Transcript Highlights:

• So, nine uh seven one no vote. >> Rep. Peoples, no vote. Uh, Rep. Luno, >> Rep.
• /c><03:50:47.199> the frequently vote when we vote on the frequently vote when we vote on the
• they're bypassing the annual vote. they're bypassing the annual vote.
• <04:48:24.958> That's vote. Can't get closer than that. That's vote.
• >> I will be voting. >> I will be voting.

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• And by your Vote SB 578 will be reported favorably members tab 4.
• Yes. >> By your Vote SB 2.
• Yes. >> And by your vote, let's show SB 652. Reported favorably.
• Most of us voted for that bill.
• I'd like to recorded voting in >> Thank you. Madam Chair.

Keywords: 999, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• businesses continues to be uh a major businesses continues to be uh a major concern<00:10:07.760
• I beg you, as the father of a three-year-old and as the child of a parent with Parkinson's, please vote
• I beg you, as the father of a three-year-old and as the child of a parent with Parkinson's, please vote
• I beg you, as the father of a three-year-old and as the child of a parent with Parkinson's, please vote
• Please vote no on House File 1976. Thank you.

Bills: HF1976

Keywords: paid leave, family leave, employment law, Minnesota statute, benefit eligibility, seasonal employment, workforce, labor rights, 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• It's a very important major project. supply within this region.
• That because I think that is really tip of the spear major concern.
• Once in the last year, he abstained from a vote.
• the water. majority of that water.
• I know how I would vote. poll.

Keywords: 1184, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• We won't be taking any votes on any agenda items today.
• Anything else major you want to point out?
• Anything else, major, you want to point out?
• Vote yes on CUSP. Thank you very much. Thank you. Please help save our farms. Vote yes on CUSP.
• Vote yes on Cusp. Thank you. Thank you. Hi, I'm Gloria Harrison.

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Now, just as a reminder, a lot of these projects are major complex projects.
• But I hope springs eternal; it was one of the major cotton ports in the 1800s.
• But I hope springs eternal; it was one of the major cotton ports in the 1800s.
• Understanding the timelines associated with the major roadway projects...
• Seen major increases in the cost of doing business over these last four years.

Summary: The Transportation and Economic Development Budget Subcommittee heard an overview from FDOT Secretary Jared Perdue on the state’s transportation work program, with emphasis on the Moving Florida Forward initiative, major roadway projects, workforce needs, seaports, airports, spaceport infrastructure, and the role of MPOs/TPOs in planning. He said the $4 billion general revenue investment in Moving Florida Forward has been leveraged into a roughly $7 billion-plus program, with 20 projects underway and about 70% of the initiative expected to be under construction by year’s end. He highlighted I-4 as the centerpiece, describing a new procurement approach, phased delivery, and added lanes intended to provide congestion relief during construction. He also discussed a projected 38% growth in transportation workforce needs and proposed a Florida Transportation Academy and a research institute to support training and innovation. Tiffany King of the Florida Airports Council said Florida’s 128 public-use airports have about $5.7 billion in unfunded projects through 2029, and stressed that airport priorities include not only terminals and passenger capacity but also safety, security, gates, and environmental work. Michael Rubin of the Florida Ports Council said Florida’s 16 deepwater seaports now have a $195.9 billion economic impact, support about 1.2 million jobs, and generate $7.4 billion in state and local taxes; he noted that ports still have about $4 billion in project needs, including dredging and intermodal connections. Jeff Sheffield of the North Florida TPO described the value of regional, community-based planning and said his four-county TPO has helped align local priorities with FDOT funding. Members asked about whether the state is planning for advanced air mobility and “flying cars,” whether Moving Florida Forward bypassed MPOs, how long major projects take, cost escalation, regionalization of MPOs, port governance, airport governance, and the contractor qualification system. FDOT and the witnesses said the state is working on policy and planning for advanced air mobility, that Moving Florida Forward did not bypass MPOs because the projects were already locally prioritized, and that the main delay is funding rather than the planning process. They said long-range plans are updated regularly and can be amended when priorities change, and that regional MPO structures can improve coordination. The committee took no formal vote; the meeting concluded after questions and comments, including discussion of workforce training opportunities for incarcerated individuals and a motion to adjourn by the ranking member.

Transcript Highlights:

• Our economic standing will take a major Our economic standing will take a major downfall<01:34:40.960
• <03:37:52.000> Uh New Hampshire uh house by one vote.
• Uh New Hampshire uh house by one vote.
• Not going to our public schools, where the majority of families must send their children.
• First, the vast majority of U.S. states have state human rights commissions.

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I don't need to vote. Yeah. All in favor, say aye. Aye. Opposed, same sign. Minutes are approved.
• If I could respond, on a narrow vote, the board did approve that.
• But I do know that it was contentious and on a very close vote.
• And I think that's even relevant if we make major changes to the present.
• to take a vote on it.

Keywords: 908, all

Transcript Highlights:

• We've taken this input and research and summarized it into major themes, which we'll share with you today
• In one state, there were concerns that there would have been a legal challenge, and so they voted to
• So it would be very interesting to see if they actually understand what they voted for back then.
• It was a vote of the people and it voted two to one. Is that what I understood you to say?
• Nonpartisan staff cannot train legislators on how to build relationships with the majority or minority

Keywords: 908, all

Summary: The Legislative Procedure and Arrangements Committee met with a quorum, approved the previous meeting minutes, and heard an update from Garty Consulting on the interim study of legislative term limits. The consultants outlined their research plan and preliminary themes, including loss of institutional knowledge, shifts in power toward executive agencies and lobbyists, reduced long-term policy capacity, faster leadership turnover, and recruitment/support challenges. They also described possible recommendation categories ranging from constitutional and statutory changes to procedural and cultural adjustments. Committee members asked about how other states repealed term limits, how the public survey would address perceptions of term limits, and how stakeholder focus groups would be selected. The committee also heard a presentation from NCSL on term limits in other states, including examples from Nevada, Montana, and Colorado, with discussion of training programs, staffing changes, annual-session debates, bill limits, and impacts on decorum and leadership continuity. Several members requested follow-up data on part-time versus full-time legislatures, taxpayer costs, and nonpartisan staff devoted to oversight. The committee then considered revisions to the legislature’s workplace harassment policy and related forms. Legislative Council explained changes that clarified the definition of harassment, added captions for readability, extended several deadlines, allowed informal resolution before a review panel is appointed, clarified the role of Legislative Council in intake and documentation, and updated confidentiality/open-records language. Members, especially Senator Hogan, said the revisions better formalize the role of counsel and provide a less intimidating path for resolving complaints. The committee adopted the revised policy and forms by roll call vote. Finally, the committee approved a motion to enter executive session at 1:00 p.m. to review the results of a capital threat assessment and discuss legislator security, citing the applicable open-meetings exemptions. Members were instructed to limit discussion to the stated purpose and not take final action until returning to open session.

Transcript Highlights:

• If you're in favor of the measure, vote aye; against the measure, vote nay.
• Those wishing to vote may do so. The bill is open for voting.
• If you're in favor of the measure, vote aye; against the measure, vote nay.
• If you're in favor of the measure, vote aye; against the measure, vote nay.
• If you're in favor of the measure, vote aye; against the measure, vote nay.

Bills: HB1675, HB3242, HB1739, HB3320, HB3047, HB4434, HJR1089, HB4432, HB3718, HB3705, SR43, HB1933, HB4248, SB1847, SB1778, HJR1086, HB3001, HB3002, HB3003, HB3004, HB3005, HB3007, HB3008, HB1590, HB1242, HB3818, HB4305, HB1979, HB1225, HB3931, HB4454, HB3849, HB1746, HB3720, HB4275, HB4300, HB3586, HB2268, HB3755, HB4117, HB4294, HB3650, HB4298, HB3270, HB3145, HB3056

Keywords: emergency management, severe weather, youth camp, summer camp, overnight camp, day camp, outdoor education, adventure camp, wilderness program, campground safety, tornado preparedness, flooding, flash flood, high winds, hail, lightning, extreme heat, extreme cold, wildfire smoke, evacuation plan

Summary: The Senate convened with a quorum, opened with prayer and pledges, and recognized several visiting groups and honorees, including students from Wesleyan Christian School, Claremore Day participants, and a tribute to Dr. J. Craig for his Marine Corps service, chiropractic career, and aid to first responders after the Oklahoma City bombing. The chamber also welcomed a Cricket Oak High School AFJROTC unit and the Lincoln Christian wrestling team, both recognized for recent achievements. The Senate then adopted Senate Resolution 43 commemorating the 31st anniversary of the Oklahoma City bombing and honoring victims, survivors, and first responders. The Senate took up House Bill 1933, first rescinding prior action and then adopting a floor amendment to correct a drafting error and shift a penalty provision; the bill then passed 47-0. House Bill 4248, which would require purchasers of hemp beverages to be 21 and treat them similarly to beer for age purposes, passed 45-0 after brief discussion about whether it had medical implications. The Senate also adopted House amendments to Senate Bill 1847, described as a compassion bill that would have saved the state money, and passed it 35-11 before later approving it as an emergency measure with 43 ayes. The chamber next adopted House amendments to Senate Bill 1778, a major literacy bill adding early intervention, teacher training, and optional early ELA testing for second graders, along with good-cause exemptions; it passed 43-2 and then as an emergency measure. The Senate also passed House Joint Resolution 1086, approving rules from several agencies, by 42-4. Finally, the Senate advanced and passed a series of sunset-extension bills for boards and councils, including the Child Death Review Board, county government training commission, Board of Chiropractic Examiners, Board of Examiners in Optometry, Oklahoma Climatological Survey, several environmental advisory councils, and the Board of Tests for Alcohol and Drug Influence, with most later receiving emergency passage. The Senate concluded with announcements of upcoming committee meetings and adjourned until April 25, 2026 at 1:30 p.m.

Transcript Highlights:

• and they want to go above the cap, they can do so by vote, but that vote has to be held on general election
• So it didn't seem necessary that they would then also have to go back and vote on general election day
• Over the 18 mills, up to 36 mills, but they wouldn't have to vote on election day.
• mills, if you want to vote for an additional 20 mills, you can do that.
• The Association of Counties certainly provided us with letters from the major software providers for

Bills: SB2397

Keywords: oil and gas, tax exemption, development incentive wells, gross production tax, flaring, 908, all

Summary: The Senate Finance and Tax Committee met and first took up House Bill 1382, the gas tax bill. Members explained an amendment to ensure that the proposed three-cent gas tax distribution would include all counties and townships in oil-producing counties, rather than excluding non-oil-producing counties as in the original draft. The committee adopted the amendment unanimously, but then held the bill for the time being because of related work on the Department of Transportation budget in the House. The committee then turned to House Bill 1168, a large hoghouse amendment that combined the bill with the contents of House Bill 1176 and added technical corrections. The proposal would raise the primary residence property tax credit maximum from $1,250 to $1,650, keep the 75% cap with a $500 floor, and extend the credit to voter-approved levies while excluding special assessments. Other changes discussed included aligning the disabled veterans property tax credit with the $200,000 exemption level, adjusting budget and distribution dates so taxing districts are made whole sooner, exempting townships from a general-election vote requirement for levy increases, and modifying school funding formulas so schools are not shortchanged if mill levies are reduced under the cap. Testimony from the Association of Counties and the State Supervisor of Assessments was generally supportive of the technical cleanup and implementation changes, but they raised concerns about the June 1 distribution date, application timing, and the practicality of some programming and administrative changes. Committee members also discussed the policy and messaging implications of the 75%/floor structure and the difficulty of applying the credit to certain voter-approved levies. No final action was taken on House Bill 1168; the committee agreed to continue working on amendments and recessed until later in the day.

Transcript Highlights:

• >> We voting on this now. >> Yes. Are you ready?
• That's almost a majority. Uh, I'm not sure it's unusual. It's not a majority. It's half.
• Please<00:57:03.440> vote<00:57:04.000> please<00:57:04.319> vote<00:57:04.640><
• Please vote please vote yes HBO 25. Please vote please vote yes HBO 25.
• more before I could vote on this. more before I could vote on this.

Bills: SB174, SB39, SB40, SB206, SB200, HB169, HB345, HB381, HB25

Keywords: business taxes, annual reports, Alabama Tax Tribunal, tax appeals, local government, board governance, occupational licensing, Sunset Law, public accountability, training requirements, SB40, Houston/Hunter Act, firearm hold agreement, gun storage, temporary firearm storage, firearms dealer, federal firearms licensee, FFL, civil immunity, gun owner

Transcript Highlights:

• Simply ask for an I vote. Thank you.
• Funds, so your aye vote will help. Thank you. Let's go ahead, Madam Chair. Call for the votes.
• I vote. Appreciate it. That eligibility definitely helps and asking for it. I vote. Appreciate it.
• No, we can vote on them now. Yeah. We can now take your vote. Yeah. On the bills.
• She voted on that. Yeah. She's not in the building. The final vote is four to zero. Okay.

Summary: The committee heard several veterans-related bills. SB 888 would exclude VA service-connected disability compensation from household income when determining eligibility for the low-income disabled veterans’ property tax exemption. Support came from veterans organizations, county veterans services groups, and local officials; there was no opposition, and the bill was approved and sent to Appropriations. SB 1040 would create a state-local matching program for veterans’ cemetery maintenance endowments, with the state matching private or local deposits up to $250,000 per cemetery per year. It drew support from veterans groups and county representatives and was also approved and sent to Appropriations. The committee also considered SB 1407, which would exempt military retirement pay and surviving spouse military retirement benefits from state income tax. The author and supporters argued it would help retain military retirees in California and support the workforce and economy. The bill received broad support from veterans organizations, county officials, and labor representatives, with no opposition, and was moved to Appropriations, with the roll held open and later completed. SB 1034 would streamline access to disabled veteran parking placards for veterans rated 100% permanent and total, and SB 1201, the No Hungry Heroes Act, would seek federal waivers and other changes to protect vulnerable veterans from CalFresh/SNAP cuts and ensure referrals to county veterans service officers. Both bills had support from veterans advocates and food banks, no opposition, and were approved to Appropriations. Finally, SB 1354 would prohibit out-of-state military personnel from entering California to perform military or law enforcement functions without the governor’s permission, while preserving Title 10 activations and mutual aid arrangements. The author and the California Public Defenders Association framed it as a safeguard for state authority and civil rights; there was no opposition, and it was sent to Public Safety. After the main votes, the committee later completed the held rolls and reported the bills out, then adjourned after thanking veterans and attendees.

Transcript Highlights:

• encourage the committee to vote OTP. encourage the committee to vote OTP.
• So that's why I'm asking you to vote no on SB 467. Thank you. To vote no on SB 467.
• The clerk votes yes. Representative Miller, yes. Chairman Roy, chair votes yes. 12-0.
• vote to a yes if I'm allowed. vote to a yes if I'm allowed.
• So, I would also vote voting ID. part. So, I would also vote voting ID.

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• And by your vote, C.S. for C.S. And by your vote, C.S. for C.S. SB 132 is reported favorably.
• vote against Amendment 3, Amendment 4.
• respectfully voting in opposition today.
• By your vote, SB 7032 is reported favorably. Mr.
• By your vote, show SB 7032 reported favorably. Hey, Mr.

Summary: The Appropriations Committee met with a quorum and considered a series of bills, most of them receiving favorable reports. SB 132, as amended, would require the Department of Financial Services to contract for a study on whether Florida should recognize gold and silver as legal tender; an amendment advanced the report deadline to December 1, 2025, and the bill was reported favorably. SB 1050, also amended, expands the intellectual and developmental disabilities managed care pilot program statewide, emphasizes that enrollment is voluntary, adds transparency and reporting requirements for APD, creates a statewide family care council, and requires related studies and coordination; it was reported favorably after supportive testimony about reducing the APD wait list. SB 820 codifies the Office of Faith and Community in the Governor’s office, and the bill drew extended debate over church-state separation and concerns about political activity by the office; despite opposition from several senators, it was reported favorably. SB 1060 creates a joint legislative oversight committee for Medicaid financing and operations, with supporters citing the size of the program and the need for stronger legislative review; it passed favorably. SB 7032 presumes Medicaid eligibility for permanently disabled individuals receiving certain long-term services during redetermination, to prevent gaps in care, and was reported favorably with broad support. SB 12, a claim bill for a minor injured in a DCF-related case, was also reported favorably without opposition. The committee also approved several infrastructure and tax-related measures. SJR 318 proposes an ad valorem exemption for certain tangible personal property used in agriculture or agritourism, such as equipment and tractors, and was reported favorably with support from agricultural and business groups. SB 818, as amended, revises utility relocation funding for public road and rail projects, shifting the financing structure after constitutional concerns were raised and adding a $50 million grant program; it passed after discussion of the impact on local governments and utilities. SB 1348 modernizes DMV services through tax collectors, adds a distracted driving course option, bans appointment scalping, and extends certain disabled parking permit terms; it was reported favorably. SB 1664 requires voter reapproval of local taxes, including tourist development taxes and local option sales taxes, when they expire, with special rules for taxes tied to revenue bonds; it drew significant debate over impacts on tourism-dependent counties and was reported favorably despite opposition from some members and local government groups. SB 1050, SB 820, SB 1060, SB 7032, SB 12, SJR 318, SB 818, SB 1348, and SB 1664 all received favorable committee votes, and the meeting ended with final missed-vote requests and adjournment.

Transcript Highlights:

• There is a major need. And...
• A yes vote is for the bill to be reported favorably. A no vote is for the bill to stay here.
• Yes, vote. A yes vote is for the three-minute rule. Representative Braud? Representative Chenevert?
• We just really hope that you guys vote yes on this.
• It is a major difference.

Bills: HCR41, HB11, HB227, HB243, HB278, HB335, HB424, HB454, HB455, HB492, HB623, HB641, HB660, HB708, HB719, HB940, HB1029, HB1053, HB1069, HB1077

Keywords: coupons, rebates, alcohol regulation, malt beverages, Louisiana Department of Revenue, remembrance, Charlie Kirk, state recognition, October 14, memorial day, court filings, electronic filing, letter size paper, privacy, legal procedure, recusal, district attorney, substitute attorney, appointment process, legal proceedings

Transcript Highlights:

• There is a major need. And...
• I ask that we vote to suspend the rules. Is that possible? that we vote to suspend the rules.
• A yes vote is for the bill to be reported favorably. A no vote is for the bill to stay here.
• Yes, vote. A yes vote is for the three-minute rule. Representative Braud? Representative Chenevert?
• It is a major difference.

Bills: HCR41, HB11, HB227, HB243, HB278, HB335, HB424, HB454, HB455, HB492, HB623, HB641, HB660, HB708, HB719, HB940, HB1029, HB1053, HB1069, HB1077

Keywords: coupons, rebates, alcohol regulation, malt beverages, Louisiana Department of Revenue, remembrance, Charlie Kirk, state recognition, October 14, memorial day, court filings, electronic filing, letter size paper, privacy, legal procedure, recusal, district attorney, substitute attorney, appointment process, legal proceedings

Summary: The committee first took up H.C.R. 41, which would direct the ATC to allow electronic rebates for beer purchases and clarify that rebates are the manufacturer’s responsibility. The author and supporters said it would align beer with wine and other liquor rules. With no opposition, the resolution was moved forward. The committee then advanced H.B. 1029, which extends a moratorium on certain alcoholic beverage permits in House District 3 to give Shreveport and the MPC more time to revise local ordinances; it also moved forward without objection. The committee next considered two related bills by Rep. Egan on district attorney funding. H.B. 660, as amended, raises the state warrant amount used to support assistant district attorneys from $50,000 to $60,000 and sets district attorney salaries at $65,000 effective July 1, 2026. The Louisiana District Attorneys Association and several DAs supported the bill, saying it would help recruit and retain prosecutors. H.B. 719, also amended, increases the number of assistant district attorney warrants in many judicial districts statewide, with supporters describing it as a response to crime, population changes, and local workload needs. Both bills were reported favorably as amended. Rep. Ventrella’s H.B. 227, allowing court filings on letter-sized paper instead of only legal-sized paper, was also moved favorably. The committee then heard extensive testimony on H.B. 335 by Rep. Henry, which would expand citizenship verification requirements for entities administering public benefits. Supporters said it was meant to ensure state dollars go to U.S. and Louisiana citizens and to add accountability for NGOs; opponents, including farmers, food-access nonprofits, and health providers, argued it would create administrative burdens, chill participation in SNAP-related programs, and discourage vulnerable people from seeking food or medical help. After an amendment exempting nonprofit food distribution was adopted, the bill was reported favorably by a 12-5 vote. Finally, the committee took up H.B. 623, a tobacco and vapor products permitting bill. After adopting a three-minute rule, the committee accepted an amendment removing tobacco products from the proposed three-tier permitting system and excluding lawful marijuana products authorized by LDH. The amended bill was then reported favorably. The transcript ends as the committee was beginning H.B. 708.

Transcript Highlights:

• Major gaps in current law, however, leave survivors vulnerable.
• The vast majority of these warrants are never executed; they're simply placed.
• We'll begin with you, Major.
• The bill passed with a 25 to 5 vote.
• We'll proceed with voting.

Bills: HB47, HB171, HB285, HB305, HB449, HB908, HB1024, HB1306, HB1443, HB1445, HB1741, HB1866, HB1902, HB2001, HB2282, HB2355, HB2492, HB2637, HB2697, HB3464, HB4263, HB4996, HB5667, HB47, HB171, HB285, HB305

Keywords: sexual assault, victim rights, forensic examination, medical care, trauma-informed care, crime victims compensation, evidence retention, chemical dependency, court-ordered treatment, mental health, health care, treatment facility, juvenile justice, criminal justice reform, animal cruelty, nonlivestock, prosecution, veterinary defense, animal welfare, pretrial hearings

Transcript Highlights:

• Are we voting in laws or do we do the voice votes? I suppose you have to vote in laws, don't we?
• Are we voting in laws or do we do the voice votes? I suppose you have to vote in laws, don't we?
• or a roll call vote.
• Because we don't all have to vote. If we move and second the final vote...
• Yep, we got two no votes and no votes from the House. So we had two no votes and...

Keywords: 908, all

Summary: The committee first took up Senate Bill 2401, which would require physicians to complete continuing education on nutrition and metabolic health as part of the state’s rural health transformation effort. HHS supported the bill, saying it would help physicians better address chronic disease and preserve federal grant points tied to the state’s application. A member of the public also testified in favor, arguing that better nutrition education could improve diabetes outcomes and reduce costs. The committee then adopted an amendment to add the Board of Occupational Therapy Practice to the background-check statute so the occupational therapy compact could proceed, and it passed the bill as amended on a roll call vote. The committee next heard House Bill 1621, which would require the Presidential Fitness Physical Fitness Test in elementary, middle, and high school physical education courses. HHS said the bill was part of the rural health transformation application and could help preserve federal funding, but members raised many questions about the test’s criteria, adaptive options for students with disabilities, equipment needs, and whether the bill should apply to non-public schools. Senator Clemens offered an amendment to limit the requirement to public schools, but it failed. Senator Hogan then offered an amendment to clarify exemptions and allow DPI to align implementation with federal guidance; that amendment passed. A further amendment adding language allowing DPI to establish criteria for and exceptions to the test also passed. The committee then approved the bill as amended on a roll call vote. The committee also considered House Bill 1622, which joins North Dakota to the physician assistant licensure compact. HHS said the compact would improve access to care, especially in rural areas, support military families, and help preserve rural health transformation funding. Members noted the compact had been discussed in a prior session and that many earlier concerns had been resolved. After brief discussion about the compact process and its consistency with other interstate compacts, the committee voted to do pass the bill. Finally, the committee began Senate Bill 2402, which expands pharmacists’ prescriptive authority and therapeutic substitution powers. HHS and the Board of Pharmacy supported the bill as a way to improve access to care and maintain rural health transformation funding. Senator Roers introduced a detailed amendment negotiated with the Board of Medicine and Board of Pharmacy to narrow and clarify the bill, including notification requirements, limits on certain drug categories, and patient-protection language for therapeutic substitution. The Board of Pharmacy then testified in support of the broader bill and explained the CLIA-waived testing provisions and the repeal of the older, narrower pharmacist-testing language. The hearing and amendment discussion were still underway when the transcript ended.

Transcript Highlights:

• I move that House Bill 2666, by Representative Keithley, be voted do pass.
• By your vote of eight ayes and four noes, you voted House Bill 2666 do pass.
• , but in the vast majority of injury cases, we are talking about a transaction of facts.
• They’re going to be in every major case we file where you’re contesting anything with constitutionality
• They’re going to be in every major case we file, where you’re contesting anything with constitutionality

Summary: The committee first met in executive session and approved House Bill 2666, Representative Keithley’s anti-SLAPP bill, by an 8-4 vote. After that, the committee moved to a public hearing on House Bill 3054, also sponsored by Representative Keithley. He said the bill had two main purposes: rebalancing appellate workload by moving Cole County cases into the Eastern District, and requiring cases challenging the procedural validity of a bill, statute, regulation, or constitutional provision to originate in Cole County to reduce forum shopping. Members of the committee pressed Keithley on whether the bill was motivated by political or outcome-based concerns, and on how broadly the venue language would apply. Several members worried it could sweep in ordinary civil cases, personal injury suits, medical malpractice cases, or even criminal cases if a constitutional issue were raised. Keithley said his intent was limited to procedural and validity challenges tied to lawmaking or regulatory action, not ordinary fact-based cases, but he acknowledged the language might need clarification. Opposition witnesses from the Missouri Association of Trial Attorneys and the Missouri Circuit Judges Association argued the bill was drafted too broadly and could create venue problems and litigation over where cases belong. They said plaintiffs commonly raise constitutional counts in civil cases, including challenges to damage caps, and warned the bill could force many cases into Cole County or be used for venue shopping in reverse. A representative of the Judicial Conference of Missouri did not take a position but suggested the committee gather more data on case types before proceeding. No further action was taken on HB 3054, and the hearing adjourned.