Transcript Highlights:

• My parents bought a really small cabin in a former resort on a lake.
• And I can say parents are begging for help.
• That's the parents' job.
• a parent, uh, I realize parents are completely incapable of fighting this fight.
• <c> right</c><00:36:47.920><c> because</c> Parents should have this right because Parents should have

Committee: Senate Judiciary and Public Safety

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I remember the drive to Columbia with my parents after we received that call.
• Speaker, to me, agriculture education is more important than ever before.
• And so, as many of you know, I'm a big proponent of agricultural education.
• They focus on reading to kids and advocating for reading and education.
• So, as many of you know, I'm a big proponent of agricultural education.

Keywords: 959, house, all

Summary: The House convened with prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, and approval of the previous day’s journal by roll call vote, 102-1. Members then used points of personal privilege and special guest introductions to recognize constituents, advocacy groups, students, school officials, physical therapy advocates, domestic violence service providers, and others. One member delivered an emotional statement about the arrest of the suspect in his sister’s 26-year-old murder case, thanking law enforcement and prosecutors involved in the cold-case investigation. The chamber then took up House Bills 2097 and 1905, a measure to expand an agriculture education pilot program into a statewide option for elementary schools. Supporters from both parties described it as a way to teach children where food comes from, connect agriculture with literacy and math, and encourage interest in farming and related careers. The House adopted the committee substitute and perfected and printed the bills. Members also considered House Bill 2167, which would codify and expand authority for Attorney General investigators and, through amendments, address House and Senate security officers and certain other state officers. Debate centered on whether the bill improperly broadened the original subject and whether it would give too much arrest power or create safety and constitutional concerns. One amendment to the amendment failed on a roll call, 62-68-1, but the House adopted the St. Charles amendment 61-43 and then perfected and printed HB 2167 as amended. Finally, the House took up House Committee Substitute for House Bills 2747 and 2047, a clean-slate/automatic expungement bill. Supporters said it would give people who have completed their sentences a second chance and improve access to jobs and stability; the sponsor also explained a related change limiting death-penalty sentencing in hung-jury cases so judges would not impose death in that circumstance. The House adopted an amendment requiring expungements to be shared with consumer reporting agencies, then adopted the committee substitute and perfected and printed the bill as amended. The House also announced upcoming events and then recessed until 2 p.m.

Transcript Highlights:

• I'd like to call the fifth meeting of the House Standing Committee on Primary and Secondary Education
• You know, I'll start off first and foremost, my wife's a teacher, but I'm not an educator.
• will develop its own education will develop its own guidelines<00:16:14.399><c> for</c><00:16:14.639
• The regulation changes by the Department of Education really caused grave concern among special education
• And parents. I'll agree with that too. Representative Rabourn. Representative Riley.

Committee: House Primary and Secondary Education

Keywords: Call to Order and Roll Call: 0:02 Bills for Consideration: 26RS HB 383: 1:03 26RS HB 469: 6:32 26RS HB 586: 14:46 26RS HB 621: 19:58 Adjournment: 28:32, 958, all

Transcript Highlights:

• , and they provide career pathways through our public education.
• And it's more education and awareness and referral. Okay, great.
• It relates to everything from education benefits associated with Hazelwood.
• Educate them on the benefits of being in politics, and it's quite an honor.
• These are kids whose parents are incarcerated, probation, and CASA kids.

Committee: House S/C on Defense & Veterans' Affairs

Keywords: 1184, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Dan Chisholm is with us, and I have the distinct pleasure of noting that he's an expert in civics education
• So he could run the tour here today because of his expertise in civic education.
• So we welcome Holy Name and one outstanding educational institution.
• At least 500 parents, siblings, spouses, and children of these fallen officers are living with their
• After retiring from GTE, Charlene's passion for the intersection of technology and education led her

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The Senate opened with the Pledge of Allegiance, adopted several congratulatory and commemorative resolutions, and welcomed sixth-grade students from Holy Name School in West Roxbury, along with guests and chaperones. The chamber then took up House No. 4100, a fiscal year 2025 supplemental appropriations bill, which was described as addressing a roughly $240 million shortfall in the Group Insurance Commission. Senator Tarr emphasized the urgency of funding the GIC while also urging lawmakers to examine the causes of the deficiency and consider longer-term cost controls. The Senate suspended the rules, ordered the bill to a third reading, passed it to be engrossed, and later received notice that the House had non-concurred in the Senate amendment and appointed a conference committee. The Senate then insisted on its amendment and appointed conferees. The chamber also passed Senate No. 2508, establishing a sick leave bank for Andrew Satera, an employee of the Trial Court. The Senate observed National Law Enforcement Memorial Day with remarks honoring fallen officers and a moment of silence, and later adopted a motion to adjourn in memory of Charlene Roberts Hayden, whose life and career in mathematics, software engineering, teaching, and public service were recognized. Finally, the Senate adopted the emergency preamble for H. 4100, passed the bill to be enacted, and adjourned to meet again the following Monday at 11 a.m.

Transcript Highlights:

• Christian Homeschoolers of Hawaii, or CHOH, which is a statewide organization started in 1988 after parents
• worked with the Board of Education to write Hawaii's homeschool law.
• They also serve as a liaison to the Department of Education.
• liaison to the they also serve as a liaison to the Department<00:18:03.600><c> of</c><00:18:03.760><c> Education
• </c><00:18:04.720><c> the</c> Department of Education the Department of Education the homeschoolers<00

Keywords: 910, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• It was my responsibility to educate the public.
• It was my responsibility to educate the public.
• They're not getting a proper education.
• They're not getting a proper education.
• We educated that board, and what do you know?

Committee: Joint Joint Committee on the Judiciary

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The hearing covered a wide range of Judiciary Committee bills, with much of the testimony focused on criminal justice, public safety, and civil asset forfeiture reform. Several lawmakers and advocates supported bills to increase penalties or create new offenses related to assaults on sports officials, assaults on transit workers, reckless discharge of firearms, fires and explosives, pill press machines, and drug-induced homicide. Testifiers described rising harassment and violence against youth sports officials and transit workers, as well as the fentanyl overdose crisis and the need for stronger tools to prosecute dealers whose conduct leads to death. Supporters of the sports-official and transit-worker bills emphasized declining referee availability and repeated assaults on commuter rail and MBTA workers. District attorneys also backed bills on reckless firearm discharge and fires/explosives, saying current law does not adequately address dangerous conduct that endangers bystanders. The committee also heard testimony on several proposals related to youth diversion and prison mitigation. Supporters of the youth court justice fund bill said youth courts are peer-led diversion programs with strong compliance and low recidivism, and argued for a stable funding source rather than annual earmarks. A representative from Bridgewater supported a prison mitigation fund for municipalities that host state prisons, saying the costs of public safety and emergency services are not fully covered. On gun policy, testimony split between supporters of a bill to ban in-state manufacture of assault-style rifles for civilian sale and opponents or skeptics of other firearm-related measures, including a bill on collateralizing firearms and a bill to increase penalties for drug trafficking combined with illegal firearm offenses. A major portion of the hearing was devoted to civil asset forfeiture reform. Advocates from the ACLU, CPCS, the Boston Bar Association, the Institute for Justice, and others supported bills to increase the burden of proof, improve transparency and reporting, require counsel, and limit or eliminate the current practice of directing forfeiture proceeds to law enforcement. They argued the current system creates perverse incentives, lacks adequate due process, and is insufficiently transparent. District Attorney Paul Tucker defended current forfeiture practices, saying his office has reporting and oversight, uses the funds for investigations and community programs, and warned that reducing forfeiture revenue would hinder crime fighting. No votes or final committee actions were taken during the hearing; the chairs repeatedly thanked witnesses and indicated the bills would remain under consideration.

Transcript Highlights:

• MEEA is out there telling every parent to come and vote for this and they get enough people... ...out
• Believe me, when we were educating about the general obligation bond, we heard people.
• Believe me, when we were educating about the general obligation bond, we heard people.
• Many of our parents are in that same boat. And so we've heard that from them.
• Many of our parents are in that same boat. And so we've heard that from them.

Committee: House Special Committee on Property Tax Reform

Keywords: 959, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Department of Education grew 23%.
• Department of Education grew 23%.
• Department of Education grew 23%.
• Department of Education grew 23%.
• Department of Education grew 23%.

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• On Workforce Education by Senator Simon. Good afternoon.
• My passion for education is deeply personal.
• So education is a topic very near and dear to me.
• I've also had a passion for education.
• I started off as an educator, educating our youth in our public school system.

Keywords: 999, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• :00.000><c> children</c> are families, parents, and children are families, parents, and children who<
• We have Carter's parents, Dan and Jamie Brenseth.
• It's in really good shape, and really importantly, thank you to Jamie's parents, Carter's parents, excuse
• for our Carter's you to Jamie's parents for our Carter's parents,<01:17:10.880><c> excuse</c><01:17:
• ><c> was</c><03:15:38.560><c> a</c> week in education, there was a week in education, there was a conversation

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• Either they've lost a parent, or their parent is disabled, or the child themselves are disabled. hours
• , very special group of children who have not only had their own difficulties in life by losing a parent
• </c><00:11:59.120><c> or</c> up homeless or without an education or up homeless or without an education
• or</c><00:12:14.959><c> being</c><00:12:15.279><c> disabled</c><00:12:16.399><c> but</c> losing a parent
• </c><01:05:12.240><c> the</c> and schools to care for and educate the and schools to care for and educate

Committee: House Finance

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:47:32.160><c> who</c> hopkington New Hampshire to parents who hopkington New Hampshire to parents
• </c><01:04:36.920><c> business</c> purposes of illness education business purposes of illness education
• resident parents federal tax forms<01:07:09.680><c> so</c><01:07:10.680><c> the</c><01:07:10.839><c>
• </c><01:23:03.159><c> uh</c> students but also their parents uh students but also their parents uh because
• But some of us might be estranged from our parents and not have access to our birth certificate.

Committee: House Election Law

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• As part of how we look at our education system, the traditional public education system, and I guess
• Hold the educators accountable to individualize the education system per kid.
• education systems, so we don't have as many students leaving the public education and using that tax
• I'm not against any form of education.
• I want to contribute to Idaho education. I do have a... I want to contribute to Idaho education.

Committee: Senate Education

Keywords: 989, all

Transcript Highlights:

• No survivors should be forced to co-parent with the person who raped them.
• No survivors should be forced to co-parent with the person who raped them.
• Each parent plays their own role that is complementary to the other.
• Years of study has proven the child to be better off with both their natural parents.
• By keeping the child with the parents, that question is already answered.

Summary: The Senate Judiciary Committee heard several bills focused on health care planning, mental health, housing, homeowners associations, groundwater enforcement, pet-friendly rental disclosures, and post-disaster property protections. SB 1088 would modernize POLST and DNR forms by renaming POLST to “portable orders for life-sustaining treatment,” allowing nurse practitioners and physician assistants to sign, clarifying that the forms are voluntary, recognizing out-of-state forms, and permitting electronic signatures. It drew support from the Coalition for Compassionate Care and related groups and no opposition was presented. SB 1242 would allow family members who originally petitioned in CARE Court to continue participating for care coordination and information-sharing, subject to judicial discretion; supporters said it would improve treatment coordination, while Disability Rights California opposed it as coercive and a threat to confidentiality. The committee voted 7-0 to pass SB 1242, and it was placed on call. The committee also considered SB 1007, which would require more HOA transparency, including clearer budget comparisons and disclosure of evidence for violations, and would lower the threshold for regular assessment increases without a homeowner vote. Supporters argued it would curb steep fee hikes and improve accountability, while HOA industry groups warned it could undermine funding for insurance, maintenance, and other operating costs. Members raised concerns about the cap on assessments, but the bill advanced on a 6-1 vote and was placed on call. SB 1364, as amended, would bar custody or visitation rights for a person who impregnated a survivor through sexual assault, using a clear-and-convincing evidence standard rather than requiring a criminal conviction; supporters said it protects survivors and may increase federal funding, while opponents argued it could deny children a relationship with a parent. The bill passed 8-0 and was placed on call. Additional measures included SB 997, which would give the North Fork Kings Groundwater Sustainability Agency lien authority to enforce fees and sustainability rules; it had support from local water, farm, and county representatives and passed 9-0. SB 1296 would require landlords to disclose pet policies up front in applications, ads, and websites and allow application-fee refunds if disclosure was not made before payment; supporters said it would reduce wasted fees and pet relinquishment, while rental housing groups raised concerns about signage, ADA language, and vaccination disclosures. The bill passed 8-0 and was placed on call. Finally, SB 1090 would prohibit large property owners from making unsolicited purchase offers for five years in wildfire disaster areas, aiming to curb post-disaster speculation; supporters described aggressive investor pressure after the Eaton and Palisades fires, while real estate and title groups raised implementation and enforcement concerns. The committee was still discussing the bill when the transcript ended.

Transcript Highlights:

• You know, the way to look at it, my parents live in an HOA, and they pay $100 a month to the HOA, and
• So do you think maybe going into the transparency area of a budget, where anybody with any education
• We're still in the education process. Everybody's got homework. We're discovering.
• The other one is higher education.
• Education is very important. Representative Griffiths talked about public safety.

Summary: The Select Committee on Property Taxes heard first from city representatives through the Florida League of Cities, who argued that property taxes are a stable local revenue source that funds core services such as police, fire, parks, public works, and stormwater work. Casey Cook emphasized that cities are optional governments with widely different tax bases and service levels, that exemptions shift the burden to fewer taxpayers, and that transparency already exists through TRIM notices, public budgets, and local hearings. Sarah Campbell of Fernandina Beach, T. Michael Stavris of Winter Haven, and Stephen O’Kee of Port St. Lucie described their budget processes, the share of general-fund revenue coming from property taxes, reserve policies, debt and capital planning, and the impact of inflation, minimum wage increases, and personnel costs. They all said local governments need predictable revenue and that any property tax changes would require careful consideration of replacement funding or service reductions. Members questioned the city panel about whether homebuyers are clearly informed about city versus county taxes and services, the role of HOAs, how many lobbyists cities employ, reserve levels, average salaries, and whether utility revenues are used only for utility purposes. The panel said TRIM notices, realtor listings, and city websites provide tax information; HOAs generally do not provide emergency services; lobbyists help local governments track Tallahassee legislation; reserves vary by city and fund; and utility revenues are generally restricted, though some cities use limited transfers. Members also asked about revenue replacement if ad valorem taxes were reduced or eliminated, and the panel said options would likely include user fees, service cuts, or other local revenue shifts. The chair also asked about public safety consolidation, and the response was that such decisions are local and may shift costs rather than create true savings. The committee then heard from county representatives after an overview by the Florida Association of Counties’ Davin Suggs, who framed counties as shared partners with the state and emphasized the gap between rising market values and the shrinking share of taxable value after exemptions and assessment limits. He said counties face a mismatch between revenue based on taxable value and expenses driven by real-world costs, and noted that most counties either held millage steady or lowered it without reaching rollback rates. He also highlighted that property taxes are only one part of county revenue, with charges for services and intergovernmental revenue often larger in some counties, and that public safety at the county level includes more than law enforcement, such as EMS, emergency management, inspections, and corrections. Deborah Manzo of Okeechobee County described a fiscally constrained rural county with limited staff, a county-supported airport, heavy reliance on property taxes for the general fund, and major cost pressures from inflation, insurance, retirement, and state and federal mandates. She said the county lowered millage slightly over recent years but still depends on multiple revenue sources and special assessments, and she flagged Medicaid, medical examiner costs, and possible firefighter workweek changes as significant concerns. Bay County Administrator Mark McQueen said his county’s budget is shaped by Hurricane Michael recovery, non-discretionary obligations, and rapid growth; he described ongoing FEMA reimbursement delays, substantial borrowing to cover disaster costs, and continuing interest expenses while the county waits for reimbursement. The county panel was still in progress when the transcript ended.

Transcript Highlights:

• As we continue our education process on the workings of the Committee on Health Care Finance, I'm hoping
• As we continue our education process on the functionings of the Committee on Health Care Finance, I'm
• Many people enjoy the journey as they try to become parents, rightfully so.
• of hope and dreams, hope for the future, and hope for the joy of nurturing a child and becoming a parent
• She welcomed our two children, along with us as the human parents, and she was an amazing dog.

Summary: The Senate opened with ceremonial items and several unanimous or voice votes, including adoption of a resolution congratulating Grant Marshall on earning Eagle Scout. It then enacted two bills: a sick leave bank for a Department of Correction employee and a measure directing the Boston Police Department to waive the maximum age requirement for a police officer applicant. The chamber also handled a communication from Senator Rush stating he would have voted yes on S. 3014 while on Navy training, and it printed that statement in the journal. The Senate next considered multiple local bills and committee reports, including third-reading and engrossment votes for a Rutland recall elections bill, a Boxford liquor license extension bill, and another Boston police age-waiver bill. It also adopted several extension orders for the Joint Committee on Public Safety and Homeland Security and the Committee on Health Care Financing, with senators explaining that some matters were late files or required additional stakeholder input, hearings, or coordination with larger bills. Most of these procedural motions were adopted by voice vote after brief debate. A major portion of the session focused on H. 2145, designating October 15 as Pregnancy and Infant Loss Awareness Day, which passed to be engrossed by roll call, 38-0. Senator Feeney gave an emotional floor speech describing the bill as a way to create space for awareness and support for families experiencing pregnancy loss. The Senate then adopted a resolution recognizing March 2026 as Endometriosis Awareness Month, with Senators Kennedy and others highlighting the need for greater awareness, diagnosis, and treatment of endometriosis. The chamber then took up the omnibus “Pets Act,” S. 3014, which combined several animal welfare measures. Senators Montigny, O’Connor, Todd, Rauch, and Payano spoke in support of provisions banning retail sales of dogs, cats, and rabbits from pet shops, strengthening animal cruelty enforcement, expanding protections for pets in housing, and prohibiting breed discrimination in certain housing and insurance contexts. Senator Keenan offered amendments on renter insurance, nuisance/quiet enjoyment, and property damage; one nuisance-related amendment was adopted, while the insurance and property-damage amendments were rejected. Senator Tarr’s amendment on research animals was adopted, as were amendments expanding animal welfare standards and, after negotiation, a compromise amendment broadening tethering protections to all domestic animals and directing related funds to the homeless animal fund. The Ways and Means amendment was then adopted as amended, the bill was ordered to a third reading, and the Senate began a roll-call vote on engrossment when the transcript ended.

Transcript Highlights:

• We now know of over 20 suicides associated with Kanakuk abuse alone, and I don't need to educate you
• And when he was asked, when Pete Newman was arrested, when he was 10 or 12 years old, and his parents
• I think I've seen you before, so I always appreciate your educated testimony.
• I think I've seen you before, so I always appreciate your educated. Test 20.
• I would have thought that their parents or their loved ones, when they were brought up, would instill

Committee: House Judiciary and Civil and Criminal Jurisprudence

Summary: The Judiciary Committee met in executive session and approved House Committee Substitute for House Bill 2765, which was amended to revise hemp beverage retailer delivery language, adjust retailer fees and renewals, require product registration, and remove residency requirements. The substitute was adopted and the bill was reported do pass by a 10-0 vote. The committee also voted House Bill 2848, relating to mass intimidation offenses, do pass by a 9-0 vote. In public hearing, the committee took testimony on House Joint Resolution 130, which would ask Missouri voters to authorize retrospective civil laws for child sexual abuse claims. The sponsor and survivor advocates argued the measure is needed to allow revival windows and address delayed disclosure, while opponents from the insurance, tort reform, and business communities warned it could expose third parties such as schools, churches, nonprofits, and employers to broad, open-ended liability and higher insurance costs. No vote was taken on the resolution. The committee also heard House Bill 2254, which would speed capital post-conviction review by requiring earlier appointment of counsel and aligning Missouri procedures with federal standards. Supporters, including victims’ family members and the Attorney General’s office, said it would reduce years of delay and bring closure, while opponents raised concerns about wrongful convictions, conflicts from simultaneous representation, and increased public defender workload. Finally, House Bill 2206 on catalytic converter theft was heard; the sponsor and law enforcement supported stronger recordkeeping and licensing rules, while scrap/recycling and press representatives objected to added paperwork and a separate provision affecting public notice for self-storage sales. The hearing on HB 2206 was interrupted by the floor schedule and not completed in the transcript.

Transcript Highlights:

• educated once is certainly still here.
• Let’s try to really think about how we can educate them while we’re educating them on the standards we
• Chair, and members of the Education Committee.
• Chair, and members of the Education Committee.
• an education bill.

Committee: House Elementary and Secondary Education

Summary: The committee met in executive session first and took up House Bill 3239, adopting a Hurlbert amendment that capped the program at $4 million and then adopting the House Committee Substitute. The substitute bill passed 11-7. The committee then combined House Bill 2913 and House Bill 3228 into one substitute; members discussed that it would not cover student teachers and was intended to start with the current scope and broaden later. The combined substitute passed unanimously, 19-0. In open session, the committee heard House Bill 2195, which would create a Missouri Integrated Safe Driving Program to let DESE vet and distribute safe-driving lesson materials for voluntary use in existing courses starting in 2027-2028. Sponsor Representative Reedy said the bill is intended to improve teen driver safety without a fiscal note. Supporters included AAA Missouri, traffic-safety and motorcycle groups, MoDOT, and the Missouri Insurance Coalition, who cited teen crash and fatality data, the benefits of formal driver education, and the need to address distracted driving, traffic stops, and motorcycle awareness. No one testified in opposition. The committee also heard House Bill 2502, which would clarify how records from closed nonpublic schools and charter schools are transferred and stored so students can later obtain transcripts and graduation records. The sponsor said the bill responds to missing records from closed schools and would direct records to the appropriate public district; a technical correction was noted to avoid including homeschool records. Missouri NEA supported the bill and suggested charter-school performance contracts include compliance expectations. The committee then heard House Bill 2396, which would allow retired teachers to return to PSRS-covered teaching jobs without a time limit, similar to existing critical-shortage provisions. The sponsor argued it would help districts, especially smaller ones, and could benefit teachers and students without harming the retirement system. PSRS/PEERS testified that the bill could raise contribution rates by an estimated 1.44% to 2.45% and raised concerns about behavior changes and IRS qualification issues; Missouri NEA and the Missouri State Teachers Association opposed the bill, saying it would not solve recruitment and retention problems and could damage the retirement system. The Missouri Retired Teachers Association testified for informational purposes, warning that the bill could prompt many eligible teachers to retire sooner.

Transcript Highlights:

• The Committee on Elementary and Secondary Education will now come to order.
• Driver’s education has been cut out of a lot of schools.
• Let's try to really think about how we can educate them while we're educating them on the standards we're
• It's something that we need to get some education on.
• Chair, and members of the Education Committee.

Committee: House Elementary and Secondary Education

Keywords: 959, house, all