Transcript Highlights:

• We have Janine Miva from the Florida Justice Association, a trial attorney. Thank you very much.
• I am the Pattersons' attorney.
• And I'm also a registry attorney who represents children.

Summary: The Human Services Subcommittee considered three bills and reported all of them favorably. HB 1013, relating to crisis care coordination, would create a pilot program in Polk and Volusia counties to connect people who have had Baker Act-related crises with follow-up counseling, assessments, and outpatient services through partnerships between law enforcement and community providers. The sponsor said the program has reduced repeat Baker Act commitments in Polk County, and the committee adopted a strike-all amendment moving the pilot to a different statute, formalizing partnerships, and requiring an independent DCF evaluation due in January 2029. The bill drew support from mental health and justice advocates and passed unanimously. The committee then heard PCS for HB 511, which addresses child protective investigations involving specific medical diagnoses. Sponsors and several parents, attorneys, and advocates described cases in which children were removed after injuries were initially treated as abuse but later linked to conditions such as Ehlers-Danlos syndrome, metabolic bone disease, or other medical fragility. They argued the bill would require notice of the right to a second medical opinion, better consideration of preexisting conditions and medical records, and more coordination before reports are sent to law enforcement, while still preserving protections for abused children. Members expressed sympathy for the families and emphasized the need for fairness and accurate medical review; the bill passed 17-0. Finally, HB 1439, based on recommendations from the 2025 Commission on Mental Health and Substance Use Disorder, was presented as a broader mental health and substance use disorder measure focused on crisis response, access to care, and workforce development. An amendment aligned the bill more closely with commission recommendations, including assessment tools, trauma-informed practices, school-based behavioral health access, telehealth, discharge planning, and long-acting injectable treatment access. The commission chair testified that the bill reflected a vetted set of recommendations from subject matter experts and commissioners, and the committee adopted the amendment and then reported the bill favorably by unanimous vote. The meeting then adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• In 1994, 31 years ago, Attorney General Tom Udall wrote, No state agency has the express or implied statutory
• through, so are my parents, uh, to advocate for our wildlife be bought by corporate real estate attorneys
• , we have to ask ourselves what is, what is a corporate real estate attorney doing.

Committee: Senate Senate Judiciary

Transcript Highlights:

• Item 4 132,000.5 FTEs for an additional um attorney position is adopted.
• Item 5 at the bottom of the page, state initiatives, State Office of Administrative Hearing Attorneys
• on page 2, Section 1717 is adopted to provide a 6% across the board salary increase for licensed attorneys

Bills: SB 1

Committee: Senate Finance

Keywords: campground safety, youth camp regulations, flood safety, emergency evacuation, health and safety standards

Transcript Highlights:

• As and I know you can't really collaborate a judicial salary versus a private attorney but private attorneys
• Dear Chairwoman Huffman and members of the committee, my name is Kirsten Budwine and I'm a. policy attorney

Bills: SB260 , SB263 , SB293 , SJR18

Committee: Senate Finance

Keywords: school safety, Foundation School Program, education funding, student allotment, Texas education, SB 263, Texas franchise tax, cost of goods sold, COGS, broadcasters, television broadcasting, radio broadcasting, media tax, broadcast license, FCC, 47 C.F.R. Part 73, 47 C.F.R. Part 74, film production, television production, tax deduction

Transcript Highlights:

• talked about 30% as, and I know you can't really corroborate a judicial salary versus a private attorney
• , but private attorneys can make significantly more than that, and we want, you know, obviously high
• Dear Chairwoman Huffman and members of the committee, my name is Kirsten Budwine, and I'm a policy attorney

Committee: Senate Finance

Transcript Highlights:

• And it has been exhaustively negotiated by, in an unusually thorough process, with tenant attorneys as
• well as landlord attorneys at the table, meetings we've convened, and there is broad consensus around

Committee: Senate Housing, Construction, and Community Development

Keywords: 993, senate, all

Summary: The New York State Senate Committee on Housing, Construction, and Community Development met on May 18, 2026, with a quorum present and several members participating by vote sheet. Chair Brian Kavanagh opened the meeting by noting it was likely the committee’s last meeting of the session and thanked members and staff for their work. Senators also offered brief remarks of appreciation for the chair and the committee’s collaborative process. The committee advanced four bills. S.2523A (Ramos) would establish a jobs and housing pilot program to create construction jobs and address the housing crisis; it was reported to Finance, with Senator Walsack voting no and Senator Martins voting AWR. S.8612 (Kavanagh) would make clarifying changes to the good cause eviction law; the chair said it had been extensively negotiated with tenant and landlord stakeholders and had broad support, and it was reported with Senators Martins and Walsack voting AWR. S.8918A (Kavanagh) would create the Build Up New York pilot program and a mass timber for affordable housing program, along with related tax credits; it was reported to the floor unanimously. The committee also considered S.9287 (Hensh), which would create a real property tax exemption for certain full-time residents in certain counties. Members discussed whether the bill would create a new property class or instead shift tax burdens within the one- to four-family home class, and raised concerns about impacts on second homes and local school budgets. Supporters argued it resembled a homestead exemption and could help local residents. The bill was reported to Finance, with Senator Martins voting ADBR. The meeting then adjourned after the final agenda item.

Transcript Highlights:

• create unnecessary social and economic costs, slowing down court proceedings by requiring defense attorneys
• and Justice, proud co-sponsor and in support, also on behalf of our fellow co-sponsor, California Attorneys

Committee: House Appropriations

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• some good conversations with some representatives from the trial, Missouri Association of Trial Attorneys
• Trial Attorneys, MATA? I didn't know if we just use the acronym here.

Committee: House Financial Institutions

Summary: The Committee on Financial Institutions met with a quorum present and moved into executive session to consider several bills. House Bill 2586 was approved unanimously, first as a do pass recommendation and then again by consent, with no opposition recorded. House Bill 3107 was then considered amid ongoing negotiations with representatives of the Missouri Association of Trial Attorneys. Members discussed that language changes were still being worked on, but the sponsor said he remained open to amendments. Representative Clemens expressed concern about moving the bill before the language was perfected and voted present; the bill nevertheless passed the committee 10-1 with 3 present. The committee next took up House Bill 1870, adopting a House committee substitute after discussion focused on immunity language in debtor examinations and whether the bill could affect corporations. Representative Murray supported the substitute but shared concerns about the immunity wording. The substitute and the bill were both approved unanimously. Finally, House Bill 2412 was amended and substituted to clarify the definition of unauthorized individuals under federal immigration and employment law. Representative Clemens argued the bill would be detrimental to businesses and political in nature, and several members voted no, but the committee approved the House committee substitute 10-5. The meeting then adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• having some good conversations with some representatives from the Missouri Association of Trial Attorneys
• Trial Attorneys, MATA? I didn't know if we just use the acronym here.

Committee: House Financial Institutions

Keywords: 959, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• governmental entity, to provide a penalty, and to establish provisions regarding enforcement by the Attorney
• governmental entity, to provide a penalty, and to establish provisions regarding enforcement by the Attorney

Keywords: 989, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I do have a resource witness from the Attorney General's office.
• I don't think you require them, but I appreciate Kelly Billings from the Attorney General's office.

Bills: HB206 , HB1238 , HB2890 , HB2970

Committee: Senate Natural Resources

Keywords: pipeline, construction, cash bond, county authority, local government, injection wells, environmental regulation, water quality, site inspection, geoscientist, satellite imagery, interstate compact, liquefied natural gas, energy resources, Gulf Coast, regulatory coordination, HB 2970, Gulf Coast Protection District, Special District Local Laws Code, governor appointment

Transcript Highlights:

• The attorney general's office that handles... attorney general's office that handles innumerable confidential

Bills: HB207 , SB269 , SB279 , SB291 , SB266

Committee: Senate State Governmental Affairs

Keywords: cybersecurity, Office of Information Technology, data management, telecommunications, state government, emergency management, public awareness, promotional materials, education, state funding, Alabama State House, Montgomery, Legislative Council, demolition, state capitol, state capitol building, historic preservation, state property, inventory removal, fixtures

Transcript Highlights:

• I've been a practicing attorney in the child welfare space in Minnesota for almost 25 years, primarily
• Um, I'm not someone who works for a county or a state agency, but I can say as an attorney that these
• Even if it was court-ordered, she said she would contact the attorney general for an appeal.
• attorney general the attorney<00:59:54.280><c> general</c><00:59:54.720><c> for</c><00:59:54.920><c>
• </c> attorney general for an appeal. attorney general for an appeal.

Bills: HF3665 , HF3002 , HF4217 , HF4125 , HF4174

Committee: House Children and Families Finance and Policy

Keywords: foster care, early childhood education, child care programs, placement plan, social services, extended foster care, kinship care, relative custody, permanent legal and physical custody, Northstar kinship assistance, independent living plan, transition services, youth aging out of care, medical assistance, Medicaid, child welfare, children youth and families, out-of-home placement, case plan, relative placement

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> next we have the Attorney next we have the Attorney General<00:31:35.559><c> in</c> Good morning
• Deputy Attorney General Alysa C., on behalf of the Department of the Attorney General: for ADC to acquire
• I’m Kelsey Nagata, Deputy Attorney General, providing comments on HB 319.
• I'm not a good attorney.
• Cynthia Jo Hero for the Attorney General's office.

Committee: House Agriculture & Food Systems

Keywords: 910, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• And I think you would see attorneys general, both from blue states, running to court.
• And I think you would see attorneys general, both from blue states, running to court.
• I serve as the Deputy Director and Attorney for the League of Cities.
• The attorney in me says there's an exception to everything, so I don't know if you want to outlaw it,
• We consult with the procurement team and our Attorney General's office.

Committee: Joint Artificial Intelligence and Data Center Committee

Keywords: 908, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Attorney Fenton, come up. Attorney Fenton, um, would you like to...
• </c><01:21:40.080><c> Attorney</c><01:21:40.480><c> Fenton,</c> testify on this bill?
• Attorney Fenton, testify on this bill? Attorney Fenton, come<01:21:41.040><c> up.
• ><c> you</c><01:21:45.280><c> like</c><01:21:45.520><c> to</c> Attorney Fenton, um, would you like to
• Thank you,<01:32:20.639><c> Attorney</c> you, Attorney you, Attorney Fenton. Fenton. Fenton.

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The committee first heard Senate Bill 69, which would require local school boards to publicly vote on whether to accept or reject charitable gifts or donations, prompted by a case in which a church offered to pay off school lunch debt but the offer was refused and families were sued instead. Senator Keith Murphy said the bill is intended to force transparency and public accountability in similar situations, while acknowledging that boards may still reject gifts with strings attached or for ethical reasons. Members raised questions about anonymity, privacy, and whether school boards already have authority to address meal debt before litigation. Murphy said the bill was aimed at cases where money is refused and families are sued, and he said he would accept amendments to make the vote requirement apply to both accepted and rejected gifts. The hearing on the bill was then closed. The committee then took up Senate Bill 206, which requires public schools to adopt policies limiting student cell phone use during the school day. Trisha Milo, presenting for Senator Rashardi, said the bill is meant to improve focus, reduce distraction and cyberbullying, and create more consistent policies across districts, while still allowing exceptions for medical, disability, language support, and instructional needs. Committee members questioned whether districts would retain flexibility, whether the bill should apply to charter schools and other devices, and whether the annual policy-update requirement and enforcement language were too prescriptive. Milo said districts would still have flexibility in how they write their policies and that she would seek clarification from the senator on several drafting questions. Becky Wilson of the New Hampshire School Boards Association testified in support of the general concept of a cell phone policy, saying many districts already have some form of policy, though not all do, and that existing sample policies are outdated. She said the annual update requirement would likely be burdensome and that the enforcement language seemed intended to ensure administrative involvement rather than teacher discipline, but she suggested the wording may need revision. Members also discussed whether very small districts or districts without schools should be covered and whether the bill should better distinguish between classroom enforcement and student discipline. The chair closed the hearing on Senate Bill 206 after no further testimony, and the committee moved on to the next bill.

Transcript Highlights:

• The owner of the property sent his attorney, who threatened the zoning board and said, "If you don't
• who threatened to the zoning attorney who threatened to the zoning board<00:11:42.279><c> and</c><00
• </c><00:12:14.279><c> had</c><00:12:14.560><c> had</c><00:12:14.760><c> mentioned</c> this attorney had
• had mentioned this attorney had had mentioned um um um finally<00:12:19.760><c> the</c><00:12:20.000
• That attorney had said, you know, the reason he was going to sue was it would be an ADA violation.

Committee: Senate Executive Departments and Administration

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> and 10 of those years was as the and 10 of those years was as the managing<00:02:08.640><c> attorney
• of</c><00:02:09.280><c> the</c><00:02:09.440><c> legal</c><00:02:09.879><c> services</c> managing attorney
• of the legal services managing attorney of the legal services advocacy<00:02:12.080><c> project</c><
• I've been a part-time housing attorney with the Volunteer Lawyers Network, and I've done some volunteering
• with the volunteer lawyers attorney with the volunteer lawyers Network<00:04:11.480><c> and</c><00:04

Committee: Senate Elections

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• You're a lawyer. attorney, right? You're a lawyer. attorney, right? You're a lawyer.
• I I am an attorney, but I did not if I I I am an attorney, but I did not if I I I am an attorney, but
• I talked to an attorney and he we we kind talked to an attorney and he we we kind talked to an attorney
• They cannot determine the attorney. They cannot determine the attorney.
• You've been an attorney and uh and you and you and an attorney and uh and you and you and an attorney

Bills: SB 1 , HB 500 , SB 1 , HB 1400 , HB 1094 , HB 365 , HB 1109 , HB 647 , HB 500

Keywords: appropriations, budget, state funding, education, healthcare, infrastructure, state budget, mental health funding, education funding, infrastructure improvements, public safety, groundwater, water conservation, financial assistance, Texas Water Development Board, innovation fund, local conservation districts, transportation protection agreement, funeral services, insurance exemption

Transcript Highlights:

• the intent is the misdemeanor is still on the table, and if it’s not a misdemeanor, it could be prosecuted

Keywords: 9:00am HB 158 9:10am HB 281 9:20am HB 317 9:30am HB 340 9:40am HB 1062 9:50am HB 1187 10:00am HB 1234 10:10am HB 1300 10:20am HB 1306 10:30am HB 1381 10:40am HB 1541, 928, house, all

Summary: The committee of conference first resolved House Bill 158, which concerns public inspection of absentee ballot lists. The Senate explained a revised approach that removed the broader bill language and instead directed the Secretary of State to review absentee ballot data after each general election for patterns such as common addresses and to report findings to the committees of jurisdiction. The House agreed to the Senate position, and the conference committee voted unanimously to concur. The committee then took up House Bill 281, dealing with a sortable electronic voter checklist. Members debated the Senate’s removal of language that would have included the absentee ballot mailing address when different from the voter’s registration address. Concerns were raised that releasing mailing addresses could expose where voters are not home and could affect overseas and military voters. The committee also discussed a related form for election officials who personally know a voter, including how long the form would be retained and whether it would be subject to public records law. After further discussion, the House agreed to the Senate changes with an additional requirement that the form be signed, and the committee voted to proceed with the amended Senate position. House Bill 317, concerning verification of a person’s identity by a supervisor of the checklist without identification, was also discussed at length. The Senate’s version preserved the ability for election officials to identify people they know, but required a signed form under penalty of perjury and added a nursing home-related provision. Members described the measure as balancing community-based identification with tighter documentation, and a House witness described local problems with inconsistent ID checks and concerns about voting in nursing homes. The House sought one additional change requiring the nursing home verification form to be signed, and the Senate accepted that addition; the committee then voted to move the bill forward on the consent calendar. The conference committee next considered House Bill 340 on electioneering by public employees. The chair presented a replace-all amendment that tied the definition of electioneering to existing law, added a prohibition on expressly or primarily political surveys, and created a civil penalty of up to $1,000 alongside the misdemeanor penalty. Members discussed clarifying when the misdemeanor versus civil penalty would apply and which categories of public employees were covered. After caucus, the Senate agreed to the House’s replace-all approach with the clarifying changes, and the bill was closed. The committee also resolved House Bill 1062 by agreeing to strike a sunset clause from the Senate version authorizing random audits of citizenship qualifications, and it began discussion of House Bill 1187 on the filing window for special-election candidates, where the House proposed requiring local election officials to arrange a filing time on the same day or next business day after being contacted.