Transcript Highlights:

• world, the Massachusetts Senate unequivocally condemns all forms of anti-Semitism and recommits to combating
• the global rise of anti-Semitism. ...anti-Semitism, recommits to combating the global rise of anti-Semitism
• , and recognizes the importance of the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance’s efforts to combat

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The Senate opened with the Pledge of Allegiance and then adopted a resolution recognizing the 81st anniversary of the liberation of Auschwitz and International Holocaust Remembrance Day. The resolution condemned antisemitism, noted the historical significance of Auschwitz and the Holocaust, and directed copies to be sent to the Consulate General of Israel, the New England Holocaust Memorial Committee, and the Holocaust Legacy Foundation. The chamber then took up several bills and committee reports. It passed to be enacted House No. 4663, authorizing the town of Milford Select Board to appoint a highway surveyor, and sent it to the Governor. The Senate also ordered to a third reading a bill establishing a sick leave bank for Shannon Manning, a Trial Court employee. In addition, the Senate suspended Joint Rule 12 on a report concerning legislation to protect access to justice and referred the matter to the Committee on Judiciary. It also ordered House No. 4805, amending the town charter of Plainville, to a third reading, and suspended Joint Rule 12 on several House petitions so they could be referred to the appropriate committees. The Senate adopted an order to meet again the following Thursday at 11 a.m. in formal session, then adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• We are requesting $15 million for the SAFE program to support local law enforcement and combat fentanyl
• areas. $3.5 million is for search and analytics technology, very important technology to help us combat
• That helps us combat the illicit cell phones, contraband cell phones in our institutions that are used
• We combat it as best we can. We're dealing with drones, drone drops.
• The way you combat it is what we're doing.

Summary: The committee received a presentation on the Governor’s fiscal year 2026-2027 public safety budget, which totals $8.2 billion for the public safety silo and includes funding for the Departments of Law Enforcement, Juvenile Justice, and Corrections, along with courts and legal affairs. The Governor’s Office highlighted recurring reductions and vacancy eliminations, while agency heads outlined their major requests: FDLE sought funding for fentanyl enforcement, career offender registry staffing, alert-system upgrades, alcohol testing modernization, officer wellness, criminal intelligence, and immigration-related intelligence work; DJJ requested money for the Florida Scholars Academy, uniforms, residential services, a new Broward detention center, and facility maintenance; and DOC requested major increases for officer pay, additional staff, facility construction and maintenance, communications upgrades, inmate health care, pharmaceuticals, and food service. Members questioned FDLE about immigration enforcement and public records burdens, and DOC about staffing, capacity, mental health services, contraband, housing, and whether prison beds were being used for immigration detainees. Public testimony also urged better prison conditions and basic necessities for incarcerated people. The committee then took up and reported favorably CS/SB 156, the Jason Rayner Act, which would strengthen penalties and clarify that a person may not resist an officer with violence when the officer is performing official duties. An amendment conforming the bill to House language was adopted, and the bill passed with Senator Smith voting no. The committee also adopted an amendment and reported favorably CS/SB 54, which concerns use of substances affecting cognitive function and limits certain medical-record disclosures to information relevant to investigations of violent offenders; Senator Smith voted no on that measure as well. Next, the committee considered Senator Berman’s bills on domestic and dating violence. CS/SB 296 would direct a study of a secure web-based alert platform for victims, including a discreet phone-number/code system and geolocation support, and would expand the Address Confidentiality Program to dating-violence victims. The bill drew emotional support testimony from survivors and advocates describing the dangers victims face when trying to leave abusive situations, and it was reported favorably. Its companion, CS/SB 298, would extend public-records protections in the Address Confidentiality Program to dating-violence victims; it was also reported favorably. The committee then adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• system within 100 feet of or within 100 feet above certain school instructional areas that are not zoned
• reference to previous, I guess, questions that have been brought up, I personally have extreme PTSD combat
• I personally have an extreme PTSD combat vet.

Bills: SB1012, SB1099, SB1234, SB1392, SB1489, SB1535, SB1570, SB1609, SB1627, SB1634, SB1661, SB1709, SB1723, SB1725, SB1743, SB1829, SCR1027, SCR1040, SCR1048

Keywords: concealed carry, firearms, restaurants, liquor licensing, public safety, defamation, private figure, public concern, statute of limitations, internet defamation, juvenile court, legal representation, appointed attorney, guardian ad litem, child welfare, election canvass, canvassing board, governing body, election inspection, election access

Summary: The Senate Judiciary and Elections Committee heard and advanced several election, judiciary, child welfare, and criminal justice measures. SB 1489 would require paid petition circulators for initiatives and referenda to disclose their name, state of residence, and paid status verbally and on a badge, add registration requirements for certain local circulators, prohibit pay by signature for local measures, and apply strict compliance and funding-disclosure rules to local initiatives. The ACLU opposed it as compelled speech and a burden on political expression, while the Arizona Chamber supported it as transparency and parity with state-level rules. The committee recommended the bill do pass on a 4-3 vote. SB 1609, an emergency measure concerning political party names, would require proposed party names to be distinguishable from existing parties and bar use of terms like “independent” or similar variations. The Arizona Independent Party opposed it as a retroactive change and “cartel protection,” while county election officials and the Arizona Association of Counties supported it as reducing voter confusion. The committee adopted an amendment and recommended the bill do pass on a 7-0 vote. SCR 1040, a voter-approved constitutional referral, would raise the mandatory retirement age for judges and justices of courts of record from 70 to 75; supporters argued it reflects longer life expectancy and preserves experienced judges, while opponents said voters previously rejected a similar proposal and that an age limit is preferable. It passed 5-2. The committee also considered SB 1234, which changes juvenile court representation rules by requiring a guardian ad litem in dependency and termination cases and allowing appointment of an attorney for the child depending on age and ability to express an opinion. Sponsor Senator Werner said the bill was part of a broader child-safety reform effort informed by cases such as Rebecca Baptiste, arguing that a guardian ad litem with attorney authority would better protect children’s best interests. Child welfare attorneys and advocates opposed the bill, saying children need a dedicated attorney-client relationship, confidentiality, and a voice separate from the court or DCS; DCS remained neutral. The committee adopted an amendment and recommended the bill do pass on a 5-2 vote. SB 1661 would allow a presumed father to be relieved of child support obligations if genetic testing shows he is not the biological father; supporters described cases where men remained liable despite exclusionary DNA results, and the bill passed 6-0. Later, the committee heard election administration and transparency bills. SB 1392 would give governing bodies canvassing elections access to locations where election materials are created, handled, processed, tabulated, or stored, so they can observe procedures and review records while protecting secrecy and security; county officials raised concerns about the term “agent,” and the bill passed 4-3. SB 1634 would require ADOT to provide county recorders with a copy of an applicant’s handwritten signature when facilitating voter registration; county officials said it would improve signature comparison, and the bill passed 5-2 after a vote correction. SB 1743 would redact an individual donor’s employer street number, employer name, or residence address from public campaign finance reports, with penalties for improper disclosure; supporters cited privacy and safety, while opponents argued employer information is important for transparency and identifying influence. It passed 5-2. SB 1099, a strike-everything amendment, set statutory criteria for defamation claims involving public or private figures and public or private concerns, including falsity, reckless disregard, and context; it passed 4-3. After a recess, the committee heard SB 1535, which increases penalties for buyers of sexual conduct, including making the conduct a class 6 felony and adding a $200 assessment to support anti-human trafficking services. The sponsor and supporters, including survivors, law enforcement, neighborhood advocates, and the Maricopa County Attorney’s Office, said the bill targets demand that fuels trafficking and neighborhood disorder. Opponents from criminal justice and anti-violence groups said the bill should include a rebuttable presumption to better protect trafficking victims. The committee adopted an amendment and recommended the bill do pass.

Transcript Highlights:

• sooner with options for patients at an earlier stage of the disease. all of us in this room are in the zone
• I was also a combat nurse who was at 16 combat missions. I worked in the OR in the battlefields.

Bills: HB5, HJR3, HB155, HB513, HB5, HB155

Keywords: dementia, research, health care, Texas Institute, grants, medical breakthroughs, oversight, prevention, funding, healthcare, Texas, autopsy, confidentiality, public records, medical examiner, law enforcement, HB 513, surgical smoke, surgical plume, smoke evacuation

Transcript Highlights:

• Senate Bill 2201 seeks to provide law enforcement agencies the tools they need to combat this ever evolving
• Senator Birdwell's SB 2201 will enhance a useful resource for tracking, preventing, combating, and prosecuting
• I understand the bill aims to combat cartel corruption of government resources at the border, a worthy
• And training prohibitions and reporting requirements designated to combat foreign influence and foreign

Transcript Highlights:

• He's an Oklahoma City native and a decorated combat veteran who served 10 years in the United States
• earned him the Bronze Star medal and the Purple Heart, reflecting both his leadership and sacrifice in combat
• So, as a combination of combat experience, professional leadership, and continued advocacy for veterans

Bills: HB3257

Keywords: veterans, disability benefits, federal law, Oklahoma Statutes, military service, 914, all

Transcript Highlights:

• nationally recognized in combating nationally recognized in combating insurance<00:04:39.919>
• Oh yeah, we got to combat fraud. Let's go combat fraud.
• Oh yeah, we got to combat fraud. Let's go combat fraud.
• We support these efforts because we understand the importance of combating fraud.
• We support these efforts because we understand the importance of combating fraud.

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• We wanted to create a safe zone and uh we we felt like that that by the end of the summer um there was
• We wanted to create a safe<00:05:00.000> zone<00:05:00.960> and<00:05:01.440> uh
• 02.160> we<00:05:02.560> felt<00:05:02.720> like<00:05:02.880> that safe zone
• and uh we we felt like that safe zone and uh we we felt like that that<00:05:03.440> by<00:05
• for specified purposes, threats are evolving every day, and government also needs new tools to help combat

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• When you see a Combat Infantry badge, that tells you something.
• , kind of an Army experiment saying we'll get into the mountains of Europe and we need some elite combat
• the Army and service to his country has been recognized with many awards and medals, including the Combat
• The last time I was there, it was just before the deployment of the First Brigade Combat Team.
• THE LAST TIME I WAS THERE, IT WAS JUST BEFORE THE DEPLOYMENT OF THE FIRST BRIGADE COMBAT TEAM.

Keywords: 993, senate, all

Summary: The Senate convened with ceremonial opening proceedings, approved the prior journal, and then moved through a series of calendar actions, including discharging and substituting identical companion bills from committee and restoring several bills to the Third Reading Calendar after reconsideration. The chamber also took up a supplemental budget calendar and a controversial supplemental budget extender, with Senator O’Mara questioning the delay in final budget negotiations, the size of the extender, table targets, and unresolved policy issues such as auto insurance reforms, SEQRA, New York for All, and CLCPA changes. Senator Serrano responded that negotiations were ongoing and that the extender was a clean measure to keep state government functioning. The budget extender bills were then passed, with Senator Weik voting in the negative on one of them. The Senate also adopted a resolution memorializing May 4, 2026, as 10th Mountain Division and Fort Drum Day, and hosted Major General Scott Naumann and other Fort Drum leaders and soldiers for remarks on the division’s deployments, readiness, economic impact, and requests for continued state support on items such as microreactors, health care, DMV services, dining facilities, airports, and mineral-related development. The Fort Drum resolution drew extensive bipartisan praise from Majority Leader Stewart-Cousins, Minority Leader Ortt, Senator Scarcella-Spanton, Senator Ashby, Senator Walczyk, and others, who emphasized the division’s military history, its role as a major employer and economic driver in Northern New York, and the sacrifices of service members and their families. Several senators highlighted individual soldiers in attendance and their service records, while the resolution was opened for co-sponsorship and adopted. The Senate also recognized a visiting child author, Thomas Ortiz, who was introduced for publishing a book encouraging kindness and friendship. After the ceremonial segment, the Senate returned to regular business and passed a series of bills on the calendar, including measures affecting environmental conservation, executive law, public service, education, public authorities, real property tax, criminal procedure, election law, and civil rights. Some bills drew negative votes from a bloc of senators, particularly on the environmental, criminal procedure, election, and civil rights measures, but all listed bills were ultimately passed. The Senate then adjourned until the next day.

Transcript Highlights:

• have significantly increased the amount of dollars that went to the attorney general's office to combat
• bills we have increased funding<00:13:01.360> uh<00:13:01.519> to<00:13:01.760> combat
• <00:13:02.079> human<00:13:02.399> trafficking funding uh to combat human trafficking
• funding uh to combat human trafficking uh<00:13:03.440> substantially.
• And the reason it will say an act relating to combating human trafficking, which is what we're trying

Keywords: Convene 00:00 Senate Message 05:11 Report of Committees 06:05 Orders of the Day/HB 320 07:52 HB 366 14:55 HB 389 17:22 HB 56 22:10 Motions, Petitions, and Communications 25:47 Introduction of New Bills and Resolutions 29:20 Petition of Impeachment Filed 31:24 Recess for ConC/Rules Meeting 32:03 ConC/Rules Report 36:31 Floor Amendments 37:29 Adjournment 37:47, 958, all

Summary: The House convened with prayer and the pledge, recorded 96 members present, excused absences, and approved the journal from January 27, 2026. The Senate clerk announced passage of Senate Bills 17 and 181 and requested concurrence. Committee reports advanced a number of bills on health insurance, judiciary, local government, and transportation topics, including measures on pharmacist reimbursements, hearing aid coverage, feeding and eating disorders, grooming a minor, local government liability, water fluoridation, cigar bars, chickens on residential property, highway pavement markings, motor vehicle titles, and pedestrian issues; all favorable reports were treated as first readings and placed on the calendar. The House then took up and passed House Bill 320 on human trafficking, with the sponsor explaining it would equalize penalties for promoting human trafficking with those for trafficking itself and increase the penalty when the victim is under 18. A member asked whether the bill included additional funding for cyber enforcement; the sponsor replied it was not an appropriation and would not require new funding, though prior budgets had increased support for anti-trafficking efforts. The House adopted a title amendment changing the bill’s title to combating human trafficking. The chamber also passed House Bill 366, which clarifies that materials portraying a sexual performance by a minor include computer-generated images and requires 85% service of the sentence before probation or parole; the sponsor said it was supported by law enforcement and prosecutors. House Bill 389 on reading and writing in schools also passed as amended by House Committee Substitute 1. The sponsor said it would require annual updates to the state dyslexia toolkit, expand professional development and coaching, require local school boards to develop processes for universal screening and diagnostic tools, and add dyslexia instruction to teacher preparation programs; the substitute added conformity with IDEA and revised the instructional language. Members spoke in support of early dyslexia detection and one member noted the bill updated prior legislation associated with former Rep. Bam Carney. House Bill 56, an omnibus Department of Agriculture bill, then passed; it addressed amusement ride inspections, grain warehousing penalties, egg handler licensing renewal timing, exemptions for small producers, and repealed obsolete tobacco and egg marketing board provisions. All three bills passed by roll call with 95 or 94 votes in favor and none opposed, and clinchers were applied. During announcements, members noted upcoming committee meetings and events, including a suits-and-sneakers day and cancer-related breakfast, caucus meetings, and committee meetings. New bills and resolutions were introduced, including measures on local occupational license fees, early learning and child care, tuition waivers, an adult workforce diploma pilot, motor vehicle usage tax, contract procurement, Fish and Wildlife Resources, adoption, veterans’ benefits, Cabinet for Health and Family Services operations, organ donation safety, hate crimes, prescription drugs, and resolutions on the Kentucky-Japan partnership and veterans’ benefits accreditation. The clerk also reported a petition of impeachment filed against Judge Julie Goodman. The House then referred a group of bills to committees, reported floor amendments for House Bills 321 and 416, and adjourned until 2:00 p.m. Thursday, January 29, 2026.

Transcript Highlights:

• When combating malign influence, transparency is our superpower and Beijing's kryptonite.
• Boosting transparency should always be step one when combating malign influence.
• The now-shuttered State Department Global Engagement Center was the primary U.S. mechanism for combating
• That's very difficult to combat directly, but one brilliant element of the former Global Engagement Center
• It enabled the United States to leverage voices around the world to combat Chinese disinformation.

Transcript Highlights:

• . >> I would hope the best way to fly out of a combat. >> And besides, the only Air Force troops that
• hope the best way to fly out of >> I would hope the best way to fly out of a<00:00:42.640> combat
• a combat. a combat.

Keywords: 1136, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• So the DFL senator has proposed the creation of a new office of Inspector General to kind of combat these
• General<00:03:38.200> to<00:03:38.400> kind<00:03:38.519> of<00:03:38.799> combat
• <00:03:39.319> these<00:03:39.599> issues General to kind of combat these issues General
• to kind of combat these issues you<00:03:40.120> know<00:03:40.239> is<00:03:40.360>

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Joint Resolution 55, a joint resolution directing Kentucky's public postsecondary institutions to combat
• 00:27:24.600> to institutions shall adopt policies to institutions shall adopt policies to combat
• anti-Semitism that include the combat anti-Semitism that include the definition<00:27:27.720> of<
• <00:35:29.640> anti-Semitism<00:35:30.640> all Kentucky to combat anti-Semitism all
• Kentucky to combat anti-Semitism all these<00:35:31.040> flagrant<00:35:31.640> issues

Keywords: 958, all

Summary: The committee first took up SB 19, which would require a daily moment of silence or reflection in Kentucky public schools and clarify that students may use the time as they choose without coercion or religious direction. The sponsor and supporters, including representatives of the Kentucky Jewish Council, argued the bill is nonsectarian, intended to promote calm and focus, and supported by research and prior bipartisan backing. Opponents from the Jewish Federation of the Bluegrass said they supported the anti-coercion language but objected to making the moment of silence mandatory rather than permissive, citing concerns about the statute’s interaction with the Lord’s Prayer language already in law. After discussion, the committee voted to pass SB 19 unanimously with favorable expression. The committee then considered SB 83, which revises the KEES scholarship program so homeschool and non-certified school students can receive awards using an ACT-to-GPA conversion and be treated more comparably to public school students. The sponsor described the bill as a recurring measure and walked through how the award amounts would be calculated under the substitute. There was no opposition raised during the hearing, and the committee adopted the substitute and passed SB 83 unanimously with favorable expression. Finally, the committee heard Senate Joint Resolution 55, directing Kentucky public postsecondary institutions to combat anti-Semitism. The resolution would require campuses to adopt policies using the IHRA definition of anti-Semitism, notify students of Title VI and state-law complaint rights, recognize Jewish organizations as community resources on the same basis as other religious organizations, take action against student groups supporting designated terrorist organizations, and collect and report campus anti-Semitism data. The presenters and supporters described a sharp rise in anti-Semitic incidents on campuses after October 7 and said schools have not responded adequately. The committee adopted the substitute and began hearing testimony on the resolution, but the transcript cuts off before any final vote on SJR 55.

Transcript Highlights:

• is particularly effective in treating traumatic brain injury, which is disturbingly common in our combat
• It's estimated that 40% of all combat veterans are afflicted by one or more of these conditions.
• disturbingly common in our combat disturbingly common in our combat veterans,<00:06:21.960> and
• It's estimated that 40%<00:06:29.640> of<00:06:29.720> all<00:06:29.840> combat<
• 00:06:30.360> veterans<00:06:30.760> are<00:06:30.880> afflicted 40% of all combat

Keywords: 958, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Um, your bill is just one of several aimed at combating fraud this session.
• one of several Um, your bill is just one of several aimed<00:02:48.800> at<00:02:48.959> combating
• aimed at combating fraud this session. aimed at combating fraud this session.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Local police who have been in combat situations said they had never seen anything as bad as what
• <00:20:33.120> have<00:20:33.440> been<00:20:34.159> in<00:20:34.400> combat
• Local police who have been in combat Local police who have been in combat situations<00:20:35.679

Keywords: 981, all

Summary: The Senate convened with a quorum, led the pledge of allegiance, and approved the January 15, 2026 journal as corrected. Senate Services was reported to have correctly printed Senate Bills 3 and 9 and correctly introduced and enrolled Senate Joint Resolutions 2 and 3; the president signed the two joint resolutions and Senate Resolution 2. During announcements, Senator Pelton promoted the upcoming morning prayer breakfast. Senator Sullivan then gave a lengthy personal privilege statement reflecting on the 704th Friday since his son Alex was killed in the Aurora theater shooting, describing his annual return to the theater, the support of President Coleman and others, and his view that returning is an act of defiance and remembrance for victims of gun violence. The majority leader announced that after recess and adjournment the House MLK joint resolution would be heard on the House floor, followed by a joint session at 10:30 a.m. for the State of the Tribes address. Members were reminded the Senate would be closed Monday for Martin Luther King Day and would reconvene Tuesday, January 20 at 10 a.m. The Senate then adopted a motion to recess until 11:30 a.m. that day.

Transcript Highlights:

• recap, the bill includes $3 million for identification verification systems in the MnSCU system to combat
• Let's bust the ghost students and combat enrollment fraud.
• 00:15:27.080> ghost<00:15:27.400> students<00:15:28.040> and<00:15:28.320> combat
• Let's bust the ghost students and combat Let's bust the ghost students and combat enrollment<00:

Keywords: 919, house, all

Summary: The House first took up a resolution commemorating Peace Officer Memorial Day and Police Week in Minnesota. Members read a series of “whereas” clauses honoring fallen peace officers, including the addition of three names to the Minnesota Law Enforcement Memorial Honor Roll, and recognizing the service of the state’s more than 10,000 peace officers. The resolution was adopted without objection. The chamber then moved to conference committee reports and calendar actions, including a Rules and Legislative Administration report placing several bills on the calendar for the next day. The main substantive item was the conference committee report on House File 4252, the higher education finance and policy bill. Supporters said the bill included $3 million for identity verification systems to combat enrollment fraud or “ghost students,” $2.7 million to cover a shortfall in the Fostering Independence grant program for foster youth, and $5,000 for tree replacement at Bemidji State University. They also noted the bill did not address the larger state grant shortfall, which several members described as a structural problem. During debate, supporters emphasized the need to stop enrollment fraud and protect foster students’ access to higher education, while also praising the conference committee process and public deliberations. Opponents criticized the bill for failing to fix the state grant deficit and argued that Minnesota students were not being prioritized. After discussion, the House adopted the conference committee report, gave the bill its third reading, and then repassed House File 4252 as amended by conference by a vote of 101 yeas to 33 nays.

Transcript Highlights:

• The entire time in office, Governor Walz has not taken action to combat fraud.
• The entire time in office, Governor Walz has not taken action to combat fraud.
• The entire time in office, Governor Walz has not taken action to combat fraud.
• The entire time in office, Governor Walz has not taken action to combat fraud.
• Walls has not taken action to combat fraud. As Leader Niska mentioned, no one's lost their job.

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• World War II, the Tuskegee Airmen, despite facing racial discrimination, proved their excellence in combat
• The stress and trauma of combat can cause our veterans to deal with depression, PTSD, and worst thoughts
• I was a little kid growing up in a small town of 1,900 people, but we had a number of combat veterans
• have never served that I didn't go to war; I served in the state guard, but that's not the same as combat
• Chair Cortez did an excellent job outlining the work that we're doing to combat veteran suicide, and

Bills: HCR92, HB 114, HB561, HB 1171, HB1894, HB2026, HB2143, HB2337, HB2564, HB114

Keywords: Tuskegee Airmen, commemoration, African American history, civil rights, military recognition, veterans, mental health, Texas Veterans Commission, peer support, suicide prevention, community mental health, grant program, defense, grants, local government, economic support, community development, health and wellness, outdoor recreation, state land use