Transcript Highlights:

• Yesterday, Monday was Legislative council, sorry.
• own mind, I am thinking that those are likely, um, counties, possibly cities, maybe a a regional council
• And, uh, I know that there are other Um, organizations such as the health councils in many of our communities
• Um, we're really looking at incorporating the health councils into the planning process so that we ensure
• Um, thank you, and thank you, Madam Chair, because I know health councils have been doing some wonderful

Transcript Highlights:

• doesn't seem like there's any guidelines in the bill that state how many people are going to be on the council
• And so if you have somebody that's picking this particular council and maybe they are anti-2A versus
• So the council is SCL, not CIL, so it's an attorney position, not a gathering of people.
• advisory committee, but it will be the special counsel that already exists for the prosecutor's advisory council
• Republican Party strongly believes in gun safety and prevention of gun violence, but a partisan special Council

Bills: SB156

Keywords: gun violence, firearm safety, special counsel, data collection, community initiatives, grants, Attorney General, public safety, suicide prevention, 909, all

Transcript Highlights:

• We are directing our local partners, counties and cities, and the Met Council to use transportation investment
• There are council regional transit capital bonds for our transit system, over a hundred million dollars
• Our transit operating for the Met Council, again, was a cut that the governor recommended, but we were
• I have heard from Democrats, Democrats on the Blaine City Council, Democrats on the Anoka County Board
• The advisory council on traffic safety, which I had carried last session, received some funding, but

Transcript Highlights:

• As far as a non-council draft, the substitute also includes additional language that updates the language
• I serve as the president of the Texas Blockchain Council. We're testifying on Senate Bill 1705.
• American Council for Energy Efficiency, or rather, this study is from the South Central Partnership for
• between 2 and 3 times cheaper than many of the other generation strategies. was a study by the American Council
• Green Building Council, Texas Chapter, and we are here regarding this bill.

Bills: SB383, SB1012, SB1181, SB1705, SB2075, SB2221, SB2586, SB2864, SB2994

Keywords: SB 383, ERCOT, Texas Utilities Code, interconnection, wind power facility, offshore wind, coastal wind, nearshore wind, Gulf of America, Texas coast, three marine leagues, electric grid, transmission line, distribution facility, renewable energy, battery storage, energy storage, grid access, power grid, electric service

Transcript Highlights:

• There are city council members in Houston who actually distribute the red signs to locations that they
• And frankly, as attorneys, which of course, the Gun Owners of America Legislative Council are also practicing
• Richard Hayes, Legislative Council for Gun Owners of America, for HB 259.
• It is Molly Voiles, testifying on behalf of Texas Council on Family Violence, and you're neutral.
• I'm the Director of Public Policy at the Texas Council on Family Violence, the statewide coalition of

Bills: HB259, HB 1128, HB1337, HB1506, HB1794, HB2215, HB2470, HB2771, HB2882, HB2993, HB3053, HB3428, HB3669, HB3789, HB3924, HB4201, HB4675, HB259

Keywords: healthcare, insurance, patient rights, medical expenses, access to care, affordability, legislation, firearms, penal code, regulation, short-barrel firearms, ammunition, gun control, public safety, Texas law, short-barrel, law enforcement, election judges, concealed handgun, polling places

Transcript Highlights:

• Over in our Center for Healthy Communities, we have a proposal for the Governor's Advisory Council on
• Yes, so specifically on the proposal to reappropriate the funding for the Governor's Advisory Council
• I have a couple of other questions, but a couple of questions about the Governor's Advisory Council,
• It will continue to support efforts for the Fitness Council. Okay. And then.
• As a member of the California Future of Abortion Council Steering Committee, I want to thank you for

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Rubin from the Florida Ports Council and thought a lot of members probably, if they've been to a seaport
• Mike Rubin, the CEO and president of the Florida Ports Council, to provide a general overview of these
• around Christmas time, and there might have been a post with the Grinch on it from Florida Ports Council
• No, no, the Florida Ports Council, and we've developed a friendship amongst all of our ports.
• No, no, the Florida Ports Council, and we've developed a friendship amongst all of our ports.

Summary: The Economic Infrastructure Subcommittee held a panel discussion focused on Florida seaports and their role in the state economy. Florida Ports Council CEO Mike Rubin opened with statewide figures from a 2023 economic impact study, saying Florida seaports support about 1.2 million jobs, generate roughly $195 billion in economic value, and produce about $7.4 billion in state and local taxes. He emphasized that ports are critical for fuel, food, medical supplies, construction materials, and hurricane response, and argued that continued state and federal investment is needed to expand capacity and move projects forward faster. PortMiami Director Heidi Webb described Miami’s cruise and cargo operations, noting the port generated about $61 billion in economic impact and 334,000 jobs. She highlighted record cruise activity, major private investment by cruise lines, the launch of shore power at cruise terminals to reduce emissions, and ongoing capital projects including a new Royal Caribbean terminal, berth reconstruction, and an inland port concept to reduce congestion. Members asked about security, hurricane procedures, AI use, infrastructure planning, collaboration among ports, and smuggling prevention; Webb said the port uses layered security with local law enforcement, CBP, Coast Guard, and radiation monitors, and that hurricane planning is coordinated in advance with county and federal partners. Port Tampa Bay’s Raul Alfonso said Tampa is the state’s largest port by land area and a major energy hub for Central Florida, with an estimated $34.5 billion economic impact. He discussed diversification into containers, food distribution, fertilizer, and construction materials, along with major needs such as a deep-dredge project and more warehouse space. He also addressed resilience and fuel distribution during hurricanes, and said the port is preparing for future LNG and alternative-fuel demand through partnerships, land planning, and education. Jaxport’s Nick Primrose then described Jacksonville’s container, auto, breakbulk, aggregate, military, and LNG businesses, including 1.3 million TEUs last year, major state-funded crane purchases, harbor deepening, auto-processing expansion, and its role as a strategic military port. He said Jaxport is a leader in marine LNG and has trained all employees on human trafficking awareness. The discussion ended with Port Panama City being introduced as a smaller but important Panhandle economic engine, with Rubin noting its cargo, manufacturing, and infrastructure projects and its continued need for state and federal support.

Transcript Highlights:

• The National Council Licensure Exam, or NCLEX, is the nationwide examination for licensing nurses.
• For over a decade, Florida first-time The National Council Licensure Exam, or NCLEX, is the nationwide
• deemed complete and the documentation proves compliance, the applicant is notified and a National Council
• percentage points of the national average for two consecutive years, as determined by the National Council
• It is legally defensible, and it is offered by our National Council of State Boards of Nursing.

Summary: The subcommittee met to examine Florida’s nursing education pipeline and the state’s persistently low NCLEX passage rates. Chair Tuck opened by noting the projected nurse shortage and Florida’s ranking near the bottom nationally for first-time NCLEX pass rates. The Department of Health explained the Board of Nursing’s approval process for nursing programs, including application requirements, probation standards, and termination for programs that repeatedly fail passage-rate benchmarks. The Florida Center for Nursing then presented statewide data showing Florida has more test takers than most states, but still trails the national average; the gap has narrowed in recent years, though Florida remains below average. Members focused heavily on why the state continues to underperform, with discussion of faculty shortages, clinical placement constraints, accreditation, student preparedness, and the large share of newer private for-profit programs among those placed on probation. Committee members asked about how probation works, what happens when programs improve, and whether the board requires corrective plans. They also questioned the relationship between program type and outcomes, the effect of Operation Nightingale, and how many students fail and retest. The Florida Center for Nursing said first-attempt pass rates are the standard measure and that students who fail are expected to remediate and retest, though costs vary. The center also said Florida’s data shows accredited programs outperform approved or probationary ones, and that the state’s nursing workforce challenges are tied to broader issues such as faculty vacancies, clinical site competition, and student demographics, including many students balancing work, family, and language barriers. A panel of nursing school leaders from public, private nonprofit, and private for-profit institutions then described strategies used to improve outcomes. These included transparent recruitment, early orientation, tutoring, success coaching, stronger faculty development, curriculum mapping to NCLEX standards, higher course benchmarks, mandatory remediation, simulation labs, and commercial NCLEX prep tools such as ATI, Kaplan, and HESI. Several panelists said their programs had improved after probation or had very high passage rates, and they emphasized that student success depends on academic preparation, clinical experience, and support services. Members also asked about tuition, program length, translation into other languages, and faculty recruitment; panelists said costs vary widely, faculty hiring is difficult because hospitals pay more, and some schools are considering medical Spanish and immersion options rather than full curriculum translation.

Transcript Highlights:

• The amendment adds two additional advisory council members from state universities, FIU and UCF.
• Lastly, it changes the date for the repeal of the Advisory Council from June 30, 2030, to October 2,
• The amendment adds two additional advisory council members from the state universities, as mentioned
• The Florida Acquisition and Restoration Council, the ARC, also approves management plans for these types
• Thank you very much. ...is required to address the Florida Acquisition and Restoration Council, the ARC

Summary: The committee first heard SB 200, which would implement recommendations from DEP’s 2020 Recycling Goal Final Report by creating a technical assistance group to develop a comprehensive waste reduction and recycling plan by 2026. The bill focuses on recycling education and outreach, evaluating the former recycling grant program, and developing markets for recyclable materials. Supporters from the waste and recycling industry and counties said the bill would finally create a real plan to help Florida move toward its recycling goals. The bill was reported favorably. The committee then considered SB 50 on nature-based coastal resilience, which would promote green, gray, and hybrid infrastructure, direct USF’s Flood Hub to develop guidelines, require DEP rulemaking on erosion and mangrove protection, and study whether nature-based flood reduction could help lower insurance costs. Supporters appeared in favor, and the bill was reported favorably. The committee also passed SB 7000 as a committee bill to continue a public records exemption protecting site-specific location information for threatened and endangered species. Members next took up SB 56 on weather modification activities. The bill would prohibit the release of chemicals or substances into the atmosphere to affect weather or sunlight, define geoengineering, increase penalties through an amendment, and create a DEP reporting hotline with possible referral to DOH or emergency management. The sponsor and several supporters argued the bill was needed to address public concerns and lack of oversight, while several senators questioned the evidence, the role of state agencies, and whether the bill was ready for passage. Despite opposition from some members, the committee adopted the amendment and reported the bill favorably. The committee also approved CS for SB 62 creating a resilient building tax credit program, after amending it to shift agency references from DEP to DBPR and add university advisory members, and CS for SB 80 to clarify state park management as conservation-based, require public notice and advisory input for plan changes, and improve reporting on park repairs; both bills were reported favorably after testimony from supporters and conservation groups who sought tighter language to prevent incompatible uses. Finally, the committee received presentations from the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission on gopher tortoise relocation, wildlife disease surveillance, and the Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary. FWC described tortoise relocation and recipient-site programs, ongoing monitoring of wildlife diseases such as chronic wasting disease and feline leukomyelopathy, and efforts to address fish die-offs and update sanctuary agreements amid state-federal jurisdiction issues. No votes were taken on the presentations.

Transcript Highlights:

• This council is called for by existing statutes to address issues of size, recruitment, organizational
• It describes a little bit about the State Council of Defense and what this standing committee amendment
• And I think that is council of defense.
• referred to committee management council referred to committee number<02:10:18.079> three<02:
• a uh bill draft the management council a uh bill draft the management council sponsored<02:12:16.320

Keywords: 916, all

Transcript Highlights:

• An act to amend the Arts and Cultural Affairs Law in relation to authorizing the Council on the Arts
• In the Arts and Cultural Affairs Law in relation to authorizing the Council on the Arts to designate

Keywords: 993, senate, all

Summary: The Senate Standing Committee on Cultural Affairs, Tourism, Parks, and Recreation met on March 17, 2026, with a quorum present and several members participating, including Chair José Serrano, Ranking Member James Tedisco, Senator Pamela Helming, and later Senators Michelle Hinchey and April Baskin. The committee took up a six-bill agenda focused on parks, cultural institutions, and related public safety issues. The committee reported several bills: S.1057, requiring reporting on the alienation of useful parkland; S.1378A, providing financial assistance to museums, zoos, botanical gardens, aquariums, and other cultural institutions in low-income communities or serving students there; S.1380A, addressing cleaning of playground equipment after pesticide exposure; S.5400, creating an emergency-response exemption for law enforcement and fire department vessels; and S.6487C, authorizing the Council on the Arts to designate Little Gamut as a cultural district. Senator Helming recorded a “without recommendation” vote on some measures, but none were opposed. The final bill, S.9301, which would establish a new state park, was moved and seconded but was referred to the Civil Service Committee rather than reported from the committee. After completing the agenda, Chair Serrano adjourned the meeting.

Transcript Highlights:

• psychiatrist and psychologist, and one of them was requested by the department, and I think Legislative Council
• That was worked on with an attorney from the Catholic Conference and Legislative Council, and that's

Keywords: 908, all

Summary: The conference committee on SB 2297 was called to order, and members from both chambers were present. House members explained the proposed amendments, including moving language about a guardian acting under a valid court order to a higher priority position in the bill and adding references to psychiatrist or psychologist in the provisions dealing with determinations of incapacity. A Department of Health and Human Services attorney testified that the added professions were intended to align the bill with other parts of the code and noted one remaining place on page 2, line 4, where the same language had been omitted and should be added for consistency. After discussion, a motion was made and seconded to accept the amendment adding psychiatrist or psychologist to the missing section. The committee took a roll call vote and the amendment passed. Members then discussed procedure for the bill as amended and noted that, based on a prior meeting, only one vote was needed. Representative Hendricks was designated as the House carrier. With no further business, the committee closed on SB 2297.

Transcript Highlights:

• So I went to legislative council and found out that it could draw a lot of lawsuits.
• And this is from our own leader, attorney on the House side, and an attorney up in legislative council

Bills: HB1541

Keywords: septic systems, environmental quality, public health, wastewater management, licensing and permitting, 908, all

Summary: The committee reconvened on April 4 to consider two bills. House Bill 1280, Representative Brandenberg’s bill on election approval of projects, was briefly discussed after the chair said legislative council had raised constitutional concerns and the bill could invite lawsuits. Despite that caution, a member moved a do pass recommendation, it was seconded, and the committee approved HB 1280 by roll call vote. The committee then turned to House Bill 1318. The chair explained that after consulting attorneys, the phrase “notwithstanding any other provision of law” in line 7 was considered problematic and would be removed through a crafted amendment. He also said the proposed sunset clause was not a good idea and indicated the bill would be held until the following Thursday morning to allow further review. A member asked about other lines, and the chair said those provisions remained as previously amended. The committee discussed procedural handling of the bill, including whether reconsideration of a prior motion was needed, and confirmed the bill would remain in committee. No further action was taken before adjournment.

Transcript Highlights:

• But from the council service, we do provide committee secretaries with PDFs of any proposed amendment
• And we also have to take the advice from council. Sometimes it turns into a substitute.

Transcript Highlights:

• um and of course legislative council. um and of course legislative council.
• We heard from Legislative Council, bill.
• We heard from Legislative Council, JFO,<00:20:43.120> the<00:20:43.200> sponsor,<00:20:
• , and they nodded Legislative Council, and they nodded yes. yes. yes.
• Pretty sure I have the answer, but I'm going to continue to look at the Legislative Council to confirm

Keywords: 927, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• :03:03.440> High<00:03:03.600> School<00:03:03.920> student<00:03:04.320> council
• the Puckett High School student council the Puckett High School student council from<00:03:04.959
• of Engineering Companies and the Council of Engineering Companies and the Board<00:57:13.600> of<
• Council informed me it is not in bill.
• Council says it is not an appropriation, and therefore your point of order is not well taken.

Keywords: MS House Floor - 25 February, 2026; 10:00 AM, 925, all

Summary: The House convened with a quorum, dispensed with the reading of the journal, and welcomed several student and FFA groups from around the state, including chapters from Tippah, Forrest, Newton, and Wheeler counties, as well as the Puckett High School student council and an AP government class from Madison-Ridgeland Academy. After announcements, the chamber moved to the Ways and Means calendar and took up a series of tax and finance measures. House Bill 327 would extend Mississippi’s existing film tax credit to television production businesses, with a $42 million aggregate cap and a requirement that qualifying production activity occur in-state. House Bill 343 would create a tax credit for employers offering private health insurance to employees, set at $400 per employee in the first year and $200 in the second, capped at $10 million. House Bill 420 would lower the age threshold for an existing full homestead exemption for honorably discharged veterans and spouses from 90 to 85; members discussed the local cost impact, but the sponsor said the state cost would be zero. House Bill 489 would exempt from income tax any capital gains from a forced sale through eminent domain, so the property owner would not owe tax on that transaction. The House also passed House Bill 715, clarifying that both perishable and non-perishable food sold to food pantries are exempt from sales tax. House Bill 1063 would adjust an alternative energy/local tax provision by allowing a fee-in-lieu rate down to 10% and adding energy storage, such as large-scale batteries, to qualifying projects. House Bill 1793, by committee substitute, would add gun safes to the state’s Second Amendment sales tax holiday. House Bill 1941 would raise the Outdoor Stewardship Trust Fund’s administrative fee from 2% to 3% and authorize $5 million in bonds. House Bill 1942 would create a conduit bond mechanism under the TIF code for local development projects. House Bill 1944, by committee substitute, would expand the Children’s Promise Act tax credit program from $18 million to $40 million over three years and add a new $1 million credit for facilities serving adults with mental handicaps; members debated its effects on private schools, foster care entities, and public education funding. Most bills passed overwhelmingly, including several unanimous votes; House Bill 327 passed 115-1, House Bill 343 passed 118-0, House Bill 420 passed 120-0, House Bill 489 passed 120-0, House Bill 715 passed 120-0, House Bill 1063 passed 115-0, House Bill 1793 passed 109-3, House Bill 1941 passed 118-0, House Bill 1942 passed 116-0, and House Bill 1944 passed after extended debate. The discussion on House Bill 1944 featured questions about whether the credits favored private schools over public schools, whether schools could also receive ESA-related funds, and how much money individual institutions could receive; the sponsor said the credits are separate from tuition, are administered by DOR on a first-come, first-served basis, and do not reduce direct public school funding.

Transcript Highlights:

• Hi, my name is Chelsea Olen with the Minnesota Council of Health Plans, the trade association of the
• of Health Plans the Minnesota Council of Health Plans the<00:16:55.199> trade<00:16:55.560>
• For the record, my name is Rosa T., and I am the executive director of the Minnesota Council on Latino
• The council is one of the three ethnic councils for the state of Minnesota.
• The council is tasked to advise and inform the state legislature on the pressing issues facing Latino

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• The first item is with the Council on Postsecondary Education, number one on the December routine MOA
• on postsecondary education and Council on postsecondary education and is<00:03:43.000> number
• <00:04:42.360> and<00:04:42.520> postsecondary with the council and postsecondary with
• Chair. that we have the correct council with that we have the correct council with the<00:36:05.200><
• <00:55:44.039> on list is with the Council on list is with the Council on postsecondary<00

Keywords: 958, all

Summary: The committee first reorganized by electing Representative Hart as House co-chair and Senator Douglas as Senate co-chair by acclamation, then approved the December 10 minutes. It then took up deferred and routine contract items, beginning with a Council on Postsecondary Education item that was withdrawn after staff explained the contract had been canceled and should not have come before the committee because the granting authority, not CPE, was issuing it. The committee next reviewed a Department for Local Government contract tied to an Eastern Kentucky flood recovery housing project in Jackson. Members questioned the high per-unit cost and whether renovation was more expensive than new construction. Staff explained the cost included acquisition of an existing downtown building and needed water and sewer infrastructure upgrades, and said developable land was limited in the area. With no motion to object, the contract was allowed to move forward. The committee then considered Kentucky Transportation Cabinet professional services contracts for highway design work. Members asked about the size of the contracts and how much of the available funding is typically used; staff said the contracts are two-year agreements, that the prior cycle reached close to $2 million per contract, and that this year’s limits were reduced because less money is available in the Highway Plan. The committee also approved a PSC amendment contract for the Bridging Kentucky program after staff explained the $150 hourly loaded rate was within the normal range for consultants. Both Transportation Cabinet items were approved without objection. Finally, the committee heard a Kentucky Communications Network Authority contract for an $85,000 study of the dark fiber market. Members asked what dark fiber is, why the study was needed, whether there was coordination with the Office of Broadband Development, and whether existing service meant there was already a market. KCNA said dark fiber is unused fiber that local providers can light to deliver service, that the study was needed because the contractor said no market existed while ISPs said demand exists, and that the report would help both KCNA oversight and broadband development planning. The contract was reviewed without objection.

Transcript Highlights:

• Arkansas Code 21-1-402 requires approval by council as well as the governor.
• Arkansas Code 21-1-402 requires approval by council as well as the governor.

Summary: The committee met and considered several administrative personnel and compensation items. Item B approved a temporary extra-help hire at the University of Arkansas Community College Hope-Texarkana, allowing current Representative Dolly Henley to serve as director of Hempstead Hall, with the required council and governor approvals already provided. Item C approved a special compensation award bonus plan for employees at the Department of Shared Administrative Services and DF&A for work on specified projects and performance goals, and Item D approved a Department of Human Services reallocation of positions and related funding, including about $180,000 moved between divisions. The committee also received informational reports under Items E through H, including a provisional position report for higher education, reports on special compensation and recruitment/incentive awards across state agencies, personnel actions taken under previously approved legislative language, and a community correction quarterly caseload report. No questions were raised on the reports. All items were approved without opposition, and the meeting adjourned after no further business was brought before the committee.

Transcript Highlights:

• For the record, Jim Foley, registered lobbyist from the School Administrators' Council, which MSHSAA
• For the record, Jim Foley, registered lobbyist from the School Administrators' Council, which MSHSAA

Summary: The Committee on Corrections and Public Institutions held a hearing on Senate Substitute No. 2 for Senate Bill 863, which would create an Interclass Athletic Oversight Commission to hear appeals of certain Missouri State High School Activities Association (MSHSAA) eligibility decisions, including transfer-related athletic eligibility and contest procedure issues. Senator Jason Bean said the commission would provide an independent appeal avenue for parents, students, coaches, and school districts, while leaving MSHSAA’s board in place and allowing the commission to recommend rule changes. He said the bill was developed with MSHSAA and other stakeholders and noted the Senate had passed it 20-8. Jim Foley of the School Administrators’ Council testified in support, saying the group had worked through concerns and believed the commission would be a positive addition. No witnesses spoke in opposition or for informational purposes only. After closing the public hearing, the committee moved into executive session and voted the bill do pass by a unanimous 12-0 roll call vote.