Video & Transcript : 'COFA Day' :
Page 79 of 500
PA
Transcript Highlights:
- For another day of life. We thank you for our families.
- This bill provides for Korean War Veterans Armistice Day.
- And more veterans armistice day. This bill's been considered on three different days and agreed to.
- They don't trust us because of days like today. They don't trust us because of days like today.
- We have $8 billion in the rainy day fund still.
Summary:
The House met in extended session with prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, quorum call, and a series of journal, committee, and Senate bill reports. Members also received several referrals and Senate messages, and the Speaker signed multiple bills already prepared for the Governor. The chamber then took up a long slate of measures, largely budget-related and conference/concurrence items, with repeated roll-call votes and several brief floor remarks for and against the bills.
Among the major actions, the House passed or concurred in a number of Senate bills addressing fiscal code and budget implementation, abusive towing practices, telemarketing robocalls and caller ID spoofing, prostitution penalty changes, veteran notification procedures, the cosmetology licensure compact, solar decommissioning, Korean War Veterans Armistice Day, E85 flex fuel definitions, local road transfers, civil penalties for unlicensed commercial driving schools, and trailer sales. The House also adopted House Resolution 580 designating July 18, 2026, as Piping Plover Day. Most of these measures passed overwhelmingly, many by unanimous or near-unanimous votes.
The most significant debate centered on House Bill 2400, the General Appropriations budget for fiscal year 2026-2027, and House Bill 1505, the education-related budget implementation bill. Supporters described the budget as a bipartisan compromise that funds adequacy and tax equity for schools, public safety, mental health, roads and bridges, veterans, seniors, and workforce programs while avoiding broad-based tax increases. Opponents argued the budget used accounting maneuvers, deferred spending, and was structurally unbalanced. After extended debate, the House concurred in the Senate amendments to HB 2400 by a 167-35 vote and to HB 1505 by a 172-30 vote.
The House also considered House Bill 2559, which included Commonwealth property conveyances and a controversial provision affecting Penn State branch campus properties. A motion to recommit the bill failed, and the House ultimately concurred in the Senate amendments by a 105-97 vote after members debated property rights, labor effects, and the future use of the campuses. The session concluded with the Senate later concurring in several House amendments, the Speaker signing the final bills, and the House adjourning until September 9, 2026, unless recalled sooner.
WA
Transcript Highlights:
- I mean, how many days we've had and how many days we're kind of projecting? I will turn to staff.
- Sometimes it's just a day or two days.
- two days.
- Any questions for this last panel of the day?
- Any questions for this last panel of the day?
Committee:
House Housing
Keywords:
land bank, land banking authority, affordable housing, housing crisis, housing supply, public corporation, public housing authority, nonprofit housing, tax-foreclosed property, blight remediation, redevelopment, anti-displacement, equity, redlining, racial segregation, deed restriction, affordability covenant, property tax exemption, excise tax exemption, predevelopment
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
Fraud Committee Meeting - 2025-10-14
Fraud Prevention and State Agency Oversight Policy
Transcript Highlights:
- Then I'll briefly talk through what happens after Election Day to process Election Day registrations
- In the days and weeks after Election Day, counties are responsible for entering voting history data.
- register prior to Election Day.
- within 10 days after Election Day.
- Counties have 42 days to enter all of their Election Day registration information, and our office is
CA
California 2025-2026 Regular Session
Assembly Budget Subcommittee No. 5 on State Administration Apr 22nd, 2025
Transcript Highlights:
- You may sit at the dais if you'd like to, please.
- And we see them every day.
- And I don't know to what extent is that need to be two days a week, four days a week, or anything in
- to four days for this large set of employees?
- Whether it's a two day, or three day, or so forth.
NM
New Mexico 2026 Regular Session
House - Consumer and Public Affairs Feb 12th, 2026 at 05:33 pm
House Consumer & Public Affairs
Transcript Highlights:
- to three business days.
- to three days.
- So I was reading that the federal law is five business days, and you've cut it down to three days.
- Currently, New Mexico allows five days, and the federal law says three days.
- And Madam Chair and Representative, so is that business days or days days?
Committee:
House House Consumer & Public Affairs
FL
Transcript Highlights:
- Our doctor of the day is Dr. Our doctor of the day is Dr.
- Diane Day of Gainesville, sponsored by Senator McLean. Dr. Day specializes in family medicine.
- They have to do this verification team in two days. Help me repeat it: two days.
- on election day.
- At the end of the day...
CA
California 2025-2026 Regular Session
Assembly Select Committee on Housing Construction Innovation Jan 6th, 2026
Transcript Highlights:
- So, you know, a factory has to be able to give their employees work day after day after day after day
- a half floors in one day.
- Somebody's able to show up for a full day of work every day regardless of the weather.
- You're home every day by 4:45.
- Somebody's able to show up for a full day of work every day regardless of the weather.
HI
Hawaii 2026 Regular Session
HOU, HOU DEFER, HOU Public Hearings 02-03-2026
Transcript Highlights:
- Requires HHFDC or our county to accept an application seeking certain exemptions within 30 days and to
- Provides that any application that is neither approved nor denied by the county within 120 days shall
- within 120 days before the application within 120 days before final<00:04:36.080><c> approval</c><00
- from acceptance of shall have 120 days from acceptance of an<00:14:58.000><c> application.
- </c><00:15:08.320><c> from</c> application shall have 120 days from application shall have 120 days from
Summary:
The Senate Committee on Housing heard and then took action on a series of housing-related bills concerning HHFDC, HPHA, inclusionary zoning, nonprofit housing trusts, housing project exemptions, the rental housing revolving fund, and a new for-sale housing program. Testimony was generally supportive from HHFDC and HPHA, with additional support from groups such as Hawaii YIMBY, Grassroot Institute of Hawaii, Hawaii Appleseed, Housing Hawaii’s Future, Holo Collaborative, the Kobayashi Group, and others. On SB 2424, the Kobayashi Group argued the bill would help open housing to a broader pool of local households, including buyers slightly above income limits who still cannot afford market-rate housing. On SB 2342, the chair asked HHFDC for final figures on rental housing revolving fund appropriations since 2016 and was told the amount was about $1.1 billion, including conveyance tax revenue.
In decision-making, the committee recommended passage of SB 2189 with amendments, noting concerns about transparency and accountability in HHFDC’s loan-award process; SB 2190 with amendments; SB 2234 with amendments; SB 2177 with amendments; SB 2194 unamended; SB 2342 with amendments; SB 2060 with amendments; and SB 2070 with amendments. The committee deferred SB 2195 and SB 2196 after testimony comments, and deferred SB 2063 because the chair said SB 2060 would be used instead as the vehicle for mixed-income subaccount changes. SB 2424 was discussed in hearing but then deferred in decision-making pending legal advice on issues including owner-occupancy, county income restrictions, buyback rules, and county council approval. The committee also heard testimony on SB 2062 and its proposed SD1, but deferred that measure because the relevant changes had already been incorporated into SB 2060 SD1.
MA
Massachusetts 2025-2026 Regular Session
Joint Committee on Public Safety and Homeland Security Mar 18th, 2026
Joint Committee on Public Safety and Homeland Security
Transcript Highlights:
- during the day and coming back.
- The end of the day or some point in time during the day and coming back.
- I was there that day. I just, I just, I just... I was Colby's dad. I was there that day.
- He was riding legally with his best friend on an ordinary day, the kind of day families believe should
- He was riding legally with his best friend on an ordinary day, the kind of day families believe should
TX
Transcript Highlights:
- Because if it's disruptive behavior, it just might have been a bad day that day.
- Because if it's disruptive behavior, it just might have been a bad day that day.
- or five days or a week or a year, whatever that is.
- I was not the best student on some days.
- I think if you’re arrested, whether you’re out on bond the next day or the same day, anything—I’d say
Bills:
SB27 , SB226 , SB326 , SB570 , SB605 , SB870 , SB991 , SB1871 , SB1872 , SB1873 , SB1874 , SB1924 , SB1925
Committee:
Senate Education
Keywords:
residency, public schools, child safety placement, enrollment, education code, antisemitism, student conduct, education, disciplinary actions, Texas Education Code, truancy, attendance policy, chronic absenteeism, school attendance, student absence notifications, parent notification, home visit, attendance officer, truancy court, school district
Summary:
The committee heard a series of school safety and discipline bills, beginning with SB 870, which would codify an attorney general opinion allowing local school boards to decide whether school marshals may openly carry, conceal carry, or store a firearm in a secure safe on campus. The bill was laid out with no public testimony and left pending. The chair then moved to a combined discussion of SB 1871, 1872, 1873, 1874, and 1924, all focused on school discipline, teacher authority, and student safety. Senators Perry and Creighton described the package as a response to rising classroom disruptions, assaults on teachers, and concerns that districts lack effective tools to maintain order.
SB 1871 would expand teacher removal authority, require return-to-class plans before a student removed for certain conduct can return, make some serious offenses mandatory for placement in juvenile justice settings, and provide telehealth mental health services through a consortium. SB 1872 would require expulsion to a JJAEP for assaults on teachers or school volunteers and extend certain expulsion-eligible conduct to off-campus offenses. SB 1873 would restore the prior understanding that in-school suspension is not subject to a three-day limit. SB 1874 would grant teachers immunity from disciplinary action for reporting discipline violations or acting in compliance with Chapter 37. SB 1924 would restore authority for local police and school district police to issue Class C citations for school offenses and require criminal referrals for students posing an imminent threat or assaulting a teacher, with a substitute clarifying referral rules when a citation has already been issued. The committee adopted the substitutes for the bills and moved them forward.
Invited witnesses from teacher and administrator groups largely supported the overall goal of stronger discipline and safer classrooms, while asking for refinements. The Texas Classroom Teachers Association testified that teachers need more autonomy to remove disruptive or violent students and that classroom removals should not mean removal from learning. Superintendents from San Angelo, Grandview, and Wiley ISDs supported the bills’ emphasis on safety, expanded ISS flexibility, mandatory placement for serious offenses, and telehealth mental health services, but asked for more local control, flexibility for Districts of Innovation, more than one campus behavior coordinator in large districts, clearer timelines for return-to-class plans, and more precise definitions for disruptive conduct. Several witnesses stressed that teacher retention and student learning are being harmed by current discipline problems, while some members raised concerns about vague standards and the risk of overuse or public humiliation through citations and removals.
DE
Delaware 2025-2026 Regular Session
House of Representatives Legislative Session - Session 2 - 37th Legislative Day Jun 17th, 2026
Delaware House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- And sang with unwavering faith for the day of freedom and jubilee.
- Guide us with their spirit of hope and faith for the day of Jubilee.
- unique bonds with these young men that are really brilliant that you normally wouldn't meet in your day-to-day
- I think I just made Representative Phillips' day.
- I think I just made Representative Phillips' day.
Summary:
The House received communications from the Senate announcing passage of several bills and resolutions and requesting concurrence on a number of measures, including Senate Bills 287, 326, 337, 264, 294, 217, 319, and House bills such as HB 131, 299, 291, 380, 323, 296, 339, and 308, along with House Concurrent Resolution 140. The chamber briefly adjourned and then reconvened, established a quorum, approved the previous day’s minutes, and heard a prayer focused on guidance, justice, Juneteenth, and voting rights.
A major item of business was House Concurrent Resolution 155, recognizing the young men from across Delaware participating in the 2026 session of Delaware’s Boy State. Several Boy State delegates were introduced and spoke about their experiences and future plans. The resolution was read by title, a voice vote was taken, and HCR 155 passed the House.
Members also used privilege of the floor to introduce guests, including local officials, constituents, and a job-shadowing student. Announcements included a staff birthday, a reminder about illegal fireworks and House Bill 63, and notice that Doggy Day would return to Legislative Hall the next day. The House then passed consent calendar number 26, consisting of SCR 200, 206, 207, 209, 210, 211, and 212, and recessed to the call of the Speaker until the next day.
MA
Massachusetts 2025-2026 Regular Session
Joint Committee on the Judiciary Jun 21st, 2026 at 01:00 pm
Joint Committee on the Judiciary
Transcript Highlights:
- And to this day, I think about it every day.
- But the problem is that John Hancock had waited 48 days—48 days between alleged discovery and reporting
- I get a call a day, sometimes more than one a day, from new, potentially new clients.
- Today, it's been a really intense day.
- I hope and pray one day he's able to.
Committee:
Joint Joint Committee on the Judiciary
Summary:
The Joint Committee on the Judiciary held a lengthy hearing on a wide range of bills involving domestic violence, sexual assault, child sexual abuse, trafficking, victim compensation, and related criminal justice reforms. Testimony focused on measures to support survivors and close perceived legal gaps, including bills to protect domestic violence survivors in child welfare proceedings, expand victim compensation for homicide families and trafficking survivors, create a DNA exception to the rape statute of limitations, eliminate or extend statutes of limitations for child sexual abuse, and strengthen laws on upskirting, sexual abuse by adults in positions of authority, and sexual assault by rideshare drivers. Several speakers also addressed bills concerning vulnerable adults, harassment and custody-related abuse, and early evidence kits.
Witnesses included legislators, prosecutors, advocates, and many survivors who described personal experiences with abuse and barriers to justice. Supporters argued that current laws often leave survivors without meaningful remedies, especially where consent, reporting requirements, evidentiary rules, or statutes of limitations prevent prosecution or compensation. Prosecutors and advocates said the bills would clarify vague statutes, increase penalties in some cases, and better reflect the realities of coercion, grooming, trafficking, and delayed reporting. Some testimony also urged amendments, including changes to victim compensation reporting rules and clarifications to avoid unintended conflicts with other wage-recovery laws.
No committee votes or final actions were taken in the hearing itself. The chairs emphasized strict time limits, respectful conduct, and the submission of written testimony, and several witnesses were called out of order to accommodate the large number of speakers.
CA
California 2025-2026 Regular Session
Assembly Budget Subcommittee No. 7 on Accountability and Oversight Jun 24th, 2026
Transcript Highlights:
- will consider ACA 20, a proposal to change the Budget Stabilization Account, also known as the Rainy Day
- Valencia, to present ACA 20, which would strengthen and modernize our rainy day fund to help the state
- And ACA 20 proposes to do exactly that by strengthening and modernizing California's Rainy Day Fund.
- The rainy day fund did exactly what it was assigned to do.
- And we're not depositing into the rainy day fund.
Summary:
The Assembly Budget Subcommittee on Accountability and Oversight heard ACA 20, the Safe for California Futures Act, a constitutional amendment to strengthen the state’s Budget Stabilization Account (rainy day fund). The authors, Assembly Members Gabriel and Valencia, said the measure would raise the reserve cap from 10% to 20% of General Fund revenues, change how reserve deposits are treated under the Gann limit so deposits would not count against the spending cap until withdrawn, and update eligible debt repayments to include items such as budget loans, Proposition 98 settle-up obligations, and unemployment insurance debt. They emphasized that the proposal was intended to protect schools and core public services and to help California better withstand revenue volatility and future downturns.
Committee discussion focused heavily on the technical effects of the measure, especially its interaction with Proposition 98 and the Gann limit. LAO and Department of Finance staff explained that Prop. 98 funding would not be changed directly, that the reserve deposits would be treated as exclusions from the appropriations limit, and that withdrawals would count when spent. Members asked about current reserve levels, mandatory deposits, and whether the measure would create more room for discretionary spending; supporters argued it would simply allow the state to save more in good years, while one member expressed concern that it could function as a slush fund and expand spending opportunities. Several members cited recent budget volatility, record revenues, and the need for stronger reserves, while others stressed that the measure should be understood as a future-oriented savings reform rather than a response to this year’s budget choices.
Public testimony was uniformly supportive. California Forward, Elevate California, and the California Chamber of Commerce all backed the proposal, with the Chamber noting support for the policy and highlighting the importance of addressing unemployment insurance debt for small businesses. The chair concluded by thanking the authors, staff, and witnesses, and said ACA 20 was expected to move to the Assembly floor the next day.
CA
California 2025-2026 Regular Session
Assembly Floor Session Feb 26th, 2026
California House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- I know my colleagues from Thousand Oaks and Pasadena see this every day.
- , or Girl Day for short.
- FFA Day is every day. Thank you very much for bringing this forward.
- I use everything I learned in FFA every day.
- We will now move to the second-day consent calendar.
ID
Transcript Highlights:
- We give you thanks for another great day. In Jesus' name I pray.
- Amen. ...give you thanks for another great day. In Jesus' name I pray. Amen.
- There have been some discussion about moving it to other parts of the day.
- country, we started every day of school with prayer.
- My teachers use this concept throughout the day.
Summary:
The House convened with a quorum, approved the previous day’s journal, and swore in new pages. It then received several messages from the Senate and Governor, including Senate-passed bills being referred to committees and House Bills 514 and 515 being transmitted to the Governor. Committee reports moved a number of bills and memorials to second reading, general orders, or committee referral, including measures on Medicaid managed care review, taxation, public utilities, foster care, and other administrative updates.
The chamber then took up multiple third-reading bills. House Bill 630, concerning aerial shooting of predators such as wolves and coyotes, passed 60-8 with 2 abstentions. House Bill 631, on certificates of free sale for Idaho products, passed 62-7. House Bill 548, requiring reasonable suspicion before stopping and boarding vessels on the water, passed 68-0 with 2 abstentions. House Bill 599, revising the public school digital content and curriculum grant process, passed 68-0 with 2 abstentions. House Bill 731, entering Idaho into a federal tax credit scholarship framework, passed 68-0. House Bill 603, clarifying rules on camping and property handling on state facilities, passed 68-0. House Bills 689 and 690 also passed unanimously with 68 ayes each, and House Bill 698, closing a voting-law loophole related to treason in another state, passed 68-0.
The House also passed House Bill 642, creating a catastrophic benefit for public safety officers killed or catastrophically injured in the line of duty, with 68 ayes and no opposition; one member declared a conflict because a spouse is a law enforcement officer. House Bill 563, easing CPA licensure pathways and clarifying practice privileges, passed 67-0 with 3 absent and excused. House Bill 623, requiring a 60-second moment of silence at the start of each public school day, drew the most debate over local control, teacher burden, and whether it should be a mandate; it ultimately passed 51-17 with 2 absent and excused. The remaining third-reading bills were held one legislative day, a committee letter on agricultural rules was filed, the House noted the death of former Representative Bob Geddes Sr., welcomed professional firefighters in the gallery, and then adjourned until 11:00 a.m. on February 25, 2026.
AZ
Transcript Highlights:
- Heavenly Father, the day-to-day issues at times can be challenging for all of us, but with your presence
- State of Arizona legislative proclamation: Arizona Aviation Day.
- Arizona Aviation Day.
- Constitution and state laws every day.
- ISIS terrorizing families, Constitution and state laws every day.
Summary:
The House convened with prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, approval of the prior journal, and recognition of Dr. Pamela Murphy as Doctor of the Day. Members also introduced a number of guests, including Deacon Ernie Gonzalez, local Prescott officials, Arizona Game and Fish commissioners, and advocates from the Alzheimer’s Association. A proclamation was read designating January 26, 2026, as Arizona Aviation Day, with remarks highlighting the aviation industry’s economic impact and the presence of airport and aviation representatives in the gallery.
The clerk then read a long list of bills that had been first read or referred for printing, and a second-reading calendar covering measures on water and energy, education, elections, taxes, housing, veterans, public safety, and other topics. No floor votes on those bills were taken during this segment. Representative Gress also read a resolution recognizing National School Choice Week and praising Arizona’s school choice programs, including charters and ESAs.
Much of the remainder of the session consisted of members’ personal privilege remarks responding to violence and immigration enforcement actions in Minnesota and elsewhere. Speakers from both parties and several senators and representatives condemned ICE tactics, described constituent fear and family separations, and called for constitutional rights, due process, and accountability. Representative Sandoval requested and the House observed a moment of respectful silence in memory of Alex Pretty and Renee Good. The House then received committee and caucus announcements and adjourned until 1:15 p.m. Tuesday, January 27, 2026.
FL
Florida 2026 Regular Session
Military and Veterans Affairs, Space, and Domestic Security Feb 4th, 2025
Military and Veterans Affairs, Space, and Domestic Security
Transcript Highlights:
- , those days are over with.
- From a yard, per se, and smoking it, those days are over with.
- from a yard per se and smoking it, those days are over with.
- Since 2017, I assure you each day has been a gift. Just a little bit about me.
- What you do on a day-in, day-out basis is beyond reproach.
Summary:
The committee heard a series of domestic security and law enforcement presentations from the Florida Sheriffs Association, Florida Police Chiefs Association, Florida Highway Patrol, and FDLE. Sheriff Rob Hardwick outlined the sheriffs’ legislative priorities, focusing on adding xylazine to Florida’s trafficking statute and increasing penalties for luring or enticing a child under 12 from a misdemeanor to a felony. He also discussed domestic security coordination, fusion center intelligence sharing, and jail-based reentry efforts. Members asked about xylazine prevalence in Broward County and whether canine units can detect it; Hardwick said he would follow up with data and noted that dogs are not specifically trained for xylazine, though fentanyl-certified dogs may alert on mixtures.
Chief Charlie Vasquez of the Florida Police Chiefs Association presented three priorities: stronger protections for law enforcement, judges, prosecutors, public defenders, and their families when threatened because of their jobs; faster and more consistent access to blood-borne pathogen testing results after exposure incidents; and mandatory life without release for anyone convicted of murdering a police or correctional officer, reviving a version of the Jason Raynor Act. Senators asked about delays in blood testing after exposure, and Vasquez said officers can be forced to take prophylactic medication while waiting for results and that the process should be streamlined.
Florida Highway Patrol Director Dave Kerner described FHP’s domestic security role, including criminal interdiction, canine units, traffic homicide investigations, aviation, drones, border operations, and responses to threats such as human smuggling and the October 7-related security posture at synagogues and campuses. He said staffing remains constrained by vacancies and pay disparities, so he was not seeking more authorized troopers at this time. FDLE Deputy Commissioner David Binder then reviewed the state’s domestic security structure, fusion centers, critical infrastructure assessments, and grant funding, warning that federal homeland security dollars have declined sharply while threats remain high. He highlighted work on drone mitigation, radiological detection, vehicle barriers, and school security assessments, and emphasized the need for continued interagency coordination. The committee took no formal votes and adjourned after the presentations and questions.
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
House Environment and Natural Resources Finance and Policy Committee 2/13/25 - Part 1
Environment and Natural Resources Finance and Policy
Transcript Highlights:
- time frame was 351 days.
- time frame was 351 days.
- days to 771 days permit ranged from 419 days to 771 days um<00:08:42.719><c> in</c><00:08:42.839><c>
- um and the average was close to days um and the average was close to 1300<00:09:48.839><c> days</c><
- The average issuance time frame was between 377 days for a major modification and 476 days for a new
TX
Transcript Highlights:
- Day.
- I move to suspend the three-day rule. Senator Nichols moves suspension of the three-day rule.
- I move to suspend the constitutional three-day rule for this bill to be heard on three days.
- Oh, this is a fine arts day. Oh, this is a fine arts day. Yes, I love the arts.
- And so there we have it, clear as a sunny day.
Summary:
The Senate began with a quorum call, prayer, approval of the previous journal, and messages from the House, then moved through several recognitions and resolutions honoring visiting groups. Members adopted resolutions recognizing the Texas chapters of Blue Star Mothers of America, Fine Arts Education Day, Donate Life Texas Day, Baha’i Capitol Day, County Government Day, Jack County Day, Crockett County Day, and a recognition of Navy Petty Officer Simon Urbanik for service during the Cuban Missile Crisis. The chamber also heard remarks from visiting doctors, students, county officials, and community groups, with multiple senators speaking in support of military families, arts education, organ donation, and local government service.
The Senate then took up Committee Substitute Senate Bill 2779, relating to the allocation and use of certain hotel occupancy tax revenues. Senator Birdwell said the bill would stop local governments from conditioning HOT funds on race- or class-based priorities and would require Galveston to transfer the full state rebate for beach cleaning and maintenance to its park board. After questions, the Senate suspended the rules, passed the bill to engrossment, suspended the three-day rule, and finally passed it, though the final vote showed significant opposition. The chamber also passed Committee Substitute Senate Bill 2322, described as a cleanup bill removing the compelling-factor test for dispatchable generation from the Texas Jobs, Energy, Technology, and Innovation Act.
A major debate centered on Committee Substitute Senate Bill 2253, which would phase out uncertified teachers in core classrooms and strengthen educator certification requirements. Senator Creighton argued the bill responds to a teacher pipeline crisis, adds parent notification, creates multiple preparation pathways, and provides financial incentives for certification; Senator West and Senator Sparks pressed for rural flexibility and implementation details. An amendment from Senator Gutierrez to add a teacher student-loan repayment program failed on a 11-17 vote, while other technical and fiscal amendments were adopted. The bill then passed to engrossment, the three-day rule was suspended, and it was finally passed.
The Senate also passed Committee Substitute Senate Bill 2371, updating skimmer-reporting rules to cover electronic terminals beyond fuel pumps, and Committee Substitute Senate Bill 2351, relating to the construction of certain concrete plants under a standard permit. Senate Bill 619, a conscience-protection bill for health care workers, drew extended questioning from Senators Cook, Eckhardt, and Menendez about patient abandonment, scope, and whether it could allow refusals of legal services such as vaccines, antibiotics, contraception, or personal care; despite those concerns, the Senate suspended the rules and passed the bill to engrossment. Finally, the chamber began consideration of Committee Substitute Senate Bill 1169, which would allow public entities to form public utility agencies to cooperate on water and wastewater projects without eminent domain or cross-collateralization, with Senator Hinojosa explaining it as a tool for small and rural communities facing utility infrastructure problems.
KY
Kentucky 2026 Regular Session
Senate Legislative Session Day 15 (1-28-26)
Kentucky Senate Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- </c> of the day. Senator from Taylor. of the day. Senator from Taylor.
- </c> of the day. of the day. >> Thank<00:20:15.520><c> you,</c><00:20:15.760><c> sir.
- And I talked to him the other day.
- And I talked to him the other day.
- . him the other day.
Summary:
The Senate convened with an invocation and Pledge of Allegiance, then established a quorum and approved the journal. The House clerk communicated that the House had passed House Bills 34 and 306 and requested concurrence. The State and Local Government Committee reported Senate Bills 20 and 68 favorably, and several new bills and resolutions were introduced, including measures on Kentucky-grown agricultural procurement, an endowed research fund, unemployment insurance, postsecondary education, wrongful conviction compensation, massage therapy, local fiscal reporting, and a resolution honoring John and Debbie Rogers.
The main floor action was on Senate Joint Resolution 23, as amended by Senate Committee Substitute 1, declaring Kentucky a “food is medicine” state and directing state agencies to advance food-as-medicine initiatives. The sponsor described the resolution as a statewide framework to connect nutrition, health care, agriculture, and local food systems, emphasizing partnerships with the Kentucky Hospital Association and the Kentucky Department of Agriculture, better health outcomes, and support for Kentucky farmers and rural communities. Senators from Taylor and Callaway spoke in support, citing local examples and the goal of building Kentucky-based solutions rather than importing them. The committee substitute was adopted by voice vote, and the resolution then passed 35-0.
The Senate also adopted Senate Resolution 56 honoring Elder Nathan Craig and Sister Amy Craig, and Senate Resolution 33 honoring Robert E. “Bob” Pernell, Sr. Senate Resolution 22, honoring Brian J. Hat, was likewise adopted. After the day’s business, the Senate recessed for meetings of the Rules Committee and the Committee on Committees. Later, the Committee on Committees referred Senate Bills 1-4 to Education, Senate Bill 48 to Judiciary, and Senate Bills 84 and 102 to Veterans, Military Affairs, and Public Protection. Several members made announcements about upcoming committee meetings and events, including the VMAP committee, Judiciary, the Kentucky Japan Caucus, the Kentucky Israel Caucus, and an American Cancer Society action day.