Video & Transcript Research : 'introductions'
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MA
Massachusetts 2025-2026 Regular Session
Joint Committee on Mental Health, Substance Use and Recovery Jun 21st, 2026 at 01:00 pm
Joint Committee on Mental Health, Substance Use and Recovery
Transcript Highlights:
- I give that introduction because it speaks to how we've cared for some of the most vulnerable patients
- The introduction of... ...to all stakeholders, especially patients.
- The introduction of new molecules in psychopharmacology can be very exciting.
- Some such introductions have recently been made with FDA-approved medications, such as radanolone, which
- We definitely strongly feel that, to do these kinds of novel treatments and introductions into a health
Summary:
The Joint Committee on Mental Health, Substance Use and Recovery opened its first public hearing of the 2025–26 session with remarks from the Senate and House chairs outlining the committee’s priorities. They noted recent work on addiction and recovery legislation, the ongoing youth behavioral health crisis, and that members might need to leave periodically for floor votes. The chairs explained hearing procedures, including three-minute testimony limits, written testimony deadlines, and reporting deadlines for Senate and House bills. The hearing then focused on several bills related to youth mental health, overdose prevention, and psychedelic treatment research.
A major portion of the hearing centered on bills to improve youth crisis response and overdose prevention. Testimony strongly supported bills to print the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline on student ID cards, with speakers from mental health organizations, crisis centers, and individuals sharing personal stories of depression, suicide attempts, and the importance of making 988 as familiar as 911. Another set of bills would require schools to stock naloxone and provide overdose prevention education. Physicians, harm reduction advocates, students, and grieving family members testified that school-based Narcan access and education could save lives, reduce stigma, and help students recognize overdoses and understand Good Samaritan protections. Senator O’Connor and Tamika Perry also testified for a bill to strengthen substance use prevention education and reduce overdose abandonment, emphasizing the need to teach students about overdose risks and the legal protections for calling 911.
The committee also heard testimony on a bill to authorize a pilot program for psychedelic treatment in licensed facilities. Senator Friedman and several medical and behavioral health professionals argued the proposal was a narrow, research-based approach distinct from the broader ballot question rejected in 2024. They said the bill would allow only a small number of supervised clinics to use psychedelics for conditions such as depression, PTSD, anxiety, and substance use disorders, with data reporting and Department of Public Health oversight. Supporters described it as a cautious way to study promising treatments while avoiding unsupervised or commercialized use.
Finally, the committee heard support for a bill to create a special commission and five-year strategic plan for children’s behavioral health services, with testimony that the current system is fragmented, difficult for families to navigate, and strained by workforce and funding challenges. No votes or final actions were taken during the hearing; the committee primarily received testimony and questions on the bills.
AL
Transcript Highlights:
- Now move on to introduction of bills. >> Senator Kitchens. >> Mr.
- President, I move that we allow for the introduction of bills at any point throughout the day. >> All
- President, I move that we allow for the introduction of committee reports at any time throughout the
- President, I move that we allow for the<00:15:46.560>
introduction <00:15:47.040>of <00: - 15:47.199>
committee <00:15:47.519>reports <00:15:47.839>at the introduction of
Summary:
The Alabama Senate convened with prayer, the pledge, and a quorum present, then approved the prior journal and allowed bills and committee reports to be introduced throughout the day. The chamber received multiple committee reports, including favorable reports on several finance and taxation bills, confirmations, local bills, and a series of resolutions. The Senate also confirmed several appointments to higher education and university boards, including Nicholas J. Balden, Jennifer Wit, Ronnie Stalworth, and Rex Reynolds, using long or previous roll calls as applicable.
The Senate adopted a special order calendar that set up floor consideration of several bills, including measures on physician assistants, seafood/aquaculture, motor vehicles, campaign practices, property insurance and energy reduction, child custody, and school bus drivers. During debate on the special order calendar, Senator Smitherman raised concern that no bills on the calendar were sponsored by minority members, noting a prior understanding that minority-sponsored bills should be represented; Senator Wagner responded that the calendar was prepared based on legislation rather than sponsor party, and the exchange ended with an agreement to continue moving forward. The Senate then adopted the special order calendar and began taking up the listed bills.
On the special order calendar, the Senate advanced House Bill 156 on physician assistant compacts, House Bill 277 on seafood/aquaculture tastings, and House Bill 42 on motor vehicles, with supporters describing each as consumer-friendly or supportive of industry. The chamber also considered local legislation, including bills for Madison, Tallapoosa, and Shelby counties; House Bill 337 for Madison County was amended and carried over, while House Bills 490, 491, and 493 passed after roll-call votes. Throughout the meeting, the Senate also adopted several commendatory and memorial resolutions, including measures honoring individuals, recognizing organizations and events, and naming a highway, with most adopted by voice vote and no recorded opposition.
MN
Transcript Highlights:
- Members will now proceed to the eighth order of business, which is the introduction and first reading
- The bills listed on today's introduction calendar are given their first reading and referred as indicated
- Members, as I mention the bills listed on the introduction calendar are given their first reading and
- <00:09:47.720>
calendar <00:09:48.079>are listed on the introduction calendar are listed - on the introduction calendar are given<00:09:48.959>
their <00:09:49.160>first <00:09:49.399
MA
Massachusetts 2025-2026 Regular Session
Correctional Consolidation and Collaboration Jun 21st, 2026 at 01:00 pm
Transcript Highlights:
- Appreciate your introduction, Mr. Chairman. You've done a great job. Carry on.
- I know the DOC has taken some steps, working with outside agencies, to try to stop the introduction of
- told us they’ve visited other states and New York to see how they’ve been trying to combat the introduction
Summary:
The special commission on consolidation and cooperation among public safety agencies held a hearing focused on union and correctional staff testimony. Chair Dan Hunt and Senator Brownsberger opened by noting the commission’s extensive site visits and prior testimony, and they recognized Correctional Officers Week. Union representatives from KOUF, NCEU, AFSCME, and local county correctional unions described the daily realities of correctional work, emphasizing staff safety, staffing shortages, retention problems, mental health impacts, and the need to preserve local sheriff’s offices and collective bargaining agreements.
Testimony centered on several recurring concerns: violence inside facilities, the spread of synthetic drugs such as K2, inmate suicides and suicide attempts, and the strain these issues place on officers, EMS, and local resources. Speakers also raised concerns about gender-identity housing policies, arguing they can create safety and workplace issues for staff, and urged more support for officer wellness, debriefing, and programs like OnSide Academy. Several witnesses argued that county facilities should remain locally controlled and that consolidation with the Department of Correction would weaken programming, staffing, and community-based reentry work. One witness described the Norwegian correctional model as a possible source of ideas for more rehabilitative approaches.
Commission members responded with support for correctional staff and asked questions about K2 detection, paperless systems, EMS transports, and possible metrics to quantify incidents and facility needs. Members also discussed the importance of individualized assessments of each facility rather than a one-size-fits-all approach. The commission voted to seek an extension of its reporting deadline from September 30 to November 30, and agreed to continue site visits, including the upcoming Barnstable visit and a June 15 hearing. The meeting adjourned after the motion passed.
VA
Virginia 2026 Regular Session
House Select Committee on Advancing Rural and Small Town Health Care Jun 17th, 2026
Transcript Highlights:
- We've got a couple things to get out of the way, but we are going to do a series of introductions and
- Okay, with that, we're going to jump right into member introductions, and really, I think what we'll
- do, when you do your introduction, I'd say go ahead and share your ideas as we go along.
FL
Florida 2026 Regular Session
FL House Floor Session - 2026-02-20 (9:00AM Session)
Florida House Floor Meeting
NM
New Mexico 2026 Regular Session
Senate Chamber Feb 9th, 2026 at 11:18 am
New Mexico Senate Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- I just encourage members to make your introductions of guests short and sweet so everyone can get to
- President, unanimous consent: we go to the order of business, introduction of legislation.
- Hearing no objection, we’re on that order of business, introduction of legislation. Thank you.
AZ
Arizona 2026 Regular Session
02/09/2026 - House Public Safety & Law Enforcement
Public Safety & Law Enforcement
Transcript Highlights:
- The term unlawful invasion does not currently exist in Arizona statute, and its introduction here Unlawful
- invasion does not currently exist in Arizona statute, and its introduction here serves no clear regulatory
- other countries to the U.S. unlawful invasion does not currently exist in Arizona statute, and its introduction
Keywords:
manslaughter, suicide encouragement, assisted suicide, online harassment, social media, text messaging, directed communication, minor suicide, youth suicide prevention, criminal liability for speech, online bullying, free speech, homicide, class 2 felony, Cade's Law, Arizona criminal law, sovereignty, border security, health crisis, drug cartels
Summary:
The House Committee on Public Safety and Law Enforcement heard three bills. HB 2665, named Cade’s Law, would expand Arizona’s manslaughter statute to cover intentionally directed communications—verbal, written, or electronic—that encourage a minor to die by suicide, while excluding general public commentary and non-directed discussion of suicide or mental health. The sponsor and several parents and suicide-prevention advocates testified in support, emphasizing teen suicide risks and the need to address online communication. Some members raised concerns about ambiguity, peer-to-peer counseling, and whether minors could be swept into the statute. After a verbal amendment clarifying the communication language, the bill passed 10-4 with several members voting present due to drafting concerns.
HB 2904 declared fentanyl trafficking across the Arizona-Mexico border a public health crisis and directed state health officials to act within their authority. The sponsor argued the bill was needed to combat cartels and protect Arizona from fentanyl-related deaths. The ACLU of Arizona opposed it, saying the bill used vague and unprecedented terms such as “unlawful invasion,” could sweep in asylum seekers or low-level drug offenders, and might affect bail and sentencing. After a contentious debate over border security, sovereignty, and the bill’s definitions, the committee gave HB 2904 a do pass recommendation by an 8-6 vote.
HB 2917 would create a firefighter cancer registry at the Department of Health Services to collect and analyze data on cancer among Arizona firefighters. Firefighter representatives supported the measure as a way to better understand occupational exposure and improve prevention, but members questioned whether the bill’s reporting requirements were truly voluntary, since the draft appeared to require participation and provider reporting of medical information. The sponsor and supporters said the intent was not to mandate disclosure and were open to amendments to clarify consent and privacy. The committee approved the bill 12-1, with one present vote and one absence, while noting that cleanup amendments would be needed before floor consideration.
NM
New Mexico 2025 Regular Session
IC - Water and Natural Resources Jun 3rd, 2025
Water & Natural Resources Committee
Transcript Highlights:
- So, um, We're going to start this morning with introductions, and we'll just go right around, but I'd
- While we do introductions, you all have been given a work plan to review, and we will ask for your additional
- Let's go to this table, and then we'll do introductions of a couple of people who came in.
TX
Transcript Highlights:
- Is your light on for questions or still introduction? Okay. Members, questions, Ms. Chairman Poppe?
- Thank you, Senator Eckhardt, for that lovely introduction. My name is Alethea Sullivan.
- And thank you, Senator Eckhardt, for that wonderful introduction.
Summary:
The Senate Committee on Nominations met with a quorum and first took up pending nominations from an earlier agenda. Members severed Douglas McReecken, nominated to the Texas Tech University System Board of Regents, from the rest of the list and then voted to report the remaining nominees to the full Senate by a 7-0 vote. The committee then voted on the severed nomination itself and reported Douglas McReecken to the full Senate as well, by a 5-2 vote.
The committee heard testimony from Brooke Pop, reappointed as chair of the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality, and later from Commissioner Katarina Gonzalez, also of TCEQ. Questions focused on whether TCEQ rules comply with state law, ex parte restrictions, public transparency, concrete batch plant permitting, MUD approvals, water availability, illegal dams, enforcement, and the agency’s role in local environmental disputes. Both nominees said they follow the law as written, described internal legal review of rules, and emphasized transparency, public outreach, and enforcement; Gonzalez said she had already sent back two rules she believed did not comply with legislation. Members also discussed TCEQ’s authority limits and the need for clearer public communication about what the agency can and cannot regulate.
The committee also considered Alethea Sullivan, nominated to the Texas Southern University Board of Regents. Questions centered on TSU’s status as an independent institution, the role of HBCUs amid DEI-related legal changes, and student outcomes. Sullivan said she would focus on ensuring taxpayer and student resources produce valuable credentials and noted concerns from her review of graduation and bar passage rates. The committee then heard from Benjamin Barkley, appointed chief executive and public counsel of the Office of Public Utility Counsel. Barkley said OPUC’s main need is additional funding to recruit and retain attorneys and expert witnesses, reduce turnover, and continue representing residential and small commercial consumers in utility rate cases; he said the office was involved in 73 contested cases and saved Texans $2.2 billion in FY 2024. No final action was taken on the later nominees, and the committee recessed with nominations left pending.
FL
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
House Floor Session - part 2 Mar 17th, 2025
Minnesota House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- Introduction of bills. The following House files have been offered for introduction today.
- Introduction of first reading of House Files 2366. House Files 2366 through 2512.
FL
Florida 2025 Regular Session
February 13, 2025 - 09:00 AM
Transcript Highlights:
- With that, Madam Chair, that's kind of my introduction.
- enforcement in the Baker Act, implementing Baker Act procedures and receiving facilities, and introduction
- law enforcement in the Baker Act implementing Baker Act procedures and receiving facilities and introduction
Summary:
The Human Services Subcommittee met to review implementation of House Bill 7021, the recent overhaul of Florida’s Baker Act and Marchman Act, and to hear from DCF Assistant Secretary Erica Floyd Thomas about how the department is using the $50 million appropriation tied to the bill. Representative Maney, the bill sponsor, gave a lengthy background on why he pursued the reforms and emphasized that the goal was to improve access, reduce unnecessary crisis interventions, and give agencies the resources needed to carry out their responsibilities. He and the chair both noted that the bill was the product of many years of work and broad bipartisan support.
DCF reported several early outcomes and implementation steps, including a statewide reduction in Baker Act initiations over the past five years, strong diversion rates from crisis through 988, mobile response teams, care coordination, and forensic multidisciplinary teams, and the creation of new tools such as a Baker Act dashboard and the first annual Marchman Act report. The department described key statutory changes: law enforcement discretion in initiating Baker Acts, a single-petition process, remote appearances, stronger discharge planning, interim services, updated parent notification and hold-period rules, an ombudsman office for children’s behavioral health, and regional collaboratives to identify local service gaps. DCF said it has updated manuals, FAQs, trainings, and rules, and that the managing entities have begun contracting for services.
Members asked about how the $50 million was allocated, why much of it went to crisis capacity rather than outpatient care, how much has been spent so far, whether administrative costs are capped, and how the department will measure success. DCF said most of the money was used to preserve and expand crisis beds, detox beds, CSU beds, short-term residential treatment, discharge planning, and outpatient supports, with $1.3 million for the ombudsman and regional collaboratives and $48.3 million to managing entities. The assistant secretary said the department tracks readmissions, utilization, provider capacity, and monthly and quarterly reports from managing entities, but it is still early to see full effects because contracts were only recently executed. Members also raised concerns about children, families, veterans, workforce shortages, transparency, and gaps for hard-to-place individuals, including those with developmental disabilities or dementia. The meeting ended with no formal action beyond adjournment after questions were completed.
FL
Florida 2025 Regular Session
Appropriations Committee on Higher Education Feb 12th, 2025
Transcript Highlights:
- . >> Thank You, Madam Chairperson, thank you to the men and for the for the introduction.
- So when introduction of Florida Center for nursing is new to you, we have been established in Florida
- Thank you. >> So just a little introduction, Dr Audrey drink or a bin with Galen for 20 years now, I
AZ
Transcript Highlights:
- Do you have any introduction to guests? Okay.
- Introduction of guests in the gallery. Proceed.
Summary:
The Senate opened with prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, roll call, journal approval, and routine announcements, including temporary committee substitutions and a guest introduction recognizing AIM Youth Mental Health and its student ambassadors. Senator Epstein read a proclamation designating May 31, 2026, as Youth Mental Health Day in Arizona. The chamber then recessed for caucuses before moving into Committee of the Whole to consider calendar bills.
The first measure, HB 2995 on legal decision-making and parenting time, received a committee amendment and a Mesnard floor amendment. The floor amendment emphasized child and victim safety in domestic violence cases, tightened standards for rebutting presumptions, and added an emergency clause for quicker implementation. The amendments were adopted, and the Committee of the Whole reported HB 2995 out with a do pass recommendation as amended.
The second measure, HCR 2040, a proposed constitutional amendment concerning labor organization use of public resources in school districts, drew extensive debate. Supporters argued it would prevent school resources from being used for union political or membership activities and protect students from work stoppages, while opponents raised constitutional concerns involving free speech, due process, contracts, pensions, and employee rights, and argued it would harm educators and union communication. After a division vote, the Committee of the Whole reported HCR 2040 out with a do pass recommendation as amended by a 12-11 vote. The Senate then adopted the Committee of the Whole report and adjourned until May 18, 2026.
AZ
Transcript Highlights:
- Do you have any introductions? Okay. Seeing none.
- Introduction of guests in the gallery. Proceed.
Summary:
The Senate opened with a prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, attendance, and routine journal and appointment actions. Members also made brief announcements about caucus meetings and recognized guests from AIM Youth Mental Health, including a proclamation by Senator Epstein designating May 31, 2026, as Youth Mental Health Day in Arizona.
The chamber then met as the Committee of the Whole to consider House Bill 2995, relating to legal decision-making and parenting time in domestic relations cases. A committee amendment and a Mesnard floor amendment were adopted; the floor amendment emphasized child and victim safety in domestic violence cases, tightened standards for rebutting presumptions, and added an emergency clause. The bill was then reported out of Committee of the Whole with a do pass as amended recommendation.
Members next considered House Concurrent Resolution 2040, a proposed constitutional amendment concerning labor organization use of public resources in school districts. Supporters argued it would restrict use of district communication systems and public resources for union-related materials and work stoppages, while opponents raised constitutional, due process, contract, pension, and free speech concerns, and argued it would harm teachers and union communication. The Government Committee amendment was adopted, and after debate the resolution was reported out of Committee of the Whole with a do pass as amended recommendation by a 12-11 division. The Senate then adopted the Committee of the Whole report and adjourned until May 18, 2026.
AZ
Arizona 2026 Regular Session
04/29/2026 - House Democratic Caucus Calendar #20
Transcript Highlights:
- that have worked with you, we will be introducing you on the floor during, not announcements, but introduction
- that have worked with you, we will be introducing you on the floor during, not announcements, but introduction
Summary:
The meeting began with a JLBC presentation on the state budget proposal. Staff reviewed revenue changes from the April forecast, which lowered expected growth slightly, and then walked through major tax policy provisions. Those included full conformity with HR1 for the current tax year, a shift to the provisions of SB 1106 for future tax years, new deductions for retirement/pension distributions and Roth IRA contributions, an increase in the dependent credit, and a child and dependent care subtraction. Staff said the tax changes had an overall fiscal impact of about $1.4 billion over four years. They also described offsets from repealing several tax credits and exemptions, including solar-related tax breaks, a renewable energy production credit, a new employment tax credit, a refundable R&D credit for smaller employers, and a pollution-control device credit, totaling about $75 million in added revenue. Another budget item would redirect Arizona Commerce Authority Competes Fund lottery distributions to the general fund. Members asked questions about the budget’s effect on ACCESS eligibility checks, state employee health insurance funding, and cuts to one-time funding for area agencies on aging and Alzheimer’s programs.
The committee then moved to caucus items on several bills. HB 2249, as amended by the Senate, would expand the parents’ bill of rights to include access to a child’s complete educational record and notice if school staff facilitate social transitioning, and would require investigation of prior violations; the sponsor concurred with the amendment. HB 2035 would require DCS and courts to identify and consider extended family for kinship foster care placement, with Senate changes shortening a reporting deadline and adding adopted family members to the definition. HB 2170 would bar state contracts for electronic or IT goods with PRC-controlled companies, with a certification requirement added in the Senate. HB 2573 would remove a waiting period for ignition interlock restricted licenses after DUI revocation and adjust psychotherapy language. HB 2415 on kratom would classify synthetic kratom as a narcotic drug and add advertising, packaging, and retail restrictions, but the sponsor intended to refuse the Senate changes. HB 2873 would let local petition sponsors withdraw municipal referendum petitions retroactively, which members noted could affect the Marana data center petition effort.
The final bill discussed, SB 1798, would create a Financial Aid Awareness Program in the Department of Education to recognize schools that support FAFSA completion. Members questioned whether the department would need additional staff or resources, but no fiscal note had been provided. The meeting ended with recognition of interns and a brief photo opportunity before the caucus moved into closed session.
MO
Missouri 2026 Regular Session
Children and Families Apr 28th, 2026 at 09:00 am
Children and Families
Transcript Highlights:
- many tragic situations, and I would love to be able to meet the family if we could work on that introduction
- many tragic situations, and I would love to be able to meet the family if we could work on that introduction
Summary:
The Committee on Children and Families held a public hearing on Senate Bill 1135, known as Bentley and Mason’s Law, with nine members present. Senator Henderson presented the bill as a child-support-style restitution measure for children who lose a parent or parents because of a drunk or drug-impaired driver. He said the amount would be determined through the clerk and court process based on the offender’s finances and the children’s prior standard of living, and noted the bill includes a delay in payments if the offender is incarcerated. He also explained that if a family pursues a civil recovery from insurance, they would not also receive the maintenance order, to avoid double recovery.
Committee members asked about how the payments would be calculated, whether health care or other needs could be included, whether the bill would affect FAFSA or survivor benefits, and whether there would be penalties for nonpayment. Several members praised the concept but raised concerns about enforceability, possible bankruptcy discharge, and the civil-suit limitation. Senator Henderson said he was open to further discussion on strengthening the bill, but noted some provisions were compromises made to keep the bill moving.
Public testimony was strongly in favor. Brooke Stewart described how her husband was killed by a drunk driver in Tennessee and said a court award under Bentley’s Law would help support her daughters’ future needs, including college. Heather Elder of Mothers Against Drunk Driving supported the bill, said similar laws have passed in other states and territories, and urged the committee not to amend or delay it further. She also described the original Missouri family behind the bill and said the measure would provide accountability and relief for children left behind by impaired-driving deaths. No one testified in opposition, and the committee adjourned after closing the hearing on SB 1135.
AZ
Transcript Highlights:
- President Pro Tem, a point of personal privilege, introduction of guests in the gallery.
- President Pro Tem, point of personal privilege, introduction of guests in the gallery. Fantastic.
Summary:
The Senate convened with prayer and the Pledge of Allegiance, approved the prior journal, and recognized several guests and community groups, including Central Arizona Aging and visitors tied to the Santa Rosa Barrio/Washington Park community. Members also read a proclamation honoring the Santa Rosa Barrio’s cultural and historical legacy in Phoenix, and introduced additional guests from Tempe and the East Valley.
The chamber then moved through Committee of the Whole calendars. On the first calendar, it advanced HB 2050 (radiologic technologies) with an Angus floor amendment on supervision requirements, HB 2176 (health care institutions) with a Gowan floor amendment, HB 2189 (licensed health aide rules) with a Health and Human Services committee amendment, HB 2195 (nursing facility records/timelines) with committee and floor amendments, and HB 2584 (amending Section 38-651) without amendment. The Committee of the Whole report was adopted and the bills were properly assigned.
On the second calendar, the Senate advanced HB 2003 (driver license destruction permits) after a question about ADOT implementation timing, HB 2006 (sample ballots and mail-in ballot dates), HB 2226 (arrest/processing and veteran status) with a Judiciary and Elections committee amendment, HB 2378 (school facilities oversight board members), HB 2693 (accountable health plans) with a Finance committee amendment and a Mesnard floor amendment making a feasibility study subject to available funds, and HCM 2007 urging renaming of State Route 16. The Committee of the Whole report was adopted. On the third calendar, the Senate advanced HB 2013 (air pollution control/air quality and wildfires) with a Carroll floor amendment adding guardrails on spending for waiver filings, retained HB 2029 on the calendar, and advanced HB 2031 (grandfather water rights), HB 2102 (domestic water improvement districts), HB 213 (water improvement program and water hauling), HB 2117 (Natural Resource Conservation Board fund), HB 2262 (Arizona Geological Survey), and HB 2278 (related statutory changes). The final Committee of the Whole report was adopted, and the Senate adjourned until Tuesday, April 7, 2026.
NM
New Mexico 2025 Regular Session
IC - Legislative Health and Human Services Jun 25th, 2025
Legislative Health & Human Services Committee
Transcript Highlights:
- OK, so we will start with introductions, and I just have to say, look how many House members are here
- Just an introduction. I never. Thank you. Good morning, Madam Chair.