Video & Transcript : 'H.R. 77' :
Page 44 of 155
MA
Massachusetts 2025-2026 Regular Session
Formal House Session 40 Apr 29th, 2026
Massachusetts House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- Sweezy of Duxbury moves to amend the bill by adding the following section: Section 77.
- Sweezy of Duxbury moves to amend the bill by adding the following section: Section 77.
- Section 77, notwithstanding any general special out of the contrary. The following section.
- Section 77, notwithstanding any general special law, on the contrary, the Executive Office of Housing
- Section 77, notwithstanding any special or general law to the contrary...
Summary:
The House first adopted several ceremonial resolutions congratulating three Eagle Scouts, then concurred in Senate amendments to House bills affecting the town of Milford’s alcohol licensing law and the town of Middleton’s charter. It also passed to enact a Senate bill on maintenance of private roads in Gloucester and engrossed a House bill allowing Plymouth to create a special revenue account for land acquisition. The chamber later observed moments of silence for former Lynn City Councilor Richard “Rick” Ford, Portuguese American community leader Louis Pedroso, and Quincy veteran Mildred “Millie” Cox, and welcomed several guest groups and dignitaries, including students from Fall River, D.A.R. Good Citizen award recipients, and a British minister visiting the State House.
Most of the floor session centered on FY27 budget amendments, especially housing and shelter policy. Members debated and rejected multiple Republican amendments that would have tightened eligibility for the HomeBASE and emergency shelter programs by requiring citizenship or limiting access to U.S. citizens with Massachusetts residency, with supporters arguing the changes would reduce costs and opponents saying the programs already have strict eligibility rules and that the proposals would exclude lawful residents and vulnerable families. The House also rejected an amendment to block Housing and Livable Communities grants from being conditioned on MBTA Communities Act compliance, with supporters calling it a reprieve for noncompliant towns and opponents saying the law is helping address the housing shortage. A consolidated housing/environment amendment was then adopted 154-0, funding major housing, shelter, clean water, climate, and food assistance accounts.
The chamber also defeated amendments to create a data center commission and to eliminate the vocational-technical school admissions lottery, though the latter was withdrawn after debate. Another rejected amendment would have suspended public policy and public benefit charges on electric and gas bills; opponents said that would eliminate low-income and senior bill relief. The House then turned to education-related amendments, rejecting proposals to change special education reimbursement formulas and to raise the reimbursement rate from 75% to 80%, with opponents arguing the ideas needed committee review and cost analysis. Finally, the House began debating an amendment to fully fund regional school transportation by removing “subject to appropriation,” but the transcript ends before any final vote on that item.
AZ
Transcript Highlights:
- A 2025 poll shows that 77% of Arizona voters support school vaccine requirements.
- We know from polling that Arizona voters support strong vaccine requirements, especially in schools. 77%
- States to designate the Council on American Islamic Relations as a terrorist organization and pass H.R
- So I'm voting yes to send this postcard to Congress in support of H.R. 4097.
- "Yes to send this postcard to Congress in support of H.R. 4097 in the U.S.
Summary:
The House convened with prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, journal approval, guest introductions, and a proclamation recognizing March as International Women’s Celebration Month. Members also welcomed guests from several school districts and the Arizona FFA. The chamber then moved through first readings of numerous Senate bills and took up several motions, including reconsideration of HB 2169 and referral of HB 210 and HB 2103 to an additional Committee of the Whole for further amendment.
In Committee of the Whole, the House advanced HB 2100 and HB 2103 with technical amendments and due-pass recommendations. It then considered a series of bills on Calendar 2, including HB 2048, HB 2364, HB 2415, HB 2775, HB 2833, HB 2862, HB 2870, HB 2995, and HB 4067. Debate centered on election administration, sovereignty and international organizations, private school regulation, law enforcement face coverings, domestic violence and coercive control, and voter roll categories. HB 2862 drew the most procedural attention, with a division vote on a substitute amendment; the House rejected a motion to replace the adopted amendment, and the report was later adopted.
On Calendar 3, the House considered education bills. HB 2093, which repeals the requirement for K-12 health education to include mental health instruction, prompted extensive debate over student suicide prevention, school counseling, parental responsibility, and whether schools should provide mental health support; it received a due-pass recommendation by a 27-22 division vote. The House also advanced HB 2313, which was described as responding to a Tucson Unified School District work stoppage tied to a political protest, and HB 2423, HB 2478, and other education measures after amendments and, in one case, withdrawal of an appropriations amendment. The session continued into HB 2830 as the transcript ended.
AL
Alabama 2026 Regular Session
Alabama House Military and Veterans Affairs Committee Jan 14th, 2026
Military and Veterans Affairs
Transcript Highlights:
- House Bill 77. >> All right. Uh, you can do it right here. Okay. But thank you. Thank you, Mr.
- Chairman. >> Members, House Bill 77, this is the same bill we passed out of committee.
- </c><00:17:51.440><c> House</c><00:17:51.679><c> Bill</c><00:17:52.000><c> 77.
- House Bill 77. All >> Mr. Pas. Yes, sir. House Bill 77.
- 00:17:57.840><c> members,</c><00:17:58.720><c> House</c><00:17:58.960><c> Bill</c><00:17:59.440><c> 77
Committee:
House Military and Veterans Affairs
Keywords:
Alabama Board of Athletic Trainers, diversity, government oversight, Sunset Law, congressional districts, HB77, absentee voting, absentee ballot, disabled voter, disability accommodation, voter assistance, ballot delivery, ballot application, designee, caregiver, election manager, vote by mail, mail ballot, ballot harvesting, voter access
LA
Transcript Highlights:
- We're going to start today with H.R. 196 by Representative Owen. Dr.
- Seeing no more questions and no objections, H.R. 196 is reported favorably. Thank you, Members.
Committee:
House Insurance
Summary:
The House Insurance Committee met on May 6 and first heard H.R. 196, which would create a special study committee to examine the impacts of fallen trees on residential property, property values, daily life, and the insurance market. Representative Owen said the goal was to explore whether homeowners who proactively remove hazardous trees should receive some kind of insurance incentive or discount. Members generally supported the idea, with comments noting tree-related losses in hurricane damage and suggesting the study also consider homeowners association restrictions on tree removal. The resolution was reported favorably.
The committee then considered Senate Bill 100, concerning proof of insurance for transportation network company drivers. Senator Jenkins explained the bill would require ride-share drivers involved in accidents to provide the correct ride-share-specific insurance and disclose whether they were logged into the app or on a prearranged ride, with penalties for failing to do so. Supporters from the Chiefs of Police were noted, and the bill was reported favorably.
House Bill 408, dealing with homeowners insurance cancellations when policyholders timely mitigate risks, drew the most discussion. Representative Jordan said the bill was intended to prevent mid-policy cancellations after homeowners complete requested mitigation work, and committee amendments changed the bill from renewal language to cancellation language and shortened a notice period from 90 to 60 days. Insurance industry representatives opposed the bill, arguing the problem was not occurring in practice, that current notice rules already address the issue, and that the bill could create confusion and litigation. After debate, the committee adopted the amendment and then voluntarily deferred the bill.
The committee also took up House Bill 625 on peer-to-peer car sharing programs. Representative Jordan described it as a measure to clarify insurance and liability rules for services like Turo, and the committee adopted two sets of technical and substantive amendments, including a requirement for admitted or approved physical damage coverage when no contractual protection package exists. Enterprise Rental Car’s representative said the company supported the broader policy discussion but disagreed with the amended version and wanted the issue revisited through NCOIL. The bill was reported favorably as amended, and the meeting adjourned.
LA
Transcript Highlights:
- We're going to start today with H.R. 196 by Representative Owen. Dr.
- Seeing no more questions and no objections, H.R. 196 is reported favorably. Thank you, members.
Committee:
House Insurance
CA
California 2025-2026 Regular Session
Assembly Committee on Economic Development, Growth, and Household Impact Apr 22nd, 2025
Transcript Highlights:
- Final item number 12, H.R. 27, Gibson, be adopted to consent. Salachia? Aye. Salachi, aye. Castile?
- File item number 12, H.R. 27, Gibson, to be adopted to consent. Bonta: aye. Patel: aye.
Summary:
The Assembly Economic Development, Growth, and Household Impact Committee met in person and established quorum after beginning briefly as a subcommittee. The committee adopted its rules and then heard several bills focused on economic recovery, housing, technology, retail theft, and utility infrastructure. AB 265 (Caloza) would create a $100 million state-funded small business and nonprofit recovery program for organizations affected by declared emergencies; it drew broad support from small business, nonprofit, chamber, city, and community groups, with no opposition voiced. AB 797 (Harabedian) proposed a zero-cost state financing structure using CRA-backed securities to help community nonprofits buy wildfire-damaged properties at fair market value and prevent predatory investor purchases; it was presented as a community stabilization tool and received support from the California Community Foundation, with no opposition. AB 940 (Wicks/Ellis) would establish quantum innovation zones to strengthen California’s quantum computing economy, and AB 949 (Shiavo) would create a retail theft grant program for small businesses to fund security improvements and theft prevention measures; both bills were supported by business and university witnesses, though one member said they would not vote for AB 949 due to concerns about broader crime policy. AB 1347 (Carrillo) proposed a pilot program to speed utility interconnections in priority growth regions, including allowing developers to trade expedited connections for upfront infrastructure cost recovery and use microgrids in some cases; it had no opposition in the hearing.
Committee members generally expressed support for the bills, especially those aimed at disaster recovery and small business resilience. Questions on AB 940 focused on where quantum innovation zones might be located and how local governments and universities would coordinate; the author and witnesses said the zones should be open statewide and could build on existing research centers such as Berkeley, Stanford, Caltech, UCSB, UCLA, and UCSC. On AB 797, members discussed the need to protect homeowners from below-market offers after wildfires. On AB 949, the author emphasized that modest grants could help small businesses make security upgrades and prevent repeated theft losses.
The committee voted to send AB 265, AB 797, AB 940, AB 949, and AB 1347 forward, generally on party-line or near-unanimous votes, with the bills reported out of committee and placed on call as needed. The consent calendar, including AB 254, AB 415, AB 655, AB 1232, AB 1254, AB 1477, and HR 27, was also approved. The hearing adjourned at 10:33 a.m.
TX
Transcript Highlights:
- I move to suspend all necessary rules to take up and consider H.R. 518 commemorating Children's Health
- H.R. 518 by Onshia, recognizing March 12th, 2025 as Children's Health Health ECMO Day at the State Capitol
US
US Federal 2025-2026 Regular Session
US House Floor Proceedings (Thursday, July 17, 2025)
US Federal House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- I rise in strong opposition to H.R. 3633, the so-called Clarity Act.
- Speaker, I rise in support of H.R. 3633, known as the Clarity Act.
- It is the reason that I call H.R. 1919 the anti-innovation act.
- I rise in strong opposition to H.R. 1919, the so-called anti-CBDC Surveillance Act.
- Speaker, I rise today in support of H.R. 1919, the anti-CBDC Surveillance State Act.
Keywords:
defense appropriations, military funding, national security, Department of Defense, fiscal year 2026, House of Representatives, election, Speaker, Clerk, Congress, budget authority, rescission, fiscal policy, government funding, impoundment, Federal Reserve, digital currency, monetary policy, financial services, privacy
MA
Massachusetts 2025-2026 Regular Session
Formal House Session 40 Jun 21st, 2026 at 10:51 am
Massachusetts House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- Sweezy of Duxbury moves to amend the bill by adding the following section: Section 77.
- Sweezy of Duxbury moves to amend the bill by adding the following section: Section 77.
- Section 77, notwithstanding any general or special law to the contrary, a vocational technical school
- Section 77, notwithstanding any special or general law to the contrary, for any program administered
- Section 77, notwithstanding any special or general law to the contrary...
Summary:
The House began with routine business, including the Pledge of Allegiance and adoption of three congratulatory resolutions honoring Eagle Scouts Charles Goodman, Jack Goodwin, and Liam LaCrooy. Members also adopted a House-Senate concurrence on House 4359, a Milford alcohol-license bill, after amending it to repeal Chapter 289 of the Acts of 2022 and set an effective date. The chamber then passed Senate 2596, establishing maintenance of private roads in Gloucester, and engrossed House 4887. The House also observed moments of silence for former Lynn City Councilor Richard Rick Ford, Louise M. Pedroso, and Mildred “Millie” Cox, and welcomed several guests, including students, civic visitors, and British Minister of State Stephen Doughty.
The bulk of the session focused on budget amendments related to housing and emergency assistance. Amendment 1579, which would have tightened HomeBASE eligibility by requiring citizenship-status inquiries, was debated at length and defeated 26-130. Amendment 1582, which would have barred Housing and Livable Communities from conditioning grants on MBTA Communities Act compliance, was also rejected 27-126. Amendment 1583, which would have limited right-to-shelter eligibility to U.S. citizens with six months’ Massachusetts residency, was defeated 26-122. Supporters argued these changes would reduce costs and prioritize taxpayers; opponents said they would exclude lawful residents and undermine existing housing and shelter reforms.
The House then adopted Consolidated Amendment F, covering energy, environmental affairs, and housing, by a vote of 154-0. Speakers highlighted major funding for rental vouchers, emergency shelter, HomeBASE, public housing, clean water, climate and agricultural programs, and food assistance. The chamber also considered and defeated Amendment 1218 on creating a data center commission, Amendment 1234 on eliminating certain energy surcharges, and several education-related amendments from Ms. Sullivan-Almeida: changes to special education reimbursement thresholds and rates, and a proposal to make regional school transportation funding mandatory rather than subject to appropriation. Those education amendments were all rejected after roll-call votes. Amendment 1580 on ending vocational school lottery admissions was withdrawn by its sponsor before a vote. The transcript ends as debate continues on Amendment 1308, which would increase a budget line item, but no final action on that amendment is shown.
MA
Massachusetts 2025-2026 Regular Session
Formal House Session 40 Apr 29th, 2026
Massachusetts House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- Sweezey of Duxbury moves to amend the bill by adding the following section: Section 77.
- Sweezy of Duxbury moves to amend the bill by adding the following section: Section 77, notwithstanding
- Lombardo of Billerica moves to amend the bill by adding the following section: Section 77, subsection
- Pease of Westfield moves to amend the bill by adding the following section: Section 77, Chapter 23A of
- Section 77, notwithstanding any general or special law to the contrary, Section 16C of Chapter 71 of
US
US Federal 2025-2026 Regular Session
US House Floor Proceedings (Friday, June 6, 2025)
US Federal House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- Union Calendar number 83,<00:18:41.760><c> HR</c> Union Calendar No. 83, H.R. 2966, a bill to require
- I rise in strong opposition to H.R. 2966, the American Entrepreneurs First Act.
- I rise in strong opposition to H.R. 2966, the American Entrepreneurs First Act.
- Speaker, let me say that H.R. 2966 will not improve SBA lending or support small businesses.
- H.R. 2966 will not improve SBA lending or support small businesses.
Bills:
HB2966
KY
Kentucky 2026 Regular Session
House Legislative Session Day 59 (4-14-26) - Part 1
Kentucky House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- 77, 77, 173, 173, 173, 251, 251, 251, 263,<00:23:41.919><c> and</c><00:23:42.400><c> 261</c> 263, and
- Page 77, lines 1 through 4 in their entirety. Page 77, delete lines 5 through 7 in their entirety.
- There being 77 members voting yea, 18 members voting nay, Senate Bill 77 is finally passed, veto of the
- There being 77 Clerk will take the role.
- Senate bill 77 is finally passed. nay. Senate bill 77 is finally passed.
MA
Massachusetts 2025-2026 Regular Session
Joint Committee on Cannabis Policy Jun 21st, 2026 at 10:30 am
Joint Committee on Cannabis Policy
Transcript Highlights:
- We're here advocating on behalf of Senate Bill 77 and House Bill 161.
- Please pass S-77 and H-161. Please pass S-77 and H-161.
- We're here to support S-77.
- So I definitely recommend that you support S-77 and H-161. Thank you, sir. After you, sir.
- I'm here to support S-77 and H-161. You don't see me looking at it.
Committee:
Joint Joint Committee on Cannabis Policy
Summary:
The Joint Committee on Cannabis Policy held its fourth hearing, with opening remarks from Senate Chair Adam Gómez and House Chair Dan Donahue emphasizing the committee’s broad agenda, including retail modernization, labor protections, advertising rules, sustainability, and financial resources. Testimony began with public health advocates supporting H.157/S.9 to ban cannabis billboard advertising, arguing that billboards normalize use for youth and are linked to cannabis-related harms such as psychosis, addiction, and cannabinoid hyperemesis syndrome. Witnesses cited research, family stories, and court decisions in Mississippi and Virginia upholding similar restrictions, while committee members questioned the scope of the state’s authority to regulate billboards on private property and the relevance of federal highway funding and federal cannabis law.
The committee also heard testimony on H.175, a proposal to allow cannabis drive-through sales. A dispensary operator argued drive-throughs would improve access, especially for disabled customers and veterans, and said security and ID checks could be handled with cameras and staff screening. Committee members pressed him on how employees would assess impairment, whether drive-throughs could increase access for minors, and whether the industry should be treated like alcohol, with the witness responding that staff already refuse service to intoxicated customers and that education, not prohibition, is the better approach. Another bill, H.3982, would apply the bottle deposit law to carbonated hemp- or THC-infused beverages; the sponsor said the measure would standardize recycling requirements for products already sold in dispensaries and other markets, and members asked about container types and recycling compatibility.
A major portion of the hearing focused on labor peace agreements, with UFCW representatives, cannabis workers, and Sen. Lydia Edwards supporting S.77/H.161. They said the bill would require cannabis businesses to remain neutral when workers seek to organize, arguing that unions improve safety, wages, benefits, and job stability in an industry they described as underregulated and prone to retaliation. Witnesses cited workplace hazards, wage theft, and the death of a worker at a Holyoke facility as examples of why stronger worker protections are needed. Committee members asked how the proposal differs from existing labor law, whether tying LPAs to licensing and renewal could create legal or administrative problems, and how other states handle similar requirements. No votes or final actions were taken during the hearing.
WA
Washington 2025-2026 Regular Session
House Floor Session Feb 28th, 2026
Washington House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- There was a lot of stones being thrown in glass houses over the summer, about H.R. 1 and taking cutting
- Well, all the while, that $782 million cut happened before H.R. 1 was ever signed or even thought of
- And we could throw all the stones we want at H.R. 1, Madam Speaker, but H.R. 1 would blush at the Medicaid
- The Medicaid cuts in this budget had nothing to do with H.R. 1. That had everything to do...
- The Medicaid cuts in this budget had nothing to do with H.R. 1.
Bills:
HB2720 , HB2073 , HB2681 , SB5467 , SB5820 , SB5863 , SB5892 , SCR8406 , HB2487 , HB2711 , SB5816 , SB5919 , SB5995 , SB6278
Summary:
The House convened, established a quorum, approved the prior day’s minutes, and then moved through caucuses and a series of transportation, elections, energy, historical records, cannabis, abortion-access, and fiscal bills. Members repeatedly emphasized that several measures were supplemental or technical updates to existing law, while others involved larger policy disputes over taxes, fees, clean energy, election security, and reproductive health. The chamber also received Senate messages on other bills and briefly recessed for caucus during the day.
The most prominent action was final passage of Engrossed Substitute Senate Bill 6005, the supplemental transportation budget, after adopting a technical amendment and a larger striker amendment. Supporters highlighted preservation and maintenance funding, rail investments, ferry maintenance, road safety, and continued work on major projects statewide; opponents largely reserved comments or noted concerns about future needs. The House passed the bill 93-0 with five excused. The House also passed Engrossed Substitute House Bill 2711 on transportation resources, after adopting a technical amendment that removed the aircraft tax and delayed an RV-related tax change; supporters said it protected businesses and jobs, while opponents objected to trade-in treatment and other tax changes. That bill passed 83-10.
On elections, the House considered Senate Bill 5892 to protect the voter registration database. An amendment to reduce penalties from a felony to a civil infraction and remove the emergency clause failed, while the committee amendment passed 50-34. Supporters said the bill was needed to safeguard sensitive voter data and clarify access; opponents argued it created conflicts with federal law and imposed excessive penalties on local election officials. The bill then passed 57-36. On energy, Substitute Senate Bill 5982 updating consumer-owned utility provisions drew debate over carbon capture, resource adequacy, data centers, and clean energy policy. Amendments on carbon capture and blackout-triggered termination failed, while an amendment preserving cogeneration exceptions passed; the bill then passed 57-37.
The House also passed Senate Bill 5863 on preservation and inspection of state historical records, after rejecting an amendment to require longer retention but adopting the committee amendment; supporters stressed preserving the history of residential habilitation centers and the value to families seeking records. Substitute Senate Bill 5874, allowing the Employment Security Department to waive penalties for minor employer reporting errors, passed unanimously. Engrossed House Bill 2681, raising cannabis license fees while removing an escalator, passed 52-42. Finally, Substitute Senate Bill 5917 on access to abortion medications saw several failed amendments from opponents seeking to narrow, reframe, or add fiscal limits to the bill; supporters said it preserved flexibility to ensure access and avoid waste, and the bill passed 57-36.
FL
Florida 2026 Regular Session
FL House Floor Session - 2026-03-06 (10:00AM Session)
Florida House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- On July 4, 2025, H.R. 1, commonly known as the Big Beautiful Bill, became law.
- specifically excludes the adoption of certain changes made to provisions that became law as part of H.R
- In H.R. 1, that bill specifically mandates work requirements in states that have expanded Medicaid.
- In H.R. 1, that bill specifically mandate.
- In H.R. 1, that bill specifically mandates work requirements in states that have expanded Medicaid.
Summary:
The Senate convened with a quorum, opened with prayer and the Pledge of Allegiance, and recognized several introductions and memorials, including a resolution designating August 9, 2026, as Bob Graham Day and a moment of silence for firefighter Roger Timmy Miley. The chamber then moved through a long special-order calendar, with several bills substituted with House companions and adopted by voice vote or recorded vote. Early measures included a tax conformity bill tied to federal Internal Revenue Code changes, which passed 34-0, and a Medicaid/public assistance bill that drew extensive debate over work requirements, fraud reduction, behavioral health services, and SNAP/EBT reforms. Amendments offered by Senators Berman and Osgood to condition or soften the work and photo-ID provisions were rejected, and the underlying bill was placed on the third-reading calendar after lengthy questioning about implementation, exemptions, and eligibility effects.
The Senate also passed bills on computer science education and AI instruction, a Parkinson’s disease registry public-records exemption and registry update, designation of the SS American Victory as Florida’s official state flagship, electronic payments for local governments, repeal of the legal-tender sunset for gold and silver, public-records protections for gold/silver custodians and stablecoin-related entities, a Florida stablecoin pilot program, and local government budget transparency/spending measures. Most of these measures were adopted after minor amendments or technical substitutions, with votes generally ranging from 31-3 to 34-0. The chamber also recognized the Florida Channel’s 30 years of legislative coverage.
Later, the Senate approved a digital voyeurism bill expanding the reasonable-expectation-of-privacy definition to include private fenced yards, and an insurance customer representative licensing bill allowing high school students to complete insurance/personal finance coursework and later qualify for licensure. The final major item was a medical freedom bill that would expand parental vaccine information requirements, add a conscience-based exemption to immunization mandates, allow behind-the-counter ivermectin for adults, and repeal the sunset on the mRNA mandate prohibition; two amendments clarifying anti-kickback rules and requiring vaccine information to include risks, benefits, safety, and efficacy were adopted, while questions from Senators Smith and Massullo focused on public-health impacts and the content of the required materials. The transcript ends during discussion of that bill, with no final vote shown in the excerpt.
MO
Missouri 2026 Regular Session
Professional Registration and Licensing Feb 25th, 2026
Professional Registration and Licensing
Transcript Highlights:
- To move on to 2468, I would almost call that kind of a state H.R. 1 implementation requirement.
- Why this matters: the federal government in H.R. 1 said states, you know, we're paying 100% of...
- That, again, is another requirement of H.R. 1, effective 2027. States must do it twice here.
- And with H.R. 1 implementing, we were proactive in all of our active SNAP cases that are non-citizens
- We're proactive with H.R. 1 coming.
Summary:
The committee first met in executive session and adopted a House Committee Substitute for House Bill 2300 by a unanimous roll call vote of 18-0. The substitute combined a number of previously approved professional registration items, including emergency suspension authority, chiropractic and massage therapy provisions, accountant regulations, the athletic trainer compact, social worker regulations, a speech-language pathologist fix, telehealth, nonprofit pharmacies, and the physician assistant compact. Members noted that work was still ongoing on bell bondsman language before the committee moved into public hearing.
The main public hearing was on House Bill 2897, which would expand optometrists’ authority to perform certain laser and in-office procedures. Representative Farnan and optometry supporters argued the bill is about patient access, especially in rural areas, and said it would allow three laser procedures—YAG capsulotomy, laser trabeculoplasty, and laser iridotomy—plus clarify other already-performed office procedures, while still excluding major surgeries such as cataract surgery, LASIK, and corneal transplants. Supporters said optometrists already receive relevant training, that a 32-hour certification course would serve as a safeguard, and that patients often face long waits or long travel times for care. Opponents, including ophthalmologists, argued the bill would blur the line between optometry and surgery, create safety risks, and rely on insufficient training and ambiguous language. They cited complications from laser procedures, questioned emergency care claims, and said optometrists should not be regulated as surgeons unless placed under the State Board of Healing Arts. No vote was taken on HB 2897, and the chair recessed the hearing for later continuation.
The Committee on Elementary and Secondary Education then took up House Bill 3239 and adopted Amendment 0.01H, which capped the program at $4 million to keep it from becoming an open-ended cost. The committee then adopted the House Committee Substitute and voted the bill do pass by 11-7. The committee also combined House Bills 2913 and 3228 into one substitute and voted that combined measure do pass by 19-0. Finally, the committee heard House Bill 2195, which would create the Missouri Integrated Safe Driving Program and encourage school districts to incorporate driver-safety content into existing courses without adding a fiscal note or mandating a standalone driver’s ed class. Sponsor Representative Reedy and supporters from AAA Missouri and the Missouri Driver Education Coalition said the bill would address teen crash rates, improve access to driver education, and help schools use existing curriculum time more flexibly. The hearing remained in discussion with testimony continuing.
KY
Kentucky 2026 Regular Session
Senate Legislative Session Day 8 (1-15-26)
Kentucky Senate Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- Senate Bill 10, an act proposing to amend sections 77 and 240 of the Constitution of Kentucky relating
- proposing to Senate Bill 10, an act proposing to amend<00:10:06.080><c> sections</c><00:10:06.720><c> 77
- c> and</c><00:10:07.920><c> 240</c><00:10:08.480><c> of</c><00:10:08.640><c> the</c> amend sections 77
- and 240 of the amend sections 77 and 240 of the Constitution<00:10:09.440><c> of</c><00:10:09.680><c
- ,</c><00:30:33.600><c> and</c> Senate Bill 72, Senate Bill 77, and Senate Bill 86.
CA
California 2025-2026 Regular Session
Senate Budget and Fiscal Review Subcommittee No. 4 on State Administration and General Government Apr 30th, 2026
Transcript Highlights:
- to provide an update on what they’ve been up to, including the response to the federal enactment of H.R
- H.R. 1 augmented the 9% tax credit program by 12% in perpetuity.
- After H.R. 1 was passed... Us the 4% tax credit program.
- After H.R. 1 was passed, this threshold, which was referred to earlier, was reduced to 25%.
- No, other than just kudos to CDLAC and TCAC for moving so fast, you know, after H.R. 1 passed to be able
Summary:
The subcommittee heard an extensive presentation on the administration’s housing reorganization proposal, which would centralize multifamily affordable housing finance under the new Housing Development and Finance Committee (HDFC) and align it with the Governor’s trailer bill language. Administration officials said the plan is intended to create a one-stop application and award process, reduce duplicative timelines and costs, and pair state subsidy with private activity bonds and federal tax credits more efficiently. They also described proposed changes to the Affordable Housing and Sustainable Communities program, including shifting a larger share of funding toward housing-related awards while preserving a portion for sustainable communities investments. The Legislative Analyst’s Office generally supported the streamlining concept but recommended changes to the proposed bond set-aside timing and urged flexibility for integrated applications and future reporting on demand. Senators, especially Senator Cabaldon, raised concerns that the proposal could weaken the original climate-and-transportation purpose of the sustainable communities program and that the reorganization would be undercut by the lack of new housing production funding in the budget. The item was held open without a vote.
The committee then received a report from the California Debt Limit Allocation Committee and the California Tax Credit Allocation Committee on federal and state housing tax credits. Staff explained that the federal H.R. 1 change lowering the bond-financing threshold from 50% to 25% greatly expanded the number of projects able to use the 4% federal tax credit, allowing California to fund many more projects and units. They also described the state low-income housing tax credit as an important gap-filling tool for projects that still need additional subsidy, and noted existing set-asides for rural, homeless, at-risk, and extremely low-income projects. Members discussed rehabilitation as well as new construction, and the item was informational only.
Finally, the Civil Rights Department reported on the effects of federal civil rights policy changes and on three programs facing expiration: California vs. Hate, the Community Conflict Resolution Unit, and Investigations and Conciliation Enhancement. Director Kevin Kish said federal cuts and policy shifts have reduced support for fair housing and other civil rights functions, while CRD’s caseload has grown from about 8,700 open matters a year ago to more than 12,000, with a six-month wait for interviews despite overtime triage efforts. Senators expressed strong support for continuing the programs and concern about the broader federal rollback of civil rights enforcement. The department said it is using overtime, intake triage, and outreach partnerships to manage the workload and direct Californians to appropriate state, local, and nonprofit resources.
NJ
Transcript Highlights:
- Assembly Bill 4106, having received 77 votes in the affirmative, two votes in the negative, and zero
- Speaker, Assembly Bill 4106 has received 77 votes in the affirmative, two in a negative, and zero abstentions
- Assembly Bill 4106, have received 77 votes in the affirmative, two votes.
- Assembly Bill 4106, haven't received 77 votes in the affirmative, two votes in negative and zero abstentions
- Assembly Bill 5059 has received 77 votes in the affirmative, zero votes in the negative, and zero abstentions
HI
Hawaii 2026 Regular Session
GVO, GVO-HHS Public Hearings 03-31-2026
Transcript Highlights:
- Next up, SCR 86 and SR 77, requesting all state agencies to utilize bi-level lighting.
- Next up, SCR 86, SR 77, Sub plural.
- Next up, SCR 86, SR 77, requesting<00:05:34.160><c> all</c><00:05:34.360><c> state</c><00:05:34.640><
- If not, Vice Chair, SCR 86, SR 77, Senate draft one, I vote yes. With amendments, yes, sir.
- Recommendations to pass SCR 86 and SR 77 with amendments.
Summary:
The committee heard several resolutions related to state facilities and agency procedures. SCR 177/SR 172 asked the Department of Accounting and General Services (DAGS) to convene a cooperative working group to address state projects requiring county permitting; DAGS supported the measure, and it was adopted unanimously. SCR 37/SR 36 requested a study on the costs and benefits of creating an Office of the State Architect; DAGS offered comments, but the chair deferred the resolution, citing a similar bill and lack of funding for a study.
The committee then considered SCR 86/SR 77, which would require bi-level lighting in newly constructed state buildings and facilities beginning in 2028. DAGS and the State Energy Office provided comments, while DLNR, Citizens Climate Lobby, and Climate Future Forum testified in support. The committee amended the measure to apply to state buildings and facilities with designs finalized on or after January 1, 2028, and adopted it. SCR 122/SR 114, which would require written notice before final administrative action affecting protected liberty or property interests, drew comments from the Department of Agriculture and Biosecurity and written comments from DOE, but was deferred due to limited support and time constraints.
In the joint GVO/HHS portion, the committee heard SCR 87/SR 79, encouraging the state to examine requiring AEDs in all state-owned buildings and to pursue existing AED programs. The State Health Planning and Development Agency, DOE, the American Heart Association, the Department of Health, an individual testifier, and DAGS all supported the measure; DAGS also described ongoing installation and training efforts in its facilities. The measure was adopted without amendment by both committees, with members noting broad support and no reservations.