Transcript Highlights:

• And again, I want to thank everyone and ask everyone to please support ACR 191.
• I also rise in strong support of ACR 191.
• I also rise in strong support of ACR 191.
• First of all, let me let you know I am rising in strong support.
• Please support ACR 191.

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Mark Figenbaum with the Missouri Farm Bureau, testifying in support of this bill.
• We are here in support of this legislation.
• We appreciate Representative Riggs' efforts on this issue, and we are in support.
• You know, at the end of the day, we are in support of private property rights.
• We'd also like to go on record in support of this legislation.

Committee: House Special Committee on Rural Issues

Summary: The Special Committee on Rural Issues met with a quorum and heard testimony on several measures focused on agriculture, broadband, public health administration, and utility eminent domain. Senate Substitute for Senate Committee Substitute for Senate Bill 1383, sponsored by Senator Barbara Washington, would expand a DESE agricultural education pilot program from 20 schools to allow voluntary K-12 agriculture curriculum statewide. Washington said the bill builds on a successful pilot and is intended to help students understand agriculture as a STEM field and broader community issue. Missouri Farm Bureau, Missouri N.A., Missouri Corn Growers Association, Missouri Soybean Association, Missouri Cattlemen’s Association, and Missouri Pork Association all testified in support; there was no opposition, and the hearing closed without a vote. The committee also heard House Concurrent Resolution 38 from Representative Louis Riggs, which urges that Missouri’s broadband funding remain in the state and be used for deployment. Riggs said Missouri received $1.7 billion in broadband funding but that more than half had been cut or left uncertain, and he argued the money should stay in Missouri to bridge the digital divide. Missouri Farm Bureau and Missouri Electric Cooperatives supported the resolution, and there was no opposition testimony. The committee then heard House Bill 1699 from Representative Maisie Christensen, a constituent-driven bill to clarify when county health officers/directors’ authority ends if they are not reappointed. Christensen explained the bill addresses ambiguity in older statutes governing different county public health structures; no witnesses testified for or against the bill. Finally, the committee heard House Bill 2169 from Representative Brad Pollitt, which would bar electrical corporations from using eminent domain for wind or solar generation facilities while still allowing grid connection. Pollitt and Farm Bureau argued the bill closes a loophole and protects landowners from having property taken for large renewable projects; Missouri Soybean Association and Missouri Corn Growers Association also supported the measure. Ameren testified for informational purposes only, saying it has no plans to use eminent domain for wind or solar and appreciates the grid-connection language. Several members debated whether the bill should also address nuclear energy or broader utility siting concerns, and one witness noted transmission and battery-storage limitations as reasons renewable projects are not built everywhere. The hearing on HB 2169 closed with no vote taken.

Transcript Highlights:

• As mentioned, this compact is supported and started as...
• Yeah, I think I support this bill.
• This is a good piece of legislation, and I urge the body to support it. Okay.
• I speak in support of this legislation. Thank you for your testimony.
• We support our partners in health care.

Committee: House Professional Registration and Licensing

Summary: The committee first met in executive session on Senate Substitute No. 2 for Senate Bill 1233. Members adopted several amendments, including language allowing the Boards of Therapeutic Massage and Chiropractors to seek emergency suspension of licenses when there are criminal indictments or charges that could harm citizens; extending the RX CARES for Missouri prescription drug abuse prevention program by removing its sunset; updating pharmacy distributor licensing language to reflect national licensing practices; clarifying pharmacist immunization authority, including RSV immunizations and board oversight for future immunizations; allowing certain long-term care facility employees to administer additional subcutaneous medications; and adopting agreed-upon language related to interior designers. The committee then rolled those amendments into a committee substitute and voted the bill do pass by a 16-1 roll call vote. The committee then heard House Bills 2618 and 2644, which would join Missouri to the Respiratory Care Interstate Compact. The bill sponsors said the compact would improve licensure portability for respiratory therapists, help address workforce shortages, and allow Missouri to be among the first states shaping the compact’s commission. Supporters, including respiratory therapists, a hospital association representative, a student and military spouse, and a nursing association representative, said the compact would speed access to qualified therapists, aid rural and hospital care, help during emergencies like COVID-19, and benefit military families. Several witnesses emphasized that participating states would still retain their own licensing standards and scope-of-practice authority. Opponents argued that the compact would surrender state sovereignty to an unformed commission, create a “blank check” before the rules are written, and potentially allow rules to supersede state law. They also raised constitutional concerns about interstate compacts and questioned whether a reciprocal licensing approach would be preferable. Committee members asked about sovereignty, the legal basis for compacts, and whether Missouri could preserve its standards; sponsors and supporters responded that the compact would not remove state authority and that Missouri could still require its own standards. The hearing concluded without a vote on the respiratory compact bills.

Transcript Highlights:

• Strong support of House Joint Memorial 11.
• We help families access mental health support. We support early learning and after-school programs.
• They ask whether their kids are safe, fed, supported, and learning.
• State support can turn intention into reality. State support can turn intention into reality.
• They support us. They welcome us.

Committee: Senate Education

Keywords: 989, all

Transcript Highlights:

• He's made an effort now to support other veterans.
• Counties were not providing the level of support for public defense that was necessary.
• The act also directly supports the Supremacy Clause of the Constitution by supporting the mandate that
• People are free to practice whatever they wish to practice, and I wholeheartedly support that.
• , I would posit that this bill strongly supports freedom of religion.

Summary: The Senate Judiciary and Rules Committee first considered the gubernatorial appointment and reappointment of Alan Kavanaugh to the Pardons and Parole Commission, but no vote was taken at this meeting. Kavanaugh, a longtime law enforcement officer, described his approach as conservative on parole, strongly victim-focused, and centered on public safety, fair hearings, and helping people succeed after release. Senators asked about workload, decision-making, and successful outcomes; Kavanaugh highlighted a veteran who used parole to rebuild his life and support other veterans, and he also praised a work-release program in eastern Idaho as a model for reducing recidivism and increasing employment. Members expressed support for the commission’s work and noted the importance of adequate funding, but deferred the appointment vote to the next meeting. Eric Fredrickson, the Idaho State Public Defender, then gave an update on the statewide public defense system. He reviewed the history of public defense reform in Idaho, the creation of the State Public Defender office, and the transition from county-based to state-based operations. Fredrickson said the office faced a difficult rollout in October 2024, including a backlog of more than 1,300 cases and staff departures, but that the system has since stabilized. He reported that increased funding in 2025 allowed salary adjustments, higher contract rates, new institutional offices, and significant hiring, including 34 attorneys, 13 legal assistants, and 11 investigators. Senators asked about the effects of budget holdbacks, backlog recovery, judge relations, and future needs; Fredrickson said holdbacks led to reduced travel, training, and tighter spending on experts and billing, and said the office’s next priorities are an Idaho-specific workload standard, more attorneys, and more social workers. The committee then printed two bills. RS 32880 C1, by Senator Foreman, the “Constitutional Courts Act,” would prohibit Idaho courts from enforcing or applying judgments based on religious or cultural law that do not conform to the U.S. and Idaho Constitutions. Foreman said it was intended to prevent any outside body of law from replacing Idaho’s legal system, while not restricting private religious practice. Senators debated whether the proposal was necessary, whether it conflicted with religious liberty protections, and whether it would treat some religions differently; the motion to print passed. RS 33006 C1, by Senator Nichols, would update Idaho’s Son of Sam law to prevent criminals from profiting from notoriety through modern media and digital monetization while protecting free speech and due process. Nichols said the current statute is outdated and constitutionally vulnerable; the motion to print also passed, and the committee adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• He's made an effort now to support other veterans.
• And so I really support that program in that it's making a difference in a lot of the I really support
• Counties were not providing the level of support for public defense that was necessary.
• The act also directly supports the Supremacy Clause of the Constitution by supporting the mandate that
• People are free to practice whatever they wish to practice, and I wholeheartedly support that.

Committee: Senate Judiciary and Rules

Keywords: 989, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Another program started in 2021 and it currently supports 280 hospitals throughout the state.
• This funding supports activities such as but not limited to staffing and operating costs that supports
• One salaries that supports your FT ease 34 points.
• This workforce supports the following activities.
• The Legislature invested in the customer call center based on increased and to support.

Transcript Highlights:

• So thanks for the hard work, and I'll be supporting the bill.
• And so I respectfully ask for your support.
• I would urge members to support this conference report adoption.
• And tested market thanks to this bill, so I'd urge support.
• So, it's important that we support them in that.

Transcript Highlights:

• In support, please proceed.
• Representative Souza: In support.
• In support, please proceed. Speaker. In support, please proceed.
• </c><00:20:46.559><c> this</c> Senate and the House have supported this Senate and the House have supported
• And with in support, please proceed.

Keywords: 910, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• CHAD CONTI WITH THE FLORIDA CHAMBER OF COMMERCE WAIVING IN SUPPORT.
• DANIEL MARTINEZ IN SUPPORT WITH AMERICANS FOR PROSPERITY.
• CHAIRMAN, OF COURSE I AM GOING TO SUPPORT THIS.
• I'M GOING TO NOT SUPPORT THIS BILL RIGHT NOW.
• THAT'S THE MAIN REASON TO SUPPORT IT.

Keywords: 999, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• This bill has received bipartisan support and I respectfully ask for your aye vote.
• You each supported former Assemblymember Stone's epic two year struggle.
• I rise in support of H.R. 23 on behalf of the Republican Caucus, which supports a secure southern border
• . is something that Cesar Chavez was a leader in supporting a secure southern border.
• Opposing illegal immigration and supporting a secure southern border.

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Some key points of support, it improves operational efficiency.
• Thirdly, supports better resource allocation.
• Fourthly, it supports local flexibility in budgeting while we support the $50,000 expenditure limit because
• Uh, we are in support of the bill.
• By the way, we support you in, in those efforts.

Committee: House S/C on County & Regional Government

Transcript Highlights:

• Chair and members of the committee, thank you for the opportunity to testify in support of House File
• Chair and members of the committee, thank you for the opportunity to testify in support of House File
• ATV tourism supports jobs and sustains businesses that rely on steady outdoor traffic.
• ATV tourism supports jobs and sustains businesses that rely on steady outdoor traffic.
• </c><00:04:42.560><c> for</c><00:04:42.840><c> house</c> support um I urge your support for house support

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> Hermantown and my testimony to support Hermantown and my testimony to support that<00:03:00.440>
• We thank you for the grant, and we hope that you would continue to support the program.
• </c><00:07:38.240><c> additional</c> to fost that will support additional to fost that will support additional
• So I just want to thank everybody and urge support on this bill.
• </c> want to thank everybody and urge support want to thank everybody and urge support on<00:13:36.800

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• We'll continue to support those students with our support efforts and support services through our faculty
• We'll continue to support those students with our support efforts and support services through our faculty
• We'll continue to support those students with our support efforts and support services through our faculty
• We'll continue to support those students with our support efforts and support services through our faculty
• </c> experience uh to support their success. experience uh to support their success.

Keywords: 958, all

Summary: The Interim Joint Budget Review Subcommittee on Education met to hear updates from Kentucky public universities and the Kentucky Community and Technical College System on compliance with House Bill 4, which restricts DEI-related activities and requires institutional and viewpoint neutrality. The chair emphasized that the hearing should focus on both compliance and the financial effects of the law. Eastern Kentucky University said its board adopted a House Bill 4 compliance resolution and an institutional neutrality policy. KCTCS reported systemwide reviews of programs, websites, scholarships, personnel, and admissions language, along with board actions removing a cultural competency course requirement, adopting institutional neutrality, and certifying compliance. KCTCS said about $2.5 million annually had been reallocated to other needs, and that no personnel were eliminated, though some roles were reassigned and DEI-related offices closed. Kentucky State University said it had already dissolved DEI offices before the bill passed, ended DEI-specific training, revised policies and gift acceptance rules, adopted a viewpoint neutrality policy, and was conducting ongoing reviews of programs, job descriptions, and web content. KSU said it had achieved substantial compliance, expected full operational integration by August 1, and had not terminated staff or closed academic programs because of the law. In response to questions, KSU said it was broadening outreach to all students rather than targeting specific populations and that its prior diversity finding was tied to not meeting a diversity quota. Morehead State University said it had no DEI office before House Bill 4, amended its non-discrimination statement to include political and social viewpoint neutrality and condemnation of religious and ethnic discrimination, and remained focused on serving its largely low-income student body. Murray State University reported reviewing scholarships, expenditures, training, and academic programs to ensure no differential treatment or indoctrination, revising its neutrality policy, and updating non-discrimination posters and training. When asked about a statement that DEI would “look different,” the university said it meant student support services would continue in a different form. Northern Kentucky University said it dissolved its diversity office and chief diversity officer position in 2024, reviewed programs, events, scholarships, and employee affinity groups, adopted a statement on intellectual diversity and viewpoint neutrality, and reviewed about 2,000 courses for compliance. NKU also said its new Center for Belonging would focus on first-generation and commuter students rather than rebrand prior DEI efforts. The University of Kentucky began its presentation by describing earlier changes made in August 2024, including disbanding its office of institutional diversity, removing diversity statements and mandatory training, adopting institutional neutrality, and ending race-based consideration in admissions and scholarships; the transcript cuts off before the rest of UK’s testimony and any committee votes or formal actions beyond receiving the presentations.

Transcript Highlights:

• I ask that my colleagues support making rental cars more affordable in Massachusetts and ask that you
• The request was supported, and the yeas and nays were ordered. The clerk then called the roll.
• Ways and Means and everyone in this body for supporting this legislation again.
• Despite our love, our support, our resources, the weight became too heavy.
• Those voting in support of an emergency preamble will please rise. Any opposed? None, Mr.

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The Senate took up a series of resolutions and bills, beginning with unanimous adoption of resolutions congratulating two Eagle Scouts. It then advanced several local and special acts, including measures on Machado-Joseph disease awareness day, the Ipswich senior tax referral program, Swampscott conservation commission appointments, protections for individuals with disabilities in MassHealth day habilitation programs, continued employment in Brookfield, Marblehead parking fines, Natick’s home rule charter, and Boston affordable housing/branch library space. The chamber also suspended Joint Rule 12 to refer several House petitions to committees. The Senate enacted House bills authorizing additional wine and malt beverage licenses in Lexington and a means-tested senior property tax exemption in Melrose. It also passed Senate Bill 2603 on affordable car rentals after adopting an amendment; supporters said the bill would reduce rental costs by changing Massachusetts’ rental car insurance rules to align with most other states. Senate Bill 1057 on fentanyl test strips was also passed to be engrossed after Senator Creem argued the bill would expand access to a low-cost overdose prevention tool and save lives. Senator Moore then spoke in support of expanding Nikki’s Law to cover MassHealth day habilitation programs, describing the bill as a needed protection for people with autism and intellectual and developmental disabilities. A major portion of the meeting focused on House 4530, a FY2025 supplemental appropriations bill providing $234 million for hospitals and community health centers. Senators discussed the Health Safety Net shortfall, rising health care costs, underinsurance, and federal reimbursement; Ways and Means explained that about $93 million was expected back in federal financial participation, making the net state cost about $140 million. The Senate also took up House 4531 on the 2026 state primary election date, rejecting an amendment before passing the bill to engrossment. The chamber later adopted emergency preambles for House 4530 and House 4531, and all three final bills—Machado-Joseph Disease Awareness Day, the supplemental budget, and the primary election date bill—were enacted and sent to the Governor. The Senate adjourned in memory of Ricardo Barbosa after a memorial statement by Senator Miranda.

Transcript Highlights:

• Flexible hours was the most desired workplace support.
• Flexible hours was the most desired workplace support.
• was the number one most requested workplace support.
• was the number one most requested workplace support.
• Over how flexibility was the number one most requested workplace support.

Summary: The committee first approved the prior meeting minutes, then heard a presentation from Maddie San Juan of the Women’s Foundation of Arkansas on the report “Holding It All Together: Working Moms and Child Care in Arkansas.” She said the report found that Arkansas moms want to work, but child care costs, inflexible schedules, inadequate paid leave, and the mental load of caregiving are major barriers. She cited survey and focus group findings showing most mothers want full-time work, 69% identified child care costs as a barrier, and many said flexible hours were the most important workplace support. She also described county-level dashboard data, the high cost of infant and toddler care, and examples from working mothers about spending most or all of their paychecks on child care. Members asked questions about labor force participation trends, the meaning of the child care cost figures, and how flexibility could be implemented across industries. The presenter and members also discussed the broader economic-development impact of child care shortages and the need for public-private partnerships. The Department of Education then gave an update on early childhood programs. Officials said they are building internal dashboards to improve transparency and data access for school readiness assistance, including enrollment, application, and provider participation monitoring. They reported that the state is still moving forward with the CLASS transition and expects to release transition funding to providers in the coming weeks using Preschool Development Grant funds. They also clarified that OEP awards based on CLASS scores are separate from OEC’s work and that the data is FOIA-able. Officials warned providers about a temporary payment delay during the transition to a new system, saying payments will stop June 30 and resume around July 14, with any owed funds processed then. Members raised additional concerns about early childhood special education funding, overpayment recovery from a child care center, audit requirements for Head Start and SRA funds, the market rate survey, and the status of local leads after a recompete. Department staff said they would follow up on special education funding levels and audit rules, noted that the overpayment case is under appeal, and said the market rate survey is still in procurement. They also reported that 23 local leads will cover all counties starting July 1, with no major job-description changes, and described a new PDG Partners stakeholder group and an upcoming June 23 QRIS webinar to gather provider and parent input. The meeting ended with no further business and adjournment.

Transcript Highlights:

• We are here strongly in support of this measure.
• That is absolutely something that we should support.
• We are in support of this initiative, and we ask you to support it as well.
• So we're here to stand in support of protecting our military families and ask that you support this.
• I support school choice.

Bills: HCR2048

Committee: Senate Appropriations, Transportation and Technology

Keywords: elective officers, salary regulation, compensation, Arizona Constitution, voter approval, legislative commission, 1182, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Freiberg, BESE has put in a green card in support. Okay, well, I want to hear from them, yes.
• BESE is supporting this.
• We do have a few green cards in support. I'm not wishing to speak.
• We do have a few green cards in support, not wishing to speak.
• So we have a green card in support. President would like to speak. Cynthia Posey.

Committee: House Education

Summary: The House Education Committee met on April 29, 2026, with a quorum present and heard several higher education and K-12 bills. SB 234 by Sen. Presley, which would provide grading for medical school students, was briefly discussed and reported favorably without objection. SB 142 by Sen. Reese, dealing with continued management and oversight of Board of Regents support fund matched endowments if a related constitutional amendment passes, drew questions about endowment matching, oversight, and the roughly $75 million in unmatched requests; it was also reported favorably without objection. SB 482 by Sen. Reese, expanding the role of career coaches in middle and high school graduation planning and reporting on career development fund spending, received support from BESE and others, with committee members discussing counselor workload and district flexibility; it was reported favorably without objection. The committee then took up SB 64 by Sen. Hodges, which would require two people to review initial video/audio recordings from cameras in self-contained classrooms when complaints arise, and the bill was reported favorably without objection. HB 1063 by Rep. Owen, a broad higher education governance bill that would increase board oversight of curriculum, hiring, faculty senates, and discipline, generated extensive discussion and testimony from Rep. Owen and a representative of Parents Defending Education Action, but the author said he did not want to vote on it yet and moved to voluntarily defer it; the committee agreed without objection. HB 818 by Rep. Riser, as amended, was converted into a reporting bill requiring public inventories and state reporting on assessments, with Cynthia Posey of the Louisiana Federation of Teachers explaining the amendments; the committee adopted the amendments and reported the bill favorably with one opposition card noted. Finally, SB 28 by Sen. McMath, carried by Rep. Carver, would lower the age for associate teachers from 25 to 21 to help address the teacher shortage; Department of Education staff said the change could expand the pipeline, and the bill was reported favorably without objection. The committee also announced it would meet the following week on Wednesday, May 6, and then adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• Today I rise in strong support of SR-87.
• President, I thank you for your time in support of SR-87.
• Members, I rise in support of this resolution. Jim Plunkett is a living legend.
• My husband would be happy for me to ensure that I'm supporting a Raiders fan or a Raider.
• I, too, want to rise in full support of SR 93.

Keywords: 987, senate, all