Transcript Highlights:

• minutes from the meeting in the House Committee on Agriculture, Forestry, Aquaculture, and Rural Development
• And we developed, via Dr.
• And so it was developing nutrition guides based on the individual person.
• And so it was developing nutrition. digestive tract, their gut, they're all different.
• And so it was developing nutrition guys based on the individual person.

Committee: House Agriculture, Forestry, Aquaculture, and Rural Development

Summary: The House Committee on Agriculture, Forestry, Aquaculture, and Rural Development met with a quorum, adopted the minutes from its October 3, 2024 meeting, and Chairwoman Butler noted that HCR 82 would be voluntarily deferred in favor of continuing work on HCR 77 related to a pilot program for landscaping and crawfishing. The committee then considered HCR 205, which urges the USDA to use its Commodity Procurement Program to purchase domestic Louisiana shrimp. Representative Kerner and Commissioner Mike Strain described the shrimp industry’s low prices, full cold storage, and the need for urgent federal action to support shrimpers and move product into schools, nursing homes, and food banks. Members discussed domestic sourcing rules, enforcement against imported seafood, and marketing challenges; HCR 205 was reported favorably without objection. The committee also took up HCR 188, which memorializes Congress to oppose any federal farm bill provision that could negatively affect the use of hunting dogs. Chairwoman Butler and Commissioner Strain explained that the concern centered on vague language in a farm bill section that could be interpreted to restrict hunting dogs used for tracking or field trials. Members agreed the language should be removed if it remained in the bill, and HCR 188 was reported favorably without objection. The committee then heard a presentation from Orlando McMeans of the Southern University Ag Center and College of Agriculture, along with Dr. Calvin Walker. They outlined the center’s research, extension, and academic programs, including enrollment growth, dual-enrollment efforts, 1890 scholars, JAG Stars scholarships, beef cattle and aquaculture research, viticulture, precision nutrition, and food access initiatives. They also described major facility projects, including a high-tech meat processing facility, research labs, a vineyard, and a proposed disaster-safe shelter. Members asked about butcher training, cattle genetics, and the shelter’s potential uses, and the committee adjourned after the presentation.

Transcript Highlights:

• The city first developed the downtown tax in 1986 to fund varied development, construction, and maintenance
• The city first developed the downtown tax in 1986 to fund varied development, construction, and maintenance
• I am the director of the development finance team in the finance department at the city of Minneapolis
• </c> I am the director of the development I am the director of the development finance<00:03:36.440><
• development construction maintenance improvement<00:04:08.560><c> and</c><00:04:08.760><c> promotion

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• It also standardizes regulations, reducing the complexity and cost for homeowners and developers who
• Infrastructure needs, or do they need to be worried about liability that they’ll face with a developer
• By allowing property owners additional flexibility to develop smaller housing options such as ADUs, the
• My name is Jonathan Wardle, and I am the president of Brighton Development and Brighton Homes.
• Brighton is an Idaho-based community developer and home builder.

Committee: Senate Local Government and Taxation

Keywords: 989, all

Transcript Highlights:

• They develop a formulary for certain drugs on the list or not, and if you are on a medication that is
• in 1996 as far as the supplier development diversity.
• IN 1996 AS&nbsp; FAR AS THE SUPPLIER DEVELOPMENT DIVERSITY.
• It was supposed to be developed. We keep putting it off for some reason.
• &nbsp; 507 IT WAS SUPPOSED TO BE DEVELOPED. WE KEEP PUTTING OFF FOR SOME REASON.

Summary: The State Administration Budget Subcommittee met to consider four conforming committee bills tied to the proposed 2026-27 House General Appropriations Act. Rep. Maggard presented PCB SAB 26-04, the annual retirement bill, which updates Florida Retirement System contribution rates based on the annual actuarial study and was said to produce a $31.7 million state savings. He also presented PCB SAB 26-02, which addresses collective bargaining impasses for state employees by tying resolution to spending decisions in the appropriations act or implementing legislation. Both bills drew brief questions, mainly from Rep. Gantt, and both passed favorably on roll call. Rep. Miller presented PCB SAB 26-03, which reorganizes state audit functions and creates the Florida Accountability Office, consolidating legislative audit work into four divisions and adding whistleblower protections and reporting requirements. Rep. Gantt asked whether the bill changed the use of outside auditors and whether it had a fiscal impact; Miller said the work would be absorbed within existing resources and that the Legislature would retain responsibility. A taxpayer witness supported the bill and urged stronger local-government audit standards and broader whistleblower coverage. The bill passed favorably. Rep. Abbott presented PCB SAB 26-01, a broader appropriations conforming bill focused on the State Employee Health Insurance Trust Fund, prescription drug formulary changes, a health insurance assessment on agencies and vacant positions, the $3 traffic violation surcharge for the State Law Enforcement Radio System, Capitol complex space management, and changes to the Office of Supplier Diversity. Much of the discussion centered on whether a closed formulary would make medications harder to obtain, with Abbott saying prior authorization would still allow access and that the change was needed to control costs and protect the trust fund. Rep. Gantt and Rep. Robinson raised concerns about employee health benefits and the repeal of supplier diversity provisions, arguing the committee lacked data on the impact to minority- and women-owned businesses; Abbott said the changes would still allow small businesses to compete and that the bill was intended to save money and modernize procurement. PCB SAB 26-01 also passed favorably, and the meeting adjourned after all agenda items were reported out.

Transcript Highlights:

• This development pattern is not unique to Snohomish County.
• This development pattern is not unique to Snohomish County.
• And so you see a lot of these collaborative efforts that have developed that are trying to figure out
• And so you see a lot of these collaborative that have developed that are trying to figure out how to
• reduce risks to farms, Thank you. that have developed that are trying to figure out how to reduce risks

Committee: House Agriculture & Natural Resources

Keywords: 904, all

Transcript Highlights:

• ability to retain that land, retain their culture and their heritage without having to sell to a developer
• And therefore, a lot of farms in Pennsylvania were sold for development because the landowners couldn't
• Thank you. ...to a developer and selling the water rights, et cetera. Thank you.
• And so this removes much of the pressure for forcing sale of properties and development of properties
• I think I generally like the idea because I do think it could be its own kind of economic development

Summary: The committee first heard HB 186, which would update New Mexico’s Land Conservation Incentives Act by increasing the conservation tax credit cap from $250,000 to $2 million, raising the credit percentage, and making the credit refundable. The sponsor and conservation groups said the bill is intended to help land-rich, cash-poor landowners preserve working farms, ranches, watersheds, habitat, and cultural resources, while also leveraging federal conservation dollars and supporting rural economies. Supporters from land trusts, Realtors, conservation organizations, and local landowners testified that current caps are too low to make easements feasible for smaller properties and that the bill would reduce pressure to sell to developers. Some members raised concerns about fiscal impact, whether refundable credits should be limited, and whether wealthy landowners could benefit; the sponsor said the bill is aimed at smaller landowners and that the fiscal estimates may be overstated. The committee voted 6-3 to do pass HB 186. The committee then considered HB 92, which would phase out the state income tax on Social Security benefits over eight years. The sponsor argued that Social Security income should not be taxed and said the phase-out would help seniors, attract retirees, and support the economy. An amendment was adopted to strike language related to a prior date. Opposition testimony focused on fairness and revenue concerns, with one witness arguing the bill would mainly benefit higher-income filers and reduce funds for schools, infrastructure, and housing. Several members questioned the fiscal impact, the income thresholds, and whether the bill was ready without more data; the sponsor said the phase-out was designed to avoid a cliff effect and that the current estimates were uncertain. The committee then voted 5-3 to table HB 92. Finally, the committee heard HJM 1, a memorial supporting stronger relations between Taiwan and New Mexico and the United States in trade, technology, education, and official exchanges. The sponsor and a representative from Taiwan’s economic office described the long-standing sister-state relationship and said the memorial would reinforce goodwill and people-to-people ties. Members spoke in support of the relationship, with one noting Taiwan’s importance in technology and chip manufacturing. One member questioned tariffs and the need for the memorial but still acknowledged the strong bilateral relationship. The committee approved HJM 1 on an 8-1 do pass vote.

Transcript Highlights:

• So SOPIPA already expressly allows for the use of student data for purposes of product development for
• precisely this reason, so that educational tools can be developed and improved to better support student
• While education companies don't need to know a user's personal information to develop a good product,
• the foundation of modern AI systems, and without the ability to use relevant safeguarded data, developers
• When developers cannot clearly determine what is allowed, they pull back.

Committee: House Privacy and Consumer Protection

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• The mission from the council the last couple of years has been to develop good legislation with regard
• Development of energy production and transmission, uh, including technologies in use of AI to detect
• Um, on economic development, I have, uh, how we, we are leveraging, um, energy policies to attract those
• Um, next into, um, uh, how we're supporting policies that incentivize the development and deployments
• and how to manage that, and I, LFC staff and I and uh sat down last year with the IT developers for

Committee: House Science, Technology & Telecommunications Committee

Transcript Highlights:

• Fort Worth has entered into development agreements with those large estates. invested over $250 million
• I might have stranded sections within an existing development in a city that could remove, or within
• an ETJ that could remove themselves from that development.
• But the active development agreement section is specific to Fort Worth only.
• This is the result of many veterans that served in the Middle East and Afghanistan developing several

Bills: HB103

Committee: Senate Local Government

Keywords: 1185, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• We are a mission-based Community Development Financial Institution headquartered in Fresno, and I also
• Access Plus Capital has developed over 2,000 loans totaling $65 million.
• The Community Reinvestment Fund, this bond bill will drive targeted investments into small development
• We're a CDFI, a community development financial institution, in support of AB 801.
• Litigation financing is the most significant development in modern civil litigation.

Summary: The Assembly Banking and Finance Committee met to hear several bills, beginning with a consent calendar that included AB 665 and AB 866, both adopted on a do pass basis and referred to Appropriations. The committee then took up AB 801, which would create a California Community Reinvestment Act to require covered financial institutions, including state-chartered banks, credit unions, residential mortgage lenders, and money transmitters, to meet the financial needs of low- and moderate-income communities and communities of color. The author and supporters argued the bill would close gaps left by the federal CRA, address redlining and discriminatory lending, and expand investment in housing, small business, and community development. Support came from community groups, CDFIs, labor, and housing advocates, while opposition from mortgage bankers and credit unions argued the bill would impose costly new reporting and regulatory burdens, especially on institutions they said already serve underserved borrowers well. Committee members discussed the scope of the bill, the experience of other states with state CRA laws, and possible carve-outs or tiered treatment for smaller credit unions. AB 801 was passed as amended and referred to Appropriations, with the roll left open and later completed; one member voted no and others were not voting or voted aye as the roll was finalized. The committee also heard AB 743, which would require licensing and surety bonds for commercial lawsuit financing and bring those transactions under DFPI oversight. The author said the bill was aimed at a largely unregulated, multi-billion-dollar industry and was intended to increase transparency and address concerns about foreign interests, fraud, and abusive litigation funding practices, while not affecting consumer legal funding. Supporters, including Unified Patents, the Civil Justice Association of California, the California Chamber of Commerce, the California Trucking Association, and the American Property Casualty Insurance Association, said the bill was an important first step toward disclosure and regulation. There was no opposition testimony. AB 743 passed unanimously as amended and was referred to Appropriations, with the roll held open briefly for absent members before the committee adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• If you're a potential developer and you want to develop energy to meet all of our very, very rigorous
• If you're a potential developer and you want to develop energy to meet all of our very, very rigorous
• If you're a potential developer and you want to develop energy to meet all of our very, very rigorous
• If you're a potential developer and you want to develop energy to meet all of our very, very rigorous
• </c><01:09:04.279><c> in</c> the amendment the A4 developed in the amendment the A4 developed in collaboration

Committee: Senate Energy, Utilities, Environment, and Climate

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:17:29.760><c> Finance</c> to lead Arkansas's Development Finance to lead Arkansas's Development
• </c> speaker with the community development speaker with the community development uh<03:53:17.760><c
• </c> housing and accelerating development housing and accelerating development while<03:54:44.880><c>
• </c> accelerating that development. accelerating that development.
• </c> development. And I can tell you, Mr. development. And I can tell you, Mr.

Keywords: U.S. House of Representatives Floor Proceedings on Monday, February 9, 2026, 1012, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><01:44:32.080><c> of</c> cost effective development of cost effective development of distributed<
• </c><01:54:33.000><c> competitive</c> been trying to develop competitive been trying to develop competitive
• development development strategies<04:29:13.080><c> and</c><04:29:13.279><c> threaten</c><04:29:13.680
• </c><04:49:38.480><c> of</c> hcr2 declaring the development of hcr2 declaring the development of advanced
• </c> right now that are trying to develop right now that are trying to develop small<05:00:13.440><c>

Committee: House Science, Technology and Energy

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• It can affect brain development, worsen mental health issues, create risks for developing chronic diseases
• ><c> health</c> development, worsen mental health development, worsen mental health issues,<00:04:42.960
• , create risks for developing issues, create risks for developing chronic<00:04:44.720><c> diseases,<
• <00:08:14.960><c> and</c><00:08:15.280><c> Intellectual</c> Development and Intellectual Development
• ><c> most</c><00:37:25.440><c> recent</c> looked to develop our most recent looked to develop our most

Keywords: 958, all

Summary: The task force opened with a moment of silence for the Louisville UPS plane tragedy, approved the October 15 minutes, and reminded members to submit policy recommendations before the December 16 meeting, when the group will discuss its report to LRC. The first informational presentation, from the Department for Public Health, focused on youth vaping. Elizabeth Good and Julie Brooks cited a recent Surgeon General report warning that youth vaping can harm brain development, mental health, lungs, asthma, and hormones, and noted Kentucky survey data showing 8.7% of students reported daily vaping and 19.7% used vaping products in the prior 30 days. They described prevention and cessation resources including Catch My Breath, I Can End the Trend, Not on Tobacco, My Life, My Quit, Quitline services, and the Kentucky TRUST retailer education program, which trained 3,371 individuals in 2024 and distributed 253 Tobacco 21 toolkits. The next presentation came from Kentucky ABC on implementation of SB 100, which created the division of tobacco, nicotine, and vapor product licensing. Commissioner Scotty Tracy and Jamar Carter said all retailers selling tobacco, nicotine, or vapor products must be licensed, regulations were filed October 31, 2025, and the online application portal is live. In response to questions about sales to minors, they said violations carry escalating fines for clerks and owners, with a fourth violation resulting in no license renewal for two years and unpaid fines also blocking renewal. They said complaints can be submitted through the portal, by phone, or on the ABC website, and enforcement investigates tips and may use underage compliance checks. The committee then heard from Kim McKenna Johnson of One Cross Community Health, who argued for a “deficiency-first” and holistic approach to care centered on nutrition, lifestyle, and targeted supplementation. She said her clinic serves more than 7,000 patients in Taylor and Marion counties and described a model that includes primary care, behavioral health, functional medicine, addiction recovery, and chronic care. She cited Kentucky health rankings, claimed nutritional deficiencies cost the state billions, and said many children are overprescribed while undernourished. She urged broader insurance coverage for nutritional testing and supplements, rural demonstration grants, and Medicaid pilots for clinically prescribed supplements. Members asked about testing costs, dietitian support, long-term cost savings, compliance, and whether medications are often used to prevent damage from noncompliance; the presenter said the lab tests are generally covered, supplements are the main cost barrier, and seeing lab results can improve family buy-in. No votes were taken during the meeting.

Transcript Highlights:

• As a former renewable energy developer, I know financial planning is a great challenge.
• We must continue to develop in-state.
• However, as this new era begins, developers face a real risk of over-assessment.
• It brings property tax consistency to all 58 counties, and it gives developers the certainty they need
• Developers need the certainty they need to continue building the power which California needs for grid

Summary: The Assembly Revenue and Taxation Committee held a final hearing on a series of Senate bills, with the chair explaining the committee’s suspense-file process and then taking up measures in regular order and later from suspense. SB 1329 on solar property tax assessment drew the most extensive testimony: the author and industry supporters said it would create statewide assessment standards, exclude intangibles, and provide certainty for solar development, while county assessors and county representatives opposed it as a statutory formula that would undercut fair market value and reduce local revenue. The bill was sent to suspense during the first portion of the hearing and later passed suspense 5-2 after amendments. SB 661, dealing with airport funding and aviation fuel tax revenues, also generated support from airport and local government representatives but opposition from airlines over the proposed distribution formula; it was referred to suspense and later passed 7-0 with amendments. SB 1172, which places guardrails on tax-sharing agreements, was supported by local governments and retailers; after the author accepted committee amendments, opposition was withdrawn and the bill passed 4-2 to the floor. SB 9-1-1, a wildfire safety measure using the Preliminary Change of Ownership Report to notify fire agencies about defensible-space compliance, was supported by fire chiefs and wildfire-safety advocates but opposed by assessors; it passed 5-2 to Appropriations. SB 1408, authorizing Contra Costa County to place a transportation sales tax on the ballot, passed 4-2 to the floor. SB 1072, the housing omnibus bill, passed 7-0, and SB 1424, expanding a sales tax exemption for zero-emission vehicle fueling equipment, was held in committee after support from hydrogen and electric transportation advocates and no opposition. In suspense-file action, the committee also passed SB 1435, SB 288, SB 296, SB 420, SB 881, SB 888, SB 1053, SB 1406, and SB 1407, while SB 353 and SB 1249 were held. The chair closed by thanking members, staff, stakeholders, and a retiring consultant, and adjourned the committee.

Transcript Highlights:

• Well, in that case, so you're asking if a factory-built house or multi-unit housing development is being
• proposed today expand choice for our customers and help us take advantage of new technologies to develop
• In the last current cycle of our housing element, we have approved eight housing development projects
• Unfortunately, the bill in print, you know, gifts developers providing minimum amounts of affordable
• Developing these plans does unlock a very powerful tool at the local level, which is to authorize the

Summary: The Senate Committee on Local Government heard several bills focused on housing, utility billing, permitting, oversight, disaster recovery, and traffic safety. AB 2058, by Assemblymember Harropetian, would streamline inspections and fees for factory-built housing by reducing duplicative local review and allowing third-party inspections; supporters said it would cut costs and delays, while the author noted local land-use authority would remain intact. AB 1945, by Assemblymember Hodgwick, would let Lassen Municipal Utility District offer voluntary prepaid electricity accounts without deposits or start-service fees, with consumer protections and electronic notices; municipal utility and power agency representatives supported it. AB 2418, by Assemblymember Mark Gonzalez, would set timelines for commercial plan review and allow third-party plan checkers for delayed tenant improvement projects; business and property groups supported it, and the bill was narrowed by amendments. AB 2433, by Assemblymember Alvarez, would expand density bonus incentives for for-sale affordable housing; supporters said it could help produce more homeownership opportunities, while labor and local government concerns led to amendments removing ministerial/by-right provisions. AB 2760, by Assemblymember Sharpe Collins, would allow counties with an Office of Inspector General to extend oversight to probation and animal control in San Diego County; the author and county supervisors supported it, but probation officials opposed it as duplicative. AB 2385, by Assemblymember Petrie-Norris, would clarify local authority to plan for disaster recovery and create local reconstruction agencies; cities and other supporters said it would improve post-disaster rebuilding. AB 1976, by Assemblymember Hitt, would limit late-stage public process for pedestrian, bicycle, and traffic calming projects and exempt pedestrian malls from CEQA; supporters framed it as a safety streamlining measure, while local government groups raised concerns about reduced community engagement. The committee also adopted the consent calendar for AB 2118 and AB 2728. Final votes were taken after quorum was established: AB 1945 passed 6-0 to the Senate floor; AB 1976 passed 5-1 to the Committee on Transportation; AB 2058 passed 7-0 to Appropriations; AB 2385 passed 6-1 to Emergency Management; AB 2418 passed 7-0 to Judiciary; AB 2433 passed 7-0 to Housing; AB 2760 passed 5-2 to the Senate floor; and the consent calendar was adopted 7-0.

Transcript Highlights:

• to support the development of aviation technology in the state.
• Now, there's also a vertiport development fund that Senator Fesi has set up a couple of years ago.
• Okay, and then I was glancing back on airport development, page 14 under airport development programs
• Before, you're giving it to the Joint Committee on Airport Construction and Development program.
• Okay, and then I was glancing back on airport development, page 14 under airport development programs

Summary: The committee met with four members present and approved the May 7, 2026 minutes. It then considered a series of transportation, motor vehicle, aviation, port, and memorial designation bills. Several measures were reported favorably, including HB 1086 on electronic titling and digital title transfers, HB 745 extending special tandem load permits, HB 1175 updating the definition of aerospace, HB 1108 creating a Homeschool Proud license plate, HB 722 changing reinstatement procedures so certain suspended licenses are restored once fees are paid, HB 1024 creating a Louisiana Democratic Party license plate, HB 1173 giving drivers on reinstatement payment plans a three-month grace period before late fees apply, and HB 98 imposing a $25 annual royalty fee on a retired legislators’ plate to help restore the Pentagon Barracks. HB 487, dealing with red-light overtaking and an added fine, and HB 1032, a technical cleanup bill aligning DWI/drug-impairment language, were also reported favorably. HB 1050, a CDL cleanup bill that adjusts age and testing provisions and removes outdated vision-waiver language, and HB 1192, creating a Louisiana Dental Hygienist Association plate, were approved as well. HB 989, which would have raised public license tag agent convenience fees, was supported by private tag agents but drew questions about fee parity and business impacts; it was reported favorably. A separate bill on driving school pricing and refunds was deferred and turned into a study resolution after the sponsor said more stakeholder discussion was needed. The committee also advanced several memorial and infrastructure measures. HB 401 designated the Lance Corporal Justin McLeese Memorial Bridge, with members speaking about his military service and sacrifice. HB 1081 moved the Louisiana Ports and Waterways Investment Commission under the Office of Multimodal Commerce for administrative support while leaving port boards independent. HCR 63 created a task force to study whether certain active-duty military personnel could operate federally owned vehicles on state highways without a civilian license. HCR 69 urged priority improvements to the Interstate 12 corridor, especially the bottleneck and interchange areas near I-55, citing safety and evacuation concerns. SCR 58 asked DOTD to review public-private partnership practices, using the Belle Chasse Toll Bridge as a case study and focusing on lessons learned for future projects. HB 1001 designated a portion of U.S. 190 as the Jesse Jackson Memorial Highway. HB 1218 named Highway 1090 the Lewis Pett Miramon Memorial Highway, with family members and supporters describing Miramon’s wartime service and role in building Slidell. HB 1172 designated a highway segment in memory of a 14-year-old hit-and-run victim, Kulin Carrier. One major policy bill, SB 514, was amended and reported favorably. It updates Louisiana’s aeronautics statutes, transfers responsibility for aeronautics activities and facilities from the DOTD secretary to the Office of Multimodal Commerce commissioner, and modernizes the law to align with federal aviation rules and new technologies, including advanced aviation and electric vertical takeoff and landing programs. Members asked about the lengthy amendments, fuel tax language, airport development reporting, and the Transportation Trust Fund, and the sponsor and DOTD explained that the changes were largely technical and intended to keep Louisiana eligible for federal aviation funding and compliant with current standards. The committee also heard extensive testimony on HB 1244, which would add a brain-injury designation to driver’s licenses and require law-enforcement training. The sponsor and advocates described how the designation could help de-escalate encounters and improve safety for people with brain injuries; the bill was reported favorably, with members noting it could also cover broader brain-injury conditions if medically certified. After that testimony, the committee adjourned without objection.

Transcript Highlights:

• So, yes, it would take time to develop policy, to develop permission forms, to create a database, things
• Yeah, Chairman Crane, Representative Church, yes, we would have to develop a system to track landowner
• So yes, it would take time to develop policy, to develop, to Thank you.
• So, yes, it would take time to develop policy, to develop permission forms, to create a database, things
• Returning authority to the states would allow communities to develop policies that better reflect their

Committee: House State Affairs

Summary: The committee first heard Senate Bill 1326, which would restrict government employees and agents from entering private property without permission or a warrant, with exceptions for exigent circumstances, welfare checks, service of papers, and certain other activities. The bill sponsors argued it was needed to protect Fourth Amendment and property rights and to create a civil penalty for unauthorized entry. Opponents, including Idaho Fish and Game, Trout Unlimited, and some lawmakers, said it would hinder routine compliance checks, poaching investigations, and interagency cooperation, and could require new permission-tracking systems. Supporters, including landowners, the Idaho Farm Bureau, and agricultural groups, described repeated trespass concerns and said the bill would improve accountability. The committee approved the bill 12-2 and sent it to the floor with a due pass recommendation. The committee then considered Senate Bill 1301, a brewery licensing measure that would allow breweries to operate up to two remote retail locations instead of one. The sponsor and supporters from the Meridian Chamber of Commerce, a brewery owner, and a nonprofit representative said the bill would help small businesses expand, support jobs, and increase community and charitable contributions. No opposition was offered, and the committee passed the bill to the floor with a due pass recommendation. Finally, the committee heard House Joint Memorial 19, which supports eliminating the U.S. Department of Education and returning education authority to the states. The sponsor and supporters argued that education should be controlled locally and that federal bureaucracy and regulations are burdensome. Superintendent of Public Instruction Debbie Critchfield said Idaho already handles much of the work, that federal functions are being shifted among agencies without immediate funding disruptions, and that state-level administration could reduce bureaucracy, though she noted no promise of additional funding. After testimony from policy groups supporting the memorial, the committee passed HJM 19 to the floor with a due pass recommendation.

Transcript Highlights:

• The committee substitute for House Bill 5381 relating to developing a comprehensive energy development
• The purpose of this amendment is to empower the Office of Energy to develop a comprehensive energy development
• The Office of Energy will also work with communities to designate energy-ready development sites.
• The bill would be administered by the Division of Economic Development.
• This has major economic development potential for many of our districts.

Keywords: 994, senate, all

Summary: The Senate considered and passed House Bill 4245, the Department of Revenue rules bundle covering 27 rules from six agencies. Members withdrew the committee amendment, adopted a floor amendment making changes to two lottery rules and one tax rule related to pre-need cemetery companies, then passed the bill 30-1. The Senate also adopted a title amendment and made the bill effective from passage by a 31-0 vote. Later, when the House rejected the Senate’s amendments, the Senate receded from its amendments and again passed the bill, making it effective from passage. The chamber also adopted several concurrent resolutions from the Rules Committee, including studies on school finance transparency, divorce grounds, the Southern West Virginia water crisis, athletic trainer access in public secondary schools, the eastern gray fox population, upland game bird stamp purchases, and the Public Service Commission. Senate Concurrent Resolution 50, calling for a study of the PSC, was also adopted. In addition, the Senate passed House Bill 5381, which expands the Office of Energy’s role to develop a comprehensive energy policy and grid stabilization plan, and House Bill 5412, the Future Ready Education Act, after amending it to require annual vocational and agriculture offerings unless not viable and to set science-of-reading training requirements for K-5 literacy teachers by 2028-29. The Senate passed House Bill 845, a supplemental appropriation to the Governor’s Office Civil Contingent Fund, after concurring in a House amendment that reappropriated federal match grant funds and increased the civil contingency surplus fund from $15 million to $25 million; it was made effective from passage. The chamber also concurred in House amendments to House Bill 4106 on constitutional carry for 18- to 20-year-olds, House Bill 4004 creating the Recharge West Virginia training reimbursement program, House Bill 5453 revising the school aid funding formula for special education weighting, and other measures including House Bill 4009 on portable benefits, Senate Bill 164 on substitute teacher definitions, and House Bill 4606 on pretrial release for certain felonies. A lengthy debate centered on House Bill 4198, the E-Verify Safe Harbor Act. The Judiciary Committee amendment would have required public and certain private employers to use E-Verify, while a further amendment from the Senator from Randolph would have limited the mandate to public employers and made E-Verify optional for private employers with liability protections for good-faith use. After extensive discussion about small business impacts, federal-state conflicts, and enforcement, the Senate adopted the Randolph amendment and then passed the bill 31-3, with a title amendment also adopted. The Senate later refused to concur in House amendments to House Bill 4010, concurred in House amendments to House Bill 5438, receded from amendments to House Bill 4765, and adjourned sine die.

Transcript Highlights:

• Many programs, including development projects that include workforce development.
• </c> programs, including development projects programs, including development projects that<00:03:00.280
• </c><00:03:02.600><c> I'm</c> that include workforce development.
• I'm that include workforce development.
• </c> high-quality professional development high-quality professional development instructional<00:04:

Keywords: Senate streaming session for Monday, March 9, 2026, 960, senate, all