Transcript Highlights:

• systems such as guardian ad litem, to identify gaps in existing laws and oversight, and develop legislative
• Their canon of ethics is allegedly pretty strict about overcharging individuals.
• Their canon of ethics is allegedly pretty strict about overcharging individual clients, and I'm told
• We found recurring themes that deserve legislative attention: financial management failures, accounting
• Do the people need to get involved with a constitutional— What kind of legislation needs to happen?

Keywords: 1182, all

Transcript Highlights:

• He tracks my legislation. He calendar. He tracks my legislation.
• I think it’s very important we recognize Rich and his staff with legislative ethics.
• <04:45:24.080><c> ethics.
• </c><04:45:25.040><c> whenever</c><04:45:25.440><c> there's</c> legislative ethics. whenever there's
• legislative ethics. whenever there's been<04:45:25.920><c> a</c><04:45:26.160><c> question</c><04:45:

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• You're going to force legislators to read it? >> HTDC to implement the plan. Okay.
• , yeah. >> Um, consultants, outside consultants are not bound by ethics.
• </c> but account um Ethics, yeah. but account um Ethics, yeah.
• </c> not bound by ethics. not bound by ethics.
• legislative legislative session.

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Summary: The committee first took up SB 2045 relating to combat sports and recommended passage with SD1. Members adopted requested changes from DCCA and the boxing commission, including clarifying that the onsite medical professional must be a licensed physician, specifying when a deputy combat sports commissioner must file a written report, removing the combat sports registry language and ambulance requirement, clarifying promoter payment requirements, and requiring advance coordination with the nearest emergency room or hospital. The bill also makes technical amendments and sets an effective date of July 1, 2050. The measure passed unanimously among members present, with Senators Fukunaga and Kim excused. The joint hearing then considered SB 2187 relating to the Department of Business, Economic Development and Tourism. Testimony was brief and largely in support, and the committees agreed to pass the bill with SD1, making technical non-substantive amendments and changing the effective date to July 1, 2050. The committees voted to adopt the recommendation, with members present voting aye and some senators excused. A longer portion of the hearing focused on several economic development measures, including SB 2072 on tourism, SB 3049 on a trade-oriented production capacity grant program, and SB 3166 and SB 3167 involving technology development and the blue economy. SB 2072 drew questions about cost, benefit, and the practicality of promoting Michelin-star restaurants in Hawaii. SB 3049 received broad support from DBEDT, HTDC, chambers, and industry groups, but members questioned whether a new grant program was needed, why DBEDT could not do it without legislation, and whether the state should instead use existing entities like HTDC; the discussion also covered matching funds, likely beneficiaries, and administrative capacity. SB 3166 and SB 3167 were supported by technology and ocean-sector witnesses who said the state needs coordinated planning, specialized expertise, and support for advanced manufacturing and ocean innovation, but members raised concerns about relying on third-party consultants, duplication of existing public capacity, ethics, cost, and whether the work should instead be done by state staff or existing institutions. No final votes on the later bills were captured in the transcript excerpt.

Transcript Highlights:

• At the very least, I would add the ethics board to the things that you're doing.
• In which case, you have to ask: why is it that information about legislators and their finances is more
• Of course, we have my legislative assistant and president of our Republican Women's, Ms.
• Penny Jones, who is not only president of our chamber, but she's the legislative assistant.
• Penny Jones, who is not only president of our chamber, but she's the legislative assistant for Senator

Summary: The committee met on March 31 with a quorum present and heard three bills by Representative Bacala. House Bill 205 sought to increase compensation for election commissioners, with the author and several clerks of court and commissioners testifying that pay had not changed in 19 years despite greater responsibilities, longer hours, and additional training tied to election security and new voting systems. To avoid a state fiscal note, the committee adopted amendment set 2855, which removed the base pay increase and instead allowed parish governing authorities to provide a supplemental payment of up to $100 for commissioners in charge and those who complete instruction. The bill was then reported favorably. House Bill 67 addressed protected information for certain public officials and aligned the rules for clerks of court with those already applied to the Secretary of State’s office. The author described it as a technical correction to prior legislation governing what personal information may be published or removed. Stephen Procopio of PAR raised broader concerns about transparency, possible constitutional issues, and inconsistent treatment of information depending on the source, suggesting the law may need a larger review. The committee did not amend the bill and reported it favorably. House Bill 73 would allow local public bodies to vote by electronic voting machine, so long as the vote is publicly displayed, instead of being limited to voice votes. Bacala said the change was intended to clarify that electronic in-place voting is permissible and does not affect quorum, proxy voting, or remote participation. Representatives asked about whether members and the public must be able to see the vote and whether the bill changed existing procedures; the author said it did not. Support came from local government associations, and the bill was reported favorably.

Transcript Highlights:

• There's no compromise in training, ethics, or patient care.
• There are several groups that will benefit from this legislation if passed.
• There are several groups that will benefit from this legislation if passed.
• We appreciate the consideration for this legislation. Thank you, Steve.
• session or this current legislative 2025 session.

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The Joint Committee on Public Health held a hearing to take testimony on a wide range of bills involving professional licensure, clinical practice, and public health-related workforce issues. The chair explained that no votes would be taken at the hearing and that the purpose was to gather public input. Early testimony focused on Marnie’s Law, with supporters describing the bill as a no-cost, preventive measure to require nursing education on inflammatory breast cancer after a family tragedy and arguing it could reduce misdiagnosis and save lives. A major portion of the hearing centered on bills affecting clinical decision-making and licensure compacts. Supporters of the physician ownership/clinical autonomy bills argued they would protect independent practices from corporate interference after the Steward collapse, while supporters of EMS, dental, psychology, physical therapy, and physician assistant compacts said the measures would improve workforce mobility, reduce delays, and expand access to care, especially for rural patients, military families, and telehealth users. Several witnesses emphasized that the compacts would not reduce standards and would strengthen public protection through shared disciplinary databases and streamlined credentialing. There was also testimony on bills to ensure safe medication administration and to protect the independence of complementary and alternative health care practitioners. Nursing representatives urged that only licensed professionals administer medications in hospitals, hospices, and home care settings, warning that delegation to unlicensed staff could endanger patients and nurses’ licenses. A complementary and alternative care witness supported consumer access with mandatory disclosures and limits on reserved medical acts. On the dental compact, witnesses were split: some supported portability and workforce flexibility, while others warned the compact lacked a hands-on skills exam and could weaken Massachusetts’ regulatory authority and patient safety. The hearing concluded with continued testimony on the psychology compact, physical therapy compact, and physician assistant bills, with most speakers favoring expanded interstate practice and reduced administrative barriers.

Transcript Highlights:

• Great to have you today. journal from the previous legislative journal from the previous legislative
• </c> Ethics Commission using previous role? Ethics Commission using previous role?
• </c> to the Committee on Local Legislation. to the Committee on Local Legislation.
• </c> to the Committee on Local Legislation. to the Committee on Local Legislation.
• </c> to the Committee on Local Legislation. to the Committee on Local Legislation.

Keywords: 920, all

Summary: The Alabama Senate convened with prayer, the pledge, and a quorum present, then quickly handled routine business including excusing absent senators, adopting the prior journal, and recognizing several guests in the gallery. The chamber also paused to honor Dr. Mark Sullivan, superintendent of Birmingham City Schools, with a Senate resolution commending him as the Alabama Education Association’s 2025-26 outstanding superintendent of the year. Senator Smitherman and Dr. Sullivan both spoke, with Sullivan highlighting Birmingham’s academic gains, reduced failing schools, and lower chronic absenteeism. The Senate then processed a series of House messages and confirmations. It concurred in SB 288 on agriculture authorities and SB 317 on the Alabama Commission on the Evaluation of Services, but non-concurred and sent SB 174 on natural resources and SB 32 on solid waste collection fees to conference. The chamber confirmed numerous appointments, including Rex Jones, William Donahue, Jim Massey, Jason Windham, Alexander Atwater, Charles Dean, Steve McKinnon, Bonnie Temple, Shaniqua Johnson-Enam, Dwayne Jenkins, Troy Skipworth, Gloria Watts, Tracy Doughty, Kevin Ball, Joe D. Briggs, Josh Bryant, Dylan Turk, David R. Pruitt III, and Carol Smitherman, with most confirmations passing on near-unanimous rolls. Committee reports advanced several House bills, including favorable reports on HB 224, 591, 614, 609, 444, 248, 611, 622, 92, and 556, with HB 248 amended. The Senate also adopted a resolution honoring the University of Alabama women’s wheelchair basketball team for winning the 2026 national championship, and another resolution recognizing the seriousness of the national debt and urging Congress to establish regular budget order. A resolution honoring retired Brigadier General Vandiver H. Carter as the 2026 Marion Military Institute Alumnus of the Year and a resolution commending John R. Cooper were also adopted. In local legislation, the Senate passed HB 635 for Choctaw County, HB 639 for Escambia County, SB 10 for Tuscaloosa County, HB 315 for class one municipalities after adopting a committee substitute and a friendly amendment, and HB 404 for class one municipalities. Finally, the Committee on Rules reported and the Senate adopted a special order calendar for the next legislative day, listing a wide range of bills for priority consideration, including measures on solar power facilities, homestead exemptions, education, guardianships, tax increment districts, legal tender, college tuition, crime victims compensation, motor vehicles, entertainment industry issues, campus chaplains, tax abatements, alcoholic beverage producers, data privacy, constables, insurance, municipal audits, income tax, public high schools, taxation, state health planning, and University of Alabama matters.

Transcript Highlights:

• 03:44:23.520><c> access</c><03:44:24.160><c> and</c> legislation will help expand access and legislation
• ,</c> As a father and legislator, As a father and legislator, I<04:16:41.120><c> feel</c><04:16:41.279
• President, is the ethics commission.
• When we look at the Metro Louisville ethics commission and what has happened historically, the ethics
• President, is the the ethics me, Mr.

Bills: HB567, HB776, HB2, HB568, HB619

Keywords: open records, public access, transparency, government accountability, public agency, dental practice, licensing, administrative regulations, dental assistants, supervision, Medicaid, community engagement, healthcare, managed care, eligibility, public assistance, insurance, public adjuster, claim process, contract requirements

Transcript Highlights:

• Just want to thank you for legislation.
• Legislating isn't easy, and compromising isn't easy, and I really appreciate the work that you've done
• Um, there is an ethics matter that, you know, requires attention and resolution, and I think it would
• </c><00:48:06.640><c> Just</c> uh during this ethics hearing. Just uh during this ethics hearing.
• Um there is an ethics bring it up.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• This legislation is needed because, without concurrent legislative jurisdiction, juvenile misconduct
• Lori, I've known you my entire legislative career.
• Thank you for making us better legislators.
• A legislator and a friend who has said, “Hey, I have this issue.
• Congratulations, Leader Berman, on this significant legislation.

Summary: The Senate convened with a quorum, opening prayer, Pledge of Allegiance, and several introductions, including guests from the press, Florida State women’s soccer, and former Senator Janet Cruz. Members also announced there would be no conference that weekend. The chamber then moved to the special order calendar and began taking up a series of bills, often substituting House companions and proceeding quickly to third reading and final passage. Among the measures approved were bills modernizing trust settlement and trustee discharge procedures; revising military affairs laws, including leave protections, retirement eligibility, and assistance programs; creating uniform cash-rounding rules as Florida prepares for the end of the penny; refining podiatric medicine rules on cellular/tissue-based products and informed consent; expanding veterans’ court access statewide; clarifying RV park special assessments; establishing concurrent state-federal jurisdiction for juveniles on military installations; reauthorizing alcoholic beverage loss deductions; and revising bail bond and pretrial release laws, including training, electronic notices, forfeiture timing, and related procedures. Members also passed bills on eyewear insurance licensing, expanding the Linking Industry to Nursing Education Fund into health science education, streamlining recovery residence regulation, enhancing felony battery penalties, and updating child welfare rules to reduce repeated background checks, make the Step Into Success program permanent, and create a best-practices program. Several bills drew brief supportive remarks, especially those affecting veterans, the National Guard, foster youth, and military families. One bail bond bill prompted questions about charitable bail bonds, with the sponsor stating the current statute would remain unchanged. Most bills passed unanimously or near-unanimously; the bail bond measure passed 36-1, while the others noted here passed with no or minimal opposition. The Senate also adopted an amendment to the military affairs bill and a delete-all amendment to the military-installation jurisdiction bill before final passage. A major portion of the meeting was devoted to honoring Senate Democratic Leader Lori Berman on her farewell. Members from both parties offered extended remarks praising her leadership, preparation, collegiality, advocacy on issues such as voting rights, women’s rights, Israel, anti-Semitism, breast cancer, school safety, and family law, and her effectiveness in committee and on the floor. Berman delivered an extended farewell speech reflecting on her 16 years in the Legislature, her family, her district, and her legislative priorities, and the Senate ordered her remarks spread upon the journal before recessing and later returning to continue the calendar.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> this day and age without any legislation this day and age without any legislation that<00:42:31.120
• ><c> off</c><01:37:43.560><c> the</c> This legislation will build off the This legislation will build
• 01:58:20.200><c> have</c> legislators, such as yourselves, have legislators, such as yourselves, have
• ,</c><02:20:50.680><c> they</c> that even without that legislation, they that even without that legislation
• This legislation in front of you last.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Thank you for your service and your leadership and your ethical values.
• 34.400><c> your</c> thank you for your leadership and your thank you for your leadership and your ethical
• :36.560><c> it's</c><00:04:36.720><c> been</c><00:04:36.800><c> an</c><00:04:36.919><c> honor</c> ethical
• values and it's been an honor ethical values and it's been an honor and<00:04:37.360><c> privilege</
• Chairman. of legislation you've brought before us of legislation you've brought before us we<00:09:42.200

Keywords: 958, all

Summary: The House Standing Committee on Veterans, Military Affairs, and Public Protection held its first meeting of the 2025 session, welcomed new members, announced a 24-hour rule for committee amendments, and reviewed basic meeting procedures. After roll call confirmed a quorum, members recited the Pledge of Allegiance and prayer. The chair also recognized Representative Thomas for his service to the committee and presented remarks of appreciation as he moved into other duties. The committee then considered House Bill 191, which would extend burial eligibility in Kentucky state veterans cemeteries to certain National Guard and Reserve members who were honorably discharged but never activated under Title 10. Testimony from Rep. Aaron Thompson and KDVA officials explained that the bill aligns with the federal Burial Guard Reserve Act of 2022 and would cover some long-serving Guard and Reserve members, including those who served during disasters such as the Eastern Kentucky floods and western Kentucky tornadoes. Members voiced support, and the bill passed the committee with a favorable recommendation after adoption of a title amendment. Next, the committee took up House Bill 152, which would create a supplemental Medicaid payment program for public EMS agencies through voluntary intergovernmental transfers, with no general fund dollars used. Rep. Michael Meredith and EMS chiefs testified that the measure would help public agencies recover more of the cost of Medicaid transports; one example cited was a local agency that could increase reimbursement substantially under the program. In response to questions, witnesses said the existing program for public and private agencies is mandatory, while this bill creates an additional voluntary enhancement for public agencies only, and that the program could be affected if Medicaid match rates change. The committee approved the bill with a favorable recommendation and a title amendment. The meeting ended with announcements about Military Kids Day on February 25 and a Kentucky National Guard Association reception and dinner on February 15, followed by adjournment.

Transcript Highlights:

• This bill does not eliminate filing, does not weaken the authority of the Hawaii State Ethics Commission
• weaken the authority of the<00:22:34.320><c> Hawaii</c><00:22:34.640><c> State</c><00:22:34.799><c> Ethics
• </c><00:22:35.120><c> Commission,</c><00:22:35.760><c> and</c> the Hawaii State Ethics Commission, and
• the Hawaii State Ethics Commission, and does<00:22:36.159><c> not</c><00:22:36.320><c> reduce</c><00
• Members and legislative staff, we're very excited to announce that the order links for House jackets

Bills: HB1974, HB1853, HB1973, HB1574, HB2619, HB1966, HB1643, HB1671, HB2558, HB1854, HB2173, HB1575, HB2229, HB1535, HB1978, HB2508, HB1549, HB2187, HB1550, HB1977, HB2314, HB1871, HB2319, HB1591, HB1858, HB1898, HB2372, HB1765, HB2012, HB1706, HB1962, HB1963, HB1975, HB2009, HB2083, HB2224, HB1877, HB1959, HB1626, HB1665, HB2488, HB2456, HB2548, HB2207, HB1832, HB2079, HB1985, HB1618, HB2486, HB2242, HB2045, HB1703, HB2236, HB2480, HB1976, HB2287, HB2288, HB1777, HB276, HB1660, HB1676, HB1605, HB1751, HB1967, HB2383, HB2340, HB1946, HB2268, HB1950, HB2156, HB2118, HB1859, HB1863, HB1996, HB2114, HB2423, HB2429, HB2475, HB2534, HB2545, HB1813, HB1941, HB2474, HB2583, HB1576, HB1886, HB1939, HB2540, HB2590, HB2000, HB2163, HB2386, HB1691, HB1680, HB2516, HB1993, HB2442, HB1510, HB1958, HB1692

Keywords: HB1974, hearing loss, audiology, audiologist, hearing screening, hearing aids, cochlear implants, tele-audiology, communication access, assistive technology, speech-language pathology, deafness, hard of hearing, public health, kupuna, keiki, dementia, cognitive decline, fall prevention, State Health Planning and Development Agency

Transcript Highlights:

• Kennedy has even amended his responses, going beyond what is required by the Government Office of Ethics
• For example, this committee voted for a major reform of pharmacy benefit manager legislation.
• His ethics agreement.
• Recall that his ethics agreement stated that while he was Secretary of HHS, he intended to retain a financial

Transcript Highlights:

• The communication is being referred to the Committee on Ethics.
• a communication from the governor ethics a communication from the governor has<00:07:09.639><c> been
• He called it the most comprehensive firefighter well-being legislation in the nation, combining three
• He said the legislation combines three vital resources available to all active, volunteer, paid-on-call
• Members of the Ethics Committee will be meeting in Capitol Room 120, 15 minutes after we adjourn.

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• So, Doug, when you add that to our list on our Excel spreadsheet of legislative fixes, we need any...
• fixes we need, uh, any legislative fixes we need, uh, any...
• We'll take that up as a legislative item. Further questions for the witness before we vote.
• of GA 300, which is on certification requirements, the 400s on continued status, and the 500s on ethical
• status and the 500s on ethical status and the 500s on ethical requirements.<00:09:16.320><c> Uh</c><00

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: JCAR convened with a quorum, approved the minutes, and approved the consent agenda after removing two items for separate review: Board of Podiatry rule 2025-25 and Guardian ad Litem Board rule 2025-36. The Podiatry item concerned organizational rules deleting language on subcommittees. Committee members and OPLC counsel discussed whether the board still had statutory authority to create investigative or other subcommittees. OPLC said the prior authority had been repealed and no current statute appeared to support subcommittees for that board; members noted the issue may require a broader legislative fix. The committee then approved the Podiatry rule. The committee next considered rule 2025-36 involving CASA advocate training. Staff said the rule requires CASA individuals to follow certification, continued-status, and ethics provisions, and noted a dispute between CASA and the board over applicability. OPLC explained the rulemaking had been delayed for years due to quorum issues and substantive discussions, and acknowledged it should have been done sooner. The committee approved the rule after brief discussion. Finally, the committee reviewed Department of Health and Human Services rule 2560 on home visits for postpartum and newborn assessment. Staff noted the rules had expired in 2023 but the department continued reimbursement under statutory authority and the Medicaid state plan. Concerns about broad language were addressed through a conditional approval and revisions, and DHHS said it had no further comments. The committee expressed appreciation for the changes and approved the item before the meeting ended.

Transcript Highlights:

• This legislation is not necessary.
• This shouldn't be decided by legislators, but by the people.
• Through the ethics, through our own ethics procedures, through the state, and other elected officials
• are held accountable for the state ethics board.
• It involves the Ethics Commission.

Keywords: 996, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Lord, as we begin day 14 of this legislative session, we pray for all those who have been impacted by
• has been amended and that today, Tuesday, January 27, 2026, is the 14th legislative day. >> Without
• </c> legislative day. legislative day.
• We pass unto you as well as the meaning that remembrance must lead to ethical action.
• </c> remembrance must lead to ethical action. remembrance must lead to ethical action.

Keywords: Convene 00:00:00 Senate Message 00:04:59 Orders of the Day 00:06:19 Recess 00:06:38 Reconvene 01:11:12 HB 306 01:11:42 HB 34 01:14:19 Motions, Petitions, and Communications 01:16:25 Rep. Petrie Statements on Budget 01:16:42 Motions, Petitions, and Communications continued 01:23:50 Introduction of New Bills and Resolutions 01:36:28 Recess for ConC and Rules Meeting 01:38:52 ConC/Rules Report 01:45:18 Floor Amendments 01:46:21 Adjournment 01:46:32, 958, all

Transcript Highlights:

• At the same time, what we've learned a little bit so far is that there's a lot of legislation that kind
• And if the problem is not solved, I believe that the Legislature and legislators will continue to try
• to address this issue via policy and via legislation.
• And again, as I watch legislators continue to run bills in this space, what that signals to me is that
• There's a refinery fence-line monitoring program that was put in piece of legislation that was passed

Summary: The Senate Rules Committee met to consider several gubernatorial appointments and a referral item. It first acted on appointments not required to appear, including Michael Gunning to the Teachers’ Retirement Board, Eric Hines to the Gambling Control Commission, several nominees to the Civil Rights Council, nominees to the Commission on Teacher Credentialing, and Omar Passens to the Contractors’ State License Board. The committee also took up a reference of bills to committees. Most of these items were initially left open for absent members, then later approved on add-on votes, with some passing unanimously and others on split votes. The committee then heard testimony from two nominees to the California State University Board of Trustees, Kelly Dermody and Andrea Evans. Both emphasized access, student basic needs, housing affordability, enrollment balance across campuses, and the need to use artificial intelligence responsibly while preserving critical thinking and data privacy. Senators asked about intersegmental cooperation, CSU bachelor’s degree authority, tuition increases, and how the trustees would evaluate affordability and student outcomes. No public opposition was heard, and both nominees were advanced to the full Senate after committee votes. Finally, the committee heard from Dr. Cedric Jamie Rutland, nominated to the South Coast Air Quality Management District Board. He described his background as a pulmonologist and said he would bring a public health and science-based perspective to air quality policy, especially regarding pollution’s effects on respiratory and cardiovascular health. Senators focused on goods movement, warehouse growth, AB 617 communities, environmental justice, refinery and trucking impacts, and balancing emissions reductions with economic realities. After public comment, the committee voted to advance his nomination to the Senate floor, and the meeting concluded after add-on votes and a brief recess/closed session.

Transcript Highlights:

• We do have four legislative recommendations that will require statutory changes.
• And those violations can be a competency violation or an ethical violation.
• Ethics class that he goes to.
• I was asked how legislators could help raise awareness or improve the tools.
• I want to thank you both, and you had Brittany, my district legislative assistant.

Transcript Highlights:

• In 2019, we passed legislation to establish... a mandatory educator misconduct reporting portal to be
• We need to pass legislation that holds these entities accountable for their actions or inactions.
• Okay, clearly, the legislative history of this is pretty clear.
• ...ethics to the committee for us because I'm not...
• The legislation does three key things.

Keywords: 1185, senate, all