Video & Transcript Research : 'Chapter 156'
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FL
Florida 2026 Regular Session
FL House Floor Session - 2025-04-09 (1:00PM Session)
Florida House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- Additionally, the bill revises a number of provisions in Chapter 216, Florida Statutes, relating to planning
- Additionally, the bill revises a number of provisions in Chapter 216, Florida statutes relating to planning
- Yesterday and today, the Florida chapter of the National Association of Social Workers had their legislative
- Yesterday and today, the Florida chapter of the National Association of Social Workers had their legislative
- This local bill codifies the Bermont Drainage District Charter under Chapter 298, Florida Statutes, and
Summary:
The House convened with prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, and a quorum present, then adopted the special order report and moved into a series of budget-related bills. The chamber first took up HB 5011/SB 2506 on environmental resource management and natural resources funding, where Democrats argued the bill would reduce recurring support for the Resilient Florida program, the Florida Wildlife Corridor, invasive species removal, and other conservation efforts. Supporters said the change would shift money from recurring to nonrecurring funding so the Legislature could reassess priorities each year and rely more on private-sector stewardship. After a strike-all amendment and conference posture change, SB 2506 passed 97-12. HB 5013, reducing state-funded property reinsurance reserves, passed 108-0, and HB 5501, redirecting documentary stamp tax distributions from housing and transportation trust funds into general revenue, passed 82-26 after extended debate over its impact on affordable housing and transportation funding.
The House also passed HB 5015 on state group insurance, which requires DMS to develop a formulary management system and was described as producing significant savings; members raised concerns about prescription access and implementation, but the bill passed 109-0. HB 5201 on state financial accounting and HB 5203 on the Capitol Center both passed unanimously, as did HB 5009, which creates a Florida Accountability Office and reorganizes audit functions. The chamber then passed HB 7031, a major sales tax reduction bill lowering the state sales tax rate and several related rates; supporters framed it as permanent relief for all Floridians, while opponents said property tax relief would be more meaningful and that the sales tax cut would also benefit tourists and out-of-state visitors. HB 7031 passed 112-0.
The House then began consideration of HB 501, the proposed fiscal year 2025-26 budget, totaling $112.9 billion and emphasizing reduced recurring spending and large reserves. Subcommittee chairs outlined their budget silos: K-12 education at $20.6 billion with teacher raises, school hardening, literacy, transportation stipends, and security funding for Jewish day schools; health care at $47 billion with full Medicaid and KidCare funding, opioid settlement spending, mental health beds, and senior services; transportation/economic development at $18.5 billion; agriculture and natural resources at $5.8 billion with reduced Everglades spending but continued water, resiliency, and land management funding; higher education at $8.7 billion; state administration at $2.9 billion; justice at $7.3 billion; and IT at $529 million for Florida PALM, FX, and other systems. Members then began questioning the K-12 budget, focusing on FEFP funding, proration, voucher growth, stabilization dollars, mental health and school safety funding, and whether districts would be held harmless under the proposed allocations.
CA
California 2025-2026 Regular Session
Assembly Public Safety Committee Apr 8th, 2025
Transcript Highlights:
- My name is Marian Leff, and I'm here representing grassroots chapters of Brady United. has been the nation's
- My name is Marian Leff, and I'm here representing grassroots chapters of Brady United.
- My name is Marian Leff, and I'm here representing grassroots chapters of Brady United.
- Don Davidson with the LA Long Beach Chapter of All of Us or None and Prison Insight, in strong support
- Don Davidson, Prison from the Inside Out and All of Us Are Done in LA chapter, and my condolences for
Summary:
The committee first adopted a seven-bill consent calendar, then heard several public safety measures. AB 1127 by Assembly Member Gabriel would restrict sale of certain semi-automatic handguns that can be easily converted to automatic weapons with “switches”; supporters, including Everytown and Moms Demand Action, said it targets a specific Glock-style design flaw linked to mass shootings, while the NRA and gun-rights groups argued the bill duplicates existing federal law and effectively bans popular handguns. The bill was moved on a due-pass-as-amended motion to Judiciary and remained on call. AB 468, also by Gabriel, would increase penalties and clarify offenses involving looting and impersonating emergency personnel in evacuation zones and during disasters; firefighters, district attorneys, and law enforcement supported it as a deterrent, while public defenders and justice advocates warned it was overbroad and could worsen racial profiling. The committee approved the bill on a due-pass-as-amended motion to Appropriations, also held on call.
The committee then heard AB 1187 by Assembly Member Celeste Rodriguez, which would require eight hours of firearm safety training, including live-fire instruction, before obtaining a firearm safety certificate and would add a requirement for new residents who import firearms. Supporters said California should require training comparable to other safety-sensitive activities and that the measure would reduce gun deaths; opponents argued the bill misunderstands the existing FSC process, would be hard to implement because of range and instructor limits, and would burden a constitutional right. The bill passed on a due-pass-as-amended motion to Appropriations and was held on call. The committee also heard AB 1424 by Rodriguez, which would require CDCR climate resiliency and heat-safety measures in prisons, including temperature monitoring, shade, showers, fans, and emergency planning. Prisoner-rights and labor groups strongly supported the bill, citing extreme heat, wildfire, and flooding risks, while one opponent said the monitoring mandate could be too costly; the bill was moved on a due-pass motion to Labor and Employment and held on call.
Finally, the committee began hearing AB 1258 by Assembly Member Kalra, which would extend the sunset of the Young Adult Deferred Entry Program through 2029 for selected counties. Kalra and Santa Clara County Judge Erica You described the program’s success in reducing recidivism and providing wraparound services for young adults with felony charges, including housing, counseling, and parenting support. The transcript cuts off before the committee completed action on AB 1258.
HI
Transcript Highlights:
- Yes, there's a provision in chapter 704 now where they each get—defense certainly is allowed to have
- Yes, there is a provision in chapter 704 now where each side is allowed to have their own doctor examine
- the other from the other provisions from the other from the other provisions of<00:16:03.880>
chapter - > 704<00:16:04.720>
we've <00:16:04.920>not <00:16:05.120>necessarily of chapter - 704 we've not necessarily of chapter 704 we've not necessarily utilized<00:16:06.279>
that <00
Summary:
The joint Health and Human Services and Judiciary meeting heard testimony on several measures, with most of the discussion focused on SB 709 and SB 955. On SB 709, relating to mental health data and related appropriations, the Department of Health supported the bill’s intent and said the funding would help maintain a data dashboard and positions, though it had no suggested amount for one blank appropriation. Members also discussed whether sections of the bill were duplicative of existing data reporting. The committees later recommended SB 709 be passed with amendments, including technical changes, deferring the date to December 31, 2050, and blanking out the appropriation for later clarification.
SB 955, relating to fitness to proceed, drew mixed testimony. Judiciary opposed portions of the bill, saying some changes could have unintended practical consequences. The Office of the Public Defender supported the bill’s intent but urged keeping a three-member evaluation panel rather than reducing it to two, warning that a two-panel process could create delays if a third evaluator had to be added later. A former Hawaii State Hospital clinician said the bill placed too much blame on the courts and should address institutional and administrative problems at the hospital more directly. The Department of Health supported the intent and said it appreciated efforts to address overcrowding. After discussion about examiner shortages and status hearings, the committees recommended SB 955 be passed with amendments reducing the number of qualified examiners from three to one and making related technical changes.
The committee also heard SB 1228, a child welfare services measure creating a working group related to youth legal representation and child welfare reform. DHS requested adding a Child Welfare Services representative to the work group, and multiple advocates, including the National Center for Youth Law and Hawaii Youth Services Network, testified in strong support, emphasizing the need for youth voice and implementation of Malama Ohana recommendations. Members asked whether this working group overlapped with another recently passed working group bill; testimony indicated the two measures addressed different issues. The meeting then recessed and later resumed for decision-making on the 9 o’clock calendar, where SB 709 was adopted with amendments and SB 955 was adopted with amendments.
MN
Transcript Highlights:
- Is my understanding that the board, it would be in this chapter of campaign finance, so please confirm
- Section 10A.36 is already part of chapter 10A, all of which is under the jurisdiction of the Campaign
- <00:35:30.480>
of <00:35:30.800>of <00:35:30.920>course <00:35:31.160>chapter - <00:35:31.480>
10A already part of of course chapter 10A already part of of course chapter
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
Legislative Commission on Pensions and Retirement - 03/24/26
Minnesota Senate Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- I serve as president of the Minnesota APCO-NENA chapter and as the Emergency Communications Response
- serve as president of the Minnesota I serve as president of the Minnesota APCO-NENA<01:02:48.160>
chapter - and<01:02:49.560>
as <01:02:49.840>the <01:02:49.960>Emergency APCO-NENA chapter - and as the Emergency APCO-NENA chapter and as the Emergency Communications<01:02:51.320>
Response - So, on behalf of the Minnesota APCO-NENA chapter, I respectfully ask for support, and I thank the commission
Summary:
The commission approved the March 17 minutes and then heard testimony on Senate File 4419 / House File 4069, as amended, which would exempt J-1 visa-holding teachers and their school districts from Teachers Retirement Association contribution requirements during the teachers’ exchange term. Senator Pappas and Representative Feist said the bill is intended to help districts fill hard-to-staff special education and other positions by letting J-1 teachers keep more of their pay for immediate relocation costs, while also redirecting employer savings toward onboarding, mentorship, and cultural orientation. They argued the teachers are temporary by design, often cannot stay long enough to benefit from TRA, and that the bill would be roughly neutral for TRA because contributions and matching liability would both be removed.
Supportive testimony came from Matthew Connelly of Lattice Global Teachers and Melissa Schaller of Intermediate School District 917. Connelly said J-1 teachers arrive with significant upfront expenses and only a short window to establish themselves, and that the exemption could save them about $4,000 to $5,000 while helping schools afford recruitment and support costs. Schaller said her district has relied on international special education teachers to fill vacancies, that the H-1B option is no longer workable because of a large fee increase, and that J-1 hiring is needed to remain competitive; she noted 17 open special education positions for 2026-27 and no other applicants.
Caitlin Snyder of Education Minnesota opposed the bill, arguing it lowers compensation and removes a retirement option without enough input from teachers themselves. She said the bill does not ensure the employer savings would be used for housing or other supports, and urged more direct consultation with J-1 teachers. Several members raised concerns about fairness, pension protection, and whether the bill could create unintended consequences for teachers who later remain in Minnesota. Senator Pappas responded that the circumstances are unusual because J-1 teachers are temporary and often cannot return, and said TRA had indicated the proposal would be neutral or supportive, unlike a separate St. Paul teachers issue. Representative O’Driscoll asked about J-1 teachers in higher education and private schools, and Mr. Connelly said the visa is mainly used in K-12 settings but can also appear in charter and private schools; he also noted many J-1 holders face a two-year home-residence requirement. The chair indicated the bill was slated for inclusion in the omnibus pension bill, but no final vote on the bill itself was taken in the portion of the meeting provided.
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
House Commerce Finance and Policy Committee 3/18/26
Commerce Finance and Policy
Transcript Highlights:
- Under chapter 245I, these are graduate-level professionals who provide care while being mentored and
- Under<00:20:41.840>
chapter <00:20:42.240>245I, Under chapter 245I, Under chapter 245I, - I am also on the board of MANA, the local Minnesota chapter of the National Independent Venue Association
- I am also on the board of MANA, the local Minnesota chapter of the National Independent Venue Association
Keywords:
common interest community, CIC, homeowners association, HOA, condominium, planned community, cooperative, unit owner, association board, declarant, declarant control, special declarant rights, assessment lien, foreclosure, late fees, fines, attorney fees, resale disclosure, annual report, maintenance plan
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
Committee on Environment, Climate and Legacy - 03/17/26
Environment, Climate, and Legacy
Transcript Highlights:
- The problem here is chapter 117.
- But at the time, chapter 117 was an exception made for 103D, 103E, which allows watershed districts and
- Uh, it's challenging the unconstitutional use of chapters 103D to bypass eminent domain protections that
- property due to the Outdoor Heritage Fund-funded Roso River Watershed District projects. use of chapters
- 103D to bypass eminent use of chapters 103D to bypass eminent domain<01:09:27.679>
protections
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
Committee on Housing and Homelessness Prevention - 02/19/26
Housing and Homelessness Prevention
Transcript Highlights:
- Some may feel that this chapter of fear in our state is coming to an end. It is absolutely not.
- <01:08:19.040>
of <01:08:19.199>fear Some may feel that this chapter of fear Some may - feel that this chapter of fear in<01:08:19.679>
our <01:08:19.920>state <01:08:20.080>< - I am here on behalf of the National Association of Social Workers, Minnesota Chapter.
- I am here on behalf of the National Association of Social Workers, Minnesota Chapter.
MN
Minnesota 2025 1st Special Session
House Judiciary Finance and Civil Law Committee 3/27/25
Judiciary Finance and Civil Law
Transcript Highlights:
- having to come before this committee, which I guess is why it's a mandatory referral when we touch chapter
- /c><00:05:06.000>
when <00:05:06.320>we <00:05:06.560>touch <00:05:06.880>chapter - mandatory referral when we touch chapter mandatory referral when we touch chapter 13.<00:05:08.000
- It creates a separate area in Chapter 13 for public safety officers' data.
- It creates a separate area in Chapter 13 for public safety officers' data.
Keywords:
mortgage foreclosure, redemption, foreclosure surplus, sheriff's sale, junior lienholder, mortgagor, homeowner protections, loss mitigation, dual tracking, foreclosure redemption period, certificate of redemption, certificate of sale, sheriff, county recorder, registrar of titles, homeownership center, lien priority, real property, foreclosure by advertisement, surplus funds
MN
Transcript Highlights:
- The amendment in paragraph B clarifies that a charter school must comply with all of chapter 120B, and
- The amendment in paragraph B clarifies that a charter school must comply with all of chapter 120B, and
- The amendment in paragraph B clarifies that a charter school must comply with all of chapter 120B, and
- comply<00:37:55.200>
with <00:37:55.440>all <00:37:55.720>of <00:37:55.960>chapter - <00:37:56.680>
uh is uh must comply with all of chapter uh is uh must comply with all of chapter
NH
New Hampshire 2025 Regular Session
House Finance Division III (03/21/2025)
Transcript Highlights:
- So, this provision here goes back to a chapter law that was passed a number of years ago that has been
- provision here this goes back to um<00:42:35.720>
a <00:42:36.720>a <00:42:36.839>chapter - 37.359>
that <00:42:37.440>was <00:42:37.599>passed <00:42:37.839>a um a a chapter - law that was passed a um a a chapter law that was passed a number<00:42:38.160>
of <00:42:38.280 - 04.840>
you <01:25:05.040>down <01:25:05.480>to "In the current House Bill 2, Chapter
Summary:
The committee first recessed briefly, then took up HB 570, the prescription drug affordability board (PDAB). The chair and several members discussed the House amendment to repeal the board, which removed the fiscal note. The main concern raised was that the PDAB had not yet produced a clear business case showing value for the taxpayer investment, despite several years of work and four annual reports. Supporters of the repeal said the board’s recent report was largely redundant and that the board should either demonstrate a strong return on investment or be shut down; others cautioned against discarding the program too quickly and urged more time to refine the mission and legislative language. No vote was taken, and the committee appeared to agree to retain the bill for further work, with the possibility of revisiting it in a formal executive session on Tuesday.
Members also shifted into discussion of HB 2, beginning with Section 85 on opioid abatement trust fund dollars for shelter programs. Department of Health and Human Services officials explained that the provision would provide $10 million from the opioid abatement trust fund, replacing general funds in the governor’s budget, while also noting an additional $2.5 million prioritized needs request for shelter care that was already fully funded. Committee members asked about shelter bed capacity, job placement efforts, and the remaining balance in the opioid fund; DHHS said there are 934 contracted beds and that case management includes help with housing and employment. Officials also said the current proposed budget includes another $1 million later in HB 2 from the opioid fund.
The committee then began discussion of Sections 86 through 87, which would preserve the department’s ability to transfer funds between personnel lines. DHHS said the provision is operationally critical and that losing it would make it extremely difficult to manage the department, though it would not have a direct fiscal impact. The next item introduced was Section 88, extending a suspension related to eligibility for services until July 1, 2027; DHHS indicated that if the suspension were not continued, it would likely increase expenditures for Community Mental Health Centers and potentially others. No votes were taken during this portion of the meeting.
NH
New Hampshire 2025 Regular Session
House Legislative Administration (03/12/2025)
Transcript Highlights:
- of the curious results of this legislation would be that if NHMA was no longer lobbying under RSA chapter
- of the curious results of this legislation would be that if NHMA was no longer lobbying under RSA chapter
- of the curious results of this legislation would be that if NHMA was no longer lobbying under RSA chapter
- of the curious results of this legislation would be that if NHMA was no longer lobbying under RSA chapter
- of the curious results of this legislation would be that if NHMA was no longer lobbying under RSA chapter
Summary:
The committee first took up House Bill 118 in executive session and adopted Amendment 0882H, which would remove the House and Senate members from the Child Care Commission while leaving the commission in place. Members said the amendment was a continuation of earlier committee discussion and supported it as a needed change. The committee then voted 12-0 to recommend ought to pass as amended, and HB 118 was placed on consent.
The committee next considered House Bill 142, dealing with Gold Star Mother’s Day. The sponsor explained that the bill was unnecessary because existing statute already directs the governor to issue a proclamation for Gold Star Mother’s Day and to urge appropriate observance, including flag-related ceremonies. Several members discussed how to ensure the proclamation and flag observance would happen and whether the committee report should note the existing statute. Other members said they would oppose killing the bill because the recognition was important. The committee voted 9-3 to table/ITL the bill, and HB 142 was declared inexpedient to legislate.
The final major item was a public hearing on a non-germane amendment to House Bill 456, with a related draft amendment also discussed. The sponsor said the amendment would raise the annual membership allowance from $20 to $75, rename fees as dues, prohibit dues from being used to pay lobbyists, require NHMA dues to be brought before voters as a separate warrant article for transparency, and require separate accounting so lobbying funds are not co-mingled with other funds. Supporters said the goal was to keep taxpayer-derived money from funding lobbying while preserving non-lobbying services such as legal advice and training. Opponents argued the proposal was an overreach and would micromanage local towns. No vote was taken in the portion provided.
MN
Minnesota 2025 1st Special Session
House Environment and Natural Resources Finance and Policy Committee 2/27/25
Environment and Natural Resources Finance and Policy
Transcript Highlights:
- Next, Sierra Club Northstar Chapter. carcinogenic contaminants and this carcinogenic contaminants and
- appreciate that uh next uh Sierra Club appreciate that uh next uh Sierra Club Northstar<00:25:06.120>
chapter - I'm Peter Wias, legislative director for Sierra Club Northstar Chapter, one of the 23 organizations signing
- Chapter 14 rulemaking does allow ample opportunity for public comment, public testimony, written formal
- The chapter 14 rulemaking process does allow ample opportunity for public comment, public testimony,
MN
Minnesota 2025 1st Special Session
House Workforce, Labor, and Economic Development Finance and Policy Committee 2/12/25
Workforce, Labor, and Economic Development Finance and Policy
Transcript Highlights:
- allocated for implementation of the Paid Leave law, which was appropriated as part of Laws 2023, chapter
- 35.520>
Mr <00:56:35.799>chair <00:56:36.599>uh I believe the report was the chapter - It was a work product that was required by chapter 59 of Laws 2023, sort of as a supplement to the fiscal
- 00:57:45.440>
required <00:57:45.920>by <00:57:46.599>again <00:57:46.839>chapter - 59 of laws was required by again chapter 59 of laws of<00:57:48.280>
2023 <00:57:49.280>sort
MA
Massachusetts 2025-2026 Regular Session
Joint Committee on Public Service Jun 21st, 2026 at 02:00 pm
Joint Committee on Public Service
Transcript Highlights:
- Retirement Board denied the request, arguing that judicial retirement allowances under General Law Chapter
Summary:
The Joint Committee on Public Service held its 20th hearing of the 194th General Court to consider late-filed bills, with testimony limited to three minutes and written testimony accepted by email or mail. The committee heard several retirement-related bills and requests for creditable service or retirement adjustments, including H5246 for Jason Mitrecy, who sought credit for prior Vermont correctional service toward his Massachusetts Probation Service retirement, and a Beverly police chief retirement bill supported by Rep. Hannah Bowman and Chief John Lachillard, who asked to remain in service a bit longer and noted the bill had been updated to include age and health-exam language.
The committee also heard from Danny DeLorati, president and CEO of the Massachusetts Judges Conference, in support of H5359/S3800, which would allow judges to receive military creditable service under the same terms as other state employees. He explained that the State Retirement Board had previously denied such credit to judges under existing law, and argued the change would correct an inequity for veteran judges. Committee members generally expressed support, emphasizing the need to get the language right and noting the bill’s broad veteran coverage.
Finally, Alex Seminello testified about a dispute with the Massachusetts Teachers’ Retirement System over buying back eight years of Rhode Island service after MTRS had initially approved the transaction and accepted more than $100,000 in transferred funds. He said he retired based on that approval, later learned the credit would not be honored, and was left with a much lower pension than expected. Senator Montigny then spoke in strong support of the petition. No votes were taken during the hearing, and the chair adjourned the meeting at the end.
MA
Massachusetts 2025-2026 Regular Session
Senate Session Jun 21st, 2026 at 11:00 am
Massachusetts Senate Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- Ordered, that by the authority of Article 4, Section 2 of Chapter 1 of the Constitution, the Senate declares
Summary:
The Senate opened with the Pledge of Allegiance and adopted an order declaring the First Middlesex District seat vacant following the death of Edward J. Kennedy, with a precept issued for a special election on March 3, 2026. The chamber also adopted a resolution congratulating the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection on its 50th anniversary and observed a moment of silence in memory of Mary O'Connor Blancher, with remarks honoring her service as an educator and longtime Sturbridge public servant.
The Senate then advanced several local and special legislation items, generally by unanimous consent and voice vote. These included bills on residency limits for Wells police and fire personnel, a Boston police age waiver for Antonio Perez, additional liquor licenses for Palmer, cemetery-related and treasurer-payment matters in Norton, increasing the Lanesborough select board, bond-related legislation, and a Quincy telecommunications revenue bonds bill that was amended with a new draft before being engrossed. The chamber also considered Massachusetts Water Resources Authority service bills for parcels in Sharon, adopting emergency preambles and passing them to engrossment, and a bill removing Hull from regional commissions on the status of women.
The Rules Committee reported several matters for immediate consideration, including suspensions of rules and Joint Rule 12 for certain Senate petitions. The Senate also adopted a special order governing future consideration of House No. 4615, the fiscal year 2025 supplemental appropriations bill, setting deadlines and procedures for amendments and requiring immediate third reading and engrossment after amendment. The session closed with remarks recognizing Diwali and wishing the clerk a happy birthday, followed by adjournment to meet again on Thursday at 11:00 a.m. in formal session.
MA
Massachusetts 2025-2026 Regular Session
Senate Session Jun 21st, 2026 at 11:00 am
Massachusetts Senate Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- to the lumber and building materials industry were recognized through his presidency of the Boston chapter
Summary:
The Senate opened with the Pledge of Allegiance and adopted a congratulatory resolution honoring Anna Karaz on her 100th birthday. It then took up and passed several local bills, including a measure authorizing bilingual ballots in English and Haitian Creole for the town of Randolph. The sponsor spoke in support, describing the bill as a home rule petition intended to improve access, civic participation, and voter turnout for Randolph’s growing Haitian Creole-speaking population. The bill was read a third time and passed to be engrossed.
The Senate also passed a bill authorizing the Milford Select Board to appoint a highway surveyor. It received a Ways and Means report on House No. 4683, relative to teacher preparation and student literacy, recommending amendment by substitution of the text in Senate document No. 2924; the chamber suspended the rules to consider the order forthwith and adopted it. The Senate further suspended rules to process several Senate petitions and local matters, and then enacted bills amending the Provincetown charter, establishing the appointed town clerk position in Avon, and authorizing Westwood to reissue and grant certain alcohol licenses.
Later, the Senate referred a House petition concerning retirement benefits for Valeria Dorazio to the Committee on Public Service after suspending Joint Rule 12. It then adopted an amendment substituting a new draft for a Plymouth bill, changing it to validate and confirm certain acts and proceedings of Plymouth officials, and passed the bill to be engrossed. The session also included remarks congratulating Sweet Paws Rescue on its 15th anniversary and upcoming facility move, followed by a motion to adjourn in memory of Gerard W. Moynihan, which was adopted after a moment of silence. The Senate adjourned to meet again the following Monday at 11 a.m.
FL
Florida 2026 Regular Session
FL House Floor Session - 2026-06-01 (1:00PM Session)
Florida House Floor Meeting
NY
New York 2025-2026 Regular Session
Senate Standing Committee on Energy and Telecommunications - 05/13/2026
Energy And Telecommunications
Transcript Highlights:
- in relation to establishing the Natural Carbon Sequestration Research Program, to amend Part W of Chapter
Summary:
The Senate Energy and Telecommunications Committee, chaired by Senator Kevin Parker, met to consider a series of energy, utility, housing, and labor-related bills. The committee discussed Senator Parker’s clean hydrogen bill authorizing NYSERDA to administer programs to fund clean hydrogen projects, with members debating how it would be financed through NYSERDA’s system benefit charge and RGGI funds and whether there should be a fiscal estimate. Despite concerns from some members about cost transparency and the use of ratepayer-supported funds, the bill advanced to the Finance Committee with three without-recommendation votes. The committee also advanced Senator Parker’s bill directing NYSERDA to study hydrogen feasibility, Senator Gonzalez’s Green Affordable Pre-Electrification Program bill, Senator Hinchey’s natural carbon sequestration research program bill, Senator Gineris’s bill increasing penalties for utility annual report failures, Senator Comrie’s EV charging fee transparency bill, and Senator Parker’s battery energy storage workforce and labor standards bill. Senator Comrie’s outage hotline bill moved to third reading, while Senator Parker’s renewable hydrogen center program bill advanced despite a technical objection that a deadline in the bill had already passed, and the battery storage bill was referred to the Labor Committee.
Several bills drew specific concerns. On the outage hotline bill, members questioned whether small municipal electric and water systems should be exempted rather than required to petition for an exemption, and one member said they would not support the bill without a carve-out. On the annual report penalty bill, members asked about the lack of documentation for the penalty increase and whether municipal utilities would be affected; the sponsor explained the penalty was updated from a 1900-era statute to reflect inflation and that municipal utilities file with the PSC. On the EV charging transparency bill, a member suggested the bill should also require credit card payment options, not just prohibit mobile-device-only payment. On the battery storage labor bill, members asked whether remote operations would count as on-site work and whether out-of-state remote monitoring would be covered; the sponsor said that was the intent and would follow up with labor counsel on residency questions. The committee concluded by adjourning after moving the listed bills forward.
MO
Transcript Highlights:
- So this is the chapter. I mean, if you were to look through the bill, the, you know, the...
Summary:
The House Ways and Means Committee met in executive session with a quorum present and took up House Bill 2379, first adopting a pre-distributed House Committee Substitute with no amendments. The sponsor explained that the substitute was revised to align with Senate language and would clarify definitions, limit applicability to certain counties, rename the fund the Early Childhood Education Fund, broaden eligible uses to include child care services, move fund custody to the county treasurer, expand eligible recipients, and prioritize children with the greatest financial need.
Most of the discussion focused on how the bill would work in practice. Members asked whether the measure created a new tax; the sponsor repeatedly said it did not, but instead would govern how any local sales tax for early childhood education, if approved by voters in St. Louis City or St. Louis County, would be deposited and spent. Supporters said the bill would add transparency and ensure funds are dedicated to early childhood purposes rather than diverted to general revenue or other uses. Some members raised concerns about taxpayers, including seniors, paying a tax from which they would not directly benefit, while others said the bill simply clarifies management of already authorized local tax authority.
After discussion, the committee adopted the substitute by voice vote and then voted on the bill itself. House Committee Substitute for House Bill 2379 was reported do pass by a roll call vote of seven ayes and two nos. The committee then adjourned.