Transcript Highlights:

• He previously served as consul general in Texas from 2016 to 2019.
• We bond around meals, meals that have passed down through generations.
• Black history teaches us that we, for generations, have faced literacy tests and taxes used as a way
• AND I ENCOURAGE FUTURE Generations to have the same commitment.
• Calendar 158, Assembly 9433, Assembly Member Woerner, an act to amend the General Municipal Law.

Keywords: 993, senate, all

Summary: The Senate convened, approved the prior journal, received messages and substitutions from the Assembly, and welcomed two new members, Senators Erik Bottcher and Jeremy Zellner. The chamber then adopted the resolution calendar and took up a privileged resolution sponsored by Majority Leader Stewart-Cousins memorializing Governor Hochul to proclaim February 2026 as Black History Month in New York. Senators Bailey, Baskin, Sanders, Scarcella-Spanton, Brisport, Parker, Cleare, Comrie, and others spoke in support, emphasizing Black history as American history, the importance of education and remembrance, and the contributions of Black New Yorkers and historical figures. The resolution was adopted, and the leader opened it for co-sponsorship. The Senate then moved to the bill calendar and passed several measures, including bills on civil procedure, urban development, labor, and public service law. One labor bill was substituted from the Assembly and passed. Several energy and utility-related bills drew debate, with supporters arguing they would improve affordability, utility rate-setting, and consumer protections, while opponents said they would not meaningfully lower costs and instead reflected broader policy choices. Senator Walczyk voted no on one utility bill, and Senators Tedisco and others criticized the package; Senators Mayer and Harckham defended the measures as needed reforms to utility regulation and return-on-equity standards. Most bills were approved by wide margins, including one public service bill that passed 53-9 and another that passed 61-1.

Transcript Highlights:

• What that generates for them, it's about $1.3 million.
• We finally are investing in our young children, but we know there are generations of abuse, generations
• The reason why we need to generate a recurring, steady fund is to continue to look at generating revenue
• I know you talked about the general fund.
• And so it became a pattern, generation after generation.

Transcript Highlights:

• This includes reviewing and approving general educational curriculum, evaluating or denying top-level
• I'm also a researcher at the University of Texas, and I'm a first-generation indigenous scholar.
• I'm a first-generation student, and I'm the first of my family to actually attend college.
• And of course, the general curriculum code that's in... in the statute lays out a general code for what
• That would generate the new companies that will generate all the income that we're really talking about

Bills: SB 37

Keywords: fetal development, education, public health curriculum, middle school, age-appropriate instruction, 1184, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Revenue in over lands haven't generated Revenue in over 60<00:09:13.240><c> years</c><00:09:14.240><
• revenue for the permanent generate revenue for the permanent School<00:19:06.559><c> fund</c><00:19:
• </c> fund where they would generate fund where they would generate investment<00:19:13.840><c> returns
• He also said he does not understand why the general citizenry would be in line to buy it at $375 per
• </c><00:39:20.280><c> Revenue</c> that's supposed to generate Revenue that's supposed to generate Revenue

Keywords: 919, house, all

Summary: The committee took up HF 1425, which would prohibit the sale of state-owned school trust lands in the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness to the federal government and instead require a land trade. Representative Skraba argued the federal wilderness law requires an exchange, not a sale, and said the state should trade Boundary Waters school trust lands for federal lands elsewhere, citing potential benefits for logging, mining, and school trust revenue. He said the current proposed sale price was too low and moved to lay the bill over for possible inclusion in a future bill. Later, he withdrew a DE1 amendment and instead moved to re-refer the bill to the Education Finance Committee, but that motion failed. Testimony was largely opposed to the bill. Aaron Vandal of the Office of School Trust Lands said the exchange option was no longer viable, that the lands have produced no revenue for education for decades, and that selling them is the trust’s last opportunity to generate returns for schoolchildren. Bob Meyer of the DNR supported Vandal’s position and said the agency could not negotiate mineral rights in the way suggested. Aon Clems of the Minnesota Center for Environmental Advocacy and Amanda Hefner of Save the Boundary Waters both opposed HF 1425, though they emphasized different reasons: Clems argued a sale best fulfills the state’s fiduciary duty to maximize long-term returns for education, while Hefner said a sale would harm public education funding, align with the trust’s original purpose, and help consolidate federal ownership in the wilderness. Members then questioned the valuation and the practical differences between a sale and an exchange. Representative Jacob challenged the low per-acre price and asked about the federal government’s set-aside amount, while Representative Fischer asked how the appraisal was determined. DNR lands and minerals director Joe Henderson explained the valuation came from an independent appraiser, was based on the wilderness restrictions and lack of development potential, and was from a 2020 appraisal that is now being updated. Representative Schultz supported the sale approach and said the state should not transfer the land at such a low price. The committee did not advance the bill to the Education Finance Committee.

Transcript Highlights:

• This proposal would not just slow growth in the size of the state's general fund compared to what it
• This proposal would not just slow growth in the size of the state's general fund compared to what it
• So 1.15 or 1.16, 1.17—uh, it says in the account the amount of projected revenues in the general fund
• </c><00:25:07.679><c> fund</c><00:25:07.960><c> so</c> just be set aside in the general fund so just
• be set aside in the general fund so they<00:25:08.240><c> wouldn't</c><00:25:08.480><c> be</c><00:25:

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• And if you're a fan of the Sunday shows, you may recognize General McKenzie's face.
• General McKenzie assume the commander of U.S.
• Thank you. >> General McKenzie would know by my beard probably right now.
• Senator Davis. >> Thank you, Madam Chair, and thank you, general, for being here.
• I do have a question just generally, how how are these programs?

Keywords: 999, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• This idea that, I mean, there's general consistency, right?
• This idea that, I mean, there's general consistency, right?
• My generation has never had the luxury of privacy.
• As the first generation As the first generation to grow up with access to the internet, I remember being
• I am General Counsel of the Retailers Association of Massachusetts.

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The committee hearing focused on a package of Massachusetts privacy and technology bills, especially measures to ban the sale of location data, establish a comprehensive consumer data privacy law, and regulate biometric recognition and surveillance pricing. Chairs and sponsors argued that self-regulation has failed, that data brokers and large tech companies routinely collect and monetize sensitive information, and that state action is needed because federal protections are weak or absent. Several speakers tied the bills to reproductive health, gender-affirming care, domestic violence, children’s data, and other sensitive uses of location and biometric information. Supporters included legislators and advocates who backed H. 86/S. 197 (Location Shield), H. 78/S. 45/H. 104/S. 29 (comprehensive privacy bills), H. 99/S. 47 (surveillance pricing in grocery stores), and H. 36/S. 36 (biometric recognition accountability). They emphasized data minimization, bans on selling sensitive data, consumer rights to access, delete, and opt out, and in some cases a private right of action. Several witnesses said Massachusetts should lead or align with other states, while others argued that stronger protections are needed because data can be weaponized by stalkers, anti-abortion actors, abusive partners, insurers, or law enforcement. Industry and coalition witnesses urged the committee to favor a more standardized, interoperable framework modeled on laws already adopted in other states, warning that novel definitions, data-minimization rules, and private rights of action could create compliance burdens, confusion, and costs for businesses, including small businesses. They argued that entity-level exemptions for sectors already covered by federal laws like HIPAA or GLBA promote consistency, and that Attorney General enforcement is preferable to private lawsuits. Committee members questioned witnesses on patchwork concerns, the scope of exemptions, and whether the proposed bills would harm or help consumers and small businesses. No votes or final actions were taken during the hearing; written testimony was noted as due later, and the committee continued taking testimony from multiple panels and virtual witnesses.

Transcript Highlights:

• Generally, Cook and I wouldn't talk.
• </c> duties already enacted by the general duties already enacted by the general assembly<02:52:44.800
• general fund money to transport.
• </c> is estimated to increase our general is estimated to increase our general fund<07:48:16.878><c>
• That's how we preserve general fund balance.

Keywords: 981, all

Transcript Highlights:

• general effect on the cost of rental general effect on the cost of rental renting<00:21:16.920><c> in
• </c> and down a little bit with a general and down a little bit with a general increase<00:43:08.440>
• We just didn't general trend is growth.
• </c> not a big overall change, but generally not a big overall change, but generally small<00:51:55.440
• And then generally, no impact on the sales tax for tobacco products, which is in section three.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• They have 29 the Attorney General.
• This is not general funds.
• Roll call Attorney General, as amended?
• </c> border control be uh funded from general border control be uh funded from general fund<02:11:09.040
• </c> water development to general fund. water development to general fund.

Keywords: 916, all

Transcript Highlights:

• So the amounts in the columns are increments over the base funding, um, generally from the general fund
• . um generally from over the base funding. um generally from the<00:04:49.840><c> general</c><00:04:50.080
• > fund</c><00:08:59.279><c> operating</c> there's a general fund operating there's a general fund operating
• Um but not picking up a general fund.
• So these are generally the same, with minor technical differences.

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• The CIA and General Pa's Changeng.
• </c> Staff General Staff General Norton<00:37:34.079><c> Schwarz</c><00:37:34.960><c> from</c><00:37:
• </c> alongside General alongside General Wangpa.<00:43:07.760><c> When</c><00:43:08.000><c> the</c><00
• ,</c><00:48:41.200><c> including</c> inspire a new generation, including inspire a new generation, including
• Older generation Black veterans like don't trust the system. I trust the system.

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• Yeah, so I mean this amendment changes the source of the funding for this from the general fund to the
• But that's just a general comment. Thank you, Mr. Chair. Thank you, Representative Nelson.
• We had to do it, uh, more footage, and generally around our property.
• We had to do it, uh, more footage, and generally around our property.
• </c> toward towards the river It generally toward towards the river It generally slopes<01:17:27.480>

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• It talked about electricity generation, and then it has Minnesota generated and imported.
• We have to get this to the General Register.
• </c> role this is going to the general role this is going to the general register<01:47:45.599><c> that's
• </c> will file number 748 to the general will file number 748 to the general register<01:47:53.159><c
• </c> the bill is moved on to the general the bill is moved on to the general register<01:48:30.840><c

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> when I served in the Virginia General when I served in the Virginia General Assembly<00:25:48.840
• I'm Bartlett Cleland, general counsel for NetChoice.
• And I know as we look at this, these data centers are revenue generators.
• China is number two, so it would in... bring and generate this um kind of bring and generate this um
• </c><01:15:13.960><c> fund</c> substantial pressure on the general fund substantial pressure on the general

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Ryan Corals, and myself as general counsel.
• Ryan Corals, and myself as general counsel.
• </c> general education and major programs. general education and major programs.
• Aaron Thompson and first generation. Dr.
• </c><01:04:32.960><c> but</c> students and first generation but students and first generation but there's

Keywords: 958, all

Summary: The Interim Joint Budget Review Subcommittee on Education met to hear updates from Kentucky public universities and the Kentucky Community and Technical College System on compliance with House Bill 4, which restricts DEI-related activities and requires institutional and viewpoint neutrality. The chair emphasized that the hearing should focus on both compliance and the financial effects of the law. Eastern Kentucky University said its board adopted a House Bill 4 compliance resolution and an institutional neutrality policy. KCTCS reported systemwide reviews of programs, websites, scholarships, personnel, and admissions language, along with board actions removing a cultural competency course requirement, adopting institutional neutrality, and certifying compliance. KCTCS said about $2.5 million annually had been reallocated to other needs, and that no personnel were eliminated, though some roles were reassigned and DEI-related offices closed. Kentucky State University said it had already dissolved DEI offices before the bill passed, ended DEI-specific training, revised policies and gift acceptance rules, adopted a viewpoint neutrality policy, and was conducting ongoing reviews of programs, job descriptions, and web content. KSU said it had achieved substantial compliance, expected full operational integration by August 1, and had not terminated staff or closed academic programs because of the law. In response to questions, KSU said it was broadening outreach to all students rather than targeting specific populations and that its prior diversity finding was tied to not meeting a diversity quota. Morehead State University said it had no DEI office before House Bill 4, amended its non-discrimination statement to include political and social viewpoint neutrality and condemnation of religious and ethnic discrimination, and remained focused on serving its largely low-income student body. Murray State University reported reviewing scholarships, expenditures, training, and academic programs to ensure no differential treatment or indoctrination, revising its neutrality policy, and updating non-discrimination posters and training. When asked about a statement that DEI would “look different,” the university said it meant student support services would continue in a different form. Northern Kentucky University said it dissolved its diversity office and chief diversity officer position in 2024, reviewed programs, events, scholarships, and employee affinity groups, adopted a statement on intellectual diversity and viewpoint neutrality, and reviewed about 2,000 courses for compliance. NKU also said its new Center for Belonging would focus on first-generation and commuter students rather than rebrand prior DEI efforts. The University of Kentucky began its presentation by describing earlier changes made in August 2024, including disbanding its office of institutional diversity, removing diversity statements and mandatory training, adopting institutional neutrality, and ending race-based consideration in admissions and scholarships; the transcript cuts off before the rest of UK’s testimony and any committee votes or formal actions beyond receiving the presentations.

Transcript Highlights:

• Today, about 90% of all prescription drugs dispensed are generic drugs.
• There's been a high adoption rate of generic drugs.
• About 90% of all prescription drugs dispensed are generic drugs.
• There's been a high adoption rate of generic drugs.
• </c><01:05:20.680><c> these</c> man uh Mr chair so generally these man uh Mr chair so generally these

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• ><c> the</c> director general, she's the director general, she's the representative<00:26:13.279><c>
• ><c> it's</c><01:10:47.840><c> under</c> We continue and generally it's under We continue and generally
• </c> councilors can serve in the general councilors can serve in the general assembly,<01:18:28.560><
• , then similarly the general assembly, then similarly the general assembly assembly assembly can<01:18
• </c> the general assembly. the general assembly.

Keywords: 981, all

Transcript Highlights:

• We have a problem with the bill in general.
• So I'll just answer generally.
• So I'll just answer generally.
• But my general answer would be the same.
• You're generous.

Summary: The Senate convened with a quorum, opened with prayer and the Pledge of Allegiance, and then moved through a lengthy special order calendar. Early business included unanimous passage of CS/CS/SB 1062 on speech and debate education, with supporters describing it as a way to expand access to debate programs statewide, create a Hall of Fame, support public-private partnerships, and train coaches. The bill drew broad bipartisan praise for teaching civics, critical thinking, and conflict resolution, and passed 37-0 after adoption of a delete-all amendment. The Senate also passed SB 1072 on an anti-Semitism task force after clarifying amendment language stating the bill does not restrict criticism of Israel and is consistent with First Amendment protections; members emphasized rising anti-Semitic incidents and the need for recommendations on prevention, law enforcement training, and community relations. The chamber then approved CS/CS/SB 1230 / HB 1019 on PFAS chemicals, phasing out firefighting foam containing PFAS, requiring reporting and biosolid testing, and authorizing DEP rulemaking, assistance, and enforcement; the bill was described as protecting firefighters and water supplies and was dedicated in memory of former firefighter Joe Casello. Senators also passed SB 1706 on the My Safe Florida Condominium Pilot Program, SB 186 on student health and safety and seizure response training in schools, SB 598 updating funeral and cemetery regulation, SB 990 creating protected cell captive insurance companies, SB 554 modernizing nonprofit corporation law, SB 560 streamlining child welfare and foster care medication procedures, SB 684 on electronic signatures for total-loss vehicles and vessels, and SB 778 on forensic services for certain defendants. Most of these bills were taken up with identical House companions, no amendments, and unanimous or near-unanimous votes. The most extended and contentious debate centered on SB 1134 regarding official actions of local governments and DEI-related activities. Sponsor Senator Yarbrough argued the bill would stop counties and cities from funding or promoting discriminatory or indoctrinating DEI practices, citing examples from several local governments. Multiple amendments were offered, including proposals to narrow the bill to spending, add an intent requirement for penalties, and broaden exceptions for holidays and observances; these amendments were debated at length but were not adopted. The sponsor did accept some clarifying changes, including language protecting certain nonprofit services, heritage resources, and the Pulse Memorial, and he answered questions about Black History Month and at-risk youth services. The transcript ends while the Senate is still working through the amendment process on SB 1134, with no final vote on the underlying bill shown in the excerpt.

Transcript Highlights:

• I'm going to go ahead and vote to print because generally that's what I do.
• I'm going to go ahead and vote to print because generally that's what I do.
• Patients generally pay only their in-network cost sharing.
• Patients generally pay only their in-network cost sharing.
• There is no financial burden on the general fund.

Summary: The Senate State Affairs Committee began by welcoming Mayor Joan Hawkins of Malad City, who filled in for Senator Anthon, and then approved the minutes from February 11, 13, and 16, 2026. The committee also recognized page Chase Janetz at the end of the meeting for his service, with members offering remarks about his experience and future plans. The bulk of the meeting was devoted to introducing and printing a series of RS drafts. These included RS 3341 on expansion of the research and development center tied to new nuclear projects and the 1995 settlement agreement; RS 3291, a controller’s office cleanup bill; RS 3314C1, which strengthens agency contract-reporting requirements; RS 33386, which tightens voter affidavit requirements; RS 33136, requiring annual reporting on refugee resettlement programs; RS 33321, strengthening enforcement of gold and silver payment contracts; RS 33028, allowing party committees to set additional criteria for precinct committeemen; and RS 3338, changing how appointed judges may run after filling vacancies. Most of these were advanced to print with little or no opposition, though RS 3338 drew concerns that it could discourage qualified judges from serving and reduce the pool of applicants. The committee also introduced RS 33396, creating a specialty license plate to fund Idaho State Police salaries; RS 33420, regulating billing and reimbursement practices for out-of-network freestanding emergency rooms; RS 33379, a cleanup bill related to the Department of Lands’ legal authority; and RS 33382, aimed at protecting private property owners from warrantless visits by agencies or law enforcement except where allowed by law. Finally, the committee heard House Bill 613, which would reduce liability concerns for churches and other private facilities used as polling places by extending state insurance coverage for election-related activities. After questions about how liability would apply, the committee voted to send HB 613 to the floor with a do-pass recommendation.