Transcript Highlights:

• And it may not be only the lives of those young teenagers that are driving.
• It may be the lives of older people like me who are on the road.
• In 2025, 910 people lost their lives on Missouri roadways. That's like...
• In 2025, 910 people lost their lives on Missouri roadways.
• A lot of states have a six-month, one-year break in service. We do not.

Committee: House Elementary and Secondary Education

Summary: The committee met in executive session first and took up House Bill 3239, adopting a Hurlbert amendment that capped the program at $4 million and then adopting the House Committee Substitute. The substitute bill passed 11-7. The committee then combined House Bill 2913 and House Bill 3228 into one substitute; members discussed that it would not cover student teachers and was intended to start with the current scope and broaden later. The combined substitute passed unanimously, 19-0. In open session, the committee heard House Bill 2195, which would create a Missouri Integrated Safe Driving Program to let DESE vet and distribute safe-driving lesson materials for voluntary use in existing courses starting in 2027-2028. Sponsor Representative Reedy said the bill is intended to improve teen driver safety without a fiscal note. Supporters included AAA Missouri, traffic-safety and motorcycle groups, MoDOT, and the Missouri Insurance Coalition, who cited teen crash and fatality data, the benefits of formal driver education, and the need to address distracted driving, traffic stops, and motorcycle awareness. No one testified in opposition. The committee also heard House Bill 2502, which would clarify how records from closed nonpublic schools and charter schools are transferred and stored so students can later obtain transcripts and graduation records. The sponsor said the bill responds to missing records from closed schools and would direct records to the appropriate public district; a technical correction was noted to avoid including homeschool records. Missouri NEA supported the bill and suggested charter-school performance contracts include compliance expectations. The committee then heard House Bill 2396, which would allow retired teachers to return to PSRS-covered teaching jobs without a time limit, similar to existing critical-shortage provisions. The sponsor argued it would help districts, especially smaller ones, and could benefit teachers and students without harming the retirement system. PSRS/PEERS testified that the bill could raise contribution rates by an estimated 1.44% to 2.45% and raised concerns about behavior changes and IRS qualification issues; Missouri NEA and the Missouri State Teachers Association opposed the bill, saying it would not solve recruitment and retention problems and could damage the retirement system. The Missouri Retired Teachers Association testified for informational purposes, warning that the bill could prompt many eligible teachers to retire sooner.

Transcript Highlights:

• You know, it's just going to result in curtailment of services.
• How many AmeriCorps service members would that include?
• How many AmeriCorps service members would that include?
• People think we live in a rock desert.
• I think New Mexico, we're living in mud huts or something. It's crazy.

Committee: Senate Senate Finance

Keywords: 996, all

Transcript Highlights:

• SB 2665, manslaughter online services and encouragement.
• HB 2763, appropriation; Department of Veterans Services.
• HB 4042, termination parent-child relationship service.
• HB 4042, termination parent-child relationship service.
• HB 4117, distributing religious services worship.

Keywords: 1182, all

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> adjustment, basically a cost of living adjustment, basically a cost of living adjustment,<00:02:
• </c> why cessation services are so important. why cessation services are so important.
• So why am I being charged more money than somebody who is living here and demanding more city services
• I live in Amherst. Mr.
• When homeless afford to live here?

Committee: House Ways and Means

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Aging fleets remain in service past their intended lifespan, maintenance costs are climbing, reserve
• it meets replacement criteria or whether its service life can be extended.
• They pay through higher taxes, reduced services, and deferred investment in essential programs.
• may be in service for longer periods of time that we don't intend it to be.
• National Fire Service as a whole.

Committee: House Emergency Management

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• . lives. lives.
• </c> that live that allowed us to really live that live that allowed us to really live with<00:15:55.279
• They're around 17 permissible classes: inpatient services, outpatient services, ambulance services, nursing
• </c><01:04:27.680><c> Ambulance</c> services, outpatient services.
• Ambulance services, outpatient services.

Committee: Joint Medicaid

Keywords: Medicaid - Room 216, 4 February, 2026; 2:00 PM, 925, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Today's visit... ...service, collaboration, and civic engagement.
• They offer a variety of services, and they have for many, many years now.
• Service. Welcome to the Capitol.
• women, dedicated to improving the lives of others through a strong focus on community service and civic
• It's a little section of the road for an officer who had military service.

Keywords: 974, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Madam President, I see there’s been a transition on the roster.
• Madam President, I see there’s been a transition on the rostrum.
• Those children, lives literally would change as a result of just having a simple eye exam.
• Lives literally would change as a result of just having a simple eye exam.
• And although we foresaw this, now living it, we need to do better for our children.

Keywords: 1212, all

Transcript Highlights:

• living longer.
• And here's an incentive to keep our service.
• If a consumer likes the services, it's only to their benefit.
• able to get these services through this grant through the Department of Veterans Services.
• SB 1112, Mental health and services.

Keywords: 1182, all

Transcript Highlights:

• It has created thousands of jobs, funds essential tribal government services, and lifts up the surrounding
• When gaming is well regulated, the benefits are shared, jobs stay local, revenues support public services
• When gaming is Public services and accountability is built into the system.
• his team are in constant contact with our student athletes to understand what's going on in their lives
• And so we're doing a great deal of work in our city and for those folks that live around our area to

Summary: The committee first heard Senate Bill 6137 on sports wagering. Staff explained that the bill would allow wagering on collegiate events involving Washington colleges, but would continue to prohibit bets on the performance of individual college athletes. Tribal representatives from the Jamestown S’Klallam, Puyallup, and Kalispel tribes testified in support, saying the bill would keep wagering within the regulated tribal marketplace, protect integrity, and help smaller tribal casinos participate through a hub-and-spoke model. University of Washington and Washington State University representatives supported the ban on individual prop bets and emphasized student-athlete safety, while WSU also argued the bill would expand exposure to harassment and online abuse. No vote was taken. The committee then heard Senate Bill 6079, which would create the Strengthen Washington Homes wildfire mitigation grant program. Staff said the bill would fund grants for wildfire-hardening homes to IBHS standards, authorize pilot projects, and prohibit insurers from using wildfire risk to disqualify homes that meet the standards. Insurance Commissioner Patty Kuder and Senator Marcus Riccelli supported the bill, arguing that wildfire losses and non-renewals are increasing and that upfront mitigation is cheaper than recovery. Local officials and advocates from Medical Lake, Washington Realtors, and climate and wildfire groups also supported the measure. Insurance industry representatives supported the mitigation goals but objected to the bill’s requirement that insurers provide coverage based on IBHS designation and to using the commissioner’s regulatory account as a funding source, saying underwriting still needs to consider broader risk factors. No action was taken. The committee next held a work session and public hearing on Senate Bill 6061, which would create a tourism self-supported assessment program. State of Washington Tourism, the Washington Wine Commission, the Washington Hospitality Association, the Brewers Guild, the Port of Seattle, and rural economic development representatives said the state’s tourism program is underfunded and that an industry-led assessment could provide a stable, competitive funding source. They said the model would be governed by a ratepayer oversight board, subject to ratification, and could generate significant visitor spending and tax revenue over time. Some testimony raised concerns about the scope of eligible businesses and the bill’s references to other industries, but supporters said friendly amendments would refine those details. The committee then heard Senate Bill 5844 on self-storage rental agreements, which would allow electronic agreements, clarify acceptance by continued occupancy, and create a uniform process for termination or nonrenewal for nonpayment or nonmonetary defaults. Self-storage operators supported the bill as a modernization measure that would improve safety and consistency, and no vote was taken on any of the bills heard.

Transcript Highlights:

• And why do we service debt?
• In transportation, why do we service debt?
• We now anticipate a male in our population to live till They're 85 for a male to live till they're 87
• And the reason that They're crossing like that because the retirees are living longer lives, Madam Chair
• State Printing Services.

Committee: House House Appropriations & Finance

Keywords: 996, all

Transcript Highlights:

• In that front door, and I was standing in our sunken living room, walked Chris McCarty and Betty McCarty
• She worked at the Brenham Clinic, then the Brenham State Supported Living Center.
• In her final 5 years, she transitioned out of the state work and into my campaign.
• they do, they give back to the community, and I truly believe that Betty McCarty and her legacy will live

Transcript Highlights:

• :52.239><c> statewide</c> administrative services, but statewide administrative services, but statewide
• </c><01:17:57.440><c> It'll</c> administrative services card. It'll administrative services card.
• Um, so, uh, second to last, our graphic service.
• So this is an um graphic service.
• Um and then we said it the the services.

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The meeting began with approval of partial minutes, with members noting that DHS/HHS material was not yet included and that the minutes would be finalized later. The committee then heard from the General Court about several dedicated funds. Testimony explained the Joint Legislative Historical Fund, which receives a $25,000 annual general fund appropriation and transfers from visitor center sales above a $50,000 threshold, and is used for portrait maintenance, chamber work, Hall of Flags upkeep, and other historical preservation needs. Members also discussed the preservation of the Civil War flags in the Hall of Flags, with the General Court stating the flags are monitored through annual high-definition photos and that no immediate stabilization project is planned. A question about Union cemeteries was raised but the witness said he had no knowledge of federal funding for them. The committee also reviewed the visitor center revolving fund and noted that the accounting presentation is confusing because transfers are netted out so the fund ends each year at $50,000. Members suggested the narrative should clearly identify the transfer amounts and actual revenue, and staff agreed to note that in future reporting. The General Court then described its special legislative account as a stability reserve for capital and emergency needs, citing past uses such as the plaza ADA renovation, the legislative parking garage, and moving operations to One Granite Place. Members asked about interest earnings and were told the account is held in the treasury and any interest goes to the general fund unless statute directs otherwise; no additional funding was recommended at this time. The Department of Administrative Services then presented the law enforcement memorial fund, explaining it is a long-standing leftover construction fund with a small balance that has not been needed because the New Hampshire Law Enforcement Memorial Officers Association privately funds memorial upkeep and plaques. Members discussed whether the state should transfer the remaining money to the nonprofit, but no decision was made; the department said it would research whether such a transfer is legally possible. The department also reviewed the former land conservation endowment fund, now moving to Fish and Game under House Bill 2, and explained that it primarily covers administrative costs, management fees, and investment losses for a long-term conservation program. Members asked about the fund’s large balance and the increase in expenses, and were told the fund is intended to last indefinitely and that future reporting will shift to Fish and Game.

Transcript Highlights:

• Department of Health and Human Services, the number of...
• If we don't have greater affordability, consumers can't access services.
• They might have to pay more than living in a place like Sacramento to go up and live in that portion
• Board, we operate the only level two trauma service in South County.
• But thank you so much for this great service today.

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Now we live in an internet age where it's lasting forever.
• It establishes clear rules for permissible services, prohibited practices, and transition.
• for non-attorney immigration service providers.
• Pay our teachers a living wage. Please don't know on this bill.
• I lived in a truck my senior year.

Committee: Senate Commerce and Tourism

Summary: The committee first took up a committee substitute for SB 752, which would require newspapers and television stations to remove online reports later found to be false or defamatory in certain circumstances, and would change when the statute of limitations begins to run. The sponsor said the bill was intended to address lasting harm from false accusations that remain searchable online. Several speakers opposed the measure, arguing it would chill reporting, punish accurate historical coverage, and create vague legal risks for the press. After debate, the committee reported the bill favorably. The committee then approved CS/SB 846, a bill aimed at preventing immigration service fraud by non-attorneys and misuse of the term "notario." Supporters, including an immigration attorney, said the bill would protect vulnerable immigrants from bad advice and fake legal services. The committee also approved CS/SB 800, which updates battery labeling and recycling requirements to reduce fires caused by discarded batteries; waste and recycling representatives supported it, while a battery industry group warned the bill could effectively ban battery-embedded products. CS/SB 578, dealing with wine container rules and allowing recyclable inserts and boxes up to 5.16 gallons, was also reported favorably. The committee next approved CS/SB 1734, the Florida Kratom Consumer Protection Act, which sets product standards, labeling rules, age limits, testing, and enforcement provisions. Supporters said it reflects current science and consumer safety needs, while opponents warned it could burden small businesses and overregulate the market. SB 918, which would loosen state child labor restrictions for certain minors and align Florida law more closely with federal standards, drew extensive opposition from advocates, students, and labor groups who said it would increase exploitation and harm education; several senators also raised concerns, but the bill was still reported favorably. The committee also reported favorably SB 854 on unlicensed contractors and deposit fraud, and confirmed several appointments to state boards and commissions. A separate bill on online encryption and child safety, SB 868, was taken up with an amendment and public testimony, but the transcript cuts off before final action on that item.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> live independently. live independently.
• terms of service innovation and in terms of per capita service delivery.
• terms of service innovation and in terms of per capita service delivery.
• It also works with students for pre-employment transition services.
• c> that</c> support services which are services that support services which are services that go<01:15

Committee: Senate Jobs and Economic Development

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• public school education as an openly LGBT person, and I spent the last two years of high school transitioning
• Straight cis high school students are interacting with LGBT high school students every day of their lives
• Chairman Lent and members of this committee, my name is Jeffrey Watkins, and I live in District 16.
• there's a loophole is that we're teaching children about their gender, or trying to convince them to transition

Committee: Senate Education

Summary: The committee first heard Senate Bill 1339 from Sen. Dave Lent, who described it as an education accountability and modernization measure that shifts schools away from compliance-driven reporting toward locally set, measurable student-outcome goals. He said the bill would reduce unnecessary reporting, provide a three-year support and intervention cycle for struggling schools, and recognize excellence while preserving local control. Victoria Young testified in opposition, arguing the bill echoed No Child Left Behind-style accountability and could unfairly single out schools, while Quinn Perry of the Idaho School Boards Association supported the bill but raised a limited concern about intervention language that could affect local authority over calendars or budgets. The committee then took up House Bill 516, a cleanup bill related to last year’s prohibition on classroom instruction about sexual orientation and gender identity. Rep. Dale Hawkins and Doug Taylor said the bill simply removes leftover “age appropriate/developmentally appropriate” language from the prior law, arguing that the K-12 prohibition is already absolute and the extra phrase creates confusion and legal uncertainty. Opponents, including Mary Brown, Jean Henscheide, Scaruleen, Nissa Nagle, and Jeffrey Watkins, argued the change would eliminate age-appropriate instruction, parental choice, and classroom discussion of relevant history, literature, and current events, and could chill instruction affecting LGBTQ students and broader education. Supporters, including Grace Howitt of the Idaho Family Policy Center, said districts had not consistently implemented the prior law and that the bill would better protect parents and prevent what they described as inappropriate gender instruction. Committee members pressed witnesses on whether the bill conflicted with existing Idaho Code, especially the older family-life and sex-education statute that leaves policy decisions to local school boards, and whether removing the phrase could create unintended effects on teaching topics like puberty, Supreme Court cases, or literature. After debate, Sen. Nichols moved to send HB 516 to the floor with a do-pass recommendation, but Sen. Burtenshaw offered an alternate motion to hold the bill at the call of the chair. The committee adopted the motion to hold HB 516 at the call of the chair, so no floor recommendation was issued.

Transcript Highlights:

• public school education as an openly LGBT person, and I spent the last two years of high school transitioning
• Straight cis high school students are interacting with LGBT high school students every day of their lives
• Chairman Litt and members of this committee, my name is Jeffrey Watkins, and I live in District 16.
• there's a loophole is that we're teaching children about their gender, or trying to convince them to transition

Committee: Senate Education

Keywords: 989, all

Transcript Highlights:

• they're reentry centers, there are juvenile corrections, there are things that really help people transition
• So we're now transitioning into finalizing the maintenance budgets for fiscal year 2027.
• in each of our 10 maintenance budgets: public schools, State Board of Education, health and human services

Summary: The joint Senate Finance and House Appropriations committees met to consider several FY 2026 and FY 2027 cash transfers and then begin work on maintenance budget language for FY 2027. Keith Bybee of Budget and Policy Analysis and Lori Wolf of the Division of Financial Management explained that the transfers were tied to balances in funds with obligations below available cash, and that some projects had been canceled or delayed for reasons including budget constraints, site issues, or other program changes. Senator Wintrow raised concerns that some of the projects, such as corrections, reentry, juvenile services, and the Carnegie Library, had been important when originally funded and should not be viewed as unimportant now. The committee approved a $33.745 million transfer from the Permanent Building Fund to the General Fund, a $15 million transfer from the Water Pollution Control Fund to the General Fund, and a $10 million transfer from the In-Demand Careers Fund to the General Fund for FY 2026. It also approved a separate FY 2027 transfer of $10 million from the In-Demand Careers Fund to the General Fund, with language specifying the transfer would occur after awards were obligated and reconciled, on or after December 31, 2026. Each motion passed on roll call with due-pass recommendations, with a small number of dissenting votes. After the cash transfer actions, the committee shifted to reviewing the draft clear language for FY 2027 maintenance budgets. Bybee explained that the packet contained standard language for the ten maintenance budgets and that the analysts would work with members in agency-by-agency workgroups because the reporting structure had been disrupted by budget adjustments. Members discussed how maintenance-bill language is selected and confirmed that the language reflects existing law or previously adopted budget provisions. The committee then adjourned until the next morning, with workgroups to continue reviewing the maintenance budget language.

Transcript Highlights:

• My question is, if there's already an existing service territory, they're already committed to servicing
• Why would they need a property tax deduction in an area they're already servicing?
• Louis City, we have some areas that are currently within the geography; they're serviced.
• And before we got inside, my client said, no, I don't want to live here.
• I live in Callaway County on a farm a wise family has owned for over 130 years.

Committee: House Utilities

Summary: The committee first took up House Committee Substitute for House Bills 21, 22, and 1626, which would combine the bills and add a clawback/refund provision for construction work in progress in base rates if costs were imprudently incurred or a project is not placed in service in a reasonable time. Supporters argued Missouri should remove its CWIP ban to stay competitive with neighboring states and attract utility investment, while opponents warned about unknown costs and timelines for ratepayers. The substitute was adopted, and the committee voted the combined bill do pass by 12 ayes and 7 noes. The committee then considered House Bill 2711, as amended by a substitute, dealing with broadband-related property tax treatment. The sponsor explained the substitute narrowed the bill to new installations, added a seven-year sunset, and aimed to clarify assessment issues. Supporters said the measure would help expand broadband infrastructure and improve service in underserved areas, while opponents argued the tax break should not apply to upgrades within existing service territories and questioned whether the bill truly expanded access. The committee adopted the substitute and voted the bill do pass by 12 ayes and 7 noes. The remainder of the hearing focused on House Bill 2762, a broad solar/wind/water measure. The sponsor described provisions setting a $2,500 per megawatt tax on solar nameplate capacity, creating more uniform assessment rules, establishing setbacks for solar facilities, limiting eminent domain use, and including smaller sections on water district dissolution and wind turbine lighting. Testimony was mixed: solar developers, Clean Grid Alliance, Renew Missouri, and Missouri Farm Bureau supported clearer rules, grandfathering, and setbacks they viewed as reasonable, while landowners and local residents raised concerns about property rights, transparency, runoff, glare, noise, and the impact of large solar projects on neighboring farms and homes. No final action on HB 2762 was taken in the portion provided, but the chair said a committee substitute would be developed to address the solar issues more comprehensively.