Bills: SB 2, SB 3, SB 4, SB 5, SB 6, SB 7, SB 8, SB 9, SB 10, SB 11, SB 12, SB 13, SB 14, SB 15, SB 16, SB 17, SB 18, SB 34

Keywords: flash flood, flood warning, outdoor warning siren, emergency alert, disaster preparedness, flood mitigation, Hill Country floods, Texas Water Development Board, municipalities, counties, local government mandate, public safety, grant program, backup power, weather siren, emergency management, flood-prone area, warning system, redistricting, election

Transcript Highlights:

• some kind of concrete or brick, and that means that only the windows and doors and tie-downs for the roof
• Addressing the windows, the roofs, and some of the ceilings, yeah. We just heard Dr.
• Addressing the windows, the roofs, and some of the ceilings, yeah. We just heard Dr.
• have accumulated either nearby the house or have gotten into the house because the venting of the roof
• have accumulated either nearby the house or have gotten into the house because the venting of the roof

Keywords: 910, house, all

Summary: The committee held its first hearing of the 2025 session and began with housekeeping on testimony deadlines, hybrid participation rules, time management, and expectations for civility. The chair said testimony posted at least 24 hours in advance would be available to members and the public at the same time, late testimony would still be processed, and decision-making would generally be deferred to later in the day so morning hearings could adjourn before the noon floor session. The first bill heard was HB 673 on emergency management. Hawaii Emergency Management Agency administrator James Barros testified in opposition, saying the bill could undermine the executive’s unity of command during emergencies and objecting to provisions allowing the legislature to terminate a state of emergency by a two-thirds vote. Members asked about the difference between an emergency order and a state of emergency, whether other states use legislative checks and balances, and whether long-running emergencies such as COVID-19 or homelessness should have clearer end conditions. Barros said the agency, along with the Attorney General’s office and the governor’s office, would review the language and that the issue is setting conditions for when an emergency ends. The committee then heard HB 596, also on emergency management, which would clarify types of events that count as dangers and emergencies. Barros opposed the bill, saying the current list covers known hazards but should remain open-ended for future threats; he cited COVID-19 as an example of an unforeseen event and said the bill could limit flexibility. Members asked whether the list could be expanded, and Barros said the agency would look at that possibility. Testimony included support from the Grassroots Institute of Hawaii and concerns from the Tax Foundation of Hawaii about the bill’s special fund provisions; the committee also corrected testimony that had been submitted for the wrong bill. The final measure discussed was HB 1060 on emergency preparedness and the Community Readiness Center Program. Barros explained the proposal as part of HEMA’s effort to build local readiness centers and community hubs, with an initial target of 10 communities through a federal grant and a longer-term concept of roughly 100 statewide. The Climate Advisory Team supported the bill’s intent but urged that centers be developed with strong community and nonprofit involvement through the HARRP program. The Department of Taxation offered comments on the special fund, and members raised questions about cost, size, use of existing school facilities, public messaging, and equity across communities. Barros said the centers would provide backup communications, power, water, and food for a community group, would not function as general shelters, and would be designed to help communities hunker down and recover after a disaster.

Transcript Highlights:

• That one or two giant cases replaces many of the smaller settlements.
• It had the roof of the house actually extended out over this portal, and it was completely, I don't want

Bills: HB195, HB279, SB30, HB234, HB292, SB100, SB23, SB221, SB261, SB264

Keywords: medical malpractice, judgments, independent providers, insurance, personal assets, settlements, healthcare, healthcare privacy, electronic medical records, reproductive health, gender-affirming care, data protection, location tracking, confidentiality, SB30, induced abortion, abortion reporting, vital statistics, public health reporting, medical records

Transcript Highlights:

• O'Reilly's Autoarts academy and Walmart. and a scheme against Walmart involved purchasing Apple Airods replacing
• The current facility and again, this is a roof under which I will never work, but it is necessary.

Keywords: 914, all

Transcript Highlights:

• impacts of what this means for people on the ground who are trying to put food on the table, keep a roof
• These funds were approved by the voters to support new climate resiliency projects, not To replace existing

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• a place to stay, then I'm going to have complete chaos of running around, simply trying to keep a roof
• substitute for committee substitute for Senate Bill 1076, a bill to be entitled an act relating to roof
• Senate Bill 1076 expands the scope of work allowable for a roofing contractor, creates some cancellation
• substitute for committee substitute for House Bill 715, a bill to be entitled an act relating to roofing
• substitute for committee substitute for House Bill 715, a bill to be entitled an act relating to roofing

Summary: The Senate convened with opening prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, and several recognitions, including guests from Miami Northwestern Senior High School, Clay County, and others. Senators also observed a moment of silence for Pope Francis. After routine announcements, the chamber moved to the special order calendar and took up a long series of bills, often substituting House companions for Senate bills before final passage. Among the measures approved were bills creating an expedited DNA testing grant program for local law enforcement, adding aggravating factors in capital cases involving gatherings for religious, school, or government activities, requiring state health coverage for fertility preservation services for cancer patients, authorizing indemnification for commuter rail providers, prohibiting abandonment of migrant vessels in Florida waters, and creating new specialty license plates. The Senate also passed bills on Alzheimer’s awareness, relocating the Council on the Social Status of Black Men and Boys to Florida Memorial University, charter schools, sex offender registration, utility worker protections, juvenile justice, student mental health reporting, foster home licensure transfers, water access facilities, Florida Virtual School, school readiness, sexual images involving children, tampering with electronic monitoring devices, certified recovery residences, the FSU Election Law Center, the Office of Faith and Community, and bonuses for county property appraiser employees. Several other bills were temporarily postponed, including measures on social media use by minors, veterans’ nursing homes, Parkinson’s disease, mental health and substance use disorders, education, educator preparation, officers injured in the line of duty, school social workers, and Brownfields. Debate was especially extensive on the Office of Faith and Community bill, where an amendment to bar political activity by office staff was offered but failed 13-23 after arguments over election-related communications and the scope of existing law. The certified recovery residences bill also drew notable debate, with supporters emphasizing housing as essential to recovery and opponents raising concerns about implementation and local control. Most other bills passed with little or no opposition, though a few drew dissenting votes, including the capital aggravating factors bill, charter schools, and the Office of Faith and Community measure.

Transcript Highlights:

• a place to stay, then I'm going to have complete chaos of running around, simply trying to keep a roof
• Substitute for Committee Substitute for Senate Bill 1076, a bill to be entitled an act relating to roof
• Senate Bill 1076 expands the scope of work allowable for a roofing contractor, creates some cancellation
• Substitute for Committee Substitute for House Bill 715, a bill to be entitled an act relating to roofing
• Substitute for Committee Substitute for House Bill 715, a bill to be entitled an act relating to roofing

Summary: The Senate opened with prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, and several recognitions, including guests from Miami Northwestern Senior High School, Clay County, and a moment of silence for Pope Francis. Members then moved to the special order calendar after adopting a motion to reconsider the earlier failed vote on CS/SB 1080, which was temporarily postponed. The chamber also temporarily postponed several bills during the day, including measures on social media use by minors, veterans’ nursing homes, Parkinson’s disease, mental health and substance use disorders, education, educator preparation, benefits for certain officers injured in the line of duty, Brownfields, and school social workers. The Senate passed a series of bills with little or no opposition, often substituting House companions for Senate bills. These included expedited DNA testing grants for law enforcement; additional aggravating factors in capital felony sentencing; fertility preservation coverage for cancer patients; commuter rail indemnification; disposition of migrant vessels; specialty license plates; an Alzheimer’s and dementia awareness campaign; relocation of the Council on the Social Status of Black Men and Boys to Florida Memorial University; charter school changes; registration rules for sexual predators and offenders; assault and battery penalties for utility workers; juvenile justice revisions; reporting of student mental health outcomes; foster home licensure transfers; water access facilities and boating-related funding; Florida Virtual School changes; school readiness program improvements; protections against lewd sexual images of children; age-related criminal offense provisions; tampering with electronic monitoring devices; certified recovery residences; and codification of the FSU Election Law Center. Most of these bills passed overwhelmingly, though the charter school bill and the aggravating factors bill drew more divided votes. One of the most debated measures was SB 820, codifying the Office of Faith and Community. Senator Polsky offered an amendment to bar political activity by office employees while on duty and using government resources, citing alleged election-related emails and concerns about mixing government and religious influence. Supporters argued the amendment was needed as a guardrail; opponents said existing law already covered the conduct and that the amendment could be confusing or overly broad. The amendment failed 13-23, and the underlying bill passed 27-9 after extended debate about faith, politics, and the office’s role. Another notable debate involved SB 954 on certified recovery residences, where senators emphasized the need for stable housing in addiction recovery and the bill passed unanimously after supportive remarks from members who had personal experience with recovery. The Senate also passed SB 674 on bonuses for county tax collector and property appraiser employees after questions about safeguards and the purpose of the bonuses.

Transcript Highlights:

• It has a wooden floor and a shed roof. No walls, nothing else.
• floor<01:01:53.840> and<01:01:54.000> a<01:01:54.040> shed<01:01:54.440> roof
• <01:01:55.280> No<01:01:55.600> walls, wooden floor and a shed roof.
• No walls, wooden floor and a shed roof. No walls, nothing<01:01:56.800> else.

Keywords: 927, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• > We've seen costs really going through We've seen costs really going through the<00:43:22.320> roof
• 22.960> was<00:43:23.120> promised<00:43:23.520> on<00:43:23.640> the the roof
• , not what was promised on the the roof, not what was promised on the ballot<00:43:24.080> initiative
• We've seen costs really going through the roof, not what was promised on the ballot initiative.

Keywords: Continuation of today's legislative session, beginning at 7:45 pm., 981, all

Summary: The House took up House Bill 1410, the state’s long appropriations bill for the executive, legislative, and judicial branches and their agencies and institutions for the fiscal year beginning July 1, 2026. The committee first recessed and then adopted a motion to rise, report progress, and sit again later that day. The House also adopted a motion under House Rule 14 to limit debate on House Bill 1410 to one hour during special orders on April 10, 2026, by a vote of 40-20, with four excused and one absent. During consideration of House Bill 1410, members debated Amendment J82/54A, which would require funding for wolf reintroduction to come from gifts, grants, and donations rather than general fund dollars. Supporters argued the state should not use taxpayer money for additional wolf reintroduction, especially during a budget crisis, and said rural ranchers and livestock producers are bearing the costs and impacts of wolves. They emphasized depredation concerns, the strain on rural communities, and the view that the reintroduction effort has been costly and poorly managed. Opponents of the amendment said the funding line is part of broader wolf management, not just reintroduction, and argued the state has a legal obligation to carry out Proposition 114. They said gifts, grants, and donations are not a reliable funding source for that mandate and noted the program also supports conflict minimization efforts such as range riders. One speaker also defended the ecological role of wolves, citing their benefits to ecosystems, elk management, and biodiversity. The transcript does not show a final vote on the amendment before the excerpt ends.

Transcript Highlights:

• said, "Senator, uh, you have a constitutional right to fly," I don't think any of you would go to the roof
• would<00:08:46.800> go<00:08:46.959> to<00:08:47.120> the<00:08:47.279> roof
• <00:08:47.519> of think any of you would go to the roof of think any of you would go to the
• roof of the<00:08:48.000> Hawaii<00:08:48.399> capital<00:08:48.880> and<00:08:

Bills: SB2004, SB2039, SB2042, SB2043, SB2044, SB2132

Keywords: outdoor advertising, billboards, public safety, penalties, community pollution, elections, campaign finance, business entities, political activity, regulation, liability, non-natural persons, insurance, captives, examination, regulations, policyholders, dormant captive, tax exemption, Hawaii revised statutes

Summary: The Senate Commerce and Consumer Protection Committee opened its first hearing of the year with remarks from Chair Jared Kohole outlining hearing procedures, a two-minute testimony limit, rules for remote testimony and decorum, and a revised testimony-publication pilot that keeps 96-hour notice but returns to a standard 24-hour testimony deadline. He then moved through the agenda, beginning with SB 2004 on outdoor advertising, which would increase penalties for violations of billboard and outdoor advertising laws. Testimony on that measure was limited; Henry Curtis of Life of the Land was first up, and written support was noted from Hawaiian Electric and the Outdoor Circle. The committee then heard SB 2039 on election campaign finance, which would prohibit certain business entities from engaging in campaign finance activities. The Attorney General’s office offered comments and did not take a formal position at the hearing. Several proponents testified in support, including Josh Frost, Tom Moore of the Center for American Progress, Hapa/Hawaii Alliance for Progressive Action, and Common Cause Hawaiʻi, all arguing the bill would curb corporate and dark-money influence and return elections to the people. Moore distinguished between regulating corporate “rights” and limiting corporate “powers,” and said the state can redefine the powers it grants corporations. In questions, Senator McKelvey asked whether the bill could be expanded to include unions; the Attorney General said he would need to get back with legal analysis, while Moore said his preferred approach would include all entities and that leaving out nonprofits or unions would create problems. Members also discussed whether the bill would affect PACs, and Moore explained that the proposal would prohibit corporate and dark-money flows into PACs while leaving individual political giving and existing political committees in place. The committee then moved on to the next measure. SB 2042, relating to insurance, was heard next. The bill would reduce the unimpaired minimum capital and surplus required of class 4 sponsored captive insurance companies under certain circumstances. The DCCA Insurance Division said it stood on its written testimony, and the Hawaii Captive Insurance Council testified in support, describing the change as a narrow, risk-based adjustment that would not affect the commissioner’s authority where actual risk resides and would help keep Hawaii competitive. The committee noted additional written support and proceeded without a vote or final action in the portion of the hearing provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• go into this, the cost to replace that worker while they're out.
• And medical cost and wage replacement come in as secondary factors into that calculation.
• Everybody subscribes here, so it would—the change is just replacing one guideline with another.
• We’re just trying to adopt ODG to replace our current medical treatment schedule.
• I have leaking roofs and the employees are in danger. It's flooding in there.

Keywords: 965, house, all

Summary: The committee first disposed of several measures without debate, including deferrals of House Bill 460, House Bill 561, Senate Bill 322, and another deferred Senate measure, before taking up House Bill 819 by Chairman Cruz. HB 819 would replace Louisiana’s current workers’ compensation medical treatment schedule with ODG by MCG, a private evidence-based guideline system used in other states. Cruz and Troy Prevo argued ODG is more comprehensive, updated more frequently, and could reduce claim duration, medical costs, and premium rates; Dr. Jason Picard said Louisiana already uses ODG as a secondary reference for gaps in the state schedule and that the bill would not change appeals or variance procedures. Opponents, including injured-worker advocates Joseph Jola St. and Robin Crumholt, argued Louisiana’s current guidelines are working, that ODG is more cost-cutting and insurer-driven, and that the bill could increase denials and delay care. Members discussed amendments to add a two-year sunset, allow tacit approval when treatment follows the schedule, require payment within 30 days, and raise the carrier’s burden to challenge care; the committee adopted the amendments and then reported HB 819 favorably by a 7-6 vote. The committee then began Senate Bill 409 by Senator Myers, the Louisiana Living Donor Leave Protection Act. The bill would provide paid leave protections for living organ donors, set eligibility and verification procedures, and prohibit forfeiture of leave in certain circumstances for private employers. Myers said the measure is intended to remove job and paycheck barriers for people willing to donate organs and to support better transplant outcomes. Technical amendments were adopted at the start of the presentation, and the bill was introduced for further discussion.

Transcript Highlights:

• What is actively happening in small rural school districts in Minnesota is just that: the replacement
• ><00:10:29.360> just<00:10:29.560> that<00:10:29.839> the<00:10:30.000> replacement
• <00:10:30.519> of is just just that the replacement of is just just that the replacement of
• building with terrible lighting, a 100-year-old boiler system, asbestos lurking behind the walls, leaky roofs
• building with terrible lighting, a 100-year-old boiler system, asbestos lurking behind the walls, leaky roofs

Bills: HF827, HF1258, HF2387, HF2388, HF2534, HF2016

Keywords: education, school funding, consolidation aid, financial support, Minnesota Statutes, education finance, ice arena, school districts, cooperation agreement, equal sports opportunities, school milk program, nutrition, food waste, kindergarten, public schools, supplemental revenue, charter schools, funding, state appropriations, general education funding

Transcript Highlights:

• Right now, the theatrical stage has a roof on it, which is excellent.
• Also, right now, the theatrical stage has a roof on it, so that is excellent.
• I'm testifying today in opposition to replacing our state's current approach to Social Security tax exemption
• 00:37:24.760> in<00:37:25.079> opposition<00:37:25.640> to<00:37:25.880> replacing
• <00:37:26.400> our today in opposition to replacing our today in opposition to replacing our

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• in 2022 for phase one of this renovation project, which has all been encumbered, and we'll cover replacement
• 00:27:07.159> and<00:27:07.320> we'll<00:27:07.559> cover<00:27:08.200> replacement
• encumbered and we'll cover replacement encumbered and we'll cover replacement of<00:27:08.919>
• What happened was what we never figured on: interest rates just went through the roof, and the cost of
• What happened was what we never figured on: interest rates just went through the roof, and the cost of

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• university has heard them begging for money, looking at air conditioners not working, roof's not, roof
• Working, roofs not working, roofs leaking, sidewalks busted—where’s faculty in all this?

Summary: The committee first heard Senate Bill 399 by Senator Bass, which would create the Louisiana Higher Education Research Security Council to review and potentially block certain gifts, contracts, academic partnerships, and research partnerships involving foreign adversary sources. Bass said the bill is intended to protect university research, intellectual property, and students from foreign influence, and would also require public disclosure of certain foreign-linked arrangements and a plan to eliminate foreign-adversary-linked software. Supporters from State Armor argued Louisiana universities have been vulnerable to Chinese Communist Party influence and intellectual property theft. Representatives from Tulane University and Lenovo raised concerns that the bill could create duplicative review, delay research, raise costs, and sweep in legitimate private or multinational entities; a proposed amendment to exempt entities operating under a CFIUS national security agreement failed 4-8. After debate, the committee moved SB 399 favorably. The committee then considered Senate Bill 310 by Senator Cloud, presented by Representative Carlson, which would require public school and college health centers to display information about pregnancy resources available in Louisiana. Supporters from Louisiana Right to Life said the bill would help connect pregnant students with existing state and private assistance programs, while the ACLU submitted a red card in opposition without speaking. The bill was moved favorably without objection. The committee also advanced House Resolution 171 by Representative Turner, which calls for a study of the workforce-oriented TOPS Tech and M.J. Foster programs, with business and workforce groups supporting the study as a way to measure outcomes and return on investment; it was moved favorably. Next, the committee took up House Bill 1084 by Representative Turner, a tuition autonomy bill for public post-secondary institutions. An amendment was adopted to add a conceptual framework for tuition-setting considerations, but the bill would still remove the existing 10% over two years cap and allow institutions to set tuition more freely. Turner argued universities need more flexibility because state funding has declined and campuses face deferred maintenance and operating pressures. Several members, especially Representative Carlson, warned that higher tuition could reduce access and that the bill did not address broader structural problems in higher education. Despite those concerns, HB 1084 was moved favorably by an 8-3 vote. Finally, the committee heard Senate Bill 351 by Senator Jackson Andrews, which would let families apply for child care assistance through CCAP once pregnancy is known, rather than waiting until after birth, to help move them up the waiting list. An amendment was adopted to have BESE, rather than the department, handle rulemaking and to allow the House and Senate education committees to approve the implementation process. The bill was then discussed as a way to help parents return to work sooner, and the hearing continued with questions from members.

Transcript Highlights:

• Our state's charitable food system just doesn't have the capacity to replace SNAP.
• systems, updated security, new science labs, updated locker rooms, new windows and doors, and new roofs
• systems, updated security, new science labs, updated locker rooms, new windows and doors, and new roofs
• /c><01:39:35.840> If<01:39:36.080> the<01:39:36.320> moratorum doors, and new roofs
• If the moratorum doors, and new roofs.

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• 2050 comp plan, and this bill would take away the important local planning done by professionals and replace
• Rapids Economic Development Authority, the Iron Range Resources and Rehabilitation Board, and One Roof
• Rehabilitation<01:13:54.960> Board,<01:13:55.520> and<01:13:55.760> one<01:13:56.000> roof
• Rehabilitation Board, and one roof Rehabilitation Board, and one roof housing<01:13:56.640> in

Bills: HF4319, HF3295, HF3589, HF3587, HF3588, HF4295, HF3571, HF3895

Keywords: public utilities commission, Lake City, port authority, Red Wing, terms of appointment, local government, elections, open meeting law, transparency, public engagement, social media, government accountability, voter access, polling place, ballot, unexpected needs, election judge, public information, political parties, HF4295

Transcript Highlights:

• House Bill 150, an act relating to roofing contractors. Representative Grossberg.
• House Bill 150, an act relating to roofing contractors. Representative Grossberg.

Keywords: Video Starts 00:00 Convene 01:02 Motions, Petitions, and Communications 07:51 Stand at Ease 11:46 Introduction of New Bills and Resolutions 26:33 Adjournment 46:41, 958, all

Summary: The House convened with an invocation and the Pledge of Allegiance, then established a quorum with 98 members present. The chamber approved the journal from January 6, excused absent members, and suspended the rules to allow co-sponsorships and vote modifications. No committee reports, second readings, or orders of the day were needed. During announcements, a member invited colleagues to a Welcome Back to Frankfurt reception and the House adopted a citation honoring Michael Dean Hilton, with remarks noting his long career in Kentucky politics and lobbying. The House also adopted a citation recognizing Hank Parker. The clerk reported a large number of new filings, including House Bills 35 through 230 and several resolutions and constitutional amendments covering topics such as education, taxes, health care, firearms, housing, labor, elections, agriculture, public safety, and retirement systems. Among the measures introduced were bills on scholarship eligibility, respiratory care, retirement benefits, alcohol licensure, public notices, school curriculum, privacy protection, medical billing, housing, firearms-related issues, Medicaid expansion, cannabis, wage transparency, and healthcare price transparency. Resolutions included one recognizing election principles in Kentucky, one honoring victims of UPS Airlines Flight 2976 and responders, and others on political violence, memorial highways, law enforcement support, and ALS awareness. No substantive votes on legislation occurred beyond the citation adoptions and routine procedural approvals, and the House adjourned until 2:00 p.m. on Thursday, January 8, 2026.

Transcript Highlights:

• A being a reduction of 6.8% and 8 million in other funds for a registration tiling system replacement
• The Texas Department of Motor Vehicles fund for phase one of the project to replace the legacy of the
• For phase two to replace the legacy RTS system. Item two, Camp Humber Renewal Project.
• Two new riders added. for the RTS replacement phase one project and two deleted riders related to.
• To replace the. Witnesses of the Charles Miller Charles Miller and and Bishop and Bishop.

Bills: SB1, SB 1

Keywords: appropriations, budget, state funding, education, healthcare, infrastructure, campground safety, youth camp regulations, flood safety, emergency evacuation, health and safety standards, 1185, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• You've probably heard recently that food banks have been saying, you know, food banks can't replace SNAP
• Some of that is to replace the lost TFAP goods; some of that is about income.
• shelters in the state offering some form of co-sheltering to the survivors that seek safety under their roof