Transcript Highlights:

• By removing these stories from libraries, Massachusetts students of all backgrounds are denied access
• By removing these stories from libraries, Massachusetts students of all backgrounds are denied access
• Yes, it's a study commission, which I had learned previously might be where bills go to die.
• When I told her pictures of her books that story times included characters from different backgrounds
• According to a 2022 study conducted by the UMass Chan Medical School, prepared for the Massachusetts

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The hearing focused on several bills related to access to library materials, including measures addressing book bans and censorship in public and school libraries, as well as legislation on digital library collections and e-book licensing. Committee leaders said testimony would be limited to three minutes and encouraged written submissions. Early testimony from Chair Brian Murray highlighted H. 3595, which would address challenges facing public libraries and digital resource collections by limiting restrictive publisher-library contract terms, protecting patron confidentiality, and creating a special legislative commission to study the issue. A large number of legislators, librarians, authors, students, publishers, and advocacy groups testified in support of the free expression bills, including H. 3594 and S. 2328, arguing that book challenges in Massachusetts disproportionately target LGBTQ+ and BIPOC titles and that librarians and educators need protection from retaliation and harassment. Witnesses described local incidents of book removals, threats, and pressure campaigns, and several said the bills would create transparent challenge procedures, keep materials available during reviews, and ensure decisions are made by trained professionals rather than political actors. Congresswoman Ayanna Pressley’s office also submitted support, and multiple speakers cited national trends and Massachusetts-specific censorship attempts. Testimony on the digital access bills emphasized that e-books and audiobooks are essential for readers with disabilities, homebound patrons, students, and others who rely on accessible formats, but that current licensing terms are far more expensive and restrictive than print purchasing. Library representatives said libraries spend millions on digital content, face long wait times for popular titles, and often must repeatedly re-rent the same materials. Legal and library experts supported the proposed commission as a practical step toward fairer licensing and stronger bargaining power for libraries. The hearing ended after extensive testimony; no votes or final committee action were taken in the portion provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• HB 2171, landlordage prohibition; HB 2172, homeowners association expiration; HB 2175, sentencing study
• But I am not going to change who I am, and you are not going to question my Jewish background or anything
• And no one here, especially a lobbyist, will question my background, my brother's LGBTQ background either

Keywords: 1182, all

Summary: The House convened for a floor session with prayer and the Pledge of Allegiance, approved the prior journal, and recorded attendance at 56 present, with two absent and two excused. The Speaker announced temporary committee replacements, and the clerk listed a large slate of bills and measures on second reading, including topics such as child support, water and land issues, abortion, wildlife management, sovereign authority, attorney general powers, housing and homeowners associations, criminal justice, emergency services, education, appropriations, and several memorials and resolutions. The session also featured introductions of the Doctor of the Day, Dr. A.J. Batnagar, and several guests, including tribal leaders from the Tohono O'odham Nation and Cocopah tribe, and Israel’s Consul General Israel Bashar. During personal privilege remarks, Representative Alma Hernandez criticized a lobbyist for alleged harassment and inappropriate campaign-related conduct in committee and in her district, while another member spoke about tribal visitors and cooperation among Arizona’s tribes. No legislation was debated or voted on during the excerpt beyond routine procedural actions. Committee and caucus announcements followed, including notices that Appropriations would not meet as scheduled but would hold a special meeting, along with cancellations for several other committees and a special joint Ways and Means meeting. The House then received Senate messages, announced the Rules Committee and caucus meetings for the next day, and adjourned on a motion until 10 a.m. Thursday, January 15, 2026.

Transcript Highlights:

• I found it interesting as I was studying the bill that we do allow people to sue the school district
• Yet, they point the finger back to TEA, saying, 'TEA does all of our background checks.
• I'm a social studies educator with 24 years of experience and a mom of two school-age boys.
• Part of HB4 is eliminating the mandatory requirement of social studies assessments.
• Don't make it harder for qualified future physicians to study in our state.

Keywords: 1185, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• distinguished Texas Legislative intern program known as TLIP, and Rishi is a senior at UT Austin studying
• I bring this up because studies have shown that where there is competition, services are more affordable
• When in, in my economic study we used, uh, we used some data from uh an internet back uh a a website
• The internet company then pays a per pole engineering study fee.
• We, uh, background on, uh, how I may be able to hopefully be helpful to the subcommittee.

Transcript Highlights:

• Studies show that homicide uh offenders.
• > institute<00:26:43.039> showed study from the same institute showed study from the same
• First, the CDC in that study did not include infants, although they include infants in every other study
• When you safety studies with the CDC.
• >> Lady from Grant. >> Lady, studies have shown that crime has >> The lady said studies have shown that

Keywords: The live stream for the House Chambers was interrupted and this version was recovered from backups and should contain the complete Legislative Session. Convene 00:00:00 Senate Message 00:04:40 Calendar/2nd Readings 00:05:38 Orders of the Day 00:06:14 HB 312 00:06:42 Motions, Petitions, and Communications 01:11:07 Introduction of New Bills and Resolutions 01:13:24 Recess for ConC and Rules Meeting 01:14:30 ConC/Rules Report 01:19:42 Adjournment 01:21:18, 958, all

Summary: The House convened, received the invocation and Pledge of Allegiance, established a quorum with 89 members present, excused absent members, and suspended rules to allow co-sponsorships and vote modifications. The chamber approved the prior day’s journal and received notice that the Senate had passed SB 13, 22, 46, 51, and 90 and requested concurrence. On second reading, HB 134 (sexual assault nurse examiners), HB 168 with HCS 1 (voting under the influence), and HR 7 (recognizing guiding principles of elections in Kentucky) were reported. The House also recommitted HB 258 to the Transportation Committee and took up HB 312 for third reading and passage. HB 312, relating to concealed firearms and deadly weapons, drew the bulk of the debate. The sponsor argued the bill would allow law-abiding 18- to 20-year-olds to obtain a provisional concealed carry license, saying they are adults in other respects, the Second Amendment protects their right to bear arms, and Kentucky should align with other states. Supporters framed the measure as a constitutional rights issue and cited defensive gun use statistics, while one member argued the root problem is family upbringing rather than guns. Opponents said the bill would increase risks in schools and public spaces, pointed to concerns from school district police and SROs, and cited research linking younger age groups and loosened carry laws to higher firearm violence; they also argued the bill would make communities less safe and that no one’s rights would be taken away by voting no. The sponsor said no stakeholder had expressed opposition and clarified the bill would not change where firearms are permitted. The transcript provided does not include the final vote on HB 312.

Transcript Highlights:

• The study that will be quoted later on, which was the first national study ever done of how victims feel
• referenced uh quite a phenomenal study referenced uh quite a phenomenal study that<01:03:14.240>
• I believe you had said that you spent quite a long time studying the dangerousness, right?
• purchase firearms after two background purchase firearms after two background checks<06:03:12.080
• national um instant criminal background national um instant criminal background check<06:10:19.558

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I would like to give you a little bit of my background. I come from a pretty unique perspective.
• So we have to recognize, and there are more and more studies that are coming out—I didn’t belabor this
• I’ve given you a couple of points that you can go and look at, but the studies are out there.
• I can reach out to the individuals that run that study.
• There's innumerable amounts of studies related to cannabis and violence.

Summary: The committee heard a presentation from Jessica Spencer on cannabis, criminal justice, and mental health. She argued that marijuana products have become far more potent over time, that high-potency THC and hemp-derived products are widely available in Florida, and that daily or near-daily use can contribute to addiction, psychosis, and other mental health problems, especially for adolescents. She also said cannabis is linked to violent crime and suicide in some cases, urged more prevention funding in schools, stronger regulation of Delta-8 and similar products, better law enforcement and regulatory oversight, expanded treatment and diversion options, and more expungement opportunities for simple possession. Senators questioned her about potency data, testing methods, and whether she was claiming causation in violent cases; she said she was and noted she had worked on the No on 3 campaign while still favoring decriminalization of simple possession rather than full legalization. The committee then took up several bills. CS/SB 150, “Trooper’s Law,” was amended and reported favorably; it makes extreme animal cruelty during a declared emergency a third-degree felony, inspired by the rescue of a dog during Hurricane Milton. SB 234, the Jason Rayner Act, was reported favorably after debate over its changes to self-defense language and mandatory life imprisonment for manslaughter committed against a law enforcement officer; supporters said it closes a loophole exposed in the Rayner case, while opponents raised concerns about unintended consequences and mandatory sentencing. CS/SB 138, “Trenton’s Law,” also passed after amendment; it increases penalties for repeat DUI/vehicular homicide offenders and adds language on intoxicating substances, with supporters citing the death of Trenton Stewart and opponents warning about cannabis impairment standards and first refusal penalties. SB 130, dealing with compensation for wrongful incarceration, was reported favorably. The bill removes Florida’s “clean hands” bar, extends the filing deadline from 90 days to two years, and allows exonerees with factual innocence findings to pursue compensation and civil remedies. Support came from innocence and civil liberties advocates. The committee also received a law enforcement presentation from Florida Highway Patrol Lieutenant Channing Taylor on impaired driving enforcement, DRE training, and crash data, emphasizing that drug impairment—especially cannabis—plays a major role in fatal crashes and that officers rely on observation and field testing because roadside chemical testing is limited.

Transcript Highlights:

• or courtesy of the study being released today.
• or courtesy of the study being released today.
• or courtesy of the study being released today.
• or courtesy of the study being released today.
• before the study was today but even before the study was released<00:43:58.680> it's<00:43:58.920

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• And I do understand there is another AI bill that is out there dealing with a study committee.
• I urge the committee to recommend an expedient to legislate or, at a minimum, interim study.
• <02:43:45.160> So,<02:43:45.480> I<02:43:45.880> um study for it.
• So, I um study for it. We didn't know.
• I'm trying not going to my background.

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I completely understand the background behind this.
• Did you look into the impact in your study on The impact in your study on school takeover and the impact
• To Kirksey for any particular studies he's done.
• You've heard a little bit about this study collected by Dr.
• backgrounds, from all across the state, from all kinds of different teaching backgrounds, about one-third

Keywords: 1184, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• So I'd like to give a little background on our standard processes to understand how this occurred.
• We just launched our cultural and ethnic studies grant line on February 20th.
• Cloud for the social studies conference there.
• Recently, the Americans for the Arts conducted a study.
• They conducted this study across a number of the 50 states, including Minnesota.

Transcript Highlights:

• Applicants must submit noise studies by qualified acoustic engineers before site plan approval.
• <00:51:54.160> Studies Um the impacts are real. Studies Um the impacts are real.
• <00:52:29.119> acoustic noise studies by qualified acoustic noise studies by qualified acoustic
• On lines 18 and 19, she said the bill addresses the noise study.
• Um we have um as uh the prime study.

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• And I will never forget hearing bomb sounds in the background.
• Hearing bomb sounds in the background, and I would say, 'What was that?'
• They invite people of all backgrounds... ...here.
• You have to study and learn, and then you sign whether you want to join or not.
• But that study just came out a few days ago, so it's still being digested.

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.

Transcript Highlights:

• Senate Print 9869, Brouk, in relation to establishing the Task Force to Study Aging.
• Calendar 1570, Senate Print 9869, Senator Brouk, an act in relation to establish a task force to study
• But that being said, there are Studies out there, scientists who studied kratom and 7-OH.
• That's— they have done a study and assessment of the scientific data and toxicology concerns around an
• THAT PEOPLE FROM EVERY BACKGROUND CAN PRESERVE THEIR IDENTITY, CONTRIBUTE TO THE COMMON GOOD, AND BUILD

Keywords: 993, senate, all

Summary: The Senate convened, approved the prior day’s journal, and then processed a large number of motions to discharge bills from committees and substitute identical Senate or Assembly versions for third reading. The chamber also adopted the resolution calendar with exceptions and took up several resolutions and ceremonial recognitions, including a resolution mourning Hudson Talbott, a Dairy Month resolution highlighting New York’s dairy industry, and introductions honoring Niskayuna academic teams, Gabriella Scheer for receiving the Liberty Medal, the Hartstein family’s civic engagement, and Diana Cochran’s advocacy for safe firearm storage. The Senate then moved through the calendar and passed many bills on topics including insurance, public health, education, labor, social services, banking, local government, veterans, public service, consumer protection, criminal procedure, cannabis, parks, taxation, election law, and highway matters. Several members explained votes on notable measures: support for acupuncture insurance coverage, consumer protections for doorbell-camera data sharing, expanded protections in debt collection cases, trauma-informed procedures for sexual assault survivors, a Legionnaires’ disease awareness program, changes to mandatory minimum sentencing, and universal safe storage of firearms. A number of home rule and local authorization bills were also approved, including parkland alienation measures and local tax exemption authorizations. Most measures passed with broad bipartisan support, though some drew recorded opposition. Notable roll calls included the consumer debt uniformity bill, the mandatory minimum sentencing bill, the safe storage/firearms bill, and the public housing and public health measures, each with more divided votes. The chamber also accepted a lengthy Rules Committee report sending many additional bills directly to third reading, and then began the supplemental calendar, passing at least the first items before the transcript ended.

Transcript Highlights:

• I'm a Senior Policy Analyst with the Legislative Education Study Committee.
• Let me start by giving you some background regarding the reason LASC and LLC's joint work on this report
• My colleagues will walk us through a couple of case studies that illustrate the mechanics and effects
• My background is in maintenance and operations and energy management.
• I need to preface this by describing my own background I was the salutatorian of Portales High.

Transcript Highlights:

• were no solutions offered, and this new study committee would study actionable solutions.
• an amendment to turn this into a study an amendment to turn this into a study committee.<00:21:27.520
• The study commission builds on the work of House Bill 1168, which was a housing study commission, which
• The study or group home settings.
• Bill 1168, which was a housing study Bill 1168, which was a housing study commission,<00:23:16.320

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• <01:19:52.880> and<01:19:53.120> providing with studying and providing with studying
• and rate study. and rate study.
• Counties support a rate study.
• that kind of a concept and the study that kind of a concept and the study about<01:49:21.280>
• Human Services, a commissioner to study Human Services, a commissioner to study some<02:33:38.640

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Thank you. revenue administration to study options revenue administration to study options for<00:23:
• estimates based on uh national studies estimates based on uh national studies around<00:39:03.520
• professional organization and studied professional organization and studied this<00:55:44.559>
• for interim study to recognize? for interim study to recognize?
• Motion is on interim<03:19:48.399> study. interim study. interim study.

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• We don't coordinate studies like this in the background. I work for the company directly.
• A 2025 study conducted pricing cycles.
• study was completed in mid-to-late 2025. study was completed in mid-to-late 2025.
• <00:37:27.960> background.
• close study. close study.

Bills: HF3794, HF3408

Keywords: surveillance, price discrimination, wage discrimination, automated decision systems, consumer protections, data privacy, biometrics, consumer protection, price setting, biometric data, retail, privacy, 1183, house

Summary: The committee first approved the minutes from March 3, 2026, and then received a presentation from the Minnesota Office of the Attorney General on the Minnesota Consumer Data Privacy Act. Assistant Attorney General Caitlin Miko and Deputy Attorney General Jessica Whitney reviewed the law’s scope, consumer rights, business obligations, and enforcement history. They said the law took effect July 31, 2025, gives Minnesotans rights to access, delete, and opt out of sale, profiling, and targeted advertising, and is enforced by the Attorney General with penalties up to $7,500 per violation. They reported more than 200 complaints in the first six months, many warning letters, and a shift from education to active enforcement now that the initial warning-letter period has expired. Committee members asked about how the universal opt-out works, what happens when companies deny deletion or editing requests, how the office determines willful noncompliance, and whether the law could burden small businesses. The AG’s office said the opt-out can be set through privacy-protective browsers or extensions, companies must respond to consumer requests within 45 days, small businesses are exempt as defined by the SBA, and investigations look for patterns and evidence of willful conduct rather than minor technical violations. The office also said it needs additional funding to fully staff enforcement efforts and noted that it has already issued subpoenas and civil investigative demands. The committee then took up House File 3408, the Stop Grocery Surveillance Price Gouging Act. The author explained that the bill would prohibit retail grocers, physical and online, from setting individualized prices based on consumer information, would limit certain uses of facial recognition and electronic shelf labels, and would preserve narrow exceptions for discounts and loyalty programs. Public testimony followed from the Minnesota Farmers Union in support, arguing that grocery consolidation and surveillance pricing could worsen already high food costs and harm fair competition. The Minnesota Grocers Association opposed the premise that grocery stores use surveillance pricing, said shelf prices are generally uniform and set from a single storewide database, and argued electronic shelf labels are efficient and not nefarious. A technology company representative similarly said ESLs do not use personal data or facial recognition, prices are uniform, and a 2025 study found no meaningful price increases after ESL adoption. The bill was laid over for possible further discussion after the testimony.

Transcript Highlights:

• to be involved in them, and to work on a plan because interim study means study.
• to be involved in them, and to work on a plan because interim study means study.
• It doesn't interim study means study.
• . >> On interim study.
• interim study. interim study. >> On<02:29:22.640> interim<02:29:22.960> study.

Keywords: 1189, house, all