Transcript Highlights:

• We acknowledge that every good gift comes from You and we can do nothing of value without You.

Bills: SB 3 , SB 16 , SB 2 , SB 5 , SB 10 , HB17 , SB 54 , SB 9 , SB 7 , SB 17 , SB 4 , HB8 , HB25 , HB26 , HB192 , HB8 , HB25 , HB26 , HB48 , HB149 , HB192 , HB254 , HB17 , SB54 , SB9 , SB7 , SB17 , SB4 , SB3 , SB16 , SB2 , SB5 , SB10

Keywords: flash flood, flood warning, outdoor warning siren, emergency alert, disaster preparedness, flood mitigation, Hill Country floods, Texas Water Development Board, municipalities, counties, local government mandate, public safety, grant program, backup power, weather siren, emergency management, flood-prone area, warning system, real property theft, real property fraud

Transcript Highlights:

• House Bill 251, Vehicle Laws, Transfer of Used Vehicles, Repeal of Notarized Bill of Sale Requirement
• House Bill 251, vehicle bill, please.
• used</c><00:58:55.320><c> vehicles,</c><00:58:55.960><c> repeal</c> laws, transfer of used vehicles,
• </c><01:05:37.800><c> speed</c> House Bill 256, motor vehicle speed House Bill 256, motor vehicle speed
• House Bill 1113, Vehicle Laws, Bus Obstruction Monitoring Systems, and Bus Stop Zones.

Keywords: House streaming session for Wednesday, March 18, 2026, 957, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• companion bills, which would raise a surcharge available to the town of Douglas from $1 to $5 for vehicles
• I were able to put into place the surcharge, which allows the town to collect one dollar on every vehicle
• for a high-capacity drone, which has been very valuable on missing person searches, and for ATV vehicles

Committee: Joint Joint Committee on Environment and Natural Resources

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The Joint Committee on Environment and Natural Resources opened its first hearing with introductory remarks, instructions on three-minute testimony limits, and notice that written testimony would be accepted. The committee then heard testimony on several local bills, beginning with H. 984, which would change water management for Silver Lake, Furnace Pond, Monponset Pond, and the Jones River system. Supporters said the 1964 water arrangement has harmed water levels, water quality, and habitat, and argued the bill would add needed environmental oversight without cutting Brockton off from water. Testimony emphasized impacts on alewife, freshwater mussels, drought conditions, and the need for more balanced management; no vote was taken during the hearing. The committee also heard H. 1069, a proposal to raise the parking surcharge at Douglas State Forest from $1 to $5 to help Douglas cover emergency response costs at the DCR park. Supporters said the town bears the burden for rescues, brush fires, and other incidents and has used the current surcharge for equipment like drones and ATVs. Another bill, H. 994, would let Orleans regulate fertilizer use locally; the town argued that nutrient pollution has worsened water quality in Cape Cod ponds and coastal waters, while opponents from the lawn care and landscape industries said Massachusetts already has a strong statewide nutrient-management system and warned against a patchwork of local rules. The committee also took testimony on H. 1073 concerning wastewater treatment and disposal options at Joint Base Cape Cod for the town of Sandwich. Supporters said the base could help meet Sandwich’s immediate and long-term wastewater needs and that the region has already invested in planning. In addition, Senator Driscoll testified in support of S. 575, to add transparency to the Blue Hills Reservation Trust Fund, and S. 574, to establish memorial markers honoring law enforcement officers killed in the line of duty. He also supported related park-naming legislation, including a bill to rename Farragut Park and dedicate athletic fields there. Finally, a marine trades representative supported a bill to expand pleasure boat access to Boston Harbor, arguing that boating supports the local economy and that boaters are strong environmental stewards. The hearing concluded after all registered testimony was heard, with no committee action reported.

Transcript Highlights:

• And so when they have to move Them they have to buy the vehicles, and they have to pay 160 a day to do
• I'd have to look At the vehicle cost and all that, but they're paying 80 a day for prisoners in the system
• Electric and hybrid vehicles, which are heavy, are not addressed in this bill Before increasing taxes

Committee: Senate Senate Finance

Keywords: 996, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Tab 1, 2, 3, 4, or 5: SB 680 by Senator Mayfield, electric vehicle charging taxation.
• SB 680 by Senator Mayfield: electric vehicle charging taxation. Thank you, Mr. Chairman.
• amendment creates a sales tax exemption for electricity sold to an owner or operator of an electric vehicle

Summary: The Committee on Regulated Industries met and reported several bills favorably. SB 530 on state lotteries was presented with two technical amendments and passed as amended. The bill revises Department of Lottery powers and duties, updates bid/proposal information requirements, adds definitions related to ball machines, and gives the department more flexibility to purchase rather than lease machines. SB 204 also passed favorably; it increases penalties for illegal slot machine operations to a third-degree felony and creates a process for veteran service organizations to seek binding declaratory statements from the Gaming Commission about whether a machine is lawful. Testimony on SB 204 included support from Florida Gaming and soft opposition from a veteran organization that wanted clearer language and more cooperation on electronic bingo-type games. The committee then took up a combined proposed committee substitute merging SB 658 and SB 608 on water safety requirements for rental and residential properties. The merged bill requires certain rental properties near water bodies or with swimming pools to have specified safety devices, such as exit alarms, self-closing/self-latching locks, pool fences, pool covers, or pool alarms, and allows DBPR enforcement for vacation rentals. Supporters emphasized the bill’s goal of preventing child drownings, citing Florida’s high number of fatal drownings and the disproportionate impact on young children and children with autism. The combined bill was reported favorably. SB 980 on nicotine dispensing devices was amended with a delete-all amendment creating the Florida Agegate Act. The substitute bill restricts advertising, promotion, and display of non-FDA-approved nicotine devices in retail settings accessible to those under 21, sets escalating penalties, directs fine revenue to enforcement and youth prevention, and authorizes inspections and warrantless searches tied to retail permits. Members discussed whether the bill would effectively curb illegal and counterfeit products and how enforcement would work; the sponsor said the measure is intended to reduce youth access in light of limited enforcement resources. The bill passed favorably. SB 1708 on veterinary licensure by endorsement also passed, removing a three-year out-of-state practice requirement for licensed veterinarians while keeping other qualifications intact to help address veterinary shortages. Finally, SB 680 on electric vehicle charging taxation passed with a strike-all amendment creating a sales tax exemption for electricity sold to EV charging station operators and transferred to consumers, provided it is separately metered and properly documented. The committee adjourned after noting additional support forms and inviting members to a later K-12 speech and debate bill presentation.

Transcript Highlights:

• Of course, we have inflation costs on vehicles.
• increase is driven by factors such as salaries, insurance, premiums, and the cost of fish feed and vehicles
• The high water rescue vehicles and the swift water training that's required for our soldiers and airmen

Transcript Highlights:

• problems with speeding, and this bill has been put together to put additional penalties for driving a vehicle
• in excess of 100 Mil driving a vehicle in excess of 100 Mil an<00:06:01.000><c> hour</c><00:06:01.840
• So back in 2015, there were over 5,000 motor vehicle stops that were conducted; only 23 of them were
• stops that were conducted only vehicle stops that were conducted only 23<00:09:20.839><c> of</c><00:
• </c><00:10:09.360><c> in</c> penalties for driving a motor vehicle in penalties for driving a motor vehicle

Committee: Senate Judiciary

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• law; and if the work, taken as a whole, lacks serious literary, artistic, political, or scientific value
• law, and if the work taken as a whole lacks serious, literary, artistic, political, or scientific value
• So some values in...” “It has on our students and our young people.
• So some values in, and honestly I appreciated the invitation to address you all this morning.
• It may undermine its value in the first place, but then sort of so be it.

Summary: The committee met at Minot State to continue its study of artificial intelligence, with a focus on child safety, sexual exploitation, chatbot risks, and education policy. Members first approved the minutes and then received a Legislative Council overview of AI-related harms to children, including AI-generated child sexual abuse material, deepfakes, extortion, and chatbot companion risks. The memo reviewed North Dakota and federal law, recent state enactments, First Amendment limits, and examples from other states, including Connecticut’s AI companion safeguards and federal efforts such as the Take It Down Act. Members discussed whether North Dakota’s existing 2025 laws on minors and harmful material are strong enough in light of recent court decisions, and Legislative Council indicated it would provide additional comparison material before the next meeting. Superintendent Levi Bachmeier then presented on AI in education, arguing that schools need guardrails but should not ban AI outright. He said AI should be treated as a tool that can support instruction, teacher efficiency, and digital literacy, while warning against passive use, academic integrity problems, and overreliance on machines. He suggested embedding AI and digital literacy across subjects rather than creating a standalone class, and said schools should provide basic instruction when students receive one-to-one devices. Members asked about parent concerns, local control, higher education partnerships, and how to balance access with safety; Bachmeier emphasized a “threading the needle” approach and said the department would likely seek more guidance on digital literacy and cybersecurity. Special Agent Hellseth of BCI followed with testimony on AI and child exploitation. He said AI is already being used in North Dakota to create explicit images from innocent photos, impersonate children and adults, and facilitate grooming, harassment, and extortion. He described several cases involving AI-generated sexual images and said victims often suffer lasting trauma even when the images are fake. Hellseth explained that investigators use AI tools themselves to process large volumes of data and identify synthetic images, but that the workload is growing and victim services need expansion. He urged stronger accountability for companies, more resources for law enforcement and victim support, and continued training and public education. Members asked about cyber tip volume, staffing, false accusations, and corporate reporting obligations; Hellseth said every tip is reviewed, the unit is small but expanding, and current federal reporting laws are not proactive enough. Representative Porter suggested combining the Legislative Council memo and Bachmeier’s recommendations into a comprehensive bill draft for the next meeting.

Transcript Highlights:

• The House bill relative to veterans specialty license plates on leased vehicles, House No. 3674.
• An act relative to veterans specialty license plates on leased vehicles, House No. 3674.

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The House opened with the Pledge of Allegiance and then acted on several committee reports and procedural matters. The Committee on Rules recommended adoption of resolutions congratulating People Incorporated on its new early education center, honoring Eagle Scout Logan Collins, and recognizing the Bellingham Lions Club’s 75th anniversary; the House suspended the rules and adopted them. The House also adopted an order extending until November 7, 2025, the reporting deadline for the Committee on Public Health on House Order No. 4586, and concurred with a Senate referral of a petition concerning the MBTA assessment to the Committee on Transportation. In addition, Joint Rule 12 was suspended for a petition on off-premises retail alcohol licenses near other such licenses, allowing referral to the Committee on Consumer Protection and Professional Licensure. The House then took up a slate of bills scheduled by the Committee on Steering, Policy and Scheduling, including measures on youth skin health, employment protections for victims of abusive behavior, veterans specialty license plates on leased vehicles, and a simplified procedure for subdivision roads in Marlborough. After suspending Rule 7A, the House ordered these bills to a third reading, and later did the same for House No. 2998, authorizing Thomas Harmon to purchase creditable service from the Barnstable County Retirement Board. The House also passed to be enacted Senate 2566, regulating the Gloucester Fisheries Commission, and House 4273, authorizing Maynard to grant an additional off-premises alcohol license. On third reading, the House passed several bills to be engrossed, including measures on parking enforcement in Cambridge, the Fairhaven charter, additional alcohol licenses in Palmer, and converting a Milford wine and malt beverage license to an all-alcoholic-beverages off-premises license. The House adopted a Senate order changing the recess date for a joint session to October 9, 2025, and observed a moment of silence in memory of Paul Holloway, a firefighter and educator. Finally, the House adopted an order to adjourn to meet the following Wednesday at 11 a.m., and then adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• and being stopped by a masked man with a gun, no uniform or visible identification, in an unmarked vehicle
• adult and being stopped by a mass man with a gun, no uniform or visible identification, unmarked vehicle

Committee: Senate State Affairs

Keywords: 989, all

Transcript Highlights:

• we're not only keeping the motorists safe, they're on these e-bikes, but the pedestrians and other vehicles
• And the prevalence of these types of vehicles is skyrocketing, right?

Summary: The Transportation and Economic Development Budget Subcommittee met with a quorum and heard two member bills. The first, CS for HB 243 on electric bicycles, was presented as a safety and data-collection measure prompted by fatalities and serious injuries involving e-bikes and similar devices. The sponsor said the bill would create a task force, require law enforcement crash data collection, and focus on education and enforcement rather than licensing changes. Testimony in support came from law enforcement, AARP, and local officials, who said statewide data is inconsistent and current classifications do not reflect the speed and use of newer devices. Members discussed the need for better reporting and bike safety, and the bill passed favorably by roll call vote. The committee then took up CS for HB 679, which would modernize Florida’s trademark registration system by aligning it more closely with federal standards, requiring clearer identification of goods and services, proof of use in commerce, and allowing streamlined online filing and renewal. The only public testimony was a supportive appearance from the Florida Bar’s business law section. There were no questions or debate, and the bill also passed favorably by roll call vote. The meeting then adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• I respect you, I value you, and I know myself and my colleagues, Mr. Chair, is going hard. Dr.
• There were certain assets that were excluded, not counted, so a home, a single vehicle.
• It's not a reflection on the value of it. The training was very well received.
• It's not a reflection on the value of it. The training was very well received.
• California says it values care, but the value is very clearly missing from the proposed budget, excuse

Summary: The hearing began with opening remarks on the Governor’s May Revision for child care and human services, with committee members and advocates stressing that the budget should not be balanced on the backs of low-income families, children, and providers. Legislative members and public witnesses strongly opposed the proposed suspension of the child care COLA, reductions to the Emergency Child Care Bridge Program, and the lack of codified rate reform tied to the alternative methodology. Several speakers also urged more support for providers affected by the Eaton fire and other disasters, and called for child care to be funded at the true cost of care and for additional slots to be restored. Administration, LAO, and Department of Education staff described the child care proposal as maintaining existing funding levels while adding administrative resources to prepare for federally required prospective payment changes and single-rate reform. The administration said the May Revision would suspend the 2025–26 COLA and reduce Bridge Program funding to align with utilization, while the LAO raised questions about the size and purpose of the proposed rate-reform and prospective-payment funding and recommended rejecting a Department of Technology exemption. CDE supported continued early education investments but said it would need additional resources if prospective pay were extended to state preschool, and it objected to a proposed reallocation of preschool funds for inclusive education grants. The committee then moved to the IHSS portion of the May Revision. DSS outlined five major proposals: capping provider work hours at 50 per week, eliminating IHSS for undocumented adults age 19 and older, shifting certain Community First Choice reassessment penalties to counties, reinstating the Medi-Cal asset test as a conforming IHSS reduction, and automating the termination of IHSS when Medi-Cal eligibility ends. DSS also discussed funding to implement a federal HCBS access rule and a separate reassessment of IHSS administrative methodology that found counties would need additional administrative funding. Finance said the proposals were intended to slow program growth and improve sustainability, while the LAO said it was still analyzing the package and raised concerns about implementation, county workload, and the potential loss of services. Committee members and public commenters criticized the IHSS cuts, especially the overtime cap and the elimination of services for undocumented adults and people affected by the asset test. Advocates argued that IHSS workers and recipients depend on these services, that county administration is already underfunded, and that the proposals could destabilize vulnerable consumers. The chair closed by saying the committee would continue to fight for child care and would not pause on child care, and the meeting recessed before moving on to the remaining May Revision items.

Transcript Highlights:

• identification number verification on a vehicle.
• </c><01:25:40.560><c> identification</c> any vehicle identification any vehicle identification number
• </c> number verification on a vehicle. number verification on a vehicle.
• :07.120><c> provide</c> Bill 2848, motor vehicles provide Bill 2848, motor vehicles provide notices,<
• </c> documents to their state motor vehicles documents to their state motor vehicles division<03:01:00.880

Keywords: MS Senate Floor - 31 March, 2026; 10:00 AM, 925, all

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> complicating pedestrian bike vehicle complicating pedestrian bike vehicle flow<00:08:47.240><c>
• It's a very congested intersection, with 25,000 to 30,000 vehicles per day, which is the same volume
• Hornsby Street is an important major collector street that carries 2,200 vehicles daily and connects
• These features create public safety risks for both non-motorized and vehicle users.
• 30,000-plus vehicles that pass by on a daily basis on Highway 65.

Committee: Senate Transportation

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Stephen George Zaros for legislation to establish penalties for reckless or negligent operation of a vehicle
• and hindering the movement of other vehicles to the Committee on the Judiciary; and the petition of

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The House opened with the Pledge of Allegiance and then took up several committee reports and procedural motions. It adopted congratulatory resolutions for Fire Chief Michael Sullivan of Wakefield and Joan Smith of Abington, and approved an extension until December 7, 2025 for the Committee on Public Health to report on current House documents. The House also concurred with a Senate referral of a petition on assisted living billing practices to the Committee on Housing, and suspended Joint Rule 12 to send two additional petitions to committee: one on penalties for reckless or negligent vehicle operation and another designating May 2 as Veterinary Youth Day. The Committee on Steering, Policy and Scheduling recommended six House bills for consideration, and the House suspended Rule 7A to take them up on second reading. Those bills concerned the Great Barrington Fire District, a technical change to the George L. Dairy Inland Fisheries and Game Fund, teacher strikes, an Arlington town manager act amendment, payment of an unpaid bill by the town of Ludlow, and additional liquor licenses for Scituate. The House ordered all six bills to a third reading. The chamber also observed silent tributes to Anthony Dugnan of Hamilton and Boston police Detective Bruce Higgins. On third reading, the House passed to be engrossed Senate Bill 23 on alternate members for the Swampscott Conservation Commission, House Bill 2879 on continued employment of a Lancaster firefighter, House Bill 3977 on alternate members for the Beckett Conservation Commission, and House Bill 4529 designating the Wider Park tennis courts as the Kim O'Connell tennis courts. The House then adopted an order to adjourn to meet the following Monday at 11 a.m. in informal session and adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• and being stopped by a masked man with a gun, no uniform or visible identification, and an unmarked vehicle
• adult and being stopped by a mass man with a gun, no uniform or visible identification, unmarked vehicle

Committee: Senate State Affairs

Summary: The Senate State Affairs Committee met on a Friday and first approved minutes from January 21, January 23, and January 26, 2026. The committee then considered several Senate resolutions for printing. RS 33059, a bipartisan resolution condemning political violence and affirming that criticism of government is appropriate but violence has no place in politics, was introduced by Senator Ruttee and Senator Taves and sent to print after supportive comments from committee members. The committee also heard RS 33130 from Senator Harris, which would require state and local governments and certain contractors with more than 150 employees and contracts over $100,000 to use E-Verify to verify employee work eligibility. The proposal included compliance steps and possible contract loss for continued violations, and it was sent to print. Finally, Senator Ward Engelking presented RS 33020, a proposal restricting facial coverings in certain public-law-enforcement contexts, with numerous exceptions for medical, safety, undercover, SWAT, and similar situations. She said the measure was intended to address public safety concerns and requested a hearing; after a brief question about law-enforcement input, the committee voted to send it to print. The meeting ended after the final minutes were approved and no further business was raised.

Transcript Highlights:

• That data can be sold to a data broker and track the location of your vehicle anywhere in America and
• <00:05:34.080><c> location</c><00:05:34.400><c> of</c><00:05:34.560><c> your</c><00:05:34.800><c> vehicle
• </c><00:05:35.120><c> anywhere</c><00:05:35.360><c> in</c> the location of your vehicle anywhere in the
• location of your vehicle anywhere in America<00:05:35.840><c> and</c><00:05:36.080><c> create</c><00
• They track the vehicles for purposes. How are they affected by this bill?

Committee: Senate Transportation

Keywords: 958, all

Transcript Highlights:

• So even if you take it off of the driver's test and they're still driving the vehicle and they have an
• So even if you take it off of the driver's test and they're still driving the vehicle and they have an
• 00:25:00.480><c> still</c><00:25:00.880><c> driving</c><00:25:01.760><c> the</c><00:25:02.159><c> vehicle
• </c> and they're still driving the vehicle and they're still driving the vehicle and<00:25:02.799><c>
• The vehicle is set up in standard U.S. fashion, the driver's license test, the road signs, all that,

Bills: HB274 , HB287 , HB301 , HB157 , HB254 , HB88 , HB274 , HB287 , HB301 , HB157 , HB254 , HB88

Committee: House Public Safety and Homeland Security

Keywords: Crenshaw County, county board of education, school board, board of education, term limits, term length, elected officials, local constitutional amendment, Alabama Constitution, education governance, local legislation, November 2026 election, ballot measure, constitutional amendment, school board elections, law enforcement, transparency, reporting, public safety, regulation

Transcript Highlights:

• If that retired judge happens to sit on the used motor vehicle commission, Right now they can’t.
• They can’t come—well, that used motor vehicle commission judge that sits on that board as a volunteer
• Now, if there was a case that would come up that had to deal with used vehicles, if a case came up that
• had to deal with used vehicles and they’re sitting there overseeing themselves as an ad hoc judge, and
• then they also sit on the used motor vehicle commission, they wouldn’t be able to sit over the case.

Bills: HB177 , HB210 , HB238 , HB258 , HB307 , HB359 , HB398 , HB661 , HB705 , HB752 , HB858

Committee: House House and Governmental Affairs

Keywords: court reporter, official court reporter, courts, judicial system, ethics, post-employment restrictions, cooling-off period, two-year waiting period, rehiring, reemployment, contractual services, former public employee, public employer, Louisiana ethics law, R.S. 42:1121, Act 532, lobbying, public service, statewide officials, compensation

Transcript Highlights:

• And you look at the insurance costs across for the vehicles, the injuries that were incurred.
• And it says that a person who drives a vehicle at a speed greater than 20 miles per hour over the posted
• And you look at the insurance costs across for the vehicles, the injuries that were incurred.
• And it's or who drives a vehicle at a speed greater than 20 months. and it's or who drives a vehicle
• Ladies and gentlemen of the body, this bill is designed to help with the transfer of new vehicles.

Keywords: 989, all