Transcript Highlights:

• We cannot shortchange our students.
• , on the student or the state.
• You divide that into our 10,000-plus students. That's $5,000 per student.
• It is our students. 100% our students. You go up $100 just $100 on fees, we lose students.
• But I cannot tap my students anymore.

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The committee heard testimony on the BRIGHT Act, a higher education capital bill that would use Fair Share surtax revenue to fund major repairs, modernization, and decarbonization projects across UMass, state universities, and community colleges. UMass leadership described a $4.8 billion deferred maintenance backlog, aging buildings, and the need to modernize facilities, improve accessibility, and reduce emissions. Administration officials said the bill would authorize $2.5 billion in capital funding, split roughly 50-50 between UMass and the rest of public higher education, plus additional targeted funding for housing planning, smaller modernization projects, campus master plans, and workforce skills grants. They emphasized that the financing structure is modeled on the Commonwealth Transportation Fund and would not raise student costs, while also supporting affordability through financial aid and free community college. Members raised questions about regional equity, the distribution of funds among the five UMass campuses and the 24 state university/community college campuses, project labor agreements, whether the bill would unlock private or federal matching funds, and how the system is preparing for AI and changing workforce needs. UMass officials said project selection is data-driven, based on deferred maintenance, safety, accessibility, sustainability, and programmatic needs, and that the flagship campus in Western Massachusetts would likely receive a large share because of its size and needs. They also said UMass Boston would receive its own share and would not be shortchanged by the Bayside project. On labor, they said PLAs are commonly used and they would follow existing board and building authority policies. On affordability, they said the university has shifted hundreds of millions into need-based aid and that the state’s recent support has helped keep tuition low for many students. DCAMM and higher education officials said the state’s public campuses account for a large share of state-owned building space and a disproportionate share of operational carbon emissions, making decarbonization a major driver of the bill. They said the legislation would allow larger, more comprehensive projects that can address deferred maintenance, energy efficiency, and program needs at the same time, while also making some projects shovel-ready through the Fair Share supplemental funding already appropriated. A later panel from the State Universities Council of Presidents argued the bill’s authorization is still too small to meet long-term needs and urged the committee to increase the bond cap and ensure a more equitable distribution among segments. No votes or final actions were taken in the portion of the meeting provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• CS for HB 1333 creates a new optional high school financial literacy course that introduces students
• For students choosing to continue their education, this serves as a strong starting point pursuing risk
• Ultimately, for those students pursuing a different career path, this course equips them with a working
• CS for HB 1333 creates a new optional high school financial literacy course that introduces students
• Up next we have Lorna Menunos, Florida Student Power, waiving in opposition.

Summary: The committee first took up PCS for HB 1137, which would codify a long-standing DBPR rule allowing alcohol distributors to deduct excise tax for broken or spoiled products. The sponsor said the rule had been nullified for lack of statutory authority, and industry representatives waved in support. The bill passed unanimously and was reported favorably. Members then approved PCS for HB 797 on nonprofit corporations, described as a broad update to the nonprofit statute that tracks prior for-profit corporation changes and model act language. A technical amendment was adopted, and testimony from the Florida Nonprofit Alliance and a Bar business law section representative was supportive. The bill passed unanimously and was reported favorably. The committee also passed CS for HB 679 on trademark registration, which updates the state trademark system to align with federal classifications and create an online application; an amendment extending the implementation date was adopted before the bill passed. The committee next heard several bills related to licensing and regulation. CS for HB 1433 would create an optional high school financial literacy course focused on property and casualty insurance and allow graduates to satisfy pre-licensure requirements for an entry-level license; it passed with support from insurance and free-market groups. HB 929 clarified local permitting for tiki huts, including electrical and plumbing permits, decks, fasteners, and setbacks, and passed without opposition. HB 99 exempted certain underwriting managers handling limited reinsurance business from reinsurance intermediary manager licensing requirements and also passed. A major portion of the meeting focused on gambling enforcement in the strike-all for CS for CS HB 155, which would strengthen penalties for illegal gambling operations, expand oversight of the Florida Gaming Control Commission, clarify fantasy sports and internet sports wagering language, and allow destruction of seized slot machines. Supporters argued the bill would help shut down repeat illegal internet cafés and related criminal activity; one homeowner group opposed it. The committee adopted the strike-all and the bill passed, with several members speaking in favor and a few voting no. The committee also passed HB 1307 on unauthorized aliens after adopting a strike-all that clarified provisions affecting licensing, housing assistance, workers’ compensation, employment enforcement, and related financial services; the bill drew substantial opposition testimony about language barriers and immigrant families, but also support from proponents citing public safety and victim stories. Later, the committee approved DS for HB 387, which would restrict the use of ADS-B aviation data for automatic billing at airports while preserving landing fees and safety functions. It passed after supportive testimony from a private pilot. HB 865, as amended, would require professional management for community associations above a higher budget threshold, add timeshare-specific language, and impose additional licensing and insurance requirements for managers; supporters cited fraud and lack of enforcement in large associations, while one member opposed it as government overreach. The bill passed with one recorded no vote. Finally, the committee passed PCS for HB 885, a transportation facility designation bill naming several roads and bridges, and began debate on CS for HB 33, which would designate a portion of SR 895 near FIU as Charlie Kirk Memorial Avenue and also codify a Donald Trump boulevard designation. That bill prompted sharp debate, with supporters praising Kirk’s influence and opponents objecting to honoring a non-Floridian and to his public statements; the transcript ends during that debate.

Transcript Highlights:

• So with our distinction students.
• , and a three-hour training on the test, and a three-hour training on the van,<02:32:54.960> student
• standards mandatory for our student standards mandatory for our student safety<02:33:33.600>
• The success of our students education.
• every student in this commonwealth. every student in this commonwealth.

Keywords: 958, all

Transcript Highlights:

• <01:34:05.360> In harmful to students above all else.
• In harmful to students above all else.
• <01:39:13.600> who ultimately I think it's our students who ultimately I think it's our students
• Before I put us into recess, we have some students here with us.
• <03:20:41.439> media the creation of a student media the creation of a student media recordings

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:03:04.320> council the Puckett High School student council the Puckett High School student
• Can they receive ESA funding and CPA funding on the same student population?
• student population? student population?
• , think Stanford Achievement Test at the elementary level or ACT classes and tests at the higher levels
• She was in the students, Adrian Fields. She was in the north<00:57:53.880> gallery.

Keywords: MS House Floor - 25 February, 2026; 10:00 AM, 925, all

Summary: The House convened with a quorum, dispensed with the reading of the journal, and welcomed several student and FFA groups from around the state, including chapters from Tippah, Forrest, Newton, and Wheeler counties, as well as the Puckett High School student council and an AP government class from Madison-Ridgeland Academy. After announcements, the chamber moved to the Ways and Means calendar and took up a series of tax and finance measures. House Bill 327 would extend Mississippi’s existing film tax credit to television production businesses, with a $42 million aggregate cap and a requirement that qualifying production activity occur in-state. House Bill 343 would create a tax credit for employers offering private health insurance to employees, set at $400 per employee in the first year and $200 in the second, capped at $10 million. House Bill 420 would lower the age threshold for an existing full homestead exemption for honorably discharged veterans and spouses from 90 to 85; members discussed the local cost impact, but the sponsor said the state cost would be zero. House Bill 489 would exempt from income tax any capital gains from a forced sale through eminent domain, so the property owner would not owe tax on that transaction. The House also passed House Bill 715, clarifying that both perishable and non-perishable food sold to food pantries are exempt from sales tax. House Bill 1063 would adjust an alternative energy/local tax provision by allowing a fee-in-lieu rate down to 10% and adding energy storage, such as large-scale batteries, to qualifying projects. House Bill 1793, by committee substitute, would add gun safes to the state’s Second Amendment sales tax holiday. House Bill 1941 would raise the Outdoor Stewardship Trust Fund’s administrative fee from 2% to 3% and authorize $5 million in bonds. House Bill 1942 would create a conduit bond mechanism under the TIF code for local development projects. House Bill 1944, by committee substitute, would expand the Children’s Promise Act tax credit program from $18 million to $40 million over three years and add a new $1 million credit for facilities serving adults with mental handicaps; members debated its effects on private schools, foster care entities, and public education funding. Most bills passed overwhelmingly, including several unanimous votes; House Bill 327 passed 115-1, House Bill 343 passed 118-0, House Bill 420 passed 120-0, House Bill 489 passed 120-0, House Bill 715 passed 120-0, House Bill 1063 passed 115-0, House Bill 1793 passed 109-3, House Bill 1941 passed 118-0, House Bill 1942 passed 116-0, and House Bill 1944 passed after extended debate. The discussion on House Bill 1944 featured questions about whether the credits favored private schools over public schools, whether schools could also receive ESA-related funds, and how much money individual institutions could receive; the sponsor said the credits are separate from tuition, are administered by DOR on a first-come, first-served basis, and do not reduce direct public school funding.

Transcript Highlights:

• 00:29:13.279> outside<00:29:13.679> wishing<00:29:14.080> to<00:29:14.159> test
• Anybody from outside wishing to test? Anybody from outside wishing to test?
• projects which are produced by University of Hawaii students to cover $15,000, half a million dollars
• projects which are produced by University of Hawaii students to cover $15,000, half a million dollars
• managers um and also like um student managers um and also like um student projects,<00:59:47.200

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Summary: The Senate Committee on Economic Development and Tourism heard seven bills on consumer protection, DBEDT-related matters, and tourism/creative industry issues. On SB 2031, DCCA supported aligning state law with the FTC’s 2025 rule on hidden fees and pricing misrepresentations in live event ticketing and short-term lodging; hotel and financial industry witnesses also testified, and senators asked for complaint and enforcement data. On SB 2129, DBEDT and business groups supported a study of minimum wage impacts, with testimony emphasizing effects on hours, employment, prices, and business viability; a senator asked whether the study could also examine the gig economy and business closures, and DBEDT said that may be possible but would require more research and data access. On SB 2259, which would promote dementia-friendly businesses, DBEDT said the measure fit better with another agency and lacked the department’s expertise, while the Executive Office on Aging and the Alzheimer’s Association supported the intent and offered to help with curriculum, branding, and training. Testifiers described dementia as a spectrum and said businesses should be trained to communicate effectively with customers and employees living with the disease; suggested amendments included changing the branding language and requiring at least 85% of employees to complete training rather than all employees. A senator also raised concerns about stigma and whether early-stage dementia should affect a person’s ability to function, and the witness responded that people can often function well in early stages. The committee also heard SB 2577 on sports tourism, which DBEDT and the Retail Merchants of Hawaii supported as a way to better understand which events draw visitors and economic benefits. SB 2578, creating a film commission, drew broad support from DBEDT, Creative Industries, SAG-AFTRA, the Hawaii Film Alliance, the Hawaii Film Office, and others, but several witnesses urged changes to the commission’s composition and authority, including more labor representation and limits on the commission’s ability to adjust the production cap. Senators questioned staffing, costs, and whether current film office employees should transfer to the new commission, and one senator proposed a friendly amendment to add musicians, SAG, IATSE, and Teamsters, though the department cautioned that too many members could make the commission difficult to manage. The transcript ends during discussion of the film bill, with no final votes or committee actions stated for the measures heard.

Transcript Highlights:

• <04:30:06.880> and medications to get the tests and medications to get the tests and services
• <04:37:04.160> and<04:37:04.400> another ill another 7% are students and another ill
• another 7% are students and another 12%<04:37:05.680> are<04:37:05.920> not<04:37:06.080
• So the pilot would enable us to be able to test that and collect that particular data.
• that and collect that to be able to test that and collect that particular<05:24:46.480> data.

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• There's also federal tests that we adopt for Minnesota purposes for the credit that you cannot qualify
• <00:02:59.239> that<00:02:59.319> we<00:02:59.440> adopt there's also Federal tests
• that we adopt there's also Federal tests that we adopt for<00:02:59.840> for<00:02:59.879>
• <00:03:49.599> disabled<00:03:50.040> or<00:03:50.159> our<00:03:50.439> students
• <00:03:50.959> also or totally disabled or our students also or totally disabled or our students

Bills: HF2254, HF2302, HF2502, HF2315, HF2475, HF2086

Keywords: HF2254, Minnesota child credit, baby bonus, child tax credit, income tax, individual income tax, tax relief, newborn, birth credit, family tax credit, tax refund, advance payment, Department of Revenue, taxable year, parenting, families with children, child credit, state regulations, families, taxation

Transcript Highlights:

• I always taught my students, even at that age, to respect our military and veterans, and I do too, and
• > at<00:03:35.239> that<00:03:35.519> age<00:03:35.760> to taught my students
• even at that age to taught my students even at that age to respect<00:03:36.480> our<00:03:36.760
• is funding for the new Minnesota Military and Veterans Museum and then also the Army Combat Fitness Test
• Army Combat fitness test Army Combat fitness test Fieldhouse<00:09:27.839> the<00:09:28.000

Keywords: 1183, house

Summary: The Veterans and Military Affairs Division held its first meeting with a quorum present, opened with the Pledge of Allegiance, and reviewed decorum expectations and basic operating rules. Members and staff introduced themselves, and Chair Aaron Repinski emphasized that the committee would operate as a nonpartisan body focused on veterans’ issues. No minutes were approved because it was the division’s first meeting. Nonpartisan House staff then gave an overview of the Department of Military Affairs and the Department of Veterans Affairs, including their missions, organizational structure, and budgets. The presentation highlighted the Minnesota National Guard, Camp Ripley, enlistment incentives, the Emergency Services Program, and the Veterans Affairs programs for veterans homes, cemeteries, benefits assistance, and state-funded benefits such as the State Soldiers Assistance Program, Minnesota GI Bill, and Post-9/11 bonus. Staff also noted housing and homelessness-related initiatives, several committee-supported outside programs, and the Support Our Troops license plate funding split between the two agencies. The committee then heard from Trent Dils of Disabled American Veterans Minnesota on behalf of the Commander's Task Force, a coalition of congressionally chartered veterans organizations. He described the group’s unanimous legislative process and urged continuation of a separate veterans omnibus bill, arguing it has helped keep veterans issues apart from broader partisan disputes. He also began outlining the task force’s 2025 priorities, including hunting, fishing, and trapping benefits for veterans, but the transcript cuts off before the full list or any committee action on those priorities is completed.

Transcript Highlights:

• <01:52:01.520> to<01:52:01.760> find<01:52:01.920> out test to find out test to
• I open four of my own recovery houses, and I have to spend money on test strips to test for kratom.
• strips to test spend money on test strips to test forratom. forratom. forratom.
• It can be tested for, but it's not in standard hospital tests.
• We can't test We can't test for purity.

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• extension is opened, which seeks to educate the public about our government, especially middle school students
• our government especially middle about our government especially middle school<00:04:28.080> students
• school students. school students.
• There's a lot of, there's a lot here with technology and testing the law and understanding the law.
• There's a lot of, there's a lot here with technology and testing the law and understanding the law.

Keywords: 916, all

Transcript Highlights:

• preventive care is covered by eliminating cost sharing or co-pays for medically necessary diagnostic testing
• And as a result, it requires additional diagnostic testing. Currently...
• As a result, it requires additional diagnostic testing.
• There are so many jobs out there that the schools can't get enough students to fill all the jobs.

Bills: SB1165, SB1206, SB1212, SB1291, SB1347, SB1516, SB1554, SB1649, SB1689, SB1812

Keywords: breast cancer, screening services, health insurance, cost sharing, preventive care, storm damage, catastrophic storm, hail damage, wind damage, roof repair, roof replacement, post-storm repairs, insurance claim, property and casualty insurance, adjuster, public adjuster, contractor licensing, homeowner protections, deductible waiver, insurance fraud prevention

Transcript Highlights:

• If Anthony were here or Jeff were here, we'd have it down. test scores are not performing good and test
• So, we would like to support students.
• <02:11:32.159> because community and their students because community and their students because
• <02:13:19.040> needs this particular group of students needs this particular group of students
• It is essential to our New students.

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• The above scenario can also easily be applied to any out-of-state student, since a student ID is an acceptable
• that such a program could be formidably expensive with additional computer applications, trainings, testing
• , with additional computer applications, trainings, testing, and execution.

Bills: AB534, AB562, AB595, AB597, AB600, SB74, SB226, SB422, SB488

Keywords: election reform, voter accessibility, conditional ballots, voter registration, mechanical voting systems, election audits, voter access grants, provisional ballot, voting technology, AB562, Nevada, Secretary of State, elections, elections management system, HAVA, Help America Vote Act, automatic voter registration, AVR, election technology, state appropriations

Transcript Highlights:

• President, Senator, I just asked you if your solar panels have been tested in 104... degree temperatures
• President and Senator, do we know if there are programs that follow up if a student is expelled?
• President, I think there may be a few charter schools that may be willing to take these students in.
• company law, adding. definitions, providing for group capital calculation reports and liquidity stress tests

Transcript Highlights:

• attending the University of of students attending the University of Minnesota<00:32:50.120> or
• I love my job and I love my students.
• I love my job and I love my students.
• One that was supposed to deliver relief to teachers and students across Minnesota.
• I provide academic support in general education classrooms, and I run a resource room where students

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Next is Isis Usborne for Land Law Hawaii Law Student Association, on Zoom.
• Next is Isis Usborne for Land Law Hawaii Law Student Association, on Zoom.
• and found out that I'm took a DNA test and found out that I'm also<00:21:38.600> white<00:21:
• Donor anonymity in these days with commercial DNA testing can't be guaranteed.
• <00:32:37.559> whether The way in which we would test whether the law was really equal was

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Summary: The Judiciary Committee heard SB 1231, which would repeal the Parentage Uniform Act of 1973 and update Hawaii’s parentage laws, including parts of the Uniform Parentage Act of 2017. Supporters said the current statutes are outdated and do not adequately address assisted reproduction, surrogacy, and modern family formation. The Attorney General’s office supported the bill with technical amendments, including conforming changes to the Probate Code and child support provisions, and several testifiers urged passage as a needed modernization of the law. A major point of disagreement was Part 10, which concerns donor anonymity. Some supporters, including members of the task force, the Uniform Law Commission, fertility and family law practitioners, and LGBTQ+ advocates, backed the bill as written or said it should move forward even if Part 10 is removed. Others, including donor-conceived adults, parents, and advocacy groups, opposed Part 10 and urged the committee to adopt the 2024 version of Article 9 or delete Part 10 entirely, arguing that anonymous donation harms donor-conceived people’s access to genetic, medical, and identity information and that anonymity is not realistic in the DNA-testing era. One task force member and attorney said she supported the bill but preferred removing Part 10 if necessary to pass the rest. The hearing included extensive public testimony both in support and opposition, with many individuals describing personal experiences with adoption, IVF, surrogacy, and donor conception. No committee vote or final action on the bill was taken during the portion of the hearing provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• students... big at the time.
• A high school student was stabbed to death on a school bus.
• And it's because I assume there were unruly students. Bus.
• And it's because I assume there were unruly students on the school bus.
• Even if the students were known to be hyperviolent, no liability whatsoever.

Keywords: 1184, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I<01:14:14.239> think<01:14:14.320> it's<01:14:14.480> a<01:14:14.640> test
• I think it's a test pilot the federal. I think it's a test pilot right<01:14:16.000> now.
• c><01:15:46.560> right<01:15:46.800> now<01:15:47.440> few<01:15:47.760> students
• thoughts are on right now few students thoughts are on right now few students qualify<01:15:48.880
• who have stu who have who have students who have stu who have who have kids<01:19:12.880> of<

Keywords: Meeting Start 00:00:00 Major Tax Provisions in H.R. 1 (Public Law 119-21) 00:02:45 Kentucky’s Workforce 00:33:35, 958, all

Summary: The committee first approved the minutes and heard a brief member introduction before taking up an overview of major tax provisions in HR1, referred to by the presenters as the One Big Beautiful Bill Act. Representatives from the Kentucky Society of CPAs explained new federal deductions for tips, overtime, and car loan interest; a new tax-favored “Trump account” for children; expanded bonus depreciation and Section 179 expensing for businesses; changes to R&D expensing; and a new limit on wagering loss deductions. Members asked several clarifying questions about the duration of the provisions, W-2 and 1099 reporting changes, and how overtime deductions would work. The presenters emphasized that tips and overtime remain subject to payroll taxes and that many of the business provisions are permanent, while the individual deductions are temporary through 2028 or otherwise phased in over time. The discussion then shifted to individual and nonprofit provisions, including the increase in the state and local tax itemized deduction cap from $10,000 to $40,000 with income-based phaseouts, the temporary senior deduction, and a new deduction for car loan interest with income limits and vehicle qualifications. On charitable giving, the presenters described a permanent nonitemizer deduction, new floors for individual and corporate charitable deductions, and a new scholarship-granting organization credit that would allow donors to receive a dollar-for-dollar federal credit up to $1,700, beginning in 2027. Members focused heavily on the SGO provision, asking about state implementation, oversight, whether churches would qualify, and whether the credit could support both public and private education. The presenters said the state would need to establish the mechanism and that additional federal guidance is still pending. After the tax presentation, the committee heard from the Kentucky Chamber of Commerce on workforce issues, with a focus on child care and housing as barriers to labor force participation. Chamber representatives said they were not proposing large new government programs, but rather targeted policy recommendations for the 2026 session. They described Kentucky’s long-term decline in workforce participation since 2000, attributing much of it to demographic change, an aging population, and fewer younger workers entering the labor force. The presentation continued into a broader discussion of workforce trends and the need for practical policy responses, but no votes or formal actions were taken on these informational items.

Transcript Highlights:

• for middle school students, where students act as members of the executive branch, the House of Representatives
• How many students in the state, Senator Soules? I don't know how many students.
• rather than 2,000 students that were in these versions. ...the numbers are closer to 4,000 students
• Student resides in Gallup.
• President, and these distinguished guests actually are students that serve on the Superintendent Student

Keywords: 996, all