Transcript Highlights:

• Uh, last session, this body voted on Senate Bill 64, which basically created critical infrastructure
• licensing and oversight uh system here. licensing and oversight uh system here.
• <00:07:01.919> and strong enforcement mechanisms and strong enforcement mechanisms and greater
• Chairman, explain my vote. Go ahead.
• Chairman, explain my vote. Go ahead.

Keywords: 00:36 Roll Call 02:26 SB 291 07:42 SB 291 Vote 10:39 SB 94 19:53 SB 94 Vote, 958, all

Summary: The Senate Transportation Committee met with a quorum and began by noting several personal matters, including prayers for Senator Higdon’s family emergency and for Senator Smith’s daughter. The committee then heard Senate Bill 291, sponsored by Senator Storm, which would expand efforts to combat copper theft and related disruptions to broadband and telecommunications infrastructure. Storm said the bill builds on prior legislation by creating a statewide licensing and oversight system for recyclers, requiring licensing through the Kentucky Motor Vehicle Commission, and using the LeadsOnline database to connect law enforcement statewide. Testimony from representatives of River Metals Recycling and Charter Communications supported the bill as a public safety measure, while acknowledging added operational costs and compliance changes for recyclers. Members discussed the impact of copper theft on service outages, including a local example where theft disrupted internet service and affected homes, businesses, schools, and first responders. Senator Wheeler explained his vote by emphasizing the harm to children and businesses and the seriousness of the problem. The committee voted favorably on SB 291, with eight ayes, and reported it with the recommendation that it pass. The committee then took up Senate Bill 94, sponsored by Senator Wilson, with a committee substitute. The bill amends Kentucky’s motor vehicle franchise law to revise compensation for dealers’ warranty and qualifying repair work, establish more objective standards for reimbursement, and create a uniform process for labor-time disputes. Wilson and witnesses from the Kentucky Auto Dealers Association and the Alliance for Automotive Innovation described the measure as the product of extensive negotiation among dealers, manufacturers, and suppliers, aimed at updating compensation rules for increasingly complex vehicles and helping retain technicians. The committee adopted the substitute and then voted unanimously to report SB 94 favorably with the committee substitute attached.

Transcript Highlights:

• >> Um, could I explain my vote also? >> Um, could I explain my vote also?
• House Bill 10, as amended by the committee substitute, passes with 16 yes votes and four pass votes.
• House Bill 456 passes unanimously, 19 yes votes, zero no votes. >> yes. >> yes.
• >> Didn't we vote on this last year? >> Didn't we vote on this last year?
• House Bill 480 passes with 19 yes votes, zero no votes, with favorable expression.

Keywords: Consideration of HB 10 -- 00:03:22 Consideration of HB 456 -- 00:20:47 Consideration of HB 480 -- 00:31:24, 958, all

Summary: The House State Government Committee met and first considered House Bill 10, sponsored by Rep. Hodgson, as amended by a committee substitute. The bill was described as a transition-period ethics and accountability measure for statewide executive offices. It would require preservation of certain records such as emails and texts related to appointments, permits, pardons, contracts, and settlements; create whistleblower immunity for people providing credible evidence of wrongdoing; add extra review for large settlements and certain no-bid contracts; and extend probation periods for some employees who move back into merit positions near an administration change. Members raised concerns about constitutional issues, the Attorney General’s role, the whistleblower immunity provision, and the impact on merit-system employees and subject-matter experts. The committee substitute was adopted, the bill passed the committee 16-0 with four members passing, and a title amendment was also adopted. The committee then took up House Bill 456, sponsored by Rep. Freeland and presented with Deputy State Treasurer Russell Weber. The bill would designate the fourth week of September as Unclaimed Property Week, remove the requirement that the state treasurer live in Franklin County, allow mineral proceeds such as unpaid royalties to be reported as unclaimed property, and require more complete reporting information from holders. Supporters said the changes would help publicize unclaimed property and improve the return of funds to Kentuckians, noting that the office has returned about $88 million so far. Questions focused on why the residency requirement existed, whether the new week would limit claims, and whether the bill treated all constitutional officers consistently. The sponsor said the week was only promotional and claims could still be filed year-round. During discussion of House Bill 456, the chair asked the sponsor to look into a past $250,000 embezzlement reference mentioned in debate. The bill was then put to a roll call vote and passed the committee with 16 yes votes and four pass votes, and the committee moved a title amendment as well.

Transcript Highlights:

• >>Chair Anderson: HEALTHCARE FACILITIES AND SYSTEMS WILL COME TO ORDER.
• IF WE IMPORT CITRATE SYSTEM HERE AND THROUGH A STATE-BASED PRICE CONTROL SYSTEM WE WOULD HAVE SIMILAR
• THE PRESCRIPTION DRUG SYSTEM OPERATES SORT OF LIKE THE MAFIA.
• AND I WANT TO MAKE SURE WE VOTE UP ON THIS BILL, I COMMEND MY FRIEND REP.
• LET EVERYBODY VOTE ON THIS BILL TODAY, ALL MY COLLEAGUES NEED TO VOTE UP ON THIS BILL.

Transcript Highlights:

• However, two of the seven received the same number of votes, tying for the fourth-highest number of votes
• We'll vote it out in three minutes. That's right. I'm doing my best.
• Heightened the need for clear governance mechanisms.
• Basically, I think we're moving to a quarterly system.
• Four ayes, zero nays, and one present not voting. Senator West.

Bills: SB2784, HB23, HB247, HB1533, HB2011, HB2013, HB2273, HB2421, HB2464, HB3120, HB3424, HB3575, HB3788, HB4370, HB4809, HB5057, HB5084, HB5534, HB5668, HJR34

Keywords: Somervell County, hospital district, board of directors, elections, local governance, staggered terms, third-party review, property development, local government, permits, construction inspection, regulatory authority, land development, liability, occupancy certificate, border security, tax exemption, ad valorem, real property, infrastructure

Summary: The committee heard and left pending several local government, property tax, development, and public safety measures before later voting some of them out. Senator Birdwell explained SB 2784 for the Somerville County Hospital District, which would move the board to staggered four-year terms after a transition and was requested to be held pending until the House companion could be acted on; no public testimony was offered. HB 5084 would allow local approval for fireworks sales tied to Lunar New Year celebrations, with testimony from Hutchinson County Judge Cindy Irwin emphasizing local fire risk and the need for county discretion. HB 5534 would let county commissioners post agendas electronically instead of on a physical bulletin board. HB 4370 would expand permissible projects for certain special districts to include geothermal water conveyance systems, and HB 312 would require residential child detention facilities to enter local MOUs, report health and safety information, and conduct background checks for state-funded facilities; both drew supportive testimony and were left pending. HB 5057 would give displaced solid waste providers time to wind down after a city grants an exclusive franchise, and HB 2421 would extend the life of the Save Historic Muni District to continue work on preserving Lions Municipal Golf Course; both were left pending after supportive testimony. HB 2011 would let former owners repurchase property taken by eminent domain if the acquiring entity fails to pay property taxes for two years, and the committee substitute to SB 3065 was also laid out and left pending after a technical correction to eminent-domain language. The committee then took up additional bills on development, appraisal, and local regulation, including HB 3575, HB 4809, HB 2273, HB 247/HJR 34, HB 2464, HB 3424, HB 2013, HB 5668, HB 3788, HB 1533, and HB 23, with testimony ranging from support to opposition on issues such as appraisal procedures, historic property valuation, Galveston emergency governance, border-security tax treatment, home-based businesses, chicken covenants in HOAs, municipal utility district authority, hospital authorities’ use of assets, and third-party building review. HB 23 drew the most extensive testimony, with builders, engineers, counties, and cities split over third-party plan review and inspection authority, liability, licensing, and local code enforcement; many witnesses said the House amendments created problems and the bill was left pending. In the end, the committee voted SB 2784, SB 3065, HB 5686, HB 247, HJR 34, and HB 2011 out of committee, with the first several receiving local and uncontested calendar recommendations where applicable.

Transcript Highlights:

• Members, we're going to look at the last bill to vote first.
• Members, I make a motion to reconsider the vote.
• No vote. Zaffirini? Aye. King? Aye. Schwertner? Aye.
• The MOU does not include any enforcement mechanisms or compliance mechanisms.
• Does it dissolve, devolve into a barter system, sort of?

Bills: HB106, HB144, HB145, HB252, HB1732, HB2221, HB2467, HB2468, HB2517, HB2518, HB2963, HB3016, HB3689, HB3960, HB4386, HB4490, HB4751, HB5247, HJR175, HB2213, HB106, HB144, HB145, HB252

Keywords: HB 106, oil and gas, Railroad Commission of Texas, overhead electrical lines, electrical distribution system, power line maintenance, administrative penalty, Natural Resources Code, oil and gas lease, well operator, energy safety, utility infrastructure, regulatory compliance, cleanup fund, oil and gas regulation and cleanup fund, production safety, leasehold operations, electric utility, distribution poles, inspection

Transcript Highlights:

• There's no mechanism in place right now.
• But respectfully, I'm going to be a no vote today, but I hope to be a yes vote the next time I see it
• And so I implore you all to think of their faces when you vote today and vote up on this bill because
• There is no automatic system.
• By your Vote.

Keywords: 999, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• IT PROVIDES A MECHANISM FOR A COVER AND PROVIDES A MECHANISM TO DISSOLVE THIS BY DISCLOSING CONFIDENTIAL
• TO SYSTEMS LIKE THIS BILL PROPOSES.
• CAN YOU TALK TO US ABOUT THE VOTING PROCESS NOW AND HAVE ANY CHANGES BEEN MADE AS TO WHO CAN VOTE TO
• TO HAVE A VOTE AND THEN OF THAT ONLY 251 HAVE TO VOTE TO AGREE TO THE CONVERSION.
• FOR SP 196, YOU VOTED FOR SP 196 AND ONE OF THE PICTURES ON WHY WE SHOULD VOTE FOR SB 196 WITH WAS BECAUSE

Keywords: 999, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Senate Bill 4 by Senator Fessi, relative to public water systems, to allow governments to vote to exempt
• We'll have to do a vote to vote it out of their water.
• The way the law reads now, you are not allowed to vote it out. You can vote it in.
• The way the law reads now, you are not allowed to vote it out. You can vote it in.
• So, I vote yes.

Summary: The committee first heard SB 145, which would require adult residential care providers, especially assisted living centers, to have generators or other backup power arrangements and to submit preparedness plans to LDH. After technical amendments and testimony from the sponsor, LDH, and the assisted living industry clarifying the bill’s scope and cost concerns, the committee adopted the amendments and reported the bill favorably. It then took up SB 433, which would require Medicaid coverage of medically necessary FDA-approved weight loss drugs, including GLP-1 medications, subject to appropriations and fiscally sustainable coverage criteria; the bill was reported favorably after discussion of current Medicaid coverage and costs. The committee also approved SB 52, which requires better coordination between DCFS and LDH so SNAP and Medicaid benefits can follow children more quickly when they are removed from or returned to a home. Technical amendments changed reporting deadlines and required written notice, and the bill was reported favorably. SB 4 on public water fluoridation was amended to allow local governments or voters to opt out through a petition and election process, with support from the Louisiana Dental Association and others after compromise language was adopted; it was reported favorably with amendments. SB 152, which would prohibit the sale of cultured or lab-grown food products for human consumption, was also reported favorably with amendments after brief testimony in support and opposition. The committee next approved SCR 37, which asks the Surgeon General to review Louisiana’s informed consent laws and report back on any gaps, after discussion that the existing medical disclosure panel had not met since 2018. It then considered SB 194, a public assistance bill aligning Louisiana Medicaid and SNAP rules with recent federal changes on non-citizen eligibility and tightening Medicaid’s reasonable opportunity period for citizenship verification. After extensive debate over immigration, emergency care, and whether the bill could harm eligible applicants or rural hospitals, the committee adopted an amendment allowing LDH discretion for emergency health care services and reported the bill favorably by an 8-3 vote. Finally, HCR 113 created a task force to study gestational carrier agreements and assisted reproductive regulation; after debate over surrogacy, ethics, and referral to Civil Law, the committee rejected the referral motion and then reported the resolution favorably, and the meeting moved on to SB 333 on child-in-need-of-care proceedings and legal representation funding.

Transcript Highlights:

• in the next bill, the single PBM system in the next bill, the single PBM system to<00:46:55.040>
• <00:53:49.839> We dine, pay taxes, and vote there. We dine, pay taxes, and vote there.
• And unlike the current system, this system is very transparent.
• system is very the current system, this system is very transparent. transparent. transparent.
• care system and preserve access to care. care system and preserve access to care.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• The bottom line is that we oppose a system that will discourage people from using curbside voting or
• We have not seen widespread abuse of the curbside voting system.
• The early voting clerk has all authority over early voting by mail and early voting in person.
• This bill would allow for these voters to use Veronica Warms: the existing curbside voting system to
• voting.

Transcript Highlights:

• But before we go to that vote and finish up our commentary, Mr.
• withdrawing it rather than subjecting it to a negative vote.
• and give them our supportive votes and give them our supportive votes universally<01:08:33.679><
• I know we're not going to be voting, but if we were voting, I would look at this as a non-friendlly amendment
• <01:16:06.239> but I know we're not going to be voting but I know we're not going to be voting

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Summary: The committee heard a reinsurance overview from Deputy Commissioner Julia Dryer of the Minnesota Department of Commerce on the Minnesota Premium Security Plan. She explained that reinsurance helps stabilize premiums in the individual market by reimbursing insurers for high-cost claims, and said Minnesota’s program has lowered premiums, preserved carrier participation, and helped maintain consumer choice. She warned that without continued funding, the program would be depleted and individual-market premiums could rise by about 25%, with potential losses in coverage and access to care. She also described the program’s structure under a federal 1332 waiver, the role of MCHA in administering the program, and the state’s receipt of more than $650 million in federal pass-through funds to date. Dryer said the current program is funded through the end of 2025, though the federal waiver authority runs through 2027. The governor’s proposal would create a new assessment on insurers, estimated at roughly 2% to 3%, to fund the state share of the program and avoid another full waiver submission. She noted that the proposal assumes MinnesotaCare funding would be held harmless and that the program would be reduced if federal basic health plan funding were negatively affected. She also said projected costs changed because individual-market enrollment has grown and enhanced federal subsidies were removed from the estimate. Members raised concerns about the proposal’s impact on premiums and the history of the fund. Senator Rasmusson argued the new assessment amounts to a large tax increase on health insurance and questioned who would be assessed and whether the surcharge would be capped. Dryer responded that the assessment would be based on annual claims experience and market conditions, with final amounts determined at the end of each year, not monthly. Senator Duckworth and Senator Frentz supported reinsurance as a way to keep premiums lower, while also questioning how the program should be financed. Senator Green asked about the mechanics of the assessment and the role of the department in setting it, and Senator H questioned why the fiscal note assumed 12% annual growth for program costs when general premium growth was lower. No vote or formal action was taken in the meeting.

Transcript Highlights:

• And for those reasons, we urge your aye vote. Thank you.
• I vote. Thank you very much. At this time, we'll take quorum.
• And so now we can take the roll call vote on AB 250. Thank you.
• I respectfully ask for an aye vote. Thank you.
• The justice system, and they're not exempt from jury duty.

Summary: The Assembly Judiciary Committee heard three bills. AB 250 by Majority Leader Aguiar-Curry would extend a limited window for survivors of sexual assault to seek civil recourse against perpetrators and entities that allegedly covered up abuse. The author and supporters, including survivor Maya Alexander and Equal Rights Advocates, said many survivors need years before they can come forward and that the bill would improve accountability and public safety. One member raised concerns about the bill’s application to private employers and the exclusion of public employees, but the bill was advanced on a motion to Appropriations and later placed on call until additional votes were added. AB 373 by Assemblymember Rubio would require appointed counsel for non-minor dependents in extended foster care to represent the young adult’s expressed wishes rather than substitute the attorney’s judgment. Supporters from California Youth Connection and the Children’s Law Center said 18- to 21-year-olds in foster care are legal adults and should have their voices fully respected in court. Members discussed how the bill would work in practice and whether it applied only to appointed counsel; the bill was moved to Human Services and later cleared after additional votes were added. AB 387 by Assemblymember Alanis, as amended, would exempt probation officers from criminal jury service. The author and supporters argued probation officers are deeply involved in the criminal justice process, often get dismissed anyway, and should be focused on supervision and court-related duties rather than jury duty. The Judicial Council opposed the bill, warning that categorical exemptions shrink the jury pool and set a bad precedent. After debate over fairness, precedent, and the role of probation officers, the committee voted the bill out on a do pass motion.

Transcript Highlights:

• By your vote, Senate Bill 58 has been reported favorably. Thank you.
• By your vote, Senate Bill 58 has been reported favorably. Thank you. All right.
• Some states internationally have risk mitigation mechanisms.
• The federal order system...
• Transit improvements are... ...congestion for the state highway system.

Summary: The Committee on Agriculture convened, took roll, and heard Senate Bill 58 by Senator Harrow, which would create regulation for companion animal cremation. Harrow described a case involving mishandled pet remains and said the bill would require written service descriptions, prohibit false or misleading statements, require certification with returned remains, authorize Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services rulemaking, and impose civil penalties for violations. With no questions or public opposition, the committee voted the bill favorably. The committee then heard presentations on robotics in agriculture and aquaculture. Dr. Nathan Boyd of UF/IFAS discussed the rapid growth of agricultural robotics, including AI-driven weed detection, targeted spraying, autonomous tractors, and harvesting technology, emphasizing reduced pesticide use, lower input costs, and labor-saving automation. Dr. Nicole Kirchoff of Live Advantage Bait and Adrian Johnson of the Florida Shellfish Aquaculture Association highlighted aquaculture’s economic and environmental value, Florida’s strong position in the industry, and challenges including hurricane losses, lack of insurance, land-use instability, capital access, and water quality. They urged support for working waterfronts, risk mitigation, and policies to help the sector commercialize and expand. The committee also heard from dairy producers Kevin Lusher and Jacob Larson. Lusher described his family’s dairy and artisan cheese business, noting reliance on USDA grants, rising costs, labor shortages, and regulatory burdens, and asked for more grant support, marketing for Fresh From Florida products, and permanent funding for Farmers Feeding Florida. Larson discussed the broader dairy market, declining herd sizes due to efficiency gains, high production costs in Florida, and competition from out-of-state processing, suggesting incentives for local processing and supply management. Finally, FDOT Chief Planner Wayway Schen presented on arterial and local road funding programs, including ART, ARTW, SCOP, SCRAP, CIGP, and TRIP, and said rural road needs remain significant, with more than $16 billion in unfunded or partially funded project needs. The committee adjourned after brief discussion and thanks to the presenters.

Transcript Highlights:

• Senate Bill 4 by Senator Fessi, relative to public water systems, to allow governments to vote to exempt
• Senate Bill 4 by Senator Faisi, relative to public water systems, to allow governments to vote to exempt
• The way the law reads now, you are not allowed to vote it out. You can vote it in.
• So I vote yes.
• Got to get 70 votes. That's right. Got to get 70 votes. That's right. In both chambers.

Bills: HR267, HCR105, HCR107, HCR110, HCR113, HCR114, SB4, SB52, SB57, SB145, SB152, SB194, SB237, SB333, SB433, SB483, SCR37

Keywords: diabetes, amputation, amputations, diabetic foot ulcer, peripheral artery disease, PAD, wound care, podiatry, vascular disease, endocrinology, limb salvage, health policy, public health, healthcare costs, insurance coverage, Louisiana Department of Health, University of Louisiana at Lafayette, Louisiana Center for Health Innovation, patient education, screening

Transcript Highlights:

• left to the the local school system left to the the local school system making<00:23:00.080>
• there's there's going and school systems there's there's going and school systems already<00:28:
• think there's already school systems think there's already school systems that<00:34:14.399>
• uh funding mechanism for that. uh funding mechanism for that.
• > voting<00:54:16.079> for then I think we're voting for then I think we're voting for

Bills: HB187, HB341, HB4, HB175, HB326

Keywords: HB187, court fees, docket fee, sheriff's fund, sheriff's office, jail operations, law enforcement, county sheriff, court filing fees, Alabama Code 12-19-312, solicitor's fund, clerk's fund, forensic services trust fund, budget flexibility, public safety, municipal court, district court, circuit court, cosmetology, makeup application

Transcript Highlights:

• back up and vote. back up and vote. >> Thank<00:07:19.520> you.
• New water lines will be system.
• accommodate depreciation in the system accommodate depreciation in the system in<00:20:48.720>
• didn't have this mechanism. didn't have this mechanism.
• Well, [laughter] well, Rob, should I vote yes? Should I vote yes?

Keywords: November 20, 2025 00:12 Call to Order and Roll Call 00:58 Information Items 06:50 Finance and Administration Cabinet 09:10 KY Infrastructure Authority 21:20 Office of Financial Management 29:14 Meeting Recessed 44:58 Reconvened 45:07 Approval of Minutes 46:35 Next Meeting Date 47:05 Adjournment, 958, all

Summary: The committee met without a quorum for much of the meeting, so several agenda items were initially heard only for information. Early updates included six informational reports, such as an Auditor of Public Accounts compliance examination with no findings, university equipment and allocation reports, school district bond issuances, Western Kentucky University’s planned public-private partnership housing redevelopment, and quarterly Kentucky Communications Network Authority reports. Members then questioned WKU officials about the P3 housing project, including the number of RFQ responses, property tax responsibility, ownership of the student life foundation, and the status of repairs to residence halls. WKU said the foundation has owned the property since 2000, one hall would be razed or demolished at the end of the academic year, and repairs to the other two were expected to be completed by fall 2027. The committee also heard a Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources acquisition project for Mount River Farms in Wayne County and a Department of Corrections roof replacement project at Luther Luckett Correctional Complex, but no votes were taken until a quorum was later established. The Kentucky Infrastructure Authority then presented six loans and four grant reallocations, including loan increases for Adair County Water District and the City of Harlan, new loans for Litchfield, Louisa, Southeastern Water Association, and Flatwoods, and grant reallocations under the Cleaner Water Program. Members asked about Harlan’s 30-year term and special condition requiring a revenue increase; KIA explained the longer term is reserved for disadvantaged communities and that the condition was meant to reinforce standard debt coverage requirements, while depreciation is reviewed but not included in cash-flow calculations. After a recess, Senator Thomas arrived and a quorum was reached. The committee approved the prior minutes and then took a consolidated vote on the action items, which passed. The final items included a Kentucky Economic Development Authority revenue bond refunding for CommonSpirit Health, several Kentucky Housing Corporation conduit and single-family bond issuances, a Western Kentucky University bond issuance, and SFCC debt issues. Members discussed the housing transactions, noting they are developer-financed and not subject to a traditional bidding process, and expressed concern about whether the process could produce more units for the same amount of money. The meeting adjourned after all information items were approved and the next meeting date was announced.

Transcript Highlights:

• All right, Vice Chair, for the vote. Voting on SB 662 SD1.
• <00:30:59.760> sd1<00:31:00.360> the vote voting on SB 662 sd1 the vote voting on SB 662
• <00:31:47.960> sd1 chair for the vote voting on SB 622 sd1 chair for the vote voting on SB
• S see n sh for the vote please voting on S see n sh for the vote please voting on S SP<01:09:06.759
• S<01:09:50.319> sp522 the vote please voting on S sp522 the vote please voting on S sp522

Keywords: 910, house, all

Summary: The meeting included a joint public hearing of the House Housing and Transportation committees, followed by a Transportation Committee hearing. In the joint hearing, members considered SB 662 SD1, which concerned transportation and included two parts: transferring certain streets to the city and clarifying police authority on state streets. The chair recommended moving the bill out as an HD1 with Part One removed, explaining that the street-transfer issue should be worked out by the county and state and that removing it would improve the bill’s chances. The committees voted to pass the measure with amendments, and the recommendation was adopted. The Transportation Committee then heard several bills. SB 1095, relating to license plates, would increase decal size restrictions for special number plates; the Department of Transportation offered written comments, with testimony split between two individuals in opposition and one in support, and no questions were raised. SB 344 would require skateboard users under 16 to wear helmets; DOT supported the bill, as did TRIAA Hawaii, the Injury Prevention Coalition, and other individuals, while two individuals opposed it. SB 30 would require all moped riders to wear helmets regardless of age; DOT supported it, but Moped Doctors and Hawaiian Style Rentals and Sales opposed it, arguing the bill was overreaching, could be hard to enforce, and should be more narrowly targeted or replaced with education efforts. The committee also heard SB 1216, which would tighten noisy muffler and exhaust enforcement by conditioning inspection certificates, adding inspection-station penalties, increasing fines, and prohibiting repair or installation of noisy systems. DOT supported the measure, and Waiʻanae Neighborhood Board testified in support, while Moped Doctors and the Motorcycle Industry Council opposed it, saying the bill would burden inspection stations, create liability concerns, and raise questions about insurance-related language as applied to mopeds. The hearing included discussion of enforcement, inspection burdens, and whether the bill’s insurance references applied to mopeds. No final vote was taken on the Transportation Committee bills in the portion provided, and the hearing adjourned after testimony and discussion.

Transcript Highlights:

• voting.
• Is every member voted? Is every member voted?
• Senator from Logan, would like to vote? Is every member voted? Is every member voted?
• Is every member voted? Does every member voted?
• vote yay all those opposed vote nay clerk prayer machine We'll vote yay, all those posed vote nay, clerk

Keywords: 994, senate, all

Summary: The Senate considered and passed a series of House bills and one constitutional resolution, with several measures receiving title amendments and some taking effect immediately or on a specified date. Early action included moving House Bill 5438, concerning the foundation allowance for instructional programs, to the foot of third-reading bills. House Bill 5441, reforming the state personnel system, was amended with a Judiciary strike-and-insert technical fix, then passed 28-6 and was set to take effect July 1, 2026. House Bill 5462 on mine subsidence insurance passed unanimously, with a title amendment adopted. House Bill 5484, creating felony offenses related to denying medical treatment to sexual offense victims, also passed unanimously with a title amendment. House Bill 5515 modernizing workers’ compensation statutes passed unanimously with a title amendment, and House Bill 5527 establishing licensure and regulation for wellness reimbursement programs passed unanimously. House Bill 5528, protecting personal residential information of certain public officials, passed unanimously with a title amendment. The most extended debate centered on House Bill 5537, an education-related bill that was amended to add a child-protection provision later referred to as “Rayleigh’s law.” The amendment would bar approval of home instruction requests in certain child abuse or neglect cases until the Department of Human Services confirms the investigation is unfounded, closed, or not substantiated, or until 10 days pass without a response. Senators argued the measure was intended to protect children and not target homeschooling. After a point of order, the chair initially ruled the amended language not germane; that ruling was challenged and ultimately overruled by a 24-7 vote, allowing the amendment to remain. The bill then passed 24-7, and a title amendment was adopted. Other measures passed with little or no opposition. House Bill 5582 removed the sunset on the TANF applicant drug-screening program and passed 28-3 after a technical committee amendment. House Bill 5687 reduced the metallurgical coal severance tax over time and adjusted oil and gas tax allocations, passing 31-3. Several supplemental appropriations also passed and were made effective from passage, including funds for Homeland Security/corrections, the Adjutant General, Health, the State Road Fund, and Tourism/Culture and History. The Senate also adopted House Joint Resolution 42, which would place on the ballot a constitutional amendment increasing the homestead exemption from $20,000 to $40,000 and allowing future changes by general law. In second reading, the Senate advanced bills on workforce training reimbursements, aerospace and advanced manufacturing incentives, portable benefit accounts, literacy and science-of-reading training, school aid formula changes, and wedding venue regulation, with amendments adopted on several of them before advancement to third reading.

Transcript Highlights:

• > that<00:10:09.200> was basic accountability mechanism that was basic accountability mechanism
• So, uh, I certainly am not inclined to vote for this amendment. I'm going to vote no.
• It's a checks and balances system.
• It's a checks and balances system. here. It's a checks and balances system.
• <00:48:40.640> for and encourage accountability systems for and encourage accountability systems

Keywords: 919, house, all

Summary: The committee heard House File 3477, Representative Long’s “Universal Constitutional Remedies Act,” which would create a civil damages remedy for constitutional violations by government actors, including federal officials. Long and supporting testifiers argued the bill fills a gap in current law, noting that people can sue state and local officials under Section 1983 but generally lack a meaningful damages remedy against federal actors. Supporters said the bill would improve accountability, make harmed individuals whole, and is consistent with the Supremacy Clause and federal law. Public testimony included Dr. Roger Day, who said the bill was important to people harmed by “color of law” abuses and urged broad, inclusive language. Members then considered amendments. The A1 amendment, offered by Representative Duran, removed subdivision 2, which had required federal law enforcement partners entering agreements with Minnesota to agree to abide by the state and federal constitutions; the amendment was adopted. The A2 amendment, which would have added a six-year lookback and limited the bill to future causes of action, was debated at length and rejected. The A3 amendment, which would have required state agencies to absorb litigation costs, was also debated; House fiscal staff said a fiscal note was not complete and costs were uncertain, and the amendment was not adopted. In discussion after amendments, opponents argued the bill would conflict with federal supremacy, duplicate or interfere with existing federal remedies, and could create fiscal and operational burdens. Supporters responded that the bill is modeled on existing remedies for state and local officials and that federal accountability is currently inadequate. The bill, as amended by A1, was then moved toward the general register, with a roll call requested on the bill.

Transcript Highlights:

• Any members voting with reservations? Any members voting no?
• present voting I one excuse four members present voting I one excuse Madam<01:12:38.639> chair
• Any members voting no? Any members voting with reservations?
• any members voting no any members voting any members voting no any members voting with with with
• Any member voting no? Any members voting with reservations?

Keywords: 912, senate, all