Transcript Highlights:

• Engrossed Committee Substitute for House Bill 5441, reforming...
• Move that the bill be made effective July 1, 2026.
• Clerk will communicate the action of the Senate to the House. Engrossed House Bill 5690.
• [Bill: Engrossed House Bill 5692] Supplemental Appropriation, State Road Fund.
• I declare the bill effective July 1, 2026.

Summary: The Senate considered and passed a series of House bills and one constitutional resolution, with several measures receiving title amendments and some taking effect immediately or on a specified date. Early action included moving House Bill 5438, concerning the foundation allowance for instructional programs, to the foot of third-reading bills. House Bill 5441, reforming the state personnel system, was amended with a Judiciary strike-and-insert technical fix, then passed 28-6 and was set to take effect July 1, 2026. House Bill 5462 on mine subsidence insurance passed unanimously, with a title amendment adopted. House Bill 5484, creating felony offenses related to denying medical treatment to sexual offense victims, also passed unanimously with a title amendment. House Bill 5515 modernizing workers’ compensation statutes passed unanimously with a title amendment, and House Bill 5527 establishing licensure and regulation for wellness reimbursement programs passed unanimously. House Bill 5528, protecting personal residential information of certain public officials, passed unanimously with a title amendment. The most extended debate centered on House Bill 5537, an education-related bill that was amended to add a child-protection provision later referred to as “Rayleigh’s law.” The amendment would bar approval of home instruction requests in certain child abuse or neglect cases until the Department of Human Services confirms the investigation is unfounded, closed, or not substantiated, or until 10 days pass without a response. Senators argued the measure was intended to protect children and not target homeschooling. After a point of order, the chair initially ruled the amended language not germane; that ruling was challenged and ultimately overruled by a 24-7 vote, allowing the amendment to remain. The bill then passed 24-7, and a title amendment was adopted. Other measures passed with little or no opposition. House Bill 5582 removed the sunset on the TANF applicant drug-screening program and passed 28-3 after a technical committee amendment. House Bill 5687 reduced the metallurgical coal severance tax over time and adjusted oil and gas tax allocations, passing 31-3. Several supplemental appropriations also passed and were made effective from passage, including funds for Homeland Security/corrections, the Adjutant General, Health, the State Road Fund, and Tourism/Culture and History. The Senate also adopted House Joint Resolution 42, which would place on the ballot a constitutional amendment increasing the homestead exemption from $20,000 to $40,000 and allowing future changes by general law. In second reading, the Senate advanced bills on workforce training reimbursements, aerospace and advanced manufacturing incentives, portable benefit accounts, literacy and science-of-reading training, school aid formula changes, and wedding venue regulation, with amendments adopted on several of them before advancement to third reading.

Transcript Highlights:

• The House will take the following bill in the following order: Engrossed Substitute Senate Bill 5998,
• The House will take the following bill in the following order: Senate Bill 6244.
• With the consent of the House, Substitute Senate Bill 6003, as amended by the House, is immediately transmitted
• Clerk will read: engrossed Substitute House Bill 129.
• Clerk will read: Engrossed Substitute House Bill 1295. Last line. Substitute Senate Bill 6355.

Bills: HB2720 , HB2073 , SB5816 , SB5919 , SB5831 , SB6244 , SB6044 , SB5109 , SB5877 , SB6258

Keywords: behavioral health, emergency services, health insurance, provider access, mental health funding, premium assistance, funding, healthcare, subsidies, juice grapes, agriculture, commerce, state regulation, market access, fire safety, insurance incentives, best practices, community protection, voluntary measures, mortgage modification

Transcript Highlights:

• Final tally on House Bill 1018 reveals 42 ayes, 0 nays, and 1 present not voting.
• Second reading of House bills. The next bill up for consideration is House Bill 1181. Mr.
• By a vote of 5 to 1, we had a do pass on House Bill 1181, and we asked the chamber to vote green.
• Second reading of House bills. The next bill for consideration is House Bill 1417.
• Second reading of House bills. The next bill for consideration is House Bill 1417. Mr. Secretary.

Summary: The Senate opened with prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, and a quorum call, then approved journal corrections and moved to elect Senator Kyle Davison as President Pro Tem. Davison was nominated, elected by unanimous ballot, escorted to the rostrum, sworn in, and gave remarks thanking his family, colleagues, and faith, emphasizing relationships, service, and stewardship. The chamber also recognized National Public Health Week with a floor statement honoring public health workers and training programs, and that statement was ordered printed in the journal. The Senate then considered several House bills, beginning with HB 1485, which increases the personal needs allowance for Medicaid residents in certain facilities by $15 per month and indexes it to inflation; the amendment was adopted and the bill passed 46-1. HB 1018, the State Historical Society budget, was amended to adjust one-time and ongoing funding for museum exhibits, repatriation compliance, archives storage, local historic grants, and the military gallery project, then passed 42-0 with one senator excused from voting due to a conflict. HB 1181, defining gender in state code as an individual’s sex and removing a broader application section, passed 41-6. HB 1144, adding a penalty and enforcement mechanism related to transgender student accommodations and restroom use in public schools, passed 40-7 with its emergency clause. The Senate also passed HB 1600, creating an immigration law clinic at the University of North Dakota School of Law and shifting its funding to the strategic investment and improvements fund, by 34-13. HB 1019, the Parks and Recreation budget, was amended to fund deferred maintenance, technology, sewer work, matching grants, and other park projects, add language requiring legislative approval for new or renamed state parks, and clarify use of the Teddy Roosevelt Presidential Library line of credit; a proposed amendment to remove funding for the International Peace Gardens cactus conservatory failed 20-27, and the bill then passed 39-8. HB 1417, dealing with parole/probation violations, court fees, and a study of criminal justice fees, passed 40-7 after amendments. The most extensive debate centered on HB 1450, which would require parent or guardian access to a minor’s medical exam room and notice of questions asked of the minor, with exceptions for emancipation and suspected abuse or trafficking. Supporters framed it as a parental rights and transparency measure, while opponents warned it could hinder screening for abuse, neglect, mental health concerns, and confidential care; multiple senators shared personal experiences on both sides. A proposed amendment to narrow the bill failed 21-26, and the transcript ends amid continued debate on the bill itself, with no final vote shown in the excerpt.

Transcript Highlights:

• Joint committee report on House Bill 2787 by Trey Caldwell of the House and Chuck Hall of the Senate,
• The question for the House is, shall the bill pass?
• Joint Committee report to House Bill 2786 by Caldwell, Trey of the House and Hall of the Senate, an act
• Third reading of the bill. House Bill 2786 by Caldwell, Trey of the House and Hall of the Senate...
• House Bill 2786 by Caldwell, Trey of the House and Hall of the Senate, an act relating to the Department

Transcript Highlights:

• I rise to present SB 170, our first housing trailer bill.
• This bill extends the sunset for remote court hearings from January 1, 2027.
• This bill extends the sunset for remote court hearings from January 1, 2027, to January 1, 2032, and
• I rise to present AB 179, our second housing budget trailer bill, and this is a bill that does a lot
• housing through H.R. 1.

Transcript Highlights:

• Um, the next thing with the budget, as you may not know, House Bill 1 is the appropriation.
• Um, the next thing with the budget, as you may not know, House Bill 1 is the appropriation.
• Um, the next thing with the budget, as you may not know, House Bill 1 is the appropriation.
• Um, the next thing with the budget, as you may not know, House Bill 1 is the appropriation.
• The next thing with the budget, as you may not know, House Bill 1 is the appropriation.

Committee: Senate Finance

Transcript Highlights:

• The clerk is instructed to record the action in the House and convey the bill to the Senate.
• By the vote of 54 ayes, 1 nay, 4 not voting, and 1 vacant, you have passed Senate Bill 1172, signed in
• The clerk is instructed to record the action in the House and convey the bill to the Senate.
• The clerk is instructed to record the action of the House. Senate Bill 1221.
• Senate Bill 1400. Senate Bill 1400, amending Title 38, Chapter 8, Article 1.

Transcript Highlights:

• Next bill on page two of the calendar, House Bill number 129, by Representative Rafferty, relating...
• Clerk, call the next bill on page five of the calendar: House Bill number 112 by Representative Shed,
• Clerk, call the next bill on page six of the calendar: House Bill number 118 by Representative...
• Clerk, call the next bill on page eight of the calendar: House Bill 124 by Representative Wilcox.
• Clerk, call the next bill on page nine of the calendar: House Bill 126 with substitute by...

Transcript Highlights:

• House will now have before it House Bill 639. Gentlemen from three. House Bill 639.
• Majority having voted in favor of House Bill 639, House Bill 639 has passed the House.
• Majority having voted in favor of House Bill 532, House Bill 532 has passed the House.
• House will now have before it House Bill 629. House Bill 629.
• Majority having voted in favor of House Bill 629, House Bill 629 has passed the House.

Transcript Highlights:

• Ayes, 48; nays, 8; not voting, 2; and 1 vacant. Senate Bill 1162 has passed.
• The clerk has started to record the action in the House and convey the bill to the Senate.
• The clerk is instructed to record the action in the House and convey the bill to the Senate.
• The clerk is instructed to record the action in the House and convey the bill to the Senate.
• The clerk is instructed to record the action in the House and convey the bill to the Senate.

Transcript Highlights:

• >> Megan Statts, the boating administrator. >> Um, yes, that was House Bill 2477.
• Um yes, that was House Bill<00:07:26.320><c> uh</c><00:07:26.400><c> 2477.</c> Bill uh 2477.
• </c><00:07:30.200><c> Bill</c><00:07:31.000><c> 2477</c> with House Bill 2477 with House Bill 2477 was
• </c><00:32:15.640><c> with</c><00:32:15.800><c> three</c> House Draft 1 with amendments with three House
• </c><01:25:41.360><c> Draft</c><01:25:41.720><c> 1</c> recommendation on HB 2599 House Draft 1 recommendation

Summary: The committee first heard HB 649, which would create a small boat harbor commercial vessel special fund and raise mortgage fees on commercial vessels to fund harbor improvements. DLNR stood on written testimony in support, while the Ocean Tourism Coalition, Activity and Attractions Association of Hawaii, Calypso Charters, and a local commercial operator all opposed the bill, arguing that the fee increase would burden thin-margin businesses without fixing procurement and staffing problems and that the bill’s fee language and fund allocations were too vague. A DLNR witness also noted a prior bill, HB 2477, had sought to broaden the fee base to more ocean operators statewide rather than increase the percentage. No vote was taken on HB 649 during the portion shown. The committee then heard HB 2599 on aquatic protection, which would prioritize ecosystem integrity and use of best available science in managing aquatic resources and set coral reef resilience goals. DLNR supported the measure, and a testifier from the public urged stronger coral goals for Oahu and a broader framework including water quality, herbivore management, fishery management, enforcement, and coral restoration. There was no opposition or vote shown on HB 2599 before the committee recessed to a joint hearing. In the joint Economic Development and Tourism / Water, Land, Culture, and the Arts hearing, members heard HB 2118 on transferring the State Foundation on Culture and the Arts and the King Kamehameha Celebration Commission from DAGS to DBED, HB 2474 on authorizing non-binding international cooperative agreements, HB 1863 on creating an honorary ambassador to Canada, HB 1943 on out-of-state DBED offices and export promotion, and HB 2604 on a performing arts ticket surcharge. Testimony was generally supportive for HB 2118, HB 2474, HB 1863, and HB 1943, with questions focused on agency placement, sister-state relationships, and the rationale for overseas offices. HB 2604 drew opposition from the Tax Foundation and others, who argued the surcharge functioned as a tax and would make arts participation more expensive; the chair recommended deferring it. During decision-making, both committees passed HB 2118, HB 2474, HB 1863, and HB 1943 with amendments, including technical changes and revised effective dates. For HB 2474, the amendments were described as clarifying definitions for sister-state and international cooperative agreements, allowing relationships with national governments, and preserving legislative approval and transparency. HB 1943 was amended to require an office in Laoag City, Philippines, rather than a non-existent DBED Philippines office. HB 2604 was deferred. After the joint session, the Water, Land, Culture, and the Arts committee resumed and heard HB 2395 on permits for taking marine deposits and HB 2361 on administrative support for the Kahului Bay Regional Council, both of which drew only DLNR written testimony and no further action in the excerpt. The committee then began HB 1823 on Coastal Zone Management Act exemptions, with the Office of Hawaiian Affairs testifying first, but the transcript cuts off before further testimony or action.

Transcript Highlights:

• House communication number 785 to bills.
• First item is Senate Bill 1369, House Draft 1, relating to Title 24, Hawaii Revised Statutes.
• 44.400><c> House</c><00:04:44.639><c> draft</c><00:04:44.880><c> 1,</c> is Senate Bill 1369, House draft
• 1, is Senate Bill 1369, House draft 1, relating<00:04:45.520><c> to</c><00:04:45.680><c> title</c><00
• President. 102 house draft 1. Senator Kohal. Thank 102 house draft 1. Senator Kohal.

Transcript Highlights:

• First, the bill provides a $1 million standard deduction.
• The bill provides a $1 million standard deduction.
• There's a House companion that did not receive a hearing: House Bill 2667.
• It is a complex problem, and House Bill?
• We cannot support the bill or the newest substitute House bill as currently written.

Bills: SB6346 , SB6347 , SB6147 , SB6246 , SB5940 , SB5882 , SB6223 , SJR8206 , SB5762 , SB5828

Committee: Senate Ways & Means

Keywords: millionaires tax, wealth tax, income tax, state revenue, tax reform, Washington estate tax, estate tax, inheritance tax, death tax, probate, decedent, gross estate, taxable estate, exclusion amount, tax rate, estate planning, heirs, beneficiaries, RCW 83.100, Department of Revenue

Transcript Highlights:

• Senate File 4419, House File 4069 exempts J-1 visa holding teachers and their employing school districts
• The focus of this bill is on the J-1 visa holders. J-1 visa holders.
• The focus of this bill is on the J-1<00:01:56.920><c> visa</c><00:01:57.440><c> holders.
• And basically, I think your bill is asking our J-1 visa holders to give up 9% of their salary, and to
• And basically, I think your bill is asking our J-1 visa holders to give up 9% of their salary, and to

Transcript Highlights:

• There are other bills that passed this session, not just the big retail framework marketplace bill, but
• The first up will be House Bill 26 from Delegate Henson and Senate Bill 62 by Senator Lucas.
• The next bill is very similar to... House Bill 75. No, that's the wrong bill.
• And then our last bill is Senate Bill 543 by Chair Aird.
• The biggest part was that, well, another big part of this bill, effective November 1, 2026, which is

Transcript Highlights:

• house bills as may be accompanying house bills as may be amended<00:23:18.640><c> pass</c><00:23:18.919
• </c> accompanying house bill is pass third accompanying house bill is pass third reading<00:38:53.280
• </c> 898 HB 1069 house draft 1 rep Garcia 898 HB 1069 house draft 1 rep Garcia Shimizu<00:57:27.640><
• If so, said House bills passed. Third reading, item number six. Third reading bills.
• Any discussion on these items, starting with House Bill 132 and House Bill 622?

Transcript Highlights:

• The House Bill 195 is finally passed. The chair lays out on third reading House Bill 13.
• The House Bill 13 is finally passed. Chair lays out on third reading House Bill 143.
• The chair lays out on second reading House Bill 908. The clerk will ring the bell or read the bill.
• The chair lays out on second reading House Bill 1392.
• Speaker, I move passage. to close on his bill. House Bill 1392. A record vote has been requested.

Bills: HJR1 , HJR2 , HB9 , HB22 , HB908 , HB1392 , HB195 , HB 13 , HB143 , HB135 , HJR1 , HJR2 , HB9 , HB22 , HB908 , HB1392

Keywords: constitutional amendment, property tax, ad valorem tax, tax exemption, tangible personal property, income-producing property, business personal property, equipment exemption, machinery, local government finance, school district revenue, county taxes, Texas Constitution, Article VIII, tax relief, commercial property, death tax, inheritance tax, estate tax, property transfer

Transcript Highlights:

• House Bill 2035.
• House Bill 2109.
• House Bill 2120.
• House Bill 2176.
• House Bill 2342. House Bill 2342.

Transcript Highlights:

• Senator Burgess, 9950211, 995-1-1-1-1-1-1-1-1-1-1-1-1-1-1-1.
• -1-2-9-1-9-1-9-0-1-6-1-9-1-6-6-4, 9-9-0-0-5-0-0-0-1-1-9-1-9-1-1-9-1-1-1-9-1-1-9-1-1-1- 9950-9-13-9-1-
• 1-2-1-2-2-9-4-9-9-9-9-0-9-0-1-1-1-4-1-9-1-1-9-1-1-1-9-1-1-1-1-1-1-1-1- 9-1-9-0-9-0-3-9-0-0-9-0-0-9-0-
• -9-3-1-9-3-1-9-9-9-9-9-0-3-3-1-9-3-1-9-9-9-9-9-9-9-9-9-0-1-1-1-1-1-1-1-1-1-1-9-1-9-1-9-1-1-1-9-1- 995
• 2-6-9-9-9-9-1-2-4-9-9-9-1-244-9-9-1-5-1-1-4-9-1-5-1-1-5-1-1-5-1-1-5-1-5-1-1-1-5-1-5-1-1-1-5-1-5-1-5-1

Bills: S2500 , S2502 , S2504 , S7028 , S2506 , S2508 , S2510 , S2512 , S2514 , S2516 , S2518 , S0482 , S0678 , S0984 , S1016 , S1074 , S1706 , S7030

Committee: Senate Appropriations

Summary: The committee heard presentations on the Senate’s proposed 2026-2027 budget, SPB 2500, with chairs outlining major spending in K-12 education, higher education, health and human services, criminal and civil justice, transportation/tourism/economic development, and agriculture/environment/general government. Highlights included a $115 billion overall budget, pay raises for state employees and public safety workers, major K-12 funding increases and enrollment supplements, higher education workforce and nursing investments, expanded Medicaid/KidCare and behavioral health funding, corrections and law enforcement operational funding, transportation and housing investments, and significant environmental and water quality spending. Members asked about civic education funding, declining enrollment, professor retention, APD waiver waitlists, cultural grant allocations, and other line items. Public testimony also addressed HIV/AIDS drug assistance funding and prison air conditioning. SPB 2500 was adopted as a committee bill after amendment consideration and a roll call vote. The committee then took up implementing and related budget bills, including SPB 2502 (implementing the General Appropriations Act), SPB 2504 (state employee bargaining placeholder), SB 7028 (Florida Retirement System contribution rates and related retirement changes), SPB 2506 (fuel tax distributions), SPB 2508 (state agency law enforcement radio system surcharge), SPB 2510 (termination of an unused court trust fund), SPB 2512 (new judgeships), SPB 2514 (K-12 conforming changes), SPB 2516 (higher education conforming changes), and SPB 2518 (health conforming changes). Most were explained as technical or conforming measures tied to the budget, and all were reported favorably as committee bills, with SB 7028 amended to direct a portion of increased contributions to disability and line-of-duty death benefits in the FRS investment plan. The committee also heard and passed several member bills, including CS for SB 1074 on rounding rules for cash transactions in a world without pennies, CS for SB 678 restoring the alcohol loss deduction framework for distributors, and SB 964 on firefighter cancer benefits and prevention. SB 964 drew the most discussion, with questions about the one-year death-benefit window, the separate $25,000 cancer diagnosis payment, and whether the bill could create gaps in coverage for firefighters diagnosed or dying just outside the new time limits. Firefighter representatives testified in support, saying the bill would provide clearer protections for members and families. All of these measures were reported favorably.

Transcript Highlights:

• The first one on our agenda is House Joint Resolution 1, Senate Joint Resolution 1, on the right to reproductive
• The first one on our agenda is House Joint Resolution 1, Senate Joint Resolution 1, on the right to reproductive
• House Joint Resolution 1, Senate Joint Resolution 1, on the right to reproductive freedom.
• 1 Bill of Rights, that means this is what's actually going to be in the law.
• This Article 1, Bill of Rights, Section 11A, is actually the text of what we're putting into law.

Committee: House Privileges and Elections

Summary: The joint meeting of the Privileges and Elections Committees convened with a quorum present to approve explanatory ballot language for three proposed constitutional amendments scheduled for the November ballot. The committee reviewed the amendments on reproductive freedom, the right to vote, and the right to marry, with staff explaining that the committee was only approving neutral voter-facing explanation language, not the constitutional text itself. Members raised questions about wording, ballot order, and whether the explanations were sufficiently clear or potentially leading, especially on the reproductive freedom amendment. For HJ 1/SJ 1, the committee debated the explanation at length, including objections that it was misleading or incomplete and responses from counsel and supporters that it accurately tracked the amendment text. A motion to insert “Question 1” into the explanation was adopted, and the amended explainer language for the reproductive freedom amendment was then approved. The committee then moved through the right-to-vote and right-to-marry amendments, similarly adding question numbers to the explanatory language before approving the amended explanations. Recorded votes showed the amendments to the explanatory language passing on party-line divisions in both chambers, generally with Senate support from the majority and House support from the majority, while several members voted no. After approving the amended explainer language for all three amendments, the committee concluded the meeting and adjourned.