Transcript Highlights:

• give you a case out of Arizona, if you’re curious, where the ex-partner who attended the doctor’s visits
• with his then-wife, when I say the visits, visits to get abortion care because they were in the process

Summary: The Civil Justice and Claims Subcommittee met to consider one measure, PCS for HB 289, which would amend Florida’s wrongful death statute to allow parents of an unborn child to recover damages for the child’s wrongful death and to include parents in the definition of survivors. The sponsor said the bill is intended to give parents a remedy when a wrongful act, negligence, breach of contract, or breach of warranty causes the loss of an unborn child, while also preserving existing protections for lawful medical care and the mother. Members questioned the bill extensively about the meaning of “survivors,” whether it could reach surrogacy situations, friends or family who assist someone in obtaining abortion care, paternity issues, and whether abusive or unqualified fathers could bring claims. The sponsor repeatedly said the bill is limited to parents, does not authorize suits against the mother or lawful medical providers, and would still require the normal wrongful death procedures, including appointment of a personal representative. He cited Duncan v. Flynn as the case holding that current law does not allow recovery for the death of an unborn child. Representative Gottlieb offered an amendment modeled on criminal-law protections, aimed at expanding explicit immunity for a pregnant woman and for persons providing medical care or abortion-related conduct with consent. Supporters of the amendment said it would better align civil law with criminal protections; opponents argued it was overly broad and could shield unlicensed conduct. The amendment failed on a voice vote. Public testimony was divided, with supporters from pro-life and Catholic organizations backing the bill and some asking to remove the health care exemption, while opponents from ACLU, Equality Florida, Planned Parenthood affiliates, Florida Voice for the Unborn, Voices of Florida, and others warned the bill could chill reproductive health care, increase liability for doctors and hospitals, and invite lawsuits involving surrogates, family members, and abortion-related care. In debate, supporters said the bill simply recognizes the value of unborn children and gives parents a remedy for wrongful loss, while opponents argued it could create unintended consequences in family law, surrogacy, IVF, and medical practice, and could empower abusive partners or rapists. After closing remarks, the committee voted 13 yeas and 3 nays to report PCS for HB 289 favorably. The meeting then adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• This way, people will continue to come here to vacation and visit, which will help expand the jobs coming
• So when we look at our total client visits for fiscal year 25, almost 20,000 individuals visited during

Committee: House Courts, Corrections & Justice Committee

Transcript Highlights:

• The brilliant special education assistant brought her five corgis to school for a visit with my son.
• I think, like on a day like today where we're thinking about, I have a school group coming to visit me
• During that time, she made home visits, found clothing and jackets for students in need, and even mentored

Bills: HF1388

Committee: House Education Finance

Keywords: BARR Center, Building Assets, Reducing Risks, education finance, school funding, grant appropriation, evidence-based program, student achievement, social and emotional learning, school climate, teacher effectiveness, high school graduation, students in poverty, students of color, BIPOC, equity in education, Minnesota Department of Education, urban schools, suburban schools, rural schools, school coaching

Transcript Highlights:

• to<00:13:21.959><c> make</c><00:13:22.560><c> well</c><00:13:22.880><c> child</c><00:13:23.160><c> visits
• </c><00:13:23.519><c> which</c><00:13:23.600><c> is</c> to make well child visits which is to make well
• child visits which is something<00:13:23.920><c> they're</c><00:13:24.079><c> doing</c><00:13:24.279

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• veterinarians to work out of a feed mill as a place of business in addition to Veterinarians who make farm visits
• When I visit with them, I ask them if they've tried this and not tried it.
• Even if they don't have a location we're visiting, we still have program time that's being consumed by

Committee: House Agriculture, Veterans, Broadband, and Rural Development

Transcript Highlights:

• Every incarcerated youth can call our helpline, or when we visit, tell us very directly if they have
• I've also visited the Placer Tribal Court and also the one in San Diego, and would agree that tribal
• For more information visit www.FEMA.gov At this time I'm happy to answer any questions you may have regarding

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• concerns about the bill with me and that's why I mentioned on the opening that we We would certainly visit
• This came about from some commissioners and Judge Evans visiting with me and letting us know the difficulties
• I implore you to come and come and visit that.

Bills: HB336 , HB554 , HB849 , HB 1033 , HB1338 , HB 1246

Committee: House S/C on County & Regional Government

Keywords: law enforcement, sheriff, constable, contracts, county governance, HB 554, fireworks, Juneteenth, Juneteenth holiday, retail fireworks permit, Texas Occupations Code, Local Government Code, county commissioners court, drought conditions, Texas A&M Forest Service, fire safety, holiday sales, seasonal fireworks sales, Fourth of July, Independence Day

Transcript Highlights:

• Members, happy to be here today with you all, and thank you to your offices for allowing us to visit
• So we visited with your offices about it and would appreciate your consideration when you're thinking
• Our case managers conduct randomized, unannounced visits at the client's home, place of employment, at

Committee: House Corrections

Keywords: 1184, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• So we are fortunate to have this visit in the Roundhouse today, and we ask that the Lion Dancers accept
• an act relating to health care, requiring the health care authority to implement an open electronic visit
• It's a gift, an annual gift from the Silver Spikes who faithfully visit us every year to advocate for

Transcript Highlights:

• I'm sure when you all come visit Santa Cruz, you'd like to see less congestion on the streets and highways
• And when you do come visit our beautiful beaches and redwoods, this simple bill simply asks to let my
• I'm sure when you all come visit Santa Cruz, you'd like to see less congestion on the streets and highways
• And when you do come visit our beautiful beaches and redwoods, this simple bill is simply asked to let
• E-bike-related ER visits have tripled among ages 10 to 17, more than tripled since 2019.

Committee: Senate Transportation

Keywords: 987, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I'll just say here, if you want at any time to come and visit us, please let me know.
• We would love to have you come and visit us. We travel to 28 locations on a weekly basis.
• If you think it's bad, you go to Boston—just come and visit my neck of the woods, Kip's neck of the woods
• If you think it's bad, you go to Boston—just come and visit my neck of the woods, Kip's neck of the woods
• In other parts of Massachusetts, you are all welcome to visit the Cape and Islands District, and we will

Committee: Joint Joint Committee on Housing

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The Joint Committee on Housing held its second introductory hearing to frame the session’s housing agenda. Chairs Cyr and Haggerty described the hearing as a chance to hear a wide range of perspectives on Massachusetts’ housing crisis, including underbuilding, zoning and permitting barriers, rising costs, and the need for both state and local action. The committee heard from court, municipal, advocacy, and regional housing leaders, with recurring themes of increasing supply, preserving existing housing, preventing displacement, and expanding resources for renters and homeowners. Chief Justice Diana Horan of the Housing Court said the court is handling more than 40,000 new filings annually with only 15 judges, and estimated the court would need about 21 judges to meet demand. She described complications from RAFT-related stays, mental health and guardianship issues, aging housing stock, and the new eviction sealing law, which she said was being implemented smoothly but may require additional resources if filings continue to rise. The Massachusetts Municipal Association and MAPC emphasized that municipalities need flexibility, funding, and better tools such as MassWorks, Housing Works, H-DIP, 40R reforms, inclusionary zoning changes, and a local option transfer fee; they also said local control concerns and long permitting timelines remain major barriers. MAPC and others stressed that supply growth alone will not solve the crisis and urged continued support for subsidized housing, access to counsel, and modular/off-site construction. Advocates and housing providers focused on displacement, preservation, and tenant protections. Homes for All Massachusetts and Mass Law Reform Institute called for rent stabilization, stronger tenant protections, foreclosure prevention, elimination of junk fees, continued funding for RAFT and HomeBASE, and expanded access to counsel. Mass Union of Public Housing Tenants said the state needs far more extremely low-income housing, more operating subsidy, and major investment to repair public housing, while also supporting tenant technical assistance during redevelopment. Franklin County’s housing authority warned that rural communities are being left out of many state programs and asked for a rural LIHTC set-aside, a permanent rural credit boost, and a review of housing choice programs. A Massachusetts Taxpayers Foundation researcher presented findings that communities that add housing generally see stronger municipal finances, and that housing growth can improve property tax and state aid outcomes. Seasonal community representatives from Cape Cod, Martha’s Vineyard, and Nantucket described extreme affordability pressures and the need for tailored tools. Nantucket’s housing trust chair said the island has made progress through local funding, inclusionary zoning, and deed-restricted units, but still needs a real estate transfer fee and faster ways to preserve year-round housing. Across the hearing, members and witnesses repeatedly returned to the need for a mix of production, preservation, tenant protections, and local flexibility, rather than relying on any single policy solution.

Transcript Highlights:

• We invite legislators to visit our prefab shop in Stoughton to see firsthand how Sullivan and McLaughlin
• Every week, I visit job sites across Massachusetts and see the damage that wage theft and tax fraud are
• Every week, I visit job sites across Massachusetts and see the damage that wage theft and tax fraud are
• In order to do that, we visit job sites and interact with workers. In this case, that's what we do.
• I've recently had the opportunity to visit ICE detainees at Plymouth County Correctional Facility and

Committee: Joint Joint Committee on Labor and Workforce Development

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The hearing focused on several labor-related bills, especially proposals to give legislative employees the right to organize and collectively bargain, close a prevailing wage loophole for off-site prefabrication work, and strengthen enforcement against wage theft. Committee chairs opened the hearing by explaining the hybrid format and asking witnesses to keep testimony brief. Multiple legislators testified in support of the legislative staff union bill, saying staff deserve the same bargaining rights as other public employees and that unionization would improve pay, benefits, retention, and workplace dignity. Witnesses also discussed how the bill would likely be structured, with separate House and Senate bargaining arrangements or locals, and emphasized that it would only create the option to unionize, not require it. A second major topic was the prevailing wage bill addressing off-site fabrication and prefabrication in construction. Union leaders, contractors, and workers described how more work is being shifted from job sites into shops, especially in sheet metal, HVAC, electrical, and pipefitting work, and argued that the law should treat that work the same as on-site construction when it is part of a public project. They said the current loophole lets some contractors underbid by paying lower wages off-site, while responsible contractors already pay prevailing wages in their shops. Supporters argued the bill would protect workers, preserve apprenticeship and training standards, improve safety and quality, and make enforcement easier through certified payroll and clearer definitions. The committee also heard testimony on wage theft legislation. Representative Dan Donahue, the Attorney General’s Fair Labor Division, AFL-CIO representatives, and carpenters’ union witnesses described wage theft, misclassification, labor brokers, and tax fraud as widespread problems that hurt workers, honest contractors, and public revenues. They supported giving the Attorney General stronger enforcement tools, adding contractor accountability up the subcontracting chain, and protecting workers from retaliation and from delays that can cause claims to expire. A separate witness supported a bill to extend the statute of limitations for Wage Act cases while AG investigations are pending, and another supported changes to help hospital workers enforce timely payment rights. No votes were taken during the hearing; witnesses repeatedly asked for favorable reports on the bills.

Transcript Highlights:

• Uh, also, I wanted to acknowledge the amount of due diligence in advance of the visit today was very
• A marketing plan was provided, and annual reports of submission and visits will be provided to the cabinet
• 00:39:17.920><c> of</c><00:39:18.080><c> submission</c><00:39:18.760><c> and</c><00:39:18.920><c> visits
• </c> annual reports of submission and visits annual reports of submission and visits will<00:39:19.600

Keywords: 0:00:01 Call to Order and Roll Call 0:00:54 Approval of Minutes 0:01:08 Information Items 0:03:18 Postsecondary Institutions - UK 0:18:10 Finance and Administration Cabinet 0:30:13 KY Infrastructure Authority 0:37:30 Cabinet for Economic Development 0:52:11 Office of Financial Management 0:59:20 Remaining 2026 Mtg Dates 1:00:49 Adjournment, 958, all

Summary: The committee first approved the April 27 minutes and then received several informational reports, including University of Kentucky medical equipment purchases, UK’s use of $200 million in Ever funds for a public-private partnership, school district debt issuances, UK’s planned use of construction manager-at-risk delivery on five projects, Kentucky Communications Network Authority capital projects under House Bill 6, and 14 UK lease improvements. Members were told the House Bill 6 item was also being discussed in the Information Technology Oversight Committee and could return later if needed. The main action item was University of Kentucky’s request to approve a $600 million public-private partnership for central plants and utility infrastructure tied to the Chandler expansion. UK said it would shift $200 million from previously authorized restricted funds into the P3, leaving the project financed through private equity and nonprofit debt with no UK or Commonwealth debt. UK representatives said the project is necessary to support 24/7 hospital operations, expand and modernize utility systems, improve redundancy and efficiency, and reduce long-term operating risk. Members asked about the source of the availability payments, which UK said would come from UK Healthcare revenues, and the committee approved the P3 agreement unanimously. The committee also approved a UK lease renewal for a 20,000-square-foot College of Medicine annex near the Bowling Green Medical Center. UK said the lease costs $38 per square foot, or $912,000 annually, and supports medical education expansion in the region, including growth from 120 to 160 students over four years. Members voiced support for the local impact, and the lease passed unanimously. Later, the committee approved a Transportation Cabinet aviation project for two medium box hangars at Capital City Airport, funded by $1,153,000 in federal money and $950,000 from the Aviation Economic Development Fund, which is supported by a 6% jet fuel tax with a $1 million annual cap per company. Members asked about the fund balance, the cap, and airport revenue sources, and staff said the airport also receives entitlement and federal infrastructure funds and earns revenue from hangar rent and fuel sales. The committee then approved two Finance and Administration Cabinet pool projects: a roof and skylight replacement at the Libraries and Archives building and exterior repairs at several state buildings. Finally, the committee approved six Kentucky Infrastructure Authority action items after hearing about one loan increase for the Springfield Wastewater Treatment Plant and five grant reallocations tied to Cleaner Water Program and county allocation pool funds. Members asked why one project approved in 2024 was only now increasing, and KIA explained that design, water division review, environmental review, and bidding can take one to two years. KIA also reported additional no-action items, including a Brandenburg water grant split among two projects and 17 Kentucky Waters projects provided for information. The meeting ended with approval of the action items and no further action on the informational grants.

Transcript Highlights:

• As an Australian MP, I know Australians are horrified by this cruelty, and after visiting the USA, I
• I know Australians are horrified by this cruelty, and after visiting the USA, I know Americans are equally
• As an Australian MP, I know Australians are horrified by this cruelty and after visiting the USA, I I
• know Australians are horrified by this cruelty, and after visiting the USA, I know Americans are equally
• I invite any of you to come visit my neighborhood and understand firsthand more of the financial impact

Committee: Senate Natural Resources and Water

Summary: The committee heard SB 1393, an omnibus update to the Fish and Game Code covering steelhead trout and Dungeness crab management. The author and supporters said the bill would strengthen the steelhead trout report card program, extend and refine Dungeness crab management, and clarify vessel transit rules in closed crab fishing areas. The Nature Conservancy, Trout Unlimited, and other supporters said the measure implements long-standing task force recommendations and supports both conservation and coastal fishing communities. There was no opposition, and the bill was moved forward on a 4-0 vote to Appropriations. The committee also heard SB 1250, which would require Caltrans to incorporate wildlife connectivity into transportation planning and asset management, set performance targets, and coordinate with wildlife agencies. Supporters from conservation, animal welfare, land trust, and local government groups said the bill would reduce wildlife-vehicle collisions, improve public safety, and better integrate crossings, culverts, and fencing into routine highway projects. The California Building Industry Association moved to a neutral position after amendments clarified the bill would apply to transportation right-of-way planning and not create exactions on private property. Members discussed the bill’s relationship to Caltrans planning authority and existing funding, and it was passed to Appropriations on a 4-0 vote. Senator Gonzalez’s SB 1268, which would codify the state’s Outdoors for All initiative, also received broad support from environmental justice, conservation, parks, and recreation groups. Testimony emphasized inequitable access to parks and nature, especially for low-income communities and communities of color, and said the bill would make the initiative more durable by placing it in statute. The chair and members spoke in favor of expanding outdoor access, and the bill was approved on a 3-0 vote with some members not yet voting. The committee then heard three Western Joshua tree bills from Senator Ochoa Bogh. SB 1061 would streamline relocation of limited numbers of trees without fees in certain cases; SB 1062 would require proportionate or tiered mitigation fees for public utilities and agencies; and SB 1063 would create an expedited, fee-free permitting path for basic residential utility and wildfire-hardening projects. Supporters, including local water agencies, counties, and farm and business groups, said the current law imposes heavy costs on desert residents and ratepayers. Opponents, including wildlife and conservation organizations, argued the bills would weaken protections for a species they said is threatened by climate change and habitat loss, and noted that existing administrative processes are already addressing fees and permitting. After amendments, opposition was withdrawn on SB 1061 and SB 1062, and both bills advanced on 3-0 votes to Appropriations; SB 1063 remained under discussion in the portion provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• I was just in Springfield last week and was able to visit the local community health center, seeing young
• To visit the local community health center, seeing young people in training programs, all women of color
• Merrimack or Holyoke, if you think of the community health centers, like the one that Secretary Jones visited
• I had the opportunity to visit for a semester at Indiana University in Indianapolis last year, and the
• extended to some of these you know other you know kind of scholarship programs I had the opportunity to visit

Committee: Joint Joint Committee on Racial Equity, Civil Rights, and Inclusion

Keywords: 1212, all

Transcript Highlights:

• And Ivy, wherever you are, if you want to come visit, we'd love to...
• And Ivy, wherever you are, if you want to come visit, we'd love to meet you.
• juvenile and the two adult corrections centers, are in my district, and I've had chances to go out and visit
• But back to the juvenile, I've visited and I've seen these kids under the age of 18, already traumatized
• provided with programming, treated medically and psychologically, and given access to facilitated visits

Committee: House Administration of Criminal Justice

Summary: The committee met on March 18, 2026, with a quorum present and heard several criminal justice bills. HB 36 by Rep. Butler, as amended, removed Evangeline Parish from the Acadiana Regional Juvenile Justice District and was reported favorably. HB 160 by Rep. Knox increased penalties for domestic violence offenses involving strangulation; the committee adopted an amendment requiring at least one year without probation or suspension, heard strong support from survivors and prosecutors, and reported the bill favorably as amended. HB 552 by Rep. Bryant, handled by Vice Chair LaFleur, clarified DWI law to include impairment beyond alcohol; a technical amendment was adopted and the bill was reported favorably as amended. HB 119 by Rep. Fontenot created and strengthened penalties for AI-generated sexual images, especially involving minors; after amendments, including a new possession offense and a name change to “Act Ivy Daniels,” the bill was reported favorably as amended. HB 171 by Rep. Spell corrected a citation in the personal surety provisions and was reported favorably without opposition. HB 140 by Rep. Cox drew the most debate. The bill lengthened juvenile delinquency filing and adjudication timelines and changed procedures for extensions and dismissals. Prosecutors and law enforcement supported the bill as a practical update to account for modern evidence gathering and case complexity, while public defenders, juvenile advocates, and other opponents argued it would prolong detention, undermine speedy-trial protections, increase costs, and harm children. After extensive testimony and discussion, the committee adopted amendments and reported HB 140 favorably as amended by a roll call vote of 8-3, with Representatives Knox, LaFleur, and Moore voting no. The committee also heard HB 68 by Rep. Schlegel, combined with concepts from Rep. Glorioso’s similar bill, to update disturbing-the-peace law to protect houses of worship from intentional disruption. An amendment clarified definitions of worship spaces and interruptions and increased the mandatory minimum jail time from 15 to 30 days, while enhancing penalties to a felony for more serious conduct such as battery, property damage, or carrying a dangerous weapon during the offense. Supporters framed it as a deterrent and protection for religious liberty, while opponents, including the ACLU, raised First Amendment concerns and asked for tighter language. The transcript cuts off during opposition testimony, and no final vote on HB 68 is shown in the excerpt.

Transcript Highlights:

• You will learn a lot, and we'll also hear from some students who visit our meetings regularly and talk
• Representative Freiberg then asked a question about the bill, saying she had visited programs in Livingston
• I've actually visited the programs they have in Livingston.
• I've actually visited the programs they have in Livingston Parish and their credit unions that are already
• teachers, most of their time off, whether it be one of the holidays, are filled with dentists and doctor visits

Bills: HB28 , HB50 , HB196 , HB268 , HB271 , HB285 , HB316 , HB649 , HB807

Committee: House Education

Keywords: teacher certification, certification appeals, BESE, State Board of Elementary and Secondary Education, Teacher Certification Appeals Council, educator licensure, teaching license, teacher licensure, appeals process, certification denial, administrative appeal, special meeting, board president, retroactive application, education board, Louisiana teachers, Department of Education, statutory entities, re-creation, termination date

Transcript Highlights:

• start working with the high schools, community colleges, get some of your board members and staff to visit
• states allowing it without the restrictions of California that has, which is the 45 days, the 12 visits
• We were a little, we were pleasantly surprised that 12 visits in 45 days worked so well in partnership
• made in a recommendation to our previous sunset is for that direct access, past that 12 days or 12 visits
• For that direct access, past that 12 days or 12 visits or 45 days, the patient would have to have an

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• profoundly missed by all those lives that he touched, and I ask that as the services are tomorrow, the visitation
• profoundly missed by all those lives that he touched, and I ask that as the services are tomorrow, the visitation
• as the services uh are<00:53:44.120><c> tomorrow,</c><00:53:44.640><c> the</c><00:53:44.720><c> visitation
• </c><00:53:45.440><c> tonight,</c> are tomorrow, the visitation tonight, are tomorrow, the visitation

Keywords: 958, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I've had the opportunity to visit veterans courts throughout the state, and they do an amazing job for
• Parents in threatening visitation situations don't have to put their children in harm's way.
• Thank you for visiting the second floor, but I'm still waiting for you to buy my Tesla.
• SB 1718 extends the period of time an adult may visit an out-of-home placement before being considered
• SB 1718 extends the period of time an adult may visit an out-of-home placement before being considered

Keywords: 998, house, all