Transcript Highlights:

• restricted, a lot restricted in some ways, from speaking critically about any sitting member of Congress
• going on and around, but technically speaking, under the War Powers Act, it's a hostility until Congress
• Well, Congress hasn't declared it a war, so it's not technically a war.
• Under the Constitution, Congress has not declared war yet.
• Thankfully, a Republican Congress came in and forced the DoD to rescind that regulation.

Summary: The Senate Committee on Director Nominations held a confirmation hearing for John Connolly, the current Adjutant General and Director of the Department of Emergency and Military Affairs (DEMA). Connolly described his background in the Army, National Guard, and military law, and outlined DEMA’s dual mission of supporting the Arizona National Guard and emergency management. He emphasized readiness, modernization of aging aircraft and facilities, growth in capabilities such as drones and electronic warfare, partnerships to restore helicopter training at Silver Bell, and stewardship of resources. He also discussed DEMA’s border-related missions, including Task Force Safe at Nogales, counter-drug operations, and use of artificial intelligence to monitor drone activity and build a common operating picture for law enforcement. Committee members questioned Connolly about his interview and vetting process, his role in emergency management, disaster response in Gila County, support for rural counties and tribes, and services for Guard members and families through the Integrated Resilience Operations Center. Several members pressed him on military discipline, lawful orders, classified information, and the distinction between war and hostilities. Senator Rogers focused on chain of command, combat readiness, and whether Connolly’s JAG background prepared him to lead a combat-oriented force; Connolly responded that his role is to provide ready forces, follow civilian authority, and ensure troops have training, equipment, and family support. He also said he had experience advising commanders and teaching lawful versus unlawful orders. A major point of contention came when members questioned Connolly about the 2021 COVID-19 vaccination mandate for the Guard and whether he had treated it as unlawful or unconstitutional. Connolly said it was a lawful order at the time and that exemption processes existed under the regulations. The hearing also turned to immigration enforcement, emergency powers, and whether the Guard should support ICE; Connolly said the Guard is a support function and would respond to a direct request through the governor, but he could not identify a specific scenario in the abstract. No vote or final action was taken during the hearing, and the committee appeared to continue its review after testimony and questioning.

Transcript Highlights:

• LUCA, which was authorized by Congress in 1994, allows governments to review and propose modifications
• While Congress is going to have an important role to play in putting the 2030 census back on course,
• The 1920 census redistricting failed to pass Congress because there was a disconnect between what the
• numbers reflected that were collected and what the people in Congress believed the population count
• Even it's hard to imagine Congress doing that. It would be significant.

Committee: Senate Senate Committee on the Census

Transcript Highlights:

• So with this bill, we're just sending a document up to Congress to let Congress know that we fully support
• And, you know, other disciplines that might be carried out was the statement at that time is why Congress
• And I think that's one of the reasons that this resolution is so important so that we let Congress know
• And is there a national effort to push Congress to make this happen? Yes.
• But from the perspective of signaling to Congress, making this potentially a mandate, regulatory issue

Committee: House Corrections and Public Institutions

Summary: The committee first took up executive action on Senate Bill 890. Members explained that the House committee substitute combined provisions from related bills, changed the title to accommodate an amendment, and restored language that had been unintentionally repealed in section 217.550. The amendment was adopted, the substitute was adopted, and the House Committee Substitute for SB 890 was voted do pass by a roll call of 11 ayes and 1 no. The committee then heard Senate Bill 945 from Senator Carla May, which would raise the civil filing surcharge in the city of St. Louis from $15 to up to $20 to support the law library and related court services. Senator May and a representative of the Law Library Association of St. Louis testified that the surcharge had not been raised since 1996, that costs had increased, and that the increase would help maintain legal research resources and public access. Questions focused on whether the amount was sufficient and what other funding sources existed; there was no opposition testimony. Finally, the committee heard House Concurrent Resolution 29, which urges Congress to restore mandatory country-of-origin labeling for beef and pork. The sponsor and supporters argued that consumers should know where meat comes from, that independent cattle producers are harmed by consolidation in the packing industry, and that voluntary labeling is inadequate. Opponents from the Missouri Farm Bureau, Missouri Chamber of Commerce, and Missouri Pork Association argued that mandatory labeling adds regulatory burden, is not supported by consumer purchasing data, and should remain voluntary. The hearing included extensive testimony from cattle producers and consumers, but no vote on HCR 29 was taken in the portion provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• a balanced budget amendment to the United States Constitution and making a formal application to Congress
• on the concurrent resolution calling on the United<00:38:36.480><c> States</c><00:38:36.720><c> Congress
• to submit to the United States Congress to submit to the states<00:38:38.240><c> for</c><00:38:38.480
• c><00:38:45.440><c> under</c><00:38:45.760><c> article</c><00:38:46.240><c> 5</c> application to Congress
• under article 5 application to Congress under article 5 of<00:38:46.960><c> the</c><00:38:47.119><c>

Transcript Highlights:

• these earlier meetings are the authorization amounts tracking with what's being appropriated by Congress
• I'm sorry I'm late, but someone parked behind me and it took an act of Congress to figure out who they
• And so it says Congress shall have the power to regulate commerce with foreign nation-states and Indian
• The United States Supreme Court has looked at that and determined that Congress—the United States Congress—has
• what we call plenary power, plenary authority, which basically means Congress has this really big authority

Committee: House Federal Funding Stabilization Subcommittee

Transcript Highlights:

• people having abortions continues in states around us and from the anti-abortion Republicans in Congress
• knowing that people who want to ban abortion and punish people who have abortions are in control of Congress
• c> fact</c><00:01:34.159><c> since</c><00:01:34.320><c> the</c><00:01:34.439><c> overturning</c> Congress
• in fact since the overturning Congress in fact since the overturning of<00:01:35.119><c> roie</c><00
• </c><00:01:55.439><c> the</c> abortions are in control of Congress the abortions are in control of Congress

Transcript Highlights:

• Members, House Concurrent Resolution 79 by Representative Butler memorializes Congress and the United
• And they asked me to try to see if we could get Congress to look at it.
• They're all memorializing Congress. It'll be quick. Mr. Wilson, could you read in H.C.R. 54?

Bills: HCR54 , HCR79 , HCR87 , HCR94 , HCR104 , HB1209

Committee: Senate Natural Resources

Summary: The Senate Natural Resources Committee met on March 27 with a quorum present, approved prior minutes, and then took up several resolutions and one bill related to wildlife, water resources, and conservation. H.C.R. 79, as amended, urged the U.S. Forest Service and the Department of Wildlife and Fisheries to work together to allow the use of dogs for hunting in Kisatchie National Forest; supporters described it as a traditional hunting practice that has been restricted for years and could benefit local hunters and businesses. H.C.R. 104, as amended, asked the Department of Conservation and Energy and the Louisiana Geological Survey to study and modernize the collection, retention, and access to subsurface data, with members emphasizing the need to avoid sharing company-specific information. H.C.R. 87 was reported favorably to support correspondence from U.S. Sen. Kennedy regarding duck flyway management, H.C.R. 54 was reported favorably to study the impact of flooded corn on migratory waterfowl and restore an enforcement mechanism related to hunting over intentionally flooded crops, and H.C.R. 94 was reported favorably to require annual boating safety reports to legislative committees. The committee then heard HB 1209, which would have paused new cooperative endeavor agreements for surface water withdrawals while allowing existing agreements to continue and be renewed through December 31, 2036. The author said the bill was intended to give the state time to develop a more comprehensive, data-driven surface water strategy and to address invasive species such as giant salvinia, which he said has severely affected waterways in his district. Members and witnesses acknowledged the seriousness of the issue, but there was concern that the bill was too complex to move quickly in the session. The committee discussed converting it into a study resolution instead, and the bill was deferred without objection. The meeting then adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• Congress, the U.S. Department of Labor, and the U.S.
• House Resolutions lying over: H.R. 188 by Representative Butler, to memorialize Congress to oppose any
• House Resolutions report by committee: H.R. 38 by Representative Owen, to memorialize Congress to reform

Bills: HR192 , HR193 , HR194 , HCR80 , HCR81 , HCR82 , HCR83 , HCR84 , HCR85 , HR188 , HR189 , HR190 , HR191 , SB134 , SB140 , SB281 , SB331 , SB384 , SB389 , SB415 , SB451 , SB458 , SB479 , SB504 , SB523 , HR38 , HR96 , HR160 , HCR31 , HCR61 , SCR19 , HB316 , HB549 , HB578 , HB646 , HB748 , HB798 , HB824 , HB988 , HB989 , HB1001 , HB1032 , HB1081 , HB1108 , HB1129 , HB1140 , HB1157 , HB1186 , HB1192 , HB1195 , HB1198 , HB1222 , HB1244 , SB73 , SB89 , SB128 , SB149 , SB191 , SB196 , SB238 , SB318 , SB340 , HB225 , HR1 , HR17 , HCR5 , HCR4 , HCR47 , HCR32 , HB362 , HB893 , HB990 , HB1007 , HB1153 , HB1243 , HB12 , HB42 , HB205 , HB222 , HB267 , HB324 , HB325 , HB350 , HB478 , HB610 , HB617 , HB745 , HB749 , HB752 , HB797 , HB807 , HB821 , HB896 , HB979 , HB992 , HB1000 , HB1024 , HB1050 , HB1166 , HB1172 , HB1173 , HB1207 , HB1218 , HB1223 , SB162 , SB349 , SB350 , SB382 , SB383 , SB127 , SB244 , SB256 , HB911 , HB306 , HB366 , HB1161 , HB1230 , HB59 , HB481 , HB772 , HB897 , HB1003 , HB1008 , HB1112 , HB1180 , HB1189 , HB181 , HB1118 , HB901 , HR20 , HR74 , HB284 , HB393 , HB458 , HB459 , HB525 , HB577 , HB582 , HB605 , HB614 , HB682 , HB733 , HB773 , HB864 , HB996 , HB1035 , HB1058 , HB1082 , HB1113 , HB1234 , HB1240

Summary: The House convened with a quorum, opened in prayer, and adopted the journal. Members received messages from the Senate on several House bills and Senate bills, and a number of House resolutions were introduced or laid over. The chamber also suspended rules to allow committees to continue meeting while the House was in session. Several local and ceremonial resolutions were taken up, including measures on public health data, carbon sequestration property rights, declining school enrollment, and commendations and condolences. The floor then considered a series of local bills and Senate bills, many of which passed with little or no opposition. Among the House bills approved were measures creating or adjusting local districts and utility-related authorities in Orleans and Jefferson parishes, including bills on the Regency Park Town Home Crime Prevention Security District, Sewage and Water Board procurement and lien authority, the Foulberg-New neighborhood improvement district, and temporary parish burn bans. The House also passed bills on broadband cable price notices, state finance limits, toll exemptions for school board-owned leased vehicles, prestige license plates, and a brain injury designation on driver’s licenses. Senate bills passed included measures on workers’ compensation evidence rules, recreation of the Department of Agriculture and Forestry, a soybean grain research board name change, incumbent worker training, interdict estate planning, and recreational alligator hunting. The most extensive debate centered on Senate Bill 256, which would consolidate Orleans Parish’s separate civil and criminal clerk of court offices into a single Orleans clerk. Supporters argued the change would align Orleans with the rest of the state, improve efficiency, and reduce costs, while preserving employees and services. Opponents raised concerns about the timing, the lack of broader legislative and public involvement, the impact on the recently elected criminal clerk, and possible disruption to court operations and constitutional rights. After lengthy questioning, the bill passed 89-8. The House also heard a personal privilege statement recognizing a school choir visiting the Capitol and later continued with additional Senate bills, including one on workers’ compensation medical review evidence and another on the Department of Agriculture and Forestry.

Transcript Highlights:

• Joint Resolution 11, which is a nonpartisan effort to urge the President of the United States and Congress
• This resolution urges the President of the United States and Congress to reverse the elimination of the
• Already in Congress, there is a House resolution that we would love to see our bipartisan congressmen

Summary: The Assembly Committee on Emergency Management met to consider Assembly Joint Resolution 11, which urges the President and Congress to restore funding for FEMA’s Building Resilient Infrastructure and Communities (BRIC) grant program. Chair Rhodesia Ransom and Assembly Member Lisa Calderon described the resolution as a bipartisan effort to preserve funding for hazard mitigation projects that help communities prevent disasters rather than simply recover from them. They cited major California impacts from the program’s cancellation, including losses for wildfire mitigation, seismic retrofits, and dam safety projects in several counties and districts. Support testimony came from Catherine Freeman of the California State Association of Counties and Robin Finning of Cal OES. Freeman said counties rely on BRIC for flexible, proactive disaster-prevention funding and warned that canceling the program would set back years of resilience work. Finning said 49 communities had contacted Cal OES after the cancellation announcement and that the agency had been working closely with them on next steps. Stephanie Stevens of the California Residential Mitigation Program also testified in support, noting the loss of more than $40 million for earthquake soft-story retrofit grants. Members expressed support and noted the importance of the affected district projects. There was no opposition testimony. The committee then voted unanimously to adopt AJR 11 and refer it to third reading, with all members present voting aye. The meeting was then adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• Congress enacted the TCJA on December 22nd of 2017, and it made sweeping income tax changes for both
• enacted the tcja on December Congress enacted the tcja on December 22nd<01:20:54.840><c> of</c> 22nd
• </c><01:21:31.679><c> enacted</c><01:21:32.040><c> a</c> $2,000 and Congress enacted a $2,000 and Congress
• extends the salt cap if Congress extends the salt cap limitation<01:37:51.080><c> Min</c><01:37:51.560
• </c><01:38:34.679><c> to</c><01:38:34.920><c> act</c> Vision while we wait for Congress to act Vision

Committee: Senate Taxes

Transcript Highlights:

• General Jack Bergman, who has got a bill in front of Congress, would provide an accreditation scheme
• Congress established a comprehensive system governing who may assist veterans with disability claims
• Congress built them, and they include limits on who may charge fees and when.
• Congress built them, and they include limits on who may charge fees and when.
• That money comes directly out of the benefits that Congress intended for their veterans and their families

Committee: House Veterans and Armed Forces

Transcript Highlights:

• General Jack Bergman, who has got a bill in front of Congress, would provide an accreditation scheme
• Code 5901 through 5905, Congress established a comprehensive system governing who may assist veterans
• Congress built them, and they include limits on who may charge fees and when.
• Congress built them and they include limits on who may charge fees and when.
• That money comes directly out of the benefits that Congress intended for veterans and their families.

Committee: House Veterans and Armed Forces

Summary: The committee first took up House Bill 2535 in executive session. Members adopted a House committee substitute and two cleanup amendments, including clarifications related to Gold Star spouses and a correction to a property tax exemption amount for veterans. The substitute was then approved, and the committee voted the House Committee Substitute for HB 2535 do pass by a recorded vote of 15 ayes and 1 no. The committee then held a public hearing on Senate Committee Substitute for Senate Bill 974, which Senator Black described as a consumer-protection measure aimed at preventing exploitation of veterans by unaccredited claims assistance companies. The bill would restrict compensation for referrals and certain claims work, require written agreements, cap fees tied to benefit increases, and prohibit upfront fees and misleading practices. Supporters, including a former VA official and several veterans, argued the bill would provide needed guardrails and choice for veterans navigating a difficult claims process. Opponents, including the VFW and Missouri veterans groups, argued the bill conflicts with federal law and could legitimize paid claims assistance outside the VA accreditation system; they urged striking the contested section and relying on existing federal rules and Missouri consumer-protection law instead. Testimony also covered several other provisions folded into SB 974, including military leave for public employees, National Guard-related items, survivor benefit tax deductions, and the MoGives living organ donor language. Witnesses on the organ donor provision said it would help service members avoid financial hardship while donating organs. The hearing ended without a vote on SB 974, and the chair announced the committee was out of time and adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• If you look at the very first act of our Congress, it was a 2-hour prayer service.
• first</c><00:27:36.240><c> act</c><00:27:36.560><c> of</c><00:27:36.720><c> our</c><00:27:37.360><c> Congress
• </c> at the very first act of our Congress at the very first act of our Congress was<00:27:38.440><c>
• was by a vote Every president And that was by a vote of<00:27:46.240><c> the</c><00:27:46.320><c> Congress
• </c> of the Congress, by by the way, in 1800. of the Congress, by by the way, in 1800.

Bills: SB271 , HB511 , SB271 , HB511

Committee: House State Government

Keywords: SB271, Alabama, municipalities, city fees, town fees, franchise fees, utility franchise, natural gas, manufactured gas, gas utility, public streets, public places, right-of-way, municipal consent, gross receipts tax, license tax, privilege tax, Public Service Commission, PSC, utility regulation

Transcript Highlights:

• Congress to divest the United States and the Bureau of Indian Affairs of the San Carlos Irrigation Project
• Over the last probably several years, we've made some significant headway working with both Congress
• This just says to Congress, stay on point.
• The difference between now and in 1992, when this was originally done in Congress, is that the Healys
• We're hoping to have something introduced in Congress by the fall, and maybe, good Lord willing, we can

Bills: SB1082 , SB1200 , SB1335 , SB1336 , SB1559 , SB1761 , SB1762 , SB1785 , SCM1007

Committees: Senate Natural Resources , Senate Senate Natural Resources Committee of Reference

Keywords: petting zoos, animal encounters, public health, handwashing, supervision, sanitization, safety regulations, civil penalties, groundwater management, rural areas, natural resources, soil health, water conservation, agriculture, public participation, appropriation, University of Arizona, Yuma center of excellence, cooperative extension, experiment stations

Transcript Highlights:

• Has your organization been before Congress? Yes, ma'am.
• I have personally testified in front of Congress multiple times.
• Do you have any indication that Congress is willing to be... I'd have to look it up.
• Chair, is: has the association consulted, advised, or expressed concern about this problem with Congress
• Traugden said earlier, we're constantly bringing this topic up with our federal members of Congress and

Transcript Highlights:

• When we first saw the picture of what was happening, [our actuaries] said if Congress lets the enhanced
• Do you think that, given we don't know what Congress will decide in terms of whether they are going to
• But on the question about the EPTCs, if Congress should act, just so folks know, when we had the health
• So if Congress were to say, 'Yep, we're doing it, and we're doing it just like it looked before,' it's
• What gets a little bit complicated is if Congress changes the way those subsidies are structured, and

Committee: Joint Joint Select Committee on Health Care and Behavioral Health Oversight

Summary: The committee first welcomed new DSHS Secretary Angela Ramirez, who described her background in public service and emphasized collaboration, relationships, and responsiveness to legislators as she begins her tenure. Members thanked her and noted they looked forward to working with her on the governor’s priorities and the state’s budget and service challenges. The committee then heard a presentation on the West Coast Health Alliance from Governor’s Office, Department of Health, and state health leadership. Witnesses said the alliance was formed by Washington, Oregon, California, and Hawaii to provide unified, science-based public health guidance, especially on vaccines, amid federal instability and misinformation. They said the alliance has already issued vaccine recommendations and statements rejecting a vaccine-autism link, and is working on return-to-work guidance and responses to federal ACIP actions. Members asked about workload and coordination with an East Coast public health group; witnesses said the main challenge is communicating unified guidance rather than reviewing studies themselves. Next, the Washington Health Benefit Exchange reported on open enrollment and the effects of federal changes, including the expiration of enhanced premium tax credits and HR1 provisions affecting immigrant eligibility and future auto-renewal rules. Officials said premium increases are driving some customers to drop coverage, while state actions such as silver loading and Cascade Care Savings are helping blunt the impact for many enrollees. They also described outreach through navigators, brokers, tribal organizations, and community groups, and noted rising website traffic and more customer questions during open enrollment. Members asked about enrollment trends, carrier participation, and how to communicate upcoming federal changes. Finally, the Health Care Authority and Office of the Insurance Commissioner reviewed the state’s health reform history and the impact of federal changes on Medicaid and the individual market. They highlighted ongoing state efforts on affordability, prescription drug oversight, primary care and behavioral health access, preventive services, and rural health funding. Witnesses said agencies are coordinating across DSHS, HCA, OIC, the Exchange, Employment Security, and others to prepare for Medicaid work requirements and other HR1 changes, while also trying to reduce administrative burden and preserve access to care. No votes were taken.

Transcript Highlights:

• And the towering stacks of information rival the Library of Congress.
• rival<00:01:23.040><c> the</c><00:01:23.160><c> Library</c><00:01:23.520><c> of</c><00:01:23.600><c> Congress
• </c> rival the Library of Congress. rival the Library of Congress.

Transcript Highlights:

• The confusion has come in with the separate category that Congress put in a while ago that deemed some
• And I think I heard you say that’s a designation from Congress or FDA.” “Congress.” “From Congress.

Committee: Senate Business, Professions and Economic Development

Summary: The Senate Business, Professions and Economic Development Committee heard SB 1094 by Senator Weber Pierson, which would expand pharmacist substitution authority for biosimilars and allow health plans to require use of lower-cost generic or biosimilar alternatives when available, unless the prescriber marks “do not substitute.” The author said the bill is intended to lower prescription drug costs, improve access, and require insurers to report on whether substitutions reduce out-of-pocket costs and premium growth. Committee amendments were accepted, including changes to align definitions with federal law, require a link to the FDA Purple Book, add a 30-day advance notice requirement for plan-driven substitutions, and allow exceptions for patients or providers. Supporters included Blue Shield of California, Sharp HealthCare, health plans, CVS, the California Chamber of Commerce, and other business and health care groups, who argued the bill would increase competition, reduce costs, and remove administrative barriers to using FDA-approved biosimilars. Opponents and “opposed unless amended” witnesses, including the Biotechnology Innovation Organization, the California Rheumatology Alliance, and some physician groups, argued the bill goes beyond current FDA interchangeability standards, could undermine physician judgment, and may create patient safety concerns for some chronic-disease patients who react differently to biosimilars or experience problems with multiple switches. Committee members discussed the “do not substitute” option, patient notification, insurance approval, and whether the bill preserves physician discretion. After debate, Senator Arreguín moved the bill, and the committee voted 10-0 to pass SB 1094 as amended to the Senate Health Committee.

Transcript Highlights:

• The confusion has come in with the separate category that Congress put in a while ago that deemed some
• And I think I heard you say that’s a designation from Congress or FDA. Congress. From Congress.

Committee: Senate Business, Professions and Economic Development

Transcript Highlights:

• And we know that the trillion-dollar corporate tax cuts in HR1, which were passed by the Trump Congress
• cuts in HR1, which were passed by the cuts in HR1, which were passed by the Trump<00:03:43.280><c> Congress
• ><c> July</c><00:03:44.120><c> of</c><00:03:44.239><c> last</c><00:03:44.480><c> year,</c> Trump Congress
• in July of last year, Trump Congress in July of last year, were<00:03:44.800><c> paid</c><00:03:45.120

Summary: The meeting was a press-style discussion in support of House File 4343, which would end Minnesota’s sales tax exemption for digital advertising services and physical advertising space such as billboards. Supporters said the bill would raise more than $300 million in revenue and allow the state sales tax rate to be reduced, while also modernizing the tax code to reflect a digital, service-based economy. Eric Bernstein of We Make Minnesota argued the current sales tax base is outdated, too narrow, and unfairly shifts burden onto Minnesota businesses, workers, and property taxpayers. Representative Lislegard said the bill would help fund schools, health care, infrastructure, child care, and local government, and framed it as a response to structural budget gaps and rising property taxes. She said large corporations are not paying their fair share and that the state should cut exemptions rather than reduce public services. Several speakers from labor, education, health care, and the arts backed the proposal, including a working parent who cited high child care costs, an AFSCME representative from Hennepin County Medical Center who said the revenue is needed to support the safety-net hospital, a musician who said streaming and ad-driven platforms profit from artists’ labor, and an educator who criticized social media companies’ impact on youth. The speakers repeatedly argued that major tech and advertising companies such as Meta, Google, Amazon, Microsoft, TikTok, and Spotify should contribute more to public services, while ordinary Minnesotans already pay too much. Representative White closed by acknowledging the bill faces a difficult path but said supporters would keep fighting for it. No vote or formal committee action was taken in the portion provided, and the event ended with one question from the audience.