Transcript Highlights:

• Question now is on concurrence. All those in favor say aye.
• The Committee on Rules and the committees on rules of the two branches, acting concurrently, report recommending
• The Committee on Rules and the committees on rules of the two branches, acting concurrently, report recommending

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The House began with the Pledge of Allegiance and then took up several Committee on Rules recommendations. It adopted two commemorative resolutions: one honoring the Norton Public Library during 2026 National Library Week and another commemorating Middleton’s new Municipal Complex. The House also adopted an order extending until May 22, 2026, the reporting deadline for the Committee on Education on House Order C 5367, and concurred in a Senate petition concerning the Franklin Regional Council of Governments. In addition, Joint Rule 12 was suspended for a petition on assisted living residences, referred to the Committee on Aging and Independence. The Committee on Steering and Policy recommended several bills for House consideration, including a Tewksbury charter change on the town manager residency requirement, a bill reducing tax liability for grandparents raising grandchildren, a bill on fraternal organizations conducting bazaars, a Boston land/easements bill, and a Bourne alcohol license bill. The House suspended Rule 7A, gave these bills second readings, and ordered them to a third reading. It then passed House Bill 4621, changing the Boylston Board of Selectmen to Select Board, to be enacted. Under orders of the day, the House passed to be engrossed House Bills 4702 (exempting certain Leominster police positions from civil service), 5053 (establishing a charter for Orange), and 5097 (allowing Salem to convert seasonal alcohol licenses to annual licenses). House Bill 4201, changing Chicopee’s mayoral term from two years to four years, was amended to specify that the change would be held in 2027, and then passed to be engrossed as amended. The House also adopted an order to meet again the following Wednesday at 11 a.m., and then adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• Question comes on concurrence. All those in favor say aye. Opposed? No. The ayes have it.
• The Committee on Rules and the Committees on Rules of the Two Branches, acting concurrently, report recommending
• Question comes on concurrence. All those in favor say aye, opposed, no. The ayes have it.

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The House opened with the Pledge of Allegiance and then took up several committee reports and procedural motions. The Committee on Rules recommended, and the House adopted, an extension for the Committee on Housing to report on House Document 4682. The House also concurred in Senate petitions referred under suspension of Joint Rule 12, including measures on equitable school transportation funding, BMX/motocross track safety standards, and public health and safety near aging nuclear facilities. Later, the House suspended Joint Rule 12 for additional petitions involving a board for licensed mental health counselors, constable and civil deputy sheriff training and certification, and retirement benefits for a retired state trooper. The House then acted on a slate of local and special bills scheduled by the Steering, Policy and Scheduling Committee. These included bills on veteran license plate eligibility, school bus transportation professionals, Milford town meeting vacancies, Fairhaven retired police officers serving as special police officers, and amendments to the Hudson town charter. The House also passed several bills to be engrossed, including measures extending residency requirements for certain Newton police and fire personnel, allowing Williamstown to expand eligibility for a senior property tax exemption, amending Arlington’s town manager act regarding the town clerk, changing Longmeadow’s charter, and establishing a fall annual town meeting in Swampscott. The House further enacted House No. 4521, establishing a sick leave bank for Kathleen Rodriguez of the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner. It also concurred in a Senate petition to rescind prior Article 5 constitutional convention applications. Throughout the session, the chair welcomed visiting groups, including physical therapy advocates, Boston Age-Strong Senior Civic Academy members, and students and teachers from Nanai High School in Japan. The House adopted an order to meet again Monday at 11 a.m. and then adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• No. 4615, comes from the Senate with the endorsement that it has been passed to be engrossed in concurrence
• Question now is on concurrence. All those in favor say aye; all those opposed, nay.
• The Committee on Rules and the committees on Rules of the two branches, acting concurrently, report recommending

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The House opened with the Pledge of Allegiance and then took up several procedural and legislative matters. Members adopted an order extending the reporting deadline for the Telecommunications, Utilities, and Energy Committee on House Document 4654, and later suspended Joint Rule 12 to allow a petition by Frank A. Moran for a commission studying topical steroid addiction and topical steroid syndrome to go to the Public Health Committee. The House also approved scheduling and advancing a local bill designating the tennis courts in Wether Park, Roslindale, as the Kim O’Connell Tennis Courts. The chamber considered a Senate amendment to House No. 4615, the fiscal year 2025 supplemental appropriations bill, but voted not to concur and instead appointed a conference committee. The House also moved several bills through second and third reading, including measures on child safety, loading light vehicles from car carriers on public ways, increasing penalties for passing stopped school buses, the retirement of Walter L. Gurn of Attleboro, and the Marlborough Ward 7 counselor office. Senate No. 2563, relating to individuals with disabilities, was referred to the Committee on Ways and Means. On final action, the House adopted the emergency preamble and passed House No. 4009, authorizing the Massachusetts Water Resources Authority to provide sewer service to a parcel in Sharon, and passed House No. 3901, exempting the assistant fire chief position in Natick from civil service. It also engrossed House No. 3897, authorizing Quincy to extend a lease with Quarry Hills Associates, and House No. 4381, regulating the term of the Norwood town moderator. The House then adopted an order to adjourn until Wednesday at 11 a.m. and stood adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• We don't currently have full concurrence on any of the 14 observations, but we have partial concurrence
• We don't currently have full concurrence<00:05:23.440> on<00:05:23.759> any<00:05:24.000
• > of<00:05:24.080> the<00:05:24.320> 14 concurrence on any of the 14 concurrence
• 00:05:26.800> partial observations, but we have partial observations, but we have partial concurrence
• on 12 of the observations concurrence on 12 of the observations that<00:05:30.720> they've<00

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The committee organized itself by electing Representative Griffin as chair and a senator as vice chair, then approved the prior meeting minutes. Director Young then gave status updates on several ongoing performance audits. The New Hampshire Commission for Human Rights audit was reported complete, with presentations already made to the fiscal committee and House Judiciary. The special education oversight audit is still in progress, with 17 observations already sent to the department, responses received on 14, partial concurrence on 12, and a full draft report expected in late summer or early fall. The education freedom accounts audit is also underway, with fieldwork focused on eligibility controls and expenses; staffing shortages at the department have slowed the work, and a draft report is hoped for in the fall. The Doorway program audit is in the planning phase, with a report targeted for the end of the year. Members then discussed whether the committee should do more follow-up on completed audits. Several members said audits often identify issues that remain unresolved for years, and suggested a more active review process, similar to the Health and Human Services Oversight Committee, where agencies would return to report on what audit findings have been fixed and what remains outstanding. Staff noted that any such follow-up would take time away from new audit work, but said they were willing to consider the committee’s direction. Members also discussed using Transparency New Hampshire updates and agency self-reporting to help track progress, and there was general agreement to move toward a system of periodic follow-up on recent audits. The committee also reviewed suspended and potential audit topics. Two Department of Health and Human Services audits, involving the Bureau of Elderly and Adult Services and out-of-date placements, remain suspended because of ongoing litigation. Two other DHS topics, contract management and the Bureau of Developmental Services, remain on the potential audit list. A member raised a possible Fish and Game topic based on constituent concerns, but agreed to wait after speaking with the new director. The committee concluded by agreeing that the audit division should compile a list of audits completed in the last 10 years, with members to identify which ones they want to revisit first.

Transcript Highlights:

• dual and concurrent enrollment. dual and concurrent enrollment.
• 1202 relative to dual and concurrent 1202 relative to dual and concurrent enrollment<02:32:45.680
• years regarding dual and concurrent years regarding dual and concurrent enrollment.<02:33:27.520
• <02:35:32.000> enrollment Hampshire's dual concurrent enrollment Hampshire's dual concurrent
• And concurrent enrollment scholarship.

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Question now is on concurrence. All those in favor say aye; all those opposed, nay.
• The Committee on Rules and the committees of the two branches acting concurrently report recommending
• The Committee on Rules and the committees of the two branches acting concurrently report recommending

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The House opened with the Pledge of Allegiance and then concurred with a Senate referral of a petition by Joan B. Lovely to study discrimination in public accommodations for individuals with service animals, sending it to the Committee on Consumer, Children, Families, and Persons with Disabilities. The chamber also suspended Joint Rule 12 for two petitions by Adam J. Scanlon: one asking CHIA to analyze eliminating or capping copays for mental and behavioral health services, and another concerning no-cost calls for incarcerated individuals, referring them to the appropriate committees. The House then took up a slate of bills recommended by the Steering, Policy and Scheduling Committee and, after suspending Rule 7A, ordered several to third reading. These included Marnie’s Law on inflammatory breast cancer awareness in nursing education, Haverhill election bills, a New Salem election validation bill, Plymouth charter and digital legal notice bills, a Nantucket charter gender-neutrality bill, and a Nantucket land conveyance bill. The House also separately suspended Rule 7A for House Bill 2614 on medical parole and ordered it to third reading. On final passage, the House passed House Bill 4249 on vital statistics to be reenacted, adopted emergency preambles for House Bill 3388 designating September 22 as Military Service Members and Veterans Suicide Awareness and Remembrance Day and for House Bill 1024 concerning sewer service in Sharon, and passed House Bill 23/Senate Bill 23 on alternate members to the Squabskine Conservation Commission. The House also engrossed Senate Bill 1830 on continued employment for Herbert A. Chafee II in Brookfield, House Bill 4109 on harbor line changes in New Bedford Harbor, and House Bill 4524 renaming Williamsburg’s Board of Selectmen as the Select Board. The session ended with adoption of an order to adjourn and the House standing adjourned to meet Wednesday at 11 a.m. in informal session.

Transcript Highlights:

• We have one item on our agenda today: AB 754, Connolly, for concurrence and Senate amendments.
• Thank you very much for hearing the bill on concurrence.
• So, Member Quirk-Silva, your vote on AB 754 concurrence in Senate amendments. Aye.

Summary: The Assembly Housing and Community Development Committee heard AB 754 by Assemblymember Connolly, a district-specific bill updating the Floating Home Residency Law in Marin County. The author explained that the measure was intended to fix unintended consequences from AB 252, which had created renter protections for floating homeowners but, according to the author, did not work well in Marin because of the unique construction and financing needs of floating homes there. Supporters said the bill was developed over more than two years with extensive input from residents, marina operators, and county officials, and that a community survey showed 93% resident support and support from all five marina owners. Testimony in support came from the author and Karen Lang representing the County of Marin, both emphasizing that the bill preserved renter protections while allowing marinas to remain financially viable and maintain infrastructure. No opposition testimony was presented, and committee members praised the author for securing local agreement before advancing the bill. After quorum was established, the committee took up concurrence in the Senate amendments. The motion passed on a 7-0 vote, with two members not voting, and the committee concurred in the Senate amendments to AB 754.

Transcript Highlights:

• During the course of our notice requirements, we received three green cards, basically certified mail receipts
• There is no signed receipt letter notification that anyone was notified that there was an overage.

Summary: The Joint Budget Committee’s Claims Review and Litigation Reports Oversight Subcommittee met to consider two proposed Department of Corrections litigation settlements and one appealed claim from the Claims Commission. The first settlement, Caroline Arnett v. Larry Norris et al., involved allegations of long-term sexual abuse by a corrections employee. Committee members asked about PREA audits, facility practices, and whether the inmate had been placed at the proper facility. The department said audits and other safeguards were underway, and the committee approved the settlement. The second settlement, Latasha Ridgel v. Arkansas Department of Corrections, also involved sexual harassment/assault allegations. Members questioned the seven-year delay in the case and whether the issue was systemic; the department cited attorney turnover, COVID delays, and legislative changes making inmate exposure a felony. The committee approved that settlement as well. The committee then heard an appeal in Sharon Greer and Deanna Hayes v. Commissioner of State Lands, a denied and dismissed claim involving a tax-delinquent sale of family property in Crittenden County. Staff and the Commissioner of State Lands’ office said the property was certified in 2000, sold in 2009 after notice was sent, and that excess proceeds were available for a limited period before escheating to the county. The claimants argued they were not properly notified of the sale or the excess proceeds and only learned of the matter in 2025 after receiving the deed at a family funeral. Committee members discussed the notice process, statute of limitations, and the handling of excess proceeds, with several noting the issue may call for legislative review rather than relief in this case. After debate, the committee voted to affirm the Claims Commission’s dismissal of the Greer/Hayes claim. Members also discussed broader concerns about how excess proceeds from tax sales are handled and whether the current statutory process should be revisited in future legislation.

Transcript Highlights:

• Yet another resident came to a CDD meeting with receipts from a pawn shop where...
• The residents came to a CDD meeting with receipts from a pawn shop where he sold all his jewelry, holding

Summary: The Legislative Auditing Committee heard several local-government audit requests and unanimously approved each one. The first item was Baker County, where county commissioners asked for an operational and financial audit because of repeated late audits, concerns about the finance office, and lack of confidence in county financial reporting. The county clerk supported an audit but argued it should be countywide and include all constitutional officers; she also described a dispute over access to the county finance system and pending litigation. After brief questions, the committee adopted a 9-0 motion directing the Auditor General to perform an operational audit of Baker County’s financial operations and records, with scope to be finalized during the audit. The committee then approved an audit request for the Concord Estates Community Development District in Osceola County. Senator Arrington said residents alleged excessive board compensation, large unexplained spending, missing financial reports, and refusal to provide records or hold open meetings. Residents and a board member testified about rising assessments, deteriorating amenities, and lack of transparency. The committee voted 10-0 to direct an operational audit of the CDD. It also approved, by 10-0 votes, operational audits of the town of Melbourne Beach, based on allegations of fiscal and operational improprieties and lawsuits that had cost the town more than $150,000, and the city of Apalachicola, where Senator Simon said longstanding water utility failures, grant issues, and consent-order problems warranted review. The final request was for a financial and operational audit of Cape Coral’s Building Department. Representative G. Lombardo said building-fee revenues appeared to be transferred for non-building purposes, permit processing was inconsistent, and the department relied heavily on a private firm while the building official had prior ties to that firm. Industry representatives testified that building funds were being diverted, service levels were suffering, and private-provider inspections were not always reflected in fee reductions. The committee adopted the motion 10-0. After completing all agenda items, the committee adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• We are in receipt of a communication informing the House that the Senate has disagreed to the amendments
• We are in further receipt of communications returning the noted House bills, all having passed third

Keywords: 910, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• So, in concept, could we put that we're going to have some sort of certified, some type of return receipt
• And then it requires notification of the governing body with a return receipt of some kind.
• Owen's additional thing about the return receipt.
• Owen's additional thing about the return receipt. If... Rep.
• Owen's additional thing about the return receipt.

Summary: The committee took up public comment on a package of similar local-option bills related to carbon capture and sequestration, including House Bills 5, 6, 497, 498, 501, and 504. The bills would let parishes, or in some cases specific parishes such as Rapides and Livingston, decide by local vote whether Class VI wells, CO2 sequestration, and related pipeline infrastructure could be permitted. The chair grouped the bills together for testimony, adopted a three-minute public comment rule, and noted that the bills were not yet under consideration for a vote during the public-comment portion. Supporters, including Speaker Pro Tem Mike Johnson, parish officials, local activists, and residents, argued that communities affected by carbon capture projects should have a direct voice through local option elections. They said the bills were about self-determination, local control, and allowing residents to decide whether the risks are worth the benefits. Several speakers said their parishes had passed resolutions opposing carbon capture or asking for local choice, while others emphasized concerns about eminent domain, aquifer protection, lack of public understanding, and the need for more information about project impacts and financial benefits. Some supporters also said a local vote would force industry to engage more directly with communities and could improve transparency. Opponents, including representatives of the Department of Conservation and Energy, the Louisiana Chemistry Association, the Louisiana Mid-Continent Oil and Gas Association, and the Louisiana Association of Business and Industry, warned that the bills would create uncertainty, undermine Louisiana’s primacy over Class VI permitting, and invite litigation under federal preemption and the Supremacy Clause. They said the state already has a strict permitting process with public input and technical review, and that allowing parish-by-parish approval could delay or block billions of dollars in investment, jobs, and export-related projects. The department testified that if the state adopted a local-option referendum system, EPA could determine Louisiana was not implementing the program consistently and could move to remove primacy. No committee vote was taken in the portion provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• to fund e-resources in the 2022-23 biennium, causing a larger than normal amount of appropriated receipts
• Riders three and five revise estimated balances and receipts of imaging and storage fees and TexShare
• That is a strict requirement of being in receipt of those grants.” “Good. Yes, ma’am.
• So then they provide the services, they produce receipts in names of who they're helping, and they— They
• produce receipts in the names of who they're helping, and the veterans and their family members then

Summary: The Senate Finance Committee heard budget presentations for the Texas Historical Commission, the Pension Review Board, the Employees Retirement System (ERS), Social Security and benefit replacement pay, the Texas Emergency Services Retirement System (TESSRS), and the Cancer Prevention and Research Institute of Texas (CPRIT). The Legislative Budget Board outlined recommendations and major changes for each agency, including reductions tied to one-time projects at the Historical Commission, continued funding for courthouse grants, heritage trails, and Holocaust/genocide education, as well as new or modified riders and capital items. For the pension-related items, LBB described funding changes for PRB, ERS, Social Security, and TESSRS, including ERS health plan cost growth driven largely by pharmacy costs, the status of pension funding reforms, and TESSRS’s request for additional state support to address its unfunded liability and staffing needs. Members asked extensive questions about the Historical Commission’s one-time funding, unexpended balance authority, courthouse preservation, the Presidio La Bahia and National Museum of the Pacific War projects, and coordination of Texas history messaging across sites such as the Alamo, San Jacinto, Washington on the Brazos, and other heritage locations. The Historical Commission chair emphasized heritage tourism, economic development, and the need for continued investment in historic sites, staffing, IT modernization, and vehicles. On the pension items, senators discussed PRB oversight of local systems, including the Dallas police and fire pension situation, and ERS investment returns, benchmark comparisons, and rising health costs. ERS officials said the plan remains well funded overall, noted a 2021 cash balance reform and a planned supplemental legacy payment, and explained that GLP-1 drugs such as Ozempic and Mounjaro are a major driver of pharmacy spending; they also said the agency is working with the Texas Pharmacy Initiative and that rebates are contractually returned to ERS. For TESSRS, LBB and agency staff said the system serves volunteer and part-paid emergency personnel, is facing an infinite amortization period, and is requesting additional appropriations, staffing, and IT funding, along with a statutory change to allow an actuarially determined state contribution. The agency said it may otherwise need to cut benefits for volunteer firefighters. For CPRIT, LBB reported about $600 million in recommended funding for the biennium and a 10-FTE increase, while the agency described its $6 billion voter-approved program, $3.75 billion in grants awarded to date, and $10.4 million in revenue sharing since 2011. CPRIT’s only exceptional item was a request for a 10% salary increase for two exempt positions. No committee votes or formal actions were taken in the transcript.

Transcript Highlights:

• It amends a process and deadlines by which SHIP must provide written concurrence or non-concurrence for
• Could you just clarify why you folks are concerned with a 30-day concurrence for properties if there's
• <01:36:24.639> for concerned with a 30-day concurrence for concerned with a 30-day concurrence
• , looking for a 30-day concurrence, looking for a 30-day concurrence, uh<01:36:46.239> often
• <01:38:08.800> with proponent could assume concurrence with proponent could assume concurrence

Bills: HB2611, HB2102, HB1710, HB1868, HB1920, HB1812, HB1733, HB1715, HB1723, HB1724, HB1727, HB1711

Keywords: HB2611, Hawaii antitrust, rental housing, rent price-fixing, algorithmic pricing, algorithmic rent-setting, property management software, pricing algorithms, rent coordination, price-fixing, collusion, cartel, multifamily housing, landlord software, occupancy levels, lease terms, Attorney General, public education program, consumer protection, housing affordability

Summary: The committee first took up HB 2611, which would prohibit algorithmic price-setting in Hawaii’s rental market, require public education by the Attorney General, and establish fines and penalties. The Department of the Attorney General opposed the bill, saying its language was too unclear and could expose landlords and agents to criminal and civil liability for ordinary rent-setting practices based on public information or assistance from property professionals. Members asked about antitrust standards, tacit agreement, and whether using county-published affordable-rent schedules would be unlawful; the AG said that would not be unlawful if based on public information and without collusion. Testimony was mixed, with the chair noting support from the Hawaii Civil Rights Commission, Hawaii Realtors with comments, 50501 Hawaii and General Strike Hawaii, Haloha Project, 13 individuals, and one opponent. The committee then heard HB 2102, which clarifies that residential projects involving ground disturbance in high-risk areas remain subject to state historic preservation review and removes an exemption for lands presumed nominally sensitive. The Office of Planning and Sustainable Development and the Department of Planning and Permitting supported the measure, saying it would improve clarity and ensure review focuses on projects most likely to affect historic properties or iwi kupuna, while also urging language refinements to better define sensitive sandy-soil areas and balance preservation with housing timelines. NAP Hawaii opposed the bill, arguing it would undo progress made last session and that the current process already includes protections for inadvertent discoveries and efficiency for lower-risk areas. The Office of Hawaiian Affairs strongly supported HB 2102, explaining it was responding to beneficiary complaints about late-added language in last year’s law and saying the nominally sensitive-area language should be removed because it was adopted without sufficient stakeholder input and could be harmful to iwi kupuna protections. Native Hawaiian Legal Corporation and several individuals also supported the bill. Committee discussion focused on how “nominally sensitive” areas are determined, whether project proponents could self-certify areas as exempt, and how high-density residential projects should be treated; SHPD said it uses survey and monitoring data to map sensitivity, that highly sensitive areas like Kīauea are not nominally sensitive, and that some high-density projects should remain exempt if they do not involve new ground disturbance. The hearing included no final vote in the portion provided, but the chair noted 48 individuals in support and continued questioning on the bill’s definitions and implementation.

Transcript Highlights:

• The Committee on Rules and the two branches acting concurrently report recommending that Joint Rule 12
• Question House on concurrence. All those in favor say aye. All those opposed and ayes have it.
• The Committee on Rules and the Committee's on Rules, the Two Branch is acting concurrently reports recommending

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The House opened with the Pledge of Allegiance and then adopted several resolutions, including commendations for Praxia Awareness Day and congratulations to an Eagle Scout. It also suspended Joint Rule 12 to allow a Barnstable petition concerning regulation of vessel transportation in Marston Mills and Osterville to go to the Committee on Transportation. The House then took up a Steering, Policy and Scheduling report and advanced three bills: a Westford local option liquor license bill, a Westfield liquor license conversion bill, and a sick leave bank bill for Carla Johnson of the Department of Unemployment Assistance. All were ordered to a third reading. The House later considered and passed several measures, including a sick leave bank for Courtney Cochran of the Department of Children and Families, a Senate bill allowing Taunton to establish a separate water billing rate for manufactured housing, and a Hope Dale bill creating the office of town administrator. It also engrossed a Chelmsford bridge naming bill and a Sudbury senior property tax exemption bill. On Senate 2544, concerning the number of registered voters needed to petition for a special town meeting in Andover, the House adopted an amendment adding an immediate effective date before passing it to be engrossed as amended. The chamber observed a moment of silence in memory of Phyllis Simon of South Boston, described as a longtime educator and public servant. At the end of the session, the House adopted an order to adjourn and then adjourned to meet the following Monday at 11 a.m. in informal session.

Transcript Highlights:

• I'm assuming you're concurrence? Since when I do—Concur, sir. Whip, I do concur.
• Chair, members, subject to voter approval, Senate Concurrent Resolution 1004 restricts the use of photo
• Representative Livingston, Representative Carter, so this one is the Senate concurrent resolution for

Keywords: 1182, all

Transcript Highlights:

• resolution. >> House calendar number 65, House Concurrent Resolution 73.
• Resolution 73. and pass House Concurrent Resolution 73. and pass House Concurrent Resolution 73.
• the title of the concurrent resolution. the title of the concurrent resolution.
• <04:00:27.680> Concurrent Concurrent Resolution 73. Concurrent Concurrent Resolution 73.
• With that, I urge support of House Concurrent Resolution 73.

Keywords: U.S. House of Representatives Floor Proceedings on Tuesday, March 24, 2026, 1012, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• The bill passed the Senate in concurrence with a proposal of amendment that is printed in today's calendar
• passed<00:02:15.880> the<00:02:16.240> Senate<00:02:16.680> in<00:02:16.840> concurrence
• <00:02:17.560> with<00:02:17.720> a passed the Senate in concurrence with a passed
• the Senate in concurrence with a proposal<00:02:18.440> of<00:02:18.560> amendment<00:02

Keywords: 926, house, all

Summary: The House took up House Bill 527, which extends the sunset of 30 V.S.A. Chapter 248A governing telecommunications siting. The House Energy and Digital Infrastructure Committee explained that the House version would have extended the process through 2030 and required a Public Utility Commission stakeholder process, but the Senate instead shortened the extension to July 1, 2029 and added immediate statutory changes: written notice to municipalities and regional planning commissions, a required public meeting before filing applications, attendance by the applicant and the Department of Public Service, and other transparency measures. The committee recommended concurrence with the Senate amendment on a 6-3 straw poll. Representative Pritchard of Poultney then offered a further amendment to shorten the sunset further, from July 1, 2029 to July 1, 2027. He argued that the Section 248A process has long-standing problems, that rural towns lack resources to participate effectively, and that the legislature should address the issue sooner rather than continue extending the sunset. He cited concerns from Tinmouth and the Westmore tower case, and requested a roll-call vote. Supporters of the Senate position responded that the Senate changes would provide immediate improvements and that a shorter sunset could create risks by expediting more permits and worsening the situation. The committee reported its view that the Pritchard amendment was unfavorable by a 6-3 vote and asked the House to vote no on it. After that exchange, the House stood at ease and then went into recess for a caucus.

Transcript Highlights:

• Madam Clerk, please read House Concurrent Memorial Resolution 1001.
• House Concurrent Memorial Resolution 1001 by Representative Steele, in respectful memory of Bishop Kenneth
• The question before the House is the adoption of House Concurrent Memorial Resolution 1001.
• The question before the House is the adoption of House Concurrent Memorial Resolution 1001.

Summary: The House convened with prayer and the Pledge of Allegiance, established a quorum, and received a Joint Budget Committee report on several bills. The chamber also recognized guests, including state troopers, a doctor of the day, visitors from civic and advocacy groups, and students from the Arkansas School for Math, Science, and the Arts. The House adopted House Resolution 1034, supporting Arkansas poultry producers in the Illinois River watershed and urging good-faith negotiations, by a 97-0 vote. It also adopted House Concurrent Memorial Resolution 1001 honoring Bishop Kenneth Liddell Robinson, Sr., by a 98-0 vote. The House then considered several amendments to appropriation bills, including changes affecting the Department of Education, public safety, county jail reimbursement language, Agriculture fee waivers, the Drug Task Force, pregnancy help organizations, and tire recycling fees. All of those amendments were adopted without recorded opposition. The chamber then moved through a budget calendar, with leadership explaining that some bills were general appropriations, some were reappropriations for ongoing capital projects, and four were supplemental appropriations. On final passage, House Bill 1006 passed 87-5; House Bill 1053, the appropriation for the University of Arkansas at Little Rock, failed 71-19; House Bill 1086 passed 96-0; House Bill 1087 passed 81-8; House Bill 1088 passed 97-0; House Bill 1094 passed 96-1; House Bill 1084 passed 96-0; House Bill 1097 passed 75-16; and House Bill 1098 failed 0-85 after Representative Henley spoke against it and said leadership had not responded to questions. The House then adopted a motion to adjourn until 11 a.m. the next day.

Transcript Highlights:

• Another bright spot continues to be concurrent enrollment participation among high school students grew
• legislative To the authorized or mandated initiatives, including programs such as the Strong Readers Act, concurrent
• reading fluency and comprehension statewide. $6 million is requested to reimburse institutions for concurrent
• education, particularly for first-generation students, working adults, and high school students doing concurrent

Keywords: 914, all

Transcript Highlights:

• So we'll file a non-concurrent report. Yes. Yep.
• So, we'll we'll file a<00:33:33.919> non-concurrent<00:33:34.559> report.
• <00:33:36.159> And a non-concurrent report. Yes. Yep. And a non-concurrent report. Yes.

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Summary: The committee conference first returned to Senate Bill 210 on cyberbullying. Members discussed whether to keep the bill focused on prevention and school action or instead add a study committee. House members said they were willing to remove the open enrollment portion and return to the original intent of the bill, while Senate members argued that bullying is already addressed in existing law and DOE guidance but that the legislature still needs to take action. Several members emphasized that bullying and related mental health harms are occurring in schools and that parents, teachers, and students are asking for stronger accountability now, not just another study. Others said the current bullying statute is not being implemented properly and that revising language without enforcement changes would not solve the problem. The House side noted that the amended bill would require additional reporting from districts, including information about police being called to schools, and would address parent notification issues. Despite those points, the Senate position remained that the House and Senate were not in agreement and that the bill should revert to the original version. The committee ultimately agreed to a non-concur report, with members indicating consent for that action. The meeting then briefly turned to Senate Bill 206. Members said the issue had already been addressed because a cell phone use policy amendment had been added to HB2 during the budget conference, making further discussion unnecessary. Because the chambers still needed to choose one of the formal conference options, the committee agreed to file a non-concurrent report on SB 206 as well, with consent from the House-side members.