Transcript Highlights:

• I may take a recess between them to do a little caucus. >> Mr.
• I may take a recess between them to do a little caucus. >> Mr.
• I may take a recess between them to do a little caucus. >> Mr.
• I may take a recess between them to do a little caucus. >> Mr.
• I may take a recess between them to do a little caucus. >> Mr.

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Summary: The committee first considered House Bill 241, which would provide information about alternative pain treatments rather than mandate services. Members cited support from the prime sponsor, medical organizations, insurers, and other stakeholders, and noted there was no fiscal impact. The committee voted unanimously, 7-0, to ought to pass the bill. It then took up House Bill 629, which raises a boat decal fee and dedicates the revenue to the dam maintenance fund. Members described the state’s deteriorating dam infrastructure, noting the large number of dams, the high-hazard sites, and the much larger funding need, while saying the bill would provide only a modest start. They also said boat owners generally did not strongly object to the fee. The committee voted 7-0 to ought to pass. House Bill 1042, concerning an increase in the unified contingent credit limit for New Hampshire Business Finance Authority projects, drew more divided discussion. Supporters said the higher cap would provide needed flexibility and liquidity for business development and that the state treasurer and BFA had explained the credit structure and low historical loss rate; opponents warned the increase would raise state exposure too much, too soon. After debate, the chair postponed the bill, then later returned with an amendment lowering the proposed limit from 450 million to 400 million, which the committee adopted unanimously. The committee then moved to ought to pass as amended. Finally, the committee considered House Bill 1411, which would have allowed withholding payments to the federal government in response to federal actions. Members opposing the bill argued that withholding employee-related funds would be unlawful and ineffective, while supporters said it could serve as a statement and suggested interim study instead. The committee rejected the bill on a 4-3 vote and voted to inexpedient to legislate.

Transcript Highlights:

• Human Services Systems because that group of legislators is going...
• Port for kind of letting me take over this legislation.
• Legislative intent was clear.
• Presiding Officer: Being so, this is his final piece of legislation.
• I would hammer home one more time: this is not how we legislate.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Um, and then we've been sending out monthly issue briefs to caucus members, keeping you all informed
• We very much cooperative caucus.
• And for those of you that are caucus members, you are a member of the largest caucus in the state.
• you are a member of the largest caucus you are a member of the largest caucus in<00:54:59.440>
• <01:41:55.520> to passed some meaningful uh legislation to passed some meaningful uh legislation

Keywords: Meeting Start 00:00:00 Attendance Roll Call 00:00:10 Approval of Minutes 00:01:19 Helping Power Kentucky's Growth (LG&E/KU) 00:01:39 Update from Kentucky's Electric Cooperatives 00:47:35, 958, all

Summary: The committee met with a quorum, approved the minutes from the previous meeting, and then heard a presentation from LG&E and KU representatives Caroline Clark and John Bevington on economic development, energy demand, and the utility’s role in supporting Kentucky’s growth. Bevington described the company’s service territory, generation fleet, and recent economic development activity, including 76 projects supported in 2024, more than $2.8 billion in private investment, and over 3,000 new jobs. He emphasized that data centers are now the dominant driver in the pipeline, with 22 data center projects representing about 8.7 of the 9.7 gigawatts of potential demand, alongside other manufacturing and commercial projects. A major focus was how data centers choose sites and how utilities respond. Bevington explained that hyperscale data centers typically approach utilities first because they need transmission-level access, and that utilities then conduct internal analyses, estimate infrastructure needs, and require financial security before proceeding. He said the company is working through formal transmission studies and long-lead infrastructure planning, and noted that Kentucky’s sales tax exemption for data centers helped attract interest. He also outlined the economic benefits of data centers, citing an announced Louisville project of 525 megawatts and about $11 billion in investment, with an estimated $500 million in new tax revenue over 10 years, plus broader job and GDP impacts. Members asked about whether data centers could generate their own power, the reliability of the pipeline numbers given confidentiality and nondisclosure agreements, and cybersecurity concerns. Bevington said the company does not assume all pipeline projects will materialize in Kentucky and instead assigns probabilities to avoid overbuilding. He also said he was not the right person to address cybersecurity in detail but offered to return to a committee focused on IT or security. In response to questions about future supply, he said LG&E and KU are adding generation through a 120-megawatt solar facility in Mercer County, a 120-megawatt solar purchase in Marion County, and a 645-megawatt natural gas combined-cycle plant in Louisville, with PSC approval recently granted for additional generation and related system upgrades.

Transcript Highlights:

• Troopers will be in the Senate Majority Caucus Room from 9 to 3, so come down to see them and say hi
• The legislation listed below made the following recommendation: HB 2003 do pass as amended.
• And my fellow caucus member explained it very well, and I appreciate that.
• And my fellow caucus member explained it very well, and I appreciate that.
• Fellow caucus member explained it very well, and I appreciate that.

Keywords: 1182, all

Summary: The Senate opened with prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, attendance, approval of the journal, and several guest introductions, including the doctor of the day, Arizona State Troopers Day participants, the Arizona Speech-Language-Hearing Association, and a Delta Sigma Theta delegation. A Senate proclamation was read recognizing the Arizona Speech-Language-Hearing Association for its work serving people with communication disorders. The chamber then moved into Committee of the Whole and later third-reading votes on a large number of House bills, with several members offering floor explanations on controversial measures. Among the bills considered in Committee of the Whole were HB 2133 on sexual material and synthetic depictions, HB 2167 relating to the Attorney General, HB 2600 on school clubs and parental consent, HB 255 on brackish groundwater recovery, HB 2787 on Mexican wolf reintroduction cooperation, HB 2795 on small modular reactor zoning, HB 2985 on state land water allocations, and HB 2003 on driver instruction permits. HB 2133 was amended, including a floor amendment adding exemptions for parody, comedy, artistic expression, and criticism, and the committee recommended it do pass as amended. HB 2787 and HB 2985 advanced after divided votes, while HB 2795 failed in the later floor vote. HB 2003 was amended to add a delayed effective date of December 1, 2026 and advanced out of committee. On third reading, the Senate passed HB 2013, 2031, 2102, 2103, 2117, 2226, 2262, 2278, 2378, 2584, 2693, 2270, 2370, 2665, 2666, 2876, 487, 2003, 255, 2133, 2167, 2600, 2787, 2811, and 2985, with several votes split largely along party lines. HB 2795 was defeated. Debate focused heavily on water policy, public safety, school parental consent, speech and sexual-material regulation, local control over zoning, and the Attorney General’s authority. The Senate also agreed to a free conference committee for HB 2874 and appointed Senators Finchem, Bolick, and Ortiz, then adjourned until the next scheduled meeting.

Transcript Highlights:

• room<01:07:09.119> or legislator legislators in this room or legislator legislators in this
• On behalf of the Granite Bridge Legislative Alliance House Caucus, I want to invite all House members
• I rise on behalf of the House Granite Bridge Legislative Alliance Caucus to speak about the Braver Angels
• I rise on behalf of the House Granite Bridge Legislative Alliance Caucus to speak about the Braver Angels
• We are not a caucus to advocate on legislation, but rather to advocate for processes that foster greater

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• As chair, as co-chair of the California Hispanic Legislative Caucus, it is a priority piece of legislation
• for our caucus, and I'm happy to move the bill when it's appropriate, when we have a quorum.
• And for our Hispanic caucus, her story is especially meaningful because it reflects the determination

Keywords: 987, senate, all

Summary: The Senate Government Organization Committee heard several Assembly bills, beginning with AB 2294, which would designate April 14 as Sylvia Mendez Day in honor of Sylvia Mendez and the Mendez v. Westminster case. The author and supporters described the case as a landmark civil rights victory that helped end school segregation in California and influenced Brown v. Board of Education. Witnesses from the California Hispanic Chambers of Commerce and HACU supported the bill, and committee members spoke in favor and asked to coauthor it. The committee also heard AB 2412, which would require state agencies to disclose when generative AI is used in public announcements and provide a human contact option. Supporters said the bill is a transparency measure that would protect public trust and help people who rely on government communications. AB 2663, a sunset extension for the law allowing cocktails-to-go, was presented as a support measure for restaurants and small businesses, with the author and industry witnesses citing pandemic-era changes and ongoing economic pressures. AB 2731 would expand the number of Type 47 liquor licenses available in Santa Cruz County, reserving licenses for Watsonville and southern county communities to address population disparities and high secondary-market prices. AB 2751 would standardize the personal importation limit for alcohol brought into California from outside the United States, allowing travelers entering by land the same six-liter limit as other travelers, which the author said would correct an inconsistency affecting border communities. There was no opposition testimony on any of the bills. The committee initially lacked a quorum and took some items on call, but later established a quorum, took roll-call votes, and advanced the measures. AB 2294, AB 2663, AB 2731, and AB 2751 all passed with unanimous or near-unanimous support, while AB 2412 passed 12-1. The consent calendar items were also approved, and the meeting adjourned after all votes were completed.

Transcript Highlights:

• member of the House Education and Workforce Committee and the chair of the Congressional Progressive Caucus
• Representative Gene Wu, who represents House District 137 and is the chair of the House Democratic Caucus
• representative from House District 137 in Southwest Houston, and also the current House Democratic Caucus
• And we have plenty of experience to know what happens with block grants without legislation such as the
• Without legislation such as that brought forward by Representative Hinojosa, we know that that money

Keywords: public education, Department of Education, funding, Trump, Kassar, Elon Musk, education policy, youth advocacy, billionaire influence

Summary: This was a press conference organized by student advocates and Texas Democratic lawmakers to oppose efforts by the Trump administration and allies to dismantle the U.S. Department of Education and to criticize Texas voucher proposals. Speakers argued that the department and its Office for Civil Rights are essential for enforcing civil rights protections, supporting special education, Title I, Pell Grants, career and technical education, and other federal education programs. They said eliminating the department would weaken oversight, shift power to states that have a poor record on student protections, and harm marginalized, low-income, disabled, and rural students. Congressman Greg Casar framed the issue as a transfer of public money from schools to billionaires, tying the department fight to federal budget and tax-cut debates and to Texas voucher efforts. State Representative Gene Wu said Texas public education is already near collapse and warned that losing federal support would worsen school closures, staffing shortages, and class-size increases. Representative Gina Hinojosa highlighted Texas’s past special education cap and attacks on Section 504, and said she filed bills to route federal block grants directly to schools if federal policy changes move forward. Representative Vicki Goodwin said the state should fund schools rather than vouchers and noted underfunding of special education and inflation pressures. Round Rock ISD trustee Melissa Ross and Texas AFT president Zef Capo emphasized that federal oversight protects students and that Texas has a history of underfunding and mishandling special education, meals, and other services. The final speaker, Westwood High School senior Eliza Abert, said the loss of federal education support would most harm low-income and middle-class students and called on attendees to oppose the changes. No votes were taken; the event ended with a call for public pressure on lawmakers and continued advocacy.

Transcript Highlights:

• What's the status of that from your caucus because it's had some bipartisan support? Sure.
• <00:04:59.360> because status of that from your caucus because status of that from your caucus
• If you don't, uh, then are you going to have caucus—some of your caucus is going to put up the votes?
• So, our caucus is not going to be standing in the way of funding state government.
• So, um, our caucus<00:08:59.120> is<00:08:59.360> not<00:08:59.519> going<00:08:

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• The legislature is legislative process.
• <00:03:12.879> process there's been a legislative process there's been a legislative process
• through the entire uh legislative through the entire uh legislative session.<00:04:36.400> Bills
• Um, proposals of gun legislation at all?
• legislation? legislation?

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• I'm the vice president of the Minnesota Gun Owners Caucus.
• Gun Owners Caucus. Gun Owners Caucus.
• Caucus. Caucus.
• Don't enact legislation that would put us in the running.
• :09.840> has fact, shoot first legislation has fact, shoot first legislation has repeatedly<00

Keywords: 919, house, all

Summary: The committee heard Chair Bliss present HF 13, a bill to change Minnesota self-defense law so that a person using reasonable force in resisting an offense against the person would not be required to consider retreat. Bliss tied the proposal to a recent Minnesota Supreme Court case involving a man at a light rail station and argued the court had effectively created a duty to retreat that the legislature had never enacted. He said the bill would codify the right to stand one’s ground while still leaving reasonableness to judges and juries. Supporters Bryan Gosh of the NRA and Rob Door of the Minnesota Gun Owners Caucus testified that Minnesota’s duty-to-retreat rules are confusing, judicially created, and out of step with other states. They argued the bill would clarify self-defense law and protect people who defend themselves or others, citing examples from other states and a Texas church shooting to argue that a retreat requirement can endanger victims and bystanders. Opponents Maggie Emery of Protect Minnesota, Sarah Erickson of Giffords, and Don Einwalter of Moms Demand Action argued the bill would function as a “shoot-first” law, increase homicides, worsen racial disparities, and make communities and law enforcement less safe. They cited studies linking stand-your-ground laws to higher homicide rates and pointed to incidents in Florida and Minnesota involving firearms and children. The committee also took up two amendments. Representative Hollins offered an amendment on safe and secure firearm storage, saying it was intended to reduce child access to guns and suicides; she requested a roll call. Chair Bliss opposed it, saying current law already covers negligent storage and that the amendment was too broad, including for a rural constituent who keeps a shotgun by his door. Representative Hudson and Representative Pinto argued over whether current law is sufficient and whether the amendment would remove needed flexibility. The transcript ends during discussion of the amendments, with no final vote or disposition recorded.

Transcript Highlights:

• here for the to have a caucus here for the to have a caucus >> and<00:53:51.520> you
• It's really the legislators' fault for not anticipating what was going to happen.
• So that's issued so that legislation can be done during that next biennium.
• got enough legislation that is needed. got enough legislation that is needed.
• <02:53:24.479> yesterday<02:53:25.120> evening legislative services yesterday evening legislative

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The subcommittee took up several school building aid bills. HB 295, which would make school building aid program funds non-lapsing, drew debate over whether the program is effective and whether funds should be allowed to carry forward. Supporters argued the program is underfunded and that even small leftover amounts should remain available for building aid; opponents said non-lapsing funds limit future budget flexibility and that the program creates winners and losers. The committee voted 4-3 to recommend HB 295 inexpedient to legislate (ITL). The committee then considered HB 366, which would increase school building aid for eligible projects and include retroactive funding for projects completed in the past. The motion to ITL was supported on the grounds that retroactive payments would be unfair to districts still waiting in line and that the legislature should focus on future projects. Supporters of the bill said the increase was modest and that districts that built during a prior moratorium on aid were left with long-term fiscal burdens. The committee again voted 4-3 to recommend ITL. The discussion also broadened into special education funding and a retained bill, HB 742, concerning catastrophic special education aid and the source of funding. Members debated whether the education trust fund should cover the aid and whether the committee should act now or wait for a separate commission studying special education costs. Several members emphasized that special education costs are rising, that more data is needed on student identification and funding formulas, and that the commission’s report may provide better guidance. The chair said the subcommittee’s recommendations would go to the full committee, and the next meeting was expected to be rescheduled from November 4 to later that week because of election-related conflicts.

Transcript Highlights:

• So I thank you for the work that you're doing because legislation helped create this gap, and legislation
• I think that should be our next... ...what I think about the Black and Latino caucus and how we were
• And is there something we legislatively or you, an administration, can do about this degree inflation
• And I'm not saying buy dinners to the NAACP or the Latino Caucus breakfast. That's not giving back.
• So because our focus in the Black and Latino caucus is really around, it's mostly micro for us.

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The Joint Committee on Racial Equity, Civil Rights, and Inclusion held a hearing on the impact of federal policy on the racial wealth gap in Massachusetts, the fourth in a series on federal impacts on racial equity. Chair Bud Williams and Chair Miranda opened by emphasizing that no bills were being heard and that the committee would instead take testimony from invited witnesses; public written testimony was also accepted. The chairs and witnesses repeatedly cited long-standing wealth disparities affecting Black and brown communities, including homeownership, wages, business ownership, and access to capital, and linked those disparities to federal policy changes, housing, education, health care, and workforce development. Administration officials testified first. Secretary of Labor and Workforce Development Lauren Jones described persistent labor market disparities, including higher unemployment for Black and Latino residents, lower median hourly wages, and underemployment among degree holders, and highlighted state efforts such as ESOL-for-work funding, workforce training grants, MassHire career centers, skills-based hiring, and the state equity dashboards. Secretary of Health and Human Services Kiami Mahania argued that poverty drives poor health, not the reverse, and said wealth gaps contribute to chronic disease, maternal health inequities, medical debt, and shorter life expectancy; she pointed to the Advancing Health Equity Massachusetts initiative, a health care affordability working group, and the governor’s push to bar medical debt from credit reporting. Assistant Secretary Juan Vega of EOED focused on entrepreneurship and procurement, citing technical assistance grants, founder support programs, place-based investment, the Business Front Door, and the need to broaden access to contracts, capital, and business growth opportunities. Committee members pressed the panel on the effects of the federal “big beautiful bill” on households, especially single-parent and Black women-led households, and on whether the state could develop more timely data systems instead of relying on federal numbers. Officials said the impacts were still being monitored, but warned that Medicaid and SNAP changes would likely hit lower-income households and community institutions hard. Members also asked about unions and apprenticeships, microbusiness definitions, supplier diversity, pay equity, and degree inflation; the administration said registered apprenticeships and skills-based hiring are key tools, and noted that wage equity reporting is still in its early stages. Later testimony from BECMA’s Nicole O’Bean stressed that tariffs, DEI rollbacks, immigration enforcement, capital gaps, and federal funding cuts are constraining Black-owned businesses and inclusive procurement, while Gastón Institute researchers described severe Latino homeownership and rent burdens, educational inequities, and the need for housing, labor, and education policy changes to close the wealth gap.

Transcript Highlights:

• So members, the governor's office supports this legislation.
• Maybe the greatest record in legislative history in any state.
• Thank you very much to you and the members for the support of this legislation.
• I've worked on similar legislation in the past. I mean this is not...
• Roll call will be taken at 3:30 again in the caucus of the whole in the Betty King room.

Bills: HB11, HB12, HB21, HB26, HB30, HB33, HB37, HB45, HB210, HB303, HB630, HB879, HB1041, HB1188, HB1261, HB1318, HB1465, HB1535, HB1593, HB1778, HB2559, HB2596, HB2692, HB2703, HB2712, HB2742, HB2809, HB2890, HB3012, HB3526, HB5061, HB5092, HB5238, HCR92, SB203, SB317, SB393, SB397, SB644, SB731, SB801, SB867, SB913, SB1071, SB1073, SB1086, SB1087, SB1250, SB1310, SB1359, SB1444, SB1483, SB1705, SB1782, SB1861, SB1897, SB1944, SB2023, SB2043, SB2082, SB2133, SB2215, SB2309, SB2497, SB2532, SB2549, SB2566, SB2617, SB2639, SB2696, SB2717, SB2747, SB2751, SB2790, SB2797, SB2799, SB2841, SB2850, SB2857, SB2891, SB2919, SB2928, SB2994, SB3051, SJR34, SB529, SB541, SB693, SB963, SB1968, SB2308, SB2544, SB1173, SB1646, SB1734, SB1833, SB1, SB17, SB260, SB509, SB1506, SB1637, HB1393, HB2559, HB26, HB3012, HB1593, HB2607, HB3526, HB3810, HB388, HB879, HB12, HB2703, HB30, HB2712, HB2692, HB1633, HB1318, HB685, HB630, HB4753, HB2742, HB303, HB198, HB1535, HB762, HB148, HB1520, HB5061, HB2286, HB1606, HB1041, HB132, HB11, HB45, HB48, HB1261, HB1465, HB1778, HB2596, HB5238, HB33, HB1188, HB210, HB1022, HB1458, HB5560, HB1240, HB1950, HB2027, HB2768, HB2788, HB2791, HB3146, HB3698, HB3699, HB1893, HB3700, HB4850, HB4187, HB1397, HB4885, HB4804, HB3751, HB3611, HB2775, HB2061, HB2003, HB1729, HB1242, HB791, HB2029, HB647, HB2522, HB4738, HB3033, HB3594, HB3474, HB2563, HB2802, HCR90, SJR36, SJR50, SJR63, SCR12, SCR39, SB2023, SB128, SB2043, SB62, SB666, SB847, SB284, SB854, SB810, SB1505, SB583, SB507, SB1434, SB1772, SB2016, SB1122, SB731, SB397, SB508, SB1436, SB287, SB1882, SB393, SB1791, SB209, SB2429, SB511, SB2309, SB1085, SB1975, SB2717, SB1262, SB636, SB2056, SB884, SB1200, SB1845, SB2458, SB801, SB3014, SB3013, SB758, SB2797, SB2076, SB2876, SB1640, SB1449, SB1181, SB1234, SB2926, SB2841, SB1528, SB2891, SB1854, SB317, SB1250, SB2082, SB1237, SB2819, SB629, SB2608, SB1602, SB2009, SB867, SB640, SB1698, SB2680, SB2994, SB913, SB1071, SB1086, SB1087, SB1483, SB1444, SB1553, SB1556, SB1703, SB2133, SB2297, SB2298, SB2622, SB2955, SB2334, SB1861, SB1367, SB2044, SB2363, SB2565, SB1888, SB3036, SB3057, SB3043, SB3063, SB3035, SB203, SB2799, SB2688, SB2522, SB2639, SB2459, SB2655, SB2251, SB1884, SB2617, SB2928, SB2566, SB1897, SB1749, SB2549, SB2553, SB2919, SB1782, SB1705, SB2696, SB1944, SB2215, SB1232, SB2850, SB2969, SB2497, SB1798, SB2603, SB2607, SB781, HB34, HB128, HB130, HB581, HB668, HB677, HB766, HB2259, HB2960, HB2358, HB2894, HB4384, HB2663, HB748, HB793, HB1193, HB1734, HB2340, HB2350, HB3104, HB5180, HB4739, HB1584, HB4344, HB4238, HB4219, HB3806, HB3805, HB3804, HB3803, HB3229, HB3228, HB1922, HB1522, HB431, HB3597, HB1612, HB4224, HB754, HB1314, HB2254, HB2789, HB3560, HB4643, HB1237, HCR98, SB3070, SB835, SB524, SB2233, SB2683

Keywords: licensing, reciprocity, regulation, Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation, interstate agreements, housing finance, multifamily residential, low income, tax exemption, audit requirements, affordable housing, local government, development bonds, Medicaid, nutrition support, maternal health, chronic conditions, pilot program, disaster relief, tax rates

Transcript Highlights:

• But as legislators, there's also chance.
• based on some 1994 legislation. based on some 1994 legislation.
• Sportsman's Caucus Cookout.
• Legislative Sportsman's Caucus Cookout. Legislative Sportsman's Caucus Cookout.
• Optometric Association Legislative Optometric Association Legislative Lunchon<00:44:05.920> will

Keywords: MS Senate Floor - 24 February, 2026; 10:00 AM, 925, all

Summary: The Senate convened with a quorum, received the invocation and Pledge of Allegiance, and approved dispensing with the reading of the journal, committee reports, and bill titles. The chamber also welcomed several guest groups, including members of the Mississippi Farm Bureau Land Committee, the Stone County Republican Party, Mississippi State University Student Association leaders, the first graduating class of the Mississippi LEAD program, Montgomery County 4-H leaders, and Mississippi Young Bankers. Floor privileges were granted to Alice Marie Johnson and her guest. The Senate then took up Senate Resolution 28 honoring Alice Marie Johnson of Olive Branch, recognizing her work on clemency and second chances after her own pardon and appointment to a White House pardons-related role. Johnson addressed the Senate, describing her personal history, her time in prison, and her advocacy for people impacted by incarceration and harsh sentencing. Representative Kimberly Remak also presented a House recognition in her honor. The resolution and presentations emphasized redemption, justice reform, and Johnson’s Mississippi roots. On the calendar, the Senate passed Senate Bill 3104, a deficit appropriation bill for fiscal years 2026 and 2027, after Senator Hopson outlined numerous funding items. Those included payments related to wrongful incarceration claims, attorney general litigation, a MIMA settlement, claims involving educational television and the community college board, Medicaid deficit funding, emergency management and county disaster assistance, repairs and relocation needs tied to the Bolton building, AOC pass-through and judge-related costs, licensing board and Marine Resources special funds, student financial aid, and DHS income-verification software to reduce SNAP error rates. The bill passed by morning roll call. The Senate also passed Senate Bill 3105, a placeholder deficit vehicle with no dollars attached, and then passed and retained several later items, including Senate Bill 3053 on IHL general support, after discussion of performance metrics and higher education accountability.

Transcript Highlights:

• Journal of the House, 94th session, 2025, 39th legislative day, St.
• Democrats, we will be caucusing in our caucus room upon recess. Further announcements.
• Republicans, we will also be caucusing in our caucus room upon recess.

Transcript Highlights:

• Uh, first up on GM 685 is Anne Free for the Hawaii Democratic Party Women's Caucus in support.
• Bevin Parker Evans for Women's Caucus Democratic Party in support.
• Uh, first up on GM 685 is Anne Free for the Hawaii Democratic Party Women's Caucus in support.
• Bevin Parker Evans for Women's Caucus Democratic Party in support.
• legislative campaigns. legislative campaigns.

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Summary: The Judiciary Committee heard Governor’s Message 572, the nomination of Kirsten Walker to the Commission on the Status of Women, and received testimony in strong support from representatives of the Hawaii State Commission on the Status of Women, the Hawaii State LGBTQ+ Commission, and others. Walker described nearly a decade of community advocacy focused on women, gender-diverse people, homelessness, domestic violence, substance use, reproductive and gender-diverse health care, and support for criminalized communities. Members asked about the commission’s past work and future priorities, and Walker said it should continue supporting community initiatives, studies on violence, and women-led efforts. The committee voted to recommend advise and consent, with the measure adopted unanimously by the members present. The committee then considered Governor’s Message 685, the nomination of Arielle Castillo to the Board of Registration of the Island of Oahu. Testimony from supporters emphasized her civic engagement, volunteer work, and willingness to serve in uncompensated state work. Castillo said she had worked in local politics and voter engagement, including with Hawaii Alliance for Progressive Action, and explained her background in voter registration, election rules, and good-government efforts. Members questioned her on how she would handle close voting issues and whether her activism could affect her service; she said she would apply the law fairly, protect voting rights, and that her organization is nonpartisan and does not endorse candidates. The committee again recommended advise and consent, and the nomination was adopted. Finally, the committee heard Governor’s Message 686, the nomination of Jonathan Simons to the Board of Registration of the Island of Hawaii. Supporters described him as thoughtful and analytical, and Simons said he is a Hilo civil engineer with a strong interest in civics and good governance. He said his role on the board would be to protect the franchise by preventing improper disenfranchisement and ensuring votes are counted appropriately, citing his mother’s work enforcing the Voting Rights Act. Members asked whether he would apply election laws fairly and without partisan bias; he said he would. The committee voted advise and consent on GM 686 as well, and all three nominations were adopted before adjournment.

Transcript Highlights:

• You might know that farewell addresses are not limited to legislators.
• She was in the legislative showmanship contest with me, and she didn't realize that she was standing
• When we were at the caucus retreat, I was drawn last in the caucus, and you get to pick your office.
• To Chairman Brad Bowles, my fellow member of the Car Wash Caucus, I want to say that your family has
• And I will tell you, my mom watched every day of the legislative session when we were in session.

Bills: SB378, SB985, SB1246, HB3720, SB1500, SB1984, HB4118, SB1644, SB1546, SB483

Keywords: bail bondsman, bondsman license, multicounty agent bondsman, surety bondsman, Insurance Commissioner, bail bond regulation, bond deposit, forfeiture, deposit ratio, writing capacity, license transfer, power of attorney, surety bond, bail industry, Oklahoma insurance law, financial solvency, administrative action, Oklahoma Local Food for Schools, school meals, local food procurement

Summary: The House convened, called the roll, and heard an invocation focused on “leading with the farewell,” followed by the Pledge of Allegiance and a series of floor recognitions honoring guests and student groups. Presentations included the nurse of the day, Susan Hollingsworth, and multiple student champions and visitors, including the Clinton High School 4A hip hop state champions, Pryor High School’s Life Smarts state champions, the Elgin High School wrestling team, the Fort Gibson FFA livestock judging team, Putnam City North’s girls basketball champions, visiting students from Douglas, OSU environmental science graduate students, and Oklahoma Energy Resource Board teachers of the year. The chamber then took up several Senate bills. SB 378, updating bail bondsman regulations, passed 77-3. SB 985, codifying the local food for school program in statute, passed 79-0. SB 1246, which would update and speed up DEQ permitting while preserving transparency, drew questions about agency outreach and environmental impacts; after a division vote on advancing the bill passed 30-28, the bill itself passed 81-0. Later, SB 1500 on pharmacy benefit managers passed 81-0, SB 1984 on osteopathic medicine passed 74-0, and SB 1644 creating a reporting mechanism for suspected alpha-gal syndrome passed 82-0. The House also adopted Senate amendments to HB 3720, the local food freedom bill, and passed it 81-0. HB 4118, the family caregiver credit, also passed 81-0 after the Senate amendment restored the title “Caring for Caregivers Act.” A motion was made to reject Senate amendments to HB 2992 and request conference. House Joint Resolution 1100, relating to OMES proposed major rule changes, was read on second reading and referred to administrative rules. A lengthy debate centered on an amendment to SB 1546, a teacher-related bill, which would expand the Oklahoma Equal Opportunity Scholarship Fund tax credit to support the Strong Readers Act, the Oklahoma Math Proficiency Act, and certain capital projects for scholarship-granting organizations. Supporters said it would encourage private investment in education and add instructional capacity; opponents argued it would favor wealthy private schools, do little for rural or high-poverty districts, and divert scholarship resources. The amendment was adopted unanimously, and the bill was advanced to final passage, with debate continuing at the end of the transcript.

Transcript Highlights:

• So we've got Minority Caucus Calendar number 24. We're going to start with HB 2305, Israel.
• Just for reference, we don't have our caucus sheets. We're going off our phones. Yeah.
• And that concludes our caucus.
• There's an email from Melissa that has the agenda and every single caucus sheet attached to it, so if
• Thank you very much, and with that, caucus is concluded.

Keywords: 1182, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Welcome to caucus. This is not appropriations.
• This is caucus, but I'm just filling in and getting things done today. It's Friday, June 12th.
• today again, or we do a joint caucus on the floor.
• Thank you very much, members, for attending caucus. We are adjourned.
• Thank you very much, members, for attending caucus. We are adjourned.

Summary: The caucus meeting on Friday, June 12, reviewed several bills on Blue Sheets 16, 17, and 18, with sponsors generally concurring in Senate amendments. On property tax and agricultural inspection bills, HB 2104 and HB 2105 were described as creating temporary limits on county assessors’ ability to reclassify or inspect agricultural property after a successful appeal or recent inspection, while preserving assessor authority for changes in use, ownership, splits, or taxable improvements. HB 4117, concerning religious worship assemblies, was amended by the Senate to focus on intentionally obstructing entry or exit from a place of worship or creating a disruptive commotion. HB 2311 would require AI conversational systems to notify users they are interacting with AI and add other consumer protections, and HB 2477 would conform Arizona’s 529 plan rules with federal law and allow certain rollovers to ABLE or Roth IRA accounts. The meeting also covered HB 2114, which directs motorcycle safety fund spending toward education and scholarships and ties motorcycle registration requirements to Class M licensing, with Senate changes narrowing the registration provisions and exempting business-owned motorcycles. HB 2729 was broadened by the Senate from continuing only the Nursing Board to also continuing DES, the Board of Occupational Therapy Examiners, the Physician Assistants Board, and the State Board of Pharmacy, with members noting this kind of consolidation is common at the end of session. All of these bills were presented for concurrence, and no objections or substantive questions were raised. The caucus then reviewed three additional measures that had just come through rules: SB 1618, which revises military affairs statutes, creates procedures for military installation fund property acquisition, changes commission duties and membership, and adds reporting requirements; SB 1110, which creates a Department of Corrections home confinement program for certain inmates nearing release; and SCR 1004, which would, subject to voter approval, restrict photo enforcement systems unless a contract existed before December 31, 2026. Members clarified that the House mirror of the photo enforcement measure had not advanced. The meeting ended with notice that more caucus or rules activity could occur later in the day as the chamber moved bills to the floor on sine die.

Transcript Highlights:

• That's from—first of all, I want to thank the Women's Legislative Caucus and both the chair and vice
• As you probably know, we worked with the Women's Legislative Caucus during the pre-session.
• As you probably know, we worked with the Women's Legislative Caucus during the pre-session.
• /c><01:21:50.719> chair legislative caucus and both the chair legislative caucus and both the
• we worked with the women's legislative we worked with the women's legislative caucus<01:21:56.880

Bills: SB2003

Keywords: Mauna Kea, land management, University of Hawaii, astronomical observatories, leasable lands, natural resource management, stewardship authority, 912, senate, all

Summary: The joint committees on Water, Land, Culture, and the Arts and Education heard testimony and discussed SB 20003, which would require the auditor’s report under Act 255 to include a recommendation on whether the Monarch Stewardship and Oversight Authority is fit to continue managing Monaca lands. Testimony focused on the bill’s reversion language, the role of the auditor, and whether the measure gave the auditor too much discretion without clear criteria. The Office of the Auditor’s position, read into the record, was that it had strong reservations because the bill did not provide standards for assessing fitness and asked that the requirement be held or amended. Other testimony suggested a work group with relevant agencies and Hawaiian practitioners to manage the transition and reduce conflict. Committee members debated whether the bill should simply restore the original reversion language or also require an audit-based fitness determination. Several members questioned the need for a 2031 audit when Act 255 already provides for a performance and financial audit in 2031 and noted that the bill could shift authority away from the legislature. In response, the committee chair explained that the measure was intended to restore language removed during conference and to address the transition back to the University of Hawaii if the authority was not meeting the act’s purpose. The committees ultimately recommended SB 20003 be passed with amendments. The amendments would strike the auditor/audit section, add language addressing timelines by providing a 10-year lease extension and sublease extension, and make technical changes including a defective date. The committees voted to adopt the amended measure and send it forward as an SD1. The transcript also included a separate Education Committee hearing on SB 3286, which would require the University of Hawaii to develop a facilities and student housing master plan and report to the legislature. University of Hawaii testimony said the system supports the intent but that the bill’s requirements are a heavy lift across 10 campuses and should follow development of a broader academic strategy. Members raised concerns about deferred maintenance, shifting priorities, and the lack of a systemwide plan, while the university said it already has a six-year capital improvement plan but acknowledged it does not fully incorporate the broader academic and housing strategy the bill contemplates.