Transcript Highlights:

• And by saying on the ballot, by voting yes on this ballot question you are voting for a property tax
• ><c> property</c> question you are voting for a property question you are voting for a property tax<00
• </c> and found out yes, of course if I vote and found out yes, of course if I vote yes,<00:01:57.200>
• By voting yes on this ballot question, you are voting for a property tax increase.
• to<00:31:42.000><c> vote</c><00:31:42.200><c> against</c> to vote against to vote against these<00:31

Committee: Senate Education Finance

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> We are voting on House Bill 224. We are voting on House Bill 224.
• </c> &gt;&gt; I clerk votes. Yes. &gt;&gt; I clerk votes. Yes.
• </c> &gt;&gt; Vote being 19 to zero. &gt;&gt; Vote being 19 to zero.
• I'll vote yes.
• The vote was 16. The vote was &gt;&gt; All right. The vote was 16.

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The committee first took up HB 155, which drew a lengthy debate over an amendment to delay implementation until tax year 2027. Supporters said the delay would give lawmakers time to see whether projected revenues materialize and to reconsider the policy if needed; opponents argued it would reduce money available to services and local governments at a time of tightening revenues. Members also discussed broader revenue trends, including tobacco, rooms-and-meals, real estate transfer, and lottery revenues, and disagreed over whether tax cuts tend to increase revenue. The committee adopted amendment 2025-2983H on an 11-9 vote, then voted 11-9 to report HB 155 ought to pass as amended. The bill was sent to the consent calendar, with a majority and minority report to be filed. The committee then considered HB 224, with members expressing concern that the bill would redirect money collected for one purpose to another and should receive more study. A motion for interim study was made and seconded, and the committee approved interim study unanimously, 20-0, sending HB 224 to the consent calendar. Next, the committee took up SB 83, which the Lottery described as a vehicle for technical corrections to gaming law. The Lottery requested changes to remove a bond cap, reconcile inconsistent free-play/promotional-play language, redirect problem-gambling funds to the Commission on Addiction Treatment and Prevention, and revise background-check language after the FBI declined to conduct checks under the existing wording. The committee adopted amendment 2025-2984 unanimously, 20-0, then voted 20-0 to report SB 83 ought to pass as amended and placed it on the consent calendar. Finally, the committee began work on HB 524, a bill to repeal the New Hampshire Vaccine Association. Representative Yuli said members had received many emails and calls both supporting and opposing the program and that he had questions about transparency and the dollars involved. The transcript cuts off before any vote or further action on HB 524.

Transcript Highlights:

• I urge you to vote no.
• Members vote red.
• Members, I vote you to support women and to vote no on this amendment.
• Vote no.
• Vote no.

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• I think members have you have 34 votes?
• </c> his he did ultimately vote yes. his he did ultimately vote yes.
• </c> over again do you have the votes? over again do you have the votes?
• </c> she did to bring people along to a vote. she did to bring people along to a vote.
• Um, to avoid the vote.

Keywords: 918, senate, all

Summary: Senate leaders and bill authors held a post-debate press availability after completing floor debate and passage of a comprehensive gun violence package developed in response to the Annunciation school shooting and other recent violence. They described the package as combining mental health funding, school safety aid, and gun restrictions, including an assault-weapons ban, and said it reflected months of work with families, advocates, law enforcement groups, and members from both parties. They emphasized that the approach was intended to address both access to firearms and the people involved in violence, along with prevention, intervention, and consequences. The speakers said the bill reached 34 Senate votes after extensive conversations with colleagues, including some who had personal connections to Annunciation or concerns about their districts. They framed the vote as historic and said it showed Minnesotans where lawmakers stand. They also urged the House to take up the measure, warning that avoiding a vote would signal that politics were being placed ahead of public safety. They said they would continue lobbying House members and expected negotiations with House and gubernatorial leaders in the coming weeks. Mike Moyski, a family member of an Annunciation victim, praised the Senate action as meaningful and lasting for children and communities, while also criticizing a floor speech he said repeated the shooter’s name and platformed the attacker. In response to questions, senators said they remained open to further talks with House Republicans and Democrats, but stressed that the families wanted a comprehensive package. They said if the House sends over separate school safety legislation, the chambers would conference the bills to resolve differences.

Transcript Highlights:

• Secretary will unlock the board and senators proceed to vote. Have all senators voted?
• If all senators voted. senators voted block the board and record the vote 37 yay zero nays mr. president
• Secretary unlocks the board, and senators proceed to vote. Have all senators voted?
• Senators proceed to vote. Have all senators voted? All senators voted. Okay.
• Secretary, unlock the board, and senators proceed to vote. Have all senators voted?

Summary: The Senate began with prayer and the Pledge of Allegiance, then moved into floor consideration of the 2026-2027 budget. Appropriations Chair Hooper presented Senate Bill 2500, describing a $115 billion budget that reduces overall spending from the prior year, maintains reserves, and includes a 3% pay raise for state employees and 5% raises for state law enforcement, firefighters, correctional officers, and park rangers. Committee chairs then outlined major spending in their areas, including K-12 education, higher education, health and human services, criminal and civil justice, transportation/tourism/economic development, and environmental and agricultural programs. Highlights included increased funding for school scholarships and safety, workforce and university programs, Medicaid and child welfare, corrections operations, affordable housing, rural communities, Everglades and water quality projects, and infrastructure. Members then asked detailed questions about several budget items. Senators sought clarification on the Emergency Management Trust Fund, arts and cultural grants, Florida Forever land acquisition versus conservation easements, teacher salaries, charter school capital outlay funding, EASE grants, New College funding, DOC inmate counts and reimbursement, lottery staffing, concealed weapons licensing positions, election security funding, iBudget waiver support, ADAP funding, Medicaid hospital rate reductions, and scholarship and enrollment supplements in K-12 education. Chairs explained that some reductions reflected technical shifts or right-sizing, that some funds were being moved below the line for better tracking, and that several items—such as ADAP and corrections operations—would likely remain conference issues with the House. After questions, the Senate substituted House bills for the budget and implementing measures and adopted amendments placing the Senate language onto the House vehicles to prepare for conference. The chamber passed the budget-related bills and several conforming measures, including bills on retirement, fuel taxes, the state agency law enforcement radio system, court trust funds, judgeships, and K-12 and higher education conforming changes. Votes on the major bills were overwhelmingly unanimous or near-unanimous, and the Senate repeatedly voted to accede to the House’s request for conference on the substituted bills.

Transcript Highlights:

• I'm going to vote no now.
• Voted. I voted. I'm sorry. Yes. No. No. Okay. Yes, I voted. No. Representative Hernandez.
• And of your vote.
• I voted yes to get it out. Thank you. Thank you, Madam Chair.
• Madam Chair, since I'm last, I get to vote.

Summary: The committee heard the Senate Finance Committee substitute for Senate Bill 240, a capital outlay measure appropriating about $1.3 billion statewide. The bill includes funding for projects prioritized by legislative members and the governor, along with state agency, judicial, and higher education projects. Staff explained that the bill uses a mix of general fund money and severance tax bonds, and that recent Senate floor amendments corrected technical drafting issues and were intended to ensure funds could be used as sponsors intended without delaying grantees. During committee discussion, members asked how cash-funded projects and bond-funded projects were being separated, and staff said general fund surpluses were being used more for smaller equipment and discretionary projects while bonding capacity was reserved for larger, longer-lived projects. Several members raised questions about specific items, including a proposed purchase of a clinical services building in San Miguel County and a Navajo Code Talker Museum project, asking for more detail on intended use, location, and whether the funding was additional to prior appropriations. One member said she would vote no because of concerns about the San Miguel County item, while others said they wanted more information before the floor vote but supported moving the bill forward. No public testimony was offered. The committee then voted 9-3 to give the bill a do pass recommendation. Members who explained their votes said they supported advancing the bill to the floor while still seeking clarification on certain projects, and the chair closed by thanking members and staff for the session.

Transcript Highlights:

• This is an easy yes vote to vote for this amendment.
• This is an easy yes vote to vote for this amendment.
• This is an easy yes vote to vote for this amendment.
• This is an easy yes vote to vote for this amendment.
• This is an easy yes vote to vote for this amendment. to to vote for this to to vote for this amendment

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• Chair votes. Yes. 96. 96. Chairman Roy. Chair votes. Yes. 96. 96.
• We vote moved it, but we didn't vote on it. We stopped. Okay.
• We vote moved it, but we didn't vote on it. We stopped. Okay.
• We vote moved it, but we didn't vote on it. We stopped. Okay.
• The clerk votes yes. Representative The clerk votes yes.

Committee: House Criminal Justice and Public Safety

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Any votes in opposition? Any votes with reservations?
• Any votes in opposition? Any votes with reservations?
• </c><00:28:11.000><c> with</c> any votes in opposition any votes with any votes in opposition any votes
• The vote is on HB 796. The chair's recommendation is to vote HD1. The Vice Chair votes yes.
• Any votes in opposition? Any votes with reservations?

Committee: House Economic Development & Technology

Keywords: 910, house, all

Summary: The committee on Economic Development and Technology met on February 7, 2025, to hear testimony on several bills and later take up amendments and votes. HB 1405, HB 1406, and HB 1407 drew broad support from business, housing, utility, and development groups, with no opposition noted on those measures. Testifiers generally said the bills would streamline permitting, improve coordination, and expand support for chambers of commerce and small businesses. After recess, the chair recommended amendments to each bill, including changes to broaden eligibility, add reporting requirements, and include funding and staffing notes. HB 1405 was amended to allow certain projects with one state and one county permit to qualify, require annual DBEDT reports to the Legislature, and note one full-time position and $125,000 in funding; the committee voted to pass it with amendments. HB 1406 was amended to move the intergovernmental task force from DBEDT to the House Legislature, add a Speaker-appointed chair, and include a $125,000 appropriation note; it also passed with amendments. HB 1407 was amended to convert the chamber support from a grant process to an RFP process and require a 1-to-5 match on a $100,000 award; it too passed with amendments. In each case, the chair’s recommendation was adopted, with Representative Tam excused. The committee also heard HB 796, a tax-credit review bill, which drew no support and 12 opposition testimonies with three comments. Opponents, including SAG-AFTRA Hawaii, Hawaii Children’s Action Network, Catholic Charities Hawaii, and the Tax Foundation of Hawaii, argued that automatic sunset provisions or broad tax-credit cuts would burden working families and that existing review mechanisms already exist under state law. The Department of Taxation and DBEDT offered technical comments, and the Tax Foundation suggested the bill’s goals might be better addressed by cleaning up the existing review process. Later, the committee heard HB 303, which had 17 supporters and no opposition. Testifiers from the Department of Health, University of Hawaii, Hawaii State Center for Nursing, Queen’s Health System, and the Hawaii State Chiropractors Association supported the measure, with the chiropractors asking to be included in eligibility. The Hawaii State Center for Nursing said the program had been successful for five years and had room to expand. HB 577 also drew support, with the Department of Taxation offering comments and the Tax Foundation noting technical issues. HB 949 generated mixed testimony: Hawaii Housing Finance and Development Corporation and the Chamber of Commerce supported it, while Hawaii Children’s Action Network raised concerns about the bill’s effects and the lack of fiscal analysis; Sugar Creek Capital also supported the measure and clarified that the credit would not offset the GET. Finally, HB 933 and HB 959 were heard, with HB 933 receiving six support testimonies and comments focused on grocery tax relief and food insecurity, and HB 959 drawing strong support from labor and advocacy groups for its broad tax relief package, while the Tax Foundation and Hawaii Appleseed urged caution about the proposed 50% GET increase and asked for clearer fiscal analysis.

Transcript Highlights:

• And no vote is a vote for corporate greed. Today, please stand with the people you represent.
• This is a vote about will.
• And no vote is a vote for they own. And no vote is a vote for corporate<00:07:19.360><c> greed.
• I will be voting Commerce Committee.
• Is there anything in there that you could negotiate to get them to vote?

Keywords: 918, senate, all

Summary: Lawmakers and manufactured housing residents discussed a Minnesota bill of rights for manufactured home park residents, aimed at addressing rent increases and private equity ownership of mobile home parks. Rep. Matt Norris and Sen. Liz Bolden described the proposal as a response to out-of-state investors buying parks, raising lot rents, and using enforcement gaps to pressure residents. The bill would define “reasonable rent,” give residents a stronger opportunity to purchase their parks when sold, and strengthen penalties and enforcement of existing protections. Bolden said it is a policy-only bill with no expected fiscal cost and noted it had bipartisan support in the Senate, with a plan to move it from the Commerce Committee to the Judiciary Committee and then to the Senate floor. Residents from Blaine International Village, Sylvan/Lake Elmo, and Cimarron described large rent increases, higher eviction rates, and what they characterized as predatory management practices by out-of-state private equity firms. Tammy Fry said her rent rose from $425 to $700 after her park was sold to Haven Park, while new residents were paying $1,000; Bree Mafee said Sylvan’s lot rent is $1,060 a month and has risen more than 35% in five years, with evictions increasing from about three a year to more than 40 since 2020. Speakers emphasized that manufactured housing residents are both homeowners and renters, and said the bill is needed to protect families from losing homes they own but cannot easily move. Several legislators voiced support. Sen. Judy Seeberger said she had seen predatory practices in Cimarron and would vote yes in committee. Sen. Jim Abeler, a Republican, said he had become aware of the issue and could not stay silent, calling the situation wrong and not a partisan matter. During questions, Bolden said the bill includes a reasonableness standard for lot rent increases, with an exception for health and safety needs, and said similar provisions exist in other states. She also said the bill stalled previously due to timing and moving pieces, not a substantive Senate defeat, and residents argued the issue is about housing stability rather than party politics.

Transcript Highlights:

• Not voting. Lackey? Aye. I'm going... Heredia? Not voting. Lackey? Aye. When? Not voting. Ramos?
• I urge your aye vote. Thank you.
• And vote only, this is item number six, AB 1092. Thank you. And vote only.
• The final vote is 27. Item number one, AB 256. The final vote is 27. That fails.
• The final vote is 90. That passes. Item number three, AB 292. Final vote is 80. That passes.

Summary: The Assembly Public Safety Committee heard several bills dealing with firearms, hit-and-run penalties, domestic violence, and sexually violent predator placement. AB 256 by Assemblymember DeMaio would add a one-year enhancement for certain firearm felonies involving controlled substances and require toxicology testing; supporters said it would provide transparency about the causes of gun violence, while opponents argued it duplicated existing law, was overbroad, and raised privacy concerns. AB 1281, also by DeMaio, would increase penalties for hit-and-run cases involving death or serious injury; supporters framed it as a response to a fatal case in the author’s district, while opponents said current law already provides strong penalties and the bill would remove judicial flexibility. Both bills drew no formal support beyond the author and were opposed by public defenders, civil liberties groups, and other advocates. AB 292 by Assemblymember Patterson, as amended, would increase punishment for repeat felony domestic violence offenders, including higher prison terms and a longer mandatory jail minimum for probationers with prior domestic violence convictions. The author and a survivor witness argued that early release can endanger victims and children, and the California State Sheriffs’ Association and California District Attorneys Association supported the measure. Opponents, including public defenders and advocacy groups, said existing law already escalates penalties, warned the bill could sweep too broadly or reduce flexibility, and urged more prevention-oriented responses. After discussion, the committee approved AB 292 as amended and sent it to Appropriations. AB 767 by Assemblymember Alanis would clarify that private and home-based schools, as well as daycare facilities, are covered by existing restrictions on conditional release placements for sexually violent predators. Supporters said the bill would better protect children and resolve inconsistent court interpretations, while opponents argued it could effectively bar placement in large parts of the state and undermine rehabilitation and due process. The committee passed AB 767 to Appropriations. The committee also approved the consent item AB 277. AB 1092, a vote-only reconsideration item from the prior year, was brought up without the author present and was defeated. Final reported outcomes were: AB 256 failed, AB 277 passed, AB 292 passed, AB 767 passed, AB 1281 failed, and AB 1092 failed.

Transcript Highlights:

• Yes, these bills were voted out at Monday's meeting.
• We have a member who wants to change their vote. The chair moves to reconsider the vote.
• The Secretary of State has a rigorous procedures to ensure non-citizens cannot vote or register to vote
• , and non-citizen voting is virtually nonexistent.
• Not eligible to vote, and it's oriented differently.

Bills: HB5097 , HB5513 , SB523 , SB857 , SB964 , SB1101 , SB2143 , SB2332 , SB2383 , HB 1108

Committee: House Homeland Security, Public Safety & Veterans' Affairs

Keywords: criminal history, background checks, government code, licensing, information access, rural law enforcement, child care grants, community support, law enforcement retention, advisory committee, SB 523, Texas driver’s license, alternative address, residential address, confidential address, address confidentiality, Department of Public Safety, DPS, Transportation Code, Section 521.1211

Transcript Highlights:

• And by your Vote CS for SB 1122, >> Yes. And by your Vote CS for SB 1122, is reported favorably.
• And by your vote SB 1374, is reported favorably.
• and are able to participate in the vote due to parents of more than one child get more than one vote
• I'd like to be recorded as voting affirmative on tab 6 Senate Bill. 11 to 2 voting in the affirmative
• on tab 7 Senate Bill. 1374, voting in the affirmative on Tab. 9 SB 1402 and voting in the affirmative

Keywords: 999, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Chair and vice chair vote: aye. Any members voting with reservation? Any members voting no?
• </c><01:46:29.159><c> with</c> chair vote I any members voting with chair vote I any members voting with
• </c><01:49:22.719><c> voting</c> chair vote I any members vote voting chair vote I any members vote voting
• </c><01:49:56.040><c> with</c> chair vote I any members voting with chair vote I any members voting with
• </c><01:58:24.679><c> with</c> Vice vote I any members voting with Vice vote I any members voting with

Keywords: 910, house, all

Summary: The Committee on Education heard several Department of Education-related bills and received extensive testimony on school meals and veteran diplomas. HB 628 would restore authority for the Department of Education to issue high school diplomas to veterans whose schooling was interrupted by World War II, the Korean War, or the Vietnam War. The superintendent testified in support, explaining the authority had sunset in 2020 and describing the measure as a way to recognize veterans. No opposition or questions were raised, and the bill was left without further action in the excerpt. The committee also heard HB 1074 and HB 110, both supported by the Department of Education and the School Facilities Authority. HB 1074 was described as a cleanup measure to clarify land-related language and make the statute more consistent across state agencies and DOE. HB 110 concerned benchmarking and the farm-to-school/local food effort; DOE and several supporters, including county councils, the Hawaii Public Health Institute, the Hawaii Farm Bureau, and the Hawaii Farmers Union, said the bill would help align metrics and support the 30% local food goal by 2030. Members questioned DOE about progress, and DOE said it was working on menus, procurement, and coordination with distributors and farmers. A Farm to School representative said the current bottleneck was poor communication with farmers and the need to bring them into planning earlier; DOE said it was still figuring out the process and that island-based procurement and separate RFPs were being explored. HB 328, relating to school meals and local resource food and plant-based options, drew the most testimony. DOE testified with comments, and the Attorney General’s office suggested revisions to clarify that the bill would apply to both DOE and charter schools, to separate public and private funds if donations or grants are accepted, and to add standards if nonprofit or private entities receive public money. Supporters included HSTA, the Hawaii Public Health Institute/Farm to School Network, Climate Protection Hawaii, the Hawaii Cattlemen’s Council, and numerous individuals and organizations. Supporters emphasized healthier school meals, student-requested plant-based options, support for local farms, and the 30% by 2030 goal. Some testimony urged more local purchasing and raised concerns about decentralization, while DOE said it was considering island-based procurement and separate contracts to better support local producers. No votes were taken in the excerpt.

Transcript Highlights:

• Gander votes aye. Hicks. Hicks votes no. McDonald. McDonald votes aye.
• </c> Gander votes I. Gander votes I. Hicks. Gander votes I. Gander votes I. Hicks.
• </c> yes vote. yes vote.
• Gander votes aye. Hicks votes yes.
• </c> Gander votes I. Gander votes I. Hicks. Gander votes I. Gander votes I. Hicks.

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> chair for the vote voting on HB 532 chair for the vote voting on HB 532 chair's<01:15:51.760><c>
• Are there any members voting no?
• Voting on HB 577.
• Voting on HB 577.
• Any members voting no?

Keywords: 910, house, all

Summary: The House Committee on Transportation met on January 28, 2025, and heard testimony on a series of bills dealing with vehicle titles, motor vehicle taxes, window tinting, license plates, electric bicycles, insurance penalties, vehicle inspection fines, and transportation discrimination. For HB 532, which shortens the time to forward a transferred vehicle title from 30 days to 14 days and allows a letter of attestation to serve as an endorsement certificate, testimony was listed in support from Councilmember U. Hajin and the City and County of Honolulu Department of Customer Services, and in opposition from Maui Mayor Richard Bisson and Sylvie Madison. HB 655 would require payment of unpaid motor vehicle taxes, fees, and penalties for the most recent five consecutive years of delinquency; the Tax Foundation of Hawaiʻi stood on written comments, with Tim Rymer and Robert Souza providing comments/support. HB 368, which would exempt certain medically sensitive drivers from sunscreen-device tint limits, drew opposition from the Department of Transportation and support from several individuals. HB 226, lowering allowed windshield tint from 35% to 20%, drew opposition from the Department of Transportation and support from TNT Tinting Specialists; members asked about federal preemption, and DOT said federal guidance applies to manufacturers while states retain authority over aftermarket tinting. The committee also heard HB 543, prohibiting license plate flipping devices and imposing a $2,000 fine, and HB 228, authorizing counties to adopt rules for electronic license plates, repealing flipping devices, and setting a minimum fine for obscuring plates; both measures had DOT support, comments from the Honolulu Department of Customer Services, and opposition from Sylvie Madison. HB 70 would require insurance for electric bicycles and create a regulatory framework effective January 1, 2026. The Office of the Public Defender opposed it, arguing the bill improperly distinguishes e-bikes from mopeds; PeopleForBikes and the Hawaiʻi Bicycling League opposed it as costly and unnecessary, while the Insurance Division said the bill could conflict with existing no-fault definitions and might fit better in the motor scooter/moped insurance framework. HB 231, increasing the fine for violating motor vehicle insurance requirements from $500 to $1,500, was opposed by the Office of the Public Defender, which argued it would burden low-income residents and add to court congestion; members debated whether higher fines would improve compliance. Later, HB 227 would add fines for operating a vehicle without a current inspection certificate and had DOT support. HB 184 would require operators of low-speed electric bicycles to have a driver’s license, instruction permit, or provisional license; Kawaii Path, PeopleForBikes, and Get Fit Kauaʻi opposed it as a barrier to low-cost transportation and noted concerns for riders with disabilities, while DOT later said it would support the measure and was asked to research whether other states have similar licensing requirements. The final major measure discussed was HB 468, which would require the Civil Rights Commission to investigate discrimination complaints involving transportation network company drivers and riders with service animals and allow DOT to issue penalties to the companies. The National Federation of the Blind of Hawaiʻi, the Disability Rights Center, and individual riders supported the bill, saying current protections lack enforcement and that denials still occur; Uber and Lyft opposed it, saying they already prohibit discrimination, train drivers, investigate complaints quickly, and that the bill would duplicate existing law and create unnecessary penalties. No votes or final committee actions were taken in the portion of the hearing provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• All those in favor will vote aye. All those opposed will vote no. The Senate will proceed to vote.
• All those in favor will vote aye.
• All those in favor will vote aye. All those opposed will vote no. The Senate will proceed to vote.
• All those in favor will vote aye. All those opposed will vote no. The Senate will proceed to vote.
• the vote.

Summary: The Senate met with 29 members present and a quorum, opened with invocation and the Pledge of Allegiance, and approved several temporary and full excusals for absent senators. During introduction and referral, the chamber received a large number of new Senate bills and House bills, covering election law, public health, occupational and skilled trades regulation, school code and school aid issues, child protection, cemetery and funeral regulation, insurance, estates, food law, political activity, credit unions, social welfare, transportation, natural resources, and a veterans hyperbaric oxygen therapy grant/fund proposal. All of these measures were read and referred to the appropriate committees; no substantive debate occurred at this stage. The Senate then moved into the Committee of the Whole and considered Senate Bills 480, 517, and 278. SB 480, dealing with child care organization licensing and regulation, received and adopted a committee substitute and advanced. SB 517, a Revised School Code bill, received and adopted a floor substitute and advanced. SB 278, amending the State Housing Development Authority Act, was reported without amendment and advanced. The Committee of the Whole reported SBs 480 and 517 with amendments and SB 278 without amendment, and the Senate concurred in those recommendations. On third reading, the Senate took up Senate Bill 49, amending the Michigan Occupational Safety and Health Act, and Senate Bill 50, amending the Code of Criminal Procedure. Senator Albert offered an amendment to SB 49 to require citations within six months of a violation, arguing it would align with federal standards and provide certainty; the amendment failed. Both SB 49 and SB 50 then passed by votes of 20-15, with three senators excused. The Senate also suspended the rules to immediately consider Senate Resolution 134, which recognized June 23-29, 2026 as Grassroots Week; Senator Kavanaugh spoke in support, citing civil rights history and modern grassroots organizing, and the resolution was adopted. The chamber then proceeded to statements and adjourned until Wednesday, June 24 at 10 a.m.

Transcript Highlights:

• By your vote of 18 ayes and three noes, you have voted House Committee substitute for House Bill 2297
• By your vote of 14 ayes and seven noes, you have voted House Bill 2436 due pass.
• By your vote of 17 ayes and four noes, you have voted House Committee Substitute for House Bill 2713
• They couldn't vote on it.
• They don't vote on particular projects per se.

Committee: House Agriculture, Food Production and Outdoor Resources

Summary: The House Committee on Agriculture met in executive session and took up three bills before moving to a public hearing on House Bill 1885. On House Bill 2297, Representative Hayden’s fencing/enclosure bill, the committee adopted a House Committee substitute after discussion about terminology changes, including whether to use “property boundary line” versus “division line,” and about liability language for injuries during fence construction. The substitute was then reported do pass by a vote of 18 ayes and 3 noes. The committee next approved House Bill 2436, Representative Van Skoik’s animal impoundment bill, by a vote of 14 ayes and 7 noes. It then considered House Bill 2713, where the committee adopted a substitute and an amendment restoring a five-year sunset, after discussion that the bill related to a tax credit and industry concerns about removing the sunset. The final committee vote on the House Committee substitute for HB 2713 was 17 ayes and 4 noes, and it was reported do pass. In public hearing, Representative Van Skoik presented House Bill 1885, which would change the makeup of the Clean Water Commission by allowing at least one member knowledgeable about publicly owned wastewater treatment works, removing a two-year waiting period for certain industry members, and directing the commission to set recusal rules for conflicts of interest. Supporters from the Metropolitan St. Louis Sewer District and municipal utilities said the bill would help ensure knowledgeable, current wastewater professionals can serve and address a shortage of experienced people in the field. Questions focused on whether the commission should set its own conflict rules and whether members could still have income from permit holders; the sponsor and witnesses said recusal rules would address conflicts and that the bill was intended to improve expertise on the commission. No opposition testimony was heard before the committee adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• I want to thank everyone for voting for this bill, and let's vote again.
• Have all members voted who wish to do so? Time for voting is expired.
• Roll call having been called, the clerk will display the tally. 153 votes in the affirmative, zero votes
• Have all members voted who wish to do so? As all members have voted, time for voting is required.
• Have all members voted who wish to do so? Have all members voted? Time for voting has expired.

Summary: The House opened with the Pledge of Allegiance, welcomed student ambassadors from Robinson Middle School in Lowell, and adopted several resolutions honoring the Gaudet family and Patricia Rappucci. Members also agreed to extend the reporting deadline for the Health Care Financing Committee on House No. 5505 and suspended Joint Rule 12 to send a condominium-related petition to the Committee on Consumer Protection and Professional Licensure. The chamber then dealt with Senate No. 2619, the Massachusetts Data Privacy Act. The House did not concur with the Senate’s position and instead appointed a committee of conference. It also took up Senate No. 3064, the major climate and infrastructure bond bill known as the Mass Ready Act, which Ways and Means reported with a House amendment. After debate emphasizing resilience, clean water, PFAS remediation, coastal protection, agriculture, and municipal preparedness, the House adopted the amendment and ordered the bill to a third reading. Later, the House considered and overwhelmingly approved a conference report on H. 5511, the early literacy and teacher preparation bill. Supporters said it would require evidence-based reading instruction, restrict three-cueing methods, expand educator training, and support paid teaching apprenticeships. The report was accepted 152-0. The House then returned to S. 3064, adopted a consolidated amendment, and passed the bill to be engrossed by a vote of 151-0, before adjourning to meet the next day in informal session.

Transcript Highlights:

• I want to thank everyone for voting for this bill, and let's vote again.
• Have all members voted who wish to do so? Time for voting is expired.
• Roll call having been called, the clerk will display the tally. 153 votes in the affirmative, zero votes
• Have all members voted who wish to do so? As all members have voted, time for voting is required.
• Have all members voted who wish to do so? Have all members voted? Time for voting has expired.

Keywords: 1212, all