Transcript Highlights:

• I think it would be devastating to the families there.
• OEO supports public K-12 students and their families, especially when they are experiencing hardships
• When working with families, our ombuds need to quickly build trust.
• We work to, we try, we do our best to work with consent and to work with the families.
• We support transparency, we support fiscal responsibility, and we appreciate the goal of supporting long-term

Bills: HB2440 , HB2551 , HB2593

Committee: House Education

Keywords: education, ombudsman, record-keeping, transparency, advocacy, school funding, financial solvency, education budget, district financial health, state funding, accounting, budgeting, reporting, 904, all

Transcript Highlights:

• from the Internal Revenue Service?
• working families.
• working families.
• their families.
• their families.

Keywords: 987, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> service that is central to scouting. service that is central to scouting.
• </c> public service operates in our state. public service operates in our state.
• We're proud to have them here with us at the Capitol, and we commend their leaders and families who support
• </c> I'm in full support of amendment 49. I'm in full support of amendment 49.
• </c> in full support of amendment 49. in full support of amendment 49.

Keywords: 981, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Well, thank you for your service. I appreciate that.
• Actually, a lot of our families are choosing homeschooling.
• These are our homes and our families.
• And I appreciate being here, even with a family emergency.
• And those families really are the heart.

Committee: Joint Joint Legislative Audit Committee

Keywords: 1182, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I’m here today to support House Bill 2830.
• The family was unhoused. James did not have a job or transportation or local family support.
• Recovery Support Providers.
• It is wraparound services.
• The priest comes over after the service is done and gives them the body of Christ. ...service is done

Committee: House Emerging Issues and Professional Registration

Summary: The committee first heard House Bill 3037, which would allow certain Missouri Empowerment Scholarship Account tax credits, beginning in 2028, to be carried back to the immediately prior tax year. Representative Allen said the bill was a technical timing change that would not alter the credit amount, cap, refundability, transferability, or other safeguards. Supporters, including the American Federation for Children and a representative of the scholarship organization, said the change would help donors better match contributions to their actual tax liability and could increase participation. One member raised concern about the fiscal impact on education funding, noting the Department of Revenue’s estimate of reduced revenue, while the sponsor said the delayed start date was intended to give the state time to plan. The committee then heard House Bill 2830, which would increase the recorder fee that funds the Missouri Housing Trust Fund from $3 to $9 per real estate document. Representative Collins said the increase would strengthen funding for affordable housing, rental assistance, and homeless prevention. Supporters from Empower Missouri, Love Columbia, Peter and Paul Community Services, and Missouri’s Coalition of Recovery Support Providers testified that the fund is under-resourced, with many requests going unmet and some housing programs unable to support new construction or rehabilitation projects. They described local housing shortages, homelessness, and the need for more capital funding, arguing the fee increase would help meet demand without using general revenue. No opposition testimony was presented. Finally, the committee took up House Bills 1778 and 2760, both aimed at protecting religious exercise during emergencies. The sponsors said the bills were prompted by COVID-era restrictions on churches and would prevent government orders from limiting worship services, while still allowing compliance with building and fire codes and excluding violence or harm. Members debated whether the bills would create a special exemption for houses of worship and whether they could interfere with public health responses to future outbreaks. A Baptist minister testified in opposition, arguing that religious gatherings should not receive special treatment and that restrictions should apply consistently to all mass gatherings. The hearing ended without a vote, and the committee adjourned after public testimony.

Transcript Highlights:

• Do it to families, and I'm just like... I'm sorry, thank you.
• I respectfully urge you to support this legislation.
• Again, I urge you to support House Bill 1795.
• I ask you to support the bill. Members, are there any questions?
• and the family of Louise and others like them.

Keywords: 1184, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• City and County of Honolulu Department of Customer Services in support.
• </c> of Customer Services in support. of Customer Services in support.
• We also support the allocation of funding for the judiciary to expand services appropriately to address
• . support. support.
• . support. support.

Keywords: 910, house, all

Summary: The House Committee on Transportation heard several vehicle and traffic safety measures. HB 2347, which would require the director of transportation to adopt rules allowing mobile vehicle safety inspections, drew support from DOT and individual testifiers who said it would add convenience and efficiency for passenger vehicle owners. Committee members questioned how home or driveway inspections would handle safety standards such as headlight checks and whether added convenience would come with higher costs; DOT also said it would follow up on inspection fees and audit procedures. HB 182, which would exempt motorcycles and passenger cars from safety inspections, received opposition from DOT, the Hawaii Police Department, and the City and County of Honolulu Department of Customer Services, with Grassroot Institute in support. HB 2022, which would equalize county and state annual vehicle registration fees, was opposed by the Hawaii Transportation Association because it would raise costs that would likely be passed on to consumers. The committee also took testimony on HB 1708, which would make operating a vehicle under the influence at a high intoxication level a class C felony and add probation requirements. Prosecutors, police, DOT, and the Honolulu customer services department supported the bill, while the Public Defender’s Office opposed it, arguing that it would increase court workload, require more defense resources, and create collateral consequences, including possible immigration impacts. Several witnesses and members discussed a proposed HD1 that would change the bill to a graduated penalty structure, making a first offense a misdemeanor and a second offense a felony, while also addressing deferred pleas and DUI deferrals. The Honolulu Prosecutor’s Office supported the bill’s intent but warned that Oahu lacks a reliable electronic or telephonic warrant system, which could lead to more refusals and additional court impacts. HB 2086, which would amend negligent injury in the first degree to include injuries negligently inflicted by intoxicated drivers, received support from DOT, county prosecutors, police, and the Honolulu Prosecutor’s Office. Honolulu’s prosecutor supported the bill but recommended against the attached HD1, saying the current drafting better preserves negligent injury as a lesser included offense and avoids blending it with a separate statutory scheme. HB 2154, which would create a framework for intelligent speed assist technology and require a report to the legislature, was supported by DOT, county police, Smart Start LLC, AAA Hawaii, and others, with the Alliance for Automobile Innovation offering comments and proposed amendments. A testifier described the bill as a way to prevent repeat speeding by limiting vehicles from accelerating beyond the speed limit. No votes or final committee actions were taken in the excerpt.

Transcript Highlights:

• Our family is your family.
• A little bit about me: my family owned Emerald Towing Service in Boca Raton, Florida.
• We have Mike Moore, waving in support from Guardian Fleet Services. All right, thank you.
• We support this bill.
• Again, it's too late to help me, but you can help other families, and you can do the right thing by supporting

Committee: Senate Transportation

Summary: The Transportation Committee met and considered a series of bills, beginning with SB 266, which would exempt sales and use tax on electric vertical takeoff and landing aircraft sold from manufacturers to operators. Senator Harold said the measure is intended to help Florida attract an advanced air mobility industry and create jobs. The committee adopted an amendment clarifying the definition of EVTOL aircraft and excluding drones, then reported the bill favorably. SB 350, by Senator DeSigley, was also reported favorably after a minor amendment; it allows local governments to permit vehicles to travel slowly on flooded streets without being treated as unlawfully impeding traffic. Supporters from the Florida PBA and Florida League of Cities waived in support. The committee next approved SB 706, designating part of U.S. 92/Gandy Boulevard as the Senator James A. Sebesta Memorial Highway. SB 628, Lucy’s Law, was heard with extensive emotional testimony from Lucy Fernandez’s parents and others. The bill strengthens boating safety by increasing penalties for reckless boating, requiring boating safety education after certain violations, and aligning some boating penalties more closely with motor vehicle laws. A substitute amendment was adopted, and the bill was reported favorably. SB 872, dealing with county and municipal price controls for the removal and storage of electric vehicles, was also amended and reported favorably after testimony from towing industry representatives about the added costs and storage constraints posed by damaged EVs; the Florida Insurance Council spoke in opposition. The committee then approved SB 650, which expands hazardous walking condition criteria for elementary school students to include walkways along freeways, ramps, and interchanges, regardless of speed limit. SB 1318, the hands-free driving bill, generated substantial testimony from safety advocates and families affected by distracted driving; it would rename Florida’s texting law as a hands-free driving law and prohibit handheld use of wireless devices while driving. The committee also passed SB 994, increasing driver education requirements for standard and learner’s licenses, and SB 662, designating a portion of West Beaver Street in Duval County as Harry Frisch Street. Several senators recorded affirmative votes on bills after the roll calls, and the meeting adjourned after all listed measures were reported favorably.

Transcript Highlights:

• We made significant gains in supporting our students who receive special education services, making up
• ,</c> Minnesota students, educators, families, Minnesota students, educators, families, schools<00:13
• :13:27.680><c> services,</c> receive special education services, receive special education services,
• Food service fund.
• I mean, uh, services cuts to that.

Committee: Senate Education Finance

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• In addition, internet service providers, search engines, and cloud service providers are not in violation
• take care of their families.
• Please support this bill to keep our children safe.
• And great, we have a supportive Attorney General now.
• We strongly support the goal of keeping children safe.

Summary: The Consumer Protection and Business Committee held a public hearing on House Bill 2112, which would require commercial entities, including some social media companies, to use age verification before allowing access to websites where more than one-third of the material is sexual content harmful to minors. Staff explained that the bill would require reasonable age verification methods, prohibit retention of identifying information, exempt bona fide news and public-interest sites, and authorize the Attorney General to enforce the law through civil penalties. The bill would also require warning notices on landing pages and advertisements, with content to be developed by the Department of Health. Prime sponsor Representative Mari Leavitt said the bill is intended to protect children from harmful online sexual content and argued that parental controls are not sufficient. She cited pediatric and public-health concerns, said the bill is modeled on laws upheld elsewhere, and emphasized that the measure is aimed at commercial entities rather than school-based sharing or general adult access. Supportive testimony from parents, clinicians, and advocates described early exposure to pornography, mental health harms, and the need to place responsibility on platforms rather than families alone. Opposition testimony focused on privacy, free speech, enforcement, and scope. Several witnesses argued that age verification systems create data-security risks even if data is not retained, that the bill’s definitions and one-third threshold are vague and could sweep in LGBTQ, health, educational, or artistic content, and that enforcement would be difficult against out-of-state websites. Some opponents said the law would push users to less-compliant sites and would not effectively protect children. A technology industry witness said the bill is narrow and comparable to carding for alcohol or tobacco, while a Free Speech Coalition representative said the law is ineffective in practice and offered to discuss amendments. No vote was taken during the hearing.

Transcript Highlights:

• Forest Friselle in support in support.
• devastated when his family didn't support the same way.
• our kids and support our families.
• and was pretty devastated when support and was pretty devastated when his<00:50:02.000><c> family</c
• </c> his family didn't support the same way. his family didn't support the same way.

Bills: HB1629 , HB1630 , HB1631

Committee: House Economic Development & Technology

Keywords: economic development, business, state statutes, Hawaii Revised Statutes, legislation, development strategy, state funding, infrastructure, employment opportunities, legislative intent, state legislation, development initiatives, 910, house, all

Summary: The committee heard testimony on several bills, beginning with HB 1829 on marine affairs. Most testimony was in strong support, with speakers from state agencies, ocean-tech companies, startups, nonprofits, and community groups backing the creation of an Office of Marine Affairs and a marine affairs coordinator under HTDC. Supporters said the measure would better coordinate ocean policy, strengthen the blue economy, and help Hawaii capture jobs, investment, and innovation in marine-related industries. No vote or final action was taken in the portion provided. The committee then took up HTDC-related measures, including HB 1615 and HB 1613, which also drew broad support from business, technology, and economic development interests. Testifiers said the bills would strengthen Hawaii’s technology and innovation ecosystem, support advanced manufacturing and cybersecurity, and help build a more diversified economy with higher-wage jobs. The committee also heard HB 1607 on public procurement and HB 1772 on small business procurement; state procurement staff and several business groups supported efforts to expand opportunities for local firms, while one speaker from the city’s economic revitalization commission argued that a flat 5% preference could help keep more revenue and jobs in-state. On HB 1636 relating to shopping carts, the Hawaii Food Industry Association and Retail Merchants of Hawaii testified in opposition, saying the bill would penalize businesses for carts that are stolen rather than abandoned and would add costs that could especially burden small and local retailers. HB 1810 on charitable solicitation drew support from Goodwill Hawaii and other nonprofits, who said the bill would improve transparency around donation bins and protect donors from misleading for-profit collection practices; the Attorney General’s office asked for a delayed effective date to allow system changes and staffing. HB 1782 on AI and the protection of minors received broad support from state agencies, educators, and advocacy groups, but some business and retail representatives urged narrowing the definition of covered AI services so ordinary customer-service chatbots would not be swept in. Finally, HB 1759 on theft drew opposition from the Public Defender’s Office, which said the bill could create overly harsh penalties and should include defense representation on any task force; the office also noted existing laws already address conspiracy and related conduct.

Transcript Highlights:

• SB 1653, family court fees cost award. June elections.
• SB 1657, family court attorney fees cap. June elections.
• SB 1775, in-may telephone system service contracts. SB 1776, traditional healing services access.
• SB 1776, traditional healing services access.
• Our responsibility is to support a secure and renewable water supply for the state. ...is to support

Summary: The Senate convened with prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, and a recorded roll call showing 30 members present. The journal was approved, no guests were introduced at first, and the Governor’s signed bill HB 2022 was reported. The President also announced temporary committee substitutions for the Rules Committee on February 9. Senator Shamp introduced licensed naturopathic physicians in the gallery and highlighted SB 1178, which would expand their authority to administer certain intravenous drugs, including antibiotics, antivirals, and antifungals. The chamber then read a lengthy calendar of first- and second-reading bills and resolutions covering elections, education, health care, water, criminal justice, housing, taxation, and other topics, with no floor action taken on those measures during the reading. The Senate recessed to recognize law enforcement personnel involved in the rescue of an eight-year-old boy from a human trafficking situation. A proclamation commended Deputies Gregory Sanders and Jacob Montoya, along with Cochise County and Border Patrol personnel, for their courage and professionalism. After returning to order, members made personal privilege remarks urging the Joint Legislative Budget Committee to review $2.85 million in election-related funding for the Secretary of State, and another senator spoke about water security and the need for long-term planning. Additional announcements included caucus and committee meeting notices, an invitation to Arizona Aerospace Day, and a motion to adjourn until Tuesday, February 10, 2026, at 1:15 p.m. The transcript ends as the chamber was considering adjournment.

Transcript Highlights:

• We will now alternate in testimony and support and opposition. First up in support.
• We will alternate our testimony in support and opposition. First, in support.
• Next in support. Mr.
• We include hospital-based services.
• Next in support. Mr.

Committee: House Crime and Public Safety

Summary: The committee met with a quorum and first took up Senate Bill 982. Members adopted a House committee substitute that updated the bill to reflect recently enacted sex offense classifications and added language related to sexual violent predator civil commitment, including permission for the Department of Mental Health to contract with the Department of Corrections for housing. After questions about the civil commitment process and registry-related provisions, the committee adopted two House committee amendments, rolled them into the substitute, and voted the bill do pass by a vote of 14 aye, 1 no, and 1 present. The committee then approved House Bill 3414 by a vote of 12 yes, 1 no, and 3 present. Next, it considered a combined substitute for House Bills 3434, 3460, and 2628, which dealt with emergency contraception and related health care facility language. Members discussed whether the substitute should include religious objection protections and whether the facility definition was broad enough for rural clinics. After adopting an amendment clarifying that emergency contraception does not include medication approved to terminate a pregnancy, the committee adopted the substitute and voted the combined bills do pass by 11 aye, 4 no, and 1 present. In public hearing, the committee heard Senate Joint Resolution 87, which would place the election of sheriffs in the Missouri Constitution and preserve local election of sheriffs, with carve-outs for St. Louis County, St. Charles County, Jackson County, and the City of St. Louis. The sponsor and supporting witnesses argued it would protect local control and accountability, while members asked about removal procedures and the role of the Attorney General versus local prosecutors. Supporters, including the Osage County sheriff and the interim sheriff of the City of St. Louis, testified in favor; no opposition testified. The committee also heard House Bills 1868 and 3257, identical bills creating an offense for impeding, threatening, or harassing first responders after an oral warning to stay back. Sponsors said the measure was intended to protect officers, EMS, firefighters, and others from interference at scenes, and supporters from ambulance, physician, and fire service groups backed the bill, with a suggested cleanup to remove the outdated term “ambulance driver.” Finally, the committee heard House Bill 3017, which would create the offense of permitting a public nuisance on property after repeated documented complaints and allow authorities to secure or board up nuisance properties. The sponsor and Kansas City police supported it as a tool for public safety, while members raised concerns about landlord liability, due process, and whether the felony penalty and boarding costs were too burdensome; Kansas City police testified in support and no opposition was heard.

Transcript Highlights:

• <01:10:12.520><c> that</c><01:10:12.719><c> first</c> supports that first supports that first portion
• They were supporting their governor.
• This is still impacting our families, people who lost loved ones, whose family member died alone, who
• people who lost loved ones families people who lost loved ones whose<01:48:55.440><c> family</c><01:
• </c><01:52:56.119><c> went</c> her window that is what families went her window that is what families

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• It would authorize a new local sales and use tax to fund services for children and families.
• It would authorize a new local sales and use tax to fund services for children and families.
• This would require voter approval before the sales and use tax for services for children and families
• It would also provide that the city or county sales and use tax for services for children and families
• It would also provide that the city or county sales and use tax for services for children and families

Summary: House Finance heard briefings on several tax and housing-related bills, including HB 1717 on a local sales and use tax remittance program for affordable housing, HB 1859 on expanding density bonuses for housing on religious organization property, HB 1960 on a renewable energy excise tax, HB 2133 on making a senior citizen center property tax exemption permanent, HB 2135 on extending a disabled veterans housing sales tax preference, HB 2140 on tax treatment for land transferred to government entities, HB 2442 on a broad package of local tax and levy changes, and HB 2559 on a local option short-term rental tax for affordable housing. Staff also described multiple proposed substitutes and amendments, many of them technical or aimed at shifting administrative duties, changing tax credits, or requiring voter approval. In executive session, the committee adopted a substitute for HB 1717 and reported it out unanimously with a due pass recommendation. HB 1859 was also reported out with a due pass recommendation after members discussed added flexibility for affordable housing on faith-owned land. For HB 1960, the committee adopted amendments clarifying tax administration and JLARC review, rejected an amendment that would have adjusted property tax levies to offset shifts, and then advanced the bill on an 11-4 vote. HB 2133 and HB 2135 both received technical amendments and were reported out unanimously, with members emphasizing the value of permanent or extended tax preferences for senior centers and disabled veterans. The committee then advanced HB 2140, which narrows tax consequences when land is transferred to a governmental entity and is used for current-use purposes, with members describing it as a fix for unintended burdens on landowners and farmers. HB 2442, a large local government finance package, drew the most debate; amendments to make new taxes credits against state taxes and to require voter approval were rejected, and the bill passed 9-6. HB 2559, which would allow a local option excise tax on short-term rentals to fund affordable housing, also saw rejected amendments on state tax credits, local control, and voter approval before passing 9-6. Throughout, supporters framed the bills as tools for local governments and affordable housing, while opponents argued they would increase taxes and should require direct voter approval or state offsets.

Transcript Highlights:

• So we strongly support that effort as well.
• </c><00:03:28.319><c> of</c> wouldn't survive without the support of wouldn't survive without the support
• </c><00:04:29.320><c> nearby</c> may not have family nearby may not have family nearby or<00:04:30.840
• </c> we've been able to expand those services we've been able to expand those services and<00:09:04.320
• service service thanks<00:10:22.079><c> representative</c><00:10:23.079><c> him</c><00:10:23.600><c>

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• I am here on behalf of Spark Northwest in support of this bill.
• We urge this committee to support the bill. Thank you so much for your testimony.
• Hundreds of thousands of Washington families are in urgent need of the services.
• Hundreds of thousands of Washington families are in urgent need of the services that the Weatherization
• This bill would support faster, cost-effective action toward both goals, and we urge your support.

Bills: SB6269 , SB6223 , SB5982 , SB6050 , SB5965 , SB5975 , SB6010 , SB5984 , SB6076 , SB5652

Committee: Senate Environment, Energy & Technology

Keywords: motor fuel, fuel quality act, RCW 19.112, alternative fuel, biodiesel, renewable diesel, ethanol blend, alcohol fuel, diesel fuel, nonhazardous motor fuel, biofuels, clean fuels, transportation fuels, Washington fuel standards, fuel labeling, fuel blending, petroleum products, natural gas vehicles, compressed natural gas, liquefied petroleum gas

Transcript Highlights:

• I am here on behalf of Spark Northwest in support of this bill.
• We urge this committee to support the bill. Thank you so much for your testimony.
• Hundreds of thousands of Washington families are in urgent need of the services.
• Hundreds of thousands of Washington families are in urgent need of the services that the Weatherization
• This bill would support faster, cost-effective action toward both goals, and we urge your support.

Summary: The Senate Environment, Energy and Technology Committee first held a public hearing on SB 6269, which updates the Motor Fuel Quality Act to broaden the definition of motor fuel to include gaseous fuels and electricity and remove the separate alternative fuel definition. Staff and the Department of Agriculture said the change would let WSDA inspect and test hydrogen and other newer fuels; Commerce and Douglas County PUD supported the bill as needed for hydrogen fueling infrastructure. The bill drew no opposition testimony, and the hearing closed with the chair noting broad support. The committee then heard SB 6223, which would authorize community-scale weatherization projects under the low-income weatherization program. Supporters from community action, Spark Northwest, Commerce, and Washington Conservation Action said the bill would let the state weatherize multiple homes at once, improve health and safety, reduce energy burdens, and help meet climate and grid goals more quickly. Staff said the bill has a fiscal note for rulemaking and administration. The hearing ended with strong support and no opposition testimony. In executive session, the committee adopted proposed substitutes and passed SB 5982, SB 6050, SB 5965, SB 6010, SB 5984, SB 6076, and SB 5652 to the Rules Committee or Ways and Means, depending on the bill. Amendments were adopted on SB 5965 to adjust carryout bag provisions, while amendments on SB 6010 were not adopted. SB 5982 would update CETA-related utility definitions and reporting, SB 6050 addresses distributed energy resources and utility rules, SB 5965 revises carryout bag requirements, SB 6010 concerns EFSEC tribal consultation, SB 5984 regulates AI companion chatbots, SB 6076 streamlines procurement for certain clean energy projects, and SB 5652 concerns environmental and health mitigation in large port districts. The committee also noted it would not take action that day on SB 5975 and SB 5466.

Transcript Highlights:

• support well.
• We talk about helping working families all the time.
• And I ask your favorable support for this great bill.
• Members, I rise today in support of this bill.
• As we come together to support President Trump's executive order, I urge each of you to support this

Summary: The House convened with prayer, a moment of silence for Deputy Will May of the Walton County Sheriff’s Department, the Pledge of Allegiance, and quorum established. The Rules and Ethics Committee report setting the special order calendar was adopted, and CS for HB 947 was recommitted to the Judiciary Committee. The chamber then took up several special-order bills, mostly reviser and technical measures, including SB 36, SB 42, SB 40, and SB 38, all of which passed unanimously or near-unanimously after brief explanations that they updated or cleaned up Florida statutes. Members also passed HB 513 on electronic transmittal of court orders, requiring clerks to send certain petitions, notices, summonses, and orders within six hours, including Baker Act, Marchman Act, and risk protection orders. HB 615, on electronic delivery of landlord-tenant notices by email when both parties agree in writing, passed after adoption of a tenant-protection amendment offered by Rep. Gottlieb. HB 655 establishing a regulatory framework for pet insurance and wellness programs passed unanimously. HB 1145 on workforce education passed 100-4, expanding CAP grant eligibility to public charter schools for CTE startup/expansion and increasing minimum program offerings tied to a money-back guarantee program. HB 299 on elevator accessibility requirements passed unanimously, and HB 649 on autonomous practice by certified registered nurse anesthetists passed 77-30 after structured debate. The most extensive debate centered on CS for HB 1205, which would significantly revise Florida’s citizen initiative process. The bill would require a $1 million bond after 25% of required signatures are collected, require petition handlers and circulators to be Florida residents and U.S. citizens, impose background checks and training for paid circulators, shorten petition turn-in deadlines to 10 days, increase penalties, add signature revocation notices, require more identifying information on petition forms, and create felony penalties for certain misconduct. Supporters argued the changes were needed to combat fraud and protect petition integrity; opponents said the bill would burden First Amendment activity and make ballot initiatives harder for ordinary Floridians to pursue. Multiple amendments sought to roll back or soften the bill’s requirements, protect personal information, restore longer deadlines, lower validation thresholds, and bar public funds from being used to advocate for or against amendments. Some amendments were adopted, but several key ones failed as debate continued.

Transcript Highlights:

• I urge you to support Mason's law.
• Next in support. Good afternoon.
• Hey, city owes families. We owe families money.
• I'll begin by saying I am a full supporter of the police department. I want to support.
• I'm a supporter of the police. I'm the, I support the police.

Committee: House Crime and Public Safety

Summary: The committee on Crime and Public Safety held public hearings on House Bill 3175 and House Bill 3066. HB 3175, called Mason’s Law, was presented by Rep. Chris Brown as a system to let the Department of Revenue, Missouri Highway Patrol, and MULES alert officers during traffic stops if a driver may have a disability or health condition affecting communication. Brown described a traffic stop involving a young man with autism and said the bill would allow a physician-verified designation tied to license plates and driver records. Testimony in support came from Mason and his mother, who said the bill could prevent dangerous misunderstandings, along with a friend, a speech-hearing association representative, and Kansas City police, who said officers already receive crisis-intervention training. No opposition testimony was offered. HB 3066, by Rep. Brad Christ, would clarify parts of the new St. Louis City police governance structure, including responsibility for civil liabilities, budgeting, and extending the transition director’s term. Christ said the bill is meant to clean up language from last year’s police governance changes and address disputes over who pays for lawsuits arising from different time periods, while also allowing the Board of Police Commissioners more flexibility to move money within its budget. Several witnesses and members raised concerns that the bill would weaken the city’s Board of Estimate and Apportionment, reduce transparency and checks and balances, and shift financial burdens onto city taxpayers and vital city services. City representatives opposed the bill and urged waiting for a memorandum of understanding to resolve the issues locally, while supporters from the police board, the police officers association, and the Attorney General’s office said the bill would provide needed clarity and efficiency and help resolve lingering liability questions. No votes were taken on either bill during the hearing. At the end of the meeting, the chair announced that several other House bills and a House resolution would not be executed that day and might be heard later.