Transcript Highlights:

• solutions that balance the accommodating solutions that balance the needs<00:47:05.760> of<00
• <01:15:42.600> using<01:15:42.920> it<01:15:43.120> for<01:15:43.800> reasons
• <01:15:44.800> that employees are using it for reasons that employees are using it for reasons
• a lot having to do with economic reasons a lot having to do with Monopoly<01:21:31.360> corporate
• sick situation, not if they want to go on vacation, not to spend the time, you know, for whatever reason

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• for it, and that reason varies, but it has to be pretty large.
• Now, you can say it's for innocent reasons, but at that point, you are compiling a list.
• Now, you can say it's for innocent reasons, but at that point, you are compiling a list.
• accessibility and accommodations or a accessibility and accommodations or a municipality<01:35:24.159
• And is that to accommodate what the bill was originally purposed for?

Bills: HB0111, HB0112, HB0122

Keywords: capital construction, state funding, Wyoming, major maintenance, community colleges, task force, legislative services, budget appropriation, unexpended funds, sunset clause, healthcare, rural health, transformation program, funding, incentives, training, access, perpetuity fund, 916, all

Transcript Highlights:

• The leading reason employees cite for leaving is inadequate compensation.
• institutionalized for some reason institutionalized for some reason because<00:34:47.839> you
• behind that, there are a number of reasons: audio and video, dashboard cam.
• <01:13:56.880> that about again for some of the reasons that about again for some of the reasons
• <01:14:55.400> that situation and one of the reasons that situation and one of the reasons

Keywords: 1183, house

Summary: The House Judiciary Finance and Civil Law Committee met to approve the January 16 minutes and then heard a budget presentation from State Court Administrator Jeff Shorba on behalf of the Minnesota judicial branch. Shorba described the courts’ structure, mission, and workload, noting 322 judges, about 2,800 staff, roughly 1 million district court filings annually, and a current budget of about $479 million. He emphasized the branch’s constitutional obligation to provide fair and timely access to justice and said the courts are funded almost entirely through legislative appropriations. He also highlighted recent accomplishments made possible by prior legislative funding, including eliminating the pandemic felony and gross misdemeanor backlog, expanding remote and hybrid hearings, improving courtroom technology, sustaining treatment courts, and increasing pay for interpreters and psychological examiners. Shorba outlined the judicial branch’s 2026–27 budget request, which he said totals a 12% increase over the starting biennial base. Major requests included $77.3 million in 2026–27 and $104 million in 2028–29 for a 6% judicial salary increase and related compensation costs; $5.1 million in 2026–27 and $1.76 million in 2028–29 for digital accessibility compliance with new federal ADA rules; $4 million in 2026–27 and $800,000 in 2028–29 to modernize justice partner access to court records; $7.2 million in 2026–27 to raise pay for contract psychological examiners; and $18 million in 2026–27 to increase juror pay from $20 to $100 per day and align mileage rates with federal rates. He also discussed ongoing funding needs for interpreter services, jury costs, cybersecurity, and other statutorily required court services, saying temporary funding provided in the prior session will expire and that permanent support is needed. Members asked questions about treatment courts, employee bargaining, and mental health competency issues. Representative Eric requested more detail on funding for newly launched and existing treatment courts, and Shorba said many treatment courts begin with federal grants before transitioning to state support after about three years. He confirmed the judicial branch negotiates its own employee contracts rather than the executive branch doing so, and said the branch has three unions plus many unrepresented employees. On mental health and competency, Shorba said the branch is focused on obtaining timely psychological evaluations and is not responsible for treatment services themselves, but acknowledged a shortage of examiners and treatment beds and said a related competency board would be testifying the following week. No votes or formal actions were taken beyond adoption of the minutes.

Transcript Highlights:

• In fact, TxDOT bought back State Highway 288 last fall for this very reason.
• Is that a reasonable way to look at that? Yes. Okay.
• Most people think we should have a reasonable balanced approach.
• There's no policy reason to keep these funds locked to a single mode.
• I am in favor of this bill, and there's a reason why this needs to be legislation.

Bills: HJR58, HJR63, HB263, HB542, HB905, HB 1288, HB1402, HB2003, HB2262, HB2323, HB2429, HB2876, HB3019, HB263

Keywords: healthcare, insurance, elderly, retirement, benefits, transit-oriented projects, constitutional amendment, state highway fund, funding allocation, voter approval, highway fund, funding, public transportation, transit projects, transportation, local transit, fund allocation, voting rights, election integrity, ballot access

Transcript Highlights:

• So if a baby's dropped off at a fire station and for some reason the box malfunctions and there's some
• This bill allows portions of flexibly zoned areas such as plan unit developments to accommodate Live
• This bill allows portions of flexibly zoned areas such as plan unit developments to accommodate Live

Summary: The Florida Senate convened with a quorum, opening prayer, Pledge of Allegiance, and several introductions and gallery recognitions, including students, university basketball coaches, and other visitors. The chamber then moved through a long special order calendar of bills, with most measures explained by sponsors, often substituted with identical House companions, and many passing on unanimous or near-unanimous votes. Several bills were temporarily postponed, including measures on the Council on the Social Status of Black Men and Boys, utility services, higher education, pre-arranged transportation services, the Uniform Commercial Code, altered sexual depictions, firearms during emergencies, brownfields, false reporting, health care billing and collection, and motor vehicles. Among the bills passed were measures on the Florida Trust Code, school district reporting requirements for educator arrests and misconduct, debt collection email communications, service of process, public lodging and food service establishments, lien waivers and releases, public records protections for Crime Stoppers personnel, foreign ties affecting health care licensure, diabetes management in schools, platting procedures, fentanyl testing in hospitals and emergency departments, third-party reservation platforms, electronic delivery of landlord-tenant notices, restitution for leaving the scene of a crash, background screening of athletic coaches, and surrendered infants. Debate was especially notable on the surrendered infants bill, where some senators raised concerns about safety, anonymity, and liability, while supporters argued the devices could save lives. The affordable housing/Live Local bill also drew extensive discussion and a late-filed amendment, with the sponsor describing major land-use and permitting changes and the chamber adopting the amendment before final passage. The most contentious floor debate came on the Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services bill, where senators argued over its fluoride-related provisions and broader policy package. Opponents criticized the bill as an overbroad preemption and raised public health concerns, while the sponsor defended it as a farm-and-consumer package with multiple unrelated provisions. That bill ultimately passed 27-9. At the end of the session, the Senate agreed to certify all bills passed that day to the House, recognized a resolution honoring Florida’s sister-state relationship with Taiwan, made additional announcements, and then adjourned until the next scheduled meeting.

Transcript Highlights:

• being that Medicaid payment reasons being that Medicaid payment rates<01:18:06.400> currently
• could reasonably absorb the added<01:22:16.639> workload<01:22:17.360> and<01:22:17.520
• In the Children's Mental Health Act, this is not the reason children are leaving their homes; they are
• In the Children's Mental Health Act, this is not the reason children are leaving their homes; they are
• The reason for the three distinct buckets is both strategic and deliberate.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• And parents had different reasons for hardship and what their students needed.
• That's the very reason why we're stopping, right? Yeah.
• So I'm just curious, is there a reason for that?
• Chairman Creighton: Yes, that’s a reasonable assumption, Senator King.
• So whatever the reason, kids need alternatives. How many might that be?

Bills: SB 2

Keywords: 1185, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• People were buried outside the walls forever, and the reason why people were buried outside the walls
• cemetery in their city, the city council just doesn't approve it, or the citizens can go and give the reasons
• So the exemption and the tax exemption and the condemnation are the only two real reasons then, which
• “Correct, to a special use to accommodate cemeteries.”
• What was appropriate in '95 is like all laws: they need to be amended over time to accommodate modern

Bills: HB447, HB897, HB993, HB2673, HB3671, HB3680, HB3897, HB4506, HB4753, HB4812, HB4894, HB5148, HB5437, HB5650, HB5652, HB5654, HB5656, HB5661, HB5665

Keywords: traffic impact studies, municipal utility district, bonds, road projects, eminent domain, HB 897, Texas land sale, state property, Austin real estate, Travis County, General Land Office, Texas State Library and Archives Commission, HHSC, Health and Human Services Commission, state records facility, archives building, library funding, capital improvements, lease of state land, public land disposition

Summary: The committee heard testimony on a series of land use, housing, and local government bills. House Bill 447, relating to TIA requirements for certain MUD bond issuances, drew opposition from a witness who argued it would duplicate work already done, strain agency resources, and delay development; after the author’s closing, the committee substitute was withdrawn and the bill was left pending. The committee then voted out Senate Bill 1202 (third-party review of home backup power installations), House Bill 2494 (disannexation for failure to provide services), House Bill 1835 (removing barriers to HUD co-manufactured homes), and Senate Bill 15 (lot size and density limits in certain municipalities), with House Bill 1835 receiving one no vote and the others passing unanimously. House Bill 897, authorizing sale or lease of two state-owned Austin properties, was laid out and left pending after brief questions and no public testimony. The committee also heard and left pending several MUD creation bills for Montgomery and Fort Bend counties, including House Bills 5652, 5654, 5661, and 5656, each presented as template district bills with local support and no opposition recorded at the table. A major portion of the meeting focused on House Bill 2673, which would restore prior restrictions on new cemeteries near growing urban areas by repealing changes made last session. Representative Lujan and supporters argued the current law created unintended consequences, including loss of developable land, tax-exempt property in urban cores, and conflicts with infrastructure planning; they said cities already have authority to establish their own cemeteries if needed. Opponents, including a funeral services industry representative, argued the 2023 change was intended to let communities decide and that the bill would take local decision-making backward. After extensive testimony from both sides, the bill was left pending. The committee also heard House Bill 3680, which would create a Cameron County-specific process allowing local discretion under the model subdivision rules. Supporters said the bill would preserve colonia protections while reducing costly platting and replatting burdens on families trying to sell or pass down land; county officials and realtors testified in favor. The bill was left pending after closing. House Bill 4812, a clarification to the Texas Uniform Condominium Act to prevent counties from imposing subdivision platting requirements on condominiums, received support from builders and a condominium attorney who said current county practices create duplicative hurdles and higher costs; it too was left pending. Finally, House Bill 5148, which would allow certain single-stair apartment buildings up to six stories, generated the most detailed policy debate. Supporters, including housing advocates and architects, said the bill would lower costs, improve unit design, and expand affordable, family-friendly housing while maintaining safety through sprinklers and other safeguards. Fire officials from Corpus Christi opposed the bill, warning that a single stairwell could hinder firefighting and occupant evacuation, especially if sprinklers fail or smoke spreads. The author said the bill was aimed at new construction only and was part of a broader effort to reduce outdated housing regulations; the committee substitute was withdrawn and the bill was left pending at adjournment.

Transcript Highlights:

• I do recognize that it's been a challenge to accommodate a more holistic review.
• Without having some accommodation here, they're the only ones right now that are 75% correct.
• And the reason I ask that is, you wanna choose the best quality people. Yes, sir. Yes, sir.
• The reason I'm asking those questions is I have concerns. about any institution choosing over any type
• Where the student is and what they have completed, for privacy reasons, the counselors don't have access

Bills: HB42, HB 125, HB 1233, HB2853, HB3148, HB3326, HB3701, HB4066, HB4361, HB4762, HB4909, HB4912, HB42, HB125

Keywords: higher education, funding, financial allocation, state budget, Texas A&M University, University of Houston, education funding, medical education, osteopathic medicine, healthcare workforce, Tarleton State University, industry-recognized credentials, workforce development, career opportunities, feasibility study, student fees, university funding, student union, education, UT El Paso

Transcript Highlights:

• The reason that they brought this bill to me is because there have been some delays, and I cannot speak
• group of individuals that they necessarily would need a different appropriation for the agency to accommodate
• ><00:08:13.520> to appropriation for the agency to to appropriation for the agency to to accommodate
• <00:08:16.160> Thank accommodate those changes. Okay. Thank accommodate those changes.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• This resulted in a in very for a reason.
• Um, it would depend on a court. appreciate making accommodations here. appreciate making accommodations
• But, um, there are good reasons that this happens as well.
• <00:30:32.399> why dollars, but there's also a reason why dollars, but there's also a reason
• That is the primary reason for electronic poll books.

Keywords: Discussion of BR 25 (2026 RS) 04:15 Presentation on voting systems by ES&S 48:14 Presentation on voting systems by Hart InterCivic and Harp Enterprises 01:13:07, 958, all

Summary: The committee met to approve the October 21 minutes and then took up BR 25 for the 2026 regular session, a proposal relating to prohibited uses of tax dollars and public resources. The sponsors said the bill is intended to strengthen existing law by adding civil and criminal penalties for taxpayer-funded advocacy on ballot questions, especially in light of controversies during the 2024 election over school officials and districts using public resources to oppose a constitutional amendment. They also described related concerns about school districts hiring third-party lobbyists and public relations firms, particularly in Fayette County, and said the proposal was meant to keep tax dollars focused on public services rather than political persuasion. Committee members raised several concerns about scope and drafting. Some asked whether the bill should specifically mention schools, school boards, and school employees, and the sponsors said they would add that language. Others questioned whether the measure would also affect local government lobbying through groups like KLC and KCO, and the sponsors said they intended to focus narrowly on schools while exempting certain advocacy organizations and internal government lobbyists. Members also asked whether public employees could still speak as private individuals, and the sponsors said yes. Several members suggested splitting the lobbying and ballot-advocacy issues into separate bills, and the sponsors said they would consider that. Members also pressed for clarification on how the bill would apply in practice, including whether it would cover legal challenges to petition drives or only advocacy after a question is on the ballot. Counsel for the sponsors said the bill would not cover some petition-related litigation as drafted, though they believed it should. The sponsors and supporters argued the proposal was needed to give the existing prohibition real enforcement, while some members warned that the language could unintentionally limit legitimate public representation or be too broad if not carefully drafted. No final vote was taken during the discussion.

Transcript Highlights:

• The reason why we use CDFIs is because their program's already stood up.
• uh for political reasons. uh for political reasons.
• And if I may, I think this is a reasonable accommodation.
• And if I may, I think this is a reasonable reasonable reasonable um um um a<00:42:41.200> accommodation
• <00:42:41.734> [clears throat] a accommodation. [clears throat] a accommodation.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• So there's no read reason to calendar.
• committee gave any reasonable committee gave any reasonable explanation<01:42:32.800> of<
• And for all these reasons, I errors.
• And for those reasons, Mr.
• Chair, I believe the bill reasons, Mr.

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Representative McGuire then explained that the reason the bill is being ITL'd rather than amended is
• And, um, colleges already make accommodations under ADA for students with disabilities, but this one
• ADA is about moving dust around and accommodating people physically.
• ADA is about moving dust around and accommodating people physically.
• ADA is about moving dust around and accommodating people physically.

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• discrimination on the basis of sex, sexual orientation, and gender identity in employment, housing, public accommodations
• discrimination on the basis of sex, sexual orientation, and gender identity in employment, housing, public accommodations
• discrimination on the basis of sex, sexual orientation, and gender identity in employment, housing, public accommodations

Bills: SCR11, SR9

Keywords: Civil Rights Act, discrimination, employment, housing, public accommodations, LGBTQ+ rights, gender identity, sexual orientation, Equality Act, civil rights, federally funded programs, 912, senate, all

Summary: The joint committees on Energy and Intergovernmental Affairs, Transportation, and later Judiciary heard two sets of resolutions. The first, SCR 132 and SR 124, urged the City and County of Honolulu to take steps to finalize the Makakilo Drive Extension Project. Testimony from a Makakilo resident emphasized the lack of a second access route and raised safety concerns about being trapped in the area in an emergency. Both committees voted to pass the resolutions unamended. The second set, SCR 11 and SR 9, requested that the U.S. Congress amend the Civil Rights Act of 1964 to prohibit discrimination based on sex, sexual orientation, and gender identity in employment, housing, public accommodations, education, federally funded programs, credit, and jury service. Supporters from the Hawaii State Commission on the Status of Women, IMUA Alliance, and Pride at Work in Hawaii argued that stronger anti-discrimination protections are needed to reduce vulnerability to violence, housing insecurity, and exploitation, and to provide federal protections that mirror state law. One senator asked whether state protections already exist and was told the resolutions seek federal-level protections because federal law can supersede state law. Both committees adopted recommendations to pass SCR 11 and SR 9 unamended, with votes in favor and some members excused.

Transcript Highlights:

• Lovely for legislation to study discrimination in public accommodation for individuals with service animals
• The House will be in recess for a brief reason. House Bill 22? An order, Mr.

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The House opened with the Pledge of Allegiance and then concurred with a Senate referral of a petition by Joan B. Lovely to study discrimination in public accommodations for individuals with service animals, sending it to the Committee on Consumer, Children, Families, and Persons with Disabilities. The chamber also suspended Joint Rule 12 for two petitions by Adam J. Scanlon: one asking CHIA to analyze eliminating or capping copays for mental and behavioral health services, and another concerning no-cost calls for incarcerated individuals, referring them to the appropriate committees. The House then took up a slate of bills recommended by the Steering, Policy and Scheduling Committee and, after suspending Rule 7A, ordered several to third reading. These included Marnie’s Law on inflammatory breast cancer awareness in nursing education, Haverhill election bills, a New Salem election validation bill, Plymouth charter and digital legal notice bills, a Nantucket charter gender-neutrality bill, and a Nantucket land conveyance bill. The House also separately suspended Rule 7A for House Bill 2614 on medical parole and ordered it to third reading. On final passage, the House passed House Bill 4249 on vital statistics to be reenacted, adopted emergency preambles for House Bill 3388 designating September 22 as Military Service Members and Veterans Suicide Awareness and Remembrance Day and for House Bill 1024 concerning sewer service in Sharon, and passed House Bill 23/Senate Bill 23 on alternate members to the Squabskine Conservation Commission. The House also engrossed Senate Bill 1830 on continued employment for Herbert A. Chafee II in Brookfield, House Bill 4109 on harbor line changes in New Bedford Harbor, and House Bill 4524 renaming Williamsburg’s Board of Selectmen as the Select Board. The session ended with adoption of an order to adjourn and the House standing adjourned to meet Wednesday at 11 a.m. in informal session.

Transcript Highlights:

• Select Committees on Illegal Immigration and will assign as many members to each committee as we can reasonably
• accommodate in our largest committee room, Webster Hall in 212 Knott.

Keywords: 998, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• And the reason why we do this is done.
• For this reason, at the that care.
• a standard that it cannot reasonably a standard that it cannot reasonably expect<05:18:10.240>
• From day appropriate accommodations.
• And there's no reason that children.

Keywords: U.S. House of Representatives Floor Proceedings on Tuesday, January 13, 2026, 1012, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• And for all reasons you have heard before, I'll keep it brief, and we urge your support of this bill.
• HB 100 makes a targeted investment in STEM education; for these reasons, P&M supports the bill.
• For these reasons, the Greater Albuquerque Chamber of Commerce supports House Bill 100 and respectfully
• For these reasons, the Greater Albuquerque Chamber of Commerce supports House Bill 100 and respectfully
• I'm wondering. ...rural and tribal communities for the reasons that have been stated earlier.

Bills: HB40, HB100, HJR1, SB64, SB19, SB44, SB83

Keywords: educational retirement, annuity adjustments, cost of living, non-compounding payments, retirement benefits, STEM funding, education, innovation, public education, New Mexico, nominating committees, boards of regents, student representation, political party registration, New Mexico constitution, special education, office of special education, deputy secretary, public education department, IEP

Transcript Highlights:

• Also, there was an interpretation by ABC for some vendors that need to be accommodated.
• /c><00:06:06.360> need<00:06:06.560> to<00:06:06.640> be<00:06:06.720> accommodated
• vendors that need to be accommodated. vendors that need to be accommodated.

Keywords: 958, all