Transcript Highlights:

• So, describing the amendment, we can't have an amendment that's at $500.
• The A2 amendment is adopted. Representative Hansen, to your bill as amended. >> Thank you.
• I would like to move amendment A1, and I would request a roll call on this amendment.
• uh amendment, so this is a good bill. uh amendment, so this is a good bill.
• those corrections as an amendment. those corrections as an amendment.

Bills: HF3474, HF3475, HF3508

Keywords: agriculture, funding, research, agricultural institute, state appropriations, education, leadership council, compensation, research institute, dairy assistance, investment, relief initiative, farm support, 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• statutory change to create a body specifically to investigate because, after the constitutional amendments
• They are permitted to continue to work. Many programs like Firstep in Oklahoma City.
• One of the DMH issues is it's difficult to sustain communication that then permits cooperation.
• Al passed Senate Bill 251 that permits multidisciplinary grant applications to be made.

Keywords: 914, all

Transcript Highlights:

• . amendment. amendment.
• If the House rules permitted, I would have offered the motion with an important amendment to this bill
• If the House rules permitted, I would have offered the motion with an important amendment to this bill
• Speaker, rise to present amendment number eight. Amendment desk.
• clerk will designate the amendment. clerk will designate the amendment.

Keywords: U.S. House of Representatives Floor Proceedings on Wednesday, June 25, 2025, 1012, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Happy to accept those amendments.
• We're still evaluating the bill as amended by the committee.
• So I think that's good about the amendments.
• So I think the amendments were good.
• Happy to accept the committee amendment.

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Article 48 of the amendments to the Constitution of the Commonwealth authorizes voters to propose an
• initiative petition for a new law or an initiative petition for a constitutional amendment.
• These include licensing and permit fees, fines, and penalties.
• Fees and fines and licensing and permits have totaled nearly $140 million from FY 2018 to FY 2025.

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The Special Joint Committee on Initiative Petitions held a public hearing on Initiative Petition 25-10, House Bill 5002, titled “An Act to Restore a Sensible Marijuana Policy,” which would repeal Massachusetts’ adult-use cannabis legalization framework. Chairs Brendan Crighton and Kate Hogan outlined the Article 48 initiative process and explained that the committee is gathering testimony for a report to the legislature. The hearing was organized into expert, proponent, opponent, and public testimony, with written testimony accepted through March 27. The first witness, Jessica Trow of MassBudget, testified in opposition to repeal and focused on cannabis-related revenue and social equity. She said legalization has generated nearly $2 billion statewide since adult-use sales began, with revenue flowing through the Marijuana Regulation Fund, the state sales tax, and local taxes and fees. She emphasized that funds support public health, the Cannabis Control Commission’s social equity work, the Cannabis Social Equity Fund, and municipal budgets, and argued that legalization has created pathways for communities harmed by prohibition. The petition’s spokesperson, Wendy Wakeman, argued in favor of repeal, saying legalization has worsened public health, safety, and quality of life, citing higher potency, addiction, youth use, impaired driving, workplace positives, and black-market concerns. Committee members questioned her about the data sources, the will of the voters, the role of paid signature gatherers, and the petition’s funding, including out-of-state and dark-money concerns. Opponents of the initiative then testified that repeal would harm a regulated industry that has created jobs, tax revenue, and social equity opportunities. Caroline Pino of STEM, Kristen Rogers of Levia, Judith Ledbetter of Project De-Stigmatized Healthcare, and Armani White of Firehouse Dispensary/EON described their businesses, community investments, and personal reliance on cannabis, and warned that repeal would push consumers back to the illicit market and undermine equity programs. In public testimony, Lucas Thayer of the Massachusetts Cannabis Reform Coalition and Jeff Rawson, a chemist and consumer protection advocate, also opposed the measure, arguing that regulated cannabis is safer than unregulated products and that repeal would damage investments and public safety. The hearing ended after the public testimony, and the committee voted to close the hearing.

Transcript Highlights:

• note that conduct that disrupts, disturbs, or otherwise impedes today's proceedings will not be permitted
• Will not be permitted.
• add-on votes for the proposed consent calendar: 26-109, University of California Library Resources, amendment
• Amendment Mary Succi, 2016-111-11, law enforcement agency information sharing by Senator Archeletta,

Summary: The Joint Legislative Audit Committee met to hear new audit requests and receive a status update from the State Auditor. The auditor reported 10 JALAC audits in progress, noted that all 2025-approved audits are underway, said the first 2026 audit is focused on DMV license revocations, and described several statutory and high-risk audits already in progress. The committee also approved a consent calendar of four audit requests: UC library resources, law enforcement information sharing, EDD unemployment insurance claims, and Housing and Community Development housing development monitoring. The committee then considered Assembly Member DeMaio’s audit request on SANDAG road project management. DeMaio argued the audit was needed to examine whether transportation funds, including voter-approved and restricted revenues, were used for allowable purposes and whether past management failures warranted outside review. SANDAG’s CEO and CFO said the agency already undergoes extensive oversight and audits, that funds are tracked by multiple “colors of money,” and that internal controls have improved. Several members questioned whether the issues were already addressed in public records or existing audits, and the request failed on a roll call vote. Next, Senator Valadares presented an audit of the Board of State and Community Corrections’ Proposition 47 grant administration, arguing that more transparency is needed on outcomes, recidivism data, and oversight of grantees. The BSCC said it already has oversight mechanisms, that the State Controller conducts biennial audits, and that program data shows positive outcomes. The committee approved the audit unanimously. Senator Cortese then presented an audit of CalHR’s dental benefits procurement and Delta Dental contract, citing long-standing benefit caps, provider network concerns, and retiree out-of-pocket costs. CalHR said its network remains strong, that it recently completed an RFP adding MetLife as a second carrier starting in 2027, and that contracts include performance guarantees. Members from both parties expressed concern about access and competition, and the audit was approved unanimously. The committee then completed add-on votes on the consent calendar and adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• note that conduct that disrupts, disturbs, or otherwise impedes today's proceedings will not be permitted
• Will not be permitted.
• add-on votes for the proposed consent calendar: 26-109, University of California Library Resources, Amendment
• Amendment Mary Succi; 2016-111-11, law enforcement agency information sharing by Senator Archuleta; 226

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• That's the year the voters adopted the Save Our Homes amendment.
• 2009, the legislature again did a batch of substantive property tax changes and constitutional amendments
• The other triggers are sales and permit activities; those are definitely events when properties typically
• on their structure values so that they can navigate that FEMA process and deal with their local permitting

Summary: The Committee on Finance and Tax met with a quorum present and heard a presentation from the Property Appraisers Association of Florida on ad valorem valuation, exemptions, and the property tax process. Lauren Levy reviewed the legal and historical framework of Florida property taxation, including Save Our Homes, the 10% cap on non-homestead assessments, portability, tangible personal property exemptions, TRIM notices, and the distinction between taxable value and millage rates. He emphasized that property appraisers are independent constitutional officers who assess just value, administer exemptions, and are overseen by the Department of Revenue, with values and exemptions generally determined as of January 1 and subject to challenge through the Value Adjustment Board or circuit court. Mike Twitty described the mass appraisal process in Pinellas County, explaining how property appraisers value large numbers of parcels using the same core approaches as fee appraisals but with statistical testing, field reviews, aerial imagery, and technology. He discussed the importance of budget, staffing, and the January 1 valuation date, and noted that recent hurricanes caused significant damage, increased petitions, and required new procedures to help property owners with value reductions and FEMA-related issues. Paul Polk focused on Department of Revenue oversight, explaining sales ratio studies, uniformity measures such as COD and PRD, time adjustments, sales qualification reviews, and in-depth studies that can lead to corrective action if assessment standards are not met. He also noted that the Department reviews property appraiser budgets to preserve independence from county pressure. Senators asked about the supersized homestead concept, DOR review and rejection standards, value trends, and the impact of storms and new construction on taxable value. Twitty and Polk said value growth has been driven by a mix of new construction, market appreciation, cap resets, and storm-related adjustments, while noting that some counties saw market value decline even as taxable value rose. They also said some property tax relief proposals would be easier to implement than others depending on how local tax bills are structured, especially where law enforcement millage is separately identified. No votes were taken on legislation, and the committee adjourned after the presentation.

Transcript Highlights:

• It's in Chapter 43 of the Local Government Code, in which this bill is going to be amending, and it doesn't
• And that's what this bill would accomplish in, I guess, whatever amendment area that it is.
• In 2019, we applied for a permit and were granted a permit from Water Texas. ...Commission on Environmental

Bills: SB1079, SB1243, SB1504, SB1579, SB1708, SB1844, SB1851, SB1879, SB1921, SB1951, SB2237, SB2238, SB2406, SB2407

Keywords: SB 1079, Texas, county government, commissioners court, Local Government Code, Chapter 263, surplus property, salvage property, data storage device, hard drive, electronic media, digital records, confidential information, protected information, privacy, records retention, information security, data destruction, device disposal, sensitive data

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:07:10.920> and of disagreement to House Amendments and of disagreement to House Amendments
• to Senate Bill 3022 SD1 and agree to said amendments.
• to Senate Bill 3102 SD2 and agree to said amendments.
• to Senate Bill 3144 SD1 and agree to said amendments.
• to said amendments. to said amendments.

Bills: SCR47, SCR21, SCR163, SCR169, SCR170, SCR50, SCR75, SCR149, HCR83, HCR111, HCR110, HCR122, HCR118, HCR61, HCR162, HCR36, HCR19, HCR106, HCR14, HCR178, SB3022, SB3102, SB3144

Keywords: sister-state, Hawaii, Okayama, Japan, cultural exchange, economic partnership, tourism, agriculture, international relations, healthcare, rural clinic, feasibility study, access to care, community health, Volcano community, Hawaiʻi Health Systems Corporation, emergency services, health assessment, Pacific Inter-Parliamentary Assembly, Legislative Cooperation

Transcript Highlights:

• an amendment. an amendment.
• >> The<01:34:17.600> amendment >> The amendment >> The amendment is<01:
• Speaker, I've got an amendment. Speaker, I've got an amendment.
• amendment and let's go forward. amendment and let's go forward.
• shown and as amended amended as therein shown and as amended has<06:34:58.718> passed<06:34:58.878

Keywords: 1136, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• > amendment<01:38:55.080> was longer necessary their amendment was longer necessary their
• 620 and um the revised the amended 620 and um the revised the amended version<01:44:09.199> would
• I'm very pleased to see DOE here and with the amendments supporting us.
• We received your proposed amendments. Thank you so much for that.
• <02:02:38.119> thank received your proposed amendments thank received your proposed amendments

Keywords: 910, house, all

Summary: The committee heard testimony on HB 627, which concerns Department of Education school safety funding and staffing. DOE said the bill would restore two positions and related funding that had been removed from the governor’s budget: a targeted violence prevention and threat assessment program manager and a security technology manager. DOE described ongoing work on school vulnerability assessments, fire suppression measures, security camera research, panic buttons, and active shooter prevention training. Testifiers from DOE, the Department of Law Enforcement, fire services, HSTA, and an individual witness all supported the bill, with the individual citing a past school shooting experience as a reason to increase school resource officers and safety measures. Members asked about the positions’ duties, how the request differed from existing security funding, and the status of active shooter training; DOE said it would provide more information on training statistics. The committee then took up HB 249, relating to Executive Office on Early Learning family child interaction learning programs. The Early Learning Board, EOEL, Commit to Kids, Early Childhood Action Strategies, Partners in Development Foundation, and others testified in support. EOEL said it currently spends about $800,000 annually on FCI program contracts and supports expanding state funding for FCIL programs, including infant and early childhood mental health, if the appropriation covers the broader scope. Testifiers emphasized that FCIL programs are trauma-informed, evidence-based, and help families and children, with one provider sharing a long-term example of a parent and child benefiting from the program. Members asked how many programs are supported, whether FCIL exists on all islands, and whether the request was in the governor’s budget; EOEL said the expansion was requested by the office but not included in the governor’s budget. HB 429, concerning pre-K expansion, drew broad support from the Lieutenant Governor, EOEL, HSTA, and community groups. Supporters said the Ready Keiki initiative has already opened more than 50 classrooms and would add another 50 over the next two years, including Hawaiian immersion classrooms. EOEL said it currently administers 72 public pre-K classrooms across 74 campuses and that the bill’s funding was included in the governor’s budget request. Testimony stressed kindergarten readiness, affordability for working families, equity across islands, and inclusion classrooms. Members asked about national quality benchmarks, with EOEL stating Hawaii meets 10 of 10 benchmarks and that only five states had done so at the time referenced. The Lieutenant Governor also described construction and delivery efforts, including refurbishing existing classrooms, modular options, possible use of state buildings, and even collaboration with libraries to expand child care access. Finally, the committee heard HB 439 on J-1 teacher licensure. DOE supported the bill, while the Hawaii Teacher Standards Board opposed it, arguing licensure standards are not place-based and should remain rigorous and uniform for all educators. The Attorney General’s office offered technical comments, including replacing “educators” with “teacher” and clarifying the bill’s language on issuance and renewal conditions. Several organizations and individuals testified in support, including school, cultural, business, and educator groups. One witness, a teacher from the Philippines, said J-1 educators are highly qualified and described the rigor of teacher preparation in the Philippines. No votes were taken in the portion of the meeting provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• Are there any questions or comments regarding the amendments?
• Is there any questions or comments regarding the amendments?
• Is there any questions regarding the amendments?
• non-refundable we're going to also amend non-refundable we're going to also amend on<01:00:54.079
• effective date and that's the Amendments effective date and that's the Amendments that<01:01:47.640

Keywords: 910, house, all

Summary: The Committee on Economic Development and Technology met on February 5, 2025, and heard testimony on several bills related to economic development, broadband, tax policy, and family support. HB 455 drew support for a startup-business loan program, with DBEDT, the Hawaii Food Industry Association, the Chamber of Commerce of Hawaii, and Hmua Collective among those in favor; Tax Foundation Hawaii questioned the need for a special fund. HB 437, concerning Hawaii trade/investment offices, received support from DBEDT and Hawaii Friends for Civil Rights, and members asked DBEDT about how to measure return on investment from the overseas offices. HB 650, dealing with broadband-related administration, was supported by DBEDT, the Department of Agriculture, the Hawaii Food Industry Association, and others, while committee discussion focused on the role of the state’s trade and investment offices and broadband administration. HB 935, on digital navigator support, received testimony in favor from DBEDT, the Hawaii State Council on Developmental Disabilities, the University of Hawaii system, and others, but also drew comments about consumer representation and the need for service on neighbor islands. The committee also heard strong testimony on tax and family-related measures. HB 572, which would remove the grocery tax, received overwhelming support from groups including the Hawaii Food Industry Association, AARP Hawaii, and others, with testimony emphasizing food insecurity and cost-of-living relief; Tax Foundation Hawaii offered technical comments. HB 701, a caregiver tax credit bill, was supported by AARP Hawaii, Hawaii Children’s Action Network Speaks, and others, with AARP stressing the burden on family caregivers and Tax Foundation Hawaii suggesting the credit percentage be reduced to preserve price-shopping incentives. HB 753, another child and dependent care tax credit measure, drew support from AARP Hawaii, Catholic Charities Hawaii, Hawaii Children’s Action Network Speaks, and others; Tax Foundation Hawaii again raised technical concerns, this time about the complexity of the formula. After testimony, the committee took up decision-making. HB 455 was passed with amendments, including transferring administrative responsibility from the Hawaii Technology Development Corporation to the Community-Based Economic Development Program, blanking out the appropriation, adding one business loan officer FTE, and noting a $95,000 cost. HB 437, HB 650, HB 934, HB 442, and HB 572 were all advanced with amendments, generally involving blanking out appropriations, moving amounts into committee notes, technical cleanup, and setting effective dates to July 1, 3000. HB 935 was deferred because of overlap with public library programs and uncertainty about federal funding for digital navigator positions. The chair also indicated HB 7 would be amended to add a nonrefundable family caregiver tax credit and related technical changes, but the transcript cuts off before final action on that bill.

Transcript Highlights:

• second trailer bill item is the Division of Workers' Compensation Administrative Director's salary amendment
• number of people, is... ...number of people, is they would figure out how this technology can be permitted
• So my question is, is it a problem of permitting and CEQA requirements?
• to the permanent, making a permanent commitment to the system versus both. the commitment to the permit
• It is on the public right-of-way, but is a private tunnel that was permitted for a nearby oil facility

Keywords: 987, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• The Governor hereby amends his proclamation of June 19, calling the 34th Legislature of the State of
• 381, finance amended, thus adopting Senate committee substitute for House Bill 381, finance amended,
• , thus adopting Senate committee substitute for House Bill 381, finance amended?
• 381 finance amended, thus adopting Senate committee substitute for House Bill 381 finance amended and
• Committee substitute for Committee substitute for House Bill 381 Finance amended Senate.

Summary: The House convened with a quorum, opened with prayer and the Pledge of Allegiance, and approved the journal and the prayer for the record. The clerk read gubernatorial messages calling the legislature into a third special session and describing the call around House Bill 381, a major natural gas project bill addressing property taxes, municipal taxes, AGDC, reporting requirements, contract approval, an alternative volumetric tax, municipal impact grants, and related provisions. Messages from the Senate reported passage of a Senate-amended version of HB 381 and transmission of Senate Concurrent Resolution 203 to suspend certain rules related to the bill. The House introduced HCR 301 and HCR 302. HCR 301, which suspends rules on carryover of bills into a special session, passed 40-0. The House then took up the Senate amendments to HB 381. The Majority Leader outlined the Senate changes, including new school funding provisions, reorganization and oversight of AGDC funds, a public project dashboard, stricter bond approval requirements, a heating fuel assistance fund, changes to the alternative volumetric tax structure and distribution of revenues, a permanent rather than sunsetted tax break, new deadlines tied to final investment decision and construction, and a new graduated income tax on certain pass-through entities. He urged members to vote no on concurrence, and the House rejected concurrence 12-28. Because the House did not concur, the Speaker appointed a conference committee on HB 381 consisting of Representative Schrage, the Majority Leader, Representative Edgmon, and Representative Ruffridge. HCR 302, authorizing the House and Senate to recess for more than three days, passed 40-0 after members stated the recess was intended to allow conference negotiations to continue and that the body would return on a time certain. The House also received two governor-request bills, HB 3001 and HB 3002, both referred to the Finance Committee. The House then excused several members for specified absences and adjourned until July 1 at 10:30 a.m.

Transcript Highlights:

• As amended, this bill remains deeply problematic because it would require As amended, this bill remains
• requested amendments, and happy to answer any questions.
• So you are accepting the committee amendments?
• And if you accepted the amendments, I was.
• Both of us share a support-if-amended position.

Keywords: 987, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• all right desk read and receive the amendment the amendment the amendment amendment to Senate bill number
• we adopt this amendment this amendment we adopt this amendment this amendment we adopt this amendment
• the committee amendment I propose amend the committee amendment I propose amend the committee amendment
• uh this is a good Amendment Amendments uh this is a good Amendment Amendments uh this is a good Amendment
• Amendment adop an roll on the amendment Amendment adop an roll on the amendment Amendment adop an amendment

Bills: SB 26, SB 28, SJR 36, SB 616, SB 565, SB 384, SB 28, SB 28, SR 131, SR 168, SR 174, SR 175

Keywords: teacher compensation, education funding, public school educators, teacher retention, teacher designation, lottery, gambling, internet gaming, mobile application, criminal offenses, aquifer, water management, Edwards Aquifer, sustainability, regulatory framework, SB 565, Texas Water Code, TCEQ, Texas Commission on Environmental Quality, compliance agreement

Transcript Highlights:

• , trip, prize, or other gratuity with a value more than $100 per employee per year to a licensed permitted
• gaming equipment except to a license distributor, a license organization, organization that has a permit
• I'm just curious: cities and counties also have to approve a permit. Is that correct?
• Have you had revocations of their authorities or their permits or their license, and/or any of the fines
• This resulted in similar amendments to the court's Administrative Rule 62, and that's also included in

Keywords: 908, all

Transcript Highlights:

• little bit about what it would take to attract private sector investment into this sector and the permitting
• And so what we've laid out here is permitting in two phases, early site permitting, where, you know,
• The risks are just too high from a permitting and a cost standpoint, from a private sector standpoint
• They've poured first concrete in Tennessee, and TerraPower just received a construction permit.
• You may or may not know, Wyoming had a similar broad statewide barrier in place, and recently they amended

Keywords: 908, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Ten yes, eight nay. amendment so we're voting on um amendment so we're voting on um Amendment<01:12:24.440
• the Second Amendment the Second Amendment Second<01:17:56.040> Amendment<01:17:56.440>
• Amendment 2025-0320. The motion is to adopt the amendment.
• Amendment 2025-0320. The motion is to adopt the amendment. The motion is to adopt the amendment.
• I'd like to move my Amendment 0539. understand has an amendment and a motion understand has an amendment

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The House Judiciary Committee met in executive session and first took up HB 148, a bill allowing classification by biological sex in limited settings such as multiple-use bathrooms, certain sports, and involuntary commitment facilities. Supporters said it was needed to protect privacy and safety, especially for minors, and argued it was consistent with recent federal and state developments. Opponents said the bill was poorly defined, unnecessary, and could create discrimination or confusion, especially because it did not define “biological sex” in the text. The committee voted 10-8 ought to pass, and the chair said a minority report would be written. The committee then considered HB 254, a bill concerning medical aid in dying. The chair moved ought to pass and described the bill as a matter of liberty for terminally ill patients within six months of death, arguing it should not be treated as suicide. Opponents raised religious, ethical, and policy concerns, including worries about a slippery slope, misuse by vulnerable people, and the effect on death records and public health data. The committee voted 11-7 ought to pass, and the chair said a majority report would be written with a minority report by Representative Perez. Finally, the committee turned to HB 611 with Amendment 2025-0638, a replace-all amendment dealing with recoupment of costs for appointed counsel. The chair explained the amendment would restore the law to its pre-2020 form, allowing the Office of Cost Containment to seek repayment from some recipients of appointed counsel services, including those found not guilty, if they had the ability to pay. Supporters said the prior change had sharply reduced collections and that the state should not treat indigent defendants differently from people who hire private counsel. Opponents argued the policy unfairly bills innocent people and children who were entitled to counsel. The transcript cuts off during debate on the amendment, before a vote is shown.