Transcript Highlights:

• Thank you, Senator Ward. Thank you, Mr. Chair.
• So, Representative Ward, we are making progress there. We've asked these questions.
• So, Representative Ward, we are making progress there. I believe IEPs are very, very important.
• >> Senator Ward, I think you had an amendment. Mr.
• Um, Senator Ward, will you take that out since you're amended? Okay, let's go to 656, please.

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• We will begin this morning with Senate Bill 50, and Senator Ward is here.
• Senator Ward is here to present the bill to the committee. Good morning, Mr.
• This bill would establish a committee, so thank you, Senator Ward, for introducing this that would call
• </c><00:05:14.360><c> for</c> committee so thank you Senator Ward for committee so thank you Senator
• Ward for introducing<00:05:15.000><c> this</c><00:05:15.400><c> that</c><00:05:15.520><c> would</c><00

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Ward excused; Mr. Woodson; Mr. Yamashita. Madam Speaker, 47 members are present; four are excused.
• Ward excused; Mr. Woodson; Mr. Yamashita.

Keywords: 910, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I move that we take up the third resolution, H from Mary Ward, and approve that out of order.
• It's for Mary Ward. All those in favor say "Aye." Any opposed? All those in favor say "Aye."

Keywords: 1136, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• In this new map, on average, 85.7% of the boundaries follow those boundary lines.
• On the western side, I tried to find some easily recognizable boundaries to establish the western boundary
• So all three districts use that same boundary within Broward County, a very easily recognizable boundary
• Also using as many good boundaries.
• It does cross the county boundary into Osceola just a little bit.

Keywords: 999, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• The reason being after a boundary Road.
• The reason being after a boundary survey<00:09:46.800><c> was</c><00:09:47.040><c> conducted</c><00:09
• Conditions of the sale include the grantee commissioning a licensed land surveyor to prepare a boundary
• Conditions of the sale include the grantee commissioning a licensed land surveyor to prepare a boundary
• plan depicting the prepare a boundary plan depicting the limits<00:20:45.919><c> of</c><00:20:46.080

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The Long Range Capital Planning and Utilization Committee met and first approved the June 30, 2025 meeting minutes. The committee then took up a series of Department of Transportation property actions, including authorization to grant an access point in Exeter, sell two small tracts in Keene, amend a prior Guilford disposal based on a revised survey and appraisal, sell 0.42 acres in Lincoln, list and sell 9.77 acres in Chesterfield, sell 0.54 acres in Fremont, and approve a permanent access easement in Belmont. The committee also approved a utility easement in Albany and a permanent access easement on Route 153 for the Bickfords. Most of these items involved direct sales or listings, administrative fees of $1,100, and conditions requiring surveys and local/state approvals; several were approved unanimously after brief or no questions. Representative Faulkner declared a conflict of interest on the Chesterfield item, and Representative Newman sat in for that matter; later, Faulkner was recused from the Belmont item as well. The committee also approved a Department of Administrative Services request to grant a perpetual utility line easement to Public Service Company of New Hampshire for a facility under construction at the Hampstead hospital property, with the administrative fee waived because the grant was in exchange for utility service. During discussion of informational item LRCP25-038, staff explained that no committee action was needed because the item was only to notify members that a parcel’s fair market value had been reduced due to a change in access. The committee received additional informational materials from the New Hampshire Council on Resources and Development, including minutes from its May 8 meeting and memorandums on surplus land review for Meredith and Hampstead. The next meeting was set for December 9 at 9:30 a.m. at Granite Place, Room 228, and the chair noted the meeting would be on a Tuesday because of building scheduling. The committee then adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• features or political boundaries that we have loaded in the system.
• In this new map, on average, 85.7% of the boundaries follow those boundary lines.
• So all three districts use that same boundary within Broward County.
• So all three districts use that same boundary within Broward County, a very easily recognizable boundary
• It does cross the county boundary into Osceola just a little bit.

Summary: The Committee on Rules met with a quorum present and took up a presentation from the Governor’s office on proposed congressional reapportionment. Executive Office of the Governor counsel Mo Jazeel argued that mid-cycle congressional redistricting is legally permissible, that race should not be used in drawing districts, and that the Florida Fair Districts provisions are inconsistent with federal equal protection principles and, in the executive branch’s view, are inseverable. Jason Parada then presented the proposed map, explaining that it was drawn using 2020 census block data, with county growth estimates used only as a guide, and that the plan was designed to be race-neutral while also considering compactness, county and municipal boundaries, and other traditional redistricting criteria. He said the map keeps 48 counties and 382 municipalities whole, has compactness scores comparable to the current map, and makes the largest changes in South Florida, with some districts remaining unchanged and others reconfigured around population shifts and geographic boundaries. Members questioned both presenters extensively about the legal basis for disregarding the Fair Districts Amendment, the use of partisan data, the absence of racial analysis, and whether the map truly reflects population growth. Jazeel said the executive branch’s position is that race-based provisions in the state constitution cannot be used if they conflict with the U.S. Constitution, and that the forthcoming U.S. Supreme Court decision in Louisiana v. Calais could further clarify the law. Parada said he did not use race in drawing the map, did use partisan information as one of several traditional criteria, and relied on 2020 census data for population equality. Senators also pressed him on who reviewed the map, why the public and legislators had limited time to review it, and whether the plan was intended to favor Republicans; Parada denied partisan intent and said he was the only person who moved lines on the map, though he consulted with other Executive Office of the Governor staff and counsel. Several senators raised concerns that the map did not clearly reflect Florida’s recent population growth, that some districts remained highly irregular, and that the plan appeared to be based on a legal theory contingent on future court rulings. The presenters responded that congressional districts must be equal to the person, that growth estimates can only guide orientation rather than replace census data, and that the map was designed to preserve as much of the existing structure as possible while making the largest adjustments in South Florida. No vote or final action on the map was taken during the excerpted portion of the meeting, and the committee continued with questions and discussion.

Transcript Highlights:

• You know, that's not breaching any boundaries in my opinion.
• Um, but to me, this bill's all about boundaries, and we should have boundaries, and we do have boundaries
• Um, but to me, this bill's all about boundaries, and we should have boundaries, and we do have boundaries
• , and we should have boundaries, and we should have boundaries,<00:31:24.320><c> and</c><00:31:24.480
• ><c> in</c> boundaries, and we do have boundaries in boundaries, and we do have boundaries in life.<00

Keywords: 958, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Schiavo, Schultz, Sharp-Collins, Solache, Tangipa, Wallace, Ward, Wilson. The quorum is present.
• I want to thank Assemblymembers Ward, Ortega, Haney, and Wallis for their participation and input throughout
• Ward? Ward, aye. Wilson? Wilson, aye. Ayes 18, noes 6. Thank you very much.
• Thank you to Assemblymembers Chris Ward and James Ramos for signing on in support.

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• So, for instance, the city of Cheyenne has wards.
• So people in, say, Ward 3 of Cheyenne are not eligible to sign a petition for a Ward 2 councilman.
• So people in, say, Ward 3 of Cheyenne are not eligible to sign a petition for a Ward 2 councilman. still
• So, so for instance, the covers wards.
• Just wanted to add that. eligible to sign a petition for a ward 2 eligible to sign a petition for a ward

Bills: HB0022, HB0052, HB0076

Keywords: municipal officers, recall election, petition requirements, local governance, voter participation, elections, hand counting, recounts, vote auditing, Wyoming legislature, electoral process, annexation, landowner rights, municipal law, city planning, property, local government, 916, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I am, historically, and always have been, a supporter of the rural boundary.
• For me, the rural boundary in both counties is not some history book entry.
• For me, the rural boundary in both counties is not some history book entry.
• And I was there to implement the rural boundary.
• For me, the rural boundary in both counties is not some history book entry.

Summary: The committee first confirmed six appointees on a single roll-call vote, then took up a series of bills, many of them on land use, housing, public safety, child welfare, education, and professional licensing. Early debate centered on CS/SB 208, which would require development fees to better reflect review costs and impose objective compatibility findings for residential projects. An amendment folded in additional housing-related provisions, including manufactured housing and a study of urban development boundaries, prompting extended discussion about Miami-Dade’s Everglades protection area and local control. A late-filed rural-boundary amendment was withdrawn. The bill was reported favorably after support from business, housing, and advocacy groups, with some senators voicing district-specific concerns. The committee then approved CS/CS/SB 686 on agricultural enclaves after amendments added conservation easement, wildlife corridor, and critical state concern protections, plus a further Everglades-related amendment. Members discussed balancing smart growth, infrastructure costs, and protecting environmentally sensitive areas. Other land-use and growth bills also advanced, including CS/SB 1434 on infill redevelopment, CS/SB 1138 on qualified contractor pre-application review, and SB 218 limiting the reach of prior hurricane recovery zoning protections in counties not affected by the 2024 storms. SB 1474 on biosolids management was amended to reduce the distance threshold for land application restrictions and delay the effective date, and SB 1708 on veterinary licensure by endorsement removed a three-year recent-practice requirement to address shortages. Several public safety, health, and family-related measures also passed. CS/CS/SB 436 expanded felony battery enhancement to include resisting an officer with violence and certain law-enforcement battery offenses. SB 830 extended public-records protections to county and city administrators and related family information. CS/CS/CS/SB 600 revised bail bond rules, and an amendment preserved the current treatment of charitable bail funds and nonprofits; the committee heard testimony from The Bail Project and others on both sides. CS/SB 914 expanded dry-needling supervision options for occupational therapists, CS/SB 1092 clarified podiatric use of certain cellular/tissue products, and SB 1504 and SB 1718 updated insurance licensing and educator certification pathways. On the education side, CS/CS/SB 7038 made broad postsecondary changes, including tuition waivers, residency clarification, and licensure rules, while CS/SB 186 required seizure-response training and action plans in schools. The committee also advanced multiple child welfare and health bills. CS/CS/CS/SB 560 streamlined psychotropic medication procedures for children in state custody and added youth-voice and insurance-review provisions. CS/CS/CS/SB 902 combined several Department of Health changes, including medical marijuana distance rules, autism microcredential eligibility, a neurofibromatosis grant program, and NICU nutrition information. SB 1002 expanded child welfare definitions to address parental drug abuse and neglect, and SB 1708 eased endorsement licensure for out-of-state veterinarians. Most bills were reported favorably on roll-call votes, with several amendments adopted along the way and limited opposition or abstentions noted on some measures.

Transcript Highlights:

• Could I have Secretary Ward come to the table so he can explain this a little better? Mr.
• West Ward, Arkansas Department of Agriculture.

Summary: The special language subcommittee met for its first meeting of the session and reviewed several governor’s letters containing special language for appropriations bills. Members were reminded that the subcommittee only handles special language, while personnel and appropriation items go to other budget committees. Most items were explained by DFA Secretary Jim Hudson and agency representatives, with no major opposition raised. The committee adopted amendments for the Department of Finance and Administration to require administrative costs for pregnancy help organization grants to stay under 25%; for the Department of Correction to remove conflicting language about county jail reimbursement funds and make a technical fund-name correction; and for the Department of Education to designate the Department of Agriculture as the child nutrition agency and to implement Act 909 of 2025 changes related to EBD employer contributions and phasing out teacher equalization funds. It also adopted language allowing the CFO to waive the 3% state central services fee for agricultural promotion boards, allowing Department of Public Safety revenues from Camp Robinson facilities to be used for maintenance, and authorizing shared administrative services billing under the Arkansas Ford Initiative while removing duplicative reporting language. Additional adopted amendments designated Arkansas Rehab Services as the state unit for the vocational rehabilitation grant and capped the reimbursement rate for the used tire program at $2.31 effective July 1, 2026, to stabilize funding. One item was skipped because a later governor’s letter superseded it. All amendments considered were adopted, and the meeting adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• Could I have Secretary Ward come to the table so he can explain this a little better? Mr.
• West Ward, Arkansas Department of Agriculture.

Keywords: 1204, all

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:33:07.279><c> for</c> approximate boundaries for approximate boundaries for administrative<00
• Any GISbased boundary<00:33:12.600><c> assessments</c><00:33:13.600><c> shall</c><00:33:13.919><c> be
• the boundaries of land set aside under this section, the BLNR shall establish a mediation process for
• the boundaries of land set aside under this section, the BLNR shall establish a mediation process for
• “If any dispute arises regarding the boundaries of land set aside under this section, the BLNR shall

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Summary: The Committee on Water and Land heard HB 511, House Draft 1, relating to public lands. The bill would remove the requirement that a land survey be completed before public lands are set aside to a state department or agency. Testimony from the Department of Agriculture and the Department of Land and Natural Resources was generally supportive of the bill’s intent, with requests for clarification. The Hawaii Cattlemen’s Council and Hawaii Farm Bureau supported the measure, arguing that surveys are costly and time-consuming and can delay transfers needed for agricultural use and land stewardship. One member of the public testified in strong opposition, arguing that eliminating surveys would weaken due process, transparency, and the state’s fiduciary duties over public lands. The chair then proposed amendments to narrow the bill’s effect. The amendments would create tiered survey requirements based on land risk: high-risk lands would still require a survey before transfer, while low-risk state agricultural lands with clear historical records could defer surveys if sufficient mapping or GIS data exists. If a survey is deferred, the recipient agency would have to complete one within five years unless exempted by the Board of Land and Natural Resources. The amendments would also allow GIS and related mapping tools for approximate administrative boundaries, require a centralized digital registry of public land transfers, and establish a mediation process for boundary disputes before litigation. Senator McKelvey said he had concerns about the original bill but would support it with the amendments. The committee chair recommended passage with amendments, noting the bill would also go to the Judiciary Committee. The committee adopted the recommendation by vote, with the chair and vice chair voting aye and Senator Dort voting no.

Transcript Highlights:

• I move adoption of Ward 257, page 5, line 6.
• Please move Ward 262, page 7, line 17. The motion is to adopt.
• I move adoption of Ward 264 on page 5, line 29. It has been moved and seconded.

Summary: The House Education Committee met in executive session on several bills, beginning with House Bill 1795 on restraint and isolation in schools. Staff described the proposed substitute as prohibiting mechanical, chemical, and certain physical restraints, limiting planned use of restraint to cases with written medical necessity and parental consent, and revising the definition of serious harm. Members debated amendments clarifying that serious harm can include harm to another person, barring construction of rooms designed primarily for student isolation, and adding a null-and-void clause. The committee adopted the first two amendments but rejected the null-and-void amendment, then advanced the bill as amended. The final roll call on HB 1795 was 10 ayes, 7 nays, and 2 excused, and it was reported do pass as amended. The committee then considered Second Substitute House Bill 1634, which would create a statewide technical assistance and training framework for student behavioral health, coordinated by OSPI and ESDs with behavioral health agencies and community partners. A second proposed substitute removed some implementation requirements, narrowed the bill to coordination and access to services, added family-focused consultation and planning language, and removed certain reporting and needs-assessment provisions. A null-and-void amendment was offered but failed. Supporters said the bill would provide schools with flexible technical assistance rather than mandates, while opponents raised concerns about fiscal impact and unfunded obligations. The committee approved the bill on a 12-5 vote with 2 excused and reported it do pass. The committee also received staff briefings on House Bill 1662, which would require several education-related agencies and entities to transition to separate administrative services and operational independence on a delayed timeline, and House Bill 1683, which would adjust school board director-district election requirements and thresholds. No amendments were noted on HB 1683, and the committee did not reach final action on either of those bills before adjourning.

Transcript Highlights:

• , Schultz, Sharp-Collins, Solache, Soria, Stephanie Nguyen, Ta, Tangipa, Valencia, Wallis, Wallis, Ward
• , Schultz, Sharp-Collins, Solache, Soria, Stephanie Nguyen, Ta, Tangipa, Valencia, Wallis, Wallis, Ward
• , Schultz, Sharp-Collins, Solache, Soria, Stephanie Nguyen, Ta, Tangipa, Valencia, Wallis, Wallis, Ward

Summary: The Assembly convened after an initial quorum call, then proceeded with prayer, the pledge, and routine motions. Members approved several procedural requests, including moving AB 362 to the inactive file and allowing the Natural Resources Committee to hear AB 34 on January 16. The chamber also recognized guests and paid tribute to retiring Republican caucus consultant Daryl Thomas, with remarks from multiple members praising his long service and legal analysis work. The main floor action centered on ACR 116, a resolution honoring Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Members from several caucuses and both parties spoke in support, emphasizing King’s legacy of civil rights, economic justice, nonviolence, and unfinished work. After opening the roll for coauthors, the resolution received 67 coauthors and was adopted by voice vote. The Assembly then took up ACR 118, recognizing Korean American Day; members highlighted Korean American history, community contributions, solidarity with other communities, and the significance of Koreatown and Korean American civic life. That resolution also received 67 coauthors and was adopted by voice vote. The consent calendar was then adopted on a 64-0 vote, including ACR 115 on National Blood Donor Month. The chamber also held an adjournment in memory for former legislator David Kelly, with a tribute to his military service, agricultural background, and legislative work on water conservation and sustainable agriculture. The Assembly announced the upcoming Martin Luther King Day recess and adjourned until Tuesday, January 20 at 1 p.m.

Transcript Highlights:

• Todd Mr Ward excused Mr Todd Mr Ward excused Mr Woodson<00:13:36.199><c> Mr</c> Woodson Mr Woodson Mr
• If anybody has a story or something they'd like to share about Representative Gene Ward, so we can share

Keywords: 910, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Valencia, Wallace, Ward, Wicks, Wilson, Zuber, Mr. Speaker. Thank you.
• Assemblymember Ward, you are recognized. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
• Thank you, Assemblymember Ward.

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Ward here for AB 253. And you can begin when you’re ready. Thank you, Madam Chair, and members.
• Ward. And with that, the bill is out on a roll call with Mr. Hart. Here, Mr. Ward.

Summary: The Assembly Appropriations Committee met on March 19, 2025, adopted its committee rules unanimously, and then heard a series of housing, insurance, and disaster-recovery bills. Early bills focused on wildfire relief and insurance issues, including AB 238 on mortgage forbearance for Los Angeles County wildfire survivors, AB 493 on insurance payout interest for homeowners, AB 597 on consumer protections after disasters, and AB 226 on strengthening the California FAIR Plan’s liquidity tools. Supporters generally framed these measures as necessary protections for disaster survivors and market stability, while opponents and concerned witnesses raised issues such as investor guidelines, compliance conflicts, and market disruption. Several members also noted equity concerns and the need to balance relief with consistency across the state. The committee also heard a cluster of housing-production bills. AB 306 proposed a six-year pause on new state building code updates affecting residential construction and limits on local code modifications, drawing strong support from housing and building industry groups who argued it would reduce costs and improve predictability. It also drew opposition from code, environmental, and clean-energy advocates, who warned about safety, local control, and the loss of important code updates. AB 253 would allow licensed third-party professionals to perform plan checks if local review takes 30 days or more, and AB 301 would impose state-agency permitting timelines similar to those already applied to local governments; both were presented as ways to reduce delays and speed housing development. AB 462 would exempt ADU construction from coastal development permit requirements in Los Angeles County, especially to aid fire recovery and expand housing supply. After hearing testimony and brief member discussion on each measure, the committee placed the bills on suspense or advanced them as appropriate. In the suspense hearing at the end of the meeting, the committee took up the suspense-file bills and reported AB 226, AB 238, AB 301, and AB 306 out with due pass recommendations on roll call votes. The meeting then adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• I am here to introduce Senate Bill 50 on behalf of Senator Ruth Ward, the bill's prime sponsor.
• If you have questions for Senator Ward, I'll make sure to get you an answer.
• Uh, if you have questions for<00:48:52.240><c> Senator</c><00:48:52.559><c> Ward,</c><00:48:52.800><c
• Uh, and Senator Ward, you an answer.
• </c><00:51:19.440><c> and</c> bring this forward to Senator Ward and bring this forward to Senator Ward

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The committee first heard Senate Bill 302, which would update New Hampshire’s solid waste facility background-check law so the state can continue to access federal FBI criminal databases for checks on key owners and officers. Senator Howard Pearl and DES Waste Management Director Mike Whimsatt said the bill is the third attempt to correct prior drafting problems that prevented the FBI from accepting the language. They explained that the existing statute has long required background checks for hazardous and solid waste facility applicants because of concerns about organized crime, but the current wording is too ambiguous for federal use. The bill also includes technical corrections, clarifies which company officers must be checked, specifies which DES officials receive the results, and removes the Department of Justice as an unnecessary middleman. Committee members asked about the purpose of the bill, whether family members are covered, who pays the cost, and whether permits have ever been denied; Whimsatt said the applicant still pays, the checks focus on key officers, and at least one permit had been denied in the past due to a felony conviction. The hearing then closed, with one person listed in favor on the blue sheet and no opposition noted online. The committee then opened Senate Bill 229, which would allow retailers to sell uninspected bison, red deer, and elk meat and remove the sunset on the existing program. Senator Pearl said the bill would expand market opportunities for farmers while keeping labeling and traceability requirements in place, including identifying the meat as uninspected and maintaining records of the source farms. Representative Bixby, who had worked on earlier legislation, explained the current framework in detail: the animals are raised on closed farms, must be fenced, cannot be newly imported, and are subject to annual veterinary herd inspections and recordkeeping. He said the prior bison inspection regime was too burdensome for farmers to maintain, and the current law was intended as a workable compromise. Questions from members focused on how many farms participate, how many animals have been sold, and whether the program posed disease risks; the witness said he did not know the exact numbers, and Bixby said the existing import and fencing rules help prevent chronic wasting disease from entering the state. No vote was taken during the hearing, and the bill was left before the committee for further consideration.