Transcript Highlights:

• The pilot program, the pilot program was slated to be, we were given a budget for 120 clients.
• A pilot program for trauma recovery centers in that grant.

Keywords: 1184, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• making turns and I was thinking I don't have any idea where we are, where we're going, but surely the pilots
• did because the pilots were in the same clouds but the pilots had something that I did not know.

Bills: SCR7

Keywords: legislature, adjournment, permissions, Texas Constitution, session, legislative authority, 1185, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• out of the pilot program.
• Authorizes a county with a population of over 250,000 to participate in the pilot program subject to
• out of the pilot program.
• Authorizes a county with a population of over 250,000 to participate in the pilot program subject to
• participate in the pilot program subject to<01:38:24.960> certain<01:38:25.280> conditions

Keywords: 910, house, all

Summary: The committee heard several housing, landlord-tenant, and condominium-related measures. Senate Bill 62, relating to the Hawaii Public Housing Authority, would allow HPHA-owned parcels and related areas such as parking lots to be closed to the public with posted signage; HPHA strongly supported the bill, saying it would help reduce loitering, drinking, and other problems, and no further testimony was offered. Senate Bill 822, relating to the landlord tenant code, would create a three-year working group in the Department of the Attorney General to study and improve the residential landlord-tenant code. The Judiciary supported the measure but said the scope should be narrowed; the Attorney General opposed leading the group and suggested another agency should do so; Hawaii Realtors and the Hawaii Worker Center supported the concept and suggested moving the chairmanship to the Judiciary and including Legal Aid participation. The Judiciary said it could chair the group if the bill were narrowed to matters within the court’s purview. Senate Bill 38, relating to housing, would limit counties from imposing stricter conditions, AMI requirements, or fee-waiver reductions on certain affordable housing proposals if those changes would increase project costs. HHFDC supported the bill, saying county changes after state approval create uncertainty for developers, while the Hawaii State Association of Counties opposed it as an intrusion on local authority and a restriction on county safety and infrastructure conditions. Members asked about whether existing county review periods were sufficient, and the county association said the main concern was the bill’s language limiting counties from making cost-increasing conditions. Senate Bill 146, relating to condominiums, would revise alternative dispute resolution procedures for condo disputes, including evaluative mediation and binding arbitration. The Hawaii Real Estate Commission said it took no position overall but supported a $150 mediation fee and asked for a similar arbitration fee; Community Associations Institute supported the bill with suggested amendments; however, most testimony was strongly opposed by condominium owners and advocates, who said the bill had been changed to the detriment of owners and would increase costs and reduce protections. The committee noted 44 testimonies on the bill, with 2 in support, 37 in opposition, and 2 with comments. Senate Bill 253, relating to condominium reserves, would require a detailed budget summary to stand on its own, remove a good-faith defense for certain noncompliant budgets, and clarify standing and the association’s burden regarding substantial compliance. Hawaii Realtors and Community Associations Institute supported the measure as improving transparency and giving owners and buyers a clearer picture of association finances. Greg Msakian also supported it, arguing it would help owners and describing problems he experienced with budget committee exclusion and budget noncompliance in his own association. The discussion ended while testimony on the bill was still underway, with additional witnesses expected.

Transcript Highlights:

• It'll also allow us to pilot the curriculum for 10 to 18 into schools.
• In this case, our goal is to pick a few pilot schools.
• In this case, our goal is to pick a few pilot schools.
• So in this case, our goal is to pick a few pilot schools.
• So in this case, our goal is to pick a few pilot schools.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• So, um, we are entering into a pilot project with a company called the Falcon Group, and they have a
• So we're in a process of implementing that as a pilot project.
• <00:28:51.200> project um we are entering into a pilot project um we are entering into a pilot
• <00:29:06.320> The<00:29:06.640> second that as a pilot project.
• The second that as a pilot project.

Keywords: 910, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• first measure they are looking to introduce is currently being introduced by Senator Rhs, and it is a pilot
• c><00:03:30.360> project<00:03:30.720> for<00:03:31.000> kokuo rhs and it's a pilot
• <00:34:02.880> and<00:34:03.039> are<00:34:03.760> uh just completed a pilot
• and are uh just completed a pilot and are uh rolling<00:34:04.279> in<00:34:04.519> our
• Basically, we have funded a pilot project because we have found that FASD is far more implicated in a

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Summary: The Committee on Health and Human Services held an informational briefing on the Developmental Disabilities Council and related agencies. The Hawaii State Council on Developmental Disabilities outlined its 2025 legislative priorities, including a pilot project for guardian ad litem and capacity evaluations in guardianship/conservatorship cases, a supported decision-making bill, a health disparities study for people with disabilities, an ABLE savings outreach/staffing measure, a Medicaid buy-in proposal, an adult changing tables equity bill, and a resolution on fetal alcohol spectrum disorder. Council representatives emphasized that supported decision-making would complement tools like powers of attorney and medical releases, and that the health disparities study would help identify unmet needs by ZIP code and improve state data on the intellectual and developmental disability population. The Center on Disability Studies at the University of Hawaii described its role as the research and training arm within the DD system, working with the DD Council and the Hawaii Disability Rights Center. It reported activities such as interdisciplinary training, community education, technical assistance, research collaborations, the Pacific Rim International Conference on Disability and Diversity, publications, telehealth, ECHO Autism, and counseling for Maui fire survivors. The center said it leveraged about $16 million in outside funding last year and highlighted goals focused on workforce development, community capacity, research with direct participation from people with disabilities, and accessible dissemination of information. The Hawaii Disability Rights Center, the state’s protection and advocacy agency, supported the Council’s priorities, especially supported decision-making, which it said could help some people avoid guardianship while preserving liberty and reducing state resource use. The center also raised concerns about the DD system budget and urged legislators to review whether the Developmental Disabilities Division is requesting enough funding, noting possible backsliding in services and eligibility. The Developmental Disabilities Division of the Department of Health then outlined its statewide waiver program serving just over 3,500 people, its service array, and its budget request for increased waiver funding, a federal initiatives coordinator, and IT upgrades to comply with the new HCBS access rule; no votes or formal actions were taken during the briefing.

Transcript Highlights:

• Senate Bill 1758 proposes that localized pilot study in Grayson County.
• So this pilot study in Grayson County is in order to scientifically measure and analyze the impact of
• Senate Bill 1758 proposes that localized pilot study in Grayson County.
• So this pilot study in Grayson County is in order to scientifically measure and analyze the impact of
• So this pilot study in Grayson County is in order to scientifically measure and analyze the impact of

Summary: The committee first took up SB 2203, relating to certification of discovery issues in TCEQ contested cases referred to SOAH. The chair noted the House had already passed the companion HB 3249, then moved SB 2203 without amendments. The motion prevailed on a 5-0 vote, and the bill was reported favorably to the full House. The committee then heard SB 1898, which would prohibit the use of PFAS-containing firefighting foam for testing and training, while still allowing it in emergency firefighting. The sponsor described PFAS as “forever chemicals” and said the bill would protect firefighters, water supplies, and public health. Testimony in support came from Environment Texas, which cited contamination concerns and noted other states and federal actions restricting PFAS foams. No one testified against the bill, and after closing testimony the committee left SB 1898 pending. The remainder of the hearing focused on SB 1758, a Grayson County pilot program aimed at addressing potential conflicts between Global Wafers’ semiconductor wafer facility and a proposed Black Mountain Cement/aggregate operation. Supporters, including Global Wafers, Grayson County officials, and manufacturing groups, argued that vibration from mining or blasting could threaten a major national-security semiconductor investment and that an independent BEG study was needed to set safe parameters. Opponents from Black Mountain Cement and related industry groups argued the bill would improperly interfere with a lawful permitting process, pick winners and losers, and harm Texas’ pro-business climate; they also said they had already revised operations and removed blast mining. The discussion included extensive questioning about geology, vibration, the permitting timeline, and whether the issue was really about mining rather than the air permit. No vote was taken on SB 1758 in the portion provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• Honolulu, who actually is responsible for the Honu program, to basically come up with his sanctuary pilot
• And again, this is a two-year pilot program, something that again is really an experiment to see if this
• And again, this is a two-year pilot program, something that again is really an experiment to see if this
• And again, this is a two-year pilot program, something that again is really an experiment to see if this
• And again, this is a two-year pilot program, something that again is really an experiment to see if this

Keywords: 910, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Lean's concern into account and make it like a five-year pilot project, especially since we cannot just
• Lean's concern into account and make it like a five-year pilot project, especially since we cannot just
• Lean's concern into account and make it like a five-year pilot project, especially since we cannot just
• into into account and make it like a into into account and make it like a five-year<00:37:45.720> pilot
• <00:37:46.359> project<00:37:47.359> especially<00:37:48.040> since five-year pilot

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Summary: The committee opened its first hearing of the 2025 session with procedural instructions about testimony limits, Zoom participation, written testimony, and a reconvening date if needed. It then heard SB 200 on speedy trials. The Office of the Public Defender opposed the bill, arguing it could create conflicts of interest for prosecutors, potentially make victims or witnesses quasi-parties to criminal cases, force traumatizing testimony on continuance motions, and unfairly delay trials for in-custody defendants. A World Care representative supported the bill and urged broader protections for minors, disabled people, and seniors. The chair also pressed the public defender to suggest improvements, emphasizing that the bill was driven by victims and families. No vote or final action was taken on SB 200. The committee next took up SB 8 on jury duty exemptions for health professionals. Testimony was strongly supportive from nurses, physicians, and disability advocates, who said APRNs and other nurses are in short supply and that jury service can disrupt patient care, especially in rural and neighbor island areas. One witness suggested expanding the exemption to include registered nurses as well as APRNs, while a senator raised concerns about blanket exemptions for non-practicing APRNs and suggested a time limit. The bill remained under discussion with no final action reported. The committee then heard SB 144 on chiropractic, with the state chiropractic board offering comments and the Hawaii State Chiropractic Association supporting the measure as a way to address workforce shortages and provide students more hands-on clinical experience. A World Care witness also supported the bill after clarifying her remarks. The chair then moved to SB 107 on medical informed consent, where the Hawaii Medical Board opposed the bill and the Healthcare Association of Hawaii and Queen’s Health System offered comments, citing concerns about duplicative standards. A support witness proposed expanding the bill to better address combined mental and physical health conditions. Finally, SB 189 on breast cancer screening drew support from the Hawaii Medical Association, Hawaii Radiological Society, Queen’s Health Systems, and others, while the Insurance Division raised concerns about possible insurance mandate defrayment and the need for a sunrise analysis. Senators also asked about local demographic data and coverage impacts; the chair indicated decision-making would be deferred to another day.

Transcript Highlights:

• they will learn together what APBA means specifically in the Fourth and Second Districts, where the pilots
• They will learn together what APBA means specifically in the Fourth and Second Districts, where the pilots
• They will learn together what APBA means specifically in the Fourth and Second Districts, where the pilots
• They will learn together what APBA means specifically in the Fourth and Second Districts, where the pilots
• they will learn together what APBA means specifically in the Fourth and Second Districts, where the pilots

Keywords: 1183, house

Summary: The House Judiciary Finance and Civil Law Committee approved the January 21 minutes and then reviewed committee rules, emphasizing deadlines for handouts, testimony notices, and substantive amendments, along with a warning that disruptive signs, noise, or demonstrations could lead to removal from the hearing room. The chair said the rules would be shared with the full House and noted the committee would operate with quorum and not tolerate chaos. The committee then heard a presentation from Tammy Baker Olson, the state program administrator for the Guardian ad Litem Board, on the program’s structure and budget request. She explained that guardians ad litem are independent voices for children’s best interests in child protection and family court cases, not attorneys or direct service providers. She said the program operates statewide, with 243 employees, and in 2024 advocated for more than 12,000 children, attended over 30,000 court proceedings, and filed reports in over 16,000 hearings. She also described specialized Family Court and Indian Child Welfare divisions, efforts to address racial disparities, and training requirements for guardians. Members asked about mileage and travel demands, the distinction between a child’s attorney and a guardian ad litem, caseloads, re-entry outcomes, the move from contractor/volunteer models to employee-based staffing, and the role of volunteers. Olson said most guardians use personal vehicles and mileage reimbursement, average caseloads are about 24, and the program has not seen a statewide increase in cases but does face staffing vacancies and turnover in some areas. She said the board believes the employee model improved advocacy and supervision, while the program is rebuilding a modest volunteer pool. She also said the program supports Indian Family Preservation Act-related work and has a formal process for handling conflicts of interest, which should be raised immediately to a supervisor rather than waiting for a complaint process.

Transcript Highlights:

• final report on certain current Senate documents relative to establishing a celiac disease screening pilot
• final report on certain current Senate documents relative to establishing a celiac disease screening pilot

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The Senate considered and advanced several local and appropriations measures. It first took up Senate No. 2552, authorizing the town of Berkeley to recall elected officials; an amendment substituting Senate No. 3018 was adopted, and the bill was passed to be engrossed. The Senate also passed to be engrossed a Springfield local tax measure, House No. 3213, which had been retitled to authorize the city to appropriate funds to help certain residents meet local tax obligations. The Senate then concurred in House amendments to Senate No. 2859, the Sandwich charter bill, after suspending the rules. It also adopted a rules committee order extending the Public Health Committee’s reporting deadline to April 17, 2026, for bills related to establishing a celiac disease screening pilot program. Finally, the Senate advanced House No. 5348, a fiscal year 2026 supplemental appropriations bill, ordering it to a third reading, passing it to be engrossed, adopting the required emergency preamble by standing vote, and then passing it to be enacted. The bill was ordered sent to the Governor. The Senate then set its next meeting for Wednesday at 11 a.m. and adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• in FY 24, with the support of the legislature, we were able to grow to offer 4 grants total, um, piloting
• the following year in FY 25, uh, we, uh, added the Quantum Technologies Award as well as funding for pilot

Transcript Highlights:

• One has to do with the biofuels innovation and efficiency pilot program, and of course I've noticed a
• One has to do with the biofuels innovation and efficiency pilot program, and of course I've noticed a
• One has to do with the biofuels innovation and efficiency pilot program, and of course I've noticed a
• One has to do with the biofuels innovation and efficiency pilot program, and of course I've noticed a
• bofuels innovation and efficiency pilot bofuels innovation and efficiency pilot program<00:24:26.799

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• HB 1095 creates a pilot program.
• Substance abuse pilot program. Are there any amendments? None on the desk, Mr. Speaker.
• We did a pilot study that would place cameras in classrooms, classrooms...
• See, in that pilot study, there was one case that really came to mind... ...pilot study, there was an
• The pilot study showed us that there was a need for this.

Summary: The House opened with prayer, a moment of silence for fallen Oviedo Officer Jimmy Serrano-Torres, the Pledge of Allegiance, and recognition of Chief Joseph Tuminelli as law enforcement officer of the day. The Rules and Ethics Committee report setting the special order calendar was adopted, and the Speaker announced schedule changes for the following week, including canceling the floor session on Monday and starting Tuesday at 10:30 a.m. The main floor action centered on CS/HB 7033, the House tax package. Sponsor Rep. Duggan described broad tax changes, including reducing the state sales tax rate from 6% to 5.25%, exempting certain bullion sales, repealing the aviation fuel tax, delaying the natural gas fuel tax, changing corporate income tax treatment for charitable trusts, reducing the pari-mutuel tax on card rooms, and major changes to tourist development tax (TDT) use. The bill would redirect most TDT revenue toward property tax relief, dissolve tourist development councils, and include related property tax and local tax administration changes. Several amendments were debated: a Driscoll amendment to preserve local TDT flexibility failed; Duggan’s amendment giving local governments 25% discretion over TDT revenues was adopted; Eskamani’s combined-reporting amendment failed; and a Duggan amendment requiring audit certification of compliance with the TDT/property tax relief provisions was adopted. After debate, CS/HB 7033 passed 78-29. The House then took up CS/CS/HB 1221 on local option taxes, which was presented as a companion-style measure to give local governments more flexibility while redirecting TDT revenues toward property tax relief. Supporters argued the bill would provide immediate relief to property owners and restore accountability in local tax use, while opponents warned it would undermine tourism funding, infrastructure, and local services. An amendment allowing local governments to retain 25% of TDT revenues for general purposes was adopted, and the bill passed 62-45 after floor debate. The final item shown was the reading of CS/CS/HJR 1257, a proposed constitutional amendment related to property tax exemptions and assessment limits, but the transcript cuts off before debate or action on that measure.

Transcript Highlights:

• program and collection unit Pro pilot program and providing<01:37:02.960> an<01:37:03.199>
• <01:43:09.320> program of $200,000 to prop up a pilot program of $200,000 to prop up a pilot
• This pilot program is designed to meet a very specific need, which is getting those evidence collection
• concerns while evaluating the pilot concerns while evaluating the pilot program<01:46:01.199>
• Line 16 starts in this pilot program, right?

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Bills: SJR37, SJR57, SCR8, SB8, SB108, SB125, SB251, SB318, SB378, SB379, SB396, SB472, SB487, SB503, SB533, SB565, SB583, SB608, SB650, SB686, SB689, SB707, SB710, SB763, SB854, SB875, SB916, SB924, SB925, SB958, SB961, SB965, SB987, SB988, SB1006, SB1019, SB1021, SB1024, SB1026, SB1038, SB1146, SB1185, SB1194, SB1202, SB1252, SB1253, SB1330, SB1343, SB1362, SB1497, SB1498, SB1499, SB1527, SB1547, SB1596, SB1697, SJR36, SJR12, SJR57, SJR37, SCR22, SCR12, SCR8, SB925, SB1362, SB565, SB765, SB62, SB666, SB707, SB888, SB687, SB847, SB1248, SB504, SB857, SB305, SB296, SB284, SB1497, SB1499, SB1498, SB241, SB304, SB621, SB1023, SB1024, SB686, SB371, SB204, SB609, SB670, SB850, SB854, SB413, SB1346, SB1033, SB1220, SB1073, SB810, SB1539, SB447, SB875, SB406, SB985, SB965, SB1119, SB1505, SB1194, SB1253, SB1215, SB1302, SB856, SB583, SB673, SB681, SB1172, SB1252, SB378, SB608, SB955, SB957, SB988, SB1019, SB1021, SB1120, SB251, SB541, SB379, SB1737, SB266, SB1415, SB1527, SB125, SB599, SB1330, SB53, SB916, SB1352, SB785, SB710, SB472, SB1450, SB1502, SB1566, SB414, SB1062, SB961, SB1038, SB578, SB711, SB746, SB942, SB1404, SB1448, SB1738, SB108, SB8, SB318, SB507, SB533, SB689, SB1026, SB1349, SB1355, SB1433, SB1434, SB1596, SB1403, SB1146, SB763, SB667, SB1059, SB617, SB1567, SB503, SB16, SB310, SB311, SB396, SB505, SB1209, SB1210, SB1470, SB264, SB924, SB1029, SB1185, SB1202, SB1358, SB1364, SB1569, SB1697, SB1376, SB1228, SB519, SB878, SB1350, SB462, SB1535, SB827, SB1585, SB207, SB1207, SB1619, SB1396, SB920, SB1484, SB1273, SB1741, SB7, SB927, SB1227, SB1229, SB1353, SB1366, SB1464, SB1709, SB1729, SB1733, SB1744, SB1772, SB1816, SB1841, SB2188, SB1147, SB879, SB1008, SB378, SB710, SB916, SB1019, SB1146, SB1194, SB1253, SB1499, SB213, SB925, SB1362, SR263, SR311, SR333, SCR8, SB2407, SB2722, SB2949, SB2407, SB2722, SB2949

Keywords: voter ID, citizenship, election integrity, constitutional amendment, voting rights, central bank digital currency, CBDC, Federal Reserve, digital dollar, digital currency, cashless payments, financial privacy, cybersecurity, government surveillance, financial surveillance, money laundering, terrorism financing, illicit finance, banking policy, monetary policy

Transcript Highlights:

• So it's the E, VTOL, and AAM, which are both acronyms, integration pilot programs.
• So electric vertical takeoff and landing in advanced air mobility aircraft in a pilot program.
• So, electric vertical takeoff and landing in advanced air mobility aircraft integration pilot program

Summary: The Louisiana Advanced Aviation and Drones Advisory Committee met with a quorum and opened by noting that, under current law, the committee will sunset after the 2026 regular session unless legislation is passed to reconstitute it. Members discussed the need for a smaller, more workable committee structure in the future so quorum requirements would be easier to meet, and they added an agenda item to consider reconstitution and another for a legislative briefing. The June 2025 minutes were approved. Subcommittee reports focused heavily on counter-drone policy and advanced air mobility. Mr. Muley described the new counter-UAS effort, referred to as the “Let’s Go Act,” which would create a joint task force of state police, sheriffs, and municipal police chiefs to develop training standards and equipment standards for counter-drone operations. Members also discussed federal developments in the NDAA and DOJ’s role in authorizing mitigation capabilities for states with laws and training plans. Public safety members reported that training on recently enacted drone laws is underway in north Louisiana. The committee also heard a major update from Josh Deplanis, newly named Louisiana’s first advanced aeronautics director. He outlined Louisiana’s selection for the FAA’s Electric Vertical Takeoff and Landing/Advanced Air Mobility Integration Pilot Program, branded “Lift Off Louisiana,” and described plans for real-world operations beginning as early as August, centered on Houma-Terrebonne Airport. He also reviewed the state’s broader advanced air mobility strategic plan, including vertiport readiness, charging infrastructure, logistics, workforce training, and community engagement. Members emphasized Louisiana’s opportunity to influence FAA policy and international airspace issues related to operations over the Gulf and beyond 12 nautical miles. In final action, the committee adopted a resolution supporting reconstitution of LADAC, with revised proposed membership language reducing the committee from 15 members to 11 and setting a simple majority of six for quorum, with new appointments effective July 1, 2027. No public testimony was offered, and the meeting adjourned after the motion passed.

Transcript Highlights:

• reported a strike-and-insert amendment that incorporated provisions of House Bill 4602, a caseworker aid pilot
• It shall be a three-county pilot program to operate for 15 months.
• It shall be a three-county pilot program to operate for 15 months.

Keywords: 994, senate, all

Summary: The Senate took up a series of House amendments to enrolled bills and, in each case, moved to concur, pass the bill, and in several instances set effective dates. Measures approved included SB 29 (judiciary pay increases), SB 44 (homemade food/cottage food rules), SB 617 (protections against financial exploitation of eligible adults), SB 742 (involuntary hospitalization requirements), SB 952 (court security fund transfer), SB 1008 (asbestos and silica statute of limitations), SB 723 (law enforcement cooperation with bordering states), SB 947 (birth certificate copies for homeless minors), SB 392 (personal income tax reduction), SB 54 (criminal penalties for abuse or neglect of incapacitated adults), SB 228 (technology in child abuse/neglect investigations, including a three-county caseworker aid pilot), SB 231 (value-based payment requirements), SB 402 (Workforce Readiness Opportunity Act, with the House removing several provisions but retaining a micro-credential program), SB 553 (temporary transfer of contractor licenses to qualifying immediate family members), SB 575 (refusal review hearings), SB 686 (coal code modernization and minors protection), SB 906 (lawful prescription of crystalline polymorph psilocybin under FDA recommendations), SB 1026 (penalties for disturbing religious worship), SB 63 (Sustaining Opportunities for Academics and Rural Schools Act), SB 502 (Women’s Collegiate Sports Protection Act), and SB 153 (Unemployment Automation and Administration Fund). Most of these passed with unanimous or near-unanimous votes; SB 392 passed 31-2 on the first vote and was later reconsidered and passed again 32-2. Several bills were made effective from passage or on July 1, 2026, by the required supermajority votes. The chamber also considered Senate Executive Message No. 4 from the Committee on Confirmations. The Senate confirmed all nominees except number 54 in a 33-0 vote, then separately confirmed nominee 54 by a 30-3 vote. In debate on SB 392, the majority leader explained that the House removed a proposed vape tax increase to preserve the income tax reduction, while a senator from the 13th spoke about affordability concerns, tax relief, and urging action on gasoline prices; those remarks were ordered into the Journal. After the legislative business, the Senate received several introductions of guests and visitors in the galleries, including state police sergeants, family members of senators and pages, and the wife of the newest senator from Pleasants County. The Senate then agreed to recess until 5:30 p.m., with the Rules Committee scheduled to meet immediately after recess.

Transcript Highlights:

• reported a strike-and-insert amendment that incorporated provisions of House Bill 4602, a caseworker aid pilot
• It shall be a three-county pilot program to operate for 15 months.
• It shall be a three-county pilot program to operate for 15 months.

Keywords: 994, senate, all

Summary: The Senate took up a series of House amendments to enrolled bills and, in each case, accepted the amendments and passed the bills, often with effective dates set by separate motions. Measures approved included pay increases for the judiciary (SB 29), regulation of homemade food sales (SB 44), protections against financial exploitation of eligible adults (SB 617), involuntary hospitalization changes (SB 742), transfer of the court security fund (SB 952), asbestos and silica statute-of-limitations changes (SB 1008), cooperation with bordering states by law enforcement agencies (SB 723), birth certificate access for homeless minors (SB 947), personal income tax reduction (SB 392), criminal penalties for abuse or neglect of incapacitated adults (SB 54), child abuse investigation technology and a caseworker aid pilot program (SB 228), value-based payment requirements (SB 231), workforce readiness and micro-credential provisions (SB 402), contractor license transfer rules for immediate family members (SB 553), refusal review hearings (SB 575), coal code modernization and minors protection (SB 686), lawful prescription of crystalline polymorph psilocybin under FDA recommendations (SB 906), penalties for disturbing religious worship (SB 1026), the Sustaining Opportunities for Academics and Rural Schools Act (SB 63), women’s collegiate sports protections (SB 502), and modernization funding for Workforce West Virginia (SB 153). Most of these bills passed with unanimous or near-unanimous votes; SB 392 passed 31-2 on the first vote and was later reconsidered and passed again 32-2. Several bills were made effective from passage or on July 1, 2026. The Senate also considered Senate Executive Message No. 4 from the Committee on Confirmations. The chamber confirmed all nominees except number 54 in one vote, then separately confirmed nominee 54 by a 30-3 vote. After the confirmation business, the Senate briefly recessed and later returned to additional floor business. During the session, the majority leader also delivered remarks on affordability, citing prior tax reductions, a personal property tax rebate, elimination of state income tax on Social Security for seniors, and efforts to increase homestead exemptions. He urged the governor to explore ways to address rising gasoline prices. The remarks were entered into the journal by unanimous consent.

Transcript Highlights:

• . >> Speaker: WE ARE IN A PILOT TO DETERMINE THE ANSWER OF THAT.
• I AM VERY MUCH IN FAVOR OF CONTINUING THE PILOTS TO COMPARE AND CONTRAST THE MODEL VERSUS OUR MODEL SO
• WILL TELL. >> Chair: YOU ARE RECOGNIZED. >> Representative: WITH RESPECT TO THE FOOD SERVICE EVEN THE PILOT