Transcript Highlights:

• Louis Children's Hospital has since been vindicated by independent reviews and global medical reversals
• And I would just say, I think the value in the sunset clause for these sorts of things is that that's
• Do you know that puberty blockers are reversible? Not all the puberty blockers are reversible.
• Do you know that puberty blockers are reversible? Not all the puberty blockers are reversible.
• The ACLU of Missouri stands opposed to each of these bills, which would remove the sunset clause The

Committees: House Emerging Issues , House Emerging Issues and Professional Registration

Transcript Highlights:

• of that policy reversal here in Minnesota.
• Which prevails, this state law or the supremacy clause?
• Um, the supremacy clause of the Constitution says that federal law prevails over state law if there's
• and their ability to supremacy clause and their ability to act<00:52:10.760><c> or</c><00:52:11.120>
• Um Um Um the<00:52:29.360><c> supremacy</c><00:52:29.960><c> clause</c><00:52:30.440><c> of</c><00:52

Committee: Senate Health and Human Services

Transcript Highlights:

• Pursuant to clause one of rule one, the journal stands approved.
• Pursuant to clause as a 15minute vote.
• Pursuant to clause eight of rule votes.
• </c><05:05:27.360><c> The</c><05:05:27.600><c> remaining</c> to clause 9 of rule 20.
• The remaining to clause 9 of rule 20.

Bills: HR1206 , HB6387 , HB4690 , HR1182 , HR1189

Keywords: David Scott, Representative David Scott, Georgia, House resolution, memorial resolution, condolence resolution, death of a member, adjournment in honor, Congressional tribute, House of Representatives, ceremonial resolution, obituary resolution, Clean Air Act, wildfire risk, air quality monitoring, exceptional events, regulations, environmental policy, energy efficiency, federal buildings

Transcript Highlights:

• Regarding the carving out of an exemption for the anti-donation clause, was that...
• Regarding the carving out of an exemption for the anti-donation clause, was that a ballot measure put
• Regarding the carving out of an exemption for the anti-donation clause, was that Regarding the carving
• out of an exemption for the anti-donation clause, was that a ballot measure put before the voters, Mr
• So even with the current reauth process, like some reversions occur.

Committee: House House Appropriations & Finance

Transcript Highlights:

• Delete everything after the enacting clause and insert amendment.
• Delete everything after the enacting clause and insert the amendment.
• Delete everything after the enacting clause and insert amendment.
• Here's the part: But later, the Senate reversed course. That was yesterday. We reversed course.
• And we, the Senate, reversed course.

Summary: The Senate convened with a quorum, opening prayer, Pledge of Allegiance, and doctor-of-the-day introduction, then moved through a long special-order calendar. Early proceedings included a resolution honoring former Governor and U.S. Senator Bob Graham and a moment of silence for firefighter Roger Timmy Miley. The chamber also heard several member introductions and recognitions before taking up bills. The most substantial debate centered on CS/CS/SB 1758 on public assistance and Medicaid/SNAP reforms. The bill would strengthen fraud enforcement, impose a Medicaid work requirement for able-bodied adults, expand behavioral health services through a waiver, modernize Medicaid pharmacy purchasing, and require a SNAP fraud-reduction plan and photo ID on EBT cards. Senators Berman, Smith, Bracy Davis, Osgood, and others argued for Medicaid expansion and added protections for vulnerable SNAP recipients, while Gates defended the bill as a compliance and cost-saving measure. Multiple amendments were offered, including Berman’s Medicaid-expansion condition and Osgood’s SNAP photo-ID safeguards; both were defeated. The bill was placed on the calendar for third reading after extended questioning. The Senate then passed a series of bills, often substituting House companions before final vote. These included tax conformity legislation (7031/7048), technology and computer science education (1503/1694), Parkinson’s disease registry and related public-records measures (1443/1684), designation of the SS American Victory as the official state flagship (249/1656), electronic payments for local governments (967/1612), legal tender and related public-records exemptions for gold, silver, stablecoins, and virtual currency kiosks (1311/1588/1087/7044/1568), local government finance and spending transparency (1329/1566), digital voyeurism (1536), insurance customer representative licensing (1343/1504), and medical freedom legislation (1756) with amendments on anti-kickback rules and vaccine information materials. Most bills passed on largely party-line or near-unanimous votes, with several amendments adopted and some withdrawn; the medical freedom bill was still under consideration at the end of the excerpt.

Transcript Highlights:

• and it says that an actor may use reasonable force under circumstances described in paragraph A, clause
• and it says that an actor may use reasonable force under circumstances described in paragraph A, clause
• </c><00:16:32.720><c> Similarly,</c> If the roles were reversed.
• And because it only refers to clause three, line 1.20.
• But I would look at the other clause, I mean line that clause three and I would think Chair Bliss would

Summary: The committee heard Chair Bliss present HF 13, a bill to change Minnesota self-defense law so that a person using reasonable force in resisting an offense against the person would not be required to consider retreat. Bliss tied the proposal to a recent Minnesota Supreme Court case involving a man at a light rail station and argued the court had effectively created a duty to retreat that the legislature had never enacted. He said the bill would codify the right to stand one’s ground while still leaving reasonableness to judges and juries. Supporters Bryan Gosh of the NRA and Rob Door of the Minnesota Gun Owners Caucus testified that Minnesota’s duty-to-retreat rules are confusing, judicially created, and out of step with other states. They argued the bill would clarify self-defense law and protect people who defend themselves or others, citing examples from other states and a Texas church shooting to argue that a retreat requirement can endanger victims and bystanders. Opponents Maggie Emery of Protect Minnesota, Sarah Erickson of Giffords, and Don Einwalter of Moms Demand Action argued the bill would function as a “shoot-first” law, increase homicides, worsen racial disparities, and make communities and law enforcement less safe. They cited studies linking stand-your-ground laws to higher homicide rates and pointed to incidents in Florida and Minnesota involving firearms and children. The committee also took up two amendments. Representative Hollins offered an amendment on safe and secure firearm storage, saying it was intended to reduce child access to guns and suicides; she requested a roll call. Chair Bliss opposed it, saying current law already covers negligent storage and that the amendment was too broad, including for a rural constituent who keeps a shotgun by his door. Representative Hudson and Representative Pinto argued over whether current law is sufficient and whether the amendment would remove needed flexibility. The transcript ends during discussion of the amendments, with no final vote or disposition recorded.

Transcript Highlights:

• Pursuant to clause 1 of rule 1, the Journal stands approved.
• Pursuant to clause 1 of rule 1, the Journal stands approved.
• vote or the yeas and nays are ordered, or votes objected to under clause 6 of rule 20.
• OR VOTES OBJECTED TO UNDER CLAUSE 6 OF RULE 20.
• Pursuant to clause 8 of Rule 20, further proceedings on this question will be postponed.

Bills: HR480 , HR481 , HR488 , HB2035 , HR252 , HB1948 , HR1373 , HR1182 , HR248 , HR137 , HB2390 , HB2351

Keywords: House of Representatives, congressional training, workplace rights, workplace responsibilities, anti-discrimination, anti-harassment, sexual harassment training, employee training, Member orientation, House Administration Committee, Congressional Accountability Act, CAA, interns, unpaid interns, fellows, detailees, legislative workplace, congressional offices, compliance training, ethics training

Transcript Highlights:

• The confidentiality clause. Mr.
• Uh, Senate Bill 66 is an emergency clause, um, amends the Criminal Offender Employment Act to exempt
• I now move that Senate Bill 66 with an emergency clause do now pass.
• We are on final passage of Senate Bill 66 with an emergency clause. The vote is now open.
• Senate Bill 66 with an emergency clause has duly passed this House.

Transcript Highlights:

• And can you explain on section seven of the bill this nonrevival clause? We don't see that.
• And can you explain on section seven of the bill this nonrevival clause? We don't see that.
• We don't see this nonrevival clause?
• The, um, this kind of clause is not unusual. It is some variety of different kinds of legislation.
• Chair, I thought that um severability clause was already assumed in Minnesota statute.

Committee: Senate Judiciary and Public Safety

Transcript Highlights:

• will be a few changes, and that's based on some. ...about certain kinds of language, like purpose clauses
• We don't use purpose clauses in New Mexico, so we...
• I'm sorry I asked the question in reverse. All in favor of the motion indicate by saying aye.

Committee: House House Health & Human Services

Transcript Highlights:

• will be a few changes, and that's based on some. ...about certain kinds of language, like purpose clauses
• We don't use purpose clauses in New Mexico, so we...
• I'm sorry I asked the question in reverse. All in favor of the motion indicate by saying aye.

Committee: House House Health & Human Services

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><02:55:07.920><c> Further</c> to clause 8 of rule 20. Further to clause 8 of rule 20.
• pursuant to clause 2B of rule<03:18:20.720><c> 19.
• Persuant to clause 8 of rule ordered.
• Persuant to clause 12A of postponed.
• that</c><08:28:45.680><c> policy</c> administration did reverse that policy administration did reverse

Bills: HB2987 , HB2931

Keywords: small business lending company, SBLC, SBA lending, Small Business Administration, section 7 loans, small business loans, loan guarantee, lender cap, financial institutions, credit access, small business finance, nonprofit lenders, business lending, CEASE Act, House passage, Senate Small Business and Entrepreneurship Committee, sanctuary jurisdictions, office relocation, immigration policy, government operations

Transcript Highlights:

• I just want to address briefly as well: the confrontation clause was an issue last year.
• And I just want to let you know that if a statement would violate the confrontation clause, then this
• I ask you, what difference does it make when we're talking about the confrontation clause?
• thank you for your comprehensive communication over the interim about distinguishing confrontation clause
• Clark, the Supreme Court found hearsay from child witnesses did not violate the confrontation clause

Committee: House Civil Rights & Judiciary

Transcript Highlights:

• I just want to address briefly as well: the confrontation clause was an issue last year.
• And I just want to let you know that if a statement would be a violation of the confrontation clause,
• I ask you, what difference does it make when we're talking about the confrontation clause?
• to thank you for your comprehensive communication over the interim of distinguishing confrontation clause
• Clark, the Supreme Court found hearsay from child witnesses did not violate the confrontation clause

Summary: The Civil Rights and Judiciary Committee heard testimony on several bills. On SB 5906, the SAFE Act, staff and Sen. Hansen described protections limiting immigration enforcement access to non-public areas in schools, early learning settings, higher education, health care facilities, adult family homes, and ballot-processing areas, and restricting collection of immigration-status information. Supporters said the bill would clarify and strengthen existing Keep Washington Working policies, while some witnesses requested amendments to better define health care facilities, clarify adult family home and election-related provisions, and keep Section 6 on ballot security. Some members questioned the factual basis for reported ICE activity near schools and daycares and the distinction between judicial and administrative warrants. The committee also heard SB 5886 on personality rights and forged digital likenesses. Staff explained that the bill would add digitally created or modified likenesses to the Personality Rights Act, raise civil penalties, and allow recovery of actual and non-economic damages in forged-digital-likeness cases. The sponsor and supporters said the bill is intended to address AI deepfakes and identity misuse while preserving satire and fair use; student and advocacy witnesses supported the measure as a way to protect students and victims of digital impersonation. The committee then heard SB 5169, which expands child hearsay and closed-circuit testimony rules to older children and additional offenses. Prosecutors and forensic interviewers supported the bill as necessary in trafficking and child abuse cases, while defense advocates opposed it as an overbroad expansion that could raise confrontation-clause issues and create legal challenges. Additional hearings included SB 5865, which would move garnishment form updates from statute to the Washington Pattern Forms Committee; judges supported it as a way to fix a wage-withholding calculation error and allow future updates without legislation. SB 5912 would reinstate the Indigent Defense Task Force to study statewide public defense delivery and recommend sustainable reforms; counties, the Office of Public Defense, and defense groups supported it. SB 6009 would make permanent the current process for direct review of administrative decisions by the Court of Appeals and retain land-use transfer provisions; a Court of Appeals judge supported the bill. SB 6087 would extend limited liability for donations of children’s items to religious organizations and add strollers and car seats, with support from Zero Waste Washington. The committee did not take final votes on these bills during the hearing.

Transcript Highlights:

• The third part of the bill relates to a reverter clause for land conveyance affecting military entities
• The bill relates to a reverter clause for land conveyances affecting military entities.
• Section 253.025 contains a reverter clause that allows the state to reclaim property if conditions are
• I get that this bill is not as harsh on employers as, well, actually, I have it reversed here.
• That may happen in the supremacy clause, we'll kick in there.

Summary: The Committee on Commerce and Tourism considered a series of bills affecting tax policy, workforce development, business regulation, consumer protection, rural development, and artificial intelligence. SB 1076 would raise Florida’s research and development tax credit cap from $9 million to $50 million beginning with the 2027 allocation, and it was reported favorably. CS/SB 1266 would create a cybersecurity experiential internship and clearance-readiness program with the Department of Commerce and Cyber Florida; an amendment removed an appropriation from the bill, and the committee reported it favorably. SB 554, a broad update to Florida’s not-for-profit corporation law, was also reported favorably after supportive testimony from Florida Bar representatives. SB 1004, aimed at protecting buyers of dogs and cats from deceptive sales and predatory financing practices, received strong support from animal welfare advocates and was reported favorably. SB 1074, which provides rounding rules for cash transactions if pennies are unavailable, was likewise reported favorably. SB 214, expanding the rural community definition to include special districts in rural counties for economic development purposes, was reported favorably. SPB 7030, a public records exemption tied to Department of Legal Affairs investigations, was adopted as a committee bill and favorably reported. The committee also heard extensive discussion on SB 998, the Department of Commerce package. The bill would modernize the Florida Small Cities Community Development Block Grant program, clarify rural community eligibility for certain unincorporated areas, exempt military entities from a reverter clause on land conveyances, and revise E-Verify enforcement procedures. Members questioned the E-Verify provisions, including penalties, protections for workers incorrectly flagged, and the treatment of gig workers. Senator Smith opposed the bill, arguing it creates unequal treatment between employers and immigrant workers, while Senator Wright supported the military-related provisions. Despite the debate, SB 998 was reported favorably, with Senators Bracy Davis, Smith, and Errington voting no. The committee also took up SB 482, an “Artificial Intelligence Bill of Rights” that would create consumer protections for companion chatbots, require parental consent and access for minors, mandate periodic disclosures that users are interacting with AI, restrict certain uses of personal data and likenesses, and give the Attorney General enforcement authority. The bill drew both support and criticism: supporters emphasized child safety, transparency, and consumer protection, while opponents raised concerns about privacy, broad definitions, lack of audit mechanisms, and the absence of a private right of action for adults. Senators Smith and Davis urged clearer definitions and stronger accountability, but both said the bill was a starting point. The committee reported SB 482 favorably. The meeting ended with recorded affirmative votes requested by Senators Yarbrough, Wright, and Davis on selected tabs, and the committee adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• Supreme Court to reverse the Obergefell decision.
• The Committee on Military moved to amend the bill by striking out everything after the enacting clause
• Chairman. ...to amend the bill by striking out everything after the enacting clause.
• Senator Morris moved to amend the bill by striking out everything after the enacting clause.
• Everything after the enacting clause. Senator from Randolph. Thank you, Mr. President.

Summary: The Senate opened with prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, journal approval, and numerous guest introductions, including students, community leaders, food bank representatives, and visitors connected to Hunger Free West Virginia Day. A resolution recognizing March 10, 2026, as Hunger Free West Virginia Day was adopted, and Senate Concurrent Resolution 7 on the Southern West Virginia water crisis was referred to the Rules Committee. The chamber also heard remarks highlighting Hunger Free West Virginia’s work and a West Virginia company, Unigen, developing pharmaceutical manufacturing in the state. The Senate concurred with House amendments and passed several measures, including Senate Bill 467 on enforcement of Purple Heart parking spaces, Senate Bill 712 on cattle guards on certain public roads, and Senate Bill 781, a supplemental appropriation measure that was also made effective from passage. The chamber then adopted and passed Senate Bill 844, a large supplemental appropriation to the Department of Human Services, and Senate Bill 87, a supplemental appropriation to the Department of Commerce, both effective from passage. Other third-reading bills passed included the Blue Envelope Program for drivers with autism, dementia, or intellectual and developmental disabilities; coverage for scalp cooling systems during chemotherapy; expansion of sex-offender registration to include solicitation of a minor and non-consensual disclosure of private images; child safety reporting requirements for school personnel; age-verification requirements for websites hosting harmful sexual material; free Gold Star parent vehicle registration; online training and updated standards for sanitarians; sheriff hiring authority; organ donor registration through voter registration; a Cold Case Task Force; abandoned vehicle title procedures; nutrition continuing education for physicians; special plate rules; gift card fraud offenses; protections for athletic officials; in-year school personnel movement; administrative services powers; pharmacy benefit manager regulation; vape shop regulation; reduced parole supervision fees; disability service credit for certain troopers; property valuation reporting changes; and quarterly Hope Scholarship payments. The Senate also advanced a large number of House bills and committee substitutes on second reading, including supplemental appropriations and measures on mental health examinations, dog registration rules, juvenile jurisdiction on military installations, military interpersonal violence, kinship care subsidies, a statewide prevention plan, contraband smuggling into federal prisons, forestry equipment levy treatment, and Commerce Department rules for microgrid districts and high-impact data centers. Several committee amendments were adopted, and many bills were advanced to third reading without objection. No executive communications were reported.

Transcript Highlights:

• So at the director's suggestion, we added this notwithstanding clause, which means that this becomes
• Number two, added the notwithstanding clause. Number three, got rid of the word "fully."
• Number two, added the notwithstanding clause. Number three, got rid of the word "fully."
• Number two, added the notwithstanding clause. Number three, got rid of the word "fully."
• We also are adding a notwithstanding clause.

Summary: The Solid Waste Subcommittee met to discuss proposed amendments to HB 171 and HB 215. For HB 171, Representative Gerna outlined technical changes to a landfill moratorium bill: DES would be allowed to accept applications only to review them for completeness, a notwithstanding clause would override automatic approval timing rules, the word “fully” would be removed, and an unnecessary reference to perennial water bodies would be deleted. Members raised concern about whether applications deemed complete during the moratorium would still have to comply with later changes in law or rule. Director Mike Whap of DES said applicants would likely need to amend applications if policy changes occurred, and suggested the bill could explicitly state that later changes apply to pending applications. The subcommittee generally supported the revised language and agreed the amended bill could go directly to executive session, though one member said the underlying legislation was ill-advised but preferred the amended version over the original. The committee then turned to HB 215, which would create a two-stage landfill siting review centered on a “net public benefit” determination before full technical review. Representative Gerna explained that the amendment would define net public benefit, require an independent third-party assessment paid for by the applicant, and set up a process for selecting the contractor from a list submitted by the applicant, with DES and the host community involved and the commissioner choosing if no agreement is reached within 60 days. Members asked how “host community” would be defined; DES said it would generally mean the municipal governing body, though that body could appoint others. The amendment also broadened the factors considered in both harms and benefits, including human health, property values, tourism, recreation, wildlife, local economic benefits, and infrastructure improvements. The discussion also added a provision directing DES to consult with the Department of Transportation, the Department of Business and Economic Affairs, and the Department of Natural and Cultural Resources as needed when reviewing the third-party assessment. Director Whap said interdepartmental consultation is normal and that DES would likely adopt rules to guide the process. Members questioned whether the new framework would be too vague or burdensome for applicants, but Whap said it would not be designed to stack the deck against applicants and that the process should provide clearer, more balanced criteria. No votes were taken during the meeting, and the subcommittee appeared to continue refining the amendment language before further action.

Transcript Highlights:

• Even states that allow these products have seen failures and are reversing course.
• We can reverse overdoses to hard drugs such as fentanyl, but we cannot reverse intoxication from this
• Now, I want to get at the Supremacy Clause and the Commerce Clause.
• I focused on the Supremacy Clause, but the Commerce Clause is also a part of the discussion.
• And when you get to the Supremacy Clause, there are, again, certain aspects that the state has the right

Bills: HB28 , SB3 , SB 3

Committee: House State Affairs

Keywords: hemp regulation, consumable products, cannabinoids, state health, youth protection, licensing fees, criminal offenses, flash flood, flood warning, outdoor warning siren, emergency alert, disaster preparedness, flood mitigation, Hill Country floods, Texas Water Development Board, municipalities, counties, local government mandate, public safety, grant program

Transcript Highlights:

• improvements, House No. 4001, having been amended by the Senate by striking out all the enacting clause
• While it does begin to reverse the trend of spending that's reflected in this chart just a little bit
• adopted supplemental budget and the GAA, if it is to be accepted today, Of $1 billion for the MBTA, reversing

Summary: The Senate first took up and passed several House bills establishing sick leave banks, including House 4182 for a Massachusetts Department of Transportation employee and House 1590 for Eric J. Awaniak. It also advanced and then enacted House 4237, a fiscal year 2026 appropriations bill providing interim funding before final action on the general appropriations act. During the session, Senator Collins also recognized Chaplain Clementina Cherry of the Lewis D. Brown Peace Institute as a distinguished guest, with remarks entered into the record. The main business was the conference committee report on the fiscal year 2026 state budget, House 4001/House 4240. Senate Ways and Means leadership described the budget as balanced, on time, and fiscally responsible, with $61.01 billion in spending, no new taxes or fees, and a $33 million deposit to the stabilization fund. They highlighted major investments in Chapter 70 school aid, special education circuit breaker reimbursements, unrestricted local aid, MassEducate, universal free school meals, MBTA and regional transit funding, MassHealth, food security, and mental health services. The report also included policy items such as broker fee responsibility, fare-free regional transit, housing studies, a gold star family annuity provision, and a crumbling concrete commission. Minority leader Senator Tarr and others questioned the spending reductions, use of one-time funds, and the treatment of excess capital gains, arguing for greater fiscal caution and concern about future federal actions and long-term spending growth. Supporters responded that the reductions reflected revenue uncertainty, federal policy risks, and the need to preserve budget stability, while using some one-time sources to balance the plan. The conference report was adopted by a roll call vote of 38-2, the emergency preamble for House 4240 was approved by standing vote, and the FY26 general appropriations bill was then enacted and sent to the Governor. The Senate also adopted an order to dispense with printing a calendar for the next session and adjourned until Thursday at 11 a.m.

Transcript Highlights:

• I believe also then the state land department had a sunset clause that they've offered as well.
• The complications of going the other, reverse, you'd shut down a third of the domestic supply of electricity
• The complications of going the other, reverse, you'd shut down a third of the domestic supply of electricity

Bills: SB2339

Committee: Senate Energy and Natural Resources

Summary: The Energy and Natural Resources Committee continued work on House Bill 1459, which concerns rare earth and critical mineral recovery from North Dakota lignite coal. Testimony from UND researcher Dan Ludo and industry representative David Straely focused on the urgency of developing the process quickly, the technical differences between extracting minerals from coal versus ash, and the potential value of elements such as terbium, dysprosium, gallium, germanium, and synthetic graphite. Straely argued the bill is constitutional, limited to minerals within the coal seam, and needed to avoid years of quiet title litigation and provide certainty for development and compensation to royalty owners. Committee members raised questions about landowner rights, compensation levels, possible amendments from the Department of Trust Lands, and whether the bill should be modified to address constitutional concerns or sunset provisions. No final action was taken on HB 1459; the chair said parties could work on language until Monday before the committee revisits it. The committee then returned to House Bill 1579, a high-load study bill with a possible energy infrastructure investment amendment. Jody Smith of the Retirement and Investment Office presented updated language adding guardrails for in-state infrastructure investing, including requiring approved projects to be underwritten and managed by a qualified investment manager or financial institution and to follow the Legacy Fund investment policy. Members discussed whether the amendment had been shared with the House sponsor and noted that the related bill 1330 was still pending, so HB 1579 was being held for the time being. Finally, the committee took up House Bill 1566, which had an amendment from the Agriculture Commissioner’s office. The committee adopted the amendment 7-0, then passed a due-pass motion on the amended bill and referred it to Appropriations, also by a 7-0 vote. Members discussed the bill’s fiscal impact, including an estimated $580,000 for two FTEs over two years, and clarified that the study component remains in the bill. Senator Gerhardt was assigned to carry the measure.