Transcript Highlights:

• Let me check and see what the amendment is. There is an amendment on this one?
• Let me check and see what the amendment is. There is an amendment on this one?
• Chair, there's an amendment I can explain. Please explain the amendment.
• Please move the bill as amended. Mr.
• So it's actually there's no amendment. So, it's actually, there's no amendment.

Keywords: 1182, all

Transcript Highlights:

• The Senate concurred in the House proposal of amendment with a further proposal of amendment thereto
• to the house proposal of amendment to the house proposal<00:13:40.079> of<00:13:40.320> amendment
• <00:16:06.560> You the strikeall amendment be adopted.
• You the strikeall amendment be adopted.
• Section 1, charter amendment approval.

Keywords: 926, house, all

Summary: The House opened with a devotional by Rep. Chris Keyser centered on Robert Frost’s “The Road Not Taken,” using the poem as a reflection on legislative choices, compromise, and service to the common good. After the devotional, the chamber took up a large slate of introductions, with 21 House bills read by number only after a successful motion to suspend the rules. The House also read HR12, a resolution supporting the principles behind Gov. Phil Scott’s statement regarding federal ICE and CBP activity in Minnesota, and placed it on the calendar for action the next legislative day. The House then concurred in JRS38, a joint Senate resolution setting weekend adjournment for January 30, 2026, to reconvene no later than February 3, 2026. During announcements, members recognized guests from Third Act Vermont, wished the member from Burlington a happy birthday, invited members to a Universal Health Care Caucus meeting, and promoted an evening Farmers Night performance. The House also voted to rescind journalization and expunge remarks previously entered by the member from Swanton from Friday’s House Journal. In orders of the day, the House rejected concurrence with the Senate’s further proposal of amendment to S.23, an act relating to the use of synthetic media in elections, and instead requested a committee of conference; the chair appointed Reps. Byron, Hango, and Waters Evans as conferees. The chamber then passed H532, relating to mandatory retirement of college professors. It also adopted the committee’s strike-all amendment to H270, relating to confidentiality for peer support counseling among emergency service providers, after favorable 11-0 committee action; the bill was then ordered to third reading. Finally, the House amended and ordered to third reading H516, approving amendments to the charter of the town of Essex, after discussion of charter changes including select board vacancies, moderator procedures, town appointments, accounting requirements, and related technical updates. The House then adjourned until January 29, 2026 at 3:30 p.m.

Transcript Highlights:

• ARE THERE AMENDMENTS? ON THE DESK, MR. SPEAKER. READ THE FIRST AMENDMENT.
• SEEING NONE, AMENDMENTS TO THE AMENDMENT. NONE ON THE DESK, MR. SPEAKER.
• REPRESENTATIVE BARTLEMAN WITH THIS AMENDMENT.
• NUMBER SHOW THE AMENDMENT IS NOT ADOPTED. READ THE NEXT AMENDMENT. NONE ON THE DESK, MR. SPEAKER.
• ARE THERE AMENDMENTS? NONE ON THE DESK, MR. SPEAKER.

Keywords: sales tax reduction, budget cuts, boating safety, water treatment, municipal utilities, school safety, medical malpractice, firearm purchase age, cursive writing instruction, first responder support, veto overrides, veterans funding, infrastructure projects

Summary: The Florida House convened for regular business, with Speaker Perez announcing historic budget plans including the largest state tax cut in Florida history - a permanent 0.75% sales tax reduction from 6% to 5.25%, saving Floridians nearly $5 billion annually. The House will propose a budget lower than both the Governor's proposal and last year's budget. Several bills passed including Lucy's Law (boating safety), water access facilities funding, municipal utility rate corrections, hazardous walking conditions for schools, and medical malpractice 'Free Kill Law' repeal. The controversial firearm purchase age bill (HB 759) passed 78-34, lowering the minimum age from 21 to 18, despite emotional opposition citing the Parkland shooting. Other bills addressed cursive writing instruction, peer support for first responders, and government sunset reviews. Multiple veto override motions were approved unanimously, reinstating funding for veterans programs and infrastructure projects.

Transcript Highlights:

• also support DO's requested amendments. also support DO's requested amendments.
• that's the result of these amendments. that's the result of these amendments.
• . amendments. amendments.
• 1738 HD1 with amendments. 1738 HD1 with amendments.
• Representatives amendments.

Keywords: 910, house, all

Summary: The committee heard testimony on House Bill 2592, which would clarify the powers of the Mauna Stewardship and Oversight Authority regarding land use on Mauna Akea and related property transfers. The Department of Land and Natural Resources supported the rural property transfer but objected to language transferring conservation district use permits, saying CDUPs normally run with the land rather than being assigned to specific telescopes or observatories. The University of Hawaiʻi and the observatories generally supported the bill but urged clearer language, especially on the transfer of real property assets, related obligations and liabilities, and the inclusion of milestones for the transition. Office of Hawaiian Affairs supported the bill’s overall intent but warned that some language could be overbroad and might improperly waive future beneficiary claims. Several testifiers opposed the measure, arguing it ignored DHHL lands and beneficiary rights, while others supported it as a way to clarify the authority’s role. Members questioned DLNR about the practical effects of transferring CDUP responsibility, and the committee emphasized that the bill was narrowly focused on specific land. The committee then took up House Bill 2593, which would authorize the Mauna Stewardship and Oversight Authority to extend existing leases and subleases for up to 10 years. The authority explained that the bill does not itself extend any lease, but instead gives the authority discretion to initiate a transparent public process if extensions are needed. The University of Hawaiʻi supported the concept but said the timing of any extension matters and noted possible legal requirements under state law. The observatories also supported the bill, describing it as a flexible tool during a broader transition process and noting that the authority has held many public planning workshops. Opponents, including Native Hawaiian and community testifiers, argued that the conservation lands should receive the highest protection, that the community had not consented, and that the observatories have had decades to plan ahead. One testifier urged the bill be deferred or killed for lack of clarity. In response to questions, the committee clarified that the bill only authorizes a process and does not itself extend leases, and that any extension would require public participation. The final measure discussed in the excerpt was House Bill 2047, relating to the AHAPU advisory committee. The discussion focused on the committee’s administrative relationship to the Department of Land and Natural Resources and whether DLNR should oversee basic legal compliance issues such as Sunshine Law and legislative reporting. DLNR explained that the committee is administratively attached to the department, which provides support on human resources, procurement, and legal questions, but that the committee itself generally handles its own operations. The department said it would route compliance questions to its attorneys and implement their advice. The hearing then moved on to House Bill 2231, which would transfer appointment authority for island burial council members from the governor and Senate to the Office of Hawaiian Affairs board of trustees. OHA said it generally supported the change for geographic moku representatives, since it already nominates candidates for those seats, but expressed concern about taking on appointment authority for the large landowner seats because that role is less directly tied to its statutory duties.

Transcript Highlights:

• Adopting the amendment. 8 to five. Adopting the amendment.
• <01:03:33.200> amended<01:03:33.599> doesn't and um, if's amendment amended doesn't
• amendment 0668H. amendment 0668H.
• Uh seeing that the uh with amendment amendment amendment >> with<01:27:27.440> House<01:
• move amendment 0654H. move amendment 0654H.

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• The amendment is in your folder and available in line. Amendments 1 and 2 are technical.
• Any questions on that amendment set? Seeing none, that amendment set stands adopted.
• on top of amendment, on top of amendment from every community coming one at a time.
• on top of amendment, on top of amendment from every community coming one at a time.
• We have an amendment set in the form of a substitute bill and an in-concept amendment.

Summary: The House Transportation Committee met on April 21 and heard a series of transportation, licensing, tolling, and public safety measures. Early bills included HB 745, extending special permits for tandem/container loads serving port facilities; HB 1000, a DOTD cleanup bill that clarifies Highway Priority Program reporting and raises the letter-bid contract threshold from $1 million to $3 million; HB 1050, which revises commercial driver’s license rules and allows certain 18-year-olds to drive intrastate with a Class A license; and HB 1172, designating a portion of US 165 in Oberlin as the Coulin Brooks Manuel Memorial Highway. All of those bills were reported favorably, with HB 1000 adopted with amendments. The committee then took up HB 896 on toll facilities, prompted by concerns about Belle Chasse toll charges and customer service access. The bill would require local toll customer service centers, toll dispute procedures, and limits on certain fees; amendments were adopted to refine those provisions, including in-person assistance, appeal deadlines, and limits on additional charges. The bill was reported with amendments. HB 493, which would have prohibited expropriation by the Amite River Basin Drainage and Water Conservation District in East Feliciana and St. Helena Parishes, drew extensive testimony and debate over reservoir planning and local flood-control authority, but was ultimately voluntarily deferred. Later, HB 1173 was approved to give people in the OMV reinstatement relief program up to three months without a late fee on installment agreements, while keeping the payment due and moving it to the end of the plan. HB 1024 created a Louisiana Democratic Party special prestige license plate and was reported favorably. The committee also approved HCR 32 urging the Port of New Orleans to secure backup motors for the St. Claude Avenue Bridge, and HB 1159, concerning automated speed enforcement in Jefferson Parish municipalities, was ultimately voluntarily deferred after discussion of local control, public input, and prior legislation on speed cameras. The final major item was HB 679, as substituted, creating a driver’s license designation for people with brain injuries and directing law enforcement training on interactions with those individuals. The sponsor and several witnesses described personal experiences with traumatic brain injury and argued the designation would improve safety and communication during traffic stops. The substitute bill was adopted and the measure was reported favorably. The committee concluded by reporting HB 1207 favorably; that bill would limit unduly restrictive contractor qualification requirements in public bidding and require such requirements to be reasonably related to the project and justified in writing.

Transcript Highlights:

• So that's what the amendment does.
• Does anybody have any questions on the amendment? I'll make a motion to adopt amendment set 3646.
• The opposition... that amendment set is adopted. Amendment set 3646 is adopted.
• Do we have any amendments? No, no amendments. Okay. Good morning, Representative Glorioso.
• And we have no amendments, staff. Is that right? No amendments. Okay. Good morning, Mr.

Bills: SB511, SB512, HB591, HB909, HB938, HB1154, HB1187

Keywords: automobile repairs, insurance transparency, repair shop liability, non-OEM parts, policyholder rights, automobile insurance, appraisal process, insurance policyholders, dispute resolution, claim valuation, family leave, insurance, paid leave, employment benefits, caregiver support, behavioral health, crisis services, mental health care, insurance coverage, healthcare access

Transcript Highlights:

• floor amendment to Senate Bill 1280 be adopted?
• Seeing none, SB 1372 as amended do pass. Any discussion?
• , SB 1475 do pass, and SB 1478 do pass as amended.
• Senate Bills 1372 and 1478 as amended are for engrossing.
• Senate Bills 1372 and 1478 as amended are for engrossing.

Keywords: 1182, all

Transcript Highlights:

• All those in favor of the amendment, please say aye. Aye. Aye. Now the amendment is adopted.
• Madam Chair, there is one amendment.
• The amendment, can you tell us what's going on with the amendment?
• All those in favor of the amendment, please say aye. Aye. The amendment is adopted.
• Please move the bill as amended.

Bills: HB2051, HB2324, HB2439, HB2457, HB2686, HB2837, HB2875, HB2953

Keywords: AHCCCS, lactation care, breastfeeding, health services, healthcare access, HB2324, fire code, fire marshal, state fire marshal, municipalities, cities and towns, county-owned buildings, county buildings, intergovernmental agreement, IGA, fire inspection, occupancy certificate, building inventory, local government, county government

Transcript Highlights:

• Representative Weiss, Speaker Weiss, is working on an amendment.
• Everybody has an amendment... I’ll walk you through.
• Now let’s go to the top of the other part of the amendment.
• “Do we, can we just move that amendment?” “Aye. The way it is?”
• Are you going to be amending it over and? Leave in full house, which already amends it.

Keywords: 908, all

Summary: The House Appropriations Government Operations section reconvened and first took up an amendment for the Industrial Commission related to a proposed west-to-east natural gas pipeline. Members discussed increasing the state’s capacity commitment from $60 million to $120 million so the project could move forward and support a future FERC permit, with supporters citing growing demand from data centers, agricultural users, and oilfield gas capture needs. The committee also discussed a separate motion to exempt the mill and elevator from the vacant FTE pool; that motion failed on a roll call vote. The committee then reviewed other Industrial Commission items, including housing authority funding, the abandoned well fund, Bank of North Dakota-related changes, and a decision not to add more to litigation funding. The discussion then shifted to the Department of Transportation budget and a major transportation funding framework. Speaker Weiss explained a proposal to consolidate and rework transportation funding into fewer buckets, including moving Prairie Dog-style funding into the flexible transportation fund, adding $370 million to that fund, and providing $171.3 million for federal match needs. The plan also included $50 million for statewide discretionary projects, $50 million for bridges, and grant flexibility for cities, counties, and townships, with some debate over eligibility thresholds and how much discretion DOT should have in awarding grants. Members also discussed whether small communities could realistically apply for grants and how the new structure would coordinate statewide transportation investments. Additional DOT topics included a proposed gas tax increase, changes to distribution percentages among DOT, cities/counties, townships, and transit, and the treatment of electric vehicle registration fees. The committee noted that transit funding would rise under the formula and that EV registration fees would continue to flow into the highway distribution fund. No final action was taken on the broader DOT package during this portion of the meeting, but members agreed to continue work on the amendment and revisit the issue the next day, with a suggestion to brief the caucus before floor action.

Transcript Highlights:

• She moved the A1 amendment. The A1 amendment was adopted.
• the amendments adopted. the amendments adopted.
• just move that amendment. just move that amendment.
• we should see that amendment. we should see that amendment.
• A1 amendments adopted. A1 amendments adopted.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• The first section in this is the identical amendments. There were three identical amendments.
• <00:01:57.520> by the lunch hour, the biggest amendment by the lunch hour, the biggest amendment
• <00:06:22.560> 18 house second reading amendment 18 house second reading amendment 18 Williams
• And so now it is a $16 million amended.
• technical amendments. Oh, I misspoke. technical amendments. Oh, I misspoke.

Bills: SF0032, SF0010, SF0001, HB0001

Keywords: 911 services, emergency response, grant funding, next generation technology, government accountability, public safety, mental health, detention, competency evaluation, treatment, contractual agreements, Wyoming, budget, funding, education, wildfire prevention, healthcare, community colleges, grants, economic development

Transcript Highlights:

• Chair, In the amendment for the pretend amendment stage because I know we're not.
• What amendments? Any?
• Senator Townsend, yes, on the amendment I'd like to ask Senator Duhigg, is this amendment directed?
• That's the thrust of my amendment.
• That's again Amendment 075-1.

Keywords: 996, all

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:01:43.240> any make any other technical amendments any make any other technical amendments
• Amendment and the contracts Clause so Amendment and the contracts Clause so the<00:02:35.720> purpose
• fourth amendment fourth amendment rights<00:08:29.000> I<00:08:29.520> police officer
• 2077 and pass with technical amendments 2077 and pass with technical amendments and<00:30:37.159
• And that will be it, and any other technical amendments. Any further discussion on the amendments?

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Summary: The Senate Committee on Public Safety and Military Affairs met on January 29, 2025, and first took up deferred SB 259 on record keeping. The chair said Honu Police Department had submitted support, and the committee recommended passage with amendments, including a technical change to the effective date on page 4, line 6 to July 1, 2077. Vice Chair Elefante voted yes; Senators Fevella and Rhoads were excused; the recommendation was adopted. The committee then heard SB 603 and SB 608, both relating to veterans benefits consulting and compensation. The Attorney General’s office recommended amendments to address First Amendment, Contracts Clause, and savings-clause issues, and testimony was mixed, with several supporters from veterans-related organizations and several opponents, including some testifiers from the public and industry groups. The committee later adopted chair recommendations to pass both bills with amendments, including preambles about protecting veteran consumers from misleading or unfair practices, savings clauses, and effective-date changes to July 1, 2077. SB 601, relating to law enforcement search notices and securing entrances, drew support from the Office of the Public Defender and a private citizen who described the bill as a response to warrantless searches and a transparency measure; there was also opposition from Maui County police and one other testifier. The committee then moved to SB 871 on arson, where the Department of the Attorney General raised drafting and constitutional concerns and the Public Defender opposed the measure as vague, overbroad, and creating problematic sentencing provisions, while HPD supported it as a public-safety tool. The chair ultimately recommended SB 871 pass with amendments softening mandatory language, adding parole language, and changing the effective date to July 1, 2077; the recommendation was adopted. The final measures were SB 1130, exempting certain construction rebuilding materials from general excise tax in federally declared disaster areas, and SB 104, restricting solitary confinement in correctional facilities. The Department of Taxation requested third-party certification and a later effective date, and the committee adopted amendments reflecting those requests and moving the effective date to January 1, 2026. On SB 104, the Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation opposed the bill, citing staff assaults and existing policy updates, while the Oversight Commission, Public Defender, and multiple advocates supported it as a safeguard with oversight and due process protections. The committee passed SB 104 with amendments, including adopting the commission’s definition language, changing terminology to “restrictive housing,” and setting the effective date to July 1, 2077.

Transcript Highlights:

• to pass and amended. to pass and amended.
• I want to move amendment 0684s. And may you speak to the amendment?
• We have<00:11:58.399> that<00:11:58.560> amendment have that amendment have that amendment
• your amendment? your amendment?
• , >> amendment, >> amendment, >> correct?

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Is it the amended version? I'm working on the Senate amended version. Yes. Okay.
• Is it the amended bill that I have. Is it the amended version? version? version?
• <00:47:03.359> I get amended over in the Senate? I get amended over in the Senate?
• Those clarifications are made, and there's also additionally... amendment. So, amendment.
• <02:34:42.000> drafted amendment the amendment was was drafted amendment the amendment was

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• . >> Senator Krun offers the A5 amendment. The secretary will report the A5 amendment.
• on the A5 amendment. on the A5 amendment.
• offers the A4 amendment.
• This is the A4 amendment. insert. This is the A4 amendment.
• . amendment. amendment.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Summary: The Senate first received a House message reappointing a conference committee on Senate File 2077, the environment and natural resources appropriations bill, and took no further action on that message. The chamber then moved through motions and resolutions, including a failed attempt to suspend the rules to make House File 4102 a special order for immediate consideration. Senator Howe argued the bill was urgent because it would extend a study on state law enforcement pay and help address State Patrol recruitment and retention, while Senator Friends opposed suspending the rules; the motion failed on a roll call vote, 35 ayes to 32 nays. The Senate then took House File 3629 from the table, made it a special order, and adopted the A5 amendment. The bill, relating to grants management and the Department of Administration, was described as refining agency authority over exemptions, adding reporting requirements, expanding whistleblower protections, and broadening fraud-prevention tools. The A5 amendment added stronger payment-withholding authority for agencies based on credible allegations of fraud, removed the 60-day withholding limit, allowed cross-agency withholding in some cases, replaced court appeal with agency reconsideration, made the authority permanent, and added a reporting requirement for DHS and DCYF inspector general activity. Supporters said it would improve transparency and protect taxpayers; the bill then passed final roll call 67-0. Finally, the Senate took up House File 4492, which was amended with the A4 delete-everything amendment. The new version combined three articles: READ Act provisions, a veterans diploma provision, and early literacy field-experience changes. Senators described the veterans section as requiring school districts to award diplomas to veterans who left high school to serve in the Korean or Vietnam Wars, and the READ Act and literacy provisions as aligning teacher preparation and early literacy instruction with state standards. Members also discussed school discipline and classroom safety issues in the course of debate. The bill was then read for final passage, with senators speaking in support of the combined package and its education and veterans provisions.

Transcript Highlights:

• Department of Labor page 2 amendment Department of Labor page 2 amendment 2025<00:27:04.320>
• This is an amendment to 2025 211S.
• Uh the question is on amendment Uh the question is on amendment 2091s.<00:33:43.200> Further<
• other one here that we have an amendment other one here that we have an amendment on.
• see an amendment for the um this bill. see an amendment for the um this bill.

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• . amendments. amendments.
• . amendments. amendments.
• the vote pass with amendments. the vote pass with amendments.
• Pass with amendments. concerns? Pass with amendments.
• Pass with<00:52:04.240> amendments. with amendments. with amendments.

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Summary: The Committee on Health and Human Services heard several health-related measures. SB 3132 on syndromic surveillance drew support from the Department of Health, healthcare organizations, and others, with DOH explaining the bill would formalize a surveillance program that has helped with real-time flu tracking and response to events like the Maui fires. A member raised privacy concerns from opponents, and DOH responded that the data are deidentified and do not include Social Security numbers or dates of birth. No votes were taken on the bill in the portion provided. SB 3134 on emergency medical systems of care received broad support from SHIPA, DOH, military and EMS representatives, and others, who said it would modernize the EMS system. SB 3136 on lead materials and water infrastructure was also supported by DOH and SHIPA; members asked whether the bill would allow Hawaii to keep stronger standards if federal drinking water rules were weakened, and DOH said the state would not have to follow weaker federal standards as long as Hawaii remained as stringent or more stringent. SB 3138 on independent audits of deposit beverage distribution drew support from DOH and several industry groups, but with amendments to reduce burdens on small businesses, raise the audit threshold, and modernize reporting; opponents also testified. DOH later clarified that the measure would affect a limited number of distributors and said it is working on an electronic submission system, though not yet for audit filings. SB 3139 concerning SHIPA was supported by SHIPA and the Grassroots Institute of Hawaii, while HMSA suggested one provision should remain under the insurance commissioner’s purview. SHIPA said the bill is about collaboration and a broader health vision, not regulation, and members indicated they were comfortable with removing the disputed portion. SB 3207 on background checks drew support from healthcare providers but opposition from the Attorney General and DOH. Supporters argued the FBI fingerprinting requirement is costly, duplicative, and difficult to schedule, while opponents said the bill would improperly shift fingerprint collection authority to hospitals and other facilities and could conflict with federal law. The committee engaged in extended questioning about costs, federal requirements, and whether the mandate would be passed on to patients; no final action is reflected in the excerpt. The committee then began SB 2271 on hospital licensing, with support from SHIPA, the Developmental Disabilities council, healthcare groups, Kaiser Permanente, and DOH, and commenters said the bill would allow hospitals to demonstrate compliance through CMS-recognized accreditation, with a suggested wording change to “approved” accrediting organization.

Transcript Highlights:

• ought to pass as amended. ought to pass as amended.
• So we actually have Amendment 0462S as amended.
• amendment to the bill? amendment to the bill?
• On the amendment 0462S as amended by the committee to change legislative committee amendment.
• amendment amendment O<00:58:50.160> 709S.

Keywords: 1191, senate, all