Transcript Highlights:

• Ladies and gentlemen, the Alabama Senate will now come to order.
• your wisdom for Lieutenant Governor Ainsworth, President Pro Tem Gudger, for every member of the Alabama
• Welcome to Alabama Senate. Great to have y'all today. special guests in the gallery.
• Y'all can please stand.<00:04:59.919> Welcome<00:05:00.240> to<00:05:00.280> Alabama
• Welcome to Alabama Senate. Great stand. Welcome to Alabama Senate.

Keywords: 920, all

Summary: The Alabama Senate convened with a prayer and pledge led by Todd Russell of ALCAP, followed by roll call showing 32 senators present, establishing a quorum. Senator Wagner moved to excuse absent senators and to dispense with reading the previous day’s journal; both motions were adopted without objection. No bills were introduced during the bill introduction segment. Under committee reports, the Committee on County and Municipal Government reported House Bill 1 favorably by a vote of 6 yeas and 3 nays. The bill concerns primary elections and would authorize a special primary election for congressional districts affected by a federal court ruling, require the governor to call such an election under certain conditions, set an election calendar, and address qualification of affected candidates. The title was read, and the bill received second reading and was placed on the calendar for the next legislative day. After committee reports concluded, Senator Gudger moved to adjourn until 9:00 a.m. Friday, May 8, and the Senate adjourned by voice vote. Before adjournment, the presiding officer recognized special guests in the gallery, including fourth graders from Springville Elementary, guests of Senator Bell.

Transcript Highlights:

• I'm speaking for Citizens for a Better Alabama.
• For 26 years, we've proposed gambling expansion in Alabama.
• have a dominant amount of skill in it, then it's gambling, a game of chance that is protected by the Alabama
• And that violates Article 27, Section 65 of the constitution, which prohibits gambling in Alabama.
• something that's been around since 1977, like I said, if they shut down everything in the state of Alabama

Bills: SB268, SB262

Keywords: mixed spirit beverages, alcohol regulation, licensing, excise tax, distribution agreements, retail sales, wholesalers, SB262, White Hall, Lowndes County, pari-mutuel wagering, simulcast, historical racing, historical horse racing, dog racing, horse racing, charitable bingo, off-track betting, OTB, gambling

Transcript Highlights:

• dealing with the film industry, and we're going to tell you how we're going to change that from the Alabama
• Film Office to the Alabama Entertainment Office.
• to a loan-out company by a production company only if the production company withheld and remitted Alabama
• Alabama income tax at the rate of 5% on all payments to the loan-out company for services performed in
• The amount withheld and remitted to the Alabama Department of Revenue is considered to be an estimated

Bills: SB90, SB255, SB268

Keywords: Green County, racing, pari-mutuel wagering, gaming regulations, commission appointments, historical horse racing, local tax, SB255, cannabinoid, hemp, hemp-derived THC, THCa, delta-8 THC, HHC, CBD, THC, novel cannabinoid products, hemp products, intoxicating hemp, delta-8

Transcript Highlights:

• across the state, providing plant-based technical assistance, facilitating peer-to-peer learning networks
• technologies, attracting private capital to build and retrofit facilities and expanding supplier networks
• noted that they chose California due to its startup-friendly environment, availability of talent, network
• So we're thrilled, for example, that Beyond Meat comes to some of our networking events and vice versa
• I just came back from Alabama, and I did not eat a lot of food.

Summary: The Select Committee on Alternative Protein Innovation held its second informational hearing at UCLA, focusing on California’s alternative protein sector and the role of public institutions in expanding plant-based, fermentation, and cultivated protein options. Chair Ash Kalra opened by highlighting prior state investments in UC research centers, the importance of student engagement, and the hearing’s three panels: reducing the carbon footprint of institutional meals, addressing market challenges to scaling alternative proteins, and advancing future food research and workforce development. Assemblymember Isaac Bryan also briefly praised the committee’s work and its relevance to climate and health goals. The first panel featured Friends of the Earth, UCLA Dining, and the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health. Megan Jones described California school food efforts, including technical assistance and microgrants that helped districts expand plant-based meals, reduce water and carbon footprints, and improve student satisfaction. Pete Angelese explained how UCLA Dining uses concept-driven venues, sustainable purchasing, and marketing nudges to increase plant-forward choices, while Dr. Michelle Wood outlined Los Angeles County’s 2024–2025 board motions to expand plant-based options in county food venues and programs, including joining the World Resources Institute’s Cool Food Pledge. Committee members asked about costs, procurement, and how student and consumer behavior can be influenced. The second panel addressed market barriers to scaling alternative proteins. Zach Weston and Daniel Gertner emphasized that the sector faces a cost-and-scale trap, high capital needs, and financing gaps, and they recommended grants, tax credits, loan guarantees, procurement commitments, and workforce development. T.K. Pillen of Beyond Meat argued that the category has faced a recent downturn due to consumer skepticism, industry attacks on “fake meat,” and pricing pressures, and said the key to renewed growth is increasing demand through better taste, health, pricing, and messaging around “plant protein.” Panelists also discussed hidden subsidies and structural advantages for conventional animal agriculture, and committee members raised questions about iBank loan guarantees and supply chain challenges. The final panel highlighted UCLA’s research and training efforts. Dr. Amy Roet described the Future Food Fellows program, which trains students across disciplines in science, communication, leadership, and community-building, and supports research on scalable, safe, and nutritious alternative proteins. Corinne Smith shared her cultivated meat research and student leadership in the Alternative Proteins Project at UCLA. Dr. Janet Tomiyama presented consumer psychology findings showing that disgust, gender norms, and terminology strongly affect acceptance, with “plant protein” and “complementary proteins” testing better than “fake meat.” The hearing concluded with support for continued public investment, clearer messaging, and expanded education and workforce pipelines to help California remain a leader in alternative protein innovation.

Transcript Highlights:

• Our reimbursement in Alabama is abysmal, and that's why hospitals are closing. >> I don't disagree with
• Our reimbursement in Alabama<00:18:01.760> is<00:18:02.320> abysmal<00:18:03.120> and
• <00:18:03.280> that's<00:18:03.520> why Alabama is abysmal and that's why Alabama is
• Alabama Department of Public Health? Alabama Department of Public Health?
• Um, would this legislation have any impact on the Alabama Department of Public Health?

Bills: SB367, SB368, SB350, SB351

Keywords: rural health, healthcare access, state funding, health transformation, appropriations, fiscal policy, healthcare funding, economic development, mental health, maternal health, antitrust, competition, market regulation, business practices, consumer protection, anaphylaxis, epinephrine, auto-injector, public health, school safety

Transcript Highlights:

• But the amendment, um, was requested by Alabama State Department of Education, SSA and A+, uh, clarifies
• It required the Alabama State Department to develop and publish a set of minimum standards that must
• Requires the Alabama State Department to publish a list of approved courses that meet the standards.
• It required the Alabama requirement.
• c><00:04:39.120> publish<00:04:39.360> a Alabama State Department to publish a Alabama

Bills: HB329, SB5, HB329, SB5, HB43, HB75, HB396

Keywords: military installations, tall structures, local government, construction approval, wind energy facilities, archives, history, board of trustees, vacancies, government control, computer science, education reform, digital literacy, high school graduation, teacher training, education, public schools, constitution amendment, national anthem, weekly broadcast

Transcript Highlights:

• High School girls basketball championship, as well as the state of Alabama state tournament of high
• Congratulations, Bulldogs of Alabama A&M.
• has just wrapped up the state of Alabama has just wrapped up the state of Alabama High<00:38:47.400
• Congratulations, Bulldogs of Alabama A&M. I mean it is historic feat.
• Bulldogs of Alabama A&M Congratulations. Bulldogs of Alabama A&M Congratulations.

Keywords: MS House Floor - 6 March, 2026; 9:00 AM, 925, all

Summary: The House convened with prayer and the Pledge of Allegiance, found a quorum, dispensed with reading the journal, and moved through routine calendar business. Members tabled motions on several Senate bills, including Senate Bill 3230 and Senate Bill 2699, and there was discussion about a member’s right to hold a bill even after immediate release had been granted the prior day. The chamber also handled a hold request on Senate Bill 2838 and later tabled a motion related to it. The main floor action centered on Senate Bill 2103, which was called up and amended with a strike-all amendment. The bill was described as a broad education and retirement package focused on teacher pay, assistant teacher pay, PERS changes, school attendance officers, and support for struggling school districts. The sponsor said it would provide a $5,000 across-the-board teacher pay raise, a $3,000 increase for special education teachers, a $3,000 increase for assistant teachers, and an approximately $5,000 increase for school attendance officers. It also would reduce retirement service requirements for some state employees and first responders, allow retired teachers to return to work while drawing retirement, and create a district-of-innovation provision for D and F districts to help address teacher shortages and other needs. Several members questioned the scope of the bill, asking whether it included school choice, vouchers, portability, or other contentious provisions; the sponsor said it did not. Questions also focused on the superintendent salary cap language, the effect on PERS contributions for returning retirees, and whether the bill still contained the counselor ethics language that had been discussed earlier; the sponsor said that language had been struck out. After debate, the House adopted the strike-all amendment and then passed Senate Bill 2103 by a vote of 122-0. After passage, members made announcements and vote-change requests on prior calendar items, including Senate Bill 2432 and Senate Bill 3111. The Speaker also announced a press conference after adjournment to discuss the teacher pay raise. The House then adjourned until 4:00 p.m. on Monday.

Transcript Highlights:

• I am Deputy Director for Operations of Alabama D and here speaking on behalf of Director Cooper and Chief
• I'm Blake Hardwick, and I'm here on behalf of the Energy Institute of Alabama.
• The Institute is made up of all of your power producers and distributors, from Alabama Power, Power South
• , TVA to from Alabama Power, Power South, TVA to the rural electric cooperatives, the Alabama Municipal
• Electric Authority, and all six electric cities of Alabama.

Bills: SB42, HB323

Keywords: abandoned roads, land ownership, government regulations, property rights, transportation, electric utility, oversize vehicles, transport permits, state highway system, 1136, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Dear Lord, thank you for this day and for the opportunity to serve the people of Alabama.
• before our confirmations committee today and help us all to make the best decisions for the people of Alabama
• Brewer to the Alabama Board of Heating and Air Conditioning. I guess we need to do a roll call.
• Brandy Williams, Madame Chief Brandy Williams for the Alabama Fire College and Personnel Standards Commission
• Okay, and she came to us from the Alabama Association of Fire Chiefs, who voted with unanimous consent

Keywords: 923, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Football coaches in Georgia, and then the five highest-paid public school coaches in Alabama.
• When we take a look at Alabama, I want to point out Auburn High School.
• They're leaving Florida to go to Georgia or Alabama.
• Each of the school districts in Alabama, Georgia, and Texas have policies that make it permissible to
• Each of the school districts in Alabama, Georgia, and Texas have policies that make it permissible to

Summary: The Education Pre-K through 12 Committee heard a presentation from Florida High School Athletic Association Executive Director Craig Damon, joined by student athletes Sydney Daniel and Taylor White. The students spoke about the value of education-based athletics, leadership, and the need for safe, equitable opportunities. Damon then discussed FHSAA issues including rising sportsmanship problems, ejections, violent incidents, recruiting allegations, transfers, mental health pressures on student athletes, and the need for qualified coaches. He said the association tries to be proactive, work with schools on discipline, and emphasize that school changes should be for academic reasons rather than athletics. Senators asked about mental health, transfer rules, and a recent Jacksonville incident; Damon explained the current transfer exceptions and said the association lacked authority over the Jacksonville football game because the schools were not in FHSAA football. The committee then heard a panel on high school coaches’ compensation led by Florida Coaches Coalition Executive Director Dr. Andrew Ramgett, with Coach Mike Hickman, Coach Charlie Ward, and superintendents from Okaloosa and Walton counties. Ramgett argued that coaching supplements are outdated, have not kept pace with the expanding year-round demands of coaching, and amount to very low hourly pay in many sports. He also said Florida’s restrictions on booster club funding and minimal certification requirements contribute to turnover and difficulty retaining qualified coaches. Hickman and Ward described coaching as a demanding, year-round profession that affects students beyond athletics, including academics and mental health. The superintendents said they value coaches but must balance compensation against limited district funds and other staffing needs; one noted Walton County uses a dedicated administrative lane for football coaching and athletic administration. Senators discussed whether booster club funding should be allowed, whether compensation should be tied to performance, and whether any increase in base student allocation would actually reach coaches. Public commenters, including Florida Athletic Coaches Association Executive Director Shelton Cruz and former coach Tyrone McGriff, urged support for coaches and emphasized their broader impact on students’ lives and school safety. At the end of the meeting, the committee took up confirmation hearings for appointments on tabs 3 through 6 and, with no appearance forms filed, voted unanimously to recommend confirmation. Senator Burgess then moved to adjourn, and the committee concluded the meeting.

Transcript Highlights:

• This was the bill that proposed an amendment to the Constitution of Alabama related to Tuscaloosa County
• full-time mayors of the municipalities in the county to participate in the employee retirement system of Alabama
• retirement participate in the employee retirement system<00:04:13.840> of<00:04:14.000> Alabama
• under<00:04:14.640> the<00:04:14.720> same<00:04:14.959> terms system of Alabama
• under the same terms system of Alabama under the same terms conditions<00:04:15.599> as<00:04

Keywords: 1136, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• President, the Underground Railroad was made possible by a network of communities that believed in that
• The brutality the marchers faced on the bridge at the hands of 150 Alabama state troopers, sheriffs'

Keywords: 993, senate, all

Summary: The Senate met on March 9, 2026, approved the prior journal, and took up several procedural items, including substituting identical Senate Bill 6734A for Assembly Bill 4382A and adopting a resolution calendar with exceptions for Resolutions 1718 and 1723. The chamber also received amendments on another bill and heard multiple guest introductions, including students from Ahavas Bas Yaakov of Monsey and Dr. Angela Odoms-Young, who was recognized for her work on food and nutrition policy and health equity. A major portion of the session was devoted to Resolution 1680 commemorating Bronx Day. Senators Fernandez, Bailey, Myrie, Serrano, Sepúlveda, Krueger, and others spoke in praise of the Bronx’s history, diversity, culture, resilience, and contributions to music, fashion, sports, and civic life. The Senate also adopted Resolution 1718 recognizing Harriet Tubman Day, with remarks highlighting Tubman’s work on the Underground Railroad, her Civil War service, and her later life in Auburn, and adopted Resolution 1723 marking the 61st anniversary of Bloody Sunday and emphasizing the continuing importance of voting rights protections. The Senate then passed a series of bills from the calendar. These included measures on general municipal law, public health, executive law, education, vehicle and traffic law, criminal procedure, labor law, and legislative law. Several members explained their votes on health-related bills: Senator Cleare spoke about period poverty and access to free menstrual products in educational institutions; Senator Webb supported a bill requiring hospital governing boards to include a registered professional nurse; and Senator Murray, joined by Senator Canzoneri-Fitzpatrick, described personal experiences with blood clots and pulmonary embolism in support of a bill creating a working group on the issue. Most bills passed with broad support, though some had notable negative votes, and the Senate adjourned until Wednesday, March 11 at 3:00 p.m.

Transcript Highlights:

• <01:05:23.400> or like to use when I'm in Alabama or like to use when I'm in Alabama or Mississippi
• face a confusing set of network face a confusing set of network restrictions,<01:30:35.000> prior
• So, I think one set of questions is I think about the relative specialty that MDH has with networks.
• So, they do network adequacy review for all.
• So, MDH does all of the network adequacy reviews, and we do all of the actuarial and financial reviews

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Resolution 91 by Nichols, recognizing February 18th, 2025 as Alabama.
• Alabama Coushatta Tribe of Texas Day at the State Capitol.
• Welcome the members of the Alabama Cushota Tribe to their state capitol.
• So stand up and be recognized, the Alabama Cushota Tribe. Yeah.
• For the relief of the Alabama Indians.

Bills: SJR1, SB9, SB40, SJR36, SJR1, SJR5, SB9, SB40

Keywords: bail denial, illegal aliens, felony offenses, constitutional amendment, law enforcement, bail reform, defendants, pretrial detention, public safety, criminal justice, charitable bail organizations, bail bonds, public funds, political subdivision, injunctive relief, taxpayer rights, bail, criminal justice reform, 1185, senate

Transcript Highlights:

• Our agent network provides expertise in agriculture, natural resources, and community health.
• Keeping Texas Prepared, the Extension Agent Network.
• These are our PhD-level and master-level subject matter experts who support our agent network.
• We have set up a network that allows us to mobilize quickly in response to disasters.
• as Alabama, for example.

Bills: SB1, SB 1

Keywords: appropriations, budget, state funding, education, healthcare, infrastructure, campground safety, youth camp regulations, flood safety, emergency evacuation, health and safety standards, 1185, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• OTHER STATES THAT ARE PAYING A COMPARABLE SALARY ALABAMA RIGHT NOW $35 AN HOUR $73,000 PER YEAR WE ARE
• YOU TOLD US WHAT ALABAMA. >> Speaker: IT IS NOT HIGH IT'S NOT ALABAMA BUT IT'S DOING GOOD.
• CHAIR FIRST QUESTION WE TALKED ABOUT ALABAMA AND $35 AN HOUR WHICH IS ROUGHLY 60,000.
• DO WE KNOW WHAT THEIR INMATE POPULATION IS IN ALABAMA TO HAVE A COMPARISON OF THE OVERALL RATIOS?
• IT IS A BAD FISCAL DECISION FOR THE STATE. >> Representative: IS ALABAMA $35 AN HOUR THE STARTING PAY

Bills: HB3327, HB3711, HB4104, HJR1077, HB3329, HB4322, HB4202, HB4203, HB4457, HB3983, HB3660, HB3802, HB2933, HB2955, HB2956, HB3781, HB3521, HB3794, HB3796, HB3800, HB3183, HB4316, HB4484, HB3469, HB3464, HB3173, HB3989, HB3016, HB2979, HB2988, HB2288, HB3062, HB3315, HB3372, HB3530, HB3622, HB3755, HB4266

Keywords: State Board of Education, Oklahoma education board, board appointments, school governance, education reform, governor appointments, legislative appointments, speaker of the house, president pro tempore, senate confirmation, board vacancies, removal for cause, public education, state superintendent, school board training, board member qualifications, emergency clause, Oklahoma statutes 70 O.S. 3-101, school funding, transparency

Bills: SB2421, SB2690, SB3103, SB3137, SB3164, SB3206, SB2933, SB3133, SB3315

Keywords: cannabis, marijuana, Hawaii Cannabis Law, legalization, decriminalization, adult use, hemp, taxation, social equity, public health, primary care, health insurance, health carrier, insurance commissioner, Med-QUEST, Medicaid managed care, provider reimbursement, downcoding, prior authorization, utilization review

Summary: The committee heard testimony on several health-related bills. HB 1864, which would require health insurance coverage for standard fertility preservation services for people undergoing medically necessary treatment, drew broad support from SHIPA, the Department of Health, HMSA, the Hawaii Association of Health Plans, and others. Testifiers emphasized that fertility preservation is routine coverage on the mainland and important for patients facing infertility from cancer or other treatment; one patient described incurring more than $20,000 in costs. The Insurance Division flagged possible Affordable Care Act issues, a potential conflict in the bill’s language about using patient history to determine limits, and a mismatch with state medical-necessity standards. Committee discussion also focused on whether the bill should apply to all women of childbearing age rather than a narrower age-based category. HB 2305 would require nutrition and metabolic education as part of physicians’ continuing medical education. The Hawaii Medical Board opposed the measure, arguing that CME should remain flexible and tailored to each physician’s specialty and warning that topic-specific mandates can expand over time. The Office of the Governor supported the bill, saying it would help the state’s rural health transformation application and could improve federal funding prospects, though the exact impact was unclear. Members questioned whether nutrition is already covered in medical training and whether the requirement should be limited to primary care physicians; the board said Hawaii currently has no topic-specific CME mandates and that physicians can already choose relevant courses. The committee also heard strong support for HB 1597, which would establish an Alzheimer’s disease research center at the University of Hawaii. Supporters from the university, the Alzheimer’s Association, AARP, and others said the center could attract federal research dollars, expand clinical trials, and help address the state’s high Alzheimer’s-related health costs. HB 2159, which appropriates funds for health care workforce development, also received broad support from the University of Hawaii, health systems, and advocacy groups, with no opposition noted. Finally, HB 2121, which would prohibit the sale and distribution of disposable electronic smoking devices, drew support from the Department of Health, youth advocates, and public health groups citing youth addiction, environmental waste, and fire hazards; the department said a separate bill, HB 1573, would be more comprehensive and better defined for enforcement and penalties. The committee ended with HB 1913, creating a veteran services mental health coordinator position at Tripler Army Medical Center, which was supported by veteran services officials and others who said veterans need better navigation and coordination for behavioral health care.

Transcript Highlights:

• And how does that blend into our election network?

Bills: HB12, HB149, HB12, HB149, SB229, SB1361, SB1749, SB1897, SB2113, SB2566, SB2677, SB1652, SB2327, SB2344, SB2696

Keywords: election law, attorney general, prosecution, criminal offenses, law enforcement, jurisdiction, voter fraud, local prosecuting attorney, public safety, communication, governor approval, interoperability, political subdivision, radio systems, artificial intelligence, regulation, biometric data, ethical AI, consumer protection, AI governance

Transcript Highlights:

• attorney licensed to practice in the state of Texas and on behalf of the Texas Humane Legislation Network
• Hello, my name is Ashley Brinkman, and I represent the Pet Advocacy Network. advocates for responsible
• The Texas Communications Network is vulnerable to foreign interference.
• Thousands of cell towers make up this network.
• This bill would further strengthen our network and secure it against attacks from foreign adversaries

Bills: HB12, HB149, SB229, SB1361, SB1749, SB1897, SB2113, SB2566, SB2677, SB1652, SB2327, SB2344, SB2696, HB12, HB149

Keywords: artificial intelligence, regulation, biometric data, ethical AI, consumer protection, AI governance, automobile sales, finance, retail seller, motor vehicle purchase, motor vehicle sales, pricing restrictions, third-party financing, education, funding, student assessment, accountability, standards, motor vehicle, financing