Transcript Highlights:

• this<00:12:02.720> because<00:12:03.120> I<00:12:03.360> need<00:12:03.440
• > in<00:12:04.320> defense<00:12:04.720> of<00:12:04.959> some<00:12:05.200
• I don't<00:12:08.320> know<00:12:08.399> if<00:12:08.480> that's<00:12:08.720>
• <01:12:02.640> things<01:12:03.360> that<01:12:04.080> uh<01:12:04.239> were<
• c> them<01:12:12.080> as<01:12:12.400> well<01:12:12.560> at<01:12:12.800>

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• :00.440> to<00:12:00.600> a<00:12:00.760> higher<00:12:01.120> grade<00:12
• c><00:12:25.360> 25%<00:12:26.160> match<00:12:27.079> unfortunately<00:12:27.720
• 00:12:40.279> level<00:12:40.639> and<00:12:40.760> will<00:12:40.920> not
• > which<00:12:47.519> equates<00:12:47.880> to<00:12:48.000> about<00:12:
• /c><00:12:51.000> hourly<00:12:51.399> or<00:12:51.560> 89<00:12:52.079> day<

Keywords: 910, house, all

Summary: The Committee on Finance held informational briefings first with the Department of Defense on its FY 2026 budget request, then with the Hawaii School Facilities Authority. Major General Steve Logan outlined the Department of Defense request for $40.5 million in state funds, which he said would leverage about $74 million in federal matching funds and support 411 open projects that could attract up to $2.3 billion in additional federal grant money. He said the budget focuses on sustainment, safety, and reorganization in light of lessons from the Maui wildfires. Key requests included $1.3 million to sustain IT systems, $2.7 million for 32 HEMA emergency management positions, three new Hawaii Army National Guard positions plus four upgrades, and $1.9 million for the Youth Challenge Program to cover state-mandated fringe costs and staffing needs. He also reviewed capital improvement projects, including Youth Challenge facility upgrades, siren modernization, ADA improvements, building retrofits for disaster resilience, Army facility upgrades, a third state veterans home on Maui, HEMA EOC improvements, and a maintenance/fuel building at Diamond Head. Members asked about the siren modernization timeline, and HEMA said roughly 26 to 31 sirens would be modernized this year, with 15 on Maui, eight on Oahu, and eight on the Big Island. Questions also focused on Youth Challenge and Job Challenge enrollment and vacancies, with the department saying the Hilo Job Challenge Academy is growing and that combining Youth Challenge recruiting statewide into one Kilauea program has helped enrollment. Logan also answered questions about the New Year’s Eve medical transport mission, explaining the Hawaii Air National Guard’s relationship with active-duty Air Force assets and saying the flight cost is about $20,000 per flight hour, though the final bill had not yet been determined. On the Maui veterans home, staff said the University of Hawaii site was no longer viable after faculty senate opposition, so the department is now focused on a 10-acre Puna District site; the project remains tied to a certified $35 million state match and August 2025 and August 2026 federal suspense dates. Logan said the veterans home remains one of the department’s highest priorities, but it could not be moved higher in the submitted CIP ranking. The department also discussed a Governor’s add-on for a fire marshal/Office of Recovery and Resiliency proposal. Logan said the fire marshal position was reestablished last session but has not yet been filled, and that if the function is transferred to the Department of Defense, the department wants funding ready to move quickly. Staff later said the request would include about $1.1 million for seven positions and about $2.2 million for operating costs, though details were still preliminary. The committee then reconvened for the School Facilities Authority briefing, where Executive Director Ricky Fujitani described the agency as a startup created in 2020 to improve school and workforce housing development through standardized designs, prefabrication, best-value procurement, and public-private partnerships. He said Hawaii’s single school district still functions like 15 different districts because of its 264 schools across 15 complex areas, and that the authority’s goal is to create more efficient, maintainable, and cost-effective facilities.

Transcript Highlights:

• :02.800> camp<00:12:03.120> was<00:12:03.680> uh<00:12:04.640> excuse<00:
• <00:12:11.760> They<00:12:12.000> killed<00:12:12.240> them.
• They murdered<00:12:12.959> them<00:12:13.680> and<00:12:13.920> it<00:12:14.160
• never<00:12:54.639> forget<00:12:55.760> like<00:12:55.920> the tight.
• > both<00:12:56.959> felt<00:12:57.200> in<00:12:57.360> our<00:12:57.519>

Keywords: 919, house, all

Summary: State Rep. Samakab Hussein and other Minnesota lawmakers held a press event focused on allegations of ICE misconduct in St. Paul and surrounding communities, using the case of Nasra Ahmed, a 23-year-old U.S. citizen, as the central example. Hussein and others said Ahmed was detained for two days, denied clear explanation and legal representation, and suffered trauma and injuries; Ahmed described being taken from a predominantly Somali neighborhood, called a racial slur, and physically restrained, while her father said the experience was unacceptable for any citizen or resident. Several lawmakers, including Reps. María Isa Pérez-Vega, Mahmud Nur, Dave Pinto, and St. Paul City Council Member Anika Buouie, said they were drafting or supporting legislation and local responses to provide behavioral health, mental health, and emergency assistance for affected families and businesses. They also said they were hearing from teachers, faith leaders, and community members about fear, disrupted work and school attendance, and broader economic harm, and that St. Paul’s city council would pursue a letter to Gov. Walz seeking an eviction moratorium. The speakers alleged that ICE actions were unlawful, racially targeted, and in some cases in violation of a recent federal court order limiting certain tactics. They urged people to document incidents, call 911, and use an attorney general portal to report constitutional-rights violations so data could be collected. No formal vote was taken at the event, but the lawmakers said they were working with county and state officials and referenced ongoing lawsuits and possible future court orders.

Transcript Highlights:

• House Bill<00:12:17.760> 422,<00:12:19.040> which<00:12:19.279> has<00:12:19.519
• <00:12:25.920> the<00:12:26.160> citizens<00:12:26.560> of<00:12:26.800>
• This<00:12:28.240> bill<00:12:28.480> was<00:12:28.720> built<00:12:29.040><
• And we have<00:12:43.680> 62<00:12:44.240> co-sponsors<00:12:45.200> last<00:12:
• The<00:12:47.200> purpose<00:12:47.440> of<00:12:47.680> House<00:12:48.000>

Keywords: 958, all

Summary: The House Judiciary Committee met to consider two major bills. First, House Bill 521, relating to stalking, was presented by Majority Leader Steven Rudy with testimony from the Kentucky Association of Sexual Assault Programs. Supporters said Kentucky’s stalking laws need updating to address modern electronic and technology-based stalking and to better protect victims of persistent, ongoing harassment. Members asked about fiscal impact and prison costs; Rudy said the bill was mainly a statutory update and should have no new prison impact. The committee then voted 17-0 to pass HB 521 with favorable expression. The committee next took up House Bill 422, known as Logan’s Law, which was presented by Rep. Dan Fister and Rep. T.J. Roberts with emotional testimony from George Typton, father of Logan Typton. The bill responds to the 2015 murder of Logan Typton and seeks to revise Kentucky’s insanity defense, limit mandatory re-entry supervision for certain violent offenses, require consecutive sentences for multiple victims, and change life-without-parole rules so juries can impose it more directly in intentional murder cases. Typton described the crime and argued the current system failed his family; several members expressed sympathy and support. After a committee substitute was adopted, Roberts explained that the substitute preserved an insanity defense modeled on Alaska’s rule, rather than abolishing it, and clarified that a defendant must be unable to appreciate the nature of their actions due to mental illness or intellectual disability. He also said the bill would ensure consistency in insanity verdicts across multiple counts and provide treatment options for those found guilty but mentally ill. Rep. Marzian raised concerns about mental health funding, prison costs, and corrections impacts, while Scott West of the Kentucky Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers warned the bill could reduce plea bargaining flexibility and slow the courts if sentencing becomes more automatic. The bill remained under consideration after testimony, with no final vote shown in the transcript.

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:12:00.640> We<00:12:00.880> want<00:12:01.040> to<00:12:01.200> be
• Uh<00:12:03.279> and<00:12:03.440> that<00:12:03.600> is<00:12:03.680> the
• 00:12:09.680> know<00:12:09.920> also<00:12:10.240> is<00:12:10.480> that
• you know<00:12:11.120> UL<00:12:11.600> is<00:12:11.760> only<00:12:11.920>
• 12:22.880> made<01:12:23.920> and<01:12:25.280> um<01:12:25.920> if<01:12

Keywords: 958, all

Summary: The committee met with a full quorum and approved the prior minutes. Members offered introductions of guests and family members, then heard a presentation from University of Louisville President Thomas Jared Bradley, who was sworn in before testifying. He described his background and outlined U of L’s strategic priorities: student success, access and affordability, workforce development, community engagement, and research. Bradley highlighted enrollment growth, increases in first-generation and Pell-eligible students, strong transfer pathways with KCTCS, and support programs such as the Cardinal Commitment Grant, 15-to-Finish, Comeback Cards, tutoring, mentoring, and mental health services. Bradley also emphasized U of L’s statewide and regional impact through UofL Health, rural outreach, the Bullitt County rural cancer education and research center, nursing expansion, and the Kentucky Manufacturing Extension Partnership program. He noted major institutional distinctions, including R1 status, a new Carnegie Opportunity College and University designation, and community-engaged classification. He said the university is one of only 10 public universities nationwide with all three designations and reported record enrollment, improved retention, and strong research expenditures. He also thanked lawmakers for significant capital and operating support, including funding for the simulation center, health science center, asset preservation, and the MEP program. During questions, members praised the university’s public service role and asked about first-generation enrollment, retention, graduation rates, and post-graduation outcomes. Bradley said the university is working to improve completion by expanding academic support, early alerts, incentives for tutoring, and faculty/advisor mentoring, especially for first-generation and high-need students. He acknowledged that post-graduation employment data is difficult to collect but said the new Carnegie classification reflects positive outcomes. No votes were taken beyond approving the minutes, and no formal actions were taken on legislation in this portion of the meeting.

Transcript Highlights:

• > hospitals<00:12:39.520> that<00:12:39.680> are<00:12:39.800> also<00:12
• <00:12:43.000> We<00:12:43.200> have<00:12:43.320> got<00:12:43.520> to
• c><00:12:43.600> come<00:12:43.800> up<00:12:44.000> with<00:12:44.440> a
• > new<00:12:46.120> means<00:12:47.200> um<00:12:47.600> to<00:12:47.720>
• > our<00:12:48.200> hospitals<00:12:48.640> stay<00:12:48.839> open<00:12

Keywords: 918, senate, all

Summary: The program reviewed the end of Minnesota’s 94th Legislature and featured interviews with Senate Majority Leader Erin Murphy and Minority Leader Mark Johnson about the session’s major outcomes. Murphy said Senate Democrats used their one-seat advantage to advance priorities including emergency rental assistance, immigration enforcement, stabilization of HCMC, gun violence prevention, and a $1.2 billion infrastructure/bonding bill. She also highlighted a one-year reduction in vehicle tab fees, some property tax and business tax relief, and the creation of an independent Office of Inspector General, while saying more should have been done on lead pipe replacement and that some work was delayed by House inaction and federal policy changes. Murphy argued the session was shaped by a divided legislature and by negotiations that often happened late and behind closed doors, which she said made the process frustrating and left some Senate proposals without House counterparts. She said the Senate also worked on protecting Medicaid and SNAP from federal cuts and on stabilizing hospitals, especially HCMC and rural facilities. She described the gun violence and immigration debates as examples where bipartisan demands did not match what she saw as the needs of Minnesotans, and said the state should return to more public conference committee negotiations next session. Johnson said Senate Republicans focused on fraud prevention, affordability, and education. He pointed to the Inspector General bill and the “Take It Back Act” as major bipartisan wins, and said Republicans used their leverage to secure the tab fee reduction and other tax relief. He also said the caucus wanted stronger protections against fraud without harming legitimate service providers, and criticized DFL priorities on government growth and education outcomes. Both leaders said relationships across the aisle improved over the session, though they differed sharply on how much was accomplished and what should be prioritized next year.

Transcript Highlights:

• > uh<00:12:12.320> former<00:12:12.720> executive<00:12:13.160> counselor
• :12:16.440> Alex<00:12:16.760> hang<00:12:17.680> of<00:12:17.800> the<00
• <00:12:21.639> they<00:12:21.760> are<00:12:21.920> with<00:12:22.079> us
• to<00:12:25.639> the<00:12:25.800> New<00:12:26.000> Hampshire<00:12:26.399>
• c><00:12:41.560> attend<00:12:41.839> to<00:12:42.000> a<00:12:42.519> resolution

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• 12:23.279> maintain<00:12:23.680> their<00:12:24.000> same<00:12:24.560> level
• on<00:12:28.079> to<00:12:28.240> something<00:12:28.880> so<00:12:29.040><
• <00:12:36.079> uh<00:12:36.320> states<00:12:36.639> in<00:12:36.800> the
• >> Well,<00:12:38.079> they're<00:12:38.639> the<00:12:38.959> other<00:12
• >> I<00:12:48.480> guess<00:12:48.639> I'm<00:12:48.880> not<00:12:49.040>

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• > and<00:12:06.880> over<00:12:07.120> and<00:12:07.240> over<00:12:08.120
• you keep digging<00:12:08.880> your<00:12:09.000> heels<00:12:09.320> in<00:12:
• <00:12:15.480> So<00:12:16.120> I<00:12:16.160> just<00:12:16.360> want
• Um Um Um I<00:12:32.400> would<00:12:32.520> like<00:12:32.680> to<00:12:32.760>
• make<00:12:32.960> a<00:12:33.000> motion<00:12:33.400> if<00:12:33.560>

Keywords: 958, all

Summary: The committee first reviewed several Fish and Wildlife regulations. Staff explained amendments to 301 KAR 2:176, 4:112, and 6:030, including updating wildlife control tag language, creating an impoundment agent program for seized wildlife, and clarifying boating safety rules. A member raised a concern about boat wakes near docks, and staff said the commission had recently voted on related changes that were not yet included because the regulation had been filed earlier; those changes would have to come back later. The committee approved the staff amendments without objection. The Board of Veterinary Examiners then presented 201 KAR 16:767, which would require veterinary managers to be physically present during business hours and limit them to five registered facilities. Board representatives said they had tried to meet with affected parties before the hearing but had not reached agreement. A representative for Kentucky Pet IQ argued the rule was written for full-service hospitals and would be impractical for short, limited-service clinics that only provide vaccinations, preventive care, and parasite testing. Members expressed concern about the rule’s impact on veterinary access in underserved areas, and the committee voted to defer the regulation until the next month so the parties could continue negotiating. The committee next considered Transportation Cabinet 601 KAR 9:120, the online insurance verification system, in both ordinary and emergency form. The chair said staff had identified conflicts with a bill passed the prior year and moved to find the regulations deficient. The motion passed on a roll call vote, with six ayes and two pass votes. The committee then found ordinary ABC regulations 804 KAR 12:020 and 12:030 deficient as well, again by six ayes and two pass votes, after noting that the emergency versions had already been found deficient the previous month. Finally, the committee reviewed Cabinet for Health and Family Services 902 KAR 55:110, which would require veterinarians to report dispensed controlled substances to KASPER while exempting administered medications. OIG staff said the rule was meant to align regulation with statute, which includes veterinarians as prescribers, and emphasized that the reporting duty applies to prescriptions, not administration to animals. Some members supported the change as a needed anti-diversion measure, while others worried about implementation burdens and timing. After discussion, the committee found the regulation deficient by a 6-2 vote. The meeting then moved into full review of 922 KAR 1:565, a Department for Community Based Services rule implementing kinship care provisions from Senate Bill 151; staff said it was needed for implementation once funding is available, but a member criticized the two-year delay and the inclusion of language conditioning implementation on funding. A public witness from the Kinship Families Coalition argued the rule should not shift the 120-day application window in a way that could affect federal funding eligibility and urged the committee to reject the regulation as written.

Transcript Highlights:

• septic and<00:12:10.680> well<00:12:11.160> pumped<00:12:11.560> electric<00:12
• <00:12:31.720> courts<00:12:32.720> racket<00:12:33.240> balls<00:12:34.120>
• c> so<00:12:39.560> it<00:12:39.800> has<00:12:40.000> been<00:12:40.240>
• something<01:12:22.199> uh<01:12:22.400> like<01:12:22.600> this<01:12:22.719><
• and<01:12:43.800> I<01:12:43.920> don't<01:12:44.080> know<01:12:44.199>

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• is<00:12:03.920> geared<00:12:04.320> around<00:12:04.880> section<00:12:06.079
• >> It<00:12:18.320> does<00:12:18.560> not<00:12:19.120> deal<00:12:19.600
• deal with anyone um<00:12:22.399> who<00:12:23.760> does<00:12:24.079> not<00:12
• <00:12:27.760> as<00:12:28.079> in<00:12:28.480> section<00:12:29.040> 15
• 00:12:35.120> well<00:12:35.440> actually<00:12:35.760> we<00:12:36.000> can<

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The committee met in executive session to consider HB 314, which would prohibit the use of federal, state, or local funds for lobbying activities. Representative Turkot offered a replace-all amendment intended to be a compromise measure focused on transparency and local control. He explained that the amendment narrows the bill to registered lobbyists, clarifies that public officials and employees who are not required to register as lobbyists are not restricted from testifying, and adds a process allowing municipalities to opt in to lobbying-related spending if approved locally and disclosed in annual reports. He also said the amendment was designed to address confusion he believes has been caused by misinformation about the bill’s effect on municipalities and associations. Committee members raised repeated concerns about how the amendment would apply to school districts, cooperative districts, counties, and other associations beyond the New Hampshire Municipal Association. Turkot and others said the language in RSA 15 and the added references to RSA 318-A were intended to cover lobbying entities generally, while the NHMA section was included because it is separately addressed in statute. Several members questioned whether the amendment’s intent was clear enough without explicit references to schools and counties, and whether the committee should have held a public hearing on the substantially revised language. Supporters argued the amendment was clear, that school districts and municipalities are distinct legal entities, and that cooperative districts could handle the issue through their existing annual-report and voting processes. The discussion also covered how local approval would work, including whether the proposal would require an opt-in vote and how county budgets would reflect lobbying-related dues or expenses. Members noted that in cooperative districts and county settings, approval would likely be handled through existing budget or annual report procedures, with majority vote rules applying where relevant. No final vote on the amendment or bill is reflected in the transcript excerpt, but the committee spent most of the session debating the scope, clarity, and transparency requirements of the proposed changes.

Transcript Highlights:

• > where<00:12:29.199> we<00:12:29.279> have<00:12:29.440> seen<00:12:29.680
• about<00:12:32.720> it<00:12:33.240> um<00:12:33.519> it's<00:12:33.680> too
• :12:38.399> um<00:12:39.120> from<00:12:39.360> Dartmouth<00:12:39.920> come<
• ><00:12:50.880> Provisions<00:12:51.440> right<00:12:51.560> now<00:12:51.760>
• ><00:12:54.000> we<00:12:54.160> have<00:12:54.320> it<00:12:54.519> now<

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The subcommittee continued work on HB 553, a bipartisan bill to update the child protection act’s definitions, especially around abuse, neglect, psychological maltreatment, and serious impairment. Supporters said the current law is outdated, vague, and too limited to address modern child welfare concerns, and argued the bill is intended to create clearer standards for DCF/DCYF, courts, and parents without adding criminal penalties or expanding authority to remove children. They also noted the bill had been developed over months of bipartisan work and that similar concepts exist in other states; a committee researcher had circulated a comparison of 17 states with prenatal and substance-use-related provisions. A major focus was whether the bill should include a more explicit definition of emotional abuse. Some members argued that the bill’s current language is not specific enough and could leave parents without fair notice, while others said the bill already addresses the issue through definitions of psychological maltreatment, emotional harm, and serious impairment. Office of Child Advocate staff explained that the drafting process intentionally avoided defining every emotional-abuse term separately and instead used a pattern-based psychological maltreatment standard with examples such as threatening, demeaning, humiliating, and belittling behavior. They said those provisions were drawn from other states and were meant to fill gaps seen in cases involving severe emotional harm and injured infants. The committee also discussed trauma-informed language related to substance use disorder and pregnancy. Members said the amendment was intended to avoid discouraging pregnant people with substance use disorder from seeking medical care, while still allowing intervention when a child is substance-exposed; they noted the proposal would include an exemption when a licensed health care provider is monitoring the pregnancy. Several members emphasized that the bill is meant to protect children while also giving parents clearer notice of prohibited conduct, and one member raised concerns about how the bill could affect other legislation dealing with criminal neglect. No vote or final action was taken in the portion of the meeting provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• :06.040> quite<00:12:06.360> large<00:12:07.079> uh<00:12:07.320> we<00:12
• 00:12:09.320> of<00:12:09.480> about<00:12:09.639> $1.4<00:12:10.399> million
• <00:12:18.720> also<00:12:18.959> had<00:12:19.079> a<00:12:19.160> lot
• 10 best places<00:12:50.199> to<00:12:50.360> visit<00:12:50.600> in<00:12:50.720
• <00:12:58.839> that<00:12:58.920> we<00:12:59.240> work<00:12:59.399> on<

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Summary: Explore Minnesota Executive Director Lauren Bennett McGinty gave the committee an agency overview focused on the state’s tourism, livability, business attraction, film, and outdoor recreation promotion work. She highlighted record 2023 tourism results, including 80.2 million visitors, $4.1 billion in economic impact, more than 180,000 hospitality jobs, and $2.3 billion in state and local taxes, and said tourism sales, hotel occupancy, and other metrics continued to improve. She also described the agency’s marketing strategy, including a new campaign centered on authentic Minnesota stories, expanded domestic and international advertising, and a strong emphasis on winter, diverse markets, and accessibility. McGinty reviewed several one-time-funded programs launched or expanded in the last year, including Explore Minnesota for Business, the tourism recovery grant program, the first Tribal Nations Grant program, and the outdoor recreation industry partnership with IRRR, DEED, and DNR. She said the recovery grants had distributed $1.15 million to 110 grantees, the tribal grant program had spent $1.4 million with eight tribal nations, and outdoor recreation was estimated at $13.5 billion annually with 10.5% growth. She also noted strong media and social media results, including a viral Timberwolves-related campaign, high video completion rates, and increased website traffic. In response to committee questions, McGinty said the workforce and business attraction campaign is aimed at showing why people choose to live and work in Minnesota, using stories from newer residents and businesses, and that it is performing well in markets such as Silicon Valley, Boston, and Seattle. She said the agency is investing more in winter advertising to promote Minnesota as a winter destination and is working with partners to highlight activities beyond outdoor cold-weather recreation. Members also discussed the agency’s new film program, resident retention efforts, and a planned music-themed tourism ad tied to Prince and Bob Dylan. No votes or formal actions were taken.

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:12:29.040> The<00:12:29.200> eyes<00:12:29.519> have<00:12:29.680> it
• >> We<00:12:34.560> have<00:12:34.639> reports<00:12:34.959> on<00:12:35.120
• >> Is<00:12:47.680> there<00:12:47.839> objection<00:12:48.240> to<00:12:48.480
• Hearing<00:12:51.440> none,<00:12:51.680> Madam<00:12:52.000> Clerk,<00:12:52.320
• 12:50.239> it<01:12:50.320> up,<01:12:50.480> make<01:12:50.640> the<01:12

Keywords: MS House Floor - 4 February, 2026; 10:00 AM, 925, all

Summary: The House convened with prayer and the pledge, established a quorum, dispensed with reading the journal and bill introductions, and then moved through announcements recognizing visitors in the galleries, including cancer advocacy groups, Mississippi Math and Science School students, a gospel choir, Leadership Greater Jackson, and other guests. Members also made several commendations, including recognition of Elena Johnson’s softball accomplishments and a student’s appointment to West Point. On the general calendar, the House passed House Bill 1076, the SAVE Act of 2026, by a vote of 122-0. The bill is described as a consumer protection measure for veterans that prohibits pay-to-refer arrangements, tightens standards for paid claims assistance, requires written agreements and limits upfront or nonrefundable fees, and adds privacy and disclosure safeguards. The House also passed House Bill 223, designating a segment of Highway 537 as the Sergeant John Howard Tanner Memorial Highway, by 122-0. The chamber then passed House Bill 1112, which revises state aid road division laws to expand purchasing authority, increase authorized vehicles, and allow unused county road funds to be reallocated after a period of time, by 120-1. House Bill 737, with an adopted amendment, allows Medicaid providers to repay certain non-fraud overpayments in installments when immediate repayment would cause hardship and aligns the repayment timeline with federal law; it passed 116-0. The House also passed House Bill 479 on marriage and family therapy and psychology licensure changes, adopting an amendment that extends the time to verify credentials for out-of-state applicants and provides a temporary license, by 121-0. Additional bills passed included House Bill 991 on third-party registration systems for used motor vehicle parts dealers and scrap metal processors (118-0), House Bill 1072 creating voluntary portable benefits accounts for independent contractors (119-0), House Bill 1137 revising CPA licensure education and experience requirements (118-1), House Bill 571 extending the foreign-national contribution ban to ballot measures (111-1), House Bill 630 allowing certain county electors to serve as municipal poll managers in small municipalities (113-4), House Bill 858 requiring election equipment internet connectivity to be disabled on election day (116-1), House Bill 788 changing how affidavit ballots can update voter registration information, with an amendment adopted, (115-3), and House Bill 908 tying Mississippi’s mail-ballot counting rule to the outcome of pending federal litigation so state and local races would be treated the same if the current federal-race rule is struck down (the bill was under discussion at the end of the excerpt).

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:12:24.079> the<00:12:24.800> the<00:12:25.279> value<00:12:25.839> of
• > they<00:12:28.639> end<00:12:29.040> up<00:12:29.920> on<00:12:31.360><
• <00:12:49.440> Uh<00:12:49.760> she<00:12:50.079> came<00:12:50.320> in
• 12:52.959> a<00:12:53.760> large<00:12:54.160> jar<00:12:54.639> of many
• 12:55.920> proceeded<00:12:56.480> to<00:12:56.880> dump<00:12:57.200> them

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• /c><00:12:06.160> in<00:12:06.399> here,<00:12:06.720> it<00:12:06.959> was
• So, that is a<00:12:21.440> lot<00:12:21.600> of<00:12:21.760> work<00:12:22.320
• > um<00:12:22.480> a<00:12:22.720> lot<00:12:22.800> of<00:12:22.880>
• <00:12:23.920> We<00:12:24.079> need<00:12:24.240> it<00:12:24.399> to
• <00:12:26.399> not<00:12:26.639> go<00:12:27.000> away,<00:12:28.000> you

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The Environment and Agriculture Committee held a hearing on a non-germane amendment to SB 302, a Senate bill originally requiring background checks for solid waste and hazardous waste facility owners. Representative Patenza explained that the amendment was intended to preserve and separate out language developed for the governor’s budget proposal and HB 2 concerning a solid waste facility site evaluation committee, a moratorium, and related public-benefit/site-benefit provisions, so the policy would still have a vehicle if the budget language did not advance. He said the proposal reflects extensive work by the House, the governor’s office, and DES, and he was open to further changes to align with any budget conference committee outcome. Dr. Adam Finkele testified in support of the amendment and the underlying site evaluation concept, arguing that landfill siting decisions should be based on cost-benefit analysis that includes public harms, local impacts, and regional impacts rather than only private benefits. He praised the committee process and prior legislation requiring agencies to respond substantively to public comments, and said the new language improves on the governor’s version by moving the committee’s review earlier in the process and requiring more complete application information, including alternatives and impacts on nearby wells and aquifers. He also supported a three-year moratorium on new landfill applications, saying it would give the state time to address leachate, PFAS, waste reduction, and weak siting rules. Members asked about possible conference committee changes, the value of having a separate review body, and whether the new rules would invite litigation. Dr. Finkele said he would likely sue over the rules because he считает them too weak, but also said the legislature could fix the problems through other bills such as HB 77. He acknowledged that the site evaluation committee is not a perfect solution, but said it is a useful intermediate step between the agency and the courts and likely would meet only rarely if capacity need remains the main trigger for future landfill decisions. No vote or final action was taken during the hearing.

Transcript Highlights:

• place<01:12:06.480> as<01:12:06.800> they<01:12:06.960> are<01:12:07.520>
• If you're<01:12:12.719> going<01:12:12.880> to<01:12:12.960> repair<01:12:13.199
• If you<01:12:15.440> repair<01:12:15.679> under<01:12:15.920> the<01:12:16.080><
• So,<01:12:17.360> basically,<01:12:17.840> we<01:12:18.159> will<01:12:18.400>
• for<01:12:21.120> expansion,<01:12:21.840> not<01:12:22.000> for<01:12:22.640><

Keywords: 910, house, all

Summary: The committee heard testimony on several shoreline easement resolutions and a water-supply study resolution. For the easement measures, the Department of Land and Natural Resources supported each item, and testimony also came from affected landowners and community members. Members asked about why some easements were granted gratis to public agencies, with DLNR explaining that those cases involved public infrastructure such as stormwater management and did not require bonds or rent. For private properties, DLNR described the standard process of monthly rent during the legislative approval gap, followed by a one-time appraised payment for a 25-year easement once the appraisal is completed. A substantial portion of the discussion focused on shoreline erosion and whether hardened shoreline structures or seawalls were contributing to beach loss. On one measure, DLNR explained that a large sandbag shoreline structure was tied to a nearby boat harbor that had altered sand movement over time, causing flanking erosion on adjacent unarmored property. On another, DLNR said a wall built under a valid 1960s permit was originally a boundary or landscaping wall, but now functions as a seawall as the shoreline has migrated landward. Members raised concerns about fairness, public beach access, and whether adjacent owners should share costs, and DLNR responded that shoreline matters are handled parcel by parcel under existing statute. The committee also heard support for a resolution creating a task force or study on desalination. DLNR’s Commission on Water Resource Management supported the intent but asked for more time to complete a comprehensive report, noting the work would require substantial staffing and coordination. The Board of Water Supply and CARES also testified in support, with CARES emphasizing future water-supply needs, cultural and historic preservation concerns, and the importance of coordinating with other agencies. DLNR said it would rely on existing studies and work with county agencies and the Department of Health. No votes or final committee actions were taken during the portion of the hearing provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• :00.519> uh<00:12:01.160> a<00:12:01.399> the<00:12:01.480> a19<00:12:02.200
• > to<00:12:02.360> the<00:12:02.440> a19<00:12:03.120> thank<00:12:03.279
• :03.639> chair<00:12:04.200> uh<00:12:04.480> I<00:12:04.600> would<00:12
• <00:12:06.800> from<00:12:06.920> a<00:12:07.040> bill<00:12:07.279> that
• :12:41.279> grades<00:12:41.600> 9<00:12:41.920> through<00:12:42.120> 12

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• :43.279> to<00:12:43.440> single<00:12:43.680> out<00:12:43.839> the<00:12
• for<00:12:45.200> over<00:12:45.360> a<00:12:45.519> dozen<00:12:45.839>
• Yeah.<00:12:50.000> We<00:12:50.240> will<00:12:50.399> work<00:12:50.560> with
• 12:54.000> in<00:12:54.240> those<00:12:54.399> areas<00:12:54.720> and their
• ><00:12:55.279> there's<00:12:55.519> any<00:12:56.160> ability<00:12:56.720>

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• 12:38.040> are<00:12:38.199> very<00:12:38.399> stressful<00:12:39.199> as
• > a<00:12:41.560> number<00:12:41.880> of<00:12:42.120> standardized<00:12
• c> test<00:12:45.040> a<00:12:45.560> SAT<00:12:46.079> P<00:12:46.639> all
• of those<00:12:47.279> things<00:12:48.279> um<00:12:48.560> I've<00:12:48.800>
• <00:12:57.199> spent<00:12:57.480> on<00:12:57.680> preparation<00:12:58.120

Keywords: 1187, senate, all