Transcript Highlights:

• As we are locking up—I'm sorry, as we are incarcerating the fewest amount of people we've incarcerated
• Families are often facing evictions with a sheriff waiting outside to pack their goods and lock their
• Families are often facing evictions with a sheriff waiting outside to pack their goods and lock their
• And so Nantucket is the one that does not have a lock-up, a facility. For all of...
• If you don't go to programs, pretrial or sentenced, you're locking in at 8:30 or 9 o'clock at night,

Summary: The Joint Committee on Ways and Means held its sixth public hearing on the Governor’s FY27 H-2 budget proposal, focused on public safety and judiciary agencies, at the Foxborough Community Center. After opening remarks and local welcomes, the committee heard testimony from the Executive Office of Public Safety and Security (EOPSS), led by Secretary Gina Kwan, who described the $1.72 billion budget as a 4% increase over FY26 and emphasized readiness, local partnerships, and support for core operations rather than expansion. She highlighted ongoing work on firearms-law implementation, State Police academy reforms, DOC’s new strategic plan, disaster response, hate-crime prevention, and planning for major 2026 events including the World Cup, Marathon, and America’s 250th anniversary. Members also raised concerns about State Police capacity, DNA backlog reporting, academy boxing/training reforms after a trooper’s death, ICE coordination, diversity in public safety leadership, the disaster relief fund, crime lab funding, reentry programming, and whether OEMS should move from DPH to EOPSS; Kwan said she would keep an open mind on some issues but was not ready to commit to an OEMS transfer. The committee then questioned EOPSS officials and the State Police colonel on several operational matters. The colonel said the academy boxing program remains suspended and likely will not return in its prior form, pending an IACP review, and that future training will likely emphasize jujitsu-style control techniques. He also said the State Police uses the civil service exam, with current advancement scores ranging from 83.72 to 98.78 for the most recent class, and acknowledged the need to improve recruitment, preparation, and diversity. On the DNA and sexual assault kit backlog, EOPSS said it supports extending the statute of limitations and is working with the courts and crime lab to identify and collect lawfully owed DNA. On disaster preparedness, officials said the new disaster relief fund is being developed with MEMA and A&F, is currently capitalized at $14 million with another $14 million expected, and should be designed to respond flexibly to different regional needs. They also said the crime lab increase is largely to cover core operations and a structural deficiency rather than expansion. Several members focused on public safety coordination and staffing. Questions from legislators from Bristol, Plymouth, Cape Cod, and elsewhere stressed the need for State Police to absorb additional forensic work if county resources shift, and to maintain strong communication with local chiefs and federal partners. Rep. Holmes pressed EOPSS on racial and gender diversity in the department and State Police; Kwan and Colonel Noble said diversity has improved but will take time to show up in senior leadership, and they pointed to internships and hiring practices as ways to broaden the pipeline. The hearing also included discussion of the World Cup security plan, with Kwan saying planning has been underway for about 18 months through 14 working groups and that current staffing and overtime resources appear sufficient for now. After EOPSS concluded, the committee recessed briefly and then began testimony from district attorneys, led by Suffolk DA Kevin Hayden, who said prosecutors are seeking a 10% budget increase to address staffing and salary pressures, especially the widening pay gap between assistant district attorneys and newly hired public defenders after recent CPCS funding increases.

Transcript Highlights:

• As we are locking up—I'm sorry—as we are incarcerating the fewest amount of people we've incarcerated
• Families are often facing evictions with a sheriff waiting outside to pack their goods and lock their
• Families are often facing evictions with a sheriff waiting outside to pack their goods and lock their
• And so Nantucket is the one that does not have a lock-up, a facility.
• If you don't go to programs, pretrial or sentenced, you're locking in at 8:30 or 9 o'clock at night,

Keywords: 1212, all

Transcript Highlights:

• We don't want people to lock in an undersized system to meet the growing demand of either their individual
• We don't want people to lock in an undersized system to meet the growing demand of either their individual
• We're talking about farmers, small business owners, people on the verge of retirement that want to lock
• </c><00:34:11.440><c> in</c><00:34:11.560><c> their</c> retirement that want to lock in their retirement
• that want to lock in their energy<00:34:12.200><c> costs</c><00:34:12.760><c> these</c><00:34:12.919

Bills: HF845

Keywords: net metering, distributed generation, solar energy, rooftop solar, renewable energy, utility rates, electric cooperatives, municipal utilities, public utilities, Public Utilities Commission, net billing, bill credits, cost of service study, standby charge, qualifying facility, energy policy, clean energy, customer generation, interconnection, Minnesota Statutes 216B.164

Transcript Highlights:

• Members, Representative Fininky, I think women are smart enough to figure out how to vote.
• We are smart enough to figure out how to register to vote in this country. here uh and attempting to
• I<01:10:21.920><c> think</c><01:10:22.239><c> women</c><01:10:22.640><c> are</c><01:10:22.960><c> smart
• enough to figure I think women are smart enough to figure out<01:10:25.280><c> how</c><01:10:25.600>
• We are smart enough to figure decades.

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• all across the country are accessing Minnesotans' data, and so we want to make sure that that is locked
• all across the country are accessing Minnesotans' data, and so we want to make sure that that is locked
• all across the country are accessing Minnesotans' data, and so we want to make sure that that is locked
• all across the country are accessing Minnesotans' data, and so we want to make sure that that is locked
• Locked down so that Minnesotans can trust that their private data is kept private and in the state of

Bills: HF3479, HF4205, HF3782, HF4081, HF4138

Keywords: foreclosure, mortgage, redemption period, homestead, Minnesota Statutes, automated license plate reader, ALPR, license plate recognition, vehicle surveillance, Bureau of Criminal Apprehension, BCA, data privacy, government data practices, law enforcement data, surveillance technology, location data, vehicle tracking, warrant requirement, probable cause, exigent circumstances

Transcript Highlights:

• Chairman Locke — present. You have a quorum. All right.
• Thank you, Chairman Lock.
• Uh, Chairman Locke, Representative Campbell, we were just trying to sort out the fair market value versus
• Representative or Chairman Locke. >> Hi, Mr. Chairman.
• Hi, Representative Wharff. >> Conflict. >> Representative or Chairman Locke. >> Hi, Mr. Chairman.

Bills: HB0045

Keywords: property tax, exemption, homeowners, long-term, aged, 916, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Colorado and make sure that we are creating a tide that raises all ships. create a instead of creating a lock
• to create a instead of creating a lock to raise<01:12:50.400><c> one</c><01:12:50.640><c> or</c><01:
• /c><01:12:57.440><c> a</c><01:12:57.679><c> very</c><01:12:58.000><c> focused</c><01:12:58.480><c> lock
• </c> This is a this is a very focused lock. This is a this is a very focused lock.

Keywords: 981, all

Transcript Highlights:

• in a number of calls that many of us are having with HHS, and we know that we’re going to have to lock
• in a number of calls that many of us are having with HHS, and we know that we’re going to have to lock
• and we know that we're going to have HHS and we know that we're going to have to<00:42:14.480><c> lock
• 15.599><c> and</c><00:42:16.319><c> uh</c><00:42:16.560><c> influence</c><00:42:17.200><c> the</c> to lock
• our arms and uh influence the to lock our arms and uh influence the federal<00:42:17.839><c> government

Keywords: 958, all

Summary: The Make America Healthy Kentucky Task Force met with a quorum, approved the minutes, and then heard a presentation on the state’s “food is medicine” efforts. Chair Funky Fromm opened by describing a recent foot injury from a road hazard and used it to emphasize the importance of infrastructure, nutrition, sleep, and activity as part of a broader wellness culture. The main witnesses were Kentucky Commissioner of Agriculture Jonathan Shell, Holly Harris of Appalachian Regional Health Care (ARH), and Jim Muser of the Kentucky Hospital Association. Shell and Harris described a partnership between the Department of Agriculture, the Kentucky Hospital Association, and hospitals such as ARH to connect local farmers with hospital cafeterias, farmers markets, CSA-style subscription food boxes, and medically tailored meals. Harris said ARH serves a large region with 14 hospitals, more than 95 clinics, about 6,700 employees, and 1,300 medical staff, and that the system began by improving employee food options because hospital workers often have limited access to healthy meals during shifts. They reported examples such as a local-protein burger, parking-lot farmers markets, subsidized CSA boxes for employees, and plans for container gardens at some hospitals. The witnesses said the program is intended to improve health outcomes, reduce readmissions, support chronic disease management, and also increase rural prosperity by expanding demand for Kentucky farm products. Shell said more than 40 hospitals had already been onboarded into the food-is-medicine program, with measurable outcomes being studied through pilots such as one at Russell County Hospital. He also noted that some systems, including CHI St. Joseph Health, Taylor Regional, and UK King’s Daughters, have formally embedded food-as-medicine goals into strategic plans. Members and witnesses also discussed barriers, especially the lack of reimbursement, fragmented short-term funding, and regulatory or purchasing hurdles that make it difficult for small farmers to participate. Shell said the goal is to make the model scalable and easier for hospitals and farmers to navigate, while Harris emphasized that ARH has been funding its efforts without reimbursement because of its mission. No votes or formal policy actions were taken beyond approving the minutes.

Transcript Highlights:

• Uh, there's kind of the lock, stock, and barrel definition which is right at the beginning of the RSA
• Uh, there's kind of the lock, stock, and barrel definition which is right at the beginning of the RSA
• there's<00:30:46.559><c> kind</c><00:30:46.720><c> of</c><00:30:46.880><c> the</c><00:30:47.520><c> lock
• ,</c><00:30:47.840><c> stock,</c><00:30:48.000><c> and</c> there's kind of the lock, stock, and there's
• kind of the lock, stock, and barrel<00:30:48.559><c> definition</c><00:30:49.039><c> which</c><00:30

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• The important takeaway here is the amount of revenue that'll be lost by land locking Pittsburgh out of
• The important takeaway here is the amount of revenue that'll be lost by land locking Pittsburgh out of
• The important takeaway here is the amount of revenue that'll be lost by land locking Pittsburgh out of
• The important takeaway here is the amount of revenue that'll be lost by land locking Pittsburgh out of
• Revenue that'll be lost by land locking Pittsburgh out of their potential revenue for two weeks and,

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• So I think it's a very smart thing for us to do.

Bills: HB2, SB193, SB132, SB35, SB145

Keywords: general appropriation, budget, Medicaid, education funding, public safety, SB193, acequia, community ditch, irrigation works construction fund, water infrastructure, ditch infrastructure, irrigation, New Mexico water law, agricultural water, farmers, Rio Grande, acequia association, forest land protection revolving fund, state fund transfer, irrigation projects

Summary: The Senate Finance Committee first heard Senate Bill 193, which would increase the transfer from the irrigation works construction fund to the acequia and community ditch infrastructure fund from $2.5 million to $5 million. Senator Campos said the bill was intended to provide additional resources for acequias facing ongoing needs, including fire and flood recovery in areas such as San Miguel, Mora, and Lincoln counties. Paula Garcia of the New Mexico Acequia Association testified in support. The committee approved the bill on a 6-0 do-pass vote. The committee then considered Senate Bill 132, sponsored by Senator Padilla with Department of Information Technology Secretary Manny Baca. The bill would modernize state IT planning by adding software to the equipment replacement framework and renaming the revolving fund to include software replacement and upgrades. Members discussed the need for more centralized purchasing and coordination across agencies, with Senator Woods expressing frustration that agencies often buy different software instead of using common systems. The bill received a 7-0 do-pass recommendation. Next, the committee took up Senate Bill 35, and first adopted a committee substitute for discussion. The substitute combined two judicial district judgeship proposals for the First and Second Judicial Districts and removed an appropriation. The committee then approved the committee substitute on a 6-0 do-pass vote. Finally, Senate Bill 145 was tabled permanently after Senator Woods moved to table it, with the motion passing 6-1. The committee then adjourned and announced it would meet again Monday.

Transcript Highlights:

• Barney Bishop, Florida, Smart Justice Alliance waives in supports Jodi James for the Cannabis Action

Transcript Highlights:

• Halfway through the third period, one of my college friends, who weren't smart, puts the flag out again

Keywords: 908, all

Summary: The House convened in joint session for the special session of the 69th Legislative Assembly, with introductions of visiting officials and a moment of silence for former Governor Alan Olson. The chamber then escorted Lieutenant Governor Michelle Strind and Governor Kelly Armstrong, along with First Lady Kirstie Armstrong, to the rostrum. The governor’s remarks were ordered printed in the journal. Governor Armstrong addressed the special session’s single purpose: considering North Dakota’s $199 million first-year federal award under the rural health transformation program. He thanked legislators, HHS, tribal partners, providers, and community leaders for their work on the state’s CMS application, and said four bills helped improve the application score: requiring the presidential fitness test in PE courses, adding nutrition education to physicians’ continuing education, joining the physician assistant licensure compact, and expanding pharmacists’ scope of practice. He said he looked forward to signing those bills and the accompanying appropriation measure. The governor described the rural health plan as focused on four pillars: promoting wellness and healthy lifestyles, stabilizing the rural health workforce, expanding access through telehealth and mobile services, and using technology and data to improve care. He emphasized that the plan would avoid new buildings and unsustainable programs, and instead use federal funds for lasting, scalable reforms. He said the state could receive at least $500 million over five years, possibly more, and urged quick authorization and appropriation so the funding could be deployed responsibly. After the governor and lieutenant governor were escorted out, the joint session was dissolved. The House then returned to regular business, announced committee meetings, excused absent members, and adjourned until 8:30 a.m. on Thursday, January 22, 2026.

Transcript Highlights:

• That's a very smart point with, you know, our colleagues who are in the legal field.

Bills: HB18

Keywords: HB 18, Texas Legislature, quorum break, quorum-busting, legislative walkout, absent legislators, political contributions, campaign finance, political expenditures, legislative caucus, specific-purpose committee, Texas Ethics Commission, civil penalty, show cause order, district court, Fifteenth Court of Appeals, session fundraising, travel lodging food expenses, legislative session, compelled attendance

Transcript Highlights:

• So it's a very smart point with, uh, you know, our colleagues who are in the legal field.

Bills: HB18

Keywords: HB 18, Texas Legislature, quorum break, quorum-busting, legislative walkout, absent legislators, political contributions, campaign finance, political expenditures, legislative caucus, specific-purpose committee, Texas Ethics Commission, civil penalty, show cause order, district court, Fifteenth Court of Appeals, session fundraising, travel lodging food expenses, legislative session, compelled attendance

Transcript Highlights:

• You're a smart lady. We have a motion. Senator... Second by Senator Jones.

Bills: HB186, HB185, HB182, HB183, HB184, HB312, HB460, HB405, HB186, HB185, HB182, HB183, HB184, HB312, HB405

Keywords: Alabama budget, general fund appropriations, fiscal year 2026, state budget, appropriations act, HB186, executive branch funding, legislative branch funding, judicial branch funding, debt service, capital outlay, corrections, Medicaid, public health, mental health, transportation, education, law enforcement, tourism, veterans affairs

Transcript Highlights:

• Senator Smart. Aye. Senator Cook.

Keywords: 1185, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Senator Smart: Aye. Senator Cook: Aye.

Transcript Highlights:

• Every single, well thought out, if you're going to lock down an industry, this would be the way to do

Summary: The House Revenue and Taxation Committee met on March 12, 2026, and took up three RS drafts for introduction only. RS 33573, by Representative Raymond, would create a permitting and licensing framework for vape and alternative nicotine products, define those products, require out-of-state sellers to post a bond, allow permit denial for fraud or felony-related issues, establish contraband rules, and impose a modest tax with revenues split among Health and Welfare, public education for cessation/education, and the general fund. Supporters said the bill was the product of years of stakeholder work and was intended to address youth vaping and black-market sales; opponents, including Representative Barbieri, argued it would overregulate a cessation product and could amount to double taxation. The committee voted to introduce the bill, with some nays recorded. RS 33664, by Representative Raybould, proposed a state property tax tied to occupancy, aimed at returning funds to counties and cities for law enforcement, fire, EMS, infrastructure, and property tax reduction. Several members said they were willing to introduce it for discussion but did not support a statewide property tax as a policy matter. The committee voted to introduce the draft. RS 33659, also by Representative Raybould, would tighten homestead exemption verification by requiring the Idaho ID address to match the claimed property address, allowing an Idaho income tax return as an alternative for those without a state ID, and clarifying that applicants cannot claim a similar exemption in another state unless they are on active military service or a religious mission. The sponsor said counties would handle verification and could check other state records when needed. The committee voted to introduce this draft as well, and then adjourned with a meeting scheduled for the next day.

Transcript Highlights:

• We have some very small communities that need to have mail-in ballots, and so this just locks that in

Summary: The committee first considered RS 33584, introduced by Representative Tanner. He said the proposal would remove a current Idaho Code requirement that constitutional amendments and initiatives be separated from the ballot by a page break or separate form, allowing them to be printed in the next available space and potentially saving counties money on ballot printing. Representative Scott moved to introduce the RS, and the motion carried without opposition. The committee then heard RS 33633 from Representative Mitchell, a cleanup bill correcting election-related timelines from prior legislation. He said it would restore soil and water conservation districts to the same election schedule as other local offices, confirm mail-in ballot precinct timing at 45 days, and fix a canvassing deadline from 10 days to 9 days. Representative Scott asked about the odd-numbered November election timing, and Mitchell said it was intended to align with other elections. The motion to introduce the RS passed. Next, Representative Furman presented RS 33656, which would require youth service organizations to check the state and national sex offender registries for adults working with children, with limited exceptions for short-term or one-time volunteers. He said it was meant to protect children and align with practices already used by some organizations and insurers. Questions focused on churches, vacation Bible school, and the fiscal note; Furman said churches already doing background checks would generally satisfy the requirement and that there was no state budget impact, though private organizations might incur small training costs. The motion to introduce the RS carried. Finally, the committee debated RS 33683, a memorial supporting elimination of the U.S. Department of Education and greater state control over education. Representative Monks said the memorial reflected the governor’s office and the Trump administration’s agenda, and argued that education should be managed by the state without federal bureaucracy. Representative Church moved a substitute motion to introduce the memorial and hold a hearing, arguing the committee should examine the costs and practical effects of shifting federal responsibilities to the state. Several members discussed federal education mandates, special education, Title IX, and whether state bureaucracy would replace federal bureaucracy. The substitute motion to introduce RS 33683 passed, and the committee adjourned.