Transcript Highlights:

• Whereas the members of the Legislature were greatly saddened to learn of the passing of Robert Geake.
• of Livonia, part of the city of Northville, and surrounding areas.
• Now, we know that the war in Iran is the main driver of the gas prices of the, of the gas prices of Now
• President, will the Senate proceed to the order of statements? Without objection, so ordered.
• Somehow conflate the issues and make an entrapment of members to have a statement of whether they really

Summary: The Senate convened with 30 members present, heard the invocation and Pledge of Allegiance, and approved several temporary excusals. The chamber received gubernatorial appointments to multiple boards and commissions, then recessed and later took up resolutions and legislation. It adopted Senate Concurrent Resolution 13, a tribute memorializing former Senator and Representative Robert Geake, after remarks honoring his long legislative career and public service; the resolution was adopted and all members and the Lieutenant Governor were added as co-sponsors. The Senate also adopted Senate Concurrent Resolution 14, which approved an extension of a state of emergency related to gasoline prices through Labor Day. Senator Camilleri argued the extension would help lower fuel costs for residents, while Senator McBroom later criticized the resolution as political theater and urged action on substantive energy legislation, including a pending Upper Peninsula-related bill. The resolution passed by roll call, 36-1. In floor action, the Senate introduced and referred several bills, including measures on the Income Tax Act, Michigan Trust Fund Act, road classification, the Food Law, Motor Fuels Quality Act, and automated decision tools in employment. The chamber then passed three bills on third reading: Senate Bill 480 on child care organization licensing and regulation, Senate Bill 517 amending the Revised School Code, and Senate Bill 278 amending the State Housing Development Authority Act of 1966. The Senate adjourned after statements and a final motion to adjourn until June 25 at 10 a.m.

Transcript Highlights:

• Make no mistake, this interest of China.
• of the loss of during the past 12 years of the loss of her<00:54:33.599><c> son.
• of</c> to the tune of tens of billions of to the tune of tens of billions of dollars<02:30:58.479><c
• <c> of</c><02:51:10.319><c> of</c><02:51:10.640><c> lives</c> tens of thousands of dollar of of lives
• 03:18:52.000><c> of</c><03:18:52.160><c> of</c> It is a piece of work, a piece of of of It is a piece

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> and at the end of the day that's one of and at the end of the day that's one of our<00:10:18.959
• </c> years of somebody an estimated amount of years of somebody an estimated amount of at<00:27:04.559
• So, we're not understaffed in the city of Tuscaloosa because of a lack of effort.
• </c> Tuscaloosa because of a lack of effort. Tuscaloosa because of a lack of effort.
• My mailbox is full of notifications because I literally have taken such an interest.

Bills: HB450 , HB469 , SB298 , HB450 , HB638 , HB469 , SB298

Committee: House Public Safety and Homeland Security

Keywords: HB450, judges, judicial office, constitutional amendment, Alabama Constitution, age limit, mandatory retirement, judicial eligibility, supernumerary judge, judicial retirement, state judicial retirement benefits, election law, appointment, voter approval, ballot measure, Judiciary Committee, ambulance services, balance billing, health insurance, emergency transportation

Transcript Highlights:

• I'm the chair of Water and Land.
• all of whom care deeply about the protection of our ʻāina and our oceans.
• Tom Yamachika of the Tax Foundation of Hawaiʻi said they have no problem with the policy objectives of
• ><c> Foundation</c><00:18:50.120><c> of</c> yamachika tax Foundation of yamachika tax Foundation of Hawaii
• </c><00:34:50.440><c> of</c> implementation uh administratively of of implementation uh administratively

Summary: The joint House Committee on Tourism and Committee on Water and Land heard HB 504, which would raise the transient accommodations tax by imposing a $20 nightly charge on stays booked with points, miles, or other rewards-program benefits, with revenues dedicated to DLNR for natural resource protection, management, and restoration. Supporters said Hawaiʻi faces major environmental funding shortfalls and that visitors should help pay for the lands and waters they enjoy. Testimony in support came from DLNR, the Climate Change Mitigation and Adaptation Commission, Care for Now Coalition, Hawaiʻi Ocean Legislative Task Force, Hawaiʻi Land Trust, The Nature Conservancy, Kuaʻulu, Mālama Puka, Resources Legacy Fund, and others, many citing visitor polling showing strong support for an environmental stewardship fee and the need for a dedicated funding source and community grants. Opposition or caution focused mainly on implementation and the tax structure. The Department of Taxation said the surcharge would create administrative difficulties because it would be hard to verify the value of points, miles, and similar bookings, and the Tax Foundation of Hawaiʻi said it supported the policy goal but not the funding source, warning that tourists have limited budgets and may choose other destinations. Some members also raised concerns about the $20 rate and administrative complexity, while others said the concept was creative but needed refinement. After discussion, the chair recommended passing HB 504 as HD1 with amendments, including noting DoTax’s concerns and changing the effective date for the surcharge to January 1, 2027. Both committees adopted the recommendation and passed the bill with amendments; one member in Water and Land voted with reservations, and several members were excused.

Transcript Highlights:

• We begin our meetings with the Pledge of Allegiance to the flag of the United States of America.
• . statement. statement.
• I'm the commissioner of the Minnesota Department of Veterans Affairs.
• </c> of the Department of Military Affairs. of the Department of Military Affairs.
• </c><00:55:04.559><c> and</c> and take care of a problem of fraud and and take care of a problem of fraud

Transcript Highlights:

• We've had a lot of interest outside of our program for people to get that training.
• We've had a lot of interest outside of our program for people to get that training.
• ><c> lot</c><00:26:24.200><c> of</c><00:26:24.320><c> interest</c><00:26:24.679><c> outside</c><00:26
• :25.000><c> of</c><00:26:25.120><c> our</c> had a lot of interest outside of our had a lot of interest
• that are dealing with the financial and emotional stress of dealing with high-path avian influenza and

Bills: HF47 , HF434 , HF1503 , HF1702

Committee: House Agriculture Finance and Policy

Transcript Highlights:

• He said that was an interesting statement because so much money is being spent now by homeowners, and
• statement because there's an interesting statement because there's so<00:30:42.640><c> much</c><00:30
• Interesting study. So, there's a lot of things that go into it.
• Interesting study. So, there's a lot of things that go into it.
• Interesting study. So, there's a lot of things that go into it.

Transcript Highlights:

• She also said she knew that a statement of registration had been put in, acknowledging that by not processing
• The statement of registration acknowledges that by not processing its own beef cows, swine, sheep, or
• ><c> of</c><01:02:33.440><c> this</c> prospect of another body of this prospect of another body of this
• of it because I do believe it’s important for us to make a statement uh on behalf of our farmers.”
• important for us to make a statement uh on behalf of our farmers.”

Summary: The Environment and Agriculture Committee held a work session and then an executive session on HB 396, which would allow processing of beef cows, swine, sheep, and goats at facilities not certified by USDA. Representative Comtois presented a revised amendment after earlier drafting issues were corrected. She explained that the amendment now limits the amenable species language to cuts of meat rather than meat food products, fixes labeling language, removes an exemption from federal law, strikes a seasonal date range, and restores a section that had been removed. She also said the amendment distinguishes between amenable and non-amenable species and keeps a registration statement acknowledging the federal-law conflict. Committee members and witnesses debated the policy. Representative Howard questioned whether the bill should educate farmers rather than legislate them and raised concerns about requiring a farmer to register as violating federal law. Representative Comtois argued the bill supports small farmers, year-round meat processing, and intrastate activity, and described problems she said had occurred at USDA facilities. Representative Miner and others expressed support for moving the amendment forward. DHHS food safety officials testified that the department has no oversight of custom exempt facilities, that USDA is the only inspector in that system, and that if the bill passed there would be very limited regulatory oversight unless there were complaints or a foodborne outbreak. They also noted the original September 1 to April 30 date range had been tied to bison because of size and temperature concerns, and said the current language appeared to address bison, elk, and red deer documentation rather than the livestock species named in the bill. The New Hampshire Farm Bureau’s policy director, Rob Johnson, said the organization had recently voted down a policy opposing state regulations that would allow uninspected meat sales at retail until federal law changes, and that he needed to consult further with leadership before taking a position on HB 396. He suggested the bill should use the term “beef cattle” for consistency with livestock statutes. In executive session, Representative Comtois moved to approve amendment 2025-3090H, Representative King seconded, and members reiterated both support and reservations. The transcript ends during executive-session discussion, with no final recorded vote on the bill shown in the excerpt.

Transcript Highlights:

• We'll skip the next set of minutes for a minute and go to the minutes of January 26, 2026.
• Chairman, at the beginning of the session, Mr.
• And violence should have no part of that.
• We list a couple of specific examples in the resolution, but generally it's just a statement by the Senate
• So this is interesting to me. And, Mr.

Committee: Senate State Affairs

Transcript Highlights:

• In the interest of time, additional speakers making substantially similar comments will be asked to simply
• And in the interest of time, if someone else has already kind of said what you were planning to say,
• maintain their business really can't work in the best interests of the public.
• business really just can't work in the best interests of the public because it's sort of a self-fulfilling
• I strongly encourage the committee to determine if CCIDC is serving in the best interest of the public

Transcript Highlights:

• In the interest of time, additional speakers making substantially similar comments will be asked to simply
• And in the interest of time, if someone else has already kind of said what you were planning to say,
• business really just can't work in the best interests of the public because it's sort of a self-fulfilling
• I strongly encourage the committee to determine if CCIDC is serving in the best interest of the public
• , most of them anticipate hiring three of them.

Summary: The joint sunset oversight hearing reviewed five California regulatory entities: the Respiratory Care Board, the California Council for Interior Design Certification, the Speech-Language Pathology, Audiology, and Hearing Aid Dispensers Board, the Board of Occupational Therapy, and the Board of Naturopathic Medicine. Each agency described its mission, recent modernization or enforcement work, and requested continuation of its authority. Committee members focused on access to care, workforce impacts, fee structures, transparency, and whether proposed changes would improve public protection without creating unnecessary barriers. For the Respiratory Care Board, the main issues were a possible move from an associate to a bachelor’s degree for entry-level licensure, fee cleanup changes, and ongoing work on the role of LVNs in respiratory tasks. Board representatives said the degree change would better align with national trends and could support future reimbursement and professional advancement, while public commenters and some legislators warned it could worsen shortages, especially in rural and underserved areas. Much of the public testimony centered on families and facilities relying on LVNs for trach and ventilator care in congregate living health facilities, with requests to preserve or expand exemptions. The board also discussed its reserve cap and efforts to modernize licensing and enforcement systems. The interior design item drew the most debate. CCIDC leaders argued the current voluntary certification/title-act model works, that complaints have not shown public harm, and that licensure would disrupt the workforce and create barriers for experienced designers. Committee members questioned the lack of enforcement authority, transparency, and whether the model provides enough accountability or consistent plan acceptance by local jurisdictions. Public testimony was split between supporters who said the current system is flexible and effective, and critics who said the private structure lacks accountability and creates confusion, especially for commercial work and plan check acceptance. The Speech-Language Pathology, Audiology, and Hearing Aid Dispensers Board reported major modernization gains, including online licensure processing, faster application times, new continuing education audits, and updated supervision and advertising rules. Members and stakeholders discussed a proposed audiology assistant license, which the board and the California Academy of Audiology supported as a way to improve access to care and reduce workload pressures. The Occupational Therapy Board described strong enforcement and licensing performance, a new strategic plan, and a request for additional fee authority to address rising costs and reserve concerns; public testimony largely supported the board and a proposed reduction in advanced practice hand therapy training hours. The Naturopathic Medicine Board emphasized consumer protection, unlicensed practice enforcement, and consumer confusion over titles, saying most of its enforcement workload involves unlicensed activity and that stronger title protection and clearer statutory authority are needed.

Transcript Highlights:

• , members of our community, constituents of ours, find themselves on the other side of this law.
• But a lot of people— A lot of trepidation and fear.
• of Florida.
• of classes and the spread of gross inaccuracies.
• state of Florida, out of that 855.

Summary: The Senate convened with a quorum present, opened with prayer and the Pledge of Allegiance, and included several member introductions and recognitions, including awareness resolutions and visiting groups in the galleries. The chamber then moved to a special order calendar and took up a series of bills, with most receiving unanimous or near-unanimous support. Early measures included SB 88 on utility terrain vehicles, which would allow local governments to designate certain roads for UTV use under safety restrictions; it passed 32-5 after debate over safety concerns. SB 102 on exceptional student education would create a workforce credential and badge program for students with autism spectrum disorder or modified curricula, and passed 36-0 after discussion of workforce access and district costs. SB 106 on exploitation of vulnerable adults would allow alternative service of process through the same app used by scammers, and passed 37-0. SB 130 on compensation for victims of wrongful incarceration would extend filing deadlines and remove restrictive bars to compensation, and passed 38-0. SB 158 would eliminate cost sharing for diagnostic and supplemental breast exams under the state employee health plan, and passed 38-0 after testimony about early detection and access to follow-up care. The most extensive debate came on SB 234, which would revise laws on resisting law enforcement and add a mandatory life sentence for manslaughter of a law enforcement officer. Supporters argued it was needed after the killing of Officer Jason Raynor and to clarify that violent resistance to officers is not justified; opponents raised concerns about removing “good faith” language, potential impacts on Fourth Amendment issues, racial profiling, and the severity of the mandatory sentence. An amendment to restore “in good faith” failed, and after further debate the sponsor temporarily postponed the bill. The Senate then passed SB 262 on technical trust-code changes by a 36-0 vote, and later recognized Alpha Phi Alpha fraternity members in the gallery. Additional bills passed with broad support. SB 274 designated portions of Orlando roadways as Harris Rosen Way and Geraldine Thompson Way, honoring philanthropist Harris Rosen and the late Senator Geraldine Thompson; it passed 38-0 and drew a motion for co-sponsorship. SB 280 created an enforcement mechanism for candidate party-affiliation qualification requirements and passed 38-0. SB 296 repealed the statewide mandate for later middle and high school start times and shifted the issue to local districts after reporting requirements, passing 38-0. SB 356 designated January 27 as International Holocaust Remembrance Day in Florida and passed after remarks about the Holocaust memorial and the need to confront antisemitism. Throughout the session, senators frequently framed their votes in terms of public safety, education, access to care, civil justice, and commemorating community leaders and historical events.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> programs um and related to the county of programs um and related to the county of financial<00:34
• interest of time, I'll just say thank you.
• Um, in the interest of time, I'll just end there.
• </c><01:15:30.000><c> burdens</c><01:15:30.640><c> of</c> relieve the financial burdens of relieve the
• financial burdens of highintensity<01:15:32.080><c> residential</c><01:15:32.840><c> care.

Bills: HF2434

Committee: House Human Services Finance and Policy

Transcript Highlights:

• That is why rural Jews, those living in villages, observe the 14th of the month of Adar as a day of joy
• The Immigration Enforcement Unit of Department of Homeland Security Thank you. of Department of Homeland
• It bypasses all of that. It bypasses all of that.
• see to it that it's serving their best interest, not the interests of government.
• Secretary of Court of Vote by our vote of 17-I-13-A-0. Not voting.

Transcript Highlights:

• We know of all of these examples.
• , hundreds of—well, some of the infrastructure is hundreds of years old.
• We are a nonprofit organization that represents the interests of municipalities and districts in the
• Director of Pilgrim Launch and a member of the board of Save Our Bay.
• build in 2012 to take care of some of the CSOs in another, kind of fancier, part of town than our part

Committee: Joint Joint Committee on Environment and Natural Resources

Summary: The Joint Committee on Environment and Natural Resources held a hybrid hearing with testimony on a range of environmental bills. Early testimony focused on H. 1018, which would update management of the Commonwealth’s water resources and limit new conditions on historic water registrations. Water officials from Wellesley and the Springfield Water and Sewer Commission supported the bill, arguing that drought-related restrictions on registered withdrawals are difficult to administer, create customer confusion, and can undermine utility revenue needed for infrastructure upgrades. A Massachusetts Waterworks Association representative also backed the bill, saying registered systems have long operated within their allocations and should not have those withdrawals conditioned by regulation. A major portion of the hearing centered on H. 1040, which would ban tire-derived materials on playgrounds and playing fields. The bill’s petitioner, environmental advocates, and an environmental chemist testified that crumb rubber and other tire-derived infill can release chemicals into soil and water and may pose risks to aquatic life and public health. Committee members asked about alternatives and costs; witnesses said natural grass and some organic infills are available, though more research is needed on some substitutes. Rep. Schwartz also testified on CSO-related bills, describing combined sewer overflows as a public health and environmental problem and saying the bills set deadlines but leave implementation methods to local and regional officials. Rep. Chacolo supported H. 909, a grant program for low-noise, low-emission landscape equipment, citing worker health, noise, and emissions concerns, and Sen. Cyr testified for bills addressing coastal and environmental acidification and nutrient pollution. The hearing also included extensive testimony on H. 4040, which would prevent discharge of radioactive materials from the Pilgrim decommissioning process. Speakers including a Sierra Club representative, a physician, and the Massachusetts Lobstermen’s Association opposed Holtec’s plan to dispose of radioactive wastewater through evaporation or discharge, citing public health, transparency, and economic risks to fisheries and coastal communities. Another large block of testimony addressed CSO legislation, especially H. 1046 and related bills for the MWRA service area. Environmental groups, residents, and river users described sewage overflows into the Charles, Mystic, and Alewife Brook, impacts on health and recreation, and the need for a timeline to eliminate or sharply reduce overflows. Industry representatives opposed the CSO and waste bills, arguing they would be costly, duplicative, and disruptive, while waste facility operators said they already use continuous emissions monitoring and comply with existing regulations. No votes were taken during the hearing.

Transcript Highlights:

• The absence of specific details will result in significant financial expenditures on lawsuits for developers
• The absence of specific details will result in significant financial expenditures on lawsuits for developers
• The economy of the entire Lakes Region depends upon the quality of the lake water for sustained interest
• As an example, the Baldwin has the following statement in its articles of agreement, which makes them
• <c> their</c> of their financial future, their of their financial future, their investment,<02:14:13.760

Committee: Senate Commerce

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:26:08.080><c> of</c> you can imagine uh and the interest of you can imagine uh and the interest
• And for your interest, that application starts on page nine of the bill.
• And for your interest, that application starts on page nine of the bill.
• And for your interest, that application starts on page nine of the bill.
• And for your interest, that application starts on page nine of the bill.

Bills: SF0045 , SJ0001

Committee: House Minerals, Business & Economic Development

Transcript Highlights:

• Texas State Board of Examiners of Professional Counselors, Ms.
• So I saw that she put it in favor of... ...of the team that she was on.
• I know nobody on this floor or in the sound of my voice is in favor of that.
• Members, I know that all of you agree we have a lot of real crises.
• Substituting the judgment of the majority of the Senate for the judgment of the majority of council members

Bills: SB 10 , SB 8 , SB 15 , SB 12 , SB 6 , SB 13 , SB 9 , SB 7 , SB 17 , SB 4 , SB10 , SB8 , SB15 , SB12 , SB6 , SB13 , SB9 , SB7 , SB17 , SB4

Transcript Highlights:

• And of course our interest<00:25:08.400><c> here</c><00:25:08.720><c> today</c><00:25:09.120><c> are<
• An affidavit with a great deal of really important information is required on financial ability, uh,
• I will, of course, always work with the industry interest.
• The bill also clarifies the definition of ownership interest for background study purposes.
• The bill also clarifies the definition of ownership interest for background study purposes.

Committees: Senate Health and Human Services , Senate Human Services

Transcript Highlights:

• If a taxpayer waits until the actual tax statements are mailed in March of the taxes payable year, at
• It's interesting to note as you look at that document of the class rate changes, those that have tiers
• It's interesting to note as you look at that document of the class rate changes, those that have tiers
• of the authority of an assessor, just to make that statement.
• of the authority of an assessor, just to make that statement.

Committee: Senate Taxes