Transcript Highlights:

• overview of state purchase scene and part of that purchasing methodologies as well as some of the statutory
• And I've asked her to give us an overview of the purchasing methodology and statutory requirements that
• There are statutory in rule requirements to obtain multiple quotes when purchasing from state purchasing
• Freeman, what's your statutory fix?
• I do not believe it's a statutory thing.

Transcript Highlights:

• Sunset staff conducts compliance checks on statutory changes while the state auditor's office is tasked
• with reviewing the implementation of non-statutory mandates.
• The state auditor's office is tasked with reviewing the implementation of non-statutory management actions
• The sunset compliance report assessed recommendations impacting 24 entities, including 159 statutory
• appropriative recommendations, and two management actions the Commission adopted in coordination with statutory

Keywords: 1185, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• So currently, okay, so there's what the statutory kind of baseline is, right?
• What's the statutory law currently on that?
• Okay, what states, I'm sorry, which parishes or JDCs are outside the statutory basis?
• I'm sorry, which parishes or JDCs are outside the statutory baseline currently? Oh.
• to charge more than the statutory minimum, statutory baseline.

Bills: HB27, HB143, HB205, HB308, HB311, HB417, HB430, HB562, HB812, HB1129

Keywords: inmates, department of public safety, per diem, local correctional facilities, jail funding, insurance premiums, Municipal Fire and Police, dedicated fund, assessments, Louisiana legislation, hazardous waste, cleanup fund, environmental protection, state treasury, Consumer Price Index, law enforcement, firefighters, health insurance, survivors benefits, Lafayette

Transcript Highlights:

• So currently, okay, so— So currently, okay, so there's what the statutory kind of baseline is, right?
• What's the statutory law currently on that?
• Okay, what states—I'm sorry, which parishes or JDCs are outside the statutory baseline currently?
• I'm sorry, which parishes or JDCs are outside the statutory baseline currently? Oh.
• more than the statutory minimum, statutory baseline.

Summary: The Senate Finance Committee met on May 13, 2026, and reported several bills favorable. HB 27 was approved after testimony that it would delete a constitutional sentence requiring debt payments to be applied to the oldest outstanding amortization, giving retirement boards more flexibility to pay off the most advantageous debt. HB 143 was supported by the Louisiana Sheriffs’ Association and local law enforcement representatives to raise the statutory per diem for housing state inmates in local facilities from $26.39 to match the current $29.39 rate already being paid in practice. HB 205 drew extensive testimony from clerks of court and election officials who said election commissioners have not had a pay increase in 19 years and are struggling to staff precincts, especially under the new closed party primary system; the bill would let local governing bodies enhance commissioner pay as a stopgap, and it was reported favorable despite concerns that it does not fully solve the staffing problem. The committee also approved HB 308, which would require state stadium and arena facilities to accept cash for smaller transactions or provide a kiosk to convert cash to a prepaid card without extra fee. HB 417 was reported favorable to increase the cap on the hazardous waste site cleanup fund from $6 million to $8 million and tie it to inflation; DEQ staff explained the fund helps pay for Superfund matches and cleanup of abandoned or bankrupt hazardous waste sites, and the increase would not affect the state general fund. HB 12, supported by the Louisiana Assessor Association, would provide 5% annual salary equalization increases for assessors through 2029, with local opt-in and no state general fund impact; members discussed the recurring pay parity issue with clerks of court and the possibility of a study resolution to address future adjustments more systematically, and the bill was reported favorable. Representative Kerner announced HB 311 would be deferred after concerns it could amount to a tax increase. HB 1129, supported by the Louisiana Auctioneers Association, was amended to clarify that the state’s movable-property auctions include internet auctions and to give Louisiana auctioneers preference to bid on those contracts; it was then reported favorable. HB 562, which would update transcript fees for the 19th Judicial District Court, prompted concerns about higher costs for litigants and due process implications, and the committee agreed to defer it to the next meeting for further discussion. The meeting ended with adjournment after brief recognition of visiting cattle industry representatives.

Transcript Highlights:

• You have that splitting of statutory and constitutional authority.
• Our statutory duties—we don't just get out and decide how to do things.
• And then we have some statutory duties regarding millage.
• Then we have some additional statutory duties. We mail that TRIM notice.
• Part of our duties is that we have a statutory five-year review cycle, and we can accomplish that either

Summary: The Committee on Finance and Tax met with a quorum present and heard a presentation from the Property Appraisers Association of Florida on ad valorem valuation, exemptions, and the property tax process. Lauren Levy reviewed the legal and historical framework of Florida property taxation, including Save Our Homes, the 10% cap on non-homestead assessments, portability, tangible personal property exemptions, TRIM notices, and the distinction between taxable value and millage rates. He emphasized that property appraisers are independent constitutional officers who assess just value, administer exemptions, and are overseen by the Department of Revenue, with values and exemptions generally determined as of January 1 and subject to challenge through the Value Adjustment Board or circuit court. Mike Twitty described the mass appraisal process in Pinellas County, explaining how property appraisers value large numbers of parcels using the same core approaches as fee appraisals but with statistical testing, field reviews, aerial imagery, and technology. He discussed the importance of budget, staffing, and the January 1 valuation date, and noted that recent hurricanes caused significant damage, increased petitions, and required new procedures to help property owners with value reductions and FEMA-related issues. Paul Polk focused on Department of Revenue oversight, explaining sales ratio studies, uniformity measures such as COD and PRD, time adjustments, sales qualification reviews, and in-depth studies that can lead to corrective action if assessment standards are not met. He also noted that the Department reviews property appraiser budgets to preserve independence from county pressure. Senators asked about the supersized homestead concept, DOR review and rejection standards, value trends, and the impact of storms and new construction on taxable value. Twitty and Polk said value growth has been driven by a mix of new construction, market appreciation, cap resets, and storm-related adjustments, while noting that some counties saw market value decline even as taxable value rose. They also said some property tax relief proposals would be easier to implement than others depending on how local tax bills are structured, especially where law enforcement millage is separately identified. No votes were taken on legislation, and the committee adjourned after the presentation.

Transcript Highlights:

• The bill also increases the statutory damages provision of the Unfair Trade Practices Act, which hasn't
• They asked and I agreed to reduce the statutory civil penalty substantially.
• There are already existing statutory penalties that exist in the act itself.
• These are fixed damages, and in some cases up to 3 times those fixed statutory damages.
• And, um, so we substantially reduced those statutory damages. Thank you for that.

Transcript Highlights:

• We will address the statutory authority, the history and design of the program, eligibility requirements
• We have essentially taken our statutory authority from the past three decades and rebranded it into what
• So, I'm sorry, I'll talk about our statutory authority first.
• So, I'm sorry, I'll talk about our statutory authority first.
• Again, since 1996—almost 30 years—we have had the statutory authority through state and federal law that

Summary: The Committee on Community Affairs met with a quorum present and heard several housing and disaster-recovery items. The committee heard SB 48 by Senator Gates, which would require local governments to allow voluntary accessory dwelling units, preserve homestead treatment for the owner-occupied portion of the property, limit undue parking restrictions, require 30-day minimum rentals, extend certain density bonuses for military families, and allow reusable tenant screening reports. The bill drew strong support from the Florida Association of Mortgage Professionals and several others, and it was reported favorably. The committee also heard SB 34 by Senator Sharif, creating a historic cemeteries program to help preserve historic African-American cemeteries and allow sale of excess vacant land if proceeds are used for long-term maintenance; it was also reported favorably. The committee then considered and recommended confirmation of Fox Henderson to the Board of Directors of the Florida Housing Finance Corporation. Members also received a presentation from the Department of Commerce on the Community Development Block Grant Disaster Recovery program and Rebuild Florida. Deputy Secretary Justin Domer described the state’s administration of HUD disaster recovery funds, including more than $4.3 billion received since 2017, housing repair and replacement programs that have completed 5,271 homes, and infrastructure and mitigation projects such as sewer conversion in Alford, the new Calhoun-Liberty Hospital, and the Florida Keys desalination plant. Members asked about average project costs, contractor oversight, corrective actions for deficient work, and audit procedures; Domer said the department uses inspections, vendor oversight, and financial penalties, and noted stricter contract consequences in newer programs. The Division of Emergency Management also presented on Elevate Florida, a federal mitigation program that allows homeowners to apply directly for elevation, reconstruction, acquisition/demolition, or wind-mitigation projects, with a 75/25 federal-homeowner cost share and no state funds. Director Kevin Guthrie said the program is designed to reduce repetitive flood losses and keep homeowners in place, and that it has received more than 12,000 applications, with about 1,500 prioritized, 500 on a wait list, and 305 submitted to FEMA for final approval. Members asked about the 25% match for seniors, the wait list, contractor procurement, and how projects are classified; Guthrie said the program uses insurance proceeds where available, has competitively procured 27 contractors, and may shift projects from elevation to reconstruction depending on damage and flood rules. The committee adjourned after the presentations and discussion.

Transcript Highlights:

• Section 120.52(17) defines rulemaking authority, the statutory language that specifically authorizes
• There is no statutory date by which rulemaking must either be initiated or completed.
• Although there used to be a statutory reference that the rule had to be proposed within 180 days, that
• So every rule must have both a statutory grant of rulemaking authority and a very specific law to go
• So every rule must have both a statutory grant of rulemaking authority and a very specific law to go

Summary: The committee received an informational presentation from the Joint Administrative Procedures Committee (JAPC/JAPSI) staff and Chair Representative Overdorf on how Florida administrative rulemaking is reviewed. Mr. Plant explained that JAPC is a joint legislative oversight committee that monitors agency rules under Chapter 120, focusing on whether rules stay within statutory authority, whether agencies are acting consistently with legislative intent, and how the rulemaking process works. He emphasized that agencies are creatures of statute, that rulemaking authority must be specific enough to support the rule, and that without a date certain in statute, agencies may delay rulemaking indefinitely. Members asked about how to ensure agencies actually adopt rules, how to identify rules that exceed legislative intent, and how JAPC handles internal policies and delayed rulemaking. Representative Overdorf then described JAPC’s objection process and its limits. He said the committee does not approve or disapprove rules or direct agencies to adopt them, but it can object to proposed or existing rules that enlarge, modify, or contravene enabling statutes or fail to comply with Chapter 120. He noted that if an agency does not resolve an objection, a footnote is published in the Florida Administrative Code and the committee may recommend legislation to amend, suspend, or repeal the rule. He also discussed recent committee activity, including 1,355 proposed rules, 119 emergency rules, and 1,243 incorporated materials reviewed in 2024, and said the committee filed 31 objections against one agency after repeated noncompliance. The discussion also touched on possible changes to Chapter 120, including the governor’s 2019 request that agencies include five-year sunset provisions in rules, and a proposal to instead require periodic legislative review rather than automatic expiration. Overdorf also said the committee is considering raising the current statement of estimated regulatory costs thresholds of $200,000 annually or $1 million over five years because inflation has made those limits too low. No votes were taken on legislation, and the meeting ended with adjournment.

Transcript Highlights:

• I know that LOFT recently was given the statutory authority to create that calculation, and I was just
• The sovereign wealth fund is a statutory fund. Follow up, thank you.
• The reason why I asked the question is the revenue stabilization fund is a statutory fund.
• Maybe y'all can talk about that, but as of right now, in this budget agreement, it is a statutory fund
• It is statutory in nature, so we do not have the Hand the ability to bind the hands of future legislative

Bills: SB1177, SB1177

Keywords: education funding, mental health services, public safety, housing, state budget, 914, all

Transcript Highlights:

• department allowed the 60 days to run, but again, you know, the department would act within its statutory
• obligations<00:05:23.600> to<00:05:23.840> approve<00:05:24.160> or statutory
• obligations to approve or statutory obligations to approve or disapprove<00:05:24.800> within
• There are other statutory provisions that the department is subject to that provide similar timelines
• There are other statutory provisions that the department is subject to that provide similar timelines

Bills: SF1832

Keywords: economic development, small business, workforce training, grants, entrepreneurship, equity, community support, 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Uh, the statutory changes that we enacted in this state in 2017 led to a 95% reduction in child marriages
• last um problem with the current law, I just want to add is that We're completely undermining our statutory
• into, and it became known over time that the same family that would overlook domestic violence, statutory
• If Texas persists in permitting sexual predators access to minors, excusing statutory rape by hiding
• But I can tell you is being pregnant with my second child as a result of repeated statutory rape.

Bills: HB168

Keywords: certificates of obligation, local government debt, municipal finance, county finance, public works, bond election, voter petition, registered voters, refinancing certificates, Texas Local Government Code, municipality, county, hospital district, infrastructure financing, public improvement, debt issuance, general obligation alternative, public oversight, local bonds, historic preservation

Transcript Highlights:

• Per the Tahirih... the statutory changes that we enacted in this state in 2017 led to a 95% reduction
• It became known over time that the same family would overlook domestic violence and the statutory rape
• Mothers in wedlock, not the exception for statutory rape for spouses.
• If Texas persists in permitting sexual predators access to minors, excusing statutory rape by hiding
• At the age of 16, I can tell you I was pregnant with my second child as a result of repeated statutory

Bills: HB168, HB 1044, HB1534, HB1914, HB2240, HB2530, HB3284, HB3395, HB3515, HB3783, HB4034, HB4213, HB168

Keywords: marriage age, minors, family law, void marriage, rights of minors, Texas marriage law, marriage ceremony, authorized officiants, family code, judges, religious leaders, parent-child relationship, Department of Family and Protective Services, legal rights, notice requirements, HB 1914, Texas Family Code, Chapter 156, conservatorship, custody

Transcript Highlights:

• , and the statutory change to... ...the statutory change to requiring the public officer training.
• Chairman, Senator Larson, so the September 30, November 30, and December 30 are all statutory markers
• Um, so, um, you know, statutory changes that would address that.
• We don't have statutory authority to do that...
• We don't have statutory authority to do that, anything other than livestock.

Keywords: 916, all

Transcript Highlights:

• The committee's role is procedural and statutory, not policy-driven.
• First of all, the statutory authority. Do they have the statutory authority?
• Did they have statutory requirements? Did they have specific and explicit statutory requirements?

Keywords: 914, all

Transcript Highlights:

• rules and regulations for post-nuptial agreements, folding post-nuptial agreements into the broader statutory
• guidance on... ...someone attempts to obtain a protected address or when courts lack clear statutory
• When judges are not given clear statutory requirements, address confidentiality becomes inconsistent
• but without clear legal protections prohibiting attempts to obtain the address, and without clear statutory
• visitation is ordered because the court has determined a child needs protection, but without clear statutory

Bills: HB2495, HB2557, HB2594, HB2615, HB2800, HB2861, HB2862, HB2931, HB2995, HB4042, HB4070, HB4117, HB4136

Keywords: vulnerable adults, sentencing, felonies, criminal justice, enhanced penalties, medical records, patient rights, healthcare access, privacy, healthcare providers, timeliness, address confidentiality, domestic violence, privacy protection, voter registration, court proceedings, parenting time, supervised visitation, family court, high-risk cases

Summary: The committee first heard HB 2931, which would continue the Arizona Civil Rights Advisory Board for eight years. Staff and the sponsor described it as a continuation measure to preserve the board’s civil rights reporting and advisory role. One supporter from the Civil Rights Division testified that the board is a volunteer, nonpartisan body that issues reports on civil rights issues, while the division itself protects Arizonans in employment, housing, voting, and public accommodations. The bill passed on a 5-3 vote with a due pass recommendation. Members then considered HB 2862, a strike-everything amendment creating a sentencing enhancement for crimes committed while wearing a mask to conceal identity, narrowed by amendment to Title 13 offenses only. Supporters argued it would deter offenders and help law enforcement, while opponents from CAIR Arizona and the ACLU warned it could burden religious expression and expressive protest, including niqabs, hijabs, motorcycle helmets, and protest costumes. The committee adopted the striker and an additional amendment, then advanced the bill as amended on a 7-2 vote. HB 4042, dealing with paternity actions in the adoption/termination context, would require service of a filed paternity action to prevent waiver of paternal rights and allow failure to do so to support termination of the parent-child relationship. An adoption attorney said the change would close a loophole that can leave children in legal limbo, and the bill passed unanimously. HB 4136 created unlawful entry into a residential structure where a vulnerable adult resides as a felony, but several members and an opponent argued the conduct was already covered by existing trespass, burglary, abuse, and aggravating-factor statutes; the bill nevertheless received a due pass recommendation on a 6-3 vote. The committee also advanced HB 2995, which rewrites child custody/domestic violence standards to make domestic violence a dominant factor in legal decision-making and parenting time, expand the definition to include coercive control, and create a rebuttable presumption against custody for a parent who committed domestic violence. The sponsor and a bereaved mother testified that the bill is intended to better protect children from lethal domestic violence; it passed 8-0 with one member present. Later measures included HB 4070, which would bar certain convicted individuals from serving as nonprofit officers/directors and expand civil liability related to trafficking; supporters called it a prevention tool, while opponents said it was overbroad and could chill nonprofit services, especially for immigrants and DACA recipients. The bill passed 7-2. HB 2861, codifying post-nuptial agreements and setting standards for enforceability, passed 9-0. HB 2800, increasing penalties when someone knowingly lends a vehicle to a restricted DUI driver and a serious injury or death results, passed 9-0 after emotional testimony from the victim’s family and MADD. HB 2495, adding sentencing enhancements for offenses against vulnerable adults and limiting early release, passed 8-0 with one present. HB 2557, requiring health care providers to produce patient medical or payment records within seven business days after a written request, passed 9-0 after discussion about electronic records and timing. Finally, HB 2594, concerning the Address Confidentiality Program, would require family courts to use the participant’s state-issued address, limit access to a child’s records in certain cases, and make illegally obtaining or attempting to obtain a confidential address a class six felony; the sponsor and a participant described repeated attempts by abusers to uncover protected addresses.

Transcript Highlights:

• We think between the statutory language and all those things that should filter out these good-faith
• We think between the statutory language and all those things that should filter out these good-faith
• We think between the statutory language and all those things that should filter out these good-faith
• We think between the statutory language and all those things that should filter out these good-faith
• <00:20:07.840> in some crazy reason, statutory in some crazy reason, statutory in gymnastics

Keywords: 958, all

Summary: The committee first took up House Bill 4, which would expand Kentucky’s grooming statute. The sponsor and supporters explained that the bill is intended to target bad-faith sexual grooming while avoiding criminalizing ordinary, good-faith conversations, including teacher-student discussions about sexual health and age-appropriate conversations about puberty. Members raised concerns about possible overbreadth, the age cutoff for non-trust relationships, and whether terms like “prepare” or “emotional connection” were too vague. Several members said they would pass for now but work on the language before floor debate. The bill was reported favorably with 14 yes votes, no no votes, and five pass votes. The committee then considered House Bill 84, which updates Kentucky’s riot-liability statute for local governments. The sponsor said the bill is a cleanup measure to ensure the law applies to consolidated and unified local governments, especially Louisville and Jefferson County, after a recent court decision. Members questioned whether the bill could encourage vigilante behavior or be used against peaceful protest, but the sponsor and another member argued it simply preserves long-standing accountability when property damage from riots could have been prevented. The bill passed favorably with 15 yes votes, two no votes, and one pass vote. House Bill 188 followed, expanding legal protections for jail employees and medical staff. The sponsor said the bill would extend peer-support confidentiality protections from police officers to jail staff and add jail medical personnel to the assault protections already available to nurses and other medical workers. Members voiced support, noting the need to protect correctional and healthcare workers, and the bill passed unanimously with 18 yes votes and no no votes. Finally, the committee heard House Bill 143, a technical change to fiduciary bond procedures that would allow bonds to be notarized rather than attested by a circuit court clerk. The sponsor said the change was requested by circuit clerks and would make probate and similar matters easier to process. The bill passed unanimously with 18 yes votes and no no votes. The committee then adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• And so when you look in SHARE and they don't use a statutory name for that fund, how do we clean that
• That would be for... ...the controller to align whatever the statutory fund name is to what the fund
• them, or you have to make it statutory to where you can get rid of them.
• A statutory fund is like passing a bill. Okay. And people try to Thank you, Mr. Chair.
• So, a fund that's on zero that I don't think should be on zero because it's a statutory It gives a statutory

Keywords: 996, all

Transcript Highlights:

• The commissioner remains constrained by additional statutory criteria when adding or removing vaccine
• While specific areas of statutory While specific areas of statutory confusion<00:42:15.520> or
• > updates So, the proposed statutory updates So, the proposed statutory updates create<00:54:35.800
• Excuse me, our statutory language. Excuse me, our statutory language.
• outdated language, update statutory outdated language, update statutory references,<02:21:55.520

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Um, again, she meets the statutory requirements, and their peer report came back with no disparaging
• Um, again, she meets the statutory requirements, and their peer report came back with no disparaging
• Seeing none, we'll go to announcements, Senate. and they would all meet the statutory and they would
• all meet the statutory requirements<00:40:42.920> uh<00:40:43.080> to<00:40:43.200>
• Um again, she meets the statutory Um again, she meets the statutory requirements,<00:40:54.960><

Keywords: MS Senate Floor - 20 March, 2026; 9:00 AM, 925, all

Summary: The Senate opened with a quorum, an invocation by Dr. C. J. Rhodes, and the pledge of allegiance. Routine motions were adopted to dispense with reading the journal, committee reports, and bill titles. Several guests were introduced, including Ryan Golden of Congregation Beth Israel, students from First Baptist’s Friday program, the Magnolia Bar, Leadership Greater Jackson Youth Cohort members, a Doctor of the Day, and students from Anchor Christian Academy. On the calendar, the Senate took up a large block of resolutions and nominations. The chamber adopted numerous commendations and tributes, including resolutions honoring educators at MGCCC, Kappa Alpha Psi, Wavy Dave Chambers, Jasmine Ware, Nora Miller, multiple state championship teams, the Mississippi Forest Commission’s centennial, Colonel Charles Haynes, Robert “Bob” Dunlap, and others. The Senate also confirmed a block of Mississippi Emergency Communications Authority and advisory board nominations tied to the state’s NG911 implementation, after questions about who made the nominations; the response was that seven were gubernatorial and six lieutenant gubernatorial appointments. The nominations passed by morning roll call, with Senator McClendon voting no. The Senate then considered Senate Nomination No. 41, reappointing Thomas Allen Tom Wicker to the Information Technology Services Authority for a five-year term. Supporters cited his institutional and legal knowledge and long public service. That nomination also passed by morning roll call. Later, the Senate approved additional nominations in a block for the State Personnel Board and Public Procurement Review Board, including Donald Geary Don Brown, Hollis Raymond Ray Smith Jr. in two terms, and Rita Teresa Ray, with members noting clean peer reports and statutory eligibility; these too passed by morning roll call. In other business, the Senate concurred in a conference report on the State Board of Cosmetology and Barbering bill, with Senator Johnson explaining that the House made technical changes, removed executive director language and a reverse appeal, and added a June 30, 2028 repeal date. The Senate also adopted a block of nominations and resolutions without objection. At the end of the session, members requested excused absences and adjournments in memory of several individuals, and the Senate agreed to stand in recess until noon, with the journal to reflect adjournment until 4:00 p.m. Monday.

Transcript Highlights:

• It essentially creates a statutory right to abortion.
• It essentially creates a statutory right to abortion.
• This is a health care procedure as a statutory right.
• This bill deals with the statutory requirements.
• Lowering statutory expectations shifts risk and liability from the state to local governments, often

Bills: SB30, SB43, SB50, SB136

Keywords: SB30, induced abortion, abortion reporting, vital statistics, public health reporting, medical records, health care providers, repeal, New Mexico, pregnancy termination, abortion data, state reporting requirements, confidentiality, reproductive health, parole, life imprisonment, rehabilitation, criminal justice, victim rights, law enforcement