Video & Transcript Research : 'Alabama constitutional amendment'
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FL
Transcript Highlights:
- All right, seeing none, I show that we have one amendment, Senator Harrell.
- That is amendment barcode 153-390 by Senator Harrell, and you are recognized to explain the amendment
- Thank you, Senator Harrell, for explaining the amendment. Any questions on the amendment?
- Seeing none, we have no appearance forms on the amendment. Any debate on the amendment?
- Seeing none, the amendment is adopted. We're back on the bill. As amended, any questions?
Summary:
The Senate Judiciary Committee heard three bills. SB 514, by Senator Harrell, clarified that medical quality review committees used by managing entities are treated like other medical review committees for purposes of civil liability and public records protections. The committee adopted a Harrell amendment removing the word “malpractice” from the title, heard support from the Florida Hospital Association, Florida Association of Managing Entities, and Florida Smart Justice Alliance, and then voted 11-0 to report the bill favorably.
The committee then took up SB 734, by Senator Yarborough, which would repeal the current wrongful death exception that bars certain parents and adult children from recovering non-economic damages in medical negligence cases. The bill drew extensive testimony from families describing deaths they said were caused by medical negligence and from supporters including AARP and the Florida Justice Association, while opponents from the health care, insurance, and business sectors argued it would raise malpractice premiums, increase litigation, worsen physician shortages, and reduce access to care. After debate, the committee voted 9-2 to report the bill favorably.
Finally, SB 538, by Senator Bradley, was presented as the state courts legislative package. It updates court operations by clarifying duty judge requirements, removing a location limit on duty hearings, repealing a cap on arbitrator compensation in court-ordered non-binding arbitration, and allowing alternative judicial authentication of oaths and acknowledgments when a court seal is unavailable. The bill received supportive waiver forms from the Florida Bar ADR section and several judges, and was reported favorably on an 11-0 vote. The committee then adjourned.
AL
Alabama 2026 1st Special Session
Alabama Senate Fiscal Responsibility and Economic Development Committee Apr 1st, 2026
Fiscal Responsibility and Economic Development
AL
Alabama 2025 Regular Session
Alabama House Transportation, Utilities and Infrastructure Committee Feb 26th, 2025
Transportation, Utilities and Infrastructure
Transcript Highlights:
- Okay, let's take that amendment first.
- Any questions on the amendment? Questions? So, Senator... Amendment questions, so uh, Senator...
- The amendment passes. So now Senate Bill 42, as amended, is before us.
- So, House Bill 323 amends Section 32-9-29.
- , TVA to from Alabama Power, Power South, TVA to the rural electric cooperatives, the Alabama Municipal
KY
Kentucky 2026 Regular Session
House Legislative Session Day 52 (3-24-26)
Kentucky House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- . amendment. amendment.
- House Floor Amendment 1. House Floor Amendment 1.
- <00:16:30.839>
amendment <00:16:31.240>to Amendment 1, the title amendment to Amendment - , House Floor Amendment 3 and House Floor Amendment 4.
- Amendment 3, the title amendment to Amendment 3, the title amendment to Senate<01:18:30.640>
Bill<
MA
Massachusetts 2025-2026 Regular Session
Joint Committee on Cannabis Policy Jun 21st, 2026 at 10:30 am
Joint Committee on Cannabis Policy
Transcript Highlights:
- The court said there was not a First Amendment violation—I repeat, not a First Amendment violation—since
- Can you verify on the Mississippi and Alabama, the...
- Can you verify on the Mississippi and Alabama, the Mississippi court case?
- and distinguishing the First Amendment piece of it.
- Constitution. And the First Amendment to the U.S.
Summary:
The Joint Committee on Cannabis Policy held its fourth hearing, with opening remarks from Senate Chair Adam Gómez and House Chair Dan Donahue emphasizing the committee’s broad agenda, including retail modernization, labor protections, advertising rules, sustainability, and financial resources. Testimony began with public health advocates supporting H.157/S.9 to ban cannabis billboard advertising, arguing that billboards normalize use for youth and are linked to cannabis-related harms such as psychosis, addiction, and cannabinoid hyperemesis syndrome. Witnesses cited research, family stories, and court decisions in Mississippi and Virginia upholding similar restrictions, while committee members questioned the scope of the state’s authority to regulate billboards on private property and the relevance of federal highway funding and federal cannabis law.
The committee also heard testimony on H.175, a proposal to allow cannabis drive-through sales. A dispensary operator argued drive-throughs would improve access, especially for disabled customers and veterans, and said security and ID checks could be handled with cameras and staff screening. Committee members pressed him on how employees would assess impairment, whether drive-throughs could increase access for minors, and whether the industry should be treated like alcohol, with the witness responding that staff already refuse service to intoxicated customers and that education, not prohibition, is the better approach. Another bill, H.3982, would apply the bottle deposit law to carbonated hemp- or THC-infused beverages; the sponsor said the measure would standardize recycling requirements for products already sold in dispensaries and other markets, and members asked about container types and recycling compatibility.
A major portion of the hearing focused on labor peace agreements, with UFCW representatives, cannabis workers, and Sen. Lydia Edwards supporting S.77/H.161. They said the bill would require cannabis businesses to remain neutral when workers seek to organize, arguing that unions improve safety, wages, benefits, and job stability in an industry they described as underregulated and prone to retaliation. Witnesses cited workplace hazards, wage theft, and the death of a worker at a Holyoke facility as examples of why stronger worker protections are needed. Committee members asked how the proposal differs from existing labor law, whether tying LPAs to licensing and renewal could create legal or administrative problems, and how other states handle similar requirements. No votes or final actions were taken during the hearing.
FL
Florida 2025 Regular Session
April 2, 2025 - 09:00 AM
Transcript Highlights:
- Seeing none, we have no amendments. We're in public testimony. Gary Hunter, Alaco, is a proponent.
- We have no amendments. We're in public testimony. Michael Fisher, Allegiant Air. Thank you.
- Seeing none, are there any amendments on the bill? No amendment?
- Seeing none, are there any amendments on the bill? No amendment?
- When you talk about the residential property tax, that takes a constitutional amendment and directly
Summary:
The Ways and Means Committee met on April 2, 2025, with a quorum present and took up four bills. The committee first heard HB 4041, which would create the Corkscrew Grove Stewardship District in Collier County to finance and maintain infrastructure such as transportation, utilities, and stormwater systems without changing county regulatory authority. The bill drew no opposition, was reported favorably, and passed 14-0.
The committee then considered HB 1485, which repeals Florida’s aviation fuel tax provisions. The sponsor argued the change would simplify the tax code, attract airline investment, and support lower fares and more routes. Members raised concerns about the estimated recurring $22.8 million impact on the State Transportation Trust Fund and $2 million on general revenue, and airport representatives warned of reduced grant and development funding, especially for general aviation and municipal airports. Supporters said the change would increase competition and fuel sales in Florida. The bill was reported favorably on a 12-5 vote.
Next, the committee heard HB 999, which would recognize gold and silver as legal tender, allow electronic debit access to bullion accounts, and remove tax burdens on transactions involving precious metals. The sponsor and supporters described the bill as a way to protect purchasing power and provide an alternative parallel to the dollar, while opponents and some members raised concerns about consumer protections, predatory practices, privacy, and the role of the Office of Financial Regulation in rulemaking. After extensive testimony, the bill was reported favorably 19-0.
Finally, the committee considered PCB WMC 25-01, which would reduce the state sales tax rate from 6% to 5.25% and also lower several related taxes, including the business rent tax, nonresidential electricity tax, mobile home sales tax, and coin-operated amusement machine tax. The proposal was estimated to reduce revenue by about $5.5 billion annually. Members discussed impacts on the budget, education funding, and whether savings would reach consumers, while supporters emphasized relief for Floridians and business competitiveness. The bill passed unanimously 19-0 and was reported favorably. The chair then noted a prior procedural apology on the record, and the meeting adjourned.
AL
Alabama 2025 Regular Session
Alabama House County and Municipal Government Committee Mar 5th, 2025
County and Municipal Government
Transcript Highlights:
- I'm sorry, I thought you stepped out to get an amendment. CL, call the amendment.
- We've got an amendment on this. Who's offering an amendment? I will.
- Let's get on the amendments. Chair, I have both amendments.
- That is 36 on the second page of the amendment. I'm looking at the amendment, sorry.
- Amendment. Representative Clark has an amendment.
FL
Florida 2025 Regular Session
Transportation Mar 19th, 2025
US
US Federal 2025-2026 Regular Session
US House Floor Proceedings (Thursday, September 4, 2025)
US Federal House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- I support Alabama, Tennessee to Alabama.
- Amendment number 31 the amendment.
- That is the language that is actually in this constitutional amendment, that says that everything else
- That is the language that is actually in this constitutional amendment, that says that everything else
- That is the language that is actually in this constitutional amendment, that says that everything else
FL
Transcript Highlights:
- That is the amendment. Having explained the amendment, are there questions on the amendment?
- amended.
- That is the amendment. Having explained the amendment, are there questions on the amendment?
- The amendment is adopted. Senators, we're back on the bill as amended. The amendment is adopted.
- amended.
Summary:
The Transportation Committee heard and acted on a series of transportation, licensing, and memorial bills. The first major item was CS/SB 462, the Department of Transportation agency package, which included provisions on transportation trust fund revenue for electric vehicles, county project reporting, speed limits, workforce grants, procurement and utility relocation procedures, airport participation, metropolitan planning, and related DOT administration. The committee adopted a substitute amendment after extensive discussion, especially over utility relocation reimbursement, penalties, and whether the bill was too rigid while stakeholders continued negotiating. Testimony came from industry and utility representatives both supporting the need to address delays and opposing the bill’s prescriptive approach. The bill passed 8-3.
The committee then approved several specialty license plate and memorial measures. CS/SB 1024 added a United States Military Academy plate alongside the Naval Academy plate. CS/SB 824 created a Florida Highway Patrol specialty plate. CS/SB 666 created a Miami Northwestern Senior High School alumni plate, with supporters emphasizing the school’s history and scholarship uses for the revenue. CS/SB 916 authorized indemnification and insurance arrangements for commuter rail operations on the Brightline corridor, modeled on SunRail law, and was reported favorably after technical amendments. CS/SB 1290 updated DHSMV rules to conform to IFTA and federal motor carrier standards, raised the crash-damage reporting threshold, and made other registration and email-notification changes; CS/SB 1292 created a public-records exemption for certain email addresses used in motor vehicle and vessel notifications. CS/SB 1408 designated memorial highways for fallen officers Jesse Madsen and Elio Diaz, and CS/SB 1502 authorized FDOT blanket permits for mobile cranes to travel at night under specified conditions. All of these bills were reported favorably.
The committee also received a lengthy informational presentation from FDOT on aggregates and the state’s construction-material supply chain. The witness described aggregate sources, transportation methods, recycling efforts, the importance of the Lake Belt and out-of-state imports, and the department’s supply-chain grant program. Senators asked about long-term reserves, stranded reserves, pricing, and the impact of regulation on future supply, and requested the study and a summary of regulatory impacts for members. The meeting concluded with no further business and adjournment.
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
Education Policy Committee approves bill to repeal ethnic studies requirements 2/18/25
Transcript Highlights:
- The framework portrays Minnesota as Alabama in the 1930s, and students learn nothing about America's
- ><00:07:29.560>
as The framework portrays Minnesota as The framework portrays Minnesota as Alabama - >
1930s, <00:07:32.040>and <00:07:32.200>students <00:07:32.640>learn Alabama - in the 1930s, and students learn Alabama in the 1930s, and students learn nothing<00:07:33.800>
about - First Black man to be elected in the state House of Alabama in 140 years.
Summary:
House File 29 was heard in committee as a proposal to suspend adoption of the revised social studies standards, push implementation to 2030-31, repeal the requirement to embed ethnic studies across all standards, and cancel related appropriations. The bill sponsor argued Minnesota schools should focus on basic academic achievement and that ethnic studies requirements add burdens and distract from reading, math, and science. The chair moved the bill to the Committee on Education Finance after opening the hearing and then took extensive public testimony.
Testimony was sharply divided. Supporters of HF 29, including Katherine Kersten, Deanna Moose, Kendall Qualls, Hillary Swanson, and Diane Smith, argued the ethnic studies framework is ideological, overly focused on race, insufficiently transparent, and costly in professional development time; several said it would divide students or burden teachers. Some supporters also claimed the standards or framework promote activism, critical race theory, or racial stratification. Opponents, including Mark Westfall, Crystal Johnson, Jim Grathwol, Marcus Penny, Claude Sigman, and Courtney Major, said the standards are inclusive, research-based, and designed to help students understand multiple perspectives, civic life, and the contributions of diverse Minnesotans. They emphasized that ethnic studies can improve engagement, critical thinking, and representation, and that teachers should be trusted to implement the standards.
No final vote on the bill was taken in the portion of the meeting provided. The only formal action noted was the chair’s motion to re-refer House File 29 to the Committee on Education Finance.
AR
Arkansas 2026 1st Special Session
EDUCATION COMMITTEE - SENATE AND HOUSE Feb 3rd, 2026
Transcript Highlights:
- So those separate reports were our attempts to fulfill these specific items, as they've been amended
- For these items, that includes the meetings of the education committees to review what constitutes an
- As far as what constitutes an adequate education, we do have the working definition.
- This act amended the 1983 act, which required the State Board to develop comprehensive rules, criteria
- Arkansas's plan was most recently approved, as amended, in 2022.
Summary:
The committee received a Bureau of Legislative Research presentation on Arkansas academic standards, accountability, and achievement as part of the adequacy study. Staff reviewed how state curriculum and standards have evolved from the 1997 Public Education Act, the 2003 Quality Education Act, and the 2017 Educational Support and Accountability Act, including required course offerings, graduation requirements, career and technical education pathways, and recent additions such as success-ready pathways, Arkansas history, firearm safety, and fetal growth and development instruction. Members asked for a comparative chart showing how the laws and requirements changed over time, and staff agreed to provide one.
The presentation then turned to the federal ESSA plan and Arkansas’s state accountability system. Staff explained the state’s long-term goals for 2030, including 80% proficiency in ELA and math, 52% of English learners on track to English proficiency, and 94%/97% four- and five-year graduation rates. They reviewed 2025 assessment results showing proficiency rates generally in the 30s, with English learners and students with disabilities performing lowest and white students highest. They also discussed school support and improvement categories, equitable access to educators, and report card/public reporting requirements, noting that some ESSA-related measures such as the school index, equity labs, and certain 2024 report card data were not currently available or not being calculated. Members questioned whether those ESSA commitments were being met and asked staff to follow up with DESE, including whether the legislature can revise the ESSA plan.
The committee also reviewed the Arkansas Accountability Act and related assessment data. Staff described the Atlas assessment system, alternate assessments for students with significant cognitive disabilities, ELPA 21 for English learners, ACT results, and NAEP comparisons. They reported that no student group met the 80% proficiency goal in 2025, Arkansas’s ACT composite score declined slightly over time, and Arkansas generally trailed national and SREB averages on NAEP. Members asked for additional data, including historical highs and lows, the number of assessments students take by grade, dropout data, and comparisons with other states. The meeting ended with agreement to invite the Department of Education to a future meeting to answer questions about missing data, equity labs, report cards, and ESSA compliance.
LA
Transcript Highlights:
- Staff is going to read in the amendment.
- Tarver is going to be offering up that amendment. Are there any questions on the amendment?
- Staff is going to read in the amendment. Thank you, Madam Chair.
- Tarver offers up an amendment. Are there any objections to the amendment?
- To the amendment. Seeing no objections, the amendment is adopted.
Keywords:
TOPS, education funding, workforce development, postsecondary education, Louisiana Works, tech training, declining enrollment, public schools, school districts, Louisiana Department of Education, state superintendent, school closures, budget cuts, teacher layoffs, school consolidation, education policy, enrollment decline, birth rates, migration, private schools
Summary:
The House Education Committee met on May 6 and began with a presentation from LSU leadership, including LSU System President Wade Roos and Chancellor Jim Dalton. They outlined LSU’s goals of building an “elite” flagship university while maintaining accessibility through transfer pathways from regional campuses, increasing research expenditures toward top-tier status, and keeping more Louisiana students in-state for college and jobs. Members responded positively, praising LSU’s leadership, workforce focus, and efforts to retain the state’s best and brightest students.
The committee then considered several bills. SB 105, by Sen. Kathy, would reinstitute a TOPS Tech-related benefit for veterans using existing TOPS Tech funds, with no new money added; it was reported favorably. SB 374 would create a uniform framework for college economic development districts, allowing other institutions to establish districts with local government approval; Rep. Tarver offered and the committee adopted an amendment adding a legislator to each district board, and the bill was reported with amendments. SB 304 would let Louisiana institutions choose from a Board of Regents-approved list of accreditors recognized by the U.S. Department of Education, while preserving specialized accreditation; it was reported favorably.
The committee also took up SB 522, which would allow vocational and technical charter schools to apply directly to BESE as Type 2 charters when supported by the State Board of Commerce and Industry. Rep. Taylor objected that the bill should apply equally to public schools and charter schools, but the committee ultimately voted 9-1 to report the bill favorably. SB 290, a cleanup bill on student exit codes and school accountability data, was reported favorably. H.R. 175, which would have asked for a study of TOPS Tech, was voluntarily deferred by the author.
Finally, H.C.R. 81, by Rep. Freiberg, requested a Department of Education study on options for public school systems facing declining enrollment, including funding, staffing, closures, and consolidation. Caroline Romer of the Louisiana Association of Public Charter Schools supported the study, and Rep. Taylor asked whether charter schools should be included in the review. The resolution was reported favorably. The meeting ended with several members recognizing visiting mayors and other guests before adjournment.
AZ
Arizona 2026 Regular Session
01/28/2026 - House Federalism, Military Affairs & Elections
Federalism, Military Affairs & Elections
Transcript Highlights:
- Marquez, would you like to explain your amendment? Sure. I think the amendment was explained.
- I, too, love the Constitution.
- It is constitutional in what, five amendments, that only citizens vote? This is not complicated.
- So we will run it until we get a constitutional governor to actually pass a constitutional bill.
- So we will run it until we get a constitutional governor to actually pass a constitutional bill.
Keywords:
sample ballots, elections, primary election, general election, mailing deadline, ballot mailing, county election officials, board of supervisors, secretary of state, early voting list, election administration, voter information, postal service, USPS processing center, city elections, town elections, special district elections, Arizona election law, ballot proofing, party chair
Summary:
The committee first heard House Bill 2348, which would appropriate state general fund money in FY 2027 for Arizona Department of Emergency and Military Affairs projects including wireless networking at training centers, a reimbursement program for service members without government computers, lodging and kind for service members, and HVAC upgrades and maintenance. Two amendments were considered: the Marquez Amendment, which filled in dollar amounts for the appropriations, failed; and the Gillette Amendment, which restricted certain networking equipment for national security reasons, removed the reimbursement program, revised the lodging language, and tied some funding intentions to compliance, passed. After extensive testimony from the sponsor and several Army Reserve and National Guard witnesses about lack of Wi-Fi, inadequate lodging, safety concerns from long drives, and poor HVAC at joint facilities, the committee approved HB 2348 as amended on a 4-3 vote.
The committee then considered HCR 2016, a ballot referral that would cap precinct size at 2,500 voters and eliminate county authority to use vote centers, emergency voting centers, and certain on-site early voting options. The sponsor said the measure was intended to restore precinct-based voting and let voters decide. County officials and election advocates opposed it, arguing that vote centers and early voting provide flexibility, are more cost-effective in many counties, and are necessary where geography, staffing, and facility availability make precinct voting difficult. After debate over local control, voter choice, and the practicality of precincting, the committee gave HCR 2016 a 4-3 do-pass recommendation.
Finally, the committee heard House Bill 2165, which exempts veterans from Arizona State Parks admission fees, and adopted the Marquez Amendment to extend the exemption to active military members, National Guard members, and reserve-unit members, with alternative ID options. Arizona State Parks testified in neutral, saying it supports veterans but is concerned about revenue losses; it estimated that even a modest share of veteran visits could reduce revenue by about $1.8 million annually. The sponsor said the bill was prompted by constituent requests and was meant to help veterans enjoy outdoor recreation and therapeutic opportunities. The committee then approved HB 2165 as amended on a vote of 4-0, with some members absent or not voting.
LA
Transcript Highlights:
- Staff is going to read in the amendment. Thank you, Madam Chair.
- Tarver is going to be offering up that amendment. Are there any questions on the amendment? Rep.
- Tarver offers up an amendment. Are there any objections to the amendment?
- Tarver to report SB 374 with amendments. Are there any objections?
- Tarver to report SB 374 with amendments. Are there any objections?
Summary:
The House Education Committee met on May 6 and first welcomed LSU President Wade Roos and Chancellor Jim Dalton, who outlined LSU’s goals of becoming an elite, accessible flagship university, increasing research expenditures, improving student recruitment and retention, and expanding pathways that keep Louisiana students in-state. Members praised the new leadership and LSU’s workforce and research direction, and a representative from LSU enrollment reported gains in TOPS Excellence commitments for the coming fall.
The committee then advanced several education bills. SB 105 by Sen. Kathy, which reinstates TOPS Tech eligibility for honorably discharged veterans, was reported favorably without objection. SB 374, also by Sen. Kathy, creates a uniform framework for college economic development districts; members adopted an amendment adding a legislator to each district board, and the bill was reported favorably with amendments. SB 304 by Sen. Edmonds, which authorizes the Board of Regents to establish a list of eligible accreditors and allows institutions to seek different accreditors, was reported favorably. SB 522 by Sen. Edmonds, allowing vocational and technical charter schools to apply directly to BESE as Type 2 charters with Commerce and Industry support, drew discussion about whether the authority should extend to public schools as well; it ultimately passed 9-1.
The committee also approved SB 290 by Sen. Abraham, a cleanup bill requiring school system concurrence before student exit-code changes in the data system, and HCR 81 by Rep. Freiberg, which asks the Department of Education to study options for districts facing declining enrollment and related financial pressures. HCR 175 by Rep. Larvadain, a study resolution on possible TOPS Tech changes, was deferred by the author because it overlapped with another measure. Several members also used personal privilege to welcome local mayors and community guests to the committee room.
AL
Alabama 2026 1st Special Session
Alabama House Financial Services Committee Mar 10th, 2026
Financial Services
Transcript Highlights:
- have an amendment. have an amendment. >> Yeah,<00:08:16.800>
Mr. - Chairman, I ask to offer this amendment. This is a friendly amendment. All right.
- Any questions on the amendment?
- >> a friendly amendment. Yes, sir. >> a friendly amendment. Yes, sir.
- The amendment first. First one. I got a motion to accept the amendment. I have a second.
Keywords:
Escambia County, probate court, court fees, legal services, judicial legislation, HB545, legal tender, cash rounding, nearest five cents, nickel rounding, in-person cash transaction, cash transactions, change making, sales tax, Department of Revenue, merchant payments, consumer payments, currency rounding, cash payment, retail transactions
PA
Transcript Highlights:
- And whereas America was established as a constitutional republic, establishing separation of powers and
- federalism under a written constitution, thereby avoiding the fatal tendencies of a democracy.
- Whereas in 1963, Martin Luther King Jr., jailed in Birmingham, Alabama, for defying a policy banning
Summary:
The House convened at noon with prayer and the Pledge of Allegiance, including a reading of George Washington’s prayer in recognition of the 250th anniversary of the nation’s founding. The journal for Saturday, June 27, 2026, was postponed until printed. Representative Borowitz then spoke under House Rule 17 on America 250 and House Resolution 579, which designates a day of commemoration for America’s 250th birthday and celebrates the nation’s founding principles.
Borowitz’s remarks reviewed a long historical narrative emphasizing the role of religion and divine providence in American history, citing the Declaration of Independence, the Founding Fathers, early colonial worship, the Pilgrims, the Great Awakenings, presidential prayers and proclamations, the Aitken Bible, Capitol church services, the Civil War, World War II, and later references such as the National Prayer Breakfast and Apollo-era Bibles. The resolution was described as reaffirming commitment to the Declaration’s principles, including rights endowed by the Creator and reliance on divine providence.
No vote was taken on the resolution during this session. At the end of the remarks, Representative Dockery moved to adjourn, and the House agreed by voice vote. The House adjourned until Monday, June 29, 2026, at 12 noon, unless sooner recalled by the Speaker.
AL
Alabama 2026 Regular Session
Alabama Joint General Fund Budget Hearings Jan 29th, 2026
Transcript Highlights:
- Alabama is not alone in any of this.
- administered in Alabama by Blue Cross. administered in Alabama by Blue Cross.
- in Alabama know what Alabama needs best. in Alabama know what Alabama needs best.
- <02:41:08.800>
It's Alabama at Alabama Medicaid. It's Alabama at Alabama Medicaid. - for Alabama purposes. for Alabama purposes. >> Yes,<02:46:51.600>
sir.
FL
Florida 2026 4th Special Session
February 4, 2026 - 01:30 PM
Transcript Highlights:
- I see we have an amendment on the bill. Amendment bar code number 547041. Thank you, Chair.
- Having explained the amendment, we have questions on the amendment.
- Members, we are in debate on the amendment.
- Thank you for having explained the amendment. Members, do you have any questions on the amendment?
- Show the amendment passes. Members, we are back on the bill as amended.
LA
Transcript Highlights:
- It deletes the sentence from our Constitution.
- Okay, they're printing an amendment. Oh, okay.
- Okay, let me offer up these amendments, 3713. Curry, could you tell us what this amendment does?
- Amendment number 3713: the first two amendments are technical.
- As amended. As amended. Okay. I see no questions on the amendment. The amendment's been adopted.
Summary:
The Senate Finance Committee met on May 13, 2026, and reported several bills favorable. HB 27 was approved after testimony that it would delete a constitutional sentence requiring debt payments to be applied to the oldest outstanding amortization, giving retirement boards more flexibility to pay off the most advantageous debt. HB 143 was supported by the Louisiana Sheriffs’ Association and local law enforcement representatives to raise the statutory per diem for housing state inmates in local facilities from $26.39 to match the current $29.39 rate already being paid in practice. HB 205 drew extensive testimony from clerks of court and election officials who said election commissioners have not had a pay increase in 19 years and are struggling to staff precincts, especially under the new closed party primary system; the bill would let local governing bodies enhance commissioner pay as a stopgap, and it was reported favorable despite concerns that it does not fully solve the staffing problem.
The committee also approved HB 308, which would require state stadium and arena facilities to accept cash for smaller transactions or provide a kiosk to convert cash to a prepaid card without extra fee. HB 417 was reported favorable to increase the cap on the hazardous waste site cleanup fund from $6 million to $8 million and tie it to inflation; DEQ staff explained the fund helps pay for Superfund matches and cleanup of abandoned or bankrupt hazardous waste sites, and the increase would not affect the state general fund. HB 12, supported by the Louisiana Assessor Association, would provide 5% annual salary equalization increases for assessors through 2029, with local opt-in and no state general fund impact; members discussed the recurring pay parity issue with clerks of court and the possibility of a study resolution to address future adjustments more systematically, and the bill was reported favorable.
Representative Kerner announced HB 311 would be deferred after concerns it could amount to a tax increase. HB 1129, supported by the Louisiana Auctioneers Association, was amended to clarify that the state’s movable-property auctions include internet auctions and to give Louisiana auctioneers preference to bid on those contracts; it was then reported favorable. HB 562, which would update transcript fees for the 19th Judicial District Court, prompted concerns about higher costs for litigants and due process implications, and the committee agreed to defer it to the next meeting for further discussion. The meeting ended with adjournment after brief recognition of visiting cattle industry representatives.