Transcript Highlights:

• </c> the authority to change federal policy. the authority to change federal policy.
• that needs to be renewed bonding authority this upcoming session.
• The congressional bill will undo everything that we have done.
• 34:50.479><c> to</c><02:34:50.720><c> cut</c> congressional bill is going to cut congressional bill is
• </c><02:35:59.439><c> bill</c> we should support the congressional bill we should support the congressional

Transcript Highlights:

• So it's kind of going the congressional hearing route just to speed things up a little bit because we've
• Four percent of the total authorized tax credits were retroactively...
• FY 2025, four percent of the total authorized tax credits were retroactively applied: $1,105,000.
• And in this case, I really struggle with Missouri being that legislative authority where we're going
• Or then why are these specific things exempt from that authority, specifically within 2760?

Committee: House Emerging Issues and Professional Registration

Summary: The committee first heard House Bill 3037, which would allow certain Missouri Empowerment Scholarship Account tax credits, beginning in 2028, to be carried back to the immediately prior tax year. Representative Allen said the bill was a technical timing change that would not alter the credit amount, cap, refundability, transferability, or other safeguards. Supporters, including the American Federation for Children and a representative of the scholarship organization, said the change would help donors better match contributions to their actual tax liability and could increase participation. One member raised concern about the fiscal impact on education funding, noting the Department of Revenue’s estimate of reduced revenue, while the sponsor said the delayed start date was intended to give the state time to plan. The committee then heard House Bill 2830, which would increase the recorder fee that funds the Missouri Housing Trust Fund from $3 to $9 per real estate document. Representative Collins said the increase would strengthen funding for affordable housing, rental assistance, and homeless prevention. Supporters from Empower Missouri, Love Columbia, Peter and Paul Community Services, and Missouri’s Coalition of Recovery Support Providers testified that the fund is under-resourced, with many requests going unmet and some housing programs unable to support new construction or rehabilitation projects. They described local housing shortages, homelessness, and the need for more capital funding, arguing the fee increase would help meet demand without using general revenue. No opposition testimony was presented. Finally, the committee took up House Bills 1778 and 2760, both aimed at protecting religious exercise during emergencies. The sponsors said the bills were prompted by COVID-era restrictions on churches and would prevent government orders from limiting worship services, while still allowing compliance with building and fire codes and excluding violence or harm. Members debated whether the bills would create a special exemption for houses of worship and whether they could interfere with public health responses to future outbreaks. A Baptist minister testified in opposition, arguing that religious gatherings should not receive special treatment and that restrictions should apply consistently to all mass gatherings. The hearing ended without a vote, and the committee adjourned after public testimony.

Transcript Highlights:

• We're establishing ourselves of the global authority on earth observation in Earth observation adjacent
• So we are space, Florida, State Spice Point finance and business development authority.
• And like you could even mentioned earlier, you know, we we approach this, we use space port authority
• Airspace is important only because our statute gives us a very wide-ranging authority to go and work
• And as utilizing more than 200 suppliers across 23 of the state's 28 congressional districts, the growth

Transcript Highlights:

• Well, to be helpful to the author is the reason why I asked that question, and I'm sure the author will
• We thank the author.
• We'll come back now to the author. Yeah, so we'll come back now to the author in just a moment.
• So please call the authors. Authors.
• We do have an author. The consent calendar remains on call. We do have an author.

Committee: Senate Transportation

Transcript Highlights:

• Fargo Housing Authority, thank you, Representative Roers.
• Fargo Housing Authority, Clay County Housing Authority.
• And then we also have housing authorities. My colleague Beth referenced Fargo Housing Authority.
• You all know Katie Jo from Grand Forks Housing Authority.
• There is a new waiver authority that was authorized under the Big Beautiful Bill, which is a 1915(c)

Committee: Joint Human Services

Summary: The Human Services Committee met in interim session and first approved the previous meeting minutes before receiving a series of presentations on homelessness and housing stability. Jennifer Henderson of the North Dakota Housing Finance Agency updated members on the new Interagency Council on Homelessness, describing its executive-order mandate to review resources, gather input from stakeholders, identify gaps, and develop recommendations. She said the council’s first work is building a statewide program matrix of existing homeless services and funding sources, with attention to youth, tribal communities, and other vulnerable populations. Members raised concerns about youth homelessness, homeless veterans, and how the council will stay focused on a practical framework rather than getting lost in details. The committee also discussed possible connections to the rural health transformation grant and agreed to continue the topic later in the spring. Beth Olson of Presentation Partners in Housing described the organization’s housing-first model in Cass County and Clay County, including homeless prevention/diversion, housing navigation, and Cooper House, a 42-unit permanent supportive housing building in Fargo. She said the organization focuses on people with long-term and chronic homelessness, many with mental health, addiction, health, domestic violence, and Indigenous identity-related barriers, and reported strong outcomes: 85 of 86 people housed in 2025, 91% still housed after one year, and major reductions in emergency room use, ambulance rides, jail stays, detox days, and shelter use. She also explained that state funding has grown from a small share of the budget to about $1.1 million in state-connected funding for fiscal 2026, largely through contracts tied to supportive services. Members asked about vouchers, rent contributions at Cooper House, length of stay, and whether similar projects could be expanded elsewhere. Andrea Olson of the Community Action Partnership of North Dakota outlined statewide homeless and housing-related services delivered through six community action agencies in all 53 counties. She explained the Community Services Block Grant structure, said housing was identified as the top need in the most recent statewide needs assessment, and described programs including Supportive Services for Veteran Families, North Dakota Homeless Grant services, and Home ARP supportive services. She emphasized that the end of North Dakota Rent Help has increased pressure on the system, that the current $2 million annual homeless grant is far smaller than prior rent-help assistance, and that community action is using case management and financial assistance to move households toward self-sufficiency. Members asked about funding formulas, rural service delivery, and coordination with Presentation Partners to avoid duplication. YouthWorks then began a presentation on youth homelessness, describing services for ages 12 to 24, the special needs of youth and former foster youth, and the organization’s use of federal and state funds to support transitional housing, emergency shelter, maternity housing, and diversion services.

Transcript Highlights:

• The chairman of the House Veteran Affairs Committee has requested the Congressional Budget Office to
• The chairman of the House Veteran Affairs Committee has requested the Congressional Budget Office to
• The chairman of the House Veteran Affairs Committee has requested the Congressional Budget Office to

Committee: House Veterans, Military Affairs, & Public Protection

Transcript Highlights:

• SB 1110 authorizes Medicaid to cover specified orthotics or prosthetic services and directs the Agency
• She's on her way to Washington to present in front of the Rare Disease Congressional Caucus tomorrow.
• SB 688 gives naturopathic doctors the authority to diagnose and treat any disease or condition of any
• Jan Bellamy: I fear the limited exception for prescribing authority in the bill has the potential to
• And someone would have the broad authority to Jan Bellamy: diagnose and treat any disease but with largely

Bills: S0162 , S0254 , S0688 , S0794 , S1110 , S1574

Committee: Senate Appropriations Committee on Health and Human Services

Keywords: surgical smoke, health standards, hospital safety, patient protection, medical regulations, nursing education, licensure, remedial courses, temporary license, graduate nursing preceptorship, Agency for Persons with Disabilities, background screening, support coordination services, developmental disabilities, Tatton-Brown-Rahman syndrome, public hearings, orthotics, prosthetics, healthcare, Medicaid

Transcript Highlights:

• Additionally, it prescribes requirements for business entities authorized to conduct foreign remittance
• transfer of monies unless the individual provides documentary proof that the individual is a non-authorized
• There have been reports from the Congressional Budget Office, Cato, the American Enterprise Institute
• They don't satisfy any of the five authorized exceptions.
• There are hundreds of other examples, policy statements... ...authorized exceptions.

Committee: House House Commerce Committee of Reference

Summary: The committee took up a series of Senate bills, beginning with SB 1421, a contentious measure restricting financial institutions and check cashers from accepting certain identification from unauthorized immigrants and limiting remittance transfers without proof of lawful status. An attempted strike-everything amendment by Rep. Villegas would have redirected the bill to authorize tax-deeded property sales for affordable housing, but the committee rejected that amendment. After public testimony both for and against the underlying bill, the committee voted 6-2 to give SB 1421 a due pass recommendation. The committee then approved SB 1254, which revises Industrial Commission of Arizona statutes, including renaming certain positions, shifting boiler and elevator oversight, and requiring fee schedules to be posted online. It also passed SB 1515, which creates a public safety parity fund for retention pay and benefits for DPS and corrections employees using investment earnings from the budget stabilization fund; supporters cited vacancies, turnover, and pay gaps, while opponents argued the state should fund raises through the general fund. Both bills received due pass recommendations after amendment adoption and roll call votes. Other measures considered included SB 1206, which restricts adjusters and contractors from soliciting work during active loss events or emergency responses, with an exception for essential services; SB 1563, which continues the Barbering and Cosmetology Board and lowers certain fee caps; and SB 1649, which creates a digital assets reserve fund, though an amendment to turn it into a transparency measure on employers receiving public assistance was rejected. The committee also passed SB 1290 after rejecting an amendment on emergency price controls and adopting a Carter amendment clarifying HOA executive sessions may be closed only for discussion without action; testimony on that bill focused heavily on HOA transparency versus privacy concerns. Finally, the committee approved SB 1670, a contractor licensing preemption bill, and SB 1671, which continues the Department of Gaming and related commissions and updates reporting and conflict-of-interest requirements, with the department supporting the continuation and amendment language.

Transcript Highlights:

• Additionally, it prescribes requirements for business entities authorized to conduct foreign remittance
• transfer of monies unless the individual provides documentary proof that the individual is a non-authorized
• There have been reports from the Congressional Budget Office, Cato, the American Enterprise Institute
• I just cited reports that have been written by other nonprofits and the Congressional Budget Office,
• They don’t satisfy any of the five authorized exceptions.

Bills: SB1206 , SB1254 , SB1290 , SB1421 , SB1432 , SB1515 , SB1563 , SB1641 , SB1649 , SB1670 , SB1671 , SB1747

Committees: House Commerce , House House Commerce Committee of Reference

Keywords: storm damage, catastrophic storm, hail damage, wind damage, roof repair, roof replacement, post-storm repairs, insurance claim, property and casualty insurance, adjuster, public adjuster, contractor licensing, homeowner protections, deductible waiver, insurance fraud prevention, storm chaser, residential construction contract, workers' compensation, joint check, claim solicitation

Transcript Highlights:

• Although OES has not yet submitted either a budget change proposal requesting authority or legislation
• Although OES has not yet submitted either a budget change proposal requesting authority or legislation
• We have no authority to require to say, hey, come give us a specific report on this.
• So I think the makeup is correct, but the authority isn't there in order to enlist those experts.
• So maybe you either take the board as is and give it temporary increased authority while this project

Committee: House Emergency Management

Transcript Highlights:

• to review the activities of all departments and agencies exercising civil or criminal enforcement authority
• indicated that Reffet had threatened to shoot him and his sister, Peyton, if they reported him to authorities
• Does the President have the authority, under the Constitution, to choose which laws passed by congress
• of the aisle, I'm sure, have experienced DOJ's total lack of responsiveness. when it comes to congressional
• They happily authorized that.

Committee: Senate Senate Judiciary

Keywords: nominations, Deputy Attorney General, Assistant Attorney General, Department of Justice, Todd Blanch, Gail Slater, confirmation hearing

Summary: The meeting focused on the nominations of Todd Blanch and Gail Slater for the positions of Deputy Attorney General and Assistant Attorney General for Antitrust, respectively. The committee considered the qualifications of both nominees, with opening statements provided by the nominees themselves. There was an evident emphasis on the rigorous vetting process that nominees undergo before their selection, highlighting the importance of the roles within the Department of Justice. Members of the committee engaged in a structured question-and-answer session to further evaluate the nominees' capabilities and fit for the positions they were nominated for, with each member allotted seven minutes to pose questions.

Transcript Highlights:

• I don’t think they have the authority to do so.
• I want to thank the author for this.
• I want to thank the author for this.
• I want to thank the author.
• We're looking forward to working with the author.

Summary: The committee heard several privacy and consumer protection bills, with most of the discussion focused on AI and social media. AB 1405 would create a state registry for AI auditors and set basic transparency, ethics, and qualification standards for those auditors; supporters said it would build trust and provide a foundation for future AI oversight, while some members questioned whether government should define auditor qualifications instead of industry groups. The bill was moved out on a 5-1 vote to Appropriations, with the roll left open. AB 2, by Assemblymember Lowenthal, would impose enhanced financial penalties on large social media companies when their negligence causes harm to children and teens. Supporters, including a grieving parent and Common Sense Media, argued the bill would create accountability for harmful algorithms and design choices, while opponents from TechNet, EFF, CCIA, and CalChamber warned it was vague, could chill speech, invite censorship, and raise Section 230 and First Amendment concerns. Committee members debated private right of action versus public enforcement, possible shakedown lawsuits, and whether the bill should be narrowed; the bill passed 6-0 to Judiciary with the roll left open. AB 410 would expand California’s bot disclosure law so bots must identify themselves up front and truthfully if asked, rather than only prohibiting deceptive bots in limited commercial or election contexts. Supporters said the measure would help users, especially youth and vulnerable people, know when they are interacting with AI and reduce deception online; one privacy group withdrew opposition after amendments, and other industry groups said they were no longer opposed or had no formal position. The bill passed 9-1 to Appropriations with the roll left open. The committee also approved AB 1327, which lets consumers cancel home improvement contracts by email instead of only by mail and requires phone assistance for cancellations; the Contractor State License Board withdrew opposition after amendments, and the bill passed 11-0 to Judiciary with the roll left open.

Transcript Highlights:

• I don't think they have the authority to do so.
• I then met with the author, and I'm now very open-minded.
• The author has The author has already accepted an amendment.
• I want to thank the author for this.
• We're looking forward to working with the author.

Committee: House Privacy and Consumer Protection

Summary: The committee heard several privacy and consumer protection bills. AB 1405 by Assembly Member Bauer-Kahan would create a state registry of AI auditors and set baseline transparency and ethics requirements for auditors, with the author accepting committee amendments. Supporters said the bill would help establish independent oversight and consumer trust in AI, while some members questioned whether government should be creating the registry rather than industry groups and raised concerns about unclear standards. The bill passed the committee on a 5-1 vote and was sent to Appropriations. AB 2 by Assembly Member Lowenthal would impose enhanced financial penalties on large social media companies when their negligence causes harm to children and teens. The author and supporters, including grieving parents and Common Sense Media, argued that platforms know their products can contribute to addiction, self-harm, drug sales, and other harms but have not done enough to protect young users. Opponents from TechNet, EFF, CCIA, and CalChamber warned the bill was vague, could chill speech, invite broad litigation, and raise First Amendment and Section 230 concerns. Several members expressed support for the goal but asked for changes, especially around the private right of action and clearer standards; the bill passed 6-0 to Judiciary. AB 410 by Assembly Member Wilson would expand California’s bot disclosure law so bots must identify themselves up front and not misrepresent themselves as human. Supporters said the bill would reduce deception in online interactions and help vulnerable users, while some members worried it was too broad and could affect ordinary automated responses or out-of-state users. After amendments and discussions, opposition softened or withdrew, and the bill passed 9-1 to Appropriations. AB 1327 by Assembly Member Aguirre-Currie would let consumers cancel home improvement contracts by email instead of only by mail, with a phone-number assistance requirement added in committee; the Contractors State License Board withdrew opposition, and the bill passed 11-0 to Judiciary. The committee also heard AB 566 by Assembly Member Lowenthal, which would require browsers and mobile operating systems to support one-step opt-out privacy signals across online businesses, but the transcript cuts off before testimony or a vote on that bill.

Transcript Highlights:

• as "Shadow Senator" for the District of Columbia from 1991 to 1997, where he advocated for full congressional
• AS "SHADOW SENATOR" FOR THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA FROM 1991 TO 1997, WHERE HE ADVOCATED FOR FULL CONGRESSIONAL

Summary: The Senate convened, approved the prior Journal, and began with ceremonial recognitions before moving to legislative business. Members honored the Schenectady Belmont Pop Warner football team for winning the Eastern Regional Championship and being a top-ranked national team, with Senators Parker and Tedisco praising the players, coaches, and volunteers. The chamber then adopted Senate Resolution 1636, mourning the death of Reverend Jesse Louis Jackson and recognizing his lifetime of civil rights, labor, voting rights, and social justice advocacy. Multiple senators spoke in support, reflecting on his influence on politics, the Rainbow/PUSH Coalition, and the message that “I am somebody.” After the resolution, the Senate took up the calendar and passed a series of bills, largely focused on health care, insurance, and public health. These included measures on municipal law, mental hygiene, correction law, executive law, and several insurance and public health bills addressing prescription drug pricing, pharmacy benefit managers, rebates, and anti-competitive drug practices. Senators Myrie, Borrello, Jackson, Fernandez, and others explained votes in support of transparency, patient access, and lowering drug costs; some members noted concerns about pharmacy deserts and corporate consolidation. Most bills passed with broad margins, though a few drew more opposition, including Calendar 304 on anti-competitive drug agreements. On Calendar 289, an amendment concerning domestic violence was ruled non-germane by the chair. Senator Canzoneri-Fitzpatrick appealed, arguing the amendment would create a public registry for persistent domestic violence offenders to help protect potential victims. The Senate voted on the appeal, the ruling of the chair stood, and the bill was then restored to the non-controversial calendar and passed. The Senate then completed the calendar, had no further business, and adjourned until Wednesday, February 25 at 3:00 p.m.

Transcript Highlights:

• subcommittee know all too well, the big tech firm spent over $200 million in lobbying and ads to kill congressional
• With congressional action, the search market that can rapidly serve consumers so much better than it

Committee: Senate Subcommittee on Antitrust, Competition Policy, and Consumer Rights

Keywords: antitrust, competition policy, digital advertising, monopoly, America Act, big tech, consumer rights

Summary: The meeting, titled 'Big Fixes, Big Tech', marked the first hearing of the Senate antitrust competition policy and consumer rights subcommittee in the 119th Congress. Chairman Lee opened the session focusing on the urgent need for effective solutions regarding anti-competitive behavior among major tech firms like Google and Facebook, highlighting several ongoing court cases regarding monopolistic practices in the digital advertising and search markets. Key discussions included the limitations imposed on small businesses and innovation due to the dominance of these tech giants, with many testimonies advocating for stronger legislative measures, including the America Act. The act aims to disrupt the monopolistic capabilities of these firms and restore competitive integrity in the marketplace, which has suffered under their oppressive market control.

Transcript Highlights:

• Many of your own members wrote a letter to congressional leaders warning of those cuts potentially to
• What we will do is, if those do become a reality, we will have clear communication with our congressional

Transcript Highlights:

• She then said she was going to have the author reply to her comments on the amendment.
• We advocate for an appointing authority that is not affiliated with any political party.
• I have two questions, the first one for the author and then the second one for Mr. Lee.
• But to the author to comment on that...
• But to the author to comment on that. Thank you, Representative.

Transcript Highlights:

• Senate Bill 3070, Appropriation, Mississippi Development Authority. Use the motion.
• I think you were one of the co-authors<01:00:44.520><c> of</c><01:00:44.600><c> the</c><01:00:44.680>
• Uh Uh Uh uh uh uh Mississippi<01:40:18.960><c> Development</c><01:40:19.880><c> Authority,</c><01:40:
• 20.720><c> and</c> Mississippi Development Authority, and Mississippi Development Authority, and those
• </c> spending authority spending authority which<01:52:49.760><c> is</c><01:52:49.920><c> already</c>

Transcript Highlights:

• Now, therefore, I, Brad Little, Governor of the State of Idaho, by virtue of the authority vested in
• Governor of the State of Idaho, by virtue of the authority vested in me, do hereby appoint Ann Henderson-Haws
• Now, therefore, I, Brad Little, Governor of the State of Idaho, by virtue of the authority vested in
• Now, therefore, I, Brad Little, Governor of the State of Idaho, by virtue of the authority vested in
• Over the next five years, thanks to the leadership and vision of Idaho's congressional delegation and

Transcript Highlights:

• In 2021, I was proud to author a piece of legislation that could have created the Texas Music Incubator
• So, and Bobby, again, thank you for all the songs that you have authored.
• President and members in 2021. and it was my pleasure to co-author SCR 26, designating the third Tuesday
• Widely recognized as one of the most effective translators in Congress, she was responsible for authoring
• and co-authoring more than 175 enacted bills.

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