Transcript Highlights:

• Representative Cruz: Members, I just wonder if you could pay a little bit of attention here.
• Do they have something that prompts them to request a return, or is it...?
• Do they have, is there something that prompts them to request a return or is a...
• And is there, what, did they have to pay just the city and the state, they didn't have to pay a qualifying
• Availability is, while that is happening, this person is removed from their seat without pay.

Bills: HR275, HR276, HR277, HR278, HR279, HR280, HR281, HR282, HR283, HR284, HCR112, HCR113, HR265, HR266, HR267, HR268, HR269, HR270, HR271, HR272, HR273, HCR107, HCR108, HCR109, HCR110, HCR111, SCR63, SCR66, SCR67, SB414, SB484, SB513, HR168, HR174, HR194, HR216, HR264, HCR54, HCR74, HCR79, HCR85, HCR87, HCR94, HCR95, HCR97, HCR98, HCR104, SCR23, SCR29, SCR33, SCR38, HB75, HB705, SB54, SB56, SB72, SB79, SB97, SB105, SB123, SB125, SB129, SB163, SB171, SB252, SB287, SB375, SB386, SB461, SB466, HR84, HR188, HR205, HR3, HR197, HR243, SCR19, SCR3, SCR6, SCR18, SCR11, SCR22, SCR2, SCR20, SCR24, SCR35, HCR6, HB301, HB359, HB657, HB675, HB680, HB727, HB39, HB58, HB112, HB134, HB155, HB187, HB287, HB462, HB782, HB825, HB846, HB903, HB904, HB929, HB941, HB962, HB1200, HB4, HB623, HB944, HB986, HB1098, HB1222, SB45, SB58, SB71, SB81, SB92, SB100, SB109, SB141, SB156, SB181, SB203, SB204, SB205, SB207, SB213, SB214, SB216, SB229, SB257, SB274, SB290, SB304, SB374, SB379, SB396, SB410, SB425, SB427, SB429, SB479, SB522, SB34, SB164, SB172, SB198, SB208, SB232, SB281, SB286, SB317, SB322, SB334, SB380, SB385, SB409, SB417, SB421, SB430, SB439, SB447, SB458, SB510, HB842, HB633, HB1191, HB625, HB1255, HB251, HB582, HB646, HB819, HB998, HB1257, SB197, SB436, SB78, HB901, HR20, HR74, HCR65, HCR71, HB284, HB302, HB306, HB341, HB366, HB393, HB458, HB577, HB603, HB605, HB614, HB733, HB752, HB773, HB798, HB911, HB955, HB996, HB1035, HB1069, HB1113, HB1140, HB1180, HB1240, SB82, SB89, HB258, SB149, SB382, SB441

Keywords: highway maintenance, signage, transportation safety, DOTD, infrastructure, public safety, federal grants, job creation, carbon storage, carbon dioxide storage, carbon capture and storage, CCS, mineral rights, mineral owners, oil and gas, disposal wells, injection wells, advanced drilling, carbon sequestration, Louisiana energy policy

Summary: The House met with a quorum and began with prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, and several personal privileges recognizing National Police Week, fallen law enforcement officers, a young Olympic weightlifter, a community sports agent, a deceased coach, Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity Day, the Louisiana Cattlemen’s Association, aviation professionals, and a birthday tribute. The chamber also received Senate messages, committee reports, and a long series of resolutions and bills, many of which were adopted or concurred in without objection. Several measures were returned to the calendar, while others were advanced with technical or clarifying amendments. A major portion of the meeting focused on resolutions honoring or commemorating people and groups, including National Police Week, Barron Baker, Paul T. Derezel II, Coach Emilio Tese, Alpha Phi Alpha, Louisiana Realtors Day, Special Olympics Louisiana, and various memorial highway designations. The House also adopted or concurred in resolutions on topics such as DOTD signage, shrimp procurement, geothermal energy, opioid settlement reporting, hospital design standards, Medicaid redetermination flexibility, chronic wasting disease management, remote online notarization, and a task force on intestate succession. Testimony on these items was generally supportive and brief, with sponsors explaining that most were technical, commemorative, or requests for study. The chamber also took up several substantive bills and Senate amendments. Among the measures concurred in were bills on peace officer citizenship requirements, post-conviction bail limits, portable benefits for independent contractors, workforce development, construction debris burning, license plate coverings, insurance and captive insurers, oil field indemnification, and rural infrastructure financing. One notable bill, HB 39 on peace officer citizenship, drew questions about National Guard members and legal permanent residents before the House concurred in the Senate amendments by a 74-22 vote. HB 134 on harmful material and interactive computer services had its Senate amendments rejected, while HB 359 on nonaffiliated candidates was temporarily returned to the calendar. The most extended debate came on the conference committee report for HB 842, which addressed Louisiana election law in response to the federal Callais decision. Members questioned how the report would affect the current congressional election cycle, absentee ballots, qualifying dates, signature requirements, and whether the closed party primary for U.S. House races had been canceled in favor of an open primary in the fall. The sponsor explained that the report cancels the current closed party primary for congressional races, voids ballots cast in that canceled election, returns qualifying fees, lowers petition-signature requirements, and sets new dates for the open primary and runoff. The House suspended the rules to consider the report the same day it was received, and the discussion highlighted concerns about election administration, district maps, and the scope of the changes before the chamber moved forward.

Transcript Highlights:

• operators to establish minimum standards for addressing safety threats by users and ensures that prompts
• chatbot to display the 988 suicide and crisis lifeline and a notice that the chat will pause if prompted
• You know, these are people who still pay their bills via telephone.
• They don't even go online and pay their bills, so they're in their 80s.
• When consumers don't want that, they will pay for humanity.

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• rise for junior enlisted 14 .5% pay rise for junior enlisted delay<00:30:01.240><c> military</c><00:
• I rise to pay tribute to a dear friend, a great vocalist, entertainer, outstanding civic and community
• </c><02:44:12.000><c> a</c><02:44:12.279><c> crisis</c> into this country they prompted a crisis into
• this country they prompted a crisis in<02:44:13.080><c> countless</c><02:44:13.680><c> communities</
• The American people are left to pay higher prices, in fewer choices, and at the end of the day, Mr.

Keywords: U.S. House of Representatives Floor Proceedings on Tuesday, March 4, 2025, 1012, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• huge liability policies, and the insurance companies don’t have to pay.
• They don’t have to pay.
• And when our nonprofits pay for insurance, those insurance companies will actually pay out the benefits
• They don't have to pay.
• And when our nonprofits pay for insurance, those insurance companies will actually pay out the benefits

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The Judiciary Committee held its inaugural hearing of the session, led by Chair Michael Day and co-chair Senator Lydia Edwards, and reviewed a large slate of bills and constitutional amendments. The chair laid out hearing procedures, including three-minute testimony limits, priority for in-person witnesses, and deadlines for reporting constitutional amendments and House bills. The committee heard testimony on 29 proposals, with many witnesses and advocates speaking in support of measures they said would clarify the law, improve access to justice, or address public safety and fairness concerns. Several bills drew extensive testimony. Supporters of H.1686/S.1254 urged creation of a commission to study intentional misrepresentation of service animals, citing disruptive and dangerous encounters with fake service dogs and the need to protect legitimate service-dog teams. H.1649/S.1168 on court transcriber fees received strong support from transcribers and CPCS, who said rates have been frozen at $3 per page since 1988 and should be raised to $4.50, with an automatic CPI adjustment; they also described the work as time-consuming and essential to the justice system. H.1768/S.1037 on indigency was backed by CPCS, which said the bill would update eligibility rules, reduce unnecessary six-month reassessments, and eliminate the $150 counsel fee for indigent adults. H.1723/S.1193 to remove the charitable immunity cap was supported by legislators and attorneys who argued the current $20,000/$100,000 caps leave seriously injured people undercompensated and make Massachusetts an outlier. The committee also heard testimony on S.1046 regarding adoptions, with multiple adoptive parents, attorneys, and agency representatives describing recent probate court interpretations that have disrupted out-of-state surrender and finalization practices. Witnesses said the bill would restore predictability and allow birth parents outside Massachusetts to use either their home-state law or Massachusetts law, while preserving ICPC safeguards. Senator Feingold testified on H.1748/S.1109, “Conrad’s Law,” to criminalize coercing someone into suicide, arguing Massachusetts should join most other states in creating a specific offense rather than relying on involuntary manslaughter charges. Representative Donahue supported H.66 to remove “so help me God” from the constitutional oath of office. No votes were taken during the hearing; the committee simply heard testimony and thanked witnesses, with chairs indicating they would continue reviewing the bills and written submissions.

Transcript Highlights:

• >> Members, there's a fiscal note in your packet on what the potential this could cost if it did prompt
• Members, there's a fiscal note in your packet on what the potential this could cost if it did prompt
• Ford: Where are we getting the money from now to have a special election and to pay all these lawyers
• where it said, uh, if you want to be somebody, if you want to go somewhere, you better wake up and pay

Bills: HB1

Keywords: HB1, Alabama, elections, primary election, special primary, runoff, congressional districts, redistricting, reapportionment, district boundaries, federal court, injunction, judgment, Governor proclamation, nominee certification, party nominee, general election 2026, election calendar, voting rights, congressional race

Transcript Highlights:

• We want to assure in our restrictive housing that strong due process protections, including a prompt
• We want to assure in our restrictive housing that strong due process protections, including a prompt
• Brenda Hashimoto, about a year and a half ago with some incentives that I thought would increase the pay
• for the staff because we're losing a lot of staff, too, because of working conditions and because the pay

Keywords: 910, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• So hopefully that does help. a friendly prompt here from the admiral on on this new uh new world screwworm
• Well, if an organization like Texas A&M does, it's going to have to be through. a funding agency that pays
• What are some of the gaps that you are seeing that are very important for us to pay attention?
• encompass other wildlife health disease related reasons for take such as new world screw worm. which prompted

Keywords: 1184, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• We're working more hours, paying higher tuition, facing fewer course options, waiting longer for advising
• Students cannot pay our way out of structural budget problems, and we should not shoulder this financial
• I'm going to stop asking questions, or prompting questions.
• It's a very valid, I'm going to stop asking questions, or prompting questions.

Summary: The joint Assembly Higher Education and Budget Subcommittee hearing focused on the future of the California State University system, with opening remarks emphasizing CSU’s major role in California’s economy, workforce, and degree production. Chairs and members said the hearing was intended to inform 2026 budget decisions and to examine three main issues: declining enrollment at some campuses, cost controls and possible consolidation, and oversight of recent state investments at campuses such as Humboldt and Sonoma. The meeting was briefly delayed by microphone and sound problems before reconvening. The first panel featured CSU Academic Senate Chair Dr. Elizabeth Boyd and Cal State Student Association Vice President Katie Karam. Boyd urged the Legislature to protect academic freedom, strengthen faculty governance, provide stable ongoing funding, end unfunded mandates, support student food and housing security, fund flexible course schedules, improve transfer systems such as ASSIST, avoid over-centralizing academic programs, protect immigrant students, and expand intersegmental collaboration. Karam said students are feeling the effects of budget shortfalls through fewer course sections, reduced advising and services, longer time to degree, and tuition pressure, and she called for transparency, meaningful student involvement in budget decisions, and sustained state investment rather than cuts that harm the student experience. The second panel covered enrollment management and included CSU Chancellor’s Office and campus administrators from Chico State, Cal State L.A., and San Diego State. Dr. Delcy Perez said CSU Forward and the new systemwide enrollment plan are aimed at expanding access, aligning programs with workforce needs, and increasing resident enrollment; she reported systemwide enrollment gains and strong application numbers, including a direct-admissions pilot that expanded from Riverside to more campuses. Campus representatives described local recruitment and retention strategies, including early outreach to high school students, community college partnerships, guaranteed admission programs, and expanded advising and student support. San Diego State highlighted record enrollment and high demand, while Cal State L.A. described efforts to recover from impaction and rebuild enrollment. Members pressed CSU officials on the accuracy of enrollment data, the gap between funded targets and actual enrollment, and the system’s reallocation formula. CSU staff explained that campuses below target will see a 5% ongoing reallocation beginning in 2026-27, with one-time reserve funding also being directed to campuses that can grow, and that fiscal health reviews have been completed for 21 of 22 campuses. Legislators also asked about turnaround plans required by the budget act; CSU said those plans are being developed and will be shared in the spring after campus consultation. No formal votes were taken.

Transcript Highlights:

• Third, they pay for levies. And finally, they pay for... Bonds. Third, they pay for levies.
• And finally, they pay for deferred maintenance and strategic investments.
• Whether that's in brand inspection, of course, you're paying for a brand inspection.
• They're leaving generally for one reason: we don't pay them enough.
• the county more. ...church it is, that they don't have to pay the county more.

Keywords: 989, all

Summary: The Senate convened with a quorum, approved the prior day’s journal, received committee reports, and handled a large number of bill referrals and messages from the House. Several measures were advanced, held on the calendar, or referred to committees, including appropriations bills, policy bills on education, transportation, taxation, and administrative procedure, and a memorial honoring Wake Island civilians. The chamber also received enrolled bills for signatures and transmittal, and later recessed and reconvened before continuing floor action. The main floor debate centered on Senate Bill 1363, the natural resources maintenance appropriation. The bill covered budgets for the Department of Environmental Quality, Fish and Game, Lands, Parks and Recreation, Water Resources, and the Endowment Fund Investment Board, with reductions and maintenance adjustments discussed in detail. Supporters said it was a responsible “tightening of the belt” and noted the bill preserved core operations, while opponents argued the across-the-board cuts would harm firefighting, water quality, parks staffing, permitting, and other public services. The bill passed 28-7 and was sent to the House. The Senate also passed House Bill 558 on protecting federal survivor and dependent benefits for children in state custody, House Bill 500 clarifying that e-bike riders are covered under motor vehicle due-care provisions, House Bill 577 eliminating the 10-year mandatory replacement cycle for license plates, House Bill 636 allowing school facilities funds to be used for lease purchases, House Bill 539 tightening limits on temporary administrative rules, House Bill 511 raising the cap on the fire-structure surcharge, House Bill 639 updating midwifery medication authority, House Bill 628 expanding parent-taught driver education options in urban districts, and House Bill 620 giving county commissioners special expertise status in federal land-management coordination. House Bill 610, which would have extended the homestead tax exemption to homeowners absent for religious missionary service, failed on a 16-17 vote. The Senate then completed miscellaneous announcements and adjourned until the next morning.

Transcript Highlights:

• we're going to pass these bills that enhance penalties or create new felonies, we're going to have to pay
• We should be paying for it, and we should expect to see the corrections budget go up significantly.
• It also ensures that children who are subject to these interference cases receive prompt welfare checks
• days, some intermittent short visits, though he had to travel 14 hours one way from North Dakota and pay
• turns into... ...my ex-wife without using the court system, it just turns into, well, hey, you need to pay

Summary: The committee first approved the minutes from February 25, 2026, then took up House Bill 685, which would add a sentencing enhancement when certain felonies and specified violent misdemeanors are committed while the offender is wearing a mask or disguise. The sponsor said the bill had been narrowed from an earlier version to avoid covering all crimes, and law enforcement witnesses from Nampa and Hailey, along with several public commenters, supported it as a tool for identification, prosecution, and deterrence. One member raised concerns about fiscal impacts and the bill’s provision allowing law enforcement to wear masks in some circumstances, but the bill was ultimately sent to the floor with a due-pass recommendation; the vote was unanimous except for one recorded nay. The committee then considered House Bill 668 on child custody interference. The sponsor, drawing on a summer task force, said the bill was intended to address repeated failures to comply with custody orders by adding clearer guidance for law enforcement, affirmative defenses for legitimate delays, required welfare checks and reports, and a graduated penalty structure. Numerous parents and advocates testified in support, describing large legal costs, repeated denial of parenting time, and a lack of enforcement under current law. Some members and testifiers raised concerns that the bill’s revised language might unintentionally reduce penalties for the most serious conduct, especially cases involving taking a child out of state. After discussion, the committee amended course by sending the bill to general orders for further work, unanimously. Finally, the committee heard House Bill 696, which would expand the definition of prohibited sexual contact in correctional facilities to better address sexual abuse by prison staff. The sponsor said the bill was prompted by reports of abuse in Idaho prisons and was intended to clarify the law and strengthen accountability. Testimony from advocates and a survivor of abuse in custody strongly supported the bill, emphasizing the vulnerability of incarcerated women and the need for clearer legal protections. The committee approved the bill unanimously and sent it to the floor with a due-pass recommendation.

Transcript Highlights:

• For those of you testifying via Zoom, when you are prompted to accept the notice, please do that, and
• And King County pays for the ongoing cost of personnel, maintenance, repair, training, fuel, parts, and
• King County is paying for most of the replacement cost for its 55-year-old Vietnam-era helicopters that
• program, giving out money as opposed to reimbursing and building equity amongst all the counties to pay
• new program, giving out money as opposed to reimbursing and building equity among all the counties to pay

Bills: SB6084, SB6044, SB5950, SB6046, SB5763, SB5784

Keywords: elections, double voting, voting twice, multiple voting, same-day election, primary election, general election, special election, cross-state voting, ballot fraud, election fraud, voter misconduct, RCW 29A.84.660, State v. Padilla, civil infraction, class C felony, Secretary of State, Washington elections, election law, voter eligibility

Transcript Highlights:

• Finally, do you commit to providing a prompt response in writing to any questions addressed to you by
• enforcement, so they can bring in other threats, whether it be fentanyl, narcotics, or any that's willing to pay
• Canada, we get both the outbound and the inbound, but we have a partner that actually helps support and pay
• As a result, they've lost... lost out on promotions, pay increases, increased retirement pay, and why

Keywords: Customs and Border Protection, Rodney Scott, border security, asylum, transparency, Hernandez Rojas, migrant treatment, public testimony

Summary: The meeting centered on the nomination of Rodney Scott to serve as the Commissioner of U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP). Throughout the session, various senators expressed concerns regarding CBP's recent practices, including issues related to border security and the treatment of migrants. Questions were raised about Scott's involvement in previous incidents, particularly surrounding the controversial death of Mr. Hernandez Rojas while in custody, which sparked a heated discussion about accountability and transparency in current border policies. Senators emphasized the importance of balancing efficient border security with humane treatment of individuals seeking asylum.

Transcript Highlights:

• INSURANCE PAYS OUT AND THEN WITH THIS MONEY WE HAVE ACCESS TO I BELIEVE THE NUMBER NOW IS AROUND $40
• WE COULD BRING CERTAINTY TO THE IDEA THAT THE CONSUMER WAS NOT PAYING MORE THAN THE RISK THEY WERE BRINGING
• AND THEN WE PAY THE GENERAL CONTRACTOR TO ELEVATE THE HOME AND RECONSTRUCT THE HOME OR WHATEVER IT IS
• OBVIOUSLY IF WE ARE A BUILDER AND WE OFFER A 30 YEAR DIMENSIONAL, WHICH IS STANDARD IT COULD PROMPT QUESTIONS
• THE ROOFING WILL NOT LAST FOR 30 YEARS SO WHY WOULD WE PAY AND CALL THEM 30 YEAR ROOFS AND THEN THE SEPARATE

Keywords: 999, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• a lot of these local governments and agencies are quickly trying to figure out how they're going to pay
• Another example on the DSA side would be making sure that there's a prompt deployment of DSA professional
• point out that there are two growing significant risks about wildfires that we ought to be really paying
• They'll pay to rebuild there, but I'm more concerned about the lower economic communities where there
• In the Valley, we pay the price for the fires in Northern and Southern California because geographically

Transcript Highlights:

• So I'm asking you, Director, when will you pay R.H.?
• So I'm asking you, Director, when will you pay R.H.?
• So I'm asking you, Director, when will you pay R.H.?
• So what are the dates Access will pay out each?
• It appears that Access is paying more for legal counsel and employees to not pay providers than if they

Keywords: 1182, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Now, if I'm offering to pay somebody to watch my kid, me and my wife are going to go out on a date tonight
• I hope business owners across West Virginia, you're paying attention to this, um, um, Is this for both
• It's incredibly common that when you're trying to hire people, especially when you're talking lower pay
• And that's what prompted me to run this bill. Nothing to do with labor unions.
• And that's what prompted me to run this bill. Nothing to do with labor unions.

Keywords: 994, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• clear direction on who exactly they're paying.
• He told me that the fee was non-negotiable and I refused to pay the $130.
• Did you pay cash? Yes. Did you get a receipt?
• We want systems where we have orderly parking and where people pay for parking.
• But who pays to maintain the database?

Transcript Highlights:

• State employees will receive a pay increase, with all merit employees receiving a 3% raise.
• schooler at Gager Cobb's Middle School in Newark, Delaware, that my science class was copying down prompts
• from a transparency on the projector, ...was copying down prompts from a transparency on the projector

Summary: The House convened with a quorum present, opened with a moment of silence for Ted Williams, prayer, and the Pledge of Allegiance. Members then accepted the previous day’s minutes and moved into a series of recognitions, beginning with House Resolution 27 designating June 24, 2026 as Staff Appreciation Day. The resolution was adopted by voice vote, and the chamber spent much of the meeting honoring legislative staff across both caucuses, with members and staff introducing themselves and being recognized for years of service and behind-the-scenes work. The House also recognized staff member Justin, who is leaving for a position with the Delaware State Board of Education, and later gave farewell remarks for Representative Kevin Hensley and Representative Charles Postles, both of whom are retiring. Numerous members spoke in tribute to their service, constituent work, and personal character, and both Hensley and Postles offered remarks thanking colleagues, staff, and family. The House then received communications from the Senate, including several bills and resolutions passed and returned, and a notice of Senate concurrence on other measures. Representative Wilson-Anton made a brief statement explaining her vote on Senate Bill 100 and reaffirming support for marriage equality and related civil rights issues. The chamber also took up Senate Joint Resolution 16 and Senate Joint Resolution 17, which set the official revenue estimates for fiscal years 2026 and 2027; both were read, called to roll, and passed by constitutional majority votes of 37-4 and 40-1, respectively. Finally, the House considered Senate Bill 335, the operating budget for fiscal year ending June 30, 2027. Representative Williams presented the budget on behalf of the Joint Finance Committee, describing major funding items including raises for state and education employees, health insurance and retiree benefit funding, developmental disability services, Medicaid growth, purchase of care, and maintenance of reserve funds. Several members praised the committee’s work, while Representative Shupe said he would vote no, citing concerns about the budget’s 6.3% growth despite appreciating the committee’s effort. After the budget presentation and comments, Leader Harris moved that the House recess for party caucuses, and the House stood in recess until the call of the bell.

Transcript Highlights:

• So if you're paying for a map subscription that isn't working over and over again, wouldn't you rather
• that paying for um a map subscription that isn't<00:42:09.680><c> working</c><00:42:10.480><c> over<
• like wouldn't you rather pay right?
• like wouldn't you rather pay wouldn't<00:42:14.560><c> you</c><00:42:14.880><c> pilot</c><00:42:15.359
• </c><01:49:26.080><c> his</c><01:49:27.040><c> proposal</c> um the video that prompted his proposal um

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The committee held a hearing on House Bill 1571, which would direct the Department of Education to review and revise statewide academic standards and curriculum and make an appropriation. Representative Kristen Noble, the sponsor, said the bill is intended to update outdated standards, especially in math, and to have the department create a list of high-quality curriculum and materials aligned to the revised standards. She noted she would likely amend the bill to change a requirement that districts “shall” select from the list to “may,” and said a misplaced crossed-out section would need to be restored and moved by amendment. She also said assessments would need to be updated to match any new standards. Testimony from Marie Banfield strongly supported the bill and the move away from a mandate, arguing that current standards are outdated and that Common Core and related standards have not improved student outcomes. She criticized the math standards for emphasizing multiple strategies and written explanations over computation, and said stronger standards would better support students, including those with learning or communication challenges. She also argued that New Hampshire should follow examples such as Massachusetts, which she said used rigorous standards successfully. Nate Green of the Department of Education did not take a position on the bill but explained that the bill would affect statewide academic standards, state assessments, and potentially federal compliance. He distinguished academic standards from minimum standards in statute, said any standards revision would require work with content experts, State Board approval, and then a corresponding assessment update that could take about two years. He estimated assessment development costs could range from about $200,000 to $500,000 for minor revisions and $1 million to $2 million for a wholesale new set of standards. He also said the bill would apply to public and charter public schools, not private or homeschool students, and that the department does not currently provide a statewide list of curriculum materials because curriculum decisions have historically been local.

Transcript Highlights:

• Third, they pay for levies. And finally, they pay for... ...bonds. Third, they pay for levies.
• And finally, they pay for deferred maintenance and strategic investments.
• Whether that's in brand inspection, of course, you're paying for a brand inspection.
• They're leaving generally for one reason: We don't pay them enough.
• And we need to pay them enough, or this problem will persist.

Summary: The Senate convened with a quorum, prayer, pledge, and approval of the prior day’s journal, then moved through committee reports, House messages, and bill introductions. Several measures were referred to committees or held on the calendar, including new Senate bills and a number of House bills and resolutions. The chamber also received enrolled bills and transmitted others between the House, Senate, and governor’s office. The main floor action centered on Senate Bill 1363, the natural resources maintenance appropriation. The bill funded maintenance budgets for the Department of Environmental Quality, Fish and Game, Lands, Parks and Recreation, Water Resources, and the Endowment Fund Investment Board, with reductions tied to statewide adjustments and removal of one-time funding. Supporters described it as a responsible “tightening of the belt,” while opponents argued the cuts would harm firefighting, water management, park staffing, permitting, and other services. After debate, the Senate passed SB 1363 on a roll call vote of 28-7. The Senate then considered and passed House Bill 558, protecting federal survivor and dependent benefits for children in state custody; House Bill 500, clarifying e-bike and bicycle traffic protections; House Bill 577, eliminating mandatory 10-year license plate replacement; House Bill 636, allowing school districts to use facilities funds for lease purchases; House Bill 539, limiting temporary administrative rules; House Bill 511, raising the cap on the fire suppression surcharge for structures on forest land; House Bill 639, updating midwifery medication authority; and House Bill 628, expanding parent-taught driver education options. House Bill 620, giving county commissioners special-expertise status in federal land management planning, also passed. House Bill 610, which would have extended the homestead tax exemption to homeowners absent for religious missionary service, failed on a 16-17 vote. The Senate then returned to miscellaneous business, made announcements, and adjourned until the next day.