Transcript Highlights:

• The House having arrived, the House adjourned.
• The House adjourned.
• The House bill promoting rule of law, oversight, trust, and equal constitutional treatment, House No.
• The House will be in recess. The House does not concur. Mr.
• The House will be in recess. The House will be in order.

Summary: The House considered several Committee on Rules reports and adopted a series of resolutions recognizing the Melanoma Action Coalition, honoring 411 directory assistance workers, commending the Plimpton Historical Society, and honoring Frank and Alice Susky. It also adopted an order extending until June 12, 2026, the reporting deadline for the Committee on Public Safety and Homeland Security on House No. 2424. The chamber then took up House No. 5316, a bill concerning rule of law, oversight, trust, and equal constitutional treatment. After suspending Rule 35, the House voted not to concur with the Senate’s amended version and instead agreed to appoint a committee of conference, naming Representatives Cahill of Lynn, Vargas of Haverhill, and Vaughan of Wrentham. The House also suspended Rule 7A to advance local bills, including a Somerset measure allowing the town to prohibit water fluoridation and a Petersham bill extending employment for two police department members, both of which were ordered to a third reading. Later, the House passed to enactment local bills authorizing additional alcohol licenses in Dartmouth and revising the Westwood town charter. It also engrossed bills raising the Boston Police Academy entrance age, authorizing the Harwich Affordable Housing Trust to create attainable housing, creating an affordable housing trust fund in Westwood, and regulating vacancies on the Marlborough city council. The House adopted an order to adjourn until Wednesday at 11 a.m., with formal session and roll calls at 1 p.m.

Transcript Highlights:

• Representative Cheney moves that the rules be waived and C.S. for House Bill 363 be read a third time
• Representative Schof moves that the rules be waived and House Bill 301 be read a third time by title
• I move that the rules be waived and House Bill 1399 be read a third time by title and placed on final
• I move that the rules be waived and House Bill 6517 be read a third time by title and placed on final
• Speaker, I move that the rules be waived and House Bill 7011 be read a third time. Mr.

Transcript Highlights:

• I move the rules be suspended. The Substitute House Bill 2152 be advanced to third reading.
• Senator Cleveland moves to suspend the rules, advance Substitute House Bill 2152 to third reading, consider
• President, I move that the rules be suspended, that Second Substitute House Bill 1906, as amended, be
• President, I move that the rules be suspended, that Second Substitute House Bill 1906, as amended, be
• I move that the rules be suspended, that Engrossed Substitute House Bill 2110 be advanced as amended.

Bills: SB6061 , SB6234 , SB6176 , SB6335 , SB6047 , HB2235 , HB2272 , HB2340 , HB2543 , HB2554 , HB2632 , HB2464 , HB2619 , HB1376 , HB1796 , HB2091 , HB2249 , HB2254 , HB2353 , HB2431 , HB2441 , SB5808 , SB5949 , SB6006 , SB6260 , SB6297 , SB6351 , SB6354 , SB6355 , HB2124 , HB1069 , HB2104 , HB2624

Keywords: tourism, self-supported assessment, funding, statewide promotion, economic development, sewage, grinder pumps, residential buildings, regulation, construction, vehicle registration, enforcement, renewal, transportation, state law, state commission, infrastructure, traffic safety, responsibilities, state capital projects

Summary: The Senate considered and passed several House bills. Substitute House Bill 2152, known as Ryan’s Law, would allow limited medical cannabis use for qualifying end-of-life patients in hospitals, nursing homes, and hospice facilities; supporters said it would improve quality of life, and it passed 46-2. Engrossed Substitute House Bill 1604, dealing with search procedures for transgender and intersex individuals confined in local jails and codifying federal Prison Rape Elimination Act-related standards, drew debate over whether amendments were needed and whether the bill would burden or protect staff and inmates; two amendments were rejected, and the bill passed 30-19. Second Substitute House Bill 1906, as amended, increased transparency and consumer protections for water system rates, especially for older or smaller systems, and passed unanimously 49-0. Engrossed Substitute House Bill 1916 tightened voter registration challenge procedures and gave county auditors more discretion in handling challenges; an amendment to broaden who could challenge voters statewide was rejected, and the bill passed 49-0. Engrossed Substitute House Bill 2110, as amended, allowed registered nurses without EMT certification to staff certain inter-facility ambulance transports under specified conditions to reduce delays, and it also passed 49-0. The Senate also passed Second Substitute House Bill 2429, which extends and updates the Children and Youth Behavioral Health Work Group and aligns agency planning with the Washington Thriving Strategic Plan; a committee striker was adopted despite concerns about added government structure, and the bill passed 49-0. Second Substitute House Bill 2384, increasing oversight of continuing care retirement communities through actuarial review and Office of Insurance Commissioner oversight, passed 37-12 after the chamber rejected the committee striker and adopted a revised striking amendment. The session ended with a point of personal privilege from Senator Lovick and an adjournment motion, and the Senate adjourned until March 4, 2026.

Transcript Highlights:

• House Concurrent Resolution 22 is delivered to the Judiciary, Rules and Administration Committee for
• Speaker, we, your Committee on Judiciary, Rules and Administration, report that we have printed House
• House Bill 518 is referred to the Judiciary, Rules and Administration Committee.
• House Joint Memorial 11 is referred to the Judiciary, Rules and Administration Committee for printing
• In the House of Representatives, House Bill No. 520, by the Judiciary, Rules and Administration Committee

Transcript Highlights:

• Chair, I move to amend House Bill 3000. Mr.
• Chair, I move to amend House Bill 3001. Mr.
• Chair, I move to amend House Bill 3006... Mr.
• We have assigned rules.
• Those of you that still have outstanding rules on education, we sent out education rules a week ago.

Bills: HB3000 , HB3001 , HB3002 , HB3003 , HB3004 , HB3005 , HB3006 , HB3007 , HB3008 , HB4319

Committee: House Administrative Rules

Summary: The committee met in a new room and took up a package of 10 bills, mostly sunset extensions. Chairman Kendrick explained that although the bills were drafted as one-year extensions, he moved committee amendments on each to change the sunset date from 2027 to 2031 so the agencies would stay on a five-year cycle and avoid having too many sunsets come due in the same year. The committee adopted the amendments, and the bills were then presented and advanced. The bills extended the Board of Cosmetology and Barbering (HB 3000), Child Death Review Board (HB 3001), Commission on County Government Personnel Education and Training (HB 3002), Board of Chiropractic Examiners (HB 3003), Board of Examiners of Optometry (HB 3004), Oklahoma Climatological Survey (HB 3005), Oklahoma Advisory on Indian Education (HB 3006), Environmental and Natural Resources Advisory Councils (HB 3007), and Board of Tests for Alcohol and Drug Influence (HB 3008). HB 4319 was a separate policy bill changing the Administrative Procedures Act to require specific and explicit statutory authority, codifying a common-law requirement. Most bills passed unanimously after the amendments, with HB 3007 passing 9-2. After the bill votes, Chairman Kendrick returned to the chair and gave an update on administrative rules work, saying the committee was preparing multiple rules bundles and resolutions for floor consideration. He emphasized that fiscal analyses marked “unknown” are unacceptable under the Administrative Procedures Act and the Raines Act, and that agencies must provide a comprehensive analysis or use “zero” or “none” instead. The meeting then adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• The Chair lays out House Bill 1270. House Bill 125 is pending business.
• The Chair lays out House Bill 1887 as pending business. Members, House Bill 1887.
• I cannot rule that out.
• I am speaking in favor of House Bill 3415. House Bill 3415.
• House Bill 2283. ...is left pending. The Chair lays out House Bill 1776.

Bills: HB3000 , HB2622 , HB2283 , HB541 , HB1776 , HB1803 , HB1669 , HB2588 , HB220 , HB3415 , HB50 , HB1314 , HB 107 , HB220 , HB50 , HB107

Committee: House Public Health

Keywords: ambulance service, rural healthcare, grants, financial assistance, qualified counties, mental health, patient transport, female attendants, security measures, healthcare regulation, epinephrine, anaphylaxis, health care, school safety, training, emergency response, direct patient care, healthcare, physicians, medical services

Transcript Highlights:

• I move that House Bill 2441 receive a due pass recommendation to the Rules Committee.
• I move that House Bill 2441 receive a due pass recommendation to the Rules Committee.
• I move that House Bill 2124 receive a due pass recommendation to the Rules Committee.
• I move that House Bill 2610 receive a due pass recommendation to the Rules Committee.
• I move that House Bill 2338 receive a due pass recommendation to the Rules Committee.

Bills: HB1069 , HB2091 , SB6355 , HB2104 , SB6003 , HB2441 , HB2124 , HB2610 , HB2338

Committee: Senate Ways & Means

Keywords: collective bargaining, retirement benefits, employee rights, public sector, supplemental benefits, public employers, employee information, bargaining representatives, labor relations, union representation, electric transmission, energy policies, infrastructure, regulatory framework, transmission systems, aviation, wildland fires, funding, disaster relief, emergency response

Transcript Highlights:

• of this house LSO they know the rules of this house and<01:08:16.640><c> leadership</c><01:08:17.199
• they would be subject to our house rules.
• Speaker, I just wanted to withdraw my motion. fact that our rules our house rules are fact that our rules
• </c><01:29:07.040><c> rules</c> to our house rules and our house rules to our house rules and our house
• And then we will come back house rules.

Transcript Highlights:

• The rules of professional conduct. Okay.
• We have some rules that govern that appeals process.
• put more detail into court rules.
• And that will encompass the rules of the code of judicial conduct, because those are the rules we have
• to amended back in by the House.

Bills: HB1455

Committee: Senate Judiciary

Summary: The Judiciary Committee first heard House Bill 1455, which would require the North Dakota Indian Affairs Commission to review introduced legislation for tribal implications and conduct consultation with affected tribes. Rep. Collette Brown said the bill was intended to formalize and strengthen tribal consultation, and Standing Rock Sioux Tribe representative Ross Bell testified in support. Brad Hawk, executive director of the Indian Affairs Commission, testified neutrally, saying the office already does much of this work but that the bill would add structure; several senators raised concerns about duplication, possible future staffing costs, and whether the bill was necessary. The committee amended the bill to replace “each measure” with “all legislation,” then passed a do-not-pass recommendation on HB 1455 by recorded vote, with Sen. Luick designated as carrier. The committee then took up House Bill 1032, dealing with municipal courts, appeals, and judge qualifications. Legislative Council and court staff walked through proposed amendments, including making municipal courts courts of record on a delayed effective date, clarifying appeal procedures, and adding standards for municipal judges. Members discussed whether to use the term “ethical standards” or “judicial conduct”; after questions about definitions and enforcement, the committee settled on replacing the language with “judicial conduct” in the amended bill. The committee adopted the amendments and then passed HB 1032 as amended on a do-pass vote, with Sen. Cory to carry. Later, the committee heard House Bill 1263, which would make it easier for people with criminal records to seek sealing after a denial by allowing an appeal and reducing the waiting period for a new petition from three years to one year. Rep. Nels Christensen, Christopher Davis, Travis Fink, and Brad Peterson all supported the bill’s goal of giving people a better path to rehabilitation and employment. The main point of disagreement was whether to keep the statutory presumption that the benefit to the petitioner must outweigh the presumption of openness of criminal records; several witnesses urged removing that language, while others said it was part of the compromise that created the current law. The committee closed the hearing without taking final action and said it would review the House discussion before deciding later.

Transcript Highlights:

• Representative Schofe moves that the rules be waived and House Bill 301 be read a third time by title
• I move that the rules be waived and House Bill 1399 be read a third time by title and placed on final
• I move that the rules be waived and House Bill 6517 be read a third time by title and placed on final
• Speaker, I move that the rules be waived and House Bill 6515 be read a third time by title and placed
• Representative Gottlieb moves that the rules be waived and C.S. for C.S. for House Bill 413 be read a

Summary: The House convened with prayer, a moment of silence for former Washington County administrator Alan Massey, the Pledge of Allegiance, and several gallery recognitions. The chamber adopted the special order report and then took up a series of bills on the special order calendar. Early measures included CS/HB 967 on electronic payments to local governments, which passed 110-0, and HB 127 requiring cursive writing instruction in grades 2-5, which passed 111-0 after members spoke about literacy, signatures, and heritage. CS/HB 453 on high school diploma requirements passed 111-0 and would allow certain students to use Special Olympics participation for PE credit and marching band for PE and arts credit. The House also passed CS/HB 237 on use of professional nursing titles, which requires APRNs using the title doctor to clarify they are APRNs, by 111-0. The chamber then debated HJR 583, a proposed constitutional amendment on religious expression in public schools. Supporters said it would codify existing statutory protections for student and school personnel religious expression and let voters decide; opponents argued it was unnecessary, could create confusion, and risked constitutional problems involving school-sponsored prayer and the separation of church and state. After structured debate, the resolution passed 93-17. The House next passed CS/HB 363 on dental therapy, which creates a licensed mid-level dental provider and drew sharp debate over access to care versus patient safety; it passed 80-29. HB 375 on autonomous practice by certified registered nurse anesthetists passed 78-28, and HB 301 on psychiatric mental health APRN autonomous practice passed 88-18. Later, the House passed HB 863 on arbitration for Citizens Property Insurance disputes, giving policyholders a choice between arbitration and court, by 105-3, and HB 1399 on property insurance affiliates, which increases oversight of insurer-affiliate transactions, by 160-3. Members also heard and advanced a local claims bill, HB 6517, for relief of Eribeito and Sanchez Mayan against the City of St. Petersburg, describing severe injuries allegedly caused during an arrest and transport; the bill was rolled over for third reading at the end of the transcript. Throughout the day, members also paused for multiple recognitions of visiting students, local officials, professional groups, and community organizations.

Transcript Highlights:

• Now, the House traditionally operates under the prior session's rules as the temporary rules on opening
• The House will now consider a motion in writing to adopt last session's rules as temporary rules.
• Madam Secretary, I move to adopt the House rules from the previous session.
• First, Madam Secretary, I move to adopt the House Rules of Procedure from the 88th Legislature, accepting
• The House Rules Menu from the 88th Legislature, which is over 300 pages, is also available online on

Transcript Highlights:

• We are proposing five bills: House File 3024, Hansen J.; House File 4384, Bakeberg; Senate File 4339,
• And then the enforcement measure says that the Senate and House of Representatives must adopt rules to
• And then the enforcement measure says that the Senate and House of Representatives must adopt rules to
• House IT policy.
• I reached out to House IT to verify that our policy is for only House employees to receive House emails

Committee: House Rules and Legislative Administration

Transcript Highlights:

• Paper from the House.
• Paper from the House.
• House No. 4161 comes from the House passed to be engrossed.
• Paper from the House. The House petition of James J.
• The rules, General Rule 37. The rules be suspended to allow the matter to be considered forthwith.

Summary: The Senate adopted two resolutions: one honoring the Honorable David T. Donnelly for his service to the Commonwealth, and another commending amateur radio operators for Amateur Radio Week and ARRL Field Day. The chamber then took up several House measures, including two bills establishing sick leave banks for Massachusetts Department of Transportation employees Daniel Yende and Mark Kratman; both were advanced to a third reading after the rules were suspended. The Senate also suspended General Rule 12 and referred a House petition by James J. O’Day concerning access and continuity of care to specialists in hospital services for eligible individuals to the Committee on Public Health. Later, the Committee on the Judiciary reported a bill, Senate No. 2522, related to strike and health care protection in the Commonwealth, ought to pass, and the Senate referred it to the Committee on Ways and Means after suspending the rules. Finally, the Senate adopted an order to meet again on Wednesday at 1:00 p.m. in a formal session with a calendar, and then adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• The House will be in order.
• The ayes have it, rules are suspended. Question comes on suspension of Joint Rule 12.
• Grafton's senior tax exemption, House No. 5035, local approval received; and the House bill expanding
• The House bill expanding the exemption for residential property in the town of Wellfleet, House No. 5374
• The House will be in a brief recess.

Summary: The House took up several committee reports and routine matters. The Rules Committee recommended adoption of congratulatory resolutions for Wesley Harville Fry’s Eagle Scout rank, Tri Valley, Inc.’s 50th anniversary, and Edward D. Desmond’s 100th birthday; the House suspended the rules and adopted them. The House also suspended Joint Rule 12 on a petition concerning retirement benefits for Julia Flannery, surviving spouse of the Honorable Francis Frannoy, sending it to the Committee on Public Service. The Steering, Policy and Scheduling Committee reported several bills for House consideration, including a killed-in-the-line-of-duty benefit for Joanne Sonji, surviving spouse of Detective John D. Sanji of Rutland; local tax exemption measures for Grafton and Wellfleet; and local alcohol license bills for Marion and Oxford. The House suspended Rule 7A, took the bills through second reading, and ordered them to a third reading. The House then enacted several engrossed bills, including a Stowe town meeting validation bill, autism-related police interaction legislation, accidental death benefits for a Boston firefighter’s surviving spouse, charter changes for Lawn Meadow and Falmouth, a senior property tax exemption for Reading, and affordable housing/cultural space legislation for Brighton. On House No. 4795, the Groton charter bill, Representative Walsh offered and the House adopted an amendment striking the word “assistant” from a charter provision, after which the bill was passed to be engrossed as amended. The House also adopted an order to adjourn to Wednesday at 11 a.m., and then adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• Communications from the House.
• The clerk for the House announced the House amended and passed Committee Substitute for Senate Bill 493
• I move the Senate refuse to concur in the House amendments to Senate Bill 493 and request the House to
• the House to recede therefrom.
• Gross House Bill, 5288.

Summary: The West Virginia Senate convened with prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, journal approval, and numerous introductions of honorary pages, guests, chaperones, and visitors, including a large McDowell County Day delegation. The Senate also received a governor’s executive message containing 76 nominations, which were referred to the Committee on Confirmation, and then set those nominations as a special order of business for 4 p.m. later that day. On legislation, the Senate rejected House amendments to Senate Bill 493 on open captioning for motion pictures and requested the House recede, saying the amendments changed the bill’s intent by making captioning mandatory and expanding its scope. The chamber then took up Senate Bill 587 on county officials’ salaries, adopted an amendment restoring county control over future pay increases while keeping a 5% raise, concurred in the House amendments as amended, and passed the bill 34-0 with immediate effectiveness. The Senate also fast-tracked and passed several supplemental appropriations bills, all by 34-0 votes and all made effective from passage: House Bill 527 for health facilities, House Bill 528 for the Department of Agriculture’s spay-neuter assistance fund, House Bill 5307 for the Division of Culture and History, House Bill 5317 for the Division of Natural Resources, and House Bill 5694 for the Department of Education. The Senate received House Bill 5286 on corrections and referred it to Finance. Finally, the Senate adopted Senate Resolution 66 designating March 14, 2026, as McDowell County Day at the legislature, with remarks highlighting the county’s history and current economic efforts, and then recessed for 30 minutes.

Transcript Highlights:

• The hour to which the House adjourned having arrived, the House will be in order.
• The House does not concur. The House does not concur. Mr.
• House: the House bill authorizing Bradford G.
• Rule 7A is suspended. Second reading of the bills. Rule 7A is suspended.
• Brown, House No. 4862. House No. 4862. The question comes on passing the bill to be engrossed.

Summary: The House first adopted a series of congratulatory and commemorative resolutions, including honors for Renee Spencer, several Eagle Scouts, the Italian Consulate in Boston for Italian National Day, and the Florence Community Band’s 25th anniversary. It also adopted an order extending until December 31, 2026, the time for the Committee on Health Care Financing to report on current House documents. The House then took up a Senate amendment to House No. 5501, the fiscal year 2027 appropriations bill. The House voted not to concur in the Senate’s amendment and instead agreed to appoint a committee of conference; the House conferees named were Representatives Mikelowitz of Boston, Diggs of Barnstable, and Smola of Warren. The chamber also advanced several local and personnel bills, including measures on police age requirements and appointments, a Beverly police chief continuation, Westford digital legal notices, a Tewksbury town manager residency requirement, a Monterey police officer continuation, a Norwood special police officer measure, a Bridgewater alcohol license, and a Westfield firefighter age limit. Most were ordered to third reading, engrossed, or enacted; the Westfield bill was amended to take effect upon passage before being engrossed. The House then adopted an order to meet the following Monday at 11 a.m. and adjourned to that time in informal session.

Transcript Highlights:

• The House will be open.
• Members, under the rules of the House, I ask to recuse myself to avoid any conflicts of interest.
• House Bill 368 for Rep.
• House Bill 888 continued.
• Specifically, House Bill 1 has left the Senate and has come back to the House.

Bills: SCR59 , SCR70 , HR275 , HR279 , HR282 , HR289 , HR307 , HCR112 , SCR61 , SCR62 , SCR64 , SB121 , HR310 , HR314 , HR316 , HR317 , HR321 , HCR117 , SCR5 , SCR29 , SCR33 , SCR37 , SCR63 , SCR30 , SCR40 , SCR65 , HCR3 , HCR49 , HCR66 , HCR67 , HB54 , HB137 , HB321 , HB368 , HB386 , HB414 , HB431 , HB552 , HB555 , HB578 , HB590 , HB593 , HB618 , HB638 , HB670 , HB692 , HB707 , HB708 , HB715 , HB718 , HB732 , HB741 , HB748 , HB776 , HB796 , HB807 , HB822 , HB848 , HB856 , HB887 , HB888 , HB917 , HB921 , HB1082 , HB1243 , HB1246 , HB1 , HB2 , HB42 , HB45 , HB71 , HB79 , HB126 , HB133 , HB159 , HB213 , HB218 , HB222 , HB289 , HB291 , HB312 , HB313 , HB324 , HB352 , HB383 , HB398 , HB403 , HB429 , HB457 , HB459 , HB549 , HB571 , HB579 , HB591 , HB608 , HB616 , HB624 , HB766 , HB769 , HB783 , HB804 , HB864 , HB874 , HB909 , HB951 , HB971 , HB983 , HB1005 , HB1017 , HB1051 , HB1056 , HB1126 , HB1186 , HB1193 , HB1223 , HB1224 , HB1235 , HB1249 , SB259 , SB295 , SB312 , SB348 , SB444 , SB485 , SB441 , SB149 , HB359 , SB29 , SB43 , SB78 , HB463 , HB998 , SB197 , SB268 , SB123 , SB276 , SB326 , SB80 , HB901 , HR20 , HR74 , HCR65 , HCR71 , HCR98 , HB284 , HB306 , HB341 , HB366 , HB393 , HB458 , HB577 , HB603 , HB605 , HB614 , HB625 , HB646 , HB733 , HB752 , HB773 , HB798 , HB911 , HB955 , HB996 , HB1035 , HB1069 , HB1113 , HB1140 , HB1180 , HB1191 , HB1240 , HB1255 , SB82 , SB89 , SB97 , SB479 , HB74 , HB119 , HB134 , HB210 , HB258 , HB468 , HB784 , HB870 , HB953 , HB956 , HB1117 , HB1236 , SB42 , SB208 , SB217 , SB274 , SB300 , SB341 , SB379 , SB382 , SB387 , SB401 , SB449 , SB487

Summary: The House convened with a quorum and opened with prayer by Archbishop Checchio, the pledge, and the national anthem. Members also used personal privilege to recognize visiting officials, university leaders, grocers, Governor’s Fellows, and several special guests and honorees, including Grambling State University for its 125th anniversary, Tiger Athletics, and the Tiger Marching Band, as well as CASA volunteers and advocates. The chamber adopted a number of ceremonial resolutions and made several conference committee appointments and committee discharge motions. The floor then took up a series of Senate and House resolutions, many of which were adopted without objection or after brief debate. These included resolutions creating or studying task forces on topics such as homeowner catastrophe claims and insurance-related litigation, the Louisiana-Ireland Trade Commission, informed consent laws, fiscal note procedures, K-12 student success pathways, and military funding alignment. Members also adopted resolutions on domestic violence protective-order access, flood risk mapping, seismic activity in North Louisiana, illegal dumping enforcement, toll signage and customer service, and other local or commemorative matters. Several Senate resolutions were temporarily returned to the calendar, while others were adopted by recorded vote, including SCR 29, SCR 33, SCR 37, SCR 63, SCR 30, SCR 65, and SCR 40. The House then considered Senate Bill 259, which authorizes an online application process for civil protection orders and restraining orders for domestic violence victims; it passed 93-0. Senate Bill 312, dealing with public-sector labor organizations and dues/withdrawal procedures, prompted extended debate focused on whether the bill unfairly singled out teachers’ unions and whether teachers already have the ability to opt out; the bill ultimately passed 60-38. Senate Bill 348, allowing the City of St. George to contract for administrative assistance in motor-vehicle crash response, passed 84-9 after questions about citations, reports, and the role of third parties. Senate Bill 485, concerning St. George’s municipal fiscal authority and insurance premium taxes, passed 91-0 after an amendment removed new public facility charge authority. The House also debated Senate Bill 197, which would reduce the number of judges on the Fourth Circuit Court of Appeal from 12 to 10 based on a workload and population study by the National Center for State Courts. Supporters cited the circuit’s smaller population and lower per-judge workload, while questions focused on the study’s publication and whether it actually recommended a reduction. The transcript ends during that debate, before final disposition is shown.

Transcript Highlights:

• The question is, will the House suspend the rules and agree to House Resolution 923 as amended?
• The question is, will the House suspend the rules and agree to House Resolution 923 as amended?
• the rules and pass the House suspend the rules and pass Senate<03:39:14.160><c> 216?
• the rules and pass the House suspend the rules and pass Senate<04:36:42.879><c> 2878?
• </c> the House suspend the rules and pass the the House suspend the rules and pass the bill<04:43:54.878

Bills: HB3187 , SB284 , HB2400 , HR1098 , HB3872 , HB3176 , HB3620 , HB2815 , SB2878 , HR1045 , HR972 , HB2876 , HB3962 , HB4183 , SB216 , HR923 , HB5457 , HB5810 , SB222

Keywords: Perry County Arkansas, Perryville, Forest Service land, federal land conveyance, quitclaim deed, public purpose, education, youth development, land transfer, property disposal, reversion clause, CERCLA, environmental liability, historic preservation, National Historic Preservation Act, USDA, federal property, county government, public use, surplus land

Transcript Highlights:

• Please read the House bill.
• I'd like to refer that to the Rules Chair. Do you refer that to the Rules Chair?
• CS for House Bill 351.
• CS for House Bill 851.
• House Amendment Barcode, 135-55-1. House Amendment Barcode, 135-551.

Summary: The Senate opened with prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, and a series of recognitions for interns, staff, and guests. Members also honored retiring Senate staffer Susan Miller and recognized a veteran injured in combat. After routine announcements, the chamber moved to returning messages from the House and began taking up bills and amendments. The Senate concurred in House amendments and passed SB 118 on RV park assessments and SB 572 on ethics for public officers and employees, both by 38-0 votes. It then took up the elections bill, CS/CS/HB 991, which drew extensive debate. Supporters said it would strengthen election integrity by tightening citizenship verification and ID rules; opponents argued it would burden eligible voters, especially students, seniors, disabled voters, and others without the newly required documents. The bill passed 27-12. The chamber also passed the education package SB 182 after adopting a Senate amendment to the House amendment, and approved SB 474 on military affairs, SB 425 on historic cemeteries, HB 929 on local regulation of chickees, and HB 35/SB 1370 on habitual traffic offender designation, all with unanimous or near-unanimous votes. The Senate then considered SB 902/ HB 733, the Department of Health package. Members adopted an amendment and amendment-to-amendment that preserved most Senate provisions while modifying or removing several House additions, including some early steps and medical marijuana-related changes, and the bill passed 37-0. The chamber also began work on HB 905, the foreign influence bill, with a strike-all amendment offered to expand restrictions on foreign influence, sister-city agreements, linkage institutes, and related activities, but the debate on that measure was still underway when the transcript ended. Several other returning messages and bills were temporarily postponed, and the Senate recessed briefly before resuming business.

Transcript Highlights:

• should pass to rules, an House Bill 502 should pass to rules, an act<00:14:37.440><c> relating</c><00
• :14:42.960><c> with</c><00:14:43.120><c> House</c> should pass to rules with House should pass to rules
• should pass to rules with House Bill 647 should pass to rules with House<00:14:51.120><c> Committee<
• House Bill 816 should pass to rules with House Committee Substitute 1, an act relating to authorizing
• House Bill 900 should pass to rules with House Committee Substitute 1, an act relating to government