Transcript Highlights:

• I have two house children. voted no for that. And I voted not voted no for that.
• No one officials, we can't miss a vote.
• When are you going to vote on the Chavez bill? Is that now? Tomorrow. Oh, you're voting.
• on the Chavez When are you going to vote on the Chavez bill?
• If you vote on the Chavez important.

Keywords: 918, senate, all

Summary: Senators discussed and celebrated a rule change allowing infants and young children on the Senate floor, along with related accommodations for parents. Speakers described the change as historic and long overdue, saying it would make the institution more family-friendly and help elected officials balance parenting with legislative duties. Several senators recounted personal experiences with being removed from the floor, breastfeeding challenges caused by the old rules, and the importance of being able to keep working without forcing staff to serve as child care. The discussion emphasized that the change received broad bipartisan support, including from many younger parents, and that the final version also included an amendment allowing staff to bring children if needed. Senators said the rule applies specifically to the Senate floor, not other parts of the Capitol, and argued that staff should not be put in the position of caring for lawmakers’ children. They also noted that the rules are temporary and could be changed again, but expressed confidence the new policy would work and would not be rolled back. The conversation then shifted to the chamber’s schedule. Leaders said the Chavez bill was taken up and placed on general orders for debate the next day, alongside a Senator Port bill and two small bills being moved in both bodies. They said most of the week would be spent working in committees before the deadline, and that the Chavez name repeal could be sent to the governor’s desk well before the cutoff date.

Transcript Highlights:

• I can no vote for SCR 159, SD 1, and SR 129, SD 1.
• Is reservations or no votes? Is this for all one?
• Anyone else want to register reservations or a no vote?
• Anyone else want to register reservations or a no vote?
• <00:12:39.720> if<00:12:39.880> not<00:12:40.120> Madame vote if not Madame vote

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• chair for the vote. Voting on HB777. chair for the vote. Voting on HB777.
• uh, vice chair vote voting on HP 1842. uh, vice chair vote voting on HP 1842.
• Vice chair to the vote. Voting on Great. Vice chair to the vote.
• Voting on None. Vice chair for the vote. Voting on HB<02:22:09.040> 1734.
• This hearing is now the vote. Voting on HP 1739. The the vote. Voting on HP 1739.

Bills: HB1721, HB1714, HB1718, HB1732, HB1740, HB1777, HB1842, HB1919, HB1701, HB1923, HB1741, HB1734, HB1739

Keywords: housing, expedited permits, insurance, indemnification, construction, affordable housing, executive compensation, Hawaii housing finance, legislative approval, low-income housing, moderate-income housing, mixed-use development, transit-oriented development, TOD, county powers, Hawaii Housing Finance and Development Corporation, HHFDC, Department of Hawaiian Home Lands, DHHL, affordable housing credits

Summary: The House Housing Committee met on February 4 and heard testimony on several housing measures, beginning with HB1721, which clarifies insurance, indemnification, and certificate-of-occupancy requirements for expedited permits. Testimony on HB1721 was uniformly supportive from the American Council of Engineering Companies, the Grassroot Institute, and individual testifiers, who said the bill would fix insurance issues for design professionals and encourage more participation in the expedited-permit program. No opposition was heard and no questions were raised. The committee then heard HB1714, which would raise salary caps for the executive director and deputy executive director positions at the Hawaii Housing Finance and Development Corporation and allow more autonomy in personnel matters, including employment contracts. HHFDC supported the bill, saying greater flexibility is needed to recruit and retain staff and that current pay ceilings are not the main issue because the agency lacks operating funds to reach them. The Department of Human Resources Development offered comments and raised concerns about autonomous personnel authority and employment contracts, saying state personnel matters are governed by existing statutes and collective bargaining rules; the Hawaii Public Housing Authority also offered comments, and one board member and one individual opposed the measure. Members questioned whether performance-based pay or existing incentive policies could address retention instead of statutory salary changes. The committee also heard HB1718, which would make permanent county authority to facilitate mixed-use developments and issue county bonds for low- and moderate-income housing projects. Support came from OPSD, HHFDC, the City and County of Honolulu’s Department of Housing and Land Management, and Housing Hawaii’s Future, all emphasizing that permanent authority is needed to finance long-term mixed-use and transit-oriented projects. A member asked whether the sunset provision would make bonding impractical, and the city representative agreed that temporary authority would make financing difficult because development takes time. Later, the committee took up HB1732, establishing the Kamina Homes program to fund counties’ purchase of voluntary deed restrictions from eligible buyers. The Department of Taxation and several groups, including HHFDC, AARP Hawaii, the Tax Foundation of Hawaii, Hawaii Realtors, Holomua Collaborative, and others testified, with most supporting the bill as a way to help local families remain in Hawaii and age in place. Holomua said a recent survey found 75% of 3,200 working families were considering moving, and argued the bill could preserve housing for local residents. Members asked about the bill’s 8% cap on deed-restriction cost and why the program focuses on residency rather than resale restrictions; the bill’s proponents said the cap allows flexibility for county negotiations and that the measure is aimed at workforce preservation rather than land-trust-style appreciation limits. Finally, the committee heard HB1740, which would modify a prior HHFDC housing pathway by reducing the qualified-resident requirement from 100% to 80% and allowing more flexibility for long-term rental instead of owner occupancy. HHFDC and Holomua Collaborative supported the change, saying the earlier 100% requirement had produced no developments or applicants and that the revised standard would make projects more feasible while still preserving housing for local residents. The committee did not take final votes on these measures during the portion of the hearing provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• With that, respectfully asking for an aye vote.
• And I respectfully ask for an aye vote.
• Not voting. John? Al-Anis? Not voting. Pacheco? Aye. Fong? Ransom? Aye. Stephanie? Aye. Wilson?
• I respectfully ask for an aye vote. Thank you.
• Respectfully, I ask for an aye vote.

Summary: The Assembly Local Government Committee heard a long agenda of local government, housing, transportation, and public safety bills. Early items included SB 762, which would give certain local governments a voter-approved path to seek additional local sales tax authority to address fiscal pressures; SB 1400, which would modernize Alameda Health System governance and give Alameda County more flexibility and oversight; and SB 1408, which would authorize Contra Costa County to place a renewal of its transportation sales tax on the ballot. Supporters for those bills included local officials, county representatives, labor groups, fire and police organizations, and transit advocates, while no organized opposition was presented on those measures in committee. The committee also heard SB 1272, which would give homeowners more time to correct certain inherited code violations and allow an affidavit process for buyers who did not know about the violation at purchase. The bill drew support from the California Apartment Association and opposition from code enforcement and county groups, who argued it would reduce local enforcement discretion and create health and safety risks. After questions about disclosure and enforcement, the committee approved SB 1272 as amended and re-referred it to Appropriations. SB 1055, dealing with procurement flexibility for Pajaro flood control and levee repairs, also passed as amended and was sent to Appropriations. Later, the committee approved SB 1379, which would separate the Riverside County Sheriff-Coroner and create an independent medical examiner system. The author and supporters argued the change was needed for transparency and independence in in-custody death investigations, while opponents raised labor, cost, and governance concerns; some opposition was softened after the author agreed to employee-protection amendments. The committee also passed SB 1172, limiting consultant compensation and adding transparency rules for local tax-sharing agreements, and several housing bills from Senator Grayson: SB 1003 on pro-housing infrastructure financing districts, SB 1014 on early disclosure of infrastructure requirements for housing projects, and SB 1169 on extending tentative vesting map validity. The committee took votes on consent items and later add-ons, with most measures passing on bipartisan or unanimous votes and several being re-referred to Appropriations or Housing and Community Development as appropriate.

Transcript Highlights:

• So, I thank you and vote aye. that. So, I thank you and vote aye.
• <00:05:36.560> I<00:05:36.600> just Explain my vote. I'm an aye vote.
• I just Explain my vote. I'm an aye vote.
• Chair Deneen: Explain my vote.
• Explain<00:21:16.280> my<00:21:16.440> vote. Explain my vote. Explain my vote.

Keywords: 958, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Are there any no votes?
• Are there any no votes?
• Are there any no votes? Are there any no votes?
• Are there any no votes?
• Are there any no votes? >> With a vote of 35 eyes, zero no, zero absent, and zero excused.

Keywords: 981, all

Summary: The Senate convened with a quorum, approved the March 4, 2026 journal, and received committee reports advancing several bills, including House Bills 1182, 1067, 1040, 101, and 1041, and Senate Bills 62, 113, and 120, along with a set of appointments to the Building Decarbonization Enterprise Board of Directors recommended for consent calendar confirmation. The chamber then moved into Committee of the Whole for second-reading consideration of bills on the consent calendar. House Bill 1020, concerning calorimetric field drug testing in drug possession cases, was adopted on the consent calendar and later reported out of Committee of the Whole as passed on second reading and placed on the calendar for third reading and final passage. Senate Bill 63, concerning non-emergency medical transportation services for Medicaid members, was laid over until March 9, and Senate Bill 40, concerning the affordable home ownership program, was laid over until March 6. Senate Bill 95, concerning measures to support victim survivors of certain crimes, was removed from the consent calendar, amended with L6 to clarify appellate procedure for the anti-SLAPP provision, and then passed on second reading. During debate, Senator Zamora Wilson raised concerns about language allowing individuals in the room with the victim and possible coaching or bias, while supporters said the amendment clarified the issue. The Committee of the Whole report was adopted, sending SB 95 to third reading and keeping SB 40 and SB 63 on the calendar. The Senate also confirmed several governor’s appointments on the consent calendar, including members of the Colorado Aeronautical Board and the Colorado School of Mines board of trustees. Steven Fenberg’s appointment to the School of Mines board drew extended, mostly humorous floor discussion about his qualifications and punctuality, but it was ultimately confirmed 35-0. The meeting ended with announcements about upcoming committee hearings, a Colorado Optometric Association reception, and a Denver Zoo Conservation Alliance event, followed by recess until 11:00 a.m. that day.

Transcript Highlights:

• Chair votes I, Vice Chair votes I, Senator Hashimoto votes I, Senator Moriwaki votes I, Senator Awa votes
• Um, I vote yes. For the members present, are there any no votes or reservations?
• Um, I vote yes. For the members present, are there any no votes or reservations?
• Um I vote yes. operations, same request. Um I vote yes.
• no votes or reservations? no votes or reservations?

Bills: SB3294

Keywords: wrongful conviction, compensation, Hawaii Revised Statutes, innocence, legal process, burden of proof, case manager, medical coverage, judicial discretion, 912, senate, all

Summary: The committees first took up SB 3294, a controversial measure concerning post-release assistance for people pursuing reversals of prior court decisions where innocence is in question. Members discussed keeping the bill moving on the “human side” while a House companion addressed the legal issues. The adopted amendments removed advanced compensation language and instead required DCR, with DHS, to help petitioners prepare applications for financial and medical assistance, notify DHS upon release, assign a case manager to assist with a cell phone for one year, housing, employment, mental health counseling, and expedited benefits, and provide a state ID upon release. The measure also included technical amendments and a defective date, and it passed unanimously. The joint committees then heard SB 2237 on fire prevention, which would require state agencies to create and update hazard maps and direct DNR to adopt rules and clear brush. DLNR testified that a single lead agency should develop the maps with input from other agencies, that a five-year timeline would be more reasonable, and that assigning DNR all fuels management on state lands would create an unfunded mandate. Members discussed using the newly created fire marshal’s office as the lead, and the committees ultimately deferred the bill in favor of a broader wildfire mitigation measure already moving in another committee. The final agenda included SB 2596 on government leases, SB 30002 on the Hawaii State Planning Act and green infrastructure, and SB 3067 on records and filing requirements. SB 2596 was advanced unamended to Ways and Means. On SB 30002, OPSD explained that a 2025-2027 comprehensive review of chapter 226 is underway, with a report and draft legislation due in 2027, and members debated whether to move piecemeal changes now or wait for the broader review; the bill nevertheless passed unamended. SB 3067, which updates outdated filing formats and drawing scales, also passed unamended with DAGS supporting the measure in writing.

Transcript Highlights:

• . >> Has everyone recorded their vote? Does anyone care to change their vote?
• There being 96 votes in the affirmative and 33 votes in the negative, House Bill 229 having received
• <00:09:55.360> If anyone care to change their vote? If anyone care to change their vote?
• There being 96 votes in the affirmative and<00:10:02.640> 33<00:10:03.120> votes<00:10
• will have a voting session at 11:45. will have a voting session at 11:45.

Keywords: House streaming session for Friday, February 13, 2026, 957, house, all

Summary: The House convened with 125 members present, heard a prayer and opening remarks, and then proceeded through the journal, committee assignments, and several consent calendars. Introductory House Bills 1358 through 1585 were read the first time and referred to the appropriate committees, along with bond initiatives 34 through 37 and Senate Bill 14. House Bill 1215 was later reassigned to Appropriations. The House also recorded quorum calls showing 129 and later 131 members present. On third reading and final passage, House Bill 28, concerning higher education and private career schools advertising, passed 128-0. House Bill 226, establishing Department of Disabilities housing programs and affiliated foundations, passed 122-6. House Bill 229, increasing the Maryland Transportation Authority revenue bond limit, passed 96-33. No debate was recorded on these bills before the roll calls. The remainder of the session consisted largely of committee, subcommittee, delegation, caucus, and personal announcements. Committees announced upcoming voting sessions or cancellations, including Appropriations, Economic Matters, Environment and Transportation, Health, Judiciary, Ways and Means, and Rules. Members also made numerous recognitions and invitations, including a briefing on the Patuxent River sewer interceptor breakage, district nights, a Tourism Day lunch, and several birthday and family announcements. The protocol chair led a Valentine’s Day recognition of House staff, and the House then recessed until Monday, February 16 at 8:00 p.m.

Transcript Highlights:

• I urge an aye vote on AB 405. Thank you.
• McKenner, not voting. Voting? Pappin? Aye. Pappin, aye. So that matter has three votes.
• Absent to the changes, we request a no vote.
• I urge your aye vote. Thank you.
• Lee voting aye. And that's it. I voted for the Addisville. Yeah. Yes. So thank you.

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Votes yes.
• Votes yes.
• Votes yes.
• Votes yes.
• Votes yes.

Keywords: 958, all

Summary: The committee first took up House Bill 276, which would revise the membership of the performance-based funding work group for postsecondary education. Representative Tipton explained that the committee substitute changes the group so the CPE president chairs it as a nonvoting member, all nine university and KCTCS presidents serve as nonvoting advisory members, and the voting members are three House members, three Senate members, the state budget director, and one gubernatorial appointee. He said the goal was to reduce deadlock among institutions and allow legislators to deliberate before meetings. Some members raised concerns that the change shifts influence away from the universities and toward the legislature, but Tipton said he had not heard pushback from the presidents. The committee adopted the substitute and passed HB 276 with an expression of opinion that it should pass with the committee substitute attached; several members voted yes, while Representative Roarx voted no and Representative Stalker passed. The committee then considered House Bill 711, another bill sponsored by Representative Baker and presented by Representative Tipton. Tipton said the measure is a cleanup bill for postsecondary statutes, repealing outdated provisions for groups that have not met in years, including the Strategic Committee on Postsecondary Education, the STEM Initiative Task Force, and local P-16 councils, and removing obsolete language about one-time board appointments. It also strikes the statutory definition of remedial education because Kentucky public postsecondary institutions no longer offer remedial classes, instead using transitional courses with wraparound support that count for credit. A question was raised about whether Senate confirmation requirements for some appointees had been removed in the committee substitute, and Tipton confirmed they had. The committee then passed HB 711 with an expression of opinion that it should pass with the committee substitute attached. After the bills, the committee reviewed administrative regulations from the Council on Postsecondary Education. CPE Senior Vice President and General Counsel Travis Pahl explained that the regulations update the performance funding model for the Kentucky Community and Technical College System to reflect changes made by Senate Bill 191, including a Community Needs Index that reallocates part of an equity adjustment based on regional poverty, unemployment, and labor participation across the 16 colleges. Members were told the committee could ask questions, propose amendments, or find the regulations deficient, but no further action was taken. The meeting then adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• We have one vote out of 40, and that's the difference.
• We have one vote out of 40, and that's the difference.
• We have one vote out of 40, and that's the difference.
• We urge this committee to vote down this unnecessary bill.
• As a citizen of Jacksonville, I urge you to vote no on this bill.

Summary: The Committee on Governmental Oversight and Accountability met with a quorum present and took up two bills and one presentation. Senate Bill 108, on administrative procedures, was presented by Senator Burgess on behalf of Senator Grall. The bill would require agencies to systematically review rules over five years old, submit annual regulatory plans and reports, and take action on reviewed rules; it also would speed publication of proposed rules after new rulemaking authority and expand transparency for incorporated materials and rule histories. Americans for Prosperity appeared in support, there was no debate, and the bill was reported favorably on a roll call vote. The committee then heard a presentation from State Board of Administration Executive Director Chris Spencer on implementation of statutory investment restrictions affecting state funds. He reviewed the SBA’s structure and fiduciary duties, said the agency must maximize financial return using only pecuniary factors, and described the Protecting Florida’s Investments Act restrictions involving Northern Ireland, Cuba, Venezuela, Israel, Sudan, Iran, and China. He noted recent changes, including expanded Iran restrictions after the October 7 attacks, the addition of China-related divestment requirements, and the SBA’s move to eliminate China and Hong Kong from its global equity benchmarks; he said the agency is ahead of schedule on required divestment and in compliance with the law. Senate Bill 100, on display of flags by governmental entities, was then presented by Chair Fine. The bill would prohibit political flags on government buildings and allow active-duty service members and veterans to use reasonable force to stop flag desecration. The committee heard extensive public testimony, with supporters arguing government buildings should not display political messages and opponents raising First Amendment, vagueness, and enforcement concerns, especially regarding LGBTQ-related flags and school settings. Senators also questioned the bill’s definitions and the reasonable-force provision. After debate, the committee voted to report SB 100 favorably, with Senators Arrington and Polsky voting no and Senators Brodeur, McClain, Rodriguez, Fine, and Chair DeSiglie voting yes. At the end of the meeting, Senator Rodriguez was recorded as voting yes on SB 108, and the committee adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• the commission just voted on. the commission just voted on.
• will vote no. Please call the roll. will vote no. Please call the roll.
• while I'm I'm voting in my yet. while I'm I'm voting in my yet.
• With six voting members voting aye and two voting no, the regulation is found deficient.
• >> May I explain my pass vote, Mr. Chair? >> May I explain my pass vote, Mr.

Keywords: 958, all

Summary: The committee first reviewed several Fish and Wildlife regulations. Staff explained amendments to 301 KAR 2:176, 4:112, and 6:030, including updating wildlife control tag language, creating an impoundment agent program for seized wildlife, and clarifying boating safety rules. A member raised a concern about boat wakes near docks, and staff said the commission had recently voted on related changes that were not yet included because the regulation had been filed earlier; those changes would have to come back later. The committee approved the staff amendments without objection. The Board of Veterinary Examiners then presented 201 KAR 16:767, which would require veterinary managers to be physically present during business hours and limit them to five registered facilities. Board representatives said they had tried to meet with affected parties before the hearing but had not reached agreement. A representative for Kentucky Pet IQ argued the rule was written for full-service hospitals and would be impractical for short, limited-service clinics that only provide vaccinations, preventive care, and parasite testing. Members expressed concern about the rule’s impact on veterinary access in underserved areas, and the committee voted to defer the regulation until the next month so the parties could continue negotiating. The committee next considered Transportation Cabinet 601 KAR 9:120, the online insurance verification system, in both ordinary and emergency form. The chair said staff had identified conflicts with a bill passed the prior year and moved to find the regulations deficient. The motion passed on a roll call vote, with six ayes and two pass votes. The committee then found ordinary ABC regulations 804 KAR 12:020 and 12:030 deficient as well, again by six ayes and two pass votes, after noting that the emergency versions had already been found deficient the previous month. Finally, the committee reviewed Cabinet for Health and Family Services 902 KAR 55:110, which would require veterinarians to report dispensed controlled substances to KASPER while exempting administered medications. OIG staff said the rule was meant to align regulation with statute, which includes veterinarians as prescribers, and emphasized that the reporting duty applies to prescriptions, not administration to animals. Some members supported the change as a needed anti-diversion measure, while others worried about implementation burdens and timing. After discussion, the committee found the regulation deficient by a 6-2 vote. The meeting then moved into full review of 922 KAR 1:565, a Department for Community Based Services rule implementing kinship care provisions from Senate Bill 151; staff said it was needed for implementation once funding is available, but a member criticized the two-year delay and the inclusion of language conditioning implementation on funding. A public witness from the Kinship Families Coalition argued the rule should not shift the 120-day application window in a way that could affect federal funding eligibility and urged the committee to reject the regulation as written.

Transcript Highlights:

• President, has everyone recorded their vote? Anyone wish to change their vote, explain their vote?
• President, has everyone recorded their vote? Anyone wish to change their vote, explain their vote?
• President, has everyone recorded their vote? Anyone wish to change their vote, explain their vote?
• President, has everyone recorded their vote? Anyone wish to change their vote, explain their vote?
• President, has everyone recorded their vote? Anyone wish to change their vote, explain their vote?

Keywords: Senate streaming session for Tuesday, February 17, 2026, 960, senate, all

Summary: The Senate convened with an invocation, quorum call, and several introductions recognizing guests, including Reverend Jennifer Carsner and her daughter, President Kirk Schmoke, representatives from Maryland independent colleges and universities, students from Stevenson University, Howard and Anne Arundel counties, Washington College, a constituent, and the Greater Washington, D.C.-Maryland chapter of the National Multiple Sclerosis Society. The chamber also adopted a resolution honoring Damatha Catholic High School for winning the 2025 WCAC football championship and another recognizing the Greater Bethesda Chamber of Commerce on its 100th anniversary. Both resolutions were adopted unanimously after brief remarks and roll calls. The Senate then took up executive nominations, separating nominee 16 from the main report. The chamber voted 42 in favor on the remaining nominations and then 42 in favor on nominee 16, giving all nominees the Senate’s advice and consent. On third reading, the Senate passed several bills, including SB 46, SB 25, SB 58, SB 163, SB 170, SB 188, SB 247, SB 356, and SB 379, with recorded affirmative votes ranging from 36 to 42. These measures covered topics such as veterans cemeteries, tax credits and tax modifications, education funding, transportation revenue bonds, biotechnology incentives, a stillborn child tax credit, and recovery residence grant funding. The chamber also advanced numerous second-reading bills, generally adopting committee reports and amendments without objection. Among the measures discussed were collective bargaining for Alcohol, Tobacco, and Cannabis Commission police officers; adoption of the 2022 Uniform Commercial Code amendments for controllable electronic records; cemetery sale and transfer oversight; an additional license for electronic smoking devices; collective bargaining for Baltimore County Public Library supervisory employees; payroll processor exemptions under the Money Transmission Act; scalp cooling coverage for chemotherapy patients; orthoses and prostheses coverage under health and Medicaid plans; an online database of elevator inspection certificates; service animal program disqualification standards; extension of the State Board of Environmental Health Specialists; disclosure of lapsed professional liability insurance for nursing homes, assisted living facilities, and nurse midwives; and revisions to massage therapy licensure rules. Most reports were favorable, with several technical or substantive amendments adopted and bills ordered printed for third reading. A notable policy discussion occurred on SB 56, which would allow the Maryland Longitudinal Data System Center to share individual-level student and workforce data with a third-party data center for multi-state reporting. The sponsor explained the bill as a way to compare Maryland outcomes with other states while using data-sharing agreements and oversight to protect privacy; a minority whip raised concerns about the type of third-party data center and whether the practice was new. The sponsor said the bill was intended to formalize and safeguard data sharing, and noted a technical amendment would be offered to correct the amendment language.

Transcript Highlights:

• With that, I vote aye. Thank you. Thank you. I'm going to explain my vote.
• By your vote is six, aye.
• My vote: yes.
• committee, so I'll vote aye.
• Your vote is six ayes, four nays. Well, your vote of six ayes, four nays.

Bills: HB2150, HB2262, HB2267, HB2268, HB2351, HB2425, HB2426, HB2427, HB2755, HB2781, HB2913, HB2943, HB2956, HB2975, HB2985, HB4009

Keywords: state land department, mineral lease, renewals, indexed royalties, land use planning, auditor general, five-year plans, geospatial data, Arizona Geological Survey, resource analysis, geographic information systems, wildlife protection, public nuisance, renewable energy, wind farm, solar farm, residential property, public health, local regulations, state land

Summary: The committee first took up House Bill 2150, which would continue the State Land Department until July 1, 2030. Members discussed a Griffin amendment requiring quarterly updates from the commissioner, a public hearing on the department’s strategic plan in 2028, changes to conceptual land use plans and five-year disposition plans, and legislative findings. The hearing focused heavily on State Land Department practices, including whether it is subject to state agency statutes, the department’s internal ASAP application review process, backlog levels, appraisal and consultant use, audit findings, privileged documents in the Fondomonte matter, Proposition 207 notices, and the Coyotes land auction. Members also raised concerns about land sales, leases, special use permits, and the department’s compliance history. The amendment was adopted and HB 2150 was passed as amended on a 6-4 vote. The committee then considered House Bill 2975, which would suspend the department’s solar scoring map and require new mining and housing resource maps, with a Griffin amendment extending the mapping deadline to ten years or earlier and requiring website posting. Supporters argued the bill would restore neutrality, improve planning, and maximize trust revenue; opponents said the solar map is only a guidance tool and that removing it could reduce transparency and harm solar development. The State Land Department said it was neutral but noted the solar layer is used as guidance and that additional staff or consultant support might be needed to create the new maps. The bill passed as amended on a 6-4 vote. House Bill 2781 followed, proposing county or municipal decommissioning standards and financial assurance requirements for solar energy power plants, along with a remediation fund. A Griffin amendment narrowed local authority to decommissioning standards only and limited applicability to projects receiving permits after the effective date. The sponsor and several witnesses from Pinal County planning and zoning supported the bill, saying solar projects should be required to post real financial assurance so land can be restored if operators go bankrupt or abandon sites. The committee adopted the amendment and passed HB 2781 as amended on a 6-4 vote. Finally, the committee began House Bill 2267, which would classify certain renewable energy projects within four miles of residential property as a public nuisance, with a Heap amendment narrowing it to new utility-scale wind or solar farms and preserving existing projects. The sponsor argued the bill responds to concerns about large wind and solar projects near homes, property values, and wildlife impacts. Testimony and questioning centered on nuisance standards, property value effects, and environmental and health concerns, but the transcript cuts off before final action on HB 2267.

Transcript Highlights:

• voted on before we amend the amendment. voted on before we amend the amendment.
• everybody votes. everybody votes.
• This we're going to have a vote, your conscience vote, in a minute.
• myself vote for HP 104. myself vote for HP 104.
• voting no on the ITL. voting no on the ITL.

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• So we advocate for robust and efficient post-election audits that can validate voting.
• It's really about auditing votes.
• Now and under any conceivable audit, just because there were so many votes to audit.
• And under any conceivable audit, just because there were so many votes to audit.
• Similarly, you know, towns run the voting machines, but the State Board conducts the audits.

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The Committee on Election Laws held a hearing on election security bills, focusing first on S. 517 and H. 876, which would strengthen Massachusetts’ post-election audit process. Testimony from the Brennan Center, Common Cause Massachusetts, Verified Voting, and the League of Women Voters supported expanding audits to include all ballot types, increasing audit frequency from every four years to every two years, requiring statewide audit reports to be posted within 30 days and kept online for six years, and allowing municipalities to conduct audits under state standards. Witnesses also praised the bill’s creation of a work group to study risk-limiting audits and other improvements, emphasizing public confidence, transparency, and the ability of audits to detect errors or deter fraud. Committee members asked detailed questions about how Massachusetts compares with other states, how risk-limiting audits differ from current tabulation audits, how audits are selected and expanded if discrepancies appear, and what the costs and mechanics of different audit methods would be. Witnesses explained that current audits are typically random, hand-count-based checks of selected contests and batches of ballots, that risk-limiting audits use statistical sampling and can escalate to a full recount if needed, and that Massachusetts’ local-control structure makes a collaborative work group useful. They also noted that audits generally confirm results but can uncover errors that do not change outcomes, and occasionally more serious problems. The committee then heard testimony on H. 832, which would authorize the Secretary of the Commonwealth to take emergency actions affecting elections during declared emergencies. Supporters said the bill would create a clear statutory process for rescheduling or adjusting elections during severe weather or other crises, including allowing emergency absentee ballot accommodations for civilian responders, and would reduce the need for court intervention. No votes were taken on the bills during the hearing, and the meeting ended with adjournment after no additional testimony was offered.

Transcript Highlights:

• Those wishing to vote or change their vote, the chair is preparing to close. Thank you.
• Those wishing to vote or change their vote, the chair is preparing to close.
• Those wishing to vote or change their vote, the chair is preparing to close. Declare the vote.
• Those wishing to vote or change their vote, the chair is preparing to close.
• Declare the vote. 76 aye, 20 nay. I have received a majority vote.

Bills: HB1411, HB3143, HB3144, HB3901, HCR1019, HB3981, HB4248, HB3194, HB3849, HB4095, HB4302, HB3342, HB3344, HB3287, HB3645, HB3647, HB3930, HB3931, HB1818, HB4454, HB4336

Keywords: True Grit Trail, Oklahoma, tourism, signage, Department of Transportation, state parks, historical sites, economic development, medical marijuana, license transfer, Oklahoma Medical Marijuana Authority, moratorium, business regulation, commercial grower licenses, licensing restrictions, agriculture, psychological autopsy, mental health, suicide prevention, state health department

Transcript Highlights:

• Today I stand before you and urge you to vote aye.
• All members vote who desire to vote. All members vote who desire to vote.
• All members vote who desire to vote. The clerk will close the roll. There are 71 co-authors added.
• All members who vote who desire to vote. All members vote who desire to vote.
• All members vote who desire to vote. The clerk will close the roll. There are 70 co-authors added.

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• All members vote who desire to vote. Members, this is a 54-vote bill.
• All members vote who desire to vote. All members vote who desire to vote.
• All members vote who desire to vote.
• All members vote who desire to vote. Clerk will close the roll, tally the votes.
• All members vote who desire to vote. All members vote who desire to vote.

Summary: The Assembly convened, established a quorum, and handled a number of procedural motions, including suspending rules for adjournments in memory and guest introductions, rescinding prior action on SB 493, and re-referring several Senate bills to different committees. Members also recognized guests on the floor, including family members, interns, firefighters from the Corona Fire Department, and the Quartz Hill High girls’ soccer team, which was honored for its historic championship season. The main floor action was on AB 1795 by Assembly Member Gibson, the Smoke Damage Recovery Act, which would create statewide standards for inspecting, testing, and remediating wildfire smoke damage and set clearer insurance claim practices. Supporters said the bill would help wildfire survivors return home safely and urged science-based standards and a rebuttable presumption that contamination after a wildfire was caused by the fire; opponents warned the bill could raise costs and should better address government failures in fire recovery. The bill passed on a 54-6 vote, including the urgency clause. Members also adopted SCR 137, proclaiming March 15 as Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg Day, with remarks praising her role in advancing gender equality and equal rights. The resolution was adopted after 65 co-authors were added and then approved by voice vote. The consent calendar, including SJR 11, was adopted 71-0. A large portion of the session was devoted to adjournments in memory, including tributes to Larry Vane, Dr. William A. Burke, Colonel Alfred P. Glover, and Rita Semmel. The Assembly also honored departing Member James Gallagher, who gave extended farewell remarks before leaving for Congress. The house then announced upcoming committee meetings and adjourned until Thursday, June 11, at 9 a.m.

Transcript Highlights:

• So both extend this to December vote.
• Senate must vote in the affirmative. Senate must vote in the affirmative.
• <00:21:14.320> So, voting. You must have 16 at least. So, voting.
• I vote on a constitutional amendment.
• vote. Thank you, Mr. President. vote. Thank you, Mr. President.

Keywords: 927, senate, all