Transcript Highlights:

• No, there's are no comments or I got I got the head of the troopers back there.
• Nearly 4,500 hardworking Floridians, nearly 2000 sworn state troopers.
• I would not request more state troopers at this time. The reason why is that?
• We have less troopers today than we had in 2012. But I can't hire enough.
• And as you may know, the commissioners, father and son were both troopers.

Keywords: 999, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Right now they're about 21 troopers short and they need the funds.
• Um, talk state trooper appropriations.
• </c><00:05:09.840><c> need</c> and the DFL majority that troopers need and the DFL majority that troopers
• We need more troopers on the more funds.
• </c><00:05:24.639><c> Uh,</c> in the troopers or local police. Uh, in the troopers or local police.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• During that same time, we've increased the number of troopers by 120.
• We could not have added those troopers without your commitment to public safety.
• Putting more troopers on the highway has resulted in a decrease in crashes.
• One is a scholarship program for troopers' kids. They have a— is it Hearts for Heroes?
• "Did I mention the scholarship program for the troopers?

Committee: All ALC-GAME & FISH/STATE POLICE

Summary: The committee first heard from Arkansas State Police leadership about efforts to reduce vehicle pursuits and fleeing from law enforcement. Members discussed prior legislation that made fleeing a felony and enhanced penalties when suspects exit moving vehicles, and the State Police reported those changes, along with a social media/public service campaign and work with prosecutors, were associated with a 29% decline in pursuits from 2023 to 2025, or 180 fewer pursuits last year than in 2023. Members also asked about a recent mistaken PIT/TVI incident involving the wrong vehicle; the agency said the family was not injured, had requested privacy, and the trooper involved was terminated. The committee also received an overview of the Arkansas State Police Foundation, which funds scholarships, emergency assistance for troopers’ families, and facilities and training support, with no lobbying role reported. The committee then heard from the Commission on Law Enforcement Standards and Training on officer decertification and hiring accountability. Director Chris Chapman explained that every officer separation must be reported, that files are flagged when conduct may warrant decertification even if it does not meet that threshold, and that hiring agencies must be told about prior misconduct before they can add an officer to their roster. He said the commission now receives more decertification requests than before, with requests rising from 158 in the prior three-year period to 256 in the last three years, and that 147 officers were pending hearings, down from a prior backlog that had stretched to about four and a half years. He also said the commission meets every other month for two-day hearings, and that most decertifications involve integrity or honesty issues. Members asked about open investigations, citizen complaints, appeals, and public access to decertification records. Chapman said resignations during internal affairs or criminal investigations are flagged, citizen complaints are usually handled through supervisors, chiefs, sheriffs, or prosecutors and may lead to decertification review if warranted, and decertified officers can appeal to circuit court. He added that decertification records are subject to the Freedom of Information Act and may be used in civil claims. No votes were taken, and the meeting adjourned after discussion of a possible future committee meeting at the fish hatchery in Lonoke.

Transcript Highlights:

• 21.680><c> officers,</c> troopers, law enforcement officers, troopers, law enforcement officers, deputies
• They just know I'm a trooper.
• </c> amount to is about an extra 35 troopers amount to is about an extra 35 troopers on<01:01:36.319>
• You have some troopers and deputies that may, like, for instance, some of our troopers may have what
• </c> that that trooper is in that county. that that trooper is in that county.

Committee: Joint Judiciary

Keywords: Meeting Start: 00:00:00 Roll Call: 00:00:07 Office of the Attorney General Update: 00:04:52 Department of Kentucky State Police Update: 00:44:57, 958, all

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:20:19.840><c> compliment</c> So we increased the trooper compliment So we increased the trooper
• </c> conclusion that we needed more troopers conclusion that we needed more troopers especially<00:20
• </c> what the state patrol uh the troopers what the state patrol uh the troopers that<00:21:25.120><c
• And the idea of a trooper serving in this role is a deployment of a trooper, but with knowledge of the
• Um, [clears throat], and the idea of a trooper serving in this role is a deployment of a trooper, but

Committee: Senate Rules and Administration

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• During that same time, we've increased the number of troopers by 120.
• We could not have added those troopers without your commitment to public safety.
• One is a scholarship program for troopers' kids. One is a scholarship program for troopers' kids.
• And give that trooper and his family relief.
• There's also a scholarship program for troopers' kids.

Committee: All ALC-GAME & FISH/STATE POLICE

Keywords: 1204, all

Transcript Highlights:

• During that same time, we've increased the number of troopers by 120.
• We could not have added those troopers without your commitment to public safety.
• One is a scholarship program for troopers' kids. One is a scholarship program for troopers' kids.
• The foundation will come in immediately and give that trooper and his family relief.
• There's also a scholarship program for troopers' kids.

Committee: All ALC-GAME & FISH/STATE POLICE

Summary: The committee first heard from Arkansas State Police Director Mike Hager and other agency leaders about vehicle pursuits and tactical vehicle interventions (TVIs, formerly PIT maneuvers). Hager said Acts 734 of 2020 and 82 of 2022, which increased penalties for fleeing in a vehicle, along with a public campaign and work with prosecutors, helped reduce pursuits by 29% from 2023 to 2025, or 180 fewer pursuits last year than in 2023. He said the agency also added 120 troopers during that period and that the goal is to protect innocent civilians, officers, and suspects. Members asked about where pursuits occur most often, prosecution practices, the possibility of making fleeing charges non-pleadable like DWI, and a recent mistaken TVI incident involving the wrong vehicle; Hager said no one was injured in that incident and called it inexcusable. The committee also discussed the Arkansas State Police Foundation. Hager explained that the foundation is a private support group made up largely of businesses and citizens that raises money for trooper-family scholarships, emergency relief for troopers affected by disasters or family hospitalizations, and facilities and training support, including the driving track. He said he was not aware of any lobbying activity by the foundation and praised its staff and leadership for supporting the agency beyond what the state budget can provide. Next, Director Chris Chapman of the Commission on Law Enforcement Standards and Training described the state’s decertification and officer accountability process. He said every separation from an agency must be reported, and if an officer leaves under circumstances that may warrant decertification, the file is flagged so any future hiring agency must be told the full history before the officer can be added to a roster. Chapman said the commission has increased decertification requests from 158 in the prior three years to 256 in the last three years, with 147 officers currently pending hearings, and that the backlog has been reduced from about four and a half years to about a year and a half. Members asked about resignations during investigations, appeal rights, citizen complaints, and FOIA access to decertification records; Chapman said those matters can trigger review, appeals go to circuit court, and the records are generally public. No votes were taken, and the meeting adjourned after discussion of a possible future committee visit to a fish hatchery in Lonoke County.

Bills: HB227 , HB454 , SB323 , HB266 , SB52 , SB53 , SB296 , HB37 , HB429 , HB93 , HB249 , HB328 , HB111 , HB132 , HB26 , SB261 , HB227 , HB454 , SB323 , HB266 , SB52 , SB53 , SB296 , HB37 , HB429 , HB93 , HB249 , HB328 , HB111 , HB132 , HB26 , SB261

Committee: Senate Judiciary

Keywords: firefighter benefits, occupational disease, line of duty, disability pension, death benefits, retirement benefits, hypertension, heart disease, respiratory disease, cancer presumption, HIV, hepatitis, municipal firefighters, state firefighters, fire districts, workers' compensation, public safety employees, post-retirement benefits, benefit eligibility cutoff, occupational illness

Bills: HF2393 , HF2052 , HF2218 , HF2307 , HF2003 , HF2366 , HSB725 , HF2078 , HSB554 , HSB676 , HSB717 , HF2270 , HSB718 , HF2306 , HSB746 , HF332 , HF460 , HSB680 , HF2051 , HSB677 , HF2187 , HSB719 , HF2123 , HF2451 , HF621 , HSB608 , HSB683 , HSB735

Committee: Joint Education

Keywords: education savings account, general fund, school districts, funding flexibility, teacher salary, professional development, preschool, education, community-based providers, instruction, school district agreements, special education, classroom cameras, video surveillance, school safety, student privacy, FERPA, Iowa school districts, charter schools, innovation zone schools

Bills: HB34 , HM7 , HM8 , HM17 , HM3 , HM11 , HM14 , HM15 , HM21 , HM25 , HM34 , HB95 , HB111 , SB1 , HJR1 , HM4 , HM22

Keywords: HB34, school nurse, school nurses, nurse licensure, licensure, charter school, charter schools, school district, public education, Department of Health, Public Education Department, registered nurse, RN, mentorship, evaluation, competency, teacher salary parity, minimum salary, level one license, level two license

Transcript Highlights:

• Speaker and gentleman, with nurses being on a clearly defined three-tier salary pathway, yes.
• Speaker and gentlemen, with nurses being on a clearly defined three-tier salary pathway, yes.

Bills: HB34 , HM7 , HM8 , HM17 , HM3 , HM11 , HM14 , HM15 , HM21 , HM25 , HM34 , HB95 , HB111 , SB1 , HJR1 , HM4 , HM22

Keywords: HB34, school nurse, school nurses, nurse licensure, licensure, charter school, charter schools, school district, public education, Department of Health, Public Education Department, registered nurse, RN, mentorship, evaluation, competency, teacher salary parity, minimum salary, level one license, level two license

Summary: The House convened with quorum, prayer, pledges, and a series of memorials, certificates, guest introductions, and legislative messages. House Memorial 8 honored the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Commission and Dr. King’s legacy; members spoke about the commission’s work in promoting service, liberty, equality, and student leadership. The memorial passed unanimously, 70-0. Later, House Memorial 25 recognized victims of violent crime and their families, with emotional testimony from lawmakers and guests describing the lasting impact of homicide and the importance of survivor voices. That memorial also passed unanimously, 70-0. The chamber then recognized numerous guests, including Kid Frost, several student “shadows” from Belen High School and other schools, Santo Domingo Pueblo leaders, Habitat for Humanity volunteers, CNM board members and students, Southwest Cheese representatives, military installation leaders, and others. Members also highlighted community events and receptions, including Silver Spikes Day and a 100th bill celebration. The House received several executive messages from the governor authorizing bill submissions on virtual power plants, apprenticeship funding for public works, AEDs at school athletic activities, and an energy affordability and grid reliability commission, along with a Senate message transmitting Senate Bill 2. Committee reports were adopted on a number of measures, including House Bills 145, 200, 32, 33, 61, 201, 153, 154, 184, 110, and 109, plus House Memorials 23, 24, and 26, and House Joint Memorial 2. The Appropriations and Finance Committee also reported a substitute for House Bills 2 and 3, which was adopted. On third reading, Senate Bill 1, dealing with a doctor compact for New Mexico, passed the House 64-0 after discussion about its role in physician recruitment and the need for malpractice reform. House Bill 34, a cleanup bill related to nurse licensure and charter school nurses, was also taken up for debate, with questions focused on the three-tier nurse evaluation system and recruitment impacts.

Transcript Highlights:

• to shore up the compensation for our troopers.
• 120 troopers.
• And many of those members are Idaho State Police troopers.
• Troopers are working overtime. Shifts go longer than expected.
• The troopers in our district are proud of the work they do.

Committee: Senate Local Government and Taxation

Keywords: 989, all

Transcript Highlights:

• two groups of commissioned peace officers: Fraud Unit Investigators for Salary Schedule C and State
• by offering salaries comparable to other peace officers with similar responsibilities.
• By aligning SFMO investigators' salaries with their law enforcement duties, this bill promotes...
• Those State Fire Marshals officers, like troopers, they're out there in all types of weather.
• Salary amounts have shifted over time, but the group threshold in the government code, which allows an

Bills: HB 106 , HB144 , HB145 , HB252 , HB1732 , HB2221 , HB2467 , HB2468 , HB2517 , HB2518 , HB2963 , HB3016 , HB3689 , HB3960 , HB4386 , HB4490 , HB4751 , HB5247 , HJR175 , HB2213 , HB106 , HB144 , HB145 , HB252

Committee: Senate Business & Commerce

Keywords: HB 106, oil and gas, Railroad Commission of Texas, overhead electrical lines, electrical distribution system, power line maintenance, administrative penalty, Natural Resources Code, oil and gas lease, well operator, energy safety, utility infrastructure, regulatory compliance, cleanup fund, oil and gas regulation and cleanup fund, production safety, leasehold operations, electric utility, distribution poles, inspection

Transcript Highlights:

• Pizzo, </font> <font color="aaaaaa">license plates supporting our </font> <font color="aaaaaa">FHP troopers
• Hopefully they </font> <font color="aaaaaa">get a commensurate salary </font> <font color="aaaaaa">increase
• to go along with Fhp </font> <font color="aaaaaa">get a commensurate salary </font> <font color="aaaaaa
• /font> <font color="aaaaaa">of requirements on top of our </font> <font color="aaaaaa">our state troopers
• /font> <font color="aaaaaa">of requirements on top of our </font> <font color="aaaaaa">our state troopers

Keywords: 999, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• between the contribution paid in by the employees, which on average is 10%—teachers are 11%, state troopers
• This legislation would ensure that salary adjustments and other economic benefits submitted by the governor
• employee unions and the Commonwealth, workers often face long delays in receiving the agreed-upon salary
• The contribution would be calculated based on current staff salaries at a rate set by the retirement
• Commonwealth, leaving mid-career officers with financial strains on themselves and their families, modest salaries

Committee: Joint Joint Committee on Public Service

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The Joint Committee on Public Service heard testimony on a wide range of retirement, municipal workforce, and public employee labor bills. Early testimony focused on H. 2749, a Plymouth home rule petition to classify Plymouth harbormaster employees as Group 4 for retirement purposes. Supporters, including local officials and retirement board representatives, argued the employees perform law-enforcement and rescue duties comparable to police and fire personnel, that the change would be fair, and that it would have little or no fiscal impact on the town. A separate harbormaster-related bill, H. 2743, was also introduced later in the hearing. The committee also heard testimony on provisions of the Municipal Empowerment Act (H. 56), including a temporary critical-shortage exemption allowing retired state or municipal employees to return to work in hard-to-fill positions, and a renewed OPEB commission to study retiree health care costs. Administration and municipal officials said the measures were needed to address staffing shortages and rising benefit liabilities, while emphasizing the shortage exemption would be time-limited and require proof of recruitment efforts. Related retirement bills drew support and caution: advocates for higher COLA bases and enhanced COLA benefits urged relief for retirees, but some asked the committee to wait for recommendations from the special COLA commission before acting. A major portion of the hearing concerned labor rights at the Massachusetts Water Resources Authority and the Committee for Public Counsel Services. Union representatives and employees backed bills to extend just-cause protections, promotional rights, and collective bargaining rights to MWRA and CPCS workers, arguing they currently lack protections available to most other public employees. Testimony described unfair discipline, delayed promotions, and high turnover, and committee members indicated prior favorable action on similar MWRA bills and expressed support for addressing CPCS labor rights. The committee also heard from representatives of the Massachusetts Municipal Association and public higher education employees in support of H. 2820, which would require timely funding of ratified state employee contracts, with witnesses describing long delays in receiving negotiated raises and back pay. No votes were taken during the hearing, and the chair repeatedly invited written testimony and closed each panel after questions.

Transcript Highlights:

• Trooper Bubba Bacon, Trooper Joshua Collett, Trooper Brett Coons, Trooper Joseph Filiatreau, Trooper
• </c><05:48:14.520><c> Jared</c> Trooper Richie Baxter, uh Trooper Jared Trooper Richie Baxter, uh Trooper
• ><c> Trooper</c><05:48:20.000><c> Joshua</c> Trooper Bubba Bacon, Trooper Joshua Trooper Bubba Bacon,
• Trooper Trevor Trooper David Jones, Trooper Trevor Sharp,<05:48:34.480><c> Trooper</c><05:48:34.840><
• </c><05:48:38.400><c> Matt</c> Trooper Ryan Sizemore, Trooper Matt Trooper Ryan Sizemore, Trooper Matt

Bills: SB141 , SB124 , SB56 , SJR116 , SB94 , SB37 , SB127 , SB197 , SB66 , SB70 , SB133 , SB160 , SB214 , SB312 , SB52 , SJR62 , SJR75

Keywords: legal advertisements, tax rates, public hearings, transparency, local government, sick leave, education, teacher retirement, benefits, employee compensation, Medicaid, nonopioid analgesics, pain management, health care regulation, utilization controls, physician shortage, health care access, medically underserved areas, medical education, workforce development

Transcript Highlights:

• So hats off to the state troopers. Thank you. Absolutely.
• </c> at the status of troopers at the status of troopers certainly<00:15:23.000><c> adds</c><00:15:23.440
• Um<00:15:26.720><c> troopers</c><00:15:27.240><c> are</c> Um troopers are Um troopers are beginning<00
• </c><00:15:59.440><c> Thank</c> hats off to the state troopers.
• Thank hats off to the state troopers. Thank you. you. you. &gt;&gt; Absolutely.

Keywords: 919, house, all

Summary: The Advisory Committee on Capitol Area Security met on April 20, 2026, with a quorum present and adopted the January 13, 2026 minutes. The chair thanked the State Patrol, sergeants-at-arms, and capital security officers for their work during the session, and noted that the committee’s earlier recommendations were reflected in Governor’s Executive Order 2602, including weapon screening at the State Capitol. The chair also said the committee’s annual report included recommendations for bonding, policy, and budget changes, and expressed hope the legislature would act on them. Department of Public Safety and State Patrol officials reported that implementation of weapon screening had gone well overall and said they were continuing to gather feedback for improvements. Colonel Bogayevich said that since the start of session, 121,598 people had been screened at the Capitol’s entrances, 548 permits were verified, and 52 prohibited items were turned away. Examples of prohibited items included knives, a camping/marshmallow skewer, and a screwdriver; no firearms were found in the Capitol building. She also said the busiest day produced a wait of about 15 to 17 minutes, and that staffing was adjusted to handle larger groups such as school tours. The Senate Sergeant-at-Arms reported that 49,277 people had come through Senate screening as of the previous Friday, including 196 concealed carry permits, and that 2,359 people had entered the West Gallery to observe Senate proceedings. He also said some Senate building access doors had been reduced to direct traffic and that an audit of key card access had begun. The House Deputy Chief Sergeant-at-Arms reported about 1,400 people had been screened for the House gallery, and noted that an NCSL visitor from Oregon would shadow House security staff to learn from Minnesota’s approach. Members from both bodies praised the professionalism of security staff and said the added trooper presence made members and the public feel safer. No members of the public signed up to testify, so the public comment period closed without testimony. The meeting adjourned after the chair reiterated that the goal of the security measures was to allow visitors, members, and public servants to participate safely.

Transcript Highlights:

• overview, as well as representatives from the Kentucky State Police, who will provide an update on Trooper
• Right now, we have 845 troopers. That does not include the 33 cadets.
• Right now, we have 845 troopers. That does not include the 33 cadets.
• Right now, we have 845 troopers. That does not include the 33 cadets.
• We had 761 troopers, so we have grown, you know.

Keywords: 958, all

Summary: The House Standing Committee on Justice, Public Safety, and Judiciary met to approve the February 18 minutes and then heard first from Kentucky State Police Commissioner Philip Burnett Jr. on recruitment, Trooper Academy classes, and the Kentucky Emergency Warning System (KQES) lease program. Burnett said KSP had submitted the House Bill 6 recruitment and retention reports, and he reviewed Cadet Classes 104 and 105, including application numbers, age ranges, and the mix of applicants by education, military, and law enforcement background. He said attrition is driven largely by physical fitness failures and homesickness from the resident academy model, but noted KSP has expanded recruiting and mentoring efforts, including college-credit partnerships and targeted recruiting in western Kentucky. Members asked about academy credit, the physical test, dropout reasons, whether applicants can reapply, and where recruits are coming from; Burnett said some do return successfully and that most candidates come from central and eastern Kentucky, while staffing remains hardest at posts in Mayfield, Madisonville, Henderson, Campbellsburg, and Dry Ridge. Burnett also updated the committee on KQES and the broader radio replacement effort. He described KQES as a 153-tower microwave backbone supporting state and local public safety communications, including DEMA, KET, and seismology equipment, and said KSP is renewing long-term private land leases that were set to expire in the coming years. He reported progress using master agreements and outside leasing firms, with eight leases out for bid and eleven more to follow, plus new interagency leases with the Transportation Cabinet and a site move in Wolf County to Forest Service land. He said about 997 leases still remain to be executed, though some tower sites involve multiple leases, and he expressed optimism that the new process will protect the system’s assets. In response to questions from Representative Sharp, Burnett said he could not give a firm completion date for the new radio system but estimated 18 to 36 months depending on tower construction, and said phase three equipment has already been procured for parts of Posts 8, 11, and 14, including Boyd and Lawrence counties. After KSP’s presentation and questions from Representatives Sharp, Carney, and Decker, the committee turned to the Kentucky Court of Justice. Zach Ramy, director of the Administrative Office of the Courts, introduced himself and began the court system’s budget overview, but the transcript provided cuts off before that presentation continued.

Transcript Highlights:

• The State Highway 302 at Ector County of the Trooper Calvin Ramirez Vasquez Memorial Highway to the Committee
• HB 1845 by OR relating to the use of funds in rural prosecutor's Office salary Assistance grant program
• for the Committee on Land and Resource Management HP 1931 by Gonzalez of El Paso relating to the salary
• 2115 by ASP relating to the rule, Sheriff's Office rule, counsel's office, and rules, prosecutor's salary
• AP 23-22 by Schofield relates to the annual base salary for the state of the district judge refer the

Transcript Highlights:

• We're very proud of our state troopers.
• We're very proud of our state troopers.
• Over 50% of our troopers have less than seven years' experience.
• Over 50% of our troopers have less than seven years' experience.
• So why are troopers essentially fleeing?

Summary: The Transportation and Economic Development Budget Subcommittee met to organize for the session, take roll, and hear introductory remarks from members and agency heads. Members briefly introduced themselves and their districts, with several noting transportation, economic development, emergency response, military, and hurricane recovery issues in their areas. Chair Shove then outlined the subcommittee’s jurisdiction and current-year budget, noting a total of about $20.3 billion, with most funding coming from trust funds and only a small share from general revenue. The committee also heard that upcoming meetings would include presentations from major agencies in the subcommittee’s purview. The first agency presentation was from the Department of Military Affairs and the Florida National Guard. Major General John Haas described the Guard’s three missions—supporting national security, responding to state emergencies, and adding value to the state—and highlighted deployments for hurricanes, border security support, and ongoing support to the Department of Corrections. He emphasized that the Guard is understrength relative to Florida’s size and demand, said recruiting is strong, and identified force structure growth as the main challenge. Members asked about aircraft, funding sources, and recruiting; Haas explained the Guard’s helicopter and fixed-wing fleet, said aircraft purchases are funded through legislative appropriations, and reported strong interest in the Florida State Guard’s recruiting pipeline. Executive Director Mark Thieme then described the Florida State Guard’s expansion into air, ground, and maritime capabilities, including Black Hawks, boats, drones, canine search-and-rescue teams, and ground support units. He said the agency supported immigration enforcement and hurricane response, and asked for continued legislative support to expand aviation, maritime, and medical capabilities. Members praised the Guard’s disaster response work and asked about aircraft, funding, and staffing. Secretary Cord Byrd of the Department of State followed, focusing on election administration, election security, the SunBiz and voter registration IT systems, arts and culture, corporations, libraries, and historical resources. He said Florida’s election system remains a national model, reported two prosecutions for non-citizen voting, and discussed modernization needs for legacy IT systems. The committee also asked about voter lookup tools, password privacy for SunBiz, and arts funding vetoes. Secretary Alex Kelly of the Department of Commerce described the agency’s broad portfolio, including workforce, economic, community, and international commerce functions, plus housing recovery, broadband, small business support, rural infrastructure, defense-community grants, and law enforcement recruitment bonuses. He said access to capital is the biggest barrier for small businesses and noted ongoing work with CareerSource, the Department of Corrections, and other partners on workforce and reentry. Secretary Jared Perdue of the Department of Transportation then outlined FDOT’s record budget and five-year work program, emphasizing emergency response, preservation and maintenance, safety, and major investments in roads, ports, airports, transit, and spaceport infrastructure. He said the department has removed millions of cubic yards of storm debris, is ahead of schedule on the Moving Florida Forward initiative, and faces a large unfunded project backlog. Members asked about supply chain issues, project priorities, and workforce needs, and Perdue said FDOT is open to collaboration on recruitment and retention.