Transcript Highlights:

• including a writ of..." ...prohibition that could pronounce any provision or application of this chapter
• agent of this state or political subdivision from enforcing any provision or application of this chapter
• It says, "Construction of the Chapter.
• This chapter may not be construed to prevent a litigant from asserting the invalidity or unconstitutionality
• ..." ...of a provision or application of this chapter as a defense to liability.

Bills: SB15, SB9, SB7, SB1, SB2, SB67, SB15, SB9, SB7

Keywords: real property, fraud, theft, elderly, disabled, statute of limitations, criminal offense, property rights, property tax, ad valorem tax, voter-approval tax rate, no-new-revenue tax rate, tax rate calculation, Tax Code, local government finance, municipality, county, special taxing unit, sales and use tax, property tax cap

Transcript Highlights:

• any other law, this section applies only, only to that first section is basic coverage plan under Chapter
• That's ERS employees, uh, uh, Section 2 of their line six basic plan under Chapter 1575.
• Uh, part three, primary care coverage plan under Chapter 1579, that is TRA TRS retired employees and
• line 9, or number 4, I'm sorry, not section number 4, a plan providing basic coverage under chap Chapter
• By integrating this offense into chapter 13A, House Bill 272 strengthens our legal tools.

Bills: HB201, HB272

Keywords: disabled veteran, partially disabled veteran, veterans property tax exemption, homestead exemption, ad valorem tax, property tax relief, surviving spouse, appraisal district, Tax Code, local government revenue, homestead portability, service-connected disability, veteran benefits, Texas property tax, residence homestead, disability rating, disaster response, financial assistance, helicopter, municipalities

Transcript Highlights:

• It establishes a new subchapter under chapter 63 of title 9.
• under chapter 63 of title<01:53:34.480> 9.
• Uh<01:56:41.360> chapter<01:56:41.680> 2495b Uh chapter 2495b Uh chapter 2495b establishes
• 25.160> legal Chapter 2495D establishes civil legal Chapter 2495D establishes civil legal remedies
• Uh Uh Uh chapter<02:01:54.480> 2495e chapter 2495e chapter 2495e >> [snorts] >> [snorts

Keywords: 927, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• This is just cleaning up the chapter so it's easier to administer.
• Frankly, chapter 10A doesn't deal with that scenario at all.
• Frankly, chapter 10A doesn't deal with that scenario at all.
• been reflected in chapter um in in<00:57:35.119> 1020.
• :15:08.640> a<01:15:08.800> major when chapter 390 underwent a major when chapter 390 underwent

Bills: HF3698, HF4243, HF4239, HF4241, HF4242, HF4240

Keywords: libraries, electronic books, digital audiobooks, licensing agreements, public access, campaign finance, elections, political contributions, disclosure, reporting thresholds, economic interest statements, financial disclosure, ethics, public officials, local officials, metropolitan governmental unit, metropolitan area, candidate filings, principal campaign committee, political committee

Transcript Highlights:

• needs that this chapter is serving.
• But the intent here, right, right, right, is that the chapter is focused on work performed through the
• But the intent here, right, right, right, is that the chapter is focused on work performed through the
• the whereas the chapter is focused on<01:22:34.199> work<01:22:34.679> performed<01:22
• on on topic in chapter why don't we<01:49:14.800> hold<01:49:15.000> the<01:49:15.080>

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• It is time the world heard it not as a footnote in history but as a chapter that shaped the outcome of
• that shaped the outcome but as a chapter that shaped the outcome of<00:10:54.800> a<00:10:54.959
• It creates a new definition in chapter 197 for veterans, which is the veterans of the secret war in Laos
• It creates a new definition of chapter<00:15:00.160> 17<00:15:00.480> uh<00:15:00.800><
• 17 uh 197 uh for veterans which chapter 17 uh 197 uh for veterans which is<00:15:02.560> the<

Keywords: 919, house, all

Summary: Minnesota lawmakers and advocates discussed House File 2444, a veterans and military affairs bill to formally recognize Special Guerrilla Unit (SGU) veterans who fought alongside U.S. forces in Laos during the secret war from 1961 to 1975. Speakers, including Rep. Ethan Cha and other veterans and family members, said the measure is long overdue and framed it as both a symbolic and practical step to restore dignity, honor, and veteran status to Hmong, Lao, and other ethnic minority veterans whose service had not been formally acknowledged. Testimony emphasized the historical role of the SGUs, the secrecy of the war, and the heavy losses suffered by the community. Speakers described the bill as a bipartisan effort with support from House and Senate members, and noted that a similar version had already passed the Senate unanimously. They also said the bill would help Minnesota set an example for other states and improve public understanding of the secret war and the contributions of Southeast Asian communities. Rep. Cha explained that the bill creates a new statutory definition for veterans of the secret war in Laos, establishes eligibility criteria for benefits and privileges, authorizes the commissioner of veterans affairs to verify veteran status, and creates a 12-member task force to advise that process. The bill would allow access to certain state veterans benefits and privileges, including veterans designation on IDs, grave markers, honor guard, state veterans cemeteries, and related preferences. In response to questions, speakers said the main challenge had been educating colleagues because the war was classified, and they estimated fewer than 1,000 SGU veterans are still alive. They also said the bill carries no major monetary benefit and is intended primarily to provide recognition and a framework for verification.

Transcript Highlights:

• immediately preceding fiscal year for determining the number of exempt positions that are permissible under chapter
• immediately preceding fiscal year for determining the number of exempt positions that are permissible under chapter
• immediately preceding fiscal year for determining the number of exempt positions that are permissible under chapter
• immediately preceding fiscal year for determining the number of exempt positions that are permissible under chapter
• immediately preceding fiscal year for determining the number of exempt positions that are permissible under chapter

Keywords: Meeting Start 00:00:00 Attendance Roll Call 00:00:54 Pension System Update 00:03:38, 958, all

Summary: The committee held its first official interim meeting after merging the General Government and Finance, Personnel, and Public Retirement committees, establishing a quorum and opening with the pledge and prayer. Members then received a briefing from KPPA representatives Ryan Barrow and Aaron Sarock on the state retirement systems, including KERS, CERS, and SPRS, and on the importance of fully funding the actuarially determined employer contribution, supplemental appropriations, and investment earnings in reducing unfunded liabilities. They said the systems have made progress toward a statutory closed amortization target of 2049 and emphasized that supplemental funding lowers current employer contribution rates but does not change that end date. A major topic was federal and state reemployment-after-retirement rules for retirees who return to work with participating employers. KPPA explained that retirees must have a bona fide separation from service, no prearranged agreement to return, and generally a one-calendar-month break in service for retirees on or after January 1, 2024. If a member fails to comply, retirement benefits can be voided, payments stopped, health coverage ended, and benefits repaid. The presenters also noted that rehired retirees do not earn a second retirement account, and employers rehiring them must pay employer contributions and, in non-exempt cases, reimburse health insurance costs. Members asked about the scale of rehired retirees and the difference between employer contribution and health insurance reimbursement amounts. KPPA said that in fiscal year 2025 there were over 3,500 rehired retirees in CERS and over 5,000 in SPRS, with substantial employer contributions and health reimbursement payments collected. They also explained that some positions are exempt from these chargebacks, including school resource officers and certain law enforcement positions that meet statutory criteria. The committee discussed House Bill 213, which allows cities, sheriffs’ departments, and post-secondary institutions to offer health insurance to rehired officers if authorized by the governing body, effective August 1, 2026, and clarifies the fiscal-year basis for certain exemption limits. No votes were taken.

Transcript Highlights:

• They are now under Chapter 10A and will need to register with the board if they have activity of over
• 10A than you see in Chapter 211A.
• Chapter 10A is not the easiest statute, or a set of statutes, to understand, and the advisory opinions
• 10A than you see in chapter 10A than you see in 211A<00:07:37.280> so<00:07:37.560> again<
• <00:41:21.400> 10A statutory appropriation in chapter 10A statutory appropriation in chapter

Keywords: 1183, house

Summary: The committee heard testimony from Jeff Sigerson, executive director of the Minnesota Campaign Finance and Public Disclosure Board, who outlined the board’s mission and core programs: campaign finance disclosure, economic interest statements, and lobbying registration/reporting. He described the board as an independent agency with six members, noted current vacancies and confirmation requirements, and said the board’s budget request was essentially flat, with a base budget of about $1.793 million and most costs tied to salaries, office space, and other fixed expenses. He also reviewed the board’s enforcement structure, emphasizing civil-only penalties, a complaint-driven process, and the availability of reports, enforcement actions, and advisory opinions on the board’s website. Sigerson highlighted several recent and upcoming changes. Local ballot question committees for city, school district, levy, and bond issues now must register with the board if they exceed $750 in activity, and the board is preparing outreach and online registration tools to help local committees comply. He also discussed the public subsidy and political contribution refund programs, saying the board paid out about $2.12 million to 230 House candidates in 2024, that 93% of candidates signed the subsidy agreement, and that 2023 PCR refunds totaled about $447,000 for candidates and $1.616 million for party donors. He noted that the PCR maximum refund was recently increased from $50 to $75 per donation, and that payments could drop significantly in 2026 if the one-time supplement is not renewed. A major focus of the presentation was the board’s lobbying report and related legislative recommendations. Sigerson said the board is moving from tracking marginal expenses to tracking the subjects and entities being lobbied, and that lobbying will be expanded from certain metro-area governmental units to all cities, counties, school districts, townships, and other political subdivisions, potentially adding thousands of lobbyists. He said the board held two public hearings and received 23 written comments on proposed changes. The board’s main recommendations were to broaden the expert-testimony exception so that certain paid experts at local hearings would not need to register as lobbyists, while still requiring disclosure of who testified, before whom, and on what subject, and to adjust the current lobbying definition for local government employees and officials who spend more than 50 hours a month on intergovernmental lobbying work.

Transcript Highlights:

• If we're going to repeal an entire chapter, we should um bring in the stakeholders that um are going
• The amendment changes the exemption from 10 to 25 units that shall not be involved under this chapter
• If we're going to repeal an entire chapter, we should um bring in the stakeholders that um are going
• If we're going to repeal an entire chapter, we should um bring in the stakeholders that um are going
• If we're going to repeal an entire chapter, we should um bring in the stakeholders that um are going

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Senate House Bill 2324, an act amending Title 37, Chapter 9, Article 4, Arizona Revised Statutes, by
• House Bill 2404, amending Title 36, Chapter 5, Article 1, Arizona Revised Statutes, by adding Section
• House Bill 2875, amending Title 9, Chapter 4, Article 8, A.R.S., by adding Section 9-500.54 relating
• An act amending Title 50, Chapter 7, Arizona Revised Statutes, by adding Section 15-71.05 relating to
• House Bill 2895, an act amending Title 50, Chapter 7, Arizona Revised Statutes, by adding Section 15-

Keywords: 1182, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I'm the attorney and civil rights director for the Council on American-Islamic Relations Arizona chapter
• I'm the Attorney and Civil Rights Director for the Council on American Islamic Relations Arizona chapter
• Some of the offenses in Chapter 14 are public sexual indecency, but now this might require someone to
• Our main concern was that the language in this bill just says any of the various chapters under Title
• An offense under Chapter 16 could just be recklessly damaging property.

Bills: HB2495, HB2557, HB2594, HB2615, HB2800, HB2861, HB2862, HB2931, HB2995, HB4042, HB4070, HB4117, HB4136

Keywords: vulnerable adults, sentencing, felonies, criminal justice, enhanced penalties, medical records, patient rights, healthcare access, privacy, healthcare providers, timeliness, address confidentiality, domestic violence, privacy protection, voter registration, court proceedings, parenting time, supervised visitation, family court, high-risk cases

Transcript Highlights:

• They do refer to different chapters, so the 030 of the chapter, 335, that's mostly where cities get their
• 030<00:19:47.799> of<00:19:48.159> of<00:19:48.440> the<00:19:48.600> chapter
• chapters so uh the 030 of of the chapter chapters so uh the 030 of of the chapter uh<00:19:49.840
• This has been a collaborative effort with the American Physical Therapy Association, Kentucky chapter
• This has been a collaborative effort with the American Physical Therapy Association, Kentucky chapter

Keywords: 00:00 Call to Order 01:55 Attendance Roll Call 02:10 HB 422 Discussion 03:35 HB 422 Vote 04:55 HB 6 Discussion 11:30 HB 6 Vote 16:45 HB 87 Discussion 20:22 HB 87 Vote 21:43 HB 255 Discussion 24:33 HB 255 Vote 26:19 HB 437 Discussion 29:09 HB 437 Vote 30:25 Adjournment, 958, all

Summary: The committee first took up House Bill 6, sponsored by Rep. Wade Williams, which would require administrative regulations with a major economic impact of $500,000 or more over two years to go through the legislature. Williams argued the bill would rein in regulatory overreach, improve transparency, and still allow emergency regulations. Several members raised concerns about executive-branch authority and the role of subject-matter experts, while others supported the bill as a way to improve communication and legislative oversight. The bill passed on a roll call vote and was sent to the House floor. The committee then considered House Bill 87, sponsored by Rep. Emily Callaway, with a committee substitute adopted first. The bill is aimed at reducing barriers for people with felony records who are seeking occupational licenses, while preserving existing public hiring practices for cities and counties. Callaway said the changes were mostly technical and intended to make the process more transparent, with no fiscal impact. The committee approved the bill, and it passed with the committee substitute. House Bill 255, sponsored by Rep. Amy Neighbors, also passed with a committee substitute. The measure updates and modernizes the Kentucky Board of Physical Therapy statutes, which sponsors said have not been substantially revised since 1958. Supporters said the bill clarifies outdated language, defines terms more clearly, and better reflects current practice, including physical therapist assistants. The chairman noted the long effort to update the practice act and praised the work of the stakeholders involved. Finally, House Bill 437, sponsored by Rep. Tony Hampton, was presented as a cleanup bill for alcohol beverage control law. It would limit state and local ABC administrators and investigators from making arrests unless they are POP certified, while leaving their other authority intact. Hampton and supporting witnesses said the change would align the statute with other law enforcement certification requirements and help keep civilian administrators from being put in harm’s way. The transcript ends during discussion of this bill, with no final vote shown.

Transcript Highlights:

• For purposes of this chapter, any work or improvement for a military installation and located within
• <00:04:24.800> purposes<00:04:25.280> of<00:04:25.600> this<00:04:25.759> chapter
• ,<00:04:26.160> any<00:04:26.479> work For purposes of this chapter, any work For purposes
• of this chapter, any work or<00:04:26.800> improvement<00:04:27.280> for<00:04:27.440>
• The blue... purpose of this chapter, any work approval of military installations from this scenario shall

Bills: HB308, HB308

Keywords: elections, voter registration, publishing requirements, cost-saving, transparency, property tax exemption, senior citizens, Mobile County, tax legislation, constitutional amendment, 923, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• The bill is then codified in Chapter 8 of the Florida Statutes.
• The bill is then codified in Chapter 8 of the Florida Statutes.
• Congressional districts are enacted like any other bill, and this is what Chapter 8 looks like and how
• You'll see there are no maps in Chapter 8.
• So it lists all of those in Chapter 8.

Summary: The Select Committee on Congressional Redistricting held its first meeting, established a quorum, and opened with remarks from the chair outlining the committee’s purpose and scope. The chair said the committee will focus only on congressional redistricting, will not take public comment at this introductory meeting, and may consider whether to propose a new congressional map ahead of the 2026 session. He emphasized that the work would rely on the 2020 census data, the current congressional map, and the House’s map-drawing software, and he stressed transparency, record retention, and compliance with constitutional prohibitions on drawing districts to favor or disfavor a party or incumbent. House outside counsel Andy Bartos then gave an educational presentation on redistricting basics and legal standards. He distinguished reapportionment from redistricting, explained that Florida was apportioned 28 congressional seats after the 2020 census, and reviewed the one-person, one-vote rule, noting that congressional districts must be drawn with near-exact population equality. He also described census geography and how counties, tracts, block groups, and blocks are used to build districts, and explained that congressional redistricting follows the ordinary legislative process rather than the special process used for state legislative districts. Bartos also covered contiguity, explaining that districts must be one connected piece and that mere point-touching is not enough, while bodies of water within a district do not necessarily break contiguity. No questions were asked after the presentation, no votes were taken, and no public testimony was heard. The meeting ended after the chair thanked attendees and said the committee would meet again the following week.

Transcript Highlights:

• Section 3, and revert the language on page 17, Section 4, to read: “Except as otherwise limited by this chapter
• Section 3, and revert the language on page 17, Section 4, to read: “Except as otherwise limited by this chapter
• 00:10:24.600> this except as otherwise limited by this except as otherwise limited by this chapter
• > Authority<00:10:25.959> May<00:10:26.959> any<00:10:27.279> discussion chapter
• The Authority May any discussion chapter The Authority May any discussion not<00:10:28.399> sure<

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Summary: The Ways and Means committee met in several decision-making agendas and took action on a number of Senate bills. Early in the meeting, members adopted a measure with amendments that removed a section due to legal issues identified by the Attorney General and set an effective date of July 1, 2050. The committee then passed SB 14, SB 1434, SB 1443, and SB 152 unamended, and SB 1612 with amendments clarifying that certain requirements apply to buildings constructed after December 31, 2025, and defining joint custody between the Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation and the Department of Health for inmate mental health services and medications. In a joint Judiciary and Ways and Means agenda, the committee considered SB 242 on foreign ownership of agricultural land. Members agreed to amendments adding non-impairment-of-contract language and revising enforcement and penalty provisions so consideration exchanged in a violating transaction would revert to the respective parties. The bill was adopted with reservations noted by several members. The committee also took up SB 534 on the Hawaii Community Development Authority and residential development on certain Makakilo Makai parcels, but because there was no consensus, the measure was deferred indefinitely. Later Ways and Means agendas approved several additional bills, mostly unamended, including SB 878, SB 1146, SB 614, SB 891, SB 964, SB 1559, and SB 503. SB 1379 was passed with amendments adding a blank appropriation for acquisition of land for Community Readiness centers and an emergency operations center, with the funds to lapse on June 30, 2027. SB 1571 was amended to remove an advisory board and restore earlier authority language, and SB 1632 was amended to rank the appropriation and set the date to 2050. Across these votes, measures were generally adopted with some members recording reservations or being excused.

Transcript Highlights:

• Today, that proud spirit lives on through more than 200 chapters nationwide, including at least 10 chapters
• That proud spirit lives on through more than 200 chapters nationwide, including at least 10 chapters
• , and it's called Chapter 6.5, Title 71.
• I'm at Section 171A.403, construction of chapter related to asserted defense.
• offering narcotic drug treatment programs under Chapter 466 of the Health and Safety Code.

Summary: The Senate began with a quorum call, prayer, approval of the previous journal, and messages from the House, then moved through several recognitions and resolutions honoring visiting groups. Members adopted resolutions recognizing the Texas chapters of Blue Star Mothers of America, Fine Arts Education Day, Donate Life Texas Day, Baha’i Capitol Day, County Government Day, Jack County Day, Crockett County Day, and a recognition of Navy Petty Officer Simon Urbanik for service during the Cuban Missile Crisis. The chamber also heard remarks from visiting doctors, students, county officials, and community groups, with multiple senators speaking in support of military families, arts education, organ donation, and local government service. The Senate then took up Committee Substitute Senate Bill 2779, relating to the allocation and use of certain hotel occupancy tax revenues. Senator Birdwell said the bill would stop local governments from conditioning HOT funds on race- or class-based priorities and would require Galveston to transfer the full state rebate for beach cleaning and maintenance to its park board. After questions, the Senate suspended the rules, passed the bill to engrossment, suspended the three-day rule, and finally passed it, though the final vote showed significant opposition. The chamber also passed Committee Substitute Senate Bill 2322, described as a cleanup bill removing the compelling-factor test for dispatchable generation from the Texas Jobs, Energy, Technology, and Innovation Act. A major debate centered on Committee Substitute Senate Bill 2253, which would phase out uncertified teachers in core classrooms and strengthen educator certification requirements. Senator Creighton argued the bill responds to a teacher pipeline crisis, adds parent notification, creates multiple preparation pathways, and provides financial incentives for certification; Senator West and Senator Sparks pressed for rural flexibility and implementation details. An amendment from Senator Gutierrez to add a teacher student-loan repayment program failed on a 11-17 vote, while other technical and fiscal amendments were adopted. The bill then passed to engrossment, the three-day rule was suspended, and it was finally passed. The Senate also passed Committee Substitute Senate Bill 2371, updating skimmer-reporting rules to cover electronic terminals beyond fuel pumps, and Committee Substitute Senate Bill 2351, relating to the construction of certain concrete plants under a standard permit. Senate Bill 619, a conscience-protection bill for health care workers, drew extended questioning from Senators Cook, Eckhardt, and Menendez about patient abandonment, scope, and whether it could allow refusals of legal services such as vaccines, antibiotics, contraception, or personal care; despite those concerns, the Senate suspended the rules and passed the bill to engrossment. Finally, the chamber began consideration of Committee Substitute Senate Bill 1169, which would allow public entities to form public utility agencies to cooperate on water and wastewater projects without eminent domain or cross-collateralization, with Senator Hinojosa explaining it as a tool for small and rural communities facing utility infrastructure problems.

Transcript Highlights:

• It also has the responsibility to periodically review and recommend changes to Chapter 57-40.6.
• It also has the responsibility to periodically review and recommend changes to Chapter 57-40.6.
• It establishes guidelines regarding the I want. amend changes to Chapter 57-40.6.
• In large part, the chapter was written during a time when copper line wireline services were the only
• Over the last 30 years, the chapter has been revised to incorporate Over the last 30 years, the chapter

Summary: The committee approved the March 26 minutes and then received a quarterly update on major IT projects from NDIT. Staff reported the portfolio included 116 major projects totaling about $546 million, with the overall portfolio under budget but slightly behind schedule. They reviewed projects over the 20% variance threshold, including an Industrial Commission grants management system and DOT’s roadway pre-construction replacement, and then heard startup and closeout reports from HHS, OMB, DPI, and DOT. Several previously troubled projects were closed, including HHS bed management, vital records modernization, and DOT roadway capital planning; some projects finished under budget and ahead of schedule, while others were significantly behind schedule or over budget but were now closed or being remediated. The committee also reviewed NDIT’s annual report, including service-fund financials, peer-state rate comparisons, records management, and customer satisfaction efforts. Members asked about how service-fund revenue and grant administrative charges are accounted for, how chargebacks work, and whether NDIT tracks customer satisfaction scores. NDIT said it does track CSAT-type measures in some service areas and has survey data, but it is not planning another customer survey this summer. Members encouraged more regular reporting of customer satisfaction, service-level metrics, and performance data to help guide future improvements. A major portion of the meeting focused on the state’s mainframe modernization effort. NDIT said the overall effort is still targeting about 2030, with multiple HHS and DOT projects underway and a $15 million tech-debt appropriation already removing some components. Staff described the main obstacles as data cleanup, complex integrations, limited staff capacity, retirements, and vendor constraints, and said they are seeking a vendor with modernization support in the next contract cycle. Members pressed for clearer accountability and faster progress, and NDIT and HHS emphasized that they are working jointly but need continued support and better tools. The committee then heard a cybersecurity update on NDIT’s statewide services and maturity assessments. NDIT explained that it provides vulnerability scanning, endpoint protection, security awareness training, threat briefings, and penetration testing, and that these services are tied to a cybersecurity maturity assessment based on CIS controls. Members questioned the sharp drop in participation since 2020 and whether the self-assessment should be mandatory or tied more strongly to StageNet access or insurance incentives. NDIT said participation is voluntary, but Enderf is now requiring annual assessments to keep a 4% insurance discount, and members discussed whether stronger requirements or audit authority may be needed. The meeting ended as the committee began a follow-up discussion on BEAD broadband connection costs and why some locations are much more expensive to connect than others.

Transcript Highlights:

• That would include students that could be subject to chapter 50 Chapter 37 proposed discipline.
• Not with current Chapter 37.
• I wholeheartedly agree with the rewrite of Chapter 5.
• Next, under Chapter 37.
• I mean, Chapter 37 is 30 years old this year.

Bills: HB6, HB27, HB 123, HB210, HB213, HB222, HB610, HB 1085, HB1481, HB6, HB27, HB123, HB210, HB213, HB222

Keywords: mental health, telehealth, public schools, discipline management, behavioral interventions, financial literacy, high school education, curriculum requirements, economics, personal finance, HB 123, kindergarten readiness, early literacy, early numeracy, reading screening, math screening, foundational literacy, foundational numeracy, dyslexia screening, reading intervention

Transcript Highlights:

• . >> Calendar 488, Senate Print 8097, Senator Bailey, an act to amend Chapter 394 of the Laws of 2018
• Calendar 1254, Assembly 10998, Assembly Member Schiavoni, an act to amend Chapter 492 of the Laws of
• Calendar 1254, Assembly 10998, Assembly Member Schiavoni, an act to amend Chapter 492 of the Laws of
• Calendar 1256, Senate Print 10182A, Senator Helming, an act to amend Chapter 117 of the Laws of 1983.
• Calendar 1256, Senate Print 10182A, Senator Helming, an act to amend Chapter 117 of the Laws of 1983.

Keywords: 993, senate, all

Summary: The Senate opened with the Pledge of Allegiance and an invocation, then approved the prior day’s journal and proceeded to a lengthy third-reading calendar. Early business included several motions to discharge Assembly bills from committees and substitute identical Senate bills, along with a few bills laid aside for the day. The chamber also recalled two bills from the Assembly, restored one bill to the Third Reading Calendar after reconsideration, and received amendments on two other bills without changing their calendar status. The Senate then took up a large number of bills across topics including labor, energy, insurance, consumer protection, environmental conservation, health, banking, elections, public service, education, workers’ compensation, criminal justice, local government, and tax law. Most measures passed with broad support, though several drew recorded opposition. Notable debate included Senator Mayer’s explanation for a bill intended to prevent treatment-court participants, including veterans, from losing their driver’s licenses twice after completing diversion programs; Senator Ryan’s support for a bill expanding prosecutors’ ability to treat repeat sexual abuse as persistent abuse; and a sharp exchange on a bill repealing New York’s HIV/STI criminalization law, with Senators Borrello and Chan opposing it and Senator Salazar defending the repeal as necessary to reduce stigma and protect survivors. The chamber also adopted and recognized several resolutions and guest presentations. Members welcomed the Tri-Valley Secondary School girls cross country champions, Miss America Cassie Donagan and Miss New York Teen Nadia Anwar, and the Hudson High School varsity boys basketball team. Later, the Senate took up a resolution proclaiming May 2026 as Maternal Mental Health Month, with multiple senators speaking in support of greater awareness, reduced stigma, and improved care for pregnant and postpartum New Yorkers. At the end of the session, the sponsors opened the day’s resolutions for co-sponsorship, and the Senate adjourned until Monday, June 1 at 12 noon, with intervening days designated as legislative days.

Transcript Highlights:

• House Bill 1216 now with Senate amendments, a bill for an act to create a new section to chapter 26.1
• Secretary House Bill 1216 now with Senate amendments a bill for an act to create an act a new section to chapter
• Reengrossed Senate Bill 2339, a bill for an act to create and enact a new chapter to title 49 of the
• Bill 1460, now with conference committee amendments, a bill for an act to create two new sections to Chapter
• A bill for an act to create two new sections to chapter 26.1-30, two new sections to chapter 26.1-44,

Keywords: 908, all

Summary: The Senate reconvened and handled several House messages and conference committee appointments before taking up a series of bills. It appointed conference committees on Senate Bill 2265 and House Bills 1454, 1448, and 1524. The chamber also adopted a Senate amendment to House Bill 1216, delaying its effective date for the copay accumulator prescription drug bill to January 1, 2026, with later renewal timing for non-PERS plans. House Bill 1216 then came up for final passage. Senators debated whether allowing copay accumulator programs to count manufacturer coupons toward deductibles would help patients with expensive drugs or unfairly shift costs to insurers and other policyholders. Supporters said it would help people afford life-saving medications and that the coupon payments go to pharmacies, not insurers; opponents argued it could raise premiums and create perverse incentives for drug pricing. The bill passed 29-18. The Senate also concurred in House amendments to Senate Bill 2160, which changes health insurance benefits under the Uniform Group Insurance Program to move from a grandfathered to a non-grandfathered plan, with supporters emphasizing added benefits and flexibility and opponents warning of higher costs and irreversible changes. That bill passed concurrence 33-14 and final passage 39-8. The Senate next concurred in House amendments to Senate Bill 2339, the wildfire mitigation bill, which requires utility mitigation plans to be updated every two years, incorporate national electric standards, and creates a rebuttable presumption of reasonable care if the plan is followed. The bill then passed final passage 46-1. The chamber also adopted conference committee reports and passed House Bill 1460 on adult foster care and monitoring devices, House Bill 1440 on cigar lounge tobacco use, and Senate Bill 2374 on insurance-related provisions including property insurance arbitration, managed repair programs, and surplus lines issues; SB 2374 also added a study on towing and recovery coverage. The session ended with announcements of upcoming conference committee meetings and adjournment until April 22, 2025.