Transcript Highlights:

• <00:18:13.280> of province of Quebec and the state of province of Quebec and the state of
• Steel Council from all over the state Steel Council from all over the state and<00:41:11.599>
• Now, >> Why they took state out?
• <01:33:56.639> of that program to put us in the state of that program to put us in the state
• everything you've done in our state. everything you've done in our state.

Keywords: 920, all

Summary: The Senate convened with prayer, the pledge, and a roll call establishing a quorum of 29 members present. The chamber adopted routine motions to excuse absent senators, dispense with reading the prior journal, and allow bills and committee reports to be taken up throughout the day. The Committee on Banking and Insurance reported Senate Bill 269 favorably with a substitute, and the bill was placed on the calendar for the next legislative day. The Senate also welcomed several guest groups in the gallery, including homeschool families, Blount County leaders, and the Alabama Iron and Steel Council. A series of resolutions were introduced and adopted immediately. Senator Stewart’s Joint Resolution 64 honored Joanne Blackman Bland, recognizing her role as a young freedom fighter on Bloody Sunday and later work in voting rights and economic development. The Senate also adopted Joint Resolution 65 congratulating Maplesville High School on its 2025 Class 1A state football championship and Joint Resolution 66 honoring the long-standing partnership between Quebec and Alabama. The Senate then took up local legislation and several calendar bills. Senate Bill 319 for Shelby County, House Bill 460 and House Bill 459 for Henry County, and House Bill 467 regarding the city of Tuscumbia were all advanced and passed, with certification motions adopted where required. The Rules Committee reported Senate Resolution 67, setting the special order calendar, which the Senate adopted. The special order calendar included bills on corrections, services evaluation, retirement benefits, the Growing Alabama Act, health, vessels, homestead exemption, the National Guard, the state port, early childhood education, tourism investment, pardons and paroles, and health-related matters. Under the special order calendar, the Senate passed House Bill 274 on Department of Corrections unmanned aircraft systems, Senate Bill 317 creating the Commission on the Evaluation of Services, House Bill 159 cleaning up retirement provisions for certain circuit clerks, Senate Bill 289 revising the Growing Alabama Act, and House Bill 182 requiring military education to count toward EMS licensure. The chamber also considered House Bill 254 on vessel inspections, with discussion focused on limiting law enforcement stops and boarding of vessels for safety or marine sanitation inspections absent another reason; the transcript cuts off before final disposition of that bill.

Transcript Highlights:

• And yes, unit for the state police.
• <00:47:04.000> government state federal state or local government state federal state or local
• many people are armed in the state. many people are armed in the state.
• But the state uh I I talked to a state<03:13:15.439> um<03:13:15.840> state<03:13:16.160
• state police officer and he state um state police officer and he said<03:13:18.080> he<03:13:

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Lobby is the State Chamber of Commerce and Manufacturing Association.
• businesses across the state.
• How many states... Cost consumers less. Thank you. Question. How many states use this? Mr.
• Well, I want to know what states do this.
• Well, we're in the law of this state or any other state. Do we allow the judgment debtor to decide?

Bills: HB79, HB437, HB646, HB1089, HB1099, SB173, SB180, SB260, SB424, SB476

Keywords: carbon capture, damages, environmental liability, legal liability, site restoration, expert witness, expert testimony, witness fees, pecuniary interest, conflict of interest, civil procedure, evidence law, Louisiana evidence code, Louisiana civil litigation, expert report, discovery, pretrial disclosure, litigation transparency, settlement, damages award

Summary: The committee first heard Senate Bill 476, which would add clearer warning language for garnishees responding to interrogatories and create a limited procedure for a new trial when a garnishee shows it never held property of, or owed money to, the judgment debtor. After brief questioning about how garnishment works, the bill was reported favorably without objection. The committee then took up Senate Bill 260 on youth athletics, which establishes required injury-mitigation training content for youth sports coaches, including emergency preparedness, concussions, heat injuries, overuse injuries, equipment, heart defects, and sudden cardiac effects. An amendment was adopted to remove language allowing the department to spend donated funds to purchase the courses, and the bill was reported as amended. House Bill 79, which removes the damage threshold for carbon capture release, was also reported favorably after sponsor testimony that carbon capture should be treated like other industries and not receive a special liability cap. Senate Bill 424, clarifying service by mail, delivery, or electronic means by defining “counsel of record” as someone who actually represents a party, was reported favorably as well. Senate Bill 180, a constitutional amendment allowing the surviving spouse of a deceased disabled veteran to make a one-time transfer of an expanded property tax exemption to another qualifying property, received a ballot-language amendment and a 6.8A report, then was reported as amended. The committee spent the most time on House Bill 1089, which creates “care accounts” for future medical damages in delictual actions. The sponsor and supporters said the bill would ensure future medical awards are actually used for medical care, function like a money market/HSA-style account, and potentially reduce costs; opponents raised concerns about the account being owned by the judgment debtor, possible reversion of unused funds to the wrong party, unclear mechanics for payment, and the impact on survivors of trafficking and sexual abuse who may need flexible, non-billing-code-based care. Several members suggested exclusions or clarifying amendments for med-mal, intentional torts, and sexual abuse victims, and the bill was reported favorably on a 6-1 vote after amendment. Finally, House Bill 437 was taken up, which bars expert witnesses from having a pecuniary interest in the outcome of the case. An amendment excluding criminal traffic and juvenile proceedings was adopted, and members discussed that the bill would prohibit contingent-style expert fee arrangements while still allowing cross-examination about an expert’s prior testimony and payment history. The discussion emphasized that the rule would apply to both plaintiffs and defendants.

Transcript Highlights:

• their essential role in emergency response, public safety, and community well-being throughout the state
• Honolulu Ocean Safety used their state.
• <00:14:23.400> And<00:14:23.880> with Pohakuloa and any state land.
• And with Pohakuloa and any state land.
• <00:17:34.640> Um be upheld cuz that is state law. Um be upheld cuz that is state law.

Bills: SCR56, SCR25, SCR79, SCR179, SCR181, SCR182, SR54, SR22, SR81, SR174, SR176, SR177

Keywords: lifeguards, first responders, public safety, ocean safety, emergency response, community wellbeing, Pohakuloa, condemnation, federal government, land sovereignty, Hawaii, native Hawaiians, public trust land, invasive species, octocoral, Pearl Harbor, environment, Navy responsibility, marine ecosystem, ecosystem preservation

Summary: The committee first heard SCR 56 and SR 54, which recognize open water lifeguards as first responders and acknowledge their role in emergency response and public safety. Testifiers from the Hawaiian Lifeguard Association, Hawaii Water Safety Coalition, Honolulu and Kauai Ocean Safety, and a junior guard all strongly supported the resolutions, describing lifeguards as often first on scene for drownings, cardiac arrest, spinal injuries, flooding rescues, and other emergencies. Several speakers said formal recognition would better reflect the work lifeguards already do and could improve training, support services, pay equity, and access to benefits such as retirement and trauma resources. Members asked about what legal or administrative changes would follow, and the discussion suggested the resolutions were a first step toward broader recognition and related policy changes. The committee then took up SCR 25 and SR 22, opposing federal condemnation or threats of condemnation to take control of Pohakuloa and other state land. The Office of Hawaiian Affairs supported the resolutions, saying Pohakuloa has deep historical, cultural, genealogical, and ecological significance and that any future decisions should go through existing state legal processes with meaningful consultation with Native Hawaiians. Members discussed the role of the governor’s advisory process, the need to follow DLNR/BLNR procedures, and concerns about environmental and health violations at the site. The committee also noted 14 written testimonies in support. Next, the committee heard SCR 79 and SR 81, urging the U.S. Navy to take responsibility for eradicating octocoral and other invasive species in Pearl Harbor waters, including West, Middle, and East Loch. DLNR supported the resolutions, and testimony focused on the spread of invasive coral, the difficulty of eradication, and the limited access state agencies have inside Pearl Harbor. Members raised concerns about contamination, responsibility for the problem, and whether the Navy should fund or carry out the cleanup; DLNR said it could not speak to broader contamination issues but supported the resolution as a way to encourage action. The committee then began discussion of SCR 179 and SR 174, which urge Maui County to enforce fire code provisions on brush clearance, fuel breaks, roadside vegetation clearing, and emergency access, with written support noted from Aloha Independent Living Hawaii.

Transcript Highlights:

• Yes, there are multiple states that have passed something similar, but they also recognize out-of-state
• Some states that have done this have recognized that and recommended that the state not do this, where
• Many states' health plans contract with lab integrity programs which can determine which routine lab
• for lab integrity programs.
• As Representative Paul pointed out, the lab integrity programs are already in use in the state of Texas

Bills: HB854, HB 1052, HB1642, HB2076, HB3042, HB3695, HB3787, HB4062, HB4092, SB213, SB493, SB896, HB5519, HB4635

Keywords: insurance, replacement cost, homeowner's policy, renter's policy, condominium insurance, property damage, claims process, telemedicine, teledentistry, telehealth, health benefit plan, insurance coverage, out-of-state services, anxiety, pain management, contraceptive devices, women's health, medical procedures, healthcare, laboratory

Transcript Highlights:

• If you require assistance in registering or testifying, please contact the committee staff.

Bills: HB854, HB 1052, HB1642, HB2076, HB3042, HB3695, HB3787, HB4062, HB4092, SB213, SB493, SB896, HB5519, HB4635

Keywords: insurance, replacement cost, homeowner's policy, renter's policy, condominium insurance, property damage, claims process, telemedicine, teledentistry, telehealth, health benefit plan, insurance coverage, out-of-state services, anxiety, pain management, contraceptive devices, women's health, medical procedures, healthcare, laboratory

Transcript Highlights:

• If you would, state your name for the record.
• Errors, or seek financial assistance.
• What I would say is the state-mandated version of gold carding is very prescribed in state statute, and
• Most other states, it's around 11 to 14 days.
• As stated before, many older adults who are not born in the United States or not born in a hospital do

Bills: SB227, SB269, SB407, SB463, SB527, SB547, SB1283, SB1380, SB1383, SB1511, SB1640, SB1784, SB2069

Keywords: school funding, education reform, state budget, property taxes, equity in education, healthcare policy, vaccines, exemptions, religious beliefs, public health, workplace violence, healthcare facilities, definition expansion, safety regulations, health and safety code, health insurance, anesthesia, pediatric dental services, coverage, medical necessity

Transcript Highlights:

• In fact, currently, Medicaid, CHIP, TRICARE, and 30 other states require this coverage.
• If you would, state your name for the record, who you're with, and you may begin.
• I'm the VP of Public Policy for the Texas Assisted Living Association, known as TALA.
• located across the state.
• I'm the VP of Public Policy for the Texas Assisted Living Association.

Bills: SB227, SB269, SB407, SB463, SB527, SB547, SB1283, SB1380, SB1383, SB1511, SB1640, SB1784, SB2069

Keywords: school funding, education reform, state budget, property taxes, equity in education, healthcare policy, vaccines, exemptions, religious beliefs, public health, workplace violence, healthcare facilities, definition expansion, safety regulations, health and safety code, health insurance, anesthesia, pediatric dental services, coverage, medical necessity

Transcript Highlights:

• In fact, currently Medicaid, CHIP, Tricare, and 30 other states require this coverage.
• Thank you for what you do in your service to our state.
• If you would state your name for the record, who you're with, and you may begin.
• I'm the VP of public policy for the Texas Assisted Living Association, known as TALA.
• across the state.

Bills: SB 227, SB 269, SB 407, SB 463, SB 527, SB 547, SB 1283, SB 1380, SB 1383, SB 1511, SB 1640, SB 1784, SB 2069

Keywords: school funding, education reform, state budget, property taxes, equity in education, healthcare policy, vaccines, exemptions, religious beliefs, public health, workplace violence, healthcare facilities, definition expansion, safety regulations, health and safety code, health insurance, anesthesia, pediatric dental services, coverage, medical necessity

Transcript Highlights:

• When you began your testimony, you did not state who you're with. Could you state who you're with?
• Most other states, it's around 11 to 14 days.
• and Medicaid program.
• Appreciate it. services under any public benefits program.
• If it's not, we'll go with the state route. Right.

Bills: SB227, SB269, SB407, SB463, SB527, SB547, SB1283, SB1380, SB1383, SB1511, SB1640, SB1784, SB2069

Keywords: school funding, education reform, state budget, property taxes, equity in education, healthcare policy, vaccines, exemptions, religious beliefs, public health, workplace violence, healthcare facilities, definition expansion, safety regulations, health and safety code, health insurance, anesthesia, pediatric dental services, coverage, medical necessity

Summary: The Senate Committee on Health and Human Services met with several members initially absent, then later established a quorum. The committee heard multiple bills, with most testimony focusing on access to care, insurance practices, senior safety, and health care worker protections. Several bills were laid out with committee substitutes, and public testimony was limited to two minutes per witness. Most bills were left pending after testimony, with no final votes taken in the portion provided. Senate Bill 2069 would create a work group to study the feasibility of a statewide acute psychiatric bed registry; the substitute shifts appointment authority to the Health and Human Services Commissioner and extends reporting and sunset dates. Senate Bill 463 would expand workplace violence protections to additional hospice, home and community support, intermediate care, and state-supported living center settings. Senate Bill 1283 would require background checks and transparency measures for senior retirement communities after testimony about the Dallas-area serial killings of elderly residents. Senate Bill 1784 would require 60 days’ written notice before medical debt is sent to collections. Senate Bill 527 would require medical insurance coverage for general anesthesia for medically necessary pediatric dental procedures for children under 13 with qualifying conditions; pediatric dentists testified that denials delay needed care. A major portion of the meeting centered on prior authorization. Senate Bill 1380 would eliminate prior authorization for a broad list of services, including emergency, primary, mental health, substance use, chemotherapy, preventive, pediatric hospice, and certain chronic-condition care. Physicians and hospice advocates supported the bill, describing delays, administrative burden, and patient harm, while health plans opposed blanket exemptions and argued prior authorization helps prevent unnecessary care and control costs. Relatedly, Senate Bill 547 would require insurers to report gold-card prior authorization exemptions to TDI and create a centralized database and annual report; TMA supported better tracking, while health plans warned of duplicative reporting and administrative cost. Senate Bill 407 would require health care facilities to honor conscience- and religion-based vaccine exemptions for employees, with testimony from a physician and vaccine-choice advocate supporting the bill. The committee also heard Senate Bill 1383, which would regulate senior living referral agencies, allow more flexible compensation structures, and add disclosure and consumer protections; an out-of-state referral company and A Place for Mom supported it. Senate Bill 1511 would allow freestanding emergency centers to provide outpatient services in addition to emergency care, with consumer protections such as estimates, limits on facility fees, and restrictions on balance billing. The chair repeatedly announced that bills were being left pending after testimony, and no final committee action or recorded votes were taken in the transcript provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• One of them is a map of the United States.
• Showing the 32 states that have filed similar legislation.
• I think the state of Texas should have the option.
• , why do we put it outside the state treasury?
• The treasury is basically the checking book of the state of Texas.

Bills: SB 21, SB 72, SB 140, SB 262, SB 370, SB 372, SB 495, SB 627, SB 703, SB 764, SB 842

Keywords: cryptocurrency, bitcoin, investment reserve, economic resilience, financial security, vehicle rental, damage waiver, consumer rights, business regulations, refund policy, telephone solicitation, telemarketing, text message marketing, SMS marketing, robotext, spam text, consumer protection, deceptive trade practices, DTPA, Business & Commerce Code

Transcript Highlights:

• Alabama like 22 other states have.
• ... ...to arrest them on a state statute.
• Alabamians, lives in Birmingham and in other cities across the state.
• level and... address the issue at the state level, and the problem is growing.
• The constitution of the state of Alabama does not prohibit that you would not be guilty.

Bills: SB76, SB35, SB116, SB119, SB118, SB129, SB32, SB31, SB115, SB75, HB27, HB40

Keywords: jury duty, nursing mothers, exemption, legal rights, parental responsibilities, sexual extortion, criminal law, felony, threat, blackmail, SB116, machine gun conversion devices, switches, pistol conversion device, auto sear, firearm accessories, machine gun, automatic weapon, semiautomatic pistol, gun control

Transcript Highlights:

• And Lord, that our state, our great state, New Hampshire, the Granite State, would prosper in everything
• > great<00:14:04.240> state,<00:14:04.560> New that our state, our great state,
• . state. state.
• this state.
• free or die state. free or die state.

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I'm assistant director at the Office of State Lands and Investments.
• I'm the assistant state forester for operations with Wyoming State Forestry Division.
• I'm the assistant state forester for operations with Wyoming State Forestry Division.
• could actually lead in a that the state could actually lead in a management<02:42:53.439> program
• Uh, I think I stated earlier that if Congress isn't going to appropriate the money to run the program

Keywords: 916, all

Transcript Highlights:

• that we've established in law and has been in our state statutes and a program that people have been
• economic assistance economic assistance programs.<01:23:10.400> Um,<01:23:10.719> and<
• and child care assistance programs.
• There is no prohibition on kickbacks in the child care assistance program, but a number of other states
• I will also note that 36 other states have enacted criminal penalties for public assistance kickbacks

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• And all but two states in the country have applied for the program funding.
• So, I just think it's disingenuous to portray this as some kind of red state or blue state program.
• programs and against the interests of 46 total states who've applied for the program and are about to
• > blue<00:57:36.480> state<00:57:36.720> program.
• It's popular or blue state program.

Keywords: U.S. House of Representatives Floor Proceedings on Wednesday, February 25, 2026, 1012, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• What states? >> I can't give you a list of exactly what states have.
• What states? >> I can't give you a list of exactly what states have.
• The states expect the Congress expected the states to handle these equitably.
• under both HIPPA and state laws. under both HIPPA and state laws.
• malpractice lawsuit in New York State. malpractice lawsuit in New York State.

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• happening in the state of Minnesota. happening in the state of Minnesota.
• take away our guns in this state. take away our guns in this state.
• Uh, state patrol. So the state trooper has a take-home car.
• So the state trooper has a state patrol. So the state trooper has a take-home<02:28:22.319> car.
• state and across this country. state and across this country.

Keywords: 919, house, all

Summary: The House took up a motion to suspend the rules so House File 5140 could be recalled from committee, given second and third readings, and placed on passage. Representative Long and Representative Greenman argued the bill was an urgent, comprehensive gun violence prevention package that had already passed the Senate and should be acted on immediately in response to recent shootings, including Annunciation School, Burnsville, and Accent Signage. They said families, students, survivors, doctors, and community members had been pressing legislators to act, and Greenman described the bill as including mental health, intervention, anonymous threat reporting, bans on weapons of war, ghost guns, and binary triggers. Representative Heintzeman opposed the urgency motion and focused on specific bill language, arguing that parts of the proposal were unclear or overly broad. He questioned whether the language on protruding grips would effectively ban all handguns, whether the penalties section could turn lawful gun owners into felons for possessing multiple noncompliant items, and whether the firearms assembly language could criminalize routine cleaning and reassembly of guns. He said these issues should have been addressed in committee and argued members needed clearer answers before voting on urgency. Greenman responded that the language was intended to target additional protruding grips, not ordinary handgun grips, and said she was willing to adopt an amendment to clarify that point. On the penalties and assembly questions, she said the bill was aimed at certifying existing weapons, banning ghost guns, and preventing harm, and repeatedly urged members to vote for the urgency motion so the full bill could be considered. The exchange remained focused on the motion to suspend the rules and on the substance of the gun violence prevention package; no final vote or other action is shown in the transcript excerpt.

Transcript Highlights:

• States that submit waivers for the Medicaid programs could be up for congressional review under this
• Tomorrow, it could be a program or project in another state out of favor with Trump or the Republicans
• States that submit waivers for the Medicaid programs could be up for congressional review under this
• <04:33:33.760> programs<04:33:34.160> that invalidate other state programs that invalidate
• other state programs that they<04:33:34.561> deem<04:33:34.879> unfit<04:33:36.080>

Keywords: U.S. House of Representatives Floor Proceedings on Wednesday, April 30, 2025, 1012, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• It's imperative that we do all we can to support the existing residency programs here in the state.
• By establishing a financial assistance program that alleviates some of these barriers, we ensure that
• <02:00:54.880> program<02:00:55.239> that financial assistance program that financial
• I want to thank the State of Hawaiʻi for its support in past programs.
• > youth<03:40:49.479> program the state invested in our youth program the state invested

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Summary: The joint Ways and Means and Finance informational briefing on grants and aids was held February 14 and was organized as a high-volume public testimony session with strict procedures: no Q&A, one representative per applicant, one minute per testimony, in-person testimony first, and then Zoom participants. The chairs also announced a recess at 11:00 a.m. for floor sessions and a reconvening at 1:00 p.m. Testimony was heard first from neighbor island applicants, then Oʻahu applicants, with members repeatedly directing speakers to line up and keep remarks brief. Neighbor island testimony focused on a wide range of capital and operating requests. Health and community projects included Hawaii Island Community Health Center’s workforce housing in Kau, Wuli Hawaiian Homestead Association’s learning center and predevelopment work, Rescue Tube Foundation’s beach rescue tube expansion, Puna Community Medical Center’s planned hospital/ER campus, Maui Humane Society’s free veterinary care after the wildfires, Hawaiʻi Care Choices’ palliative care readiness, and the Lyman Museum’s HVAC replacement. Other requests included the Maui Advanced Manufacturing Alliance’s Pāʻia Mill redevelopment, Laua 2020’s preschool and learning lab, Mālama Aina’s USDA-compliant meat processing facility, the Hawaiian Lifeguard Association’s water safety programs, Kaha P Organization’s agriculture education support, Ohana Arts’ youth performance project, Friends of the Children’s Justice Center’s emergency closet, EOA Pacific’s Marshall Islands teacher training, and the Central Pacific Youth Athletic Club’s new facility. Oʻahu testimony included the YWCA Oʻahu/Pythink Center’s renovation of Juliet M. Atherton Hall and its community kitchen, West Oʻahu Community Health Center’s wildfire protection and security needs, the Early School’s playground improvements, Surfing the Nations’ food distribution center expansion, and Sounding Joy Music Therapy’s weekly services for people with disabilities. Speakers generally emphasized community benefit, workforce development, health access, food security, disaster recovery, and support for children, seniors, and underserved populations. No votes or formal committee actions were taken during the briefing.