Transcript Highlights:

• So, um, in the early 1920s there was a federal movement to, uh, create a code of ethics for judges to
• addition, the board issues advisory opinions and seeks to educate judges and others about judicial ethics
• 33.320><c> in</c> who often has some sort of experience in who often has some sort of experience in ethics
• 34.679><c> was</c><00:18:34.880><c> a</c><00:18:35.039><c> previous</c><00:18:35.480><c> board</c> ethics
• and maybe was a previous board ethics and maybe was a previous board member<00:18:37.120><c> um</c><

Committee: House Judiciary Finance and Civil Law

Transcript Highlights:

• I've been training process servers all over California in the ethical ways to serve legal process.
• AB 931 is a common-sense consumer protection measure that adopts ethical rules for the regulation of
• attorneys and out-of-state ABSs, ensuring that the attorney-client relationship remains legally and ethically
• services may have a role in the legal system, fee sharing with non-lawyers could lead to very serious ethical
• that we see this as really creating conflicting issues when you have a union agent with no similar ethical

Committee: House Judiciary

Summary: The committee first heard AB 2, which would impose enhanced financial penalties on large social media companies when negligence proven in court causes harm to children and teens. The author and supporters, including Common Sense Media and education and child advocacy groups, argued that social media algorithms and design features amplify harmful content and that existing remedies are not enough to deter misconduct. Opponents from TechNet, CCIA, the Chamber of Commerce, EFF, and others warned the bill was vague, could chill content moderation and encryption, invite litigation, and be preempted by Section 230. Several members raised concerns about defining “harm,” but the bill passed on a roll call vote and was sent onward. The committee then took up AB 282, which would allow landlords and housing providers to establish preferences for tenants who use housing vouchers or other rental assistance, clarifying that such preferences are not unlawful source-of-income discrimination. Supporters from housing authorities, local governments, AARP, legal aid groups, and housing nonprofits said the bill would help voucher holders find units and improve voucher utilization. There was no opposition testimony, and the bill passed with a roll call vote and was sent to Appropriations. Next was AB 882, dealing with court reporter availability and the use of electronic recording in certain cases when an official court reporter is unavailable. The author and supporters, including court reporter and labor representatives, said the bill is a temporary, narrowly tailored response to a shortage while preserving accurate records. Opponents from consumer attorneys, defense counsel, the Judicial Council, and others argued the bill was too narrow, could harm access to justice, and should be expanded or revised. Members from both parties expressed mixed views but generally supported continuing the conversation; the bill passed and was placed on call. The committee also heard AB 325 on algorithmic price fixing, which would update antitrust law to address collusion through pricing software and digital tools. Supporters said the bill targets modern forms of cartel behavior and closes loopholes that let companies coordinate prices through algorithms. Opponents from the Chamber of Commerce, Civil Justice Association, TechNet, retailers, hospitals, and others argued the conduct is already illegal, the bill is overbroad, and its definitions and burden-shifting provisions need work. Members requested clarifications to key definitions and pleading standards, but the bill passed as amended and was placed on call. The committee then briefly heard AB 935, which would strengthen civil rights data collection and transparency, especially for educational settings; it had no opposition, passed, and was placed on call. Finally, AB 67 was presented to let the Attorney General enforce the Reproductive Privacy Act and seek penalties against local governments that interfere with abortion access. Supporters framed it as an enforcement tool to protect reproductive rights, while opponents from California Family Council and others denounced it as expanding state power to protect abortion access; the transcript cuts off during that item.

Transcript Highlights:

• Her reputation for thoughtful decision-making, ethical practices, and team support, has made her a trusted

Bills: HR1041 , SB137 , SB1255 , SB1226 , SB1238 , SB1258 , SB1325 , SB1460 , SB1543 , SB1730 , SB1921 , SB1733 , SB1216 , SB1256 , SB1061 , SB1534 , SB1873 , SB1653 , SB540 , SB1948

Keywords: Oklahoma, House Resolution, HR1041, Nuclear Lifecycle Innovation Campus, Department of Energy, DOE, advanced nuclear, nuclear energy, small modular reactors, SMRs, microreactors, energy innovation, advanced energy, energy security, economic development, job creation, workforce training, research and development, nuclear supply chain, clean energy

Transcript Highlights:

• legislative branch, including, for example, the Ombudsman's office, the Auditor's office, the State Ethics

Bills: SB2661

Committee: House Legislative Management

Summary: The Legislative Management committee met to hear Senate Bill 2661 SD1, which addresses nepotism. The bill’s sponsor said it would create a uniform state standard covering the judiciary, legislative branch, and related offices such as the Ombudsman, Auditor, and State Ethics Commission, and would include a good-cause exception to allow for unique circumstances, especially in rural areas. The sponsor emphasized the value of a consistent public standard and said the measure was intended to be transparent and broadly applicable. A member asked whether the bill would apply prospectively and how it would affect current employees. The sponsor responded that it would apply prospectively but would still affect existing supervisory relationships involving related or household members, unless a good-cause exception or grandfathering provision were added. The sponsor noted that the current bill does not contain a grandfather clause and described how, in the executive branch, similar situations were handled by changing supervision or temporarily delaying enforcement to work through transitions. The committee then moved to decision-making and recommended passing SB 2661 SD1 with amendments, including changing the effective date to July 1, 3000. The acting chair, vice chair, Representative Morikawa, and Representative Matsumoto voted in favor; Representative Quinlan was excused. The recommendation was adopted and the meeting adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• So I'm going to step in and save you from an ethical hearing. Further questions, committee.

Committee: House Revenue and Taxation

Transcript Highlights:

• The Rules and Ethics Committee will meet this evening at 7 p.m. in 404 HOB.

Summary: The Florida House convened in Special Session 2025B after recording a quorum and reading the joint proclamation calling the session from January 27 to January 29, 2025. Speaker Perez outlined the special-session process, including canceling regular committee meetings, distributing notebooks with the call, the bill to be filed by Representative McClure, and the bill analysis, and creating three select committees on illegal immigration to hear HB 1B later that day. He also announced a new process for reviewing vetoed appropriations through combined workgroups, beginning with legislative budget vetoes. The House then took up the governor’s veto of portions of HB 5001, the 2024 appropriations act. After reading the governor’s communication, Representative Kennedy moved to reinstate specific appropriation 2802 and its related proviso on page 412, describing it as legislative services support funding needed for IT, forecasting, auditing, and accountability functions. The motion passed 111-0. Kennedy then moved to reinstate specific appropriation 2803 and its related proviso, described as the second line item for legislative support services, and that motion also passed 111-0. No Senate messages, committee reports, reconsiderations, or bills on the calendar were reported. The House then adopted a motion to adjourn and reconvene Tuesday, January 28, 2025, at 10:00 a.m., or upon the call of the chair.

Transcript Highlights:

• The Rules and Ethics Committee will meet this evening at 7 p.m. in 404 HOB.

Summary: The Florida House convened in Special Session 2025B after a quorum was established and the Pledge of Allegiance was recited. The Speaker announced that regular committee meetings were canceled for the week so the chamber could focus on special session work, including three select committees on illegal immigration that would hear HB 1B, along with a Rules and Ethics Committee meeting later that evening. Members were also told the bill filing deadline had been extended to Wednesday at 5 p.m. The main floor business involved the House’s effort to reinstate vetoed legislative operating funds from HB 5001, the 2024 appropriations act. After the clerk read the governor’s veto message, Representative Kennedy moved to reinstate specific appropriation 2802 and its related proviso on page 412, described as legislative services support funding. Supporters said the veto had cut essential legislative functions such as IT, economic forecasting, auditing, and accountability work, and argued the reduction was likely an oversight or improper interference with legislative independence. The motion passed 111-0. Kennedy then moved to reinstate specific appropriation 2803 and its related proviso, the second legislative support services line item. The House again approved the motion unanimously, 111-0. With no other messages, reports, or bills on the desk, the House adopted a motion to adjourn and reconvene on Tuesday, January 28, 2025, at 10 a.m. or upon the call of the chair.

Transcript Highlights:

• There's a strong public-private ethic here.
• district board already possessing expertise in engineering, finance, public law, utility operations, ethics
• instruction on water and wastewater operations, engineering, finance, bookkeeping, legal requirements, ethics
• Their success depends in large part on informed, knowledgeable, ethical, and confident local leadership

Committee: House Land & Resource Management

Transcript Highlights:

• And do they already have sexual harassment and ethics training?
• So currently they do the ethics that we do, sexual harassment, and cybersecurity.
• there's just three hours of training that our mayors go through: cybersecurity, sexual harassment, ethics
• there's just three hours of training that our mayors go through, cybersecurity, sexual harassment, ethics

Bills: HR153 , HR154 , HR155 , HR156 , HR157 , HR158 , HCR57 , HCR58 , HCR59 , HR133 , HR134 , HR135 , HR136 , HR137 , HR138 , HR139 , HR140 , HR141 , HR142 , HR144 , HR145 , HR146 , HR147 , HR148 , HR149 , HR150 , HR151 , HR152 , SCR28 , SB141 , SB169 , SB206 , SB233 , SB417 , SB421 , SB429 , SB437 , SB477 , SB510 , SB521 , HR1 , HR17 , HCR5 , HB55 , HB385 , HB394 , HB396 , HB406 , HB608 , HB622 , HB676 , HB772 , HB897 , HB902 , HB943 , HB1030 , HB1035 , HB1038 , HB1045 , HB1049 , HB1056 , HB1058 , HB1059 , HB1092 , HB1100 , HB1117 , HB1160 , HB1161 , HB1162 , HB1177 , HB1180 , HB1189 , HB1216 , HB1239 , HB1240 , SB127 , HB284 , HB1 , HB2 , HB3 , HB312 , HB313 , HB383 , HB314 , HCR3 , HB983 , HB1126 , HB21 , HB24 , HB29 , HB31 , HB39 , HB45 , HB77 , HB136 , HB150 , HB263 , HB273 , HB299 , HB315 , HB376 , HB377 , HB431 , HB444 , HB450 , HB519 , HB533 , HB538 , HB559 , HB562 , HB663 , HB664 , HB715 , HB717 , HB805 , HB822 , HB823 , HB834 , HB864 , HB867 , HB1017 , HB1018 , HB1068 , HB1134 , HB1137 , HB1234 , HB1235 , HB1236 , HB211 , HB27 , HB71 , HB214 , HB225 , HB241 , HB244 , HB306 , HB345 , HB366 , HB446 , HB511 , HB514 , HB655 , HB730 , HB743 , HB1027 , HB1037 , HB1043 , HB1082 , HB1091 , HB1096 , HB1103 , HB1167 , HB1174 , HB1175 , HB1230 , HB1237 , HB1238 , SB162 , SB349 , SB350 , SB382 , SB383 , HB401 , HB51 , HB58 , HB140 , HB982 , HB1010 , HB132 , HB193 , HB635 , HB690 , HB1003 , HB750 , HB911 , HB151 , HB180 , HB192 , HB310 , HB961 , HB1146 , HB977 , HB181 , HB901 , HR20 , HR74 , HB9 , HB393 , HB459 , HB577 , HB582 , HB605 , HB614 , HB615 , HB682 , HB733 , HB773 , HB996 , HB1113

Keywords: commendation, robotics, high school, competition, education, Tomato Festival, community celebration, Our Lady of Prompt Succor, fundraising, local heritage, Holocaust, remembrance, Yom HaShoah, Jewish history, condolences, community service, law enforcement, legacy, Shreveport, D.A.R.E. Program

Transcript Highlights:

• The Missouri Ethics Commission is right outside, representatives from the MEC.
• Missouri Ethics Commission right out there. Thank you, Mr.
• the ban on local control, the AI tech that’s still learning, the surveillance and mapping, and the ethical
• So one question I have, though, is about the ethical considerations as far as decision-making by these

Summary: The House opened with prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, approval of the prior day’s journal by a 118-1 vote, and a series of special guest introductions, including family members, student groups, a basketball team, University of Missouri undergraduate researchers, and other visitors. The chamber also received Senate messages and committee reports, including recommendations that several House bills and joint resolutions “do pass.” The main floor debate centered on Senate Substitute No. 3 for Senate Bill 888, a broad juvenile justice and sentencing measure that combined juvenile reform with sentencing transparency and other criminal justice provisions. Supporters said it would improve public safety, clarify sentencing, address serious offenses, and add collaboration between prosecutors and juvenile systems. Opponents argued it was an oversized omnibus bill rushed through the process, warned it would increase prison time, expand adult-court involvement in juvenile matters, and could harm children and rehabilitation efforts. Members also debated the fiscal note, with supporters saying the large prison-cost estimate was speculative and opponents calling it evidence of a major new prison expense. After extended debate, the House invoked the previous question and SB 888 was finally passed 97-53. The House then took up House Committee Substitute for House Joint Resolutions 173 and 174, a proposal to change Missouri’s tax structure by reducing and potentially eliminating the state income tax and broadening the sales tax base to transactions involving goods and services. Supporters framed it as a modernization effort that would promote growth, increase take-home pay, and send the question to voters. Opponents said it would be the largest sales tax hike in state history, shift the burden onto working families and seniors, and create a large budget hole. After debate, the previous question was adopted 101-49, and the joint resolutions were third read and passed 98-54. The House then moved on to third-reading business, including House Bill 269 on autonomous vehicles, which was introduced as a transportation and economic development measure and then questioned on liability and taxation issues.

Transcript Highlights:

• Um, I get appointed to quite a bit of these, so I reached out to ethics to see if I should abstain or
• quite a bit of these, so I reached out quite a bit of these, so I reached out to<00:56:18.720><c> ethics
• 19.760><c> I</c><00:56:20.000><c> should</c><00:56:20.160><c> abstain</c><00:56:20.559><c> or</c> to ethics
• to see if I should abstain or to ethics to see if I should abstain or not.<00:56:20.960><c> I've</c>

Committee: House Families & Children

Transcript Highlights:

• the governor is interested in actually solving that problem and we could have the same type of work ethic
• the same type problem and we could have the same type of<00:41:39.119><c> work</c><00:41:39.359><c> ethic
• 40.960><c> and</c><00:41:41.119><c> and</c><00:41:41.200><c> and</c><00:41:42.000><c> uh</c> of work ethic
• Michael and and and uh of work ethic.

Summary: Senate Republican leaders held a press event to roll out a package of anti-fraud proposals focused on state welfare and human services programs. Mark Johnson opened by citing recent fraud scandals, including a shuttered housing program and reports of vulnerable adults being left without care while providers billed for full services, and said Republicans want top-down reform, stronger accountability, new technology, and tighter oversight of taxpayer dollars. Michael Kreun said Republicans support an independent Office of Inspector General and argued the Senate-passed bill should not be weakened in the House; he also said the Senate should restore its role in confirming agency commissioners, especially at DHS, which he described as central to the fraud problem. Jordan Rasmusson outlined a plan to stop “blank checks” for DHS and DCYF services by requiring legislative audit review when a program exceeds budget by 5 percent and legislative approval for additional spending at 10 percent over budget. He also said DHS should adopt basic integrity tools such as electronic visit verification and client sign-off. Steve Drazkowski described two bills: a statewide “do-not-pay” list to block payments to ineligible people or entities, and an “I’m Not a Robot” proposal for Medicaid managed care that would require enrollee verification forms, with a 2 percent payment withhold used to encourage compliance and potentially fund county system upgrades. Mark Krueger said the state should improve technology and data use for eligibility determinations, citing other states’ rapid fraud-fighting systems, and proposed penalties for false reporting to the Legislative Auditor after a DHS audit found falsified site-visit records. Steve Gruenhagen said his bill would require DHS and DCYF to resume annual fraud-prevention and oversight reports to the legislature, which he said had stopped after 2017 despite rising fraud cases. Michael Holmstrom proposed unannounced site visits for all DHS and DCYF providers before enrollment, reenrollment, and revalidation, funded through provider service fees, and cited a recent case involving a woman with autism who was billed for far more care than she received. In the Q&A, Kreun said House Democrats’ delete-everything amendment to the inspector general bill removed the law enforcement division and stripped the bill of its “teeth,” and he suggested the governor’s office may have been involved in efforts to replace the bill with a weaker coordination council model. No votes were taken in the press conference.

Transcript Highlights:

• Doctors are ethically bound to not do something that isn't recommended or isn't supported by literature
• Doctors are ethically bound to not do something that isn't recommended or it isn't supported by literature
• Earlier we heard someone comment that these providers have a code of ethics and they decide what really
• more authority and then just pay or not pay based on whether or not they're following their code of ethics

Summary: The committee met to review the history and current treatment of North Dakota health insurance mandates, with presentations from Blue Cross Blue Shield of North Dakota, Sanford Health Plan, the Public Employees Retirement System (PERS), and the Insurance Department. The discussion focused on how mandates apply differently to fully insured, self-funded, ACA, Medicaid, and PERS plans; how the state’s benchmark plan and federal essential health benefits affect coverage; and how the existing process requires cost-benefit analysis and, for certain measures, a PERS pilot period before broader application. Presenters also reviewed the long list of existing state mandates, including provider, beneficiary, and coverage requirements, and noted that many were enacted decades ago and have not been revisited despite changes in medical evidence and treatment options. Witnesses from the carriers argued that mandates should be reviewed periodically because some are outdated, can create unintended costs, and may not align with current medical guidance. Examples cited included PSA screening, off-label drug coverage, prior authorization rules, step therapy, and cost-sharing provisions for mental health and substance use treatment. They emphasized that carriers often cover services without a mandate when supported by clinical evidence, and that mandates can shift costs to employers and employees, especially in the fully insured small-group market. They also suggested possible policy improvements such as clearer mandate definitions, better transparency around cost-benefit analyses, a regular 10-year review of mandates, and more timely submission of proposals through the interim process. PERS and the Insurance Department highlighted a recurring tension over what counts as a mandate and when a measure triggers the state’s defrayal obligation under federal law. PERS described its interim committee process, the April 1 deadline for fiscal-impact proposals, and the limited pilot program used for certain measures, noting that only a few bills have gone through the full pilot process. The Insurance Department explained that it views new benefit mandates through the lens of the ACA benchmark plan and essential health benefits, distinguishing true new benefits, such as infertility coverage, from changes to existing benefits, such as telehealth or insulin cost-sharing caps. No votes were taken on policy changes; the meeting was informational, with members asking questions about costs, applicability, transparency, and whether a periodic mandate review should be established.

Transcript Highlights:

• There's a couple ways we could look at it technically, or we could look at it ethically or morally.
• I like ethically and morally. Yeah, well, great questions. Dr. Cortwell, I've asked Dr.
• But just alone on page one, item five with the State Ethics Commission, I really don't want to give them
• But just alone on page one, item five with the State Ethics Commission, I really don't want to give them

Committee: House House Appropriations & Finance

Transcript Highlights:

• the Vermont Human Rights Commission, the Vermont Attorney General's Office, and the Vermont State Ethics
• 00:48:18.160><c> the</c><00:48:18.319><c> Vermont</c><00:48:18.800><c> State</c><00:48:19.119><c> Ethics
• </c><00:48:19.599><c> Commission</c> and the Vermont State Ethics Commission and the Vermont State Ethics

Transcript Highlights:

• An ethical value for journalists is minimizing harm.
• An ethical<00:48:32.400><c> value</c><00:48:32.800><c> for</c><00:48:33.040><c> journalists</c><00:48
• :33.599><c> is</c> ethical value for journalists is ethical value for journalists is minimizing<00:48

Summary: The joint committees on Education and Higher Education first heard HCR 75 and HR 67, which ask the Department of Education and the University of Hawaiʻi to assess criteria for building an educational pipeline and curriculum for advanced manufacturing and cybersecurity. The Department of Education said it would stand on its written testimony, and UH supported the measure, noting existing community college and four-year programs related to the topic. Members asked how DOE promotes cybersecurity opportunities and whether it provides funding; DOE said schools usually connect with partners and its office works with them, but it does not have separate funding for such efforts. UH also explained that some advanced manufacturing concepts may overlap with 3D printing, material sciences, and entrepreneurship, and described P20 as a forum for aligning K-12 and higher education pathways. The committees then recessed the joint hearing and moved to the Education Committee agenda. The committee next heard HCR 46 and HR 39, which would make DOE recreational facilities available to the public during non-peak hours and non-school days. DOE said it already uses facilities agreements with insurance, liability waivers, indemnification, and certificates of insurance to protect schools. The Attorney General opposed the resolutions, warning that unrestricted public use without safeguards could create substantial liability and cost risks for the state. The measure’s introducer said the goal was to help underserved communities that lack access to public recreation spaces, and DOE said it would be open to joint-use arrangements with larger organizations but remained concerned about vandalism and liability. The committee also heard HCR 86 and HR 80 on creating an Aloha Civics working group, with DOE offering comments and Common Cause Hawaiʻi strongly supporting the idea. DOE described a civic learning and engagement task force that met with stakeholders, including UH and the PACE Commission, and produced recommendations such as building partnership inventories, integrating civic learning across grade levels, and aligning the work with DOE’s HA framework and learner outcomes. Common Cause said civic education can be implemented effectively and affordably, citing existing school projects such as ranked-choice voting and classroom constitutions. Later, the committee took up HCR 87 and HR 81, urging an annual Climate Week in public schools. DOE again stood on written comments, while the Climate Change and Health Working Group, Climate Future Forum, a student from Kaimuki High School, and other supporters argued that a dedicated week would ensure consistent climate education, build resilience, and connect climate issues to health, food security, and disaster preparedness. Supporters said existing climate-related opportunities are uneven across schools and that a formal Climate Week would create a more equitable approach. The committee then heard HCR 95 and HR 91 on informing students about changes to gun safety and storage laws; DOE asked for clarification on the measure’s intended outcome, and one individual testified in support. Finally, the committee heard HCR 104 and HR 100 on strengthening farm-to-school initiatives. DOE said it is already working to improve menus, emphasize local products, and meet with distributors to increase local procurement, while the College of Tropical Agriculture and Human Resilience offered food science, nutrition, and extension support. Climate Future Forum, the Hawaii Youth Food Council, and other supporters said farm-to-school efforts are important for student health, local farmers, and food sovereignty, noting that local food procurement in schools remains far below the state’s 30% by 2030 goal. DOE explained it is trying to provide distributors and farmers with more predictable demand and is meeting with distributors to set up next year’s supply chain.

Transcript Highlights:

• making sensible decisions with respect to cultural, economic, and fiscal impacts relating to the ethical
• ><01:06:56.559><c> relating</c><01:06:57.079><c> to</c><01:06:57.359><c> the</c><01:06:57.599><c> ethical
• </c> fiscal impacts relating to the ethical fiscal impacts relating to the ethical use<01:06:58.760><

Transcript Highlights:

• We do have an Ethics Hotline, which does allow individuals to anonymously report concerns and issues
• ><00:49:37.760><c> an</c> up the chain above or we do have an up the chain above or we do have an Ethics
• 39.280><c> which</c><00:49:39.400><c> does</c><00:49:39.680><c> allow</c><00:49:40.040><c> for</c> Ethics
• Hotline which does allow for Ethics Hotline which does allow for individuals<00:49:40.960><c> to</c>

Summary: The Committee on Education met on January 30 and heard testimony on several bills, beginning with an announcement asking testifiers and members to keep remarks brief because of weather. The vice chair also explained that HB 440, relating to immigration issues in schools and state hospitals, was removed from the agenda because the proposal would not create meaningful legal protections and immigration policy is governed by federal law. The committee then moved through a series of education-related measures, with testimony largely from the Department of Education, the School Facilities Authority, the Attorney General’s office, unions, advocacy groups, and individual testifiers. On HB 330, concerning school impact fees, the School Facilities Authority supported the bill as aligning policy with implementation, while the Tax Foundation of Hawaii said the fee accounts have accumulated large balances, including more than $20 million in impact fee funds and nearly $9 million from predecessor fair-share contributions, and urged that collected money be used rather than left idle. DOE said it would follow up on the balance and why it was not being used. On HB 1188, dealing with workforce housing, DOE and the Charter School Commission offered comments or support, the Attorney General suggested clarifying the phrase “within commuting distance” by using a mileage standard and adding repayment language, and HSTA, HGEA, and others supported the bill, with HSTA saying teachers need housing to be able to live and work in Hawaii. On HB 624 and HB 625, both related to school psychologists, DOE said it would participate in a work group on the pathway bill and supported the incentive program bill; school psychologists and related groups supported the measures, while one testifier said DOE should not lead the work group alone because school psychologists may work in many education settings beyond DOE schools. The committee also heard HB 1314 on youth mental health in schools. DOE described its student support process, universal screening tools, and behavioral health services, saying schools already identify and respond to concerns and that staff are trained to report issues, while the Attorney General warned the bill could expose schools to liability and recommended a broad liability waiver. Testimony was mixed, with several supporters and one opponent. On HB 616, concerning school safety and harassment protections for educational workers, the Attorney General sought clarifying amendments on harassment definitions, temporary restraining order costs, and paid leave, while HSTA, HGEA, and individual teachers strongly supported the bill, describing harassment incidents and arguing for a standardized statewide response. DOE said it already has reporting pathways, visitor codes of conduct, trespass notices, and an ethics hotline, but acknowledged implementation varies by school and that staff can escalate concerns if needed. The committee also began hearing HB 88 on a three-year pilot program for athletic travel, but the transcript cuts off before that bill’s testimony is completed or any votes are taken.

Transcript Highlights:

• a change to section 20.2 of the House Administrative and Financial Manual, specifically the FLEY Ethics
• a change to section 20.2 of the House Administrative and Financial Manual, specifically the FLEY Ethics
• a change to section 20.2 of the House Administrative and Financial Manual, specifically the FLEY Ethics
• a change to section 20.2 of the House Administrative and Financial Manual, specifically the FLEY Ethics

Summary: The House convened, completed roll call with 48 members present and three excused, deferred reading of the journal, and received Senate communications noting adoption of House Concurrent Resolutions Nos. 1 and 2. The chamber also recognized several visiting groups and guests, including Congresswoman Jill Tuda, Chamber of Commerce Hawaii participants and students, Okinawan visitors, Farrington High School students, James Campbell High School students, and Waiau High School students, many of whom were introduced in connection with Chamber Week activities and educational presentations. The main business was unfinished business on House Resolutions 6 and 7, which adopted the House rules for the 33rd Legislature, including rules for the Committee on Standards of Conduct. Members generally supported the rules package as a transparency and modernization update, citing earlier public access to testimony, a public list of Speaker appointees, changes to conference committee eligibility, telework for staff, social media guidance, and a public list of bills introduced by request. Several members raised reservations or opposition, focusing on concerns about staff involvement in approving written remarks, budget information timing, the Vice Speaker’s role, social media/free speech issues, and whether some changes reduced public access or conflicted with constitutional open-meeting requirements. No vote on the rules package is recorded in the excerpt. The debate ended with multiple members yielding time and the discussion continuing on the merits of the proposed rule changes, especially the balance between transparency, internal House procedure, and public participation.

Transcript Highlights:

• Office of the Courts, she served as an account clerk and a purchasing agent, where her strong work ethic
• On page 28, Senate Bill 194 by Senator Givhan regarding ethics.
• On page 28, Senate Bill 194 by Senator Givhan regarding ethics.
• calendar, Senate Bill... >> On page 28 of the calendar, Senate Bill 194 by Senator Givhan regarding ethics
• , committee amendment pending. >> Senate Bill 194 by Senator Givhan regarding ethics, committee amendment

Summary: The Alabama Senate convened with prayer and the Pledge of Allegiance, confirmed a quorum, excused absent senators, and adopted the previous day’s journal. The chamber also recognized guests, including members of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority and employees of the Central Alabama Electric Cooperative. A senator then delivered a Black History Month-style presentation highlighting James Weldon Johnson, A. Philip Randolph, Jan E. Matzeliger, and Percy Lavon Julian for their contributions to civil rights, labor, industry, and science. The Senate received House messages referring two Archives and History board appointments to the Committee on Confirmations, then took up numerous committee reports. Several bills from Finance and Taxation, Judiciary, Education Policy, Agriculture, Fiscal Responsibility and Economic Development, Healthcare, Tourism, Veterans and Military Affairs, State Government Affairs, and Local Legislation received favorable reports, some with amendments or substitutes, and were advanced to second reading and placement on the next legislative day’s calendar. The chamber also recommitted Senate Bill 266 to the Tourism Committee. The Senate confirmed multiple appointments, including Llaya McNair to the Alabama Trust Fund Board, several members to the Credit Union Administration Board, and Elizabeth Smithart, Leslie Sanders, and Wayne Sers to the Alabama State Board of Human Resources. It then adopted several resolutions, including commendations and memorials, such as resolutions honoring Mary Francis Holland, the Stanhope Elmore boys bowling team, and Alicia Cannon for more than 50 years of service to the Alabama judicial system. The Senate also adopted a resolution creating the Study Commission on Artificial Intelligence and Children’s Internet Safety, after discussion about its purpose, membership, and duties; an amendment to the commission resolution was adopted before the resolution itself was adopted.