Transcript Highlights:

• They adopted a Constitution that strictly limited courts to exercising power of the words that are in
• There are certain issues, certain cases where it wouldn't make sense to limit it that way.
• And that court limit that holding just to the plaintiffs before him or her.
• It's in fact limited.
• How that wheel is weighted can change from district to district. depending on the judges.

Keywords: universal injunctions, legislative reforms, judicial authority, executive power, balance of power, judicial overreach

Summary: During this meeting, the committee focused on the implications of universal injunctions, which have become a significant concern in recent years. The discussion centered around various legislative proposals aimed at addressing the perceived overreach of district judges who issue nationwide injunctions that affect policies across the entire country. Several members expressed the belief that such injunctions undermine judicial authority and disrupt the balance of power between the judiciary and executive branches. Expert witnesses testified about the historical context of universal injunctions and the necessity for reforms that would limit the power of courts to grant remedies benefitting non-parties.

Transcript Highlights:

• By having this discussion today and these types of discussions, it allows us to have more weight when
• By having this discussion today and these types of discussions, it allows us to have more weight when
• By having this discussion today and these types of discussions, it allows us to have more weight when
• By having this discussion today and these types of discussions, it allows us to have more weight when
• <00:43:27.240> ation you know s you know certain limit ation you know s you know certain limit

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Summary: The Senate Finance Committee held a hearing on the fiscal note process, prompted by concerns raised in a prior hearing about the fiscal note for the Paid Family and Medical Leave law. Chair Marty, Senator Pratt, and Senator Wiklund said the goal was not to revisit the bill itself but to strengthen understanding of fiscal note standards, the role of the Legislative Budget Office (LBO), and communication with agencies. They emphasized bipartisan concern that fiscal notes must be respected and that the process should be clearer going forward. Christian Larison of the LBO explained that the 2024 fiscal note issues stemmed from three main problems: choosing the proper baseline for a program that had not yet started, interpreting the seven-day qualifying event/waiting period, and determining whether DEED could adjust the first-year premium rate. He said the LBO, DEED, MMB, and House fiscal staff ultimately used the October 2023 actuarial analysis as the baseline because it was the most recent and likely most accurate estimate, but that choice meant the fiscal note did not show the difference from the 2023 enacted budget. He also described how DEED later interpreted the seven-day provision as a waiting period and how the premium-rate assumptions affected the fiscal impact. Larison outlined possible responses, including more assertive early communication from the LBO, providing more detailed analysis in unusual cases, and possibly creating a working group through the LBO Oversight Commission to consider new standards for substantial assumption changes, complex new programs, and third-party actuarial work. He also noted the LBO has authority to issue unapproved fiscal notes if standards are not met, though it has not used that authority. In questions, Senator Murphy asked about protecting the credibility of fiscal notes, and Larison said maintaining independence, objectivity, and consistent standards is central to the LBO’s role. No votes or formal actions were taken at the hearing.

Transcript Highlights:

• ABC interpreted that as limiting collection of data and not being able to get a phone number or an email
• Medicaid was trying to cover GLP-1s for weight loss.
• 27.440> for Medicaid was trying to cover GLP-1s for Medicaid was trying to cover GLP-1s for weight
• 28.520> they<00:11:28.640> are<00:11:28.880> still<00:11:29.120> cur- Weight
• Um, we went too far on the weight loss.

Keywords: 958, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Texas charges 4.5 cents per 100 weight. Missouri charges 4 cents per 100 weight.
• Us carrying our own weight. This is poultry carrier.
• This is milk carrying its own weight, not relying on poultry to pick up the tab for their industry.
• It would limit the state's ability to export outside of the state of Oklahoma if the wording is not changed

Bills: SB2122, SB330, SB2071, SB2169, SB2069, SB2095, SB2157

Keywords: poultry, agriculture, out-of-state processing, Oklahoma Department of Agriculture, regulation, food safety, elk population, wildlife management, Oklahoma State University, veterinary medicine, ecosystem health, habitat assessment, milk, dairy, dairy farm, milk products, Grade A milk, pasteurization, raw milk, milk inspection

Transcript Highlights:

• There's disagreement on what is the proper weighting.
• There's disagreement on what is the proper weighting.
• There's disagreement on what is the proper weighting.
• It's actually a weighting between the two values that the cost and income models produce.
• There's disagreement on what is the proper weighting.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• your weight, reduce your weight, and help you prevent gaining diabetes in the future.
• your weight, reduce your weight, and help you prevent gaining diabetes in the future.
• You're just, from a policy standpoint, trying to limit the number of options.
• This bill would transition the coverage from a dollar limit to a service limit, irrespective of the cost
• This bill would transition the coverage from a dollar limit to a service limit, irrespective of the cost

Summary: The Employee Benefits Committee met to hear presentations on state employee health insurance, compensation, leave policies, labor market conditions, and prevailing wage issues, then later took up committee rules and bill-draft jurisdiction. PERS reviewed the history and structure of the state health plan, noting the state has paid the full family premium since 1979, described cost-control and benefit-enhancement changes over time, and explained current plan options, wellness incentives, employer wellness discounts, and the upcoming bid process for the 2027-29 contract. HRMS then presented compensation comparisons showing state classified pay generally trails private and regional markets, with larger gaps at higher-level jobs, and reviewed benefits and leave policies, including the new enhanced annual leave and new-hire leave, the state’s unpaid family leave structure, and varying tuition reimbursement practices. Job Service reported on labor force trends, low unemployment, high labor force participation, job openings, and wage growth, and OMB said there are no state prevailing-wage requirements beyond federal Davis-Bacon rules for federally funded projects. The committee then considered a proposed amendment to Joint Rule 211 to better align the health insurance mandate review process with recent statutory changes. Members discussed how the rule should reference both the committee’s required actuarial reports and the Legislative Council cost-benefit analysis, and the amendment was adopted on a roll call vote. The committee also discussed how its jurisdiction decisions affect whether a bill draft receives actuarial analysis, with staff explaining that a decision not to take jurisdiction means the bill is not treated as impacting the relevant retirement or health plans for purposes of that analysis. After that, the committee began reviewing bill drafts for jurisdiction. The first draft, bill draft 33, would automatically renew pre-tax elections for dental and vision coverage during open enrollment instead of requiring annual re-election. Members debated whether it had any actuarial impact, noting the state does not pay those premiums directly, and the discussion was still underway when the transcript ended.

Transcript Highlights:

• Families from contract term limitations Families from contract term limitations for<00:12:23.200
• to contracts and um there are limits to contracts and contract<00:12:32.959> amendments<00:12
• Section 10 limits the family’s co-payment for the CCAP program.
• It removes a prohibition on publishing documented technical assistance under the weighted risk system
• And to meet the rising limited budget.

Bills: HF2436

Keywords: child welfare, economic assistance, child care, grant program, video security cameras, 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• This data is limited, restricted funds.
• You know, on page 16, I'll just say funding is prescriptive and time-limited, inflexible, and offers
• we're going to collapse under the weight we're going to collapse under the weight of<00:53:13.920
• Influenza B, C, and D have a limited host range.
• Person-to-person spread is rare and limited overall and has not been detected in the United States.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Summary: The Senate Health and Human Services Committee convened for its first meeting of the 2025 session, with Chair Melissa Wiklund outlining the new co-chair arrangement, rotating gavel, committee size of 12, and the seven-vote threshold needed to move bills and motions. Members and staff introduced themselves, including several new senators, committee administrators, counsel, fiscal staff, researchers, and new pages. The committee then began its agenda with an overview of the Minnesota Department of Health from Deputy Commissioner Wendy Underwood. Underwood described MDH’s mission and structure, emphasizing public health’s focus on prevention, population health, and the social and economic factors that drive health outcomes. She highlighted the state’s health disparities, the department’s five bureaus, and major work areas including infectious disease response, newborn screening, environmental health, chronic disease prevention, health regulation, health equity, and operations. She also discussed the Center for Health Care Affordability, saying the department has been meeting with stakeholders and has hired a director to begin work on advisory bodies and community engagement around rising health care costs. Members asked questions about physician shortages, burnout, administrative burden, and health care bureaucracy. Senator Grunhagen argued that excessive paperwork and micromanagement are worsening access and workforce shortages, while Senator Abeler asked for data on whether past disparity programs have been effective and whether some efforts should be consolidated. Underwood said MDH has rural health programs, workforce supports such as loan forgiveness, and research on administrative costs and low-value services, and she noted the department has published legislative reports with more data to come. The chair then moved the committee to a broader discussion of public health system development in Minnesota, introducing City of Bloomington officials to present on a recent report.

Transcript Highlights:

• There's a simple, elegant way to fix this: limit it to simply price increases.
• There's a simple, elegant way to fix this: limit it to simply price increases.
• Offer us both the limited number of diaper coupons when I'm the one who would actually use them.
• Specifically, first, we have heard testimony that the bill should be limited to...
• I have limited information. No, I hear you. But I'm just going based on what you're saying.

Keywords: 1146, all

Summary: The Assembly Budget Committee met on June 28, 2026 and considered a long list of budget and policy bills, reporting many of them out of committee, often with amendments. Early measures included AB 2550 on continued dependent health coverage for certain adults with disabilities, AB 4794 allowing tax data sharing with the New Jersey Innovation Authority and Secure Choice Savings Board, and AB 3381/SB 1493 updating occupational therapy licensure requirements. The committee also advanced AB 4014, creating a social media research center at a public four-year institution, though one member opposed it as unnecessary spending given existing research on social media harms. Another bill, AB 5048/SB 1281, would ban certain apparel and diaper products with intentionally added PFAS; some members opposed it over safety and cost concerns, especially for firefighter gear, but it was reported. The committee also moved AB 383, which promotes volunteerism to help FamilyCare and SNAP recipients meet eligibility requirements, and AB 4357, extending telehealth pay parity, though one member objected to parity between telehealth and in-person care. The committee then took up several energy, environmental, and housing-related bills. AB 5188, the Advanced Grid Technologies Act, was released despite opposition from some members and labor interests. AB 2524 would let dual-use solar projects participate in community solar, and AB 5236 would strengthen pediatric psychiatry and behavioral health services; both were reported. AB 5348, allowing temporary use of open-space and related funds for certain municipalities, drew sharp criticism as a diversion of preservation money to fill budget holes, but passed. AB 5280 returned unexpended county appropriations to Hudson County and authorized supplemental operating aid; it also passed despite objections about prior bidding violations. AB 5347 provided certain motor vehicle-related funding to municipalities and was reported, as was AB 5334/SB 4423, appropriating Green Acres and CBT revenues for local open space and park projects. A major portion of the meeting focused on tax and business-related bills. AB 5329 increased the child tax credit for 2026-2028, with testimony urging that the expansion be made permanent; it was reported. AB 3899, the General Contractor Licensing Act, also passed. AB 5310/SB 4406 clarified sentencing under certain circumstances and was reported. AB 5330, allowing temporary transfers in the pension system, drew testimony from NJEA warning that the State Health Benefits Program was in crisis and asking for a longer repayment period to avoid rate spikes; the bill was still reported. AB 1326 created a higher education governance and funding task force and was amended to add a Talmudic institution or theological seminary representative. Later, AB 5333/SB 4424 appropriated additional Green Acres and CBT funds for recreation and conservation projects and was reported. The committee also advanced several business and alcohol-related measures, including AB 5235 establishing the School-Based Partnership for Access and Resilience for Kids program, AB 5325 reducing business formation fees, AB 4836/SB 2368 on portable solar devices, AB 4881 establishing an advanced nuclear energy procurement program, AB 3974/SB 3183 revising renewable energy incentive and solar interconnection rules, AB 4013 creating a social media research center focused on addictive behavior, AB 5225 making temporary alcohol beverage provisions permanent, and AB 5295 revising alcoholic beverage licensing laws. The most contentious debate came on AB 4085, the Fair Price Protection Act, which would restrict “surveillance pricing” and regulate grocery pricing practices. Consumer advocates supported the bill as a protection against individualized pricing, while retailers and chambers of commerce argued the language was too broad and could undermine loyalty programs, discounts, and electronic shelf labels. Despite those objections, the committee voted to report the bill after amendments. Finally, AB 4530/SB 3739 on EV supply equipment standards was reported, and AB 5322 imposing a temporary cap on net operating loss deductions under the corporate business tax sparked strong opposition from business groups and a policy debate over whether legitimate losses and investment-related deductions should be limited; the bill was still moved out of committee.

Transcript Highlights:

• I limited it to firearms a minute ago. So sorry for that incorrect statement.
• I'm going to push... ...every limit that there is.
• It is a pending case, and so there are limitations on what we can discuss.
• Snow indicated, that could be limited in scope.
• Snow indicated, that could be limited in scope.

Keywords: 996, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Number 1446 by Bonnen, suspending limitations on the conference committee jurisdiction for SB 1.
• It's below the pay-as-you-go limit, addressing the critical needs of our state.
• Representative Buckley, are there limitations in your bill about who can challenge books?
• The Chair lays out the following previous resolution suspending limitations on the conference.
• H.R. 1491, by the suit suspending limitations on conference jurisdiction for HB 3556.

Bills: SB1637, SB1, HB300, SB2601, SB37, HB2011, HB3595, HB3071, SB12, HB3372, SB457, HB2067, SB2337, SB447, SB1506, SB1566, SB763, HB3556, SB13, SB2018, SB331, SB379, HB145, SB441, SB2878, HB2885, HB2017, HB5246, SB8, SB2308, SB1540, HB 119, SB1405, SB3059, SB15, SB568

Keywords: SB 1637, deadly conduct, Texas Penal Code, Section 22.05, firearm, gun, pointing a gun, recklessness presumption, peace officer, law enforcement, police, officer-involved shooting, use of force, justification, self-defense, defense of others, Chapter 9, criminal prosecution, Penal Code amendment, appropriations

Transcript Highlights:

• list in our current census we weight list in our current census we would<00:15:45.680> be<00:
• <00:23:39.320> is<00:23:39.480> not<00:23:39.640> like weight list our weight
• list is not like weight list our weight list is not like a<00:23:39.919> deli<00:23:40.320>
• It took Co. to have any type of Wi-Fi, but it is pretty limited.
• <01:45:00.040> time we've been able to get that weight time we've been able to get that weight

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: Division 3 opened a work session focused on direct care agencies, with the chair saying the day would center on the Veterans Home and other state hospitals and homes. Members first discussed the upcoming Finance Committee process, including how many bills would be assigned to Division 3, whether they would appear on the House calendar, and how much time would be allowed for each bill. The chair said the division would likely spend about an hour on each bill, then return for a second day of review before making recommendations. Staff later identified three bills expected on the calendar: House Bills 704, 751, and 54. Members also raised a question about the use of educational trust fund money in the budget, but that issue was deferred. The main presentation came from Kim McKay, commandant of the New Hampshire Veterans Home, who described the facility as a long-term care intermediate facility serving eligible veterans. She said the home is licensed for 250 beds, budgeted for 225 veterans, and currently has 135 residents with four more scheduled to arrive. McKay highlighted improvements over the last two years, including a reduction in the admission wait list from more than a year to about three to six months, the creation of an LNA training program, energy-saving and Wi-Fi upgrades, and a new electronic learning management system that will provide mandatory training and continuing education units for staff. She said the home’s long-term goal is to return to a 225-bed census, but staffing remains the biggest hurdle. Members asked about admissions, wait times, staffing, vacancies, and the home’s use of contract nurses. McKay explained that the wait time is measured from the initial application date, not from a completed packet, and that staff now help families gather records and paperwork more quickly. She said the home averages about 45 deaths per year, residents stay about 2.5 years on average, and the vacancy rate is around 35 percent, though some positions are intentionally held open until census grows. She attributed staffing shortages largely to retention problems, citing higher private-sector pay, bonuses, and more flexible hours, and said the home has a handful of contract nurses, mainly on second shift. On finances, she said pharmacy services are contracted, the VA reimburses some medication costs based on disability, and the home is pursuing federal changes to cover high-cost medications and catastrophic disability cases. The discussion also covered the home’s off-book donation account, which is overseen by the state and transferred into the state system when funds are spent.

Transcript Highlights:

• Public testimony will be limited to 2 minutes per speaker.
• I understand that it's limited to Harris County, and I'm wondering if, I'm assuming that Harris County
• I think you said that for the rest of the state, but it's only limited to Harris.
• This bill could put more teeth to it, more weight to it if there's a legislative requirement that they
• Personally, I think that this coming from the legislature would give it more weight.

Transcript Highlights:

• As a former county supervisor at Santa Clara County, I know firsthand the weight of...
• As a former county supervisor, Santa Clara County, I know firsthand the weight of the decisions supervisors
• But when the choices are limited in the restaurants in your community, do parents really have the ability
• At the same time, women face real obstacles to care, including insurance limitations, high cost, long
• Every day, challenges like transportation, childcare, and limited postpartum follow-up further restrict

Summary: The Senate convened with a quorum, offered prayer and the Pledge of Allegiance, and then moved through a series of gubernatorial appointments and floor items. The chamber confirmed Dina Eltawasi as Director of Caltrans, Allison Salt Install to the Court Reporters Board, and Olivia May Assumption to the California Commission on Disability Access, and later confirmed William Adams to the California Exposition and State Fair Board. Each appointment was presented by Senator Grove and approved on roll call, with final confirmation votes recorded after calls were lifted. Several measures were taken up on third reading. SCR 143, by Senator Umberg, honored Hmong and Laotian special guerrilla unit veterans who served with U.S. forces during the secret war in Laos; Senator Archuleta also spoke in support, and the resolution passed unanimously. SR 96, by Senator Cortese, proclaimed April as National County Government Month and highlighted the role of counties and CSAC; it also passed unanimously. SB 1347 clarified that stock albuterol authorization applies to all public schools, including preschools; SB 977 required chain restaurants offering children’s meals to provide at least one healthier option meeting nutrition standards; SB 1234 required fentanyl testing when juvenile dependency drug testing is already ordered; SCR 161 designated May 2026 as Maternal Mental Health Awareness Month; SR 101 updated the Senate Rules Committee membership by replacing Senator Jones with Senator Ochoa Bogh; and SB 1111 addressed liability for unauthorized AI-generated digital replicas. All of these measures were approved, most by unanimous or near-unanimous votes. The Senate also adopted SCR 128, by Senator Perez, declaring April 13–24, 2026, as High School Voter Education Weeks to encourage civic education and youth participation in elections. The consent calendar was then approved after Senator Cervantes removed SB 1381; the remaining consent items passed 35-0. Throughout the session, members introduced visiting groups, including Hmong and Laotian veterans, CSAC representatives, and students in the gallery. The day concluded with Senator Wiener’s adjournment in memory of disability rights activist Alice Wong, after which the Senate announced its next floor session and recessed.

Transcript Highlights:

• As a former county supervisor at Santa Clara County, I know firsthand the weight of...
• As a former county supervisor at Santa Clara County, I know firsthand the weight of the decisions supervisors
• But when the choices are limited in the restaurants in your community, do parents really have the ability
• At the same time, women face real obstacles to care, including insurance limitations, high cost, long
• Every day, challenges like transportation, childcare, and limited postpartum follow-up further restrict

Keywords: 987, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• This bill adds new provisions which relate to adding additional weighting for level 2 and level… Thank
• This bill adds new provisions which relate to adding additional weighting for level 2 and level 3 special
• Awards of reimbursement are limited to no more than $10,000 per employee trained.
• Total awards to any qualifying employer are limited to no more than $100,000 per fiscal year.
• Total awards to any qualifying employer are limited to no more than $100,000 per fiscal year.

Keywords: 994, senate, all

Summary: The Senate considered and passed House Bill 4245, the Department of Revenue rules bundle covering 27 rules from six agencies. Members withdrew the committee amendment, adopted a floor amendment making changes to two lottery rules and one tax rule related to pre-need cemetery companies, then passed the bill 30-1. The Senate also adopted a title amendment and made the bill effective from passage by a 31-0 vote. Later, when the House rejected the Senate’s amendments, the Senate receded from its amendments and again passed the bill, making it effective from passage. The chamber also adopted several concurrent resolutions from the Rules Committee, including studies on school finance transparency, divorce grounds, the Southern West Virginia water crisis, athletic trainer access in public secondary schools, the eastern gray fox population, upland game bird stamp purchases, and the Public Service Commission. Senate Concurrent Resolution 50, calling for a study of the PSC, was also adopted. In addition, the Senate passed House Bill 5381, which expands the Office of Energy’s role to develop a comprehensive energy policy and grid stabilization plan, and House Bill 5412, the Future Ready Education Act, after amending it to require annual vocational and agriculture offerings unless not viable and to set science-of-reading training requirements for K-5 literacy teachers by 2028-29. The Senate passed House Bill 845, a supplemental appropriation to the Governor’s Office Civil Contingent Fund, after concurring in a House amendment that reappropriated federal match grant funds and increased the civil contingency surplus fund from $15 million to $25 million; it was made effective from passage. The chamber also concurred in House amendments to House Bill 4106 on constitutional carry for 18- to 20-year-olds, House Bill 4004 creating the Recharge West Virginia training reimbursement program, House Bill 5453 revising the school aid funding formula for special education weighting, and other measures including House Bill 4009 on portable benefits, Senate Bill 164 on substitute teacher definitions, and House Bill 4606 on pretrial release for certain felonies. A lengthy debate centered on House Bill 4198, the E-Verify Safe Harbor Act. The Judiciary Committee amendment would have required public and certain private employers to use E-Verify, while a further amendment from the Senator from Randolph would have limited the mandate to public employers and made E-Verify optional for private employers with liability protections for good-faith use. After extensive discussion about small business impacts, federal-state conflicts, and enforcement, the Senate adopted the Randolph amendment and then passed the bill 31-3, with a title amendment also adopted. The Senate later refused to concur in House amendments to House Bill 4010, concurred in House amendments to House Bill 5438, receded from amendments to House Bill 4765, and adjourned sine die.

Transcript Highlights:

• This bill removes the $500 limit for the sales tax exemption on the sale of gold silver, platinum bullion
• So you have a family of limited means and they are able to make an initial investment in gold, correct
• Some people just making offering just based on the weight. They don't care. It's pedigree.
• They're just going based on weight.
• I would not suggest anyone go when we have a very limited economy, unable to do it at this point, put

Keywords: 999, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• , I Lord, I understand at 70 years of age, I understand<00:09:48.240> the<00:09:48.480> weight
• <00:09:48.800> of<00:09:49.040> ministry, understand the weight of ministry, understand
• the weight of ministry, the<00:09:51.120> authority<00:09:51.680> that<00:09:51.920>
• Senate Bill 2441, limited medical licenses.
• Revise provisions regarding and create additional limited licenses. >> I move to table the motion to

Keywords: MS Senate Floor - 16 February, 2026; 4:00 PM, 925, all

Summary: The Senate convened with quorum calls, an invocation by Dr. Jeff Parker of Southside Baptist Church in Jackson, and the pledge of allegiance led by the sergeant-at-arms. Dr. Parker offered a prayer for the members, their families, and the state, and the chamber welcomed several guests, including members of Jack and Jill of America, Dr. Gloria Graham as doctor of the day, and Pastor Parker’s wife, Sheila Parker. On the calendar, the Senate first disposed of several procedural items by tabling motions to reconsider on Senate Bill 2441, which concerns limited medical licenses, and Senate Bill 2454, which revises Medical Licensure Board provisions, including licensure status, definitions, procedures, fines, and temporary practice authority. During discussion of SB 2454, Senator McClendon asked about the board’s composition, and Senator Brian explained that the bill would allow three lay members on the board while keeping doctors in the majority, noting that this was a recommendation from the board itself. The Senate also took up an out-of-order resolution honoring Mississippi members of the Seattle Seahawks NFL Super Bowl 60 champions. The remainder of the meeting consisted largely of announcements. Senators announced upcoming receptions and committee meetings, including Judiciary A, Rules, and Highways and Transportation, and several members asked that the Senate adjourn in memory of deceased relatives and community members. Senator England reminded members of the March 10 primary elections and encouraged voting. The Senate then adopted a motion to stand in recess until 5:00 p.m., with the journal to reflect adjournment until 10:00 a.m. the following morning.

Transcript Highlights:

• And the state would have missed an opportunity with the limited funds available to actually address a
• So that's why I'm heavily weighted on supply. I can provide you with the data.
• That's why Senate Bill 7 and H.J.R. 7 are weighted heavily towards supply.
• there, and I'm not suggesting it has to be there, but I will tell you 100% unequivocally it will be weighted
• the future, that as we develop new sources of water in the state, we are offsetting pressure on our limited

Bills: HB3077, HJR2, HJR7, HJR7

Keywords: alcohol, taxation, reporting requirements, sales, distribution, death tax, inheritance tax, estate tax, property transfer, constitutional amendment, water fund, Texas water supply, state revenue, infrastructure, HJR 7, Texas Legislature, quorum, majority quorum, two-thirds quorum, legislative procedure

Transcript Highlights:

• I would ask the group to understand we have a limited time here. It's 9:16.
• It may not be entitled to ultimate deference, but it should be given some weight.
• It may not be entitled to ultimate deference, but it should be given some weight.
• It may not be entitled to ultimate deference, but it should be given some weight.
• It may not be entitled to ultimate deference, but it should be given some weight.

Keywords: Meeting Start: 00:00:00 Roll Call: 00:00:04 SB 02: 00:01:37 Discussion in Opposition to SB 02: 00:09:49 SB 84: 00:22:19 SB 111: 00:30:35, 958, all

Summary: The committee first considered Senate Bill 2, sponsored by Senator Mike Wilson, which would prohibit incarcerated people from receiving cross-sex hormones or gender-affirming surgeries, while allowing a tapering period if stopping an existing treatment would cause physical harm. Wilson said the bill was needed to prevent the Department of Corrections from providing such care by memo or policy rather than statute, and he argued the care was elective and not medically necessary. Senators Thomas, Neal, Nemes, Styers, and others questioned whether any gender-affirming surgeries had actually occurred in Kentucky, whether the hormone treatments were physician-prescribed, and whether the bill would override medical judgment; Wilson said the department reported no surgeries, that 67 incarcerated people were receiving cross-sex hormone therapy, and that he would only support treatment if it fit the bill’s narrow medical-harm exception. Public testimony on SB 2 was strongly opposed. Chris Hartman of the Fairness Campaign said the bill would deny medically necessary care, violate the Eighth Amendment, and target a very small and vulnerable incarcerated population. Dr. Jack Skilles testified that gender-affirming care is medically necessary and supported by major medical organizations, warning that denying it could worsen mental health and lead to suicidality. Hannah Callahan, a transgender woman, described being denied hormone therapy while incarcerated and said the interruption caused severe physical and mental harm, including suicidal thoughts. Emma Curtis, Lexington’s Fourth District councilwoman, also urged a no vote, framing the issue as a matter of compassion and religious duty. The committee then voted on SB 2. Senator Neal explained his no vote by saying he was not medically trained and deferred to doctors; Senator Nemes said he wanted clarification that the bill would not stop ongoing treatment; and Senator Styers argued the bill was a poor priority and noted there was no fiscal note and that only 67 people were affected. Senator Wheeler moved the bill, Senator Reed seconded, and the committee reported Senate Bill 2 favorably. Afterward, the committee began hearing Senate Bill 84, sponsored by Senator Steve Rawlings, which would limit judicial deference to state agency interpretations and require courts, not agencies, to interpret ambiguous laws, citing the U.S. Supreme Court’s 2024 Loper Bright decision overturning Chevron deference.