Transcript Highlights:

• One thing I don't understand is what makes this a Class B felony. What is it now?
• And what is the penalty for a Class B felony? You're looking at anywhere from 10 to 20 years.
• I want to say this is for nonviolent felonies only; it does not... nonviolent felonies only; it does
• If somebody has a felony conviction, let's say...
• If someone has a felony conviction, let's say it's burglary, right?

Keywords: 1136, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• You are not a felon until a judge has sentenced you and determined that you've been convicted of a felony
• . ...and determined that you've convicted you and determined that you have been convicted of a felony
• Yeah, or been convicted of a felony, or the word traitor is generally used to refer to someone who has
• It's a class E felony. This bill really tries to address vandalism.
• So this again, a class E felony. I ask everybody's support of this bill.

Keywords: 959, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• And she also admitted to every single, well, pleaded guilty to two felonies but admitted to the abuse
• So despite a baby having their leg fractured on their watch, they did not get the felony conviction on
• did<00:03:38.319> not<00:03:38.560> get<00:03:38.640> the<00:03:38.879> felony
• their watch, they did not get the felony their watch, they did not get the felony conviction<00:

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• based on what the medical evidence dictates, and, at the same time, their fear of being accused of a felony
• based on what the medical evidence dictates, and, at the same time, their fear of being accused of a felony
• based on what the medical evidence dictates and, at the same time, their fear of being accused of a felony
• We've got about 95,000 unemployed individuals; one in three of those are disqualified because of a felony
• We've got about 95,000 unemployed individuals; one in three of those are disqualified because of a felony

Keywords: Call to Order 00:00 Roll Call 16:20 HB 90 Discussion 17:00 HB 90 Vote 25:40 HB 398 Discussion 30:55 HB 398 Vote 38:52 HB 580 Discussion 40:10 HB 580 Vote 42:10 HB 87 Discussion 44:12 HB 87 Vote 44:54 HB 422 Discussion 46:00 HB 422 Vote 46:43 Adjournment 47:20, 958, all

Summary: The Senate Standing Committee on Licensing and Occupations met on March 12, 2025, after waiting for the Senate to adjourn so the committee could officially convene. The committee first took up House Bill 90, which concerned freestanding birthing centers and related medical language. Testimony from Representative Jason Nemes, Dr. Jeffrey Goldberg of ACOG Kentucky, and a representative from Kentucky Right to Life focused on clarifying what medical procedures are not abortions under Kentucky law, including miscarriage management, ectopic pregnancy, molar pregnancy, sepsis, hemorrhage, and stillbirth. Supporters said the committee substitute was intended to reduce confusion and barriers to care for physicians and patients, while Senator Armstrong and Senator Berg raised concerns about the late-arriving substitute, terminology, and whether the bill was being accurately described as supported by ACOG. The committee substitute and title amendment were adopted, and House Bill 90 passed with favorable expression. The committee then considered House Bill 398, relating to occupational safety and health. Representative Walker Thomas said the bill would prevent Kentucky from adopting or enforcing regulations stricter than federal OSHA standards, arguing it would create uniformity for businesses operating in multiple states while preserving worker safety. Senator Armstrong questioned what would happen if federal OSHA were eliminated and argued the bill could reduce Kentucky’s ability to address state-specific workplace hazards; Representative Thomas responded that Kentucky is a state-plan state and would retain the ability to act if needed, and that the measure was about administrative regulation rather than legislation. After a committee substitute was adopted, the bill passed 8-1, with Senator Armstrong voting no. House Bill 580, concerning alcohol and drug counselors and peer support specialists, was presented next. Representative Kim Moore and Elena Sweezy explained that the bill would add structure, training, and supervision requirements for peer support specialists, limit group settings to eight patients, shorten temporary peer support status to nine months, and require additional supervision hours so trainees can complete required training. The bill passed with favorable expression, with Senator Nemes voting no. House Bill 87, relating to employment and occupational licensing, followed; Representative Emily Callaway said it would reduce barriers for people with felony records and help “second chance” citizens enter the workforce. Several senators supported the goal but Senator McDaniel noted caution about substance-use billing and oversight, and the bill passed with favorable expression. Finally, House Bill 422, relating to administrative regulations, was described by Representative Derrick Lewis as a streamlining measure that would reduce paperwork and simplify the regulatory process. It also passed with favorable expression, and the committee then adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• First, this bill makes it a felony for Floridians who believe in an issue to distribute petitions or
• For example, it would be a felony offense to help folks in your book club or your running group to return
• about, just as anyone in any American neighborhood would do, she would be liable for third-degree felony
• anyone from possessing more than their own two and immediate family members, making it a third-degree felony
• Thank you very much for your testimony. members making a third degree felony to violate this.

Summary: The Senate Committee on Ethics and Elections heard SPB 7016, a bill revising Florida’s citizen initiative petition process to address fraud, voter information, and ballot integrity. The bill and its amendments would add sponsor bonds and deposit requirements, require more identifying information from signers and circulators, bar certain felons and non-citizens from circulating petitions, require circulator training, shorten the time to submit signed petitions, require notices to voters whose signatures are verified, and change how financial impact statements are handled. Several amendments were adopted, including a $1 million bond framework, 10-point font and page limits for petition forms, a ban on incentive-based pay tied to petition counts or speed, removal of a requirement that fraud be proven by criminal conviction before administrative fines, county deposit and payment procedures for supervisors of elections, invalidation of petitions gathered by ineligible circulators, training requirements within 30 days, and a prohibition on public funds being used to advocate for or against constitutional amendments. Committee discussion focused heavily on implementation and fairness. Supporters, including the sponsor and the Florida Chamber of Commerce, argued the bill was needed to deter fraud, protect voter information, and ensure sponsors—not taxpayers—bear the costs of the initiative process. Supervisors of elections testified that county taxpayers should not subsidize petition verification, but also warned that some provisions would be difficult to implement quickly because of software and operational constraints. Senators raised questions about the bond cost, the 10-day submission deadline, notice to voters whose petitions are invalidated, the effect on returning citizens, and whether the bill could disenfranchise voters who sign petitions in good faith. Public testimony was overwhelmingly opposed. Common Cause, the League of Women Voters, NAACP Florida, Florida Rising, Equality Florida, All Voting Is Local, and other advocates said the bill would suppress grassroots participation, criminalize volunteers, create costly barriers, and favor wealthy or corporate interests. They objected especially to the bond, the new signer identification requirements, the shorter submission window, and the lack of notice when a petition is invalidated. A few supporters, including the Florida Chamber, backed the measure as a safeguard against fraud and outside influence. After debate, the committee did not reach a final vote on the bill in the portion provided, but the bill remained before the committee as amended.

Transcript Highlights:

• Persons with Disabilities assists those with developmental disabilities who have been convicted of a felony
• securely housed in the APD program and provided competency training to return to court to face their felony
• securely housed in the APD program and provided competency training to return to court to face their felony

Summary: The Health and Human Services Committee heard and advanced four member bills. CS/HB 303 would require nurses to complete the existing two-hour human trafficking prevention course before initial licensure, rather than waiting until renewal; the sponsor said this closes a gap for new nurses, and supporters from the Florida Nurses Association and other groups said it would improve early identification and reporting of trafficking victims. Members asked whether the bill changed reporting duties, and the sponsor said it did not. The bill passed unanimously, 24-0. PCS/HB 1069 would treat independent sanctioning authorities as qualified entities for background screening purposes and allow an unscreened athletic coach to work only if directly supervised by a screened coach. The sponsor said the measure is intended to help families and youth sports organizations while keeping children safe, and members discussed how it would apply to Little League and whether disqualifying offenses would still bar work with children. The bill received support from several organizations and passed 25-0. HB 491 would allow batterers intervention programs to offer voluntary faith-based content alongside required cognitive behavioral therapy, without mandating participation. Supporters argued the bill restores options for clients seeking faith-based counseling and said it does not use taxpayer funds or impose religion; members emphasized the voluntary nature of the program. The bill passed 24-0. HB 569 would change how the Agency for Persons with Disabilities organizes forensic client services by grouping clients based on clinical needs rather than legal charges, which the sponsor said would improve efficiency and reduce duplication. The agency and Florida Smart Justice Alliance supported the bill, and it also passed unanimously, 24-0. The committee then adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• They're out of jail, and they've got felony warrants. That's really been our priority.
• We've prioritized 5400 that have felony warrants for sexual assault, uh, uh, uh, rape, robbery, murder
• arrests because when you find one of these guys, they've been here for a short time, they've got 3 felony

Transcript Highlights:

• Second offense would be the low level of felony, and it would also be a felony if there was any injuries

Keywords: 959, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Second offense would be a low-level felony, and it would also be a felony if there were any injuries

Summary: The Special Committee on Intergovernmental Affairs met in executive session and considered House Bill 2656, along with House Bill 2388 as part of a committee substitute package. Representative Walshmore explained the substitute’s main changes: it replaced the term “entity” with “person” to simplify definitions, narrowed the reporting requirements to avoid unnecessary reports, focused the bill on ground-based conduct involving cloud-seeding equipment and aircraft, and clarified penalties. Under the substitute, a violation would be a misdemeanor, a second offense a low-level felony, and any offense causing injury would be a felony; civil penalties were removed in favor of allowing damages actions. The committee adopted the substitute ending in 0.04C by voice vote. It then moved the House Committee Substitute for House Bills 2656 and 2388 to a do pass recommendation. After a roll call vote, the motion passed 8-3, with the committee voting to recommend the bills do pass. The hearing then concluded.

Transcript Highlights:

• or a violation of uh from an a felony or a violation of uh from an agency,<00:31:20.159> you<
• A false statement under oath would be a felony, which I think is a significant disincentive.
• A false statement under oath would be a felony, which I think is a significant disincentive.
• A false statement under oath would be a felony, which I think is a significant disincentive.
• A false statement under oath would be a felony if it's a false statement under oath.

Transcript Highlights:

• House Bill 611 is a bill that creates parity for victims of felony assaults, sexual offenses, and stalking
• Because of the severity of felony assaults, perpetrators often will be sentenced to multi-year prison
• parity for um is a bill that creates parity for victims<00:01:37.920> of<00:01:38.080> felony
• of felony assaults, sexual offenses,<00:01:40.280> and<00:01:40.440> stalking.
• Because of the severity of felony Because of the severity of felony assaults,<00:02:28.959> perpetrators

Keywords: 958, all

Transcript Highlights:

• But<00:31:47.600> the<00:31:47.919> speed<00:31:48.159> at<00:31:48.480> which
• <00:31:48.720> current But the speed at which current But the speed at which current enforcement
• I did not fill out the affidavit that stated I had never committed a domestic violence felony.
• <01:49:47.040> I committed a domestic violence felony.
• I committed a domestic violence felony.

Keywords: 918, senate, all

Summary: The hearing of the Minnesota Senate Select Subcommittee on Federal Impacts on Minnesotans and Economic Stability focused on federal immigration enforcement in Minnesota, especially ICE and CBP operations, and their alleged constitutional and civil-rights impacts. Opening remarks from both parties emphasized the need for calm, cooperation, and public safety, though they sharply differed on the causes of the current situation. Republican members argued that violent criminal undocumented immigrants should be removed and that state and local officials should cooperate with federal authorities. Senator McEwen and other Democrats described the federal presence as abusive and terrorizing, citing deaths, family separations, and community fear, and called for accountability and truth-telling. The chair also held a moment of silence for Renee Mlin Good and Alex Prey before testimony began. Testimony from the ACLU of Minnesota and the Immigrant Law Center of Minnesota described what they said was a large-scale federal enforcement operation, including Operation Metro Surge, with widespread alleged violations of the First, Fourth, Fifth, Sixth, Tenth, and other constitutional amendments. Witnesses cited alleged racial profiling, warrantless arrests, excessive force, denial of counsel, detention out of state, and failure to comply with court orders. They referenced specific cases involving Susan Tinure, Abdi Khadir Nure, Victor Manuel Diaz, and others, as well as reports of journalists and community members being threatened or detained while documenting ICE activity. The witnesses also said the federal government’s lack of transparency makes it difficult to know how many people have been detained or deported and argued that the harm extends to both immigrants and citizens. Committee members asked questions about ICE entering homes without judicial warrants, federal claims about constitutional limits, and access to counsel for detainees moved out of state. The witnesses said that out-of-state detention, poor locator systems, paid phone access, and lack of privacy make legal representation difficult or impossible, and that civil-rights remedies often come too late because people are removed before cases are resolved. No votes or formal committee actions were taken during the portion of the hearing provided; the committee moved from opening statements into testimony and member questions.

Transcript Highlights:

• THIS BILL MAKES IT A FELONY FOR FLORIDIANS WHO BELIEVE IN A ISSUE TO DISTRIBUTE PETITIONS OR COLLECT
• FOR EXAMPLE, IT WOULD BE A FELONY OFFENSE TO HELP FOLKS IN YOUR BOOK CLUB WHERE YOUR RUNNING GROUP TO
• SHE CARES ABOUT AS ANYONE AT ANY ONE AMERICAN NEIGHBOR WOULD DO SHOULD BE LIABLE FOR THIRD-DEGREE FELONY
• ILLUMINATES DISTINCTION BETWEEN PAID VOLUNTEER ANYONE FROM IMMEDIATE FAMILY MEMBERS MAKING A THIRD-DEGREE FELONY

Keywords: 999, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• The current penalty is a class C felony, whereas the bill is only a misdemeanor.
• it's<00:07:07.599> a<00:07:07.759> class<00:07:07.960> C<00:07:08.160> felony
• <00:07:08.560> whereas penalty is it's a class C felony whereas penalty is it's a class C
• felony whereas the<00:07:08.919> bill<00:07:09.160> I<00:07:09.280> think<00:07:

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Summary: The Committee on Labor and Technology heard testimony on several measures. SB 338, relating to taxation, would temporarily reinstate the Act 221 technology infrastructure renovation tax credit and expand eligible technology-enabled infrastructure to include data servers; Tax Department said it had no requested changes, SurfPAC supported the bill, and the Tax Foundation offered comments. Members later advanced SB 338 with amendments, including a report to the Legislature before the 2029 session and technical changes. SB 1491, on departmental data sharing, would add the Department of Taxation to the state longitudinal data system to share aggregated wage data; UH, Hawaii P20, and the Tax Foundation supported it, and Taxation said it could comply as written. The committee amended the bill to also include DBEDT and then passed it with amendments. The committee also considered SB 1156 on sexually explicit deepfakes, SB 853 on an immigration services trust fund, SB 436 on limiting State Fire Marshal service to three terms, and SB 1034 on rest periods in the food service industry. The Attorney General said SB 1156 was unnecessary because existing law already covers AI-created deepfakes, and the committee deferred the bill. SB 853 drew support from DLIR/Office of Community Services and civil rights advocates, but opposition testimony noted substantial public opposition; the committee deferred the measure, saying existing resources from Act 7 made the trust fund premature. SB 436 drew concerns from the State Fire Council representative that term limits would add complications, but the committee passed it with amendments. SB 1034 drew mixed testimony: DLIR stood on comments, the restaurant association supported the intent but suggested changing the five-hour threshold, and the Hawaii Food Industry Association opposed it over the lack of a definition of food service industry; the committee amended the bill to add that definition and passed it with amendments. At the later 3:15 p.m. decision-making-only agenda, the committee deferred SB 730 indefinitely after conferring with the PSM chair, saying it was special legislation needing further work in the interim.

Transcript Highlights:

• Not omission leading to death is actually a felony, I believe, under cruelty.
• So if you abandon a dog or cat and that dog or cat dies, it becomes a felony under the abandonment definition

Bills: SB64, HB249

Keywords: SB64, Alabama, state waters, public waters, aquatic plants, aquatic vegetation, lake management, waterway maintenance, environmental regulation, Department of Conservation and Natural Resources, DCNR, commercial contractors, vegetation removal, mowing aquatic plants, uprooting plants, Class C misdemeanor, fine, water quality, invasive species, lakes

Transcript Highlights:

• when it came to the vehicle, this RSA involves basically use of force during the commission of a felony
• when it came to the vehicle, this RSA involves basically use of force during the commission of a felony
• vehicle, and tries to pull you from your vehicle, that's<02:03:47.400> a<02:03:47.440> felony
• that's a felony, but it's not a felony that's a felony, but it's not a felony you<02:03:49.000><
• Have you ever been convicted of a felony in this or any other state which has not been annulled?

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Summary: The meeting began as a Committee of Conference on House Bill 194, but the discussion quickly centered on whether to remove an attached bill, 504, because of concerns about a possible fee or tax and a House rule issue. Members debated the procedural posture of the bill, whether the House version had been non-concurred, and whether the conference committee could still resolve the issue by adopting the House amendment or reconsidering the non-concur. The exchange became tense, with one side warning that failing to pass the measure could jeopardize a linked rural health transformation grant worth about $20 million. The committee ultimately recessed without resolving the 194/504 dispute and planned to return the next day. The committee then opened conference on House Bill 609, which dealt with use-of-force/self-defense language and restraint/seclusion authority in health care settings. On the self-defense portion, House members argued strongly for restoring vehicle language, saying people should be able to defend themselves in a car the same way they can in a home, especially in carjacking or assault situations where no weapon is displayed. Senate members expressed concern about expanding deadly-force protections too broadly and suggested narrowing the language to focus on imminent harm to the person, not property, while also questioning where the provision should be placed in statute. The second major topic in HB 609 was who may order restraint or seclusion in clinical settings. House members argued that physicians are not always immediately available, especially in hospitals and emergency settings, and that APRNs and physician associates should be able to act in crises if properly trained and credentialed. Senate members raised concerns about scope of practice and asked whether the language implied patient consent was required; the Senate side explained that consent language was intended to address capacity and informed decision-making, not to require voluntary consent to restraint. The discussion ended with the sides still apart, though the Senate floated a compromise allowing physician associates to order restraint when no doctor is physically on the premises, while not yet extending that authority to APRNs. The committee took a short break to continue negotiations on the firearm/self-defense piece.

Transcript Highlights:

• Under Department of Corrections, we have four bills that all create new felony provisions, and so the
• provisions and so create new felony provisions and so there<00:48:11.280> the<00:48:11.560>
• On page 17, we have the definition of grooming at line 17.10, and that in and of itself is a felony.
• Is that a felony then if they're still in a relationship? Or... So that's my question. Mr.
• Is that a felony then if they're still in a relationship? Or... So that's my question. Mr.

Bills: HF4446, HF4066, HF1082

Keywords: public safety officer, survivor benefits, line of duty death, occupational cancer, firefighter, police officer, paramedic, EMT, correctional officer, first responder, workers' compensation, death benefits, occupational exposure, carcinogen, cancer presumption, mesothelioma, leukemia, lung cancer, post-traumatic stress disorder, PTSD

Transcript Highlights:

• I don't want to see a bunch of college kids get locked up and have a felony on their record when right
• spirit, but I think that you're going to wind up arresting a lot of people and charging them with a felony
• when what you're really trying to do here is limit ...and charging them with a felony when what you're
• So I don't think we need to elevate this from a misdemeanor to a felony.
• or fingerprinted in connection with being taken into custody... ...for the commission of either a felony

Keywords: 974, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Those convicted of egregious felonies such as child trafficking child pornography, sexual abuse of minors
• 2 is intended to be used for immigration related services for individuals with serious or violent felony
• records, felony criminals, and to help keep them in. this country and release them back onto our streets
• the bill Which has no effect in law It will not do one darn thing to keep funding from going to a felony
• That is not a serious or violent felony. So, I think, just, like, hear us out a little bit.

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Under Operation Warp Speed with DoD contracting and no civilian help or transparency?

Bills: HB18, HB37, HB116, HB18, HB37, HB116, HB388, HB879, HB913, HB1151, HB2216, HB2358, HB2809, SB577, SB1590, SB1782, SB1887, SB2744

Keywords: HB 18, Texas Legislature, quorum break, quorum-busting, legislative walkout, absent legislators, political contributions, campaign finance, political expenditures, legislative caucus, specific-purpose committee, Texas Ethics Commission, civil penalty, show cause order, district court, Fifteenth Court of Appeals, session fundraising, travel lodging food expenses, legislative session, compelled attendance