Transcript Highlights:

• House Rules 233, 22, 29, 24, 29, 20, and 4950, and 4136. As amended, refer to regrossing.
• House Bill 2435, amending Title 32, Chapter 14, Article 2, relating to the Arizona Medical Board.
• House Bill 2621, amending Title 15, Chapter 7, Article 4, relating to public education.
• Amendment to Title 22, Chapter 1, Article 2, by adding Sections 22-126, 22-127, and 22-128, related to
• Section 22-126, 22-127, and 22-128 related to justices of the peace.

Summary: The House opened with prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, attendance, and a series of guest introductions and recognitions, including Doctor of the Day Dr. Eric Osowski, State Farm visitors, Donate Life Day participants, and representatives from Ganado and Chinle Unified School Districts. The chamber also read proclamations honoring Ganado Unified for the ASBA Golden Bell Promise Program Award and Chinle Unified for multiple academic and cultural achievements, including national recognition for Chinle Elementary School and district leadership. The body then moved through committee and floor business, including consent for the Senate to adjourn, first and second readings of several bills, and a motion to reconsider HB 2429. In Committee of the Whole, HB 2093 was amended to restore mental health instruction while removing social emotional learning, HB 2229 advanced after debate over reproductive health and abortion-related provisions, HB 2429 and HB 2950 were amended and recommended do pass, and HB 4136 also advanced as amended. The House adopted the Committee of the Whole report and referred the measures to engrossing. The chamber then considered HB 4001, a bill regulating alternative nicotine products, with amendments and debate focused on licensing, enforcement, youth access, and whether to add a tax or education provisions; the bill was recommended do pass as amended. It also debated HB 4030 and the related HCR 2052, both aimed at limiting municipal tax and fee increases and allowing increases tied to inflation or new water-source costs. Amendments offered by Democrats to redirect the measures toward affordability, housing, and health insurance claims were ruled out of order or defeated on roll-call votes, while the Olson substitute amendments prevailed. The House ultimately adopted the Committee of the Whole report, sending HB 4001, HB 4030, and HCR 2052 forward as amended.

Transcript Highlights:

• Welcome<00:22:00.840><c> to</c><00:22:00.920><c> your</c><00:22:01.000><c> House</c><00:22:01.120><c>
• It is my pleasure<00:22:07.320><c> to</c><00:22:07.600><c> introduce</c><00:22:08.640><c> uh</c><00:22
• /c><00:22:49.080><c> and</c><00:22:49.240><c> I</c><00:22:49.320><c> would</c><00:22:49.480><c> like<
• to also<00:22:50.800><c> mention</c><00:22:51.160><c> that</c><00:22:51.360><c> they</c><00:22:51.679
• Um but<00:22:59.080><c> to</c><00:22:59.200><c> joining</c><00:22:59.600><c> us</c><00:22:59.760><c>

Bills: HR204 , SB2925 , SB2798 , SB2320 , SB2800 , SB1230 , SB2706 , SB3233 , SB2405 , SB3320 , SB2543 , SB3097 , SB3096 , SB3140 , SB2593 , SB2567 , SB2466 , SB2140 , SB2088 , SB3090 , SB608 , SB2795 , SB3294 , SB3263 , SB3001 , SB2907 , SB3251 , SB2074 , SB2360 , SB2354 , SB2908 , SB2353 , SB3045 , SB2047 , SB3254 , SB3246 , SB3133 , SB2425 , SB2671 , SB3229 , SB2969 , SB1166 , SB896 , SB2391 , SB2125 , SB3118 , SB3325 , SB2613 , SB2614 , SB494 , SB2376 , SB3326 , SB2001 , SB2599 , SB3048 , SB3169 , SB2002 , SB3247 , SB3253 , SB2155 , SB2192 , SB3187 , SB2190 , SB2398 , SB2424 , SB3028 , SB2338 , SB3219 , SB2981 , HCR14

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><01:22:30.320><c> is</c><01:22:30.560><c> that</c><01:22:30.880><c> this</c><01:22:31.120><c> is<
• :22:39.120><c> we're</c><01:22:39.360><c> trying</c><01:22:39.520><c> to</c><01:22:39.600><c> do</c><
• what<01:22:40.239><c> we</c><01:22:40.480><c> trying</c><01:22:40.639><c> to</c><01:22:40.800><c> do
• ><c> one</c><01:22:44.719><c> of</c><01:22:44.719><c> our</c><01:22:44.960><c> focus</c><01:22:45.280
• ><c> as</c><01:22:45.520><c> a</c><01:22:45.679><c> state</c><01:22:46.719><c> to</c><01:22:46.960><c

Summary: The Alabama Senate convened with prayer and the pledge, then established a quorum with 27 senators present. The body excused absent senators, approved the previous day’s journal, and allowed bills and committee reports to be introduced throughout the day. The Senate also welcomed guests in the gallery, including Auburn University McCarter School of Building Science students and retired MPD Sergeant Martin Bean. The chamber received multiple House messages and gubernatorial confirmations, referring several local bills and appointments to the appropriate committees. Committee reports included favorable action on Senate Bills 298 and 91 from County and Municipal Government, and House Bills 297, 365, and 436 from Local Legislation. The Senate adopted several resolutions, including recognitions for Tharptown Baptist Church, Tuskegee University Day, Dr. Bradley Heim, the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence, McGill-Toolen Catholic High School volleyball, and a special order calendar resolution setting priority bills for the 15th legislative day. On local bills, the Senate advanced and gave final passage to a series of county and municipal measures, including SB 301 (Perry County), SB 314 (Morgan County), SB 295 (Montgomery County), SB 312 (Marshall County), HB 371 (Pike County constitutional amendment), HB 386 (Elmore County), HB 330 (Etowah County), HB 409 (City of Alabaster), HB 408 (Shelby County), SB 299 (Barbour County), HB 416 (Cleburne County), and HB 421 (Lawrence County constitutional amendment). HB 337 on Madison County was carried over. The Senate also adopted a resolution honoring Alabama’s record-breaking economic development year, citing major investments and job creation, and heard a lengthy Black History recognition segment on W.E.B. Du Bois, Patricia Roberts Harris, Langston Hughes, and Maya Angelou. The main policy discussion centered on Senate Bill 240 regarding parole hearings, with the sponsor explaining it would allow the Pardons and Parole Board to hear from inmates and victims by phone or video to reduce travel burdens and improve access. The sponsor said an amendment was being worked on and moved to carry the bill over to the call of the chair, while another senator raised questions about whether inmates currently have an in-person opportunity to speak and whether board members would be able to question participants remotely.

Transcript Highlights:

• ><c> else</c><00:22:48.080><c> all</c><00:22:48.279><c> Minnesota</c><00:22:49.039><c> students</c> everyone
• 22:50.720><c> have</c><00:22:50.880><c> the</c><00:22:51.000><c> same</c><00:22:51.240><c> opportunity
• to seek<00:22:52.080><c> higher</c><00:22:52.320><c> education</c><00:22:52.880><c> and</c><00:22:53.120
• c><00:22:55.200><c> are</c><00:22:56.200><c> they</c><00:22:56.360><c> are</c> for themselves they are
• </c><00:22:58.960><c> any</c><00:22:59.200><c> efforts</c><00:22:59.520><c> to</c> motans please reject

Transcript Highlights:

• is Louie erchic for the white<00:22:01.480><c> disability</c><00:22:01.960><c> rights</c><00:22:02.640
• in support<00:22:05.480><c> uh</c><00:22:05.600><c> Nathan</c><00:22:05.919><c> Lee</c><00:22:06.440
• :00.520><c> for</c><01:22:00.840><c> Progressive</c><01:22:01.360><c> action</c><01:22:02.080><c> in<
• </c><01:22:03.960><c> B</c><01:22:04.520><c> Roberts</c><01:22:05.000><c> Emery</c><01:22:05.400><c>
• <c> of</c><01:22:12.520><c> Hawaii</c><01:22:13.120><c> in</c><01:22:13.320><c> support</c><01:22:13.960

Committee: Senate Judiciary

Summary: The committee heard testimony on SB 114, which would create a presidential preference primary for the 2028 election. The Office of Elections said the bill would cost about $4.1 million. Supporters, including the Hawaii Democratic Party and the League of Women Voters, favored moving the process to a state-run primary, while several opponents, including the Hawaiian Islands Republican Women and multiple individual testifiers, argued it would be too expensive, would shift control away from the parties, and would replace volunteer-run caucuses with a mail-in system. Committee members questioned the chief election officer about election timing, certification, and how a primary might be scheduled with other elections. Testimony was recorded as 11 in support, 41 opposed, and 3 comments, and no vote was taken in the excerpt. The committee then took up SB 725, which would require judges to make findings about a defendant’s ability to afford bail. Judiciary and Attorney General witnesses asked that the bill be deferred or amended, saying the Judicial Council is already reviewing pretrial bail reform and that the bill’s language could create practical problems for police, sheriffs, and courts. Supporters, including the Correctional System Oversight Commission, the public defender, the Community Alliance on Prisons, the ACLU of Hawaii, and disability rights advocates, said cash bail disproportionately harms low-income defendants, increases pretrial detention costs, and should require clearer findings and records. Opponents included the Hawaii County prosecuting attorney. Members questioned how bail is initially set, what records exist, and whether the bill would change current practice; Judiciary witnesses said initial bail decisions are often made by police or judges and later reviewed on the record, while supporters argued the bill would strengthen front-end due process. The ACLU said it supported the bill with amendments, including clearer standards for ability to pay and written findings. The committee also began hearing SB 733, a proposed constitutional amendment to establish a continuous legislative session. Early testimony was strongly supportive, with advocates arguing that the current 60-day session limits public participation, makes it hard for working people to testify, and prevents lawmakers from collaborating effectively. Supporters said a year-round model could improve transparency, reduce duplicate bills, and better accommodate neighbor island legislators. The excerpt ends during the opening testimony on SB 733, before any committee action or vote is shown.

Transcript Highlights:

• So, how is<01:22:12.800><c> it</c><01:22:13.360><c> that</c><01:22:13.679><c> with</c><01:22:13.920><
• ,<01:22:16.000><c> we</c><01:22:16.320><c> still</c><01:22:16.560><c> have</c><01:22:16.920><c> cities
• ><c> and</c><01:22:19.280><c> acting</c><01:22:19.600><c> as</c><01:22:19.840><c> if</c><01:22:20.000
• Both<01:22:24.400><c> of</c><01:22:24.560><c> these</c><01:22:24.800><c> things</c><01:22:25.040><c>
• These are things that<01:22:28.719><c> they</c><01:22:28.960><c> do</c><01:22:29.199><c> to</c><01:22

Transcript Highlights:

• :22:08.240><c> example</c><00:22:08.559><c> on</c><00:22:08.720><c> State</c><00:22:09.000><c> Forest
• that</c><00:22:17.440><c> are</c><00:22:17.640><c> needed</c><00:22:18.000><c> to</c><00:22:18.279><
• </c><00:22:24.279><c> population</c><00:22:24.840><c> data</c><00:22:25.120><c> on</c><00:22:25.360><
• um so<00:22:31.760><c> there's</c><00:22:32.000><c> more</c><00:22:32.240><c> information</c><00:22:
• :22:46.080><c> at</c><00:22:46.200><c> the</c><00:22:46.400><c> time</c><00:22:47.080><c> of</c><00:22

Transcript Highlights:

• :22:04.799><c> and</c><00:22:04.960><c> I</c><00:22:05.080><c> have</c><00:22:05.200><c> a</c><00:22:
• </c><00:22:06.520><c> but</c><00:22:06.600><c> a</c><00:22:06.720><c> little</c><00:22:06.880><c> pin
• :09.840><c> um</c><00:22:10.279><c> it's</c><00:22:10.400><c> not</c><00:22:10.559><c> just</c><00:22
• 22:16.360><c> aging</c><00:22:17.039><c> that</c><00:22:17.360><c> might</c><00:22:17.760><c> you</c>
• ><c> we</c><00:22:23.559><c> were</c><00:22:23.799><c> able</c><00:22:24.200><c> to</c><00:22:25.080>

Summary: The Division of Long-Term Supports and Services presented its budget and program overview as part of the Department of Health and Human Services operating budget review. Leadership described the division’s three bureaus—Aging and Adult Services, Developmental Services, and Family-Centered Services—and explained that the division provides guidance, technical assistance, quality monitoring, and contracted provider oversight across the lifespan. Members also discussed staffing, with reported vacancy rates of 4% in Aging and Adult Services, 15% in Developmental Services, and 6% in Family-Centered Services; the division said the higher BDS vacancy rate is partly due to the small number of authorized positions. The governor’s budget had left eight positions unfunded in the division, including three in Aging and Adult Services and five in BDS. A major topic was the division’s roadmap initiatives, especially building a system of care for healthy aging and strengthening developmental disabilities systems through a new reimbursement rate structure. The division said it contracted with an actuary to study DD service costs and found rates had not been reviewed since 2017 and were significantly below actual costs and other states’ rates, contributing to provider shortages even when services are authorized. Members asked about the impact on service delivery and whether rates would need to rise overall; the division said its strategy is to focus on lower-cost services that help people remain in the community. The division also reported waiver enrollment figures, including about 4,161 people on the Choices for Independence waiver, 3,688 average nursing facility residents, 5,061 people on the DD waiver, 228 on the acquired brain disorder waiver, and 488 children on the in-home support waiver, while noting there is no funding waitlist but provider availability remains a constraint. The division highlighted IT modernization as a major accomplishment, especially moving Adult Protective Services and Developmental Services into the New Heights system. Officials said these changes improve case-note access, data retrieval, service authorization tracking, and transparency for providers, and they asked for future oversight discussion focused on IT leverage. Members noted that New Heights maintenance is budgeted in the Office of the Commissioner under class 27 and suggested better transparency on system costs and benefits. The division also reported that it closed out a long-running CMS corrective action plan for BDS on July 1, 2023, and said it is now focused on strengthening the system rather than compliance alone. Other discussion covered the Aging and Adult Services bureau’s name change from Elderly and Adult Services to Adult and Aging Services, intended to avoid negative connotations and better reflect preventative services. The bureau described Adult Protective Services trends involving scams, financial exploitation, self-neglect, and isolation, and explained that it administers the CFI waiver, determines medical eligibility for nursing facility level of care, and braids funding from Medicaid, state funds, Older Americans Act money, Social Service Block Grants, and other grants. Members asked about waiver growth targets and federal consequences if enrollment remains below projections; the division said it would explain the shortfall in a future waiver amendment and did not anticipate a federal penalty. The meeting ended without any votes or formal actions taken.

Transcript Highlights:

• ><c> be</c><00:22:14.679><c> allowed</c><00:22:14.960><c> to</c><00:22:15.120><c> continue</c><00:22:
• ><c> end</c><00:22:24.000><c> in</c><00:22:24.120><c> the</c><00:22:24.320><c> event</c><00:22:24.679
• :22:26.440><c> the</c><00:22:26.640><c> capital</c><00:22:27.320><c> it</c><00:22:27.440><c> may</c><
• c> folks</c><00:22:50.320><c> for</c><00:22:50.600><c> being</c><00:22:50.919><c> here</c><00:22:51.120
• :22:07.840><c> if</c><01:22:07.960><c> we</c><01:22:08.040><c> can</c><01:22:08.199><c> work</c><01:22

Committee: House Agriculture & Food Systems

Transcript Highlights:

• Hearing<00:22:09.080><c> none,</c><00:22:09.360><c> the</c><00:22:09.440><c> motion</c><00:22:09.760>
• Next,<00:22:13.720><c> uh</c><00:22:13.840><c> to</c><00:22:14.080><c> your</c><00:22:14.240><c> bill
• I<00:22:16.360><c> Are</c><00:22:16.520><c> there</c><00:22:17.080><c> Do</c><00:22:17.240><c> you</c
• ><00:22:17.320><c> want</c><00:22:17.520><c> to</c><00:22:17.600><c> discuss</c><00:22:18.000><c> it<
• it at all,<00:22:18.440><c> or</c><00:22:18.679><c> should</c><00:22:18.880><c> we</c><00:22:19.000>

Bills: HF2783 , HF2603 , HF2846 , HF2354 , HF1836 , HF2713 , HF1198 , HF1389

Committee: House State Government Finance and Policy

Keywords: state government finance, biennial budget, appropriations, Minnesota Management and Budget, Healthy Aging Subcabinet, Office of Healthy Aging, older adults, aging policy, long-term care, caregivers, public health, Medicaid fraud, medical assistance fraud, attorney general subpoena power, fraud enforcement, business filing fraud, Secretary of State, deceptive mailings, consumer protection, certified public accountant

Transcript Highlights:

• You can see across the different chapters.
• I'll be giving a brief overview of the water-related chapter in the climate bond.
• I'm going to provide a brief overview of the coastal resilience chapter of the climate bond.
• at the same pace in the coastal resilience chapter, and there are a few reasons for this.
• I really want to get to the question that you raised about the catch-22.

Summary: The Assembly Budget Subcommittee on Climate, Crisis, Resources, Energy, and Transportation opened its first hearing on the governor’s natural resources budget with Secretary Wade Crowfoot of the Natural Resources Agency. Crowfoot reviewed California’s recent climate and environmental challenges—drought, wildfire, heat, sea level rise, and federal uncertainty—and highlighted progress on clean energy, zero-emission vehicles, wildfire resilience, water management, coastal planning, conservation, tribal land return, and streamlined project delivery. Members praised his engagement and the administration’s work with tribes, and Crowfoot emphasized that the administration is focused on finishing major projects, improving nature-based solutions, and considering whether some temporary streamlining measures should be codified. He also discussed the Mediterranean Climate Action Partnership and said the state is working with other Mediterranean-climate governments on wildfire, drought, and heat response. Members and the LAO then focused on budget conditions and priorities. The Legislative Analyst’s Office said the state budget remains precarious despite strong revenues, with the governor’s proposal relying on borrowing and reserves and leaving large out-year deficits unresolved. The LAO urged a high bar for new spending, especially in a deficit environment, and recommended prioritizing immediate health and safety needs, avoiding new ongoing commitments, and thinking carefully about special funds. On Proposition 4, the LAO said the administration’s approach generally appeared reasonable and consistent with the bond, but noted implementation has been slow and that the Legislature may want to use appropriations language to shape broad programs such as home hardening, outdoor recreation, and climate education. The chair stressed that climate and environmental funds should be used for their intended purposes and that wildfire spending should shift more toward community hardening and home protection. The hearing then turned to water resilience and Proposition 4 spending. Department of Finance and department staff outlined the bond’s water-related funding for safe drinking water, drought, flood, water recycling, stormwater, groundwater management, dam safety, and the State Water Project. Members pressed for details on how funds would be prioritized, how grants would reach disadvantaged communities, and how the state would track the bond’s 40% target for vulnerable communities. Staff said new tools and reporting systems are being used to monitor allocations, and that AB 107 and related changes should speed up grant implementation by reducing redundant regulatory steps. The committee also discussed dam safety needs, State Water Project repairs, groundwater implementation grants, and the risk of relying on uncertain future revenues from the Salton Sea lithium tax. No votes were taken, and the hearing was informational only.

Transcript Highlights:

• SB<00:22:31.919><c> 2323</c> relating<00:22:40.080><c> to</c><00:22:40.240><c> A</c><00:22:40.640><c>
• establishes</c><00:22:41.120><c> the</c><00:22:41.360><c> farmland</c> relating to A establishes the
• farmland relating to A establishes the farmland transition<00:22:42.799><c> commission</c><00:22:43.200
• barriers<00:22:44.320><c> certain</c><00:22:44.640><c> farmers</c><00:22:45.039><c> face</c><00:22:45.280
• ><c> to</c><00:22:45.919><c> purchase</c><00:22:46.159><c> or</c><00:22:46.480><c> access</c><00:22:46.799

Bills: SB2309 , SB2317 , SB2318 , SB2319 , SB2321 , SB2323 , SB2332 , SB2405 , SB2485

Committee: Senate Agriculture and Environment

Summary: The committee heard testimony on several agriculture-related measures, beginning with SB 2309, which would require the agricultural loan division to sell portions of its loan portfolio and use the proceeds to expand the agriculture loan revolving fund. The Department of Agriculture and Biosecurity and the Hawaii Farm Bureau supported the bill, along with several other organizations and individuals. A committee question focused on the risk of not finding a qualified buyer for the loan portfolio; DAB said a mandatory sale of the full amount could force a less favorable rate, while flexibility to sell different amounts could produce a more equitable return. The measure drew eight supporters and no opposition. The committee then took up SB 2317, which directs DAB to study insurance coverage for small producers and report back to the Legislature. DAB and multiple farm groups supported the bill. In response to a question about cost, DAB estimated about $250,000 would be needed, with the study likely covering crop, health, and liability insurance. The next measure, SB 2318, would establish an agriculture statistics program in statute. DAB said it strongly supported the bill and could ramp up quickly if positions were provided; the committee discussed whether a first report could be completed by year’s end if the bill became law midyear, and DAB said yes. SB 2319, which would fund and make permanent a full-time grant writer position at DAB, also drew strong support from DAB, the Hawaii Farm Bureau, Ulupono Initiative, the Hawaii Cattlemen’s Council, the local food coalition, and others, with testifiers emphasizing the position’s return on investment and success in bringing in federal funds. The committee also heard SB 2321, establishing a two-year pilot program to respond to the twoline spittlebug. DAB, ranching groups, and many others supported the bill, citing the pest’s spread and the need to act before it becomes unmanageable. A DAB pest control manager said he would need to research past response details and provide them later. Members emphasized the importance of early intervention. For SB 2323, which creates a farmland transition commission to study barriers to farmland access and recommend solutions, DAB offered comments and support for the intent, while farm groups generally supported the concept but raised concerns about the proposed age range and whether a separate commission was necessary. DAB said the Board of Agriculture likely would not have the capacity to perform the commission’s duties and estimated there would be costs to establish it, though no figure was available at the hearing. Finally, the committee heard SB 2332, which reestablishes the agriculture and food security special fund, creates a carbon emissions tax and dividend fund, gradually raises carbon-related tax rates, and provides a refundable carbon cashback credit. DAB supported the measure and deferred to Taxation on details; the Department of Taxation said it would stand on its comments, and the Attorney General’s office offered comments and recommendations. Carbon Cashback Hawaii and the County of Hawaii Department of Research and Development supported the bill, arguing it would reduce emissions, protect lower-income households, and be relatively simple to administer.

Transcript Highlights:

• :00.640><c> goal</c><00:22:00.799><c> of</c><00:22:01.039><c> this</c><00:22:01.440><c> bill</c><00:22
• c><00:22:06.880><c> new</c><00:22:07.039><c> waste</c><00:22:07.280><c> disposal</c><00:22:08.159><c>
• </c><00:22:12.720><c> facilities</c><00:22:13.360><c> and</c><00:22:13.520><c> I</c><00:22:13.679><c>
• c><00:22:20.480><c> of</c><00:22:20.720><c> the</c><00:22:20.880><c> bill</c><00:22:21.120><c> which<
• </c><00:22:26.159><c> Um,</c><00:22:27.039><c> and</c><00:22:28.000><c> some</c><00:22:28.159><c> of<

Committee: House Environment and Agriculture

Transcript Highlights:

• Members, I'd like to recognize a group visiting us today from the Arizona chapter of Women Leading Government
• Senate Bill 1167 amends Title 9, Chapter 4, Article 8, A.R.S., section 16-500.4, and amends Title 11,
• Chapter 2, Article 4, A.R.S., relating to publication of notices.
• Senate Bill 1315 amends Title 15, Chapter 1, Article 5, A.R.S., relating to school safety requirements
• Title 15, Chapter 1, Article 5, A.R.S., relating to school safety requirements.

Transcript Highlights:

• And that's under Part 8, C, of Chapter 20, the laws of 2015.
• And as much chapter 233.3.2 is the law of 204th.
• Inaction, then Chapter 519, the law is 2024.
• In fact, Chapter 490, the laws of 20-1. New 17.
• In Chapter 1-5-2, the laws of 2020. Moved by Senator Gonzalez, second Mr.

Committee: Senate Rules

Summary: The Committee on Rules met and considered a long list of Senate bills, most of them identified only by number and sponsor. For each measure, the chair called for a vote, and the committee repeatedly reported the bills without recorded opposition. The topics referenced in the transcript included amendments to the Highway Law, Mental Hygiene Law, General Business Law, Uniform City Court Act, Local Finance Law, Retirement and Social Security Law, Village Law, Real Property Tax Law, and various chapters of prior laws, along with several authorization and technical amendment bills. Several bills were moved and seconded by different senators, including Griffo, Stec, Myrie, Bailey, Comrie, Mayer, Liu, Gallivan, González, Helming, Dabab, and others. The transcript suggests the committee was processing both new legislation and chapter amendments/repealers, but the audio is garbled and many bill titles are unclear. No testimony or substantive debate is reflected in the record beyond the motions and calls for votes. In each instance, the committee asked whether members were in favor or opposed, and the bills were reported. No roll-call vote counts, amendments adopted during the meeting, or negative votes were clearly recorded in the transcript.

Transcript Highlights:

• Sections 2 to 8 establish a new chapter of law, chapter 65C.
• </c> law, chapter 65C. law, chapter 65C.
• :22.720><c> trying</c><01:22:23.000><c> to</c><01:22:23.080><c> prevent</c><01:22:23.400><c> any</c><
• consequences<01:22:25.440><c> and</c><01:22:25.720><c> that</c><01:22:26.040><c> is</c><01:22:26.240
• ><c> the</c><01:22:26.480><c> DE</c><01:22:27.440><c> the</c><01:22:27.560><c> A1</c> consequences and

Committee: Senate Commerce and Consumer Protection

Transcript Highlights:

• They're they're<00:22:00.000><c> not</c><00:22:00.480><c> most</c><00:22:00.760><c> of</c><00:22:00.800
• </c><00:22:01.880><c> be</c><00:22:02.080><c> handed</c><00:22:02.480><c> out</c><00:22:02.679><c> as
• </c><00:22:04.320><c> So</c><00:22:05.120><c> um</c><00:22:05.200><c> all</c><00:22:05.360><c> those<
• /c><00:22:05.520><c> in</c><00:22:05.640><c> favor</c><00:22:06.000><c> of</c><00:22:06.040><c> the</
• </c><00:22:11.200><c> So</c><00:22:11.760><c> let's</c><00:22:12.120><c> move</c><00:22:12.520><c> then

Committee: Senate Human Services

Transcript Highlights:

• Do we currently<00:22:48.960><c> know</c><00:22:49.760><c> what</c><00:22:50.000><c> those</c><00:22:
• &gt;&gt; I<00:22:55.679><c> don't</c><00:22:55.840><c> have</c><00:22:55.919><c> that</c><00:22:56.159
• </c><00:22:56.400><c> I</c><00:22:56.559><c> I</c><00:22:56.880><c> believe</c><00:22:57.039><c> the<
• I think<00:22:59.440><c> that's</c><00:22:59.600><c> one</c><00:22:59.760><c> of</c><00:22:59.840><c>
• </c> uh line 22. uh line 22.

Committee: Joint Natural Resources & Energy

Transcript Highlights:

• One that's done Chapter 100 bonds.
• We wouldn't need Chapter 100. Where does the tax money from the Chapter 100 go?
• Chapter 100 being used for this.
• First of all, I detest Chapter 100.
• First of all, I detest Chapter 100.

Committee: House Utilities

Summary: The committee first took up House Bill 2383, Representative Simmons’s bill addressing theft of copper and other infrastructure-related property. After a brief executive session and no further discussion, the committee voted the bill do pass by a roll call of 17 ayes, 1 no, and 1 present. The committee then heard House Bill 2711, sponsored by Representative Deal, which would lower the assessed valuation of broadband communications equipment from 33.5% to 12% for new broadband equipment placed in service after August 28, 2026, with a proposed sunset period discussed as part of a substitute. Representative Deal and several industry witnesses, including AT&T, Verizon, Missouri Cable Association, Missouri Broadband Providers Association, Missouri Chamber, and electric co-ops, argued the measure would improve Missouri’s competitiveness, encourage private investment, and help expand broadband in rural and underserved areas. Opponents, including county assessors, argued the bill would reduce local tax revenue, create unequal treatment, and could become a precedent for other industries. Committee members questioned whether the bill would apply only to new builds or also to upgrades and existing infrastructure, and whether the tax relief would actually drive expansion into rural areas. The committee then began hearing House Bills 2402 and 2816, which deal with solar energy siting and taxation. The sponsors described the bills as setting local assessment rules for solar projects, establishing a per-megawatt valuation, requiring larger setbacks from homes, schools, and churches, and limiting the amount of tillable land that can be used for solar in a county, while also addressing Chapter 100 agreements and decommissioning concerns. Supporters, including Missouri Farm Bureau and county officials, said the bills would provide needed guardrails, local control, and more consistent taxation. Opponents and affected landowners said existing solar projects have caused glare, dust, noise, and property value concerns, while some developers said they wanted clearer statewide rules and consistency for future projects. The committee did not take final action on the solar bills before going into recess.

Transcript Highlights:

• 15 indivisible chapter chapters from 15 indivisible chapter chapters from every<00:21:02.160><c> corner
• <c> burden</c><03:22:03.720><c> on</c><03:22:03.920><c> Hartford</c><03:22:04.840><c> when</c><03:22:
• Do<03:22:12.160><c> you</c><03:22:12.520><c> Do</c><03:22:12.640><c> you</c><03:22:12.720><c> know</c
• ><03:22:12.920><c> the</c><03:22:13.040><c> number</c><03:22:13.600><c> of</c><03:22:13.960><c> of</c
• I I I There<03:22:19.000><c> are</c><03:22:19.120><c> a</c><03:22:19.160><c> number</c><03:22:19.720>