Transcript Highlights:

• Members, today is Religious Freedom Day here at the Capitol, sponsored by the Interfaith Alliance.
• of expression, freedom of assembly, freedom of religion, and equality under the law.
• ,</c> women life freedom, women life freedom, mourns<00:34:01.000><c> the</c><00:34:01.120><c> lives<
• ,</c><00:34:18.600><c> justice,</c> live with equality, freedom, justice, live with equality, freedom
• . freedom. freedom.

Summary: The House convened with 58 members present and seven excused, establishing a quorum, and approved the April 15, 2026 journal as corrected. The chamber then moved through announcements recognizing visiting railroad workers, LIUNA Local 720, Colorado West Christian Schools, Religious Freedom Day, and several school and community groups, along with birthday acknowledgments and committee schedule notices. The House also adopted a motion to remove House Bill 1245 from special orders and returned it to the general orders second reading calendar, and set House Bills 1290, 1312, and 1321 as special orders. The House adopted Senate Joint Resolution 18, recognizing Nowruz and expressing support for the human rights and fundamental freedoms of the Iranian people, including the Women, Life, Freedom movement. Supporters described Nowruz as a holiday of renewal and resilience and tied the resolution to solidarity with Iranian communities. Representative Zokaie also spoke at length about the personal impact of war on Iranian families and urged a vote. The resolution passed 59-2 with four excused. The chamber then considered several bills in committee report. House Bill 1290, concerning assault and clarifying sentencing, was amended in Judiciary to remove the medical professional provision and passed after testimony emphasizing strangulation as a serious warning sign in domestic violence cases; it then passed the House. House Bill 1312, dealing with peace officer participation, POST Board composition, academy training, and related grants, was amended for clarity and passed the Judiciary report and then the bill. House Bill 1321, modifying the School Security Disbursement Program, had the Education Committee report defeated, but amendments were adopted to broaden eligible service providers and adjust funding language; the bill then passed as amended.

Transcript Highlights:

• Next thing is your freedom to move and do what you want to do.
• But if you don't deal with life or death, then freedom don't matter because you're dead.
• </c><01:25:56.080><c> don't</c> with life or death, then freedom don't with life or death, then freedom
• </c><01:39:36.480><c> of</c> taxpayer has to go through a Freedom of taxpayer has to go through a Freedom
• And uh this country and give us freedom.

Summary: The Alabama Senate convened with prayer, the pledge, and roll call, establishing a quorum and adopting routine motions to excuse absent senators, dispense with the prior journal, and allow bills and committee reports to be received throughout the day. The chamber also welcomed several guests, including members of the Kappa Alpha Psi fraternity and other visitors in the gallery. The Senate received multiple House messages, referring several House bills on taxation, local legislation, and the entertainment industry to committee, and concurred in House amendments to Senate Bill 259 on counties and Senate Bill 228 on the Alabama Space Authority. Committee reports then advanced a number of bills, including favorable reports from Judiciary, County and Municipal Government, and Local Legislation committees, with several bills receiving substitutes or minor dissent. The Senate also re-referred Senate Bill 333 to Local Legislation, Mobile County, and Senate Bill 292 to County and Municipal Government. Members adopted several commemorative resolutions, including Senate Joint Resolutions honoring Lt. Col. Jonathan David Schultz, Honda’s 25 years of operation in Alabama, Mrs. Kelly Fischer as Alabama High School Principal of the Year, and Peggy Sers Benson on her retirement from the Alabama Board of Nursing. The Senate also adopted a Rules Committee report setting a special order calendar that included bills on ground ambulance services, counties and municipalities, solid waste collection fees, public schools, and public assistance. On the floor, the Senate passed local bills including Senate Bill 324 on Tallapoosa County, House Bill 485 on Clark County, House Bill 479 on Cusa County, House Bill 410 on Limestone County, and House Bill 412 on Limestone County. The chamber then took up Senate Bill 254 on parole, adopting an amendment offered at the request of district attorneys to clarify the Pardons and Paroles Board’s discretion, and passed the bill 26-2. The Senate also debated Senate Bill 269 on ground ambulance services, with the sponsor describing it as a pilot bill addressing reimbursement, surprise billing, reporting requirements, and “treat in place” options; Senator Stutts raised concerns that it would shift costs to a smaller group of payers and increase premiums, while the sponsor argued it could reduce unnecessary transports and save money. The transcript ends during that discussion, with no final vote on SB 269 shown.

Transcript Highlights:

• pursuant to Part 1, Article 21 of the Amendments to the Constitution of the Commonwealth, namely freedom
• pursuant to Part 1, Article 21 of the Amendments to the Constitution of the Commonwealth, namely freedom
• the General Court pursuant to Part 1, Article 21 of the Constitution of the Commonwealth, namely freedom

Summary: The Senate opened with the Pledge of Allegiance and several ceremonial items, including introductions of championship Tri-County High School football and boys’ cross-country teams and adoption of a resolution honoring Auburn and the Robert and Esther Goddard Centennial Committee for the 100th anniversary of the first liquid-fueled rocket launch. The chamber then gave final passage to several local bills, including measures authorizing payment by the City of Revere, adjusting Wellesley’s senior property tax deferral income threshold, amending the Hopedinton/Hopkinton town charter regarding library trustees, and other local matters, all of which were passed to be enacted and sent to the Governor. The Senate also suspended Joint Rule 12 to refer House petitions to committees and took up several local bills from the Orders of the Day. These included bills enhancing the powers of the Cotuit Fire District’s Board of Water Commissioners, authorizing the Cotuit Fire District to raise money for the Historical Society of Santuit and Cotuit, further regulating the Salem licensing board, and validating the results of Bourne’s May 20, 2025 annual election. Each was advanced by unanimous consent, read a third time, and passed to be engrossed. A major portion of the session focused on two orders from Senator Friedman requesting advisory opinions from the Supreme Judicial Court on initiative petitions. One concerned a public records proposal that would extend public records law to the General Court and Governor’s office; the other concerned a legislative stipends proposal that would alter internal legislative procedures and compensation rules. Senator Feeney argued the requests were needed to clarify constitutional issues before the Legislature acts on the initiatives, and both orders were adopted. The Senate also received a Ways and Means report on Senate Bill 2720, a bill banning the retail sale of dogs, cats, rabbits, and pet sharks, with a new draft, Senate No. 3014, recommended. The chamber adopted an order placing the bill on the Orders of the Day for second reading on March 19, 2026, with amendments in order, and then adopted a separate order to adjourn until Monday at 11 a.m., dispensing with the printing of a calendar.

Transcript Highlights:

• Our founders built this republic on the promise of freedom, the freedom to build, to strive, to pursue
• Sell out their freedom this Independence Day. I yield back.
• Our freedom to what makes us American.
• </c><02:12:05.920><c> I</c> their freedom this Independence Day.
• And giving freedom to the slave.

Transcript Highlights:

• includes board elections, open meetings, access to documents, dissolution of CICs, and personal freedoms
• freedoms uh Financial interests<00:46:58.160><c> uh</c><00:46:58.280><c> including</c><00:46:58.760>
• and also the need for personal freedom and also the need for uniformity<01:02:06.480><c> to</c><01:02
• </c><01:03:04.599><c> of</c> today is much less of a freedom of today is much less of a freedom of choice
• HOA and CIC operations should include access to fair dispute resolution, protection of basic freedoms

Committee: Senate Housing and Homelessness Prevention

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> choice without the educational Freedom choice without the educational Freedom program<03:45:58.960
• </c><03:46:05.159><c> account</c> excluding the education Freedom account excluding the education Freedom
• Brian Hawkins, representing New Hampshire, said he has been at most of the Education Freedom Account
• Does that also eliminate the Education Freedom Accounts, or is that just separate?
• </c> for through the education Freedom for through the education Freedom account<06:00:08.920><c> program

Summary: The committee first addressed House Bill 415, which would remove the requirement that schools provide menstrual products. Members supporting an ITL said the mandate was unfunded, had been in place since 2019, and was already working without complaints from districts. Other members opposed the bill, arguing menstrual products are essential and that the requirement helps students, especially those with fewer resources. The committee voted ITL on HB 415 by a roll call of 17 yeas, 0 nays. The committee then took up House Bill 388, concerning public reports on special education. Supporters of ITL said they agreed with the goal of transparency but were concerned about student privacy, especially in small districts, and thought the bill’s information requests went too far. They noted that related issues could potentially be addressed in another bill, HB 557. The committee voted ITL on HB 388, 17-0. House Bill 730, which would require schools and some colleges to provide information on adoption, was also moved ITL. The sponsor said adoption is personally important to him but that the bill was not the right vehicle and involved entities such as colleges and the Attorney General unnecessarily; he said related ideas might be folded into other bills later. The committee agreed and voted ITL, 17-0. The committee then discussed House Bill 671, a preschool/early literacy proposal involving a statewide nonprofit digital program, likely Waterford. Members raised questions about who would be covered, data privacy, prior use of federal ESSER funds, whether the program had measurable results, and whether the bill’s nonprofit requirement was too restrictive. Department of Education witness Melissa White said the state had spent $400,000 in FY22 and $600,000 in FY23 on a Waterford contract using ARP ESSER funds, but she did not have participant counts and said the department could not measure literacy gains for that population. She also said the bill’s funding level would likely require an RFP and that, if enacted as written, the program would probably still be Waterford-based. The discussion continued without a final vote in the portion provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• Because the truth is simple and it is sobering: freedom is not free.
• This is the story of House Bill 1033, legislation on food freedom for you and me. Also known...
• Food freedom for you and me.
• And whereas zealous defense of fundamental... ...freedoms along with foundational principles rooted in
• "The unity of freedom has never relied on uniformity of opinion." The goal is not that we agree.

Transcript Highlights:

• For nearly 100 years, the federal bureaucracy has grown until it has crushed our freedoms, our deficits
• <01:21:52.920><c> has</c><01:21:53.239><c> crushed</c><01:21:53.600><c> our</c><01:21:53.800><c> freedoms
• </c><01:21:54.560><c> boned</c> until it has crushed our freedoms boned until it has crushed our freedoms
• who shed their blood on fields of battle and gave everything they had for our rights and for our freedom
• now it is our time to for our freedom now it is our time to take<02:25:38.880><c> up</c><02:25:39.120

Bills: HR919 , HR579 , HR177

Keywords: HIV, AIDS, public health, World AIDS Day, bipartisan support, uterine fibroids, fibroids, leiomyoma, women's health, reproductive health, pelvic pain, abnormal uterine bleeding, infertility, miscarriage, hysterectomy, Black women, Hispanic women, health disparities, awareness month, screening

Transcript Highlights:

• With some of the freedom of speech eroding and the postures that the university's employees, and in this
• You absolutely understand the need for having freedom of speech.
• Understand having the freedom of speech, I also know when we talk about Oklahoma values, I would hope
• I wanted it... to be known that I absolutely believe in freedom of speech, but I also know there are
• You will lose your freedom if you do it long enough.

Bills: HB3257 , HB3176 , HB3544 , HB3619 , HB3546 , HB1782 , HB2293 , HB4358 , HB3081 , HB3983 , HB3790 , HJR1023 , HB4139 , HB3297 , HB3041 , HB3673 , HB4105 , HB3338 , HB3048 , SR33 , SCR21 , SCR20 , HB4030 , HB4031 , HB4032 , HB4034 , HB4036 , HB4037 , HB4038 , HB4040 , HB4041 , HB4042 , HB4043 , HB4045 , HB4046 , HB4047 , HB4048 , HB4044 , HB4050 , HB4051 , HB4052 , HB4053 , HB4054 , HB4056 , HB4057 , HB4071 , HB4065 , HB4067 , HB4072 , HB2992 , HB4338 , HB4170

Keywords: veterans, disability benefits, federal law, Oklahoma Statutes, military service, Oklahoma, Gas Hub, artificial intelligence, national laboratory, public-private partnerships, aerospace, high-performance computing, economic development, social AI companions, minors, emotional attachment, safety protocols, civil penalties, parental controls, geographic information

Transcript Highlights:

• She didn't wait for freedom before she wrote about it.
• She didn't<00:47:33.200><c> wait</c><00:47:33.440><c> for</c><00:47:33.560><c> freedom</c><00:47:33.880
• ><c> before</c><00:47:34.160><c> she</c><00:47:34.280><c> wrote</c> didn't wait for freedom before she
• wrote didn't wait for freedom before she wrote about<00:47:34.760><c> it.
• </c> Reproductive Freedom. Thank you, Mr. Reproductive Freedom. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Speaker.

Transcript Highlights:

• throwing stuff into critical infrastructure, and where does it stop, and how does that potentially chill freedom
• joining you because the same rights that I've spent my career fighting for around the world, such as freedom
• of expression, association, religion, and freedom from state coercion, are under threat here in the
• joining you because the same rights that I've spent my career fighting for around the world, such as freedom
• of expression, association, religion, and freedom from state coercion are under threat here in the United

Committee: Senate Judiciary C

Summary: The committee first approved the minutes and then heard House Bill 1033, which expands the definition of critical infrastructure to include airports, heliports, spaceports, aerospace facilities, certain government and military sites, and oil and gas platforms. Supporters said the bill is part of a broader effort to position Louisiana for aerospace and defense investment, while opponents from the Sierra Club warned that repeatedly broadening critical infrastructure could chill protest and free-speech activity. The bill was reported favorably. The committee then heard House Bill 1034, which authorizes local officials to declare temporary protection zones for public safety for up to 72 hours, with one extension. The sponsor and the Department of Economic Development said it would be a tool for aerospace and defense projects and other public-safety needs; ACLU testimony raised concerns about notice, property rights, and possible impacts on public waterways. The bill was also reported favorably. The committee next considered several criminal justice bills. House Bill 51, barring post-conviction bail for defendants convicted of aggravated offenses against children, and House Bill 55, limiting public disclosure of juror information to protect juror privacy, both received broad support and were reported favorably. House Bill 635, aimed at protecting Louisianians from transnational repression by foreign governments through penalty enhancements for underlying crimes, was supported by a national security advocate and reported favorably. House Bill 133, increasing penalties for students who commit attacks on teachers or other students, was amended to address juvenile procedure and exceptionalities; teachers testified about serious injuries they suffered, while the ACLU and criminal defense lawyers raised concerns about mandatory minimums and individualized sentencing. The bill was reported with amendments. The committee also heard House Bill 676, which creates the crime of fraudulent patient referrals, or “body brokering,” in the substance-use treatment industry. The sponsor and Blue Cross Blue Shield representatives described schemes that steer vulnerable patients into fraudulent treatment arrangements for profit; the bill was reported favorably. House Bill 159 created a Caddo Parish pilot program for pretrial home incarceration with electronic monitoring to reduce jail overcrowding. The sheriff said the jail is far over capacity and that the program would be limited to nonviolent, non-sex-offense defendants with risk assessments, court approval, and behavioral-health check-ins. Witnesses supported the concept but urged tighter liability language; the committee adopted an amendment and reported the bill with amendments. House Bill 106, dealing with unauthorized administration of melatonin to children in child care settings, was reported favorably. Later, the committee amended and reported House Bill 108, which changes juror qualifications to exclude people convicted of crimes of violence or sex offenses from criminal juries, after opponents argued it would unnecessarily bar citizens from jury service. House Bill 784, a cleanup bill on sex offender registration and notification, was amended and reported with technical changes. Senate Bill 388, which removes a trigger clause tied to a border compact and authorizes review of state contracts for foreign-adversary benefit, was amended and reported. Finally, House Bill 772, a bail-procedure reform requiring accurate mailing and electronic notice information and consolidating notice rules, was presented as a fairness and efficiency measure and had support from the bail industry and prosecutors; the transcript ends before final action on that bill.

Transcript Highlights:

• throwing stuff into critical infrastructure, and where does it stop, and how does that potentially chill freedom
• joining you because the same rights that I've spent my career fighting for around the world, such as freedom
• of expression, association, religion, and freedom from state coercion, are under threat here in the
• joining you because the same rights that I've spent my career fighting for around the world, such as freedom
• of expression, association, religion, and freedom from state coercion are under threat here in the United

Committee: Senate Judiciary C

Transcript Highlights:

• achieve self-determination, and their willingness to sacrifice even life itself in the pursuit of freedom
• It reflects a shared struggle, a shared resistance, and a shared commitment to freedom.
• Let it guide us today as we continue the battle for our rights and our freedoms.
• next generation of activists in the labor movement, in the workers' rights movement, in the Black freedom
• That is justice and freedom and dignity for all.

Summary: The Senate convened with a quorum, opened with prayer and the Pledge of Allegiance, and then spent much of the session on floor recognitions. Members welcomed the Far West Region of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. and honored its leadership and civic service, including wildfire recovery work and local chapter anniversaries. The body also recognized the 2026 Latino Spirit Award honorees, with remarks tied to Cinco de Mayo and Latino resilience, followed by a series of resolutions and guest introductions. Several resolutions were adopted, including SR 86 on Cinco de Mayo Week, SCR 146 declaring May Cystic Fibrosis Awareness Month, SCR 154 establishing Green Star Veterans and Families Day, SCR 123 recognizing California Peace Officers Memorial Day, SCR 164 designating Black Health Equity Advocacy Week, and SCR 103 on Tardive Dyskinesia Awareness Week. Testimony and remarks emphasized cultural heritage, shared struggles for justice, veterans’ mental health and suicide prevention, law enforcement sacrifice, and persistent racial health disparities. Most resolutions passed by unanimous roll call votes. The Senate also confirmed multiple Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation appointments, including Kathleen Ratliff and Joseph Tuggle, Jason Johnson, Madeline McLean, Brian Bishop, and Sarah Larson. Senators Grove and others voiced protest over CDCR appointments, arguing for consideration of Frank Silva, but the confirmations still passed overwhelmingly or unanimously. The chamber then approved several bills, including SB 1159 on artificial intelligence and public meetings, SB 1416 shortening refund timelines for duplicate medical/dental payments, SB 1273 expanding tied-house advertising rules for winery instructional events, SB 941 limiting commissary markups in private detention facilities, SB 1099 clarifying local authority to provide public benefits, SB 1195 expanding tied-house exemptions for certain venues, and SB 990 allowing a highway information sign near Ridgecrest. The session concluded with adjournment memories for labor leader and UCLA Labor Center director Kent Wong and recognition of his family and colleagues.

Transcript Highlights:

• The promise of freedom in America is extended to the promise of the people of Israel.
• The promise of freedom in America is extended to the promise of the people of Israel.
• Besides it being a freedom and liberty bill, it's..." "...an economic bill.
• And I feel that our freedoms under the Constitution should come first.
• That our freedoms under the Constitution should come first.

Transcript Highlights:

• sake of this thought experiment, For the sake of this thought experiment, let's call that policy freedom
• We all support freedom, so it's a safe placeholder. So let's just go with that.
• Instead of the ballot title saying that your amendment would expand freedom, the Secretary of State writes
• There's nothing partisan about freedom, just as there's nothing partisan about a public education.
• Every There's nothing partisan about freedom, just as there's nothing partisan about a public education

Committees: House Elections , House Local Government, Elections and Pensions

Transcript Highlights:

• By advancing this bill, you will reaffirm Florida's commitment to religious freedom and compassionate
• In fact, if you ask most of them, they are not even aware of the medical freedom bill.
• Our parents, our children, and our families deserve to have their medical freedom rights.
• Senate Bill 42 begins restored medical freedom, parental rights, and accountability where the law has
• Senate Bill 42 begins restored medical freedom, parental rights, and accountability where the law has

Bills: S0042 , S0578 , S0624 , S7018

Committee: Senate Children, Families, and Elder Affairs

Keywords: child protection, medical records, investigation, abuse, neglect, healthcare, Child Protection Team, diagnosis, Alzheimer's disease, Alzheimers, dementia, related dementias, brain health, early detection, caregiver support, elderly affairs, Department of Elderly Affairs, Department of Health, public health outreach, memory loss

Transcript Highlights:

• LGBTQ rights, work to counter mass incarceration, fight poverty, and defend religious freedom for all
• That all public institutions, especially schools and colleges, remain places where freedom of conscience
• California has long been a beacon for those seeking safety, dignity, and freedom to live authentically
• Now it is your turn to let freedom ring.
• Now it is your turn to let freedom ring.

Summary: The Select Committee on Hate, Racism, and Xenophobia met to hear opening remarks, state data, and testimony from community organizations and equity commissions about rising hate and discrimination in California. The chair framed the hearing as a response to persistent targeting of protected classes, and members said the committee’s purpose was to elevate community voices and identify policy responses. Assembly Member Gonzalez and Assembly Member Lowenthal also briefly commented on the importance of listening to communities and developing legislative solutions. The California Department of Justice reported that 2024 hate crime events, offenses, and victims all increased from the prior year, with anti-Black bias remaining the most common category, followed by anti-Jewish and anti-Latino bias in different breakdowns. DOJ also noted increases in referrals for prosecution and described its hate-crimes guidance, rapid-response protocol, and outreach efforts. The California Commission on the State of Hate said hate is underreported, cited survey data suggesting millions of Californians experienced hate incidents, and recommended permanent data infrastructure, mandatory law-enforcement training, and sustained funding for victim support and prevention programs. Commissioners also emphasized that public messaging by leaders can influence hate and violence. A long panel of advocates described the impacts of racism, xenophobia, anti-Semitism, Islamophobia, anti-LGBTQ+ hate, and anti-immigrant enforcement on their communities. NAACP representatives focused on systemic racism in policing, education, health, housing, and environmental justice; LULAC and CHIRLA described ICE raids, profiling, and fear in Latino and immigrant communities; Jewish, Muslim, Asian American, and LGBTQ+ speakers highlighted rising threats, harassment, and the need for language access, school protections, security funding, and legal assistance. The Racial Equity Commission closed by describing its statewide framework work, community engagement, and a December 1 deadline for delivering recommendations to the Legislature and administration. No formal votes or committee actions were taken during the hearing, but members said they would request additional recommendations and continue the work through future hearings and briefings.

Transcript Highlights:

• This not only disregards our local freedoms, plastic wrappings, takeout containers, and packaging.
• This not only disregards our local freedoms, but also poses a severe threat to the well-being of our
• The justification for this bill has been that consumers and businesses need freedom and choice.
• Taking away their ability to govern locally is the opposite of preserving freedom and choice.
• And then on the other hand, we're just going to let Floridians have the freedom to leave trash everywhere

Committee: Senate Environment and Natural Resources

Summary: The Committee on Environment and Natural Resources met with a quorum present and considered a series of environmental, water, waste, boating, and land-use bills. SB 834 on recreational fishing vessel licenses was briefly explained as aligning licensure rules for freshwater and saltwater captains and was reported favorably. SB 1208 on service lateral assessment and rehabilitation would require periodic CCTV inspections, a seven-year assessment cycle, and a long-term public database for sewer laterals; county representatives opposed it over private-property and cost concerns, but the bill was reported favorably. SB 978 on advanced wastewater treatments, as amended, would require DEP reports and a long-term prioritization plan for upgrading large wastewater facilities to advanced treatment; the committee adopted the amendment and then reported the bill favorably. The committee then took up SB 1822 on auxiliary containers, which would preempt local regulation of certain packaging and define the term in statute. The sponsor argued it would reduce a patchwork of local rules and help businesses, while opponents from environmental groups, local advocates, and some local governments warned it would weaken plastic and foam restrictions, including in parks and coastal communities. Despite substantial opposition and several senators expressing concern, the bill was reported favorably. The committee also approved CS for SB 384 on notice for annexation of state-owned lands, after a technical amendment requiring written or email notice to legislative delegations, and reported it favorably. SB 1008 on waste incineration would bar new ash-producing incinerators or waste-to-energy facilities within a half-mile of residential, commercial, or school property. The sponsor said the bill was aimed at preventing another fire-related incident like the Doral plant and clarified it was intended to apply only to new facilities, not existing ones; waste-to-energy and county representatives opposed it as too restrictive, while several senators sought clarifying changes. The bill was reported favorably. The committee also adopted a substitute amendment to CS for SB 594 on port channel and turning basin buffer zones, reducing the proposed anchoring setback from 5,000 feet to 2,500 feet and allowing ports to create buffer zones after public hearings and rulemaking; the bill was then reported favorably. Finally, SB 830 on lost or abandoned property, aimed at streamlining removal of migrant vessels that pose navigational and environmental hazards, was reported favorably after brief support testimony.

Transcript Highlights:

• Remind us that they desire to live in freedom and fidelity to their neighbors.
• us never forget to make no more laws than necessary so that we do not stop people's ambition and freedom
• </c><05:17:10.878><c> of</c> uphold the people's right to freedom of uphold the people's right to freedom
• That is not freedom.
• </c><05:24:40.080><c> that</c> make it worse that is not Freedom that make it worse that is not Freedom

Summary: The House opened with prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, the national anthem, leaves of absence, guest introductions, and memorial remarks honoring former Representative Carolyn Gargas of Hollis, who was remembered for her long House service, work on child and family issues, and community involvement. The House then adopted a consent calendar and approved a motion to withdraw House Bill 431, which would have created a commission to review draft rules on minimum standards for public school approval and state academic standards; the motion failed after a roll call vote, so the bill remained in play. The House next took up House Bill 109-FN, relative to false reports to law enforcement. The majority supported the bill as a way to add penalties for knowingly false reports about law enforcement officers, arguing officers deserve protection from false accusations and that the knowingly standard is a high bar. The minority opposed it as duplicative of existing law and warned it could chill legitimate complaints against police. After debate and a division vote, the majority committee report of ought to pass was adopted, 198-173. The House also considered House Bill 218-FN, which would provide victims of crime a free police report. The committee amendment changed the bill so victims would receive a written confirmation that a crime occurred rather than the initial police report, to avoid conflicts with right-to-know law and active-investigation confidentiality. Supporters said the change was a small but important clarification agreed to by law enforcement and domestic violence advocates, while opponents argued the original language was already workable and that the floor amendment was unnecessary. A division vote was requested on the amendment, and the transcript ends during that debate before the final outcome on HB 218 is shown.

Transcript Highlights:

• food that aligns with their religious beliefs so that they can be treated with the dignity of the freedom
• food that aligns with their religious beliefs so that they can be treated with the dignity of the freedom
• These are issues that are core to who we are as Americans: the freedom to exercise whatever religion
• we choose or no religion at all, the freedom to speak out against the government, the freedom to express