Transcript Highlights:

• <01:03:00.079> Thank amendment. Uh that's my motion. Thank amendment.
• Chair, have an amendment as well. The A1. Senator Housley offers the A1 amendment.
• The A1 amendment is adopted. Now, Senator Housley to House File 1058 as amended. Thank you, Mr.
• <01:11:58.719> Uh amended. Thank you, Mr. Chair. Uh amended. Thank you, Mr. Chair.
• Chair, the amendment, as I Mr.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Hold on, hold on, hold on, I have an amendment. By order here, do we have an amendment?
• What amendment? You just explained the amendment.
• So if there's no questions on the amendment, I'll entertain a motion to adopt the amendment.
• The bill has a favorable report as amended. The bill has a favorable report as amended.
• Now the bill is before us as amended. Is there any questions on the bill as amended?

Bills: HB105, HB296, HB15, HB264, HB34, HB304, HB146, HB26, HB15, HB34, HB26

Keywords: law enforcement, retirement benefits, Alabama Peace Officers, agency-issued badge, agency-issued pistol, resisting arrest, custody, public safety, Alabama law, traffic infractions, traffic ticket, disposition, criminal contempt, vessel registration, boating fees, state funds, regulatory changes, water safety, compliance, false information

Transcript Highlights:

• Motion to amend it. Motion to amend it. Make that amendment. Motion to amend that amendment.
• Make a motion to amend it to do one mile committee sub. Motion to amend. All those in favor say I.
• >> motion to amend. >> motion to amend.
• >> Motion<00:03:18.560> to<00:03:18.640> amend. >> Motion to amend.
• >> Motion to amend.

Keywords: Highways and Transportation - Room 216, 28 January, 2026; 2:00 PM, 925, all

Summary: The committee took up several memorial highway and scenic byway measures. It first discussed designating a segment of US Highway 98 in Greene County as the Michael Robinson Memorial Highway, and members agreed to a committee substitute to reduce the designation to one mile before advancing it. The committee also considered Senate Bill 2267 to honor Judge Lloyd Gilmer Spivey III with a one-mile memorial highway designation, and Senate Bill 2629 to designate a segment of Mississippi Highway 32 in Calhoun County as the Joe Tunnel Memorial Highway; both were moved forward without recorded opposition. The committee then considered a scenic byways measure to designate certain road segments in Chickasaw County as the Davis Lake Road Scenic Byway, which was also advanced on motion. Finally, it took up a memorial highway bill for Mississippi Highway 550 in Lincoln County to honor Lamar Smith; members amended that bill to a one-mile designation via committee substitute and then approved the committee substitute and title sufficient do pass. The chair then announced the next item would be a radar bill for Senator Rhodes.

Transcript Highlights:

• Those are so technical amendments and that one amendment from Office of Hawaiian Affairs.
• recommended language in the amendment. recommended language in the amendment.
• Representatives amendments.
• <02:26:10.880> which amendments and the other amendment which amendments and the other amendment
• . >> Yes, the amendments.

Keywords: 910, house, all

Summary: The committee first took up House Bill 1531, HD1, which would require the governor or county mayors to provide American Sign Language interpreters during official emergency announcements broadcast on television or the internet, ensure the interpreter is visible, and provide a primary pool feed with picture-in-picture so rebroadcasters would not need to add the feature themselves. Testimony from the Disability and Communication Access Board and the State Council on Developmental Disabilities strongly supported the bill, emphasizing effective communication for deaf and hard-of-hearing residents and noting that interpreter placement and size can make broadcasts inaccessible. The council requested an effective date of July 1, 2027 to allow implementation time. Members raised concerns about interpreter availability and emergency logistics on Hawaiʻi Island, but the chair moved to pass the bill with amendments reflecting the picture-in-picture recommendation and the later effective date. The committee adopted the motion, with several members voting aye and others voting with reservations. The committee then heard House Bill 1880, HD2, which would prohibit, beginning January 1, 2027, the use or application of pesticides containing 1,3-dichloropropene, such as Telone. The Department of Agriculture and Biosecurity explained that pesticides are already regulated at both the federal and state levels, with EPA risk assessments and state enforcement of label restrictions, reporting, and school-buffer requirements. The Hawaii Public Health Institute supported the bill, citing cancer and respiratory risks and arguing that safer alternatives exist. In opposition, Dole Food and the Hawaii Farm Bureau said Telone is important for controlling nematodes in pineapple production, that it is applied underground under EPA conditions, and that no comparable registered alternative exists for pineapple; they also said the bill’s 2027 start date is too short for growers to adjust. A representative from the Y Alliance for Progressive Action and Support supported the measure, citing statewide usage data and concerns about drift and chronic health impacts. Committee members questioned both sides about drift monitoring, groundwater impacts, alternative methods, and whether a transition period or research into resistant varieties could reduce reliance on the chemical.

Transcript Highlights:

• an A2 author's amendment. an A2 author's amendment.
• author's A2 amendment, please say I. author's A2 amendment, please say I.
• amendment to the bill. Miss Dangle. amendment to the bill. Miss Dangle.
• <00:52:28.800> No, about the amendment. No, about the amendment.
• Are there any other amendments? amendments? amendments?

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• What do you want to do on the amendment?<02:52:05.600> Um, amendment? Um, amendment?
• You amendment.
• The amendment is a friendly amendment, as the senator mentioned.
• Barfoot amendment. >> Uh, that was the Barfoot amendment.
• That's the second amendment, the amendment effective date.

Keywords: 920, all

Summary: The Alabama Senate convened with prayer, the pledge, and a quorum present, then adopted the previous day’s journal and excused absent senators. The chamber recognized visiting members of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity and adopted a Senate resolution designating February 10, 2026, as Alpha Phi Alpha Day at the Alabama State Capitol. Senators offered remarks praising the fraternity’s service, civic outreach, and historical significance, and the House later sent over a matching resolution, which the Senate adopted. The Senate also heard a Black History Month presentation highlighting Benjamin Banneker, Dr. Charles Drew, Ralph Bunche, and Carter G. Woodson. The Senate then processed a large number of House messages and confirmations. House bills and resolutions were referred to committees, including measures on juvenile offenders, administrative rules, state income tax, local legislation, ad valorem tax, multi-member boards, license plates, criminal procedure, and food banks. The Senate confirmed several appointments, including multiple Alabama Army National Guard promotions, Mike Suo to the Jacksonville State University Board of Trustees, and Christy Andrews to the Alabama Securities Commission, each by roll call with no opposition. In motions and resolutions, the Senate adopted numerous commemorative and honorary resolutions, including observances for National Blood Donor Month, Diabetes Month, Booker T. Washington Day, the Alabama Community College Football Study Commission, and recognitions for individuals and organizations such as the Baldwin County Fair, Sheriff Derek Cunningham, William Riley Hawkins Jr., and Clifford Ray Miller. Senator Barfoot’s resolution urging federal funding for the state logging efficiency grant fund was adopted after adding all senators as co-sponsors, and a resolution honoring Sheriff Derek Cunningham was read at length and adopted. The Senate also adopted the Rules Committee’s special order calendar for the next legislative day, which prioritized several bills on libraries, taxation, retired state employees, municipalities, transportation, coal-impacted communities, income tax, the Alabama Space Authority, cosmetology and barbering, security, entertainment incentives, and health. In local legislation, the Senate passed several local bills, including measures for Mobile County, class 2 municipalities, public transportation, Jefferson County, and the town of Morris.

Transcript Highlights:

• streams so we're requesting an amendment streams so we're requesting an amendment to<00:17:26.880
• <01:08:34.159> and problem with a bunch of amendments and problem with a bunch of amendments
• rules that we we are proposing to amend rules that we we are proposing to amend it<01:43:08.960>
• that's our intention with the amendment that's our intention with the amendment okay<01:50:40.760
• So, we'll be making technical amendments for clarity, consistency, and style with those amendments.

Keywords: 910, house, all

Summary: The committee heard testimony on several measures. On HB 211 relating to stream maintenance, DLNR supported the intent but requested amendments to clarify that responsibility for removing abandoned property rests with the entity that has jurisdiction or ownership of the stream, and asked for appropriations to help cover cleanup costs. Members discussed existing county authority to clean streams and then seek reimbursement from private owners, and the City and County of Honolulu’s written testimony was noted as arguing the bill conflicts with a federal court stipulation requiring notice and storage of personal property before disposal. On HB 502 relating to land use, OPSD and the Land Use Commission supported the bill’s intent but raised concerns about the short timeline and the need for rule changes, with OPSD recommending a more permanent county plan-based district boundary amendment process instead of a temporary one. The Department of Agriculture asked counties to make concurrent revisions to ordinances and rules affecting agricultural land partitioning. Testimony also noted the bill is aimed at legacy agricultural subdivisions and would require Land Use Commission rulemaking. On HB 510 relating to declaration of water shortage and emergency, DLNR and the Board of Water Supply strongly supported the measure, saying it would give CWRM a more timely tool to respond to emergencies outside designated water management areas and would require rulemaking, permit classifications, and criteria for declaring shortages. In response to opposition concerns from the Land Use Research Foundation and the Hawaii Farm Bureau, DLNR said the rulemaking process would allow public input and that permit classifications could help balance agricultural and other water uses. On HB 511 relating to public lands, DLNR, the Department of Agriculture, and Hawaii Farm Bureau supported removing the survey requirement before setting aside public lands between state agencies, saying it would speed Act 90 transfers and save time and money, though one testifier cautioned against misuse of agricultural lands. No votes were taken during the excerpted portion of the meeting.

Transcript Highlights:

• placed on its repass as amended.
• This is the A34 amendment. Senator Grunhagen, to your A34 amendment. Oh, thank you, Mr. President.
• introduce amendment A17. introduce amendment A17.
• Senator Weber offers the A17 amendment. Senator Weber offers the A17 amendment.
• This is the A17 amendment. Senator Weber, to your amendment. Thank you, Mr. President.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Thank you, Senator Pappas moves the A1 amendment. The A1 amendment is adopted.
• Senator Lieske, Madam Chair, I would move the A3 amendment. The A3 amendment is also adopted.
• I I any opposed right the A3 amendment I I any opposed right the A3 amendment is<00:26:08.679>
• I do have an amendment, and I would like to move the A2 amendment, which should be in your packets.
• And I do have an A2 amendment.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• committee amendment. committee amendment.
• Discussion. >> And um I'd like to move an amendment. >> Committee amendment. >> Committee amendment.
• All in favor of the amendments.<02:17:15.920> I amendments. I amendments.
• All in favor of the amendment amendment. All in favor of the amendment >> I. >> I.
• . amended. amended.

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• DLS has prepared a line amendment. Move the line amendment. Second.
• Motion has been made and properly seconded on the amendment, the new amendment that is before us.
• All right, the amendment is adopted. And Chair Sewell. The amendment is adopted, and Chair Sewell.
• The senator has a line amendment. I'm going to ask staff to report the line amendment.
• Move the amendment. Second. Motion has been made and properly seconded on the amendment.

Keywords: House Committee Room A, General Assembly Building, 976, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Calendar 5797, Senate Print 2666A, Senator Salazar, an act to amend the Correction Law.
• I offer the following amendments. Amendments are received.
• I also have amendments to the following third reading bills: Senator Stavisky, 551; Martinez, 670.
• Amendments are received. Bill will retain its place on the third reading calendar.
• Senator Cleare, an act to amend the Public Service Law. Read the last section.

Keywords: 993, senate, all

Summary: The Senate opened with routine proceedings, approved the prior day’s journal, and then took up a budget extender. Senator Serrano’s appropriation bill was recalled from the Assembly, reconsidered, amended, and sent through Rules to the floor. During debate, senators discussed the ongoing delay in finalizing the state budget, the 13th extender, school aid payments, the Yonkers school district payment, and unresolved issues such as Tier 6 retirement changes and other budget policy items. The extender was passed 57-2 after debate, with senators pressing for more transparency about the budget negotiations and the majority responding that those issues were not germane to the extender. The chamber then recognized several resolutions and guests. Senators spoke in support of Resolution 1948 honoring New York State 4-H and its Capital Days participants, Resolution 2054 commemorating Italian American Day, and Resolution 1620 mourning Denis Michael Troy of Rockland County. The Italian American Day resolution drew extensive remarks from many senators about family histories, immigration, cultural contributions, scholarships, and community traditions, and the Senate welcomed honored guests from the Italian American community. The Rosalyn Yalow Charter School fencing team was also introduced, along with the family of Denis Troy. The Senate then moved through a long calendar of bills, passing measures on public service, city administrative code, municipal law, correction law, criminal procedure, real property tax, education, social services, public health, executive law, parks, judiciary, and alcoholic beverage control, among others. Several members explained votes on bills related to ratepayer protection, hip-hop lyrics in criminal cases, sovereign nations and gaming compacts, and the Traveling with Dignity Act requiring adult changing stations in public facilities. Most bills passed with broad support, though some drew notable negative votes. The Senate completed the calendar and adjourned until Tuesday, May 19, at 3:00 p.m.

Transcript Highlights:

• He said it is a friendly agreed-upon amendment. The chair asked for a second on the amendment.
• I mean, couldn't you just make that amendment on your amendment and take that into consideration, with
• Having voted on the amendment, I vote that we withdraw the amendment. Okay. Any other questions?
• >> withdraw the amendment. >> withdraw the amendment.
• ,<00:16:33.600> I Senator when you do your amendment, I Senator when you do your amendment

Bills: SB66, SB74, SB72, SB149, SB168, SB66, SB74, SB72, SB149, SB168

Keywords: University of Montevallo, trustees, board governance, terms of office, quorum, education, teacher support, loan assistance, acute shortage, Alabama teachers, higher education, adult learners, grant program, education funding, eligibility requirements, teacher certification, military veterans, temporary teaching certificate, workforce development, K-12 education

Transcript Highlights:

• So we're going to go first to House Bill 184 as amended. We'll go...
• Now you're striking an amendment.
• Um, okay, on the amendment, any other questions on H.A.F.C. Amendment Number One?
• Amendment Number One to House Bill 200. Okay. We’ve adopted that.
• We’re excited to go next to House Bill 47 as amended.

Bills: HB63, HB64, HB184, HB200, HB47, HB48, HB2, HB9

Keywords: water project fund, New Mexico Finance Authority, NMFA, Water Trust Board, water infrastructure, wastewater, drinking water, flood prevention, watershed restoration, water storage, conveyance, delivery, water treatment, recycling, reuse, municipal infrastructure, local government finance, capital outlay, grants, loans

Transcript Highlights:

• They don't propose amendments. So let's have an amendment in front of everybody. It is 233732 2.
• So this amendment is friendly. It was a proposed language and thank you for moving the amendment.
• on the amendment or comments on the amendment.
• You have an amended bill, Senator.
• So we've amended it again. So it's twice amended. Now in this committee, getting sloppy over there.

Bills: SB3, HB70, HB49, HB60, HB151, HB164, SB17, SB35, SB164

Keywords: Public Regulation Commission, PRC, utility oversight fund, public utilities, utility regulation, commissioners, commission staff, chief of staff, ethics, Gift Act, revolving door, post-employment restrictions, consumer complaints, telecommunications, pipeline safety, natural gas pipelines, oil pipelines, license fees, regulatory oversight, administrative cleanup

Transcript Highlights:

• Chair Botana: Members, any questions on the amendment? Questions on the amendment?
• Any public testimony on the amendment? Members, any debate on the amendment?
• That is the amendment. Chair Botana: Questions on the amendment?
• Chair Botana: Public testimony on the amendment? Debate on the amendment? Rep.
• Chair Botana: Your amendment is adopted. Back on the bill as amended.

Transcript Highlights:

• The A6 is amended to the DE. Um, then we will go to the DE2 next.
• <00:04:41.960> as please say I the de2 as amended as please say I the de2 as amended as amended
• c><00:04:44.280> apologies<00:04:45.280> as amended the de2 as amended apologies as amended
• the de2 as amended apologies as amended<00:04:45.919> please<00:04:46.120> say<00:04:46.400
• We will be moving House File 1837, as amended, to the General Register.

Keywords: 919, house, all

Summary: The committee considered House File 1837 and first adopted the A6 amendment to the DE2. Staff explained that the A6 made several technical and policy changes, including fixes to compensation council language, grants management changes drawn from prior legislation and the governor’s fraud package, clarifying revisions to state contracting language, revival of the 2025 compensation council so it could address judicial salaries in 2026, changes requested by Minnesota Management and Budget to personnel management statutes, and a conforming change renaming the commissioner’s plan to the Non-Represented Employees Compensation Plan. After discussion, the committee adopted the DE2 as amended to House File 1837. Members and the chair described the bill as a bipartisan policy package reflecting work from both sides of the aisle. No opposition was recorded on the final motion. The committee then voted to re-refer House File 1837, as amended, to the General Register. The motion carried by voice vote, and the bill was reported out of committee.

Transcript Highlights:

• And I see you've got an A1 authors amendment, so I move the A1 amendment to put the bill in the shape
• The amendment is adopted to your bill as amended. Thank you, Mr. Chair.
• The A2 amendment is adopted to your bill as amended.
• Uh, A1 amendment is adopted. A1 amendment is adopted.
• The A1 amendment was adopted to the bill as amended.

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:46:08.079> to the department that the amendments to the department that the amendments
• April 23 2057 so with amendments April 23 2057 so with amendments questions<00:59:45.400> or<
• pass SB 301 chair votes with amendments pass SB 301 chair votes with amendments yes<00:59:53.920
• with technical amendments with technical amendments only<01:03:02.760> hang<01:03:02.920>
• recommendations to pass with amendments recommendations to pass with amendments just<01:03:33.760

Keywords: 912, senate, all

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

Transcript Highlights:

• Now we are back on the bill as amended. Is there any questions on the bill as amended?
• I do see that we have an amendment. Seeing no questions, we do have an amendment.
• I do see that we have an amendment. Seeing no questions, we do have an amendment.
• Any debate on the amendment? You can close on your amendment. We’ll close. Waving close.
• Show the amendment is adopted. We’re back on the bill as amended.

Bills: S1062, S1718, S7038

Keywords: speech education, debate, high school, Florida Debate Initiative, civics, competitive teams, student participation, educational advancement, educator preparation, certification, professional development, temporary certificate, military service, collaboration, teaching effectiveness, education, Florida College System, tuition waivers, vocational rehabilitation, state universities

Summary: The Appropriations Committee on Pre-K-12 Education met to consider several education bills and the proposed fiscal year 2026-2027 Department of Education budget. The committee first took up CS/SB 1062 on speech and debate, which would formalize Florida’s Speech and Debate Week, strengthen the partnership between the Department of Education and the Florida Debate Initiative, require annual public reporting, and support statewide speech and debate programming. The bill drew extensive supportive testimony from students, alumni, and advocates who said debate improved civic engagement, literacy, confidence, and school performance, while also noting the need for equitable access and funding for travel and competition. The committee adopted a delete-everything amendment and then reported the bill favorably as amended by a unanimous vote of members present. The committee then heard SB 1718 on educator preparation and certification, which expands access to educator preparation coursework, broadens eligibility for temporary certification for some formerly certified professionals, and allows prior subject-area exam results to satisfy requirements. Public testimony largely supported easing barriers for experienced educators while emphasizing that certification changes are only a partial solution to teacher shortages and should be paired with better pay, retention, and professional respect. The bill was reported favorably. Next, the committee considered SB 7038 on education, which included a wide range of higher education and workforce-related changes, including a tuition waiver for Florida State Guard members, residency clarifications, oversight changes for blind services and vocational rehabilitation providers, licensure updates for private colleges, dual enrollment and assessment revisions, scholarship and funding changes, and reserve-fund requirements. An amendment restored the Classical Learning Test as a qualifying option for a grandparent tuition waiver, adjusted a Pell Grant performance metric, changed accreditation timing, and made other technical revisions. A dental education stakeholder raised concerns that one provision could disrupt long-standing exemptions for dental assisting programs, and the Florida Dental Association said it was working with the sponsor to avoid unintended impacts. The committee adopted the amendment and reported the bill favorably as amended. The final major item was a high-level review of the proposed pre-K-12 budget, totaling $34.9 billion with local funds. Highlights included $30 billion for public schools and K-12 scholarships, a $50 increase in the base student allocation, a 1.64% increase in total funds per FTE, $4.5 billion for family empowerment scholarships as a separate FEFP categorical, $25 million for districts facing future enrollment declines, $65.3 million to help districts with current-year enrollment losses, $432.8 million for VPK, and $30.4 million for regional education consortia. Senators asked about reductions or flat funding in some allocations, teacher pay, declining enrollment support, Schools of Hope funding, and support for non-teaching school staff. Public testimony on the budget focused heavily on concerns about charter and voucher funding, especially the $6 million for Schools of Hope, with speakers urging more investment in traditional public schools, teacher compensation, and school infrastructure. The committee concluded the meeting by adjournment after no further business.