Video & Transcript : 'community preparedness' :
Page 229 of 500
MA
Massachusetts 2025-2026 Regular Session
Joint Committee on Higher Education Jun 21st, 2026 at 01:00 pm
Joint Committee on Higher Education
Transcript Highlights:
- big fan of community colleges.
- I, too, am a fan of community college.
- These funds are crucial to community colleges.
- the environmental justice communities that we sit in.
- as Roxbury Community College, in these green skills.
Committee:
Joint Joint Committee on Higher Education
Summary:
The Joint Committee on Higher Education held its second public hearing of the 194th General Court on capital investments in higher education, focusing primarily on H.54, the Bright Act, along with H.1426/S.949 on green and healthy public colleges and universities and deferred maintenance, and H.1424 on capital investment in Gateway Cities. Chairs and administration officials framed the hearing as a response to aging campus infrastructure, climate goals, workforce needs, and federal pressures on higher education, and explained that testimony would be taken from pre-registered speakers in person and virtually.
University of Massachusetts leaders strongly supported the Bright Act, describing large deferred maintenance backlogs, aging buildings, and the need to decarbonize campuses while modernizing research and teaching facilities. UMass officials said the bill would help keep tuition and fees lower by reducing the need for campuses to finance capital work themselves, and argued that the investments would improve competitiveness, support research, and create construction jobs. Governor Healey, Lieutenant Governor Driscoll, Secretary of Education Tuttweiler, and Secretary of Administration and Finance Gorzkowicz also backed the bill, saying it would leverage Fair Share surtax revenues for a proposed $2.5 billion in campus investments plus additional targeted grants, and that it would support affordability, economic growth, and climate resilience.
Committee members asked about the balance between deferred maintenance and decarbonization, the role of grant programs versus direct spending, the impact on tuition and fees, and how the plan would help campuses respond to federal cuts such as NIH and NSF funding. Administration officials said the proposal was designed to be phased in quickly, with some projects ready to start immediately and others taking longer, and that the grant programs would be structured to include all campuses equitably. They also said the plan would build on an existing financing model similar to the Commonwealth Transportation Fund and could help campuses avoid future tuition increases tied to capital costs.
Additional testimony came from MassBay Community College, where President David Podell and recent nursing graduate Deanna Cavazos described the benefits of a new Framingham campus building and said community colleges need modern labs, better planning capacity, and deferred maintenance support to serve the enrollment growth from MassReconnect and MassEducate. State university leaders, including President Mary Grant, President Linda Thompson, and President John Keenan, said their campuses face outdated classrooms, insufficient electrical capacity, and aging facilities, and urged passage of the Bright Act as a long-overdue investment in student success and workforce preparation.
ND
North Dakota 2026 1st Special Session
Human Services Committee May 27th, 2026
Human Services Committee
Transcript Highlights:
- It seems to be a concern primarily in our urban communities, but also in some of our rural communities
- and community land trust.
- So they're making this step to be able to reenter the community and engage with other people in the community
- I work with individuals in the deaf community who use ASL as their first mode of communication, or their
- language of communication.
Committee:
Joint Human Services Committee
Summary:
The committee first approved the February 11, 2026 minutes and then received an update from the North Dakota Housing Finance Agency on the interagency council on homelessness and continuum of care funding. Testimony described rising homelessness tied to tight housing markets, low incomes, aging homelessness, barriers to rental assistance and public benefits, and limited shelter and case-management capacity. Members discussed the need for more affordable housing, continued one-time funding for the North Dakota Homeless Grant and Housing Incentive Fund, better coordination with Health and Human Services on economic assistance and human service zones, landlord engagement, recovery housing, and reentry housing. The committee also heard that federal continuum of care funding remains uncertain, with possible shifts away from permanent supportive housing and housing-first models; members asked for a future update on the impact if federal rules reduce the share available for permanent housing.
The committee then took testimony on accessibility of government services for people who are blind or visually impaired. Paul Olson of North Dakota Vision Services School for the Blind described current screening and service delivery, including infant referrals, regional staff, short-term programs, and collaboration with vocational rehabilitation. He said the targeted screening system is working, recommended maintaining the current model, and noted ongoing challenges with staffing, public awareness, and accessible state websites and documents. Public testimony from a visually impaired resident and a deaf resident emphasized barriers such as CAPTCHAs, inaccessible PDFs, employment forms that screen out applicants based on driver’s license status, shortages of interpreters, and the need for video remote interpreting and video relay services, along with training for users and agencies.
Finally, the committee heard a final report on the study of child care provider licensing from HHS Early Childhood Director Kay Larson. The report summarized provider input and committee discussion on simplifying North Dakota’s child care licensing structure, reducing administrative burden, and balancing that with health and safety standards. Key topics included licensing categories, child care assistance eligibility, food program sponsorship, staff qualifications, training requirements, ratios and group size, age bands, and preschool exemptions. The committee’s recommendations included streamlining to three provider types plus a preschool designation, revising ratio and age-band rules, and carrying forward certain preschool outdoor-space exemptions. Larson noted that any changes would require statutory changes, rulemaking, and a transition period before new licensing rules could take effect.
CA
California 2025-2026 Regular Session
Assembly Public Safety Committee Apr 14th, 2026
Transcript Highlights:
- It will be not wealthy communities, but it will be Black, brown, and low-income communities who are already
- And honestly, all of this is because my community, the Jewish community, isn't safe right now in their
- communities.
- So this can happen to any community.
- These remaining fees fall hardest on low-income communities and communities of color, creating barriers
Summary:
The committee heard a long agenda of public safety bills, with several measures pulled off calendar and one consent calendar adopted. AB 2419 by Assembly Member Quirk-Silva would extend body-worn cameras to Los Angeles County juvenile probation officers. Supporters said cameras would improve accountability, youth and officer safety, and public trust; opponents argued the bill would not solve deeper problems in juvenile halls and raised concerns about officer discretion, privacy, and labor issues. The bill passed to Appropriations on a roll call vote.
AB 1902 by Assembly Member Pellerin, co-sponsored by Santa Cruz County, would revise the juvenile detention extension hearing process in response to the Madison Middleton case. Supporters, including the victim’s mother and county officials, said the bill would clarify jurisdiction, allow continuances, permit hearsay at the probable cause stage, extend the maximum detention period, and better protect the public and victims from repeated trauma. Opponents from public defender, youth justice, and civil liberties groups argued the bill expands civil commitment, reduces review frequency, and could lead to inappropriate adult placement. The committee approved the bill to Appropriations, with some members noting remaining concerns.
AB 2052 by Assembly Member Stephanie would allow continuity in prosecution for elder and dependent adult abuse cases, including a limited continuance so the same prosecutor can stay with a case. Supporters said older victims and those with dementia or other impairments benefit from a single point of contact and less repeated trauma; opponents said the bill could undermine speedy-trial rights and was broader than necessary. The bill passed to Judiciary. AB 1588, also by Assembly Member Stephanie, would strengthen sideshow and street takeover enforcement by adding motorcycles and dirt bikes to the law and increasing penalties. Supporters framed it as a public safety and accountability measure, while opponents warned it would expand punishment, surveillance, and fines without addressing root causes; the bill was sent to Transportation on a roll call vote. AB 1753, another Stephanie bill, would tighten firearm relinquishment and protective-order enforcement, expand remote hearing access, and align firearm prohibitions across protective order categories; it passed to Judiciary. The committee also heard AB 1739 by Assembly Member Ward, which would criminalize clergy sexual exploitation when clergy provide therapeutic services, with survivors and advocates testifying in support.
MN
Transcript Highlights:
- </c> community. I knew Josh from a young age. community. I knew Josh from a young age.
- > raised</c> the community.
- The community has raised the community.
- </c> honor and such love for our community. honor and such love for our community.
- Thank you for being here. community spirit. From its early days as community spirit.
CA
California 2025-2026 Regular Session
Assembly Budget Subcommittee No. 6 on Public Safety Apr 7th, 2025
Transcript Highlights:
- We are communicating. We are interacting with everyone.
- DRP's programs also extend into the community pre-release, such as the female community reentry programs
- women who are preparing to reenter our communities.
- empowerment and greater insight outside communication.
- We continue to call on our representatives to make community care and community investment a true priority
Summary:
The hearing focused first on sexual abuse, harassment, and retaliation in California’s women’s prisons, with testimony from CDCR wardens, the Office of Inspector General, advocacy groups, and formerly incarcerated survivors. Legislators and witnesses described a pattern of staff misconduct, fear of retaliation, gaps in reporting, and the need for stronger accountability, better investigations, and more outside access for survivor support organizations. CDCR said it has expanded training, body-worn and stationary cameras, outside partnerships, and PREA-related response procedures, while the Inspector General requested additional funding and staff to monitor more grievances and staff sexual misconduct cases under SB 1069. Members pressed CDCR on why accused staff are not always placed on leave, how cases are referred to prosecutors, and whether current protections are enough; several members argued the state should aim to investigate all complaints and do more to prevent retaliation and repeat abuse.
The second issue was rehabilitative and reentry programming in women’s prisons. CDCR’s Division of Rehabilitative Programs and the wardens highlighted education, vocational training, substance use treatment, peer support, and community reentry programs, citing increased enrollment and recent graduates earning diplomas, degrees, and certifications. They said these programs are intended to reduce recidivism and improve public safety. Formerly incarcerated advocates and community providers argued that current offerings are still too limited, outdated, and not aligned with today’s job market, especially around digital literacy and transferable credentials, and they urged more funding for community-based, trauma-informed, gender-responsive programming. A coalition representative asked for a $20 million continuation and expansion of the Wright Grant program, and members discussed additional budget requests for reentry and related women’s services.
WA
Transcript Highlights:
- Eight community and home trust organizations.
- It is a wholesale bank, so it does not compete with local banks or community banks.
- On the contrary, they're a major partner of local community banks and CDFIs.
- It says $1 of deposits can become $3 to $10 in community lending.
- These dollars leave our community.
Bills:
SB5754
Committee:
Senate Ways & Means
Keywords:
public bank, state bank, finance, banking regulations, economic development, state investment, 904, all
NM
New Mexico 2025 Regular Session
IC - Indian Affairs Nov 13th, 2025
House Government, Elections & Indian Affairs
Transcript Highlights:
- What is the relationship between communities and tribes in those areas?
- I coordinate workshops, conferences, and community events.
- We had to also keep in mind our community.
- Community and how you would go about doing that.
- Sustainable communities.
MA
Massachusetts 2025-2026 Regular Session
Joint Committee on Consumer Protection and Professional Licensure Jun 21st, 2026 at 10:00 am
Joint Committee on Consumer Protection and Professional Licensure
Transcript Highlights:
- All nine communities have unanimously said no, but not without great local expense of community resources
- their community.
- not been done in any of those communities.
- But unfortunately, communities like Chelsea, communities like Worcester, communities like Everett, are
- most, it's mostly low-income communities.
Summary:
The Joint Committee on Consumer Protection and Professional Licensure held a hearing on a range of gaming, racing, horse protection, problem gambling, and lottery bills. A major focus was H. 356 and related horse-racing legislation, which drew strong support from residents and animal-welfare advocates who argued that proposed racetrack and simulcast developments should require upfront traffic, environmental, public health, and economic studies, plus stronger local approval and transparency. They said past proposals in several communities had lacked adequate information and had imposed costs on towns. Opponents, including the New England Horsemen’s Benevolent and Protective Association, argued that the bills would harm racing, breeding, farms, and related jobs, and said horse racing is already heavily regulated and that claims about slaughter and safety were overstated. Several speakers also supported S. 280, which would protect horses and phase out or restrict horse racing, citing animal cruelty, injuries, and deaths.
The committee also heard extensive testimony on SB 235 and HB 332 to authorize regulated online casino gaming (iGaming). DraftKings, FanDuel, IDEA, and the Sports Betting Alliance supported the bills, saying iGaming is already occurring illegally in Massachusetts and should be brought into a regulated, taxed market with age verification, responsible gaming tools, and consumer protections. They projected substantial annual tax revenue and argued legal iGaming would not cannibalize brick-and-mortar casinos, instead creating a “rising tide” effect. Opponents, including Local 26, the National Association Against iGaming, and problem-gambling advocates, warned of job losses, casino cannibalization, increased addiction, and greater harm to vulnerable players, citing experiences in other states and rising helpline calls. The committee asked for follow-up information on revenue and market-size estimates.
Later, Rep. Scanlon testified in support of S. 240 and S. 241, which would standardize gambling disclaimers and require annual reporting on problem-gambling treatment funded through the Public Health Trust Fund. He said the bills would make it easier for people to find help and improve oversight of treatment programs. Rep. Garcia testified in support of H. 434, which would change the formula for distributing lottery revenues, arguing that gateway and lower-income communities such as Chelsea contribute heavily to lottery sales but receive too little back in local aid. After hearing additional testimony and reading into the record bills that received no testimony, the committee recessed briefly, then closed the hearing by motion and vote.
FL
Florida 2025 Regular Session
Appropriations Committee on Agriculture, Environment, and General Government Apr 15th, 2025
Transcript Highlights:
- EXCLUSIVELY FOR FAITH AND COMMUNITY LEADERS.
- PROVIDING A DIRECT LINE OF COMMUNICATION TO THE OFFICE.
- MY UNDERSTANDING IS THE OFFICE HAS REGULAR COMMUNICATION WITH 30,000+ FAITH-BASED AND COMMUNITY-BASED
- THE BILL IS ABOUT THE OFFICE OF FAITH AND COMMUNITY.
- IT IS ABOUT ALL RELIGIONS, IT'S ABOUT SEEING WHAT IS POSSIBLE IN OUR COMMUNITIES WHEN THE FAITH COMMUNITY
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
Committee on Housing and Homelessness Prevention - 02/19/26
Housing and Homelessness Prevention
Transcript Highlights:
- </c><00:04:10.480><c> Housing</c> education, and community. Housing education, and community.
- </c> Minnesota's supportive housing community Minnesota's supportive housing community and<00:05:17.120
- </c> keep our communities stable for years. keep our communities stable for years.
- </c> for the things that our community needs. for the things that our community needs.
- </c> and preserved community stability. and preserved community stability.
Committee:
Senate Housing and Homelessness Prevention
HI
Transcript Highlights:
- Community Community settings<00:02:29.120><c> first</c><00:02:29.360><c> to</c><00:02:29.519><c> test
- </c> created between the power of communities created between the power of communities and<00:05:01.080
- </c><00:07:33.879><c> and</c> the sense of value and community and the sense of value and community and
- </c> what what is the current communication what what is the current communication right<00:40:36.599
- > just</c> communicate is that communication just communicate is that communication just not<00:40:43.560
Committee:
Senate Education
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
Public safety panel OKs proposed Minnesota crime victims account 3/18/25
Minnesota House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- </c> reach out to uh community-based reach out to uh community-based Advocates<00:10:06.279><c> to</c
- It asks applicants for information about where they serve, what community they serve, what the community
- It asks applicants for information about where they serve, what community they serve, what the community
- </c> supports that our that our communities supports that our that our communities need<00:28:22.480>
- </c> about um underserved communities about um underserved communities impacted<00:34:10.560><c> by</
MO
Missouri 2026 Regular Session
Special Committee on Tourism Mar 25th, 2026
Special Committee on Tourism
Transcript Highlights:
- It's also meant to encourage maybe some economic development as the community evolves as a trail community
- The original community was called Kings Mill.
- But Bland itself, the little community, once a bustling community, was the epicenter of all the business
- activity in the community.
- This will bring tourism to that community.
Committee:
House Special Committee on Tourism
NM
New Mexico 2025 Regular Session
IC - Economic and Rural Development Jun 4th, 2025
Economic & Rural Development & Policy Committee
Transcript Highlights:
- I know, um, in House District 53, I have 3 community colleges, 2 are in a rural part of the community
- deal with, uh, larger cities and communities dumping on their, in their communities.
- But I think our community colleges need some help there, uh.
- And then How how important our community colleges are to the different.
- To bring the workforce or train the workforce that's needed in the community so I think our community
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
Workforce, labor and economic development panel hears HF1965 3/27/25
Minnesota House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- But starting and communities.
- </c><00:01:45.920><c> development</c> organization or a community development organization or a community
- Funds are dollars have in communities.
- </c><00:04:55.600><c> Business</c> supports the Elevate Community Business supports the Elevate Community
- and generally underserved communities.
NM
New Mexico 2026 Regular Session
Senate - Tax, Business and Transportation Feb 7th, 2026
Transcript Highlights:
- And that's what the GRT does for the communities.
- Our communities are paying the price.
- We are, however, community-owned, community-run, and New Mexican through and through.
- I represent the Independent Community Bankers Association of New Mexico and the community banks that
- That does not encourage our small communities.
Summary:
The committee first took up the proposed 2026 tax package, Senate Bill 151, and adopted a committee substitute after discussion of the package’s funding capacity and included measures. The substitute bundled five bills: a physician tax credit, a quantum facility infrastructure tax credit, a construction materials gross receipts deduction for affordable multifamily housing, a local journalist employment tax credit, and a health equipment gross receipts deduction. Members discussed amendments that raised the physician credit from $4,000 to $10,000, narrowed the housing deduction to project-based certification, and reduced the journalist credit threshold from four stories to three. Concerns were raised about the fiscal impact on municipalities, especially Albuquerque, and about the funding mechanism, but the committee voted 6-4 to give the substitute a do pass recommendation. Senator Sanchez explained his vote, saying he wished more could have been included in the package.
The committee then heard Senate Bill 18, the Clear Horizons Act, which would codify statewide greenhouse gas reduction targets and direct the Environment Department and Environmental Improvement Board to develop plans and rules for emissions reductions. The sponsors said the bill builds on the governor’s 2019 executive order, includes a 10,000-metric-ton threshold for covered emitters, allows certified offsets, and is intended to protect public health, reduce climate-related costs, and provide regulatory certainty. Supporters argued the bill would help communities facing wildfire, drought, health harms, and rising insurance and utility costs, and that it would encourage clean-energy investment and long-term economic stability.
Opposition testimony came from mining, oil and gas, rural electric cooperatives, construction, agriculture, auto dealers, chambers of commerce, banks, water recycling companies, and realtors. They argued the bill functions like a carbon tax or broad regulatory mandate, would raise energy and compliance costs, could reduce investment and jobs, and would disproportionately affect rural, tribal, agricultural, and low-income communities. Several witnesses warned of higher electricity and fuel bills, revenue losses for local governments, and uncertainty from delegating major policy decisions to rulemaking. Supporters included public health advocates, educators, local officials, clean-energy businesses, tribal and environmental advocates, and residents affected by wildfire and drought, who said the bill is necessary to address climate harms and protect public health and the economy. No final committee vote on SB 18 was reached in the portion provided.
CA
California 2025-2026 Regular Session
Assembly Budget Subcommittee No. 3 on Education Finance Apr 29th, 2026
Transcript Highlights:
- County in partnership with the 19 community colleges in L.A.
- And the pathways via the community colleges— ...in LA County, and that the pathways via the community
- Some communities experience greater access problems than others.
- You can’t force people to stay or go work in particular communities.
- So they’re going to be outreaching to community colleges, all of the communities in the areas that are
Summary:
The committee heard testimony on three education budget items: the Expanded Learning Opportunities Program (ELOP), differentiated assistance/statewide system of support, and universal school meals plus kitchen infrastructure grants. For ELOP, the Department of Finance described the Governor’s proposal to provide $4.7 billion ongoing Proposition 98 funding and $62.4 million to set a minimum Tier 2 rate of $1,800 per pupil. The LAO recommended instead fixing the Tier 2 rate at $1,579, and committee members questioned how the rate was determined, how much funding is actually spent, and whether overlapping funding from ELOP, ACEs, and 21st Century programs is being tracked. CDE said ELOP is showing positive attendance and math outcomes, but some requested data will not be available until mid-2027; members also raised concerns about double-funding, transparency, and whether middle and high school students are being equitably served.
On differentiated assistance, CCEE outlined the statewide system of support and the various tiers of universal, targeted, supplemental, and intensive assistance. Finance explained the Governor’s proposal to replace the current DA structure with a more stable universal and targeted assistance model, funded at $131.9 million ongoing, with a three-year support cycle aligned to LCAP and ESSA timelines and broader State Board authority to revise eligibility criteria. The LAO objected to considering the proposal before the State Board finalizes the new performance criteria, and committee members expressed concern that moving to a three-year cycle could delay support for LEAs that newly fall into need mid-cycle. There was also discussion about whether the proposal would weaken subgroup-based equity guardrails or give the State Board too much discretion over who qualifies for support.
For school meals and kitchen infrastructure, Finance proposed $1.8 billion ongoing for universal meals and an additional $100 million ongoing plus $100 million one-time for a fourth round of kitchen infrastructure and training grants. The LAO recommended rejecting the new kitchen grant round because prior rounds are still being spent and the unmet need is not yet clear. CDE said prior investments have improved meal participation, efficiency, and menu variety, but many schools still lack the facilities for scratch cooking and face construction, electrical, and procurement barriers. Members asked for more data on how prior grants were used, which schools are benefiting, and whether funds could also support lower-cost food access strategies such as pantries, while noting federal restrictions on some meal-service innovations.
KY
Kentucky 2025 Regular Session
Commission on Race and Access to Opportunity (11-12-25)
Transcript Highlights:
- </c> community specifically. community specifically.
- </c> Community<00:12:22.480><c> impact</c> Community impact Community impact From<00:12:24.040><c> 1994
- </c> has a way of impacting the community. has a way of impacting the community.
- </c> We want to expand our communications We want to expand our communications through<00:14:53.000><
- . community. community.
Summary:
The Commission on Race and Access to Opportunity met and first heard a presentation from Johnny Cole III, president and CEO of the African American Forum in Lexington. Cole described the organization’s 30-plus year history, its signature events and programs, and its mission to promote African American arts, culture, education, and community development. He said the group has reached more than 60,000 people through events and more than 90,000 students through its arts partnership work, and estimated its programs have generated about $4.5 million in local economic impact. He also outlined a proposed legacy project in Lexington’s First Council District that would include a facility, culinary kitchen, food court, mobile truck, and expanded communications and internship opportunities, and said the organization was seeking a $3 million state request to help purchase a building and expand its mission.
The committee then discussed a juvenile justice funding proposal presented by Senator Catoria Herring. Herring said the bill would create a juvenile justice fund for prevention, early intervention, alternatives to detention, re-entry, and wraparound services, with money coming from state appropriations, gifts, grants, and federal funds. She said the proposal was based on her experience in juvenile justice and on concerns that the state has invested heavily in detention facilities but not enough in upstream services. She cited recent facility spending and said the bill would seek $9 million. Members asked how the fund would work, who could apply, and how it would be overseen; Herring said she envisioned a grant program open to local governments, law enforcement, nonprofits, and school districts, with reporting requirements and oversight through the juvenile justice system. No vote was taken, and the discussion ended with general support and a suggestion to adjust the request amount to a round $9 million figure.
NM
New Mexico 2025 Regular Session
IC - Legislative Finance Sep 24th, 2025
Transcript Highlights:
- We're tackling that problem as a community.
- Community-wide visuals and graphics and things across our entire community.
- Their communities.
- This way, they didn't have to communicate with three different high schools and a community college to
- Our community.
WA
Washington 2025-2026 Regular Session
House Floor Session Feb 23rd, 2026
Washington House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- And I would argue, Madam Speaker, that this is an industry that touches every community, every community
- They're a very large hosting community.
- community benefits for the communities there.
- And I'm very glad that we could have the conversation that community benefits will accrue to the communities
- And I'm very glad that we could have the conversation that community benefits will accrue to the communities
Keywords:
tourism, tourism promotion, Washington Tourism Marketing Authority, assessment, self-supported assessment, visitor economy, destination marketing, statewide marketing, lodging, hotels, restaurants, travel services, attractions, recreation, retail, beverage producers, arts and culture, tribal nations, tribal businesses, rural communities
Summary:
The House convened, established a quorum, approved the previous day’s minutes, and heard a prayer and Pledge of Allegiance. The chamber also moved several bills through routine orders, including placing House Bill 273 on health carrier surpluses and House Bill 2681 on cannabis license fees on the second reading calendar, and welcoming guests and honored families to the gallery.
The main floor action centered on three bills. Engrossed Second Substitute House Bill 2325, establishing a tourism self-support program, was amended with a technical clarification and passed 84-5. Supporters said the industry should fund a statewide tourism marketing effort to attract visitors year-round and compete with other states. Engrossed Third Substitute House Bill 1960, on renewable energy, was amended to address local tax treatment of wind, solar, and battery storage projects and passed 74-15; proponents said it would replace a shifting property-tax burden with a more stable excise tax so host communities receive lasting benefits.
House Bill 2521, concerning firearms background checks, drew the most debate. Amendments to raise the fee cap and to set the fee at zero were both rejected, with opponents arguing the bill would burden constitutional rights and supporters saying the fee should cover the State Patrol’s costs. The bill then passed 53-36. House Bill 2675, the annual accounts bill, passed unanimously 89-0 after brief support from both parties. The House then adjourned until the next scheduled meeting.