Transcript Highlights:

• I've participated in leading clubs like Black Student Union and have participated in activities such
• In fact, despite our population, we rank in the top 10 of athletic participation in the country.
• More than 230,000 students participated More than 230,000 students participated in<00:26:13.039>
• participation in the country. country. country.
• 59:14.480> defibrillators<00:59:15.280> on of automatic external defibrillators on of automatic

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Going from 30% to 50% was an automatic jump in rent of 50%.
• Going from 30% to 50% was an automatic jump in rent of 50%.
• Going from 30% to 50% was an automatic jump in rent of 50%.
• Going from 30% to 50% was an automatic jump in rent of 50%.
• substantive participants in the process. substantive participants in the process.

Keywords: 981, all

Summary: The House convened with a quorum, approved the journal from March 9, 2026, and made several announcements about committee meetings and visiting student groups. Members also moved out of order to consider Senate Joint Resolution 11, which designates a portion of U.S. Highway 34 in memory of Sergeant John Jack Thurman. Supportive remarks highlighted Thurman’s Marine Corps service at Iwo Jima and his later work in Colorado. The resolution passed unanimously, 61-0, with four excused. The chamber then took up third-reading bills. House Bill 1213, continuing the Biomass Utilization Grant Program, and House Bill 1185, continuing the Cold Case Task Force and updating its sunset review, both passed 61-0. Senate Bill 7, allowing terminally ill patients to use medical marijuana in health facilities, drew supportive remarks about patient choice and district support and passed 49-12 with four excused. House Bill 1137, concerning requirements for campaign consultants, prompted extended debate. Supporters argued it would address conflicts of interest and protect candidates from unethical consulting practices, while opponents said the issue should be handled by contract rather than law and warned against further regulation. The bill failed on third reading, 26-35, with four excused. The House then moved to Senate Bill 1 on housing policy; the transcript cuts off during debate, with concerns raised about housing shortages, vacancies, and the risk of a housing bubble.

Transcript Highlights:

• it references the Legislative Coordinating Commission mandate an automatic referral to that committee
• because it uh references automatically because it uh references the<01:02:16.240> legislative
• unemployment participate in the unemployment insurance<01:12:46.640> program<01:12:47.199>
• And I guess my experience of participating in this bill a lot early and then kind of seeing, you know
• in this bill a lot of participating in this bill a lot early<01:29:05.679> and<01:29:05.920><

Bills: HF2300, HF2432, HF2445, HF2443, HF2439, HF3023, HF1615, HF2563

Keywords: HF2432, judiciary finance bill, public safety finance bill, corrections policy, crime victims, victim services, Minnesota victims of crime account, court fees, marriage license fee, financial crimes, fraud investigations, insurance fraud, Bureau of Criminal Apprehension, BCA, Commerce Fraud Bureau, wage theft, automobile theft prevention, nonprofit security grants, 911 funding, POST Board

Transcript Highlights:

• Thank you all for your attention and participation in this committee's work.
• Thank you all for your attention and participation in this committee's work.
• in stealth state public participate in stealth state public health<00:03:10.159> advisory<00:
• sunsetting of reports if of an automatic sunsetting of reports if they're<00:10:08.640> not<00
• sunsets them automatically. sunsets them automatically.

Bills: HF4438, HF4467, HF4379, SF3402, HF4349, HF4064, HF84, HF85, HF3804

Keywords: healthcare, WIC, community health, licensing, speech-language pathology, audiology, contract term limits, healthcare services, provider enrollment, disenrollment, premium payments, medical assistance, substance use disorders, mental health, children's mental health, early childhood, early intervention, consultation grants, Head Start, child care

Transcript Highlights:

• Do they automatically resign? What if there's no quorum left?
• <02:01:55.159> a vote on that or is it automatically a vote on that or is it automatically
• So it doesn't automatically be 100%. Is that am I reading that right?
• So it doesn't automatically be 100%. Is that am I reading that right?
• So it doesn't automatically be 100%. Is that am I reading that right?

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I just want to thank everybody that helped, staff, and everyone that participated.
• Vehicle Laws—Ignition Interlock System Program Required Participation.
• The withdrawal of an amendment is discretionary and automatic from the sponsor, so there is no...
• 50:37.320> a<00:50:37.400> discretionary<00:50:38.280> and<00:50:38.440> automatic
• <00:50:38.960> from is a discretionary and automatic from is a discretionary and automatic

Keywords: Senate streaming session for Thursday, March 12, 2026, 960, senate, all

Summary: The Maryland Senate convened with a quorum, heard an invocation from Pastor Delman Coates, and received several guest introductions, including the doctor of the day, student visitors, homeschool advocates, community leaders, and the Braver Angels group. The chamber also journalized remarks welcoming Dr. Coates and recognized a prayer breakfast, with members offering brief thanks and acknowledgments before moving to legislative business. The Senate handled several messages and nominations, including withdrawal of an appointment, Johns Hopkins Police Accountability Board nominations, and Prince George’s County Board of License Commissioners nominations, all referred to Executive Nominations. The chamber also received House Bill 156 and an Executive Nominations Committee report recommending confirmation of a slate of appointments, which was special ordered for later consideration. A motion to return Senate Bill 463 to second reader and special order it for Tuesday was adopted without objection, and Senate Bill 473 was also special ordered for Tuesday. On third reading, the Senate passed a large number of bills, including measures on ignition interlock participation, school construction, port hearing notice, veteran status notation for educators, correctional officer scholarships, benefits exploitation, veterans trust fund applications, presidential electors, advance enrollment for children of active service members, retired law enforcement handgun permits, high-risk pregnancy discharge communication, charitable organization audit thresholds, child care criminal history checks, water pollution discharge permits, blockchain task force creation, franchise registration reform, licensing portability for foreign service members and spouses, Medicaid collaborative care cost-sharing, gift card fraud, school for the deaf board membership, vehicle dealer hearings, massage therapy advertising, protective body armor reporting, lithium-ion battery safety, pharmacy prescriber agreements for opioid use disorder treatment, human relevant research fund contributions, state and higher education email requirements, and auto insurance producer commissions. Most passed unanimously or by wide margins; Senate Bill 348 and Senate Bill 585 passed with 30 and 32 votes in favor, respectively. Senate Bill 140, concerning benefits exploitation, drew extended debate over constitutionality and pending litigation, with one senator citing an Attorney General opinion and another citing a Supreme Court case on neutral principles in church property disputes; the bill ultimately passed with 40 votes. Members later changed several votes on the floor, including on Senate Bills 172, 376, 428, and 48. The session ended while the clerk was beginning to read Senate Bill 629, with the remaining calendar not completed in the transcript.

Transcript Highlights:

• So, I have quite a few questions now because I have participated in this process my whole time here,
• So, I have quite a few questions now because I have participated in this process my whole time here,
• So, I have quite a few questions now because I have participated in this process my whole time here,
• So, I have quite a few questions now because I have participated in this process my whole time here,
• So, I have quite a few questions now because I have participated in this process my whole time here,

Bills: HF1323, HF4266, HF4413, HF3101, HF4572, HF4698, HF3650, HF2634

Keywords: undocumented, financial aid, state policy, higher education, noncitizen eligibility, state grants, college affordability, Office of Higher Education, Minnesota State Grant, need analysis, expected family contribution, student aid, grant formula, living and miscellaneous expense allowance, dependent student, independent student, parental contribution, student contribution, surplus appropriation, biennium

Transcript Highlights:

• purchase fresh fruits and vegetables at participating locations.
• we're also kind of talking about Medi-Cal participants, right?
• So you talked about how from 2020 to 2025 we expanded our participation rate of all eligible participants
• That is one in 11 participants statewide.
• I want to thank everyone for participating.

Summary: The joint informational hearing focused on CalFresh enrollment, food insecurity in California, the recent federal shutdown’s disruption of SNAP benefits, and the long-term effects of H.R. 1 on eligibility, benefits, and state and county costs. Opening remarks emphasized that millions of Californians rely on CalFresh, that the shutdown briefly delayed benefits for the first time in the program’s history, and that state and local governments, including Alameda County, stepped in with emergency food aid and funding. Members also framed the issue as both a hunger and affordability problem, with several noting that California’s agricultural abundance contrasts sharply with persistent food insecurity. The first panel presented research and advocacy perspectives on food hardship. PPIC’s Tess Thorman described food insecurity rates, disparities affecting households with children and Black and Latino households, and the role of nutrition programs in reducing poverty. Nourish California’s Betzabel Estudio argued that hunger is a policy choice and highlighted campaigns to expand state-funded food assistance for immigrants, support reentry populations, and continue the CalFresh fruit-and-vegetable incentive program. The California Association of Food Banks’ Josh Wright said food banks are seeing sustained high demand, lower federal food supplies, and cannot replace CalFresh, while urging more state support for food purchasing, school meals, and SunBucks. The second panel reviewed CalFresh operations and participation. The California Department of Social Services reported that CalFresh participation has risen over the past decade, with the state closing much of the participation gap through outreach, simplified applications, and demonstration projects such as the Elderly Simplified Application Project and a minimum nutrition benefit pilot. Alameda County Social Services described local caseloads, application trends, and emergency food distributions during the shutdown, while also warning that H.R. 1’s work requirements, immigrant eligibility restrictions, and possible cost-sharing could reduce enrollment. A student CalFresh ambassador testified about the burdensome application and recertification process and urged more funding for campus basic-needs centers and outreach to reduce stigma and administrative friction. In the final panel, county, food bank, and policy witnesses described the shutdown response and the expected impact of H.R. 1. Alameda County Community Food Bank and the County Welfare Directors Association said counties, food banks, and community partners mobilized emergency funds, pop-up pantries, and food purchasing to bridge the shutdown gap, but warned that hundreds of thousands of Californians could lose benefits under the new federal rules. The California Budget and Policy Center began outlining the scale of federal cuts, noting that H.R. 1 will significantly reduce SNAP funding and shift costs to states. No votes or formal committee actions were taken; the hearing was informational and concluded with discussion of possible state responses, including backfilling benefits, preserving outreach funding, and improving administrative systems to protect enrollment.

Transcript Highlights:

• We apply these rules consistently. to all people who participate in our proceedings regardless of the
• We seek to protect the rights of all who participate in the legislative process so that we can have effective
• hearing room today, the sergeants directed your attention to the rules for public attendance and participation
• AB 1303 aims to increase participation in the California Lifeline Program by specifying that a social
• And that's the intention is if we look at other states, they pull them together. because you automatically

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Priority consideration would be given to individuals that participate in workforce programs and receive
• Importantly, this bill does not mandate hiring or set a specific number of workforce board participants
• Despite these needs, coordination with workforce boards is not automatic. of these job seekers is not
• Claimants participate in the Reemployment Services and Eligibility Assessment, or RISI program, only
• This bill would expand and allow us to identify additional individuals to participate in the program.

Bills: HB1397, HB1893, HB1950, HB2027, HB2791, HB3698, HB3699, HB3700, SB2603, SB2607, SB2565

Keywords: Texas Constitution, Declaration of Independence, victory or death letter, display, historic preservation, HB 1893, Texas public information law, Public Information Act, Government Code 552.130, Transportation Code Chapter 730, license plate number, vehicle registration, law enforcement video, police body camera, dashcam, redaction, public records request, open records, government transparency, privacy

Transcript Highlights:

• Okay, so my understanding is that because it's in a clinical setting and people are participating in
• having the student present, there's a sense that there's a general consent for student participation,
• Okay, so my understanding is that because it's in a clinical setting and people are participating in
• having the student present, there's a sense that there's a general consent for student participation,
• Reduced automatically. So wouldn't your bill have the effect of reducing the tax?

Bills: HF2371, HF2147, HF2557, HF1165, HF2466, HF2465, HF2482

Keywords: informed consent, sensitive examinations, healthcare, patient rights, anesthesia, hot water pools, rental properties, public health, safety regulations, Minnesota Statutes, health care access, hospital surcharge, fund allocation, medical assistance, health funding, health care, education, bonding capacity, financing, Minnesota Higher Education Facilities Authority

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:13:23.279> review<00:13:23.680> every<00:13:23.880> two automatic review every
• two automatic review every two years<00:13:25.920> this<00:13:26.120> report<00:13:26.519
• if we go uh difference in participation if we go uh uh<00:21:22.279> through<00:21:22.600>
• in tax then that already participates in tax then that that's<00:21:44.120> a<00:21:44.559>
• in a a human already participating in a a human services<00:21:56.440> benefit<00:21:56.960><

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:05:28.240> uh<00:05:28.560> MSPs<00:05:29.919> include<00:05:30.800> automatic
• the fact that uh MSPs include automatic the fact that uh MSPs include automatic enrollment<00:05
• <02:02:02.639> What participate in the free market. What participate in the free market.
• participants participants um<04:59:40.400> and<04:59:40.798> sustain<04:59:41.280>
• Obesity prevalence among SNAP recipients was 40% versus 32% among low-income non-participants.

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• He is particip participating probation.
• He is particip participating in<00:35:06.160> a<00:35:06.320> program.
• <00:57:01.920> they participation in their programs. they participation in their programs.
• place so that we don't lose participants place so that we don't lose participants in<00:59:21.599
• <01:19:01.679> participate<01:19:02.159> in program or have clients participate in

Keywords: 0:00:04 Call to Order 0:00:50 Dept for Public Advocacy 0:51:31 Life Learning Center 1:21:06 Adjournment, 958, all

Summary: The Budget Review Subcommittee on Justice and Judiciary heard testimony from the Department of Public Advocacy (DPA) on attorney compensation and alternatives to incarceration. Because the committee lacked a quorum, the chair skipped formal roll call and minutes approval, then invited DPA Public Advocate Damon Preston, Deputy Public Advocate Melanie Lowe, and alternative sentencing worker Cena/Tina Mills to present. Preston said DPA is fully state-funded, has 698 funded positions, and was near full staffing with 673 filled positions and 42 new law graduates expected to join in August. He argued that DPA’s resources lag behind those of prosecutors, noting that local prosecutorial offices receive substantially more total funding and have additional revenue sources beyond the state budget. Preston focused on salary disparities and turnover. He said DPA trial-office attorneys total about $26 million in salaries, compared with about $41.9 million for prosecutors on publicly listed state funding, and estimated that more than 100 additional prosecutors are paid through other sources, bringing total prosecutor compensation to a little over $50 million versus DPA’s $26 million. He said starting DPA attorney pay is $58,200, experienced attorney pay averages about $73,000, and that these levels are too low given law school debt and the state’s constitutional obligation to provide defense counsel. He also said DPA attorney turnover is about 20%, median service time before separation was 15 months in 2024, and exit interviews often cite salary as the main reason for leaving. He gave examples of former DPA attorneys moving to prosecutor offices for raises ranging from 12% to 50%. Committee members asked about how often defendants are represented by private counsel versus DPA and how that affects workload. Preston said a 2017 study found about 50% of misdemeanor cases and about 75% of circuit court cases were handled by DPA, with DPA handling most of the most labor-intensive cases. He said DPA will step aside when a defendant hires private counsel or is found ineligible, and he acknowledged the system historically erred by denying counsel in some cases, though he said the current concern is whether DPA is now appointed too broadly. Members requested updated trend data on appointments over the past decade. Preston also described DPA’s pay scale and said the agency’s compensation structure makes retention difficult. Mills then described DPA’s alternative sentencing worker program, which she said has operated for about 20 years and has received national recognition. She shared a case example involving a client named Patrick, who faced a prison sentence on a possession charge and was referred to a horse-based treatment and certification program in Shelbyville. She said the client wanted treatment and a fresh start, a bed became available, and she and the client’s attorney presented an alternative sentencing plan to the court. The presentation was interrupted briefly by a technical issue, but the testimony continued.

Transcript Highlights:

• We also participated in 11 out-of-state events at colleges and universities, and I will read off the
• This was voluntary for employees to participate in that training.
• We participated recently when Job Corps was considering closing to see if any of those workers could
• It's not an automatic thing.
• In 2020, LFC found that participation in pre-kindergarten was associated with higher scores on early

Transcript Highlights:

• They invited out-of-district public schools to participate. They refused.
• You know, you're asked a question about bipartisan participation.
• They're not automatically better.
• They're not automatically better.
• Nobody’s forcing any family to participate for now.

Summary: The Senate Committee on Education K-16 convened with a quorum, adopted its committee rules, and heard opening remarks from members introducing staff and outlining priorities for the session. Several senators emphasized support for public education, teacher pay and safety, parental choice, and the combined K-16 jurisdiction of the committee. The chair also reviewed hearing procedures, including public testimony registration and time limits. The main item was Senate Bill 2, the Texas Education Freedom Act, laid out by Chairman Creighton. He described the bill as an education savings account program intended to expand school choice, with a $200 million universal eligibility pool and an additional $800 million targeted to students with disabilities and lower-income families. He said the bill includes anti-fraud safeguards, criminal background checks for vendors, reporting requirements, data protections, and annual testing for participating students, while not imposing STAAR on private schools or homeschoolers. He also said the bill removes a prior hold-harmless provision for public schools and is separate from public school funding and teacher pay legislation. Members questioned the bill’s income threshold, lottery and priority structure, treatment of homeschoolers, microschools, charter schools, religious freedom protections, citizenship/lawful presence language, cybersecurity, open records, and disability-related issues, including whether 504 students and foster children should be included. Creighton said the bill is designed to prioritize former public school students with disabilities or lower incomes, while also allowing universal eligibility within the program’s first funding tier, and that the Comptroller would oversee vendor screening and cybersecurity rules. He said the bill does not direct curriculum or interfere with religious beliefs and that amendments may be offered later on citizenship and other issues. After member questions, the committee began invited testimony, starting with EdChoice representative Robert Inlow, who testified in support of SB 2 and cited national growth in school choice programs and studies he said show positive effects for students and public schools.

Transcript Highlights:

• So, LFC research shows that children who participate in pre-kindergarten were on the first page here
• Childcare assistance helps families work, go to school, and participate economically.
• Families that are high income earners are participating in current programs. Mr. Chair, and Mr.
• Those programs that pay more than that, how are they participating, or how do they participate in the
• to be at 75%, 66%, and then those participating at the...

Bills: SB2

Transcript Highlights:

• Today women are not only participating in leadership, we are leading.
• TODAY WOMEN ARE NOT ONLY PARTICIPATING IN LEADERSHIP, WE ARE LEADING.
• May Day reminds us that progress is not automatic; it happens when workers organize and when government
• MAY DAY REMINDS US THAT PROGRESS IS NOT AUTOMATIC, IT HAPPENS WHEN WORKER ORGANIZE AND WHEN So today,

Keywords: 993, senate, all

Summary: The Senate met on May 4, 2026, approved the prior journal, and then took up a series of resolutions and floor bills. The chamber first adopted a resolution honoring Carlos Beltran on his induction into the Baseball Hall of Fame, with several senators praising his Mets career, athletic achievements, and philanthropy in Puerto Rico. The Senate also adopted resolutions recognizing the 2026 Women of Distinction, including tributes to living honorees and posthumous recognition of Congresswoman Nita Lowey and Dr. Hazel Dukes, and later adopted resolutions commemorating May Day and Panama’s Black Heritage Month. A Queens Chamber of Commerce resolution also prompted extensive remarks celebrating Queens’ diversity, small businesses, immigrant communities, and cultural institutions. On legislation, the Senate recalled two bills from the Assembly and restored them to the third reading calendar by a 62-0 reconsideration vote. The chamber then passed a long list of bills, including measures affecting public health, agriculture and markets, insurance, criminal procedure, public officers, labor, not-for-profit corporations, and executive law. Several bills passed unanimously or near-unanimously, while a few drew recorded opposition, including the environmental conservation bill on animal cruelty and the public health bill on Calendar 840. Supportive floor explanations emphasized animal welfare, protections for abandoned pets, and other public-interest reforms. The Senate also heard brief explanatory remarks on some bills, such as concerns about animals left behind in vacated housing and the treatment of wild animals in traveling circuses. After completing the calendar, the Senate reported no further business and adjourned until Wednesday, May 6, at 3:00 p.m.

Transcript Highlights:

• We've spoken and participated at 34 conferences.
• WE'VE SPOKEN PARTICIPATED AT 34 CONFERENCES.
• recommendations of the task force, especially to allow consideration for those who do not fall under the automatic
• RECOMMENDATIONS OF THE TASK FORCE, ESPECIALLY TO ALLOW CONSIDERATION BY THOSE WHO DO NOT FALL UNDER THE AUTOMATIC

Keywords: 918, senate, all

Summary: The Minnesota Senate Subcommittee on Veterans heard a Department of Military Affairs presentation on bonding, tuition benefits, and cyber response. The department requested $3.5 million in design funding for a new hangar at the 148th Fighter Wing in Duluth, citing safety problems with the aging 1950s-era hangars and the need to improve the wing’s competitiveness for future federal military construction funding. It also sought $2.5 million for asset preservation at Army facilities statewide, emphasizing that state dollars are often matched by federal funds. A National Guard lieutenant also testified about the State Tuition Reimbursement Program, describing how it helped pay for her undergraduate and doctoral education and reduce student debt. The committee also received an update on Minnesota National Guard cyber operations, including the response to the July 2025 ransomware attack on the City of Saint Paul. Testimony described the cyber coordination cell’s role in planning, interagency coordination, and support during the incident, including helping re-image about 500 computers and assisting with network recovery. Members heard that the Guard’s cyber teams conduct extensive partner engagement and are prepared to support state and local entities when civil resources are exhausted and the incident exceeds local capacity. Three bills were then heard and advanced. Senate File 4075, as amended, would implement recommendations from the task force on Special Guerrilla Unit and regular forces veterans from the Secret War in Laos, including eligibility and benefit changes; the committee adopted an amendment and passed the bill to the full committee. Senate File 3956, as amended, would clarify that the Department of Veterans Affairs may partner with veteran-serving organizations using nonmonetary resources to address food insecurity, homelessness, and suicide prevention; it was also referred onward. Senate File 4056, as amended, would add veteran or military status as a protected class under the Minnesota Human Rights Act; testimony supported the change, including concerns about service members losing educational opportunities while on state active duty, and the bill was passed to the full committee.

Transcript Highlights:

• We participated, and this is not a situation where the Daily Oklahoman sponsors.
• want to go along the lines of thinking about some things that I know you're moving that to some automatic
• That's why I say the online submission is so important because when we do that, we get an automatic response
• We have outlined the steps that every internet service provider participating in our program should take

Keywords: 914, all