Transcript Highlights:

• recognize special guest on the floor, Representative Scott Stadthagen, also the newly elected Alabama Republican
• 34:28.040><c> Republic</c> the newly elected Alabama Republic the newly elected Alabama Republic Republican
• </c> Republican Party Chair. Congrats. Republican Party Chair. Congrats.

Keywords: 920, all

Summary: The Alabama Senate convened, heard a prayer and pledge, established a quorum, excused absent senators, and adopted the prior journal. The chamber received House messages, including referral of Senate Confirmation 89 for Rex Jones to the Underground and Aboveground Storage Tank Trust Funds Management Board, and concurred in Senate Bill 231 after a 30-0 vote. Several local House bills were referred to the Committee on Local Legislation. During personal remarks, Senator Coleman-Madison recognized Women’s History Month and highlighted Alabama native Mary Ellen Jolly and her book, "Accidental Activist," praising women who support the legislature. The Senate then processed committee reports, including favorable reports on multiple Finance and Taxation General Fund bills (SB 143, 144, 145 with substitute, 152, 153, 154, 162, 226 with substitute, and 146 with substitute and one abstention), as well as confirmations for Nancy Sandford, Marty Abrams, and Jim Page to the University of North Alabama Board of Trustees, all of which were confirmed. Committee reports also advanced several county and municipal and local legislation measures, including SB 292, HB 351, HB 141, HB 273, HB 504, HB 488, SB 343, and SB 346. On the floor, SB 333 on class two municipalities passed after adoption of its BIR and committee amendment, and HB 308, a proposed constitutional amendment for Mobile County, passed after the Senate tabled the committee amendment, adopted a substitute amendment by Senator Figures, and approved the certification resolution. SB 334 for Shelby County, SB 339 for Crenshaw County, and HB 507 for Covington County also passed, with certification resolutions adopted where required. The governor returned SB 228 with an executive amendment, and the Senate concurred 33-0. The Rules Committee report set the special order calendar for the next legislative day, listing bills including SB 91, SB 280, SB 181, SB 237, SB 326, SB 255, HB 77, HB 104, HB 110, HB 271, HB 362, HB 332, HB 429, SB 211, HB 125, HB 122, HB 124, SB 140, SB 199, and SB 332. Senator Singleton spoke at length criticizing the handling of minority-sponsored bills and questioning several measures, and after debate the Senate adopted the special order calendar 34-0. SB 91 was then carried over at the call of the chair.

Transcript Highlights:

• reason why the kits are so expensive, then my argument is, and what the argument was made by my Republican
• and what the argument was made<01:47:52.000><c> by</c><01:47:52.239><c> my</c><01:47:52.560><c> Republican
• </c><01:47:53.040><c> co-sponsor</c><01:47:53.600><c> who's</c> made by my Republican co-sponsor who's
• made by my Republican co-sponsor who's also<01:47:54.000><c> a</c><01:47:54.159><c> member</c><01:47

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Summary: The committee began a work session on House Bill 1600, concerning access to the centralized voter registration database on election days. Secretary of State David Scanlan testified that the state already has a new statewide voter registration system connected to town clerks and supervisors of the checklist, and that the bill was probably unnecessary but acceptable if the legislature wanted it. He raised concern about language that could require direct electronic access in every polling place, noting that some polling locations lack reliable internet or cell service and that municipalities can change polling locations, which could make a rigid requirement expensive and impractical. Members discussed whether the bill should be clarified to allow direct or indirect access, including use of a phone-based workaround, and the secretary said that would address his concern. The committee then voted on HB 1600. Representative Maguire moved ought to pass with an amendment adding “direct or indirect access” on page one, line seven, and the motion was seconded. The amendment was adopted 9-0 by voice vote, and the committee then voted 9-0 to OTP the bill. The chair stated that HB 1600 would be placed on consent. The committee next took up House Bill 1197F FN, a technical correction to insurance laws. Members noted it had already passed the House with amendment and that the fiscal note was effectively indeterminate but would not affect the general fund because the insurance agency is self-funded. The committee voted 9-0 to OTP the bill; the chair said consent calendar placement would be decided by the full committee. Finally, the committee opened a work session on House Bill 11:30 FN regarding judicial performance evaluations. Representative Lynn, the bill’s sponsor, argued that the fiscal note overstated the immediate cost and said the judicial branch could likely manage through the current biennium while implementing the new system. He also supported making judges’ names public and said the bill’s anonymity provisions were aimed at protecting the identities of questionnaire respondents, not the judges being evaluated. Members asked about public disclosure, internal access to evaluation materials, and the removal of language allowing the governor and executive council to receive evaluations on request; discussion continued on those points, but no final vote on HB 11:30 FN was taken in the portion provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• And we as Republican office holders are going to call that out as much as our DFL colleagues because
• And we as Republican<01:28:56.320><c> office</c><01:28:56.639><c> holders</c><01:28:56.960><c> are</c
• ><01:28:57.199><c> going</c><01:28:57.360><c> to</c> Republican office holders are going to Republican

Bills: HF3405 , HF3413 , HF3769 , HF3768 , HF3771 , HF3465

Committee: House Public Safety Finance and Policy

Keywords: Bureau of Criminal Apprehension, BCA, Use of Force Investigations Unit, federal agents, Department of Homeland Security, DHS, Immigration and Customs Enforcement, ICE, Customs and Border Protection, CBP, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services, USCIS, officer-involved death, use of force, law enforcement accountability, police oversight, independent investigation, criminal sexual conduct, sexual assault, peace officers

Transcript Highlights:

• Well, this is not a Democrat versus Republican thing.
• &gt; Well, the and again, this is not a a Democrat<01:44:57.520><c> versus</c><01:44:57.920><c> Republican
• </c><01:44:58.639><c> this</c> Democrat versus Republican thing. this Democrat versus Republican thing

Committee: House Commerce Finance and Policy

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• Even Republican trifecta states, Ohio, Montana, Missouri have legalized adult-use cannabis. guidelines
• Even Republican<01:37:52.400><c> trifecta</c><01:37:52.960><c> states,</c><01:37:53.199><c> Ohio,</c>
• Republican trifecta states, Ohio, Republican trifecta states, Ohio, Montana,<01:37:54.080><c> Missouri

Bills: HB1974 , HB1853 , HB1973 , HB1574 , HB2619 , HB1966 , HB1643 , HB1671 , HB2558 , HB1854 , HB2173 , HB1575 , HB2229 , HB1535 , HB1978 , HB2508 , HB1549 , HB2187 , HB1550 , HB1977 , HB2314 , HB1871 , HB2319 , HB1591 , HB1858 , HB1898 , HB2372 , HB1765 , HB2012 , HB1706 , HB1962 , HB1963 , HB1975 , HB2009 , HB2083 , HB2224 , HB1877 , HB1959 , HB1626 , HB1665 , HB2488 , HB2456 , HB2548 , HB2207 , HB1832 , HB2079 , HB1985 , HB1618 , HB2486 , HB2242 , HB2045 , HB1703 , HB2236 , HB2480 , HB1976 , HB2287 , HB2288 , HB1777 , HB276 , HB1660 , HB1676 , HB1605 , HB1751 , HB1967 , HB2383 , HB2340 , HB1946 , HB2268 , HB1950 , HB2156 , HB2118 , HB1859 , HB1863 , HB1996 , HB2114 , HB2423 , HB2429 , HB2475 , HB2534 , HB2545 , HB1813 , HB1941 , HB2474 , HB2583 , HB1576 , HB1886 , HB1939 , HB2540 , HB2590 , HB2000 , HB2163 , HB2386 , HB1691 , HB1680 , HB2516 , HB1993 , HB2442 , HB1510 , HB1958 , HB1692

Keywords: HB1974, hearing loss, audiology, audiologist, hearing screening, hearing aids, cochlear implants, tele-audiology, communication access, assistive technology, speech-language pathology, deafness, hard of hearing, public health, kupuna, keiki, dementia, cognitive decline, fall prevention, State Health Planning and Development Agency

Transcript Highlights:

• Uh, testimony in opposition on Zoom from Jamie Deweiler, Hawaiian Islands Republican Women.
• Jamie Deweiler, Hawaiian Islands Republican Women.
• I'm not a Republican.
• I'm not a Republican.<00:25:24.960><c> I</c><00:25:25.120><c> don't</c><00:25:25.279><c> care</c><00:

Committee: House Judiciary & Hawaiian Affairs

Keywords: 910, house, all

Summary: The committee heard testimony on House Bill 1552, which would make the attorney general the interim chief election officer if that office becomes vacant until the Elections Commission appoints a replacement. The Department of the Attorney General opposed the bill, saying it could create a conflict of interest if the attorney general were both the state’s lawyer and the chief elections officer in any related litigation. The League of Women Voters supported having some interim backup for the office, but said it was not necessarily advocating that the attorney general fill the role. Several other testifiers, including the Hawaiian Islands Republican Women, opposed the bill, arguing the current law already provides for a prompt commission appointment and warning about partisan bias and concentration of power. Supporters, including Indivisible Hawaii, said an interim mechanism is needed to ensure election certification in a crisis. The chair also asked whether any statutory acting capacity already exists, and the attorney general said none was known. The committee then took up House Bill 2125, which would bar corporations operating under state law from engaging in election activity. The attorney general opposed the bill, citing Citizens United and arguing that corporations have First Amendment-protected political speech rights and that the bill would likely be unconstitutional. Indivisible Hawaii supported the measure, saying it would keep elections focused on the will of the people rather than corporate influence. Libertarian Party testimony was mixed: one witness supported the goal of reducing corruption but warned the bill could suppress organized dissent and sweep too broadly by treating many associations as corporations. The bill’s introducer asked whether the legislature could still enact it as a policy matter, but the attorney general maintained federal constitutional law would control. No vote was taken on either bill during the portion of the hearing provided. The committee also heard House Bill 2493 on wrongful imprisonment, which would set procedures and compensation for people whose convictions are reversed or vacated on grounds consistent with innocence and whose charges are dismissed. The Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation supported the bill’s intent but objected to language assigning it responsibility for helping released individuals secure housing, identification, health coverage, and other reentry needs, saying it no longer has jurisdiction after release and suggesting the courts or a community-based contractor handle that role. The Office of the Public Defender strongly supported the bill, emphasizing the harm of wrongful conviction and the need for compensation, case management, and medical coverage after release. No action or vote was reported on this measure in the excerpt.

Transcript Highlights:

• And every tax that we do have was enacted by Republicans.
• do have was And every tax that we do have was enacted<00:11:08.000><c> by</c><00:11:08.800><c> Republicans
• </c> enacted by Republicans. enacted by Republicans.

Committee: Senate Finance

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I talked to a bunch of people at a Republican caucus last night in one of my towns, and I said, "How
• um<00:53:47.920><c> people</c><00:53:48.160><c> at</c><00:53:48.319><c> a</c><00:53:49.040><c> Republican
• </c><00:53:49.599><c> caucus</c><00:53:50.079><c> last</c> um people at a Republican caucus last um people
• at a Republican caucus last night<00:53:50.480><c> in</c><00:53:50.640><c> one</c><00:53:50.800><c>

Committee: Senate Judiciary

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• mean, I guess in a simplistic form, the way I think about it sometimes, I guess when you got a Republican
• you when you it sometimes, I guess when you when you got<00:40:32.800><c> a</c><00:40:32.960><c> Republican
• > office,</c><00:40:33.839><c> you</c><00:40:34.000><c> might</c><00:40:34.160><c> be</c> got a Republican
• in office, you might be got a Republican in office, you might be able<00:40:34.320><c> to</c><00:40:

Keywords: Meeting Start 00:00:00 Attendance Roll Call 00:00:10 Approval of Minutes 00:01:19 Helping Power Kentucky's Growth (LG&E/KU) 00:01:39 Update from Kentucky's Electric Cooperatives 00:47:35, 958, all

Summary: The committee met with a quorum, approved the minutes from the previous meeting, and then heard a presentation from LG&E and KU representatives Caroline Clark and John Bevington on economic development, energy demand, and the utility’s role in supporting Kentucky’s growth. Bevington described the company’s service territory, generation fleet, and recent economic development activity, including 76 projects supported in 2024, more than $2.8 billion in private investment, and over 3,000 new jobs. He emphasized that data centers are now the dominant driver in the pipeline, with 22 data center projects representing about 8.7 of the 9.7 gigawatts of potential demand, alongside other manufacturing and commercial projects. A major focus was how data centers choose sites and how utilities respond. Bevington explained that hyperscale data centers typically approach utilities first because they need transmission-level access, and that utilities then conduct internal analyses, estimate infrastructure needs, and require financial security before proceeding. He said the company is working through formal transmission studies and long-lead infrastructure planning, and noted that Kentucky’s sales tax exemption for data centers helped attract interest. He also outlined the economic benefits of data centers, citing an announced Louisville project of 525 megawatts and about $11 billion in investment, with an estimated $500 million in new tax revenue over 10 years, plus broader job and GDP impacts. Members asked about whether data centers could generate their own power, the reliability of the pipeline numbers given confidentiality and nondisclosure agreements, and cybersecurity concerns. Bevington said the company does not assume all pipeline projects will materialize in Kentucky and instead assigns probabilities to avoid overbuilding. He also said he was not the right person to address cybersecurity in detail but offered to return to a committee focused on IT or security. In response to questions about future supply, he said LG&E and KU are adding generation through a 120-megawatt solar facility in Mercer County, a 120-megawatt solar purchase in Marion County, and a 645-megawatt natural gas combined-cycle plant in Louisville, with PSC approval recently granted for additional generation and related system upgrades.

Transcript Highlights:

• scholarship easier for providers and parents alike, and if I knew that our voters, Democrats and Republicans
• And if I knew that our voters, Democrats<01:38:15.040><c> and</c><01:38:15.360><c> Republicans</c><01
• :38:16.000><c> alike,</c><01:38:16.560><c> want</c><01:38:16.719><c> us</c> Democrats and Republicans
• alike, want us Democrats and Republicans alike, want us to<01:38:17.119><c> take</c><01:38:17.440><c

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• bill and every one of those slots is filled by a member of the Minnesota House, both Democrats and Republicans
• 00:04:01.680><c> and</c> bipartisan being both Democrats and bipartisan being both Democrats and Republicans
• </c> Republicans that have signed this bill. Republicans that have signed this bill.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• This is one of those pieces that I would really like to maintain, and it might sound strange for a Republican
• I think our committee does best when Republicans talk about more spending and Democrats talk about deregulation
• This is one of those pieces that I would really like to maintain, and it might sound strange for a Republican
• I think our committee does best when Republicans talk about more spending and Democrats talk about deregulation

Bills: HF2436 , HF470 , HF2643 , HF2456 , HF102 , HF1367

Committee: House Children and Families Finance and Policy

Keywords: child welfare, economic assistance, child care, grant program, video security cameras, early education, scholarships, funding, children, families, Minnesota education, child care licensing, family child care, child care center, Minnesota Department of Children, Youth, and Families, correction order, conditional license, fix-it ticket, documented technical assistance, license suspension

Transcript Highlights:

• least I'm going to finish my comments in this way: that nobody, not on the DFL side, not on the Republican
• side,<01:46:15.280><c> not</c><01:46:15.520><c> on</c><01:46:15.679><c> the</c><01:46:15.840><c> Republican
• </c><01:46:16.440><c> side</c><01:46:17.440><c> are</c> side, not on the Republican side are side, not
• on the Republican side are suggesting<01:46:18.239><c> that</c><01:46:18.480><c> we</c><01:46:18.719

Bills: HF1587 , HF2293 , HF2218 , HF1208 , HF1482

Committee: House Environment and Natural Resources Finance and Policy

Keywords: HF1587, Cass County, Minnesota Department of Natural Resources, DNR, condemnation, eminent domain, state land, surplus land, public waters, tribal land transfer, federally recognized Indian Tribe, tribal ownership, land conveyance, no consideration, land appropriation, natural resources, U.S. Highway 2, Section 27 Township 145 North Range 28 West, land return, Tribal sovereignty

Transcript Highlights:

• Andrew Cosin, Hawaii Patriot Republicans, in opposition. Dr.
• cosin lahi providing comments Andrew cosin Hawaii<00:15:57.240><c> Patriot</c><00:15:57.720><c> Republicans
• </c><00:15:58.240><c> in</c><00:15:58.480><c> opposition</c> Hawaii Patriot Republicans in opposition
• Hawaii Patriot Republicans in opposition Dr<00:16:00.160><c> Michael</c><00:16:00.519><c> Ching</c><

Committee: Senate Health and Human Services

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Summary: The Health and Human Services committee heard extensive testimony on HB 1194 HD2, a bill to regulate midwifery and require accredited education for licensed midwives. Supporters, including the Midwives Alliance of Hawaii, ACOG, a pediatrician, and several licensed midwives, argued the bill would improve maternal and newborn safety, clarify the definition of midwife, strengthen accountability, and align Hawaii with national education standards. They said accredited training is necessary to avoid gaps in knowledge and to support safe transfers and collaboration with hospitals. Opponents, including many midwives, parents, cultural practitioners, and community groups, argued the bill would restrict access to care, criminalize traditional and apprenticeship-based midwifery, and undermine reproductive autonomy and Native Hawaiian and other cultural birthing practices. Several asked for amendments to preserve a birth attendant exemption, the PET/portfolio pathway, and cultural and religious protections. Others said the bill would disproportionately harm rural, Indigenous, and low-income families by making training and licensure less accessible. The committee also heard testimony from state and county entities and professional organizations, with some standing on written testimony and others offering brief comments. The chair repeatedly reminded testifiers of the one-minute limit and the possibility that final decision-making would be deferred if quorum was lost. The transcript does not show a final vote or action taken during this segment.

Transcript Highlights:

• Jamie Deweer, Hawaiʻi Island Republican Women, in opposition.
• Andrew Crossland for Hawaii Patriot Republicans, in opposition. Steve S.
• Jamie Deweer, Hawaiʻi Island Republican Women, in opposition.
• Andrew Crossland for Hawaii Patriot Republicans, in opposition. Steve S.

Committee: Senate Public Safety and Military Affairs

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Summary: The joint committees heard testimony on several fireworks-related bills. On HB 550, which would allow law enforcement to use drone recordings to establish probable cause for fireworks arrests in public areas and appropriate funds for drones, the Department of Law Enforcement and Honolulu Police Department supported the measure. The Public Defender and some public testifiers opposed it, arguing that a statute cannot mandate probable cause and that the bill raises constitutional concerns. A prosecutor later explained that the bill is intended to address Hawaiʻi case law, especially State v. Kit, which limits aerial surveillance over homes under the state constitution, and suggested that changing “shall” to “may” could reduce constitutional problems. Members also questioned whether current law already allows video evidence of fireworks violations and whether the bill was necessary. Testimony included both support and opposition from individuals and organizations, and no vote was taken during the hearing. The committees then heard HB 806, which would appropriate funds for the Department of Law Enforcement to conduct sting operations on Oʻahu to enforce fireworks laws. The department and police supported the bill, while the Libertarian Party of Hawaiʻi opposed it, arguing that fireworks are already illegal and that the measure adds unnecessary enforcement powers and constitutional risk. Committee members asked what “sting operation” means and whether the term should be defined more clearly; the department said it refers to police or criminal investigations involving deception and agreed a definition would help guide use of the funds. The department also said the funding would support training, storage, and other operational costs for undercover investigations. Finally, the committees heard HB 1483, a broader fireworks enforcement bill that would create an adjudication system for fireworks infractions, revise definitions and penalties, establish new offenses, and increase penalties when fireworks offenses cause injury or death. The Attorney General’s office strongly supported the bill, saying it would improve enforcement by clarifying definitions and allowing cases to be proven without particle testing or expert witnesses when fireworks leave no physical evidence. The Department of Law Enforcement also supported it. The Public Defender opposed the bill, focusing on the bill’s penalty enhancements for offenses that are rarely enforced and its concurrent trial provision, which it said raises problems because of the differences between civil and criminal proceedings. No final committee action or vote was reported in the transcript.

Transcript Highlights:

• > or</c><01:04:19.880><c> a</c> bill it's not a Democratic or a bill it's not a Democratic or a republican
• 21.680><c> a</c><01:04:21.880><c> human</c><01:04:22.760><c> issue</c><01:04:23.760><c> and</c> republican
• issue it's a human issue and republican issue it's a human issue and I<01:04:24.160><c> believe</c><
• As we mentioned previously, we realize this isn't a Republican-Democrat issue; it's just a common-sense

Bills: HF1355 , HF1469 , HF1768

Committee: House Workforce, Labor, and Economic Development Finance and Policy

Keywords: commercial diving, scuba diving safety, aquatic plant management, workplace safety, environmental regulations, HF1469, Minnesota, workforce development, job training, job skills training, reentry, reentry services, formerly incarcerated, ex-offenders, inmates, recently released inmates, felony conviction, felony-level offense, corrections, prison release

Transcript Highlights:

• been professionally and very efficiently run, whether or not it was an independent governor, a Republican
• independent whether or not it was an independent Governor<00:48:08.200><c> a</c><00:48:08.359><c> republican
• Governor</c><00:48:09.599><c> or</c><00:48:10.000><c> or</c><00:48:10.119><c> a</c> Governor a republican
• Governor or or a Governor a republican Governor or or a Democratic<00:48:10.960><c> governor</c><00:

Committee: House State Government Finance and Policy

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• all of the statistics, and so I’m so excited that we have law enforcement on board, Democrats and Republicans
• 22:36.560><c> board</c><01:22:36.920><c> Democrats</c><01:22:37.400><c> and</c><01:22:37.600><c> Republicans
• </c><01:22:38.159><c> on</c> on board Democrats and Republicans on on board Democrats and Republicans

Committee: Senate Judiciary and Public Safety

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Nothing to do with the Trump Administration, nothing to do with Republican, Democrat—it has to do with
• ><01:54:20.800><c> with</c> Administration nothing to do with Administration nothing to do with Republican
• <01:54:22.079><c> democ</c> Republican democ Republican democ it<01:54:23.239><c> has</c><01:54:23.400

Committee: Senate Health and Human Services

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I'm also in Republican research, and I'm just happy to be here.
• administrator for Senator Lang I'm<00:03:13.040><c> also</c><00:03:13.239><c> in</c><00:03:13.360><c> Republican
• /c><00:03:13.760><c> research</c><00:03:14.200><c> and</c><00:03:14.360><c> I'm</c> I'm also in Republican
• research and I'm I'm also in Republican research and I'm just<00:03:14.680><c> happy</c><00:03:14.879

Committee: Senate State and Local Government

Keywords: 1187, senate, all