Transcript Highlights:

• mighty name of Jesus, we ask you for your hand to be upon this Senate as they govern righteously, walk
• So you're all invited this evening, 4:30 at the Hancocks, which is literally walking up the road here
• 00:31:42.480> which<00:31:42.720> is<00:31:42.880> literally<00:31:43.440> walking
• the Hancocks, which is literally walking the Hancocks, which is literally walking up<00:31:44.240

Keywords: 958, all

Summary: The Kentucky Senate convened for the opening of the 2026 regular session with an invocation and pledge, then administered the oath of office to Senator-elect Gary Clemens of Jefferson 37. The chamber adopted Senate Resolution 1, establishing the 2026 Senate membership, and declared a quorum present with 36 members. The absent senators were excused, and the journal from March 28, 2025 was approved. The Senate then adopted Senate Resolution 2, which set the rules of procedure for the 2026 session. The rule changes included moving certain resolutions and announcements, removing the 12-member limit on standing committees, shifting administrative regulation jurisdiction, eliminating hard-copy posting and bill-printing requirements in favor of electronic versions, allowing same-day action on conference reports, striking COVID-era remote voting language, tightening floor privilege and lobbying access rules for the temporary chambers, and repealing vote-pairing language. Democratic leadership also reported a change in majority whip, naming the senator from Jefferson 19 after the former whip resigned. The clerk reported a large number of newly filed measures, including memorial resolutions, policy resolutions, and bills on topics such as safe room rebates, trauma center coverage, planning commission membership, paid maternity leave for state employees, veterans benefits, wages, CASA, podiatry, mushrooms, motor vehicle operation, schools, city government, music therapy, dual credit scholarships, geoengineering, educational discrimination, cremation, solid waste, motor vehicle commission, economic infrastructure, recovery residences, property transfer at death, oaths, and an Article V convention term-limits resolution. Senate Resolution 3, inviting Frankfurt-area pastors to open sessions with prayer, was adopted. Members also announced an ethics training for the next day and a reception for Senator Clemens. The Senate then adjourned until the next scheduled meeting date announced by the chair.

Transcript Highlights:

• We counsel students on benefits and walk them through the application process.
• , let's just say for a reimbursement of some Sort, or I'm working on my case, I want to be able to walk
• We have "Walk for the Heroes," and it's actually this weekend coming up.
• And it's a three-mile walk. Nobody's racing; just everybody completes it.
• I ran McNally because we are home to the most number of veterans from all walks of life per capita, but

Transcript Highlights:

• And so what happens is individuals who own private cemeteries have the ability to walk away.
• And so when a private individual walks away from a cemetery, what that means is the gates are locked.
• edges of the opposition here, and so you can get some sense of the knife edge that we're trying to walk
• edges of the opposition here, and so you can get some sense of the knife edge that we're trying to walk
• Some sense of the knife edge that we're trying to walk in the bill.

Summary: The Assembly Business and Professions Committee heard a lengthy agenda of Senate bills, with most measures ultimately advancing on party-line or broad bipartisan votes after substantial testimony and several amendments. Early in the hearing, SB 418 by Sen. Menjivar was presented as a health access bill to codify ACA nondiscrimination protections in state law and require coverage for up to a 12-month supply of medically approved hormone therapy; supporters framed it as protecting continuity of care amid federal threats, while there was no opposition testimony. The committee later also took up SB 456, which would exempt muralists from contractor licensing requirements for commissioned fine art murals; supporters said recent enforcement had chilled mural projects and harmed artists and communities, and the bill passed unanimously to Appropriations. SB 641, part of the wildfire response package, and SB 774, a sunset review bill for the Department of Real Estate and Bureau of Real Estate Appraisers, also advanced with support and no opposition. SB 775 and SB 776, sunset extensions for the behavioral sciences, psychology, and optometry boards, passed after witnesses described technical changes and the need to keep the boards operating. SB 777, dealing with abandoned cemeteries, drew testimony from local governments, industry, and counties; after amendments removed a local takeover mandate and shifted the bill toward a stakeholder working group and study process, opposition softened or was withdrawn and the bill moved forward to Local Government. SB 790, on interstate reciprocity for online higher education, generated the most debate, with supporters arguing California students and institutions need stronger consumer protections and access to the national reciprocity framework, while opponents said the bill’s terms conflicted with the existing compact; it passed as amended to Appropriations after committee members emphasized continued work on student protections. The consent calendar, including SB 389 and SB 861, was also approved, and the committee adjourned after additional vote changes were recorded.

Transcript Highlights:

• Because of this program, we were walking, we are able to walk with this family every step of the way,
• We'll walk with them until those babies turn 3 years old.
• So we serve people from every walk of life, and we only get into the spiritual issues if requested by
• Well, for example, a couple of weeks ago, we had a lady who walked into our lobby.

Transcript Highlights:

• David Walk. Mr. Chair, I'd like to turn it over to Mr.
• David Walk, who has been working tirelessly on a plan that would help utilize this money in a way that
• David Walk.
• Walk taking part. Dr.
• And you know, I'm usually pretty nervous when I present a bill, but today walking through that silly

Transcript Highlights:

• I wouldn't walk away until something was done for kidney patients.
• that the governor convened and, and brought the experts in Texas from all over the state, from every walk
• kidney disease, as, uh, Jennifer said and, uh, Miss Lilliful, there are thousands of people of Texas walking
• Police officers walked closer and I said, I guess I don't. So I signed under duress.
• After, um, within a week of her starting the chemotherapy, she lost her ability to walk.

Bills: HB46

Keywords: local government spending cap, expenditure limit, political subdivision, property tax, ad valorem tax, budget cap, taxpayer protection, spending restraint, inflation adjustment, population growth, voter approval, supermajority vote, county budget, municipal budget, school district finance, junior college district, hospital district, special district, attorney general enforcement, local fiscal limits

Transcript Highlights:

• I wouldn’t walk away until something was done for kidney patients.
• and I had to assist him in that endeavor. ...and brought in experts from all over Texas from every walk
• Littlefield mentioned, there are thousands of people in Texas. ...walking around with chronic kidney
• Police officers walked closer, and I said, I guess I don't. So I signed under duress.
• After, within a week of her starting the chemotherapy, she lost her ability to walk, and then she stopped

Bills: HB514, HB1652, HB2117, HB2298, HB3269, HB46, HB46

Keywords: maternal health, maternal care, pregnancy, labor and delivery, postpartum, doula, birth worker, midwife, obstetric care, women's health, rural health, health workforce, workforce development, trauma-informed care, public outreach campaign, health equity, minority health, underserved communities, Texas Department of State Health Services, HHSC

Transcript Highlights:

• Chair, if you'd like to have nonpartisan walk through the bill, that's fine by me.
• I will do a fairly high-level walk-through. The House File 1615 DE is divided into three articles.
• I will do a fairly high<00:01:28.479> level<00:01:28.799> walk<00:01:29.040> through
• <00:01:29.759> The<00:01:30.240> uh<00:01:30.479> House high level walk through
• The uh House high level walk through.

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• If a shooter walks into a school that we're defending, our goals are to respond in five seconds, confront
• Earlier this year, I was actually on a learning walk to some second-grade classrooms.
• After the walk, the chief academic officer really stamped a salient point.
• And earlier this year, I was actually on a learning walk to some second grade classrooms.
• After the walk, the chief academic officer really stamped a salient point.

Summary: The Senate Committee on Education K-16 met with a quorum and announced a full agenda, including combined public testimony for two bills related to student personal communication devices. The committee first took up Senate Bill 1262 by Senator Nichols, a school safety cleanup bill following House Bill 3. The bill would allow TEA to commission peace officers for school safety purposes, require annual renewal of good-cause exceptions to armed guard requirements, create a new report based on intruder detection audits and vulnerability assessments, and require behavioral threat assessment teams to include someone with specific knowledge of a special education student’s disability. Committee members asked about the difference between TCOLE licensing and TEA commissioning, the scope of the officers’ authority, and how the good-cause exception would work. The committee substitute was adopted, and public testimony included support from school safety and drone-response advocates, Disability Rights Texas in favor of the special education provisions, and a student witness raising concerns about the mental health impact of repeated lockdowns and the need for immediate, reliable school safety responses. The bill was left pending after testimony, then the committee briefly recessed and later reopened testimony to hear the student witness. The committee then laid out Senate Bill 2252 by Senator Creighton, a major early literacy and numeracy bill for kindergarten through third grade. Creighton said the bill builds on prior literacy efforts by funding teacher stipends for literacy and math academies, providing free and clearly administered screeners and assessments, expanding screening options, clarifying how results are used, supporting high-quality pre-K, and increasing the early education allotment. He emphasized low reading performance and the need for early intervention. Members discussed how the bill differs from earlier academy models and whether the assessments are diagnostic or high-stakes; Creighton and witnesses said the tools are intended to identify students needing support, not to serve as punitive testing. The committee adopted the substitute. Witnesses for SB 2252 largely supported the bill. A Uplift Education representative described strong gains from small-group literacy tutoring and said students receiving targeted support can make more than a year of growth in a year. An education specialist explained that the bill aligns general education screening with existing dyslexia and special education practices and helps districts identify students who need intervention before a disability evaluation is required. A Commit Partnership witness cited statewide reading data, the importance of high-quality pre-K, and the need for transparent, consistent progress monitoring and parent engagement. Members asked about the meaning of the growth data, how dyslexia screening works, and how the bill would help identify struggling students earlier. Before finishing all questions, the committee recessed subject to the call of the chair after the floor session.

Transcript Highlights:

• I appreciate the opportunity to walk through the government's recommendations today for the MPCA.
• I know it's a full agenda, but I really appreciate the opportunity to walk through all of these priorities
• We're going to spend most of the time today walking through four proposals that represent the highest
• If you could, for the committee, could you please walk through what normally is the process when there
• And really quickly, I'll walk through the provisions of the bill.

Bills: HF1587, HF2293, HF2218, HF1208, HF1482

Keywords: HF1587, Cass County, Minnesota Department of Natural Resources, DNR, condemnation, eminent domain, state land, surplus land, public waters, tribal land transfer, federally recognized Indian Tribe, tribal ownership, land conveyance, no consideration, land appropriation, natural resources, U.S. Highway 2, Section 27 Township 145 North Range 28 West, land return, Tribal sovereignty

Transcript Highlights:

• As a matter of fact, when she walked in the room today, she said, 'Good morning, everybody.
• And I was tabling with her one day, and somebody walked up, and they listened about the services, and
• And I was tabling with her one day, and somebody walked up, and they listened about the services, and
• thing, I'd get a cup of coffee, and I didn't have enough coffee at that point, but yes, your daughter walked
• And he always was in my ear, walking for me, shining for me, saying, Mia, you can do this.

Summary: The Assembly met on March 6, 2025, established a quorum, and opened with prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, and routine procedural motions, including unanimous consent requests and a re-referral of AB 506. The chamber then moved through a series of guest introductions and second-reading items before taking up several resolutions recognizing awareness days and cultural observances. Members adopted ACR 41 on Down Syndrome Awareness Week/Day and HR 24 on Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month after extensive bipartisan remarks focused on family experiences, inclusion, bullying, funding for services, and support for people with disabilities. The Assembly also adopted ACR 48 recognizing Women in STEM Day, ACR 49 recognizing California STEM Robotics Day, HR 18 celebrating Nauruze, and ACR 2 marking the International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination. Each resolution drew co-authors and supportive comments from members across the aisle. The body then debated and passed AB 248, which would remove the state wage cap on county jail inmate labor and allow counties more discretion; supporters framed it as local control and rehabilitation, while opponents argued it would raise costs and conflict with voter sentiment. The Assembly also passed AB 100, a budget-process measure moving a large package of bills to the Senate, and used a substituted roll call for the remaining related bills. Consent calendar items were approved, and the chamber concluded with multiple adjournments in memory, including tributes to Eric Lopez, Johnny D. Giles, and Roger Diamond, before adjourning until March 24, 2025.

Transcript Highlights:

• For those problems if it's okay with you I'd like to kind of walk through SB 13 by section.
• And so I highlight that because when you walk. through all six sections of SB 13.
• And I will tell you that same prosecutor has walked that particular statement back because What else
• Two individuals walk out with handfuls of clothing merchandise. in the back of that vehicle when this
• eloquently so i i'm not going to just continue to repeat uh... a lot of what jennifer said but as she walked

Bills: SB1281, SB1300, SB1379, SB1451, SB1497, SB1498, SB1499

Keywords: mail theft, postal theft, package theft, identity theft, negotiable instrument, check theft, mail receptacle key, mailbox lock, postal key, delivery service, courier, USPS, United States Postal Service, fraud, property crime, elderly victims, disabled victims, identity information, rebuttable presumption, felony enhancement

Transcript Highlights:

• And then they walk out with their high school diploma.
• Alex's mom, when he went to apply after he walked across the stage and got his credentials, he went to
• certificate of completion, because as a school board member, we would sit on stage and see these kids walk
• I said, Alex, do I need to walk out of stage and go see you?
• I said, Alex, do I need to walk out of stage and go see you?

Summary: The Student Academic Success Subcommittee met with a quorum and heard four bills, all of which were reported favorably by unanimous votes. The chair opened with remarks about student performance and assessment, then the committee took up House Bill 1111 by Rep. Valdes, which would eliminate the certificate of completion for students who do not meet standard high school graduation requirements. Supporters argued the certificate is a meaningless “participation trophy” that can mislead students and families, while the sponsor said students would instead be pushed toward additional support, concordance testing, or other pathways to a standard diploma. Members raised questions about effects on ESE students, timing, and alternative pathways; the bill passed 17-0. The committee next approved House Bill 921 by Rep. Overdorf, which adds cursive writing instruction for grades 2 through 5 and defines cursive proficiency. The sponsor and supporters said cursive has historical, cognitive, and fine-motor benefits and helps students read signatures and historical documents. The bill also passed 17-0. After a brief recognition of visiting students, the committee heard House Bill 423 by Rep. Bartleman, which requires private schools participating in the Family Empowerment Scholarship Program to give parents written notice about which services in an IEP, 504 plan, ELL plan, or similar plan will be honored. Supporters framed it as a transparency and consumer-protection measure for families, especially those with children with disabilities; the sponsor emphasized it does not require private schools to provide specific services, only to disclose them. The bill passed 17-0. Finally, the committee heard House Bill 251 by Rep. Tendrich, which would recognize January 27 as International Holocaust Remembrance Day in Florida. The sponsor and public witnesses described rising antisemitism, the importance of remembrance, and the need for education about the Holocaust. Members from both parties shared personal reflections and support, and a survivor’s letter was read into the record. The bill passed 16-0. At the end of the meeting, the chair noted the committee had gone four-for-four on unanimous support and adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• I was walking around asking people not where they bought the wonderful food, but.
• I was walking around and asking the people who work at the Spaceport where they lived.
• You can't walk through the doors."
• Then, you have to take roll, and as soon as that fifth child is going to walk to the door, you have to
• those primary teachers for that child, And you have to just throw a floater in there, or the director walks

Transcript Highlights:

• there was a lot of support in banning these killing contests, and so I just find it hard to um simply walk
• there was a lot of support in banning these killing contests, and so I just find it hard to um simply walk
• it hard to contests and so I just I find it hard to um<00:05:23.680> simply<00:05:24.039> walk
• and<00:05:25.199> just<00:05:25.360> say<00:05:25.560> it's um simply walk
• away and just say it's um simply walk away and just say it's not<00:05:26.639> feasible<00:05

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• needs playground equipment for disabled kids, as a rough example, a $2,000 swing for those who can't walk
• special-needs playground equipment for disabled kids, as a rough example, a $2,000 swing for those who can't walk
• c><01:08:14.880> those<01:08:15.079> who<01:08:15.279> can't<01:08:15.559> walk
• <01:08:16.400> given<01:08:16.679> the swing for those who can't walk given the swing
• for those who can't walk given the backward<01:08:17.279> and<01:08:17.520> often<01:08

Keywords: 910, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• IMAGINE IF SOMEONE WAS UNDERNEATH THAT WHERE A CHILD WAS PLAYING OR WALKING UNDERNEATH THERE.
• THEY THINK THEY CAN GO IN THERE AND WHAT THEY ARE WALKING INTO IS A PILE OF PROBLEMS FROM THE LAST 10
• SENATOR BRADLEY, CHAIR BRADLEY WALKED INTO SOME MEETINGS WHERE THERE WAS A PROPOSED $56 MILLION ASSESSMENT
• IT WASN'T TO BE TORTUOUSLY INTERFERING WITH THE SITUATION IS JUST THAT WE WALKED IN THERE EYEBALLING
• THE MILESTONE INSPECTION IS AN ENGINEER OR AN ARCHITECT WALKING THROUGH THE BUILDING SAYING THE STRUCTURAL

Keywords: 999, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• If you walk out here into the Rough Rider Hall of Fame, there's a couple like church pew-looking benches
• There's lights in the parking lots, the buildings are lit up, but walking past the trails, the big mall
• I walked through our Arboretum Trail with an arborist, and they started pointing out all the...
• then the last item on the list, if you're coming to visit an agency on the Capitol grounds, you're walking
• And then if you walk all the way down that hallway, past the Cato Room in the far northwest corner, there's

Summary: The Budget Section Leadership Division met with a quorum and approved the March 18 minutes before hearing a series of informational updates. The Petroleum Council reported that North Dakota oil production is expected to remain relatively flat at just under 1.2 million barrels per day, with activity shifting northward in the Bakken as technology improves and three- and four-mile laterals boost well performance. The presentation also discussed oil and gas prices, gas taxation, flaring concerns, the importance of pipelines and other linear infrastructure, and enhanced oil recovery pilot projects supported by state and federal funding. Members asked questions about gas production taxes, natural gas liquids, and the outlook for drilling rigs and future production. The Office of State Tax Commissioner then reviewed the federal “big beautiful bill” and its estimated effect on North Dakota individual and business income tax collections. Staff explained that most of the individual income tax impact comes from the permanent increase in the standard deduction, while temporary provisions such as senior deductions, tip and overtime exclusions, and auto loan interest deductions have smaller or limited-term effects. They also noted that business tax changes, especially depreciation and expensing provisions, create a larger near-term cash impact, and that some FY25 collections likely reflected one-time oil field transactions that may have inflated the baseline used in earlier estimates. OMB provided updates on major capital projects and facility funding. For Capitol grounds improvements, officials described plans for 18th-floor renovations, wayfinding upgrades, public seating, lighting, tree management, and possible restroom and lobby reconfiguration, while also noting the governor’s residence security project and the discovery of human remains on the Capitol grounds. OMB and its consultants also reported on the state facility maintenance fund, including window replacement, boiler work, roof and foundation repairs, and a new facility conditions assessment covering more state buildings. Updates were also given on the new state hospital in Jamestown, the Minot state office building, and the use of federal state fiscal recovery funds, including possible future reallocations to the Department of Corrections. Finally, Legislative Council staff summarized the interim compliance report on legislative intent and trust fund activity, highlighting the status of lines of credit, Bank of North Dakota profit transfers, the statewide litigation pool, the new Office of Guardianship and Conservatorship, corrections planning, HHS program updates, and a likely future general fund request for the unemployment insurance modernization project. No formal votes were taken beyond approval of the minutes; the meeting was primarily informational, with members asking clarifying questions throughout.

Transcript Highlights:

• When the teacher walks in, everybody quiets down, right?
• I walked into the house after playing outside with my granddaughter.
• Certainly, the town of Norwood could walk in and do an eminent domain taking of a property and work to
• Have you guys done a walk-through? I mean, is it salvageable?
• you'll know, just a quick note that in Massachusetts, any resident of the Commonwealth or beyond can walk

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The committee first heard testimony on H. 3599, a bill concerning access to historic Indian lands and easements for landlocked tribal parcels in Massachusetts. Witnesses, including members of the Mashpee Wampanoag and Herring Pond communities, said the bill would restore access to family lands that have long been treated as landlocked and had been denied easements by necessity in prior court rulings. They described heavy tax burdens, prior litigation, and support from the Mashpee Wampanoag Tribe, with conditional support from the Aquinnah Wampanoag Tribe pending language changes. Committee members asked about the tax assessments and the status of tribal support, and the chair said the committee would follow up on possible amendments. The committee then took up S. 2922, which would authorize an underground easement at Magazine Beach in Cambridge for the Greater Cambridge Energy Project. Eversource representatives said the easement is needed for a transmission line connecting the Brighton and Kendall Square substations, supporting grid reliability and the Commonwealth’s clean energy transition. They said DCR would receive fair market value and replacement land in Wendell to satisfy Article 97 requirements. No objections were raised, and the panel’s testimony concluded without a vote recorded in the transcript. Most of the hearing focused on H. 5047, which would authorize the Commonwealth to take the Norwood Hospital site by eminent domain so the hospital can be restored. Sponsors, local officials, hospital task force members, EMS and fire representatives, a chamber of commerce leader, and a former hospital administrator all argued that the 2020 flood and Steward’s bankruptcy left the region without adequate care, causing longer ambulance transports, emergency room boarding, staffing strain, and economic losses. They said the site remains a partially completed shell, that the state should be able to acquire it and bring in a nonprofit operator, and that the taking would not require state funding because an operator would pay the acquisition costs. Committee members from both chambers expressed support and asked about costs, timing, infrastructure, and whether a nonprofit operator is being pursued. The chair took the bill under advisement after extensive testimony; no vote was taken in the transcript.

Transcript Highlights:

• That doesn't include grants that have been slow walked as well.
• As other nations see the U.S. walk away from the commitment to research funding, they are aggressively
• As other nations see the U.S. walk away from the commitment to research funding, they are aggressively
• Is both an educational setting and a community resource with walking paths and gardens of residents and
• But most importantly, when I walk the campus and talk to students, I hear their stories.

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The committee held an informational hearing on the economic impact of Massachusetts higher education institutions, with opening remarks noting the significance of September 11 and the role colleges and universities play in the state’s economy, workforce, and research ecosystem. UMass leaders testified first, describing UMass as a major employer and economic driver that educates large numbers of Massachusetts residents, supports thousands of jobs, and generates billions in annual economic activity. They emphasized the importance of research funding, warned that federal grant cancellations, suspensions, and slowdowns were harming research operations and talent retention, and voiced strong support for Governor Healey’s proposed DRIVE initiative as bridge funding to protect research capacity and jobs. Committee members focused heavily on workforce preparation in emerging fields such as AI, cyber, quantum computing, and engineering. UMass leaders said AI is being embedded across curricula and research, but also warned that financial constraints forced reductions in PhD admissions, especially in computer science and engineering, which could weaken the future workforce pipeline. They also described the practical effects of grant uncertainty, including reduced graduate admissions and concerns about losing researchers to institutions abroad. Members asked for more detailed data on grant timing, funding gaps, and where students and researchers were going. A second panel from private colleges and universities, including AICUM, Suffolk, Smith, and Clark, highlighted the broad economic and civic contributions of private higher education. Testimony cited large annual economic impacts, job creation, tax revenue, community service, legal clinics, dual enrollment, entrepreneurship support, sustainability investments, and access programs. Speakers also discussed enrollment pressures, COVID-related social and mental health challenges, student visa and federal policy concerns, and the need to preserve liberal arts alongside career-focused training. The committee then heard from MIT, where testimony focused on research commercialization, biotech spinouts, and the role of federal, philanthropic, and industry funding in sustaining innovation; members pressed for more data on funding sources and asked what state policy could do to keep talent and businesses in Massachusetts. The hearing continued with additional public higher education testimony, including Bridgewater State, Bristol Community College, and Northeastern, which emphasized workforce-aligned programs, social mobility, apprenticeships, co-op education, and the need for better coordination between higher education, employers, and state workforce systems.