Video & Transcript Research : 'exceptions'

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MN

Minnesota 2025 1st Special Session

Committee on Taxes - 02/06/25

Taxes

Transcript Highlights:
  • 11 years ago um uh are uh exceptions 11 years ago um uh are uh effective<00:52:46.000> um<00:
  • the um and and this approval um except the um and and this is<00:52:55.280> this<00:52:55.480
  • <00:52:59.720> that<00:52:59.880> the um other times as well except that the um other
  • times as well except that the request<00:53:00.480> to<00:53:00.799> extend<00:53:01.240
  • for what percentage of the exception for what percentage of the revenues<01:00:43.039> have<01
Keywords: 1187, senate, all
Summary: The Minnesota Senate Taxes Committee met on February 6, 2025, and first approved the February 5 minutes. The main item was the Office of the State Auditor’s annual report on tax increment financing (TIF), presented by Jason Nord in place of Auditor Blaha, who was ill. Nord explained how TIF captures new property value to finance development, and reviewed statewide data for 2023 reported in 2024. The report said TIF was used by 382 authorities statewide, with 378 authorities reporting on 1,678 districts. Redevelopment and housing/economic development districts made up the vast majority of districts, with housing districts becoming especially common in Greater Minnesota. Of the $238 million in tax increment generated in 2023, 78% came from the metro area, and most dollars came from redevelopment districts. The report also noted $7.4 million in increment returned to counties, cities, and school districts, and described long-term trends showing early growth in TIF use, reforms in the 1980s and 1990s, a drop after 2002 property tax changes, and another decline after many older districts reached maximum duration. Committee members asked about uncodified districts, the location of the remaining pre-1979 district, whether the same cities continue using TIF over time, and how Minnesota compares with other states. Nord said the uncodified districts include housing replacement and special-law districts, the pre-1979 district is in Princeton, and the number of authorities starting or stopping use each year is usually small. He also said Minnesota differs from many states, including by allowing pooling. The presentation highlighted that TIF debt statewide is a little over $1.8 billion, mostly in pay-as-you-go notes rather than general obligation bonds, and that many districts decertify early—often years before their maximum term—supporting the chair’s interest in legislation to shorten redevelopment district duration and repeal renewal and renovation districts. No votes were taken on the report.
AR

Arkansas 2026 1st Special Session

JOINT BUDGET COMMITTEE Apr 16th, 2026

JOINT BUDGET COMMITTEE

Transcript Highlights:
  • All items are released back to the Joint Budget Committee as adopted, with the exception of item three
  • All items are released back to the Joint Budget Committee as adopted, with the exception of item three
  • I move the adoption of the report, with the exception of items three and four, the Auditor of State and
Keywords: 1204, all
KY
Transcript Highlights:
  • except for hydrocodone combination<00:15:14.240> products,<00:15:15.120> prescriptions
  • So, I take great exception to that.
  • Lastly, the last time we were discussing these kinds of topics, we talked about exceptions for fatal
  • So, I I take great exception to that. So, I I take great exception to that.
  • talked about exceptions for fatal fetal<00:53:26.600> anomalies.
Keywords: 958, all
Summary: The committee opened its sixth and final interim meeting with roll call, quorum confirmation, approval of the prior minutes, and a brief change in agenda order to preserve quorum and accommodate presenters’ schedules. Members then moved through several proposed health-related items with limited discussion, and the chair noted the committee would reconvene in January for further conversation. The first substantive item was a proposal relating to utilization controls for non-opioid analgesics in Medicaid. Senator Gerald Neal and Tara Hyde of People Advocating Recovery argued that pain parity is needed so patients can access non-opioid options without prior authorization or step therapy barriers, especially in acute pain situations and for people in recovery. Senator Berg supported the concept and suggested expanding the approach to other prescriptions by allowing physicians to explain why step therapy is inappropriate at the time of prescribing; another member cautioned against unintended cost increases if non-opioid drugs are used as add-ons to opioids. The committee then heard a proposal on physician assistants from Senator Scott and Andrew Rutherford of the Kentucky Academy of Physician Assistants. They described a shift from a supervisory to a collaborative practice model, with practice scope set at the practice level, limited Schedule II prescribing authority under guardrails, and permission for PAs to perform driver’s license vision testing. Supporters said the changes would improve rural access, reduce administrative burden, and align Kentucky with neighboring states; a question from Representative Bratcher focused on experience requirements and how the proposal compares with nurse practitioner rules. No vote was taken. Finally, Representative Nancy Tate, Adia Wuchner, and Representative Jason Nemes introduced a 2026 proposal aimed at “protecting vulnerable people.” They described a broad package focused on abortion pill trafficking, marketing to minors, commercial surrogacy, assisted suicide, and organ procurement safeguards, arguing that current law leaves gaps and that additional criminal and civil penalties are needed. The presentation was informational only, with no action taken before the meeting ended.
MN

Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session

Rep. Lisa Demuth departing member remarks 5/18/26

Minnesota House Floor Meeting

Transcript Highlights:
  • And no matter what time we finish, and I'm grateful that it's not past midnight, except for one time,
  • past I'm grateful that it's not past I'm grateful that it's not past midnight,<00:03:59.080> except
  • midnight, except for one time, Mr. midnight, except for one time, Mr. Speaker. Speaker.
Keywords: 919, house, all
Summary: Speaker Lisa Demuth delivered a closing floor speech reflecting on the Minnesota House’s 94th session under a tied chamber, emphasizing that the tie forced bipartisan negotiation from the start and that everything passed had to be bipartisan. She said she hoped future members would learn from that experience and continue working together, even when political agreement is difficult. She also noted her gratitude for the opportunity to serve as Speaker and for the chance to help guide the chamber through a historic session. Much of the speech was personal and appreciative. Demuth thanked her family, including her husband, children, grandchildren, and especially her mother, who closely followed her work and often texted her questions about procedure and bills. She also mentioned the sacrifices of legislative service, her own growth in politics, and the importance of maintaining awe and respect for the institution. She recalled her relationship with former Speaker Melissa Hortman and said Hortman’s practice of meeting weekly despite political differences showed the value of getting to know one another personally before doing legislative work. Demuth also thanked House staff, including partisan and nonpartisan staff such as research, revisers, HR, budget, and accounting, and acknowledged colleagues who worked through the tie and difficult negotiations. She closed by quoting Nehemiah, saying “the joy of the Lord is my strength,” and encouraged members to leave places better than they found them. The speech ended with applause; no votes or formal legislative actions were taken in the excerpt.
AL

Alabama 2026 1st Special Session

Alabama House Commerce and Small Business Committee Feb 18th, 2026

Commerce and Small Business

Transcript Highlights:
  • They're already not open because of religious day exception, and they didn't want someone coming in claiming
  • /c><00:09:37.040> day not open because of religious day not open because of religious day exception
  • > they<00:09:38.320> didn't<00:09:38.480> want<00:09:38.720> someone exception
  • and they didn't want someone exception and they didn't want someone coming<00:09:39.519> in<00
AL

Alabama 2026 1st Special Session

Alabama House Boards, Agencies and Commissions Committee Jan 14th, 2026

Boards, Agencies and Commissions

Transcript Highlights:
  • Right, and when MANA went defunct, you can't do it, and there's nobody else except the board does collect
  • :09:50.640> there's<00:09:50.800> nobody<00:09:51.040> else<00:09:51.200> except
  • can't do and there's nobody else except can't do and there's nobody else except the<00:09:51.680
Bills: HB59, HB128, HB59, HB128
HI

Hawaii 2025 Regular Session

Senate Floor Session 02-27-2025 11:30am

Hawaii Senate Floor Meeting

Transcript Highlights:
  • On the consent calendar, we have 25 I's for all bills except for standing committee report number 704
  • /c><00:06:36.680> for<00:06:36.919> all<00:06:37.440> bills<00:06:38.440> except
  • we have 25 I for all bills except we have 25 I for all bills except for<00:06:40.840> standing
Keywords: 912, senate, all
DE
Transcript Highlights:
  • And again, this is an act to amend Title 18 of the Delaware Code relating to the step therapy exception
  • to date by adding modern medical treatment options, biologics, or biosimilars to the step therapy exception
  • This revision adds an exclusion to step therapy protocol exceptions for interchangeable biologics and
  • There's nothing like that except for the fact that there wasn't a disclosure saying, oh, by the way,
  • There's nothing like that except for the fact that there wasn't a disclosure saying, oh, by the way,
Summary: The committee heard several bills, but much of the meeting focused on House Bill 306, which would require disclosure when a consumer is interacting with a chatbot rather than a human. Sponsor Senator Townsend described it as a consumer protection measure and said the bill is meant to keep pace with rapidly changing AI technology. Committee members and witnesses raised concerns about the bill’s enforcement structure, especially private rights of action and penalties that could apply even without actual consumer harm. The Department of Justice said the bill would apply where the conduct has a Delaware nexus, and that the disclosure requirement is the key consumer protection. Industry witnesses and chambers of commerce opposed the bill as drafted, arguing it would create broad compliance burdens and expose businesses to excessive litigation risk without a harm requirement or clearer safe harbor language. Earlier in the meeting, the committee discussed House Bill 429, which would update Delaware’s step therapy exception process to include biosimilars and interchangeable biologics. Senator Poore and supporters from Highmark and the Department of Insurance said the bill would modernize insurance law, improve access to effective treatments, and reduce costs; they cited national savings from biosimilars and said the bill has agency support. Members asked about Delaware-specific savings, patient switching, and how the process would work, but no vote was taken during the discussion. The committee also heard House Bill 310, which would exclude large data centers from Blue Collar Jobs Act tax credits; the sponsor said the bill is intended to ensure large energy users contribute more to state and local revenues, while supporters and opponents debated competitiveness and community impacts. House Bill 406, on allowing insureds to choose their auto repair shop, and Senate Bill 347, a cleanup bill related to medical debt collection and personal property levies, were also presented without opposition in the hearing. House Bill 253, concerning who may receive letters testamentary or of administration, was described as a cleanup to align statute with existing practice. The committee approved the meeting minutes, but the transcript does not show final votes on the bills discussed.
LA

Louisiana 2026 Regular Session

Commerce May 11th, 2026

Commerce

Transcript Highlights:
  • '74 Constitution was adopted, it carried that language forward as well, so it's a constitutional exception
  • It's a constitutional exception to our jurisdiction, and it's the only one where a city is regulating
  • also believe that is a question for the people of New Orleans, as this has been a constitutional exception
  • So it's a constitutional exception to our jurisdiction and it's the only one where a city is regulating
  • also believe that is a question for the people of New Orleans, as this has been a constitutional exception
Summary: The House Committee on Commerce met on May 11, 2026, and first advanced several Senate measures with little or no opposition. It reported favorably Senate Bill 79 recreating Louisiana Economic Development, Senate Concurrent Resolution 5 establishing the Louisiana-Ireland Trade Commission, and Senate Bill 375 on Class B firefighting foam, after adopting a technical amendment clarifying use in declared emergency firefighting operations. The committee also advanced Senate Bill 398, which moves manufactured and modular housing regulation under the Louisiana Contractors Licensing Board and expands inspection and enforcement provisions, after adopting two sets of mostly technical amendments and hearing testimony that the change would improve consumer safety and increase inspection coverage without adding net cost to locals. It then reported favorably Senate Bill 163 on virtual currency business licensing, after adopting an amendment providing that any future federal licensing law would preempt the state act, and Senate Bill 287 on virtual currency kiosks, which adds refund timelines, disclosure requirements, customer support, and reporting duties; witnesses from the banking and law enforcement community said the bill responds to common fraud complaints and improves consumer protection. The committee also reported favorably Senate Bill 54, which allows estheticians to blow-dry hair after certain services, despite strong opposition from cosmetology board representatives and industry witnesses who argued the service is outside esthetics training, could create scope-of-practice and facility issues, and should instead be addressed by lowering or revising separate blow-dry licensing requirements. The committee then considered House Resolution 197, which urges the Louisiana Public Service Commission to study the feasibility and value of distributed energy generation and storage resources. After adopting technical amendments and a second amendment changing mandatory language to requests and urging the PSC to coordinate with the LSU Energy Institute, the resolution was reported favorably. Testimony from solar and energy industry representatives, the PSC, and LSU focused on how distributed resources, batteries, rooftop solar, and virtual power plants could improve reliability, reduce costs, and help meet rising demand; members also discussed how the study would evaluate market value, avoided costs, and capacity benefits. Questions centered on methodology, grid impacts, and comparisons to Texas’s ERCOT system and Winter Storm Uri, with PSC officials emphasizing that the study would help determine whether such resources benefit ratepayers. Representative Wright presented House Bill 744, a proposed constitutional amendment to transfer regulation of certain New Orleans utilities from the city council to the Public Service Commission. He argued the change could reduce rates through consolidation and eliminate duplicative regulatory costs, while PSC officials explained the city’s authority is a constitutional exception dating back to 1921 and that Entergy New Orleans and Entergy Louisiana operate as separate companies with different regulatory environments. After discussion of rate impacts, utility structure, and whether the proposal should instead become a study, the bill was deferred. The committee then began Senate Bill 386, the Louisiana Data Privacy Act, which would give consumers rights to access, correct, delete, and opt out of certain uses of personal data; the sponsor introduced the bill and the committee started considering technical and substantive amendments, but the transcript ends before final action on that measure.
ND
Transcript Highlights:
  • The resolution deadline for resolutions except amendments to the Constitution and study resolutions,
  • The resolution deadline for resolutions except amendments to the Constitution and study resolutions,
  • of other states, in the majority of the states, the policy analysts are the resolution drafters, except
  • I guess I haven’t made the final decision yet, but it would certainly only be under somewhat exceptional
  • And so this would just be one of those, but I will certainly look at some exceptions at this point, but
Keywords: 908, all
Summary: The committee first discussed security and member contact procedures, with several members emphasizing the need for formal security training at the start of each session and clearer procedures for knowing where legislators are staying during session for welfare checks and emergency contact. Members also raised concerns about the disclosure of home addresses in other public records and forms, and Legislative Council was asked to prepare a background memo on possible training, best practices, and related legislative or rule changes. The committee then took up a bill draft to reduce the number of paper copies of state publications sent to the State Library from eight to two. Legislative Council explained the cost savings and the move toward digital distribution, but the State Librarian testified that the library still needs paper copies for circulation, archives, and depository libraries, and requested a minimum of three copies. After discussion, the committee amended the draft to require three copies instead of two and passed the motion. The committee also approved a related House and Senate Rules amendment reducing the number of bound journals distributed, and a separate rule change removing the requirement that legislators’ home addresses be printed in the rule book and allowing a lower print run based on request and need. The committee next reviewed data on bill pre-filing and legislative workload. After hearing testimony that agency bills tend to arrive in a late-year rush and that staff workload is especially heavy around organizational session and the holidays, the committee voted to move the agency pre-filing deadline to the Wednesday before Thanksgiving. It also amended the deadline for constitutional amendments and study resolutions, moving them earlier so they would occur before crossover, and adjusted the reporting deadline accordingly. Members discussed whether these changes should be handled in special session or organizational session, and staff explained that the agency deadline change could be made effective for the next regular session through a permanent rules change. Finally, the committee reviewed proposed special session rules. Staff explained that the special session would use joint appropriations and joint policy committees, with expedited bill processing, limited bill introduction routes, and remote participation allowed for members and public testimony with approval. The committee also resolved a House appropriations membership issue by keeping the House side at 23 members and giving the House majority leader authority to appoint a replacement for the vacant seat, while increasing the Senate dollar threshold to match the House. Members then discussed the upcoming rural health special session process, including how the interim rural health group would differ from the actual special session committees, the timing of committee work and the governor’s address, and whether remote participation would be permitted in the special session.
MN

Minnesota 2025 1st Special Session

Conference Committee on SF3045 5/12/25

Transcript Highlights:
  • So when we go to a vote, we will call every provision except for the Savvy provision, and then we will
  • Would you be willing to move that all items as amended, with the exception of the Savvy provision, be
  • <00:10:39.519> of<00:10:39.680> the amended um with the exception of the amended um
  • with the exception of the savvi<00:10:41.360> um<00:10:42.079> provision<00:10:42.720>
  • Chair: All those in favor of adoption of the items as amended, with the exception of the Savvi provision
Keywords: 1183, house
FL

Florida 2025 Regular Session

March 26, 2025 - 08:00 AM

Transcript Highlights:
  • This bill does have exceptions for federally protected areas, including schools, courthouses, and other
  • So I am glad you have the exceptions for schools because I know schools are using this camera.
  • So this is why there is an exception for brandished weapons. Okay.
  • There's an exception for, you know, brandished weapons. Okay. Is there a follow-up?
  • There is an exception. So it does not prevent them from detecting brandished weapons.
Summary: The committee took up a long agenda of criminal justice, law enforcement, corrections, and local government bills. Early measures included HB 743 on social media use by minors, which would require platforms to provide access to parents and law enforcement with a warrant; PCS for HB 1049 on protection of court officials; PCS for HB 491 restricting warrantless government use of AI cameras to detect concealed firearms; and HB 1053, an FDLE agency bill that removed obsolete provisions, renamed a program, combined reports, expanded security-related definitions, and added support for retired police dogs. All of those bills were reported favorably, with HB 1053 adopted as amended after some questions about eliminating the Victim and Witness Protection Review Committee and related reporting changes. The committee also approved HB 4075, a Leon County local bill capping reimbursement for inmate medical transport and care at Medicare-based rates, and HB 1095, a Hillsborough County pilot program for probationers with substance-abuse conditions that uses frequent testing and short jail sanctions for violations; both were reported favorably as amended. Several bills focused on law enforcement and public safety. HB 1129 clarified that victims’ identifying information, including names, is protected from public release under Marsy’s Law, and its amendment added a 72-hour confidentiality period for law enforcement officers involved in critical incidents, with possible extension if safety concerns remain; the bill passed favorably as amended. PCS for HB 1371 addressed a range of protections and tools for law enforcement and first responders, including limits on vehicle kill switches, funding for critical infrastructure mapping, a 25-year minimum for attempted first-degree murder of specified justice personnel, and procedures after exposure to bodily fluids; it was reported favorably. HB 857 increased penalties for assault or battery on utility workers and was also approved. HB 317 required written, sworn complaints against law enforcement and correctional officers, imposed penalties for false complaints, and limited the use of unsubstantiated investigations in personnel files; it passed despite opposition from some law enforcement groups and support from others. The committee spent substantial time on HB 903, a corrections bill that would tighten inmate complaint procedures, authorize tracking of inmate movement, adjust execution-related provisions, streamline mental health and competency processes, and change contracting authority for prison services. Members raised concerns about costs, civil rights, and the statute of limitations, but the bill was reported favorably as amended by a 14-3 vote. HB 181 on objective parole guidelines, which would require the Commission on Offender Review to incorporate vocational, educational, and self-betterment programming and provide its statistical analysis to legislative leaders, drew strong support from criminal justice reform advocates and was reported favorably. Finally, the committee approved HB 1455 on repeat sexual offenders, which creates mandatory minimum sentences for subsequent specified sexual offenses and bars gain time or discretionary early release; an amendment increased one mandatory minimum from 10 to 20 years for selling or buying minors for sexually explicit conduct. Throughout the meeting, several bills drew testimony from law enforcement, industry, advocacy groups, and members of the public, with votes generally favoring the measures.
HI
Transcript Highlights:
  • Chair's recommendation is to pass with amendments, noting the presence of all members except Representative
  • Noting the presence of all members<00:59:08.240> except<00:59:08.559> Representative<00
  • members except Representative Cochran. members except Representative Cochran.
  • Recommendation is to pass as is, noting the presence of all members except Representative Cucker and
  • Chair's recommendation is to pass with amendments, noting the presence of all members except Representative
Keywords: 910, house, all
Summary: The joint Transportation and Public Safety hearing considered HCR 121/HR 117, which asks federal and state transportation and defense agencies to coordinate on expanding Kle Pass as an emergency exit route. Testimony was overwhelmingly in support from state departments and community representatives, though one member raised equity concerns about other communities needing similar access solutions. Both committees recommended passage, and the resolutions were adopted in tandem. The Transportation Committee then heard a series of road safety and mobility resolutions. These included HCR 43 on studying highway patrol and speed cameras in speeding hotspots; HCR 52/HR 48 on a sidewalk between Iroquois Point and Ewa Beach; HCR 57/HR 53 on traffic calming around Piywa Street in Waipahu; HCR 112/HR 108 on a pedestrian-first policy; HCR 129/HR 125 on safety and congestion near Haiku Elementary; HCR 131/HR 127 on rural air service and short takeoff/landing aircraft; HCR 136/HR 130 on reflective gear for pedestrians at night; HCR 137/HR 131 on school crosswalk safety at Kipapa Elementary; HCR 177/HR 173 on a summer streets pilot; and HR 43 on an emergency access road on the YNI coast. Testimony was mixed but generally supportive of pedestrian and school safety measures, while some transportation and bicycling advocates opposed the reflective-gear resolution as placing too much responsibility on pedestrians rather than improving the built environment. During decision-making, the committee advanced all measures. HCR 43 was amended to specify the study should include district court impacts. HCR 131/HR 127 was amended to shift the rural air service study from the Legislative Reference Bureau to the Department of Transportation. HCR 136/HR 130 was amended to change the reflective-gear proposal from a requirement to an encouragement. HCR 137/HR 131 and HCR 45/HR 38 were also advanced with technical or clarifying amendments, and the remaining resolutions were passed as is. Several members noted reservations or no votes on the reflective-gear measure, but all recommendations were ultimately adopted and the committee adjourned.
FL

Florida 2025 Regular Session

Rules Mar 26th, 2025

Transcript Highlights:
  • law in 1990, that allow these expansions related to general cases, wrongful death also included exceptions
  • Those exceptions singled out an Arab group of survivors who cannot recover noneconomic damages in the
  • The exceptions run counter to the spirit behind the legislative intent created in Florida's Wrongful
  • The legislative intent is clear was placed in law nearly 20 years before the exceptions.
  • Today I filed Senate Bill 734 because the current exceptions and 7 68 21 8 or unjust, they do not value
Keywords: 999, senate, all
HI

Hawaii 2025 Regular Session

EDU Public Hearing 03-10-2025

Education

Transcript Highlights:
  • Yeah, except the numbers. The numbers are the hard one. We're one of those looking pokes.
  • <00:23:21.200> the without looking down yeah except the without looking down yeah except the
  • number<00:23:21.880> except<00:23:22.159> the<00:23:22.279> numers<00:23:22.919
  • > the<00:23:23.000> numbers<00:23:23.279> are number except the numers the numbers
  • are number except the numers the numbers are the<00:23:23.480> hard<00:23:23.679> one<
Keywords: 912, senate, all
FL

Florida 2026 Regular Session

Ethics and Elections Mar 10th, 2025

Ethics and Elections

Transcript Highlights:
  • So there really is no reason for this, except what just happened in the last election, that...
  • So there really is no reason for this, except what just happened in the last election, that over 55%,
  • So there really is no reason for this, except what just happened in the last election, that Oh.
  • So there really is no reason for this except what just happened in the last election, that over 55%,
  • Senator Polsky continued: “Of every single one of you, except the Chamber of Commerce, are against.
Summary: The Senate Committee on Ethics and Elections met to consider SPB 7016, a major bill revising Florida’s constitutional initiative petition process. Senator Grall presented it as a fraud-prevention and ballot-integrity measure that would add sponsor training, stricter circulator rules, more voter identification information, faster submission deadlines, notice to voters whose signatures are verified, and additional civil and criminal penalties. The committee also considered several amendments, including a $1 million bond requirement, font and page limits for petition forms, restrictions on incentive-based circulator pay, removal of a criminal-conviction prerequisite for certain fines, deposit and reimbursement procedures for supervisors of elections, invalidation of petitions gathered by ineligible circulators, mandatory circulator training, and a prohibition on public funds being used to advocate for or against constitutional amendments. All of the amendments were adopted, with some roll-call votes recorded and most passing on party-line or near party-line splits. The bill drew extensive questioning from senators, especially about the practical effects of the new requirements. Senator Polsky and Senator Rouson raised concerns about disenfranchising voters, burdening grassroots volunteers, the cost of bonds and deposits, the 10-day return deadline, and whether voters would be notified if a petition they signed was later invalidated. Grall said the measures were intended to protect the constitutionally significant initiative process, reduce fraud, and ensure sponsors—not taxpayers—bear administrative costs. Dave Ramba, speaking for supervisors of elections, supported the deposit and reimbursement concepts but warned that the bill’s implementation would be operationally difficult and that software vendors might not be ready for the changes by the effective date. He also said the process should avoid subsidizing petition drives with county taxpayer money. Public testimony was overwhelmingly opposed, with speakers from Common Cause Florida, the League of Women Voters, the NAACP Florida State Conference, Florida Rising, Equal Ground, Voices of Florida, and other civic groups arguing the bill would suppress direct democracy, criminalize volunteer activity, impose excessive costs, and create confusion and litigation risk. One speaker from the Florida Chamber of Commerce supported the bill, saying the initiative process should be protected from fraud and outside interests. During debate, Senator Polsky argued the Legislature has steadily made the initiative process harder after recent citizen-led amendments succeeded, while supporters framed the bill as a necessary integrity measure. The committee had not yet taken final action on the bill itself by the end of the transcript.
LA

Louisiana 2026 Regular Session

Health and Welfare May 6th, 2026

Health and Welfare

Transcript Highlights:
  • I've been able to provide exceptional care for my patients despite the changes.”
  • There are exceptions to this bill, so her bill does not address that.
  • Their exceptions to this bill. So her bill does not address that.
  • physician would have to inform the parent, would that then defeat the point of the exception in the
  • And the last one that I have is about the public records exception: any information, doctor's records
AR

Arkansas 2026 1st Special Session

JOINT BUDGET COMMITTEE Apr 16th, 2026

JOINT BUDGET COMMITTEE

Transcript Highlights:
  • All items are released back to the Joint Budget Committee as adopted, with the exception of item three
  • All items are released back to the Joint Budget Committee as adopted, with the exception of item three
  • I move the adoption of the report, with the exception of items three and four, the Auditor of State and
Summary: The committee first took up several subcommittee reports. The Claims Review Litigation Reports Oversight Subcommittee report was adopted after noting two Department of Corrections settlement reviews and one affirmed denial/dismissal by the Claims Commission. The JBC Personnel Subcommittee report was also adopted, covering governor’s letters and amendments, with items related to the Auditor of State and Lieutenant Governor sent back for further review and one Lieutenant Governor amendment not passing. Next, the peer review subcommittee report was adopted after discussion of various temporary appropriations, ARPA and infrastructure-related appropriations, reserve fund transfers, and a resource reallocation. Two DHS-related items were held, including a discretionary grants item and a contract with DHS and EMS/LINQ; one hold was later released after additional information was provided. A member asked about returned ARPA funds, and staff explained the money was being returned to the federal government because it was not fully expended within the federal time frame. The committee then discussed several bills and amendments with special language, including Senate Bills 63, 67, and 73 and House Bills 1089, 1090, and 1093, along with amendments to the Department of Health, the Office of the Treasurer, and the State Board of Election Commission. Leadership warned that holds on bills should be resolved by the following Thursday or be released, and members were encouraged to work with agencies and notify leadership if agencies were not responsive. The meeting then adjourned.
AR

Arkansas 2026 Regular Session

JOINT BUDGET COMMITTEE Apr 16th, 2026

JOINT BUDGET COMMITTEE

Transcript Highlights:
  • All items are released back to the Joint Budget Committee as adopted, with the exception of item three
  • All items are released back to the Joint Budget Committee as adopted, with the exception of item three
  • I move the adoption of the report, with the exception of items three and four, the Auditor of State and
Summary: The committee heard several subcommittee reports and adopted them. The Claims Review Litigation Reports Oversight Subcommittee reported on two Department of Corrections litigation settlements and one denied and dismissed claim, and its report was adopted. The JBC Personnel Subcommittee reported on Governor’s letters and amendments; all items were released back to the Joint Budget Committee as adopted except item 3, the Lieutenant Governor’s Office amendment, and items 3 and 4 were sent back for further review. The peer review subcommittee reported approval of several temporary appropriations, ARPA and IIJA appropriations, reserve fund transfers, and a resource reallocation. Two items were held: DHS K-2 discretionary grants and an L-4 DHS/EMS contract; after additional information was provided, the hold on the contract was released and the report was adopted. A member asked about returned ARPA funds, and staff explained the money was being returned to the federal government because it was not fully expended within the federal time frame. The committee also referred several measures to special language, including Senate Bills 63, 67, and 73 and House Bills 1089, 1090, and 1093. Special-language amendments were noted for the Department of Health, the Office of the Treasurer, and the State Board of Election Commission. The chair urged members to resolve any remaining holds by the following Thursday or they would be released, and the meeting adjourned.
LA

Louisiana 2026 Regular Session

Judiciary A May 19th, 2026

Judiciary A

Transcript Highlights:
  • No other industry, except medical malpractice, as far as I know, has it.
  • So basically the amendment will put the maximum cap back for non-economic loss at $250,000, except where
  • The amendment will put the maximum cap back for non-economic loss at $250,000, except where the damages
Summary: The Senate Committee on Judiciary A met on May 19, 2026, established a quorum, approved the May 12 minutes, and heard two bills. Senator Carter also made a personal privilege statement wishing his wife a happy birthday. The committee took up House Bill 71, which provides liability protection for private security guards who use a weapon in the course of their duties when the use of force is deemed justifiable by the district attorney and responding law enforcement. After discussion, the committee adopted amendment set 4036, which narrowed the bill so the liability limitation applies only when the perpetrator is wielding a dangerous weapon as defined in law. An informational card was noted, and an opposition witness waived testimony in light of the amendment. HB 71 was then reported with amendments. The committee next considered House Bill 79, which would remove a special limitation on damages for the carbon capture industry. The author argued the industry should not receive a damages cap that other industries do not have. The committee adopted amendment set 3979, which restored a non-economic damages cap of $250,000 except in cases involving wrongful death, permanent substantial physical deformity, loss of use of a limb or bodily organ system, or permanent injury preventing independent self-care. One supporter card was noted, and HB 79 was reported with amendments. The committee then stood at ease.