Transcript Highlights:

• President, the Southern Association of College Admission Counselor and Government Relations Committee
• Miss Anna Barlo helped out with that process. So, thank you for being here today, Anna.
• Miss Anna Barlo helped helped out with<00:12:34.160> that<00:12:34.320> process.
• c> So,<00:12:34.959> thank<00:12:35.040> you<00:12:35.120> for with that process
• So, thank you for with that process.

Keywords: MS Senate Floor - 29 January, 2026; 9:00 AM, 925, all

Summary: The Senate convened with a roll call, invocation, and pledge, then quickly dispensed with the reading of the journal, committee reports, and bill titles. Several guest introductions followed, including members of the Junior League of Jackson, the Mississippi Dental Association and Dental Hygiene Association for oral health day, school counselors and college admission counselors, and other visitors. Senators also recognized individual guests such as a dentist from Newton and a constituent from Senatobia. The chamber then took up two resolutions in block: Senate Bill 2766 designating the Friday before Memorial Day as Buddy Poppy Day in Mississippi, and Senate Resolution 25 commending the Lamar School Raiders football team and Head Coach Jacob Lan for winning the MHSAA 4A Division 3 state championship. The Lamar Raiders were present on the floor, and Coach Lan addressed the Senate after the resolution was read. Both measures were adopted by voice vote, with roll call final passage requested and granted without objection. The Senate also considered House Concurrent Resolution 21, which calls a joint session for the Governor’s State of the State address. A strike-all amendment was adopted to move the event date and location because of weather, shifting it to the second floor rotunda rather than outside or in the House chamber. The Senate then moved through a series of pass-and-retain actions and announcements, including committee meeting notices and cancellations, campaign finance report reminders, and several adjournment-in-memory requests. The body recessed until 5:00 p.m. or until the last committee report was filed, with the journal to reflect adjournment until 9:00 a.m. the next day.

Transcript Highlights:

• So ACA is going to set up the grant process for those individual counties to be able to access those
• This amendment removes the requirement that documentation of admission or enrollment from a private school
• typically be giving instruction to students, maybe into May and April, when they had to start the process
• still typically be giving instruction to students maybe into May and April when they had to start the process
• we're discussing today, the purpose of why we're bringing it forward, is to save and preserve the process

Summary: The Senate opened with prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, and several introductions, including recognition of Alpha Kappa Alpha Founders’ Day and a visiting debate student. The chamber then took up a committee report on 52 executive appointments. After explanation by Ethics and Elections Chair Don Gates, the Senate adopted the report and confirmed the appointments by a vote of 39-0. The first major bill was SB 250 on rural communities. Senator Simon described it as a broad rural development package creating an Office of Rural Prosperity, a Renaissance Grant Program for counties losing population, housing and transportation investments, additional funding for rural education, and rural health care measures. Two amendments were adopted to remove overlapping health provisions in light of a new federal rural health grant and to update hospital funding estimates. Senators from both parties spoke in support, while also asking about eligibility and access to grant funds. The bill passed 39-0. The Senate then considered CS/SB 318 on educational scholarship programs. Senator Gates said the bill responds to Auditor General concerns by separating scholarship funding from public school funding, requiring student identification and enrollment verification, reducing administrative fees for scholarship funding organizations, requiring annual audits, and directing the Department of Education to develop a competitive selection and performance plan for those organizations. Three amendments were adopted, including removal of a declining-enrollment provision for later conforming legislation and changes to enrollment documentation and withdrawal procedures. Senators from both parties supported the bill while raising concerns about accountability, student oversight, and school quality. The bill passed 38-0. Afterward, the Senate waived rules so SB 250 and CS/SB 318 could be immediately certified to the House. The session ended with announcements, including Palm Beach County Day at the Capitol and a reminder about the chamber group photograph, followed by adjournment until the next scheduled meeting.

Transcript Highlights:

• which means that individual who graduates with one of their Associate degrees, they have guaranteed admission
• Approve any school district or charter school that wants to be involved in that process.
• And that is a process that we have implemented for the last several years that provides local liaisons
• Whether or not we have businesses to our MCL process are saying these are...
• what we call phase-out, which means they would have to submit to the Department of Education the process

Keywords: 999, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• STARTED OUT MY CAREER WITH THE IBM COMPANY YEARS AGO, I SPENT 18 YEARS WITH IBM AND AS PART OF THAT PROCESS
• AND IN 2023 THE LEGISLATION AUTHORIZED THE LEARNING TEST AS AN EXAM QUALIFIED TO BE ACCEPTED FOR ADMISSION
• Calatayud: THE FACILITY REQUESTED THIS AMENDMENT MASTER PLAN PROCESS IS AN EXTREME TIME AND RESOURCE
• CONSUMING PROCESS.
• YOUR ANSWER WAS ACCESS FOR, YOUR THOUGHT PROCESS WAS IT MEANS ACCESS FOR LOWER INCOME STUDENTS AND IN

Keywords: 999, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• of admission to a school?
• So that's part of the process of operating the program.
• So that's part of the process of operating the program.
• It's hard to explain those two processes in a 30-second soundbite, but I'm going to try.
• They have to make sure they check their direct certification process.

Summary: The Legislative Management Committee met to fill a vacancy created by Representative Jared Hagert’s resignation, and the House majority recommended Representative Berg to replace him on the committee. The motion to appoint Berg was approved unanimously. The committee then took up its assigned task of estimating the fiscal impact of Initiated Constitutional Measure No. 3, the school meals measure, which would require public schools, and optionally nonpublic and tribal schools, to provide breakfast and lunch at no cost to students and reimburse schools through state funds after federal reimbursements are maximized. Legislative Council’s Liz Fordall summarized the measure’s requirements and answered questions about implementation, including the 2027-28 start date, the measure’s interaction with the Legacy Earnings Fund, and the fact that the Legislature would still control the funding source. DPI’s Linnell Johnson then testified at length on current school meal programs, direct certification, CEP and Provision 2 participation, and likely behavioral changes if the measure passed. She estimated the biennial fiscal impact at $124 million to $134 million, with an additional roughly $300,000 in administrative costs, and explained that the estimate assumed higher participation and some schools shifting to CEP/Provision 2 to preserve federal reimbursements. She also noted that if no new applications were filed in non-CEP schools, the cost could be substantially higher. After discussion, Senator Sorvaag moved to report a fiscal impact range of $124,300,000 to $134,300,000 per biennium to the Secretary of State, and the motion carried. The committee also received an informational update from Legislative Council attorney Dustin Richard on the ongoing redistricting litigation, explaining that the U.S. Supreme Court vacated the Eighth Circuit’s prior ruling and remanded the case for further consideration in light of Louisiana v. Callais, leaving the court-imposed map in effect for now. No action was required on that item, and the meeting adjourned after a brief note that the prior minutes would be brought back at a later meeting.

Transcript Highlights:

• With Tim's leadership last session, we began the process of addressing.
• habeas corpus or for the Committee of Criminal Jurisprudence HB 3758 by Chatan relating to the admissibility
• HB 3775 by Paul Rulings of the processing early voting voted by mail for the Committee on Elections.

Transcript Highlights:

• what we're going to do is require that professional and practical nursing programs must establish admission
• ACA has a tendency to be on their own timeline with rulemaking processes.
• I think this bill takes a big step forward in moving us even further along in the process of having the

Summary: The Committee on Health Policy met with a quorum and considered three bills. Senate Bill 526 on nursing education programs, sponsored by Senator Harrell, would tighten oversight of nursing schools by requiring admission criteria, exit exams, remediation plans, annual reporting, on-site inspections, and stronger action against programs with poor NCLEX results or adverse actions in other jurisdictions. After testimony from the sponsor and several committee questions, a late-filed amendment restored a two-year probation period instead of one year, and the bill was reported favorably. Senate Bill 714, also by Senator Harrell, would create a voluntary non-opioid advance directive allowing patients to document a wish not to receive opioids, including when incapacitated, with the form developed by the Department of Health and potentially included in electronic medical records. The sponsor said it would not prevent treatment discussions and would provide liability protection for providers who lack actual knowledge of the directive in emergencies. The bill drew no opposition in the meeting and was reported favorably. Senate Bill 170, sponsored by Senator Burton, would add nursing home quality and transparency measures, including consumer satisfaction surveys, patient safety culture surveys, electronic health record requirements, reporting to the Florida Health Information Exchange, a $10,000 fine for failure to submit required financial data, and reporting on Medicaid quality payments. An amendment clarified the fine’s application to both facilities and home offices. Testimony from AARP and the Florida Health Care Association supported the bill, and it was reported favorably after discussion about implementation and costs.

Transcript Highlights:

• of admission to a school?
• So that's part of the process of operating the program.
• It's hard to explain those two processes in a 30-second soundbite, but I'm going to try.
• They have to make sure they check their direct certification process.
• But I understand our process here today. I just wanted that on the record. Thank you.

Keywords: 908, all

Transcript Highlights:

• We have a couple that are in the process of being recertified or being initially certified.
• Um, and we want to examine processes for veterans to receive, and I'm gonna change that.
• Um, I wanna be able to understand how these processes work.
• And so I think it's good to understand that process and see how we can make it better.
• Do we have any other additions process, then we'll go to Stephanie Lord after.

Transcript Highlights:

• of admission to a school?
• So that's part of the process of operating the program.
• It's hard to explain those two processes in a 30-second sound bite, but I'm going to try.
• They have to make sure they check their direct certification process.
• But I understand our process here today. I just wanted that on the record. Thank you.

Summary: The Legislative Management Committee met to address the fiscal impact of Initiated Constitutional Measure No. 3, which would require public schools, public school districts, and public charter schools to provide breakfast and lunch at no cost to students and allow reimbursement from the state, with implementation beginning in the 2027-28 school year. The committee first filled a vacancy created by Representative Jared Hagert’s resignation by appointing Representative Berg to the committee. Legislative Council and DPI staff explained the measure’s requirements, including federal reimbursement participation, possible use of the legacy earnings fund if other funding is unavailable, and the authority of the Legislature and superintendent of public instruction to clarify implementation details. Linnell Johnson of DPI testified that the estimated fiscal impact for the 2027-2029 biennium is between $124 million and $134 million, based on participation assumptions, federal reimbursement rates, and the extent to which schools continue to collect applications or use community eligibility/provision 2 options. She also noted a likely additional administrative cost of about $300,000 for DPI to operate the program. Members asked about school participation, Title I implications, special diets, staffing, and whether the measure could reduce federal reimbursements if families stop applying. Johnson said the estimate is uncertain and could be higher if applications decline, but that schools would still have incentives to participate in federal programs because of reimbursement and other funding ties. After discussion, the committee adopted a motion to report a fiscal impact range of $124,300,000 to $134,300,000 per biennium to the Secretary of State. The committee then received an informational update from Legislative Council attorney Dustin Richard on the ongoing redistricting litigation. He explained that the U.S. Supreme Court vacated the Eighth Circuit’s ruling and sent the case back for reconsideration in light of Louisiana v. Callais, while the district court-imposed map remains in effect for now. No action was taken on that update, and the meeting adjourned after members noted minutes from the prior meeting were not yet available for approval.

Transcript Highlights:

• I look forward to this good bill continuing moving through our process.
• I look forward to this good bill continuing moving through our process.
• I look forward to this good bill continuing moving through our process.
• It's just simply not a fair process. So this bill attempts to address those.
• It's just simply not a fair process. So this bill attempts to address those.

Bills: S0382, S0628, S0654, S0696, S0880

Keywords: transportation facility designations, road naming, highway designation, honorary designation, memorial highway, memorial boulevard, memorial interchange, airport naming, FDOT markers, Florida Department of Transportation, State Road 80, SR 80, U.S. 90, U.S. 41, A1A, Turnpike interchange, Kissimmee Park Road, Bobby Bowden, Donald Trump Highway, President Donald J. Trump Highway

Summary: The Appropriations Committee on Transportation, Tourism, and Economic Development met with a quorum and considered five bills, all of which were reported favorably. First, SB 628 designated a portion of South Navy Boulevard in Pensacola as “Warrior Sacrifice Way” to honor Ensign Joshua Watson, Petty Officer Muhammad Hatham, and Cameron Walters, who were killed in the 2019 Naval Air Station Pensacola attack. Senators spoke in support, emphasizing remembrance and support for the families. The committee then heard CS/SB 382 on electric bicycles and scooters. The bill would require riders on shared pathways to yield to pedestrians, sound an audible signal before passing, and limit speed near pedestrians, while creating an e-bike safety task force and reporting requirements. Law enforcement, local officials, and school board representatives supported the bill and described safety concerns and data gaps, while several senators raised questions about enforcement and asked that e-scooters be addressed more explicitly. The bill was reported favorably. Members also approved SB 880, creating a Miami Northwestern Alumni Association specialty license plate to fund scholarships and school programs, and SB 696, which allows online trademark registration applications and updates Florida’s trademark classification and verification procedures. Finally, the committee took up CS/CS/SB 654 on traffic infraction enforcement cameras for red light, school zone speeding, and school bus violations. The bill and an amendment added guardrails on data use, hearings, reporting, signage, and contract limits; senators raised concerns about privacy, surveillance, and school zone enforcement, and a Hillsborough County sheriff’s representative testified that all-day school zone enforcement has improved safety. All measures were reported favorably, and the committee adjourned after recording additional affirmative votes on SB 628 from Senators Martin and Smith.

Transcript Highlights:

• Senate Bill 1019 by Huffman relates to the admissibility of certain hearsay statements in adjudication

Bills: SJR36, SB26, SJR3, SJR48, SJR50, SJR51, SCR15, SCR17, SB3, SB5, SB12, SB18, SB1001, SB1002, SB1003, SB1004, SB1005, SB1006, SB1007, SB1008, SB1009, SB1010, SB1011, SB1012, SB1013, SB1014, SB1015, SB1016, SB1017, SB1018, SB1019, SB1020, SB1021, SB1022, SB1023, SB1024, SB1025, SB1026, SB1027, SB1028, SB1029, SB1030, SB1031, SB1032, SB1033, SB1034, SB1035, SB1036, SB1037, SB1038, SB1039, SB1040, SB1041, SB1042, SB1043, SB1044, SB1045, SB1046, SB1049, SB1050, SB1051, SB1052, SB1053, SB1054, SB1055, SB1056, SB1057, SB1058, SB1059, SB1060, SB1061, SB1062, SB1063, SB1064, SB1065, SB1066, SB1067, SB1068, SB1069, SB1070, SB1071, SB1072, SB1073, SB1074, SB1075, SB1076, SB1077, SB1078, SB1079, SB1080, SB1081, SB1082, SB1083, SB1084, SB1085, SB1086, SB1087, SB1088, SB1089, SB1090, SB1091, SB1092, SB1093, SB1094, SB1095, SB1096, SB1097, SB1098, SB1099, SB1100, SB1101, SB1102, SB1103, SB1104, SB1105, SB1106, SB1107, SB1108, SB1109, SB1110, SB1111, SB1112, SB1113, SB1114, SB1115, SB1116, SB1117, SB1118, SB1119, SB1120, SB1121, SB1122, SB1123, SB1124, SB1125, SB1126, SB1127, SB1128, SB1129, SB1130, SB1131, SB1132, SB1133, SB1134, SB1135, SB1136, SB1137, SB1138, SB1139, SB1140, SB1141, SB1142, SB1143, SB1144, SB1145, SB1146, SB1147, SB1148, SB1149, SB1150, SB1565

Keywords: teacher compensation, education funding, public school educators, teacher retention, teacher designation, dementia, Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, research funding, state budget, prevention, healthcare, medical research, Dementia Prevention and Research Institute, severance tax, oil and gas, Texas STRONG fund, economic stabilization, public health, property tax relief

Transcript Highlights:

• If they allowed that, it could be done through the standard process without setting up another system
• The entire process refers back to folks within the DOE; the hearing officers work under the direction
• without setting up another um process without setting up another um system<00:43:49.440> the<
• refers back to uh the entire process refers back to folks<00:44:02.720> within<00:44:03.000><
• you don't have to go through the process you don't have to go through the process of<01:52:34.760

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The committee first took up House Bill 313, and Representative Perez moved to retain the bill, saying it needed work and was not ready as written. Representative Smith supported that approach, and the motion to retain passed 18-0. The committee then considered House Bill 391, an anti-SLAPP measure. Representative Smith and others argued the bill was too broad, could create litigation and discovery disputes, and might even be read to affect criminal cases. The committee voted 18-0 to retain HB 391 as well, and the chair agreed to place it on consent with a report to be prepared. The committee next heard House Bill 462, establishing a cause of action for unwarranted video imaging of residential properties. Representative McFarland moved to retain, saying the bill raised First Amendment and property-rights concerns. The motion passed 18-0. The committee then took up House Bill 509, a fiscal note bill requiring reporting related to forfeitures. Members on both sides discussed the bill’s cost, the burden of collecting and collating the data, possible duplication across fiscal years, and whether the information was already being collected. The OTP motion passed 11-7, and Chairman Lynn asked Representative McFarland to prepare the report; a minority report was anticipated. Finally, the committee considered House Bill 520, which would authorize Department of Education hearing officers to issue subpoenas. Representative Kuttab supported the bill, saying similar authority exists in other agencies and states. Opponents argued the DOE already can obtain information through the attorney general, that the bill would create an unbalanced internal enforcement process, and that the subpoena authority was not tied to the curriculum-related concerns raised in testimony. Representative Ter offered Amendment 0842H to shift subpoena authority from DOE hearing officers to the attorney general; the amendment failed 7-11. The committee then voted on the bill as amended, and the OTP motion passed 10-8, with a minority report also requested.

Transcript Highlights:

• I look forward to this good bill continuing moving through our process.
• This is my attempt to clarify some things and make the process a little bit more fair.
• It's just simply not a fair process. So this bill attempts to address those.
• It's just simply not a fair process. So this bill attempts to address those.
• And, you know, again, this is really a lot about processes. It's a lot about fairness.

Summary: The Appropriations Committee on Transportation, Tourism, and Economic Development met with a quorum and considered five bills. Senate Bill 628, naming a portion of South Navy Boulevard in Pensacola as Warrior Sacrifice Way to honor three Navy sailors killed in the 2019 Naval Air Station Pensacola attack, drew supportive remarks from senators and was reported favorably. Senate Bill 382 addressed electric bicycles and scooters by requiring riders to yield to pedestrians, limit speed near pedestrians, and use audible signals, while creating an e-bike safety task force and reporting requirements; witnesses from law enforcement, local government, and school boards supported the bill but urged clearer inclusion of e-scooters and better data collection, and the bill was reported favorably. Senate Bill 880 created a Miami Northwestern Alumni Association specialty license plate to fund scholarships and school programs, and Senate Bill 696 authorized online trademark registration applications and updated trademark classification and verification procedures; both were reported favorably with little opposition. The committee also took up Chair DeSigley’s CS for SB 654 on traffic infraction enforcement cameras for red-light running, school-zone speeding, and school-bus violations. The bill aimed to increase consistency, transparency, and fairness by limiting data use, requiring records retention, authorizing virtual hearings, restricting commissions, and adding school board approval and reporting requirements for school-bus camera programs. An amendment was adopted to clarify several provisions, including the definition of careful and prudent driving, limits on camera data use, contract timing for commission prohibitions, and reporting on violations outside authorized enforcement periods. Members raised concerns about privacy, surveillance, school-zone notice, and whether all-day school-zone enforcement should continue; Hillsborough County law enforcement testified in support of all-day enforcement based on crash data, while the sponsor said he would continue working on clarifications. After debate, the amended bill was reported favorably.

Transcript Highlights:

• There's a whole process, but I'd like them to talk about how they want to go about that process.
• And that would be this whole process of cybersecurity involves basically everybody.
• That would be this whole process of cybersecurity involves basically everybody.
• authorization because there's an agency-to-agency process for that work.
• There's no admission. But throughout the year, my wife collects items that we auction off.

Keywords: 959, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• We seek to protect the rights of all who participate in the legislative process so that we can have effective
• These drivers who are speeding through are impaired, and through this camera process, they'll just continue
• And I feel like there's a process in place that would probably get supported.
• However, I think that process should be respected.
• I'd love to see it become a budget process and to do it into your own district.

Summary: The Assembly Transportation Committee heard several transportation and climate-related bills. AB 954 would create a Caltrans pilot program for bike highways in two metropolitan areas and require a report to the Legislature; supporters said it would expand protected regional bike networks and help climate and equity goals, while some members objected that it would divert gas-tax-funded transportation dollars away from road repairs and rural needs. The bill passed on a 7-3 vote, with the roll held open for later additions. AB 289 would authorize automated speed enforcement in active highway construction zones to protect workers. The author and labor and contractor witnesses described repeated work-zone crashes and fatalities and argued the cameras would supplement, not replace, CHP enforcement. Some members raised concerns about civil penalties and enforcement policy, but the bill advanced on a 9-? initial vote and later was approved 15-1 after the roll was completed. AB 674 would update the Clean Cars for All program to prioritize pre-2004 high-polluting vehicles in disadvantaged and low-income communities and improve reporting and incentive rules. Supporters said older vehicles produce a disproportionate share of emissions and that the program has already retired thousands of cars; the committee approved the bill unanimously on the floor vote and sent it to the Committee on Natural Resources. AB 1237 would let LA Metro and VTA add a $5 fee to primary ticket sales for 2026 FIFA World Cup and NCAA championship events to fund transit service, with ticket holders able to use transit on event day. Supporters said the fee would help manage congestion and security needs, while the Howard Jarvis Taxpayers Association argued it was an unconstitutional tax requiring voter approval. The bill passed and was re-referred to the Committee on Arts, Entertainment, Sports, and Tourism. AB 891 would create a Caltrans quick-build pilot for temporary safety improvements on state highways for pedestrians and bicyclists; supporters emphasized rapid, low-cost safety fixes, while opponents said the program could divert gas-tax funds and was not appropriate for rural areas. It passed 11-4 and was sent to Appropriations. The committee also approved a six-bill consent calendar.

Transcript Highlights:

• really has the potential to waste taxpayers' resources through inefficient and duplicative... of processes
• So, again, this just helps simplify and clarify the process in place.
• We also know this is a House bill, so the process won't allow it to get through the session, so we're
• Currently, the Department of State Health Services has a delayed birth registration process.
• And there is a witness here that could provide additional testimony. ...explain the process if you all

Bills: SB2024, SB227, SB268, SB1467, SB1580, HB5537, SB1313, SB1677, SB918, SB331, SB2207, SB2721

Keywords: e-cigarettes, marketing prohibition, youth protection, criminal penalties, public health, school funding, education reform, state budget, property taxes, equity in education, health care, licensing, complaint procedure, disciplinary action, law enforcement, death records, vital statistics, healthcare, trauma facility, Medicaid

Transcript Highlights:

• If a student is currently enrolled, when you apply for admissions to a new college or university, the
• It's a dynamic process.
• safety components, we look to those families because they have been a leader, a thought leader in this process
• of the concerns that people have brought up in the first committee stop with respect to certain processes

Transcript Highlights:

• I wanted to take a minute, uh, to bring his memory to this floor because he loved the legislative process
• That was kind of the process back then when you were interviewing, trying to get into medical school
• David is visiting our Capitol today to learn a little bit about the Texas legislative process.
• proceedings referred to the Committee on Criminal Jurisprudence, HB 2729 by Dutton relating to the admissibility

Transcript Highlights:

• I have lost 80 pounds, and over the past 12 months, I've had zero hospital admissions.