Video & Transcript : 'skilled labor' :
Page 483 of 500
MA
Massachusetts 2025-2026 Regular Session
Joint Committee on Agriculture and Fisheries Jun 21st, 2026 at 01:00 pm
Joint Committee on Agriculture and Fisheries
Transcript Highlights:
- we are able to empower young people like Vedan to gain access to and expand these networks, build skills
Summary:
The Joint Committee on Agriculture and Fisheries held its second hearing and heard testimony on a wide range of bills, including food security, cottage food entrepreneurship, hemp regulation, lobster industry support, pesticide restrictions, pollinator protections, pet cemeteries, and municipal land rights. Committee chairs outlined hearing procedures, noted that 19 bills were on the docket, and took testimony both in person and remotely, with several legislators testifying out of turn because of scheduling conflicts.
Several speakers supported food access and local economic opportunity bills. Representative Howard and Senator Oliveira backed the Food Justice Frontline Program and a cottage food/food entrepreneur bill, arguing they would fund nonprofit food security organizations, create jobs, improve SNAP/HIP outreach, and reduce barriers for home-based food businesses. Eastie Farm representatives and a student testified in favor of the food justice bill, describing food insecurity in East Boston and the need for grants, youth involvement, and multilingual outreach. Sidney Travis of the Institute for Justice also supported cottage food reforms, saying current municipal permitting rules create unequal access and that cottage foods are generally safe.
The committee also heard sharply divided testimony on hemp legislation. Senator Comerford supported S. 54 as a public health measure to ban synthetic THC products, restrict intoxicating hemp sales to licensed dispensaries, and fund local enforcement, while Laura Beiner, John Nathan, and Elizabeth Wendorf opposed the bill or parts of it, warning it would harm compliant hemp businesses and small farmers. Representative Arena-DeRosa testified in support of a related pollinator bill, and Adam Karachi opposed pesticide restrictions for schools while Deborah Smith supported them, arguing existing protections should be expanded to other child-centered locations. The committee also heard support for a bill to aid lobstermen affected by right whale protections, a bill to preserve private pet cemeteries, and a municipal right-of-first-refusal bill for agricultural and recreational land. No votes or final actions were taken during the hearing.
MA
Massachusetts 2025-2026 Regular Session
Senate Session (Full Formal with Calendar) Jun 21st, 2026 at 11:00 am
Massachusetts Senate Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- can go to school during the day, and as part of this program, they get some very great life and job skills
Summary:
The Senate considered a supplemental appropriations bill and a series of amendments focused on education, health, transportation, tax administration, and oversight. Senator Kennedy spoke in support of increasing funding for DTA caseworkers to improve SNAP access and reduce delays, but then withdrew the amendment by unanimous consent. Senator O’Connor’s amendment adding $500,000 for Free Period to provide free menstrual products in public schools was adopted, as was Senator Miranda’s $1 million METCO transportation and student support amendment. Senator Collins briefly proposed extending paid family and medical leave and unemployment insurance coverage to graduate student workers, but withdrew that amendment for later discussion.
Several amendments were debated and either adopted or rejected. Senator Tarr’s proposal to create oversight of the Group Insurance Commission and fund an Inspector General review was defeated after opposition argued existing oversight was sufficient. Tarr also offered amendments on MBTA deficiency fund withdrawals and on requiring 90 days’ notice before state tax code decoupling changes; both were rejected after standing votes. Senator Driscoll’s amendment for Randolph Public Schools restroom improvements was adopted, while his veterans student loan forgiveness amendment was withdrawn. Additional amendments were adopted for Bridgewater Middle School water filtration, Uffum’s Corner Health Center, and NeighborHealth’s pharmacy technician training program for local high school students.
A major discussion centered on school funding and enrollment declines. Senator DiDomenico withdrew an amendment that would have provided $100 million to address Chapter 70 funding losses tied to enrollment drops, but he and Senator Collins used the floor to argue that districts facing declining enrollment and rising costs need a broader state response. The Senate also adopted a new draft of the supplemental budget and then passed the bill to be engrossed by a roll call vote, with 35 members in the affirmative and 4 in the negative. The chamber then adjourned to meet again Monday, and did so in memory of Arthur H. Tobin, a former Quincy mayor, state legislator, and clerk magistrate.
MA
Massachusetts 2025-2026 Regular Session
Senate Session (Full Formal with Calendar) Jun 21st, 2026 at 11:00 am
Massachusetts Senate Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- She is survived by her dear sisters, Joan Lane, spouse of the late Chuck of Bradford, and Roberta Skilling
Summary:
The Senate considered a fiscal year 2025 close-out supplemental appropriations bill and a series of amendments, many of which were withdrawn, adopted, or rejected. Early debate focused heavily on funding for the 2026 FIFA World Cup in Massachusetts, with Senators O’Connor and Feeney arguing for restoring money for transportation, safety, and event readiness, citing projected ridership surges, economic benefits, and the need for Boston and the Commonwealth to invest. Senator Driscoll also won adoption of an amendment directing the MBTA to study and report on its local assessment formula, using Milton and Quincy as examples of perceived inequities in how communities are charged relative to service received.
The Senate then took up several other amendments, including measures on fire survivor support, vaccine liability, mental health and sidewalk projects, council on aging and public safety items, disaster relief, service dogs, and MBTA assessments. Senator Tarr offered amendments on driver record transparency and energy cost reporting, but those were not adopted. A major roll-call vote rejected Tarr’s amendment to restore a larger share of excess capital gains to the stabilization fund; supporters argued for stronger rainy day reserves, while the Ways and Means chair defended the bill’s use of a deficiency reserve fund and warned of revenue losses from federal tax changes. The Senate also adopted an amendment on shelter and Home Base spending transparency, requiring renewed reporting on emergency shelter and housing assistance programs.
Later, the chamber adopted Senator Edwards’ amendment creating a Massachusetts Federal Employee and Service Member Civil Relief Act to protect federal workers and service members in the event of a shutdown, including relief from eviction and foreclosure-related harms. The Senate also adopted Senator Rodrigues’s Ways and Means amendment, then approved the underlying supplemental budget as amended and ordered it to third reading. After the final roll call, the bill was passed to be engrossed by a 39-0 vote. The Senate concluded by agreeing to adjourn and by honoring Mrs. Anne Lee in memory, with a brief communication from Senator Cyr noting a prior remote-vote error for the journal.
MA
Massachusetts 2025-2026 Regular Session
Senate Session (Full Formal with Calendar) Jun 21st, 2026 at 10:30 am
Massachusetts Senate Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- Thank you to our amazing attorneys for all that you do, your patience, your legal skills, and your ability
Summary:
The Senate met on the FY27 budget and began with several ceremonial introductions and brief amendment withdrawals. Senator Collins withdrew amendments related to restoring DCF social worker funding and educator pay. The chamber then ruled a package of tax-related amendments offered by Senator Tarr out of order on constitutional grounds, finding they would create money-bill provisions that must originate in the House; the Senate upheld that ruling by a vote of 35-4. Senator Tarr later offered amendments on a gas tax suspension and related tax relief themes, but those were not adopted.
The Senate considered and rejected several other amendments, including proposals on commemorating Commonwealth history, naming a bridge, repeat offenders, and no-cost calls. One amendment by Senator Fattman to extend domestic violence leave protections to contract employees was adopted unanimously, with 39 votes in favor and none opposed. The chamber also adopted an amendment creating a special commission to study the adequacy, reliability, and distribution of unrestricted general government aid (UGA), after extended debate about inequities in municipal aid and local budget pressures. Members from across the chamber supported the commission, while some emphasized that adequacy of funding, not just redistribution, remains a concern.
The Senate then took up Chapter 90, passing the municipal roads and bridges bill to be engrossed. It also adopted a community programming amendment and a Senate Ways and Means amendment, then adopted the Ways and Means budget amendment as amended and ordered the underlying FY27 appropriations bill to a third reading. After lengthy closing remarks from the Ways and Means chair, minority leader, and the Senate President praising the budget process and highlighting investments in local aid, education, public safety, and other priorities, the Senate voted 40-0 to pass the FY27 budget bill to be engrossed. The chamber then adopted an order to reconvene the following Tuesday at 11 a.m. and adjourned in memory of Trooper Kevin Thomas Traynor.
MA
Massachusetts 2025-2026 Regular Session
Senate Session (Full Formal with Calendar) May 21st, 2026
Massachusetts Senate Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- Thank you to our amazing attorneys for all that you do, your patience, your legal skills, and your ability
Summary:
The Senate continued debate on the FY27 state budget, with several distinguished introductions and a series of amendment actions. Early amendments from Senator Collins on restoring DCF social worker funding and educator pay were withdrawn without objection. The Chair then sustained a point of order that a group of tax-related amendments, including proposals on teacher tax relief, tips, overtime, estate tax, and income tax rates, were out of order because they would create money bills that must originate in the House; the Senate voted 35-4 to uphold that ruling. Senator Tarr’s gas tax suspension amendment and several other amendments were defeated, while Senator Fattman’s amendment extending domestic violence leave protections to contract employees was adopted unanimously, 39-0. The Senate also adopted Senator Fernandes’ amendment creating a commission to study the adequacy, reliability, and distribution of unrestricted general government aid (UGA), after debate focused on inequities in local aid distribution and the need for a modern formula.
The chamber then took up House No. 5375, the Chapter 90 municipal roads and bridges bill, and passed it to be engrossed. Additional amendments were considered on the budget, including a community programming amendment and a Senate Ways and Means amendment, both adopted, after which the Ways and Means amendment as amended was adopted and the underlying budget was ordered to a third reading. The Senate also handled several procedural matters, including concurrence in a House referral for a bill on poverty-related legislation and ordering a sick leave bank bill for Carla Johnson to a third reading.
After extensive closing remarks from the Ways and Means chair, minority leader, and others praising the collaborative budget process and highlighting investments in local aid, education, public safety, and other priorities, the Senate voted on final passage of House No. 5501, the FY27 appropriations bill. The roll call showed 40-0 in favor, and the bill was passed to be engrossed. The Senate then adopted an order to reconvene the following Tuesday at 11 a.m. and adjourned in memory of Trooper Kevin Thomas Traynor.
MA
Massachusetts 2025-2026 Regular Session
Senate Session (Full Formal with Calendar) May 21st, 2026
Massachusetts Senate Floor Meeting
OK
Transcript Highlights:
- has a history in telecommunications through his entire life, strong entrepreneurial professional skills
Committee:
Senate Rules
Keywords:
emergency management, severe weather, youth camp, summer camp, overnight camp, day camp, outdoor education, adventure camp, wilderness program, campground safety, tornado preparedness, flooding, flash flood, high winds, hail, lightning, extreme heat, extreme cold, wildfire smoke, evacuation plan
MA
Massachusetts 2025-2026 Regular Session
Senate Session (Full Formal with Calendar) Apr 9th, 2026
Massachusetts Senate Floor Meeting
OK
Oklahoma 2026 Regular Session
Senate Legislative Session Mar 5th, 2026
Oklahoma Senate Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- If I am using my math skills correctly, this would mean the assessed value of this property is probably
Bills:
SB2102 , SB1940 , SB1625 , SB1442 , SB1623 , SB1242 , SB1949 , SB1592 , SB1913 , SB592 , SB992 , SB1241 , SB259 , SB1928 , SB1426 , SB1531 , SB1561 , SB1122
Keywords:
credit card fees, merchant discounts, payment card network, interchange fees, transparency in fees, Oklahoma law, payment card, rebate, merchant, tax compliance, health insurance, mandate, impact analysis, insurance department, public health, access to healthcare, SB1442, alcoholic beverage control, ABLE Commission, liquor license fees
Summary:
The Senate convened with prayer, roll call, and several floor and gallery introductions recognizing the Doctor of the Day, Nurse of the Day, Mid-America Christian University, the Oklahoma Truckers Association, Leadership Wagoner County, the Broken Arrow Chamber, and an intern. The chamber then took up several bills in general order. Senate Bill 1426, requested by the Department of Human Services, would limit referrals to district attorneys to substantiated findings of abuse of vulnerable adults; it passed unanimously, 44-0.
Senate Bill 1531 was presented as a placeholder vehicle for possible future FAA action on drones and unmanned aircraft, with questions focused on why the bill was being kept open and what language might later be added. It passed 33-12. Senate Bill 1561 would allow EMTs to be subject to progressive discipline for drug or other violations instead of automatic license revocation; it passed 46-0.
The most extensive debate centered on Senate Bill 1122, which lowers the ad valorem assessment rate for broadband providers from 22.85% to 15% and was described by supporters as a way to create parity, encourage broadband expansion, and keep providers investing in rural Oklahoma. Opponents argued it would give a tax break to large legacy broadband companies, reduce county revenue by an estimated $20 million, and do little for homeowners, farmers, or other taxpayers facing property tax pressure. After extended questioning and debate, the bill passed 28-19. The Senate also laid over SB 1555, heard announcements, and adjourned until Monday, March 9 at 1:30 p.m.
MO
Transcript Highlights:
- We're a nonprofit that helps survivors of military sexual trauma via therapies, coping skills, and camaraderie
Committee:
House Veterans and Armed Forces
Summary:
The committee met with a quorum and first went into executive session, where it adopted committee substitutes and voted do pass on House Bills 383, 2940, and 1869 by unanimous roll-call votes. The chair then moved to public hearings and announced shortened testimony times because of the late hour.
A large portion of the hearing focused on several nearly identical proposals to provide property tax relief to disabled veterans and, in some versions, surviving spouses. Representatives Jobe, Crosley, Bolerking, Schmidt, and Jones described different approaches: tiered exemptions based on VA disability ratings, homestead-based exemptions, county opt-in or opt-out provisions, sunsets, and in some bills relief tied to assessed value or personal property/vehicle taxes. Committee members raised questions about acreage limits, transfer of benefits to new residences, remarriage of surviving spouses, annual recertification, and whether counties should have discretion. Several witnesses in favor, including veterans and veterans’ advocates, urged broader eligibility, especially for 100% permanent and total veterans and those with individual unemployability, and argued the benefit would help veterans remain in Missouri. A public advocate opposed the bills on fiscal grounds, citing large projected costs to local governments, school districts, and state funds.
The committee also heard testimony from veterans and advocates on the importance of recognizing spouses and families, and on the need to avoid burdensome county administration. Representative Schmidt presented two related bills, one offering a percentage-based property tax discount and another creating a homestead tax credit with county participation and a market-value cap; members discussed combining the measures and revising sunset and spouse language. Representative Jones presented bills extending relief to 100% disabled veterans and to personal property/vehicles, emphasizing that counties could opt in and that the credit should not shift costs to other taxpayers. The hearing ended before the final witness finished, and the committee adjourned.
MO
Transcript Highlights:
- We're a nonprofit that helps survivors of military sexual trauma via therapies, coping skills, and camaraderie
Committee:
House Veterans and Armed Forces
WA
Washington 2025-2026 Regular Session
Senate Health & Long-Term Care Feb 20th, 2026 at 08:00 am
Health & Long-Term Care
Transcript Highlights:
- This would come right after bed license fees for both the skilled nursing facility and assisted living
Committee:
Senate Health & Long-Term Care
FL
Florida 2026 5th Special Session
Appropriations Committee on Criminal and Civil Justice Feb 18th, 2026
Transcript Highlights:
- This bill, excuse me, this bill presented today reaffirms our commitment to our clerks and the skilled
Summary:
The Appropriations Committee on Criminal and Civil Justice met with a quorum and took up several bills before returning to the budget and public testimony. CS/SB 600 on bail bonds was explained as revising bail bond agent training, limiting solicitation, clarifying partial release procedures, and directing clerks to automatically discharge certain bonds when detention is ordered; an amendment adjusted cash bond return rules, charitable bail fund treatment, forfeiture remission timing, and clerk procedures. The bill and amendments were adopted, and CS/SB 600 was reported favorably after supportive appearances from clerks and industry stakeholders.
The committee then approved CS/SB 436 on felony battery, which expands qualifying prior offenses for felony reclassification and adds felony battery resulting in bodily injury to prison release offender status, after a technical amendment and supportive testimony from law enforcement. CS/SB 928, known as Missy’s Law, requiring immediate remand to custody upon conviction of dangerous crimes, drew both support and opposition; defense lawyers warned of unintended effects on co-defendants and docket management, while the victim’s family supported the measure. The bill was reported favorably. CS/SB 1332 on career offender registration, requiring more frequent in-person registration and stricter reporting, also passed favorably.
The committee next approved a substitute amendment and then CS/SB 682 on violent criminal offenses, which strengthens domestic violence penalties, electronic monitoring, injunction protections, and related procedures, including military protective orders and body camera use. CS/SB 1072 creating an anti-Semitism task force in the Attorney General’s Office was reported favorably after extensive public debate over definitions, free speech concerns, and representation on the task force; the sponsor said the bill does not criminalize criticism of Israel but addresses threats and intimidation. CS/CS/SB 532 on clerks of the court was also approved, authorizing clerks to retain more revenue and, through amendment, clarifying foreclosure sale procedures and clerk administration of judicial sales.
Finally, the committee heard the criminal and civil justice budget overview, described as a $7.9 billion proposal focused on corrections, juvenile justice, law enforcement, and courts. Public testimony centered heavily on prison conditions, staffing, heat, infrastructure, and inmate care, with speakers urging higher pay, better transparency, and more investment in facilities and air conditioning. The chair announced that SB 1632 and its conforming bill would be temporarily postponed and read into the record the many registered supporters and opponents. The committee then adjourned.
FL
Florida 2026 Regular Session
Appropriations Committee on Criminal and Civil Justice Feb 18th, 2026
Appropriations Committee on Criminal and Civil Justice
Transcript Highlights:
- This bill presented today reaffirms our commitment to our clerks and the skilled public service professionals
Keywords:
foreclosure, court clerks, budget management, judicial sales, Florida statutes, bail bonds, pretrial release, forfeiture, criminal justice, bond conditions, surety, attorney fees, litigation costs, court jurisdiction, equitable awards, financial resources, domestic violence, protective injunctions, electronic monitoring, enhanced penalties
Summary:
The Appropriations Committee on Criminal and Civil Justice met to consider several criminal justice and court-related bills, along with the committee’s proposed $7.9 billion budget. The committee first heard and approved CS/SB 600 on bail bonds, as amended to adjust solicitation, cash bond return, forfeiture remission timing, and clerk procedures; CS/SB 436 on felony battery, which expands qualifying prior offenses and was amended to correct a drafting issue; CS/SB 928, “Missy’s Law,” requiring immediate remand to custody after conviction for dangerous crimes; SB 1332 on career offender registration, adding in-person reporting, more detailed registration requirements, and stronger penalties for noncompliance; and CS/SB 682 on violent criminal offenses, a domestic violence measure adopted via a substitute amendment that adds stricter penalties, electronic monitoring, injunction protections, and related procedures. All of those bills were reported favorably.
The committee also approved SB 1072 creating an anti-Semitism task force in the Attorney General’s Office. The bill drew extensive public testimony both for and against, with supporters emphasizing rising anti-Semitic incidents and the need for statewide review, and opponents raising concerns about free speech, the definition of anti-Semitism, and possible conflation of criticism of Israel with hate speech. Senators also discussed the bill’s scope and the IHRA definition before it was reported favorably. In addition, CS/SB 532 on clerks of court was amended to clarify foreclosure sale procedures and funding predictability for clerks, then reported favorably. CS/SB 644 on attorney’s fees, suit money, and costs was also approved after amendments that aligned family-law fee provisions and codified standards for fee awards in dissolution and paternity cases; the sponsor said the bill was intended to curb vexatious litigation and improve consistency across districts.
After the bill actions, the chair summarized the criminal and civil justice budget, describing it as a disciplined proposal that addresses corrections deficits and future inmate growth while funding core public safety needs. The committee then heard substantial public testimony on prison conditions, staffing, pay, heat, infrastructure, and the possibility of reducing prison populations or adding air conditioning in facilities. The chair announced that SB 1632 and its conforming bill SB 1634 would be temporarily postponed to the following week, and the record was supplemented with the names of many people who had registered to speak for or against those bills. The meeting concluded after members were invited to record votes and the committee adjourned.
AR
Arkansas 2026 Regular Session
EDUCATION- HOUSE EARLY CHILDHOOD SUBCOMMITTEE Feb 17th, 2026
EDUCATION- HOUSE EARLY CHILDHOOD SUBCOMMITTEE
Transcript Highlights:
- impact that it can have on that child because that's where all of those pre-literacy foundational skills
Summary:
The committee met to review early childhood education funding, access, and program sustainability, with Secretary Aleva and Director Ashland Abney providing updates on Arkansas’s ABC state-funded preschool program and the federal CCDF/SRA program. Members discussed the long-standing flat funding for ABC, which rose from $11 million to $14 million in 2018, compared with roughly $137 million in federal CCDF/SRA funding. Officials said ABC serves about 23,000 children, while SRA serves about 14,871 children and has a wait list of about 2,971 children. Members also asked for more data on rural versus urban access, provider types, and the number of slots and providers by region.
A major topic was how to improve quality and access while aligning early childhood with K-12. Officials said the department is moving from the Better Beginnings environmental rating system toward CLASS observations, using local leads and a kindergarten-readiness strategy tied to quality improvement. Members raised concerns about deserts and islands in service availability, the cost of school-based versus community-based providers, and the need to support infant-toddler care as well as preschool. The commissioner said early learning should be part of long-term state education investment, but that simply adding money would not solve access gaps without broader structural changes.
The committee also discussed recent funding changes and their effects on providers and families. Officials said a $14.741 million PDG-BFV competitive grant will support systems-building work, including local leads, workforce, data systems, and third-party CLASS observations, but it is a one-year grant and not direct service funding. Members questioned the impact of new co-pays, provider closures, and slot reallocations; officials said eight closures were tied specifically to funding changes, and that paying only for enrolled children rather than allocated slots saved about $576,000. They also discussed dual enrollment in home visiting and ABC, with officials estimating that limiting double enrollment could save about $2.4 million and potentially serve about 470 more children. The meeting ended with agreement to continue regular updates and further discussion, and the committee adjourned without a vote on legislation.
AR
Arkansas 2026 Regular Session
EDUCATION- HOUSE EARLY CHILDHOOD SUBCOMMITTEE Feb 17th, 2026
EDUCATION- HOUSE EARLY CHILDHOOD SUBCOMMITTEE
Transcript Highlights:
- impact that it can have on that child because that's where all of those pre-literacy foundational skills
MA
Massachusetts 2025-2026 Regular Session
Joint Committee on Education Feb 10th, 2026
Joint Committee on Education
Transcript Highlights:
- that will prepare them to lead lives they love, practicing with peers who are different from them, a skill
Committee:
Joint Joint Committee on Education
Summary:
The Joint Committee on Education held a hearing on two late-file bills. H. 4867, relative to school choice, drew testimony from leaders, parents, and educators in Hancock, Warwick, Richmond, and Worthington, who said DESE’s interpretation of Chapter 76, Section 12B(k) requires small districts without high schools to pay secondary tuition for nonresident school choice students after they leave the elementary grades. Witnesses said the resulting gap between the $5,000 school choice payment and high school tuition of roughly $13,000 to $18,000 per student has forced some districts to stop accepting school choice students, hurting class sizes, budgets, and rural families’ access to local schools. Committee members questioned how the current rule works, whether students have home high schools to return to, and whether a broader statutory fix could address all districts without secondary programs; testimony indicated the affected districts are a small number of rural communities, with some others having found alternative arrangements. Representative Barrett described the bill as a general solution to an issue that had gone unenforced for years, and the hearing ended with testimony closed on the bill.
The committee also heard H. 4927, relative to protecting access to applied behavior analysis (ABA). Educators and ABA providers testified that the bill would clarify that qualified ABA providers, including BCBAs and RBTs, may deliver services in schools while preserving school safety and operational rules. They argued that better access to ABA would help students with autism make progress on IEP goals, remain in the least restrictive environment, and reduce conflicts between families and districts. A parent described repeated delays in getting promised supports for her young son and said the bill would help ensure follow-through and accountability. The committee then closed testimony on H. 4927 and adjourned after a motion and second.
MO
Transcript Highlights:
- , when we talk about the original language was a witness who was qualified as expert by knowledge, skill
Committee:
House Judiciary
MO
Missouri 2026 Regular Session
Judiciary Feb 4th, 2026
Judiciary and Civil and Criminal Jurisprudence
Transcript Highlights:
- , ...when we talk about the original language, a witness who was qualified as expert by knowledge, skill
Summary:
The Judiciary Committee first heard House Bill 2255, sponsored by Rep. Barry Hovis, which would update Missouri’s expert witness statute to align with the amended federal Rule 702 and the Daubert reliability framework. Supporters, including defense lawyers, the Missouri Hospital Association, business groups, insurers, and a sterilization company, argued the bill would clarify judges’ gatekeeping role, require expert testimony to be shown reliable by a preponderance of the evidence, and reduce inconsistent rulings and costly retrials. Opponents, including the Missouri Association of Trial Attorneys, a public advocate, and a justice reform group, argued the bill was unnecessary, would shift too much discretion from juries to judges, and could increase pretrial litigation and costs, especially for plaintiffs. No vote was taken on HB 2255 during the hearing.
The committee then heard House Bill 3155, sponsored by Rep. Benny Cook, on sentencing and parole eligibility changes. Cook and supporters, including prosecutors and some public safety advocates, said the bill would improve transparency in sentencing, make parole timing clearer, and help address repeat serious offenders by setting firmer service percentages. Opponents, including justice reform and anti-poverty advocates, argued it would increase incarceration costs, especially for lower-level and drug offenses, without improving public safety, and would reduce incentives for rehabilitation. Some members questioned whether the bill could lead to longer time served, while supporters said it would apply evenly and clarify existing sentencing practices.
At the end of the hearing, the committee took up an executive session on House Bill 2637 and House Bill 3155 together under a House Committee Substitute. The substitute was adopted, and the combined committee substitute for HB 2637 and HB 3155 was voted do pass by an 8-3 roll call.
NM
Transcript Highlights:
- to think hard on how you're going to do this because you can get creative and you Got to have the skill
Bills:
SB2
Committee:
Senate Senate Finance
Keywords:
SB 2, State Highway Project Bonds, highway funding, transportation bonds, state road fund, motor vehicle fees, vehicle registration fees, electric vehicle fee, EV surcharge, plug-in hybrid fee, weight distance tax, road construction, infrastructure financing, Department of Transportation, State Transportation Commission, bonding authority, county road funds, municipal road funds, transportation improvement program, state highways