Video & Transcript : 'legislative appropriation request' :
Page 392 of 500
TX
Transcript Highlights:
- So we think it's appropriate at this time. to include the freestanding centers.
- Quite frankly, if businesses are acting appropriately, I'm not really sure what objection we would...
- You're the one bringing the legislation. What does ESG mean?
- I'm glad y'all had the opportunity to help pass some earth-shaking legislation.
- We will do a formal meeting tomorrow to vote on pending legislation.
Committee:
House Judiciary & Civil Jurisprudence
Keywords:
healthcare liability, emergency medical care, standard of proof, negligence, legal reforms, Texas General Arbitration Act, arbitration, binding arbitration, statute of limitations, limitations period, tolling, Civil Practice and Remedies Code, Section 16.073, alternative dispute resolution, ADR, civil procedure, lawsuit filing, court jurisdiction, Judiciary & Civil Jurisprudence, procedural law
TX
Transcript Highlights:
- This would allow the school district to request their appraisal.
- request a full reappraisal.
- Within a deadline and the requesting entity must pay for it.
- They can request this. They don't need to use it for taxing.
- The conflict was that 2301 kind of says it must be appropriate.
Bills:
HB1952 , HB3258 , HB3524 , HB3851 , HB4478 , HB4613 , HB4703 , HB4742 , HB4744 , HB4809 , HB4864
Committee:
House S/C on Property Tax Appraisals
Keywords:
county appraisal district, board of directors, governance, taxing units, public representation, penalty, property report, taxation, timely filing, chief appraiser, appraisal district, ad valorem tax, property appraisal, tax protests, unequal appraisal, property rights, property tax, public employees, protest leave, appraisal review board
ID
Transcript Highlights:
- You'll see some record-keeping requirements in this legislation.
- We worked really hard with this legislation with industry.
- We worked with them to get them in support of this legislation.
- We worked with them to get them in support of this legislation.
- And we come before you to respectfully request your support for this bill.
Committee:
House Business
Summary:
The committee first approved the minutes from March 25 and March 27, then took up Senate Bill 1359 as amended, which would regulate virtual currency kiosks/crypto ATMs. The sponsor and supporters from AARP, law enforcement, and the Attorney General’s office said the bill was aimed at reducing scams that target older adults by requiring operator registration, money transmitter licensing, fee and exchange-rate disclosures, fraud warnings, transaction records, and cooperation with the Department of Finance. The bill passed the committee on a due-pass recommendation, though one member noted possible Fourth Amendment concerns about blockchain analytics and data retention.
The committee then heard Senate Bill 1353 as amended, a housing bill allowing twin homes and duplexes in single-family residential zones in cities over 10,000 people, with limits on local bans, lot-size restrictions, fees, and parking requirements. Supporters argued it would expand affordable “missing middle” housing, help families and older adults stay in their communities, and restore property rights; opponents, including an Eagle city council member, argued it would override local control and worsen density and traffic concerns. After testimony from residents, housing advocates, and local officials, the motion for a due-pass recommendation failed on a 7-7 tie, so the bill was held in committee.
Next, the committee considered Senate Bill 1254, which would clarify that certain chiropractors with clinical nutrition training may prescribe the limited vitamins, minerals, fluids, epinephrine, needles, and related products they are already authorized to obtain and administer. The sponsor said the change would fix a technical problem that prevents chiropractors from buying these items from pharmacies, while some members raised concerns about scope of practice and noted opposition from the Idaho Association of Chiropractic Physicians. The committee passed the bill to the floor with a due-pass recommendation. Finally, Senate Bill 1313 was heard, expanding Idaho’s dual-licensure naturopathic doctor provisions to include pharmacists who also meet the existing naturopathic licensing requirements. The sponsor said the bill would let pharmacists with the proper additional training practice under dual licensure without violating scope-of-practice or insurance rules, and the committee approved it for the floor with a due-pass recommendation before adjournment.
KY
Kentucky 2026 Regular Session
Capital Projects and Bond Oversight Committee - (5-21-26)
Transcript Highlights:
- The scope of this project, we are requesting approval for $600 million.
- </c> requesting approval for 600 million. requesting approval for 600 million.
- We are requesting that million of P3.
- We've got some proud legislators up here, and a second by Senator Girdler.
- We've got some proud legislators up here, and a second by Senator Girdler.
Summary:
The committee first handled routine business, including a quorum call, approval of the April 27 minutes, and a report of informational items. Those informational items included University of Kentucky medical equipment purchases, UK’s planned use of restricted funds for a public-private partnership, school district debt notices, UK’s use of construction management at risk for five projects, Kentucky Communications Network Authority capital project reporting, and UK lease improvements.
The main action item was University of Kentucky’s request for approval of a $600 million central plants and utility infrastructure P3 tied to the Chandler expansion and other campus facilities. UK said the project would modernize and expand utility capacity, improve redundancy and efficiency, and support 24/7 hospital operations. UK explained that the financing would combine private equity and nonprofit debt, with no UK or Commonwealth debt or upfront payment, and that future availability payments would come from UK Healthcare funds. Members asked about the financing stack, the source of the restricted funds, and whether existing units would be replaced or modernized. The committee then approved the P3 agreement by roll call vote.
The committee also considered and approved a lease renewal for a 20,000-square-foot College of Medicine facility near the Bowling Green Medical Center. UK said the lease would cost $38 per square foot, or $912,000 annually, and supports its long-running partnership with Bowling Green Hospital and planned medical student growth in the region. Members spoke favorably about the local impact of the program, and the lease renewal passed by roll call vote.
Finally, the Finance and Administrative Cabinet reported three items requiring no action, including a $2.103 million Transportation Cabinet Department of Aviation project for two medium box hangars at Capital City Airport. Cabinet staff said the project would be funded by federal aviation money and restricted aviation funds, and later explained that the restricted funds come from a jet fuel tax deposited into the Aviation Economic Development Fund.
OK
Oklahoma 2026 Regular Session
Agriculture and Wildlife Feb 16th, 2026 at 10:00 am
Agriculture and Wildlife
Transcript Highlights:
- I would like to request committee subby heard yes.
- This is a request bill from a local FFA chapter in my district.
- Constituent request bill to allow farmers to sell ungraded eggs.
- I appreciate the intent of this legislation.
- I mean, we have to the legislative process.
Committee:
Senate Agriculture and Wildlife
KY
Kentucky 2026 Regular Session
Senate Legislative Session Day 53 (3-25-26)
Kentucky Senate Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- Donna... 60-day legislative session. Mr. 60-day legislative session. Mr.
- </c><00:05:45.200><c> and</c> members of the Senate Appropriations and members of the Senate Appropriations
- 02:05:57.240><c> House</c> From Appropriations and Revenue, House From Appropriations and Revenue, House
- an</c><02:06:36.120><c> appropriation</c><02:06:36.920><c> therefore</c> place, making an appropriation
- </c><02:07:24.520><c> and</c> to the Committee on Appropriations and to the Committee on Appropriations
ID
Transcript Highlights:
- These expenses are federally mandated to ensure a free and appropriate education.
- A virtual charter school, they said, sorry, will be affected by this legislation.
- That was put in by you guys and everybody else to put this legislation into practice.
- So I appreciate this legislation. For our daughter, it was one of the few options we had.
- Within a few years, we started to get requests to expand our school statewide.
Committee:
Senate Education
MS
Mississippi 2026 Regular Session
MS House Floor - 21 January, 2026; 2:00 PM
Mississippi House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- /c><00:31:20.799><c> bill</c><00:31:21.760><c> and</c> legislators that did that bill and legislators
- The fund can receive legislative appropriations and other state dollars if it does not lapse at the end
- The fund can receive legislative appropriations and other state dollars if it does not lapse at the end
- The fund can receive legislative<00:38:15.760><c> appropriations</c><00:38:16.720><c> and</c><00:38:16.960
- ><c> other</c> legislative appropriations and other legislative appropriations and other state<00:38:
MN
Transcript Highlights:
- the legislative session, and this is a kind of colorful graphic timeline of the legislative session.
- the legislative session, and this is a kind of colorful graphic timeline of the legislative session.
- the legislative session, and this is a kind of colorful graphic timeline of the legislative session.
- the legislative session, and this is a kind of colorful graphic timeline of the legislative session.
- the legislative session, and this is a kind of colorful graphic timeline of the legislative session.
Committee:
House Taxes
OK
Oklahoma 2026 Regular Session
House of Representatives Second Regular Session of the 60th Legislature Day 38 Apr 9th, 2026 at 09:30 am
Oklahoma House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- I have directed, with the concurrence of the appropriations chairman from the Senate, we've told Rector
- This piece of legislation is the... ...piece of legislation that funds our state government.
- But for the purview of the legislative budget, that's outside of the scope of purview.
- This legislative budget is outside of the scope of purview.
- Numerous agencies requested different pay raises, and we're not giving the funding for those.
Keywords:
education funding, mental health services, public safety, housing, state budget, tax credit, parental choice, private school, income tax, dental insurance, health care, medical necessity, insurance claims, dentist rights, military discharge, veterans, DD Form 214, confidentiality, grandchildren access, veteran burial
FL
Transcript Highlights:
- It's a request for the sum of $1.7 million appropriated from general revenue. Mr.
- Holmes was wrongfully convicted of robbery, sentenced to 400 appropriated from general revenue. Mr.
- You have to provide it in an appropriate way. And that is the amendment.
- This legislation... ...a bit antiquated, and this legislature, well, the Legislature in 2022 in Florida
- So is it in your intent then in this legislation to provide clarity to landlords that they can reuse
Committee:
Senate Judiciary
Summary:
The Judiciary Committee considered a long agenda of claims bills, housing and business measures, and court-administration legislation. It reported favorably several claims bills, including SB 20 for J.N., a minor, SB 14 for the estate of Pennial Janvier, SB 10 for Sidney Holmes, SB 8 for Marcus Button, SB 22 for Eric and Jennifer Miles, and SB 26 for Kristen and Leah McIntosh. Members also approved SB 520 on curators of estates, SB 386 on self-storage lien-sale notices, SB 362 on reusable tenant screening reports, SB 316 creating series LLCs in Florida, and SB 1650 and SB 1652 on vexatious litigants and related public-records issues. SB 248, expanding eligibility for private school and homeschool students to participate in FHSAA sports at public schools, also passed after amendment.
Most of the claims bills were described as settled cases with amounts above sovereign-immunity limits, and several senators spoke in support of compensating victims of catastrophic injury or wrongful conviction. SB 10 drew comments about the 34 years Sidney Holmes spent incarcerated after a wrongful conviction, and SB 8 prompted discussion about the long delay in resolving Marcus Button’s injuries from a 2006 school-bus crash. SB 26 was presented as an uncontested claim arising from a DACS employee’s fatal crash that severely injured two teenage girls, and the committee adopted an amendment placing funds for the minor claimant into trust.
The policy bills drew more substantive debate. SB 386 would let self-storage operators use websites instead of newspaper ads for lien-sale notices, with newspaper representatives opposing the change and storage-industry witnesses supporting modernization and lower costs. SB 362 would let renters reuse tenant screening reports for 30 days, with the sponsor saying it would reduce repeated application fees. SB 316 would authorize series LLCs while adding record-keeping protections, and SB 1650/1652 would broaden Florida’s vexatious-litigant rules and create a public-records exemption for certain stricken filings. SB 248 passed over concerns from private-school and public-education witnesses about instructional time, funding, and fairness in athletic participation. All measures were reported favorably, with recorded votes ranging from 7-2 on SB 248 to unanimous or near-unanimous support on the other bills.
HI
Hawaii 2026 Regular Session
JDC, JDC Public Hearings 04-21-2026
Transcript Highlights:
- ,</c> I As a legislator, I As a legislator, I<00:12:27.320><c> see</c><00:12:27.960><c> a</c><00:12:28.080
- </c> Uh one of my requests Uh one of my requests is<00:12:45.240><c> that</c><00:12:45.480><c> cuz</c
- My request is that such Okay?
- </c> the same commitment that I'm requesting the same commitment that I'm requesting that<00:26:35.440
- Senator Ohno. >> Aye. requests, which are for of immediate requests, which are for of immediate concern
Summary:
The Judiciary Committee heard Governor’s Messages 796 and 797, both judicial confirmation nominations, but announced at the outset that no votes would be taken that day. The committee said it would hold the vote the next day in Room 225. For GM 796, Annalisa M. Bernard Lee was nominated to serve as circuit court judge for the Second Circuit (Maui) for a 10-year term. Supporters included former Chief Justice Mark Recktenwald, former judges, attorneys, and the Hawaii State Bar Association, all describing her as fair, hardworking, experienced on both criminal and civil matters, and active in the legal community. Judge Lee testified about her background as a Maui native, former public defender and prosecutor, and current district court judge, and said her experience on all sides of the courtroom shaped her commitment to fairness and access to justice. Senators asked about diversion, sentencing repeat offenders, and the role of a circuit court judge; Lee said she would consider cases individually, support diversion and pretrial collaboration where appropriate, and use judicial power to address underlying problems when possible.
For GM 797, Michael K. Soong was nominated to the Fifth Circuit Court for Kauai and Niihau. Former Chief Justice Recktenwald and other supporters praised his long legal career, including service as a prosecutor, district court judge, and acting chief judge during a period when Kauai lacked a full-time circuit judge. They emphasized his courtroom control, common sense, community ties, and willingness to take on extra judicial committee work. Soong testified that he had served as a district court judge since 2017 and had recently been handling circuit court duties, including civil, criminal, and jury trial matters. He described the differences between district and circuit court, his experience presiding over complex trials, and his support for specialty courts such as drug court, veterans court, and mental health calendars. The Hawaii State Bar Association said it found him qualified after its review. No votes were taken on either nomination during this hearing.
NM
New Mexico 2025 Regular Session
IC - Transportation Infrastructure Revenue Subcommitee Oct 6th, 2025
Transcript Highlights:
- You will during this upcoming legislative session and in the future.
- I know that New Mexico has looked at legislation to allow for AV testing and all that.
- Recruited phase and a requested community phase that folks with properties can request us to come in
- I think four of us are on appropriations.
- We do get quite a few requests from the public for additional ones.
CA
California 2025-2026 Regular Session
Joint Legislative Audit Committee Jul 15th, 2025
Transcript Highlights:
- Welcome to the oversight hearing of the Joint Legislative Audit Committee.
- So I'm thankful that we're actually doing something today to follow up on the audit request.
- The two others were updated the day after we requested them.
- So,... ...legislate and create some policy that protects our communities.
- That's why I'm carrying legislation to address two points of the audit.
Summary:
The Joint Legislative Audit Committee held an oversight hearing on the state auditor’s October 2024 report on California’s Forensic Conditional Release Program (CONREP) for sexually violent predators. Members and witnesses discussed public safety, the long delays in finding community housing, the role of local housing committees, and the Department of State Hospitals’ oversight of Liberty Healthcare, which operates much of the program. Several legislators from rural and high-desert districts said their communities have been disproportionately affected by placements and questioned why many placements end up in remote areas.
State Auditor Grant Parks said the audit found that CONREP participants were convicted of new offenses less often than sexually violent predators who were unconditionally released, but that 18 of 56 participants had been revoked and returned to state hospitals for noncompliance. He said it took an average of 17 months to place current participants in the community, with 20 additional people awaiting placement for an average of 20 months, and that the program incurred significant pre-placement costs. Parks also said local officials were often unclear about their role, DSH had not given clear guidance at the time of the audit, and California lacks a transitional housing option used in some other states. He reported that DSH had implemented four of the five audit recommendations, while declining the recommendation to explore state-owned transitional housing.
DSH Director Stephanie Clendendon and Liberty representative Ken Carabello defended the program as a court-ordered, highly supervised treatment model intended to reduce reoffending and support reintegration. They said DSH is actively involved in placement review, that Liberty searches countywide under statutory restrictions, and that community feedback and court approval are part of the process. DSH said it has now implemented guidance for housing committee designees, formal program reviews, an outcome tracker, and an analysis of whether to separate some Liberty services into different contracts. DSH continued to oppose transitional housing, arguing it would not solve the core siting and statutory problems and would add cost. Several members remained critical, arguing the program is broken, costly, and unfairly concentrated in certain communities, and some called for major statutory changes or suspension of the program.
NM
New Mexico 2025 Regular Session
IC - Radioactive and Hazardous Materials Jul 11th, 2025
Radioactive & Hazardous Materials Committee
Transcript Highlights:
- Agencies, P&M, who's the operator, our legislators, of course, and the community.
- And request potentially a hearing.
- Is this your first legislative hearing? Yes. You're doing great. Thank you.
- I would definitely tell people to go to the legislative website and call your legislator; they probably
- We're going to have to appropriate the money to do that.
CA
California 2025-2026 Regular Session
Assembly Select Committee on Native American Affairs May 7th, 2025
Transcript Highlights:
- However, legislation must be supported by substantial budget appropriations, from isolated remains to
- However, legislation must be supported by substantial budget appropriations, ...toward action.
- However, legislation must be supported by substantial budget appropriations to empower tribes to protect
- to offer up retrocession if a tribe requests it.
- to offer up retrosession if a tribe requests it.
Summary:
The Select Committee on Native American Affairs opened its 2025 hearing with a traditional song and remarks about the importance of Native visibility and land acknowledgment. The hearing focused on missing and murdered Indigenous people (MMIP), exploitation and trafficking in a Public Law 280 (PL 280) state, and California’s response. Members and tribal leaders emphasized that MMIP is tied to historical trauma, forced removal, undercounting, and ongoing inequities in law enforcement response, media attention, and access to resources. Several panelists urged stronger tribal consultation, better data collection, more funding, and culturally informed education and victim services.
In the first panel, tribal chairpersons described personal and community impacts. Chairperson Antonet Del Rio spoke about the need to include federally and non-federally recognized tribes and to educate schools and communities, while naming long-unsolved cases from her tribe. Chairperson Cheyenne Stone connected MMIP to the history of violence in Owens Valley and to the disturbance of Indigenous remains during infrastructure projects, calling for forensic resources, mandatory consultation, and accountability. Chairperson Charles Martin described the death of Morongo citizen Amy Porter and said the Feather Alert failed her family because law enforcement did not act quickly enough; he called for reforms and better coordination, especially in PL 280 jurisdictions. Chairwoman Nelson and committee members echoed the need for equity, urgency, and government-to-government respect.
The second panel examined how PL 280 complicates MMIP and trafficking cases. Professor Carol Goldberg explained that PL 280 created an unfunded mandate, reduced federal jurisdiction and funding, and contributed to under-resourced policing and mistrust; she recommended mandatory training, community-oriented policing, formal tribal-county collaboration, and possible retrocession in some cases. Yurok Chairman Joe James tied MMIP to boarding schools, trafficking, and the need to advance bills such as AB 31, SB 4, ACR 39, AB 285, and AB 1378, along with increased budget funding. Morning Star Gali argued that PL 280 enables traffickers and violent offenders to exploit jurisdictional gaps and called for tribally led public safety, housing, victim services, and stronger consultation. Dustin Contreras, a human trafficking investigator, described the overlap between trafficking and MMIP, stressed partnerships and task forces, and supported more education for law enforcement, schools, and families.
In the final panel, state and county officials described current efforts and acknowledged remaining gaps. The Attorney General’s Office said it is working on MICIC outreach, tribal response planning, PL 280 training through an advisory council, and improved data systems, while supporting bills and the Feather Alert. Humboldt County Sheriff Hansel described the case of a missing woman, Emily, as an example of how people with mental illness or justice involvement can become invisible, and said counties need more consistent training and clearer jurisdictional protocols. He and other officials supported the Feather Alert, tribal police authority, and a pilot program for POST status for tribal police, which they said had been vetoed previously. Across the hearing, speakers repeatedly called for better coordination, more funding, stronger tribal authority, and sustained action rather than symbolic recognition.
MA
Massachusetts 2025-2026 Regular Session
Joint Committee on State Administration and Regulatory Oversight Jun 21st, 2026 at 01:00 pm
Joint Committee on State Administration and Regulatory Oversight
Transcript Highlights:
- Chair, Madam Vice Chair, junior legislative aide, and very junior legislative aide, and fellow members
- It says, 'Request to speak.'
- Town meetings aside, that's separate legislation. That was it.
- I'm the Legislative Director for MASSPIRG.
- I'm here with the request that you report this bill favorably and move on this important legislation
Summary:
The committee heard testimony on several bills related to open meeting law, municipal meetings, town meetings, and remote participation. Senator Rausch supported S. 2205 and S. 2206, and House companion H. 3382, saying they would make remote participation in public bodies permanent and streamline open meeting law and public records complaint processes to reduce burdens on local officials. Committee members and the senator discussed concerns about complaints being weaponized, the role of the Attorney General, and whether public testimony should be presumed allowed unless a chair limits it with justification. The senator said the bills do not change public records fees and are meant to improve process and transparency.
A large portion of the hearing focused on H. 3342 and S. 2197, which would modernize municipal meetings, town meetings, and local elections by allowing permanent remote or hybrid participation. Supporters included Wayland officials, the Massachusetts Municipal Association, Newton Mayor Ruthanne Fuller, MAPC, MACC, and others, who argued that hybrid and remote options increase participation, help parents, caregivers, people with disabilities, and residents with travel or work constraints, and have worked well during the pandemic-era extensions. Municipal officials emphasized that a mandate would be costly and difficult for smaller communities because of staffing, technology, room design, cybersecurity, and uneven internet access, especially in western Massachusetts. Committee members asked about equal access, funding, and whether local discretion should remain; the chair said the committee wants a permanent solution beyond emergency rules but must balance access with local capacity.
The committee also heard testimony on H. 3328, which would allow remote participation to count toward quorum for statewide appointed bodies such as commissions on women and LGBTQ issues. Supporters argued this would improve regional equity and make it easier for people outside Greater Boston to serve, while committee members noted it is a separate issue from municipal meetings and may be easier to address than broader local-government changes. Another bill, H. 4351, was supported by Rep. Brandy Fluker Reed, who described it as creating an Office of Freedmen Affairs to address longstanding racial wealth disparities affecting descendants of enslaved Americans. The hearing also included testimony on H. 3299 from Common Cause and MASSPIRG in favor of guaranteed hybrid access for public meetings with public participation components, with advocates saying it would improve transparency, accessibility, and civic engagement.
MO
Transcript Highlights:
- We are going to call that Hope, Missouri, for the sake of this legislation.
- I didn't know anything about it until I started working on this legislation.
- What necessitates legislation on this? I think it's just to create that organized act.
- It was not automatic. seen revisited at their request. It was not automatic.
- So thank you for bringing this legislation forward. You're welcome. Representative Dolan.
Committee:
House Children and Families
Summary:
The Committee on Children and Families heard public testimony on three bills. House Bill 3470, sponsored by Rep. Schmidt, would create a Missouri partner network linking state agencies, nonprofits, faith-based groups, and private partners through a website and case-management system to connect adults 18 and over who opt in with resources for employment, housing, education, and self-sufficiency. Supporters described the model as already working in 36 counties through the Care Portal and emphasized efficiency, reduced duplication, and stronger family outcomes. Committee members generally supported the concept and asked about opt-in participation, navigators, and how nonprofits would be included as true partners; no opposition testimony was offered.
House Bill 3322, sponsored by Rep. Hausman, would extend foster-care school stability timelines from 10 days to 30 days, or 60 days in summer, and increase the mileage limit for remaining in a school of origin from 10-15 miles to 30 miles. The sponsor and witnesses from the Foster and Adoptive Care Coalition and Foster Adopt Connect said the current limits can force unnecessary school changes and are especially difficult in rural areas, while the bill would better preserve continuity for children in foster care. Committee members asked about edge cases, transportation, and whether the child’s best interests would still control; there was no opposition testimony.
House Bill 1872, presented by Rep. Reuter, would allow survivors of domestic violence to seek resentencing if the abuse was related to the offense, so that the abuse can be considered as mitigating evidence after conviction or plea. Supporters, including a survivor, Missouri Appleseed, Forward.US, and Empower Missouri, said the bill would address cases where abuse was not fully considered at the original sentencing and would provide a second look for people serving long sentences. Several members raised procedural concerns about how the bill would interact with trial strategy, existing battered spouse syndrome law, evidentiary requirements, and appeals; the sponsor said he was open to revisions. No opposition testimony was presented, and the committee adjourned after the hearing.
TX
Transcript Highlights:
- HB 1828 by or relating to legislative leave for correctional officers employed by the Texas Department
- requested from the Committee on Insurance.
- HB 500 by bonding relates to making supplemental appropriations and reductions in appropriations giving
- direction and adjustment authority regarding appropriations refer the Committee on Appropriations.
- of other acts of that legislator for the Committee of Judiciary and Civil Jurisprudence.
AL
Transcript Highlights:
- ><c> addition</c> legisl legislative committee in addition legisl legislative committee in addition to
- . appropriations. appropriations.
- . appropriations. appropriations.
- . legislation. legislation.
- </c> requests sign. John Treadwell clerk. requests sign. John Treadwell clerk.
Summary:
The Senate first recognized the Montgomery Academy boys basketball team for winning the 2026 Class 3A state championship, their second straight title. Senator Barfoot introduced the team and read a resolution commending the players, coaches, and school community for the 66-39 win over Southside Selma, noting standout performances by Braden Gordon, Mason Ellis, and Jarrett Friendley. Coach Jeremy Aant and school head John Williams thanked the Senate and emphasized the team’s selflessness, teamwork, academic standards, service, and leadership development. The Senate applauded the team, added all senators to the resolution, and arranged for a picture and challenge coins for the players.
After the recognition, the Senate came to order, established a quorum, excused absent senators, and adopted the previous day’s journal. Committee reports followed. The Committee on State Government Affairs reported House Bill 541 favorably with one amendment; the bill would create the Safeguard Alabama Voter Engagement Act, requiring party registration for primary voting, restricting crossover voting, retaining voter history as a public record, revising voter registration forms, and requiring parties to publish candidate qualifications. The bill was ordered to a second reading and placed on the calendar.
The Committee on Local Legislation reported House Bills 630, 631, and 632 favorably, all relating to Etowah County, including changes to tax exemptions and personnel board membership. These bills were also sent to second reading and the calendar. The Senate then took up Senate Joint Resolution 117, commending Dylan Nut for winning the 2026 Bass Pro Shops Bassmaster Classic, and added all members as co-sponsors. During discussion, one senator used the opportunity to speak at length about a separate concern involving alleged unlicensed real estate solicitation and the need for legislation to protect citizens from property-related scams; he also discussed the calendar process and other bills. The floor later included extended informal remarks about fishing and a separate discussion of a proposal to designate Miss America as an official state ambassador, with support expressed for a possible stipend amendment.