Transcript Highlights:

• In the 1700s, black bears were common throughout the states and were a primary food source for Native
• are there any particular wrestling techniques that you would recommend to extricate yourself from a close

Committee: House Conservation and Natural Resources

Keywords: 959, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• If you didn't see it, Senator Rogers dashed in here at the last second before we closed attendance.
• SB 1633, income tax attraction, primary residence. Finance.

Keywords: 1182, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Are there any primary witnesses in opposition? Sure, sir, if you want to approach. I'm sorry.
• Vote, and I would invite you to close. So we've taken that all to heart.

Committee: House Arts, Entertainment, Sports, and Tourism

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• If we are the primary stakeholders of the education policy decisions being made by lawmakers, it only
• Get close. All right, are we good? Give him some more. Come, come, come. And then we have for you.

Summary: Students Engaged in Advancing Texas (SEAT) held an advocacy day at the Texas Capitol with more than 300 young Texans and allies to press lawmakers on education policy. Speakers framed the event around student visibility in policymaking and criticized recent Texas actions on school vouchers, book bans, and legislation affecting LGBTQ students and classroom content. Representative Donna Howard briefly attended and voiced support for students having a seat at the table, citing a prior effort to add a student to a school board as an example of the kind of participation SEAT is seeking. Several student speakers described how voucher expansion threatens public schools and argued that public education is being underfunded and undermined rather than failing on its own. Others focused on LGBTQ inclusion, saying bills such as SB 12 and SB 13 would erase queer students’ experiences and make schools less safe and welcoming. One speaker also condemned book bans and censorship, arguing that students need access to diverse books and honest, inclusive education to think critically and feel represented. SEAT executive director Cameron Samuels closed by describing the group’s earlier organizing against book bans and internet restrictions and by connecting that work to broader demands for public schools, student rights, and safety. The event did not include any legislative vote or formal committee action; it was an advocacy press conference aimed at influencing lawmakers during the session.

Transcript Highlights:

• They need to be close to they have redundancies across the system.
• Those should not be our primary considerations. Thank you, Mr.
• </c> those should not be our primary those should not be our primary considerations.<00:47:10.160><c>
• For example, costs might include down payment and closing costs.
• </c><01:28:47.040><c> held</c> family-owned farms and closely held family-owned farms and closely held

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• Our primary customer is New Hampshire DOT.
• Hampton's got three of them closed. It fully automates Hampton.
• Hampton's got three of them closed. It fully automates Hampton.
• to now close the public hearing<01:03:03.160><c> on</c><01:03:03.480><c> Senate</c><01:03:04.040><c>
• All right, the executive session on Senate Bill 529 is now closed. &gt;&gt; Yeah. &gt;&gt; Yeah.

Committee: House Public Works and Highways

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• in on completing years and we're closing in on completing the<00:17:57.280><c> first</c><00:17:58.159
• </c><00:33:27.440><c> the</c><00:33:27.519><c> loop</c> just in a general sense closing the loop just
• in a general sense closing the loop could<00:33:28.519><c> you</c><00:33:28.720><c> comment</c><00:33
• We're a trade association for the big primary wood-consuming mills in the state.
• wood consuming Mills in the big primary wood consuming Mills in the<00:54:06.319><c> state</c><00:54

Keywords: 1183, house

Summary: The committee heard testimony on sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) and Minnesota’s efforts to build a SAF industry. Andrea Veble of the Minnesota Department of Agriculture said the Walz administration strongly supports SAF because it could benefit agriculture, forestry, clean energy, and rural economies. She highlighted the 2023 state SAF tax credit and sales tax exemption for facility construction, describing the credit as a nation-leading incentive designed to stack with federal IRA credits and attract producers and blenders to Minnesota. Jeff Davidman of Delta Airlines said aviation is difficult to decarbonize and that SAF is the airline industry’s best available tool to reach net-zero goals by 2050. He explained that SAF is a certified drop-in fuel that can be blended with conventional jet fuel and used in existing aircraft and infrastructure, and he cited growing global demand and limited supply. He said Minnesota has many potential feedstocks, including used cooking oil, corn, soybeans, and camelina, and praised the state’s SAF tax credit and the Minnesota SAF Hub as important steps toward making Minnesota a leader in the sector. Peter Fros of Greater MSP described the Minnesota SAF Hub as a public-private partnership aimed at building an industrial-scale SAF value chain in Minnesota. He said the state has key advantages, including airport demand, corporate partners, research institutions, and agricultural inputs, and estimated that three SAF biorefineries could create tens of thousands of jobs and significant emissions reductions. He also said the Hub is working on blending infrastructure, private demand commitments, a winter camelina expansion study, and efforts to secure additional refineries before 2030. Members raised questions about how sustainability is measured, and Fros said the Hub relies on the federal GREET model but wants a clearer, transparent, and standardized national method that also accounts for issues like water quality and biodiversity. Amanda Bellik of the Minnesota Corn Growers Association said corn-based ethanol is a strong fit for SAF production through the alcohol-to-jet pathway because it is abundant, affordable, and supported by existing infrastructure. She said SAF development could create a new value-added market for corn without requiring new acres, but emphasized the need for significant capital investment, stable tax policy, and efficient permitting. She also said the group has worked with a consultant on third-party sustainability assessments of corn production practices to help fill data gaps and support the carbon-intensity requirements tied to SAF incentives.

Transcript Highlights:

• This legislation helps ensure the school day remains focused on its primary mission: student learning
• heard about this, I looked it up and found information online that the state and local districts' primary
• I have seen candidates meet and greets for the main primaries and countless union activities done there
• Representative Boyle, would you like to come and close, please? Thank you, Mr.
• I appreciate Representative Boyle, the work she's done on this bill, and her closing today.

Summary: The committee first approved the minutes from February 17 and introduced a new page. It then took up Senate Bill 1261, which would add the word “appointed” to code so that an appointed officeholder is treated the same as an elected one after a resignation and appointment. There was no opposition, and the committee voted to send SB 1261 to the floor with a do-pass recommendation. The main item was House Bill 745, a proposal by Rep. Judy Boyle to bar school districts from using public funds or payroll systems for certain union-related activities. Boyle said the bill would stop districts from paying union dues, increasing compensation to cover dues, providing paid leave for union work, sharing extra personal information with unions, or distributing union communications, while exempting police and firefighter unions and preserving collective bargaining. Committee members pressed her on why teachers were singled out, how the bill fit with existing law, and whether the claimed $1.2 million fiscal impact was consistent with the fiscal note. Boyle said the bill was aimed at keeping taxpayer money in classrooms and that some districts already use public funds for union-related costs. Public testimony on HB 745 was split. Supporters, including representatives of the Freedom Foundation, Americans for Prosperity, the National Right to Work Committee, parents, taxpayers, and several teachers or school employees, argued that payroll deductions, paid release time, and district support for union activities improperly subsidize private political organizations and should be paid for by unions themselves. Opponents, including the Idaho Education Association, the AFL-CIO, a superintendent, and an educator, argued the bill is aimed at teachers’ unions, is not neutral because it excludes police and fire, could interfere with local community events and school partnerships, and may create legal and administrative problems. No final vote on HB 745 was taken in the portion provided; testimony continued with the bill still under consideration.

Transcript Highlights:

• Modi works at Express Family Clinic and provides primary care to people in Allen, Texas, in Senate District
• Senator West, that keeps those authorities and obligations with our district attorneys, and I'm working closely
• saw... ...was that somehow this new, you know, secondary process is somehow taking the place of the primary
• You've got that main channel already on whatever is being asked on the primary channel.
• change the culture, which is let's be normally open about public information instead of normally closed

Bills: HJR98 , HB142 , HB912 , HB2525 , SCR19 , SB66 , SB128 , SB209 , SB250 , SB317 , SB383 , SB393 , SB397 , SB517 , SB571 , SB612 , SB614 , SB715 , SB731 , SB801 , SB865 , SB867 , SB872 , SB905 , SB913 , SB945 , SB946 , SB986 , SB1013 , SB1015 , SB1071 , SB1086 , SB1087 , SB1113 , SB1117 , SB1181 , SB1212 , SB1241 , SB1250 , SB1263 , SB1278 , SB1285 , SB1444 , SB1483 , SB1525 , SB1528 , SB1553 , SB1556 , SB1588 , SB1660 , SB1708 , SB1802 , SB1833 , SB1844 , SB1854 , SB1957 , SB1965 , SB1999 , SB2056 , SB2082 , SB2119 , SB2133 , SB2138 , SB2203 , SB2221 , SB2337 , SB2340 , SB2373 , SB2419 , SB2422 , SB2452 , SB2477 , SB2487 , SB2501 , SB2533 , SB2586 , SB2587 , SB2615 , SB2622 , SB2633 , SB2675 , SB2681 , SB2690 , SB2713 , SB2717 , SB2753 , SB2781 , SB2782 , SB2835 , SB2841 , SB2857 , SB2891 , SB2929 , SB2933 , SB2994 , SB3016 , SJR3 , SB5 , SB29 , SB72 , SB326 , SB494 , SB509 , SB530 , SB616 , SB769 , SB783 , SB963 , SB985 , SB1143 , SB1172 , SB1238 , SB1267 , SB1271 , SB1273 , SB1506 , SB1759 , SB1786 , SB1967 , SB2312 , SB2361 , SB1 , SB260 , SB1506 , SB1637 , HJR98 , HJR99 , HJR2 , HJR1 , HB1109 , HB1392 , HB22 , HB2525 , HB3093 , HB517 , HB912 , HB1130 , HB142 , HB1689 , HB2018 , HB136 , HB2884 , HB1393 , HB2730 , HB1399 , HB1244 , HB467 , HB331 , HB2559 , HB29 , HB26 , HB166 , HB353 , HB2000 , HB2756 , HB3248 , HB3513 , HB3204 , HB3135 , HB3012 , HB2763 , HB2523 , HB2457 , HB2415 , HB2198 , HB2143 , HB1708 , HB1672 , HB767 , HB1327 , HB2723 , HB451 , HB140 , HB109 , HB3096 , HCR6 , HCR12 , HCR29 , HCR50 , HCR55 , HCR56 , HCR58 , HCR70 , HCR71 , HCR74 , HCR78 , HCR80 , HCR107 , HCR116 , HCR117 , SJR36 , SJR50 , SJR63 , SJR59 , SCR12 , SCR39 , SCR48 , SCR19 , SB2023 , SB1844 , SB2533 , SB62 , SB666 , SB847 , SB284 , SB854 , SB1073 , SB810 , SB1505 , SB583 , SB507 , SB1434 , SB1772 , SB2016 , SB1163 , SB1122 , SB731 , SB397 , SB508 , SB1436 , SB287 , SB261 , SB1882 , SB393 , SB1791 , SB209 , SB2429 , SB1999 , SB511 , SB2309 , SB510 , SB1085 , SB1975 , SB2717 , SB1262 , SB636 , SB2056 , SB884 , SB517 , SB1200 , SB1845 , SB2681 , SB2458 , SB801 , SB3014 , SB3013 , SB758 , SB1013 , SB2797 , SB2076 , SB2876 , SB2929 , SB715 , SB1640 , SB2538 , SB1449 , SB986 , SB1181 , SB1359 , SB410 , SB1234 , SB2926 , SB2138 , SB2615 , SB2972 , SB2841 , SB3016 , SB1856 , SB1528 , SB1373 , SB672 , SB2891 , SB1854 , SB317 , SB2539 , SB2532 , SB1250 , SB2082 , SB2203 , SB1285 , SB1454 , SB2520 , SB1237 , SB1586 , SB2819 , SB629 , SB2342 , SB2903 , SB2477 , SB3029 , SB1957 , SB375 , SB250 , SB777 , SB2367 , SB2703 , SB2608 , SB2965 , SB2521 , SB865 , SB2165 , SB2501 , SB2675 , SB2452 , SB2835 , SB872 , SB1212 , SB1278 , SB1588 , SB1602 , SB1704 , SB1723 , SB1833 , SB1858 , SB1946 , SB2009 , SB2177 , SB2460 , SB2785 , SB2373 , SB1660 , SB614 , SB867 , SB1608 , SB1525 , SB905 , SB640 , SB2487 , SB1698 , SB383 , SB705 , SB748 , SB1113 , SB1117 , SB1802 , SB2340 , SB2586 , SB2680 , SB2690 , SB2994 , SB2747 , SB1950 , SB913 , SB1071 , SB1086 , SB1087 , SB1483 , SB1444 , SB1553 , SB1556 , SB1703 , SB2133 , SB2297 , SB2298 , SB2622 , SB2955 , SB3059 , SB2782 , SB2781 , SB2637 , SB2633 , SB2337 , SB2334 , SB1861 , SB2043 , SB1367 , SB946 , SB945 , SB2857 , SB128 , SB571 , SB1263 , SB3058 , SB612 , SB2221 , SB2587 , SB2044 , SB2363 , SB2713 , SB2311 , SB1986 , SB2565 , SB2943 , SB1888 , SB2417 , SB3048 , SB3052 , SB3053 , SB3036 , SB3057 , SB3056 , SB3043 , SB3037 , SB3050 , SB3063 , SB3047 , SB3035 , SB2446 , SB466 , SB2611 , SB2794 , SB2105 , SB2017 , SB1790 , SB1778 , SB1730 , SB2995 , SB2847 , SB205 , SB2619 , SB1903 , SB203 , SB3061 , SB1581 , SB2600 , SB2799 , SB2790 , SB2688 , SB2515 , SB1230 , SB876 , SB2522 , SB2639 , SB2137 , SB2519 , SB2403 , SB2459 , SB3051 , SB2655 , SB2251 , SB2764 , SB2878 , SB1884 , SB111 , SB582 , SB2617 , SB1835 , SB2751 , SB2959 , SB250 , SB614 , SB865 , SB872 , SB905 , SB986 , SB1113 , SB1212 , SB1278 , SB1525 , SB1588 , SB1660 , SB1802 , SB1833 , SB2487 , SB2586 , SB2675 , SB2690 , SB2929 , HB912 , HB2525 , SB1844 , SB2533 , SB1957 , SB1999 , SB2138 , SB2615 , SB3016 , SR469 , SB29 , SB326 , SB494 , SB530 , SB769 , SB783 , SB1238 , SB1967 , SB2312 , SB1506 , HJR34 , HB42 , HB198 , HB247 , HB367 , HB449 , HB632 , HB668 , HB677 , HB766 , HB1105 , HB1160 , HB1169 , HB1592 , HB1778 , HB1781 , HB1868 , HB2017 , HB2038 , HB2128 , HB2240 , HB2316 , HB2510 , HB2516 , HB2563 , HB2582 , HB2663 , HB2712 , HB2715 , HB2760 , HB2788 , HB3010 , HB3069 , HB3112 , HB3120 , HB3146 , HB3157 , HB3305 , HB3348 , HB3464 , HB3474 , HB3505 , HB3512 , HB3560 , HB3597 , HB3686 , HB3783 , HB3860 , HB4063 , HB4081 , HB4214 , HB4215 , HB4224 , HB4273 , HB4325 , HB4361 , HB4386 , HB4395 , HB4665 , HB4783 , HB5032 , HB5180 , HJR34 , HB42 , HB198 , HB247 , HB367 , HB449 , HB632 , HB668 , HB677 , HB766 , HB1105 , HB1160 , HB1169 , HB1592 , HB1778 , HB1781 , HB1868 , HB2017 , HB2038 , HB2128 , HB2240 , HB2316 , HB2510 , HB2516 , HB2563 , HB2582 , HB2663 , HB2712 , HB2715 , HB2760 , HB2788 , HB3010 , HB3069 , HB3112 , HB3120 , HB3146 , HB3157 , HB3305 , HB3348 , HB3464 , HB3474 , HB3505 , HB3512 , HB3560 , HB3597 , HB3686 , HB3783 , HB3860 , HB4063 , HB4081 , HB4214 , HB4215 , HB4224 , HB4273 , HB4325 , HB4361 , HB4386 , HB4395 , HB4665 , HB4783 , HB5032 , HB5180

Keywords: Article V, federal government, fiscal restraints, constitutional amendment, term limits, HB 142, Texas Health and Human Services Commission, HHSC, Office of Inspector General, OIG, Medicaid, Medicaid managed care, recovery audit contractor, RAC, overpayment recovery, underpayment, fraud, waste, abuse, provider enrollment

Transcript Highlights:

• Carrillo, would you like to close? I would, Mr.
• Collar, would you like to close?
• I knew better, so I did not go close to him.
• It closes the gap, and we have seen the gap.
• It closes the gap, and we have seen the gap.

Summary: The committee heard a large public safety agenda and began by announcing several bills off calendar and limiting testimony to two witnesses per side. The first major item was AB 2698, which would authorize local governments to create youth court diversion programs for first-time juvenile offenders. The author and supporters, including Bakersfield Police Department representatives and a student participant, described the program as restorative, record-clearing, and successful in Bakersfield. Opponents argued it was not true diversion because it occurs after adjudication, could widen system involvement, and should instead be replaced by pre-arrest community-based diversion. The bill was moved on a due pass motion to Appropriations, but remained on call with some members not voting. The committee also adopted a consent calendar of ten bills without opposition. The committee then heard AB 1959, which would create a narrow exception allowing resentencing in adult court for certain violent juvenile offenders in a case arising from the Santana High School shooting. The author, San Diego County District Attorney Summer Stephan, and a survivor/city councilmember argued the bill would close a loophole that could lead to resentencing and early release despite parole denials. Several organizations registered opposition or opposed unless amended, but many noted they were reviewing the amended version. The bill was moved due pass as amended to Appropriations and remained on call. AB 1628, extending California’s safe surrender window for newborns from 72 hours to 30 days, drew broad support from the author, firefighters, medical and child welfare groups, and no opposition; it was moved due pass to Human Services and remained on call. The committee also approved AB 1974, which authorizes law enforcement agencies to create voluntary temporary firearm storage programs. The author and supporters from San Francisco law enforcement, Giffords, and gun safety groups said the bill would expand safe storage options during crises and in custody disputes; there was no opposition, and it passed due pass as amended. AB 2297, requiring restitution in diversion cases, drew support from the author, district attorneys, and victims’ advocates, while opponents argued it was duplicative, could burden low-income participants, and might undermine diversion success. After discussion about restitution law and ability to pay, the bill passed due pass. Finally, AB 2438, which would require people sentenced to more than six years to serve in state prison rather than county jail, drew support from the author and Riverside County Sheriff Bianco, who said realignment had overcrowded county jails and strained resources. Opponents warned it could worsen state prison overcrowding and conflict with realignment’s purpose. The chair recommended no, and the bill was moved due pass and re-refer to Appropriations, remaining on call.

Transcript Highlights:

• some edge cases there where you may have an instructional activity instructional activity that is close
• That'll be our primary focus Um, that'll be our primary focus starting in July.
• We have learned through working with the WDE and SIF that they are going to follow as close to the letter
• So, it had been very close to Jackson. So, it had been very close to some cities in Idaho.
• But your primary mission, I would assume, is to keep our children safe from harm. >> 100%. >> Great.

Committee: Joint Select Committee on School Finance Recalibration

Keywords: 916, all

Transcript Highlights:

• We don't have a clock, but I would like you to stay close to the three minutes as possible and try to
• chairs in the committee on language, if we need to look at it to make it clear, and I appreciate your close
• We're talking about Massachusetts, not the world, so I think... ...we ought to stay close to home, but
• These workers, mostly women, many immigrants, many from low-income families, often labor behind closed
• It was a wonderful experience for me because we learned history by studying primary documents.

Committee: Joint Joint Committee on State Administration and Regulatory Oversight

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The hearing covered a wide range of bills, with substantial testimony on commemorative days and several local development measures. Early testimony focused on competing proposals about Indigenous Peoples’ Day: Senator Comerford and others supported redesignating the second Monday in October as Indigenous Peoples’ Day, while several Italian American legislators and advocates opposed changing Columbus Day and instead urged a separate Indigenous Peoples’ Day on August 9 or another date. Committee members noted the long-running debate, discussed the state flag and motto review process, and emphasized that any changes would require legislation. No votes were taken during the hearing. The committee also heard strong support for a Fred Korematsu Day bill, with testimony from advocates, legal organizations, community leaders, and Korematsu’s daughter. Witnesses described Korematsu’s resistance to Japanese American incarceration during World War II, argued that his story remains relevant amid current immigration and civil liberties concerns, and said the designation would help educate students and the public. A separate bill to designate September as PCOS Awareness Month drew testimony from Senator Miranda and health advocates, who described the disorder’s prevalence, frequent misdiagnosis, fertility and pregnancy risks, and the value of public awareness and education. Other bills discussed included a Domestic Workers’ Rights Day proposal, supported by Representative Garcia and Representative Sousa, who spoke about the invisibility and vulnerability of domestic workers and the importance of recognizing their labor. The committee also heard support for a veteran suicide awareness and remembrance day, a Boston branch library and affordable housing project in Dorchester, and a Fall River waterfront redevelopment bill transferring land to the local redevelopment authority for a major mixed-use project. In addition, Senator Miranda testified in favor of a memorial portrait for former Representative Doris Bunty, highlighting her pioneering role in the legislature and Boston public housing. The hearing was hybrid and lengthy, with the chair repeatedly asking witnesses to be concise and noting that testimony would be public record.

Transcript Highlights:

• The clerk will close the machine. We have 91 members present, a quorum.
• So let us close our eyes to things that are not of you and open our ears to hear your voice.
• Governor Landry, I was told to hand it over to you for closing remarks.
• The clerk will close the machine with six members present, a quorum. One hour six.
• House Bill 534 by Representative Boyard, dates of bond and tax elections; primary elections.

Summary: The House convened with a quorum, received and accepted multiple resignation notices from members representing Districts 37, 39, 60, 69, 97, and 100, and then recognized the election and qualification of the members-elect who filled those vacancies: Doyle Boudreau, Reese Broussard, Chasity Verrett-Martinez, and Edwin Murray. Each member-elect was sworn in, and the House also appointed committees to notify the Senate and the governor that it was ready to conduct business for the 2026 regular session. The chamber then handled a large number of procedural actions related to prefiled legislation. By motion and without objection, the House suspended rules to refer prefile bills to committee and introduced a broad slate of House bills and resolutions. Topics included the state budget and appropriations, retirement system changes, carbon capture and sequestration, criminal justice and bail, public safety, education, health care, local government matters, transportation, and several memorial or commemorative resolutions. Several resolutions and bills were noted as lying over, and some prefiled bills were withdrawn from the files. The House also received a Senate message that SCR 1 had been adopted, and the resolution was taken up without objection. The chamber then recessed for a joint session with the Senate to hear the governor’s address and a presentation honoring Technical Sergeant Adam W. Brister with the Distinguished Flying Cross. In his remarks, Governor Jeff Landry highlighted his administration’s priorities, including education, tax reform, workforce development, health and nutrition, insurance reform, transportation infrastructure, fiscal discipline, and criminal justice reform, while urging support for his agenda and several related bills and constitutional amendments.

Transcript Highlights:

• to the communications division, which essentially oversees all of our dispatchers, as well as the primary
• A lot of that does fall under the PSAP, and as part of my primary job as captain, my main responsibility
• In closing, the 911 Board continues to do great work in support of our 911 telecommunicators and call
• </c><00:08:17.240><c> the</c> continuing that process in closing the continuing that process in closing
• I work closely with the Emergency Services dispatchers and the supervisors in our PSAP.

Committee: Senate Government Operations

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Summary: The committee heard and discussed three nominations to the 911 Board: Matthew Kurara (Governor’s Message 505), Re Mahuna (Governor’s Message 614), and Rebecca Liberman/Weberman (Governor’s Message 661). Kurara, a Honolulu Police Department communications captain, said he would bring PSAP and dispatch experience to the board, with a focus on Next Generation 911, better coordination among PSAPs, and recruiting and retaining telecommunicators. Mahuna, a longtime Hawaiʻi Police Department officer and current board member, emphasized his emergency-response experience during disasters on the Big Island and his support for improving communication through Next Generation 911, including the new joint call center on Hawaiʻi Island. Liberman, the board’s VoIP representative and a Charter/Spectrum government affairs director, said she was continuing her second term and would keep working on legislative and government issues, including the statutory change removing “enhanced” from the board’s name to better support Next Gen efforts. Members asked each nominee about rural coverage, redundancy, training, broadband, radio-system limitations, and how Next Generation 911 would affect service in places like Puna and other rural areas. The nominees generally said the system is designed with redundancy so service would revert to backup systems if new technology fails, and that the main challenges in rural areas are often broader communications or radio issues rather than 911 itself. Kurara and Mahuna both said each PSAP currently handles much of its own training, though there is interest in more standardization and national best practices. Liberman explained that VoIP calls generally work over the internet and may benefit from Next Gen, but that location/address issues for some internet-based calling services may still need further review. The committee also discussed public education about text-to-911, the use of technologies such as FirstNet, and whether the E911 special fund ceiling needed to be raised again. Mahuna said he did not see a current need to raise the ceiling further. Written testimony was received in support of all three nominees, including support from public officials, law enforcement, county agencies, and private individuals. No opposition testimony was noted, and the chair said decisions would be made later with the other nominees.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> I was a uh one of the primary I was a uh one of the primary co-sponsors<00:16:13.600><c> on</c><
• President, co-sponsor request, with permission of the primary sponsor.
• In addition, withdrawal bill request. >> Please proceed. >> Being the primary sponsor of Senate Bill
• &gt;&gt; Being<00:27:52.000><c> the</c><00:27:52.159><c> primary</c><00:27:52.559><c> sponsor</c><00:
• With the permission of the primary sponsor, I'd like to be added as a co-sponsor of Senate Bill 97.

Keywords: 958, all

Summary: The Senate convened with an invocation and Pledge of Allegiance, established a quorum, excused absent senators, and approved the journal from February 17, 2026. The House communicated passage of several bills and requested concurrence, and committee reports were received, including favorable reports on Senate Bills 70, 74, 80, 127, and 154. Senate Bill 191 was also reported and then recommitted to the Appropriations and Revenue Committee. Senate Bill 104 was passed over and retained its place on the calendar. The chamber then took up and passed Senate Bill 47, which provides line-of-duty death benefits for search and rescue volunteers, with supporters emphasizing the dangerous emergency work these teams perform and the need to treat them like other first responders. Senate Bill 159, concerning missing and unidentified persons and aligning Kentucky with federal “Billy’s Law” database requirements, also passed unanimously after testimony about its value in helping families and law enforcement. Senate Bill 85, allowing state retirement beneficiaries to establish special needs trusts, passed unanimously as well, with members describing it as a way to provide long-term security for dependents with special needs. The Senate also adopted Senate Resolution 78 honoring the CSX Santa Train and Senate Resolution 76 honoring Frank Ryard and the Ryard’s Scoreboard for its long-standing role in Kentucky high school athletics. Members spoke about the scoreboard’s importance to athletes, families, and sports coverage statewide. Later, new bills and a concurrent resolution were introduced, including measures on state government, duty-related disability benefits, arrest-related deaths, detainee fatality review, carbon dioxide sequestration, and a mental health alternative response task force. The Senate received notice that Senate Bill 172 had been delivered to the Governor, then recessed for committee meetings and adjourned until February 19, 2026.

Transcript Highlights:

• And with that, you're recognized to close. I waive close, ma'am. You've just done my close.
• I focused my practice on real estate closings, wills, trusts, and estates.
• It’s got several campuses, so it is close by. The cost is very reasonable.
• A lot of close faculty-student work.
• So I think we're in close, close agreement, Senator. Sure. Follow-up. One last.

Summary: The committee on Higher Education Appropriations heard and favorably reported two bills: SB 1570, which revives the former Project Leo program to help locate missing persons with special needs through voluntary tracking devices and coordination with sheriff’s offices, and CS/SB 1376, which creates a grant program to support genetic counseling education in response to a statewide shortage of genetic counselors. Both bills drew supportive comments, with the genetic counseling bill also receiving public support from a university representative. The committee then took up a large slate of confirmations. It first approved a block of reappointments to various university and college boards of trustees, including institutions such as UWF, Broward College, Chipola College, FIU, Pasco-Hernando, Polk State, St. Petersburg College, Valencia, FAMU, FAU, UCF, FSU, New College, UNF, USF, and Broward College. It then heard from numerous new appointees and some requested reappointments, many of whom emphasized workforce training, nursing, military and veteran support, dual enrollment, and local economic development as priorities for their institutions. Several nominees highlighted their personal ties to the schools and communities they would serve, including appointees to Pensacola State, Polk State, St. Petersburg College, UNF, UWF, FIU, the College of the Florida Keys, Valencia College, and Chipola College. Committee members repeatedly asked about nursing NCLEX pass rates, workforce alignment, and institutional growth. One reappointment, Thomas Zachary Smith to the UWF board, was pulled from the block for separate questioning about his past public comments and his role in Project 2025; he said he would serve in his personal capacity and treat all students equally. The committee also separately heard from a Florida Poly reappointment, I. Shapiro, who was questioned about prior remarks regarding race and Supreme Court nominations, and from a New College reappointment, Mark Bowerlaine, who described campus improvements and enrollment growth. The meeting ended amid ongoing confirmation processing and separate votes on the remaining nominees.

Transcript Highlights:

• Madam Chair, how long has that facility been closed? I feel like it's been too long.
• Representative Contreras is at a close family funeral right now, so I am...
• Maintaining a safe and reliable electric system is our primary responsibility.
• I don't know if it's a closing comment, but I know that Rep.
• Okay, you want closing comments? If I may, Madam Chair...

Bills: HB2099 , HB2263 , HB2264 , HB2330 , HB2341 , HB2492 , HB2757 , HB2782 , HB2843 , HB2889 , HB2912 , HB2915 , HB2918 , HB4025 , HB4100 , HCR2020 , HCR2057

Committee: House Natural Resources, Energy & Water

Keywords: water storage, long-term storage credits, groundwater management, drought contingency, Arizona water regulations, Colorado River, replenishment, groundwater savings facility, groundwater storage, underground water storage, active management area, irrigation non-expansion area, Arizona water law, water rights, water replenishment, recharge, water conservation district, multi-county water conservation district, CAP water, Central Arizona Project

Transcript Highlights:

• If not, Chairman Donald, we let you close. I close. Thank you. Thank you, Mr. Chairman.
• Hearing none, the chair recognizes Chairman Ashby to close. Thank you, Mr. Chair. Members, I close.
• We'll let you close here. The chair calls Gregory Ellis.
• Did I pronounce that correctly or close enough? Yes, sir.
• If not, Representative Ordez, you may close.

Bills: HB334 , HB583 , HB605 , HB1327 , HB1646 , HB2115 , HB2379

Committee: House S/C on County & Regional Government

Keywords: family leave, leave pool, county employee, sick leave, vacation leave, family care, pandemic, guardianship, fencing, reservoirs, local government, regulation, land use, conservation capacity, property regulation, fence regulation, reservoir safety, county authority, fencing regulations, counties

Transcript Highlights:

• Seeing all members present having voted, the Secretary will close the board and announce the vote.
• Seeing all members present having voted, the Secretary will close the board and announce the vote.
• Seeing all members present having voted, the Secretary will close the board and announce the vote.
• Seeing all members present having voted, the Secretary will close the board and announce the vote.
• The average age of the first-time home buyer is close to 40 years old, an all-time high. Why?

Summary: The Senate convened with an invocation, the Pledge of Allegiance, and attendance showing a quorum. Several senators were excused, and the chamber received communications including House Concurrent Resolution 8, which was referred to the Committee on Government Operations. The Senate also took up introductions and referrals of several bills, including Senate Bills 1078-1082 and House Bills 4727, 4728, 4729, 4959, 1545, 5254, 5255, 6071, 6072, and 6073, with most being referred to committees or, for some medical-debt and consumer-protection bills, sent to the Committee of the Whole by suspension of the rules. In Committee of the Whole, the Senate considered Senate Bills 535, 536, 1011, 1041, 1042, and 1043. SB 535, 1041, 1042, and 1043 were amended, while SB 536 and 1011 were reported without amendment; all were recommended for passage. The Senate then concurred in the amendments and advanced the bills to third reading. On final passage, SB 433 passed 35-0; SB 535, 536, and 1011 each passed 35-0; and SB 1041, 1042, and 1043 each passed 20-15. Floor remarks focused on SB 1011 as a way to lower small-business health insurance premiums, and SBs 1041-1043 as anti-price-gouging measures during emergencies. Later, the Senate discharged Senate Bill 913 from the Appropriations Committee, suspended the rules, and moved it through Committee of the Whole and to final passage the same day. SB 913, which amends the Michigan Trust Fund Act, passed 20-12 with 6 excused after Senator Albert argued in opposition that it would continue $75 million annual funding to the MEDC and amount to corporate welfare. The Senate then adjourned until Tuesday, June 30 at 10:00 a.m.

Transcript Highlights:

• And with that, I will now close the hearing on Senate Bill 5827.
• And with that, I will now close the hearing on Senate Bill 5827.
• At the close of quarter four in 2025, the department's ratio was 98 percent, meaning we're very close
• At the close of quarter four in 2025, the department's ratio was 98 percent, meaning we're very close
• . close of quarter four in 2025, the department's ratio was 98 percent, meaning we're very close to issuing

Summary: The Senate State Government, Tribal Affairs & Elections Committee met on January 16, 2026, and took executive action on four measures before moving to public hearings on two bills. The committee held Senate Bill 5842 for further discussion, then considered Senate Concurrent Resolution 8406, Senate Bill 5825, Senate Bill 5863, and Senate Bill 5840. SCR 8406 would reestablish the Joint Select Committee on Civic Health and was advanced unanimously to the Rules Committee. SB 5825, which authorizes the Washington State Leadership Board to solicit gifts, grants, and endowments, was amended with a technical change and then advanced. SB 5863, extending the moratorium on destruction of Lakeland Village records and addressing access to certain historical records, also advanced without opposition. SB 5840, which changes campaign finance expenditure reporting schedules, was amended to adjust the implementation date to January 1, 2028 and then advanced after the committee waived the amendment publishing rule due to the short session timeline. The committee then heard Senate Bill 5827, sponsored by Senator Gildon, which would allow veterans to use a pre-discharge certification to claim civil service preference before receiving a DD-214. Staff explained the bill and clarified that the underlying qualifying discharge categories would remain unchanged. Senator Gildon said the bill was prompted by a constituent who could not access preference points before leaving active duty, and the Veterans Legislative Coalition testified in strong support. The hearing record noted 40 people signed in in favor and two opposed. Finally, the committee heard Senate Bill 5968, sponsored by Senator Krishna Dawson, which would codify and expand the governor’s executive order on permitting and licensing timelines, require agencies to publish processing deadlines, phase in coverage of all credentials by 2030, and authorize fee refunds if deadlines are missed. The sponsor and staff said the bill is intended to improve predictability, accountability, and customer service, while agency flexibility would remain through OIRA. Support testimony came from the governor’s office, cosmetology, labor, construction trades, ports, business, and the Department of Health, all emphasizing delays’ impacts on jobs, projects, and access to care. The Department of Health reported substantial recent reductions in licensing times and said it lacked authority to issue refunds without the bill. The hearing closed with 26 people signed in, including supporters and opponents.