Transcript Highlights:

• <00:14:58.680> Amendment violation of the First Amendment violation of the First Amendment
• c> exact<00:19:02.600> same First Amendment because it's exact same First Amendment because
• First Amendment rights of protecting the First Amendment rights of of<00:37:27.800> the<00:37
• <00:37:57.960> Amendment just uh protect the First Amendment just uh protect the First Amendment
• So I think this is well within the First Amendment. This is well within the First Amendment.

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• Any questions on the delete all amendment? We'll take up. There's an amendment to the amendment.
• One, any questions on the amendment. >> Appearance cards on the amendment debate on the amendment.
• Where does the First Amendment Foundation stand under Bill?
• I have not received any correspondence that I know of from the First Amendment Foundation on the bill
• As amended. Are there questions on the bill as amended questions on the bill as amended?

Keywords: 999, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Stronger protections for religious institutions help ensure compliance with the First Amendment and reduce
• the risk The First Amendment and reduce the risk of costly, prolonged legal disputes that could have
• And in that Constitution is the First Amendment.
• The First Amendment is the cornerstone of a government of, by, and for the people. for the people.
• Amendment L12 amend the finance Amendment L12 amend the finance committee report. Senator Kirkmeer.

Keywords: 981, all

Transcript Highlights:

• The first is an amendment to the integration and disqualification section.
• Is there a debate on the amendment? Any debate on the amendment? No debate on the amendment.
• Questions on the amendment? No questions on the amendment.
• We'll move into amendments. Are there amendments?
• The first one is the constitutional amendment. The people of Florida have spoken.

Summary: The committee first took up HB 703 on utility relocation, as amended by a strike-all. The sponsor said the bill would require government authorities that order communication service providers to move infrastructure to pay the relocation costs, clarify expedited timelines, and align the House bill with the Senate version. Supporters argued the communication services tax should help cover these costs, while cities and counties warned the bill would shift major unfunded costs to local governments and taxpayers, especially in fiscally constrained counties. After public testimony from local government and industry representatives and debate over fairness, coordination, and the tax’s intended use, the committee adopted the strike-all and then passed the bill favorably on a roll call vote. The committee then heard and passed CS/HB 379, a securities package updating Chapter 517. The bill and conforming amendment made several technical and policy changes, including expanding certain exemptions, updating foreign jurisdiction and exchange considerations, revising merger-and-acquisition broker rules, aligning fingerprinting requirements with FBI standards, and adding protections related to financial exploitation of specified adults. Industry and Office of Financial Regulation witnesses supported the measure, and the committee adopted the amendment and reported the bill favorably without opposition. Next, the committee passed CS/HB 867 establishing the Coastal Link Commuter Rail Service Act to create a legal framework for commuter rail operations along Florida’s coastal corridor and to help Miami-Dade, Broward, and Palm Beach counties secure insurance and indemnification for service on the Florida East Coast Railway right-of-way. The Florida Chamber supported the bill, and it was reported favorably without debate. The committee also passed CS/HB 1161, which revises Florida’s deepfake law to require covered platforms to remove altered sexual depictions and copies upon request by the victim; the bill drew emotional testimony from a student victim and broad support from members, and a severability amendment was adopted before the bill passed unanimously. The committee then passed CS/HB 453 on pool and spa contractors, which updates Chapter 489 terminology and scope-of-practice rules and, through amendment, limits certain equipment to commercially available products. Finally, the committee passed HB 955 requiring all private employers to use E-Verify for new hires, removing the small-employer exemption. Supporters framed it as workforce integrity and rule-of-law legislation, while opponents warned about labor shortages, burdens on small businesses, and impacts on immigrant workers. After debate, the bill passed 19-3. The committee then began hearing CS/HB 541 on minimum wage requirements, which would allow voluntary waivers of minimum wage for certain internships, pre-apprenticeships, and on-the-job training; the sponsor presented an amendment limiting the duration and clarifying minor waivers, and the committee heard both support from small business groups and opposition from labor, immigrant, and worker advocates before the transcript ended.

Transcript Highlights:

• So my amendment attempts to do, and I think it accomplishes that result, is to allow the first of all
• The first one, and the one that I'm very much—I think we should not be included—is the Alexander amendment
• And in my amendment, the two types of murder that are captured by the bill are first-degree murder and
• So, I guess we're on my amendment first and then we'll see where that goes and then we'll uh we'll go
• <02:12:48.400> first So, I guess we're on my amendment first So, I guess we're on my amendment

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The Judiciary Committee first took up Senate Bill 268, a bill related to biological sex and related classifications. Members opposing the bill argued it was unnecessary, poorly drafted, and a personal attack on a small group of people, while supporters said it was needed to protect girls and women and to avoid repeated floor debate on a measure they viewed as proper. Several members also discussed the bill’s definition of biological sex, the lack of guidance on what information could be required to make determinations, and concerns about unintended consequences. The committee voted on a motion to retain the bill and approved it by a 10-8 roll call vote, with the bill retained. The committee then moved to Senate Bill 189, described by supporters as a housekeeping measure requested by the Secretary of State and the Department of Health and Human Services concerning fetal death records. Supporters said the bill was narrow, time-sensitive, and ready to pass, while opponents argued it needed further work and that the committee should not use retention to reopen the bill for broader changes. Some members said they wanted to add or explore additional provisions related to fetal death reporting, while others objected that such changes were outside the bill’s scope and poor procedure. After debate, the committee voted to retain Senate Bill 189 as well.

Transcript Highlights:

• Question comes on ordering the bill to a third reading, coming first on the amendment offered by the
• There are no remaining amendments in this first pass. Amendment Number 21 is also on hold.
• The amendment is not adopted. Amendment Number 10.
• Amendment Number 10 by Mr. Rodrigues, Senate Ways and Means Amendment.
• Ways and Means Amendment is adopted as amended.

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The Senate opened with the Pledge of Allegiance, adopted a resolution congratulating Grant Marshall on earning Eagle Scout, and then passed two local/private bills to enactment: a sick leave bank for a Department of Correction employee and a measure waiving the Boston Police Department’s maximum age requirement for Luis Cabral. The chamber also received and journalized a communication from Senator Rush stating he would have voted yes on S. 3014 while away on Navy training. The Senate then took up several committee rule-suspension and extension orders. It approved extensions for the Joint Committee on Public Safety and Homeland Security on two late-filed matters until July 31, 2026, and approved two Health Care Financing extension orders, one extending 15 bills to March 31, 2026 and another extending six bills to May 1, 2026. Senators explained the delays as needed for hearings, stakeholder input, and mandated benefit reviews. The chamber also advanced local bills for Rutland recall elections, Boxford liquor licenses, Boston police age waivers, and Milton school construction timing, and adopted a resolution recognizing Endometriosis Awareness Month. A major portion of the session was devoted to H. 3014, the omnibus “Pets Act,” which combined provisions on animal welfare, pet shop sales, housing, insurance, and enforcement. Senators supporting the bill described it as banning the retail sale of dogs and cats from puppy mills, strengthening anti-cruelty enforcement, expanding access for animal control officers, limiting breed discrimination in housing and insurance, and protecting pet ownership in subsidized housing. Several amendments were debated: some were withdrawn or rejected, including proposals on renters’ insurance, nuisance barking, and property damage; others were adopted, including a compromise expanding protections for domestic animals, standards on animal welfare, and reporting/adoption requirements for research animals. The Ways and Means amendment was adopted as amended, and the bill was ordered to a third reading and then passed to be engrossed by roll call, with 38 members voting in the affirmative and none in the negative.

Transcript Highlights:

• , 11 with amendments, 17 with amendments, 787 with amendments, 804 with amendments, 27 with amendments
• , 37 with amendments, 47 with amendments, 47 with amendments, 47 with amendments, 47 with amendments,
• , 6 with amendment, 7.8 with amendment, 7.7.4 with amendment, 710 with amendment, 710 with amendment,
• 775 with amendments, 786 with amendments, 786 with amendments, 787 amendments, 791 with amendments.
• 778 with amendments, 8, 786 with amendments, 787 amendments, 791 with amendments, 793 with amendments

Summary: The Assembly convened after a quorum call, prayer, and pledge, then moved through a busy floor session with several procedural motions and bill actions. Members suspended rules to allow speeches and guests, withdrew AB 362 from Appropriations to the second reading file, and voted 41-13 to suspend the rules for that motion. The body also took up a number of items on the daily and third reading files, with several measures passed, retained, or moved to inactive file. The main policy focus was ACR 70, designating September as Suicide Prevention Awareness Month. Assembly Member Pellerin presented the resolution with a personal account of losing her husband to suicide and urged greater use of 988, secure firearm storage, and open conversations about mental health. Many members from both parties and caucuses spoke in support, sharing personal experiences with suicide and emphasizing stigma reduction, access to care, and the importance of checking in on others. The resolution was adopted by voice vote, Senate amendments were concurred in, and suicide awareness pins were distributed to members. The Assembly also concurred in Senate amendments to AB 977 on Native American human remains, with unanimous support and a 68-0 vote, and to AB 1510, the Assembly PERS Committee bill, which passed 66-1. Members then adopted H.R. 65, recognizing October as Filipino American History Month, after extensive remarks celebrating Filipino American history, labor organizing, public service, and community contributions; 63 co-authors were added without objection before the voice vote. Later, the chamber passed SB 81, protecting access to health care facilities from immigration enforcement, and SB 98, requiring schools and campuses to notify communities when immigration enforcement is present; both were framed as part of a broader package to protect immigrant communities and passed on urgency votes. The session concluded with debate on SJR 9, a resolution condemning mass immigration raids and defending civil liberties, which drew sharply divided remarks from supporters and opponents, with no final action shown in the transcript excerpt.

Transcript Highlights:

• To address the First Amendment concerns, whereas the committee amendment attempted to do this by narrowing
• exercising their legitimate first exercising their legitimate first amendment<04:34:04.881> rights
• <04:35:17.320> Amendment<04:35:17.721> concerns, To address the First Amendment concerns
• competing civil rights and First competing civil rights and First Amendment<04:35:49.961> issues
• <04:35:58.400> Amendment<04:35:59.119> or uh protected by the First Amendment or uh

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Senator Johnson moves to amend Senate Resolution 69 as follows: Page 1, line 21, after the first floor
• <01:14:11.680> Members, amendment to the amendment. Members, amendment to the amendment.
• amendment to the amendment is adopted. amendment to the amendment is adopted.
• amendment. amendment.
• . amendment. amendment.

Keywords: 918, senate, all

Summary: The Senate convened under call, established a quorum, and received routine executive communications and House messages, including the House’s passage of Senate File 3623 on school bus stopping requirements and transmittal of House Files 3241, 3731, 3741, and 3802. The chamber also adopted committee reports and gave second readings to several Senate files and House File 3379, while referring Senate File 4854 to the Capital Investments Committee and Senate Resolution 68 to Rules and Administration. The main floor action involved a series of motions to re-refer bills to different committees. The Senate adopted motions to move Senate File 1671 from Judiciary and Public Safety to Housing and Homelessness Prevention, Senate File 2373 from Finance to Labor, Senate File 4452 from Capital Investment to Human Services, Senate File 4580 from Human Services to State and Local Government, Senate File 4589 from Judiciary and Public Safety to Higher Education, Senate File 4630 from Education Policy to Education Finance, and Senate File 4662 from Capital Investment to State and Local Government. The chamber also adopted a motion to give House File 3378 a second reading and place it on general orders after a roll call vote of 46-21. The Senate then took up Senate Resolution 69, which would amend the temporary rules to allow certain accommodations for members who are new parents. Senators Murphy and Coleman spoke in support, arguing the rules should better reflect modern family life and make the chamber more welcoming to parents, especially mothers. Senator Nelson offered the A4 amendment to allow caucus leaders to permit a member’s child under age one on the floor, with the member responsible for supervision and the child exempt from Rule 17.6. Opponents, including Senator Boldon, argued the age limit was too restrictive and that parents should have more flexibility. After roll call, the Nelson A4 amendment failed 32-35, and the resolution remained pending with additional amendments possible.

Transcript Highlights:

• amendments amendments on unit 463? amendments amendments on unit 463?
• Um, Representative Pendergrass, well, first of all, are there any amendments? Thank you, Mr.
• . amended. amended.
• So, the first amendment would be unit 401, page 95. Thank you, Mr. Chairman.
• So, the first amendment would be unit 401, page 95.

Keywords: 916, all

Transcript Highlights:

• That is my amendment. Thank you. Discussion to the amendment.
• As I understand the A3 amendment, first I'd ask for a roll call on the A3 amendment.
• My first question is: if we applied your constitutional amendment, I think, to make everything easier
• ><00:15:47.440> on amendment Gomez moves to amend house on amendment Gomez moves to amend house
• <01:12:13.679> five Amendment um a their amendment five Amendment um a their amendment five

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• amendment.
• Other amendments? On the desk, Mr. President. Read the first amendment.
• Seeing an amendment to the amendment, please read the amendment to the amendment.
• So the amendment to the amendment is adopted. We are back on the original amendment.
• Further questions on the amendment as amended? Any debate on the amendment as amended?

Summary: The Senate opened with prayers, the Pledge of Allegiance, and several introductions recognizing FSU Day at the Capitol, the Red Mass, visiting students, school board members, veterans, and other guests. The chamber then moved to the special order calendar and took up a series of bills, with several measures temporarily postponed before and during the day’s proceedings. Committee and executive reports were largely absent, and the Senate proceeded directly to floor action on the listed bills. The Senate passed a number of mostly unanimous bills, including SB 36, SB 38, SB 40, and SB 42 on Florida Statutes revision; CS/SB 50 on nature-based coastal resilience, amended to strengthen the Florida Flood Hub and related research; CS/SB 116 on veterans, expanding benefits coordination, mental health training, adult day health care, and other veterans services; SB 126 on mailing prescription hearing aids to adults; SB 150 on abandoning restrained dogs during natural disasters, amended to conform to the House; SB 294 limiting collaborative pharmacy practice for certain serious cardiac conditions; SB 322 creating a nonjudicial process for removing unauthorized persons from commercial property; SB 348 on ethics, including false military rank claims and collection of delinquent ethics fines; and CS/SB 7012 on child welfare workforce recruitment, treatment foster care pilots, and data collection for commercially sexually exploited children. Senate Memorial 314 urging Congress to increase Florida National Guard force structure was also adopted by voice vote. Two bills drew more extended debate. SB 118 on presidential libraries passed 36-3 after questions about local zoning, traffic, and whether the bill’s express preemption would limit county and municipal authority; supporters argued it would prevent local obstruction and help Florida attract a presidential library, while one senator said she would vote no because of concerns about local safety and planning issues. CS/SB 160 on public accountancy passed 39-0 after an amendment clarifying contracted services; supporters said it would broaden pathways into the CPA profession and address workforce shortages. CS/SB 108 on administrative procedures and CS/SB 110 on rural communities were temporarily postponed, then later taken up and passed after extensive debate, with SB 110 amended to prioritize certain rural transportation projects, expand housing, health care, broadband, and economic development support, and draw strong bipartisan praise for its focus on rural Florida. At the end of the session, the Senate waived rules to immediately certify all bills passed that day to the House, observed a moment of silence for former Surfside Chief John Healy, and made several closing announcements and recognitions.

Transcript Highlights:

• Question now is ordering the bill to a third reading pending; the first question is on the amendment.
• The amendment is adopted.
• Clerk will read the amendment. Amendment number eight. Mr.
• Soter of Bellingham moves to amend the bill. Amendment number eight. Mr.
• The amendment is adopted. The ayes have it. The amendment is adopted. Ms.

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The House first took up several routine matters, adopting resolutions recognizing the 30th anniversary of the Glasgow Lands Scottish Festival and congratulating Father Gerald Francis Finnegan, S.J., on his long ministry. Members also suspended Joint Rule 12 to allow a petition establishing a sick leave bank for a Massachusetts State Police employee to go to the Committee on Public Service. The chamber then moved to Senate Bill 2543, An Act Strengthening Health Care Protections in the Commonwealth, and adopted the Ways and Means amendment before sending the bill to third reading. Later, after the bill was released from third reading, the House considered it on final passage. Supporters described the measure as protecting reproductive and gender-affirming care, patient data, providers, and Massachusetts residents from out-of-state interference, while also incorporating federal emergency care requirements. Amendment 4, which would have barred state funding for campaign ads discouraging pregnant women from using pregnancy resource centers, was rejected. Amendment 8, which would have broadened the bill to include refusals of care and other preventive care for adults and minors, was also rejected after opposition argued it could allow one parent to block care for a child. Amendment 6, as changed, narrowing certain data protections to abortion-related care, IVF, and gender-affirming care, was adopted. The House also adopted Amendment 7, clarifying that businesses handling information for payment, treatment, or health care operations would not violate the bill, and Amendment 9, directing the Commissioner of Public Health to convene a technical advisory group to review a section of the General Laws. After these amendments, the bill passed to be engrossed by a vote of 136-23. The House then observed a moment of silence for victims of the Gabriel House assisted living fire in Fall River and adjourned to meet the next day in informal session.

Transcript Highlights:

• Let's read that first amendment we heard about.
• Are there amendments? On the desk, Mr. President. Read the first amendment.
• Please read the first amendment to the amendment.
• Please read the first amendment to the amendment.
• Are there amendments? On the desk, Mr. President. Read the first amendment.

Summary: The Senate convened with prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, and several recognitions, including remarks from Senator Berman outlining Democratic priorities such as education, health care, environmental protection, and opposition to rollbacks on child labor, book access, and gun safety. The chamber also recognized military guests and an intern before moving to the special order calendar. Several bills were temporarily postponed, including measures on human trafficking, waste management, Bright Futures, Medicaid oversight at one point in the flow, and mammogram coverage, though the Medicaid oversight bill was later taken up and passed. The Senate passed a series of bills, often after substituting House companions and adopting technical amendments. Among the major measures approved were the dangerous dogs bill (the Pam Rock Act), which tightened penalties and procedures after fatal attacks; a local government land regulation bill that streamlined comp plan review and defined impact-fee circumstances, though members raised concerns about quasi-judicial hearing limits and local costs; a vessel-related bill combining boating safety and voter-freedom provisions; a blood clot screening and treatment bill creating the Emily Adkins Family Protection Act; fleeing and eluding penalties; concealed carry and firearm possession rules for certain officers and service members; timeshare management reforms; and public education on background screening requirements. The chamber also approved bills on disability history and awareness instruction, manufacturing and a related fee bill, utility service restrictions, educational opportunities for military children, health facilities authorities, and veteran and spouse nursing home beds. The disability instruction bill drew extended debate about the use of the term “disability,” inclusion, and whether the measure was consistent with broader DEI debates; it passed unanimously after emotional testimony from the sponsor and families. The manufacturing and utility bills focused on statewide economic policy and preemption of local restrictions, while the military children bill was presented as a student-driven proposal. Most measures passed with strong bipartisan support, with recorded votes ranging from unanimous to 33-3 on the firearm bill and 26-8 on the land regulation bill.

Transcript Highlights:

• Schumacher moves to amend House File 2115, the first engrossment. The amendment is coded A7.
• Baker moves to amend House File 2115, the first engrossment as amended. The amendment is coded A5.
• The first engrossment as amended. 2115. The first engrossment as amended.
• first engrossment as amended, with amendment A6-1.
• <00:12:29.279> The first engrossment as amended. The first engrossment as amended.

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• The clerk will read the first bill in the Senate amendments.
• The clerk will read the first bill in the Senate amendments.
• The clerk will read the first bill in the Senate amendments.
• Do we need to adopt the amendment first, Madam Speaker? >> To adopt the amendment. >> I'm worried.
• The first amendments. So ordered.

Keywords: House streaming session for Friday, April 10, 2026, 957, house, all

Summary: The House met with 122 members present, heard the journal read, and proceeded through a long series of Senate messages, concurrence motions, and third-reading votes on a wide range of bills. Early business included conference committee appointments on Senate Bill 159 (Emergency Medical Services Vehicles and Ambulances, Required Supplies), Senate Bill 514 (Third Degree Assault), and Senate Bill 866 (Chain Restaurants, disclosure of sodium and added sugars), along with several other bills where the House declined to recede from its amendments and named conferees. The chamber also adopted concurrence on House Bill 1181 (children in out-of-home placement) and House Bill 1219 (climate change/homeowners insurance study), and adopted a favorable committee report on House Bill 1602 (no-cost cancer screening for volunteer firefighters), which was amended to add sponsors, make technical changes, and include retired volunteer firefighters before being ordered printed for third reading. The House then took up a Rules Committee consent calendar and moved a batch of bills to the appropriate committees. On third reading, it passed House Bill 1028 (Caroline County Board of Education compensation increase) and House Bill 1599 (Choptank River Enhancement Program and Maryland Seafood Industry Financial Assistance Fund) by constitutional majorities. It also rejected Senate amendments on House Bill 107 (Intelligent Speed Assistance System Pilot Program), House Bill 153 (residential rental apartments air conditioning requirement), House Bill 1063 (hunting management), and House Bill 1067 (lead and lead-based ammunition phase out), appointing conference committees in each case. House Bill 717 (Baltimore City raffles for organizations affiliated with professional baseball and football teams) and House Bill 892 (cemeteries, actions for sale/transfer/alternate use) also had Senate amendments rejected. The chamber then passed a series of Senate bills on third reading, including Senate Bill 309 (precious metal bullion or coins sales tax exemption), 523 (vernal pools identification), 742 (Maryland Protecting People with Disabilities Act), 141 (election misinformation/disinformation and deep fakes), 298 (Maryland Capital Police statewide jurisdiction), 515 (Health Services Cost Review Commission rate setting), 638 (Maryland Heritage Areas funding and grants), 28 (state employee arbitration reform), 72 (Baltimore County off-premises alcohol sales), 361 (Baltimore City alcoholic beverages license extension), 414 (Anne Arundel County nonprofit swim club license), 601 (cybersecurity standards), 305 (incarcerated individual training and reentry grant fund extension), 331 (retired law enforcement handgun permit renewal), 516 (protective body armor requirements and reporting), 651 (transfer-on-death deed establishment), 865 (private passenger automobile insurance work group), 933 (temporary appointment to the Commission on Judicial Disabilities), 261 (money transmission act definition changes), and 823 (Parole Commission selection committee changes). Most passed with little or no debate; Senate Bill 523 drew opposition from a delegate who warned that identifying vernal pools could lead to future regulation and land-use restrictions, while Senate Bill 823 prompted questions about victims’ rights and whether state’s attorneys remained opposed, with the floor leader saying the bill added a victims’ rights advocate to the selection committee and that opposition had been limited to written testimony. Several members later changed votes on Senate Bill 638 and Senate Bill 865 before the House moved on.

Transcript Highlights:

• As amended, the amendment to the amendment is coded A-6.
• I think you know the answer to the first one, but we are on the A18 amendment. Thank you, Mr.
• But if there is no objection, we'll allow the author of the amendment to speak first.
• Baker moves to amend House File Number 2115, the first engrossment as amended.
• Robbins moves to amend House Bill 2115, the first engrossment as amended.

Transcript Highlights:

• Recognize the bill sponsor has an amendment. All right. First one for the pages.
• . amendment. amendment.
• So, I just move the<00:25:52.080> amendment. the amendment. the amendment.
• . amendments. amendments.
• move the amendment. move the amendment.

Keywords: Senate streaming session for Tuesday, February 10, 2026, 960, senate, all

Summary: The Senate convened with an invocation, confirmed a quorum, and welcomed several guests and groups, including Maryland Library Association members, Stephen Decatur High School’s boys soccer team, Clarksburg High School’s girls flag football team, NAMI representatives, Baltimore Promise, local soil conservation district representatives, and a 911 center leader. The chamber also journalized the invocation and prepared for the Governor’s upcoming State of the State address by exchanging messages with the House and appointing Senate members to escort the Governor and Lieutenant Governor. The body then took up a series of Finance Committee bills, most of them receiving favorable reports and being ordered to third reading without objection. Measures discussed included SB 14 on small business health insurance SHOP enrollment effective dates; SB 22 on Department of Disabilities housing programs and affiliated foundations; SB 134 on Medicare supplement policy enrollment periods; SB 139 on third-party administrator enforcement; SB 199 on the Individuals with Disabilities and Service-Disabled Veterans Voting Fund; SB 205 codifying federal mental health parity requirements; SB 216 on unemployment insurance confidentiality; SB 43 on the Maryland Community Investment Venture Fund; SB 46 on state veterans cemeteries interment provisions; and SB 226 on the Maryland Heritage Area Authority. Several bills had brief amendments or procedural issues. SB 22 received a technical amendment changing “Attorney General” to “Office of the Attorney General.” SB 199 received an amendment adding a co-sponsor, and SB 46 was briefly set to lie over under the rule after a senator requested time to review a technical clarification. The chamber also received House Bill 1, which was referred to committee, and SB 624 was reassigned to the Education, Energy, and the Environment Committee. Most committee reports were adopted unanimously or without objection, and the Senate repeatedly congratulated the honored school teams and library advocates.

Transcript Highlights:

• Read the first bill on the calendar: SB 1036, enact amending sections 23-634, 23-627, 23-771, 23-773,
• Read the first bill on the calendar: SB 1036, enact amending sections 23-634, 23-627, 23-771, 23-773,
• and human services amendment Kavanaugh substitute floor amendment I move the following amendment to
• And I move the floor amendment. Let's get to the—he's got to read it first. Come right back.
• : SB 1036, do pass as amended; SB 1056, do pass; SB 1056, do pass as amended; SB 1238, do pass as amended

Keywords: 1182, all

Summary: The Senate opened with prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, a roll call showing 29 present, and approval of the prior journal. Members then recognized several guests, including Scouting America Cub Scout troops and Dr. Sarah Lee Davidson as Doctor of the Day, and Senator Kavanaugh presented a proclamation recognizing Valley Fever Awareness and the work of the University of Arizona’s Valley Fever Center for Excellence. The chamber then considered several bills in Committee of the Whole. SB 1036, dealing with unemployment insurance requirements, disqualifications, and determinations, drew the most debate; supporters said it was aimed at preventing fraud and improving compliance, while opponents argued it would add red tape and harm struggling workers. The committee adopted a Government Committee amendment and recommended the bill do pass. SB 1056, on reporting vacant budget positions, also received a do-pass recommendation, and SB 1236, concerning AHCCCS enrollment verification and presumptive eligibility, was amended with a Kavanaugh floor amendment and recommended do pass despite concerns from some members that it would restrict access for vulnerable populations. SB 1238, relating to the physician assistant licensure compact, was amended with a conforming Shamp amendment and recommended do pass. On third reading, the Senate passed SB 1036 by 17-12, SB 1056 by 17-12, SB 1126 unanimously, SB 1189 by 27-2, and SB 1211 unanimously. The chamber also substituted and passed House bills identical to earlier Senate measures, including HB 2206 and HB 2396, both on SNAP-related issues, with debate focused on food access, administrative burdens, and federal error-rate penalties. HB 2190, the physician assistant compact bill, and HB 2796, the AHCCCS-related bill, were also substituted and passed. The Senate adopted HCR 255, a death resolution for Victor E. Hardy, observed a moment of silence, and then adjourned until February 17, 2026.

Transcript Highlights:

• Uh, this is a purely technical amendment that adds a cross reference to the first part and breaks the
• . amendment. amendment.
• This is the A1 amendment. amendment. amendment.
• I rise in support of this amendment because it puts patients first, and I think the underlying bill shows
• amendment because it puts<02:28:04.319> patients<02:28:05.280> first<02:28:06.560>

Keywords: 918, senate, all

Summary: The Senate opened with a call of the Senate, prayer, and the Pledge of Allegiance, then established a quorum and moved to messages from the House. The chamber received several House-passed Senate files, including SF 2814 (real estate appraisers), SF 3637 (transportation), and SF 4244 (technical corrections), and took up SF 1714 on payment transparency and public contracts. The Senate concurred in the House amendments to SF 1714, advanced it to third reading, and then passed the bill 65-0. The Senate also received House amendments to SF 3432 on public safety, but instead of concurring, it voted to send the bill to a five-member conference committee. The Senate likewise agreed to a conference committee request on HF 4188, a commerce bill dealing with consumer protections for insurance and financial products. The Senate then handled additional House messages and routine business, including first reading of several House files and adoption of committee reports. A committee report on SF 453, relating to thermal energy networks as public improvements and water works, recommended amendment and passage under Senate Concurrent Resolution 6, and the report was adopted except for the referenced resolution item. The chamber also completed second readings of several Senate bills and one House bill, and approved a motion to withdraw SF 4464 from the Committee on State and Local Government and return it to the author. The main floor debate centered on HF 1141, the housing finance and policy omnibus. Senator Port described the bill as focused on affordability, including $50 million in housing infrastructure bonds, greater Minnesota infrastructure grants, manufactured housing protections, limits on large institutional investors buying single-family homes, and increased oversight of the Minnesota Housing Finance Agency. The Senate adopted several amendments, including a technical A12 amendment, A7 to dedicate $5 million of bonding to manufactured home park improvements, and A4 on manufactured housing protections such as rent receipts and longer move-out time after eviction. Senator Abler then offered A14, which would limit rent increases in certain non-market-rate, tax-credit housing for seniors to CPI-based increases; supporters framed it as a humanitarian measure for elderly residents facing steep rent hikes, while opponents raised concerns about rent control, the scope of the amendment, and the need for more detail. The transcript ends during continued debate on A14, with no final vote shown on that amendment.