Video & Transcript : 'coast guard authorization' :

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TX

Texas 89th Regular

Senate Session (Part I) Jun 2nd, 2025

Texas Senate Floor Meeting

Transcript Highlights:
  • My friends, the author... The office of President Pro Tempore is not ceremonial fluff.
  • He has allowed me to author and carry bills that are very sensitive to people whose wells are going dry
  • President, in 2017, you tapped him and he authored Senate Bill 4 that banned sanctuary cities.
  • This resolution authorizes a technical correction to Senate Bill 441.
TX

Texas 89th Regular

Senate Session (Part II) Jun 2nd, 2025

Texas Senate Floor Meeting

FL

Florida 2026 Regular Session

Appropriations Committee on Criminal and Civil Justice Jan 28th, 2026

Appropriations Committee on Criminal and Civil Justice

Transcript Highlights:
  • Did she go to the authorities and tell them what had happened to her little girl, who had been missing
  • And she came forward, told the authorities, and the outcome was we were able to save the girl.
  • But it also expands the authorized use of the grant funds and ensures that local affiliate law enforcement
  • I was caught a little bit off guard.
  • So under Rule 2.10, the President has authorized the continuation of this meeting until completion.
Bills: S0164, S0656, S0892
Summary: The committee heard a lengthy presentation from Miami-Dade State Attorney Catherine Fernandez-Rundle on human trafficking, describing Florida’s high victim counts, the role of online recruitment, common victim and trafficker profiles, and several case examples involving sexual exploitation, labor trafficking, and interstate trafficking. She highlighted Miami-Dade’s task force model, partnerships with law enforcement, schools, businesses, and shelters such as Camillus House’s Project Phoenix and the Thrive Clinic, and said the office relies heavily on technology, training, and victim-centered prosecution. Members asked about school-based trafficking, warning signs, social media platforms, and information-sharing about offenders across states; Fernandez-Rundle said more training and better interstate communication are still needed. The committee then took up CS for SB 656, which would codify FDLE’s Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force Funding Program and rename/expand the online sting operations grant program to better support investigations, training, technology, and personnel. The bill was supported as a timely tool to combat online child exploitation and was reported favorably on a unanimous roll call. The committee also passed SB 892, which streamlines sentencing procedures for habitual felony offenders and related violent offender designations by clarifying notice and clemency-related paperwork requirements; it too was reported favorably unanimously. The remainder of the meeting focused on SB 164, which expands Florida’s Wrongful Death Act to allow parents to recover civil damages for the death of an unborn child. The sponsor said the bill is intended to recognize unborn children in civil law and allow recovery when a pregnancy is lost due to another’s negligence. Opponents from the ACLU, reproductive rights groups, medical insurers, and domestic violence advocates argued the bill is overly broad, could function as fetal personhood legislation, and could expose doctors, friends, family members, businesses, and abusive partners to lawsuits while chilling medical care, IVF, and pregnancy-related treatment. Supporters from pro-life organizations urged broader language and stronger protections for unborn children. No vote on SB 164 was taken in the portion provided.
FL

Florida 2026 4th Special Session

House in Session Mar 5th, 2026

Florida House Floor Meeting

Transcript Highlights:
  • It grants authority to the Public Service Commission and certain agencies to oversee various aspects
  • I have it on the best authority that this place has never seen a team like this before, and we will always
  • Connerley said, demand will continue to increase in my district, the Space Coast.
  • Members, this bill authorizes the Board of Historic Black Cemetery to generate revenue for maintenance
  • Under this statute, it authorizes the use of funds in the contractor-operated institutions for the inmate
Summary: The House convened with prayer, a moment of silence for two fallen service members, the Pledge of Allegiance, quorum call, and several recognitions, including law enforcement officers and visiting students and advocates. Members then adopted the special order report and moved into the special-order calendar. The first major item was HB 7031, the annual tax package, which was explained as a broad measure covering sales tax holidays, property tax changes, tax credits, pari-mutuel tax reductions, vacation-rental tax collection, and decoupling from federal tax changes. Members asked about the fiscal impact of decoupling and the firearm-accessories holiday; supporters emphasized fiscal caution and the package’s mix of consumer and housing provisions, while opponents objected to the gun-related tax holiday. The bill passed 105-2. The House then passed CS/CS/CS HB 1177 on Space Florida and spaceport operations 107-0, with supporters saying it would strengthen Florida’s competitiveness in commercial aerospace. CS for SB 246 on specialty license plates also passed unanimously after a strike-all amendment that added several new plates, revised the Fraternal Order of Police plate, and tightened specialty-plate financial and nonprofit requirements. CS HB 697 on drug prices and coverage passed 100-0 after supporters said it built on prior PBM reforms by requiring fairer pharmacy reimbursement and limiting forced losses on drugs. CS/CS HB 1263 on the Office of Insurance Regulation passed 109-0 after an amendment clarifying fingerprinting requirements, and CS/CS HB 527 on insurance claim denials passed 100-0 with a requirement for human review before claims are denied or reduced solely by AI. The House also passed CS HB 1449 on the statewide provider and health plan claim dispute resolution program 100-0 after narrowing the bill to out-of-network emergency services and claims at or below $50,000. CS HB 93 on protection from surgical smoke passed 178-0 after extensive emotional debate, with supporters describing it as a long-sought patient and worker safety measure requiring smoke evacuation systems in hospitals and surgical centers. Later, CS HB 1217 on prohibited governmental greenhouse-gas policies passed 29-0 after questions clarified that it would bar net-zero policies and related funding arrangements but not general energy efficiency or incidental emissions reductions; opponents argued it would preempt local climate and resilience efforts, while supporters said it protected energy reliability and affordability. The House then began debate on CS/CS HB 1461 on advanced nuclear reactors, with sponsors describing a framework for licensing and oversight of small modular and microreactors and supporters arguing it would help meet future energy demand and improve reliability.
KY

Kentucky 2026 Regular Session

House Legislative Session Day 56 (3-31-26)

Kentucky House Floor Meeting

Transcript Highlights:
  • House Bill 265, an act relating to regulatory authorizations by the Commissioner of Insurance.
  • An expected return or recall to work date is stated, and it also has to authorize the employer’s reserve
  • </c><01:39:12.880><c> the</c><01:39:13.199><c> employer's</c> also has to authorize the employer's also
  • c> and</c><03:21:49.920><c> keep</c><03:21:50.080><c> them</c><03:21:50.239><c> on</c> between the guard
  • rails and keep them on between the guard rails and keep them on track.<03:21:51.200><c> Um</c><03:21
Keywords: Convene 00:00:00 Senate Message 00:04:13 Report of Committees 00:06:00 Orders of the Day 00:06:39 HB 4 00:07:32 HB 7 00:10:19 Enrollment 00:12:49 HB 10 00:13:30 HB 58 00:14:31 HB 78 00:18:39 HB 96 00:21:59 Enrollment 00:25:31 HB 134 00:26:01 HB 139 00:28:20 HB 185 00:35:36 HB 213 00:38:16 HB 220 00:40:32 HB 253 00:41:45 HB 265 00:44:55 HB 280 00:47:10 HB 290 00:49:13 Enrollment 00:51:49 HB 355 00:52:25 HB 398 00:54:42 HB 622 00:57:07 HB 424 00:58:24 HB 456 01:01:43 HB 459 01:02:51 HB 470 01:04:54 HB 555 01:10:20 HB 562 01:12:35 HB 576 01:16:37 HB 648 01:18:59 SB 68 01:21:53 SB 226 01:27:40 SB 90 01:30:36 SB 137 01:34:08 SB 136 01:37:08 SB 198 01:41:55 Recess 01:46:14 Reconvene 02:47:31 Orders of the Day 02:48:28 HB 10 02:48:53 HB 67 02:50:01 HB 257 02:51:05 Senate Message 05:52:18 Enrollment 02:53:15 SB 183 02:57:00 SJR 23 03:00:24 SB 251 03:06:24 Announcement 03:24:34 Enrollment 03:25:28 Recess 03:26:50 Reconvene 07:04:07 Enrollment 07:04:12 Senate Message 07:06:54 Appointment of Conference Committees 07:09:38 Orders of the Day 07:10:03 SB 100 07:11:06 Appointment of Conference Committee 07:12:18 HB 778 07:12:37 HB 6 07:15:14 HB 142 07:18:48 HB 144 07:21:27 HB 236 07:24:13 HB 305 07:26:45 HB 651 07:29:16 HB 521 07:31:44 HB 692 07:36:04 HB 491 07:38:33 HB 689 07:40:50 HB 767 07:43:24 HB 627 07:46:33 HB 869 07:49:00 HB 566 07:50:21 Motions, Petitions, and Communications 07:54:31 Introductions 08:07:19 ConC & Rules Report 08:12:28 Floor Amendments 08:13:10 Adjournment 08:16:56, 958, all
MA
Transcript Highlights:
  • The sheriff is made an authority for civil process, serves as a working sheriff within the community,
  • We have honor guards that we present in dignitary ways for people in our communities.
Keywords: 995, all
Summary: The commission met to continue its review of the county sheriffs’ role in corrections, reentry, and public safety. After approving the prior meeting minutes, the sheriffs completed a lengthy presentation describing how their offices provide regional jail services, women’s programming, mental health and substance use treatment, reentry support, community partnerships, and auxiliary public safety functions such as BCI work, TRIAD, Meals on Wheels, and event support. They emphasized that services are tailored to local needs, that women’s facilities are designed to keep mothers close to family and support reunification, and that programming, housing, and job placement are central to reducing recidivism. They also discussed challenges including K2/synthetic drugs in facilities, gang classification and separation, and the difficulty justice-involved people face obtaining IDs and birth certificates, especially for people from Puerto Rico. Commission members generally praised the sheriffs’ work and asked for more detail on how regional women’s facilities operate, how community-provider cuts might affect reentry services, how no-cost phone/tablet communication is balanced against programming time, and what the most essential programs are if funding is reduced. The sheriffs said programming must come first, identified mental health, substance use treatment, domestic violence programming, and housing/job placement as critical, and explained that community organizations and the Registry of Motor Vehicles are key partners in reentry. They also described their approach to gang management through classification, separation, and information sharing, and noted that the Registry has become more flexible but Real ID requirements have made documentation barriers more significant. The commission chair stressed that the purpose of the study is collaboration and improving system performance, not an adversarial effort against the sheriffs or a decarceration debate. Members noted that future meetings would hear from probation in June and the Department of Correction in July, and that the commission would continue gathering information before deciding on next steps. The meeting ended with a motion to adjourn, which passed unanimously.
ID

Idaho 2026 Regular Session

Agenda Feb 23rd, 2026

State Affairs

Transcript Highlights:
  • Supreme Court, and this is another instance of the courts, A, stepping into an area where they have no authority
  • So, you know, what I heard was the old guard.
Summary: The committee first approved the minutes from February 17 and 18 and agreed to hold RS 33446 at the sponsor’s request. It then reconsidered RS 33144, a memorial urging the U.S. Supreme Court to revisit Obergefell v. Hodges. The sponsor argued the issue belongs to the states under federalism and cited Idaho’s constitutional definition of marriage and traditional moral and religious views. Members questioned the need for the memorial given Idaho’s existing constitutional amendment and whether updated public-opinion data should be provided. The committee adopted a substitute amendment removing language referring to the “Anglo-American legal tradition,” and the revised RS 33144 was introduced; the chair later noted noes on the motion for the record. The committee next introduced RS 33-421, a large-load utility bill aimed at codifying rules for new high-demand customers, such as data centers, so growth pays for growth and existing ratepayers are protected from infrastructure costs. The sponsor said the bill would help prevent rate increases and stranded assets, and members asked about impacts on nuclear development, treatment of existing large-load customers, and whether utilities had been consulted. The motion to introduce RS 33-421 passed. The main item of the meeting was H.J.R. 10, a proposed constitutional amendment concerning Idaho endowment lands. The sponsor said the amendment would prioritize revenue-generating uses, preserve traditional uses like timber, mining, and grazing, and protect public access without making the public a beneficiary. Supporters, including recreation and outfitter representatives, said it would provide stability and better recognize recreation and other uses. Opponents from logging, mining, ranching, and the Idaho Department of Lands warned it could create legal ambiguity, invite litigation, conflict with the Admissions Act and fiduciary duties, and shift management away from the current trust framework. After extensive testimony and debate, a motion to hold H.J.R. 10 in committee failed 6-8, and the motion to send it to the floor with a due pass recommendation then failed on a 7-7 tie, so no action was taken to advance the resolution.
FL

Florida 2025 Regular Session

March 20, 2025 - 08:30 AM

Transcript Highlights:
  • the role would be voting on the very things an independent auditor would audit, creating a "fox guarding
  • When we are seated in Tallahassee, we have authority and power as a body to provide oversight to whoever
Summary: The committee heard and approved several measures. HB 735 expanded Florida’s boating improvement program to fund parking for boat trailers at public ramps and offered a 10% sovereign submerged land lease discount for manufacturers using environmental best management practices; it passed unanimously. HB 4021 expanded the North River Ranch Improvement Stewardship District in Manatee County by 640 acres and was reported favorably. CS for HB 371, which promotes nature-based methods and green/gray infrastructure for coastal resilience, also passed unanimously after supportive testimony from resilience and environmental groups and committee members. The committee then took up HJR 1325, a proposed constitutional amendment to create an elected Commissioner of Government Efficiency (COGE) with authority to audit, investigate, and report on waste, fraud, and abuse in state and local government. The proposal would eliminate the lieutenant governor position, the Government Efficiency Task Force, and the legislature’s current auditor appointment, with many implementation details deferred to a future bill. Members debated the scope of the new office, its relationship to the Auditor General and inspectors general, whether it should cover the legislative and judicial branches, staffing, and the comparison to federal DOGE efforts. An amendment making a minor wording change was adopted, and the resolution passed 23-? with a favorable report after a split vote. The committee also approved two Gulf of America bills. HB 575 redesignated the Gulf of Mexico as the Gulf of America, and CS for HB 549 required Florida’s academic standards and newly adopted instructional materials to reflect the federal designation for materials acquired on or after July 1, 2025. Both measures drew criticism from members who argued the renaming was politically motivated, historically insensitive, and potentially confusing for students, while supporters said Florida should align with federal action. HB 575 passed and CS for HB 549 passed 18-7. Finally, HB 4071, a local bill adjusting the boundary between Coral Springs and Parkland in Broward County by about 8.7 acres, was amended and reported favorably with support from both cities and the Broward delegation.
TX
Transcript Highlights:
  • Welcome back, everyone. 3 The chair lays out Senate Bill 505. 505, it recognizes its author, our colleague
  • Senate Bill 396 by Senator Kolkhorst, and recognizes the author. explain the bill.
  • Senator Hall, any questions for the author? Would either of you like to ask any?
  • After this, the citizens would be the ones authorizing the change.
  • Senator Hall, any questions for the author?
NH
Transcript Highlights:
  • >> Well, there certainly, I believe, there's at least budgeting authority. >> It's budgeting at different
  • </c><00:22:34.880><c> Yeah,</c> at least budgeting um, authority.
  • Yeah, at least budgeting um, authority.
  • . authority. authority.
  • County in particular, feel like uh Coast County in particular, they<01:38:54.400><c> have</c><01:38:
Keywords: 928, house, all
Summary: The meeting focused on reviewing and amending draft minutes and then discussing a draft report on SAU consolidation and school administration efficiency. Members first corrected a disputed statement in the minutes about who starts charter schools, and agreed to mark it as disputed. They also noted a donation figure mentioned in the meeting but not reflected in the notes, and then approved the minutes as amended. The committee then reviewed supporting materials, including a Census Bureau education spending table and a 1993 report on eliminating SAUs. The chair argued New Hampshire ranks very high in administrative spending and used that as evidence for reducing administrative costs. Other members pushed back, noting that education costs are largely borne locally and that the committee should stay focused on its charge. Several members also objected to characterizations of SAU boards and to relying heavily on an old report or on the School District Governance Association’s proposal. The draft report itself drew repeated edits. Members objected to language suggesting the testimony from associations was simply that change was not needed, and proposed more neutral wording about concerns over the impacts of changes. There was also disagreement over a proposed model in which a county-level school administrator would be elected; some members said that would be inappropriate and premature, while others argued the committee had not yet fully developed a consolidation model. The discussion ended with a call from some members for more time and for a future joint legislative committee to continue refining any proposal before legislation is introduced.
FL

Florida 2026 5th Special Session

FL House Floor Session - 2026-02-04 (4:00PM Session)

Florida House Floor Meeting

Transcript Highlights:
  • spirit of leadership in our great state: justice that protects the vulnerable, mercy that tempers authority
  • Representative Tramont: I would say yes, the home school has that authority to do so, as is already in
  • Fifteen states authorize dental therapy.
  • The bill does not authorize any new treatments or prescribing authority.
  • Petersburg the authority to do what they need to do to help Mr. Sanchez Mayan.
Summary: The House convened with prayer, a moment of silence for former Washington County administrator Alan Massey, and the Pledge of Allegiance, then adopted the special order report setting the day’s floor calendar. The chamber also approved the journal and moved into special-order bills. Early action included unanimous passage of CS/HB 967, which creates an electronic payment option for constituents dealing with local governments, and HB 127, which adds cursive writing to required instruction for grades 2 through 5; supporters framed both bills as modernizing basic public services and preserving literacy and heritage. HB 453 also passed unanimously, creating pathways for students in Special Olympics and marching band to satisfy physical education and arts graduation requirements. The House then took up HJR 583, a proposed constitutional amendment to protect religious expression in public schools. The resolution drew extensive debate over whether it merely codified existing law or could create ambiguity about prayer, religious speech, and discrimination issues in schools and at school events. Supporters argued it would strengthen protections for faith expression and let voters decide; opponents raised First Amendment, church-state separation, and implementation concerns, including questions about what counts as religious expression and how schools would handle potentially offensive remarks. The resolution passed 93-17. Several health-related measures followed. CS/HB 237, requiring APRNs who use the title “doctor” to clarify they are APRNs when communicating with patients, passed 111-0. CS/HB 363, creating a dental therapy license and a new mid-level dental provider to address access shortages, prompted sharp debate over training, anesthesia risk, and whether the bill would create a lower tier of care; it passed 80-29. HB 375, removing a mandatory supervision requirement for autonomous CRNAs, passed 78-28, and HB 301, authorizing psychiatric mental health APRNs to provide mental health services within existing licensure, passed 88-18. The House also passed HB 863, giving Citizens Property Insurance policyholders the choice between arbitration and court for disputes, by 105-3, and HB 1399, increasing oversight of property insurers’ affiliate transactions, by 160-3. The chamber then began consideration of a local claims bill, HB 6517, for relief related to an incident involving the City of St. Petersburg.
FL

Florida 2026 Regular Session

Appropriations Committee on Criminal and Civil Justice Jan 28th, 2026

Appropriations Committee on Criminal and Civil Justice

Transcript Highlights:
  • Did she go to the authorities and tell them what had happened to her little girl that she had, she was
  • And she came forward, told the authorities, and the outcome was we were able to save the girl.
  • But it also expands the authorized use of the grant funds and ensures that local affiliate law enforcement
  • I was caught a little bit off guard.
  • So under Rule 2.10, the President has authorized the continuation of this meeting until completion.
Bills: S0164, S0656, S0892
TX

Texas 89th Regular

Nominations Feb 24th, 2025

Nominations

Transcript Highlights:
  • While we will have interim hearings, we are not given the authority.
  • Authority that we have except for a five-month period and in that five-month period out of the two years
  • Let's speak briefly about the court's rulemaking authority. That is, would you say that's that red?
  • I won't tell you which river authority, but I've had this happen with a river authority. where the executive
  • Where, under what authority would you rule something unconstitutional?
Summary: The meeting focused on several crucial issues, including the Texas Water Fund and its implications for development in the state. Various members highlighted the critical need for effective management of water resources, discussing the role of the Water Development Board and their strategies for outreach to local governments. The committee engaged in a thorough examination of funding projects and the sustainable financing necessary for communities facing challenges in meeting their infrastructure needs. Additionally, there was notable discussion regarding promoting workforce development and the alignment of educational programs with the demands of the job market as indicated by recent trends in community colleges.
LA

Louisiana 2026 Regular Session

Natural Resources and Environment May 19th, 2026

Natural Resources & Environment

Transcript Highlights:
  • It just gives the governing authority two bills, Rapides Parish, for the governing authority to make
  • Members, House Bill 6 by Speaker Pro Tem Johnson authorizes the governing authority of Rapides Parish
  • Members, House Bill 498 by Representative Schamerhorn authorizes the governing authority of Beauregard
  • House Bill 497 authorizes the governing authority of Vernon Parish to determine whether carbon dioxide
  • House Bill 504 authorizes the governing authority of Sabine Parish to determine whether carbon dioxide
Keywords: 965, house, all
CA

California 2025-2026 Regular Session

Assembly Floor Session Sep 9th, 2025

California House Floor Meeting

Transcript Highlights:
  • Quorum members, members, respect our authors, please. File item number 41.
  • The North Coast has been particularly hard hit by this phenomenon.
  • Let's show respect to our authors, please.
  • I am one of the 30 principal authors of this legislation.
  • I rise today as a co-author in support of this bill.
Summary: The Assembly convened, established a quorum after a roll call, observed a moment of silence for John Burton, and proceeded with the Pledge of Allegiance and routine procedural motions. Members approved a rule suspension to allow floor amendments on SB 271 and SB 67, and several committee notices and bill referrals were handled. The chamber then moved through a long third-reading file, with many bills passed and a number of items temporarily passed or retained on file. Among the major measures approved were bills on civil rights and public safety (SB 477, SB 19, SB 36, SB 571, SB 580), health care and coverage (SB 257 on pregnancy as a qualifying life event, SB 530 on Medi-Cal access standards, SB 660 on health data exchange, SB 754 on menstrual product contaminant disclosure), housing and disaster recovery (SB 610, SB 655), transportation and climate (SB 533 on EV charging payments, SB 30 on diesel locomotives, SB 71 on CEQA exemptions for transit, SB 263 on tariff impacts), and natural resources/energy (SB 283 on battery storage safety, SB 88 on biomass emissions, SB 427 extending the Habitat Conservation Fund). The Assembly also passed urgency measures including SB 864 on tribal gaming compacts, SB 663 on wildfire-related property tax relief, SB 471 expanding DDS ombudsman authority, and SB 497 on privacy protections for legally protected health services. Several bills drew notable debate. SB 41 on pharmacy benefit managers saw opposition over concerns about moving ahead before broader PBM data and licensing reforms take effect, but it still passed. AB 1340, a concurrence item on gig worker collective bargaining rights, prompted extended debate over labor rights, consumer costs, and union influence. Other concurrence items included AB 671 on restaurant permitting, which passed without opposition. The Assembly also took up SB 640 on direct admission to CSU, SB 702 on demographic reporting for appointees, SB 710 preserving a solar property tax exclusion, and SB 793 on counterfeit lighter safety, all of which passed. The session ended with the Assembly continuing through the file, including concurrence votes and additional bill actions, with most measures approved by substantial margins.
MN

Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session

Committee on Commerce and Consumer Protection - 03/12/26

Commerce and Consumer Protection

Transcript Highlights:
  • Um Senator Man, for the the bill author.
  • , authorized dealerships are Further, authorized dealerships are properly<00:39:17.200><c> equipped</
  • </c><00:47:06.240><c> Senator</c> author or for the testifier. Senator author or for the testifier.
  • <00:57:06.720><c> and</c><00:57:06.880><c> authorization</c><00:57:07.520><c> for</c> authorization and
  • authorization for authorization and authorization for expedited<00:57:08.240><c> rulemaking</c><00:57
Keywords: 1187, senate, all
MN

Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session

House Taxes Committee 4/23/26

Taxes

Transcript Highlights:
  • The authority to ask our process.
  • ><00:28:30.640><c> the</c><00:28:30.880><c> city</c> author or or um the city author or or um the city
  • Uh so for authoring the bill also.
  • </c> Representatives Green Yoke for authoring Representatives Green Yoke for authoring this.<02:22:38.240
  • . co-author. co-author.
Keywords: 1183, house
LA
Transcript Highlights:
  • It just gives the governing authority two bills, Rapides Parish, for the governing authority to make
  • Members, House Bill number five by Speaker Pro Tem Johnson authorizes parish governing authorities and
  • Members, House Bill 6 by Speaker Pro Tem Johnson authorizes the governing authority of Rapides Parish
  • House Bill 497 by Representative Schammerhorn authorizes the governing authority of Vernon Parish to
  • Authorizes the governing authority of Sabine Parish to determine whether carbon dioxide sequestration
Summary: The committee took up public comment on a package of similar local-option bills related to carbon capture and sequestration, including House Bills 5, 6, 497, 498, 501, and 504. The bills would let parishes, or in some cases specific parishes such as Rapides and Livingston, decide by local vote whether Class VI wells, CO2 sequestration, and related pipeline infrastructure could be permitted. The chair grouped the bills together for testimony, adopted a three-minute public comment rule, and noted that the bills were not yet under consideration for a vote during the public-comment portion. Supporters, including Speaker Pro Tem Mike Johnson, parish officials, local activists, and residents, argued that communities affected by carbon capture projects should have a direct voice through local option elections. They said the bills were about self-determination, local control, and allowing residents to decide whether the risks are worth the benefits. Several speakers said their parishes had passed resolutions opposing carbon capture or asking for local choice, while others emphasized concerns about eminent domain, aquifer protection, lack of public understanding, and the need for more information about project impacts and financial benefits. Some supporters also said a local vote would force industry to engage more directly with communities and could improve transparency. Opponents, including representatives of the Department of Conservation and Energy, the Louisiana Chemistry Association, the Louisiana Mid-Continent Oil and Gas Association, and the Louisiana Association of Business and Industry, warned that the bills would create uncertainty, undermine Louisiana’s primacy over Class VI permitting, and invite litigation under federal preemption and the Supremacy Clause. They said the state already has a strict permitting process with public input and technical review, and that allowing parish-by-parish approval could delay or block billions of dollars in investment, jobs, and export-related projects. The department testified that if the state adopted a local-option referendum system, EPA could determine Louisiana was not implementing the program consistently and could move to remove primacy. No committee vote was taken in the portion provided.
MS

Mississippi 2026 Regular Session

MS Senate Floor - 7 January, 2026; 10:00 AM

Mississippi Senate Floor Meeting

Transcript Highlights:
  • , Senate Bill 2001. >> Co-author 2001, Senator Derrick Simmons.
  • I would like to be added as a co-author for item number two, Senate Bill 2001.
  • I'd like to be added as a co-author of item number two, Senate Bill number 2001.
  • ...co-author to items two and three today, Senate Bill 2001 and 2003.
  • President, I'd like to be added as a co-author to 2001 and 2003. Mr.
MA

Massachusetts 2025-2026 Regular Session

Joint Committee on Education Mar 24th, 2026

Joint Committee on Education

Transcript Highlights:
  • Army and National Guard.
Summary: The Joint Committee on Education held an informational hearing at Quincy Public Schools focused on career and technical education (CTE) and related legislation. Committee members said the visit was intended to gather input for ongoing statewide efforts to expand awareness and access to CTE, especially in middle school, improve equipment and facilities, and strengthen coordination with workforce partners. Quincy administrators described the district’s CTE system, including 15 Chapter 74 programs at Quincy High School and four at North Quincy High School, enrollment of about 1,360 students, updated DESE-aligned frameworks, safety practices, business electives, and funding supported by the district budget plus state, federal, and local grants. Presenters highlighted work-based learning, industry credentials, and partnerships with employers, unions, Quincy College, MassHire, and advisory committees. Examples included co-op placements, internships, clinical placements, Military Mondays, Credit for Life, Skills Capital and Perkins-funded equipment upgrades, and a planned engineering Chapter 74 application at North Quincy. Assistant Superintendent Aaron Perkins also outlined the district’s MyCAP college-and-career planning initiative and its goal of creating a vertically aligned readiness model beginning in the middle grades. Students Ellie Crump, Emily Infantino, and Alexander Liu testified about their pathways in welding, early education and care, and healthcare technology, describing hands-on learning, certifications, clinical or shop experiences, and postsecondary plans. Committee members praised Quincy as a model for integrating CTE with general education and said the testimony would inform future legislation. No votes were taken; the hearing concluded with a motion to adjourn and unanimous agreement.