Transcript Highlights:

• Um, for the purposes of chapter 471 that term is defined in this manner in one other section.
• So this is uh conforming with the similar language in that chapter.
• </c> that um fell outside of our normal code. that um fell outside of our normal code.
• We do building codes that address building across the state. State cities can't do that.
• We do building codes that address building across the state. State cities can't do that.

Bills: HF4319 , HF3295 , HF3589 , HF3587 , HF3588 , HF4295 , HF3571 , HF3895

Committee: House Elections Finance and Government Operations

Keywords: public utilities commission, Lake City, port authority, Red Wing, terms of appointment, local government, elections, open meeting law, transparency, public engagement, social media, government accountability, voter access, polling place, ballot, unexpected needs, election judge, public information, political parties, HF4295

Transcript Highlights:

• Well, I'm aware of Iowa, New York, Pennsylvania, Maine, Delaware.
• Well, I'm aware of Iowa, New York, Pennsylvania, Maine, Delaware.
• I assume the New Hampshire chapter is generated.
• </c><01:00:06.520><c> is</c> assume the New Hampshire chapter is assume the New Hampshire chapter is
• 96? No, you didn't ask the chair.

Summary: The Children and Family Law Committee opened its March 4 meeting with procedural announcements, including a deadline for any Minority Report, notice that the committee would not meet the following Tuesday because of town meeting day, and a preview of its March 18 agenda. The chair said that meeting would include hearings and executive sessions on HB 518, requiring DHHS to provide a detailed annual report of DCF costs, and HB 775, directing DHHS to seek proposals for supervised visitation centers; HB 553 was also slated for executive session. The committee also heard an update on Representative Grossman’s son, who remained in the PICU at Mass General. The main hearing was on HB 493, which would require child abuse and neglect education for physicians, nurse practitioners, and physician assistants as a condition of licensure. Representative Alicia Gregg presented the bill and an amendment reducing the required training from two hours to one hour, saying the goal was to improve recognition of abuse and prevent both missed cases and false accusations. Cassandra Sanchez, the state Child Advocate, strongly supported the bill, describing a 2020 review of nine cases of non-ambulatory infants with serious injuries and later system mapping that identified gaps in medical recognition; she said the training should be part of existing continuing education hours and that voluntary uptake had been limited. Dr. Michael Matos of Wolfeboro Pediatrics also testified in support. Ben Bradley of the New Hampshire Hospital Association opposed legislating the requirement, saying hospitals already train staff and that the legislature should not single out one topic for statutory mandate when other reporting obligations are handled differently. In questioning, committee members asked whether the hour would be part of existing continuing education, whether hospitals already provide similar training, and whether the bill should be placed in the continuing medical education statute instead of child protection law. Bradley said hospital members already provide annual training and collaborate with proponents, but did not support putting the requirement in statute. Sanchez said the bill was intended to use one of the hours already required for training, though members noted that the bill text did not clearly say so. The committee also heard broader testimony about the Family Division of Circuit Court, including a proposal to create a subcommittee to study more difficult issues such as pre-trial counseling, evidentiary practices, and domestic violence-related cases, with the Speaker appointing members to that subcommittee.

Transcript Highlights:

• Senate Bill 96, Regulated child care zoning requirements.
• So we are in full support of Senate Bill 96.
• We stand in support of Senate Bill 96.
• I am the County Chapter Vice President of Local 244.
• So you have four, 96 hours off, 48 hours on, 96 hours off is our work week.

Bills: SB20 , SB53 , SB86 , SB96 , SB129

Committee: Senate Senate Health & Public Affairs

Keywords: prior authorization, pharmacy benefits manager, PBM, health insurer, prescription drugs, step therapy, formulary, auto-adjudication, electronic portal, appeals, medical necessity, serious mental illness, mental health, schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, major depression, substance use disorder, addiction treatment, cancer, autoimmune disorder

Transcript Highlights:

• House Resolution by Representative Baham commends Vietnam Veterans of America Chapter 550 in St.
• House Bill 991 by Representative Mandy Landry provides relative to the Code of Criminal Procedure and
• House Bill 995 by Representative Lacombe concerns the Children's Code, videotape statements, and protected
• Senate Bill 96 by Senator Edmonds, Title 47, motor vehicle prestige license plates, to establish the
• House Bill 840 by Representative Boyer, to make revisions to the Louisiana state election code, duties

Bills: HR46 , HR47 , HR48 , HR49 , HR50 , HR51 , HR52 , HR53 , HR54 , HR55 , HR56 , HR57 , HCR31 , HB20 , HB21 , HB166 , HB494 , HB710 , HB795 , HB985 , HB986 , HB987 , HB988 , HB989 , HB990 , HB991 , HB992 , HB993 , HB994 , HB995 , HB996 , HB997 , HB998 , HR42 , HR43 , HR44 , HR45 , HCR22 , HCR23 , HCR24 , HCR25 , HCR26 , HCR27 , HCR28 , HCR29 , HCR30 , SCR13 , HB894 , HB983 , HB984 , SB19 , SB23 , SB26 , SB30 , SB39 , SB45 , SB46 , SB50 , SB51 , SB55 , SB69 , SB71 , SB73 , SB84 , SB85 , SB89 , SB96 , SB98 , SB101 , SB110 , SB148 , SB150 , SB160 , SB164 , SB303 , SB340 , HB28 , HB36 , HB50 , HB52 , HB56 , HB62 , HB68 , HB92 , HB110 , HB117 , HB119 , HB124 , HB140 , HB147 , HB160 , HB171 , HB174 , HB182 , HB193 , HB196 , HB198 , HB203 , HB228 , HB234 , HB237 , HB260 , HB268 , HB271 , HB285 , HB289 , HB316 , HB351 , HB393 , HB400 , HB413 , HB446 , HB469 , HB486 , HB534 , HB551 , HB552 , HB574 , HB576 , HB634 , HB649 , HB677 , HB735 , HB739 , HB779 , HB784 , HB796 , HB807 , HB842 , HB850 , HB919 , HB474 , HB487 , HB503 , HB606 , HB633 , HB707 , HB720 , HB728 , HB733 , HB846 , HB852 , HB856 , HB868 , HB875 , HB129 , HB130 , HB287 , HB489 , HB545 , HB553 , HB555 , HB570 , HB854 , HB952 , HB221 , HB148 , HB331 , HB149 , HB901

Summary: The House convened with prayer, the pledge, leave granted for one member, and several ceremonial recognitions, including Women Shaping Industry Day, Louisiana Agriculture Week, and CODOFIL Day at the Capitol. The chamber also received Senate messages concurring in several House concurrent resolutions and adopting SCRs 14 and 15, which designated Flood Awareness Month and recognized the bond between Quebec and Louisiana. Numerous resolutions and bills were introduced and referred, including measures on retirement systems, juvenile justice districts, carbon sequestration in St. Helena Parish, tax administration, election procedures, education, criminal justice, and state property transfers. The House adopted several resolutions without objection, including commendations for Thrive Academy, Bishop Lonnie Welder, Pastor Aaron Holloway, World Down Syndrome Day, and others. Members also heard committee reports on a wide range of bills, with many reported favorably or with amendments. In morning hour, the House discharged and withdrew two bills from committee, and later returned some bills to the calendar with notice to call them on later dates. The chamber then took up a series of floor bills, passing HB 474 to create an income tax checkoff for the Grambling State University National Alumni Association, HB 487 on penalties for unsafe red-light passing maneuvers, HB 503 on utility terrain vehicles in Golden Meadow, HB 606 on personal delivery devices, HB 633 on estimated income tax filing timing, HB 707 on the Liquefied Petroleum Gas Commission Advisory Board, HB 970 on tacit dedication of public roadways, HB 728 on out-of-state tow truck requirements, HB 846 on license plate coverings, HB 852 on a domestic violence donation checkoff, HB 856 on DOTD indefinite delivery/indefinite quantity construction contracts, HB 221 naming the proposed Mississippi River bridge the President Donald J. Trump Expressway, HB 148 designating a highway memorial, and HB 331 creating a Louisiana GOP specialty plate. Most of these bills passed with little or no opposition, though HB 221 drew debate and passed 68-26. The House adjourned after announcing committee meetings for the following day.

Transcript Highlights:

• the city or town's fire code is not substantially less stringent than the current state fire code.
• Specifically, whether it should be the city's fire code or the state's.
• an entirely new code.
• Sandy Barr, I'm the director for Sierra Club's Grand Canyon Chapter, which is the Arizona chapter, and
• Sandy Barr, I'm the director for Sierra Club's Green Canyon chapter, which is the Arizona chapter.

Bills: HB2051 , HB2324 , HB2439 , HB2457 , HB2686 , HB2837 , HB2875 , HB2953

Committee: Senate Regulatory Affairs and Government Efficiency

Keywords: AHCCCS, lactation care, breastfeeding, health services, healthcare access, HB2324, fire code, fire marshal, state fire marshal, municipalities, cities and towns, county-owned buildings, county buildings, intergovernmental agreement, IGA, fire inspection, occupancy certificate, building inventory, local government, county government

Transcript Highlights:

• HB 3442 updates the Alcoholic Beverage Code and related laws to expand and clarify the types of alcohol
• This bill simply codifies Section 106.157.15 of the Alcoholic Beverage Code to add another six-hour alcohol
• Okay, so the Alcoholic Beverage Code in 106.115 mentions what an alcohol awareness program is, and it
• Well, let me say this: Section two adds Government Code 508.1441 and 508.1442.

Bills: HB1967 , HB3442 , HB5525 , HB5561 , HB5653 , HB5667 , SB1171

Committee: House S/C on Juvenile Justice

Keywords: juvenile justice, correctional facilities, reform, rehabilitation, Texas Juvenile Justice Department, alcohol awareness, court-ordered programs, substance misuse education, deferred disposition, youth, parole reform, inmates under 18, mental health, educational achievement, reintegration, foster youth, behavior intervention, community services, diversion policies, HB 5653

Transcript Highlights:

• This is an old reference in the Texas Estates Code.
• So these are all common sense changes to the Estates Code.
• Again, it is in addition to Chapter 51.
• Of the Government Code and also adds two provisions to the Real Property Code as well.
• Under the procedure of Chapter 51 of the Government Code, can then be issued.

Bills: SB302 , SB1335 , SB1734 , SB1760 , SB1975 , SB2127

Committee: Senate Jurisprudence

Keywords: probate court, statutory judge, reimbursement, court costs, court proceedings, judicial assignments, judge assignment, cost reimbursement, judicial expenses, estate management, statutory requirement, court expenses, estates, inheritance, representative duties, court authority, personal representative, real property, deed fraud, title fraud

Summary: The committee heard several probate, family law, judicial, property, and contract-related bills. Senate Bill 1335, relating to decedents’ estates, would remove outdated references to a clerk’s certificate, allow courts to remove personal representatives on their own motion with notice by qualified delivery method, and add independent administrators to provisions that referenced only independent executors; an estate-planning attorney testified in support, and the bill was left pending. Senate Bill 1760, concerning guardianship transfer fees and procedures, was described as setting a $45 filing fee for transferred guardianship cases and clarifying completion and dismissal procedures; it received no testimony and was left pending. Senate Bill 2127 would shorten the eligibility period for retired judges to serve as visiting judges from eight years to six, restrict practice in their assigned region for two years, and require conflict-related certification; it also was left pending without testimony. Senate Bill 302 would shift the cost of a traveling probate judge to the requesting estate or parties rather than the county; one witness registered in favor, no one testified, and the bill was left pending. The committee then considered a committee substitute for Senate Bill 252, which would clarify the parental presumption in conservatorship cases, require non-parents seeking relief against a parent to file an affidavit showing significant impairment to the child if relief is denied, require courts to state specific findings when overcoming the presumption, confirm the clear-and-convincing standard, and clarify that agreed prior orders do not defeat the presumption. The substitute was explained as consensus language from a work group, public testimony was reopened, and the bill was left pending. Senate Bill 1734, on deed fraud, would create a streamlined ex parte process for property owners to have fraudulent deeds declared void, modeled on the fraudulent lien statute; county clerk and title association representatives testified that it would provide a low-cost self-help remedy for a growing problem, and the bill was left pending subject to the chair. Senate Bill 1975 would prevent Texas contractors from being forced to litigate disputes in foreign jurisdictions and require disputes to be handled in the county where the project is located; it was presented as a repeat of a previously vetoed bill and was left pending. Finally, the committee took up a substitute for Senate Bill 1940, concerning transfer-on-death style beneficiary designations for manufactured homes. The substitute would allow one or more beneficiaries instead of only one, transfer the interest to surviving designated beneficiaries who survive by 120 hours, extend the application period for transfer to 365 days, void the designation if not timely filed, and require mailing by certified or registered mail with return receipt requested. The substitute was adopted without objection. The committee then recessed subject to the call of the chair.

Transcript Highlights:

• And I believe the program is in chapter 351 of the local government code. It exists already.
• Allows advisory boards to hold meetings by telephone conference. 551.127 of the government code governs
• I'm not even sure if I have them you might not it's a power that's granted and I'm looking up your chapter
• It's 3-something, 312, 320, I believe in the local government code or the government code.

Bills: HB336 , HB554 , HB849 , HB 1033 , HB1338 , HB 1246

Committee: House S/C on County & Regional Government

Keywords: law enforcement, sheriff, constable, contracts, county governance, HB 554, fireworks, Juneteenth, Juneteenth holiday, retail fireworks permit, Texas Occupations Code, Local Government Code, county commissioners court, drought conditions, Texas A&M Forest Service, fire safety, holiday sales, seasonal fireworks sales, Fourth of July, Independence Day

Transcript Highlights:

• I to get to our house is over 5 miles of gravel road to get to the farm in Iowa.
• I to get to our house is over 5 miles of gravel road to get to the farm in Iowa.
• I to get to our house is over 5 miles of gravel road to get to the farm in Iowa.
• I to get to our house is over 5 miles of gravel road to get to the farm in Iowa.
• I to get to our house is over 5 miles of gravel road to get to the farm in Iowa.

Summary: The meeting focused on two Parkinson’s-related bills in Minnesota: one to ban paraquat and another to create a state Parkinson’s research trust fund. Rep. Christy Purcell said the research bill would create a dedicated pot of money to coordinate and fund Parkinson’s research in Minnesota, with Sen. Mann as the Senate author. Supporters said Minnesota should act because Parkinson’s is growing rapidly, there is no cure, and state institutions could serve as a research hub. Several people living with Parkinson’s testified about the personal and family impact of the disease, including early-onset diagnoses, loss of work, mobility challenges, and the burden on caregivers. Speakers from the Parkinson’s Foundation and the Michael J. Fox Foundation supported both bills, arguing that paraquat is strongly linked to Parkinson’s, that exposure can affect farmers and nearby residents, and that prevention and research are both needed. The paraquat bill was described as especially important because alternatives exist and the chemical is reportedly used very little in Minnesota. During the discussion, Rep. Hansen said the paraquat bill would be held over and not voted on that day because a fiscal note was requested. He said the committee would hear the bill later that day and urged colleagues to keep an open mind. In response to questions, supporters said they anticipated little opposition beyond chemical-industry interests, and they emphasized that the bill was aimed specifically at paraquat rather than other chemicals. The research bill was discussed as a possible $25 million request, though no vote was taken on that proposal in the transcript.

Transcript Highlights:

• Representative Bennett, you have an amendment to the bill, coded 3.
• You have an amendment to the bill coded 3. I will also move your amendment before the committee.
• Finance, because this isn't a normal chapter of law that we see.
• I believe there are over 96 court orders that ICE has violated across 74 cases.
• I believe there are over 96 court orders that ice has violated across 74 cases.

Bills: HF3489 , HF3990 , HF3825 , HF3826 , HF3827 , HF3822

Committee: House Public Safety Finance and Policy

Transcript Highlights:

• Code, of the rules United States Code, of the rules submitted<02:28:11.760><c> by</c><02:28:11.920><
• What did they say in Iowa?
• This is in Iowa.
• </c> they say in Iowa?
• In Iowa, they said they say in Iowa?

Bills: HR1048 , HR242 , HB1534

Keywords: House resolution, committee assignment, standing committee, House Committee on Science, Space, and Technology, committee membership, committee seniority, Mr. Menefee, Mr. Riley of New York, House organization, congressional procedure, internal rules, legislative administration, Energy Conservation, Energy Standards, Department of Energy, Higher Education Act, Foreign Contracts, rules resolution, House Rules Committee, Congressional Review Act

Transcript Highlights:

• The Indiana Code says that they should report yearly. The code was to report quarterly.
• This year, Senate Bill 80 also once again reflects a code enhancement approved by the Code Revision Commission
• A code enhancement approved by the Code Revision Commission as a means to reorganize specific crowded
• chapters in the Indiana Code.
• The bill makes no substantive changes to the code.

Transcript Highlights:

• I didn't bring my code with me, so Exactly, I can look this up, but this is.

Bills: HB 1057 , HB1876

Committee: House S/C on Academic & Career-Oriented Education

Keywords: teacher salary, retirement benefits, career education, work experience credit, Texas Education Code, technical training, workforce development, grants, education funding

Transcript Highlights:

• We have very spirited conversations in this Chamber and the Codes Committee around public safety, but
• &gt;&gt; CALENDAR 746, SENATOR MAYER, AN ACT TO AMEND THE CHAPTER 217 OF THE LAWS OF 2015.
• Calendar 945, Senate Print 9206, Senator Lanza, an act to amend Chapter 306 of the Laws of 2011.
• So, we're at about a 96% registration rate for eligible New Yorkers in the state.
• Roughly 96% of eligible New Yorkers are registered to vote in the State of New York.

Summary: The Senate opened with routine business, including approval of the prior journal and several messages from the Assembly to discharge and substitute identical Senate bills. The chamber then took up a budget extender, Senate Print 10262/Assembly Bill 11295, which would appropriate $2.9 billion to keep state government operating through May 14 while budget negotiations continued. Senator O’Mara questioned the delay in reaching a full budget and criticized the lack of clarity on major policy issues, conference committees, school aid timing, and a proposed $1 billion utility ratepayer relief plan, arguing the state’s spending and affordability problems were worsening. Senator Serrano responded that negotiations were in the final stretch and that the extender was necessary to maintain government operations. The extender passed 59-1 after being restored to the non-controversial calendar. The Senate also considered a major election-law bill, Senate Print 88A, providing for automatic voter registration and pre-registration through DMV, Medicaid, and NYCHA-related transactions. Senator Walczyk’s proposed amendment to require voter ID was ruled nongermane, and his appeal was rejected. The bill prompted extended debate over whether the process would protect against non-citizen registration or instead remove barriers for eligible voters. Supporters, including Senator Gianaris, said it would streamline registration and help eligible but unregistered New Yorkers participate; Senator Zellner said it would strengthen the process. Opponents, including Senators Walczyk, Borrello, Helming, Rhoads, and Martins, warned it would shift responsibility away from bipartisan boards of elections, create administrative errors, and risk improper registration. The bill ultimately passed after being restored to the non-controversial calendar, with senators explaining votes along party lines. The chamber also adopted or advanced several resolutions and recognized guests. Senator Gallivan’s Police Week resolution drew remarks honoring fallen officers and law enforcement families, with Senators Chan, Rolison, Weik, Ryan, and Myrie speaking in support. Senator Sepúlveda’s resolution commemorating Dominicans in Albany was also discussed, with praise for the Dominican community’s contributions to New York and supportive remarks from Senator Chan. In addition, the Senate heard introductions for guests from Allen A.M.E. Church and the creators of the documentary “Teenage Wasteland.”

Transcript Highlights:

• Nunn of Iowa. >> Pursuant to House Resolution 936, the gentleman from Iowa, Mr.
• </c> Iowa seek recognition? Iowa seek recognition?
• Nun of Iowa. offered by Mr. Nun of Iowa.
• </c> gentleman from Iowa. gentleman from Iowa.
• The gentleman from Iowa reserves.

Bills: HCR66 , HB2550 , HR432 , HB3898 , HB3383 , HB3638 , HB3628 , HR939

Keywords: military funding, defense, appropriations, fiscal year, government, labor relations, collective bargaining, federal employees, workforce protection, executive order, federal labor relations, labor management, federal oversight, government reform, Clean Water Act, Federal Water Pollution Control Act, PERMIT Act, waters of the United States, WOTUS, EPA

Transcript Highlights:

• Res. 104, providing for congressional disapproval under chapter 8 of title 5, United States Code, of
• Res. 105, providing for congressional disapproval under chapter 8 of title 5, United States Code, of
• Res. 106, providing for congressional disapproval under chapter 8 of title 5, United States Code, of
• Res. 104 provides for congressional disapproval under chapter 8 of title 5, United States Code, of the
• 8 of title 5 United States under chapter 8 of title 5 United States code<02:35:45.600><c> of</c><02:

Bills: HB4553 , HJR105 , HJR106 , HJR104 , HR539 , HR672

Keywords: energy, water development, appropriations, fiscal year 2026, flood control, infrastructure, Bureau of Land Management, North Dakota, resource management plan, congression disapproval, public lands policy, HJR106, H.J.Res. 106, Congressional Review Act, CRA, BLM, Central Yukon, Alaska, public lands, land management

Transcript Highlights:

• or the 2024 code, but then they could amend it back to 2009, or they could select any code in between
• Or they could select any code in between.
• or the 2024 code, but then they could amend it back to 2009 or they could select any code in between
• Life safety type structural building codes.
• If they adopted a specific building code that includes a chapter of energy efficiency, let's call the

Committees: House Commerce , House Commerce, Consumer Protection, Energy and the Environment

Summary: The Commerce Committee met in executive session first and approved a committee substitute combining House Bills 1842 and 2150, with members clarifying that the substitute simply rolled the two bills together without substantive changes. The committee then took up House Bill 2384, adopted an amendment narrowing the bill so its code-reference changes focused specifically on energy standards, and voted the resulting committee substitute do pass by a 7-3 roll call. Members discussed how the amendment would preserve local authority to adopt building codes while limiting energy-code changes to the 2009 standard. The committee then held a public hearing on House Bills 2511 and 2366, both aimed at addressing the use of undocumented or cash-paid labor in construction. The sponsors said the bills were intended to create a more level playing field, give the Attorney General independent investigative and enforcement authority, and impose stronger penalties on employers who knowingly hire illegal workers. Supporters, including labor representatives, argued current enforcement is ineffective because complaints get lost in referrals to local governments and federal agencies, and they described examples of cash-paid labor and undercutting of lawful contractors. Opponents from construction and business groups said they support compliance but objected to vague standards such as “should have known,” and warned that suspension of licenses or permits during an investigation could unfairly harm good-faith contractors and delay major projects. Several witnesses said they were willing to work on clarifying language. Finally, the committee heard House Bill 2099, a squatter-removal bill that the sponsor said was a return of a previously enacted measure that had been struck down in court, with one change to cover vacant land as well as dwellings. The sponsor and supportive witnesses said the bill would let property owners get faster relief, with a 48-hour process and sheriff enforcement if occupants do not leave. A mortgage industry witness and a public advocate both supported the bill, though the advocate noted the fiscal note was unknown. No votes were taken on the public hearing bills before the committee adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• Hosting costs would go up, and there would be a lot of code changes to sort of make it a...
• Obviously, that's always overblown and not necessarily true, but the data that you provided—that 96%
• obligations of foreign filing entities. and filing entities under the Texas Business Organizations Code
• Chapter 12 of the BizOrg Code is the chapter that provides for the Attorney General to be able to revoke
• Chapter 15 of the Business Organizations Code, for example, allows the Attorney General to demand both

Bills: HB256 , HCR19 , HB256 , HB1308 , HB1554 , HB1743 , HB2308 , HB2351 , HB2858 , HB3676 , HB3784 , HB4312 , HB4552 , HB4823 , HB4852 , HB5007 , HB5010 , HB5520 , HB5524 , HCR19

Committee: House State Affairs

Keywords: severe weather, adaptation plan, vulnerability assessment, environmental protection, state agencies, federal agents, transparency, law enforcement, identification, public trust, immigration enforcement, HCR 19, Texas concurrent resolution, federal immigration enforcement, masked agents, facial coverings, visible identification, uniforms, badges, name tags

Transcript Highlights:

• 256b on what cost effective chapter 256b on what cost effective means<00:48:07.440><c> uh</c><00:48:
• We code these patients, and we call them deflections.
• these patients uh and we call them code these patients uh and we call them deflections<00:57:45.760>
• </c><00:57:49.400><c> these</c> misnomer of a word but we code these misnomer of a word but we code these
• Many other states are doing this, including our neighbors Wisconsin and Iowa, with a lot of success.

Committee: Senate Health and Human Services

Transcript Highlights:

• And unfortunately, this education code bill compounds that issue, right?
• When we get to the fiscal code, Mr.
• That chapter of history helped strengthen our young republic.
• President, I too rise and ask for an affirmative vote on this matter, on this fiscal code.
• And here's the truth: there's not one additional penny for Cites money in this fiscal code.

Summary: The Senate opened with prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, communications, committee reports, and leaves of absence. The journal was approved 50-0. The chamber then took up House Bill 1505, which drew extended debate over school funding and adequacy/tax equity. Senators Coleman and Keefer argued the bill continued to pour money into districts like Allentown without accountability or improved results, while Senators Costa, Miller, Haywood, and Anthony Williams defended the funding as a response to historic underfunding and the Commonwealth Court decision. A motion allowing Senator Coleman a third speaking turn was adopted 27-23, and the bill ultimately passed 45-5. The Senate then considered House Bill 2400, the General Appropriation Act. Supporters, including Senators Martin, Dush, Phillips-Hill, Costa, Ward, Street, Hughes, and Pittman, emphasized that the budget was balanced without using the rainy day fund or raising taxes, reduced the governor’s proposal, increased education and child care funding, supported nursing homes, rape crisis centers, infrastructure, and workforce programs, and shifted money from lapsed or unused accounts to current priorities. Opponents, including Senators Saval and Muth, said the budget failed to address structural deficits and omitted new revenue options, emergency services funding, and other major issues. The bill passed 44-6 with amendments and was returned to the House for concurrence. The Senate also passed a series of other bills, including House Bills 2412, 2413, 96, 858, 1042, 1286, 1646, 1851, 1862, 2017, 2024, 2401, and 2559, with varying margins, and sent them to the House, some with amendments. House Bill 1042 drew a negative recommendation from Senator Costa over a late amendment involving second-degree murder/felony language, but after reconsideration and vote changes it passed 30-20 with amendments. House Bill 1862, creating an Ignition Interlock Driver’s License, passed 45-5 after support from Senator Judy Ward. House Bill 1248 passed 43-7 and designates Pennsylvania rye whiskey as the official state spirit, with Senators Bartolotta and Robinson speaking in support. The chamber also adopted Senate Resolution 216, after defeating Senator Haywood’s amendment to narrow the scope of a proposed Legislative Budget and Finance Committee study of managed care organizations; the resolution passed 31-19. Several other bills were held over in their order, and the Senate later moved toward a condolence resolution.