Transcript Highlights:

• , you know, down to where the machines were, who had the cards, where they were sealed.
• Unlike the other machines, the other machines by law cannot be connected to the Internet.
• And these are the machines that tell the clerks who is and is not eligible to vote.
• If you're going to have the machines, you need to ensure that they actually work.
• And for my part, good riddance to those machines.

Bills: SB801, SB1200, SB1410, SB1717, SB1862, SB1863, SB2216, SB2681, SB506, SB2626, SJR63

Keywords: SB 801, birth certificate, birth record, certified copy, homeless, homelessness, unhoused, vital records, state registrar, local registrar, county clerk, fee waiver, identity documents, ID access, housing insecurity, shelter, transitional housing, Health and Safety Code, HHSC, Health and Human Services Commission

Summary: The Senate Committee on State Affairs heard testimony on several bills, with most measures left pending after public testimony closed. SB 801, by Sen. Menéndez, would require DSHS and local clerks to issue birth certificates at no cost to people experiencing homelessness. The author and Maria Benavides of SA Youth said the fee and mailing requirements are major barriers to obtaining ID, housing, and work, and Benavides described clients who were able to secure housing and employment after getting birth records and IDs through her program. The bill was left pending. The committee also heard a set of bills related to the Gulf of Mexico/Gulf of America naming issue: SB 1410 would require state agencies to use “Gulf of Mexico” in official documents, SB 1717 would conform state law to the federal renaming to “Gulf of America,” and SJR 63 would amend the Texas Constitution to match that change. Support testimony for the latter two emphasized alignment with federal action and the use of different geographic names by different countries. All three measures were left pending. Members then heard SB 1200, which would require plaintiffs suing defense contractors to disclose in discovery whether they are receiving litigation funding from adversarial nations such as China, Russia, or Cuba. The author and Texans for Lawsuit Reform said the bill targets third-party litigation funding and foreign influence on lawsuits, especially those affecting defense contractors; the committee substitute narrowed the definition of defense contractor and expanded applicability to actions involving defense contractors’ activities. SB 2626, which requires continuing medical education on pregnancy-related emergencies for OB-GYN physicians and nurses, drew support from witnesses who said it would reduce confusion about Texas abortion law and improve care in emergencies. SB 506, SB 2681, SB 1862, SB 1863, and SB 2216 all focused on elections, including ballot language standards, voter registration challenges, interstate voter-roll cleanup, procedural audits, and election equipment security; testimony split between supporters who said the bills improve transparency and integrity and opponents who warned of vague standards, added costs, and possible voter disenfranchisement. Each of those bills was left pending after testimony.

Transcript Highlights:

• Section 4 prohibits the possession of machine guns under Vermont law.
• machine guns under Vermont law. machine guns under Vermont law.
• The<00:50:35.160> bill<00:50:35.560> defines<00:50:36.160> machine<00:50:36.560>
• gun in the same The bill defines machine gun in the same way<00:50:37.440> it<00:50:37.560>
• a semi-automatic weapon into a machine a semi-automatic weapon into a machine gun,<00:51:10.360>

Keywords: 926, house, all

Summary: The House opened with a devotional by Rabbi Toby Weisman, who spoke about Passover, the obligation to remember liberation from slavery, and the Torah’s repeated command to love the stranger. He connected that theme to immigrants and the need for community, courage, and small acts of kindness. After the devotional, the chamber took up three Senate bills for first reading and referral: S. 179 on the Uniform Disclaimer of Property Interests Act to Judiciary, S. 212 on potable water supply and wastewater system connections to Environment, and S. 227 on immigration protocols in Vermont schools to Education. The House also referred H. 558, relating to the Medicaid School-Based Services Program, to Appropriations, and H. 937, reported favorably by Ways and Means, was also sent to Appropriations under House Rule 35a. The House adopted JRS 45, a joint resolution on weekend adjournment for March 20, 2026, by voice vote. It also read and adopted several concurrent resolutions, including HCR 187 congratulating Village Garage Distillery of Bennington for a silver medal at the 2025 San Francisco World Spirits Competition, HCR 213 recognizing March 2026 as Social Work Month in Vermont, and HCR 224 congratulating Vermont athletes at the 2025 National Senior Games and designating March 18, 2026, as Vermont Senior Games Day at the State House. Members made remarks in support of the resolutions, including praise for the distillery, social workers, and senior athletes, and guests in the gallery were recognized. The House then took up H. 887, which would amend the Fair Employment Practices Act to align documentation rules for crime victims with the protections already available to survivors of domestic violence, sexual assault, and stalking under the safe leave law. The committee and sponsor described it as a modest but important fix to ensure survivors can access both leave and anti-discrimination protections without conflicting paperwork requirements. The House agreed to the committee amendment and ordered the bill to third reading. Next, the chamber began H. 917, an omnibus military affairs bill combining several measures: correcting the Adjutant General title, defining Gold Star family member, creating a hiring preference for military spouses in state government, and providing free parking for disabled veterans. The sponsor outlined the bill’s purpose and sections, and discussion began on the title correction and related provisions.

Transcript Highlights:

• and see what's to look at a crystal ball and see what's going<00:36:48.720> to<00:36:48.880><
• Um, and when we met with Auditor Ball and...
• Um but then Auditor Ball things were.
• Um but then Auditor Ball issued<01:20:59.280> a<01:20:59.760> uh<01:20:59.920> an
• <01:21:12.159> and And when we met with Auditor Ball and her team, she said this is just a

Keywords: Meeting Start 00:00:00 Call to Order and Roll Call 00:00:15 Department of Insurance Update 00:01:39 Department of Financial Institutions Update 00:37:07 Insurance Industry Update 00:54:50 Credit Union Industry Update 01:10:53, 958, all

Summary: The committee met with a quorum, approved the September 16 minutes, and then received an update from Insurance Commissioner Sharon Clark and staff on the Department of Insurance. Clark reviewed department activity, including growth in premium volume and licensing, consumer complaints and recoveries, and a rise in fraud referrals. She said the department has 66 open fraud cases and described common schemes such as staged auto accidents, inflated repair or cleanup charges, and roofing scams. She also said the department’s investigators often prepare strong cases but face reluctance from local prosecutors, especially in Fayette and Jefferson counties, to pursue them. Clark reported favorable workers’ compensation news, saying rates will decrease 9.7% next year for the 20th straight year. She contrasted that with a difficult property insurance market driven by storms, reinsurance costs, inflation, labor shortages, and litigation, but said Kentucky’s market remains relatively stable, citing the Kentucky Fair Plan’s small number of policies. She then warned of significant 2026 health insurance premium increases on the exchange: 16.1% for Molina, 23% for Anthem, and 37% for WCare, after CareSource withdrew. She said the rates were reviewed by actuaries and found fair, but that the biggest pressure point is the scheduled expiration of enhanced premium tax credits, which she said could leave about 90% of exchange enrollees facing a compounded increase. Members questioned Clark about fraud prosecution, the number of people in commercial versus public coverage, and the impact of expiring subsidies. Clark said the prosecution issue is mainly with Commonwealth attorneys and that rural counties are more cooperative than urban ones. She also said the health market is individually rated and that older enrollees would be hit harder, while the loss of tax credits could push some people out of the marketplace. One member asked about the attorney general’s recent opinion on SB 188, the PBM bill; staff said attorneys were still reviewing it. Clark closed by noting that Kentucky’s fraud and towing/storage legislation has become a model for other states.

Transcript Highlights:

• On this one particular day, we were playing broom ball, and a classmate named Dan had the opportunity
• to swat that ball as hard as he could with his broom, and I happened to be in the way.
• On this one particular day, we were playing broom ball, and a classmate named Dan had the opportunity
• to swat that ball as hard as he could with his broom, and I happened to be in the way.
• remove them from the court the ball remove them from the court the ball field<01:34:33.840> whatever

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:44:14.960> And >> Senator Ball. >> Thank you, Madam President.
• On request of Senator Matt Ball and Representative Jarvis Caldwell, the two honorary commanders of the
• Uh on request of<00:45:38.720> Senator<00:45:38.960> Matt<00:45:39.200> Ball<00:
• 45:39.440> and<00:45:39.599> Representative of Senator Matt Ball and Representative of
• Senator Matt Ball and Representative Jarvis<00:45:40.240> Caldwell,<00:45:40.960> the<00

Keywords: 981, all

Summary: The Senate met with a quorum, approved the March 6, 2026 journal, and laid over Senate Joint Resolution 16 on retirement readiness and financial well-being until March 18. On third reading, House Bill 115, concerning prepaid wireless telecommunications service charges, passed on the consent calendar, with Senators Baisley, Rich, Lynda Zamora Wilson, and Carson recorded in opposition. House Bill 1068, which authorizes the Legislative Council executive committee to set remote-participation policies for interchamber meetings and committees, also passed third reading by a vote of 31-3, with several senators listed as no votes and the President added as a co-sponsor. The Senate then resolved into Committee of the Whole for second reading of the consent calendar. House Bill 1040 was removed from consent at the sponsor’s request. The committee then considered and advanced House Bills 1182, 1067, 1041, 1025, and 1013, covering the Veterinary Pharmaceutical Advisory Committee sunset, livestock health funding, electronic vehicle titles, an auctioneer exemption under the Colorado Charitable Solicitations Act, and landlord utility billing systems. The committee adopted the reports and bills, and the full Senate later adopted the committee report, placing those bills on the calendar for third reading and final passage. The Senate also laid over general order second-reading bills until March 10 and laid over Senate Resolution 004 until March 24. On the governor’s appointments consent calendar, members of the Building Decarbonization Enterprise Board, Colorado Water Conservation Board, and Groundwater Commission were read and then confirmed by a vote of 34-0 with one excused. The chamber then heard several personal privilege remarks recognizing Briggsdale Elementary School, the Democratic Women of Boulder County, the Colorado Civil Air Patrol, International Women’s Day, and House District 7 Day at the Capitol, before adjourning until March 10, 2026 at 9:00 a.m.

Transcript Highlights:

• says things in the nation are troubling and that we need to stay vigilant and keep our eye on the ball
• oppose the bill as written. stay vigilant and keep our eye on the stay vigilant and keep our eye on the ball
• <00:02:32.959> I<00:02:33.200> will<00:02:33.440> take<00:02:33.599> a ball
• And with that I will take a ball. And with that I will take a question. question. question.
• And addressing an earlier question, I know that some of the newer machines do work in conjunction with

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• The clerk will activate the machine. Sergeant's announced roll call in the halls.
• The clerk will activate the machine. Sergeant's announced roll call in the halls.
• The clerk will activate the machines. Sergeants, and now roll call in the halls.
• The clerk will activate the machine. Sergeant's announced roll call.
• The clerk will activate the machines.

Bills: HB4358, HB2398, HB3557, HB3129, HB3312, HB2210, HB1937, HB3021, HB4246, HB4230, HB3617, HB3657, HB2976, HB3391, HB4459, HB4128, HB3989, HB2989, HB4060, HB3145, HB2992, HB3464, HB3552, HB2984, HB4124, HB3934, HB3448, HB3131, HB4200, HB4201, HB3011, HB1912, HB3380, HB3881, HB3538, HB3851, HB3907, HB4430, HB4431, HB4457, HB2947, HB2951, HB2980, HB3082, HB3519, HB3644, HB3882, HB3661, HB3996, HB4335

Keywords: screen time, education, public schools, child development, digital learning, youth health, academic performance, credential of value, workforce development, labor market, government reporting, Oklahoma Agricultural Extension, local funding, financial institutions, county extension services, state funds, free expression, colleges, security fees, public forums

Transcript Highlights:

• These illegal gambling businesses, scam patrons, no oversight, Rick machines and 0 consumer protections
• of gaming a second degree felony for running an illegal slot business or possessing more than 5 machines
• , first degree felony for trafficking illegal slot machines with fines up to $500,000 and then explicit
• Thank you, Aaron. >> We have David Robert from the amusement Machine Operators Association of Florida
• This cash go into these machines that you're saying from using purposes only. >> Some.

Keywords: 999, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• The counselor, who, as all three have stated, dropped the ball and didn't get the... ...in the third
• The counselor, who, as all three have stated, dropped the ball and didn't get the paperwork in because
• The adult in the room dropped the ball, and you're not going to get to go.
• ...saying the adult in the room dropped the ball and you're not going to get to go.

Keywords: 1204, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Going forward will be to make sure that we keep our eye on the ball, and we maintain the expectations
• test of the new eligible requirement for new supply, that we will plug some money into and get the ball
• The focus has to be on the eye on the ball, and the eye on the ball is new supply in the pipes.

Bills: SB7

Keywords: water infrastructure, financial assistance, Texas Water Development Board, water supply, environmental sustainability, 1185, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Since the machines are programmed and maintained by company employees, it is only right to have every
• that their machines are processed by vetted employees.
• that their machines are processed by vetted employees.
• in the software code of the machines in the software code of the machines that<01:06:30.359>
• It's like when you have a machine town or machine location, you'll see small changes.

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• family have embraced the family business that today has inventory that includes arcade games, pinball machines
• FAMILY HAVE EMBRACED THE FAMILY BUSINESS THAT TODAY HAS INVENTORY THAT INCLUDES ARCADE GAMES, PIN BALL
• MACHINES, DIGITAL JUKE BOXES, POOL TABLES, DART BOARDS, SKILL GAMES, AND A.T.M.S.

Keywords: U.S. House of Representatives Floor Proceedings on Monday, March 31, 2025, 1012, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• <05:09:12.400> guns, endgame, regulation for machine guns, endgame, regulation for machine
• Speaker, if I know that this amendment would set our state down the path where we'll see machine guns
• Thank you. ...set our state down the path where we'll see machine guns on our streets with no laws to
• We also adjust the revenue sharing from the slot machine operations, increasing the state's share from
• to VTS at the governor's level machines to VTS at the governor's level because<05:45:00.718> it

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Um, just to make you know that point back before we had vote counting machines, tabulating machines,
• Um, just to make you know that point back before we had vote counting machines, tabulating machines,
• Um, just to make you know that point back before we had vote counting machines, tabulating machines,
• Are you also aware that the polling... counting machines, tabulating machines, counting machines, tabulating
• Now, HB 154 said if you have a machine in your town, you must use it.

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• <01:37:40.760> that I think uh but there are machines that I think uh but there are machines
• ><01:38:54.000> the to buy them the machine it's the to buy them the machine it's the maintenance
• The training is fairly simple, and the machine is the smart part, not the people.
• The training is fairly simple, and the machine is the smart part, not the people.
• There is a significant investment for these machines, a minimum of $75,000.

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The committee held public hearings on House Bill 144 and House Bill 145, both related to professional licensing for dietitians and dental hygienists. HB 144 was described as a technical fix to align statute with existing Board of Dental Examiners rules allowing dental hygienists to administer nitrous oxide and local anesthesia, with supporters saying the bill would add needed training and examination requirements to statute. A dentist and dental society representative testified that the practice is already being done safely within scope, and committee members discussed whether nitrous oxide is still used and whether the bill was mainly to keep the paperwork and law consistent. The committee moved HB 144 forward on a 12-0 vote and placed it on consent. HB 145 would join New Hampshire to a dietitian licensure compact and add a criminal history check for initial licensure to match compact language. The sponsor and board witnesses said the compact would improve portability, support telehealth, help military families and spouses, and maintain public safety by ensuring qualified practitioners and information-sharing among member states. Committee members asked about withdrawal from the compact, the difference between single-state and compact licensure, and why a background check was included; the witness said the compact is not yet active, with four states enacted and seven needed, and that the background check is required by the compact language. Additional testimony from a private-practice dietitian supported the bill, citing continuity of care, rural access, and workforce mobility, while some members raised concerns about telehealth across state lines and the practical effect of the background check.

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:37:52.599> that licensed to operate the machines that licensed to operate the machines
• They're still operating the same machines that they're allowed to operate in a different facility.
• We just happen to have a fluoroscopy machine and an MRI machine in our building that we're not asking
• They're still operating the same machines that they're allowed to operate in a different facility.
• We just happen to have a fluoroscopy machine and an MRI machine in our building that we're not asking

Keywords: Call to Order 00:00 Roll Call 00:05 HB 566 Discussion 01:34 HB 566 Vote 16:42 HB 39 Discussion 19:15 HB 39 Vote 23:10 HB 70 Discussion 24:48 HB 70 Vote 27:36 HB 72 Discussion 28:58 HB 72 Vote 39:45 HB 79 Discussion 41:45 HB 79 Vote 42:58 HB 223 Discussion 45:34 HB 223 Vote 46:24 Adjournment 47:38, 958, all

Summary: The committee first took up House Bill 566, which would implement the Kentucky Horse Racing and Gaming Corporation created last year. Chairman Cook described major provisions affecting charitable gaming, horse racing, sports wagering, and quarter horse racing, including locking charitable gaming fees in statute at a slightly lower rate, expanding charitable gaming board representation, preserving existing gaming technology, allowing school districts to hold charitable gaming licenses, and setting up self-funding for the new corporation through administrative set-asides from gaming-related funds. The bill also addresses uncashed vouchers, cross-training of investigators, ethics and employment provisions, and a three-year quarter horse breeding incentive intended to grow the industry. A committee substitute made two technical changes: clarifying voucher money stays with the track facility and making the school district itself the license holder. The substitute and then the bill both passed favorably, with several members noting concerns from last year but supporting the revised structure. The committee then heard House Bill 70, an interstate compact for dietitians. Sponsor Representative Vanessa Grossl and witnesses said the measure would allow reciprocity with other compact states, improve workforce mobility, help military families, expand patient access and telehealth, and reduce administrative burden on the licensing board. The committee substitute created a third license category for educational interpreters, but that language actually belonged to the next bill; for HB 70, the committee voted the bill favorably without reported amendments. The bill passed unanimously or near-unanimously and was sent to the House floor. Next, House Bill 72 was presented by Representative DJ Johnson to amend the law governing limited x-ray machine operators. The sponsor explained that current law effectively prevents limited x-ray operators from working in the same facility as other imaging equipment, which he said creates compliance problems, disrupts training, and can force practices to move equipment or lose employees. The bill would allow limited x-ray technicians to operate in the same facility as other imaging equipment. During discussion, some members noted opposition from students and others in the field, and the sponsor invited industry witnesses to explain their concerns. The transcript cuts off before final action on HB 72 is completed.

Transcript Highlights:

• Um, I'm hopeful that maybe we can get the ball rolling a little bit further once this bill has advanced
• We moved the ball a lot further after it got put back on the agenda today.
• We moved the ball further along, and I think some more time would probably be very helpful for...

Bills: SB166, HB365, HB272, HB232, HB234, SB278, SB277

Keywords: Ten Commandments, public education, displays, funding, Alabama law, sex education, abstinence, public schools, parental consent, human reproductive process, teen pregnancy, educational policy, sexual risk avoidance, 1136, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• The clerk will unlock the machine and the members will record their presence.
• The clerk will unlock the machine, and the members will proceed to vote.
• The clerk will unlock the machine, and the members will proceed to vote.
• The clerk will unlock the machine, and the members will proceed to vote.
• The clerk will unlock the machine, and the members will proceed to vote.

Summary: The House met on the final day of session, swore in Representatives Boyles and Hodgers, and observed a moment of silence for the Minnesota House Speaker Melissa Hortman and her husband, as well as for Representative Rosenwald’s father. The chamber then moved into final budget work, with leaders outlining the plan to take up H.J.R. 5019, HB 7031, HB 5017, HB 5015, and then the general appropriations act once the Senate transmitted it. H.J.R. 5019, a proposed constitutional amendment to expand the budget stabilization fund, was explained and amended to raise the rainy day fund cap, require annual deposits, and allow withdrawals for critical state needs by a two-thirds vote; it passed 100-1. The House then adopted the conference report on HB 7031, the tax package. The bill repeals the business rent tax and aviation fuel tax, delays the natural gas fuel tax, creates or expands several sales tax holidays and exemptions, including permanent exemptions for disaster-preparedness items, hunting/fishing/camping items, and ammunition and firearms-related purchases, and makes changes to property, corporate income, local tax, and economic development provisions. Members debated the removal of recurring housing trust fund and transit-related revenue streams, the new ammunition exemption, and the data center tax changes; supporters argued the package reduces taxes and preserves annual budget flexibility, while opponents raised concerns about housing, transportation, and gun violence. The conference report passed 93-7. HB 5017, creating a debt reduction program funded by a recurring transfer to retire state bonds early, passed unanimously. HB 5015, the state group insurance conforming bill, which directs DMS to develop a formulary management plan and codifies the administrative health insurance assessment, also passed. The House then began explanation and questions on the fiscal year 2025-26 general appropriations act, described as a $115.1 billion budget that is down $3.8 billion from the current year and includes more than $12 billion in reserves. Subcommittee chairs summarized major spending areas, including pre-K-12 funding increases, health care funding for Medicaid, KidCare, nursing homes, opioid treatment, and mental health, transportation and economic development funding, environmental and water projects, higher education, state administration, justice, and information technology. Questions focused on school vouchers, inflationary pressures on school districts, and the adequacy of funding for housing, transportation, and other priorities.

Transcript Highlights:

• The clerk will activate the machine.
• The clerk will activate the machine. Sergeants, announce roll calls in the hall.
• Clerk will activate the machine for a recorded vote on the emergency.
• Book machine service snails. Roll call is now in progress.
• Clerk, please activate the machine service to announce roll call in the hall.

Bills: HB4420, HB3974, HB3016, HB3062, HB3021, HB3145, HB4128, HB3131, HB3015, HB3472, HB3453, HB1638, HB4126, HB2696, HB2710, HB3552, HB3031, HB3544, HB3521, HB4490, HB4488, HB1746, HJR1069, HB4428, HB4429, HB1170, HB3538, HB4124, HB3904, HB4106, HB2999, HB3982, HJR1077, HB3464, HB2588, HB3462, HB4440, HB3674, HB3345, HJR1067, HB4326, HB4331, HB4337, HB4338, HB4359, HB4392, HB3557, HJR1076, HB4003, HB3495, HB3497, HB3501, HB3505, HB3749, HB3011, HB4336, HB4346, HJR1087, HB3240, HB3647, HB3796, HB3969, HB3972, HB3983, HB3984, HB3989, HB3383, HB3130, HB4358, HB3327, HJR1055, HB3386, HJR1089, HB3087, HB2970, HB3314, HB4129, HB4199

Keywords: reading, intervention, literacy, education, third grade retention, teacher training, funding, Strong Readers Act, tort claims, inmate housing, government immunity, public trust, private prison, emergency legislation, vision screening, binocular vision, kindergarten, elementary education, health, firearm rights

Transcript Highlights:

• Prepare the machine, Madam Clerk.
• Prepare the machine, Madam Clerk.
• Prepare the machine, Madam Clerk. As everyone indicated their presence.
• Prepare the machine, Madam Clerk. Members, everyone voted.
• Prepare the machine, Madam Clerk. Question before the House is the passage of Senate Bill 13.

Summary: The House convened with prayer and the Pledge of Allegiance, established a quorum with 98 members present, and granted leave for Representative Jack Ladyman. The chamber then received committee reports from the Joint Budget Committee recommending passage of several appropriation bills, and the Governor’s communication noting approval of House Bill 1001 (Act 2). The Speaker also recognized guests in the galleries, including law enforcement personnel, doctors, students visiting for STEM Day, line workers, and representatives from the Council of State Governments. The bulk of the meeting was devoted to budget amendments and appropriation bills. The House adopted amendments to House Bills 1018, 1023, 1036, 1041, 1055, 1068, and 1077, covering items such as title changes at East Arkansas College, DHS and Department of Health staffing adjustments, Capitol Police positions for the Winthrop Rockefeller Building, transfer of the early childhood nutrition program to the Department of Agriculture, DFA position changes and the Rural Health Transformation Program, and DHS county office reductions. The chamber then passed House Bill 1060 for the State Library, and Senate Bills 5, 13, 39, and 56, which funded the Tobacco Settlement Commission, Judicial Discipline and Disability Commission, Arkansas State University, and Auditor of State continuing education/local offices. Most measures passed with strong support, though Senate Bill 56 drew 14 nays. Before adjournment, the Speaker announced the House was ahead of schedule and planned to move the following week’s calendar earlier, with a possible sine die adjournment on Wednesday if business proceeded as planned. Representative Meeks moved to adjourn until 1 p.m. the next day, and the motion carried without objection.