Transcript Highlights:

• They will enhance firefighter and EMS safety.
• </c><01:06:31.760><c> And</c> enhance firefighter and EMS safety.
• And enhance firefighter and EMS safety.
• </c><01:30:10.000><c> Now</c> Used to be you had male and female.
• Now Used to be you had male and female.

Bills: HF4094 , HF3390 , HF3813 , HF3583 , HF3751 , HF4324 , HF4789 , HF3596 , HF4033 , HF4424 , HF4053

Committee: House Taxes

Keywords: Crosby, local sales tax, bonding authority, community projects, voter approval, Owatonna, use tax, special law, community center, municipal finance, capital project, sales and use tax, local option tax, city tax, public facility, general election, bond referendum, debt limit, levy limit, Minnesota local government

Transcript Highlights:

• All right, Brian will from the firefighters is here. Good morning, Mr.
• I'm the president of the Professional Firefighters of New Hampshire, and we represent approximately 2,000
• active and retired firefighters across the state.
• Obviously, in this profession, we have a number of firefighters go out injured somewhat frequently, and
• </c><01:15:51.560><c> who</c> um people over 20 primarily female who um people over 20 primarily female

Committee: Senate Commerce

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I mean, we're opening a 300-bed female prison in Mandan in the fall of 2027.
• We think it will be the fall of next year, so '27, when we get all the females moved out.
• Fall of next year, so '27, when we get all the females moved out, that'll be a process to.
• to achieve at least the minimum fire and life safety construction standards and provisions for firefighting
• that our concern is not only with ignoring a process that I described today, but also with the firefighting

Summary: The committee began with roll call, introductions of a new fiscal analyst and a new member, and approval of the March 19 minutes. The first major presentation was from the Office of Management and Budget on the state’s general fund and special fund status through May. OMB reported general fund revenues were running below the legislative forecast by about $76 million, driven largely by weaker individual income tax and sales tax collections, though the projected ending balance remained positive and above the budgeted level. The budget stabilization fund was above its cap and would transfer excess earnings to the general fund, and the legacy fund balance continued to grow. Members also asked about federal funding uncertainty and mineral leasing revenue variability. The committee then reviewed compliance reports and trust fund analyses, followed by discussion of a bill draft for the fixed-route city transportation network study. The draft would create a $15 million general fund grant program with a formula-based distribution to eligible fixed-route transit cities, intended to support operating and capital needs and help match federal transit funds. Transit officials from Minot and Fargo testified in support, explaining local fare and match structures and the difficulty of replacing aging buses and securing federal matching dollars. Several members questioned whether the program should be limited to the current four cities or broadened to future eligible urban areas, and whether local funding sources should be explored further. The committee did not finalize the bill draft at that point and planned to continue discussion at a later meeting. The committee also approved a bill draft repealing obsolete language related to approval of a bi-state authority with South Dakota, after staff explained that no agreements had ever been implemented and the provision appeared outdated. A roll call vote was taken and the motion carried. Later, the Department of Commerce and the Northern Plains UAS Test Site presented updates on uncrewed aircraft systems initiatives, including the Vantis radar data enclave, the drone replacement program, and efforts to build a revenue model for Vantis. Test site officials said FAA approval had been secured for the radar data program, replacement of noncompliant drones was underway, and future revenue could come from state and external users once pricing and intellectual property arrangements are finalized. Members asked about Chinese-made drones, supply chain issues, automation, and how the system would manage beyond-visual-line-of-sight operations. The Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation then presented on the design of a new minimum-security prison and a reentry housing study. Officials said the proposed facility would relocate the minimum-security prison to the penitentiary campus, reduce costs from an earlier estimate, and provide more beds and programming space, with construction potentially beginning in 2027 and opening around 2031. They also described staffing needs, the planned move of women to the New England facility, and possible expansion of men’s housing there. The parole and probation chief described a reentry housing task force studying housing needs for people leaving incarceration, with a goal of developing data-driven recommendations for subsidies and support services; a representative from Protection and Advocacy closed by expressing general support for fixed-route and paratransit funding.

Bills: SB2063 , SB1877 , SB1884 , SB2174 , SB1525 , SB1771 , SB1805 , SB1916 , SB1365 , SB1810

Committee: House General Government

Keywords: unclaimed property, abandoned property, state treasurer, unclaimed property fund, public website, claimant, hearing, administrative procedures act, sales tax exemption, income tax subtraction, youth entrepreneurs, teen business, minor-owned business, sole proprietorship, business license exemption, entrepreneurship, youth vendor, Oklahoma Tax Commission, Title 60, Title 68

Bills: SB2063 , SB1877 , SB1884 , SB2174 , SB1525 , SB1771 , SB1805 , SB1916 , SB1365 , SB1810

Committee: House General Government

Keywords: unclaimed property, abandoned property, state treasurer, unclaimed property fund, public website, claimant, hearing, administrative procedures act, sales tax exemption, income tax subtraction, youth entrepreneurs, teen business, minor-owned business, sole proprietorship, business license exemption, entrepreneurship, youth vendor, Oklahoma Tax Commission, Title 60, Title 68

Summary: The committee first laid over Senate Bill 263, then took up several other measures. Senate Bill 1877, which would create a centralized reporting system for reports through the Secretary of State, was discussed as similar to House Bill 3047 and was reported due pass by a 6-0 vote. Senate Bill 1884, concerning access for statewide educator associations and individual school employees, drew questions about union access, off-campus recruitment, right-to-work law, and possible conflicting language on fees and reimbursement; it was reported due pass 6-1. The committee then advanced tourism and public safety measures. Senate Bill 1365 would update promotional fund language and allow the Tourism and Recreation Department to make certain merchandise purchases outside the central purchasing process up to $75,000; it passed 6-2. Senate Bill 2174 would change the appointment and makeup of the State Fire Marshal Commission board and was reported due pass 8-0. Senate Bill 1525, as amended by a PCS, would let the Tourism and Recreation Department contract for support of its annual tourism conference and charge registration fees to recoup costs, with emergency language added; it passed 6-2. The committee also approved House Bill 1810, which would allow expert testimony in human trafficking cases and add trafficking victims to existing victim services, by an 8-0 vote. On workforce and agency administration, Senate Bill 1771 would expand the Workforce Commission’s authority to collect funding, expenditure, and performance data and to hire outside counsel; it passed 5-2. Senate Bill 1805 would bar certain group homes and post-adjudication treatment facilities from using contract staff, due to concerns about records access and staffing; it passed 6-1. Finally, Senate Bill 1960 would move the Oklahoma Receivership Office under the Oklahoma Insurance Department to modernize and reduce duplication, and it was reported due pass 7-0. The meeting then adjourned.

Bills: HB2936 , HB2967 , HB3627 , HB3721 , HB4132 , HB4303 , HB4478 , HB4322 , HB4227

Keywords: HB2936, children, child protection, adoption, Oklahoma Adoption Code, gestational carrier, gestational agreement, surrogacy, intended parent, preplacement home study, home study, prospective adoptive parent, foster placement, child abuse, child neglect, child sexual abuse, child sexual exploitation, lewd molestation, sex offender registry, Oklahoma Sex Offenders Registration Act

Bills: HB2936 , HB2967 , HB3627 , HB3721 , HB4132 , HB4303 , HB4478 , HB4322 , HB4227

Keywords: HB2936, children, child protection, adoption, Oklahoma Adoption Code, gestational carrier, gestational agreement, surrogacy, intended parent, preplacement home study, home study, prospective adoptive parent, foster placement, child abuse, child neglect, child sexual abuse, child sexual exploitation, lewd molestation, sex offender registry, Oklahoma Sex Offenders Registration Act

Summary: The House convened, took the roll, offered an invocation, led the Pledge of Allegiance, and recognized the nurse of the day, Stephanie Cooper. Members also adopted motions related to a multi-day adjournment request and received several guest introductions, including students, athletes, family members, and constituents in the galleries. The chamber then considered and passed several bills. HB 2936 clarified that certain offenders may not adopt children, including in surrogacy-related situations; it passed 71-0. HB 2967 exempted certain vehicle title transfers between guardians and children or grandparents and grandchildren from motor vehicle excise tax; it passed 69-10. HB 3627 added the State Committee of Blind Vendors to the list of public bodies allowed to meet by video or teleconference and passed 70-2, with the emergency clause also approved. HB 3721 created a survivor-benefit option for children of unmarried public safety officers who die before retirement after qualifying for benefits; it passed 77-3, and the emergency clause was adopted. Additional measures passed included HB 4132, a data protection bill, by 77-0; HB 4303, extending the deadline for municipalities to publish ordinances, by 70-0; HB 4478, raising the daily deposit threshold for school activity funds from $100 to $500 while requiring weekly deposits, by 73-5; HB 4322, removing the requirement that a funeral director in charge also be a licensed embalmer/director, by 61-17; and HB 4227, protecting the legal rights of child sexual abuse victims, which was amended with cleanup language and then passed with no recorded nays. The House then adjourned until Monday, March 23 at 1:30 p.m.

Transcript Highlights:

• bill, which establishes a competitive program to address critical vacancies in law enforcement, firefighting

Bills: HB253 , HB153 , HB255 , HB287 , HB371 , SB151 , HB8 , SB177

Committee: House House Appropriations & Finance

Keywords: distance learning, virtual instruction, public education, student enrollment, school funding, education standards, pandemic education response, low-carbon construction, construction materials, rebate, environmental product declaration, EPD, embodied carbon, carbon intensity, greenhouse gas emissions, decarbonization, industrial incentives, clean manufacturing, cement, concrete

Bills: HB253 , HB153 , HB255 , HB287 , HB371 , SB151 , HB8 , SB177

Committee: Senate House Appropriations & Finance

Keywords: distance learning, virtual instruction, public education, student enrollment, school funding, education standards, pandemic education response, low-carbon construction, construction materials, rebate, environmental product declaration, EPD, embodied carbon, carbon intensity, greenhouse gas emissions, decarbonization, industrial incentives, clean manufacturing, cement, concrete

Summary: The committee first corrected its action on Senate Bill 151, noting that the earlier motion had been made incorrectly after the committee substitute was amended. Members then moved to do not pass the Senate Finance Committee substitute and do pass the same committee substitute so it could be sent to the floor. The only change identified in the substitute was an adjustment to the sunset date. A roll call vote followed, with several members voting yes and a few voting no or being excused, and the motion to report the committee substitute out with a due pass recommendation carried. After the SB 151 vote, the chair said the committee was essentially finished and expected to meet on the floor the next day, likely around noon, with a plan to come in earlier and handle a few more bills. The discussion then shifted to House Bill 2 and the broader issue of state employee compensation. One member argued that over the past several years the state had already provided substantial pay raises and benefits, citing roughly $1.3 billion in raises, about $184 million annually for health care costs, and $116 million annually for employer pension costs, for a total of about $1.6 billion over four years. That member said the state had done enough on employee compensation and that a proposed 1% increase did not make sense given competing priorities such as child care and other needs. The committee then adjourned, and there was a brief question about when the university fund bill would be heard, but no firm timing was given.

Bills: HB2392 , HB2462 , HB2423 , HB1771 , HB2081 , HB2334 , HB2336 , HB1666 , HB2375 , HB2415 , HB2451 , HB2373 , HB1641 , HB1694 , HB1695 , HB1986 , HB1797 , HB1879 , HB2034

Committee: Senate Transportation

Keywords: transportation, tax credit, employer incentives, commuting, environmental impact, flexible work arrangements, carpooling, bicycling, public transportation, consumer protection, subscription services, motor vehicles, ownership expectations, transparency, biodiesel, renewable diesel, diesel blend, B5, blending mandate, clean energy

Summary: The committees heard testimony on several transportation-related measures. SB 2356, relating to parking, drew support from the Office of Planning, the Climate Change Mitigation and Adaptation Commission, Appleseed Center, Realtors, and the Hawaii Bicycling League. Members discussed the bill in the context of the planned stadium-area mixed-use development, with questions about whether parking would be built in structures rather than as large surface lots. Senators expressed support and noted the measure’s broader housing and parking-reduction goals, but no vote was taken during the hearing. The bulk of the hearing focused on SB 2699, which would create a fare-free youth transit program, a special fund, annual evaluations, and appropriations tied to the environmental, energy, and food security tax. The Attorney General’s office raised technical concerns about whether the special fund met statutory requirements. The Department of Education and Department of Health supported the bill, as did the City and County of Honolulu DOT, Appleseed Center, Hawaii Youth Transportation Council, Public Health Institute, Hawaii Children’s Action Network, Hawaii Bicycling League, Our Children’s Trust, and numerous youth testifiers. Supporters emphasized reduced family transportation costs, better school attendance, improved health and mobility, and environmental benefits. One senator raised emergency-planning concerns about how children using free transit would be handled during events like tsunamis; DOT and DOE responded that emergency procedures are being developed. The chair said the committee would work on language changes, including a delayed effective date to July 2027, and defer decision-making until the 12th. The final measure discussed was SB 2470, which would require leading pedestrian intervals, accessible pedestrian signals, and other safety improvements at state-controlled intersections, and create a process for community requests for accessible pedestrian signals. Appleseed Center, the Hawaii Association of the Blind, and the Disability Rights Center supported the bill, citing pedestrian safety, reduced collisions, and the need for audible cues for blind and low-vision pedestrians. Testifiers urged a phased-in approach that prioritizes high-traffic intersections. The hearing ended with the bill still under consideration and no final vote announced.

Bills: HB2073 , HB2403 , HB2587 , HB2607 , HB1170 , HB1570 , HB1710 , HB1750 , HB1834 , HB2441

Committee: House Appropriations

Keywords: health insurance, premium assistance, funding, healthcare, subsidies, failure to register, criminal justice, registration requirements, public safety, law enforcement, nonprofit, grant funding, pilot program, financial support, community development, child care, childcare, subsidy rates, rate regions, market rate survey

Transcript Highlights:

• You'll also see the overwhelming majority are female.
• We do have an issue with males, but primarily we're focused on the female population because it's just
• The one female there was a drug addict and she got her daughter into the business so that she could feed
• Firefighters in the top, in the middle of that line there.

Summary: The committee heard a lengthy presentation from Miami-Dade State Attorney Catherine Fernandez-Rundle on human trafficking, describing it as a major criminal enterprise in Florida driven by online recruitment, local victims, and organized traffickers. She outlined Miami-Dade’s task force, victim-centered prosecution practices, training efforts for schools, hotels, transit workers, and other partners, and community-supported services such as the Project Phoenix shelter and Thrive Clinic. She also urged better interstate communication about known traffickers and noted that prior legislative changes, including restrictions on tattooing minors, came from trafficking cases. Senators asked about school-based exploitation, technology and social media recruitment, and information-sharing with other states; Fernandez-Rundle said training and technology remain essential and offered to share materials and tour the facility. The committee then considered CS for SB 656, which Senator Bradley said would codify FDLE’s Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force funding program and rename/expand the online sting operations grant program to better support investigations, training, technology, and personnel. The bill was supported as a needed response to online child exploitation and was reported favorably by unanimous roll call. The committee also passed SB 892 by Senator Martin, which streamlines sentencing procedures for habitual felony offenders and related designations by reducing paperwork delays tied to clemency and requiring clearer notice before pleas; it too was reported favorably unanimously. The most extensive debate centered on SB 164, which would expand Florida’s Wrongful Death Act to allow civil damages for the death of an unborn child. Senator Graal said the bill uses existing statutory language defining an unborn child and is intended to let parents recover damages when negligence causes a pregnancy loss. Supporters argued it recognizes unborn life and should be strengthened; opponents warned it would function as a personhood measure, create liability risks for doctors, businesses, friends, and family members, chill miscarriage and abortion-related care, and worsen Florida’s OB-GYN shortage. Several speakers raised concerns about abuse by rapists or abusive partners and about impacts on IVF and emergency care. The committee heard extensive questioning about the bill’s scope and its relationship to existing criminal statutes, but no vote on SB 164 was taken in the portion provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• create more affordable housing in our state for all families, including Hawaii's nurses, teachers, firefighters
• thrilled to see my former colleague on Oʻahu elevated to the Speaker of the House, being the first female
• thrilled to see my former colleague on Oʻahu elevated to the Speaker of the House, being the first female
• the speaker of the house being<00:51:19.240><c> the</c><00:51:19.400><c> first</c><00:51:20.200><c> female

Keywords: House Agenda:, 910, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• The average benefit for Social Security for a male is $118,000; for a female, it's $14,000 in 20130.
• </c><00:34:10.399><c> is</c> $118,000 for a female is $118,000 for a female is 14,000<00:34:13.079><c
• Amendment number one would provide a permanent pay fix for federal wildland firefighters.
• Federal wildland firefighters are getting the pay and benefits they deserve.
• </c> doing right by our Wildland firefighters doing right by our Wildland firefighters so<02:45:09.600

Keywords: U.S. House of Representatives Floor Proceedings on Wednesday, January 22, 2025, 1012, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• The first American born female physician establish worse medical clinics but also served as a mother
• During the Los Angeles fires in January, he displayed strong leadership as Arcadia Firefighters battled
• As our firefighters worked overtime to protect homes, schools, and small businesses, private fire protection

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Representative Murphy was the longest-serving female legislator in Minnesota, serving from 1977 to 2022
• 54.960><c> Representative</c><00:01:55.600><c> Mary</c> Representative Murphy was the longest-serving female
• Forty years ago, when these stations were built, they were not designed for women or firefighters like
• As you can see in the handout you should have received, in our current stations, firefighters have to
• So, thank you and good firefighters.

Bills: HF1972 , HF229 , HF1090 , HF1084 , HF1307 , HF1274 , HF1609 , HF2110 , HF211 , HF216 , HF222 , HF224 , HF225 , HF203 , HF206 , HF207 , HF208 , HF227 , HF246 , HF427 , HF466 , HF502 , HF680 , HF971

Committee: House Capital Investment

Keywords: community center, Breckenridge, capital investment, state bonds, economic development, HF229, North Branch Area Hockey Association, Stacy Ice Arena, Chisago County, general fund appropriation, grant, ice arena, hockey rink, youth sports, recreational facility, community arena, nonprofit, DEED, Department of Employment and Economic Development, local infrastructure

Transcript Highlights:

• But if you want to talk about some absolutely staggering numbers, let's talk about female veterans who
• Females.
• Olson earlier stated the number of female veterans, and that's just in a total aggregate number.
• Numbers that we have from 2023: female veterans had an increase in suicide rates of 24.1 percent from
• 2022 to 2023—a 24% increase in suicide rates among female veterans.

Transcript Highlights:

• I mean, we're opening a 300-bed female prison in Mandan in the fall of 2027.
• We think it will be the fall of next year, so '27, when we get all the females moved out.
• to achieve at least the minimum fire and life safety construction standards and provisions for firefighting
• At least the minimum fire and life safety construction standards and provisions for firefighting.
• that our concern is not only with ignoring a process that I described today, but also with the firefighting

Committee: Joint Government Finance Committee

Keywords: 908, all

Transcript Highlights:

• A teacher and a firefighter with four kids at home having a chance just like someone that is also a firefighter
• a teacher from San Antonio and the firefighter was killed.
• The females are called Cubettes at Brenham High School. We're the Cubettes.
• their children the firefighter died he passed away in a firefighting situation and the widow, the mother
• We've heard Senator Creighton talk about teachers and firefighters.

Bills: SB2 , SJR36 , SB2 , SB2 , SR29 , SB2

Keywords: Maverick County, recognition, economic development, Texas Senate, community celebration, 1185, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Those of law enforcement, firefighters, everyone. We just love you.
• Those of law enforcement, firefighters, everyone. We just love you.
• knowing that health care is the second-largest employment opportunity in the nation and being mostly female
• Being mostly female, how do you support that?

Keywords: 987, senate, all