Transcript Highlights:

• My name is State Senator John Cronin.
• I've got the privilege to chair the Joint Committee on Bonding, Capital Expenditures and State Assets
• From my experience in Washington, I had the privilege of working with cities and states all across the
• We created this... we created the idea of the United States. I would be...
• It's such a burning issue for, I think, all of our districts across the state.

Committee: Joint Joint Committee on Bonding, Capital Expenditures and State Assets

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The Joint Committee on Bonding, Capital Expenditures and State Assets held a public hearing on H. 5279, a bill financing long-term improvements to municipal roads and bridges. MassDOT and A&F testified in support, describing the bill as a more than $5 billion transportation bond package centered on a four-year, $1.2 billion Chapter 90 authorization, plus funding for MBTA rail reliability and modernization, housing-related transportation improvements, a new DCR/MassDOT PRISM program for parkways and other DCR assets, and reauthorizations of the Municipal Pavement Program, Shared Streets and Spaces, and highway programs. They said the bill would support safety, resilience, housing production, and multimodal transportation, and noted that some bonds could be issued as special obligation bonds backed by the Commonwealth Transportation Fund and Fair Share revenues. Committee members asked about the size and structure of the authorizations, the federal match for highway projects, the source of MBTA vehicle procurement, bridge repair needs, and whether the housing-related funds could be used flexibly for items like sidewalks, bike lanes, bus stops, and other local transportation improvements. Administration witnesses said the bill is intended as a temporary refill of existing programs until a larger transportation bond bill is filed next session, that the federal-aid line includes the full spending authority while the state only borrows the 20% match, and that the housing-related program is deliberately broad and not limited to MBTA communities. They also said Chapter 90 includes a road-mile component that especially helps rural communities and that preservation and safety are built into the programs. The Massachusetts Municipal Association also testified in strong support, emphasizing that Chapter 90 is the most important tool municipalities have to maintain the roughly 30,000 miles of local roads and bridges they are responsible for. MMA urged timely passage before construction season and praised the continued $300 million Chapter 90 level, especially the $100 million road-mile distribution that helps communities with large road networks and smaller populations. No votes were taken on the bill, and the hearing concluded with adjournment after testimony ended.

Transcript Highlights:

• My name is State Senator John Cronin.
• I've got the privilege to chair the Joint Committee on Bonding, Capital Expenditures and State Assets
• From my experience in Washington, I had the privilege of working with cities and states all across the
• We created the idea of the United States.
• It's such a burning issue for, I think, all of our districts across the state.

Bills: H5279

Committee: Joint Joint Committee on Bonding, Capital Expenditures and State Assets

Keywords: municipal roads, bridges, transportation bond bill, infrastructure financing, capital spending, bond authorization, general obligation bonds, special obligation bonds, Commonwealth Transportation Improvement Act, road resurfacing, road repair, bridge repair, pavement, culverts, stormwater management, climate resilience, bicycle infrastructure, pedestrian infrastructure, transit modernization, commuter rail

Transcript Highlights:

• Federal Court of Appeals in Washington, D.C., to order the Federal Communications Commission, that's
• federal court order to address the health effects of RF radiation exposure, we can no longer, as a state
• just rest on the previous as a state just rest on the previous mandate<00:03:41.239><c> to</c><00:03
• It is an 18- to 24-month process for a new tower to get proposed and permitted in our state, and so I
• Um and state and local law enforcement Um and state and local law enforcement agencies<01:03:19.160><

Keywords: 926, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• The other seven states may easily request that information.
• The eight states are Colorado, Delaware, Missouri, Oklahoma, Oregon, Texas, Washington, and Wisconsin
• Delaware can be the first state in the nation to adopt a new state voting rights act since the Calais
• Please vote no for unfunded state mandates.
• Please vote no for unfunded state mandates.

Committee: Senate Elections & Government Affairs

Keywords: 1064, all

Transcript Highlights:

• They found that states had four levels of access to this information.
• The eight states are Colorado, Delaware, Missouri, Oklahoma, Oregon, Texas, Washington, and Wisconsin
• Delaware can be the first state in the nation to adopt a new state voting rights act since the Calais
• Please vote no for unfunded state mandates.
• Please vote no for unfunded state mandates.

Bills: HB344

Committee: Senate Elections & Government Affairs

Keywords: campaign finance, elections, transparency, political committees, reporting requirements, enforcement

Summary: The Senate Elections and Government Affairs Committee heard several election- and campaign-related bills. House Substitute 2 for House Bill 155 would make Public Integrity Commission reports publicly available on the commission’s website, add a specific travel-expense reporting category, and remove the FOIA requirement for accessing reports; Senator Richardson said he supported the transparency measure and asked to be added as a co-sponsor. The committee also took up House Bill 444, the Delaware John Lewis Voting Rights Act, which would create state protections against voter suppression and vote dilution, expand language access, prohibit intimidation and deception, and allow court remedies for violations. The bill drew strong support from advocacy groups including YWCA Delaware, the League of Women Voters, the ACLU, and the Legal Defense Fund, and several senators voiced support and interest in moving it quickly. House Bill 430, a constitutional amendment proposal, would make explicit that only natural persons may vote in Delaware elections, including municipal elections, in response to concerns about corporate or other artificial-entity voting in some towns. The discussion focused heavily on Fenwick Island, where the mayor testified that the town’s charter has long allowed certain artificial entities to vote in local elections and said the system is limited and has worked for years; other speakers argued the bill was needed to prevent corporate dilution of residents’ votes. Senator Richardson expressed concern about restricting entities with a local stake, while Senator Hoffner and others emphasized the principle of one person, one vote. Senator Townsend presented House Bill 344, which would tighten campaign finance rules by requiring Delaware bank accounts for candidates and committees, recurring training, better documentation of candidate loans, longer record retention, automatic filing extensions, and inactive status for noncompliant committees; one public commenter opposed the bill on cost grounds. He also presented House Bill 448, which would allow campaign funds to be used for reasonable security expenses for candidates and elected officials, with guardrails, and a commenter suggested allowing electronic security systems without a cap. Finally, the committee heard House Bill 472, a local de-annexation measure for Noble’s Pond in Cheswold to remove scattered residential lots from town boundaries and resolve uneven tax treatment; Senator Hoffner noted local law enforcement supported the change. The committee adjourned after hearing no further public comment on HB 472, and the vote to adjourn was unanimous.

Transcript Highlights:

• Washington Elementary School right here in Dover.
• many states are moving in that direction.
• many states are moving in that direction.
• When those national rankings come out and we are compared to other states, and other states don't have
• There have been several approaches emerging across different states.

Bills: SB293 , SB279 , SB293 , SB279

Committee: House Education

Keywords: SB 293, youth camp, child care licensing, Office of Child Care Licensing, OCCL, American Camp Association, ACA accreditation, Purchase of Care, POC reimbursement, summer camp, school-age child care, child care exemption, Division of Public Health permit, Title 14, Delaware Department of Education, health and safety standards, child care provider reimbursement, summer child care, camp licensing, license exemption

Summary: The House Education Committee met and first heard Senate Bill 293, the Youth Camp Licensing Act, which would amend child care licensing rules for youth camps. The sponsor said the bill, with amendments, would remove accreditation language, clarify shelter requirements for outdoor camps, and eliminate limits that had restricted the number of children camps could serve, especially for families using purchase-of-care assistance. YMCA and school representatives testified in support, saying the measure would expand access to safe, affordable summer care for low-income working families. The committee voted to release the bill. The committee then approved Senate Bill 328, which would require the Department of Education’s school facility evaluation instrument to be established by regulation and to include lead-based paint hazards in the standard of good repair. The Childhood Lead Poisoning Prevention Advisory Committee supported the bill, explaining that lead had not been included in the original evaluation tool and that the new language would improve transparency and public comment. Senate Bill 318, updating the Delaware State Education Association special license plate program, also passed after DSEA testified that proceeds support scholarships for educators and students pursuing education careers. House Bill 443, dealing with background checks for education volunteers and mentors, passed as well. The sponsor said it would allow DOE to continue receiving wrapback reports for mentors in the state mentoring program and ensure state and federal criminal background checks remain in place. The committee also released Senate Joint Resolution 15, which directs DOE to reevaluate Delaware’s use of the SAT, modernize the accountability framework, and develop additional measures of student achievement and readiness; supporters argued the SAT does not capture career and technical pathways or other indicators of success. House Bill 459, which prohibits the sale of energy drinks on public middle and high school campuses during school hours or events, passed after discussion focused on whether the bill would affect possession versus sale and whether it could lead to student discipline; DOE said the bill only bans sales, and the sponsor said an amendment would clarify intent. Finally, House Concurrent Resolution 137 passed, directing DOE to review math instruction and MTSS supports statewide; testimony emphasized low math proficiency and the need for stronger, more coherent interventions. The committee also began hearing Senate Bill 279 on occupational therapist salary placement, with discussion centered on aligning OT compensation with other specialist roles and broader salary regulation updates, though the transcript cuts off before final action is shown.

Transcript Highlights:

• It's the largest geographical area in the legislative district in the state.
• And I hear what their states, the hurdles that their state legislators put in front of them sometimes
• There's nothing that can be done to fix it on the state level. No, I can't.
• Go ahead and come up and state your name for the record, and go ahead.
• Is it something that's more new in the United States?

Committee: Senate Agricultural Affairs

Summary: The Agricultural Committee held its first meeting of the session with member introductions, welcome remarks, and introductions of two committee pages. The chair also noted that committee rules would be reviewed later and that the session would likely be busy. No formal legislation was considered or voted on at this meeting. The main presentation focused on Idaho’s sugar beet industry. Growers described sharply lower crop prices, rising input costs, and the resulting strain on farm finances, especially for small and family farms. They said the downturn is largely tied to federal sugar policy and trade issues rather than state policy, and emphasized that reduced farm income will also hurt rural businesses and communities. Committee members asked about the volatility of sugar prices and whether any Idaho-level changes could help. A second presentation highlighted regenerative agriculture practices such as strip-till, cover crops, and manure application. The speaker argued these methods can improve soil health, reduce costs, and conserve water, while also noting that cover crops may be cut back when farm finances tighten. Members asked about cover crop choices and whether similar practices are used internationally. The final presentation from Amalgamated Sugar explained the federal sugar program, the role of import controls and loan rates, and why the company believes the current system is failing because of excess imports, inflation, and an outdated high-tier duty. The presenter said the industry is working with federal officials to raise the duty, improve demand estimates, and protect domestic sugar production and food security.

Transcript Highlights:

• I'm state senator from District 23. I guess I'm the old man on the committee now.
• That's the largest geographical area in the legislative district in the state.
• And I hear what their states, the hurdles that their state legislators put in front of them sometimes
• Go ahead and come up and state your name for the record, and go ahead.
• Is it something that's more new in the United States?

Committee: Senate Agricultural Affairs

Keywords: 989, all

Transcript Highlights:

• To the flag of the United States of America and to the republic for which it stands, one nation under
• We have a lot of different states to study as far as how this is working in those cases.
• In Washington state, we know that permanency and achieving reunification was approximately 45% higher
• </c><00:15:53.080><c> So</c><00:15:53.160><c> this</c> savings to the state government.
• So this savings to the state government.

Committee: House Children and Family Law

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Rachel Bauer here on behalf of the Missouri State Medical Association in support of this bill.
• In 2023, 25 states and Washington, D.C., required private insurance to cover extended contraceptive supply
• Representative Manster then asked how this differs from the state ombudsman.
• Were you part of that in various parts of the state last year?
• Were you part of that in various parts of the state like last year?

Committee: House Health and Mental Health

Summary: The House Committee on Health and Mental Health met in executive session and first adopted a substitute for House Bill 3401, Representative Phelps’s workplace violence bill, then voted the House Committee Substitute do pass. The substitute broadened language by removing a specific reference to bodily fluids, based on testimony from hospital security personnel that broader wording would be easier to prosecute. The roll call showed the substitute adopted and the bill passed out of committee. The committee then heard House Bill 2370, sponsored by Representative Peters, which would require private insurance to cover a one-year supply of self-administered hormonal contraceptives at one time, similar to Missouri HealthNet. Supporters included ACOG, the Missouri State Medical Association, Beacon Reproductive Health Network, and the Missouri Nurses Association, who argued the bill would improve access, reduce missed doses and unintended pregnancies, and save costs by reducing barriers such as transportation, work schedules, and pharmacy refill gaps. The Missouri Insurance Coalition opposed the bill, arguing it would impose a mandate on private plans, increase costs—especially for brand-name products—and raised questions about whether the bill would require bulk dispensing and how it would interact with existing refill rules. The committee also heard informational testimony from MoSPI noting rural access barriers, higher adherence with 12-month supplies, and that Missouri HealthNet already covers an annual supply. Finally, the committee heard House Bill 3278, sponsored by Representative Lobbinger, which would create a multidisciplinary adult protection team framework for adults 60 and older and adults 18 and older with cognitive impairments or disabilities. The bill is intended to improve coordination among agencies handling abuse, neglect, and exploitation cases by allowing limited information sharing and reducing duplicated investigations while preserving confidentiality and guardianship protections. DHSS testified in support, saying the bill would provide a clearer framework for existing multidisciplinary teams, streamline coordination, and help protect vulnerable adults without creating new positions or infrastructure. Committee members asked about membership, meeting frequency, conflicts of interest, and how the bill differs from the ombudsman system; the sponsor and DHSS explained that the teams would be case-specific, generally meet as needed or quarterly, and apply to community cases rather than facility residents. The sponsor also submitted letters of support from existing multidisciplinary teams and related organizations.

Transcript Highlights:

• It provides a lot more than just the fair, the state fair, and rodeo functions.
• and the rural parts of our state meet together.
• I respect the county folks for the state.
• I understand why... ...agriculture in the state of Idaho.
• So we had the state tax commission had a decision.

Committee: Senate Local Government and Taxation

Keywords: 989, all

Transcript Highlights:

• From their online profile, it states that HealthNet covers up to a one-year supply of birth control and
• Rachel Bauer here on behalf of the Missouri State Medical Association in support of this bill.
• In 2023, 25 states and Washington, D.C., required private insurance to cover extended contraceptive supply
• I think it was DHSS that did this sort of tour around the state where you did some town halls.
• Were you part of that in various parts of the state, like last year?

Committee: House Health and Mental Health

Keywords: 959, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• . state. state.
• </c><00:43:21.960><c> and</c><00:43:22.120><c> out-of-state</c><00:43:22.800><c> law</c> By in-state
• and out-of-state law enforcement.
• </c> service did matter to this state. service did matter to this state.
• </c> enforcement officers across the state. enforcement officers across the state.

Committee: Senate Judiciary and Public Safety

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• And as the finding states, we need to discuss whether or not how they're going to repay this money.
• And if you don't mind, just for the record, if you'll state your name and an affiliation, the reason
• Please state your name and affiliation for the record, and then we'll gladly listen to your statement
• The United States Postal Service confirmed that the money order had been cashed.
• Will both our guests at the end of the table please state your name and affiliation for the record?

Committee: All LEGISLATIVE JOINT AUDITING-COUNTIES AND MUNICIPALITIES

Summary: The committee first heard updates on delinquent private water and sewer reports. For reports due as of December 31, 2012, staff said five additional 2024 reports had been received since the December meeting, bringing the total of released escrow funds to 17 and leaving 26 still escrowed. For reports delinquent as of December 31, 2023, two more reports were received, bringing 59 of the original 64 into compliance and leaving five outstanding. Both update reports were filed without objection. The committee then discussed Act 709 of 2021 and the town of Daisy’s repayment of street turnback funds. Staff said Daisy had made improper payments to a nonprofit, used restricted street funds for fire truck and fire department building costs, and had not adopted the required repayment ordinance or obtained approval for a reduced repayment percentage. Mayor Lisa Cogburn said the city council had not approved repayment because members disputed the amount, though she said the city had funds to pay. After questions from members and staff explaining the audit calculations, the committee adopted a motion requiring Daisy to repay 10% of unrestricted general fund revenues under the statute and to withhold turnback funds if the city fails to comply. The report was then filed. The committee reviewed numerous deferred and current audit findings from cities, counties, and water systems. Several local officials appeared and described corrective steps, including Harrison district court, Carroll County airport, Izard County treasurer, Alexander district court, Town of 56 officials, Bull Shoals, Lone Oak County, Beaver, Central City, Gravette, Ralston Water Department, Thornton Waterworks, Ozan, and Lee County. Findings included missing or inaccurate reconciliations, unsupported credit card charges, payroll and compensation issues, improper use of public funds, missing receipts, and budget overruns. Some matters were referred to the prosecuting attorney and Attorney General, including Bull Shoals and Lone Oak County, while others were filed or deferred as appropriate. The committee also deferred two private water and sewer reports for lack of proper responses, filed 19 reports with resolved findings, and filed 53 reports with no findings. Before adjourning, the committee set its next meeting for February 12, 2026.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> Committee on State and Local Government. Committee on State and Local Government.
• </c> Committee on State and Local Government. Committee on State and Local Government.
• the state.
• </c> because there is no state cable office. because there is no state cable office.
• </c> Broadband's done at the state level. Broadband's done at the state level.

Committee: Senate Agriculture, Veterans, Broadband, and Rural Development

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• We're also very blessed today to have the Kentucky 4-H state officers joining us here today: President
• blessed today to have the<00:03:44.440><c> Kentucky</c><00:03:44.880><c> 4-H</c><00:03:45.200><c> state
• </c><00:03:45.440><c> officers</c><00:03:45.880><c> joining</c> the Kentucky 4-H state officers joining
• the Kentucky 4-H state officers joining us<00:03:46.320><c> here</c><00:03:46.480><c> today.
• She is on her way to Washington, D.C., this morning. There is a part of the 4-H.

Committee: House Agriculture

Keywords: Meeting Start 00:00 Attendance Roll Call 00:10 SB 37 Discussion 6:56 SB 37 Roll Call Vote 12:31 SB 214 Discussion 14:27 SB 214 Roll Call 15:35, 958, all

Transcript Highlights:

• the state income tax.
• If you expand that to include state and local taxes, our state is 12th in the country.
• /c><01:20:13.960><c> state</c><01:20:14.159><c> and</c> State and state sales tax state and State and
• This shows all of the Minnesota state income taxes, or the state taxes.
• to other states?

Committee: House Taxes

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> for half of the population of the state for half of the population of the state of<00:02:45.440>
• ><c> state</c><01:02:30.559><c> or</c><01:02:30.799><c> federal</c> are state and federal state or federal
• . state. state.
• /c> comparable states even maybe a comparable states even maybe a Washington<01:25:40.800><c> or</c><
• </c> corner in every community in the state. corner in every community in the state.

Committee: House Capital Investment

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:05:09.199><c> house</c> at the state house and the state house at the state house and the state
• </c> economic risk to states that enact it. economic risk to states that enact it.
• My undergraduate degree is from Plymouth State University.
• </c> degree is from Plymouth State degree is from Plymouth State University.<02:33:00.319><c> This</c
• It is a state mandate saying every political subdivision, every body of the state.

Committee: House Judiciary

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• nine state recreation areas, and nine state trails; 870 miles of state grant-in-aid cross-country ski
• nine state recreation areas, and nine state trails; 870 miles of state grant-in-aid cross-country ski
• As we talked about, 64 state parks, nine state recreation areas, nine state waysides, and more than 5,000
• As we talked about, 64 state parks, nine state recreation areas, nine state waysides, and more than 5,000
• the state those are?

Committee: House Environment and Natural Resources Finance and Policy

Keywords: 1183, house