Transcript Highlights:

• SB 1223, authorized transporters minimum standards registration.
• SB 1271, presence, crime reporting, penalty prohibition. Government.
• SB 1271, Presences, Crime, reporting, penalty, prohibition. Government. Parliament. Contributions.
• SB 1271, business crime reporting penalty prohibition. Government.

Keywords: 1182, all

Summary: The Senate opened with a prayer and pledge, then recorded attendance, approved the journal, and recognized several guest groups in the gallery, including CRNAs for Capital Day, rural electric cooperative representatives, AEA Retired members, March of Dimes participants, students, and other visitors. The invocation focused on faith, courage, and the need for just laws, and several senators used personal privilege to introduce guests and highlight causes such as public education, maternal and infant health, and the Equal Rights Amendment. The body then moved through a lengthy calendar of second-reading bills, covering a wide range of topics including child welfare and DCS procedures, public school safety, health care and insurance, groundwater and water supply, tax and appropriations measures, housing and HOA issues, elections and campaign protections, criminal justice, firearms, abortion-related measures, and transportation projects. The transcript primarily reflects bill titles being read rather than debate on substance, and no floor votes on those measures are shown in the excerpt. The Senate also received a large set of first-reading bills and committee referrals, including measures on motor vehicle booting fees, EMS reciprocity, election procedures, physician assistant licensure, mental health hearings, assisted living, Alzheimer’s planning, safe haven providers, short-term rentals, fire district formation, correctional officer contributions, and several appropriations items. After the readings and routine announcements, the Senate adopted a motion to adjourn and recessed until Thursday, January 22, 2026, at 10:00 a.m.

Transcript Highlights:

• as as a ballpark minimum. as as a ballpark minimum.
• Big penalty here on strengthening penalties for sales to minors.
• <01:03:55.120> um years on that with penalties um years on that with penalties um to<01:03
• <01:05:10.960> for<01:05:11.480> uh Big penalty here on strengthening for uh Big penalty
• <01:05:13.200> We penalties for sales to minors. We penalties for sales to minors.

Keywords: 958, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Members and guests, please keep your conversations to a minimum. Thank you, Madam Speaker.
• So, and is there a minimum age to this? Well, he may not have his license still active either.
• Volunteers are not subject to minimum wage.
• They would not be subject to minimum wage. That's right, gentlemen.
• We're just simply saying that minor league baseball players are exempt from minimum wage.

Keywords: 959, house, all

Summary: The House opened with prayer and the Pledge of Allegiance, then approved the House Journal for the prior day by a 123-0 roll call vote. Members then used points of personal privilege to recognize National Police Week and honor fallen law enforcement officers with a moment of silence, and several members gave farewell remarks for departing colleagues and interns. The chamber also introduced a number of special guests, including student groups, interns, a former representative, and the University of Missouri wheelchair basketball team. The House then took up Senate messages and committee reports before acting on House Committee Substitute for House Bills 1839, 2921, and 3015. The sponsor explained the Senate amendment was a technical correction to an online age-verification provision related to pornography; the House concurred 104-30 and then finally passed the package 112-25. The chamber also considered the conference committee report on House Bill 2596, which was described as a small-business health plan measure that modernizes pooled-plan language and adds a 12-month contraception coverage provision while removing a Senate-added blood pressure cuff requirement. After debate on the conference report and a severability clause, the House adopted the report 120-26 and then third-read and passed the bill 119-27. Finally, the House debated Senate Bill 905, which would create the Missouri Ranger training program allowing schools to optionally place specially trained personnel with narrow law-enforcement authority on campus. Debate focused heavily on school safety, local control, training standards, liability, funding, and whether the proposal would improve protection or instead increase the presence of guns in schools. Supporters argued it would give districts another optional safety tool, especially where school resource officers are unavailable, while opponents said schools need more mental health and educational resources rather than armed personnel and raised concerns about training, child development, and unintended harm. The House adopted an amendment clarifying the program after a 96-46 vote, but the transcript cuts off before final passage of the bill.

Transcript Highlights:

• So how about we just lift the penalty, not make any reference to 358-A, but just lift the penalty of
• So how about we just lift the penalty, not make any reference to 358-A, but just lift the penalty of
• So how about we just lift the penalty, not make any reference to 358-A, but just lift the penalty of
• So how about we just lift the penalty, not make any reference to 358-A, but just lift the penalty of
• So how about we just lift the penalty, not make any reference to 358-A, but just lift the penalty of

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The committee held a public hearing on HB 733-FN, a bill on third-party litigation financing (TPLF). Representative Cole, the prime sponsor, described TPLF as outside investors financing lawsuits in which they have no personal stake, arguing that the practice is largely unregulated, can involve foreign entities, and contributes to litigation abuse, higher insurance costs, and what he called a “tort tax.” He said the bill is modeled on an NCOIL proposal and would require disclosure of TPLF agreements, with specific references to foreign-entity restrictions, consumer-protection guardrails, and reporting requirements. He also noted a few technical fixes to the draft, including adding the word “knowingly” and restoring a section that had been omitted. Committee members questioned how the bill’s foreign-entity language would work, including whether a governor or the Department of Safety would designate countries of concern, and whether the bill would bar foreign parties from using litigation funding. Cole and others clarified that the bill was intended as a reporting measure, not a ban on litigation funding itself, and that the goal was to disclose who is funding lawsuits and to what extent. Representative Sal asked whether the bill would prevent a litigant from getting outside financing; Cole answered no, emphasizing disclosure rather than prohibition. Brandon Grat of the Attorney General’s Consumer Protection and Antitrust Bureau testified that the bill’s enforcement provisions were too limited. He said the draft appears to give the Attorney General only a civil-penalty remedy, likely too small to deter violations, and not the broader Consumer Protection Act tools such as injunctions, restitution, or investigation authority. He also raised concerns about whether the Attorney General or Insurance Department would have proper jurisdiction, given that the product may be financial or insurance-related. Insurance Commissioner DJ Benton Court said the department sees possible benefits from transparency because disclosure of litigation funding could help insurers assess risk, improve underwriting, and potentially ease hard-market pressures, especially for nonprofits and child care providers. He also said the bill’s language likely needs further work to clarify agency authority and suggested involving the Attorney General, Insurance Department, and banking regulators. Opposition testimony came from the New Hampshire Trial Lawyers Association. Marissa Chase and Samantha Hering argued the bill is one-sided because it requires disclosure only on the plaintiff side and not from defendants or insurers. They said New Hampshire already has court rules and discovery procedures that cover relevant disclosures, making the bill unnecessary, and questioned whether the existence of a funding contract is even relevant in litigation. The hearing ended with the committee continuing to discuss possible revisions and enforcement options, but no vote or final action was taken in the transcript.

Transcript Highlights:

• The first is when guilt is determined for the person, and the second then moves to the penalty phase.
• Last year, we passed legislation that provides stringent penalties for individuals who intentionally
• It also lowers the penalties. Really soft over there in the House.
• It also lowers the penalties. Really soft over there in the House.
• And also, what penalties are proposed for noncompliance on this? Senator Angolia, thank you, Mr.

Summary: The Senate convened with opening prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, and several recognitions, including guests from Miami Northwestern Senior High School, Clay County, and others. Senators also observed a moment of silence for Pope Francis. After routine announcements, the chamber moved to the special order calendar and took up a long series of bills, often substituting House companions for Senate bills before final passage. Among the measures approved were bills creating an expedited DNA testing grant program for local law enforcement, adding aggravating factors in capital cases involving gatherings for religious, school, or government activities, requiring state health coverage for fertility preservation services for cancer patients, authorizing indemnification for commuter rail providers, prohibiting abandonment of migrant vessels in Florida waters, and creating new specialty license plates. The Senate also passed bills on Alzheimer’s awareness, relocating the Council on the Social Status of Black Men and Boys to Florida Memorial University, charter schools, sex offender registration, utility worker protections, juvenile justice, student mental health reporting, foster home licensure transfers, water access facilities, Florida Virtual School, school readiness, sexual images involving children, tampering with electronic monitoring devices, certified recovery residences, the FSU Election Law Center, the Office of Faith and Community, and bonuses for county property appraiser employees. Several other bills were temporarily postponed, including measures on social media use by minors, veterans’ nursing homes, Parkinson’s disease, mental health and substance use disorders, education, educator preparation, officers injured in the line of duty, school social workers, and Brownfields. Debate was especially extensive on the Office of Faith and Community bill, where an amendment to bar political activity by office staff was offered but failed 13-23 after arguments over election-related communications and the scope of existing law. The certified recovery residences bill also drew notable debate, with supporters emphasizing housing as essential to recovery and opponents raising concerns about implementation and local control. Most other bills passed with little or no opposition, though a few drew dissenting votes, including the capital aggravating factors bill, charter schools, and the Office of Faith and Community measure.

Transcript Highlights:

• So, is there a penalty then?
• So, as far as penalties go, that would be the last method of prevention.
• So, is there a penalty then?
• So, as far as penalties go, that would be the last method of prevention.
• So, as far as penalties go, that would be the last method of prevention.

Keywords: 958, all

Summary: The committee met with a quorum, approved the September 24 minutes, and heard a briefing from representatives of three Kentucky drug task forces: Greater Hardin County, Bowling Green-Warren County, and Bluegrass Narcotics. The presenters described how multi-jurisdictional task forces operate, their partner agencies, and the kinds of drugs and trafficking patterns they are seeing, with fentanyl identified as the most dangerous and fastest-growing threat. They also described large seizures and investigations involving fentanyl pills, cocaine, methamphetamine, marijuana, tractor-trailer shipments, postal shipments, and a case tied to a pill press and undercover work with the DEA. Bluegrass Narcotics said it was formed in response to overdose deaths and has since seen major reductions in complaints and overdose deaths in Harrison and Bourbon counties. A major theme of the presentation was funding. The task forces said Byrne JAG funding has declined from about $2.1 million statewide in 2023-2024 to $1.4 million this year, while their costs for vehicles, fuel, technology, overtime, office space, and training have risen sharply. They said local support and asset forfeiture help, but the revenue is uneven and unpredictable, and they asked the legislature to consider adding about $1 million per year in state support, with oversight from the Justice Cabinet or Office of Drug Control Policy. They also emphasized that if meth labs return, many agencies would need new training and equipment because those capabilities have largely expired or been scaled back. Members asked about possible statutory barriers, coordination across counties and states, the source of drugs, and how seized cash is handled. The task forces said coordination with federal, state, and other local agencies is generally strong, but money remains the main obstacle to broader operations. They explained that seized cash is held as evidence and, after court proceedings, may be awarded back to task forces or split under statute, with 15% going to the Commonwealth’s attorney and 85% to law enforcement. No votes or formal actions were taken beyond approving the minutes and receiving the briefing.

Transcript Highlights:

• It is a number that was set years ago requiring them to spend a certain minimum amount on family law
• Just a point of clarification: do you change anything with the civil penalties that can be levied against
• Where there were penalties imposed before, we already removed it. Thank you for that clarification.

Bills: HF2300

Transcript Highlights:

• This bill does not impact one's criminal penalties.
• At a minimum, stronger language requiring the reconciliation should be added.
• We also want to make sure that we increase the time that their license is suspended, at a minimum, from
• We also want to make sure that we want to increase the time that their license is suspended at a minimum
• We have increased penalties, funded responsible serving, and required post-conviction tools like ignition

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• No inclination that the error rate penalty is going anywhere.
• That '28 penalty will be based on the lower of your fiscal '25 or fiscal '26 error rate.
• You have to use your '27 error rate to determine your penalty if you owe one.
• So, again, as a policy, and I had this discussion with the executive last year, I think as a minimum
• So, again, as a policy, and I had this discussion with the executive last year, I think as a minimum

Bills: HB2053, HB2116, HB2148

Keywords: stormwater, recharge mapping, water resources, groundwater, appropriation, Arizona, HB2116, Colorado River, litigation fund, water rights, Arizona water law, general fund appropriation, state budget, interstate water compact, Colorado River Compact, water litigation, A.R.S. 45-119, natural resources, water policy, river management

Summary: The committee first considered House Bill 2116, which would appropriate $1 million in fiscal year 2027 from the State General Fund to the Colorado River Litigation Fund. The sponsor said it was a repeat of last year’s request and was intended as a backup if the seven Colorado River basin states cannot reach a new agreement. Arizona Department of Water Resources staff testified in support, explaining the state’s role in ongoing Colorado River negotiations and distinguishing the litigation fund from the executive’s separate Colorado River Protection Fund. The bill received a due pass recommendation on a 17-1 vote. The committee then took up House Bill 2053, which appropriates $100,000 to ADWR for updated stormwater recharge mapping and expands the mapping effort beyond state trust lands to private lands. The committee adopted Chairman Livingston’s amendment, which extended the coordination timeline to one year, broadened the agencies involved, and revised language on site eligibility and the definition of stormwater. The sponsor said the bill would help identify more places to capture stormwater for recharge, while ADWR testified neutral, supporting the mapping work but raising a concern about language tied to appropriable surface water because that is a legal determination for the courts. The amended bill passed 11-7. House Bill 2148 was then heard, proposing to give the legislature authority to appropriate non-custodial federal monies, with requirements for specifying purposes and allowing agencies to spend such funds if the legislature does not act. An amendment excluded university and Board of Regents research grants from the bill’s scope, which the chair said was intended to avoid implementation problems. The sponsor framed the bill as a transparency measure, and members discussed the large amount of federal pass-through funding Arizona receives. The amended bill passed 11-7. After the bills, the committee received a lengthy JLBC presentation comparing the executive budget with the JLBC baseline. Discussion focused on revenue forecasts, the impact of federal tax conformity, state employee health insurance costs, SNAP administrative and error-rate costs under H.R. 1, developmental disabilities and AHCCCS growth, and K-12/ESA funding trends. Members repeatedly criticized the executive budget for funding some ongoing costs on a one-year basis and expressed concern about rising caseloads and supplemental needs. No formal action was taken on the presentation.

Transcript Highlights:

• In section 39, the civil penalties were removed from the bill language.
• So, it adds a penalty for not purchasing a license prior to buying milk from dairy producers.
• So, it adds a penalty for not purchasing a license prior to buying milk from dairy producers.
• So, it adds a penalty for not purchasing a license prior to buying milk from dairy producers.
• Um, and it also gives us some enforcement authority to administer penalties.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Third, it requires that a minimum of eight hours of the course must cover the basics of the Florida building
• In a minimum of eight hours, it must cover report writing, including a practical component.
• It enhances the penalties for when an unlicensed individual holds themselves out as a contractor.
• unlicensed bad actors that are allowed to fly under the radar due to delays in enforcement and weak penalties
• Contractor fraud in Florida is a big problem, and the bill's increases in penalties for unlicensed activity

Summary: The Committee on Regulated Industries met with a quorum and heard several bills, with SB 1742 on condos temporarily postponed. SB 1298 on building construction was reported favorably after sponsor testimony about continuing education for building professionals, rural sharing of building officials, residential inspector limits, a planning examiner internship, permitting modernization, and contractor transition liability. SB 638 on home inspectors was also reported favorably after discussion of increasing required education from 120 to 200 hours, adding subject-specific exam and course requirements, and requiring $300,000 in errors and omissions insurance. SB 960 on elevator accessibility requirements was reported favorably, allowing additional shorter support rails in elevators while keeping the existing 42-inch rail requirement. The committee also unanimously recommended confirmation of a block of board and commission appointees. The committee adopted amendments and reported favorably CS/SB 940 on third-party restaurant reservation platforms, aimed at stopping bots and unauthorized resale of restaurant reservations; the Florida Restaurant and Lodging Association and Booking Holdings supported the bill, and members discussed how the measure would preserve direct restaurant-platform relationships like OpenTable and Resy while targeting third-party marketplaces that resell reservations. CS/SB 196 on foods containing vaccines or vaccine materials was reported favorably after amendments that defined mRNA vaccine use and added a cosmetics-related amendment addressing harmful chemicals such as PFAS, phthalates, formaldehyde-releasing agents, and mercury compounds; the Florida Retail Federation raised concerns but said it was working with the sponsor. CS/SB 1418 on heated tobacco products was reported favorably after an amendment clarifying the definition of heated tobacco products and excluding hookah, with support from the Florida Retail Federation and comments that the bill would distinguish these products from cigarettes for tax purposes. The committee also adopted a strike-all amendment and reported favorably CS/SB 1262 on construction contracting, which adds consumer protection and financial literacy topics to contractor continuing education, increases penalties for unlicensed contracting, creates a standardized disciplinary reporting system, and requires timely refunds and project completion standards; the Florida Home Builders Association supported the measure. Finally, CS/SB 1304 on solar facilities was reported favorably after extensive testimony from county commissioners and local officials supporting greater local oversight and decommissioning requirements for utility-scale solar on agricultural land; the bill would remove the current statewide by-right treatment for solar on agricultural land and authorize counties to adopt decommissioning ordinances. The meeting ended with members recording additional affirmative votes on selected bills and adjourning.

Transcript Highlights:

• So that's where the minimum, right?
• Uh we felt that that was no penalties.
• <03:51:33.359> for going to pay the bare the minimum for going to pay the bare the minimum
• for that penalty, though.
• for that penalty, though.

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The committee heard testimony on Senate Bill 110, as amended by the Senate, which would establish fees for alteration-of-terrain applications and direct the Department of Environmental Services to adopt rules for a permit-by-notification process for certain projects. Trisha Milo introduced the bill for Senator Lang and noted that the department had worked on the amended language. Matt Mayberry of the New Hampshire Homebuilders Association said the industry strongly supported the bill, describing it as a public-private partnership that would speed review for developers without affecting local control, with builders paying the costs rather than taxpayers. Members focused heavily on how the bill’s fee structure and permit thresholds would work, especially for projects near shoreland, wetlands, and protected water bodies. Representative Opel raised concerns about whether the bill reduced review of habitat and shoreland impacts or shifted costs unfairly; Philip Trobridge of DES explained that the bill does not eliminate those reviews and that shoreland projects still receive greater scrutiny. He said the bill creates different tiers, with the permit-by-notification process applying to certain projects between 100,000 and 150,000 square feet that are not in protected shoreland, while larger or shoreland-affected projects remain under the standard review process. He also said the proposed fees were based on sustaining the program, covering added habitat and species review responsibilities, and keeping reviews efficient. Trobridge said the new fee structure would generate about $1.2 million in additional revenue and help fund additional staff and related program costs. He stated that the department had worked with the regulated community and believed the fees were fair and reasonable, though he acknowledged the bill’s wording was confusing and that the threshold could be revisited later if the new process works well. Members also discussed how the state process interacts with local approvals, and Trobridge said both state and local approvals are required before a project can begin. No vote or final action was taken in the portion of the meeting provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• You're right about the sales tax penalty. There's a property tax penalty.
• There's an expenditure penalty in the bill.
• Chairman, you're right about the sales tax penalty. There's property tax penalty.
• And now we're contemplating pretty big penalties for cities, pretty big prospective penalties, before
• If you have a penalty that goes into effect, I talked about the sales tax penalty earlier.

Keywords: 1184, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:35:57.760> and can have program specific penalties and can have program specific penalties
• And that's obviously much more common than the minimum wage.
• And that's obviously much more common than the minimum wage.
• And how many jobs even pay minimum wage.
• So under this than the minimum wage.

Bills: HF3439, HF3763

Keywords: Medical Assistance, Medicaid, MNsure, MinnesotaCare, disability determination, expedited eligibility, state medical review team, compassionate allowance, rare disease, home and community-based services, long-term care, managed care, county-based purchasing, eligibility redetermination, periodic data matching, death master file, Social Security Administration, program integrity, income eligibility, asset test

Summary: The House Health Finance and Policy Committee met on March 4, 2026, approved the minutes from its February 25 and March 2 meetings, and then heard a presentation from Katherine Castanza of the National Conference of State Legislatures on Medicaid eligibility changes in the federal One Big Beautiful Bill Act (HR1/OB3). The presentation focused on provisions affecting Medicaid expansion adults ages 19 to 64, including new work and community engagement requirements, changes to retroactive eligibility, quarterly death master file checks, address verification requirements, six-month redeterminations for expansion enrollees, and new limits on some lawful permanent residents and other immigrant groups. Castanza also discussed state implementation issues, including the need for new data-sharing systems, system modernization, outreach, and options for helping people transition to other coverage if they lose eligibility. She said the work and community engagement rules take effect January 1, 2027, with states given flexibility on look-back periods, consecutive versus nonconsecutive months, and optional hardship exemptions, and noted that CMS guidance is not expected until June 2026. She also described federal support for implementation, including $200 million in grants and a 90% federal match for eligibility system work, while warning that the fast timeline could lead to coverage losses, churn, and challenges for special populations such as caregivers, people with behavioral health conditions, incarcerated individuals, and rural residents. She further explained that an erroneous payment provision could expose states to federal recoupment later if eligibility errors increase. During member questions, Representative Beerman asked about the overall size of the Medicaid cuts and the cumulative national impact; Castanza said estimates vary by state and cited KFF analysis suggesting states could lose 4% to 19% of federal Medicaid revenue, with a newer RAND analysis recently released. Beerman also asked about the history and effectiveness of state work requirements, but that discussion was not completed in the excerpt. Representative Elkins noted the presentation was not initially posted on the committee website, and the chair said it had since been posted.

Transcript Highlights:

• And I realize it doesn't have criminal penalties, but we're teaching them how to not follow the law.
• You know, I realize it doesn't have criminal penalties, but we're teaching them how to not follow the
• I have some of the same concerns that you have in talking about the penalties and how we're going to
• So the two hours of DUI in statute is the minimum.
• Classroom instruction, if the course includes a minimum of seven hours behind-the-wheel training.

Bills: SB23, SB73, SB210, SB234, SB243, SB244, SM16

Keywords: student use, wireless devices, public schools, policy implementation, education technology funding, driver education, driver's ed, driving school, motorcycle safety, traffic safety, vulnerable road users, pedestrian safety, bicycle safety, cyclist, bike lane, micromobility, scooter, moped, motorcycle training, DWI prevention

Transcript Highlights:

• on our research and our investigation, we think you did this wrong, and here's what we think the penalty
• So, unfortunately, you have to clear the hurdle of the reconsideration, which will burn a minimum, if
• So unfortunately, you have to clear the hurdle of the reconsideration, which will burn a minimum, if
• they choose not to respond, it will burn your, the reconsideration, which will burn a minimum, if they

Keywords: 908, all

Summary: The subcommittee met on Senate Bill 2224 and reviewed the latest Legislative Council draft, version 1006, which incorporated prior changes including the Christensen amendment, the executive session language, and a 30-day deadline for the Attorney General to issue an order. The Attorney General’s office then explained its proposed amendment, which would clarify that hearings could be held under existing administrative hearing procedures, apply the same process to all violations, and preserve the current appeal structure. The office also raised concerns about the bill’s requirement that hearings be video recorded and broadcast live, noting possible technology and budget limitations. Representative Koppelman responded that the purpose of the bill was to ensure a timely, transparent process and avoid long delays before a sanctioned party could get to court, arguing that the Legislative Council draft better addressed due process concerns. Representative Henderson agreed and said the draft version improved transparency and established a clearer timeline. During discussion, a cross-reference in the appeal section was identified as incorrect and was corrected to refer to Section 28-32-49 rather than Chapter 28-27, with clarification that the appeal path should remain tied to the Attorney General’s administrative determination. The committee then amended the motion to include the corrected cross-reference and approved the Legislative Council version 1006 as amended. The vote was unanimous, and the bill was prepared to be taken back to committee the next morning for further action. The meeting then adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• Additionally, there are provisions in the Nurse Practice Act that address penalties for using nursing
• If we don't, continuing our current SNAP performance will cost Florida a $1 billion annual penalty.
• If we continue with that, it's going to cost us a billion dollars a year in penalties.
• If you work 80 hours, even just 80 hours a month at minimum wage, that's $12,000.
• Therefore, and as Karen, as we heard, unlikely in a minimum wage job that you're going to have health

Bills: S0036, S0864, S0268, S0844, S0514, S1404, S0914, S1758

Keywords: nursing title, advanced practice registered nurse, advertising, professional standards, disciplinary action, uterine fibroids, public records, health privacy, epidemiology, medical information, emergency department, physicians, privacy, personal information, sickle cell disease, sickle cell anemia, pain management, controlled substances, prescribing education, continuing medical education

Summary: The committee first considered SB 268, a public records exemption for emergency physicians. Senator Rodriguez’s strike-all amendment narrowed and clarified the exemption, and testimony from an emergency physician described threats, harassment, and safety concerns tied to mandatory reporting and patient encounters. The committee adopted the amendment and reported the bill favorably as a committee substitute. Members then heard SB 514, creating the Dula Support for Healthy Births Pilot Program in Broward, Miami-Dade, and Palm Beach counties for pregnant and postpartum women affected by substance use disorder. Senator Osgood explained the pilot would provide non-medical doula support and data collection, and an amendment changed the funding source to specific appropriations in the General Appropriations Act. Supporters said doula care can improve maternal and infant outcomes and complement medical providers. The committee adopted the amendment and reported the bill favorably as a committee substitute. The committee also approved SB 36 on use of professional nursing titles after extensive debate over whether nurses with doctoral degrees should be allowed to use “doctor” in clinical settings, with concerns raised about patient confusion and the need for clearer identification. The bill was amended to align with the House version and then reported favorably as a committee substitute. The committee next approved SB 864, a public records exemption for uterine fibroid research data, after a technical amendment setting a July 1, 2026 effective date; Senator Sharif said the exemption is needed so the Department of Health can collect sensitive data for the related research bill. SB 844, requiring continuing education on sickle cell disease care management for certain licensed physicians and nurses, was also reported favorably after emotional testimony from patients and advocates describing delayed care and bias. Later, the committee approved SB 1404 on memory care, after a strike-all amendment creating a new memory care specialty license for assisted living facilities that advertise or provide specialized memory care services, while allowing optional supportive services without the new license. Supporters from the senior living industry backed the clarification. The committee then passed SB 914, which clarifies that licensed occupational therapists may perform dry needling, after an amendment adjusting supervision and continuing education language. Finally, the committee took up SB 1758, a broad Medicaid and SNAP reform bill that would strengthen fraud enforcement, impose Medicaid work requirements for certain able-bodied adults, expand behavioral health services, modernize drug purchasing and prior authorization, and require SNAP fraud-reduction measures. Several amendments were adopted, and members questioned the work requirement, implementation costs, EBT card photo identification, and due process concerns; debate continued as the transcript ended.

Transcript Highlights:

• It requires dog breeders to meet minimum standards of care and not place certain types of dogs in the
• <00:23:39.360> breeders<00:23:39.760> to<00:23:39.840> meet<00:23:40.039> minimum
• requires dog breeders to meet minimum requires dog breeders to meet minimum standards<00:23:40.799
• system and establishes civil and system and establishes civil and criminal<00:24:09.840> penalties
• <00:24:10.240> for criminal penalties for criminal penalties for violations<00:24:13.440><

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Summary: The joint hearing first took up SB 696, which would create an emergency management office and fund tax credits, grants for low-income taxpayers to fortify homes, shelter development, and staffing. Supporters argued Hawaii needs a dedicated preparedness office and funding before the next hurricane season, while the Tax Foundation said the bill was too vague, especially on who would qualify for the tax credits and under what conditions. The Department of the Attorney General and the insurance division offered comments, and both committees recommended deferral of SB 696. The Commerce and Consumer Protection committee then heard SB 179 on construction defect remedies and the contractor repair act. Builders, Realtors, carpenters, and a mortgage industry witness supported the bill, saying it would reduce abusive litigation, speed repairs, and help housing production and affordability. Homeowner advocates and plaintiff attorneys opposed it, arguing it would weaken consumer protections, shift repair costs to homeowners, and delay or limit legitimate claims. One testifier suggested the Senate focus instead on stronger alternative dispute resolution, and the committee noted 105 written supporters, four opponents, and one comment submission. The committee next heard SB 416 on allowing pets in rental housing, with the Attorney General recommending a non-impairment safeguard because of possible effects on existing contracts. SB 593 on commercial dog breeders drew support from the Hawaii Humane Society and others, with concerns raised that counties would be expected to enforce the new regime without funding. SB 641, creating a tax on low-alcohol-by-volume spirits beverages, drew opposition from the Wine Institute, which said it would create a tax break for one segment and likely reduce state revenue. SB 1048 on online crowdfunding received support from GoFundMe and comments from the Attorney General, with GoFundMe urging changes to reduce burdens on charitable fundraising. SB 1213, allowing businesses to accept service of process by email instead of maintaining a registered agent, drew DCCA comments and opposition from LegalZoom, which warned email service could be unreliable and vulnerable to phishing.

Transcript Highlights:

• Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac require an association to have a minimum of Reserves.
• Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac require an association to have a minimum of 10% in reserves and will increase
• attorney who filed it may be required to pay the park owners' legal fees in addition to a monetary penalty
• Not as it related to changing where you pay your fees, but certainly a board that is penalty-happy and
• There was no committee hearing about this and changing the whole fee structure and penalty structure.

Keywords: 988, house, all

Summary: The committee heard a long agenda, much of it focused on homeowners association (HOA) issues. AB 2584, relating to civil immunity for lawful self-defense, was presented only and left for further work after the chair and others said California already has strong self-defense laws and more discussion was needed. AB 1684, which would bar HOAs from restricting homeowners’ ability to install or use compliant cooling systems, drew support from the author and housing advocates, with opposition from CAI seeking more association discretion; members emphasized heat as a health and safety issue and the bill was moved forward. AB 1892, a technical cleanup bill on HOA utility repairs, election notices, and electronic ballot timing, passed unanimously. AB 2050, requiring a formula for HOA reserve funding, also passed with broad support as a consumer protection measure to reduce surprise special assessments and address aging condominium stock. AB 2106, extending certificate-of-merit protections for design professionals and landscape architects, passed with support from professional associations and no opposition. AB 2145, directing HCD to study senior downsizing barriers, moved forward after mortgage and banking groups shifted from opposition to neutral. AB 2238, aimed at deterring meritless mobile home park litigation by shifting fees and penalties to attorneys, passed after amendments, though legal aid groups remained opposed. AB 2439, prompted by two authors’ personal HOA payment problems, would require stronger notice when payment processors change and address liens/fees; it passed despite concerns about return-receipt mail and personal liability for board members. AB 2579, responding to the $100 HOA fine cap enacted last year, would create a Department of Real Estate process to define serious health and safety violations and passed with support from HOA industry groups. The committee also took up SCR 89, a resolution reaffirming California’s commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion in response to federal rollbacks; it received support from student, civil rights, labor, and legal groups and was advanced without opposition.

Transcript Highlights:

• ,<02:22:13.720> the<02:22:13.840> minimum<02:22:14.240> and and also the penalties
• , the minimum and and also the penalties, the minimum and the<02:22:14.440> maximum<02:22:14.960
• We didn't establish a minimum penalty.
• is the penalty, or the max penalty, for this new crime.
• > the<02:28:17.320> max<02:28:17.640> penalty uh is the penalty or or the max penalty

Keywords: MS Senate Floor - 31 March, 2026; 10:00 AM, 925, all

Summary: The Senate convened with a quorum present, received an invocation from Dr. Reginald Anderson, and recited the pledge of allegiance. The journal and committee reports were dispensed with by voice vote. Early in the meeting, senators also introduced guests, including Dr. Adrian Gilliam Pierre as doctor of the day and several school groups and community visitors in the galleries. A major portion of the session was devoted to recognizing student athletes and coaches through commendation resolutions. The Senate honored the Northside High School Gators boys basketball team for winning its first Class 2A state championship, the Morton High School Panthers boys basketball team for winning the 2025 Class 4A title, East Rankin Academy teams for multiple championships, Simpson County Academy’s boys cross country team and Lily Overby, Brookhaven Academy’s fast-pitch softball team, and several other schools and programs. The chamber also recognized Mississippi artist Castro Coleman (Mr. Sipp) for his music contributions, and later introduced the Meridian High School Choir, Brookhaven Academy fifth graders, and David Hoke, who has delivered Bibles to all 50 state legislatures. The Senate then took up nominations and approved three by advise-and-consent: Kent Gerard Nico to the Mississippi Hospital Equipment and Facilities Authority, Marcus Jones Martin to the State Tax Appeals Board, and Keith Allen Williams Jr. to the Mississippi Business Finance Corporation. After that, Senator Kirby moved to suspend the rules and take up a large block of commending resolutions, which the Senate agreed to consider together. The block included numerous resolutions honoring schools, athletes, educators, and community figures, and the Senate agreed to proceed to final passage by roll call with no objection noted.