Transcript Highlights:

• an amendment for a feasibility study for the development of a software application to identify, evaluate
• relating to your office, that you will act faithfully and impartially according to your best skill and judgment
• According to your best skill and judgment. So help you God. Thank you. Thank you.

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The Senate convened for the opening day of the 194th General Court, with ceremonial remarks, an invocation, the Pledge of Allegiance, and the formal canvass of election returns. A special committee reported that all senators had been duly elected, and a committee was then appointed to notify the Governor, Lieutenant Governor, and Governor’s Council that a quorum of senators-elect was assembled and ready to be sworn in. Governor Maura Healey and Lieutenant Governor Kim Driscoll addressed the chamber, praised public service, and administered the oaths of office to the senators. The main business of the day was the election of the Senate President. Senator Karen Spilka was nominated by Senator DiDomenico and seconded by Senator Edwards, while Senator Bruce Tarr was nominated by Senator Durant and seconded by Senator Dooner. After nominations were closed, the roll call resulted in 34 votes for Spilka and 5 for Tarr, and the Senate declared Spilka elected president. Senator Tarr then moved that the vote be considered unanimous, and the Senate agreed. President Spilka delivered an inaugural address focused on the chamber’s recent legislative record and priorities for the new session. In her remarks, Spilka highlighted prior accomplishments including education funding, free community college, early education reforms, mental health care reform, prescription drug cost reductions, tax relief, housing, transportation, climate, and veterans’ legislation. She also outlined priorities for the new session, including a statewide listening tour, more transparency in committee and joint committee proceedings, housing and transportation affordability, health care reform, career and technical education, early education, and juvenile justice reform. She emphasized continued bipartisan work and public engagement. The Senate also adopted temporary joint rules and temporary Senate rules, authorized printing of the daily journal, and scheduled the next meeting for the following day at 11:30 a.m. Michael D. Hurley was elected clerk of the Senate and sworn in, and James DiTulio was sworn in as Senate counsel. The chamber also adopted a memorial adjournment in memory of Mary J. Hurley of South Boston before adjourning.

Transcript Highlights:

• You can certify civil money judgments.
• You can certify civil money judgments.
• authorizes and directs the creation of the Sexual Assault Survivor Empowerment Task Force to study, evaluate

Summary: The Senate Committee on Judiciary B met on May 14, established a quorum, approved the May 5 minutes, and then took up a long agenda of bills and resolutions. The committee first heard House Bill 1252, which would expand and modernize local court jurisdiction in Avoyelles Parish by enlarging the Marksville and Bunkie city courts, adding small claims, misdemeanor, juvenile, and civil jurisdiction, and allowing online payments and virtual appearances. Supporters said it would keep justice local and reduce pressure on district court, while opponents urged more study and warned about impacts on existing courts and funding. The committee adopted Amendment Set 3835 and reported HB 1252 with amendments. It also reported HB 167, requiring state prisons to provide release documentation to inmates; HB 1038, after amendments and continued negotiation with marshals and constables; HB 1077, allowing microbreweries to sell at certain special events; HB 1204, changing administration of the Back on Track Youth Pilot Program to the Office of Juvenile Justice; HB 492, placing the Governor’s Impaired Driving Task Force into statute; HB 175, dedicating $500,000 in lottery proceeds annually to a veterans service grant fund; HCR 41, directing ATC to allow electronic beer rebates; HB 833, creating a Sexual Assault Survivor Empowerment Task Force; HB 656, creating a pilot program for inmate-administered services; HB 978, raising the population threshold for mayor’s courts to remit indigent defender fees; and HB 969, updating and expanding the crime victim compensation program. The committee also approved HB 985, which adds QR codes to sex offender identification cards, after adopting Amendment Set 3861, and HB 579, updating the Sexual Assault Survivors’ Rights Act, after adopting Amendment Set 3830. Several bills drew notable opposition or requests for further work. HB 968, which creates a framework for electronic monitoring providers to notify courts before removing ankle monitors for nonpayment, drew objections from the ACLU and a vendor representative who argued it would turn criminal courts into debt-collection forums and could lead to jail for inability to pay; the author said the bill was intended as a public-safety framework, not debt collection. Despite those concerns, the committee reported HB 968 favorably and agreed to move a 10-day-to-15-day notice change on the floor. HB 525, requiring DOC to publish more incarceration data, especially from local facilities, was opposed by the Louisiana Sheriffs’ Association, which said the bill would impose substantial new reporting burdens; DOC said it was already posting most of the data and would continue updating it. The committee ultimately deferred HB 525, with members encouraging further work. HB 1005, a cleanup-and-restructuring bill for the Office of the State Public Defender, was reported favorably after the Louisiana Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers raised concerns about substantive changes, including removal of board approval for the state public defender and changes to district defender protections; Vice Chair Harris said he would work with stakeholders on those issues. HB 1029, a local alcohol-permit moratorium bill for House District 3, was voluntarily deferred to next week so the author could address concerns about the length of the moratorium. The meeting ended after all scheduled business was completed, with the committee agreeing to revisit the deferred items later.

Transcript Highlights:

• House Bill 195, introduced by Representative Sopansky, is an act relating to judgments, prohibiting the
• collection of medical malpractice judgments from an independent provider's personal income or assets
• Committee to review existing comprehensive human sexuality education standards and programming to evaluate

Bills: HM19

Keywords: New Mexico Aviation and Aerospace Day, aviation, aerospace, space industry, missile programs, Spaceport America, White Sands Missile Range, White Sands Test Facility, Kirtland Air Force Base, drone, unmanned aircraft systems, commercial space transportation, NASA, aircraft, STEM education, research laboratories, Sandia National Laboratories, Los Alamos National Laboratory, flight testing, medical evacuation

Transcript Highlights:

• process or some kind of substitute to, you said you were talking to another committee about re-evaluating
• A police report because the officer has made a judgment that it's not necessary.
• I think that this is one of those fine lines and is sometimes a judgment call.

Bills: HB214, HB626, HB647, HB658, HB668, HB674, HB908, HB214

Keywords: firearm acquisition, gun smuggling, criminal offenses, ammunition, terrorism, public safety, Texas criminal procedure, federal law enforcement, state arrest authority, search and seizure, felony offenses, federal air marshal, Transportation Security Administration, Department of Defense police, military police, Homeland Security, Public Safety, veterans affairs, federal officers, joint law enforcement authority

Transcript Highlights:

• company that I was leading that they were not allowed to ask me certain questions because, in my judgment
• ,<00:23:36.880> I<00:23:37.120> had questions because in my judgment, I had questions
• because in my judgment, I had determined<00:23:37.520> that<00:23:37.679> their<00:23:
• financial judgment. Let me be clear. financial judgment. Let me be clear.
• HR 2988 is essential to restore the neutrality of financial factor-only evaluation when investing to

Keywords: U.S. House of Representatives Floor Proceedings on Thursday, January 15, 2026, 1012, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• This amendment restores a clear constitutional and uniform standard for evaluating challenged library
• constitutional, grounded Miller test for minors, including its critical requirement that a work be evaluated
• And we have to rely on those with experience in the school system in order for us to make better judgment
• It comes from decades of Supreme Court precedent requiring works to be evaluated in their entirety.
• His doors always open and you never feel judgment.

Summary: The House convened with prayer, moments of silence for former member Terry Fields and the Parkland victims, the Pledge of Allegiance, and recognition of guests and visitors. The chamber then adopted the Rules and Ethics Committee’s special order report setting the day’s calendar and debate times. The main measure taken up was HB 1119, relating to materials harmful to minors in public schools and charter schools, which the sponsor described as a clarification of existing law to keep pornographic or sexually explicit material away from minors and to give districts clearer standards for review and objection processes. The bill drew extensive debate over constitutional concerns, local control, litigation risk, and the scope of the definition of “harmful to minors.” Members supporting the bill argued it was needed to close loopholes and protect children, while opponents warned it could lead to overbroad book removals, conflict with federal court rulings, and costly lawsuits. A series of amendments sought to narrow or redirect the bill: proposals by Gant, Aristide, Bartleman, Eskamani, Nixon, Rainer, Woodson, and Harris would have preserved literary value review, protected educational and abuse-prevention materials, exempted LGBTQ-inclusive books, limited objections, preserved funding for districts, or delayed enforcement during ongoing litigation. Supporters of the amendments framed them as protecting parental choice, academic value, student safety, and district finances; opponents said they would weaken the bill’s child-protection purpose. All of the amendments failed. After the amendment process, the House waived rules, read HB 1119 a third time by title, and entered structured debate on final passage. Debate continued along the same lines, with opponents emphasizing book removals, First Amendment concerns, and the impact on students and schools, and supporters reiterating that the bill was intended to prevent minors from accessing obscene material. The transcript provided ends during structured debate and does not include the final vote on HB 1119.

Transcript Highlights:

• After evaluating the impact of that amendment, Chairman Dean and I realize that that sort of gets out
• HB 2898 by Frank, relating to requirements for certain meteorological evaluation towers.
• California in 1973, the Supreme Court ruled that a lack of value is evaluated from the lens.
• We evaluate material for pornography. Is that appropriate?
• We evaluate material for pornography standards. Is that appropriate? You asked me two questions.

Summary: The House convened with a quorum, offered an invocation, led the pledges, and approved a series of routine motions, including excusing absent members and granting permission for several committees to meet while the House was in session. Members also adopted several memorial and recognition resolutions, including H.R. 1023 honoring Christian Beerbill, H.R. 1033 recognizing International Bereaved Mother’s Day, and H.R. 877 recognizing Urban League Advocates Day. The House also recommitted SB 17 and HB 4211 to committee and postponed SCR 27 and HB 2145 for later consideration. The chamber then took up a long third-reading calendar of bills covering a wide range of topics, including Sunset review measures, health care workforce and pricing, child custody and family law, Medicaid, rural ambulance grants, energy reporting, public information requests, trail development, virtual meeting disruptions, occupational licensing, protective orders, county leave pools, animal cruelty, infrastructure, and higher education. Most bills were explained briefly by their authors and passed with broad support, though several drew notable opposition, including HB 5265, HB 2402, HB 3000, HB 3237, HB 3326, HB 1056, HB 281, HB 3308, HB 1043, HB 1234, HB 1193, HB 294, HB 809, HB 334, HB 2037, HB 285, HB 1353, HB 3960, HB 4044, HB 4264, HB 2807, HB 3349, HB 4406, HB 1593, HB 1899, HB 1201, and others. Several bills prompted extended debate or amendments. HB 3237, extending public energy-use reporting for state and higher-education buildings, passed after questions about its public-sector-only scope and energy savings. HB 3326, addressing public service loan forgiveness credit for adjunct professors, initially failed on a 69-70 vote but later passed after verification and machine corrections. HB 3211, concerning optometrists in managed care plans, adopted a Buckley amendment before passing. HB 2213 on Texas Windstorm Insurance Association board composition adopted a Metcalf amendment requiring certain board members to be Texas residents. HB 412, dealing with harmful materials and sexual performance of a child, generated extensive questioning about its scope, existing legal standards, and effects on educators and medical professionals; the excerpt ends during that debate.

Transcript Highlights:

• Once again, to begin another session, we just pray that you grant us the judgment, the wisdom, and the
• think it's something that has to be looked at over a period of time to really make a more thorough evaluation

Keywords: 1136, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• We can and should return to a human-centric system of evaluating these potential denials and working
• <01:12:24.960> these human-centric system of evaluating these human-centric system of evaluating
• that prior authorization denials are fair, clinically appropriate, and involve meaningful human judgment
• They are not used to replace clinical judgment, but even the new language may prevent this beneficial
• ,<01:19:53.199> but used to replace clinical judgment, but used to replace clinical judgment

Bills: HF357, HF3389, HF1434, HF2500, HF1606

Keywords: HF357, hasenpfeffer, card games, social skill game, Minnesota gambling law, tournament, contest, prize limit, low-stakes gaming, card game exemption, gambling exemption, cribbage, bridge, euchre, pinochle, Texas hold'em, whist, skat, sheepshead, gin

Transcript Highlights:

• 26:09.679> better this transparency helps them better this transparency helps them better evaluate
• > price<00:26:11.399> policies<00:26:12.399> which<00:26:12.520> can evaluate
• and price policies which can evaluate and price policies which can potentially<00:26:13.279> lead
• happening, they understand the different dynamics that are occurring, and they can make reasoned judgments
• uh within the context reason judgments uh within the context of<00:40:39.720> the<00:40:39.920

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The committee heard testimony on HB 733-FN, a bill concerning third-party litigation financing (TPLF). Representative Cole, the prime sponsor, described TPLF as outside investors funding lawsuits in which they have no personal stake, arguing that the practice is largely unregulated, can involve foreign entities, increases litigation abuse, and contributes to higher insurance and consumer costs. He said the bill is modeled on an NCOIL proposal and would require disclosure of TPLF agreements, with guardrails and reporting requirements on specified pages of the bill. He also noted a couple of drafting fixes, including adding the word “knowingly” and incorporating a missing section later. Members raised questions about the bill’s foreign-entity language, especially the provision allowing a governor or the Department of Safety to designate a country as a threat to critical infrastructure. Representative Cole said he would have lawyers review that issue. Another member asked whether the bill would prohibit a party from obtaining outside funding for a lawsuit; Cole clarified that the bill is intended as a reporting measure, not a ban, and that disclosure would be required. He also said the bill is aimed at American citizens rather than foreign-backed financing, and that some states had considered caps on such arrangements, though this bill does not. Brandon Gratz of the Attorney General’s office testified that the enforcement language appears too limited, because it would allow only civil penalties and not broader Consumer Protection Act remedies such as injunctions or restitution. He suggested the Attorney General may not have meaningful authority under the bill as written and raised possible insurance-law issues. Commissioner D.J. Benton-Court of the Insurance Department said the disclosure could help insurers better assess risk and potentially soften the hard insurance market by improving transparency, competition, underwriting, innovation, and claims management. He also said the bill likely needs further work on jurisdiction and enforcement, and that the committee may need to coordinate with the Attorney General, Insurance Department, and possibly banking regulators. No vote was taken in the portion provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• be clear at the outset that in my role as nonpartisan staff to this committee, I'm not making a judgment
• be clear at the outset that in my role as nonpartisan staff to this committee, I'm not making a judgment
• be clear at the outset that, in my role as nonpartisan staff to this committee, I'm not making a judgment
• be clear at the outset that, in my role as nonpartisan staff to this committee, I'm not making a judgment
• <01:46:07.280> administrative requirements evaluations administrative requirements evaluations

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• evaluation committee the host community agreement between the developer and the municipality.
• Um, every single site, um, every single energy project that went to the site evaluation commission.
• <02:36:36.880> committee tell you the site evaluation committee tell you the site evaluation
• So, um, the site evaluation commission.
• suggesting urgency or moral judgment suggesting urgency or moral judgment rather<03:45:43.760>

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• The confidentiality surrounding his evaluation was not arbitrary.
• So unfortunately, the evaluation was done in, you know, all personnel evaluations are done this way in
• Rothman that evaluation, I was reading from my notes.
• Were those evaluations clear in his mind?
• Were those evaluations clear in his mind as to job well done?

Keywords: 970, all

Transcript Highlights:

• It does not mean that if there is no settlement, or there is no settlement, is no judgment in favor of
• There is no judgment that they are not now, that the lawyer is required to pay.
• This doesn't even count for issues with services. service, or pre-trial, or post-judgment filings.
• Bureaucrats working in the CICP were left to make judgments. calls on a case-by-case basis, according
• They ruled on my property to take my property based off of a void judgment.

Bills: HB 1181, HB3704, HB1363, HB1610, HB1615, HB1620, HB3223, HB1317, HB2884, HB2176, HB4027, HB1664, HB933, HB2613, HB3353, HB2086, HB4101, HB3441, HB4145, HB3455

Keywords: judiciary, judges, justices, retired, legal assignments, judicial conduct, notary public, criminal offense, education requirements, official documents, record retention, implicit bias, bias training, judicial training, judge education, court personnel, continuing legal education, CLE, state bar, Texas Court of Criminal Appeals

Transcript Highlights:

• The security, yes, is regulated by the Nuclear Regulatory Commission, so they have to come in and evaluate
• The security, yes, is regulated by the Nuclear Regulatory Commission, so they have to come in and evaluate
• And the federal government has this thing called the judgment fund.
• If the government gets sued, the money just comes out of the judgment fund.
• Wouldn't it be great if we all had a judgment fund?

Keywords: 908, all

Transcript Highlights:

• It requires coverage for evaluation, imaging, clinical examination, and dental extractions that are medically
• The lack of coverage for these dental evaluations slows access to care.
• And then just from the dentistry side, I'm not a dentist, but I will say these dental clearance evaluations
• But I will say these dental clearance evaluations, any extractions that need to be done, these are basic
• for cancellation of an appointment if the bail bond producer fails to satisfy all forfeitures and judgments

Summary: The House Insurance Committee met on May 19 and first took up Senate Bill 509 on bank-owned life insurance. The bill would clarify that banks retain an insurable interest in former employees for purposes of exchanging underperforming bank-owned life insurance policies for better-performing ones. Members adopted a revised amendment set after withdrawing a prior version. Testimony focused heavily on whether consent from the insured former employee is required for any transfer or exchange, with supporters saying the bill is needed to address underperforming policies and opponents warning about unclear consent standards, data-transfer concerns, litigation risk, and possible federal tax issues. After debate, the committee reported SB 509 as amended by a 7-4 vote. The committee then heard Senate Bill 295, which requires health insurance coverage for medically necessary treatment for persons with acquired brain injuries, including cognitive rehabilitation and related services. Supporters from the Brain Injury Association of Louisiana and NeuroRestorative described gaps in post-acute care, high rates of discharge to unsafe home settings or nursing homes, and improved return-to-work outcomes when patients receive appropriate rehabilitation. An amendment was adopted to clarify federal essential health benefit limits and remove certain language, reducing the fiscal note to zero. The bill was then reported as amended without objection. Next, the committee considered Senate Bill 155, which requires coverage for medically necessary dental procedures needed for cancer treatment clearance, such as exams, imaging, and extractions. Cancer advocates, oncologists, and dental representatives said untreated dental problems can delay chemotherapy or radiation and lead to worse outcomes and higher costs. Cleanup amendments were adopted, and the bill was reported as amended. The committee also advanced Senate Bill 465, which tightens prompt-payment deadlines for health insurers, adds pharmacy payment provisions, and creates a recoupment timeline for dental claims; after technical and substantive amendments, it was reported as amended. Finally, the committee approved Senate Bill 276, creating a pre-appointment affidavit process for bail bond producers to ensure prior premiums, shortages, and forfeitures are resolved before a new insurer appointment, and House Resolution 260, which urges the Department of Insurance to study how out-of-network medical billing affects auto insurance rates. Both measures were reported favorably or as amended, and the committee adjourned after a motion to do so.

Transcript Highlights:

• So if the individual wanted to evaluate what those supplemental activities or materials would be as part
• So the judgment would rest with the individual as to whether they would like to engage and take advantage
• the opportunity to review information the same way that you and I and everyone else does when they evaluate
• the opportunity to review information the same way that you and I and everyone else does when they evaluate
• I'd be open to evaluating the two states you mentioned and that option, Leader, and happy to continue

Bills: S0052, S0502, S0624, S0758, S0834, S0840

Keywords: places of worship, house of worship, church, mosque, synagogue, religious security, armed security, volunteer security, private security, security guard licensing, licensure exemption, Florida Statutes chapter 493, Class G license, Class C license, security services, faith-based institutions, public safety, military jurisdiction, delinquency, concurrent jurisdiction

Summary: The committee considered several bills and reported each favorably. SB 624, by Senator Yarborough, would allow batterers intervention programs to offer optional supplemental faith-based activities, with no participant required to take part. Supporters said it would expand provider options and help address a shortage of certified programs; opponents raised concerns about mixing government-ordered programming with religion and about the state’s prior rule change. The bill passed 7-2. The committee also approved CS/SB 834, which repeals a 2022 restriction barring licensed insurance agents from partnering with health care sharing ministries to market or sell their programs. The sponsor and supporters argued the bill restores free speech, consumer choice, and access to faith-based alternatives, while opponents warned about consumer confusion, higher commissions, and weak protections because these ministries are not insurance. After extended debate, the measure passed 8-2. Other measures advanced unanimously or near-unanimously. CS/SB 502, as amended, would give Florida concurrent jurisdiction over certain juvenile offenses on military installations so juveniles can be handled in the state system; it passed 9-0. CS/SB 52 would exempt volunteer armed security for houses of worship from Class D or G licensing requirements, and supporters cited rising threats to churches and the need for organized volunteer security; it passed 9-0. SB 840, a cleanup bill to narrow and clarify last year’s emergency-related land-use restrictions after hurricanes, also passed 9-0, and CS/SB 758, which updates the membership of the Justice Administration Commission, passed 9-0 after an amendment restoring two public defenders to the commission.

Transcript Highlights:

• The prosecutor then presents that to the court, and I think the court makes that judgment based on the
• language, and then everything else in here is based on the court's judgment.
• . here is based on the court's judgment.
• the defendants of like I'm evaluating the defendants of like I'm evaluating whether<01:07:18.480
• conviction establishing judgment of conviction establishing criminal<03:15:05.439> responsibility

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• each of those evaluations.
• The two other programs that my husband and I evaluated—one was 35% higher.
• And then, again, that $1,000 per evaluation will add some more.
• So, and then there is a timeline associated with the evaluation.
• So, and then there is a timeline associated with the evaluation.

Keywords: 1184, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• To age three, we evaluate around 900 kiddos a year through that department and have a rotating caseload
• We provide support with evaluations and mentoring. Teachers.
• They conduct evaluations for districts to help identify what assistive technology would be the most proficient
• can live with, but AI you cannot because if they're going to regulate and they're going to give judgments