Video & Transcript Research : 'punishment'
Page 70 of 214
NH
Transcript Highlights:
- </c><01:13:37.520><c> and</c><01:13:37.840><c> to</c> is to increase the punishment and to is to increase
- the punishment and to have<01:13:38.400><c> mandatory</c><01:13:39.400><c> minimums.
- Constantly every year trying to lighten it, trying to make it easier, make it less punishment for people
- should punish possession of any<01:35:44.199><c> amount,</c><01:35:45.199><c> including</c><01:35:45.679
- to frustrate lengthy punishments to frustrate defendants<01:40:09.440><c> asserting</c><01:40:09.920
MO
Transcript Highlights:
- as it rolls through the Attorney General's office and its federal counterpart needed some actual punishment
Summary:
The committee met in executive session with a quorum present and first took up House Bill 21-24, offered by Representative Banderman. After brief discussion, the committee voted 6-3 to do pass the bill. The roll call showed support from Chair Reedy, Vice Chair McGaugh, Banderman, Caton, Van Schoiack, and Voss, with no votes from Woods, Barnes, and Smith.
The committee then considered House Bill 3383, offered by Representative Vernetti, along with a committee substitute. The sponsor explained that the substitute added several provisions, including expanded nonprofit corporation coverage, inclusion of certain nonprofit organizations that register only in Missouri, and financial penalties for organizations that fail to comply with E-Verify or residency verification requirements. The committee adopted the substitute and then voted 8-0, with two members present, to do pass the House Committee Substitute for House Bill 3383.
No further business was taken up, and the meeting adjourned. The chair noted that no Senate bills had yet been referred and asked members to watch for email updates on the committee schedule.
MO
Transcript Highlights:
- as it rolls through the Attorney General's office and its federal counterpart needed some actual punishment
Summary:
The committee met with a quorum, entered executive session, and considered two House bills. House Bill 21-24, offered by Representative Banderman, was moved for do pass and approved on a roll call vote of 6 ayes and 3 noes. The transcript does not include the bill’s substance, only the motion and vote.
The committee then took up House Bill 3383, offered by Representative Vernetti, along with a committee substitute. The sponsor explained that the substitute expanded nonprofit-related provisions, including additional designation language, coverage for certain nonprofit organizations that register only in Missouri, and added financial penalties for organizations that fail to comply with E-Verify or residency verification requirements. The committee adopted the substitute and then voted do pass on the House Committee Substitute for House Bill 3383 by an 8-0 vote, with two members present.
With no further business, the committee exited executive session and adjourned. The chair noted that no Senate bills had yet been referred and asked members to watch for email updates on the schedule for the coming weeks.
TX
Texas 89th Regular
89th Legislative Session - Second Called Session Aug 25th, 2025
Texas House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- HR number 41 by Hopper relates to imposing monetary punishments on Democratic members of the Texas House
Keywords:
property tax, school funding, enrollment changes, inflation adjustment, tax rate notice, judicial administration, court reform, juvenile diversion, court security, mental health services, drug offenses, constitutional amendments, property tax exemption, ad valorem tax, Texas Tax Code, nonprofit corporation, charitable organization, educational nonprofit, scientific nonprofit, agriculture support
PA
Transcript Highlights:
- If I have an issue with one university, why should the other three be punished?
- If I have an issue with one university, why should the other three be punished?
Summary:
The House began with ceremonial recognitions, including guests of Representatives Benham and Warren and a farewell acknowledgment for longtime floor staffer Michelle Martin, who is leaving House service for a role in the Senate. The chamber then took up caucus and committee announcements, recessed several times, and later returned to consider a series of committee reports and bills. House and Senate bills were reported from Rules, Appropriations, and Judiciary, including referrals of several measures to committees.
The House adopted House Resolution 515 unanimously, urging Congress to review Major Richard D. Winner’s actions for possible Medal of Honor recognition. It also adopted House Resolution 208, directing a performance audit of services, wait times, and processes in the Bureau of Blindness and Visual Services; supporters said it would help improve services for Pennsylvanians with vision impairment, while the vote was 201-1. The chamber then passed several bills with amendments, including measures on foster care youth benefits, AI companion safeguards, prison industry enhancement program administration, memorial bridge designations, firefighter and EMS donation options through PennDOT renewals, horse-racing background checks, and fertility preservation coverage.
Several bills reached final passage. House Bill 1239, limiting homeowners associations from restricting rooftop solar installations, passed 109-93. House Bill 2146, amending the Sunshine Act to tighten the 24-hour agenda notice rule while preserving limited exceptions, passed 193-9 after debate over transparency and local-government flexibility. House Bill 2558, banning non-compete agreements for broadcast workers, passed narrowly 103-99 amid objections from Republicans and concerns about impacts on local broadcasters and contract rights. Senate Bills 971 and 972 also passed finally, dealing with township audit deadlines and municipal memorials for first responders.
The House also approved House Bill 2412, funding state-related universities for fiscal year 2026-27, by 155-47 after debate over Penn State’s campus closures, accountability, and per-student funding differences; House Bill 2413, appropriating funds to the University of Pennsylvania, passed 195-7. The chamber then moved several bills back to Appropriations, signed Senate Bills 971 and 972, and adjourned until the next scheduled session.
MA
Massachusetts 2025-2026 Regular Session
Senate Session (Full Formal with Calendar) Jun 21st, 2026 at 12:00 pm
Massachusetts Senate Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- convening court marshals, serving as an appeal authority, and when needed, imposing non-judicial punishment
- Punishment. While very technical and short in nature, the bill is about six lines.
Summary:
The Senate began with routine formalities, then took up several final-passage and engrossment matters. It adopted emergency preambles for House Bill 1590, establishing a sick leave bank for Eric J. Iwanek, and House Bill 1024, authorizing the Massachusetts Water Resources Authority to provide sewer service to a parcel in Sharon. The Senate also passed to be enacted Senate Bill 2528, allowing Marblehead to establish fines related to parking violations, and adopted a pair of congratulatory resolutions. Later, it ordered several House bills to third reading, including measures for an additional off-premises alcohol license in Somerset and sick leave banks for David A. Russell and Jean McCarran, and concurred in a gubernatorial amendment to a vital statistics bill.
The chamber then considered major committee reports and amendments on military and veterans issues. It advanced a Ways and Means substitute for a bill on free expression and a substitute for a bill on assault and battery upon a transit worker, placing both on the Orders of the Day. The Senate also debated and amended Senate Bill 2503, the EASE Act for military-connected families, with remarks emphasizing school stability for military children, special education continuity, juvenile justice transfers, and use of military protective orders in domestic violence cases. Several proposed amendments were withdrawn or rejected, including tax relief proposals for 100% disabled veterans, while an amendment requiring tracking of veteran suicides was adopted. The bill was then ordered to third reading and passed to be engrossed by roll call, 39-0.
Another major item was Senate Bill 2501, clarifying the duties of the adjutant general. The Senate adopted a Ways and Means substitute and considered multiple amendments, including one withdrawn proposal on entry by non-federalized armed forces from other jurisdictions and another adopted amendment requiring recruit training on lawful orders; other amendments were withdrawn. The bill was then ordered to third reading and passed to be engrossed. The Senate also passed House Bill 3388, designating September 22 as Military Service Members and Veterans Suicide Awareness and Remembrance Day. Throughout the session, members also offered and adopted several adjournment motions honoring the lives and service of Judge Leslie E. Harris, former Newton Mayor Seyi Warren, and Anthony P. Dwingnan, and the Senate adjourned to meet again the following Monday at 11:00 a.m.
MA
Massachusetts 2025-2026 Regular Session
Special Legislative Commission on Emerging Firearm Technology Jun 21st, 2026 at 11:30 am
Transcript Highlights:
- have a question: in the states that have not adopted this legislation, are there provisions for punishing
- remove it, then I think a better justification for this legislation is that it allows people to be punished
Summary:
The Special Commission on Emerging Firearm Technology met to review its work on intentional microstamping and personalized firearms and to discuss draft recommendations for a final report. The co-chairs summarized testimony received from manufacturers, advocates, law enforcement, and officials from New Jersey, New York, and California. For microstamping, the discussion focused on how the technology could help trace spent casings, its limits in forensic use, and concerns about wear, tampering, implementation costs, and whether it would burden lawful gun owners. For personalized firearms, members reviewed testimony about biometric smart guns, their current commercial availability, higher cost, and potential benefits for preventing accidental shootings and unauthorized use, especially involving children and suicide prevention.
Commissioners expressed a range of views. Several supported microstamping as a crime-solving tool and endorsed a recommendation that the legislature direct a feasibility and viability study, set standards and training, fund implementation, and create penalties for tampering. Others opposed microstamping, arguing it has not worked in other states, may not reduce crime, and could impose costs on manufacturers and owners. On personalized firearms, most commissioners supported encouraging the technology, but there was disagreement over whether to create a temporary sales tax exemption; some favored an incentive to promote adoption, while others opposed any tax subsidy for firearms or questioned whether the data justified it.
The co-chairs said they would draft a report reflecting the majority consensus and circulate it for review before a final vote at a later meeting, likely in July. The commission also discussed which executive branch agency should conduct the microstamping feasibility study, with the Attorney General’s office and EOPSS mentioned as possibilities. The meeting ended with agreement to reconvene for final votes on the report and recommendations.
CA
California 2025-2026 Regular Session
Senate Labor, Public Employment and Retirement Committee Jun 10th, 2026
Transcript Highlights:
- professionals asked to pay back incentives to relocate, the policy we passed was one that tried to prohibit punishing
- The government cannot punish speech for being offensive, and it cannot compel you to endorse its preferred
Summary:
The Senate Labor, Public Employment and Retirement Committee heard and advanced several bills covering workers’ compensation transparency, public pensions, prevailing wage, workplace harassment training, and employee benefits. AB 1048 would require disclosure of the contract justifying reduced workers’ compensation payments to medical providers; supporters said it would improve transparency without changing reimbursement rates, while opponents argued the problem was overstated and existing dispute remedies were sufficient. AB 1601 would give Sonoma County flexibility to target a cost-of-living adjustment for retirees rather than requiring an all-or-nothing COLA; county and union witnesses said retirees have gone without a COLA since 2008 and have lost purchasing power, and the bill passed unanimously. AB 1439 would commission a UC Berkeley study on labor standards in pension-funded real estate and infrastructure projects; labor groups supported it, while local governments, housing, and industry groups opposed it, and it passed on a 4-1 vote after one senator voted no in committee.
The committee also heard AB 1697, which would delay implementation of a prior law restricting certain employment debt and pay-to-quit arrangements until 2027; the author said the delay would give employers, including professional sports leagues, time to adjust, while a financial services group sought a further delay to 2028. AB 1803 would require anti-hate speech content in existing workplace harassment training for employers with five or more employees; supporters cited rising antisemitic and other hate incidents and said the bill would help workers recognize and report hate, while opponents raised First Amendment concerns and argued existing harassment law already covers hostile conduct. AB 2120 would extend Los Angeles Unified’s selective certification hiring authority and allow retention of specialized employees in layoffs, and AB 2292 would bar providers from charging administrative fees for disability insurance and paid family leave certification forms; both drew support and were advanced without opposition testimony.
AB 1198, the Fair Pay for Construction Workers Act, would require prevailing wage to be based on the time work is performed rather than the date a project is advertised for bid. Labor and contractor supporters said the current rule can lock in outdated wages and underpay workers on long projects and change orders, while cities, counties, and contractor groups warned it would create uncertainty, raise costs, and jeopardize projects funded by fixed grants or bonds. After testimony and questions, the committee voted to send all of the bills forward, with final recorded votes later showing unanimous or near-unanimous approval and several measures placed on call before the committee adjourned.
CA
California 2025-2026 Regular Session
Senate Labor, Public Employment and Retirement Committee Jun 10th, 2026
Labor, Public Employment and Retirement
MA
Massachusetts 2025-2026 Regular Session
Status of Persons with Disabilities Jun 3rd, 2026
Transcript Highlights:
- and they don't have a reasonable accommodation system, while that is illegal, we're not going to punish
- and they don't have a reasonable accommodation system, while that is illegal, we're not going to punish
Summary:
The Massachusetts Permanent Commission on the Status of Persons with Disabilities opened its June virtual meeting with roll call and approval of the March minutes. The chair reported on recent “Meeting the Moment” community conversations, noting strong attendance and positive feedback from the Lowell event, and announced the next community conversation will be held July 14 in Northampton. The commission also previewed its National Disability Employment Awareness Month event for October 7 at the State House, which will include a panel on artificial intelligence and its impact on people with disabilities.
A major presentation came from the Supplier Diversity Office on its Empowering Abilities in Contracting and Employment (EAC) program. The coordinator described the program’s history from a 2016 law and 2018 pilot to its statewide launch on July 1, 2025, and said it now applies to new statewide contracts. She reported about 292 active disability-owned and service-disabled veteran-owned businesses certified, about 40 vendors currently on EAC contracts, and growth expected to about 80 by July and more than 130 by November. The program’s goals include increasing certification and contracting opportunities, improving workforce participation, and reaching a 3% disability workforce goal among vendors. Members praised the program and asked about the mix of disability-owned and veteran-owned businesses, geographic reach, and how the model might be replicated elsewhere.
The advisory council update highlighted ongoing collaboration across access, employment, youth transition, housing, health equity, transportation, technology, and AI, with members sharing resources and planning to support the October employment event. Subcommittees then reported on recent work: the disability employment subcommittee heard about transition-to-employment barriers, the disability employment tax credit, veteran services, and a State Exchange policy brief on disability employment; the workforce supports subcommittee hosted a webinar on apprenticeships as a response to workforce shortages in disability services; and the long-term services and supports/health equity subcommittee heard presentations on care coordination resources and on health care inequities for people with disabilities during and after COVID. The executive director also reported on ongoing meetings with state agencies and advocacy groups about MassHealth, caregiving, aging, AI, and employment barriers such as the benefit cliff. The meeting ended with commissioner announcements on the Paul Spooner Generational Leadership Summit and a Medicaid summit, discussion of housing and transportation as employment-related issues, and a motion to adjourn, which passed unanimously.
MA
Massachusetts 2025-2026 Regular Session
Senate Committee on Post Audit and Oversight May 5th, 2026
Senate Committee on Post Audit and Oversight
Transcript Highlights:
- but they are law, and I could count probably not even one hand the number of people who have been punished
- very well, the bad actors always find a way to hide, and it's not the good actors that I want to punish
Summary:
The joint Audit Committee hearing focused on implementation of Ollie’s Law, including MDAR’s progress on regulations for commercial boarding and training kennels and the new municipal reporting requirements. MDAR Director Mike Cahill said the department formed the required advisory committee, held two Zoom trainings for municipal officials, created a public information webpage, and completed draft regulations that are now under secretariat review. He reported that 269 of 351 municipalities had submitted kennel data, leaving 82 out of compliance, and said the department has been posting compliant and noncompliant municipalities online to increase transparency.
Committee members pressed MDAR on the lack of a clear enforcement mechanism for municipalities that fail to report and on the delay in finalizing regulations. The chair urged the department to consider stronger sanctions and asked for a central reporting system for injury data, noting that injury reports currently go only to municipalities. Cahill said the statute does not give MDAR explicit authority to fine municipalities, though he supported a House bill that would grant that power. He also said the department could not easily add municipal penalties through regulation alone.
Representatives from the Animal Rescue League of Boston and the MSPCA, including the advisory committee chair Jenny Mather, said the advisory process was thorough and aimed to balance animal safety, consumer transparency, and fairness to compliant businesses. They supported better municipal accountability, more standardized training and resources for animal control officers, and clearer reporting of injuries and kennel information to MDAR. They also raised concerns about third-party advertising platforms that may list unlicensed home-based kennels and argued that public education and enforcement should focus on bad actors rather than penalizing well-run facilities. The hearing ended without a vote or formal action, but with support expressed for the pending bill and for continued regulatory revisions.
MA
Massachusetts 2025-2026 Regular Session
Senate Committee on Intergovernmental Affairs May 5th, 2026
Senate Committee on Intergovernmental Affairs
MO
Transcript Highlights:
- And what this doesn't do is it does not punish responsible hosts.
- This bill is not about punishing casual hospitality. It's about accounting for recklessness.
Summary:
The committee first met in executive session and approved House Bill 2808 do pass by a vote of 9 yes, 4 no, and 1 present. The hearing then moved to public testimony, and the sponsor announced that House Bill 3533 would not be heard that day. The committee then took up House Bills 1808 and 3435, identical measures known as Grace’s Law, which would create a narrow social host liability cause of action for adults who knowingly provide alcohol to a visibly intoxicated person or act with reckless disregard and cause injury or death. Sponsors said the bills are intended to close a gap in Missouri law and improve accountability for drunk-driving crashes involving private hosts.
Testimony on Grace’s Law was strongly supportive. Grace’s mother described the fatal crash that killed her daughter and said the bill would give families a path to justice and encourage hosts to stop serving intoxicated guests, take keys, or arrange safe rides. A MADD representative and other supporters said the proposal would target reckless conduct rather than casual hospitality and noted that many other states have similar laws. Committee members raised questions about how the visible-intoxication standard would apply in private settings, whether the bill could reach situations involving ordinary social gatherings, and how it would interact with personal responsibility and other substances.
The committee then heard House Bills 3439 and 3480, which would amend the Public Safety Protection and Recruitment Act to include volunteer firefighters in the tuition assistance program. Sponsors said the change is meant to help rural departments recruit and retain volunteers, especially in places like Hardin and other small communities that rely heavily on volunteer fire service. Supporters, including fire chiefs, the Fire Service Alliance, Boone County Fire Protection District, and the Missouri Chamber, said volunteers perform dangerous and essential work and need incentives to keep departments staffed. Members questioned the fiscal impact, whether volunteers should receive the same benefit as full-time personnel, and whether a tuition waiver for public institutions might reduce costs. No votes were taken on the public hearing bills before the hearing concluded.
MO
Transcript Highlights:
- And what this doesn't do is it does not punish responsible hosts.
- This bill is not about punishing casual hospitality. It's about accounting for recklessness.
Summary:
The committee first met in executive session and approved House Bill 2808 on a 9-4 vote with one present. The hearing then focused on House Bill 1808 and its companion House Bill 3435, both titled Grace’s Law, which would create a narrow social host liability cause of action for knowingly providing alcohol to a visibly intoxicated person age 21 or older when that conduct leads to injury, death, or property damage. Sponsors said the bill is intended to fill a gap in Missouri law, align the state with other states that recognize social host liability, and promote accountability without punishing responsible hosts. Members raised questions about how the visible-intoxication standard would apply in private settings, whether the bill could reach casual gatherings, and whether it should also address other substances; sponsors said the measure is intentionally limited and still being refined.
Supporters of Grace’s Law included the mother of Grace, the crash victim for whom the bill is named, a relative of another drunk-driving victim, and representatives from Mothers Against Drunk Driving. They described the bill as a response to preventable tragedies and argued that liability would encourage hosts to stop serving intoxicated guests, take away keys, or arrange safe rides. Testimony emphasized that the bill is about reckless conduct rather than ordinary hospitality, and several members expressed sympathy and support for stronger accountability in drunk-driving cases. No opposition testimony was presented before the hearing on those bills concluded.
The committee then heard House Bills 3439 and 3480, which would extend the Public Safety Protection and Recruitment Act to volunteer firefighters by allowing them to qualify for tuition assistance and related benefits under the program. Sponsors said volunteer firefighters in rural areas perform essential and often dangerous work, but are currently excluded from the statute, and that the change would help recruit and retain volunteers. Committee members questioned the fiscal impact, whether volunteers should receive the same benefit as full-time personnel, and whether the program should be structured as a tuition waiver rather than a scholarship to reduce costs. Fire chiefs and other supporters testified that volunteer departments are critical in rural Missouri, that volunteers often receive extensive training and respond to fires, EMS calls, and disasters, and that the benefit would help departments recruit and keep members. The Missouri Chamber of Commerce also supported the bill, citing public safety and workforce benefits. No opposition testimony was offered, and the hearing was concluded after discussion.
LA
Louisiana 2026 Regular Session
Municipal, Parochial and Cultural Affairs Apr 16th, 2026
Transcript Highlights:
- just say—I'm losing my place—it'll just be removing the misdemeanor and it'll just provide for a punishment
- The misdemeanor will be removed, and it'll just provide for a punishment of a fine of not more than $1,000
Summary:
The House Municipal Committee met at 12:09 p.m. with a quorum present and heard several local government bills. HB 990 by Rep. Lyons, supported by Jefferson Parish, would extend lien/privilege authority for unpaid sewerage and water service charges to Jefferson Parish, including issues involving multifamily properties with master meters. After questions about tenant impacts and administrative burden, the committee reported the bill favorably with no objection.
HB 1087 by Rep. Adams, authorizing the City of Zachary to use certain inmates to cut grass in a private cemetery, drew significant concern from members about using unpaid prison labor on private property, the lack of clear ownership/contact with the cemetery board, and whether the property should instead be acquired or otherwise addressed. After discussion, the author withdrew the motion and the committee voluntarily deferred the bill to a later meeting. HB 893 by Rep. Knox, concerning the New Orleans Sewerage and Water Board, and HB 1007, creating the Foeberg Nouveau-Marine Improvement District in New Orleans Parish, were both reported favorably without objection.
HB 1153 by Rep. Coates would allow parishes and municipalities to declare and enforce burn bans. The committee adopted amendments clarifying publication, lifting bans when risk subsides, and adjusting penalties, and then reported the bill favorably as amended. HB 1215 by Rep. Baham, dealing with the disposition of removed historical statues and monuments through the Lieutenant Governor’s Office of State Parks, was amended to require coordination rather than imposing costs solely on local governments, but members raised concerns about fiscal impact, local zoning authority, and the need for the lieutenant governor’s staff; the bill was voluntarily deferred for two weeks. HB 362 by Rep. Newell creating the Regency Park Townhomes Crime Prevention and Security District was reported favorably, while HB 484 on the New Orleans Regional Business Park was deferred after confusion over a proposed amendment and board appointment changes. Several other bills and resolutions were also deferred, and the committee adjourned after announcing the next agenda would include the deferred items.
LA
Louisiana 2026 Regular Session
Municipal, Parochial and Cultural Affairs Apr 16th, 2026
Transcript Highlights:
- just say—I'm losing my place—it'll just be removing the misdemeanor and it'll just provide for a punishment
- The misdemeanor will be removed, and it'll just provide for a punishment of a fine of not more than $1,000
Summary:
The House Municipal Committee met and first advanced HB 990 by Rep. Lyons, which would extend existing lien/privilege authority for unpaid utility service charges and user fees to parishes, sewerage districts, and waterworks districts, including Jefferson Parish. Lyons explained it was intended to address master-metered multifamily properties and align Jefferson Parish with other parishes. After questions about tenant impacts and administrative burden, the bill was reported favorably without objection.
The committee then heard HB 1087 by Rep. Adams, authorizing the City of Zachary to use inmate labor to cut grass at a private cemetery known as the Zachary Public Cemetery. Members raised concerns about using unpaid prison labor on private property, whether the cemetery was abandoned, and whether the bill should be narrowed. The author and city representative explained the city already contracts with DCI for inmate work and that the bill was meant to clarify legality. The motion to advance was withdrawn, and the bill was voluntarily deferred to a later meeting for further work.
Several other bills were advanced, including HB 893 by Rep. Knox on the New Orleans Sewerage and Water Board, HB 1007 creating the Foeberg Nouveau-Marine Improvement District in Orleans Parish, and HB 1153 by Rep. Coates establishing a clearer local burn-ban framework with amendments on notice, lifting bans, and penalties. The committee also considered HB 1215 by Rep. Baham on the disposition of removed historical statues and monuments; after amendments and extensive questions about costs, coordination with the lieutenant governor’s office, and local zoning authority, the bill was voluntarily deferred. Later, HB 362 and HB 484 by Rep. Newell were handled, with HB 362 advanced and HB 484 deferred after confusion over a proposed amendment to the New Orleans Regional Business Park board. Several other bills and resolutions were announced as deferred or not heard, and the committee adjourned after scheduling a larger agenda for the next meeting.
MO
Transcript Highlights:
- OnStar, that collect your driving data and then sell that data to your insurance company, so they can punish
- I'm in full support of telematics as the way that punishes the bad drivers and rewards the good drivers
Summary:
The Insurance Committee held public hearings on House Bill 3328 and House Bill 2324. HB 3328, sponsored by Rep. Castile, is a broad homeowners insurance package that would redirect insurance dedicated fund money into a Missouri Stronger Homes Fund, create a Missouri Disaster Mediation Act for disaster-related claims, update public adjuster regulation, strengthen fraud provisions, add consumer notices, and establish roof-hardening grant programs. The sponsor and the Department of Commerce and Insurance said the bill is still being revised in a committee substitute, especially on public adjuster language and fortified roof standards. Committee members asked about the dedicated fund, mediation benchmarks, the role of public adjusters, and how the program would affect disaster recovery in places like St. Louis.
Testimony on HB 3328 was mixed. The Department of Commerce and Insurance and several insurance industry groups supported the bill’s consumer protections, mitigation funding, mediation process, fraud language, and assignment-of-benefits ban, but said the public adjuster fee cap would likely be removed and that the bill needs technical changes for mutual insurers and roofing standards. Public adjusters testified in opposition to the cap as written, saying their fees are typically 10-15% and are disclosed in contracts, and that they were working with the sponsor on revisions. A shingle manufacturer also opposed the fortified roof language as drafted because some of its products may not fit the current standard. The committee then closed the hearing on HB 3328.
The committee next heard HB 2324, sponsored by Rep. Lucas, which would restrict the sharing or sale of vehicle driving data and was described by the sponsor as a privacy bill aimed at stopping companies like OnStar from selling driving data to insurers. Opponents from the Missouri Insurance Coalition and NAMIC said the bill would not actually target OnStar, but would instead interfere with voluntary telematics-based discount programs used by insurers, potentially raising premiums and creating administrative burdens. They also noted existing federal and state rules already govern insurer data use and that the bill could create a mismatch between risk and pricing. The hearing on HB 2324 was then closed, and the committee adjourned.
MO
Transcript Highlights:
- It seems like we're kind of punishing the wrong actor.
- So this was purely a punishment that the paperwork Wasn't being performed.
Summary:
The House Committee on Agriculture met in executive session and first took up House Bill 2280, which would direct the state land surveyor to survey abandoned railroad rights-of-way so adjoining landowners can more easily determine boundaries after railroad abandonment. Members discussed the bill’s fiscal note, the difficulty of locating old center lines, and whether railroads should bear the cost instead of the state. The committee voted 21-0 to do pass HB 2280.
The committee then held a public hearing on House Bill 3014, a conveyance bill authorizing Northwest Missouri State University to sell about 59 acres of property to Nottaway County Economic Development for a fairground, expo center, and campsites. Members asked about the acreage and the intended buyer, and no witnesses testified for or against the bill.
A lengthy hearing followed on House Bill 3392, which would remove the requirement that retailers and distributors keep Form 149 exemption certificates on file for dyed diesel purchases at retail pumps. Representative Haley and several witnesses, including a fuel company representative, the Missouri Petroleum and Convenience Association, Missouri Soybean Association, Missouri Farm Bureau, and Missouri Corn Growers Association, said the current paperwork requirement is burdensome for farmers and small rural stations and had led to a large audit assessment against one company. Department of Revenue staff said the law reflects outdated procedures, noted that farmers can still seek refunds directly, and said they were reviewing proposed amendment language to avoid unintended compliance issues. No opposition testimony was offered, and the hearing concluded without a vote.
WV
West Virginia 2026 Regular Session
Senate in Session Mar 14th, 2026 at 09:19 pm
West Virginia Senate Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- And then if it turns out that they were not, you have immunity from any kind of punishment and the penalties
- that way. ...not, you have immunity from any kind of punishment and the penalties that we talked about
Summary:
The Senate considered and passed House Bill 4245, the Department of Revenue rules bundle covering 27 rules from six agencies. Members withdrew the committee amendment, adopted a floor amendment making changes to two lottery rules and one tax rule related to pre-need cemetery companies, then passed the bill 30-1. The Senate also adopted a title amendment and made the bill effective from passage by a 31-0 vote. Later, when the House rejected the Senate’s amendments, the Senate receded from its amendments and again passed the bill, making it effective from passage.
The chamber also adopted several concurrent resolutions from the Rules Committee, including studies on school finance transparency, divorce grounds, the Southern West Virginia water crisis, athletic trainer access in public secondary schools, the eastern gray fox population, upland game bird stamp purchases, and the Public Service Commission. Senate Concurrent Resolution 50, calling for a study of the PSC, was also adopted. In addition, the Senate passed House Bill 5381, which expands the Office of Energy’s role to develop a comprehensive energy policy and grid stabilization plan, and House Bill 5412, the Future Ready Education Act, after amending it to require annual vocational and agriculture offerings unless not viable and to set science-of-reading training requirements for K-5 literacy teachers by 2028-29.
The Senate passed House Bill 845, a supplemental appropriation to the Governor’s Office Civil Contingent Fund, after concurring in a House amendment that reappropriated federal match grant funds and increased the civil contingency surplus fund from $15 million to $25 million; it was made effective from passage. The chamber also concurred in House amendments to House Bill 4106 on constitutional carry for 18- to 20-year-olds, House Bill 4004 creating the Recharge West Virginia training reimbursement program, House Bill 5453 revising the school aid funding formula for special education weighting, and other measures including House Bill 4009 on portable benefits, Senate Bill 164 on substitute teacher definitions, and House Bill 4606 on pretrial release for certain felonies.
A lengthy debate centered on House Bill 4198, the E-Verify Safe Harbor Act. The Judiciary Committee amendment would have required public and certain private employers to use E-Verify, while a further amendment from the Senator from Randolph would have limited the mandate to public employers and made E-Verify optional for private employers with liability protections for good-faith use. After extensive discussion about small business impacts, federal-state conflicts, and enforcement, the Senate adopted the Randolph amendment and then passed the bill 31-3, with a title amendment also adopted. The Senate later refused to concur in House amendments to House Bill 4010, concurred in House amendments to House Bill 5438, receded from amendments to House Bill 4765, and adjourned sine die.
MO