Transcript Highlights:

• Committee reports, Senator Blackwell. Thank you, Mr. President.
• I move we dispense with the reading of the committee reports.
• The senator moves to dispense with the reading of the committee reports.
• the reading of the committee reports. the reading of the committee reports.
• All in reading of the committee reports.

Keywords: MS Senate Floor - 2 March, 2026; 4:00 PM, 925, all

Summary: The Senate convened with a quorum present, received the invocation and pledge, and then dispensed with the reading of the journal, committee reports, and bill titles. The body also heard introductions of guests, including DeSoto County Superintendent Cory Uselton and Dr. Becky Roberts, an OBGYN from Hattiesburg and clinical faculty at William Carey College of Osteopathic Medicine, along with seven medical students. On the calendar, Senate Bill 68, House Bill 1758, the Foster Youth Earned Benefits Protection for Success Act, was taken up. Senator Blackwell explained that the bill would place survivor benefits for foster youth into a special account for their direct needs rather than sending the money into CPS’s general operating budget. The Senate adopted the strike-all amendment, then passed the bill by the use of the morning roll call, and immediate release was granted. During announcements, senators noted upcoming committee meetings, including Judiciary B, Insurance, Marine Resources and Ports, Energy, Government Structure, AET, Appropriations, and Judiciary A. Senator Chassaniol announced a legislative reception on March 4 with an Elvis impersonator, and several senators offered adjourning memories for deceased constituents and family members, including Shirley May, Tripp Jones, George Watson II, Jakolby and Jordan Long, and Representative Earl Banks’ mother. Senator Brumfield also reported that Senator Warren Barnett was recovering at home. The Senate then moved into recess until later in the day or the next morning, as specified in the motion.

Transcript Highlights:

• All MNSure required reports are accessible via the legislative library.
• > are All MNSure required reports are All MNSure required reports are accessible<00:25:41.200>
• We have Um we take reporting seriously.
• <00:38:15.359> of Judiciary about uh the reporting of Judiciary about uh the reporting of
• This would include collection and reporting of gun-related incidents and deaths.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• In that case, I would be interested in exploring the structure and language.
• And then in that case, I would be interested in kind of exploring the structure and language.
• our current with our current structure our current with our current structure of<01:10:43.880>
• You should have the executive summary of the most recent report in your packets.
• have a benefit of having that report have a benefit of having that report house<01:37:46.400>

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• Disaster sites are very dangerous environments, often involving unstable structures, hazardous material
• This approach was proven very effective in Los Angeles County, where they reported that the debris removal
• the Office of the State Fire Marshal has clear authority, appropriate enforcement tools, and a fee structure
• the office of the state fire marshal has clear authority, appropriate enforcement tools, and a fee structure
• existing federal, state, and local frameworks surrounding chemical management, safety, and release reporting

Summary: The Assembly Emergency Management Committee met late in the evening and first approved a consent calendar containing SB 837, SB 894, SB 973, and SB 1079, sending those bills to the Committee on Appropriations. The committee then heard SB 904, which would codify coordinated state response and permitting review efforts for wildfire recovery, and SB 1263, which would limit post-disaster debris removal work to properly licensed contractors with required hazardous-materials training. Both bills drew support from the authors and industry/public-safety witnesses, with SB 1263 also drawing an opposed-unless-amended position from contractors who said they were working toward agreement on final language. Both measures passed to Appropriations on unanimous or near-unanimous votes. The committee next heard SB 804, the Hydrogen Pipeline Safety Act, which would designate the State Fire Marshal as the safety regulator for interstate hydrogen pipelines and require hydrogen-specific safety standards. The author and supporters from building trades and pipe trades argued the bill would provide clear safety rules before hydrogen infrastructure expands, while one industry witness said the correct agency had been identified but that some concerns remained. The bill passed as amended to Appropriations, with Assemblymember DeMaio voting no. Finally, the committee considered SB 883, which would impose additional oversight on facilities storing methyl methacrylate and other reactive chemicals after a recent Orange County evacuation tied to a potential explosion risk. Supporters, including community, environmental, and public-health groups, said the bill would improve transparency, emergency planning, and safety protections near homes and schools. Chemical and manufacturing groups opposed the bill in its current form, citing undefined terms, concerns about mandated cooling systems, and possible conflicts with existing regulatory frameworks, but said they were willing to continue working on the measure. The bill passed to the Committee on Environmental Safety and Toxic Materials on a 4-2 vote, with Assemblymembers Hadwick and DeMaio voting no.

Transcript Highlights:

• A job provides structure, dignity, and a pathway forward.
• Trustees dedicate substantial time reviewing funds, reports, budgets, disability retirement applications
• Without action, current stipend structures limit diversity of candidates able to serve.
• Without action, current stipend structures limits diversity of candidates able to serve.
• , AB 1997, signed into law in 2024, that made various changes to CalSTRS law to simplify payroll reporting

Summary: The Committee on Public Employment and Retirement heard several bills, beginning with AB 2483, which would create a permanent pathway for formerly incarcerated Cal Fire fire crew members to receive certification and pursue firefighting jobs after release. The author and supporters described incarcerated firefighters as highly trained workers who perform dangerous frontline fire suppression work but often leave without credentials or a clear hiring path. The chair strongly supported the bill, and there was no opposition. The committee then considered AB 1619, which would raise trustee stipend limits for retirement board members from $100 to $320 per meeting for county retirement systems, CalSTRS, and CalPERS, subject to local approval. Supporters argued the current stipend is nearly 40 years old and no longer reflects the complexity and fiduciary responsibility of overseeing large pension systems, and that higher stipends could improve diversity and participation. The bill was passed on a 7-0 vote and sent to Appropriations. The committee also passed its cleanup bill, AB 2780, making technical and conforming changes to retirement laws, and AB 2519, which corrects an unintended consequence of prior CalSTRS legislation so certain charter school employees can remain eligible for CalSTRS membership; both bills advanced unanimously to Appropriations. AB 2017, the California Eid State Holiday Act, was heard next. The bill would recognize Eid al-Fitr and Eid al-Adha in California and provide excused absences for students observing the holidays. Supporters, including Muslim students, educators, and advocacy organizations, said the measure would promote inclusion and help Muslim Californians feel seen and respected. Members spoke in favor, and the bill passed 7-0 to Appropriations. Finally, AB 2656 would require public employers to give employee organizations 45 days’ written notice before developing or using generative AI in represented job classifications. Supporters said the bill would ensure transparency and labor input, while county and special district groups raised concerns about scope and implementation but expressed willingness to keep working on the measure. It also passed 7-0 to Appropriations, and the meeting adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• A job provides structure, dignity, and a pathway forward.
• Trustees dedicate substantial time reviewing funds, reports, budgets, disability retirement applications
• Without action, current stipend structures limit diversity of candidates able to serve.
• Without action, current stipend structures limits diversity of candidates able to serve.
• , AB 1997, signed into law in 2020, that made various changes to CalSTRS law to simplify payroll reporting

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• So if you guys can look in this report and the audit starting on page 8, I love looking at actionable
• So we had those key recommendations, and one of them was to integrate the administrative structure, and
• that's kind of to move from The administrative structure, and that's kind of to move from these siloed
• So they miss out on those. the administrative structure, and that's kind of to move from these siloed
• But will that be included in your reports? Yes, absolutely. We can do that.

Keywords: 1204, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Missouri's tax structure must evolve. I'll go one step further.
• Missouri has some incredible tools in our toolbox to complement the updated tax structure and energy
• Additionally, I am proud to report that the Public Safety Recruitment and Retention Act had over 700
• giving parents and families the ability to easily discern results, all while maintaining existing reporting
• Charles County Metro Strike Team to search damaged structures and save lives.

Keywords: 959, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• So that included the underlying data sources, the forecasting methodology, and the structure of the conference
• So it has a very clean structure that focuses on mathematical relationships and we'll go over that and
• So there's embedded in our tax structure a large number of exemptions that are not available on both
• And to your point, we'll have our staff director and our staff put together each one of those reports
• Depending on the proposal, we might be able to do something just looking at the annual financial reports

Summary: The Senate Committee on Finance and Tax met to hear a presentation from Amy Baker on the state’s ad valorem property tax forecast and how the revenue estimating conference handles property-tax-related impact analyses. Baker explained that the conference process requires unanimous consensus, that the revenue estimating conference produces the state’s official forecast, and that her office recently overhauled the ad valorem model to use a bottom-up, county-by-county approach with separate modeling for county and school rolls, confidential parcels, and detailed categories such as homestead, non-homestead, residential, non-residential, and agricultural property. Baker walked through the current baseline numbers and the main components of taxable value, emphasizing the role of homestead differentials, especially Save Our Homes and portability, and homestead exemptions. She noted that differentials remove a large share of homestead value statewide, with especially large effects in South Florida and along the east coast, while exemptions are concentrated more heavily in northern and fiscally constrained counties. She also explained that many parcels have little or no remaining taxable value, while a smaller number of parcels hold a large share of taxable value, which makes exemption proposals highly uneven in their effects. The committee discussed how impact conferences evaluate proposed constitutional amendments or bills by measuring the change from the baseline forecast, converting taxable-value changes into tax-dollar losses using county millage rates, and then expressing results in cash and recurring terms. Baker stressed that impact analyses do not address broader budgetary effects or local government replacement decisions, and that each proposal is analyzed as a standalone measure rather than in combination with others. Senators asked about seven House property-tax proposals already analyzed, the availability of those reports online, possible interactions if multiple proposals passed, and whether property-tax relief could stimulate the economy enough to offset revenue losses. Baker said the economic effects would be highly proposal- and county-specific and that any budgetary analysis would require separate work beyond the conference process. The committee took no substantive action beyond receiving the presentation and then adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• The reporting does not sense that. The reporting does not sense that, no.
• One of the rationales for this is that the report is not getting a lot of use, and that the report, which
• The reporting does not sense that. The reporting does not sense that, no.
• tool for our reports.
• The second reporting requirement is to publish a performance report once every four years.

Summary: The committee met on December 3, 2025, with a quorum present and approved the September 17 minutes. Members first voted to suspend the 2026 JLARC lodging tax expenditure report for one year, based on staff’s explanation that the report is self-reported, not verified, and less useful than State Auditor accountability audits; the motion passed. The committee also approved renaming the JLARC I-900 subcommittee to the “Committee to Hear SAO Performance Audits,” while keeping the opening script noting that the performance audit process exists under Initiative 900. The committee then heard follow-up updates on two prior performance audits. The Department of Health presented a draft strategic management plan in response to findings on hospital inspections, complaints, adverse event review, and hospital data access. JLARC staff reiterated that 72% of hospital inspections were late, that DOH did not verify third-party inspection standards or review adverse event reports, and that complaint data suggested possible language-access barriers. DOH said it concurred with the recommendations, had improved on-time inspection compliance to about 49%, planned annual updates starting in July 2026, and would work on accreditation oversight, complaint-language access, and data accessibility, though members pressed for firmer deadlines and questioned the three-year timeline for language access improvements. The Liquor and Cannabis Board also reported on its cannabis market study recommendation. JLARC staff said the agency’s data were incomplete and unreliable, limiting oversight of production, recalls, tax collection, and diversion. LCB said it had improved its current CCRS system but still relied on self-reported data, and it presented a decision package for a new traceability system estimated at about $9 million over three fiscal years. LCB described a plant-tagging and serialization approach tied to production, processing, testing, and retail, but acknowledged it did not currently have sufficient staff to fully implement the system without additional funding. The committee also received briefings on JLARC’s recommendation-tracking tools and the 2024 public records reporting summary, including a high-level review of agency response rates, request volumes, costs, and litigation. Finally, JLARC presented the proposed final report on the Office of Privacy and Data Protection, concluding that OPDP meets its statutory responsibilities and has high user satisfaction, but that its mandate should be updated to better match its current capacity and focus; the committee adopted the report for distribution. The meeting then moved into the 2025 tax preference performance reviews, where JLARC staff summarized nine reviews and noted that the Citizens Commission on Tax Preference and Performance Measurement endorsed all 17 legislative auditor recommendations, with comments on seven. Early reviews discussed included natural gas transportation fuel preferences, travel agent and tour operator B&O rates, nonprofit low-income housing development, multipurpose senior centers, disabled veteran adaptive housing, and trade convention attendance, with staff and commissioners generally recommending continuation of some preferences, modification of others, and improved objectives or performance measures where needed.

Transcript Highlights:

• We look at this report.
• other ones and of course in the report. other ones and of course in the report.
• Um, so, this was reported in our report: almost 1/5 of elementary school principals reported this is
• <01:35:25.720> that report uh you'll see in the report that report uh you'll see in the report
• in our the Um so, this was reported in our the report<01:36:22.040> almost report almost report

Keywords: 0:00:03 - Call to Order and Roll Call 0:00:43 - Approval of October 14, 2025 and November 4, 2025 Minutes 0:01:15 - Acceptance of Office of Education Accountability Report: Analysis Of Student Discipline Data in Kentucky Schools 0:02:10 - Implementation Update on 26 RS HB 257 0:49:38 - Career and Technical Education in the Assessment and Accountability System 1:13:50 - Office of Education Accountability Annual Report 1:47:27 – Adjournment, 958, all

Summary: The Education Assessment & Accountability Review Subcommittee approved the minutes from its October 14 and November 4 meetings and also approved the Office of Education Accountability report analyzing student discipline data in Kentucky schools. The main presentation came from KDE Commissioner Dr. Robby Fletcher on implementation of House Bill 257, which he said has two major parts: selection of a statewide college entrance exam through a new procurement process, and development of locally designed indicators of quality for accountability. On the college exam, Fletcher explained that the state had to reopen procurement after Senate Bill 197, with the RFP released May 21, vendor questions handled through the Finance and Administration Cabinet, proposals due June 22, and scoring and review expected in July and August, with a vendor decision not likely until October. He emphasized that the exam is a norm-referenced college-readiness measure, not a test of Kentucky academic standards, which are assessed by the KSA. Members asked about the science requirement in statute, the possibility of multiple vendors or district choice, and whether the CLT could participate; Fletcher said vendors must address science in the RFP, multiple vendors could be possible, and any vendor could submit a proposal if it meets the rubric. He also noted that ACT and SAT differ in structure, that either can meet college-readiness benchmarks, and that there were no major complaints about the SAT during its first year of use. The second major topic was the locally developed indicators of quality under House Bill 257. Fletcher said these are intended to let districts measure themselves against their own goals rather than compare districts statewide, while still aligning with Kentucky standards. He described examples such as achievement, growth, student well-being, safety, fiscal responsibility, civics, internships, apprenticeships, project-based learning, and defenses of learning. He said districts may use local assessments such as MAP, STAR, and I-Ready alongside state data, and that local models should be developed with families, community members, and workforce partners. He added that KDE is providing technical assistance, has applied for a federal CGSA grant, and will use a one-time $15,000 cost offset for districts implementing local accountability models, with a superintendent webcast planned for August.

Transcript Highlights:

• Um, can you help me to report.
• I reported what was happening through the proper channels. I documented incidents.
• reported what was happening through the proper<00:43:28.880> channels.
• I think the administrative structure.
• formal structure. formal structure.

Bills: HB0159

Keywords: student rights, free expression, K-12 education, speech protection, religious views, political speech, 916, all

Transcript Highlights:

• So in another law there was a reporting requirement that said, now DHHS, you need to provide a report
• the corresponding reporting requirement. the corresponding reporting requirement.
• So in another law there was a reporting So in another law there was a reporting requirement<00:06
• summer the department prepared a report summer the department prepared a report and<00:07:04.240
• We'll put that into the reports.

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• <04:00:50.560> engineering moving towards a structural engineering moving towards a structural
• structural structural assessment<04:02:01.319> um<04:02:01.760> with<04:02:02.520>
• It also includes other features like timekeeping, billing, and reporting.
• state agencies um and the reporting state agencies um and the reporting functionality<04:32:39.159
• <04:33:44.400> change support whenever a structural change support whenever a structural change

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The committee heard a Department of Corrections capital budget presentation on HB 25, focused largely on urgent maintenance and security needs at the New Hampshire State Prison for Men and other DOC facilities. DOC officials described the governor’s proposed priorities: boiler surge and radiator tank replacements, electronic controls and camera upgrades, and replacement of HVAC units using R22 refrigerant. They also outlined additional requested projects totaling $15.4 million, including a body alarm/man-down system at Northern New Hampshire Correctional Facility, steam line and trap repairs, fire alarm replacements, and removal of an underground diesel tank in favor of above-ground storage. DOC testified that many systems are well beyond their expected service life, including 40-year-old boilers, outdated analog cameras, and HVAC equipment using discontinued R22 refrigerant. They said the men’s prison is relying on a leased temporary boiler, has significant steam leaks causing major water loss and reduced boiler efficiency, and is dealing with frequent fire alarm faults and deteriorating wiring. On the body alarm system, they said the vendor no longer supports the equipment and replacement parts are no longer available. On the diesel tank, members questioned whether it could be abandoned in place or whether fuel could be reused; DOC said it had not explored all alternatives and would follow up, while noting the tank is underground and tied into the warehouse system. Members also asked whether some current investments could be reused in the planned new men’s prison. DOC said some items, such as air handlers, might potentially be moved, but most projects are needed to keep the current facility operational and would not be practical to transfer. Questions were also raised about the leased boiler arrangement, the use of the man-down system by staff and visitors, and whether the kitchen project could be converted to a modular unit. DOC said the modular kitchen approach is necessary because the existing kitchen cannot remain fully operational during repairs. The committee then moved to lapse extensions, and DOC identified several projects no longer needing extensions, including items numbered 64, 65, and 66 in HB 25, with the chair noting those balances would be deleted and that the lapse amount was $550,500.

Transcript Highlights:

• Gonzalez Pittman: This is a strike all and removes the original structure of the bill Rep.
• And the structure is laid out not only within this regulation but also within the rules being created
• Chair Botana: The bill is reported favorably.
• Chair Botana: By your vote, the bill is reported favorably. Congratulations.

Transcript Highlights:

• there be a minority report? there be a minority report?
• Representative Bernardi will write the majority report. Will there be a minority report?
• Will there be a majority report. Will there be a minority<01:53:31.360> report?
• I will represent minority report?
• assumed the same allocation structure. assumed the same allocation structure.

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• It received a favorable report last session as well.
• This is a structural problem. It requires a structural fix, and that is what this bill would do.
• It would centralize digital reporting of preliminary election results.
• We reduced the report. We're very proud of it, Mr.
• So I'm sorry to issue a favorable report on this bill. Thank you so much. Thank you.

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The Joint Committee on Election Laws held a hearing on several election-related bills, with most testimony focused on voting access, ballot administration, and election procedures. Senator Driscoll testified for S. 509, a Randolph home rule petition to require bilingual ballots in English and Haitian Creole, and Randolph officials and community members strongly supported it, saying it would improve access, confidence, and participation for Haitian Creole speakers. Other speakers, including advocates and residents, described language barriers as a form of voter suppression and urged favorable action. Leader Donato testified on H. 822, which would remove the word “physical” from the absentee voting disability standard, and on a bill to raise the signature threshold for creating political designations and allow dormant designations to be dissolved. Senator Rausch testified on several bills, including one expanding the State Ballot Law Commission’s jurisdiction over presidential primary candidate placement and a broader elections infrastructure bill that would change registration deadlines, primary dates, reporting systems, ballot design, mail voting procedures, and voter outreach. Representative Cattelda also testified on a bill to rename the ballot title for governor’s councilor to “governor’s counselor.” The Massachusetts Town Clerks Association, through Tom Joyce and Ben Kaufman, said it supported a number of the bills and offered local election administration expertise. Former Representative Lenny Mera and Sandra Cato testified for S. 536, a bill on accountability for defective and spoiled ballots, citing a disputed 2022 Revere recount and arguing that spoiled ballots should be documented and publicly inspectable so improperly rejected ballots are not lost. Emma Chinman of Partners in Democracy supported multiple reforms, including the elections infrastructure bill and a bill allowing unenrolled voters to serve on boards of registrars. After testimony concluded, the committee accepted written testimony by email and then adjourned without taking any votes.

Transcript Highlights:

• the beauty of that parking structure the beauty of that parking structure yeah<00:35:46.079>
• And we do a report every year where we really look at things.
• And we do a report every year where we really look at things.
• That’s a whole different report someday if you ever want to hear that one.
• <01:30:21.320> that because I know there was a report that because I know there was a report

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• By your vote, CS for CS for SB 896 is reported favorably. Thank you, Mr. Chairman.
• By your vote, CS for CS for SB 118 is reported favorably. Thank you, sir.
• By your vote, show CS for CS for SB 118 reported favorably. Thank you, sir.
• The best part of the report, though, is the acknowledged limitations.
• By your vote, show CS for SB 1756 reported favorably.

Summary: The committee first took up CS for SB 896 on school safety, which would expand the Guardian program to public postsecondary institutions, require active assailant response plans and threat management protocols, improve reporting and information sharing, and make it a felony to discharge a weapon within 1,000 feet of a campus. A late-file amendment by Senator Polsky was adopted to clarify that students who are also employees or faculty at a public postsecondary institution are not eligible for the Guardian program. The bill drew strong opposition from faculty, students, and gun-safety advocates who argued that more guns on campus would create confusion, weaken safety, and undermine campus police; supporters said trained guardians would improve deterrence and protection. After debate, the committee reported the bill favorably by a roll call vote. The committee then considered SB 1690 on child care and early learning services, which updates child care laws, reduces some regulatory burdens, and expands the Florida Education Foundation’s authority to fundraise for early learning from birth through VPK. Members discussed oversight of the related direct-support organization and the removal of certain notice requirements, while supporters from Moms Rising and other advocates said the bill would help families access affordable, high-quality child care and support home-based providers. One opponent argued the bill added more government regulation, but the committee adopted the amendment and reported the bill favorably. Next, the committee passed CS for SB 118, a narrow bill on non-ad valorem special assessments for recreational vehicle parks, clarifying how assessments are calculated for RV spaces and campsites. The bill received supportive comments from RV advocates and was reported favorably without controversy. The committee then took up CS for SB 1220, the Department of Transportation package, which included provisions on seaports and airports, personal delivery devices, autonomous vehicles, broadband and utility permitting, and advanced air mobility. Amendments were adopted that revised research institute membership, limited some delivery-device provisions, and clarified cruiser light rules for law enforcement; after questions about utility preemption and PDD safety, the bill was reported favorably. Finally, the committee began hearing SB 1756 on medical freedom, which would require new vaccine educational materials, expand school-entry exemptions to include conscience-based objections, limit the Surgeon General’s emergency vaccination authority, and allow behind-the-counter ivermectin for adults with written information and liability protections. The bill drew extensive testimony from both supporters and opponents, with supporters emphasizing parental rights, informed consent, and vaccine injury concerns, and opponents warning about reduced immunization rates, public health risks, and the appropriateness of ivermectin provisions. The transcript ends during public testimony and debate on SB 1756, before final action on that bill is shown.

Transcript Highlights:

• We are developing a rule requirement for state agencies to report pull or vendor performance for all
• As we have our conversation today, I want us to focus very much on the structural challenges that exist
• Let's just focus on structural changes that we might be interested in making as a committee.
• But bonds, which by the very nature I structured procurement, would serve the same purpose.
• I do think there are some states, as we mentioned earlier that have a little bit more structure around