Video & Transcript Research : 'Texas Occupations Code'

Page 191 of 500
OK

Oklahoma 2026 Regular Session

Senate Legislative Session Mar 11th, 2026 at 09:00 am

Oklahoma Senate Floor Meeting

Transcript Highlights:
  • This is a couple of fixes to the uniform trusts code we enacted a couple of years ago.
  • What we're looking at is phasing out the old Oklahoma trust code and putting in the uniform one.
  • Well, specifically, if you kind of go in here, there's a few within our current trust code.
  • licensing provisions, background check provisions, required for companion athletic trainer and occupational
FL

Florida 2026 4th Special Session

January 28, 2026 - 08:00 AM

Transcript Highlights:
  • Bar code 253189. You're recognized for amendment number one.
  • Amendment number one, bar code 237943.
  • That's the bar code amendment number one. Sir, you're recognized to explain your amendment.
  • It should be tightly regulated because this bill is truly at the crux of their occupation, public safety
WA

Washington 2025-2026 Regular Session

House Finance Dec 4th, 2025

Transcript Highlights:
  • And obviously for the state, our tax code system is a voluntary compliance system.
  • They referenced NAICS codes, North American Industry Classification Service codes.
  • support to students, supports such as speech and language pathologists, school psychologists, occupational
Summary: The House Finance Committee held a work session that began with welcoming new member Rep. Janice Zahn, who introduced herself as representing the 41st Legislative District. The Department of Revenue then gave an update on the Antio-related legislation following the Washington Supreme Court decision and the 2025 session changes. DOR explained its voluntary disclosure program and the new expanded voluntary disclosure agreement for taxpayers with unreported investment income, including broader eligibility and interest/penalty relief, but said utilization has been minimal so far because additional implementation questions remain unresolved. The committee next received the annual update on the Working Families Tax Credit. DOR reported record participation in 2025, with about $205 million refunded through October and a major increase in applications after TurboTax added the credit to its filing software. Officials said most dollars went to households with children, outreach efforts remained important, and community partners and state agencies helped increase uptake. Members focused heavily on fraud concerns, especially tax preparers allegedly filing claims without applicants’ knowledge or diverting refunds; DOR said it is using fraud detection tools, training preparers, and trying to make applicants whole, but current law does not provide direct penalties against preparers. The final portion covered implementation of engrossed substitute Senate Bill 5814, which expanded sales tax to certain services. DOR described the new tax framework, its guidance process, and the large volume of ruling requests and outreach since the law took effect October 1. Committee members asked about fiscal assumptions, the scope of taxable services, and whether the department had revised its implementation estimates; DOR said the fiscal note assumed broad application absent explicit exemptions and that no expenditure revision had been made. In stakeholder testimony, Expedia and T-Mobile argued the law creates complexity and competitive disadvantages for Washington businesses, while a construction training provider said the tax raises tuition for workers seeking required certifications. School and nonprofit representatives said the tax will increase costs for special education services, arts programming, and other public-facing activities, and urged exemptions or further legislative fixes. The chair closed by noting the committee would revisit 5814 in the next session and then adjourned the meeting.
CA
Transcript Highlights:
  • by funding uncertainty can result in shifting priorities, outdated designs, or changes to building codes
  • the Berkeley campus is Evans Hall, which also has the highest what's called equivalent continuous occupancy—lots
  • However, we do have education code that directs districts to spend a percentage of their general fund
  • It's in Education Code Section 84660, if you were interested in reading it. Okay, thank you.
Keywords: 988, house, all
FL

Florida 2025 Regular Session

January 15, 2025 - 01:00 PM

Transcript Highlights:
  • In 2019, there was bipartisan support to lower the barriers to certain occupations licensed by the state
  • So I'm going to call code enforcement. I don't think they have a business license.
  • available to any local government that reaches out and is asking us for our take on any ordinance or code
  • letter. to any local government that reaches out and is asking us for our take on any ordinance or code
Summary: The Industries and Professional Activities Subcommittee met to hear a panel on the prosecution and enforcement of illegal gaming in Florida. The chair opened with a video showing seized machines at a Florida Gaming Control Commission warehouse and described the scale of illegal operations. Panelists included the commission’s executive director, local sheriffs and police officials, and state attorneys from several counties, who described widespread illegal slot-machine locations, often in strip malls or convenience-store-type settings, and said the machines are typically used in organized criminal activity rather than legitimate amusement gaming. Witnesses repeatedly said the current penalty structure is ineffective because possession and operation of illegal slot machines are generally second-degree misdemeanors, which they described as too minor to deter operators who can quickly reopen after paying fines or completing diversion. They said enforcement is resource-intensive, requiring undercover work, search warrants, machine seizure, storage, forensic review, and long prosecutions, often while the same operators reopen elsewhere. Several panelists cited associated crimes such as robberies, firearms offenses, prostitution, drug activity, human trafficking, and at least some homicides tied to illegal gaming locations. Members also asked about the difference between legal amusement devices and illegal slot machines, online gambling, illegal horse racing, local licensing and ordinances, and whether manufacturers or distributors could be pursued. The commission and prosecutors said legal slot machines are limited to specific regulated locations and that lawful amusement machines lack a material element of chance. They said many illegal machines are imported or reworked versions of gaming devices and that upstream accountability is difficult under current law. Panelists also discussed cooperation with licensed casinos, tribal gaming entities, and local governments, noting that some local ordinances have tried to permit or limit these businesses. The main policy takeaway from the panel was a call to increase penalties, likely to felony-level offenses, and to consider stronger forfeiture and enforcement tools. No vote or formal action was taken at the meeting, and the chair adjourned after thanking the panelists.
FL

Florida 2026 Regular Session

Education Pre-K - 12 Nov 4th, 2025

Education Pre-K - 12

Transcript Highlights:
  • With that, I ask my QR codes. So with that, you can scan it.
  • Yes, there should be a minimum threshold of where coaches are able to do so in Texas, Georgia, Alabama
  • Each of the school districts in Alabama, Georgia, and Texas have policies that make it permissible to
  • I know everybody kind of sees those massive facilities over in Texas.
  • So the way that Texas and Georgia have...”
Summary: The committee heard a presentation from Florida High School Athletic Association Executive Director Craig Damon, joined by student athletes Sydney Daniel and Taylor White, on current issues in high school sports. Damon said the association received more than 309 allegations this year, including 113 recruiting complaints, but only two coaches were suspended for recruiting violations, and those were self-reported. He focused on rising sportsmanship problems, violent incidents, and ejections, saying the association is working with coaches and athletic administrators on prevention and positive-behavior campaigns. He also discussed mental health pressures on student athletes, the effects of frequent transfers and school choice on team stability and community pride, and the need for more qualified coaches on campus who understand interscholastic rules and student support responsibilities. Senators asked about the transfer system, violent conduct, and whether the association would propose changes; Damon said he would support guardrails that protect school choice while limiting midseason athletic transfers. The committee then took up a panel on high school coaches’ compensation led by Florida Coaches Coalition Executive Director Dr. Andrew Ramgett, with Coach Mike Hickman, Coach Charlie Ward, and superintendents from Okaloosa and Walton counties. Ramgett argued that coaching supplements are outdated, often amounting to very low hourly pay despite year-round duties, and said Florida’s system has not kept pace with increased responsibilities, inflation, or neighboring states. He also criticized restrictions on booster-club support, minimal coaching certification requirements, and turnover among coaches, and urged changes that would allow coaches to negotiate fairer compensation and receive external funding. Hickman and Ward emphasized the long hours, family strain, and mentoring role of coaches, while the superintendents said districts face finite budgets and must balance coach pay against teacher, bus driver, and other staffing needs; they also warned that booster-funded pay could create inequities between wealthy and less affluent communities. Senators discussed whether booster-club funding should be allowed, whether compensation should vary by performance, and whether any new funding should be categorical. Public comment followed from Florida Athletic Coaches Association Executive Director Shelton Cruz and former coach Tyrone McGriff, both of whom stressed the broader educational and safety impact of coaches and asked lawmakers to support the next generation of coaches. After the presentations, the committee took up confirmation hearings for appointments on tabs 3 through 6 and, by a single roll-call vote, recommended all appointees favorably. The meeting then adjourned.
MA

Massachusetts 2025-2026 Regular Session

Joint Committee on Public Health Jun 21st, 2026 at 09:00 am

Joint Committee on Public Health

Transcript Highlights:
  • In Massachusetts, we have a certification in place, a code of ethics, and a 25-year-old professional
  • In Massachusetts, we have a certification in place, a code of ethics, and a 25-year-old professional
  • Under the Code of Massachusetts regulations, which require permitting, training, equipment standards,
  • tightly controlled, Our use of general anesthesia and sedation is very tightly controlled under the Code
  • Schools already rely on speech-language pathology assistants and certified occupational therapy assistants
Keywords: 995, all
Summary: The committee hearing covered a wide range of public health bills, with much of the testimony focused on two major themes: expanding access to care and stabilizing health-related workforces and services. On House 2364, an act relative to medical health and fitness facilities, representatives from Dedham Health and Athletic Club argued for a pilot program recognizing supervised exercise as medicine, saying it could improve outcomes for chronic disease, fall prevention, and mental health while reducing costs. On House/Senate bills concerning community health workers (H. 359/S. 251), multiple witnesses from MACHW, Health Care for All, MHA, Cambridge Health Alliance, Mass General Brigham, Boston Children’s Hospital, Asian Women for Health, and the City of Somerville described CHWs as essential for navigation, trust-building, language access, and addressing social needs, and urged reimbursement by MassHealth, the GIC, and private insurers, along with workforce development measures. One pediatric neurologist also told the committee that losing grant-funded CHW support led to more avoidable ER visits and threatened clinic operations. The committee also heard extensive testimony on hospital closures and essential services. Witnesses including Dr. Alan Sager, MNA President Katie Murphy, nurses from Brockton Hospital and Providence Behavioral Health, and local officials and legislators from Norwood described the loss of hospitals and service lines, especially maternity, pediatric, and behavioral health care, and argued current closure processes are too weak to protect communities. They supported bills such as H. 2460/S. 1503 and H. 2534/S. 1574, which would require earlier notice, community input, stronger state oversight, possible receivership, and limits on reopening or expanding after closures. Testimony emphasized the impact of Steward’s bankruptcy, the closures of Carney and Neshoba Valley, and the need to preserve access to essential services in underserved areas. Several end-of-life and professional regulation bills were also discussed. On H. 2436, Representative Omar Gomez and funeral industry witnesses supported eliminating Office of the Chief Medical Examiner fees for the removal of a child’s body in cases involving children five and under, describing the bill as a small but important relief for grieving families. On H. 2444 and related Senate bills, cemetery and consumer advocates supported legalizing alkaline hydrolysis and natural organic reduction as environmentally friendly after-death options, while cemetery representatives opposed H. 2360, which would allow funeral establishments to operate crematories, arguing cemeteries should retain that role. The committee also heard support for H. 2382, which would exempt dentists and oral surgeons from a new office-based surgical center framework, and for H. 2461, which would create hospital efficiency standards; employers and retailers backed that bill as a way to address rising health care costs. Finally, the committee heard testimony on autism services and hospital governance. On S. 1414, behavior analysts and school representatives said Massachusetts already licenses assistant-level ABA providers but MassHealth does not reimburse them, causing long waitlists and limiting school and family access; an actuary testified that a three-tier ABA reimbursement model could reduce MassHealth costs by up to 6% per child served. Senator Lovely also testified in support of S. 1572, which would require at least one registered nurse on each acute care hospital governing board, arguing nurses’ frontline perspective would improve quality and retention. No votes were taken in the hearing excerpt, but many witnesses urged favorable reports on their respective bills.
MN

Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session

Leg Committee Meeting - 2026-03-11

Legacy Finance

Transcript Highlights:
  • . >> [laughter] I want to share with you that the occupation of ICE does not represent the legislator
  • share with you >> I want to share with you that<00:30:47.600> the<00:30:47.760> occupation
  • of<00:30:48.520> ICE<00:30:48.760> does<00:30:48.960> not that the occupation
  • of ICE does not that the occupation of ICE does not represent<00:30:49.760> the<00:30:49.840>
  • Of these 15 refugees, 14 were transported within 24 hours to Texas or Mississippi after being arrested
MN

Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session

House Higher Education Finance and Policy Committee 1/16/25

Higher Education Finance and Policy

Transcript Highlights:
  • the<00:10:45.000> assumptions The way it's written, the assumptions with the Revisor's Code
  • to actually work in the state of Minnesota, so you could use the money and then move to Florida or Texas
  • employer partnerships across Minnesota and offer over 9,950 customized and specialized training occupational
  • employer partnerships across Minnesota and offer over 9,950 customized and specialized training occupational
Keywords: 1183, house
Summary: The Higher Ed Finance and Policy Committee met to begin a budget overview for higher education. The chair noted quorum, committee member introductions, and that Democratic members were absent. The chair also said the Office of Higher Education would not be appearing for the planned budget deep dive, so nonpartisan fiscal staff would present instead. Ken Savory, the committee’s nonpartisan fiscal analyst, introduced a presentation on the higher education finance structure and timeline. Savory explained the state budget cycle, the difference between direct appropriations, statutory appropriations, open appropriations, base funding, tails, and one-time appropriations, and how those concepts apply to higher education. He described the committee’s usual budget areas: the Office of Higher Education, Minnesota State, the University of Minnesota, and the Mayo Foundation. He also reviewed historical spending charts showing higher education’s share of the general fund over time, the 2/3-1/3 funding policy in statute, and how tuition and general fund support have shifted. He noted that the FY 26-27 base for the Office of Higher Education area is about $725 million, including roughly $450 million for the State Grant program and about $99 million for North Star Promise. Members asked about comparing the current budget to earlier biennia, and staff responded that they would need to calculate the percentage difference. The chair then summarized prior budget growth, saying the previous budget was about $650 million over base and the current budget/tail was about $450 million over base. Staff also reviewed the 2024 omnibus higher education bill, including a roughly $5 million reduction to North Star Promise that was redirected to the Fostering Independence Grant program and a $500,000 appropriation for Minnesota State’s Kids on Campus program. The committee did not take any formal votes or actions during this portion of the meeting.
NM

New Mexico 2026 Regular Session

House - Consumer and Public Affairs Jan 22nd, 2026 at 01:59 pm

House Consumer & Public Affairs

Transcript Highlights:
  • My aunt was arrested by ICE and was sent to immigration detention in Texas.
  • It is a workaround of the Federal Procurement Code.
  • But if we aren't, then Texas is, Florida is, Alabama, Louisiana, Mississippi.
  • So I then wonder, because we talk about other states, like Texas, we could send them to Texas, but Fort
  • Only 10% of it is in the state of Texas.
Keywords: 996, all
MA

Massachusetts 2025-2026 Regular Session

Senate Session (Full Formal with Calendar) Jun 21st, 2026 at 12:00 pm

Massachusetts Senate Floor Meeting

Transcript Highlights:
  • cause confusion in command structure and limits the Adjutant General from enforcing the Massachusetts Code
  • The Adjutant General from enforcing the Massachusetts Code of Military Justice.
  • in existence in Idaho, Kansas, Montana, North Dakota, Oklahoma, Rhode Island, South Carolina, and Texas
  • Texas happily offered their National Guard up for federal deployment to Illinois, and we saw six states
  • And under the Uniform Code of Military Justice, Article 92, they are obligated in their oath to follow
Keywords: 995, all
Summary: The Senate began with routine formalities, then took up several final-passage and engrossment matters. It adopted emergency preambles for House Bill 1590, establishing a sick leave bank for Eric J. Iwanek, and House Bill 1024, authorizing the Massachusetts Water Resources Authority to provide sewer service to a parcel in Sharon. The Senate also passed to be enacted Senate Bill 2528, allowing Marblehead to establish fines related to parking violations, and adopted a pair of congratulatory resolutions. Later, it ordered several House bills to third reading, including measures for an additional off-premises alcohol license in Somerset and sick leave banks for David A. Russell and Jean McCarran, and concurred in a gubernatorial amendment to a vital statistics bill. The chamber then considered major committee reports and amendments on military and veterans issues. It advanced a Ways and Means substitute for a bill on free expression and a substitute for a bill on assault and battery upon a transit worker, placing both on the Orders of the Day. The Senate also debated and amended Senate Bill 2503, the EASE Act for military-connected families, with remarks emphasizing school stability for military children, special education continuity, juvenile justice transfers, and use of military protective orders in domestic violence cases. Several proposed amendments were withdrawn or rejected, including tax relief proposals for 100% disabled veterans, while an amendment requiring tracking of veteran suicides was adopted. The bill was then ordered to third reading and passed to be engrossed by roll call, 39-0. Another major item was Senate Bill 2501, clarifying the duties of the adjutant general. The Senate adopted a Ways and Means substitute and considered multiple amendments, including one withdrawn proposal on entry by non-federalized armed forces from other jurisdictions and another adopted amendment requiring recruit training on lawful orders; other amendments were withdrawn. The bill was then ordered to third reading and passed to be engrossed. The Senate also passed House Bill 3388, designating September 22 as Military Service Members and Veterans Suicide Awareness and Remembrance Day. Throughout the session, members also offered and adopted several adjournment motions honoring the lives and service of Judge Leslie E. Harris, former Newton Mayor Seyi Warren, and Anthony P. Dwingnan, and the Senate adjourned to meet again the following Monday at 11:00 a.m.
OK

Oklahoma 2026 Regular Session

Senate Legislative Session Apr 15th, 2026 at 01:30 pm

Oklahoma Senate Floor Meeting

Transcript Highlights:
  • And whereas Oklahoma State University is guided by the values of the cowboy code emphasizing integrity
  • whereas, prior to joining Oklahoma State, Coach Morris served as head coach at the University of North Texas
  • And in Stillwater, code orange, I think is what we're calling it.
  • This is something that Texas has done very successfully.
  • Leader, members, House Bill 3044 simply updates the Oklahoma tax code related to donations made via tax
KY
Transcript Highlights:
  • The primary concern today is a Texas.
  • And there's a QR code there in your slides if you want to look at a summary and share that with some
  • And there's a QR code<01:21:25.040> there<01:21:25.280> in<01:21:25.520> your<01
  • Use that QR code. >> Thank you. Yes.
  • <01:29:58.239> Use<01:29:58.400> that<01:29:58.560> QR<01:29:58.960> code.
Keywords: 958, all
Summary: The committee met to adopt the minutes of the second meeting by voice vote, then heard an update focused on disaster preparedness, resiliency, response, and coordination among state agencies and partners. The chair emphasized avoiding duplication of resources and highlighted the importance of agriculture-related response issues, including animal evacuation, feed distribution, and the role of extension services during disasters. The Department for Public Health was invited to explain its role in emergency planning and response. Public Health described its Emergency Preparedness and Response Branch as the lead coordinating agency for Emergency Support Function 8, covering health and medical services under Kentucky’s emergency operations framework. Testimony outlined its broad responsibilities, including support for hospitals, morgues, local health departments, behavioral health, crisis counseling, suspicious package testing, disease outbreaks, and coordination with emergency management, EMS, transportation, and nonprofit and private partners. Officials also described the agency’s risk-assessment process, training and exercise programs, and deployed assets such as PPE caches, deployable communications, a federal medical station, a mobile treatment center, and alternate care support used in events like the eastern Kentucky floods and COVID-19. The agency also discussed funding through federal cooperative agreements for public health emergency preparedness and hospital preparedness, noting that these programs have evolved since 9/11 and have been shaped by major disasters and emerging threats. Officials said Kentucky’s funding has declined over time and that current awards are partially funded for the first time in the program’s history. They expressed support for efficiency if federal programs are consolidated, but cautioned that combining programs could risk further funding losses.
TX

Texas 89th 2nd C.S.

Natural Resources Mar 5th, 2025

Natural Resources

Transcript Highlights:
  • We support the Texas Medical Center.
  • All right, the chair now calls Jeremy Majeure of Texas 2036, Larry French of the Texas Public Policy
  • Last year, Texas 2036 released our, our eighth Texas voter poll.
  • I represent Texas Water Foundation.
  • Bill Norris of the Texas DSal Association and Billy Howe of Texas Farm Bureau.
KY

Kentucky 2026 Regular Session

House Standing Committee on Licensing, Occupations, and Administrative Regulations.(2-18-26)

Licensing, Occupations, & Administrative Regulations

Transcript Highlights:
  • Remember, roughly 200 occupations in Kentucky require a state-issued occupational license.
  • require<00:01:21.280> a occupations in Kentucky require a occupations in Kentucky require
  • a stateisssued<00:01:22.240> occupational<00:01:22.880> license.
  • <00:01:23.600> So, stateisssued occupational license.
  • So, stateisssued occupational license.
Summary: The committee first took up House Bill 185, sponsored by Representative Callaway, which would help people with criminal records return to work by reducing barriers related to occupational licensing. Callaway said Kentucky has roughly 200 licensed occupations and argued the bill would support both individuals and the workforce. Members noted the bill had already passed the House twice and that there were no substantive changes this year. The bill passed the committee cleanly on a roll call vote. The committee then considered House Bill 455, sponsored by Representative Bant, with a committee substitute adopted before the bill vote. The bill would prohibit therapy and psychological services from using AI to independently provide therapy, diagnose mental illness, make therapeutic recommendations, detect emotions, or otherwise replace human judgment in treatment. Bant said the goal was to ensure a human interacts with people dealing with mental illness, while still allowing AI for administrative tasks such as scheduling, reminders, notes, and other authorized functions. She said the substitute clarified that routine automated uses would remain allowed. Several members asked about the scope of the bill and whether it would affect billing, notes, or appointment systems. Bant said the Kentucky Psychological Association had raised concerns about section 32, but she believed the substitute addressed them. She also cited concerns about AI being used in harmful ways and said similar legislation had passed in Ohio and Illinois. The committee substitute was adopted, and House Bill 455 then passed the committee by roll call vote. The meeting adjourned after members recorded additional votes and attendance.
TX

Texas 89th Regular

Natural Resources Mar 5th, 2025

Natural Resources

Transcript Highlights:
  • Of acres of rangeland in West Texas with the Texas Commission on.
  • Last year Texas 2036 released our eighth Texas voter poll.
  • You come to Texas.
  • Texas.
  • The same year, Texas Living Waters reported that Texas...
Keywords: 1184, house, all
MN

Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session

Legislative Budget Office Oversight Commission 1/22/26

Minnesota House Floor Meeting

Transcript Highlights:
  • Um, and for a little more context, Texas meets every two years.
  • context, Texas meets every two years. context, Texas meets every two years.
  • They use Texas kind of as a model for their rules and procedures.
  • And, like Texas, they have a threshold associated with it.
  • And, like Texas and some others, they also use REMI software.
Keywords: 919, house, all
Summary: The Legislative Budget Office Oversight Commission met on January 22, 2026, with a quorum present and approved the minutes from the December 17, 2025 meeting. The main presentation was by Erikica McKeler of the National Conference of State Legislatures on dynamic fiscal notes, dynamic scoring, and how they differ from static fiscal notes. She explained that dynamic analysis tries to capture broader economic and behavioral effects of policy changes, but that most states have experimented with it only briefly, often for tax bills, and many have later scaled back or abandoned the practice because it is staff-intensive, expensive, and difficult to validate. McKeler highlighted examples from Texas, Utah, and Arkansas. Texas requires dynamic fiscal impact statements for certain large tax or fee measures and for the biennial appropriations bill; Utah has done such analyses on request during the interim but only when staff time allows; and Arkansas recently began producing dynamic fiscal notes with thresholds and request limits. She noted that these states generally use REMI software, though Utah switched to IMPLAN for cost reasons. She also outlined common challenges, including the need for strong staff expertise, the sensitivity of results to assumptions, the expense of software licenses, and the difficulty of measuring accuracy over time. Members then discussed whether dynamic scoring could be useful for health and human services programs where a policy may shift costs between settings rather than create a simple new expense. Senator Marty raised a Medicaid example involving home-based blue light therapy for newborns, arguing that dynamic analysis might better capture potential savings from avoiding longer hospital stays. Legislative Budget Office and Minnesota Management and Budget staff responded that such effects may be better understood as direct program substitutions rather than true dynamic effects, and emphasized the need for reliable data and caution because savings estimates could reduce appropriations if they do not materialize. The discussion also touched on whether dynamic models would capture local government impacts, but no formal action was taken beyond the approval of minutes and receipt of the presentation.
TX

Texas 89th 1st C.S.

Agriculture & Livestock Jul 21st, 2025

Agriculture & Livestock

Transcript Highlights:
  • Of the Texas Department of Agriculture. Doctor Lewis R. Bud Dinges, Texas State, uh, veterinarian.
  • Cube, we have We have you registered as Warren Code, representing the Texas Farm Bureau.
  • , Texas AgriLife, and Texas Parks and Wildlife.
  • The return of New World screw worms to Texas would be devastating to rural Texas and to all of Texas,
  • A South Texas organization.
MA

Massachusetts 2025-2026 Regular Session

Senate Session Jun 21st, 2026 at 11:00 am

Massachusetts Senate Floor Meeting

Transcript Highlights:
  • Boston Chapter of the American Society of Safety Professionals on its recognition of North American Occupational
  • Safety and Health Week and Occupational Safety and Health Professional Day.
  • than 2 million people die each year from workplace-related accidents, and millions more suffer occupational
  • And whereas the American Society of Safety Professionals, members, the Occupational Safety and Health
  • Safety and Health Week, and Wednesday, May 6, 2026 is Occupational Safety and Health Professional Day
Keywords: 995, all
Summary: The Senate opened with the Pledge of Allegiance and adopted a resolution commending the Greater Boston Chapter of the American Society of Safety Professionals for recognizing North American Occupational Safety and Health Week and Occupational Safety and Health Professional Day. Senators welcomed guests from the chapter, and the resolution was adopted by voice vote. The chamber also briefly recessed for a photo with the guests. The Senate then received a message from the Governor filing the Ride Safe Act, which would enhance the safe use of micromobility devices such as mopeds, electric scooters, and bikes. The message noted the bill’s connection to the Mass Leads Act and a special commission on micromobility regulation. The matter was referred to the Committee on Transportation. The Senate next took up and passed to be engrossed House No. 5245, establishing a sick leave bank for Courtney Cochran, an employee of the Department of Children and Families. The Senate also adopted an order setting its next formal session for Thursday at 11 a.m. and later considered an order governing filing deadlines for amendments to the General Appropriation Bill and scheduling its second reading on May 19, 2026. The session ended with a motion to adjourn, which was approved.
KY
Transcript Highlights:
  • It does extend the moratorium on changing the fundamental zoning code that's been in place for a long
  • we should be putting a moratorium on Metro Council making zoning changes for the Land Development code
  • , I don't support that. ...with updating the Land Development code.
  • This legislation includes owner-occupancy requirements on single-family homes with accessory dwelling
  • um I'll look forward to Development code um I'll look forward to continue<00:36:35.960> working
Summary: The House Standing Committee on Local Government met with a quorum and took up several bills, mostly focused on local planning, zoning, and municipal administration. House Bill 403, a simple measure giving coroners a six-month grace period to complete continuing education, was presented by Rep. Deanna Gordon with testimony from Madison County Coroner Jimmy Cornelson and received unanimous support. House Bill 555, a technical bill affecting audit deadlines and flexibility for small cities and certain expo center audit arrangements, was explained by JD Cheney of the Kentucky League of Cities; he said it would help about 97 cities comply with audit requirements and allow more flexibility when municipalities are making good-faith efforts. The committee approved HB 555 on a roll call vote, with one no vote from Rep. Griffee and others in favor, and reported it favorably to the House floor. House Bill 321, also presented with JD Cheney and Rep. DJ Johnson, would expand the time for planning commission and board of adjustment members to complete orientation and continuing education, with a focus on housing supply and accessibility. Supporters said it would help recruit more members and concentrate training on land-use impacts on housing; Rep. Roarx and others discussed Louisville Metro’s planning process, while Rep. Brown and Rep. Fleming raised concerns about infrastructure and long-range planning. The committee passed HB 321 favorably after roll call, with one no vote from Rep. Griffee. House Bill 18 drew the most extended debate. Sponsor Rep. John Hodgson said the committee substitute would create incentives for infill development in urban areas and extend a moratorium on zoning district classification changes for two more years, arguing that local elected officials should have more control over major density changes and that unelected boards were approving projects without adequate infrastructure review. Opponents, including Liam Gallagher of Americans for Prosperity Kentucky and several members, argued the bill would restrict housing development, interfere with property rights, and limit Louisville Metro’s ability to update its Land Development Code; supporters countered that the bill would not stop development but would require elected officials to weigh in and address traffic and infrastructure concerns. After discussion, the committee approved HB 18 as amended by the substitute and reported it favorably to the House floor, with several members explaining their votes and some opposing the moratorium on local zoning changes.