Transcript Highlights:

• will be<00:14:12.600> used<00:14:12.839> for<00:14:13.519> okay<00:14:13.800>
• > just<00:14:14.000> so<00:14:14.199> I'm<00:14:14.399> clear<00:14:14.759><
• :16.680> you<00:14:17.560> has<00:14:17.800> not<00:14:18.040> been<00:14
• used<00:14:23.079> for<00:14:23.759> so<00:14:24.000> now<00:14:24.240>
• 14:26.480> me<00:14:26.680> the<00:14:27.160> the<00:14:27.639> the<00:14

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• :52.600> it<00:14:52.720> in<00:14:52.880> rule<00:14:53.160> or<00:14:53.279
• > is<00:14:53.360> it<00:14:53.519> in<00:14:53.720> law<00:14:54.079>
• it's in rule<00:14:55.600> or<00:14:55.920> no<00:14:56.199> actually<00:14:56.519
• > no<00:14:56.720> it's<00:14:56.839> in<00:14:57.079> law<00:14:57.759><
• <00:15:58.560> one procurement rules just chapter one procurement rules just chapter one chapter

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Summary: The committee opened its first hearing of 2025 and announced that all measures heard that day would be deferred to the next committee hearing for decision-making on Thursday, January 30. The agenda centered largely on procurement and government-operations bills, with testimony generally split between state agencies and local governments. On procurement measures, SB 254 and SB 383 would raise small-purchase thresholds; the State Procurement Office opposed both, while county officials, the City and County of Honolulu, the state librarian, and others supported them. SB 382, which would bar disclosure of a competing offeror’s proposal or evaluation score, and SB 462, which would require performance incentive contracts to specify pricing bases, goals, and formulas, drew mostly written comments and some support from agencies such as the Department of Transportation and Department of Education. SB 615, which would treat certain large change orders as new contracts, received opposition from the Comptroller and engineering interests. The committee also heard several bills on vacancies, appointments, and legislative oversight. SB 5 on state legislative vacancies had one supporting testifier, while SB 300 on deadlines for filling certain Senate vacancies drew opposition from several individuals and support from one late testifier. SB 1081, which would create a legislative budget office to provide fiscal analysis and reports on bills, received broad support from advocacy groups, civic organizations, and individuals. SB 711, requiring Senate advice and consent for certain executive-branch appointments, drew written opposition from the Governor’s Office and support from one individual. SB 375, establishing a select commission on government restructuring, had one written supporter. SB 418, which would require the Attorney General’s office to review a portion of administrative rules each year, prompted extended discussion about outdated rules, the difficulty of repealing or amending rules, and whether the bill should be refined; the AG’s office indicated the process is burdensome and could be streamlined. The committee then took up transparency and access measures. SB 55, requiring agency rules to be posted online in a digitally accessible format, received support from several advocacy and civic groups and written comment from the Lieutenant Governor’s Office. SB 870 would direct the comptroller to identify state office buildings that could provide equitable telecom access for remote participation in hearings, especially for residents with disabilities; the Comptroller supported the concept, and members discussed using libraries, DAGS facilities, county facilities, and other public buildings, with concerns raised about staffing, bandwidth, and competing public use. SB 270, a sunshine-law measure allowing board members to attend informational meetings and presentations, drew opposition from the Public First Law Center, which argued it would create a broad loophole and should be narrowed to existing county-council provisions. SB 45, concerning neighborhood board meetings and third-party presentations, prompted discussion about whether it actually addressed neighborhood boards’ Sunshine Law concerns; the committee was told it was not the right vehicle for that issue. SB 406, which would cap copying fees for government records at 5 cents per page with exceptions, drew support from media and transparency groups but opposition from DAGS, which said its actual per-page cost is much higher; members discussed possible electronic-copy alternatives and asked for more cost information before the next hearing.

Transcript Highlights:

• situations<00:14:53.839> we<00:14:53.959> do<00:14:54.199> what<00:14:54.320>
• > we<00:14:54.440> do<00:14:54.639> is<00:14:54.759> more<00:14:55.000> akin
• > fine<01:14:06.719> with<01:14:06.840> that<01:14:07.000> approach<01:14
• :07.679> go<01:14:07.800> ahead<01:14:08.000> and<01:14:08.199> get<01:14
• that<01:14:41.360> and<01:14:41.480> needing<01:14:41.880> and<01:14:42.040

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• rental housing. accuracy of uh applications submitted to accuracy of uh applications submitted to the<00:14
• :58.720> Department<00:14:59.320> and<00:14:59.440> just<00:14:59.560> for
• ><00:14:59.720> your the Department and just for your the Department and just for your consideration
• currently actually drafted in session law, so I recommend that we move that HRS into statute, into HRS chapter
• Chapter 205, part two, and then tech amendments as necessary.

Keywords: 910, house, all

Summary: The Housing Committee met on March 19 for a brief public hearing on two bills. SB 79 SD1, relating to historic preservation reviews, drew support from HHFDC, DLNR/SHIPY, and NAOP Hawaiʻi, with NAOP recommending a technical amendment to ensure applications submitted to the department are complete and accurate. No opposition or questions were raised during the hearing. The committee also heard SB 170 SD2 HD1, relating to the expeditious redevelopment and development of affordable rental housing. Testimony was generally supportive, including from HHFDC, Hal Māhu, Pacific Commercial Realty, KCOM Corporation, the Green Party of Hawaiʻi, the Maui Chamber of Commerce, and several individuals, with one person testifying in opposition. Supporters emphasized the need to speed affordable housing redevelopment, especially for Lahaina fire victims, displaced residents, workers, and people experiencing homelessness. A KCOM representative described proposed technical amendments to avoid special-law concerns and to clarify that a permit in process with the county should be sufficient if an emergency proclamation expires before completion. In decision-making, the committee voted to pass SB 79 SD1 with amendments and to pass SB 170 SD2 HD1 with substantial amendments. For SB 170, the chair described amendments to incorporate Pacific Commercial Realty’s proposed changes, clarify application-completeness requirements, exclude shoreline- and erosion-impacted parcels, remove references to flooding and tsunami, clarify an exemption from HRS 343 for certain permanently affordable multifamily projects in the SMA on historic properties, and move the bill’s provisions into statute. Representatives Cochran, Kagawa, and Peric were excused on the vote. The hearing then adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• House Bill 2912, amending Title 40, Chapter 1, Article 1, A.R.S., by adding Sections 41-13 and 41-14,
• House Bill 4056, amending Title 39, Chapter 1, Article 1, relating to public records.
• Title 40, Chapter 2, Article 1, A.R.S., relating to reliable electric resources.
• By your vote of 41 ayes, 14 nays, 4... How do you vote? The clerk will record the vote.
• Sermining Title 40, Chapter 2, Article 6.2, relating to county zoning.

Keywords: 1182, all

Summary: The House convened with prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, guest introductions, and recognition of Arizona School Board Association members and local school board representatives visiting the Capitol for Advocacy Day. Members also honored the House Doctor of the Day, Dr. Heather Serran, and approved the journal and attendance. The chamber then moved through a large number of Senate messages and House calendar items, including committee assignments and first and second readings of many bills. A major floor action was the unanimous adoption of SCR 1054 honoring former Arizona Attorney General Mark Brnovich, followed by remarks remembering his public service and consumer-protection work. The House also agreed to return SB 1278 to the Senate for reconsideration and referred several House bills to an additional Committee of the Whole for further amendment. In Committee of the Whole, members considered and advanced numerous bills, including HB 2055, 2150, 2426, 2456, 2457, 2728, 2755, 2918, and 2923, with several floor amendments adopted. HB 2728 drew the most debate over Department of Economic Security continuation and added policy changes affecting SNAP, unemployment, and eligibility verification; after a divided question and recorded vote, it received a do-pass recommendation by 32-25. The House also advanced HB 2134, 2142, 2289, 2290, 2331, 2379, 2397, 4026, and 4033 in later Committee of the Whole sessions, with discussion focused on school safety funding and governance, school board training, HOA disclosure reforms, tax sourcing clarity, and bond disclosure language. Several bills were retained on the calendar, including HB 4041, HB 2444, HB 4018, and HB 4070. In final third-reading votes, HB 2053, HB 2327, and HB 2416 passed; HB 2175 and HB 2492 failed; and HB 2805, which would make school board races partisan, was under debate at the end of the transcript amid strong arguments both for and against increasing partisanship in school board elections.

Transcript Highlights:

• A<00:14:46.399> lifeline<00:14:46.880> for<00:14:47.120> orphans,<00:14:
• <00:14:55.199> The<00:14:55.440> Colorado<00:14:55.839> State<00:14:56.160><
• Basisley Basisley with<01:14:14.159> a<01:14:14.560> vote<01:14:14.880> of<01:14
• <01:14:18.080> house<01:14:18.239> bill<01:14:18.400> 1156<01:14:19.440>
• > a<01:14:26.880> sponsor<01:14:27.199> on<01:14:27.360> House<01:14:27.600

Keywords: 981, all

Summary: The Senate met with a quorum, approved the journal, and then took up several ceremonial and procedural items before moving to resolutions and a large consent calendar of supplemental appropriation bills. The chamber also received committee reports, including Agriculture and Natural Resources appointments to the Great Outdoors Colorado Trust Fund, the Colorado Agricultural Development Authority, and the Wildlife Habitat Stamp Committee, which were recommended for the consent calendar and confirmation. A major portion of the meeting was devoted to tributes and personal privilege remarks. Senators recognized Cap Alpha Psi Fraternity for its mentorship, scholarship, housing, and community service work in Colorado, and later honored Ukraine Power, a Colorado Springs nonprofit that raises funds and delivers generators, heaters, power banks, and other aid to people in Ukraine. Senators emphasized the ongoing war in Ukraine and praised Coloradans helping with humanitarian relief. The Senate then adopted SJR 12, designating February 20, 2026, as Colorado FFA Day, after extended remarks about agricultural education, leadership development, and the role of FFA in both rural and urban communities. The resolution passed on a 33-0 vote, and the current roll call was added as co-sponsors. The chamber also passed a 30-bill consent calendar of supplemental appropriations and related measures, with several senators recording no votes on selected bills. Final passage followed for House Bill 1151 and the remaining bills on the calendar, covering supplemental appropriations to departments including Corrections, Health Care Policy and Financing, Agriculture, Early Childhood, Education, Human Services, Judicial, Labor and Employment, Law, Local Affairs, Military and Veterans Affairs, Personnel, Revenue, State, Transportation, Treasury, and capital construction and education-related funding measures. Debate on HB 1155 focused on Medicaid and behavioral health cuts, with one senator opposing the bill over parity concerns and others supporting it as part of broader budget balancing. Most bills passed with strong majorities, though several had recorded no votes.

Transcript Highlights:

• access<01:14:03.639> to<01:14:03.920> essential<01:14:04.560> abortion<01:14:05.080
• ><01:14:12.080> left<01:14:12.480> to<01:14:12.719> the<01:14:13.159> States<
• <01:14:24.840> what<01:14:25.159> many<01:14:25.400> in<01:14:25.520> our
• <01:14:29.400> should<01:14:29.880> remain<01:14:30.239> between<01:14:30.600
• <01:14:45.000> to<01:14:45.159> make<01:14:45.440> decisions<01:14:46.040> with

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• in 2011 and didn't catch the chapter in 2011 and didn't catch the redundancy,<00:14:32.040> so
• Sections<00:14:35.120> 8<00:14:35.320> and<00:14:35.480> 9<00:14:35.839> concern
• <00:14:39.000> also<00:14:39.240> be<00:14:39.320> the<00:14:39.440> basis
• Section 14 is another instance where a reference to Profits from Crime in the Crime Victims chapter is
• . chapter. chapter.

Keywords: 927, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• The<00:14:58.399> eyes<00:14:58.800> appear<00:14:59.120> to<00:14:59.279> have
• <00:14:59.440> it.
• In Section 2, it amends the existing 6 V.S.A. chapter 207 related description that says it relates to
• <00:34:10.399> is Um and then the new subch chapter is Um and then the new subch chapter is
• <00:43:03.599> 207 amendment in section 26 VSA chapter 207 amendment in section 26 VSA chapter

Keywords: 926, house, all

Summary: The House opened with devotional remarks from Representative Greer focused on perspective, kindness, and the idea that people “earn” respect and love through shared humanity. After that, the chamber suspended rules to introduce 17 House bills by number only, and adopted JRS 3 in concurrence, setting a joint assembly for Tuesday, January 20, 2026 at 1:00 p.m. to receive the governor’s budget message. Several announcements followed, including birthday wishes, a note about the new federal whole milk for schools law, guest introductions, and caucus notices. The House also approved committee transfers for H.393, an act relating to the prohibition of requiring face masks in schools, moving it from Education to Healthcare, and H.334, an act relating to limiting employer restrictions on individuals separating from employment, moving it from General and Housing to Commerce and Economic Development. The chamber then took up H.649 on captive insurance companies. The Commerce and Economic Development Committee explained that the bill, based on Department of Financial Regulation proposals, would prohibit risk retention groups from lending to or investing in members or affiliates, require annual and quarterly filings in NAIC form with a jurat page and actuarial certificate, and create new filing requirements for sponsored captive protected cells. The committee reported unanimous support, and the House amended the bill and ordered third reading. The House next considered S.60, establishing a Farm Security Special Fund. The Agriculture, Food Resiliency, and Forestry Committee and Appropriations described the bill as a response to repeated weather-related losses affecting farms and forestry operations, including flooding, freezes, drought, and other extreme events. The House version adds forestry and changes assistance from grants to payments to make aid faster and less cumbersome. The program would be administered by the Agency of Agriculture, Food and Markets, with a review board and payments of up to 50% of uncovered losses, capped at 5% of annual appropriations and $150,000 per application. The committee testimony emphasized the need for a permanent, predictable state relief mechanism, and the bill was advanced with strong support.

Transcript Highlights:

• >> Yes.<00:14:00.560> In<00:14:00.800> this<00:14:01.040> resolution<00:14
• <00:14:06.560> We<00:14:06.720> also<00:14:06.959> passed<00:14:07.279> at
• Member<00:14:57.040> from<00:14:57.199> Pney,<00:14:57.760> can<00:14:57.839>
• :00.719> had<01:14:00.880> a<01:14:01.040> stroke<01:14:01.280> or<01:14:
• It<01:14:05.280> is<01:14:05.440> important<01:14:06.000> because<01:14:07.360><

Keywords: 926, house, all

Summary: The House began with several announcements and recognitions, including a lengthy tribute to Representative Carolyn Brangan of Georgia on her retirement and years of service, followed by remarks from Brangan explaining that she is leaving to care for her husband during cancer treatment. Additional members offered brief reflections, including one on the end of the session and another welcoming students from Founders Memorial School to the gallery, and a member from Brattleboro highlighted a collaborative mural in the card room titled “These Green Hills, Vermont State Symbols and Personal Reflections.” The body then took up its calendar. It adopted Joint House Resolution 12, authorizing limited remote voting in joint committees through the remainder of the calendar year, with an ADA-related accommodation for members physically present but unable to access a meeting room. The House also suspended rules to take up and concur in the Senate amendment to House Bill 935 on emergency management. The committee report described grant programs for emergency response and technical rescue, new definitions and shelter-planning language centered on “whole community,” a wildland fire response task force, and an emergency rulemaking provision requested by the Agency of Natural Resources; the committee approved the Senate proposal on an 8-3 straw poll, and the House concurred. The House next adopted the conference committee report on House Bill 952, the capital construction and state bonding budget adjustment bill. The report explained changes made in conference, including shifting funds to cover a higher-than-expected bid for the St. Johnsbury facility, restoring some funding for maintenance at the women’s correctional facility in Chittenden County, and setting aside $750,000 toward planning for Wi-Fi installation in correctional facilities. It also noted a lease-related language change for a Vermont Huts project at Little River State Park, with notification to the institutions committee chairs. The House then took up Senate Bill 64 on optometrists’ scope of practice; the committee presentation supported allowing specially credentialed optometrists to perform certain minor surgical, laser, and injection procedures, citing improved access, safety, cost, and workforce development, and the bill was read for second reading with committee recommendations for concurrence.

Transcript Highlights:

• c><01:14:18.640> housing<01:14:19.120> people<01:14:19.760> from<01:14:20.159>
• And<01:14:30.159> I<01:14:30.400> also<01:14:30.640> want<01:14:30.800> to
• ><01:14:30.880> point<01:14:31.120> out<01:14:31.280> that<01:14:31.520> at
• <01:14:36.560> capacity<01:14:37.120> is<01:14:37.360> taken<01:14:37.679>
• <01:14:58.320> to<01:14:58.480> give<01:14:58.560> a<01:14:59.360> uh

Bills: HF4077, HF3798, HF3886

Keywords: municipal nondisclosure agreement, NDA, public records, transparency, local government, county, city, town, school district, housing and redevelopment authority, economic development authority, port authority, economic development, land development, public financing, tax increment financing, TIF, abatement, municipal bonds, debt obligations

Transcript Highlights:

• So, follow up. out<00:14:00.639> of<00:14:00.720> the<00:14:01.120> money<00:14:
• Um,<00:14:04.959> you're<00:14:05.199> ju<00:14:05.600> you're<00:14:05.920>
• 14:12.639> sounds<00:14:12.880> like<00:14:13.040> you're<00:14:13.199> just<
• <00:14:23.199> And<00:14:23.440> some<00:14:23.600> of<00:14:23.680> that
• /c><00:14:28.880> we<00:14:29.040> need<00:14:29.199> to<00:14:29.279> deal

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The Capital Project Overview Committee approved the February 24 minutes and then voted to confirm Senator Mark Maki as vice chair. The committee next took up DAS request CAP 25004, which sought permission to use the remaining $713,667 from a $7 million appropriation for the purchase of 25 Hall Street to address deficiencies identified in an engineering study. DAS explained the building was bought for $6.25 million after the study revealed issues, and the funds would be used first for the most urgent repairs, especially the roof. In response to questions, DAS said the roof estimate was about $560,000, with other estimated needs including a skylight at $288,000, plumbing at $59,000, HVAC at $325,000, and electrical work at $547,000; the committee approved the request. The committee then considered CAP 25005, another DAS request to transfer $221,632 from five completed capital projects to the Hillsborough County South cell block renovation project. DAS said the project had been identified years earlier, had only recently entered design, and now appeared likely to cost more than the original appropriation because of inflation and delay. Senator Lang asked whether the transfer would be enough, and DAS responded that there was no final estimate yet but they hoped to engineer the project to fit the available funds. The committee approved the transfer. Later, the committee welcomed Senator Maki, who accepted the vice chair position. Under other business, members discussed a prior proposal in HB 2 that would have changed reporting from quarterly to annual; the committee was told the amendment had been made so that change would not go forward, and that the relevant section remained in HB 25 because it corrects capital budget language in multiple places. The committee set its next meeting for June 30 at 9:00 a.m. and requested that the Liquor Commission attend to discuss the 90/95 sale of property. The meeting then adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• Okay.<00:14:09.960> They're<00:14:10.120> all<00:14:10.320> in<00:14:10.440>
• >> I<00:14:11.480> Are<00:14:11.600> you<00:14:11.720> in<00:14:11.880>
• <00:14:15.440> And<00:14:15.920> I<00:14:16.000> feel<00:14:16.240> like<
• <00:14:18.240> to<00:14:18.400> speak<00:14:18.760> up<00:14:18.920> for
• ><00:14:19.760> are<00:14:19.880> not<00:14:20.200> able<00:14:20.520> to.

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Summary: The Health and Human Services committee hearing opened with notice that the meeting was being streamed and could reconvene later if technical problems forced an abrupt end. The chair also announced a one-minute testimony limit and proceeded through several bills, taking mostly written and oral support testimony and asking limited questions. No votes were taken in the portion provided. HB 1626, relating to youth penalties, drew strong support from the Office of Hawaiian Affairs, youth advocates, the ACLU, the Department of Education, and others. Testifiers said financial sanctions on youth are ineffective, disproportionately burden Native Hawaiian youth, and function as poverty penalties; they urged replacing fines with community service, restorative practices, and ʻāina-based programs, and eliminating uncollectible legacy debt. The chair moved on after no member questions. HB 1643, relating to pharmacy, was discussed with support from the Hawaii Pharmacists Association, Kaiser, the Board of Pharmacy, independent pharmacies, and PBM representatives. Testimony focused on amendment language, audit procedures, HIPAA concerns, and the need for flexibility for small island pharmacies. HB 1668, relating to Medicaid, received broad support from disability advocates and the Department of Human Services; witnesses said CMS had already approved the underlying state plan amendment removing income and asset limits for certain workers with disabilities, but they wanted the protection codified in law to preserve it long term. The chair asked whether codification was necessary and was told it would not be harmful and would help ensure continuity if federal policy changed. The committee then heard HB 1550 on drug paraphernalia and syringe access, with support from Shipta and the Department of Health; testimony emphasized preserving flexibility for the statewide syringe access program to respond to emerging drugs like xylazine. HB 1974, relating to health, was presented as a planning measure for hearing loss; testifiers said Hawaii lacks a comprehensive hearing-loss plan and that the bill would fund a state planning process, not direct services. HB 1858 on vital statistics drew support from clinicians and medical organizations, who said better data on spontaneous fetal deaths is needed and that the term used in the bill is standard medical and CDC terminology. HB 1871 and HB 1966 also received support, with HB 1966’s EMS special fund prompting discussion about the cigarette-tax revenue source; the chair questioned the nexus to EMS, and the Department of Health said the revenue currently funds the special fund and there is no alternative funding stream.

Transcript Highlights:

• :14:03.160> run<00:14:03.399> it<00:14:03.759> most<00:14:04.040> of<00:14
• :14:05.680> goes<00:14:06.040> to<00:14:06.199> the<00:14:06.320> mail<00
• > and<00:14:09.759> you<00:14:09.880> own<00:14:10.160> the<00:14:10.279>
• :12.120> and<00:14:12.440> how<00:14:12.639> much<00:14:12.880> how<00:14
• > go<00:14:28.839> in<00:14:29.120> into<00:14:29.320> a<00:14:29.480>

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• House Bill 4156, amending the law as 2021, chapter 9,000, amending laws 2023, chapter 2011, 11, and state
• Senate Bill 1421, amending Title 6, Chapter 1, Article 2, A.R.S., and Title 44, Chapter 9, Article 1,
• Enacting Title 28, Chapter 14, Article 2, A.R.S.
• Amending Title 23, Chapter 6, Article 4A, amending Section 23-977.3 as amended by Laws 2025, Chapter
• Members, there are only 14 bills left, including this one.

Keywords: 1182, all

Transcript Highlights:

• c><00:14:04.240> the<00:14:04.399> vote<00:14:04.480> on<00:14:04.639> behalf
• Co-chair Esen.<00:14:07.040> Hi,<00:14:07.680> Cocher<00:14:08.000> Laos.
• Hi.<00:14:11.199> Um,<00:14:11.680> Conferee<00:14:12.240> By<00:14:13.519> Confrey
• We<00:14:16.800> have<00:14:16.880> a<00:14:17.040> bill.
• <00:14:18.399> Thank<00:14:18.560> you<00:14:18.720> very<00:14:18.959> much

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• chapter? chapter?
• The<00:14:21.120> author<00:14:21.360> of<00:14:21.440> the<00:14:21.520>
• > bill<00:14:21.760> won't<00:14:21.960> tell<00:14:22.160> us<00:14:22.280>
• And<00:14:41.000> this<00:14:41.600> bill<00:14:41.960> that's<00:14:42.200>
• before<00:14:42.560> us<00:14:43.000> is<00:14:43.160> not<00:14:43.320>

Keywords: 919, house, all

Summary: The House debated Representative Hicks’ motion to place Senate File 3210 first on the calendar for the next day. Hicks said the bill, which concerns disability accommodations, had been on the general register since March 9 and had passed the Senate 46-18. Supporters argued it would strengthen the process for requesting accommodations and should be heard on the floor without further delay. Representative Niska opposed the motion, arguing the bill was poorly drafted, had not received enough committee work, and could create ambiguity in the Minnesota Human Rights Act. He focused on the bill’s use of “may” in describing failure to engage in the accommodation process and questioned how the proposal would affect existing law in employment, housing, public accommodations, and education. Hicks responded that the bill addresses the process for reasonable accommodations, not the underlying accommodation standards, and said disability advocates and the Department of Human Rights supported the language. Several members spoke in favor of calendaring the bill, emphasizing that it was bipartisan, had already moved through committee, and was important to people with disabilities. Some supporters described the accommodation process as difficult and said the bill would help ensure good-faith engagement between employers and individuals seeking accommodations. The exchange ended with the motion still under debate, with members indicating the bill would likely be taken up on the floor the following day.

Transcript Highlights:

• Is that kind of<00:14:06.720> the<00:14:07.040> status<00:14:07.440> that<00:14:
• positions<00:14:12.800> uh<00:14:12.959> as<00:14:13.120> the<00:14:13.279>
• There's<00:14:19.360> a<00:14:19.519> lot<00:14:19.600> of<00:14:19.760> work
• The board<00:14:21.199> was<00:14:21.360> tasked<00:14:21.680> with<00:14:22.000
• > HR<00:14:25.360> 139<00:14:25.760> back<00:14:26.000> in<00:14:26.240><

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Summary: The joint hearing of the Senate Committees on Labor and Technology and Public Safety and Military Affairs considered three bills. SB 2141 would reclassify certain Department of Law Enforcement leadership and employees as Class A members for retirement purposes and adjust retirement benefit calculations. DLE supported the bill, saying it would address retirement classification without enhancing benefits, while the Employees’ Retirement System said it had no formal board position but wanted key provisions preserved. The Deputy Attorney General raised a potential title/subject issue and warned the bill could be vulnerable to challenge because the reclassification, contribution changes, and benefit calculations are in separate statutory sections. After questions about the number of affected employees and possible amendments, the committees deferred the bill. SB 2593 would exempt certain Law Enforcement Standards Board positions from civil service and collective bargaining. The board’s administrator said the positions would handle sensitive and confidential information and require specialized experience, and the board chair’s representative said the bill was important to meet certification deadlines. Opposition testimony from HGA argued exempt employees are at-will and suggested civil service protections should remain, with any staffing issues handled through reclassification or other personnel tools. Committee members questioned whether the positions could instead be civil service but excluded from bargaining, and staff explained the distinction between civil service exemption and collective bargaining exclusion. The committees ultimately recommended passing SB 2593 with amendments, including a deferred effective date of January 1, 2077, and the recommendation was adopted. SB 2824 would create a bribery-related reporting duty for public servants. Supporters, including Indivisible Hawaii, said it would establish a clear duty to report known or suspected bribery and strengthen public trust. The Office of the Public Defender opposed the bill, saying it would criminalize an affirmative duty to report another person’s misconduct. After limited discussion, both committees voted to pass SB 2824 with amendments, including a deferred effective date of July 1, 2050, and the recommendation was adopted. The meeting then adjourned.

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Keywords: 912, senate, all

Summary: The Judiciary Committee met in decision-making only session and took up a series of bills, mostly approving them with amendments. SB 1032 on campaign finance passed with amendments to change the certification process for business entities, add a severability-type provision if foreign-influence conditions are struck down, and note a related Minnesota federal case. SB 401 on firearms passed with amendments to exclude shotguns, grandfather legally registered devices in place as of the effective date, and add committee report findings; SB 382 on procurement confidentiality passed as is; SB 598 extending deadlines for administrative driver’s license revocation review decisions passed as is; SB 771 on HHFDC board leadership passed as is; and SB 1318 clarifying water pollution enforcement jurisdiction passed as is. The committee also approved SB 1657 with an amendment removing authority to condemn public property, SB 1102 with an amendment making the Fire Council the source of nominees for the aircraft rescue fire fighting chief, and SB 100 with amendments replacing the original substance with a prohibition on fingerprinting nonprofit liquor-license board members during background checks and limiting the bill to counties under 500,000 population. SB 170 and SB 1296, both related to special management area exemptions for affordable housing and disaster-related reconstruction, passed with amendments incorporating Office of Planning, Sustainable Development, and Attorney General changes to narrow and clarify the exemptions. Finally, SB 363, a cleanup bill related to firearm parts and ghost gun laws, was considered with amendments that deleted a proposed new penalty section, revised existing firearms statutes, removed an unnecessary definition, and expanded penalties to include indeterminate imprisonment terms. Despite the amendments, the measure was not adopted because the Vice Chair voted no. The committee then adjourned and announced a later joint hearing with Ways and Means.

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Keywords: Wildlife, Fisheries and Parks - Room 210, 2 February, 2026; 3:00 P.M., 925, all

Summary: The committee first took up Senate Bill 2664, which would amend the lifetime hunting license program so anyone under age 18 could buy the license for a $500 fee. After a brief explanation and no questions, the committee adopted a motion for title sufficient and do pass, and the bill was reported. Members then considered Senate Bill 2436, described as a step toward establishing a black bear hunting season in Mississippi beginning with the 2027-28 season. The bill would require the department to set rules based on black bear population data, use a lottery system for tags, create one annual governor’s tag, delay nonresident tags until at least 2032-33, cap those tags at 10%, and add penalties for violations. The committee again moved title sufficient and do pass with a committee substitute, and the bill was reported. The committee also heard Senate Bill 2420, which would clarify last year’s hunting-season extension so that if a season ends on Friday or Saturday, it would continue through Sunday. That bill received a do-pass motion and was reported. Senate Bill 2659, creating a voluntary lifetime conservation legacy license for Mississippians over 65 for a one-time $250 fee, also passed the committee and was reported. Finally, the committee took up Senate Bill 2660, the catfish bill, with testimony from a guest and department officials. Supporters argued the bill was needed to curb commercial harvesting of trophy catfish from the Mississippi River, protect the resource, and support tourism and events such as the Vicksburg catfish tournament. Department staff said a possible approach would be to prohibit transporting live catfish over 34 inches, which they said could help stop the practice without affecting farm-raised catfish. Members discussed concerns about impacts on local fishermen and clarified that the bill was aimed at Mississippi River waters; the committee did not reach a final vote on this bill in the portion provided.