Transcript Highlights:

• He had access to my personal cell phone number, my email address, might be.
• He had access to my personal cell phone number, my email address, my assistant's cell phone number, her
• And we also generally have two different cell phones, a legislative cell phone, a personal cell phone
• Now that gets tricky because I don't” “Cell phones, a legislative cell phone, a personal cell phone.
• But I did not have her personal cell phone number. We didn't talk. We didn't text.

Keywords: 904, all

Summary: The hearing resumed on day two of the Legislative Ethics Board fact-finding matter involving Representative Tara Simmons. After opening remarks and confirmation that board members had not engaged in outside research or ex parte communications, Simmons’s counsel moved to dismiss two allegations at the close of the board staff’s case: that Simmons pressured the Administrative Office of the Courts to alter a contract in favor of her employer, and that she improperly combined a legislative proviso for AEJG with a personal donation to the organization. Board staff opposed the motion, arguing the evidence showed Simmons’s legislative and private conduct were intertwined and that the board had enough evidence to require a defense. After deliberation, the board denied the motion to dismiss and proceeded to hear defense testimony. The first defense witness, Sharon Navas, testified that she met Simmons through advocacy work, later hired her at the Equity and Education Coalition (EEC), and maintained written employment policies intended to separate Simmons’s legislative role from her work for EEC. Navas said Simmons was never compensated for lobbying or legislative acts, that EEC paid her from unrestricted funds, and that Simmons did not work on the AEJG dashboard project or participate in the contract dispute with Anthony Powers and Chris Stanley. Navas described the proviso request and later contract issues as separate from Simmons’s legislative duties, and said she continued to pay invoices while the project was being completed. Simmons then testified about her background, legislative career, disability accommodations, and extensive efforts to seek ethics advice before taking outside employment or pursuing provisos. She said she repeatedly consulted House ethics counsel and reviewed prior board decisions to ensure her outside work and legislative actions were separated. Simmons described her relationship with Anthony Powers, the dashboard project, the proviso process, and her understanding that the work was distinct from her legislative role. The hearing paused for lunch after part of Simmons’s direct examination, with testimony set to continue after the break.

Transcript Highlights:

• during that phone call.
• These dispatchers were with phone. phone calls, radio transmissions, trying to type.
• Number one, predict the flood, and number two, project the warning. Okay?
• You know, that's got a number of deficiencies, it's got a number of ideas, it's got a number of concepts
• Number three, phones and siren warnings, not just phone texts, for all the reasons you've heard about

Keywords: 997, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Or they can say it’s their pet cell phone, right? Their comfort cell phone, if you will. Yeah.
• Cell phones are items of dangerous contraband.
• And he just points to the sign on the wall and says, “No cell phones.”
• Cell phones come in in a lot of different ways.
• You’re not supposed to have a cell phone. It’s a 3.2.

Keywords: 959, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Or they can say it's their pet cell phone, right? They could.
• Cell phones are items of dangerous contraband.
• Cell phones come in in a lot of different ways.
• You're not supposed to have a cell phone. It's a 3.2.
• You get sent to ad-sig... ...somebody with a cell phone. You're not supposed to have a cell phone.

Summary: The committee first heard House Bill 2708, which would increase penalties for bringing or possessing unauthorized electronic communication devices in prisons and jails, raising the offense from a misdemeanor to a Class D felony and clarifying the statutory language. Representative Hovis said the bill is intended to deter contraband cell phones and similar devices that can be used to coordinate criminal activity, threaten victims, or continue gang operations from inside facilities. Department of Corrections staff supported the bill, saying cell phones are dangerous contraband and that current administrative sanctions are not always enough. Members asked about notice to visitors, current DOC discipline, whether the bill applies to inmates, staff, and visitors, and whether the language should be tightened to cover devices “capable of” communication; the sponsor agreed to have House Research review the wording and potentially offer a committee substitute. No opposition testimony was presented. The committee then heard House Bill 3038, which would place the Department of Health and Senior Services’ Office of Special Investigations into statute and give it limited authority to assist investigations of abuse, neglect, and exploitation of eligible adults. Representative Cook said the office already exists and the bill mainly codifies its role, allowing limited subpoena and search warrant authority to speed investigations, especially financial exploitation cases, while preserving local law enforcement and prosecutorial control. DHSS witnesses supported the bill, explaining that their investigators have long worked on vulnerable-adult cases and often need quicker access to records; they said the office has law enforcement experience and coordinates with Adult Protective Services and public safety agencies. Committee members asked about the fiscal note, vacancies, the definition of exploitation, whether the office can investigate public administrators or guardianship cases, and whether investigators have arrest authority; witnesses said the bill is not intended to create a new police force or expand arrest powers, but to formalize existing functions and improve access to records. No witnesses testified in opposition, and the hearing concluded without a vote.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> committee and we did a number of them. committee and we did a number of them.
• > interfere</c><00:20:12.080><c> with</c><00:20:12.240><c> my</c> phone.
• It doesn't interfere with my phone.
• </c> many hours a day I spend on my phone many hours a day I spend on my phone because<00:20:19.200><
• Um, first of all, Representative West, phones in schools — 100% agree.

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:10:42.920><c> of</c> number of cir in a number of number of cir in a number of circumstances<
• </c><00:28:17.880><c> of</c> people um and I do have a number of people um and I do have a number of
• c> has</c> production numbers the popularity has production numbers the popularity has increased<00:30
• </c> somebody and I'm just holding my phone somebody and I'm just holding my phone up<01:22:08.639><c
• </c><01:29:04.400><c> of</c> uh not her phone number but her date of uh not her phone number but her

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• , call the victim's advocate from phone, call the victim's advocate from their<00:09:58.399><c> phone
• </c> that will be willing to answer the phone that will be willing to answer the phone any<00:10:22.079
• It's going to help with removing personal information, home addresses, telephone numbers, cell phone
• ,</c><00:15:49.839><c> cell</c><00:15:50.000><c> phone</c> telephone um numbers, cell phone telephone
• um numbers, cell phone numbers,<00:15:50.639><c> personal</c><00:15:51.040><c> emails,</c> numbers,

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• When I'm saying into the phones, recall this number. >> You're recognized. Thank you.
• If you are holding the phone, it would be Syria.
• Even if somebody doesn't have a sophisticated phone, almost all phones have speaker future placing the
• the phone.
• My phone, I use Bluetooth, but my phone is on my lap. It's just a habit. It what it is.

Keywords: 999, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• And if your kids got a problem with bullying, take away the phone from the kid or take away the phone
• </c><00:25:48.799><c> in</c> um screens in the school or phones in um screens in the school or phones
• from the kid or take away the phone from the kid or take away the phone<00:25:56.000><c> or</c><00:25
• And in number is closer to 15 touches.
• ,</c><00:53:59.599><c> but</c> schools, not just your cell phones, but schools, not just your cell phones

Keywords: 919, house, all

Summary: The committee took up House File 3117, which would impose an excise tax on social media companies based on Minnesota monthly users and data-mining activity, and adopted an A1 amendment that added clarifying language identifying social media platforms. Chair Gomez described the bill as a way to tax companies profiting from data mining and social media use, citing concerns about child bullying, misinformation, and wealth concentration. The bill was laid over for possible inclusion in the 2025 taxes bill. Supporters testified that the measure would help raise revenue from a highly profitable industry and better align the tax code with the social costs of data collection and social media use. Pastor Julie Thompson, MAPE representative Tanner Fritzinger, Council Member Sue Bud, and Eric Bernstein of We Make Minnesota all backed the bill, arguing that social media companies extract value from users’ data, contribute to mental health and social harms, and should pay more toward public needs. Bernstein also framed the tax as a way to broaden the tax base and fund schools and other services. Opponents warned that the bill could sweep in local broadcasters, newspapers, and other businesses that use digital platforms and collect some user data, and that costs would likely be passed on to consumers. Wendy Pollson of the Minnesota Broadcasters Association said the definitions were too broad and could unintentionally include local media. Deb Peters, speaking for Americans for Digital Opportunity, argued the tax would raise costs for small businesses and consumers, create legal risks, and amount to double taxation. Several members echoed concerns about regressivity, administration, and whether the bill actually addresses online bullying or data privacy, while supporters said it is a first step toward taxing a new, lightly taxed industry.

Transcript Highlights:

• So you said that this is like Big Brother, or our cell phones.
• Does our cell phones collect the same data, or not more data than this would?
• So I think us having cell phones... Everybody doesn't have a cell phone, just so you know.
• Our cell phones collect more data than probably anything.
• So I think us having cell phones... Everybody doesn't have a cell phone, just so you know.

Summary: The committee first met in executive session on Senate Bill 905, moving the bill “do pass.” After roll call, the motion passed by a vote of 6 ayes and 4 nays, and SB 905 was reported do pass. The committee then held a public hearing on Senate Bill 959, presented by Senator Doug Beck on behalf of Senator Roberts, who was on active duty. The bill would create the Missouri GIS Council within the Office of Administration to improve statewide geospatial data coordination, planning, training, and education. Supporters, including Greater St. Louis, Inc., the State 911 Service Board, and BioSTL/Next Missouri, said the council would improve emergency response, broadband and infrastructure planning, economic development, and government efficiency, while also including privacy protections that prohibit collection of personally identifiable information. An opponent from Armour Vine argued the bill was “big brother” and raised concerns about government access to geospatial data and privacy, suggesting the measure could be used to track citizens. Committee members questioned both sides about whether the bill collected personal data and whether similar information is already available through cell phones or mapping systems. Supporters responded that the bill concerns address and map data, not individual tracking, and emphasized its value for 911 routing and public safety. No vote was taken on SB 959, and the hearing was closed after testimony.

Transcript Highlights:

• Your phone rings, it looks like a local number, maybe even your own area code, and then you pick up the
• phone, it's not a neighbor, it's a scam.
• “Screen options on the phones.
• As technology keeps up, the scammers... ...hide the numbers.
• That is set number 4,002.

Bills: HB471, HB798, HB947, HB1140, HB1186, HB1195, HB1222

Keywords: surveillance, price discrimination, consumer protection, automated decision systems, data privacy, broadband, cable service, price increase, notification, digital assets, abandonment, custodian, escheatment, blockchain, cryptocurrency, unclaimed property, state treasurer, telecommunications, spoofing, call authentication

Transcript Highlights:

• I was on my son's phone. He's reference. I was on my son's phone.
• ,</c> as I was scrolling through his phone, as I was scrolling through his phone, we're<00:31:50.320>
• He's like, you been doing on this phone?
• </c> sixth graders picking up their phones sixth graders picking up their phones more<00:37:49.119><c
• ,</c> overstimulated by being on their phone, overstimulated by being on their phone, it<00:38:08.640

Keywords: Meeting start: 00:00 Roll call: 00:05 HB 227 discussion: 01:10 HB 227 voting: 49:38, 958, all

Transcript Highlights:

• So her phone was in the basket.
• So her phone was in the basket.
• So the number could change? That number will link with the number that the school system... Yeah.
• That number will link with the number that the school system assigns. Okay.
• five, and six, the department will link the old number with the new number?

Summary: The House Education Committee met on March 31, 2026, and heard several bills focused largely on workforce training, student aid, and school safety. HB 325 by Rep. Brass would add successful completion of nine dual-enrollment credit hours as a third eligibility pathway for the TOPS Tech Award; after a clarifying amendment limiting the change to students graduating in the 2026-2027 school year, the bill drew broad support and was reported favorably. HB 407 by Rep. Larvadane would return the M.J. Foster Promise Program’s initial eligibility age to 21 for two years, grandfathering in current younger participants while the state addresses funding shortfalls; despite concerns about access for 18- to 20-year-olds, the committee adopted the amendment and reported the bill as amended on a 12-2 vote. HB 482 by Rep. Turner would loosen TOPS Tech requirements, including lowering one academic threshold, raising the age window to 25, and increasing the award amount at community and technical colleges; after an amendment expanding the affected institutions beyond LCTCS, it was reported favorably. The committee also advanced HB 283 by Rep. Newell, which strengthens penalties and school responses for assault and battery on teachers and other school employees and expands sick-leave coverage for related medical, psychological, and rehabilitation treatment. Testimony from educators and union representatives described serious incidents of violence and fear of retaliation, while a school district attorney warned about unintended consequences for rural districts, transportation, and students with disabilities; the bill was amended to include students as protected victims and then reported with amendments. HB 448 by Rep. Adams would allow scholarships for firefighters injured or killed in the line of duty, and their spouses, to be used for graduate study rather than only a bachelor’s degree; after an amendment clarifying the scholarship could be used for bachelor’s or advanced degrees, it was reported as amended. HB 319 by Rep. Beham, a cleanup measure for the Louisiana Commission on Civic Education to improve quorum and update organizational references, was reported favorably. HB 195 by Rep. Beham, which would bar public postsecondary institutions from prohibiting students from carrying self-defense chemical spray on campus, was amended to add exceptions and then reported with amendments. The committee also heard testimony on HCR 10 by Rep. Wilder, which asks the Louisiana High School Athletic Association to recognize dance and cheer as sanctioned sports; the sponsor said the resolution was prompted by a parent request and safety concerns, and an amendment was expected to broaden the measure. Throughout the meeting, members repeatedly emphasized workforce development, dual enrollment, and the need to align education programs with labor-market demand, while also debating how to balance student access, funding limits, and school safety.

Transcript Highlights:

• Providers tend to put out numbers.
• Out there, very nice numbers, but in reality, what do those numbers project?
• So, where are we getting that number, Madam Chair.
• Use your cell phone.
• . phone.

Transcript Highlights:

• A small number here equals this, a large number here equals that.
• I had a flip phone.
• Item number 10, AB 9—I'm sorry, item number nine, AB 1542 by Assembly Member Ward.
• Item number nine, AB 1540... ...out 11-3. Item number nine, AB 1540.
• Item number... We just need these last four. Item number...

Summary: The committee heard AB 1988, which would require AI companion chatbots to respond to credible self-harm or violence-related crisis expressions by displaying the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline, warning users, and pausing the chat for human review after repeated crisis signals. The author and supporters said the bill is a measured safety standard to redirect vulnerable users to human help, citing research and cases where chatbots worsened suicidal ideation or violent behavior. Support came from crisis and medical advocates, while no opposition testimony was offered. The chair and members expressed strong support, and the bill was held pending quorum before later action on the agenda. The committee then took up AB 1709, which would set a minimum age of 16 for users to create or maintain accounts on social media platforms with harmful addictive features and would create an E-Safety Advisory Commission in the Attorney General’s office. The author argued the bill targets product design, not speech, and is intended to curb compulsive features such as infinite scroll, autoplay, and algorithmic feeds while allowing safer or non-addictive platforms to remain available. Supporters, including a psychologist and the Organization for Social Media Safety, described cyberbullying, predation, compulsive use, and mental health harms; opponents, including EFF, ACLU-Cal Action, TechNet, and youth advocacy groups, warned about privacy, First Amendment, and access-to-community concerns, especially for LGBTQ youth and other marginalized groups. Committee members debated whether the bill is a ban or a delay, how age assurance would work, and whether the proposal would be effective or could push youth to less safe spaces. Several members said they would support the bill as a first step, while others raised concerns about enforceability, privacy, and constitutional issues. The author emphasized that the bill is limited to specific harmful design features, not content or general internet access, and that the new commission would monitor evolving technology and recommend future updates. No final vote was taken during the portion of the hearing provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• The number one leading cause of death in the autism community is drowning.
• </c> number one cause drowning is the number number one cause drowning is the number one<00:10:45.399
• number and website address for the YMCA of the North.
• You say that the written notice must include the phone number and website address for the YMCA of the
• number and website address for the YMCA of the North.

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• I were with their cell phone policies.
• Um and they happen with cell phones.
• So the, it's not just cell phones.
• We say cellular phones and smart it.
• And I guess I District number one.

Bills: SF0035, SF0090, SF0072

Keywords: education, cell phones, smart devices, school policy, student conduct, school property, rental fees, youth activities, education policy, Wyoming legislature, teacher licensure, teacher mobility, interstate compact, education compact, licensure reciprocity, reciprocal certification, teacher certification, professional teaching standards board, out-of-state teachers, military spouse

Transcript Highlights:

• has a different number for this.
• Thanks." has a different number for this. It's a has a different number for this.
• So I'm not quite sure the numbers. You know, we have numbers in the budget that we put in.
• So I'm not quite sure the numbers. You know, we have numbers in the budget that we put in.
• count the numbers.

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The Finance Committee first took up Senate Bill 63, which Representative Maguire described as a straightforward bill setting funding for the Division of Travel and Tourism. He said it was not controversial. The committee voted to retain the bill by roll call, with one no vote and one member absent, and the motion passed 23-1-1. The committee then considered Senate Bill 74, dealing with annual reporting requirements for state departments that issue permits. Representative Maguire explained Amendment 2282 would shorten the reporting burden by requiring summary data on delayed permits rather than listing every permit, and would delay the first report until 2027 so agencies would not have to reconstruct old data. The amendment was adopted by voice vote, and the bill was then approved as amended by a 24-1 roll call vote. Next, the committee heard Senate Bill 241 on construction of a public pier at Hampton Beach. Representative Sweeney moved inexpedient to legislate, saying the project was ambitious and lacked public support. The motion passed unanimously 25-0, sending the bill to consent. Division Two then took up Senate Bill 145, a replace-all amendment to the education freedom account bill. Supporters said the amendment clarified the bill, kept the policy intact, removed a reimbursement program and an open-ended appropriation, and established a cap of 10,000 students with priority for current students and certain other groups. Opponents argued the measure was still a major expansion, would increase spending after crossover, and that the cap was not meaningful. After discussion, Amendment 2301H was adopted and the bill was approved as amended by a 25-0 vote, with members noting it could go on consent because no money remained in it.

Transcript Highlights:

• use the phone with permission.
• Orange County has made policy to restrict access to cell phones.
• We will now move to Message List Number Four, returning Message List Number Four.
• Message List Number Four, returning Message List Number Four. Please read the first message.
• in the state of Florida, whereas now we are number 50.

Summary: The House convened with prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, quorum established, and several recognitions, including a legislative intern, a guest in the gallery, and Representative Bruce Antone’s upcoming induction into the Tuskegee Athletic Hall of Fame. The Speaker also gave brief remarks about the end of session and the freshman class. The chamber then took up a series of Senate-returned messages and concurred or insisted on several amendments while moving bills toward final passage. The House unanimously approved CS/CS/HB 1299 on Department of Health matters, CS/HB 1549 on financial institutions after adopting a House amendment to remove the IOTA-related provision, and CS/CS/SB 768 on foreign ties and business interests after a House concurrence motion. It also insisted on its amendment to CS/CS/CS/SB 184 on housing. CS/CS/HB 875 on educator preparation was amended to restore House provisions on teacher-prep courses, the Florida Center for Teaching Excellence at Miami-Dade College, and related testing and mentor-qualification changes; it passed 91-22 after debate over teacher certification, testing, and “identity politics” language. HB 1101 on out-of-network providers was amended to keep the House’s original notice and referral framework with a good-cause exemption; it passed 87-27 despite objections that it placed too much responsibility on doctors. After recess, the House took up CS/CS/SB 180 on emergency preparedness and response. Members described changes including removal of some homestead-assessment and debris-removal provisions, a study requirement for a post-hurricane county restriction concept, and a Florida Keys evacuation-time change paired with a 10-year cap of 900 permit allocations; the bill passed 116-0. The House also refused to concur in a Senate amendment to HB 1609 on waste incineration and requested the Senate recede. Later, the House returned to HB 1101 and insisted on its amendment after the Senate refused to concur. The longest debate came on CS/CS/HB 1115 on education, where the House amendment replaced the Senate version with the substance of HB 1267, including Schools of Hope, higher education governance, and course transparency. Members questioned provisions expanding Schools of Hope co-location and sponsorship authority beyond traditional opportunity zones, the role of the Department of Education versus school districts, transportation and facility-cost issues, and performance-based agreements. Supporters said the changes would expand options for students and use vacant or underutilized facilities; opponents argued the language was added late, lacked transportation funding, and could allow charter operators to enter high-performing schools. The bill remained under debate at the end of the transcript, with no final vote shown.

Transcript Highlights:

• We're the ones that answer the phone when you're calling in that mass shooting.
• Her daughter and she had a schedule on the phone every evening.
• The small number of dispatchers who reach retirement age compared to the number who leave before it make
• We also represent a number of dispatch groups throughout the state.
• I'll just read the numbers for time.

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The Joint Committee on Public Service held its 15th hearing of the 194th General Court, focused on retirement group classifications for a range of public safety and related employees. Much of the testimony centered on bills affecting Barnstable County dispatchers and 911 telecommunicators, who argued they should remain in or be moved to Group 2 because their work is highly stressful, life-or-death in nature, and historically had been treated that way. Speakers said the proposed changes would largely grandfather in current employees, would not add costs in some cases, and were needed to correct outdated statutory language and PERAC rulings that had created uncertainty for workers nearing retirement or already retired. Similar support was offered for bills to reclassify 911 dispatchers statewide from Group 1 to Group 2, with testimony from dispatch supervisors, sheriffs, and police associations describing chronic stress, PTSD, staffing shortages, and retention problems. The committee also heard testimony on several other retirement-related bills. Representatives of Massport and campus police supported measures to align retirement benefits for Massport police and public higher education police with other law enforcement groups, arguing they perform comparable duties and face similar risks. The Massachusetts Chiefs of Police Association also backed a bill to ease post-retirement earning restrictions for retired police and firefighters so they can continue consulting, training, or advising without penalty. MOSES testified in favor of bills moving certain state employees into Group 2, including forensic scientists at the State Police Crime Lab, DCR aerial foresters, and Department of Correction construction coordinators, citing hazardous work environments and physical danger. Department of Fire Services compliance officers likewise sought Group 4 classification, describing exposure to toxins, fatal fire scenes, and cancer risks. No votes were taken during the hearing. The committee heard extensive testimony from affected employees, union and association representatives, and public safety officials, all urging favorable reports on the bills. At the end of the hearing, the chairs thanked witnesses and staff, and the committee adjourned after a motion and second.