Transcript Highlights:

• There's two cases that he'd been updating the committee on: Fowler et al. v.

Keywords: 904, all

Transcript Highlights:

• then an additional million dollars shall be transferred to the Barbara Weber-Weber lateral sclerosis ALS

Bills: HB4028, HB4029, HB4059, HB4063, HB4073, HB4074, HB4075, HB4076, HB4077, HB4078, SB1130, SB1131, SB1132, SB1133, SB1134, SB1142

Keywords: tax deduction, venture capital, economic development, Oklahoma, investment, ALS, funding, healthcare, State Department of Health, emergency declaration, public finance, state budget, financial regulations, monetary policy, referendum, constitutional amendments, special election, Oklahoma legislature, public voting, recovery fund

Summary: The Joint Committee on Appropriations and Budget met and first took up House Bill 4063, adopting a committee substitute over objection by a 17-4 roll call vote. The bill, as explained by the Pro Tem, moves the election dates for House Bill 4440 and Joint Resolution 1024 to August 25, 2026. Members debated whether the measure violated the single-subject rule or was an attempt to revisit proposals that had previously failed, but the committee advanced it and it passed 16-6 after debate. The committee then considered a series of appropriations and reappropriations, largely involving ARPA and interest funds. These included Senate Bills 1130 through 1134 and 1142, which redirected funds to the University Hospital Authority and Trust, the Office of Juvenile Affairs, the State Department of Health for rural hospital rebuild efforts, the Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services for Griffin Memorial Hospital capacity, and DHS-related projects including Boys & Girls Club and YWCA funding. All of these bills passed, with most receiving broad support and only a few dissenting votes. Members also advanced several House bills: HB 4029 appropriated funds to the State Department of Health and the ALS fund; HB 4074 gave the Health Care Workforce Training Commission flexibility to close out ARPA projects and transfer funds among nursing-related programs; HB 4075 reappropriated water and wastewater funds within OWRB; HB 476 provided rural economic impact grant funding for water, wastewater, sewer, air park, industrial park, and broadband-related projects; HB 477 funded emergency response and relief grants with standard administrative language; HB 478 covered ARPA closeout costs for consultants and the grants management office; HB 428 extended a qualified equity investment tax deduction sunset; and HB 473 and HB 4073 pulled back ARPA funds for reappropriation and closeout. Most measures passed on strong roll-call votes, and the committee adjourned after HB 4073 passed 21-0.

Transcript Highlights:

• And then DFA maintenance, Michael and Al. For all of them, Mr.

Keywords: MS Senate Floor - 2 April, 2026; 10:00 AM, 925, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I think Al Capone passed away quite a while ago, and any convictions he had in Idaho would have been

Keywords: 989, all

Summary: The Senate State Affairs Committee heard several bill introductions and took action on each. Senator Cook presented RS-33715, a proposal to reduce executive branch elected officials’ pay by 5% for calendar year 2027, and the committee voted to send it to print. Senator Ruchti introduced RS-33735, which would create a transfer-on-death deed option for real property, and it was also sent to print. The committee then considered House Bill 575 on asset forfeiture transparency; sponsors said it would not change forfeiture authority or procedures, but would require state and local agencies to report forfeiture data to the State Controller for publication on Transparent Idaho. A prosecutor testified in support, and the bill was sent to the floor with a due pass recommendation. The committee advanced several cleanup and policy measures. House Bill 798 repeals an obsolete treasurer reporting provision tied to securities lending agreements, and House Bill 799 repeals three outdated code sections, including a Prohibition-era provision and other obsolete reporting requirements; both received due pass recommendations. House Concurrent Resolution 33 would create an interim committee to study sextortion, its prevalence, prevention, and impacts on youth; sponsors emphasized the harm to minors and the difficulty of prosecuting overseas offenders, and the resolution was sent to the floor with a do pass recommendation. House Bill 810 would require legislative candidates to have lived in their district for at least 120 nights in the year before filing, with exceptions for military service and religious missions; after questions about those exemptions and redistricting, the committee voted to send it to the 14th order for possible amendment rather than directly to the floor. The committee also approved two resolutions and two additional bills. HCR 27 honors Morrison Knudsen employees and Idahoans connected to the Wake Island defense and subsequent wartime sacrifices; it was sent to the floor with a do pass recommendation. House Bill 736 lowers the voter-registration threshold for ballot-name rotation from 100,000 to 25,000 registered voters to reduce ballot-order effects, and it passed with a do pass recommendation. Finally, House Bill 793 reallocates a portion of beer tax revenue away from the permanent building fund and toward alcohol beverage control, the Idaho State Police, and the Idaho Law Enforcement Fund, while making smaller changes to other beer-tax distributions; the committee supported it and sent it to the floor with a do pass recommendation before adjourning.

Transcript Highlights:

• Of course, leaders like Al Smith, New York's first Happy Warrior, who really defined much of the great

Keywords: 993, senate, all

Summary: The Senate met on March 13, 2026, approved the prior day’s journal, received a message discharging Assembly Bill 2330 from committee and substituting identical Senate Bill 5843, and welcomed visiting delegations from Connecticut. The chamber also adopted privileged resolution J.1753, honoring Saint Patrick and Irish Americans and memorializing the Governor to proclaim March 2026 as Irish American Heritage Month. Senators Kavanagh and Fahy spoke in support, emphasizing Irish heritage, immigration, public service, and the St. Patrick’s Day tradition; the resolution was adopted and opened for co-sponsorship. The Senate then acted on a series of bills on the calendar. Measures passed included bills by Senators Hinchey, Comrie, Skoufis, Stavisky, Sanders, Kavanagh, Gianaris, Cleare, and others, with several receiving unanimous support and a few drawing recorded negative votes. Senator Fernandez’s education bill related to placing opioid antagonists with AEDs and first aid kits in schools passed 60-1 after supportive remarks from Senators Oberacker and Fernandez. A bill authorizing a study on lithium-ion battery fires also passed unanimously, with Senators Borrello and Weik explaining affirmative votes while urging caution about electric bus mandates. The most debated item was Calendar 446, Senator May’s bill directing the Department of Economic Development to move the Central New York Welcome Center from Destiny USA to the Equal Rights Heritage Center in Auburn. Senator Walczyk questioned the move’s cost, location, visitor traffic, and local support, arguing Destiny USA was the better site; Senator May responded that the state had built the Auburn facility and should provide sustainable operating support. The bill passed 47-15. The Senate then completed the controversial calendar and adjourned until Tuesday, March 17, 2026, at 3:00 p.m.

Transcript Highlights:

• Pe ci al announcement.

Bills: HB2975, HB3405, HB3406, HB3728, HB3902, HB3977, SB397, HB1161, HB2938, HB2939, HB3306, HB3722, HB4113, HB4123, HB2293, HB3176, HB3545, HB3546

Keywords: poultry waste, nutrient management, environmental regulations, agriculture, water quality, pollution prevention, best management practices, noxious weeds, poison hemlock, kudzu, landowner responsibilities, environmental control, public nuisance, eradication, burn bans, fire danger, drought conditions, emergency declaration, scrap metal, regulation

Transcript Highlights:

• Tom Newell, our Chief of Staff, OA, our Director of Government, Al Pulland, our Deputy Superintendent

Keywords: 914, all

Transcript Highlights:

• have been through USDA's two major programs, have been through USDA's two major programs, the RCPP and ALE

Summary: The Committee on Agriculture met to hear updates on land conservation and agricultural preservation programs. The Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services presented on the Rural and Family Lands Protection Program, explaining that it protects active agricultural lands through conservation easements while keeping land in private ownership and on the tax rolls. The director said the program requires participants to use agricultural best management practices, noted strong demand with 428 ranked projects for 2025, and reported that consistent legislative funding and partnerships with USDA, DOD, local governments, land trusts, and water management districts have expanded acreage protected, much of it within the Florida Wildlife Corridor. Committee members asked about eligibility, ranking, local government involvement, and how many projects are typically funded each year. Conservation Florida’s president and CEO testified that both Rural and Family Lands and Florida Forever are critical and complementary tools for preserving working lands, wildlife habitat, water resources, and public access to nature. She warned that uncertainty or cuts in state funding can stall projects, raise land prices, and reduce conservation momentum. In discussion with senators, she said public access is often negotiated case by case and is more common on lands acquired for parks, forests, and other public green space than on conservation easements. The Department of Environmental Protection then updated the committee on Florida Forever, describing it as the state’s premier conservation and recreation land acquisition program. DEP said Florida Forever uses both conservation easements and fee-simple purchases, with about half of acquisitions done through easements, and emphasized that steady funding is needed to keep projects moving. The deputy secretary reported 60 projects on the current work plan, more than $1.4 billion invested since 2019, and recent acquisitions including new state forest, park, and preserve expansions. Members also raised concerns about payment in lieu of taxes for fiscally constrained counties, local notification of acquisitions, and the need for continued support for agriculture, citrus, roads, and conservation funding. No formal votes were taken, and the meeting adjourned after member comments and public testimony.

Transcript Highlights:

• The first to testify on this matter is Superintendent Kashi or DOE Al Cherkidani, Vice Chair Marcato

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• HR 36 by Lalani Eid al-Fitr 2025.

Transcript Highlights:

• So I will start with Vanessa al-Rashida. Go ahead, Vanessa, unmute, and you have one minute.
• So I will start with Vanessa al-Rashida. Go ahead, Vanessa, unmute, and you have one minute.

Keywords: 996, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Thank you, Summer Al-Owari. We have a motion by Senator McKinner. Second by Summera-Lawari.
• Al-Ais Balderrama with the Motion Picture Editors Guild, IATSE Local 700, and we strongly support this

Summary: The committee heard AB 749, which would create a blue ribbon commission to study equitable access to youth sports and recommend a statewide framework, including coaching standards, PE modernization, and funding models to reduce barriers for families. The author and supporters, including youth sports advocates, educators, coaches, and former athletes, argued that sports improve health, school engagement, and long-term opportunity, while noting racial and income disparities in participation. One member raised concerns that a new commission could add cost and regulatory burdens, but the bill was framed as a study measure rather than immediate regulation. The committee also took up AB 549, aimed at coordinating state and local security planning for major upcoming sporting events such as the FIFA World Cup, Super Bowl, and Olympic and Paralympic Games. Supporters said the bill would improve interagency coordination, protect visitors and communities, and help prevent human trafficking and discrimination during mega-events. Members discussed the need to avoid over-policing and to center community values, but the bill advanced on a due pass recommendation to Appropriations. AB 1291 addressed ticket purchasing for concerts, sports, and other live events by requiring electronic proof of purchase and allowing it to be used for entry if a ticket cannot be accessed through no fault of the buyer. Supporters said the measure would give consumers more certainty and help address problems in a monopolized ticketing market, while opponents from venues, sports teams, and entertainment groups warned it could undermine anti-scalping tools, create security problems, and burden venues with duplicate or fraudulent proofs of purchase. The committee approved the bill on a due pass as amended basis to Privacy and Consumer Protection, with the roll held open for absent members. The consent calendar item, AB 644, was also approved.

Transcript Highlights:

• Thank you. of Al Galves. I had to unmute; can you hear me? me now? Yes.
• Oh yeah, Al Galves.

Transcript Highlights:

• commissioner to tell the provider<00:03:34.280><c> whether</c><00:03:34.640><c> the</c><00:03:34.840><c> AL
• </c><00:03:35.480><c> the</c> provider whether the AL the provider whether the AL the administrative<

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Chris Con, representing the ALS Network, I'm here in continued support for the ALS wraparound system
• This proven program allows ALS patients and their families to access clinics throughout the state, taking

Keywords: 987, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Chris Con, representing the ALS Network, I'm here in continued support for the ALS wraparound system
• This proven program allows ALS patients and their families to access clinics throughout the state, taking

Summary: The hearing began with testimony from Let California Kids Hear and supporters urging action on pediatric hearing aid coverage. Advocates said California has repeatedly failed to enact a workable solution over the past eight years and argued that children need early access to sound to support development. The proposal discussed would limit the coverage mandate to the large-group market, which advocates said would cover roughly 70% to 80% of affected children and avoid the exchange-related cost issue that contributed to prior vetoes. Supporters, including parents, audiologists, and children’s health groups, backed the proposal, and the chair expressed sympathy and support while noting hope for a federal solution for exchange plans. The Department of Finance then gave opening remarks about the state’s structural deficit and the need to balance new investments against projected out-year shortfalls. HCAI followed with a broad overview of its programs, including CalRx insulin and naloxone initiatives, reproductive health grants, the Office of Health Care Affordability, hospital seismic compliance, workforce programs, and the diaper access initiative. Members asked about geographic targeting of workforce funds, the behavioral health workforce pipeline, and the status of the 21st Century Nursing Initiative, which HCAI said had reverted funds. The committee also discussed a proposed transfer of the Data Exchange Framework and Office of the Patient Advocate to HCAI, new reporting on long-term care staffing and health coverage waiting periods, and a Behavioral Health Services Act workforce proposal that would use BHSA funds to support training, stipends, and technical assistance while offsetting $100 million in General Fund spending; members and LAO questioned the offset and asked for more detail, and the item was held open. HCAI also presented the Rural Health Transformation Program, explaining that California received $233.6 million in federal funds for the first year and had to revise its proposal so that $35 million in provider payments would be tied to specific transformative activities rather than general financial relief. The program will fund rural care model redesign, workforce development, and technology/infrastructure improvements, with grants to be rolled out on a tight timeline and subject to CMS approval. Members asked about the size of California’s award, the use of funds for maternity care, labor and delivery access, dialysis, tribal set-asides, and the role of a technical assistance contractor. The department said the program will use supply-and-demand workforce modeling to target funding and that all funds must be obligated by October 30. Finally, the Department of Managed Health Care outlined its budget and two major bill-related proposals: SB 41 on PBM reform and SB 306 on prior authorization transparency. DMHC said SB 41 would require PBM licensure, ban spread pricing, require rebate pass-through, and regulate pharmacy network practices, while SB 306 would require reporting on prior authorization and create a list of services exempt from prior authorization. DMHC requested additional positions and funding to implement both measures.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:59:27.520><c> And</c><00:59:27.680><c> you</c><00:59:27.760><c> would</c><00:59:28.079><c> al
• And you would al also up in just a sec.
• And you would al also have<00:59:28.480><c> to</c><00:59:28.640><c> ignore</c><00:59:28.880><c> the</

Bills: HB1979

Keywords: environmental review, affordable housing, clean energy, judicial proceedings, public participation, Hawaii Revised Statutes, 912, senate, all

Summary: The committee heard testimony on HB 1979 HD3, which would shorten the time to file certain judicial challenges to environmental assessments and environmental impact statements for affordable housing and clean energy projects, and would also affect transfer of some environmental court appeals to the Supreme Court. The Office of Planning and Sustainable Development supported the amended bill, saying the changes were improved from earlier versions and that the shorter filing period was reasonable for these priority projects. Hawaii Gas asked that the bill’s clean energy definition be broadened to align with existing renewable energy law so emerging technologies like renewable hydrogen and renewable gas would be included. Kauai Island Utility Co-op and Greenpeace Hawaii testified in support and opposition, respectively, with supporters arguing the bill would reduce litigation uncertainty and opponents saying the shorter deadline would limit public participation and not solve the real causes of project delays. Opposition testimony came from the Office of Hawaiian Affairs, Earthjustice, Sierra Club, 350 Hawaii, and others, who argued the bill could chill legitimate public-interest claims, especially where there is limited public notice, and that environmental review was being unfairly blamed for delays caused by permitting, financing, or infrastructure problems. Several speakers said the measure would reduce transparency and make it harder for communities to respond in time. One testifier from Earthjustice said the environmental review process itself is not the problem and should not be weakened for projects that still need public disclosure and community engagement. The committee then moved to decision-making and, citing the volume of opposition and concerns about public participation, transparency, and whether the bill would actually improve timelines, the chair deferred HB 1979 HD3 indefinitely. The hearing was adjourned after the vote decision was announced. The transcript then shifted to HB 2585, relating to tourism and statewide standards for agritourism. Testimony was mixed: farmers and agricultural groups described agritourism as essential to keeping small farms and ranches viable, while also urging safeguards so it would not be abused or displace real agricultural production. Some speakers warned the bill’s revenue-based limits could unintentionally shut down existing farm stays and related operations, especially in Maui County. The Hawaii Farm Bureau said it supported the intent but wanted clearer protections for bona fide agriculture and more flexibility around revenue requirements and force majeure situations. The discussion was still underway when the transcript ended.

Transcript Highlights:

• The second seat is held by the Honorable Al Green, who has stood in the face of terror in terms of death
• We fought long and hard for our representatives. and my representative today is Al Green.
• Jordan, Craig Washington, and Sheila Jackson Lee are all represented with Al Green in CD18.

Keywords: 997, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• position for the you st your name and position for the record<00:49:50.079><c> hi</c><00:49:50.440><c> Al
• 52.240><c> on</c><00:49:52.359><c> behalf</c><00:49:52.559><c> of</c><00:49:52.680><c> the</c> record hi Al
• mine mck on behalf of the record hi Al mine mck on behalf of the council<00:49:52.960><c> for</c><00

Keywords: 910, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Varco, and after that we have Ran Al Lee.
• Varco, and after that we have Ran Al Lee. Thank you very much for your testimony. Mr.
• Varco, and after that we have Ran Al Lee. My name is Rick Varco.
• Varco, and after that we have Ran Al Lee.
• Varco, and after that we have Ran Al Lee.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all