Transcript Highlights:

• At some point, they're going to take over the majority.
• , And change that back to something more favorable to the majority, and that was not included in the
• or Democrats in the majority, to be the first one to get adopted, and then if that gets challenged,
• or Democrats a majority, to be the first one to get adopted, and then if that gets challenged, then
• He added that this was long before Republicans were in the majority.

Committees: House Elections , House Local Government, Elections and Pensions

Transcript Highlights:

• At some point, they're going to take over the majority.
• At some point, they're going to take over the majority.
• , Refer in independent commissions and change that back to something more favorable to the majority,
• In the majority when pushing stuff out of the ballot is in the middle or in the end or not listed at
• That is long before Republicans were in a majority.

Committee: House Local Government, Elections and Pensions

Summary: The committee heard House Bill 3146, sponsored by Rep. John Simmons, which would expand legislatively written ballot summary statements from 50 to 100 words and create a revised process for court challenges to ballot language. Simmons said the bill is essentially the same as last year’s Senate Bill 22, minus the section the Supreme Court struck down, and argued it would preserve the General Assembly’s role while allowing the Secretary of State and courts to work through objections to ballot summaries. Supporters said the longer summary would better inform voters and that the back-and-forth process had worked in the recent Amendment 3 litigation. Members raised concerns that the bill would encourage misleading or argumentative ballot language, create extra procedural steps, and potentially let the clock run out before challenges are fully resolved. Rep. Woods and others argued the courts are needed to prevent “ballot candy” and dishonest summaries, while supporters countered that the legislature and Secretary of State should have primary authority and that courts should not act as a “super legislature.” The sponsor and supporters also pointed to the recent Amendment 3 process as evidence that the revised procedure can work and produce agreed-upon language. Testimony was split. Campaign Life Missouri, Missouri Right to Life, and a representative from the Secretary of State’s office testified in favor, emphasizing transparency, voter information, and the elected status of the officials drafting ballot language. Opponents included the Missouri Voter Protection Coalition, League of Women Voters, Jobs with Justice, Missouri Right to Education, and private citizens, who argued the bill is unconstitutional, undermines separation of powers, and would allow misleading language to survive by dragging out litigation. No vote was taken in the portion provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• The Criminal Justice Division of the AGO contains the major economic crimes unit.
• The Criminal Justice Division of the AGO contains the major economic crimes unit. Thank you.
• AGO contains the major economic crimes unit.
• I'm currently assigned to the Organized Retail Crime Theft Unit, which is a subunit within the Major
• But we also, within the Major Economic Crimes Unit, do cases involving wage fraud.

Bills: HB1982 , HB2156

Committee: House Community Safety

Keywords: Indian rights, treaty rights, convictions, tribal members, criminal justice reform, Attorney General, AG investigators, limited authority peace officer, peace officer certification, economic crimes, financial crimes, white-collar crime, fraud investigation, search warrant service, electronic service, business records, law enforcement authority, criminal background check, training requirements, Washington RCW

Transcript Highlights:

• The commission would be tasked with reviewing and approving any major sale, transfer, or conveyance of
• First, the vast majority of the 35,000 people that work in downtown Dallas are not allowed to vote in
• Even though they may spend the majority of their waking hours in downtown Dallas, most of them sleep
• We're doing better than most major American cities. been compared to our sub-market and we are within
• By an overwhelming majority, voters decided to disannex.

Bills: HB22 , SB250 , SB375 , SB536 , SB845 , SB1633 , SB1944 , SB1957 , SB2081 , SB2137 , SB2262 , SB2299 , SB2419 , SB2452 , SB2522 , SB2549 , SB2594 , SB2605 , SB2631 , SB2639 , SB2675 , SB3029 , SJR60 , HB22 , HB1392 , HB2525

Committee: Senate Local Government

Transcript Highlights:

• French effort to build an Isthmus Canal, and America's triumphant completion of that canal, we have major
• I think my time has expired, but I think my major point is: let's be a big maritime powerhouse.
• It's invested in 129 ports in dozens of countries and runs a majority of 17 ports.
• We've seen settlements go up with the major carriers. We've seen a lot more.
• The Panamanian flag is one of their major sources of revenue.

Committee: Senate Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee

Transcript Highlights:

• Majority Leader Carbone, motion to go into Committee of the Whole Number One, please. Yes, Mr.
• Majority Leader, rise and report, please.
• Majority Leader Carbone, yes, Mr.
• Majority Leader Carbone. Yes, Mr.
• Majority Leader Carbone. Yes, Mr.

Summary: The House opened with prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, approval of the prior journal, and recognition of the Doctor of the Day. Members then introduced a number of guests and delegations, with a major theme being Arizona Creative Economy Day and the presence of artists, arts advocates, and cultural organizations at the Capitol. Several members highlighted the economic and community value of the arts, and other personal privilege remarks recognized farm workers, Women’s History Month honorees, and Transgender Day of Visibility. The House then resolved into Committee of the Whole and considered several Senate bills. SB 1113, SB 1165, SB 1477, and SB 1479 were each reported out with do-pass recommendations, with amendments adopted on SB 1113, SB 1477, and SB 1479. Members described SB 1113 as supporting a City of Phoenix police crisis team, SB 1165 as removing financial barriers to breast cancer testing and diagnosis, and SB 1477 as adding transparency and accountability for senior referral agencies. SB 1479 was also advanced after a floor amendment was adopted. On third reading, the House passed SB 1092 on probation by a vote of 39-17, with supporters emphasizing protections for child victims and opposition to probation for child sex offenders. SB 1181, relating to certified public accountants, passed 47-9 after concerns were raised about delegating key licensing requirements to rulemaking. SB 1473, concerning municipal and county zoning, passed 49-7. The House also adopted a motion to request Senate consent to adjourn after Thursday, April 2, 2026, until Tuesday, April 7, 2026, and then adjourned until 10 a.m. on Wednesday, April 1, 2026.

Transcript Highlights:

• We have Jennifer Justice, who's played a major part in making everything happen today with McDowell County
• More than the majority of those elected to the Senate having voted in the affirmative, I declare the
• More than the majority of those elected to the Senate having voted in the affirmative, I declare the
• More than the majority of those elected to the Senate having voted in the affirmative, I declare the
• More than a majority of those present having voted in the affirmative, I declare the bill passed.

Summary: The West Virginia Senate convened with prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, journal approval, and numerous introductions of honorary pages, guests, chaperones, and visitors, including a large McDowell County Day delegation. The Senate also received a governor’s executive message containing 76 nominations, which were referred to the Committee on Confirmation, and then set those nominations as a special order of business for 4 p.m. later that day. On legislation, the Senate rejected House amendments to Senate Bill 493 on open captioning for motion pictures and requested the House recede, saying the amendments changed the bill’s intent by making captioning mandatory and expanding its scope. The chamber then took up Senate Bill 587 on county officials’ salaries, adopted an amendment restoring county control over future pay increases while keeping a 5% raise, concurred in the House amendments as amended, and passed the bill 34-0 with immediate effectiveness. The Senate also fast-tracked and passed several supplemental appropriations bills, all by 34-0 votes and all made effective from passage: House Bill 527 for health facilities, House Bill 528 for the Department of Agriculture’s spay-neuter assistance fund, House Bill 5307 for the Division of Culture and History, House Bill 5317 for the Division of Natural Resources, and House Bill 5694 for the Department of Education. The Senate received House Bill 5286 on corrections and referred it to Finance. Finally, the Senate adopted Senate Resolution 66 designating March 14, 2026, as McDowell County Day at the legislature, with remarks highlighting the county’s history and current economic efforts, and then recessed for 30 minutes.

Transcript Highlights:

• More than the majority of those elected to the Senate have voted in the affirmative.
• More than the majority of those elected to the Senate have voted in the affirmative.
• More than the majority of those elected to the Senate have voted in the affirmative.
• More than the majority of those elected to the Senate voted in the affirmative.
• More than the majority of those elected to the Senate voted in the affirmative.

Transcript Highlights:

• Have you received the constitutional majority?
• Having received a constitutional majority, Engrossed House Bill 1941 as amended by the Senate is declared
• Having received a constitutional majority, Engrossed House Bill 1941 as amended by the Senate is declared
• Having received a constitutional majority, Engrossed Second Substitute House Bill 2034, as amended by
• Having received the constitutional majority, Second Substitute House Bill 1701 as amended by the Senate

Bills: HB2720 , HB2073 , SB5816 , SB5919 , SB5831 , SB6244 , SB6044 , SB5109 , SB5877 , SB6258

Keywords: behavioral health, emergency services, health insurance, provider access, mental health funding, premium assistance, funding, healthcare, subsidies, juice grapes, agriculture, commerce, state regulation, market access, fire safety, insurance incentives, best practices, community protection, voluntary measures, mortgage modification

Transcript Highlights:

• The majority of whom would not qualify for a public defender.
• Sugar beets are a major economic driver in rural Idaho and support roughly 2,000 processing jobs across
• One of the major concerns that a lot of the constituency raises often...
• A majority of Idaho's distilleries... In closing, I also want to bring up some additional points.
• A majority of Idaho's distilleries are located within the city limits, and most of those have liquor

Committee: Senate State Affairs

Transcript Highlights:

• Majority Leader Carbone motion to go into Committee of the Whole number one.
• Majority Leader Carbone moved to go into Committee of the Whole number one. Mr.
• Majority Leader, you are far from your desk. Mr. Majority Leader, or Mr. Carter? Mr.
• Majority Leader, rise and report, please. Mr.
• Majority Leader Carbone, Mr.

Summary: The House opened with prayer led by Erica Kirk and the Pledge of Allegiance, followed by a proclamation sponsored by Representatives Teresa Martinez and Matt Gress recognizing Charlie Kirk on National Freedom Day. Several members then gave personal remarks honoring Kirk’s civic engagement, First Amendment advocacy, and legacy, and the chamber also welcomed the Doctor of the Day, visiting students from Carl Hayden High School, and guests from Arizona agriculture and local government. The House then moved through Committee of the Whole action on several bills. In the first committee of the whole, HB 2091, HB 2104, and HB 2105 received do-pass recommendations, while HB 2016 and HB 2022 were retained on the calendar. In the second committee of the whole, members debated HB 2008, with supporters saying it would prevent public money from funding politically biased or sectarian library-related institutions and opponents calling it part of a broader effort to censor and defund libraries; the bill received a 33-23 do-pass recommendation. HB 2046, HB 2116, and HB 2132 also received do-pass recommendations, while HB 2142 was retained. On third reading, HB 2148, a bill amending Title 41 to add provisions relating to federal monies, passed the House by a vote of 33-25 with two not voting and was transmitted to the Senate. The House also adopted the Committee of the Whole reports, referred several bills to engrossing, announced committee meetings and bill referrals, and adjourned until Monday, February 2, 2026.

Transcript Highlights:

• Majority<00:21:10.720><c> Leader</c><00:21:11.039><c> Rodriguez.
• </c><00:21:12.080><c> Thank</c><00:21:12.320><c> you,</c> Majority Leader Rodriguez.
• Thank you, Majority Leader Rodriguez. Thank you, Mr.<00:21:12.960><c> President.
• Majority Leader. >> Seeing none, it's up to you. >> Thank you, Mr. President.
• Majority Leader. &gt;&gt; Seeing none, Mr. Majority Leader.

Summary: The Senate convened, established a quorum, and suspended Senate Rule 1B to allow Senator Sullivan’s granddaughter, daughter, and wife to lead the chamber in the Pledge of Allegiance. The Senate then approved the January 26, 2026 journal as corrected and received routine administrative notices, including that several bills and resolutions were correctly engrossed or revised. Members made a series of announcements and personal privilege remarks recognizing guests and upcoming events. The chamber welcomed representatives from Summit Stone Health Partners, who were praised for their behavioral health and crisis services in Northern Colorado, including crisis intervention, detox, outpatient treatment, mobile crisis response, and peer support. Senators also highlighted an upcoming higher education reception, a Forest Health Council breakfast, a State Affairs Committee hearing on Senate Bill 4, and a Colorado Airport Operators Association reception. Additional announcements noted that the Joint Budget Committee would meet on supplemental budget requests from the Department of Health Care Policy and Financing, and that the Joint Health and Human Services Committee would hold its SMART Act hearing after adjournment. Senator Bridges promoted the Great Colorado Payback and National Unclaimed Property Day. The Senate then adopted a motion to recess until 11 a.m. later that day.

Transcript Highlights:

• Having received a constitutional majority, Engrossed House Bill 1345 is declared passed.
• Having received a constitutional majority, Engrossed House Bill 1501 is declared passed.
• Having received a constitutional majority, Substitute House Bill 1066 is declared passed.
• Having received a constitutional majority, House Bill 1069 is declared passed. House Bill 1347.
• Having received a constitutional majority, House Bill 1347 is declared passed.

Transcript Highlights:

• And this security would be provided, as I mentioned, to major party nominees for governor, lieutenant
• Does this bill define the major political party or the minor political parties?
• So right now it just has it listed out as a major party nominee.
• It doesn't have the specific definition for what constitutes a major party.
• Senator Bernard, yeah, because I don't know if I don't see it where it says a major political party,

Bills: S0564 , S0572 , S0414 , S0620 , S0500 , S0092

Committee: Senate Ethics and Elections

Summary: The committee met with a quorum and considered several election- and ethics-related bills. Senate Bill 572 by Senator Harrell, which would update ethics statutes so the definition of “relative” includes foster parents and foster children, received supportive testimony from the Commission on Ethics and passed unanimously. Senate Bill 414 by Senator Bracy Davis, allowing campaign funds to be used for campaign-related child care expenses, was presented as a way to reduce barriers to public service but was temporarily postponed after the sponsor said it lacked the votes to advance. Senate Bill 500 by Senator Avila would require FDLE protective security details for major-party nominees for governor, lieutenant governor, and cabinet offices from nomination through assumption of office; members questioned the scope, definitions of major and minor parties, and whether taxpayers should bear the cost, and the bill was reported favorably on a divided vote. Senate Bill 620 by Senator Mayfield would require candidates for federal, state, county, district, judicial, and school board offices to disclose any non-U.S. citizenship or dual citizenship; testimony opposed the bill as stigmatizing dual citizens, but it was reported favorably. The committee also approved CS for SB 92 by Chair Gaetz, which creates whistleblower-style protections for public employees who file ethics complaints based on firsthand knowledge and face retaliation, with support from the Commission on Ethics. In addition, the committee unanimously approved a block of gubernatorial appointments and then passed Senate Bill 564 by Senator Yarborough, allowing registered or pre-registered high school students to volunteer at polling places for community service hours; members discussed whether the bill would create new volunteer opportunities and whether the term “community service hours” needed clarification. The meeting ended with adjournment.

Transcript Highlights:

• So it's just going to go over a few of the highlights of the major projects we'll be undertaking.
• We're not expecting any major developments this interim.
• worked full-time for nine months while at the same time completing his degree from UW Tacoma while majoring
• She graduated last year from UW Tacoma, majoring in computer science with a minor in mathematics and
• Edwin is another recent graduate from UW Tacoma, with a major in the class.

Committee: Joint Legislative Evaluation & Accountability Program

Summary: The LEAP committee met on June 18, 2025, with introductions from members and staff, then received a clean audit report from the State Auditor covering 2020–2024. The audit reviewed accounts payable, general disbursements, theft-sensitive assets, and data backup/recovery, and found no findings. Staff also outlined the interim work plan, including a full rewrite of the capital budget application (Build Sum), updates to the transportation bond model and operating budget tools, website improvements, and continued research into secure, responsible AI use. Members asked about AI safeguards, keyword search improvements, and making the website more user-friendly, especially on mobile devices. The committee approved the July 8, 2024 minutes after a quorum was reached. It then considered and unanimously approved several budget format changes: the Department of Corrections moved chemical dependency and sex offender treatment into its health care program and renamed Program 700 from “Offender Change” to “Reentry Services”; the Department of Revenue moved the AMP program into its tax analysis and technology support program; and the Department of Transportation changed a toll program title and added new sub-programs for State Route 509 and State Route 167 toll operations to reflect new facilities and more accurate reporting. Kevin Feltis also provided staffing updates, noting the retirements of longtime LEAP staff, the hiring of three new associate consultants in October 2024, and an upcoming December 2025 retirement for Sherry Randage after decades of state service. The new staff members briefly introduced themselves and expressed enthusiasm for their work. The meeting ended with thanks to members and staff and adjournment after the committee completed its business.

Transcript Highlights:

• California Jobs did not lose as much land as west Virginia by 2012. eliminating that fee will create a major
• Majority Leader Aguiar-Curry.
• Thank you, Majority Leader. Anyone else? Since Havoc did. Thank you for bringing this bill forward.
• I think it is something that, as the Majority Leader noted, was started the foundation of in 2017, and
• We're grateful to Majority Leader Aguirre-Curry for her leadership on AB 675.

Committee: House Agriculture

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> which was passed again by the majority which was passed again by the majority that<00:13:01.440>
• </c><07:15:39.840><c> worldwide</c> represent in part, is a major worldwide represent in part, is a major
• </c><07:46:43.360><c> articles</c> You'll see at least five major articles You'll see at least five major
• ><c> gymnast</c> Tayiana Major, a 9-year-old gymnast Tayiana Major, a 9-year-old gymnast until<08:40:
• Instead, this Republican majority one.

Bills: HB1804 , HB1642 , HB1621 , HB1634 , HR789 , HR787 , HB1816 , HB3490 , SB160

Keywords: 7(a) loan program, Small Business Administration, SBA, small business lending, loan brokers, loan consultants, referral agents, loan intermediaries, fraud oversight, transparency, reporting requirements, loan fees, referral fees, interest rates, business financing, small business loans, lender oversight, application assistance, Congressional reporting, small business

Transcript Highlights:

• The majority of parents do not sign.
• Now, in truth, but also the vast majority were coming from Haiti.
• Housing stability continues to be a major priority.
• “So a major, major step for her. That was very good.
• So a major, major step for her. That was very good.

Committee: Joint Joint Committee on Ways and Means

Summary: The hearing was a FY27 budget session on Health and Human Services held in Mattapan, hosted by the Joint Committee on Ways and Means. Opening remarks from Senator Lydia Edwards, Representative Brandy Fluker-Reed, Representative Russell Holmes, and Boston Public Library President David Leonard emphasized the significance of holding the first Ways and Means hearing in Mattapan, the importance of community access, and the role of libraries as human services institutions. Committee members and attendees introduced themselves before agency testimony began. MassAbility testified first, describing its mission to support people with disabilities through employment, independent living, and disability determination services. The agency highlighted federal funding uncertainty, a modest FY27 budget reduction, and a proposed reworking of its home care program, which it said is outdated and should better target those most in need. Members questioned the home care cut, staffing reductions, and federal coordination. MassAbility also shared a participant story about recovery and community support to illustrate the impact of its services. The Massachusetts Commission for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing then presented its FY27 request, focusing on interpreter and captioning access, workforce development, emergency communication, aging-related hearing loss, and transition services for deaf and hard-of-hearing youth. Members asked about interpreter shortages, after-hours emergency coverage, ASL education, and community training; the commission said it is expanding mentorship and referral systems but still faces staffing and vendor challenges. The Massachusetts Commission for the Blind followed with a $30.8 million request, describing services for nearly 9,000 consumers, peer support groups, vocational rehabilitation, and Turning 22 services, while noting federal funding uncertainty and a 7% budget cut. Members raised concerns about maintaining services with fewer resources, and the commissioner said the agency had trimmed overhead and could manage the proposal. The Office for Refugees and Immigrants closed the segment, outlining expanded legal, housing, workforce, citizenship, and financial literacy supports for immigrants and refugees, including Know Your Rights trainings, legal defense initiatives, and the Massachusetts Access to Counsel Initiative. Members discussed the effects of federal policy changes, the loss of refugee resettlement funding, and the need for state support to fill gaps. No votes were taken in the portion provided; the hearing consisted of agency presentations and committee questioning.

Transcript Highlights:

• So I'll start with the summary of major audit items or major items and audit reports memorandum.
• reports containing major recommendations, the audit report for the that are major audits and audit reports
• containing major recommendations.
• It sounds like it's a major error. It sounds like it's a major error, accounting-wise.
• , major items in audit reports for this meeting, but the North Dakota University System, Major findings

Committee: Joint Legislative Audit and Fiscal Review Committee

Transcript Highlights:

• So I'll start with the summary of major audit items or major items and audit reports memorandum.
• reports containing major recommendations, the audit report for the... ...that are major audits and audit
• reports containing major recommendations.
• Major projects are listed here on page 14.
• , major items in audit reports for this meeting, but the North Dakota University System, Major findings

Committee: Joint Legislative Audit and Fiscal Review Committee

Summary: The Legislative Audit and Fiscal Review Committee met to receive a series of audit presentations, beginning with approval of the prior meeting minutes and a review of the state’s annual comprehensive financial report (ACFR) for fiscal year 2025. The State Auditor’s Office and the Office of Management and Budget reported a clean opinion on the state’s financial statements and described continued growth in net position, strong general fund balance, and significant Legacy Fund investment income. Committee members asked about how the report reflects long-term finances and how North Dakota compares with other states, and OMB noted that the ACFR is based on audited actual results rather than budget forecasts. The committee then heard the North Dakota University System audit, which also received a clean opinion but included four findings: misreporting of Strategic Investment and Improvements Fund construction money, insufficient monitoring of service organizations, improper bank reconciliations at several campuses, and investment/cash recording issues at Bismarck State College. University System officials agreed with the findings and said corrective actions were underway, including internal review of bank reconciliations and greater use of shared services. Members also questioned practices such as campus use of certificates of deposit and whether repeated findings were being adequately addressed. Additional audits were presented for the State Fair Association, State Auditor’s Office, Workforce Safety and Insurance, Housing Finance Agency, Housing Incentive Fund, Job Service North Dakota, the Retirement and Investment Office, PERS, the Center for Distance Education, the Securities Department, the Commission on Legal Counsel for Indigents, the Ethics Commission, and the Office of Administrative Hearings. Most received clean opinions with no findings; exceptions included a repeat component-unit issue at the State Fair Foundation, a securities personnel-evaluation finding, and a Housing Finance Agency finding involving a late return of escrow surplus. The committee also discussed broader oversight issues, including the need for independent auditing of the Ethics Commission, possible legislative changes to give the State Auditor more subpoena power and independent legal counsel, and future work on data analytics, cybersecurity reviews, and audit capacity. The meeting recessed for lunch after these discussions.