South galleries, we have a group
• have<00:07:43.360> the<00:07:44.319> um<00:07:44.560> a<00:07:44.720> group
• <00:07:44.880> of galleries, we have the um a group of galleries, we have the um a group of
• Alcorn, I am fortunate to have one of my scholars from Educate, um, Sayia Hickinbottom, with those group

Keywords: MS House Floor - 17 February, 2026; 2:00 PM, 925, all

Summary: The House convened with prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, and a quorum present. Members dispensed with the reading of the journal, and there were no reports from select committees, no resolutions or memorials, and introductions of bills and constitutional amendments were handled without reading. The chamber also recognized several guests and pages, including a large group of nursing students from Alcorn State University, along with other visitors and constituents in the galleries. A number of members used the announcements period to highlight events and personal matters. Representative Powell asked that the House adjourn in memory of Pat Husler, the mother of a committee assistant, and the request was accepted. Representative Bell also asked to adjourn in memory of the late Reverend Jesse L. Jackson, describing him as an inspiration. Representative Fondren announced a Mississippi Association for Justice event later that evening, and Representative Wallace gave an update on the Sale of Champions, noting scholarships awarded, animals sold, and funds raised. The only formal committee action mentioned was an announcement that Appropriations A would meet at 10:00 a.m. the next day in room 2011A, and that the appropriations committee would also meet five minutes after adjournment to consider a bill that had been omitted earlier. The House then adopted a motion to adjourn until 2 p.m. the following day.