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MA
Massachusetts 2025-2026 Regular Session
Senate Session (Full Formal with Calendar) Jun 21st, 2026 at 11:00 am
Massachusetts Senate Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- This also marked the largest investment a state has ever made in the history of the United States of
- This was also marked the largest investment a state has ever made in the history of the United States
- Twenty-five states require them to be provided in correctional institutions.
- Three in temporary housing programs, but none—no state does all three.
- to abolish slavery, first state to let people love who they want to love, first state to make sure that
Summary:
The Senate opened with the Pledge of Allegiance and then took up several bills and procedural matters. It adopted an emergency preamble and passed to be enacted a sick leave bank for Anisee Contreras of the Trial Court, and it also passed a bill reauthorizing the town of Swansea to issue additional on-premises liquor licenses. The chamber ordered several other bills to third reading, including a Wellesley bill on police and fire residency limits and a House bill on Commonwealth bond terms, along with multiple calendar items that were advanced without debate.
The Senate then considered and passed the bill increasing access to disposable menstrual products in prisons, homeless shelters, and public schools. Senators Comerford and O'Connor spoke in strong support, describing the measure as a continuation of prior Senate action and a response to period poverty, with O'Connor highlighting community efforts by Free Period and related funding support. The bill was amended, ordered to a third reading, and passed to be engrossed by a unanimous roll call. The Senate also passed a bill on menstrual product ingredient disclosure after adopting a Ways and Means amendment; Comerford said the measure would require manufacturers to disclose ingredients and chemicals, citing concerns about PFAS and other harmful substances. That bill also passed to be engrossed by roll call.
The chamber next took up a major public safety bill strengthening the move-over law. Senator Tarr described the bill as expanding protections to utility workers and disabled vehicles and adding escalating penalties, while Senator Feeney emphasized the dangers faced by workers on roadways and the need to protect them. Several proposed amendments were considered: one on municipally owned utility vehicles was adopted, while amendments on interior lights during stops, higher penalties, non-surchargeability, green lights for municipal emergency management vehicles, and public access to driving records were rejected or withdrawn. The amended bill was then ordered to a third reading and passed to be engrossed by a 39-0 roll call.
The Senate also paused to honor the late Senator Edward J. Kennedy of Lowell, adopting a motion to adjourn in his memory after a tribute to his public service and community advocacy. Earlier, the chamber recognized a guest, Rocco LaGrasso, during Italian-American Heritage Month. The session ended with the Senate adjourning to meet again the following Monday at 11 a.m.
ID
Transcript Highlights:
- Please state your name for the record and tell us about House Bill 803."
- Please state your name for the record, please, and let me restart this.
- Matthews, please state your name for the record, then two minutes, please.
- And state your name in two minutes, please. Mr.
- He was an asset to our state, and I was his Sunday school teacher, his...
Committee:
Senate Judiciary and Rules
NM
New Mexico 2026 Regular Session
House - Health and Human Services Feb 11th, 2026 at 08:33 am
House Health & Human Services
Transcript Highlights:
- , but we want to be able to work with our state... ...the interests of many people in the state, but
- Texas hospital with an ectopic pregnancy.
- You know, just next door in Texas, and I want to say their names.
- Texas hospital with an ectopic pregnancy.
- . and families in need of support from the state.
Committee:
House House Health & Human Services
NM
New Mexico 2026 Regular Session
House - Rural Development, Land Grants And Cultural Affairs Jan 27th, 2026 at 09:00 am
House Rural Development, Land Grants And Cultural Affairs
Transcript Highlights:
- Camila Romero with the New Mexico State Land Office. Buenos días.
- It's a state park. It contributes millions of dollars to Mora County and San Miguel County.
- Camila Romero with the New Mexico State Land Office.
- Camila Romero with the New Mexico State Land Office.
- ditches in the United States, and that was affected by these floods.
ID
Transcript Highlights:
- We have representatives from Boise State University, Idaho State University, Lewis-Clark State College
- And not only does our state have this, we're seeing this across the country in states like Mississippi
- Particularly in the state of Idaho, it's very rare. I came from Texas.
- This is not what it looks like in Texas.
- Particularly in the state of Idaho, it's very rare. I came from Texas.
Committee:
House Education
Summary:
The House Education Committee heard testimony on House Bill 515, sponsored by Representative Chris Matthias, which would require school districts to adopt procedures for reporting suspensions related to bullying, harassment, intimidation, and related conduct to families, while removing a prior state-level reporting requirement. Matthias said the bill is intended to help families respond quickly and to keep the focus on local school-level accountability; he noted earlier versions had included language about limiting access to means of harm and notifying law enforcement, but those provisions were removed after prior defeats. Quinn Perry of the Idaho School Boards Association testified in support, saying the bill improves communication and trust with families and eliminates redundant reporting to the Department of Education. The committee then voted to send HB 515 to the floor with a due pass recommendation.
The committee also received a presentation from Brooke Blevins of the Idaho Association of Colleges for Teacher Education and the University of Idaho on educator preparation programs. She described collaboration among Idaho’s colleges and universities and said programs have expanded coursework and field experiences in classroom management, educator ethics, career and technical education, rural school preparation, literacy and the science of reading, and the ethical use of AI. Members asked about literacy instruction and the earlier state literacy funding, with several expressing concern that phonics and the science of reading had not been emphasized enough in the past. Blevins said higher education institutions are aligning with state literacy efforts and that the $50 million literacy initiative primarily funds Department of Education programs rather than universities.
Committee members also asked about teacher preparation pathways and workforce readiness. Blevins said Idaho has multiple routes to certification, including traditional undergraduate programs, alternative authorizations, alternative programs, apprenticeships, graduate programs, and CTE pathways, and estimated that about 63% of current Idaho teachers were educated through institutions like those represented. She emphasized early field experiences to help candidates determine whether teaching is the right fit and said institutions are studying student success across different educational settings. No further action was taken on the presentation, and the chair adjourned the meeting after reminding members to review the rules in their folders for the following week.
AR
Arkansas 2026 Regular Session
JBC-CLAIMS Apr 14th, 2026
JBC-CLAIMS REVIEW/LITIGATION REPORTS OVERSIGHT SUBCOMMITTEE
Transcript Highlights:
- Is there someone from the Commissioner of State Lands here?
- The statute states that the Commissioner of State Lands shall not be liable for any monetary damages
- And it was returned to the Commissioner of State Lands undelivered.
- They had moved to Texas with my parents. They had moved to Texas. So, no, no one told them that.
- Is there anything other than what you've already stated to us?
Summary:
The Joint Budget Committee’s Claims Review and Litigation Reports Oversight Subcommittee met to consider two proposed Department of Corrections litigation settlements and one appealed claim from the Claims Commission. The first settlement, Caroline Arnett v. Larry Norris et al., involved allegations of long-term sexual abuse by a corrections employee. Committee members asked about PREA audits, facility practices, and whether the inmate had been placed at the proper facility. The department said audits and other safeguards were underway, and the committee approved the settlement. The second settlement, Latasha Ridgel v. Arkansas Department of Corrections, also involved sexual harassment/assault allegations. Members questioned the seven-year delay in the case and whether the issue was systemic; the department cited attorney turnover, COVID delays, and legislative changes making inmate exposure a felony. The committee approved that settlement as well.
The committee then heard an appeal in Sharon Greer and Deanna Hayes v. Commissioner of State Lands, a denied and dismissed claim involving a tax-delinquent sale of family property in Crittenden County. Staff and the Commissioner of State Lands’ office said the property was certified in 2000, sold in 2009 after notice was sent, and that excess proceeds were available for a limited period before escheating to the county. The claimants argued they were not properly notified of the sale or the excess proceeds and only learned of the matter in 2025 after receiving the deed at a family funeral. Committee members discussed the notice process, statute of limitations, and the handling of excess proceeds, with several noting the issue may call for legislative review rather than relief in this case.
After debate, the committee voted to affirm the Claims Commission’s dismissal of the Greer/Hayes claim. Members also discussed broader concerns about how excess proceeds from tax sales are handled and whether the current statutory process should be revisited in future legislation.
NM
Transcript Highlights:
- Of our state employees. They work hard every day.
- It'll put us in parity with other state employees, and we'll help retain educators in the state of New
- Yes, this will bring other state employees to parity.
- And you can kind of think of us somewhat like the State Department of Ag, where a critical state need
- As a state geological survey, we're here.
Committee:
House House Education
Keywords:
SB29, math requirements for teaching license, teacher licensure, teacher endorsement, mathematics methods, elementary education, secondary education, special education, early childhood education, reciprocity, Public Education Department, Mathematics and Science Education Act, mathematics instructional leadership framework, professional learning plan, K-3 screening, mathematics screening assessment, mathematics difficulty, support plan, multilevel support, intervention
AR
Transcript Highlights:
- that is a disclosure state.
- The speaker said Arkansas is a disclosure state, while the other side is a non-disclosure state.
- We can't do that in the financial state we're in.
- of the state or to do away with it.
- We're a poor state, a $6 billion budget.
Committee:
All HOUSE RULES
MS
Mississippi 2026 Regular Session
MS Senate Floor - 13 January, 2026; 10:00 AM
Mississippi Senate Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- We ask your blessings upon our city, our state, and our nation.
- We have members of the Convention of the States in Mississippi.
- They have come from all over the state to be with us.
- district, with the Convention of the States members.
- </c><00:17:38.000><c> of</c> system here in uh the state of system here in uh the state of Mississippi
MN
Transcript Highlights:
- </c><00:36:32.160><c> um</c><00:36:32.320><c> states</c><00:36:32.720><c> states</c><00:36:33.119><c>
- <00:41:31.520><c> have</c><00:41:31.839><c> similar</c> state have similar state have similar uh<00:41
- </c> then they're going to cost the state then they're going to cost the state $10,000<00:43:40.240><
- So, be of the state of us. Okay.
- So, be of the state of us. Okay.
Committee:
Senate Education Finance
AL
Alabama 2025 Regular Session
Alabama House Economic Development and Tourism Committee Mar 5th, 2025
Tourism
Transcript Highlights:
- We do this in a lot of neighboring states.
- Every other state in the Southeast, literally from Florida to Texas, Mississippi, Louisiana, Tennessee
- Background: we're a national home builder operating across the United States in 33 states and 125 markets
- I'm from Texas, but I live in Mobile.
- Alabama is a pro-business state, and we're a business-friendly state.
Committees:
House Tourism , House Economic Development and Tourism
Keywords:
HB145, scrap tires, scrap tire disposal, illegal dumping, ADEM, Alabama Department of Environmental Management, environmental enforcement, Class 2 municipality, municipal court, local enforcement, delegation agreement, primacy, waste management, tire recycling, tire hauling, environmental quality act, misdemeanor penalties, Class A misdemeanor, Class B misdemeanor, Class C misdemeanor
LA
Transcript Highlights:
- when it comes to our state.
- We have 26 other states that have this system, and here they are: Mississippi and Texas.
- The assets of the patient compensation fund, and this is a state entity, a state fund, a state body.
- Entity, a state fund, a state body.
- Congress, the President of the United States, and the United States Department of Labor and United States
MA
Massachusetts 2025-2026 Regular Session
Senate Committee on the Census Jun 21st, 2026 at 01:00 pm
Senate Committee on the Census
Transcript Highlights:
- Texas is just one of the largest migration hubs in the U.S., so we're exchanging with Texas as well.
- New York State was the only state to have lost population since 2020.
- population projections for all 50 states.
- So, yeah, so Texas...
- What if the state could attract and retain more people from other states, as we did back in the early
Committee:
Senate Senate Committee on the Census
Summary:
The Senate Committee on the Census heard presentations on Massachusetts population trends and how they affect state housing planning. Susan Strait of the UMass Donahue Institute reviewed recent Census Bureau estimates, saying Massachusetts grew strongly over the last decade but that growth has slowed sharply in the newest estimates, largely because net international migration has fallen from a post-pandemic surge. She also described the four components of population change—births, deaths, domestic migration, and international migration—along with aging trends, declining fertility, the importance of the millennial cohort, and the role of foreign-born residents in births and the labor force. Committee members asked about college students in group quarters and about counting incarcerated people, and Strait explained the Census Bureau’s current methods and noted that some issues remain under discussion.
Jesse Guerrero of the Metropolitan Area Planning Council then explained how MAPC uses UMass Donahue population projections to build household and local land-use forecasts for MassDOT and the statewide housing plan. He said the earlier transportation projections anticipated slower statewide growth and regional decline in western Massachusetts and on the Cape, with more growth in eastern Massachusetts. He also described how household formation, development patterns, zoning, and affordability are modeled, and noted that newer housing-plan scenarios use updated Census data and different assumptions about migration. Senator Miranda raised concerns about Cape Cod population loss and whether seasonal residents are being counted, and Guerrero and Strait said the projections focus on permanent residents, not seasonal populations.
Tim Reardon of the Executive Office of Housing and Livable Communities tied the demographic forecasts to the statewide housing plan, saying housing demand exists even under low-growth or slight-decline scenarios. He said the plan estimates about 115,000 homes are needed to address existing shortages, including doubled-up households, shelter families, seasonal conversion losses, and the need for healthier vacancy rates, plus additional units tied to future household formation. He added that the state’s total housing target is about 222,000 units, or as high as 262,000 under a higher-growth scenario. Senators pressed him on whether the scenarios are now too high given the recent drop in immigration, on affordability and out-migration, and on whether the housing plan adequately reflects homelessness and overcrowding in Boston and elsewhere. Reardon said the plan includes production, rental assistance, shelter prevention, and preservation strategies, and noted that HLC is also using grant programs and MBTA Communities-related infrastructure funding to support housing production statewide.
AL
Transcript Highlights:
- </c><00:05:03.199><c> of</c> ask, is this happened in the state of ask, is this happened in the state
- Our state chief legal officer, Steve Marshall, has echoed this principle when he stated that since the
- </c> was in 2023 to codify this into state was in 2023 to codify this into state law<00:20:06.720><c>
- </c> 35 years ago, Texas 35 years ago, Texas decided<00:30:14.399><c> that</c><00:30:14.960><c> um</c
- But the state of Texas two years ago decided they had an estimated 800,000 because you can imagine how
Committee:
House Judiciary
CA
California 2025-2026 Regular Session
Senate Rules Committee Apr 22nd, 2026
Transcript Highlights:
- and a half decades, I served in law enforcement, and part of that I served our nation as a United States
- So we have robust rehabilitative programs in the state.
- But we see it throughout the state. That's a challenge.
- You just state your name, affiliation, and your position. Good afternoon.
- We've closed all of our contracted facilities in and out of state.
Summary:
The Senate Rules Committee met to consider several governor’s appointments and routine agenda items. It first approved, on call, appointments not required to appear for Olivia May Assuncion to the Commission on Disability Access, William Adams to the California Exposition and State Fair Board of Directors, and two California Law Revision Commission nominees, with one of the law revision appointments drawing a split vote. The committee also approved reference of bills to committees and floor acknowledgments before moving to appointments required to appear.
Brian Bishop, nominated to lead the Division of Adult Parole Operations at CDCR, testified that he would emphasize public safety, accountability, rehabilitation, and staff well-being. In questioning, senators focused on risk assessment for higher-risk parolees, GPS monitoring, coordination with local law enforcement, victim protections, supervision of unhoused parolees, and oversight of private reentry/housing contractors. Bishop said DAPO uses data-driven supervision, risk tools, compliance sweeps with law enforcement, exclusion zones and administrative transfers to protect victims, and contract monitoring through invoices, site visits, and utilization reports. Public commenters from reentry and justice organizations supported his confirmation, and the committee voted 5-0 to send the nomination to the full Senate.
Sarah Larson, nominated to direct CDCR’s Facilities Management and Construction, described her CDCR background and said she wanted to help modernize the department’s aging infrastructure to support staff and incarcerated people. Senators asked about aligning facilities with a declining prison population, cooling and heat mitigation, safety during construction, prison closures such as Norco, disaster planning, and how closed facilities are maintained or could be reopened. Larson said CDCR has reduced its footprint, is piloting cooling upgrades at several sites, maintains closed facilities in cold shutdown with minimal upkeep, and uses emergency planning and mutual aid for disasters. She also said the department is exploring infrastructure master planning and more substantial, targeted improvements, and the committee again heard supportive public testimony before voting 5-0 to advance her nomination to the full Senate.
CA
Transcript Highlights:
- So we have robust rehabilitative programs in the state.
- So we have robust rehabilitative programs in the state.
- But we see it throughout the state. That's a challenge.
- You just state your name, affiliation, and your position.
- We've closed all of our contracted facilities in and out of state.
Committee:
Senate Rules
MO
Missouri 2026 Regular Session
2026 Legislative Session - Day Fifty Four - Monday, April 20
Missouri House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- in the state of Missouri, I would ask that this body vote yes.
- who are overburdened with high property taxes in this state.
- Florida, Texas, these states that have growing economies, what have they done?
- And secondly, it'll help bring and keep... ...to the state.
- Could you state that number again, gentlemen? Point three two H.
Summary:
The House approved the journal from the prior day and received Senate messages on House Joint Resolutions 173 and 174, along with committee reports recommending passage of several measures, including House Bill 2180, House Bill 1870, House Bill 2596, House Bill 1866, House Bill 2536, House Bill 2855, and House Joint Resolution 115. The chamber then took up a series of Senate amendments and third-reading bills, with members frequently debating fiscal impacts, constitutional issues, and policy details.
House Bill 2180, dealing with notice procedures for blind pension recipients and allowing electronic opt-in, was adopted and finally passed by overwhelming votes after supporters said it would save the state money and better accommodate blind and rural Missourians. House Bill 1870, updating bankruptcy exemptions and garnishment procedures, also cleared the House despite some opposition over a minor Senate wording change. The House refused to adopt Senate changes to House Bill 2596 and requested a conference committee, while House Bill 1866, concerning peace officer licensing and school protection officers, had Senate amendments concurred in and was finally passed.
The chamber then passed House Joint Resolution 115, which would place before voters a property tax exemption for 100% service-connected disabled veterans and their spouses; debate centered on whether the measure would shift tax burdens to others, but supporters emphasized veterans’ sacrifice and the small number affected. Other bills passed included House Bill 1736 on park sales tax funds for stormwater and flood mitigation, House Bill 1887 and related bills on AI/truth-in-advertising issues, House Bill 2855 lowering workers’ compensation assessment rates, House Bill 1906 allowing more flexible tax payment schedules, House Bill 2297 on fence responsibilities for livestock, House Bill 2142/2058 revising the Missouri Film Program, House Bill 3004 on hardwood industry labeling, House Bill 2536 defining male and female by biological sex for certain government facilities, and House Bill 2151 raising income thresholds for a workforce-related program. Several of these passed on divided votes, with House Bill 2536 and House Joint Resolution 115 drawing especially sharp partisan and policy debate.
AL
Transcript Highlights:
- </c> the great state of Alabama. the great state of Alabama.
- </c> 15.9 billion US dollars in this state 15.9 billion US dollars in this state creating<00:18:08.000
- </c> service and contributions to the state service and contributions to the state of<00:25:09.360><c
- </c><01:16:01.760><c> It</c> might be in the hallway, library. It might be in the hallway, library.
- Each private school States flag.
MN
Transcript Highlights:
- </c> I I lost the closest race in the state. I I lost the closest race in the state.
- State government has exploded. building. State government has exploded.
- </c> state government, it's grown 48%. state government, it's grown 48%.
- </c> because we have gaps in this state. because we have gaps in this state.
- </c> have done great work for this state. have done great work for this state.
TX
Transcript Highlights:
- Steve Bresnan, I have you here on behalf of the Texas Court Reporters Association, registered for the
- I really appreciate it. your staff working with us, the Texas Court Reporters Association and the Texas
- an amicus letter that Amy Bresnan and I sent to the Third Court of Appeals and the Supreme Court of Texas
- Appeals to resolve its part of the case within 60 days of the passage of the bill. and would tell the Texas
- issues, assuming the case survives to that point, under the exclusive original jurisdiction of the Texas
Bills:
HB16
Committee:
House Judiciary & Civil Jurisprudence