Transcript Highlights:

• this<00:18:13.200> was<00:18:13.360> up<00:18:13.520> in<00:18:13.679> Alaska
• <00:18:14.240> So graders, this was up in Alaska. So graders, this was up in Alaska.

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Tribes are also not subject to the same operational limitations imposed on all other license holders.
• Tribes appear to be having their cake and eating it too while everyone else is being starved.
• for a license or face a lottery tribes for a license or face a lottery tribes are<00:43:24.640><
• To Minnesota citizens, the tribes? What does that mean?
• does citizens the tribe tribes how what does citizens the tribe tribes how what does that<00:48:03.559

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• My grandfather was the chief of the Herring Pond Tribe over in Plymouth.
• The Mashpee Wampanoag Tribe, which I'm a citizen of, has given full support for this piece.
• The Herring Pond Tribe became part of the town of Plymouth.
• the Aquinnah Tribe.
• So you do have a letter, yes, from the Mashpee Tribe? Okay.

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The committee first heard testimony on H. 3599, a bill concerning access to historic Indian lands and easements for landlocked tribal parcels in Massachusetts. Witnesses, including members of the Mashpee Wampanoag and Herring Pond communities, said the bill would restore access to family lands that have long been treated as landlocked and had been denied easements by necessity in prior court rulings. They described heavy tax burdens, prior litigation, and support from the Mashpee Wampanoag Tribe, with conditional support from the Aquinnah Wampanoag Tribe pending language changes. Committee members asked about the tax assessments and the status of tribal support, and the chair said the committee would follow up on possible amendments. The committee then took up S. 2922, which would authorize an underground easement at Magazine Beach in Cambridge for the Greater Cambridge Energy Project. Eversource representatives said the easement is needed for a transmission line connecting the Brighton and Kendall Square substations, supporting grid reliability and the Commonwealth’s clean energy transition. They said DCR would receive fair market value and replacement land in Wendell to satisfy Article 97 requirements. No objections were raised, and the panel’s testimony concluded without a vote recorded in the transcript. Most of the hearing focused on H. 5047, which would authorize the Commonwealth to take the Norwood Hospital site by eminent domain so the hospital can be restored. Sponsors, local officials, hospital task force members, EMS and fire representatives, a chamber of commerce leader, and a former hospital administrator all argued that the 2020 flood and Steward’s bankruptcy left the region without adequate care, causing longer ambulance transports, emergency room boarding, staffing strain, and economic losses. They said the site remains a partially completed shell, that the state should be able to acquire it and bring in a nonprofit operator, and that the taking would not require state funding because an operator would pay the acquisition costs. Committee members from both chambers expressed support and asked about costs, timing, infrastructure, and whether a nonprofit operator is being pursued. The chair took the bill under advisement after extensive testimony; no vote was taken in the transcript.

Transcript Highlights:

• Indian Tribe and the Kickapoo Traditional Tribe of Texas, have the authority to employ and commission
• The Alabama-Coushatta Tribe of Texas and the Kickapoo Traditional Tribe of Texas already have officers
• Tribes generally lack criminal jurisdiction.
• Other tribes in Texas, including the Alabama-Coushatta and the Kickapoo Traditional Tribe, already have
• Other tribes in Texas, including the Alabama Kashara and Kikapu traditional tribe already commissioned

Bills: SB693, SB781, SB836, SB860, SB906, SB993, SB1101, SB1321, SB1370, SB1537, SB1563, SB1610, SB1637

Keywords: notary public, notaries, acknowledgment, jurat, personal appearance, remote notarization, online notarization, e-notary, electronic notarization, fraud prevention, identity verification, real estate fraud, property transfer, state jail felony, Class A misdemeanor, secretary of state, continuing education, record retention, notarial act, Texas Government Code

Summary: The Senate Committee on Criminal Justice heard a series of bills focused on criminal procedure, public safety, victim protections, and law enforcement administration. SB 1537 would require criminal-proceeding interpreters to meet the same appointment standards used in the Government Code, and SB 993 would let the Comptroller’s Criminal Investigative Division seek mobile-tracking warrants directly in motor fuel theft and related tax-fraud investigations. SB 693, as substituted, would create a criminal offense for notaries who notarize documents without the signer personally appearing, with a higher penalty when real property is involved, and would add continuing education for notaries. SB 1610 would tighten rules for civilly committed sexually violent predators at the Texas Civil Commitment Office, including penalties for new crimes and assaults on staff, sex-offender registration requirements, and removal of certain provisions from the filed version; the substitute reduced some of the harsher penalties and preserved parole/community-supervision eligibility. SB 836 would expand privacy protections for sexual assault survivors by limiting livestreaming of certain trials, allowing pseudonyms earlier in the process, and protecting forensic exam evidence and invasive recordings under protective orders. SB 1563 would require county jailers to receive training on interacting with veterans, with testimony emphasizing suicide risk, PTSD, and the need for better identification and support in jails. SB 906 would give the Ysleta del Sur Pueblo authority similar to other Texas tribes to commission peace officers under state law to enforce Texas laws on tribal land. SB 781 would standardize confidentiality rules for peace officers’ personal information and create a confidential departmental file system modeled on Chapter 143 civil-service practices, though members raised concerns about whether the bill could affect disciplinary records and existing disclosure rules. Testimony was largely supportive for the bills, especially from prosecutors, law enforcement representatives, victim advocates, and agency officials. Supporters of SB 693 described widespread deed fraud tied to improper notarizations; supporters of SB 836 stressed survivor privacy and the harms of livestreamed sexual-assault proceedings; supporters of SB 1563 said jailer training could help prevent veteran suicides and improve treatment; and supporters of SB 906 said state commissioning would improve public safety and coordination on tribal lands. SB 781 drew support from police and TCOLE witnesses who said the bill would extend confidentiality protections already used in civil-service departments, while some members questioned whether the bill duplicated existing law or could be read to shield misconduct information. Public testimony included opposition to SB 1610 from a civil-rights advocate who urged waiting for Sunset review, and opposition to SB 781 from a family member of a person killed by police, who objected to expanding confidentiality for officers. Several bills were left pending after testimony because the committee lacked a quorum or chose to hold them for later action.

Transcript Highlights:

• transporting a handgun, to include prior convictions from another state or federal, military, or Native
• President, I believe Minnesota, Connecticut, Illinois, Oregon, Alaska, Hawaii, Maine, Washington, New
• Connecticut, I believe Minnesota, Connecticut, Illinois,<01:34:56.320> Oregon,<01:34:57.560> Alaska
• ,<01:34:58.280> Hawaii,<01:34:59.120> Maine, Illinois, Oregon, Alaska, Hawaii, Maine
• , Illinois, Oregon, Alaska, Hawaii, Maine, Washington,<01:35:01.120> New<01:35:01.280> Jersey

Keywords: Senate streaming session for Monday, March 23, 2026, 960, senate, all

Summary: The Senate first handled routine announcements, including welcoming a new group of pages and noting donations of donuts and chicken from local businesses, along with a citation planned for Mr. Herman’s Bakery, which is closing after 103 years. The chamber then took up Senate Bill 858, establishing a Department of Budget and Management Audit and Finance Compliance Unit. A senator moved to send the bill back to second reading to add an amendment, which was adopted without objection, and the bill was reprinted for third reading. The Finance Committee then reported several bills. Senate Bill 84, concerning collective bargaining for graduate assistants at UMCP and UMBC, was laid over after questions about whether graduate assistants are employees or students. Senate Bill 455, creating a transformational project financing program tied to tax increment financing districts, had two committee amendments adopted and was ordered printed for third reading. Senate Bill 623, creating a premium cigar lounge alcoholic beverage license, also received two committee amendments and was ordered up, but a later Howard County amendment was proposed and the bill was laid over. Senate Bill 777, directing workforce development support in hospital closures and related events, was adopted and sent to third reading. Senate Bill 831, addressing child labor penalties, private-sector labor relations, and state labor standards, was adopted with two amendments and sent to third reading. Senate Bill 932, requiring social media platforms to display users’ general geographic location, was laid over after questions. The committee also advanced Senate Bill 340, requiring at least $2 million annually for the Long-Term Care Ombudsman office, with two amendments adopted and the bill sent to third reading. Senate Bill 489, creating a limited license pathway for physicians trained abroad and repealing the fifth pathway program, was adopted with two amendments and sent to third reading. Senate Bill 496, expanding Medicaid coverage for obesity treatment, prompted extended debate over the fiscal note and who would bear the costs; the sponsor argued the estimate was overstated and did not account for likely lower utilization or health-care savings, while an opponent pressed concerns about the state share and structural deficit. The discussion continued without a final vote in the excerpt provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• Up next you have Jacob Aki, Alaska Airlines and Hawaiian Airlines, in support.

Keywords: 910, house, all

Summary: The House Committee on Transportation met on April 1 and first took up HR 63 HD1 and HCR 70 HD1, which urge the Department of Transportation to facilitate and accelerate adoption of sustainable aviation fuels to help decarbonize Hawaii’s transportation sector and meet climate goals. Testimony was mixed: supporters included representatives of Island Energy Services, Par Hawaii, Alaska/Hawaiian Airlines, Life of the Land, and the Hawaii Renewable Fuels Coalition, who said aviation emissions are a major challenge for Hawaii and that further research and development of renewable fuels is needed. Opponents, including the Environmental Caucus of the Democratic Party of Hawaiʻi and Energy Justice Network, argued the resolutions would undermine the state’s greenhouse-gas reduction commitments, rely on non-carbon-free fuels, and could create land, water, and biosecurity concerns. One member, Rep. Moroka, said his concern was the word “accelerate” because of potential damage from improperly stored biofuels. The committee voted to pass HR 63 HD1 and HCR 70 HD1, with Rep. Moroka voting no and the remaining voting members in favor. The committee then heard HR 136 and HCR 142, which urge the Hawaii Tourism Authority and the Department of Transportation to expand the airport greetings program to display kākau art in all neighbor island airports. The only noted testimony was written comments from the Hawaii Tourism Authority, and there was no additional oral testimony or discussion. The committee voted to move the measures out as is, and the recommendation was adopted without opposition. The meeting adjourned after both sets of measures were approved.

Transcript Highlights:

• How many tribes is that? Was it nine tribes involved with that?
• How many tribes is that? Was it nine tribes involved with that?
• that how many tribes is that was<00:32:32.679> nine<00:32:33.000> tribes<00:32:33.679>
• <00:32:39.679> that believe there are four tribes that believe there are four tribes that
• One of the questions I have is: Are you doing outreach to the tribes?

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• The witness corrected that he had been a principal, in Maine and Alaska.
• >> In<00:11:09.519> Maine<00:11:09.839> and<00:11:10.079> Alaska.
• >> In Maine and Alaska. >> In Maine and Alaska. >> Oh,<00:11:11.760> okay.

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• talked about how when she graduated from high school, she had big dreams to attend the college in Alaska
• /c><00:04:12.480> um<00:04:12.799> college<00:04:13.040> in<00:04:13.280> Alaska
• <00:04:14.239> only<00:04:14.480> to attend the um college in Alaska only to attend
• the um college in Alaska only to find<00:04:14.879> herself<00:04:15.200> in<00:04:15.439

Bills: HF3790, HF3654, HF3371, HF3470, HF1099

Keywords: education finance, lease levy authority, graduation ceremonies, school districts, Minnesota Statutes, local revenue, funding increase, education, state appropriation, local control, HF3371, local optional revenue, school finance, general education aid, school district funding, referendum revenue, referendum market value, equalization aid, state aid, property tax levy

Transcript Highlights:

• Alaska and Canada are great at letting us know what's migrating south.
• Baldwin is a Minnesota native, and the distinction is probably in how their dairy industries are set
• and she is the she's a Minnesota native and she is the uh<00:55:48.720> state<00:55:49.040>
• <00:56:12.319> and<00:56:12.880> um<00:56:13.520> the Baldwin is a Minnesota native
• and um the Baldwin is a Minnesota native and um the distinction<00:56:14.240> is<00:56:14.480

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• American Indian or Alaska Native students are about two out of every 1,000 students experiencing seclusion
• There weren’t any reported for Native Hawaiian or other Pacific Islanders, so that would be zero.
• um American, Indian, or Alaskan natives um American, Indian, or Alaskan natives is<00:19:16.880>
• <00:19:25.760> any<00:19:26.000> reported<00:19:26.480> for<00:19:26.880> Native
• there weren't any reported for Native there weren't any reported for Native Hawaiian<00:19:27.679

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• It is both the tribe and the tribes and the landowners and the other governmental entities wanted an
• to the reservation to decide to tribes to the reservation to decide to do<00:24:28.400> that.
• It is um both the tribe conversation.
• It is um both the tribe [snorts]<00:25:25.039> and<00:25:25.279> the<00:25:25.520> tribes
• and um the land [snorts] and the tribes and um the land owners<00:25:28.960> and<00:25:29.840

Keywords: 916, all

Summary: The committee met briefly to hear and sort through interim topic proposals, with members noting they needed to finish quickly before floor work. The first topic, from Representative Banks and Representative Ottman, would allow non-veterinarians to perform pre-check pregnancy testing on cattle to help address veterinary shortages, while still requiring a certified veterinarian for cattle sold as bred. No public testimony was offered, and the committee agreed to move through the full list and rank topics later rather than taking an immediate vote. A second topic, brought by the County Commissioners Association through Jeremiah Ryman and Joy Hill, concerned subdivision fencing laws. Hill said recent statutory changes moved fencing requirements into the subdivision statutes, creating cost and planning problems for developers and county officials. She said the preferred option would be repeal; if not, counties should have flexibility to exempt some subdivisions, and at minimum the law should be clarified because key terms and requirements are unclear. The committee asked a few questions and then moved on. Representative Davis and Holly Kennedy of the Wyoming Association of Conservation Districts discussed updating conservation district statutes. Kennedy said districts are currently barred from borrowing money for major purchases and that election rules can force board members to vacate seats if they move within the district but outside their original locality. The association supported revisiting those provisions. The committee also heard a topic on comparing recreation rules on state lands and federal lands, with the sponsor saying the goal was to identify disparities and possible improvements. Later topics included preventing orphaned water rights, with Keith Kennedy of the Wyoming Association of Irrigation Districts asking for statutory clarification so water rights are properly transferred during divisions and not forfeited, especially in small subdivisions and family exemptions. Another proposal from Representative Ottman addressed a tribal buffalo issue involving whether animals crossing between reservation land and fee land are treated as wildlife or domestic animals; members emphasized the topic was for information and discussion rather than legislation. Senator Pearson also proposed revisiting fence-out laws for livestock to give landowners more protection when repeatedly dealing with wandering animals, while others cautioned that any changes would need to be handled carefully because of differing livestock rules and the state’s fence-in/fence-out framework. Finally, Senator Hicks raised livestock identification concerns, arguing producers should retain flexibility under prior law to identify animals as they choose and that veterinarians should not be forced into new federal tagging requirements.

Transcript Highlights:

• All of the environmental reviews that consider one group of people, and that is the native people of
• All of the environmental reviews that consider one group of people, and that is the native people of
• most in need, um including Native most in need, um including Native Hawaiians<02:54:04.920> who
• Native Hawaiian Chamber in opposition? Not present.
• c> Chamber<03:11:47.600> in Um, but Native Hawaiian Chamber in Um, but Native Hawaiian Chamber

Bills: HB2459, HB1616, HB1799, HB1604, HB1732, HB1736, HB1931, HB772, HB2153, HB2122, HB2009, HB2012, HB1779, HB2296, HB2397, HB2398, HB1596, HB2233, HB1976, HB1563, HB815, HB1655, HB1851, HB1941, HB2037, HB1635, HB2201, HB1943, HB1163, HB2452, HB2429, HB2148, HB2306, HB2007, HB2049, HB2616

Keywords: food innovation, agribusiness, food safety, market access, branding, economic diversification, performance indicators, agriculture, aquaculture, commercial activity, swine production, Korean natural farming, housing development, commercial projects, county authority, public works, construction standards, exemption, zoning, housing

Transcript Highlights:

• I believe Seminole was the only one of the five tribes that has not joined or filed their own lawsuit
• What is the foreseeable future if we don't work with the tribes and as a state to try to resolve these
• So, what are we doing as a state to help the tribes facilitate the time needed for them to catch up to
• He was not a member of any particular tribe.
• is this only happening within the reservation boundaries of the Muscogee nation and not the other tribes

Keywords: 914, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Um, I know there is a lot of guidelines on fish because the state of Alaska gets a lot of fish for their
• Um, relaying what I heard from a friend: Hawaii, Guam, and Alaska have a difference; otherwise everyone

Keywords: 916, all

Transcript Highlights:

• end-of-year assessment is also a summative component, and so that's what you'll see in states like Alaska
• Leave your application after. of those 13 states, Alaska, Maine, and Nebraska use norm-referenced tests

Keywords: 1185, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• However, I did have the pleasure of working with her when I was president of the tribe of my tribe.
• Um, I may not have known her as well as some of you, but I considered her a friend. the tribe of my tribe
• . um the tribe of my tribe. um when<00:04:56.479> she<00:04:56.720> met<00:04:56.960>
• not<00:05:28.240> only<00:05:28.400> to<00:05:28.639> my<00:05:28.800> tribe
• , She was a friend not only to my tribe, but to other tribes.

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• tribes as well.
• It could also include nonprofits or tribes, pueblos, or nations. Yes.
• I have a question about your comment about how you have worked with tribes. Thank you.
• How you have worked with tribes.
• And there are many other tribes that we were also partnered with. Thank you.

Keywords: 996, all

Summary: The House Labor, Veterans and Military Affairs Committee met with a quorum and first addressed a point of order over whether HB 270 could be heard after being taken up earlier in the Transportation Committee. The chair ruled the bill could proceed because it was assigned to this committee and had been properly noticed. The committee then heard HB 280, which would create a three-year pilot program to support paid student internships through grants administered by the Department of Workforce Solutions. Supporters said the bill would help fund internships, mentoring, and transportation, and could improve workforce development, graduation outcomes, and pathways into apprenticeships or higher education. Members asked about administrative costs, student selection, rural and tribal access, payment mechanisms, and whether public entities, land grants, and dual credit could be included. The bill sponsor and witnesses said the program would likely serve about 100 students, use a sliding-scale matching model, and allow local flexibility in program design. The committee voted due pass on HB 280. The committee then heard House Memorial 46, honoring the Hurley family and especially Major General Patrick Hurley and his son Wilson Hurley for military service and artistic contributions in New Mexico. The memorial was presented as a tribute to a family of heroes, and members expressed support. The committee voted due pass on the memorial. Finally, the committee heard HB 270, which would amend the Public Works Apprentice and Training Act to require contributions to apprenticeship and training programs on most public works projects, including road and utility work, while exempting trades without approved programs. Sponsors said the bill would close loopholes, broaden participation, and strengthen the workforce pipeline. Opposition came from asphalt, contractor, and utility groups, which argued the bill would raise costs, duplicate existing training programs, and create access problems for nonunion and geographically distant contractors. Supporters from mechanical contractors, building trades, and labor groups said the bill would improve workforce development and keep training dollars in New Mexico. After debate over the earlier Transportation Committee action and the bill’s cost impacts, the committee voted due pass on HB 270 by a 5-3 roll call.

Transcript Highlights:

• Alabama Coushatta Tribe of Texas Day at the State Capitol.
• Welcome the members of the Alabama Cushota Tribe to their state capitol.
• So stand up and be recognized, the Alabama Cushota Tribe. Yeah.
• Senates of both the historic Muskogee and numerous other tribes of the Creek Confederacy, Alabama. of
• Texas is a federally recognized tribe.

Bills: SJR1, SB9, SB40, SJR36, SJR1, SJR5, SB9, SB40

Keywords: bail denial, illegal aliens, felony offenses, constitutional amendment, law enforcement, bail reform, defendants, pretrial detention, public safety, criminal justice, charitable bail organizations, bail bonds, public funds, political subdivision, injunctive relief, taxpayer rights, bail, criminal justice reform, 1185, senate

Transcript Highlights:

• Honor the sovereignty of Minnesota's tribes. And remember that when any are harmed, we all suffer.
• the sovereignty of Minnesota's tribes. the sovereignty of Minnesota's tribes.
• well, the leader of this party reached out and asked Melissa to endorse against me, saying a queer Native
• To the Native Caucus, be bold, be brave.
• To the Native Caucus, be bold, with you. To the Native Caucus, be bold, be<01:22:21.760> brave.

Keywords: 919, house, all

Summary: The House met with a quorum present, approved the previous day’s journal, and welcomed an honored guest, Kenyan Parliament member Joshua Aduma Aore, introduced by Representative Momanyi-Hiltsley. The main business of the day was a series of retirement speeches from departing members, with the chamber proceeding in seniority order. Representative Perryman said she was leaving the House to run for the Senate and reflected on four years of service, thanking constituents, family, colleagues, and staff. She emphasized integrity, compassion, and the belief that people in public office share more in common than what divides them. Representative Perez Vega gave a lengthy farewell centered on her identity, district, and legislative priorities, thanking staff and colleagues and highlighting work on drivers’ licenses for all, housing justice, the Read Act, ethnic studies, workforce development, and funding for a Minnesota Latino Museum. She also spoke about the importance of representation, community, and continuing to fight for children, families, and immigrant communities. Representative Weiner said his time in the House had been educational and urged less division, more civility, and a return to public service over party conflict. He cited George Washington’s warnings about factions, said he would carry a calmer voice to the Senate, and argued for more single-subject bills and against careerism in office. Representative Bakeberg thanked members, staff, and his family, spoke about faith and service, and said his work was motivated by constituents and by the example of children visiting the Capitol. Representative Ryer also thanked staff and colleagues, reflected on serving during COVID and after George Floyd’s murder, and listed policy successes and disappointments, including medical debt reform, rare disease treatment, Medicaid dental support, housing and bonding, solar on public buildings, and soil and water funding; she also criticized failures on immigrant protections, disability services, and gun violence measures, and called for protecting human rights, voting rights, and democratic norms. No votes or formal legislative actions were taken beyond the journal approval and recognition of guests and speakers.