Transcript Highlights:

• a new program and we know we're going to continue it.
• So, and some additional fraud capabilities, fraud prevention capabilities, detection and prevention.
• It adds $4.3 million to this contract, and it is for the Arkansas Health and Well-Being Program for intervention
• But I'm going to tell you that it's an important program and it works.
• This program works, and we need to utilize it.

Committee: All ALC-REVIEW

Summary: The review subcommittee met to consider a supplemental agenda, methods of finance, an alternative delivery project, discretionary grants, and a large slate of construction, out-of-state, and in-state contracts. The supplemental item was a $2.6 million out-of-state contract with Tyler Technologies for a mobile app that would let citizens access state services through a single sign-on, initially for DFA vehicle and licensing services, with possible expansion to other agencies. Members also reviewed five methods of finance, including University of Arkansas projects for roof and cooling tower replacements, a new $100 million academic classroom building at U of A Fayetteville, a police department renovation at UA Fort Smith, and a boiler/chiller replacement at Hope-Texarkana. Questions focused on project timing, why some items were being reviewed after work had begun, and the high estimated cost of the Fayetteville classroom building; DFA explained that projects under $250,000 are not reviewed and that the larger project was still in design and would later seek a guaranteed maximum price. The committee also reviewed two DHS discretionary grants: one for targeted youth advocacy in southwest Arkansas and another adding $582,000 for family-centered treatment training and implementation. In the services contract section, members discussed construction-related contracts, including an ASMSA electrical scope increase tied to three-phase power requirements and the U of A Fayetteville architect contract for the classroom building. Out-of-state contracts included major items such as ACT Education’s $17 million amendment to provide required pre-ACT testing for 9th and 10th graders, a $12.5 million DFA contract for rural health transformation grant management, DHS’s $16.5 million EBT services contract with updated chip-card and fraud-prevention features, and ADH’s special procurement for the Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System survey. The committee also reviewed U of A system consulting contracts for financial advisory and sponsorship strategy work, with university officials saying the outside expertise was needed for specialized planning and revenue-generation efforts. In-state contracts covered corrections reentry services, nursing board investigations, foster care and child welfare services, DHS office janitorial work, emergency management radio system expansion, veterans’ home nursing staffing, and UAMS grants consulting. A lengthy exchange centered on the Department of Corrections’ reentry housing contract, with members pressing officials about vacant beds and urging fuller use of the program, while corrections staff said placements depend on screening and eligibility. Another discussion addressed the balance between out-of-state and in-state contracting, with a member noting the large dollar volume going to out-of-state vendors and asking whether Arkansas vendors receive any preference; State Procurement said current law does not allow an in-state preference. The committee approved the supplemental agenda, the methods of finance, the alternative delivery project, the discretionary grants, and the contract lists, and then received routine reports and an emergency action report before adjourning.

Transcript Highlights:

• Public programs like Medicaid, CHIP, Medicare Advantage, and TRICARE are also exempt, and that's where
• And I haven't really heard any discussion on that topic of more preventive care.
• And as a result, almost every manufacturer does participate in the 340B program.
• The program has grown exponentially, and we haven't actually seen any real change.
• ; the network restrictions are actually artificial, preventing competition, and ERS and TRS should look

Committee: House Insurance

Keywords: 1184, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• setting to provide early intervention services.
• I'm the Executive Director of the Early Care and Learning Association, and I am here representing our
• And so they're licensed, and they help serve the students there in the program.
• And, you know, it's a new program and we're expanding this, and so we're still putting those guardrails
• And how does this translate to jobs and support for early childhood for the workforce, for the early

Summary: The committee met late in the evening and announced that Senate Bill 132 would be rolled until the next day. The only bill heard was Senate Finance Committee substitute for Senate Bill 241, which would codify New Mexico’s Child Care Assistance Program in statute, establish eligibility, payment, wait-list, and co-payment rules, require reporting and transparency, and tie reimbursement rates to a cost-estimation model and wage scale/career lattice. The sponsor and administration described the bill as creating a durable framework for universal child care, with protections for program integrity, inclusion of children with developmental needs, and requirements to maximize state and federal child care tax benefits. Public testimony was largely supportive of the bill’s child care expansion goals, with endorsements from State Police, firefighters, early childhood advocates, and women’s policy groups, but many providers and educators said they could not support it without stronger wage and career-ladder protections and clearer guarantees that funding would reach staff salaries rather than owners or institutions. The committee adopted Vice Chair Dixon’s amendment, which lowered the proposed transfer from the Early Childhood Education and Care Trust Fund from $1 billion to $700 million and added reporting requirements on the wait list, consultation requirements for rate-setting, additional facility reporting, a prohibition on supplanting certain public education funds, tribal facility participation, and food program reporting. A separate amendment from Representative Duncan to require first-come, first-served enrollment was debated at length but was tabled by a 9-7 vote after the sponsor and secretary said it conflicted with federal prioritization rules and the bill’s targeted access goals. Members also questioned how the bill would affect public entities, nontraditional-hour providers, co-pay triggers, and whether the wage scale would adequately compensate educators. After debate, the committee voted 10-7 to give the amended bill a do-pass recommendation. Supporters said the bill would strengthen workforce stability, improve access for working families, and help sustain New Mexico’s universal child care system; opponents warned about the long-term fiscal impact, the potential growth of the program, and whether the bill sufficiently protected early childhood educators’ wages and other state priorities. The meeting adjourned with notice that the committee would reconvene at 8 a.m. the next day to hear the Senate’s actions on House Bill 2.

Transcript Highlights:

• And can we look at bonding of parents and children and start to look at things more globally?
• By expanding statutory emphasis on termination factors without expanding prevention and reunification
• will advocate for an early and maybe unnecessary termination of parental rights.
• So could you speak briefly to the source of your concern with respect to 1257 and early termination of
• These reports were investigated and subsequently closed without further state intervention.

Summary: The Senate Judiciary and Rules Committee heard three measures and advanced all of them. RS 33312C1, sponsored by Sen. Galloway, would raise Idaho’s small claims court limit from $5,000 to $15,000 to give people a faster, less expensive way to resolve smaller disputes; the committee voted to send it to print. RS 33423, sponsored by Sen. Ricks, would create voluntary guidance for merchants on penny rounding in cash transactions as pennies become scarce, including rounding rules and tax calculation on the final invoice total; it also was sent to print. House Bill 518, presented by Rep. Skaug, would allow the Attorney General to accept referrals from law enforcement and prosecute human trafficking cases when requested, with supporters describing the need for a centralized, specialized approach to complex multi-county and interstate cases; the committee voted to send it to the floor with a due-pass recommendation. The committee then took up Senate Bill 1257, sponsored by Sen. Wintrow, which would clarify that in-person visitation is not required in child welfare cases where sexual or serious physical abuse has been substantiated, while preserving court discretion and allowing other forms of contact. Wintrow and Department of Health and Welfare administrator Jean Fisher said the bill largely codifies existing rules, gives courts clearer statutory guidance, and also clarifies that courts may consider a parent’s incarceration when deciding termination of parental rights. Supporters, including foster parents, child welfare advocates, and survivors, testified that forced visitation can retraumatize children and that the bill would better protect abused children. One online witness, Ives Samantha Moore, testified in opposition, arguing that courts already have authority to restrict visitation, that the bill could create momentum toward termination of parental rights, and that it could worsen disparities without broader reunification and prevention reforms. After extensive testimony, the committee voted to send SB 1257 to the Senate floor with a due-pass recommendation, and then adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• , or political upheaval, and talk about barriers to accessing government programs. council modeled after
• , detecting, investigating, and holding accountable those who commit fraud in Minnesota state programs
• , detecting, aimed at preventing, detecting, investigating,<00:47:35.720><c> and</c><00:47:35.840><c>
• Article 1, section 5, the fraud prevention and enforcement capacity.
• This will strengthen Revenue's ability to prevent, detect, and prosecute tax fraud, protect taxpayer

Bills: HF4364 , HF4821 , HF4543 , HF3945

Committee: House State Government Finance and Policy

Keywords: Central and Eastern European Affairs, ethnic council, advisory council, Minnesota state government, immigrant communities, refugees, humanitarian parolees, Ukraine, Poland, Croatia, Hungary, Moldova, Romania, Serbia, Czech Republic, Baltic states, Slovakia, Slovenia, Kosovo, Russia

Transcript Highlights:

• It is very early in the morning, and my wife had a good excuse.
• And I've always been impressed with Ben's intellect and his thoughtfulness and his willingness to engage
• programming?
• And doesn't your bill prevent the state agency, the Oklahoma Tourism, from putting the Pride events on
• Students grow and develop and learn.

Bills: HB3415 , HB2206 , HB3414 , HB3265 , HB3310 , HB3413 , HB4486 , HB1219

Committee: Senate Retirement and Government Resources

Keywords: state government, vendor contracts, subcontracting, public database, contract assessment, transparency, retirement, law enforcement, Oklahoma Law Enforcement Retirement System, school resource officers, public safety, public finance, contract management, service-driven contracts, state accounting, intangible assets, Oklahoma Police Pension, disability benefits, mental health, retirement system

Summary: The Senate Committee on Retirement and Government Resources met with a quorum and first took up two executive nominations for Ben Lepak, one to serve as Secretary of State and one to serve in the governor’s cabinet. Lepak described the Secretary of State office’s work on business filings, recordkeeping, and initiative petitions, and said the office’s career staff handled those duties well. Senators asked about fairness in the initiative petition process and administrative rules; Lepak emphasized transparency and ministerial, nonpolitical administration. Both nominations advanced on 8-0 votes. The committee then considered several House bills tied largely to government transparency and purchasing oversight. House Bill 3415 would require state entities to report contracts and subcontractors, include performance metrics, publicly post contracts and assessments, and document consultant outcomes; it passed 8-0 despite concerns about a $2 million fiscal impact and added OMES workload. House Bill 3414 would require OMES to identify whether contracts are service-based and create a digital warehouse for intangible assets; it passed 6-0. House Bill 3310 would authorize OMES payment-procedure rules, require invoice legitimacy checks and a 60-day payment window, and create compliance reporting with possible budget recommendations for noncompliance; it passed 7-0 after questions about appeals and penalties. House Bill 3413, requiring agencies to include more detail on contractors and consultants in annual budget submissions, also passed 7-0. The committee also approved House Bill 2206, which moves new school resource officers into a law-enforcement retirement system rather than teacher retirement, with testimony that it would help recruit officers and would apply only to new hires; it passed 6-0. House Bill 3265, which expands who can make PTSD disability determinations for first responders to include psychologists and certain licensed mental health professionals, passed 7-0 after discussion of psychiatrist shortages and concerns about diagnostic standards. House Bill 4486, authorizing a Gold Star monument at the Capitol funded by private donations, passed 7-0. Finally, House Bill 1219, barring state agencies and schools from using state funds or resources to promote LGBTQ or Pride Month events or fly the Pride flag, generated extensive debate over its impact on outreach, public health, education, and LGBTQ Oklahomans; it passed 5-2 and the committee adjourned with notice of a larger agenda the following week.

Transcript Highlights:

• Is that going to be a grant program, correct? Yes, ma'am. And who creates that grant program?
• And so it eliminates potentially having duplicate programs that they're trying to administer.
• And so I took all of the things that I was doing in a separate program and putting them as an amendment
• to an existing separate program and putting them as an amendment to an existing program.
• And so it eliminates potentially having duplicate programs that they're trying to administer.

Bills: HB3056 , HB3391 , HB3657 , HB3617 , HB4055 , HB3720 , HB3902

Committee: House Agriculture

Keywords: raw milk, unpasteurized, farm sales, Oklahoma Milk and Milk Products Act, local producers, advertising, animal welfare, commercial pet breeders, licensing, animal cruelty, labor, employment definitions, agricultural services, Oklahoma Workforce Commission, confidentiality, data access, right to repair, agriculture, OEM, repair providers

Transcript Highlights:

• This bill establishes two new children's initiative programs, Bay County and Pompano.
• The bill codifies eligibility guidelines and includes existing income and asset provisions of the program
• And so first and foremost, codification of this program is paramount at this point.
• So it's really a cost savings for the state as far as SNAP and other programs.
• And the system becomes aware that this program is available to help and lift up our developmentally disabled

Bills: S0006 , S0036 , S0560 , S0778 , S0844 , S0864 , S1002 , S1016 , S1022 , S1030 , S1630

Committee: Senate Appropriations Committee on Health and Human Services

Keywords: child welfare, negligence, settlement, injury compensation, Department of Children and Families, nursing title, advanced practice registered nurse, advertising, professional standards, disciplinary action, psychotropic medication, community-based care, liability insurance, forensic services, defendants, mental health, judicial system, defense, legal definitions, sickle cell disease

Summary: The Appropriations Committee on Health and Human Services heard and advanced a series of health, child welfare, aging, disability, and public records bills. CS/SB 1002, on child welfare and parental substance abuse, was described as clarifying that acute or chronic parental drug abuse can constitute harm or neglect when it creates an ongoing risk to a child; it passed after limited questions and supportive testimony from Florida Smart Justice Alliance. CS/SB 1630, a broad aging and long-term care modernization bill, would streamline eligibility screenings, allow temporary DOEA services during emergencies or lead agency failures, tighten oversight of area agencies on aging, permanently establish the Florida Alzheimer’s Care Center of Excellence, and expand guardianship training and enforcement tools; it drew support from AARP, area agencies, and the Alzheimer’s Association and was reported favorably. The committee also approved SB 1022 to add Bay County and Pompano to the Florida Children’s Initiatives, and CS/SB 1030, via strike-all amendment, to streamline regulation of substance abuse and behavioral health providers and clarify background screening and privacy rules. Several bills focused on health care practice and patient access. CS/SB 36, with an amendment, allows nurses with doctoral degrees to use appropriate titles while requiring clear identification as nurses and making misuse grounds for discipline; nursing organizations supported it and it passed. CS/SB 844 requires physicians and nurses to complete a one-time, board-approved continuing education course on sickle cell disease care management, with multiple patients and advocates testifying about delayed care, bias, and the need for better provider education; the bill was reported favorably after an amendment aligning it with the House version. CS/SB 560 streamlines procedures for psychotropic medication for children in DCF custody by reducing duplicative reports, clarifying evaluator qualifications, limiting repeated background checks, and simplifying consent documentation; an amendment removed postsecondary education language, and the bill passed. The committee also approved a public records exemption bill for a uterine fibroids research database (CS/SB 864). The committee also advanced measures affecting disability services and forensic care. SB 6, a claims bill, would pay $3.8 million to a trust for a child who suffered severe abuse-related injuries after DCF involvement; it passed without opposition. SB 778 updates the definition of forensic clients so certain individuals with intellectual disabilities or autism found incompetent to proceed can be housed in the same secure forensic setting, reducing duplicative staffing and space needs; it was reported favorably. CS/SB 1016 codifies the Working People with Disabilities Program, allowing eligible developmentally disabled adults to work while retaining Medicaid waiver benefits and requiring notice to enrollees; advocates described the bill as essential to employment and independence, and it passed. Throughout the meeting, most bills received supportive public testimony, few questions, and unanimous or near-unanimous favorable votes.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> price for safety and and there's a price price for safety and and there's a price for<00:03:04.640
• Let's go ahead and uh let's... you have the substitute, and it's in front of you, and well, what we've
• Let's go ahead and uh let's... you have the substitute, and it's in front of you, and well, what we've
• And and what is the find that products.
• <00:06:53.199><c> And</c> &gt;&gt; right? And &gt;&gt; right?

Bills: HB393 , HB61 , SB234 , SB234

Committee: Senate Tourism

Keywords: entertainment district, alcohol consumption, local governance, city council, public spaces, home school, career and technical education, public schools, K-12 education, enrollment policy, Cherokee County, off-road vehicle park, ORV park, ATV, all-terrain vehicle, dirt bike, off-highway vehicle, recreational vehicle, county permit, inspection

Transcript Highlights:

• The law directs the New Mexico Board of Veterinary Medicine to design and administer this program.
• The early implementation period coincided and administer this program.
• We really need your help to continue this program, and I hope you'll support SB 38. Thank you.
• I'm the senior program and policy strategist for Animal Protection Voters.
• Our organization has joined as defendants and intervention.

Bills: HB25 , SB38 , SB101 , HB199

Committee: House House Consumer & Public Affairs

Keywords: juvenile delinquency, firearm possession, criminal background checks, state law, gun control, youth offense, conviction, public safety, SB38, pet food, registered pet food, registration fee, fees, sunset repeal, repeal of repeal, revenue, state fee, business regulation, animal feed, pet food registration

Transcript Highlights:

• Capella and and Representative Capella and congratulations<00:12:55.920><c> on</c><00:12:56.079><c>
• </c> and costs taxpayers lost payroll and and costs taxpayers lost payroll and income<00:13:41.279><c
• Um, and so HB 1859 doesn't create a new program, but it anchors that shared goal in statute so that we
• , but it anchors that shared goal program, but it anchors that shared goal and<00:27:04.880><c> statute
• Uh, we also lack the resources and expertise to administer a new health insurance program, and the measure

Bills: SB2141 , SB2593 , SB2824 , SB2135 , SB2115

Committee: House Labor

Keywords: retirement, law enforcement, pension, public safety, employee contributions, Law Enforcement Standards Board, LESB, civil service exemption, collective bargaining exemption, law enforcement certification, police standards, law enforcement training, officer certification, training and curriculum coordinator, lead investigative agent, administrative manager, administrator, Hawaii HRS 76-16, Hawaii HRS 139-3, personnel exemption

Transcript Highlights:

• And finally, a city may require a plan to prevent vacant properties zoned for and that previously housed
• Supporting policy that prevents or penalizes abrupt loss of grocery stores and services expands planning
• ICC, and on and on, and I am very strongly in support of this bill.
• then the rules change again, and it is just a constant training program.
• And then the rules change again. It is just a constant training program to update staff.

Bills: HB2517 , HB2480 , HB2588 , HB1529 , HB2223 , HB2006 , HB2573 , HB2141

Committee: House Local Government

Keywords: municipal permitting, transit projects, high capacity transit, infrastructure, urban development, residential development, commercial zones, mixed-use zoning, urban planning, state regulations, county ferry district, ferry district, passenger-only ferry, passenger ferry, Puget Sound, Vashon, Seattle, Southworth, county transportation, local taxing authority

Transcript Highlights:

• House Bill 1717 authorizes cities and counties to establish a sales and use tax remittance program for
• also places all administrative duties for the program and the local tax remittance under the local government's
• House Bill 1717 authorizes cities and counties to establish a sales and use tax remittance program for
• This local sales and use tax remittance program is one tool that we can add to our toolbox to create
• This will, the underlying bill, prevent that from happening in the future, but it doesn't go back and

Bills: HB1717 , HB2133 , HB2135 , HB2140 , HB2442 , HB2559

Committee: House Finance

Keywords: affordable housing, sales tax, housing programs, tax incentives, economic development, property tax, senior citizens, tax exemption, local government funding, permanent legislation, adaptive housing, disabled veterans, tax preferences, housing affordability, retail sales tax, governmental transfer, agriculture, land use, local government, tax authority

Transcript Highlights:

• But Representative Shaw is the vice chairman now, and I'm honored to serve with him and looking forward
• And with that, we are going to be done with our first meeting.
• Thanks for having everybody show up at the right time and they know they're done. >> That's it. >> And
• they know they're the right time and they know they're done.
• And I'm from Chicago. >> But our summers are not like...

Bills: HB16 , HB214 , HB252 , HB16 , HB214 , HB252

Committee: House Ethics and Campaign Finance

Keywords: law enforcement, false information, criminal penalty, public safety, identification, school psychology, interstate compact, licensure, professional services, education, HB252, Class IV municipality, Class IV municipalities, municipal audit, audit rotation, certified public accountant, CPA, municipal accounting, Section 11-43B-9, county and municipal government

Transcript Highlights:

• We're deleting line 87, and leaving lines 60 through 65 and inserting paragraphs A and D in the subsection
• And I know as senators, we hear lots of facts and are kind of numb to the data and statistics.
• and youth prevention efforts.
• be able to get them and buy them and use them.
• “They themselves are not FDA approved, and I like the idea of reliance and for companies and hardworking

Bills: S0530 , S0658 , S0608 , S1708 , S0680 , S0980 , S0204

Committee: Senate Regulated Industries

Keywords: Florida lottery, state lottery, lottery tickets, lottery retailer, Department of the Lottery, Division of Security, ball machine, lottery vending machine, instant tickets, online lottery tickets, major procurement, vendor disclosure, performance bond, retailer bond, security report, counterfeit ticket, altered ticket, false claim, ticket theft, fraud

Summary: The Committee on Regulated Industries considered and reported several bills. SB 530 on state lotteries was presented with two technical amendments adopted, including changes to lottery department contracting language and machine-purchase flexibility; the committee then reported the bill favorably. SB 204, which increases penalties for illegal slot machine operations to a third-degree felony and creates a declaratory-statement process for veteran service organizations to confirm machine legality, drew support from gaming interests and some soft opposition from a veterans group concerned about implementation; it was also reported favorably. The committee then took up a proposed committee substitute combining SB 658 and SB 608 on water safety requirements for rental and vacation properties. The combined bill would require certain rental properties near water bodies or with pools to install specified alarms, locks, fences, covers, or similar safety devices, with enforcement through DBPR and a grace period for correcting some violations. Senators emphasized the bill as a response to child drowning deaths, including those involving autistic children, and the PCS was reported favorably. SB 980, as a delete-everything amendment, would create the Florida Agegate Act to restrict advertising, promotion, and display of non-FDA-approved nicotine devices in areas accessible to those under 21, with penalties and inspection authority; after questions about counterfeit products and enforcement, it was reported favorably. The committee also approved SB 1708, which removes a three-year out-of-state practice requirement for veterinary licensure by endorsement while keeping other competency requirements, and SB 680, as amended, which creates a sales tax exemption for electricity sold to EV charging station operators and transferred to consumers, subject to metering and affidavit requirements. Several members recorded votes after the roll calls, and the meeting ended with an invitation to return later for another bill before adjournment.

Transcript Highlights:

• We're deleting line 87 and leaving lines, I'm sorry, 60 through 65, and inserting paragraphs A and D
• And I know as senators, we hear lots of facts and are kind of numb to the data and statistics.
• and youth prevention efforts.
• be able to get them and buy them and use them.
• And I like the idea of reliance and for companies and hardworking, good-faith companies and people to

Bills: S0530 , S0658 , S0608 , S1708 , S0680 , S0980 , S0204

Committee: Senate Regulated Industries

Keywords: Florida lottery, state lottery, lottery tickets, lottery retailer, Department of the Lottery, Division of Security, ball machine, lottery vending machine, instant tickets, online lottery tickets, major procurement, vendor disclosure, performance bond, retailer bond, security report, counterfeit ticket, altered ticket, false claim, ticket theft, fraud

Summary: The Committee on Regulated Industries met and reported several bills favorably. SB 530 on state lotteries, presented by Senator Pizzo, made technical changes to the Department of Lottery’s powers and duties, clarified definitions, and allowed more flexibility to purchase rather than lease machines; two technical amendments were adopted before the bill passed. SB 204, also presented by Senator Bradley, increased penalties for illegal slot machine operations to a third-degree felony and created a process for veteran service organizations to seek binding declaratory statements from the Gaming Commission about whether a machine is lawful; the bill was reported favorably after testimony from supporters and a veteran organization expressing concern about clarity and good-faith cooperation. SB 658 and SB 608 were combined into a proposed committee substitute on water safety for rental and vacation properties, requiring certain pool or water safety devices and adding enforcement provisions through DBPR; the merged bill was reported favorably after strong testimony emphasizing child drowning statistics and support from local residents and industry representatives. SB 980, as amended, created the Florida Agegate Act to restrict advertising, promotion, and display of non-FDA-approved nicotine dispensing devices around minors, with escalating penalties and inspection authority; members discussed concerns about illegal products and enforcement, and the bill was reported favorably. SB 1708 on veterinary licensure by endorsement removed a three-year recent practice requirement for out-of-state veterinarians while keeping other competency standards, and it was reported favorably with support from several animal and veterinary-related groups. SB 680, as amended, addressed double taxation of electricity used at EV charging stations by creating a sales tax exemption for separately metered electricity transferred to consumers, and it was also reported favorably. The committee also noted additional support forms for the water safety bill and adjourned after miscellaneous remarks and announcements.

Transcript Highlights:

• And thank you, Senator Burgess. And I'm just getting familiar with this bill.
• This is about keeping victims safe, supporting cooperation with law enforcement, and preventing further
• And they go somewhere to buy some cocaine or even marijuana, and it's laced with this stuff.
• And it kills them. And it stops their heart, taking them away from any opportunity to recover.
• last year and had a lot of conversations and helped lay the groundwork.

Bills: S0032 , S0210 , S0432 , S0504 , S0506 , S0524 , S0676

Committee: Senate Appropriations Committee on Criminal and Civil Justice

Keywords: injunctions, protection orders, domestic violence, serious violence, court procedures, enforcement, risk protection, statewide communication system, public records, violence protection, confidentiality, defamation, code inspector, code enforcement, body camera, body-worn camera, police body cam, municipal code enforcement, local government, video recording

Summary: The Appropriations Committee on Criminal and Civil Justice met with a quorum present and considered several bills. The committee heard and approved SB 504, allowing local governments to adopt standardized policies for code enforcement officers to use body cameras, and SB 506, which creates a related public records exemption for certain body camera recordings, including protections for minors and private information. Senator Smith raised questions about notice to property owners and use limitations, and Senator Osgood asked whether cameras must be on at all times; the sponsor said he would follow up on specifics. Both bills had support from local government and code enforcement groups and were reported favorably after adoption of an amendment to SB 504 clarifying training and familiarity with camera rules. The committee also approved CS/SB 32, creating a new injunction for protection against serious violence by a known person, and SB 210, the companion public records exemption for petitions involving that injunction. Senator Sharif said the bills fill a gap for victims who do not qualify under existing injunction categories, and supporters waived in favor. SB 676, by Senator Arrington, was also reported favorably; it creates a graduated penalty structure for contributing to the delinquency of a minor when the underlying conduct involves certain animal cruelty offenses, and increases penalties for fighting or baiting animals. Senator Osgood spoke in support, tying the bill to protecting children and animals, and several law enforcement and animal welfare groups waived in support. The committee further approved SB 432, which adds certain concentrated 7-OH to Schedule I, exempts FDA-approved veterinary xylazine products, creates a first-degree felony with a mandatory minimum for certain candy-like xylazine products, and establishes trafficking penalties for xylazine. Senator Osgood spoke at length in support, emphasizing overdose risks and the impact on people with substance use disorder. Finally, the committee passed SB 524, which revises duties and appointments related to the Medical Examiners Commission and district medical examiners, clarifies responsibilities within Chapter 943, and changes notification and curriculum approval provisions for criminal justice standards. All measures were reported favorably, and the committee adjourned without objection.

Transcript Highlights:

• ...they may be surprised to see that they have body cameras and that they're being recorded and filmed
• There are some local governments that are already doing this and without maybe some guidance and some
• This is about keeping victims safe, supporting cooperation with law enforcement, and preventing further
• And they go somewhere to buy some cocaine or even marijuana and it's laced with this stuff.
• last year and had a lot of conversations and helped lay the groundwork.

Bills: S0032 , S0210 , S0432 , S0504 , S0506 , S0524 , S0676

Committee: Senate Appropriations Committee on Criminal and Civil Justice

Keywords: injunctions, protection orders, domestic violence, serious violence, court procedures, enforcement, risk protection, statewide communication system, public records, violence protection, confidentiality, defamation, code inspector, code enforcement, body camera, body-worn camera, police body cam, municipal code enforcement, local government, video recording

Summary: The Appropriations Committee on Criminal and Civil Justice met with a quorum present and considered several bills, most of them related to public safety, criminal justice, and privacy. The committee first heard SB 504, which authorizes local governments to allow code enforcement officers to use body cameras under standardized policies, and SB 506, its companion public-records exemption bill protecting certain body-camera recordings from disclosure. Members raised questions about notice to property owners and when cameras may be used; both bills were supported by local government and code enforcement groups and were reported favorably after roll-call votes. The committee then approved CS for SB 32, creating a new injunction for protection against serious violence by a known person, and SB 210, which extends public-records protections to petitions for that injunction. Senator Sharif described the bills as filling a gap for victims who do not qualify under existing injunction categories; supporters included prosecutors, law enforcement, and advocacy groups. The committee also favorably reported SB 676, which creates graduated penalties for involving minors in certain animal cruelty offenses, and SB 432, which adds 7OH to Schedule I, exempts approved veterinary xylazine products, and increases penalties for trafficking and candy-like xylazine products. Senator Osgood spoke in support of SB 432, emphasizing the dangers of adulterated street drugs for people with substance use disorder. Finally, the committee approved SB 524, which revises duties and appointments related to the Medical Examiners Commission and the Criminal Justice Standards and Training Commission, including shifting district medical examiner appointments to the commission and clarifying notification procedures for administrative complaints. All bills received favorable votes, with support statements or waivers from various state, local, and advocacy organizations. The committee then completed its business and adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• Commerce is encouraged to solicit private donations and may reallocate program funds at the end of a
• And we do have the prime sponsor. Would you go ahead and introduce yourself and speak to your bill?
• There's also HUD's Resident Opportunity and Self-Sufficiency Service Coordinator Program.
• This program could open doors in critical areas and industries, including, among others, maritime, as
• This bill creates no new programs, has no significant impact, and we are currently working with counties

Bills: HB2186 , HB2351 , HB1170

Committee: House Technology, Economic Development, & Veterans

Keywords: economic development, federal funds, state funding, infrastructure, grants, local government, emergency responders, emergency response, disaster response, obstruction of law enforcement, gross misdemeanor, public safety, incident command system, emergency operation zone, emergency management, law enforcement restrictions, warrant requirement, search and seizure, civil liberties, due process

Transcript Highlights:

• There being 11 ayes and no nays, Senate Bill 2403 is reported favorably to the full Senate, and that
• There being 11 ayes and no nays, the bill 1888 will be reported favorably.
• Hearing none, the substitute is adopted and is now before us.
• There being 10 ayes and no nays in one nay, 10 ayes and one nay.
• Eleven ayes and one nay. And so House Bill 1393 will be recommended favorably to the full Senate.

Bills: SB82 , SB1807 , SB2254 , HB119 , HB130 , HB581 , HJR98 , SB1988

Committee: Senate State Affairs

Keywords: business liability, concealed carry, handgun policy, premises liability, criminal acts, civil liability, business premises, concealed handgun, property liability, property rights, gun regulations, criminal liability, protective order, confidentiality, personal information, court records, victim protection, charitable raffle, nonprofit, wildlife conservation

Summary: The Senate Committee on State Affairs met to consider several pending measures and adopted committee substitutes on multiple bills before voting them out. Senate Bill 2403, Senate Bill 1888 (jury wheel procedures in certain counties), Senate Bill 2417 (Attorney General actions under the Free Enterprise and Antitrust Act), Senate Bill 2459 (personal identifying information for judiciary employees), and Senate Bill 2943 (discrimination involving occupational licenses) were each reported favorably to the full Senate, with most passing unanimously and SB 2943 passing on a 10-1 vote. The committee also certified SB 1888, SB 2417, and SB 2459 for the local and uncontested calendars, and later did the same for SB 2943. The committee then considered House Joint Resolution 98, the Convention of States resolution, which was reported favorably to the full Senate on an 8-3 vote. House Bill 1393, dealing with daylight saving time and keeping the state on daylight saving time year-round, was also reported favorably, with the committee noting it heard the House bill rather than a Senate companion. House Bill 2884, concerning financial relationship disclosures for defense contractors, was likewise reported favorably, with the final tally announced as 11 ayes and 1 nay. No testimony was taken in the excerpt, and no substantive debate was recorded beyond brief clarifications about the bills and their companions. After completing the votes and calendar motions, the committee recessed.