Transcript Highlights:

• increase those penalties uh to a felony increase those penalties uh to a felony level<00:01:43.799
• <00:07:55.560> under facility which is a 10year felony under facility which is a 10year felony
• instead of a 10-year felony.
• correctional facility two-year felony correctional facility two-year felony instead<00:14:40.360
• > it<00:14:41.680> would instead of a 10-year felony it would instead of a 10-year felony

Keywords: 919, house, all

Summary: The committee took up House File 327, which would increase penalties for introducing contraband into correctional facilities, especially drugs and other dangerous items sent through the mail or brought in by outside actors. Representative Ingan described the bill as a response to a sharp rise in violations and staff exposures in DOC facilities, arguing that stronger felony penalties are needed to deter people from sending in illicit substances. The bill was laid over for possible inclusion in the committee omnibus because it has a fiscal note. The committee adopted the DE1 author’s amendment after Representative Ingan explained it was intended to clarify language that could otherwise create a catch-22 for people arrested or booked into jail who already have contraband on them. Members then raised concerns about the breadth of the bill, including overlap with an existing DOC statute and the possibility that the language could sweep in incarcerated people in situations involving prescription medication or minor exchanges. House nonpartisan staff and members suggested the DOC provisions should be reconciled with existing law before moving forward, and some suggested narrowing the bill to focus more specifically on jails. Sheriff Brad Wise of the Minnesota Sheriffs Association testified in support, saying contraband in jails threatens staff, inmates, visitors, and administrators and that current penalties are not enough to deter smuggling. Commissioner Paul Schell of Corrections also testified, noting that DOC already has a separate statute with a higher felony penalty for certain contraband, described the department’s mail-scanning contractor process, and said it has reduced suspected drug incidents by about two-thirds. An A2 amendment tied to medication intake practices was offered by Representative Curran but then withdrawn after discussion, with members agreeing the issue of medication access in facilities should be handled separately.

Transcript Highlights:

• . felony. felony.
• <00:09:04.240> some violent felony offenders receive some violent felony offenders receive
• different violent felony convictions. different violent felony convictions.
• And the about all violent felonies?
• firearm was involved in a violent felony firearm was involved in a violent felony conviction,<00

Keywords: 919, house, all

Summary: The committee took up House File 3380, a bill by Representative Hudson aimed at repeat violent felony offenders who use firearms. Hudson said the bill would require aggravated sentencing, up to the statutory maximum, for people convicted of three or more violent felonies involving firearms, with no probation, parole, early release, or work release. He argued the measure was needed because repeat offenders cycle through the system and because downward departures are too common, especially in Hennepin and Ramsey counties. Dave Zimmer, a former law enforcement officer and public safety policy fellow, testified in support, saying the bill would tighten loopholes, restore consequences for repeat violent offenders, and help victims of violent crime. Representative Pinto questioned the bill’s need and structure, asking for specific examples of the problem and raising concerns about separation of powers, the breadth of the lookback into prior convictions, and whether the bill actually required a full maximum sentence or could be satisfied by only a small upward departure. He also noted that sentencing departures are public and can be challenged. Representative Mohler similarly pressed for clarification on the statistics Hudson cited, referenced sentencing guidelines data showing different departure rates across counties, and said departures can sometimes reflect victim preferences or evidentiary difficulties. Hudson responded that the bill was simple, that any ambiguity about firearm involvement would likely not count, and that the point was to ensure sentences could not go down for repeat armed violent offenders. After discussion, the chair announced that an amendment, DE2, was out of order. The committee then laid House File 3380 over, and the meeting adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• But the reason that employee classification and misclassification matters is because an employee has
• employers are undercut by, in some instances, those who are bending the rules in terms of worker classification
• Those who are bending the rules in terms of worker classification.
• Those who are bending the rules in terms of worker classification.
• That I think is confusing and kind of points to the fact that this is an arbitrary classification because

Bills: LB815A, LB838A, LB912A, LB972A, LB1126A, LB962A, LB1114, LB921, LB937, LB803, LB803A, LB1032, LB1032A, LB1075, LB1075A, LB889, LB878, LB933, LB304, LB304A, LB1096, LB1096A, LB1165, LB1165A, LB958, LB958A, LB762, LB1187, LB966, LB929, LB962, LB753, LB788, LB913, LB1055, LB1195, LB429, LB721, LB722, LB727, LB743, LB745, LB749, LB778, LB787

Keywords: LB815A, LB815, appropriation, appropriations bill, Nebraska Department of Revenue, Motor Fuel Tax Enforcement and Collection Cash Fund, motor fuel tax, gas tax, fuel tax, tax enforcement, tax collection, cash fund, budget, state spending, per diem, salaries, fiscal year, enrollment and review, final reading, Nebraska

Transcript Highlights:

• Attorneys, we increase the general fund in order to fully fund the Commonwealth Attorney 2020 salary classification
• Attorneys, we increase the general fund in order to fully fund the Commonwealth Attorney 2020 salary classification
• :29:04.360> salary Commonwealth Attorney 2020 salary Commonwealth Attorney 2020 salary classification
• classification report. classification report.
• facilities have been evaluated in the Department of Education's Kentucky Facilities Inventory Classification

Keywords: 958, all

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:44:40.839> but felony is not charged a felony but felony is not charged a felony but instead
• a misdemeanor, and a very serious felony is more expensive than a regular felony.
• a misdemeanor, and a very serious felony is more expensive than a regular felony.
• a misdemeanor, and a very serious felony is more expensive than a regular felony.
• a misdemeanor, and a very serious felony is more expensive than a regular felony.

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The committee first heard from the Department of Labor on several House Bill 2 sections. Members discussed raising the annual elevator certificate fee, which had been $50 since at least fiscal year 2014; the commissioner said the Inspection Division generates more revenue than its costs, and members agreed to amend the fee to $75 and later voted unanimously to accept Section 137. The department also explained a proposed change to civil penalty/warning language in Section 139 to align enforcement across labor laws; that section was accepted unanimously. The commissioner then gave a detailed overview of the second injury fund, describing how it is financed by assessments on insurance carriers, how claims are reviewed for reimbursement, and how the fund is intended to reimburse certain workers’ compensation costs. Members questioned whether the program still serves its original purpose, whether it is revenue-neutral, and whether it should be sunset; the department said the fund is a mixed bag for the state and industry, but no sunset language was adopted. Sections 140 and 141 were then accepted unanimously. The committee next heard from the Judicial Council on Sections 125 through 127. The witness said the changes would streamline payment for indigent defense services other than counsel, reduce the number of bills requiring judge review, and expand the council’s ability to contract with providers for services such as translation and evaluations. He also explained a proposed fail-safe allowing the executive director to decline to process questionable invoices and send them to a judge instead. Members generally supported the streamlining, and Sections 125 through 127 were accepted unanimously. Toward the end of the discussion, members asked about the cost impact of changing the misdemeanor/felony threshold from $1,000 to a higher amount. The Judicial Council said felony cases are significantly more expensive than misdemeanors because they involve more hearings, more discovery, and more attorney time, with assigned felony cases costing several times more on average. No action was taken on that question in the excerpt.

Transcript Highlights:

• in and adding a felony I'm talking about<01:38:52.080> existing<01:38:52.560> felony<01
• The minimum felony under this statute is a three-year, $5,000 felony, so it's not even a one-year felony
• It's a three-year felony maximum, three years and one day maximum penalty for that level of a felony,
• will that wouldn't justify a felony will that wouldn't justify a felony offense<01:42:32.520>
• :53.280> a felony it's a felony it's a three-year<01:42:54.960> uh<01:42:55.280> felony

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• By elevating from a state jail felony 180 days to 2 years, a $10,000 fine to a third degree felony, 2
• Slavery of our time needs to be a first degree felony.
• to a 1st felony only under certain conditions.
• This will become a first degree felony.
• So, we need increased penalties to a class one felony.

Transcript Highlights:

• And six out of the 10 teams we played were a higher classification.
• 00:37:26.240> were<00:37:26.400> a<00:37:26.640> higher<00:37:26.960> classification
• <00:37:28.000> We played were a higher classification.
• We played were a higher classification.

Keywords: MS House Floor - 25 March, 2026; 10:00 AM, 925, all

Summary: The House convened with prayer led by Pastor Darren Leech, followed by the Pledge of Allegiance. After confirming a quorum, the chamber dispensed with reading the journal and handled routine introductions. Members welcomed several guests in the galleries, including Mick Bulock of NCSL and multiple youth and community groups. The House also recognized Pastor Leech’s remarks about public service and stewardship. A series of congratulatory resolutions were taken up and adopted, many by unanimous or near-unanimous votes. These included resolutions honoring Derek Hall for winning Super Bowl 60 with the Seattle Seahawks, the Columbia Academy Lady Cougars cross country and softball teams for state championships, and other special recognitions. The House also adopted STR 536 and several additional resolutions from the rules calendar, with votes reported at 118 yeas, 0 nays on multiple items. On the conference calendar, the House concurred in House Bill 1150, which merged the engineers and surveying boards, added an exception so title attorneys were not affected, and changed board member terms from six years to four years. The concurrence motion passed 122 yeas, 0 nays. The House also adopted a conference report on item 60 related to state security operations center language, removing a reverse repealer, by a vote of 117 yeas, 0 nays. Later, members continued introducing guests and honoring school groups, including the Winston Academy football team for its state championship, the Jeff Davis County Mayor’s Youth Council, Columbus High School’s boys basketball team and Mr. Basketball honoree Michael Hood Jr., Heritage Christian Academy, and Mississippi State basketball player Josh Huard, who was recognized for the Coach Wooden Citizenship Award. The House then adjourned until 10:00 a.m. the next day, with the journal left open until the last conference report is filed.

Transcript Highlights:

• director said a request had recently been submitted to DHRD to put a shortage differential on every classification
• <00:13:20.480> every shortage differential on every shortage differential on every classification
• 21.880> work<00:13:22.240> were<00:13:22.720> 20%<00:13:23.720> and classification
• of work were 20% and classification of work were 20% and higher higher higher vacancies<00:13:26.880

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Summary: The Senate Committee on Public Safety and Military Affairs heard several bills on January 27, 2025. SB 24, relating to identification, would require the Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation to help inmates obtain civil ID cards and other vital documents for reentry. Testimony was overwhelmingly in support from DCR, the Hawaiʻi Correctional System Oversight Commission, DHS, the Hawaiʻi Disability Rights Center, health and youth advocates, and others, with comments emphasizing that reentry should begin on day one and that lack of identification is a major barrier to housing and employment. A senator asked about the low number of IDs issued in 2022 and DCR said it already has a satellite ID card machine at Hālawa and plans to procure more for other facilities. The committee recommended passage of SB 24 as is. SB 474, relating to psychologists, would require DCR clinical psychologists to obtain licensure within 10 years of employment and would sunset in 2035. DCR strongly supported the bill, citing a severe staffing shortage, low exam passage rates, and many vacant positions, while the Hawaiʻi Psychological Association expressed concerns and one testifier argued psychologists serving incarcerated people should be licensed before employment. Committee members questioned whether the 10-year period was too long and discussed alternative solutions such as pay incentives and shortage differentials. The committee ultimately recommended passage with amendments, shortening the licensure period to 5 years, moving the sunset to July 1, 2030, and making other technical changes. SB 353, relating to emergency management, would clarify emergency authority, bar suspension of public records or vital statistics requests during emergencies, define “severe warning,” and allow the legislature or city councils to terminate a state of emergency. DHS and HMA opposed the bill, arguing it could limit executive flexibility and cut off access to the major disaster fund, while supporters included public-interest and good-government groups. The committee discussed whether legislative termination authority could interfere with ongoing emergency response and recovery, with the bill’s sponsor explaining it was aimed more at situations where emergency conditions have ended, such as prolonged COVID-era proclamations. The committee recommended passage with amendments, including a delayed effective date and committee report notes referencing DHS request data and HMA’s opposition. The committee also heard SB 259, relating to recordkeeping for secondhand dealers and pawn brokers, and SB 37, relating to recordings of law enforcement activities. SB 259 was set for amendment and deferred decision-making to January 29, 2025, so the committee could seek input from HPD. SB 37 drew support from the Legal Clinic and other advocates, with a clarifying question about civil enforcement actions, and the committee recommended passage with amendments and a delayed effective date. The meeting concluded with the committee adopting its recommendations and adjourning.

Transcript Highlights:

• With your assistance, we created forest classifications, then spent nearly 10 years, several million
• then spent then nearly classifications then spent then nearly spent<01:24:20.000> 10<01:24:20.280
• uh be classified in what classification uh be classified in what classification which<01:24:33.960
• The DNR has a comprehensive system for review of trails, as well as looking at our forest classification
• <01:37:45.840> and<01:37:46.000> Trail forest classification and Trail forest classification

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• into the two: regulate and oversee the production and distribution, as well as the question of classification
• None to classification. None to classification. Not a ton of changes here.

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The Special Commission on the Public Health Effects of Xylazine held its fifth and final public meeting to review and approve the final draft of its report before submission to the House and Senate clerks. Chair Mindy Domb opened the meeting, noted Senator John Keenan’s absence due to National Guard deployment, approved the prior meeting minutes, and explained the process for incorporating final edits and late votes into appendices. Commissioners then voted to allow staff to make agreed-upon language changes after the meeting, and later voted on the final report itself. Staff walked commissioners through the report’s redlines and substantive updates. Changes included clarifying that xylazine is an active adulterant rather than simply a bulking agent, replacing “non-clinician” with “non-clinical staff,” removing or revising references to “hotspots” in favor of more accurate language about local trends, and refining language on wound care to refer to medical consequences and financial costs. The report also added or strengthened discussion of harm reduction measures such as drug checking, mobile health services, overdose prevention centers, oxygenation and airway support during overdose response, and the importance of naloxone remaining available while recognizing its limits for xylazine exposure. Commissioners also discussed data collection, legal protections for drug checking, and the role of the Attorney General in guidance and coordination on emerging drug threats. The commission then took a final vote, with the members present voting to approve the report. A letter from Senator Velis, who was also absent due to active duty orders, was read into the record expressing support for the report and its recommendations. In closing comments, commissioners and staff thanked one another for the collaborative work and described the report as a useful public health resource. Chair Domb adjourned the meeting at 11:11 a.m., noting that the final report would be submitted and posted online for public access.

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:01:15.479> charge announcement of a second felony charge announcement of a second felony
• the filing of an additional F felony the filing of an additional F felony charge<00:05:11.560>
• We have two felony charges here, the new felony charge, and we also have two ethics complaints.
• > have<00:09:44.680> two the new felony charge we also have two the new felony charge we
• I mean, this is a felony-level crime.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• And so, um, if somebody has committed a chargeable felony, if they're on probation or postrelease, they
• And so, um, if somebody has committed a chargeable felony, if they're on probation or postrelease, they
• And so, um, if somebody has committed a chargeable felony, if they're on probation or postrelease, they
• And so, um, if somebody has committed a chargeable felony, if they're on probation or postrelease, they
• If they commit a felony while on that probation, whether it can be revoked or not.

Keywords: Corrections - Room 210; 29 January, 2026: 11:00 AM, 925, all

Summary: The committee first took up Senate Bill 2778, which extends by four years the repealer on the authority to collect monthly supervision fees from probation and parole offenders for the Community Service Revolving Fund. Members asked no questions, and the bill was moved and passed by a sufficient motion with no opposition. The committee then heard Senate Bill 2041, which would require the Department of Correction to do pre-screening for dyslexia. Senator Hickman said the bill is intended to identify a condition that is reportedly more prevalent in the prison population and to help reduce recidivism through earlier intervention. Questions focused on cost and implementation; the sponsor said the fiscal impact would be minimal because the department already has the needed IT infrastructure and the screening would be an added step rather than a separate system. The bill was then moved and passed. Next, Senate Bill 2036 was explained as a narrow change from “shall” to “may” in language affecting probation, postrelease supervision, or suspension, giving judges discretion in revocation decisions. Senate Bill 2777, requested by the circuit judges association, would clarify that probation or postrelease supervision may be revoked if a person commits a felony, including in situations where the offense occurs before the prior supervision has commenced. That bill also advanced on a do-pass motion. Senate Bill 2043, dealing with parole eligibility for nonviolent offenses, was described as allowing the parole board to reduce eligibility dates by awarded days and to better assess whether offenders are truly eligible; the committee discussed a committee substitute and a reverse repealer before moving on. Finally, Senate Bill 2037 was taken up and amended to require medical care service providers to submit claims at no more than the Mississippi Medicaid reimbursement rate. The amendment by Senator Kirby was adopted, and the bill then received a do-pass-as-amended motion and passed.

Transcript Highlights:

• I am also the chairman of the joint commission on employee classifications.
• change but then later we classification change but then later we need<00:13:51.200> things<00
• Under current statute RSA 2150, the classification of general under honorable is considered a bar for
• ,<01:17:01.360> under<01:17:01.679> honorable specific classification, under honorable
• specific classification, under honorable conditions.<01:17:03.520> But<01:17:03.679> how

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• violent felony violent felony conviction<00:01:09.600> and<00:01:09.799> each<00:01
• equally impactful third violent felony equally impactful third violent felony conviction<00:01:17.040
• <00:04:06.439> cases in the rate of felony cases in the rate of felony cases sentenced<00:
• <00:04:20.799> sentences 2022 the percentage of felony sentences 2022 the percentage of felony
• three violent felony three violent felony convictions<00:15:15.199> hits<00:15:15.440>

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• So it allows for a class B felony and a class A felony option if there is either the potential for serious
• but that has to carve out for a felony but that has to do<00:33:43.399> with<00:33:43.919>
• options that more closely align felony options that more closely align with<00:34:10.879> the
• <00:35:02.280> Reckless and we've used like a felony Reckless and we've used like a felony
• a class B felony and a class a felony a class B felony and a class a felony option<00:35:40.920>

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Section two outlines the classification of company data under chapter 13 and allows for summary-level
• The data classification provisions are consistent with existing data classification of similar data reported
• The data classification system.
• <00:31:55.840> of<00:31:56.159> similar<00:31:56.559> data data classification
• of similar data data classification of similar data reported<00:31:57.440> to<00:31:57.600>

Bills: HF2354, HF1672, HF2389, HF2870, HF2743, HF1918, HF2551, HF1671

Keywords: medical assistance, fraud prevention, subpoena authority, criminal penalties, consumer protection, medical cannabis, medical marijuana, cannabis, cannabinoids, hemp, marijuana registry, patient registry, visiting patient, Tribal cannabis, Tribal medical cannabis program, Tribal sovereignty, Office of Cannabis Management, designated caregiver, home cultivation, adult-use cannabis

Transcript Highlights:

• But if we would have had a carbon-neutral classification at the time, where maybe things could have changed
• But if it would have been a carbon-neutral classification for our biomass products and chips, would that
• But if we would have had a carbon-neutral classification at the time, where maybe things could have changed
• 00:15:03.199> me<00:15:03.480> about But if it would have been a carbon-neutral classification
• for our biomass products classification for our biomass products and<00:15:35.519> chips<00:15

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• By having DNA taken upon felony it.
• the officer's arrest, which is a felony the officer's arrest, which is a felony in<00:15:31.120>
• But they expanded to collect for all felonies.
• But they expanded to collect for all felonies.
• But they expanded to collect for all felonies.

Keywords: Meeting Start 00:00:02 Roll Call 00:00:23 HB 414 Discussion 00:01:58 HB 414 Vote 00:22:34 HB 43 Discussion 00:24:56 HB 43 Vote 00:26:37 HB 518 Discussion 00:27:37 HB 518 Vote 00:45:20 Adjournment 00:46:35, 958, all

Summary: The committee met with a quorum and took up three bills. House Bill 414, sponsored by the chair, would require collection of DNA at booking for felony arrests. Supporters, including Sen. Julie Rocky Adams, Michelle Kyper, and Ashley Spence, argued that felony-arrest DNA collection is already used in many states and in the federal system, helps solve cold cases, and can exonerate innocent people. Kyper and Spence gave detailed personal testimony about sexual assaults and how delayed DNA collection allowed serial offenders to remain unidentified for years. Members asked about the removal of a $5 fee in the committee substitute and about what happens to DNA if a case is dismissed; the sponsor said the fee was removed to treat DNA collection like other booking procedures, and that dismissed-case language was taken out because of concerns about duplicate samples. The committee adopted the substitute and passed the bill favorably on a roll call vote. House Bill 43, sponsored by Rep. Diana Gordon, would create a grace period for deputy coroners to complete required annual training when extenuating circumstances prevent timely completion. Gordon said the bill was a repeat of last session’s HB 403 and was intended to let deputies remain employed rather than lose their license and reapply. After a brief question about how often extensions would be used, she said the grace period would be discretionary and limited to unusual circumstances. The committee then passed the bill favorably by roll call. House Bill 518, also with a committee substitute, addressed local tax collection and payment procedures. The sponsor described it as a compromise between business groups and local governments, aimed at simplifying payment of local occupational license fees and net profits taxes by requiring cities and counties to offer electronic payment options. Testimony from the Kentucky League of Cities, the National Federation of Independent Business, and the County Judge/Executive Association focused on reducing paperwork for businesses while preserving local control and avoiding forced centralization. The committee adopted the substitute and passed the bill favorably on a roll call vote.

Transcript Highlights:

• It was a felony. And that's why, to me, I think what you said earlier is so important.
• It was a felony. And that's why, to me, I think what you said earlier is so important.
• It was a felony. And that's why, to me, I think what you said earlier is so important.
• It was a felony. And that's why, to me, I think what you said earlier is so important.
• It was a felony. And that's why, to me, I think what you said earlier is so important.

Keywords: Economic and Workforce Development - Room 409, 31 March, 2026; 9:30 A.M., 925, all

Summary: The committee considered the Lieutenant Governor’s appointment of Charles Tyler Norman to the board of MAG Core, formerly the Mississippi Prison Industries Corporation, to fill a vacancy for a term ending June 30, 2028. Members described the board’s role in prison-based workforce training and noted that most of its membership is made up of state officials, with only a few outside appointees. Norman said he has a long business background, has served on other state boards, and supports public service and workforce development, including prison work programs. Several senators used the nomination to raise broader concerns about the effectiveness of prison workforce training and whether MAG Core should continue as a separate entity or be folded under Accelerate Mississippi. The chair said he was frustrated with workforce outcomes for incarcerated people, including the implementation of presumptive parole and the value of some training credentials, and stressed that any program should be profitable and not burden taxpayers. Norman agreed that workforce training should be practical and tied to real trades, said he has hired felons and believes in second chances, and said he would bring committee suggestions back to the board. A senator asked about a 2008 derogatory incident in Norman’s background report; Norman acknowledged it as a college misdemeanor and said it was the only such issue. Another senator asked about the board’s composition and diversity, and staff said one remaining outside member is a governor’s appointee, later identified as Ronnie McNeil from the faith-based community. The committee then adopted a motion to report the nomination out with a do advise and consent recommendation, and Norman was reminded to keep his statement of economic interest current.