Transcript Highlights:

• And that's the housing authority executive director can't trench the street and run the wire down to
• So is it the case that every single housing authority building, state and federal, in Massachusetts,
• Worcester Housing Authority, they had some pilot program on this already.
• We also have the unanimous support of our town and county select board.
• I operate mostly in Franklin County, a very rural community.

Committee: Joint Joint Committee on Advanced Information Technology, the Internet and Cybersecurity

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The committee held its second hearing on a large docket of technology, internet, cybersecurity, broadband, and media bills. Early testimony focused on community media funding legislation, with lawmakers and local access advocates arguing that as cable subscriptions decline and streaming grows, revenue tied to cable franchises no longer supports community television and PEG programming. Supporters said community media remains a key source of local news, government meeting coverage, and civic transparency as newspapers disappear or consolidate. A related bill on cable contract oversight also drew support, with testimony that the Department of Telecommunications and Cable is backlogged and should more actively review municipal-provider agreements and report its workload to the committee. Another major topic was a proposal to create a Massachusetts Innovation Fund for state IT modernization. The Alliance for Digital Innovation backed the bill, saying agencies need flexible upfront capital to replace outdated systems and improve cybersecurity, and pointing to the federal Technology Modernization Fund as a model. The witness noted that funding for the state program still needs to be identified. The committee also heard strong support for a bill requiring free broadband in public housing, with Rep. Emmela Goodwin and MAPC describing internet access as essential for jobs, school, telehealth, and civic participation. They said the digital divide in Massachusetts is driven largely by affordability rather than infrastructure, though questions were raised about costs, wiring, and whether all housing sites already have broadband access available at the curb. A substantial portion of the hearing centered on bills to limit addictive social media feeds for minors. Supporters, including lawmakers, parents, teens, and advocacy groups, argued that algorithmic feeds contribute to addiction, anxiety, body image problems, and other harms, and said the bills would restrict surveillance-based curation and overnight notifications while leaving search and followed accounts available. Opponents, including FIRE, CCIA, and the Taxpayers Protection Alliance, argued the bills would require invasive age verification, threaten privacy and cybersecurity, burden adults’ anonymity, and likely face First Amendment challenges. They also warned the measures could disadvantage smaller businesses and may be unconstitutional based on recent court rulings in other states. The committee also heard support for blockchain-related bills creating a commission, a pilot program, and consumer education efforts, with testimony that Massachusetts has the talent but needs a coordinated state strategy. No votes or final actions were taken during the hearing.

Transcript Highlights:

• And there in Christian County with our 4-H.
• to the rural areas of Southwestern Fayette County and then even into Northern Jessamine County.
• So, super Grayson County Cougars.
• </c> congratulations to the Taylor County congratulations to the Taylor County High<01:38:12.000><c>
• </c> Circuit consisting of Fayette County. Circuit consisting of Fayette County.

Keywords: 958, all

Summary: The House convened with 98 members present, declared a quorum, approved the prior journal, and received Senate concurrence requests on Senate Bills 263, 281, and 324. The chamber then moved through second readings and committee reports on a range of measures, including education, agriculture, banking and insurance, judiciary, licensing, and task force resolutions. Among the reported bills were measures on KEES scholarships for non-certified schools, a residential safe room rebate program, dual credit scholarships, impeding a first responder, motor vehicles, tallow-based cosmetic products, animal health emergencies, mortgage loan income limits, deferred deposit fees, child protection, Attorney General operations, corrections operations, school leadership, school transportation, advanced mathematics coursework, and task forces on charitable gaming and early childhood education governance. The House passed House Bill 642, a Teachers' Retirement System housekeeping bill, after adopting House Committee Substitute 1. The sponsor said the bill updates survivor benefit documentation, raises the daily earnings limit for retired members returning to work from $170 to $200, removes an unused early-return provision, reinstates a pension waiver program, clarifies benefit tier calculations using an earlier participation date in another state system, and allows a parent member to manage payments for a disabled child without a court order. Members asked about substitute teaching limits, retirement penalties, budget impact, and a removed provision involving index funds; the sponsor said he would follow up on the day limits and stated he did not believe the bill would add to unfunded liability. The bill passed 96-0. The House also passed House Bill 780 on recording commissioner’s deeds, after adopting a floor amendment that removed fines and penalties. The bill allows a city to petition circuit court if a deed is not recorded within 30 business days, and the court may compel filing and award costs and attorney’s fees. Members discussed whether the bill effectively created a lawsuit-based enforcement mechanism rather than a fine, and supporters said it would help local governments identify responsible property owners and address code enforcement and public safety issues. The bill passed 96-0. House Bill 541, concerning peace officers, also passed after a committee substitute; the sponsor said it cleans up Kentucky Law Enforcement Council procedures, strengthens certification standards, clarifies revocation language, and reflects input from law enforcement groups. It passed 95-0. House Bill 195, the Kentucky Urban Youth Agriculture Initiative, passed after a committee substitute and floor amendment. The substitute added Kentucky State University Cooperative Extension alongside UK Cooperative Extension, and the floor amendment changed the pilot’s implementation date to January 1, 2027 and adjusted the program’s term timing. Supporters said the bill would expand urban agriculture education, connect youth to food systems and career pathways, and help students in urban counties learn practical agricultural skills; it passed 97-0. The House then took up House Bill 794 on financial exploitation, which expands protections to all adults age 65 and older, adds felony penalties for knowingly, wantonly, or recklessly exploiting those adults, allows the attorney general to seek extradition from another state, and requires investment advisers to complete three hours of continuing education on financial exploitation. Members cited real-world scam experiences and urged stronger penalties, but the bill passed 96-0.

Transcript Highlights:

• And at the county and city level, it will simply be the next arrest they make.
• I live in Power County, District 28. I'm here in opposition to HB 752.
• I am a resident of Bonner County here to speak in favor of House Bill 752.
• Representative Haas Settler, Washington, Payette, and Canyon County.
• I'm curious, was this authority ever in doubt in court proceedings? Mr.

Committee: House Judiciary, Rules and Administration

Keywords: 989, all

Transcript Highlights:

• ><01:49:51.760><c> 30</c> the adjacent counties for close to 30 the adjacent counties for close to 30
• </c><01:59:42.800><c> by</c> Board had been given the authority by Board had been given the authority
• It's still authorized in statute.
• In some counties, it commission.
• </c> because we may have county because we may have county commissioners,<03:52:16.880><c> we</c><03:

Committee: Joint Agriculture, State and Public Lands & Water Resources

Keywords: 916, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I don't think we need to give them additional land from the state or county if they were to set up some
• Hawaiʻi is still considered a legal desert on immigration civil matters, and there are whole counties
• Hawaiʻi is still considered a legal desert on immigration civil matters, and there are whole counties
• That means one in five residents are foreign born immigrants, and they reside in all counties.
• But if the county wishes to make stronger protections, there they can, and that's already in the bill

Committee: House Economic Development & Technology

Keywords: 910, house, all

Summary: The committee on Economic Development and Technology heard testimony on several bills, beginning with HB 22, which would limit state and local cooperation with federal immigration detainers. Supporters, including the Legal Clinic, the Office of the Public Defender, and the ACLU of Hawaiʻi, argued the bill would protect due process and constitutional rights regardless of immigration status. Some supporters requested amendments, including removing a probable-cause terrorism provision, adding enforcement language, and preserving warrant requirements. Public testimony was heavily in favor, with the chair announcing 91 testimonies in support and 52 in opposition. The committee then heard HB 73, which would prohibit setting aside public lands for immigration detention facilities. Testifiers in support said public land should serve local needs, not detention centers, and cited housing, food security, and community trust concerns. The Office of the Public Defender and others also supported the measure, and the chair reported 85 testimonies in support and 40 in opposition. The committee next took up HB 438, which would fund legal representation for people in immigration proceedings. Supporters, including the Public Defender, the University of Hawaiʻi Law School Refugee and Immigration Clinic, the Hawaiʻi Coalition for Immigrant Rights, the Legal Clinic, and the ACLU, emphasized the civil nature of immigration court, the severe consequences of removal, and the need for more pro bono and trained attorneys. Several suggested amendments focused on training and building a legal-services pipeline; the chair reported 83 testimonies in support and 51 in opposition. The committee also heard HB 457, aimed at requiring notice to detained individuals about their rights when ICE seeks to interview them or has a detainer request. Supporters said the bill would ensure people understand their right to remain silent and to refuse interviews, and the Legal Clinic suggested the warning be given orally, potentially via recorded messages, rather than only in writing. The Office of the Public Defender noted the bill aligns with existing due-process warnings in criminal court and suggested referencing current law. Finally, HB 476, which would raise the capital gains tax rate, drew support from Hawaiʻi Appleseed on fairness grounds; the Department of Taxation said it would review revenue questions but had no estimate available. After recess, the committee returned to decision-making and moved HB 22 forward on the chair’s recommendation of HD1, with the chair noting that the bill already contained language allowing counties to adopt stronger standards and protections.

Transcript Highlights:

• Senator Goodwin, you are recognized for a question from the author. Thank you, Mr. President.
• You know, the House author used the analogy of hanging a cinderblock from an oak tree.
• level, addressing issues arising by quorum not being met at county meetings.
• So, is the author at...
• Minority Leader Kirt, you're recognized for a question. of the author. Thank you, Mr. President.

Bills: HB2894 , HB3418 , HB3415 , HB3413 , HB3414 , HB3416 , HB3417 , HB3419 , HB3420 , HB1739 , HB1752 , HB1979 , HB2941 , HB2992 , HB3075 , HB3086 , HB3177 , HB3269 , HB3278 , HB3279 , HB3497 , HB3644 , HB4432 , HB3720 , HB3849 , HB3882 , HB3919 , HB3941 , HB4118 , HB4141 , HB4268 , HB4342 , HB4428 , HB4429 , HB4434

Keywords: HB2894, Oklahoma Rural Jobs Act, rural jobs, rural investment, tax credit, capital investment tax credit, state tax credits, economic development, rural fund, rural investor, qualified investment, eligible business, Department of Commerce, rural business, investment certification, tax liability, credit cap, workforce development, small business finance, rural development

Transcript Highlights:

• Amendment E3 is offered by Senator Christian, and it requires funding for resentencing by counties by
• It requires the ISRB to forward to the respective county prosecuting attorney for which the person was
• It requires the prosecuting attorney to notify any local law enforcement and the county legislative authority
• of any motion made for resentencing a person pursuant to the legislative authority of any motion made
• So there isn't any authorizing language in the statute for them to be reimbursed.

Bills: SB5873 , SB5895 , SB5911 , SB5940 , SB5942 , SB5945 , SB5957 , SB5966

Committee: Senate Human Services

Keywords: incarcerated individuals, escorted leaves, criminal justice, rehabilitation, state law, healthcare, incarcerated, extraordinary medical placement, criminal justice reform, medical care, children, youth, financial stability, care services, department of children and families, housing assistance, foster care, pilot program, social services, accountability

Transcript Highlights:

• West, Quest, and then CenturyLink in Boise County, Idaho.
• I will refer to the Boise County customers as my customers.
• But I think also that the liability would go on the county.
• I would really like to think that our county, or any county, would try to find somewhere else to go.
• There is some liability on the county, or there is liability on the county, where the homeowner or building

Committee: Senate State Affairs

Summary: The Senate State Affairs Committee heard several print hearings and gubernatorial appointments, with most early legislation advancing without opposition. RS 33743, the Idaho Student Safety and Educator Disclosure Act, would require school applicants to disclose past investigations or disciplinary actions and require prior employers to respond; RS 33744 would move certain federally qualified and rural health center scope-of-practice rate changes into code; RS 33721 would extend certain state endowment land commercial leases from 49 to 99 years; and RS 33660 would expand disclosure requirements for paid signature gatherers and paid candidate advocates. All four RS measures were sent to print. The committee also heard from and later resumed testimony on several gubernatorial reappointments, including Jerry Doppie to the Endowment Fund Investment Board, Skip Smeiser to the Lottery Commission, and Nicaela Black Abrams to the Racing Commission; those votes were deferred to a later meeting. House Bill 674, which would remove the Public Utilities Commission’s role in reviewing certain telecommunications service discontinuances and rely on the FCC process instead, drew significant testimony. The sponsor and telecom representatives said it would eliminate a duplicative state process and speed broadband and infrastructure investment while preserving FCC protections. Opponents, including former telecom workers and a trial lawyers representative, warned it could leave rural copper-line customers and emergency users without adequate service or local oversight. After questions about the federal language and whether the bill might invert the current review process, the committee voted to hold HB 674 subject to the call of the chair. The committee also advanced Senate Bill 1391, a technical fix preserving lawful entry authority for publicly employed land surveyors, and Senate Bill 1389, which would provide liability protection for churches, grange halls, and other property owners who voluntarily serve as polling places. HB 860, revising the medical parental rights law and related emergency treatment and hotline provisions, received supportive testimony from the Idaho Medical Association, a teen advocate, and the 988 crisis hotline director, and was sent to the 14th order for possible amendment. HB 549, which would remove property-owner signatures from petitions to dissolve hospital taxing districts, drew divided testimony: supporters said the current process is unworkable in places like McCall, while the Idaho Hospital Association urged a higher threshold and warned of inconsistency with other district laws. The committee voted to send HB 549 to the 14th order for possible amendment.

Transcript Highlights:

• I'm from Yellow Medicine County, which is actually a small county in western Minnesota.
• County</c><00:04:11.079><c> in</c><00:04:11.280><c> Western</c> actually a small County in Western actually
• </c> nuts and bolts in yellow medicine County nuts and bolts in yellow medicine County for<00:04:34.400
• In other counties, they actually get referred as more of a diversion process through the county attorney's
• In other counties, it's handled in a variety of ways. Nobody is required.

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• The statute, Act 703 of 2025, repealed the statute that authorized those rules.
• The insurance code authorizes the commissioner to appoint a plan administrator.
• Moving on to E9, DHS Division of County Operations.
• Good morning, I'm Mary Franklin, Director of the Division of County Operations.
• But that is our authority. Okay. Thank you, ma'am. Thank you, sir.

Committee: All ALC-ADMINISTRATIVE RULES

Summary: The Arkansas Administrative Rules Subcommittee met to review a large slate of agency rules and related reports. The chair announced that several items were stricken from the agenda and that the maternal health providers and remote monitoring rules were pulled by the agency. The committee filed reports on emergency rules, ALC subcommittee rule reviews, and administrative directives, then moved through agency rules from the Department of Agriculture, Department of Commerce/Insurance, Department of Corrections, and multiple divisions of the Department of Human Services. Most rules were explained as technical updates or implementations of 2025 legislation and were approved without objection. Examples included repeal of obsolete equine ID-chip rules, updates to agriculture financing and pesticide rules, removal of duplicative workers’ compensation plan language, a unified visitation rule for correctional facilities, DHS marketing rules for PASS programs, a comprehensive DCFS policy manual revision, Medicaid-related changes for fictive kin, ABLE accounts, presumptive eligibility for pregnant women, SNAP work requirements and alien eligibility, coverage for certain incarcerated youth, nurse aide training updates, and permanent rules for state employee insurance and procurement. The committee also approved requests to exclude the Insurance Department from rulemaking requirements for Act 772 on forced organ harvesting and for restorative reproductive medicine, with the department saying it would issue rules later when more guidance is available. The most extended discussion concerned DHS’s dental Medicaid rate rule under Act 1025. Members and witnesses debated whether the statute’s language covered only oral surgeons or also general dentists performing oral surgery procedures, and whether the rate increase should apply more broadly to the services rather than the provider title. DHS said it was following the black-letter language of the law and could not confirm a broader interpretation without further approvals and funding, while legislators and a Dental Association representative said the intent was to increase payment for the services, especially in rural areas. Members also discussed the possibility of fixing the language in a future session or through a new rule if approvals and CMS review allow. Despite the concerns, the committee approved the rule. The meeting ended with approval of rule review reports and monthly updates, and the committee adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• Remediation Fund for monitoring and maintenance costs at the Triumph Mine north of Hailey in Blaine County
• County.
• 2027, JFAC program maintenance budget: add $1,230,000 for remediation of Triumph Mine site in Blaine County
• If provided, the spending authority would allow SDE to keep the associated position to assist schools
• All we're doing is giving them spending authority to spend the money that's already there.

Keywords: 989, all

Summary: The committee first considered the Department of Environmental Quality budget. Janet Jessup outlined enhancements for Triumph Mine monitoring and maintenance, a transfer for the Cordilleran Basin Superfund cleanup, and a fund shift to move two positions from federal support to the IPDES Program Fund. Members also discussed language to consolidate air permitting and drinking water permitting fee funds, and a separate cash transfer related to the new solid waste regulatory fund created by House Bill 555. The budget motion and the related language both passed, and the committee issued do-pass recommendations. The committee then took up the Department of Lands budget, focusing on Forest and Range Fire Protection funding. Members debated a one-time General Fund restoration for fire preparedness in FY 2026 and a similar request for FY 2027, with concerns raised about prior reversions and whether dedicated funds could be used instead. Director Dustin Miller explained that the other funds cited were restricted to forest practices enforcement and equipment replacement, and that the preparedness money supports standby crews, including seasonal firefighters in eastern Idaho and other regions. The FY 2026 request passed, the initial FY 2027 request failed, reconsideration was later allowed under parliamentary ruling, and the FY 2027 request then passed. The committee also adopted language limiting General Fund firefighter bonus appropriations to firefighters, after some discussion about whether the wording was too narrow. Next, the committee considered Educational Services for the Deaf and the Blind. The agency’s request included career ladder adjustments, a van for student transport, staffing for a new 18-bed residential building in Gooding, replacement items, and an endowment fund adjustment. A substitute motion to add the cottage staff funding failed, but the original motion passed, providing funding for the career ladder, replacement items, and the endowment adjustment, with a do-pass recommendation. Finally, the State Department of Education budget was reviewed. The agency requested additional spending authority for school bus camera grants, an extended USDA farm-to-school grant, and ongoing technology grants for the child nutrition program. A substitute motion to increase the farm-to-school authority to cover the anticipated extension failed, but the original motion passed, approving the school bus camera fund increase, the farm-to-school grant authority, and the child nutrition technology funding, with a do-pass recommendation. The committee then announced the next day’s agenda and adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• I'd also like to thank our joint and co-authors, which include Senator Parker, Senator Middleton, and
• Thank you for joint authoring and supporting this legislation.
• Members, are there any questions for the author? All right.
• I'm for the author. No, question for the author. This wonderful program sounds great.
• Senator Hughes and recognizes Senator Higginby to explain the bill on behalf of the author.

Bills: SB750 , SB2995 , SB1716 , SB2430 , SB203 , SB1679 , SB2683 , SB1414

Committees: Senate Education , Senate Education K-16

Keywords: tuition exemption, paramedics, higher education, public institutions, laboratory fees, education code, financial aid, education, student support, scholarships, nontraditional education, student enrollment, financial assistance, Texas students, foreign adversaries, trade secrets, research integrity, security measures, international agreements, student privacy

Transcript Highlights:

• Can employee health benefit authority.
• The employee health benefit authority.
• . authority. authority.
• </c><01:29:15.199><c> that</c> would have the explicit authority that would have the explicit authority
• </c> 14 counties. 14 counties.

Keywords: 926, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I'm the Hardin County Attorney, past president of the County Attorneys Association. >> John Ballard,
• I'm the Harden County &gt;&gt; I'm Jenny Oldm.
• ><c> of</c><00:34:43.919><c> the</c><00:34:44.000><c> County</c> Attorney, past president of the County
• Um, like McGomery County Schools.
• county attorney in years past, and we've discussed these issues in meetings.

Committee: Senate Judiciary

Keywords: 958, all

Transcript Highlights:

• ><c> to</c> Seven counties allows agencies to Seven counties allows agencies to analyze<01:46:55.440>
• ,</c> working cattle dog in Jackson County, working cattle dog in Jackson County, Colorado,<02:53:25.359
• Are you going to go into Modoc County, Siskiyou County, Sierra Valley, and tell them this is a Red Riding
• ,</c><03:28:56.960><c> Syscue</c> going to go into Modoc County, Syscue going to go into Modoc County
• international health authorities The international health authorities have<04:04:05.600><c> concluded

Keywords: U.S. House of Representatives Floor Proceedings on Thursday, December 18, 2025, 1012, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• and in your county.
• I live in Harris County, and I will...” “And I go back to the gambling. I live in Harris County.
• county. ...relatively a very conservative county.
• For those that don't know, Coffman County is a growing county, population close to 200,000.
• I'm a county attorney in the more rural jurisdiction of Hill County.

Committee: House Public Health

Summary: The House Committee on Public Health heard House Bill 5, a proposal to ban THC products outside the Texas Compassionate Use Program while allowing non-intoxicating CBD and CBG products under tighter regulation. Chair Van Deaver gave a lengthy background on the 2018 federal Farm Bill and Texas’s 2019 hemp law, arguing that the lack of guardrails allowed a large, unregulated THC market to develop. HB 5 would impose licensing fees, product registration, testing and inspection requirements, and restrictions intended to keep products away from children. Invited witnesses from law enforcement strongly supported the bill. Steve Dye of the Texas Police Chiefs Association and Brian Hawthorne of the Sheriffs’ Association of Texas argued that THC consumables are widely mislabeled, often far more potent than advertised, and linked to youth access, impaired driving, and organized crime. Both said regulation would be ineffective and would amount to legalization, while a ban would be easier for officers to enforce. They also emphasized support for the Texas Compassionate Use Program and said medical THC should remain available. Dr. Peter Stout of the Texas Association of Crime Lab Directors and Alice Amelot of Texas DPS testified as resource witnesses about forensic testing. They said current lab resources are already stretched thin, that quantitative testing for THC and related cannabinoids is expensive and time-consuming, and that a ban would simplify enforcement because labs could focus on presence/absence testing rather than concentration. Amelot said DPS labs are neutral on the bill but explained that mislabeled products and inaccurate certificates of analysis are common. Committee members asked about traffic safety, impairment, youth use, and the costs of enforcement and lab testing; witnesses repeatedly said the bill would reduce complexity for law enforcement but that any approach would still require more resources for labs.

Transcript Highlights:

• She's a joint author, and it's building upon her bill from a couple of years ago.
• Thank you to the author for authoring this bill.
• Andy Liebenbaum, County of Los Angeles, strong support.
• We're going to take a brief recess while we await the arrival of our final author.
• To recess momentarily while we wait for our final author. All right.

Committee: Senate Privacy, Digital Technologies, and Consumer Protection

Keywords: 987, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• The regulatory authority of HOAs to enforce certain CCRs is limited by statute in some cases.
• So House Bill 2118 would add a new limitation on HOA authority to regulate the types of use of a unit
• Under this bill, each limitation on HOA authority to regulate the types of use of a unit would be prohibited
• CCR under the bill must request that the HOA record, or allow recording of, the exception in every county
• So we're authorized under IRS tax code to issue tax-exempt debt.

Summary: The Housing Committee held public hearings on two bills. HB 2118 would limit homeowners associations’ ability to adopt or enforce new covenant restrictions on the use of a unit that are more onerous than those in place when the owner bought the property, unless the owner agrees in writing. The sponsor said the bill is meant to protect buyers from having the rug pulled out from under them on things like chickens or renting part of a home. Staff explained the bill’s grandfathering and recording provisions, and that it excludes rules required by law. Testimony was split: supporters emphasized fairness, certainty, and protecting relied-upon uses, while opponents from HOA and management groups argued it would create fragmented enforcement, higher costs, administrative complexity, and conflict within communities, and that existing law and court decisions already address these issues. The committee closed the hearing without taking a vote. HB 2236 would update Washington Housing Finance Commission statutes. The bill would allow the commission to make direct mortgage loans, extend the term of the commission attorney, remove advance notice to the state finance committee before bond issuance, repeal the housing finance program and housing finance plan requirements, and revise the commission’s purpose language. The sponsor and commission said the changes would modernize outdated statutes, improve efficiency, and give the commission more flexibility to use its revenues and financing tools for affordable housing, gap financing, preservation, and starter homes. Committee members asked about the commission’s bond structure, default risk, and the meaning of “public funds,” and the commission said the transactions remain third-party and tax-exempt, with no state credit risk. Banking industry witnesses said they generally support the commission’s mission but wanted clearer limits on direct lending and the use of public funds, and they were working with the commission on amendment language. Committee members expressed support for the collaboration and the goal of increasing housing production. No votes were taken; both hearings were closed and the committee adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> Um, we probably need statutory authority Um, we probably need statutory authority and<01:33:00.000
• :47.600><c> it,</c><01:45:47.840><c> the</c> we're authorized to offer it, the we're authorized to offer
• And so as they see fit for their county.
• Yeah. >> No. from Carol County where they were okay, from Carol County where they were okay, I<02:09:
• </c> have one town in Carol County. have one town in Carol County.

Committee: Senate Election Law and Municipal Affairs

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• We have from Bucks County, Morgan Marshall, a rising senior from Bucks County.
• These are the legislative interns in the Delaware County office. Please stand.
• These are the legislative interns in the Delaware County office. Please stand.
• Representative Madsen, who serves Dauphin County, has Reggie Green.
• The Chair recognizes Representative Lawrence from Chester County. Thank you.

Summary: The House convened, opened with prayer and the Pledge of Allegiance, approved several journals, and welcomed a number of guests, including Irish dignitaries, scholarship winners, interns, student pages, and members of Omega Psi Phi. After confirming a quorum, the chamber received committee reports and referred new bills and resolutions, then recessed for caucuses and committee meetings before returning to floor action. In the afternoon session, the House considered several bills and amendments. It approved amendments to House Bills 426, 1127, 2551, and Senate Bill 146, while rejecting an amendment to HB 1127 that would have tightened background-check requirements for out-of-state dentists. The chamber also agreed to HB 2234, which creates a spent grain donation tax credit and updates the malt beverage tax credit, and HB 2551, which limits text-message notices by the Turnpike Commission and other agencies about unpaid fines, fees, or tolls. Senate Bill 146, creating the Veterans Trust Fund Board, was amended to add audit-related changes and then agreed to. The House then took final passage votes on several bills. HB 133, allowing a process to petition for reinstatement of parental rights, passed 191-11; HB 138, barring parental incarceration as the sole basis for termination of parental rights, passed 200-2; HB 2207, on capital development loans, passed 202-0; and HB 2224, dealing with utility rate and tax-related changes, passed 202-0 after extensive debate over affordability, consumer protections, and tax relief. HB 2473, repealing the Flood Insurance Education Information Act of 1996, also passed unanimously, and HB 2544, addressing school administrator rights and compensation disputes, passed 141-61. The most extensive debate centered on HB 2632, which reallocates educational tax credit caps and replaces the EITC and OSTC programs with a new options tax credit framework beginning in 2027-28. Supporters said it would improve transparency, accountability, and access for the poorest students, while opponents argued it would reduce scholarship opportunities, add burdens, and harm families and schools that rely on the current programs. After lengthy debate, the House passed HB 2632 by a vote of 105-97. The chamber then announced a Finance Committee voting meeting, recommitted several bills to Appropriations, and adjourned until June 23, 2026.